Pork Chops

We had pork chops for dinner on Sunday, they were good. I marinated 3 chops in Stubbs BBQ sauce. The other 3 I made up a marinade, it turned out quite good. I think I will use this marinade again, it added a lot of flavor to the chops. Unfortunately I didn't measure anything..... here's my best guess:

½ a Lemon zested
Juice of ½ a Lemon
1-2 T Honey
Couple good shakes Soy sauce
2 spoons full Hoisin sauce (maybe 1-2 T)
2 glugs of Vegetable oil
S&P TT
Garlic powder

Next time I will use fresh garlic. I also tried a new macaroni and cheese recipe... pretty tasty! But of course it's hard to go wrong when you use an Alton Brown recipe. Here's the recipe, it's well worth the effort.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese - Alton Brown
Ingredients
1/2 pound elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon powdered mustard
3 cups milk
1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 large egg
12 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Fresh black pepper
Topping:
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup panko bread crumbs

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente.
While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and mustard and keep it moving for about five minutes. Make sure it's free of lumps. Stir in the milk, onion, bay leaf, and paprika. Simmer for ten minutes and remove the bay leaf.
Temper in the egg. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.
Melt the butter in a saute pan and toss the bread crumbs to coat. Top the macaroni with the bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving.
Remember to save leftovers for fried Macaroni and Cheese.

I used radiatore instead of the usual macaroni. My only complaint about this recipe is, I microwaved some leftovers and that didn't go so well. I'm sure if you baked it in the oven it would probably turn out better. I've got meatloaf, skillet ziti, and maybe spaghetti with bolognese sauce on the menu for this week. We'll see if all of that get's made. Have a great week everybody.

Boots

I have horses, I drive a truck, and I wear cowboy boots. First I'm a Texan. ~ Henry Thomas

One must always have one's boots on and be ready to go. ~ Michel de Montaigne

While I don't have horses (I do love them), and I used to drive a truck.....and it's questionable as to whether I am a Texan as I was not born here. (I've been here for 28 out of 29 years, that counts right? ) I still love boots. There is nothing better than a comfy pair of boots to make you feel right with the world. I don't know why that is, but when I wear my boots I feel good. Montaigne has the right idea, in my boots I feel prepared and ready to go.

I have more than one pair of boots now, for a while I only had the one pair. My trusty brown Justin boots. They look similar to this:

These aren't them exactly, but pretty close. I have worn these boots for a long time. They were my first pair of boots. I love to dance in them. The way they help me slide across the dance floor while two-stepping, lots of good memories with these boots. They have scuff marks that betray my inability to walk upstairs and they have a flat spot on both heels that proves I drag my feet, no matter how much I deny it. I've ridden horses while wearing these boots, and I've been in a fight. While I'm definitely not ready to retire my old boots, my new boots are slightly more comfortable to wear. They have more support for my feet and they are certainly more cool looking. I feel kind of bad b/c I've been wearing them more than my old trusty boots. My new boots look like this:

They are pretty awesome, I get comments on them everywhere I go. Who wouldn't like that? I feel like I'm making a statement with my boots!

If you don't have a pair of boots, go find you a pair. You won't regret it. I promise. Once you put on your pair of boots you'll be hooked.

Pawn Stars and Paintings

I was watching Pawn Stars on my DVR the other day and this lady brought in a collection of prints (lithographs) by Salvador Dali, the collection was inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass (Alice in Wonderland). I don’t know why but I really liked the prints, generally I find most of Dali’s work to be disconcerning. I was motivated to do some more research on them. This collection is selling from anywhere around $2,500-$12,000. I think that getting this collection is a little outside the realm of reality for me. But one can wish.

The first print here is the cover page for the book. The next print is titled Down the Rabbit Hole.

This is called the Pool of Tears. This print and the caterpillar one is a toss up between which is my favorite of the collection. The second print here is A Caucus Race and a Long Tale.

Then we have The Rabbit Sends a Little Bill and Advice from a Caterpillar. I love the colors that Dali used in the both of these.

These two are Pig and Pepper, and A Mad Tea Party

The Queen's Croquet Ground and The Mock Turtle's Story

The Lobster Quadrille, Who Stole the Tats, and Alice's Evidence.

After looking at these I feel like maybe I need to read Lewis Carroll's version of Alice in Wonderland, because all I can think of is the Disney version, which I'm sure is much more cookie cutter and less dark.

