mmm Chicken Fett with Brown Butter Sauce

I made this best thing tonight that I found in my Southern Living Easy Weeknight Favorites cookbook. I tweaked it a bit and let me say mmmmmm. After being sick with the flu for 5 days I am glad to be back at my stove with my bright orange pots and pans. Also a tip--when you boil pasta and have a ton left over that wasn't needed for the dish (come on do you really need all those carbs, don't celebrate it) put it in a freezer bag for next time; it shaves 15 min off your next pasta dish.


Chicken Fettuccine w Brown Butter Sauce
serves 4 servings

1 lb fettuccine
1/2 cup butter
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves diced into bite sized pieces
3 cloves of garlic smashed
1/2 slivered almonds
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
4 tbs dry white wine
2 tbs lemon juice
kosher salt
pepper
shredded fresh Parmesan cheese


Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and keep warm--i took 1/4 of the pasta, put aside in a freezer bag for a side dish in the future.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over med/high heat, swirling it around with wooden spoon until butter is melted and browning (and bubbling mmmm). Add chicken sprinkled with salt and pepper, garlic and almonds; cook about 5 min til chicken is cooked. Stir in parsley,wine,lemon juice, a dash more salt and pepper then toss immediately with pasta; top with cheese.
We served this with roasted asparagus that I toss with olive oil, salt and pepper and lay flat on a foil lined cookie sheet--then roast in a 400 degree oven for about 10 min.

Easy Peasy Hump Day! French Dips

Sorry, it's been a while since I last blogged (like you're dying without me) but Sophie has become the crankster. Weekend full of fevers, no sleep, coughs, etc. has left me void of thought...plus we ordered in twice, ate leftovers once and went out to eat last night so there you go. I like themes so I've decided to give Wednesday a theme. I mean we have Tuesday Dynasty so why not Easy Peasy Hump day. I love to have super easy dinners that I keep on the back burner for days when I feel like complete crap. Hello run on sentence!
This particular dinner is my favorite for these days so I hope everyone enjoys it!

French Dips ala Sarah
serves 4
1 lb good quality deli roast beef (i love the Italian Roast Beef)
1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
1 cup sliced yellow onions
4 slices provolone cheese
1 can beef stock or french onion soup + can full of water
4 french rolls
2 tbs butter (1/2 tbs butter for each roll)
garlic powder

Pre-heat oven to 350
Heat a saute pan to medium high heat and spray with non stick cooking spray. Toss in the mushrooms and onions and saute until soft. Add beef to the veggies and the soup + can o' water.
Open up the french rolls, spread with butter and sprinkle with garlic powder. Put bread on oven sheet and place in oven til lightly toasted about 3-5 min. Remove bread from oven, fill with meat, onions and mushrooms all while keeping it open faced. Top with provolone cheese and put back in the oven til the cheese melts and bubbles about 3 min. Remove from oven, fold up sandwich and dip in the soup mix still in the pan. Fill some extra soup in a small bowl for dipping. I like to put a smidge of horseradish sauce inside mine and eat hot banana peppers with it. Scott omits the mushrooms. Enjoy.

Happy Anniversary to Me

Today is the one month anniversary of this blog and I am very happy to see my 20 readers are enjoying it! I hope I haven't offended or disappointed anybody...yet. Tell your friends and help my blog grow and for shnoggles sake comment on things. If you try my recipes and like them--don't just tell me personally (thank you to those that have) post it on here. If you didn't like them you probably made it wrong and that's okay too lol. A big what what to my friend Kami for starting the comment trend! I'd like to see my follower list grow so I'll give this incentive: As soon as I get to 50 followers (either follow directly through google or facebook ala network blogs) and I'll randomly draw one of you to win a $50 Williams Sonoma gift card. Do it Do it.

Yummy Pork Tenderloin in Wine

While thumbing through my latest issue of Everyday with Rachel Ray I came across a recipe called Chicken with Wine. It sounded good but I decided to make my own version of the recipe using pork tenderloin medallions and then I changed up the seasonings, measurements and added garlic. Well not to toot my own horn although I often do, Snoop Dogg would call this the shizz.

