Cooking at Café D

Tasty Leftovers - Eggs Forentine...With a Secret Ingredient You'll NEVER Guess!

2013-05-03T13:17:00.001-05:00

Eggs Florentine - With a Secret Ingredient!

You'll never guess what's in these eggs.

I took a chance and boy did it payoff.

Pizza.

No really!

Leftover deep dish spinach pizza.

Things are a little hectic in our house right now.

CA-RRAZY schedules...

He has to leave at 4 a.m. one day and the next day is out till 11...

and I'm gone or back at all hours, too.

That can wreak havoc to a family budget!

Stopping for fast food is just not an option for us.

So, it means packing lots of lunches and dinners for grab and go.

It also means that if you were to peek inside my fridge you would see a pretty strange collection of leftovers. Enter creativity, stage left.

Today's "find" was leftover pizza. It's one of our favorite frozen kinds and it was juicy and flavorful when it came out of the oven. Now? Well it's perfectly safe but it's past its pretty date - ifyouknowwhatimean.

I'm sure this would work with thin crust, too. I can see trying it with cheese and Italian sausage pizza, or how about veggie? Yum.

I warmed up the pizza in the microwave while I scrambled up a few eggs. Tossed a little butter into a warm skillet and added the eggs. Next came the pizza topping - a little of the crust came with it which was perfectly fine. I added some freshly grated nutmeg and a handful of shredded cheddar cheese. Then, just before serving I topped it with grated Parmesan.

Seriously, this is my new favorite was to make eggs!

What's yours?

I'm looking for new recipes for my new Pinterest Egg Board :)

Tasty Leftovers - Quick 3 Cheese BBQ Pork Pizza

2013-04-15T14:55:00.000-05:00

Quick 3 Cheese BBQ Pork Pizza

Sometimes you just need an easy and quick dinner.

In our family, pizza is always a hit.

I used to work in a commercial kitchen and pizza was my focus.

I loved creating specialty pizzas using just a handful of proteins and some fresh veggies.

This pizza uses some leftovers from our Pulled Pork.

When I make something from our Low, Slow and So Worth It! Series, I try to freeze some.

I'm still super thankful for the day...

I organized our food storage containers!

This recipe is a cheat. I used some Pillsbury Pizza Dough. If you have the time and desire, homemade dough would be great here. Our family was completely satisfied having a pizza dinner in 30 minutes - less time than it would have take to call for delivery.

Three Cheese BBQ Pork Pizza
From Cooking at Cafe D
Serves 3-4

1 cup of leftover pork, shredded
1 yellow onion, sliced thinly
1 can of can (13.8 oz) refrigerated classic pizza crust
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
2 tablespoons Romano cheese, grated
1 cup of mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup of cheddar cheese, shredded

Heat oven to 400°F. In a cast-iron skillet, fry the onions medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes till brown and a even a bit crispy. Lightly oil or spray large cookie sheet with cooking spray. While the onions cook, unroll dough on the sheet and press into a rectangle - form a slight rim on edge. Bake 8 minutes.

Spread the BBQ sauce just to rim of the crust; sprinkle with Romano cheese. Top with pork and onions. Top with mozzarella and cheddar cheeses.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes until cheeses are melted and browned.

What's your favorite pizza?

Tasty Leftovers - Creamy Pork Baked Taquitos

2013-03-25T11:27:00.000-05:00

Creamy Pork Baked Taquitos
(Leave the pork out for a super Meatless Monday supper.)

I'm big on Mexican food.
It can be real Mexican food made lovingly by experienced hands. We are blessed to have a lot of family-owned places where each dinner plate is made my the same person who took your order. The orders are taken with broken English and broken Spanish...and the food is made with love.

I'm also not above faking a little Mexican food at home.

But, when it come to taquitos, well I'm not huge on frying. Yes, I've done some frying in the past. Yet, I'm hesitant. Oil takes time to warm up, you have to keep an eye on safety, and when you are done you have a choice to discard or re-use the oil. And, I'm not thrilled with any of that, to be honest.

I'm looking for quick, tasty, inexpensive...with little cleanup.

And, I found it.

I had some leftovers from our Braised Pulled Pork from the Low, Slow and So Worth It! series. So, I popped over to Pinterest, where I knew I had tucked away a method for baked taquitos. I was inspired by a recipe from Seeded at the Table. I used some of my favorite spices and my family really enjoyed dinner.

Creamy Pork Baked Taquitos
from Cooking at Cafe D
Makes 5-7 large taquitos

8 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
10 oz. Rotel Original Tomatoes and Chilies, drained
2 c. cooked pork, shredded
1 c. of mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4 tsp. ancho powder, cumin, or smoked paprika
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1 package of 10 inch burrito sized flour tortillas
olive oil
salt

Preheat the oven to 425 and line with a Silpat, parchment paper or foil.