Fajitas!

We had fajitas for dinner on Saturday. We bought some top sirloin from the butcher and marinated it for 4 hours or so.

Here's the recipe for the marinade:
1/4 C Tequila
2 or 3 T of olive oil
juice of 1 lemon
zest of 1/2 a lemon
handful of cilantro, chopped
1 tsp chili powder
salt
pepper

I also made some Spanish rice, and guacamole
My guacamole recipe:
2-3 avocados
1/2 onion, diced
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp chili powder
2 Roma tomatoes, diced
Salt
Pepper
Juice of 1 lemon
A handful cilantro, chopped

Cut the avocados in half and remove the pit. You can score the avocado while in the peel (is it a peel?) to make it easier to mash. I use a spoon to remove the avocado from the peel. Then I liberally sprinkle with salt (kosher), probably close to 2 tsp. Then I mash. Once the avocado is to the consistency of your preference add the chili powder, pepper (to taste), garlic and stir. Next add the lemon juice, cilantro, and tomatoes.

Spanish Rice Recipe
1 C rice
2 C water
1 T tomato bouillon
2 T butter or vegetable oil
1/2 an onion, diced

Heat the butter or oil on medium heat in a skillet, brown the rice and saute the onion. Add water and bouillon (can be found in the Mexican aisle at the store), stir. Cover with a lid an cook rice according to package directions (20 mins, at a simmer).

Leashes

Time for a Public Service Announcement.......Leashes!
Please leash your dog. Even if you think you can control your dog, be responsible and use a leash. There are several differnet types of leashes to choose from, all are effective (some more than others)!

I had to call the police last night because the lady who lives across the street refuses to put her dog on a leash. She lets it outside, does not watch it and last night it attacked a lady and her dog while they were out walking. Now the owner of this dog is liable for and damages done to the attack-ee. Not only that but she is at risk of losing her pet. While I personally find it annoying that this inconsiderate woman let her dog have the run of the neighborhood and allowed it to poop everywhere, it is not the dog’s fault that she could not control it. The attackee was not hurt, but it could have been much worse if people had not been outside at the time of the attack. That being said…. Don’t just jump in the middle of a dog fight/attack, you could get hurt as well. If you feel confident enough to break up a dog fight go for it I guess, but I suggest you read this article first.

This really all boils down to responsible dog ownership. Train your dog, neuter/spay your pet, recognize if your dog has aggressive (check this out) or dominant tendencies, if your dog is not in a contained area use a leash. I don’t care if Fluffy is the most obedient dog in the world… use a leash. Always. AND last but not least recognize that your dog is not a small person. A dog is an animal, not your child they have animal instincts. It is ok to love them and feel like they are a part of your family but that does not make them human or capable of human thoughts and feelings.

Please people do you part. Let's reduce the number of dog fights/attacks by being responsible.

Letter B

Jeff and I were in the car the other day and the Beatles 'Let It Be' came on the radio. Everytime I hear that song I think 'Letter B,' from Sesame Street. I no longer know all the words to this song, all I know is letter b, letter beeeeee, letter b, letter beeeeeee.

No other letter from Sesame Street has stuck with me like the Letter B. I'm not sure if I should thank or curse Sesame Street for imprinting me like this. On one hand I clearly have a firm grasp of the Letter B, but on the other a good Beatles song has been messed up for me.



When I find I can't remember
What comes after "A" and before "C,"
My mother always whispers,
"Letter B."

She told me "B" starts
"Big" and "bird" and
"Ball" and "bat" and "battery.
" Yes, buh-buh-buh-buh-buh means Letter B.

Letter B, letter B, letter B, letter B.
She whispers "Buh-buh-buh means Letter B."

And when I feel downhearted,
Mother whispers
"B" words constantly,
Like "bib," "Bob," "Bulb," and "bubble,"
Letter B.

Now in my hour of darkness
There's a sound I know will comfort me,
It's the buh-buh-buh-buh-buh of
Letter B.

Letter B, letter B, letter B, letter B.
My mother whispers "B" words, Letter B.
Letter B, letter B, letter B, letter B.
My mother whispers "B" words,
Letter B.

Letter B, letter B, letter B, letter B.
Bless the "buh-buh" sound of
Letter B.