Pork Tenderloin and Wine "da shizz"
serves 4

1/2 cup flour
2 tbs Sazonadors Supremas seasoning mix (or your fave seasoning blend)
1 pork tenderloin (silver skin removed) cut into medallions about 1 in thick
2 tbs olive oil
2 tbs butter divided
1 cup (or more if you love them like I do) sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup sliced leeks (you could use a white or yellow onion)
1 large shallot chopped
2 garlic cloves thinly sliced
3/4 cup red wine
3/4 cup chicken stock
dash o' salt

In a shallow dish add the flour and seasoning blend and mix. Dredge the medallions. In a large skillet heat oil over med/high heat. Add the floured pork to the pan and cook on both sides until golden brown, little bit crispy, and cooked through. About 10 min total. Remove pork and place on a plate and set aside. To the heated pan add 1 tbs butter, mushrooms and leeks. When the mushrooms turn golden remove and place with the pork on the plate. Add the remaining butter, shallot and garlic and saute for bit--add the wine and stock and reduce one third. Add the pork and mushrooms to the completed sauce and heat through. Add the dash of salt and serve with the sauce smothering the pork.
I served a rice side and steamed artichokes with the dish and it was fantastic.

Home Decor--my master bedroom

I've had a couple requests to do a couple blogs dedicated to home decor and my love of it. During the last year we have completely redecorated our house. 3 rooms have been safe--the laundry room since I don't care enough, the kids bath since I still like it and the playroom because no one on earth wants to touch that hot mess. We bought this house when Aiden was 8 months old and I was going through a french country phase that has thankfully passed. If you like neutral colors and floral patterns then I'm not your go to girl for decor assistance. I hate the color beige and like the fact that my house is fun. We have a neon green hallway and bright yellow kitchen/ living room. Aiden chose neon orange for his Halloween themed bedroom and Elliot went with turquoise for the girls mermaid room. The worst room in the house by far is the master. When we bought this house it had horrible white carpet which we've slowly replaced. Our room is the last to bear this disgusting color and we had a hard time deciding between carpet and hard wood. Well we've chosen carpet and are about to finally fix up our room. Remember people I like funky so when it's done I'll upload some pics and give everyone tips and tricks to freshen up their houses on the cheap. I am a babe on a budget as you all know. A hint on what I'm using as inspiration: my adoration of 3 things- eclectic decor, peacock feathers, the color jade. I'll be uploading pics soon.

This is about Boobs people

Well I know the guys are at least reading this sentence. This is about breastfeeding and the fever that goes over women when they debate it. I breastfed all 3 of my brats; still feeding Sophie whom I plan on accompanying to college nursing bra in tow. While I was pregnant with Aiden I was asked all the time whether or not I planned on nursing. Of course I wasn't going to, I wasn't too thrilled with the idea of raising a kid for the next 18 years let alone letting him suck what life was still left in my boobs after the pregnancy was through with them. I fully intended on stocking up on Similac and calling it a day until I heard nursing helps with weight loss and then my ears perked.
During the last month of my pregnancy I decided to give breastfeeding a 6 week chance. If I totally hated it I would quit and feel no guilt about it; I fully expected to hate it.
After Aiden was born I chickened out 3 times at the hospital when the nurses would come in offering their assistance. I screamed every time one of those La Leche crazies would knock and by the time I got home I was wondering if I'd ever get the nerve to endure one more bit of baby related pain and let him latch on. I finally did but not without fan fare. It took 3 people to get Aiden latched on and let me tell you that was the last time I was shy about my breasts. Picture it: Me sitting on the couch squirming with the anticipation of pain, Scott positioning my right chichi and Joy aiming a swaddled little boy at my nipple. You haven't lived until you've heard your mother tell your husband to flick your nipple to get it hard. Just saying.
After I got used to the ordeal and the pain went away I really began to see what the fuss was. I didn't fully bond with my baby until we started spending those precious moments together in complete silence. I didn't cry when Aiden was born and I started to worry that everyone was right and I was without a soul. I had watched a billion episodes of A Baby Story and those broads always cried when the nasty mucus covered baby was presented to them. When my moment came I simply asked them if it was over and wouldn't snuggle him til they dried him off and he appeared sanitized. Close your mouth ladies you can't tell me you didn't think it-I'm just tactless enough to say it. Anyhow, I thought maybe my mommy gene was broken until the first time Aiden looked up at me with those huge brown eyes while eating; then I knew I was done for.
The reason I'm sharing these boobie tales with you is because of recent reports of a certain idiot politician thinks Michele Obama was wrong to promote breastfeeding as the best way to feed your baby. This person thinks it is too much government interference to even say that nursing is better than formula and I think that's ridonkulous. I think it's great that the first lady is saying something about a normally taboo topic. Until Barak himself is handing me a breast pump I'm in full support of this particular venture from the first family. Breastfeeding is better, I'm sorry but everyone knows it's is. Why else would our bodies be built this way? I doubt that God made our boobs produce milk for those middle of the night cookies and milk hankerings. We were made to feed our children this liquid gold, but if a woman doesn't want to then that's her business. Every pregnant mother needs to make this decision for herself and whatever her decision is I am confidant that's the best for her. However, take it from this former anti nurser--at least give it a try because you may love it. On another note if you choose not to nurse and some crazy"breast is best" person makes you feel less than... Tell her to shove it.

