Pot & Cover

inspired by Giada....we had watched her Father's Day episode and she made short rib lasagna rolls....oh my goodness...mouthwatering....we've renamed them "lasagno" rolls...they were re-named one night after much pizza, beer & cake in discussion of eating the "lasagno" left overs :) we've been tinkering with different lasagna recipes...some very delicious and most inspired by the food network crew...boy oh boy, i am drawing a blank thinking of names...paula deen and her 7 cheese lasagna for sure...and the lovely lady with the crazy blonde hair...who i love...her lasagna was delicious and very beautiful...very heavy on the pasta... Lasagno rolls...inspired by Giada DL Filling: 1/2 cup skim milk 3/4 cup heavy cream 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan (6 ounces) 1 cup shredded mozzarella (4 ounces) 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil 1 TBS roasted MS garlic 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra for seasoning 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus

it was time to see what was in the fridge to make for dinner ez etoufee was the thing we had ing. for pilaf, didn't use my usual sushi rice...as I was out and had regular long grain rice...used about 4 oz broken capellini (super thin) and 1.5 cups rice (not rinsed) 1/2 stick butter and several TBS oil...water with chix base (the good kind & 3.5 cups water)...superb!...and ingred for etouffee...at least ez etouffee...3 earl campbell, 1 slice bacon, 4 or 5 thin center cut pork loin...seasoned with s&p and floured...browned off the bacon/sausage...sauteed one onion and 1/2 red bell pepper(skinned)...2 roma tomatoes skinned, seeded and diced...made a roux (added extra olive oil as needed)...1:1 fat:flour...everything set aside as it browns...then make sauce with roux and 1.5-2 cups chix broth...add all back in with zest of one lemon, (oh, nutmeg, cayenne too) and juice of half lemon...simmer with lid on till tender...and add fresh basil and fresh chopped maters at end...soooooo

got a coupon for the new papa murphy's pizza..thin crust with sweet spicy asian sauce, chix, red pepper flakes, mozzerella, zuchini(sp?), and then we topped with fresh basil & cilantro...soooo good! 

we felt like burgers...but simple...so sliders and jalepeno poppers-grilled were the thing... i hollowed the peppers with a sharp paring knife...made our own holder with foil & an egg carton as a mold. stuffed with shredded gruyere & chopped earl campbell sausage...then wrapped in half a piece of thick cut bacon, poked thru with a toothpick and put on the grill...then the bacon finished on the cast iron skillet...maybe next time thinner bacon-get a real holder or par cook bacon first...but no matter what they were incredibly GOOD i'm ready for my close up mr demille kroger sliders..some with cheddar and bacon, some with blue cheese and jalepeno...or vice versa...with a little extra s&p sliders with extra cheddar, sauteed onion, mayo & mustard...and fresh basil and tomato served with kettle bbq chips scott cooked the burgers on the grill/cast iron skillet...they were perfectly pink and deelicious!

guacomole....avocado, lime, salt, Frank's, cilantro pink grapefruit margaritas...see facebook or Ina Garten   Pink Grapefruit Margaritas inspired by Ina Garten 4 drinks 1 cup ruby red grapefruit juice 1/2 cup lime juice (4 limes...tho we tried it with 3 limes next time and it was more grapefruity...better I think) 1 cup Triple Sec 1 cup tequila 1/4 tsp salt Mix all of the above, shake in a cocktail shaker till icy icy icy cold....and pour in your favorite margarita glass...I love a martini glass...usually rimmed in salt/pepper/sugar mix...but these have a little salt in them so I don't bother. YUM! grated Mexican cheese bacon toasted buns roasted corn & bbq sauteed onion gotta have some Doritos!

sometimes what you need is doritos, a pickle, and a homemade turkey sammie (i think that word is geeky, but its just flows out of my fingers)on pepperidge farm wheat bread ...yum

the eve of e's 31st bday...carrot cake was the request...i made a half cake and then made cake balls...all topped with cream cheese frosting and toasted walnuts...which i have grown to love recently...they used to make my mouth break out...but they are perfect with this cake..they make it...especially when i get the freshly hulled halves from grandma in ca.

brew...cucumber & tomato salad with asian vinegarette...half a baked tater with bacon crumbles and blackened fish...all from scott

this soup is my go-to for a quick, healthy meal.  i love it with croutons (made with old bread i've usually frozen)...a little parm or other cheese on top...oh so good...and with little soup noodles..the ones that look like little bb's...makes me think of all the bb's in my brothers bedroom ceiling as a kid...from trying to shoot holes in pennies with a bb gun...