Mix the chicken, cheeses and spices with the drained can of tomatoes. Taste and add additional spices or salt, as you like.

Warm 2 to 3 tortillas in the microwave for about 20 seconds to make them easier to roll. Spread 3-4 tablespoons of the pork mixture on the lower 1/3 of a tortilla. Roll tightly. Place the tortilla seam down on the pan - leaving space between each. Repeat with remaining tortillas.

Brush tops and sides lightly with olive oil.

Bake for 14-18 minutes - until the taquitos are golden.

Bonus - You can freeze these! Follow the same recipe, but instead of baking them, place the pan in the freezer for 20 minutes. Then remove them and place in a freezer bag. To reheat, take them straight from the bag and place in an oven at 425 and bake for 14 - 18 minutes till golden.

Grilled Cheese with Pulled Pork - Tasty Leftovers

2013-03-16T14:56:00.002-05:00

Grilled Cheese with Pulled Pork

We love tasty leftovers at our house - mainly because we shake things up a bit.

So, when we make something "Low, Slow and So Worth It",

for example some pulled pork,

we try to be creative so it's not the same pulled pork sandwich every day.

(Actually we like pulled pork so much that'd be okay, too.)

This time it's an easy one.

Basically, it's your standard grilled cheese sandwich.

Grab a heavy pan - cast iron would work great here.

Take whatever your favorite bread is.

Here ours is a Brownberry Italian sliced bread.

(Ironic, after my recent post, no?)

Butter up two sides and place them butter side down.

Place some shredded cheese on one side of the bread.

I used a 4 cheese mix because that's what I had.

My fav for grilled cheese is cheddar and provolone.

On the other side, place some of the leftover pork.

After the bottoms toast and the cheese is melty, slap em together.

This will work great for leftover corned beef and cabbage, too!

I would used swiss, and smear a little brown mustard or horseradish under the meat.

What's YOUR favorite grilled cheese sammy?

Sharing with Natasha in Oz

Cart Buster Savings - Round 2!

2013-03-14T19:29:00.000-05:00

Saving Money on Groceries

Have you heard about the Kroger Cart Buster Sales Event?

From Pampers to Pantene, Tropicana to Tostitos - there's so much on sale.

Wanna save some money?

Here's the deal. (Pardon the pun.)

Friday, March 15th, click HERE to get random digital coupons for even more in-store savings. Everyone will be shown 3 deals and you can choose the one YOU want to use. They will be delivered via load-to-card coupons onto your Kroger shopper card. (You must have a Kroger.com account - then sign in to get the coupons.)

What kind of deals will be offered?

Well, the deals may include products such as Crest 3D White toothpaste, Tropicana orange juice, DiGiorno pizza, Secret deodorant, Pantene and more!

So, tell us...

Which deals did YOU get?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective,

and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Low & Slow #4 - Braised Pulled Pork

2013-03-14T00:00:00.001-05:00

Braised Pulled Pork - So Simple.

Nothing makes our home smell like love...than a pot of pork.

Well, perhaps bacon on a Sunday morning...wins out.

But, pulled pork comes a closed second.

This is #4 in our "Low, Slow...and So Worth It" series.

I'll let you in on a secret.

I made the pork above...in a rush.

I completely skipped the whole searing part.

I picked up the pork from the butcher.

Then I dropped it fat side up in the Dutch oven.

Sprinkled it with spices, tossed in some broth and a splash of vinegar.

Stuck the lid on and let it go.

My husband thought this might have been the best sandwich he's had.

So, I think I might skip the searing next time, too!

~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~

Braised Pulled Pork
from Cooking at Cafe D

5-6 lb pork shoulder (bone-in and with fat cap)

6 cups Chicken broth or water

2 T. dried thyme

Kosher salt

Black pepper

2 T. Apple cider vinegar

White wine - optional

Brown all sides in Dutch oven. Remove to plate. Deglaze pan with wine or water scraping fond bits from bottom of pan. Add apple cider vinegar. Remove from heat. Place pork shoulder fat side up) back in pan. Add broth until halfway up. (The liquid should not cover the pork.)

Salt and pepper the top. Add 1 t. salt to the liquid. Add thyme to top of pork. Replace lid.

Braise at 350-375 for about 3.5 to 4 hours (until meat falls off bone.) I usually let the meat reach about 200 - 205 degrees. Pull meat out and cover. Separate fat. When pork is cool enough to handle, pull apart with 2 forks or fingers. Add some of the liquid back to the pork. Save remaining liquid to add later, as necessary.

Enjoy!

What is your favorite leftover pork recipe?
Tell us here...or on Facebook!

Sharing with This Chick Cooks, Beyond the Picket Fence, Hope Studios, Butter Believer

Easy No Knead Bread (Really!)