Tuesday Dynasty: Thai Chicken

Boy oh Boy is Aiden going to be burnt. My sister in law is sick so Aiden will not be dining with his grandparents tonight as per his routine, so he'll be eating Asian food made by a non-Asian. My son is not without his quirks--He lives by an odd set of rules and one of them is non-Asians shouldn't make Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indian etc food. I dare him to walk in the kitchen of 90% of the Chinese resturants here in Bakersfield because he'd be surprised to see a plethora of my mothers people dicing and woking out (Mexicans). Tonight my man child will be dining on Thai cuisine against his will freshly prepared by the hands of his Swexican mother (half swedish half mexi and yes this is a race).

Thai Chicken ala Swexican (slow-cooker)
serves 6
3/4 cup light coconut milk
2 tbs creamy peanut butter
1 tbs garlic and chile sauce
1/2 tbs minced ginger
salt and pepper
1 1/2 lb boneless chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into bite sized pieces
2 red bell peppers sliced into large chunks
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 large yellow onion sliced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
lime wedges
****
In your slowcooker (hopefully its not a tiny guy), combine coconut milk, pb, chile garlic, ginger and stir. Add the veggies and chicken. Sprinkle the top with salt and pepper (as much as your taste requires)
Cook covered until chicken is cooked through. Roughly 5 hours on Low or 3 on High. When its done serve the chicken mixture over your choice of white or brown rice or noodles. Top with fresh cilantro and a squirt of lime. Note* the more lime juice the better and I added a bit more chile garlic sauce to mine since I like spice.

Happy Valentines Day you Ingrates

Let me start by saying I LOVE VALENTINES DAY. No, that wasn't sarcasm I actually love this day. I guess it's because Joy made a big deal about it when I was a kid. I can still see the photo in my memory of me in a purple leotard from dance class, gigantic welt on my fore head (don't put your foot on the tire of your bike while speeding full speed downhill-that was a dumb idea) posing happily next to my personal heart shaped chocolate mayonnaise cake and balloons. Big Daddy would always get me flowers up until I moved out and I loved it. Now I have 3 kids and totally enjoy making a huge hoorah over this pretty silly holiday. Today however cupid was testing me from the get-go.
Bright and early Aiden was in my face asking stupid questions, Elliot was demanding chocolate milk and my head was pounding. I had stayed up late making valentine brownies for Elliot's class all the while getting sucked in to Julie and Julia (one of my favorite movies) so I hadn't gone to sleep as early as I should have. After gazing upon the gooey brownies for his sisters party Aiden decided to start an Egyptian style uprising over the fact that there was to be little valentine fan fare today in 2nd grade. He wanted brownies and was fully pissed that he wasn't getting any. Strike 1.
After Scott and Aiden had left for school, I finished actually getting fixed up for the day and attempted to get my 4 year old off her spot on the couch and in her school clothes to no avail. Ellie had decided cartoons were more important than a class party and whined in only the way she can about getting up. We fought for 15 minutes while I managed to get her dressed and after 10 million other irritations we rolled into school 20 min late. I HATE BEING LATE!!!!!!!
After Sophie and I had gotten back in the car after dropping sister off at school I fought with the feeling that these little brats did not deserve a holiday. They didn't deserve the adorable heart shaped personalized cakes, presents, full Italian dinner, chocolate dipped strawberries, balloons and other over the top crap I had planned for the day. They sure as hell didn't deserve the brand new paint kits I got them and tiny chocolate candies that led them on their clue filled "hunt" for gifts. They really didn't earn the tiny artichokes (aidens fave app), bruschetta, or apple cranberry mocktails I was making. They definitely didn't get to listen to the super awesome Italian restuarant mix I made today on the iTunes that I was going to play while we ate spaghetti and meatballs, Caesar salad and garlic bread on the red checked clothed table. However like most ridiculous things I do, I wasn't doing this for them; I was doing this for me. Today taught me that even though my kids are far from perfect they are still a whole lot better than any other kid I know (just my opinion although I'm never wrong) and I love making them happy. I love surprising them with fun stuff because I loved it when Joy did. I decided to change my attitude and follow through with my Valentines Day plans and I'm glad I did. Being a mom is really annoying but I could be spending my day being annoyed all day by stupid co-workers- and that would suck. Besides maybe someday my kids will remember all the fun stuff their mom did for them and they'll do the same for their kids. Plus I figure if I treat them good now, they'll remember this when decided whether or not to cheap out on my rest home. Have a fun love filled day people!

