Sunday, April 18, 2010

What's for dinner?


I really enjoy this version of chicken caccitore. It is not my mother's way of making it, that is for sure! This recipe has a kick to it, I use all of the ingredients (for the most part) and throw it in the crock pot, we like it :)


Chicken Cacciatore, from foodnetwork.com


Ingredients
2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
1 (3-pound) chicken cut into eighths
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound cremini mushrooms, quartered
1 large red onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 large yellow bell pepper, thinly julienned
1 serrano or jalapeno chile, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 cup low-sodium canned chicken broth
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes and their juices
3 sprigs fresh rosemary
2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar or capers
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
1 pound spaghetti (size 8 or 9) cooked al dente
Basil sprigs
Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano


Directions
Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Season the chicken pieces on both sides with salt and pepper and place in the pan, skin side down and cook until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn the breasts over and cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the chicken to a large plate.
Add the remaining oil to the pan and heat until almost smoking. Add the mushrooms and cook until golden brown, season with salt and pepper and remove to a plate.
Add the onion and bell pepper to the pan and cook until soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the serrano, garlic and chili flakes to the pan and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the wine and cook until almost completely reduced. Add the chicken stock, tomatoes, and rosemary and bring to a simmer. Return the chicken and mushrooms to the pan, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan and cook until the chicken is tender, about 30 minutes. Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon to a large shallow bowl and tent loosely with foil.
Increase the heat to high and cook the sauce, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, stir in the vinegar and basil and pour the sauce over the chicken. Garnish with fresh basil sprigs. Serve over spaghetti and sprinkle with grated cheese.

This Spring/ Summer Project Is...

To do something with our backyard and patio! It is so boring right now. We are going to Jazz it up this year..yay :) Maybe even do some before and afters! *This picture is not our patio. I found it while looking for inspiration....

Silver and Gold...







Love it....

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

I want this!

It may be a bit much for me though. I can not always pull off big pieces of jewelry like this one, but I still like it :)

Friday, March 19, 2010

I am my Mother's Child...

Sometimes I really think that I am turning into my Mother! I can't help it. One big example would be something that irritated my brother and me when we were kids. Every time we were ready to set out on a road trip, or go to the airport, my Mom would freak out. She would have absolutely no patience with any of us, and my poor Dad caught most of the wrath. Once we were on our way, everything would be fine.
So 20 years later, wouldn't ya know it, I do the same thing! Every time we get ready to hit the road! This is only one example. My brother as well as other family and friends pick on me all of the time about lots of other little things that I do like Mom. It is not all bad. I should be flattered. She is an awesome lady--short fuse and all :)

Monday, February 22, 2010

Fun Weekend


This weekend we went to Georgetown, SC. This is were my husband grew up. His parents do not live there anymore :( But we still try to get down there at least once or twice a year. We have a few more excuses to get down there this year, with a wedding or two, and a high school reunion coming up. This weekend, we were down there for a wedding shower. We had lots of fun (and good seafood). I am kind of envious of him for having that small town experience. Not that I am a metropolitan city slicker or anything, but I grew up in a suburb of Columbia, SC that developed very quickly. When I came home from college, nothing was the same. When Josh goes back to Georgetown, nothing has changed. I guess I just find that to be refreshing and different than what I am used to.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Disgraceful


Anyone who cheats on their spouse is a loser. What a weak, sad, broken person. Ewww.