2013-03-11T22:03:00.002-05:00

You Can Do It! No Knead Bread

I'm not a big fan of store bought bread. The soft white stuff, which my mom called "air bread," never made it into the shopping cart - no matter how much I wanted it to. Instead, Mom bought Brownberry Oven bread.

Now, I have NOTHING against with Brownberry Oven bread. Matter of fact, the nut bread rocks toasted with a smear of cinnamon butter or cream cheese. But, when everyone else in your class has a nice PB&J on "air bread" and you have apple-butter on whole wheat...well, yuck.

Home baked or artisanal breads are a completely different matter. I love a good crust. A couple of my aunts were great at making homemade bread when I was growing up. I'm guessing they learned from my Yia Yia in their native Greek.

Now, my mom didn't get the bread gene. She and yeast were not good friends. So, when she tried the bread a few times we simply painted the baked loaf with colorful patterns and used it for a doorstop. I joke. (As far as you know.)

I feared bread...until I worked in a commercial kitchen and made enough pizza dough to do it in my sleep. And, now I love the smell of a nice yeasty loaf.

I recently tried a "no-knead recipe" developed by Jim Lahey of Sullivan Street Bakery.
(There is a nice video with Jim along with Mark Bittman at that link.) The process was very simple - it took no virtually no effort but quite a bit of time. Most of it thought was simply allowing the bowl to rest on the counter.

I did the recipe twice. This No Knead variety makes a very wet dough. Very wet. And, the first time I ended up working a lot of flour into the dough. The result was a round (and very pretty) loaf with a very tough (read: almost inedible) crust and a tight interior structure.

I decided to do a little research because my technique needed some help. I turned to a video with Peter Reinhart. His "Stretch and Fold Technique" worked nicely in my second attempt. The result was a flat loaf with a very pale Artisanal look (read: not the nicest to look at.) This time the crust was tasty and the crumb was softer and had fun air pockets. Apparently we were too busy eating it for me to get any photos.

Mom would have loved THIS "air bread!"

Now, the difference in the shape and color likely had more to do with the temp of the kitchen, numbers of hours the dough was allowed to rise, humidity, etc. There are many factors which Peter discusses in his books.

No Knead Bread (adapted from the New York Times recipe)

3 cups all-purpose or bread flour, more for dusting
¼ teaspoon instant yeast
1¼ teaspoons salt
Cornmeal or wheat bran as needed.

1. In a large bowl combine flour, yeast and salt. (I used half AP flour and half bread four.) Add 1 5/8 cups water, and stir until blended; dough will be shaggy and sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rest at least 12 hours, preferably about 18, at warm room temperature, about 70 degrees.

2. Dough is ready when its surface is dotted with bubbles. Lightly flour a work surface and place dough on it; sprinkle it with a little more flour and fold it over on itself once or twice. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest about 15 minutes.

3. Using just enough flour to keep dough from sticking to work surface or to your fingers, gently and quickly shape dough into a ball. Generously coat a cotton towel (not terry cloth) with flour, wheat bran or cornmeal; put dough seam side down on towel and dust with more flour, bran or cornmeal. Cover with another cotton towel and let rise for about 2 hours. When it is ready, dough will be more than double in size and will not readily spring back when poked with a finger.

4. At least a half-hour before dough is ready, heat oven to 450 degrees. Put a 6- to 8-quart heavy covered pot (cast iron, enamel, Pyrex or ceramic) in oven as it heats. When dough is ready, carefully remove pot from oven. Slide your hand under towel and turn dough over into pot, seam side up; it may look like a mess, but that is O.K. Shake pan once or twice if dough is unevenly distributed; it will straighten out as it bakes. Cover with lid and bake 30 minutes, then remove lid and bake another 15 to 30 minutes, until loaf is beautifully browned. Cool on a rack.

Yield: One 1½-pound loaf.

~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~

Have you made No Knead Bread?
Chances are good that you have the ingredients.
Mix up a batch tonight and treat your family to home baked bread tomorrow!

Cart Buster Savings Event!

2013-03-08T06:26:00.000-06:00

Saving Money on Groceries

Have you heard about the Kroger Cart Buster Sales Event?

From Pampers to Pantene, Tropicana to Tostitos - there's so much on sale.

Don't Have a Kroger near you?

Don't fret!

I have a Kroger card. We picked it up years ago when we were vacationing in the South. Having the card saved us money. It didn't matter whether we lived there or were visiting.

Turns out I have a secret Kroger store...

If you asked me last week whether there were any Kroger stores nearby, I would have said no. But, I would have only been half-right. You see, there are a whole MESS of stores in the Kroger Family of Stores. For us, we have lots of Food 4 Less right nearby.

Wanna save some money?
Here's the deal. (Pardon the pun.)

Today, March 8th, click HERE to get random digital coupons for even more in-store savings. Everyone will be shown 3 deals and you can choose the one YOU want to use. They will be delivered via load-to-card coupons onto your Kroger shopper card. (You must have a Kroger.com account - then sign in to get the coupons.)