Holy Roscoe: Chicken and waffles

Let me say a big thank you to Sir Roscoe and his beautiful idea: Putting fried chicken and waffles together. It is an odd marriage but it frickin' works. Well because I do not deep fry (its fattening and it makes your house smell awful) I changed the recipe up a bit and created a healthier version.

Sarah's "Fried" Chicken and Waffles
serves 4

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken cut into tenders
2 cups flour
2 tbs any seasoning salt blend but I only use Sazonadors Supremas
1 tbs dried oregano
1/2 tbs chili powder
2 tsp pepper
2 cups milk
1 tbs hot sauce (i use chalula)
1 tbs garlic powder
olive oil (enough to cover your skillet and shallow fry usually about 1/2 cup)
waffles (I make mine on my waffle maker but in a pinch we have used frozen)
maple syrup
hot sauce (chalula) at the table

***
Mix milk, hot sauce and garlic powder in bowl. Place the chicken in the bowl with the milk mix and soak for at least 10 min but I would recommend soaking for 25. In a shallow dish (i use a small casserole dish) mix up the flour, salt seasoning, oregano, chili powder, pepper. Put oil in medium/large skillet and turn heat to med/high. When the oil is hot dredge the soaked chicken in the flour mixture, shake off excess and add to the oiled skillet. Make sure you have enough oil in your skillet to give the chicken a good shallow fry-if the oil dries up so will your chicken and it will burn. Fry the chicken on both sides until your favorite level of crispness. I like ours really crispy and it should have a pretty golden brown color.
When the chicken is finished transfer it to a plate lined in paper towel to soak up any excess oil. Serve the chicken with the waffles. We found that they are especially yummy with a couple shakes of hot sauce over the chicken and then take a bite with chicken, waffle and syrup. It's fantastic.

Tuesday Dynasty: Spicy Orange & Peanut chow mein

Decided to try something new tonight. Still Asian inspired (it is Tuesday after all) but I thought I'd pull something completely out of my butt. I made it with tofu since we've decided to do a meat free dish a week but you could def use chicken.

Spicy Orange & Peanut Chow Mien
serves 4
1 package chow mien noodles (found in the Asian section of your store)
1/2 cup diced firm tofu
1 bag of stir fry veggie mix (or 2 cups of your fave stir fry veggies)
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
1 tsp (or more if you like extra spice) chili garlic hot sauce (also found in Asian section)
1 tbs soy sauce
2 tsp Chinese 5 spice
2 tbs chopped cilantro
2 tbs ginger
pinch of kosher salt
1/4 cup chopped scallion greens

Follow directions on the chow mien noodles package and after they're cooked set them aside. Heat a large skillet or wok to med/high heat and spray with non stick cooking spray. Add tofu, veggies and mushrooms. While that's cooking put next 8 ingredients in small food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. Add sauce to the veggies and saute until veggies are to your preferred way (either still a bit crunchy or soft). Right before serving toss the noodles with the stir fry, sprinkle the chopped scallions and serve ASAP

Easy dinners to keep on hand

Some of my favorite things in cooking magazines are when readers suggest quick dinners that they can whip up on nights that cooking a huge 5 star dinner isn't going to happen. I always have a few things on hand in case these nights occur.
For example I like to have frozen meatballs on hand for those nights that I only have time to boil water for pasta and make a quick sauce. Or for meatball sammies, swedish meetballs, even hoison meatballs for apps.
Sometimes an easy dinner is just something you can cook without thinking to hard. Tonight for example I made "Salisbury steak". I made hamburger patties (see my burger recipe) cooked them up and served them on garlic toast topped with mashed potatoes and gravy. Add a side salad and there you go.
If any of my whopping 15 readers have some great easy dinners they'd like to share add them to the comments section at the bottom of this post. Lets make this fun peeps.

