Home SWEET Home!

Posted on December 13, 2010 by kissmybroccoli

Whew, I have had the CRAZIEST 24 hours!! Last thing you guys knew, I was heading to the cookie exchange (which was also a baby shower) with my co-workers yesterday. Little did I know there was much more than cookies in store for me!

 

My cookie contribution: Hippie-roons & PB Cookie Dough Balls

View from my back porch

See? Just a dusting!

I drove out to my friend Judy’s house, which is about a 30-40 minute drive from my house in the city out to her place in “backwoods” country. Snow had started falling here in Clarksville around noon and kept up passed the time I left my house at around 2pm.

The snowflakes had just been whirling around all afternoon, but I didn’t think anything of it because #1: It’s Tennessee and we NEVER get snow accumulation this early in the year and #2: I’m a dummy that NEVER watches the weather report!

Anyways, back to the party! Judy is always the “Hostess with the Most-est” and she definitely went all out with her preparation for this occasion! Do you spy the buckeyes, my all time favorite holiday treat? She made 160 of them!! Yeee-ow!

A baked cheesecake appetizer dip! Tasted JUST like lasagna filling!!

Spinach Balls

The hot cocoa station

Assortment of hot tea

We were all having such a good time chatting and cookie munching that we didn’t realize that in only TWO HOURS this happened:

So, at 5:30 we all decided it was time to “try” to head home. Long story short: 3 cars left and an hour later, one car made it back with all of us in tow! I ended up having to abandon my car on a hill that was just impossible to climb (I know, I tried TWICE)!

It was a pretty late night, but we were all finally able to get back into the city thanks to one of the girls and her 4WD Pilot. AFTER we’d driven all the way back, I realized my house key was back in the car that had been abandoned! :*(

Luckily, I was able to crash at a co-worker’s house and she drove us to work this morning. Due to our impromptu “sleep over,” I got stuck wearing these to work with a pair of hospital scrubs!

Oh yeah, styling and profiling! 😉

After work, I was able to get a ride to my poor little car and after a bit of spinning and sliding, I got it back on the road and all the way home! There really is something to be said about coming home after a day of “adventures”-yeah, that’s what I’ll call it-and just relaxing and finding comfort in the familiar.

After my poor hospital food eats today (n0 packed lunch today), I decided to make something warm and comforting for dinner: Mama Pea’s Spicy African Peanut Soup What, you didn’t think I’d let a little day of chaos stand between us and our globe trotting, did you?? Noooo, nah-uh, not this foodie!

I put all the ingredients (using millet inside of lentils) in the crock-pot and set to HIGH for 3 hours! Mmm, warm, creamy, spicy comfort in a bowl! Just what I needed after today!

I promise…nom, nom, nom…to pay attention to the weather report…nom, nom, nom…from this day forward! Wow! This soup is delicious! Go make it NOW!

 

 


Posted in Entree, International | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Guten Morgen!

Posted on December 12, 2010 by kissmybroccoli

Good morning interneties! Hope everyone is enjoying a relaxing Sunday afternoon!

I figured while I wait for Mama Pea’s Dough Ball dough to chill in the fridge I’d share my breakfast adventure with you. Like I promised, today was a stop off in Germany (food-wise that is).

German Pancakes Topped with Banana & Maple Walnut Butter:
(Adapted from Smitten Kitchen to make 1 serving)

  • 1 egg
  • 3/4 tsp sugar
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp flour (I used spelt)
  • 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp milk (I used Blue Diamond unsweetened vanilla almond milk)
  • 1/2 Tbsp butter

Since I don’t own a blender, I put everything in my Magic Bullet (love that thing) and it did the trick! Just blend the egg up first and then add the rest of the ingredients.

Ready to bake

The snowmen approve!

Pour into an oven-proof dish  (I used an 8 inch skillet) and cook at 400 degrees fahrenheit for 15 minutes and then turn it back to 350 for an additional 8 minutes. Top with powdered sugar and fresh fruit or like me, mix it up a bit!