What kind of deals will be offered?
Well, the deals may include products such as Crest 3D White toothpaste, Tropicana orange juice, DiGiorno pizza, Secret deodorant, Pantene and more!

So, tell us...

Which deals did YOU get?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective,

and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Giveaway! The Bible Series on the History Channel

2013-03-05T17:40:00.000-06:00

Where were you on Sunday night?

I can tell you... the premiere of this show was a big deal in our home. How big? Well, first I scheduled the DVR when my husband wasn't home. (Not on purpose, I just happened to do it when he was at work.) Later we were watching something else and out of the blue he started to schedule The Bible. Then we both got a text from the teenager asking whether we had scheduled the show to record. Seriously.

We saw the trailer a few months ago in church and we've been psyched ever since.

The show's premiere blasted the roof off at The History Channel on Sunday..and a birdy told me it was a Trending Tag on Twitter for most of the night. Very fun.

Did you miss the Premiere? (There's still time!)
The History Channel is running the first episode a few more times this week. So, you can catch up before the second episode airs on Sunday. There are 10 episodes in all.

Here's what to expect.
The Bible comes to life in History Channel's epic new series. From Genesis to Revelation, these unforgettable stories unfold through live action and cutting-edge computer-generated imagery, offering new insight into famous scenes and iconic characters. Created by producer Mark Burnett and featuring an international cast that includes Roma Downey, this 10-hour docudrama explores the sacred text’s most significant episodes, including Noah’s journey in the ark, the Exodus and the life of Jesus.

Ready for a Giveaway?

Time for the fun part.

I'm been asked to host a giveaway for you sweet readers.

There are 3 official companion books to The Bible series.

They are:

   A Story of God and All of Us (HARDCOVER)
   A Story of God and All of Us (REFLECTIONS)
   A Story of God and All of Us (YOUNG READERS)

One randomly chosen winner will be sent one of the companion books. The book will be sent directly to you from the great folks at The History Channel & The Bible. They will randomly select the book you will receive.

The book will be shipped via UPS or FedEx - no P.O. Boxes, please.
United States shipping addresses only, please.

Let's keep it simple.
To enter, leave a comment with which character from the bible (or which story) you are most looking forward to seeing.

How do I leave a comment?
CLICK on the BLUE button that says, "What are your thoughts?" then scroll down to leave a comment

Want more entries?
Simply leave another comment for each way you follow us - via Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, G+, Linky follow, RSS or Reader, Subscribe via Email...you get the idea. (See the sidebar for additional links.)

Contest will be open through March 12, 2013 (Midnight, C.S.T.)
We have partnered with The History Channel for the post.

Quick Chicken Quesadillas - Tasty Leftovers

2013-03-05T15:37:00.003-06:00

Quick Chicken Quesadillas

Looking to use up some leftovers from Dutch Oven Chicken?

Or, for that matter any protein - beef, pork, beans, you name it.

Grab some 9 or 10 inch "Burrito Sized" flour tortillas. Brush one side of a tortilla with olive oil and lay in a skillet. Add about 1/2 cup of cheese - more if you prefer. Top with chicken. (I usually add a bit more cheese on top of the chicken.)

Brush a second tortilla with oil and place it oil side up. Use a spatula and press the top down as the cheese melts to seal the tortillas together.

Peek under neath and flip over when golden brown and delicious.

These go great with our Quick and Unprocessed Southwestern Corn Soup.

What's cooking in your kitchen tonight?

Chicken Broccoli Pasta - Tasty Leftovers

2013-03-03T16:27:00.000-06:00

Chicken Broccoli Pasta

We had a lot of leftover meat from our Dutch Oven Chicken.

We decided to lighten things up a bit with a pasta.

This is one of my favorite salads because of How Quick and How Tasty it is.

Boil up your favorite pasta, add whatever veggies you have on hand.

In this case it was chopped broccoli, some frozen spinach, and some marinated artichokes that had been drained. Then add about half to 3/4 a jar of your favorite Alfredo sauce and salt and pepper to taste. I usually add some additional garlic, too.

Good hot or cold.

Toss in some leftover chicken...or skip it if you are looking for an option for Meatless Monday.

What is veggies would you toss in your pasta?
Tell us here...or on Facebook!

Low & Slow #3: Dutch Oven Chicken

2013-03-02T16:44:00.002-06:00

Dutch Oven Chicken

And, now for our next installment of Low, Slow and So Worth It. Today we're talking turkey, well, actually chicken. And, this is about as simple as it gets. One pot, one chicken. Add heat and a lid.

I took inspiration from two recipes. The first is the French Chicken in a Pot from The Barefoot Cook. The second is from Lubbock Online. Both of those writers are actually riffing off the French Chicken in a Pot from Cook's Illustrated.