Just a Stay at Home Mom

Today as I was doing a mountain of laundry I starting thinking about how I was "just a stay at home mom". The reason I thought of this is because at my aunts funeral I got a whole lot of "oh, you don't work?" from different long lost family or random friends of my aunt. I'd answer "yes I stay home" while rolling my eyes.
For years after I started staying home when people would say "oh you don't work", I'd say "no, I'm retired". The joke is getting old and I'm getting tired of having to use it. In 1950 women were expected to stay home and then sometime after our mothers started burning their bras it became cool to work. My former best friend told me while she was pregnant with her first that she never wanted to stay home. She liked her job and wanted to feel like she was "contributing" to society. That same woman who I now refer to as "she devil" decided to take to her facebook status to say that I'm worthless because I'm "just a stay at home mom". I stay home because I love to. I'm very blessed in that Scott's career is successful enough to allow for a single income. I know that there are many women that would love to be in my position and have to work because that is what works for their family financially. I also know that there are also some fantastic mothers that are fantastic because they work. There is no right way or wrong way just what way works for you and your family.
When Aiden was 1 I thought I needed to go back to work. I felt like I wasn't contributing to our family so I found a nice daycare for my beloved son and went back to work. Two weeks later I was quitting my new job and grabbing my baby out of that woman's arms. It didn't work for me. I spent my lunchtime crying in the bathroom and our sons personality completely changed while in the care of someone besides his mother. I then knew that I was contributing to my family without bringing in money. I get the luxury of watching my kids grow, seeing their first steps, hearing their first words, etc. When She-devil made fun of my job and she knew it would hurt me because she knew how much it meant to me. I'm proud of what I do. I am personally responsible for making sure the Cooper children turn into rad adults. When Aiden gets a migraine at school I'm available to take him home. When Elliot has a dance class in the middle of the day I'm available to go to every lesson. When Sophie has a well baby check up I don't have to rely on others to get her there. I love that.
I'm going to be very honest. I would hate to have a boss. I would hate to have to get up early in the morning and get to work. I'm spoiled in that I don't even remember what its like to have that responsibility. This weekend some dumb woman tried to make me feel better after I had stated for the umpteenth time that I was "just a stay at home mom" by saying "oh its the hardest job and the pay is crappy". I thought that was more offensive so I bluntly told her "well, my job is actually kind of awesome, the pay is pretty good plus I sleep with the hot boss."
I don't think my job is difficult because I love it. We stay at homers don't need pity. We don't do this because we are stupid although I do know some that do it because they're lazy. We firmly believe that our family benefits from our running the household and we're tired of being asked what we do all day.

Tuesday Dynasty: Sweet n Sour pork

Tuesday Dynasty: Sweet n Sour Pork
serves 4

2 large 1 inch thick pork chops (fat removed)
1/2 cup flour
2 tsp kosher salt
2 tsp pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup chopped carrot
1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
1/2 cup chopped pineapple
1/2 cup pineapple juice (i used the juice from the can of pineapple)
1 cup store bought sweet n sour sauce
3 tbs toasted sesame seeds (optional)
2 cups hot cooked white or brown rice
**
Cut up the pork in large bite sized pieces. Mix flour with the salt and pepper and dredge the pork pieces in and shake off excess.
Heat olive oil in a medium or large skillet over med/high heat and add in the pork. Cook until golden brown on all sides and cooked through. Remove from heat and pat dry. Drain oil from skillet (or if you don't mind more dishes get a fresh one) spray with non stick spray-turn heat to medium and add veggies , saute until soft and add cooked pork, pineapple, juice, sauce and seeds. Put heat to medium and cover for 10-12 min.
Serve with rice and side salad