Apple Tart

This woman is amazing! I want to make every single recipe on her blog. This apple tart she posted was sooooo very simple, looks elegant, and was delicious.
1. Thinly slice 2-4 apples (watch your fingers...I didn't)
2. Let a sheet of puff pastry thaw for about 20 minutes on the counter.
3. Squeeze some lemon juice over the apples.
4. Add about a cup of brown sugar to the apples and a pinch of salt.
5. Cut the puff pastry in half or thirds (I cut mine in half)
6. Layer the apples down the center.
7. Bake at 415 for 15-20 minutes (just until the pastry puffs up and browns)
8. Serve with ice cream, or caramel sauce, or conf. sugar.

Peanut Butter Brownie Cupcakes

I've made these delicious little guys many times over the year and they are always a crowd pleaser. Anything that combines chocolate and peanut butter is my best friend. Try them but only if you have plenty of people to eat the rest. You don't want these guys just sitting in your kitchen. It could be bad news for your thighs.

Ingredients:
- aluminum muffin cups
- 12 Reese cups (regular size-not the mini's)
- a box brownie mix (this time I used Ghirardelli)

Prepare the brownie mix as instructed on the box. Pour a spoonful of the brownie mix into the muffin cups (enough to cover the bottom). Place a Reese cup on top of the mix. Spoon the rest of the batter over the Reese cups until they are covered. Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes. Sprinkle peanuts on top if desired.

They are amazing warm with a nice cold glass of milk!

Mater Pie

Seeing all the tomatoes at the farmers market yesterday made me think of tomato pie. At first I wasn't so sure of this recipe until my old roomie made it one evening. It was very savory and easy. I think you should try it :)
1. Bake a frozen pie crust as directed (or make your own) 2. Peel and slice 4 tomatoes. Place in a colander, sprinkle with salt and let drain for 10 minutes)
3. 1 cup of mayo, 1 cup of mozzarella, 1 cup of cheddar.
4. 10 Basil leaves, 2 green onions (chopped)

Layer tomatoes in pie crust, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Chop basil and onions and sprinkle over tomatoes. In a bowl mix mayo and cheese together. Spread on top of tomatoes. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until browned.

Enjoy

WTF

I decided to treat myself to a mani and pedi today and got way more than that. I know if may sound snobby or mean but I really hate it when the manicurist (is that the right term?) tries to chat it up. I am there to relax and talking to a complete stranger is not relaxing to me. Anyways, the girl that I got today was trying to talk during the pedi but I quickly shut my eyes and pretended to take a nap. She gave an awesome massage that lasted much longer than usual and I starting thinking I should remember her name (Sam) and request her every time. Then came the mani. More face to face and no faking a nap. She immediately starting talking and this is how the conversation went down...brace yourself people.

Sam: "Do you exercise."
Me: "Yes" (I'm thinking why did she just ask that. Is she calling me fat?)
Sam: "Do you exercise on your period?"
Me: "Excuse me." (I'm thinking we got lost in translation)
Sam: "They say you can't exercise on your period."
Me: "Well I do and it doesn't bother me."
Sam: "I like to hula-hoop. I do it for 20 minutes everyday. I also like to walk. I haven't been able to exercise for two days because I am on my period. Do you like to hula-hoop?"
Me: "Uh yeah, its fun but I haven't done it since elementary school." (At this point I'm waiting for Ashton Kutcher to pop out and say I've been punked)

Sam asked me one more time if I exercise on my period and then continued to tell me all her symptoms of being on her period, that she takes Midol to help, and that she hasn't eaten since 9:00am and her hands are shaky. Just what I want, shaky hands painting my fingernails.

Very Bad Dog

I had a super long hectic day and couldn't wait to get home, eat some dinner, and watch the American Idol finale. Marley had other plans. Not sure what got into him today (possibly the devil). I wish I had a video camera to see how this all went down. He is extra tired tonight so I'm guessing its not easy to destroy a straw basket.

Breakfast creations

Lets see, what to do with leftover chili... How about fry up some red potatoes, top them with chili, fried eggs, cheese, salsa, and hot sauce. Sounds delicious and it was. Chad also thought we should add some refried beans and bacon. I think Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels would be proud.

Fun in the sun!

I recently took a trip to Tampa, FL to get some continuing education on Dementia and for a little fun. I couldn't tell you the last time I was on a beach and my soul was so happy when I arrived at Clearwater Beach. All in all it was a great trip, good food, good drinks and good company. If only my dog Marley could have joined us :( The only bad part was when I convinced Chad to get spray sunscreen. He said it didn't cover evenly...I said whatever it will be fine I've used it before (I really hadn't but I wanted to try it). Results below....Chad won. No more spray sunscreen.

Hot potato hot potato

For the longest time I avoided using potatoes in my cooking because I wasn't sure what to do with them. I'm happy to report that has all changed. I have mastered the potato...okay maybe not mastered. I have made everything from garlic smashed, baked, pan fried, oven roasted, and my latest was broccoli and cheese stuffed. I caught this recipe on food network one day and decided to give it a try. Very simple, all you do is bake 2-4 large potatoes in the oven. Let them cool and scoop out the inside. In a bowl smash the potatoes, 1-2 cups of steamed broccoli, 1/2 cup of sour cream, 4 tablespoons of butter, 1/2-1 cup of shredded cheese (your choice), and a little salt and pepper. Spoon the mixture back into the potatoes, top with a little more cheese and bake until it melts. Delicious, try it!

Blonde moments...

Things at work have been extra stressful and mentally draining, so when I come home my brain turns to mush and stops working. This in turn makes for some pretty funny comments/actions on my part.

My first blonde moment happened when I received some lovely flowers from my previous employer. I came home, trimmed the flowers, put them in a vase and placed them on the dinning room table. The next morning I walked into the kitchen and noticed the flowers were not so lovely anymore. They were all wilted and the petals were falling off. I was very puzzled as to what happened until I realized I had forgotten to put WATER in the vase.

My second blonde moment occurred when I bought cream cheese at the grocery store. I was all excited because I rediscovered my love for everything bagels and had just purchased some along with the cream cheese. When I got home I noticed in the corner of the cream cheese label it said "than cream cheese." I turned to Chad and said I think I bought the wrong thing, this says "than cream cheese," I don't know what that is." He just looked at me for a minute and said "Honey read the whole label." 1/3 less fat than cream cheese.

My third and best blonde moment was during a walk. Chad, Marley, and myself were taking our usual walk down the same street when suddenly I noticed a really crazy looking tree. It had a long perfectly round trunk with vines wrapping around and sticking out all over like a cactus. I pointed it out to Chad and he just looked at me. I said don't you think its funny looking. He slowly replied "Thats a telephone pole."

DIY Herb Garden

I finally did it! I grew my own herbs...okay just one herb. It is something I have always wanted to do but never had the space or didn't know how to get started. World Market sold these cute little kits with everything that you need to get your herbs growing. They have several different types and I chose cilantro and chives. The chives went to herb heaven very quickly but I managed to keep the cilantro alive. I find myself wanting to cook Mexican all the time just so I have an excuse to use my cilantro.