The picture above is the Before.

Well, it's actually more of the During, really.

The chicken has some color on it but it's still perfectly raw inside.

The photo below is the After - herbs and salt were added to the bird and it was done cooking.

I think the first photo is a bit prettier.

But, don't just the finished chicken by her looks - she was darn juicy and tasty!

I was going to type out the recipe, but why bother. All three of the sites listed above did a nice job. If you have a subscription to Cook's Illustrated (or a their 30 day free trial) their link above will get you the original recipe.

Basically, take the thawed chicken and toss it breast-side down in a hot dutch oven for about 5 minutes to get some color on it. Then carefully flip it over and toss some herbs and veggies in if you please. Stick a lid on it and pop it in a 250 degree oven and cook it low and slow.

Cook until instant-read thermometer registers 160 degrees when inserted in thickest part of breast and 175 degrees in thickest part of thigh, 80 to 110 minutes.

For a 3 1/2- to 4 1/2-pound chicken it will take about an hour to cook. A 5- to 6-pound bird will take close to 2 hours.

As you can see from the pics above, I tossed some carrots in the pot. Next time I won't bother. I'll just make a sheet pan of slow roasted vegetables.

Have you ever made Dutch Oven Chicken?

What's your favorite use for leftover chicken?

Tell us here... or join us on Facebook.

Low & Slow #2: Roasted Vegetables

2013-02-19T17:55:00.002-06:00

Oven Roasted Veggies

I began our Low, Slow and So Worth It series by compiling recipes and techniques. First, came the braises and stews. Then I began to ponder veggies recipes. Last I realized that desserts shouldn't get overlooked either!

I decided on a cutting off point to define what low was..and slow was.
This recipe - well, it didn't really fit.
You see, there's no way to claim that 400 is low.
And, at 40 minutes, I wasn't gonna say is was slow, either.

That was...
Till a friend explained that if you don't cook everyday... waiting 40 minutes for veggies is INDEED slow.
Fair enough.
So this is a (not so) low and (yet, apparently) slow method of making scrumptious veggies. How scrumptious? Well, my hubby gobbled 'em up and asked what they were called. He figured something that tasty would have a fancy name. Nope. Just lots of love.

See that long slice in the photo that looks a bit like jicima? It's broccoli stem. Each week my pal Sergio used to make salads next to where I made the homemade pizza dough. And, as a "chef's treat" he would save the broccoli stem to share with us. We'd eat it raw and it was darn tasty. A bit like if broccoli and cauliflower had a love child. He asked me what to call it and I came up with "Broccoli Heart." Since he handed it out with love to us each time, I felt it was appropriate. Good guy, Sergio.

This was inspired by my pal Lisa at The Cutting Edge of Ordinary and Ina Garten.

Over Roasted Vegetables
From Dana at Cooking at Cafe D

Ingredients:
Carrots, peeled and rough chopped into large pieces
Potatoes, cut into chunks smaller than the carrots
Onions, peeled and quartered
Whole garlic cloves, peeled
Broccoli, florets and stem, julienned
Olive oil
Kosher salt and pepper
Rosemary or your favorites herbs

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss veggies (except the broccoli) in olive oil, salt and pepper and spread them out on a sheet pan. Add rosemary or other herbs, as desired. Place in the pre-heated oven and set the timer for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, cut the broccoli into florets. Peel then slice the broccoli stem into sticks.

When the veggies have roasted for 15 minutes, remove them from the oven, add the broccoli and carefully toss them together. Return the pan to the oven and roast for another 25 minutes or so. Check periodically since oven temperatures vary. When the potatoes are fork tender, remove the veggies. Move the vegetables to a platter so they will not overcook on the hot pan.

What is your favorite roasted vegetable?
Sharing with Butter Believer

Braised Beef Tacos - Tasty Leftovers

2013-02-18T13:36:00.001-06:00

Braised Beef Tacos

We eat a lot of tacos.
If there is a handful of leftover protein - it becomes a taco.

In this case, it was brisket from our Cider Braised Beef. Warmed corn tortillas, diced onion, queso fresco, and some fresh cilantro. With a nice squirt of lime on top.

Can't see the cilantro? Well, we didn't have any this go-round.

I'm not one of those who hate cilantro and find it all soapy tasting.
Are you?

Can I tell you a secret? We don't always have queso fresco on hand - though nowadays you can get it at the local supermarket so that makes it pretty easy to have around. Sometimes I'll use leftover feta. It gives a similar texture and crumbliness (yeah I'm just making up words...) and it adds a bit more salt. If it's a crumbly white cheese there's a chance it might end up in a taco round here.

In other news, hubby and I found a great Mexican restaurant spitting distance from us. A pal gave us a Restaurant.com gift card (thanks Shawn!) and we lucked out. Between the two of us we tried enchiladas, sopes, tacos, and flautas. The chorizo, al pastor and chicken rocked. And, it was really inexpensive. Yum.