All I did was grind up a couple of tablespoons of walnuts in my Magic Bullet until it was smooth. Then I added 1 Tbsp of maple syrup and a sprinkle of cinnamon and processed more. You may have to add a little water to thin it out to the consistency you want (I probably added about 1 tsp).

Love bananas and walnuts together!

I’ve never made or eaten these before today. The main difference between a German pancake and American pancakes is the consistency. It’s sort of a cross between a pancake and a souffle. It plumps up in the oven and then deflates after you bring it out.

I loved the way these turned out! I may be “traveling” to Germany more often now!

Oh, and last night, I totally forgot to tell you guys about my fun painting experience! My friend Jen and I went to the Swirlz Art Studio here in Clarksville (similar to Sips n Strokes in Nashville) for the first time and had a blast!

Taken from the Swirlz website:
“Plan for a fun time where our professional instructors will teach you to create a painting from start to finish.  You’ll take home your completed art piece at the end of the class.

It’s a great way to spend a date night, a girls night out, or just to tap into your inner artist.

Bring a drink if you’d like, we’ll supply everything else you need to create your masterpiece”

Ready to get my paint on!

Half finished

 

Showcasing our artwork!

Mine

Jen's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think it's a nice addition to the office!

Besides the somewhat cramped quarters, the experience was awesome! Jen and I are probably the most clumsy people you will find so you can imagine how the night went! There were many laughs, especially when some woman accidentally dipped her paintbrush in her neighbor’s glass of wine!

Well, I’m off to finish up these cookies and get ready for the Annual Christmas Cookie Exchange at my friend Judy’s house! I’ll be back tonight to post pics…more than likely while nursing a sugar coma!

Posted in Breakfast, International, Pancake Sunday | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Trip Around the World…No Passport Required!

Posted on December 11, 2010 by kissmybroccoli

Good evening everybody!

Has anyone else noticed that kissmybroccoli seems to be on a serious foodie trip across the globe? I didn’t until yesterday!

Tuesday’s Birthday Dinner: Japan
Wednesday’s Dinner: India
Thursday’s Breakfast: Mexico
Thursday’s Dinner: Thailand
Friday’s Dinner: America

Totally unplanned, but what the heck, I know I’m enjoying it! I decided that dinner tonight should represent another country we hadn’t “been to” yet. Hmm, how about Italy?

Farfalle with Brussels with Creamy Bacon Sauce

Farfalle with Brussels with Creamy Bacon Sauce:  (serves 1)
2 ounces farfalle (bow-tie) pasta
4 ounces Brussel sprouts, ends cut and halved
2 strips center-cut bacon, cut into pieces
1/4 cup onion, diced
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 cup stock of choice (I used homemade turkey stock)
1/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, finely grated
1 tsp cornstarch

  • Cook pasta al dente according to package instructions.
  • Steam Brussel sprouts in a small pot covered with an inch of water in bottom.
    (I think next time, I may sear them in the pan with the onions for more flavor)
  • Cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crispy, set aside.
  • Cook onion and garlic in bacon grease over medium heat until nicely browned.
  • Add stock and cheese to onions and garlic, reserving some of the cheese for topping.
  • Add cornstarch to mixture and allow to thicken.
  • Place Brussels into sauce after a couple of minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  • Serve topped with the bacon pieces and reserved cheese.

Ready for the drizzle!

Smells so good!

Ready to Eat!

It fascinates me how there are so many ways to interpret ingredients in different parts of the world! As of right now, I haven’t traveled my OWN country near enough, but one of my biggest dreams is to one day take a real “trip around the world” and experience the cultures, histories, and dishes firsthand. Until then, I will have to settle for mini-trips taken in my kitchen!

Stay tuned! The trip’s not over yet, in the morning we’re going to GERMANY! 😉

Posted in Entree, International | Tagged , | 3 Comments