I’m not all that into Valentines anyway

The ex never believed me so even though money was always tight, he always at least got a flower, chocolates, a cheap stuffed animal holding a heart that said “Be Mine” or something. I love chocolates, the flowers and plush toys I can do without.

I don’t, however, need an excuse to go to an awesome brunch with the boy and some friends. Besides which, the boy has been bugging me for ages to go back. So we’re getting up early (but not to early) to beat the V-Day crowds and stuff our faces, have many mimosas–too much sugar for the kid–and appreciate the good company.

Here’s the thing…I may not be into it, but my boyfriend The Mad Carpenter is totally mushy and sentimental and would be terribly hurt if I didn’t at least post some sort of love tribute. Truthfully, if he were here, I’d be excited because he’d definitely have something romantic planned. And while I may not be big on flowers or plush toys, romantic gestures are always welcome.

If he were here, he’d join my friends, the boy and me on our Valentines brunch and the day would have a different glow about it. Alas, he’s not here, so its just a regular day.

But still, I can’t let it pass without giving him a shout-out.

David I love you. I wish you were here.

Tags: Brunch, Friendship, Love, The Mad Carpenter, Valentine's Day

Home Made Pizza (sort of)

I didn’t feel like cooking today. I was kind of craving chili, but since I was hungry when I went into the store, I forgot all about that.

What I did end up getting made for a delicious home made pizza…maybe more like a tasty, pizza-like, cheesy facacia bread thingy. It only took 10 minutes and the boy kept going on and on about how he couldn’t believe how good it was (actually he said it every time he took a bite and pretended he was in a commercial for some great pizza!).

Ingredients

Facacia bread
Provalone cheese
Cheddar cheese
Peppered salami
Red onions

Directions
Cut Facacia down the center so you have a top and a bottom. Layer other ingredients on top bread. Put in toaster-oven (or oven) for 8-10 minutes or until everything just starts to burn on the edges.

Cut into slices and voila!

I can’t believe how good that was.

Tags: Food, Quick Fixin's, Recipes

Potatoes Au Gratin

Phew! This posting something every day thing is tough and I’m only one week in. I have no plan for how I’ll keep things going. I just plan to write. Since I’ve been cooking my ass off all weekend…I’ll give you another recipe.

That’s right folks: Potatoes au gratin. I sweat potatoes never tasted so good. Mind you, I’ve had au gratin before. What I made last night far surpassed my expectations. Again, recipes are meant to be tweaked and played with; the more you play, the more you enjoy…as I’ve recently discovered.

Without further ado…

Potatoes au Gratin

Ingredients
2 lbs russet potatoes (cut into 1/4″ slices)
2 cups of heavy cream
2 shredded Parmesan
1/2 an onion (slice julienne)
1 tsp fresh thyme
1 tsp crushed garlic
salt & pepper

Directions

1. In medium sauce pan, warm cream, garlic, and thyme
2. In 2-quart arrange potatoes in overlapping pattern in sprinkle cheese, salt, pepper and onions. Make two or three layers, leaving top layer uncovered.
3. Pour cream mixture over potatoes.
4. Bake uncovered for 1 hour, sprinkle more cheese over top and bake until golden brown.
5. Let stand for 5 minutes.

I kid you not, these potatoes were insane.

Tags: Potatoes Au Gratin, Recipes

Meatballs and Spicy Sausage Marinara

When David was here, he made what he called his “meatball dinner.” Nothing but your typical spaghetti and meatballs, sans the spaghetti. It was good, and tonight I made it my way.

Meatballs and Spicy Sausage Marinara

Ingredients
3/4 lb. Pennette (small penne pasta)
1lb ground beef or ground turkey
1/2 Tbsp fresh parsley
2 Tsp crushed garlic
1 large egg
1 jar traditional or basil pasta sauce
2 spicy Italian sausage links, cut into 1/2″ pieces
1/4 cup bread crumbs (one slice of bread toasted and crumbled)

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, combine ground beef, garlic, parsley and egg. Add bread crumbs. Mix well.
2. Form mixture into 1″ balls
3. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in 2 qt sauce pan. Brown meatballs and sausages.
4. Add pasta sauce. Simmer on low for an hour
5. 20 minutes before sauce is done, cook pasta according to package.

I served the sauce over the pasta with Parmesan cheese and a little toasted some Na’an bread for dipping. The boys ate it up voraciously. A simple yet crowd-pleasing meal.

And you know I loved it when the boys all cheered my cooking. I’m really starting to enjoying making my own food.

Tags: Crowd-pleasers, Recipies

Cheesy Broccoli With Shells

Gotta love when you open your email to find a recipe your inbox and you’re so excited by what you see there, you decide you MUST try it that evening. I had all but a couple ingredients and I was willing to stop for the rest.

That’s right folks, it was cheesy broccoli with shells. I liked the idea, but it looked like it was missing one thing: flavor. So I tweaked the recipe juuuust a little to give it that extra su’m su’m.

Cheesy Broccoli With Shells

Ingredients
3/4 pound medium pasta shells
3 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups grated Cheddar
1/2 onion
1/4 teaspoon fresh thyme
salt and pepper
1 16 oz. package frozen broccoli florets

Directions

1. Pre-heat broiler
2. Cook pasta to al denté
3. Meanwhile, heat the butter and onions in a large pot over medium heat until onions are translucent. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk and cream and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 4 to 5 minutes.
4. Add 1 1/2 cups of the cheese and stir until melted. Stir in thyme; salt and pepper to taste.
5. Add broccoli and pasta and toss
6. Transfer to a broilerproof 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining 1⁄2 cup of cheese. Broil until golden, 10 to 15 minutes.

If I had remembered to take a picture of the food before we all grubbed down, you’d be drooling right now. But trust that everyone was suitably comforted with this delicious dish.

Its ok to be jealous. But better than that, try it for yourself. It’s super easy.

Tags: Quick Fixin's, Recipes, Vegetarian Meals