What's new in your neck of the woods?

Dumpster Dive, Not Quite Dead Yet, and a Sneak Preview!

2013-02-16T15:48:00.001-06:00

Hello, sweet chair. (Please look past the cord, the couch cover riding up, and the dust...)

Hubby and I found a little dumpster dived chair on the way home from seeing John Denver in concert. In a fashion.

We had a great time, btw.
The fact that the highlighter is deceased didn't sway me from snatching up the tickets last November as a Valentine's surprise.

I mean, come on! There's NO WAY my honey would have guessed... "I bet you bought us John Denver concert tickets!"

Sure, his first reaction was, "He's dead." (Mine, was, too.)
Then he realized that seeing JD in concert was indeed an unfulfilled item on his bucket list.
And, once we got past the whole dead thing, it was a great time. His estate gave permission for some of his original band members to tour with a video of mashed up live concert appearances.

(The strangest thing ended NOT being that John wasn't there. For me, it was that the amazing horn player, piano player, and guitarists were on the stage playing live with the 20 something versions of themselves playing on the big screen behind 'em.)

I fun time was had by all. Most. Well, not John. Er. Anyways....

So, I decided that the dumpster dived chair would make a handy holding spot for my current reading list. I'm in the middle of a few good books. See that one on top? I'm THRILLED to be reading an advanced copy of Shauna Niequist's soon to be released book "Bread & Wine." I'm loving it.More on that soon!

So, share.
What are you reading?
Or, what's your most recent dumpster dive?
Or, what's the latest concert you've attended where the artist was deceased? LOL!

Thoughtful Thursday: Love

2013-02-14T06:00:00.000-06:00

Thoughtful Thursday

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.

May your day be filled with warmth and kindness.

Today's question:

Which food carries with it memories or feelings of love for you?

Click the blue bar and tell us!

Walking Across the Room...and Frozen Dinners

2013-02-09T17:16:00.002-06:00

Well, it's been a month.

Seems longer. Seems like yesterday.

Anyway.

I've finally tossed together a dinner that wasn't a frozen pizza, a cold sandwich, or something purchased from Jimmy John's. LOL.

Oh, I guess I did stick a chicken in the oven to roast last week. But, that was a salt / pepper / done...sort of thing.

So...

It was a good day filled with fellowship and love - ironically from strangers I had just met. There was a heart connect.

You know...
The kind where you are laughing and being yourself with total strangers and seem to finish each others' sentences even though you just met?

No?
Well, me neither...till today.

I don't think that it was a coincidence that I found the courage to go meet for coffee with a bunch of strangers. It was 45 minutes away and the whole way I just kept dreading walking into the room. I literally prayed on the drive asking God that if there was one person who I was supposed to even share a nicety with - let her walk across the room to meet me. Because even though I really need it, right now, conversation was the last thing in the world I wanted to make. (Besides maybe dinner.)

Two hours later I was surrounded by a group of women laughing....and I didn't want to leave to make the 45 minute drive home.

So, I got home. Journaled like my life depended on it (pun intended) and decided that if I could muster the courage walk into a room full of strangers I could certainly stick a casserole in the oven.

No idea how it will taste.
But, seems I'm cooking again.

What is something you've had to muster the courage to do...

And been rewarded?

I Am Not Content. Just being real...

2013-01-29T20:01:00.001-06:00

Contentment

Can I be honest?
Right now, I'm not content.
There's too much swirling around inside my head. Too many emotions. Too many questions.
Too many hospitals.

Sadness, loss, grief.

The world doesn't stop when you lose someone.
It should. YOUR world stops. Suddenly you are aware of your own pain...and that of loved ones around you.

Good days. Bad days. Good hours. Bad hours.

Wow, this was really not supposed to be about grief. I wanted to post about contentment.
But, grief bleeds into everyday life. Including blogging.

I'll start over...

Contentment.

I didn't pick a word for 2013.
But if I did, it might have been contentment.

It's been a really tough January.

And right now our living room chalkboard features the Fruit of the Spirit.

I needed to see them. Listed out. Remember them. Breathe them in.

I think if I can just remember that I have all I need...

and be content...

that joy will follow.

And, kindness, gentleness.

The whole fruit salad so to speak.

It's a theory, anyway. ;)

This post (well, the second half at least) was inspired by a post by Jeanne Oliver.

Do you have a living room chalkboard?

Or, perhaps one in your mind?

What do you need to write on it today?

Sharing on Funky Junk

Beef Ragu - Tasty Leftovers

2013-01-26T13:59:00.002-06:00

Quick and Easy Leftovers - Beef Ragu

There has been a lot going on right now in our lives.

I'm not cooking for pleasure right now.

Yet, I know I will. Again.

It's how God has wired me.

