22 August, 2011

Chicken Burgers and an orzo dish

Costco is a favorite place of mine to shop.  For those of you not familiar, it's similar to a Sam's wholesale warehouse except better.  I've belonged to both and Costco is much better imo.  Unfortunately there are only two Costco stores in the Nashville area.  Both are around 25-30 miles away from me.  Nevertheless I try and trek there at least once a month to pick up surplus size packages of things we use...toilet paper, paper towels, real maple syrup, peanut butter, etc..you get the picture.
My mom in law went with us a couple weeks ago and she decided to pick us up these chicken burgers for our dinner that evening.  My husband and boys turned up their noses and were very skeptical.  I,  on the other hand thought they sounded pretty good.  She also bought some really great chibata sp? buns to go along with them.   I was happy that they all loved the burgers!!  My husband said he would even eat them for his lunch.  A major nutritional breakthrough in DLP's life!!!  :)

They are precooked so you can either just heat them on the grill (how we cooked them first)  or use your George Foreman to heat them well (that's what I did tonight).  You could also use a fry pan or microwave but I prefer the grilling methods.  So, we at them again tonight.  I bought chibata bread since I couldn't find those special buns.  I toasted the bread up which was really good also. 


Nutrition FactsServing Size 1 burger Amount Per Serving
Calories from Fat 50
Calories 140 % Daily Values*Total Fat 6.5g10% Saturated Fat 2.5g12% Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 70mg23%Sodium 560mg23%Total Carbohydrate 3g1% Dietary Fiber 0g0% Sugars 2g Protein 22g 

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I served them with this http://allrecipes.com/recipe/orzo-with-parmesan-and-basil/detail.aspx This recipe is super simple and has great flavor  .  You could really switch it up however you like and what flavors you like.  I thought mushrooms would have been really good in it.  I like to brown the orzo really well-like rice a roni.  It tasted better than the picture looks. :)



06 August, 2011

a d v e n t u r e . . .

i applied for one of these this week.  i hope to get to use it before i die.  :)



exciting?  i certainly hope so.

04 August, 2011

Chicken Breasts Pierre

Chicken Breasts Pierre was our dinner tonight.  I found it on allrecipes.com.  It's a unique flavor and really good.  I served it with buttered egg noodles and a green salad.  Here's the link to the recipe:



  • 6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (I used boneless skinless breasts and thighs)
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 pinch ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes, with liquid
  • 1/2 cup water (I used half water half white wine)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Directions

  1. In a shallow dish or bowl, combine flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt and ground black pepper. Coat chicken breasts with flour mixture. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, and brown chicken on all sides. Remove from skillet, and drain on paper towels.
  2. In the same skillet, combine the tomatoes, water, brown sugar, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt, chili powder, mustard, celery seed, garlic and hot pepper sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and return chicken to skillet. Cover, and simmer for 35 to 40 minutes, or until chicken is tender, no longer pink and juices run clear.

Missoni for Target

Well, yet another major high end designer is jumping on the mass merchandising Target bandwagon!  Missoni is debuting a 400+ piece collection with everything from clothing, to tableware, to bicycles.

Missoni is famous for their knitwear in colorful patterns.  I've never been a fan of their signature knit dresses--not because they aren't pretty... but because...well...their usually a horizontal, patterned knit, and you shouldn't be any bigger than about a size 2 if you're going to pull off a knit dress.  ...just keepin' it real.  :)

Prices are supposed to range from $2.99-$499.99.  
  i love her shoes and the scarves are great.

 the middle dress above is really cute, again, if you're young and a size 0-2.

the selection of tableware is said to be extensive.  this pink set is sweet.


i love the chair, and the rugs, and that bike is too adorable!

i like this bedding a lot.  

So, if you're a Missoni fan but not a millionaire, there's finally some affordable pieces coming to a Target near you September 2011. 

03 August, 2011



Scallops sauteed in olive oil/butter sprinkled with a little garlic powder and cayenne.  I Love scallops (with a capital "L").  And do you know what makes the best side dish with scallops?  Corn. Any corn based dish goes terrific with them. Tonight I made this really great corn dish. It's pretty time consuming but the flavors are crazy good.  It's worth the effort.
Creamed Corn Gratin with Fried Onion Rings and Bacon
courtesy Bon Appétit 



  • 1 1/2 cups fresh breadcrumbs made from crustless French bread (I just tore into small pieces after toasting)


  • 6 bacon slices, chopped


  • 1/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 large red onion, thinly sliced into rounds
  • 1/2 cup (or more) vegetable oil
  • 10 green onions, chopped


  • 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 8 cups frozen corn kernels (about 2 pounds 6 ounces)
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • 3 tablespoons quick-cooking grits
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup (packed) coarsely grated Monterey Jack cheese (about 4 ounces)


Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread breadcrumbs on rimmed baking sheet. Bake until lightly toasted, about 10 minutes.
Sauté bacon in large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels. Transfer 2 tablespoons bacon drippings to heavy large pot; reserve for creamed corn. Discard remaining drippings.
Place flour in medium bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Separate red onion slices into rings and toss in flour to coat lightly. Heat 1/2 cup oil in same large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add onion rings to skillet and cook until golden brown, adding more oil as needed, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer onion rings to paper towels. Mix breadcrumbs, bacon, onion rings, and half of green onions in clean medium bowl. Sprinkle topping with salt and pepper.
Butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Add butter to pot with reserved bacon drippings; melt over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion; sauté until light golden and beginning to soften, about 6 minutes. Add frozen corn; sauté 5 minutes. Add milk and cream; bring to boil. Gradually stir in grits and cayenne pepper. Reduce heat and simmer until mixture thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese and remaining green onions. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer creamed corn to prepared dish. (Topping and corn can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately and chill.)
Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake gratin uncovered 25 minutes. Sprinkle topping over; bake until topping is slightly crisp and creamed corn thickens and is heated through, about 20 minutes longer.