Hyder Alaska

My parent's left for Hyder, Alaska today. They are on Dad's BMW RT-1100, I'm sure it's loaded to the gills... well as loaded as a motorcycle can get.

If you'd like to follow their progress check out their spot tracker. You can also check out their progress on Dad's blog 5th_gear. He'll be posting photos and stories from the road.

I learned two things today

So on Wednesday night's from 6:30-10:00 I have class. I learned 2 things in class today, none of which had anything to do with the actual lesson. 1. I have pretty feet and 2. I am an absolute bad ass when it comes to making salsa.
I can make both of these claims because 1. someone else told me I have pretty feet, no I do not sit around telling myself I have pretty feet. That would just be weird. And 2. Jorge (from Monterrey), a man who is quite used to authentic mexican food verified that I am indeed a bad ass salsa maker. SO there you have it. I have pretty feet AND I am a bad ass salsa maker. What can I say, I grew feet and taste buds like what they like. That my friends is what I call a successful day of accomplishments. And for those of you who might like to know what a recipe for bad ass salsa is.... see below.....

Bad Ass Salsa

5 roma tomatoes (roughly)
1/2 white onion, diced ( I guessed at the amount)
1 jalapeno, seeded - or not. Up to you.
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 mango, diced
handful cilantro, chopped
s&p to taste
lemon juice to taste

I let it sit in the fridge overnight.

Alas I do not have a picture of this bad ass salsa as my classmates proceeded to inhale 2 bags of chips and the whole container of salsa. This is how bad ass the salsa is. Be warned.

Chocolate Cake

What is it about chocolate cake this is so great? I made a chocolate cake last night, there's just something about the moist, chocolatey, deliciousness it's almost sinful. I'm not a big chocoate eater, but chocolate cake is awesome. For me cake does not need icing. If it is a well made cake (from scratch!) it doesn't need anything besides a plate and fork..... even then those sometimes are not necessary. Don't tell my Mom, but on occasion I have been known to stand over the sink with a hunk of cake in my hand. Last night I made my chocolate cake using the recipe out of my cookbook that looks like a picnic table cloth, yep the BHG. People don't give this book enough credit. I have yet to find a chocolate cake recipe that I like better than page 155 in the Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book. Here's the recipe:

Chocolate Cake

3/4 C butter, softened

3 eggs

2 C all-purpose flour

3/4 C unsweetened cocoa powder

1 t baking soda

3/4 t baking powder

1/2 t salt

2 C sugar

2 t vanilla

1 1/2 C milk

1. Allow butter and eggs to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, lightly grease bottoms of two 8X8X2-inch or 9X1 1/2-inch cake pans. *(I use crisco and cocoa powder) Line bottoms of pans with waxed paper. Or, grease one 13X9X2-inch baking pan. In a medium bowl stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl *(I use my standing mixer) beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Gradually add sugar, abotu 1/4 C at a time, beating on medium speed until well combined (3-4 minutes). Scrape sides of bowl; continue beating on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating after each addition (about 1 minute total). Beat in vanilla.

3. Alternately add flour mixiture and milk to the butter mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined. Beat on medium to high speed for 20 seconds more. Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan(s). *(If you have a scale I generally fill my 9X1 1/2 pans to 1 lb and 7oz. That is including the weight of the aluminum pans. That is about 1/2 the batter, then you have nice even layers.)

4. Bake in a 350 oven for 35-40 minutes for 8-inch pans and 13X9X2 pan, 20-35 minutes for 9-inch pans, or until a wooden toothpick inserted near centers comes out clean. Cool cake layers in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans. Peel off waxed paper. Cool thoroughly on racks or place 13X9X2-inc cake in pan on a wire rack; cool thoroughly. Frost with desired frosting *(or don't if you're like me).

It's been awhile

I've made a new friend, sort of.... There is a toad who lives in one of the flower beds in my front yard. I have seen him off and on for the better part of two years. He likes to come out from hiding when I turn the sprinkles on in the late evening. He is an affable fellow, doesn't seem to mind too terribly much when I pick him up. By and large though he seems to enjoy the quiet company of just having someone about, he sits in the flower bed and after I stand there for a few minutes he hops out from his hidey hole and we just look at each other for awhile. I've come to enjoy standing on my front porch listening to the sound of the sprinklers, smelling my salvia bush and enjoying the company a litte toad. I get a sense of satisfaction looking at my yard, knowing that I did this.