This Beef Ragù is about as simple as leftovers can get. Take some Cider Braised Beef from our Low, Slow and So Worth It series and top with your favorite marinara sauce.

If you are lucky enough to still have some basil growing in January, then you can add that, too.

You know, this begs the question...can it be a series if right now there is only one recipe? Oh, well. It is what it is. I was lucky enough to have made recipes in advance so I have pics on hand for some recipes.

Well, I'm sure the series will grow.

I have faith.

(The basil did)

What is your favorite leftover meal?

I'd love to hear.

The English Language Has No Word...

2013-01-24T10:12:00.000-06:00

The English language has no word.

When a spouse leaves... it's widower.

When parents leave...it's orphan.

When a child leaves...

It's unthinkable. Unimaginable. Unspeakable. Unexplainable.

There are so many...un's.

For the record, there's no word for losing a sibling, either.

There will be cooking again.
But, for now we're eating food brought hot to us. And, some shipped to our door. And, via gift cards sent to our mailbox.

Kristen at We are THAT Family offers something she's heard.

Grief doesn't change you.

It reveals you.

It may be true.
I'm learning a lot about myself. Some good things. Many not.
I'm learning a lot...about a lot.

Granted, no English teacher would let the following passage go without writing a big AWK if it were submitted as homework. It is awkward to be sure. But, sometimes actual words can fall away...and the truth can be revealed.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." (2 Cor. 1: 3-4)

Lastly, if you stop by and it's quiet here, you can hop over to our Facebook page.

Did you see something beautiful today?

Something breath-taking?

What gave you joy?

Low & Slow #1: Cider Braised Beef

2013-01-01T17:04:00.001-06:00

Ah, beginnings.

January 1, 2013.
No time like the present to start our new series, Low, Slow and So Worth It! I'll be posting recipes that my family loves - because it's all about them.

There's a new Low & Slow button in the sidebar where you'll be able to find main entrees, veggies and even some Low & Slow desserts.

And, of course you can find us on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and you can subscribe for free to have our posts send directly to your mailbox.

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For this Cider Braised Beef you can use whatever tough cut of beef is on sale at the butcher. Brisket, round, chuck - anything called "stewing meat" are all good choices. Here we used brisket. While I wold have preferred to use cider, hello, it's January. So, I used apple juice concentrate - which is something I've used with success before.

The beef is succulent with a hint of apple and onion.
My husband almost licked the plate.
And, he's NOT a big meat eater.
So, that's saying something!

Cider Braised Beef
Makes 6 to 8 servings
From Dana at Cooking at Cafe D

Ingredients:
5 pounds of beef brisket
6 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed
2 yellow onions, sliced 1/2 inch thick
1/2 c. apple cider vinegar
3 cups apple cider (or 1 can of apple juice concentrate and 1 can of water)
2 bay leaves
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Let the beef come to room temperature. Dry it with paper towel. (If you are cooking in a dutch oven, you may need to cut the beef into 3 or 4 sections and brown it in batches. If you are using a roasting pan, you can leave it as one piece.) Season liberally with salt and pepper.

In a large dutch oven or roasting pan, heat vegetable oil and sear the meat until it is brown on all aides.

Remove the meat - keeping the juices and oil in the pan. Add the onions and place the garlic on top of the onions. When onions are brown, deglaze the pan with the apple cider vinegar scraping the bits from the bottom.

Remove the pan from the heat. Remove the onions and garlic.

Place the beef back onto the dutch oven or roasting pan - try to get the pieces as flat as possible. Here, I add additional salt and pepper to the top of the beef. Pour the cider or apple juice and water on the side of the beef. Hold back to add so the liquid comes to 3/4 of the way up the side of the beef. Add bay leaves. Top with the onions and garlic.

If you are using a roasting pan, cover with foil creating a tight seal. If you are using a dutch oven, put the lid on.

Place in the oven for 3 hours. Check to see if the beef pulls apart easily. Check every 30 minutes thereafter. (I usually find that when the beef reaches a good pull apart temp is around 195 degrees- where the collagen gelatinizes. Be sure you are temping the meat and not the liquid.)

Remove from heat and let the beef rest for 30 minutes. Carefully open the pot or foil and remove the beef. Slice the meat against the grain. If necessary, simmer and season the braising liquid.

This brisket goes well with our Ginger Carrot Soup.
Got leftovers? Make a super quick Beef Ragu.

Linking up to: Beauty And Bedlam

Low, Slow and So Worth It! (Our New Series)

2012-12-30T13:22:00.003-06:00

Low, Slow and So Worth It

I would like the following for my family in 2013. More love.
More presence.
More income... and less outgo.

One of the ways I hope to achieve those is through comfort foods. Using inexpensive cuts of meat, slow cooking methods and time I'll be serving full flavor for less time. (Less time of me actually being in the kitchen, that is.)

Braising.
Roasting.
Slow cooking.
I'll be cooking up slow-cooked meats, veggies and desserts in our new series, "Low, Slow and So Worth It!"

I can't wait to show you what we just pulled out of the oven.
Here's a sneak peek of our Cider Braised Beef!

So, tell me.
What is your favorite slow cooked food?

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Update: How Does Your Garden Grow?

2012-12-28T15:45:00.001-06:00

How Does Your Garden Grow?

We've talked about my indoor garden here and here and here.

And, I certainly never expected...

to have anything green and alive on December 28th.

Yet, here she is.

Miss Basil - tanning in the south-facing window.

Catching some rays.

I'm not quite sure how long she'll last in the Chicago winter.

Even being an indoor cat - I mean plant.

We'll see.

I'm loving being able to snip off a few leaves

and toss 'em in pasta without having to pay $3.50 for a box of fresh basil.

(Especially when half is usually slimy. Gross, but true.)

Fingers-crossed we'll still have some fresh basil in the new year.

That...makes me happy.

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A Gift From An Angel

2012-12-27T14:41:00.003-06:00

Serendipity. Luck. Coincidence. Blessing.

I'll just call it a gift from am angel.

You see, this morning a girlfriend posted on her Facebook page about a family in need. A twin bed, microwave, dishes, silverware were at the top of the list for a single mom and her kids who are sleeping on the floor.

So, I tested our spare microwave to be sure it still worked. (When you get married at 42 you tend to have some duplicates.) Then I started thinking about other household items we might have available.
As I dug through the closet I came across 2 boxes labeled Christmas. My interest was piqued as I hadn't seen those boxes for years. (Can I just tell you that if I still have boxes I haven't opened in years, I need to get out my tacky kindle stand and re-read Jen Hatmaker's book 7. Talk about excess.)

I pulled the boxes out into the middle of the living room and dug in. Oh, isn't this carousel horse ornament cute? "Christmas 1992" read the little brass flag trailing from the pole with imaginary wind. Yank, tug - the little flag went into the trash.

Oh, isn't this little San Francisco trolley ornament cute. Keep. Oh, isn't this carousel horse ornament cute? Wait a second! 1993. 1994. Gosh, I was really into carousel horses, wasn't I? Thankfully, they still bring fond memories and make me smile.

There were lots of those cheap-o brass ornaments. (Tossed 'em right into the recycling bag.) There were those puffy ceramic ornaments which give the impression of being quilted if the painter has some skill. Oh wait. This will help.

Each year we put out those reindeer - which, I admit are a little tacky. They were *ahem* hand-crafted by a sweet lady named Mary. She was a co-worker and sold them as a hobby/side job. I bought them back in 1986 or so. Yeah, silly, I know. But, I know they were made with love.

(Side note. When I left for college, Mary arranged for me to meet her son who attended there. While I'm sure she might have had hopes, there were no sparks of romance. However, her son walked me through the student union past the organization mailboxes. I had a question about one of the clubs and I left a note in the mailbox. The president of the organization called me. And, 25 years later we were married.

Luck? Serendipity?
I'll just take Mary's referral to meet her son as a blessing.)

Back to the box I hadn't opened in forever.
Pouring through the ornaments I realized how long they had been tucked away.
I think it was 1998. When my mom passed away.

Wanna know what I found in the bottom of the box?
I should tell you that mom bought for the future. As in, she bought all of the Disney VHS tapes when they came out...for my kids. I wasn't married. And I didn't have kids.

(The movies were later donated to a local church for their children's ministry.)

So, what did I find in the bottom of the box?
A wedding ornament.
The one in the photo above.

An ornament that probably puzzled me when she gave it to me.
I honestly don't remember.
Since i liked vintage-y things and things with ribbons I likely smiled and said a polite thank you.

But now, 15 years after she passed away, finding the ornament was like mom giving us an anniversary gift. Or, a Christmas gift. A wedding ornament for our tree.
Serendipity?
Luck?
I'll call it a gift from an angel.

Thanks Mom.
And a very Merry Christmas to All.

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Pretty. Simple.

2012-12-21T06:00:00.000-06:00

Pretty. Simple.

Do you still have presents to wrap?

Frustrated with thin wrapping paper tearing all the time?

Is your budget tighter than Grandma's Christmas sweater?
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This has been our standby for 3 years now.
And, I love it!

Dollar Tree craft paper!

No joke.

Thick, wonderful, festive red gingham wrapping paper...

For a buck!

Not a fan of gingham?
Around here the Dollar Tree also has craft paper with red balloons,
or black paw prints, or white lacy flowers.

(BTW, Dollar Tree has no idea I'm mentioning them.
Not getting a penny for the plug.
I just love their paper and want the world to know it.)

How are you bringing inexpensive style to your Christmas this year?

Tell us!

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