Foodie Pen Pals

This month, Melanie at the Metropolitan Money Pit was my Foodie Pen Pal.  It's only my second month to particpate in the program, and my only regret is that I didn't join sooner! I stumbled on Foodie Pen Pals through The Lean Green Bean blog and I absolutely LOVE this.  Each month, I receive the name of a "pen pal" and I send a box full of foodie goodies totaling about $15 to that person, and in turn, I receive a box from someone else. Each box is very different and packs a great suprise!

 I received a nicely packed box full of sweet treats from California!

Inside the inviting turquoise tissue (that makes me recall the color of the Pacific from visiting CA!) were the following items:

-  See's Candies Little Pops gourmet hard candies
- Hollywood Hottie Cinnamints
- Chai Spices from the Savory Spice Shop
- Rosemary Lime Shortbreads from Shortnin' Bread Bakery in Long Beach
- 479 popcorn in Fleur de sel Caramel
- Assorted old-fashioned candy sticks from Powell's Sweet Shoppe

All of the treats were soooo good - my son made an immediate dash to grab the candy sticks and he enjoyed each and every one! While I enjoyed everything included, I have to admit that the shortbreads were especially delicious - combining the savory flavor of rosemary with the tangy, subtle sweetness of lime - what a lovely, yet unexpected flavor combination.  As much as I adored those shortbreads, though, my favorite was certainly the popcorn...the entire package was only 100 calories and had a salty-sweet caramel flavor that was amazing (and organic, too!).  I will definitely be ordering more of this yummy (and diet friendly) treat!

Thanks so much to Melanie - I loved my FPP package, and look forward to what's in store for month number 3! Join in on the fun here!

Midweek Munchies

Ciabatta Fish Sandwiches

We love eating seafood, especially during the hot summer months when lighter foods help beat the heat! One of our favorite, yet simplest summer staple dishes is Ciabatta Fish Sandwiches.  I prefer flounder, but any mild white fish such as tilapia will also work well.  Simply cook the fish - the recipe below is for pan frying, but we sometimes grill the fish as well - pile toppings on freshly baked ciabatta, and enjoy!



Recipe
4 ciabatta rolls, split in half
4 - 3oz flounder fillets
1 cup shredded lettuce, or butter lettuce leaves
1 tomato, sliced
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
Dill pickle slices
Tartar sauce
1/2 cup olive oil
1 T butter
Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning
1 cup all purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten

Heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet.  In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs and set aside.  Season the fish with the creole seasoning - we like a little "kick" so we use a good tablespoon or so.  Dredge the seasoned fish fillets in the flour, then dip in the eggs, and back into the flour.  Place in the skillet and cook until fish is golden brown and flaky in the middle, about 8-10 minutes.  Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain.  Lightly toast the ciabatta rolls using a toaster, or place them on a baking sheet in a 350 degree oven for about 8 minutes.  Place the fish on the bottom half of a ciabatta roll, top with vegetables and tartar sauce, and serve.

Tuesday - HUEsday ~

Pantone Tangerine Tango

I adore bright, vibrant colors, whether in clothing, accessories, home decor, or paints. The color that I have been obsessing over for the last year or so is Pantone Tangerine Tango, the 2012 Pantone Color of the Year. Swatch photo courtesy of glamcheck.com.

Just a small pop of this vivid orangey-red will go a long way! It can add a fun punch of color to any room in small doses by adding accessories to a neutral palette, such as a lamp shade, throw pillow, rug, or artwork. The photo below is a great collection of accent items in this color family, courtesy of
 washingtonian.com.

For greatest effect, use a bright hue like Tangerine Tango with a contrasting pastel, like aqua blue. This photo is a great illustration of the impact that this color combination can have, balancing the powerful orange with calming, soothing light blue.  Courtesy of blog.pantone.com.

I have already decided that I will be using this color combination in my laundry room, when we are able to decorate that room! I have it perfectly pictured in my head and can not wait for it to materialize. Unfortunately, the laundry room is not a high priority, so it will be a while! I suppose beauty is worth waiting for, though :-)

What I Want Now!

I was born a shopaholic, truly!, so I usually have a wish list a mile long of various items that I need...or, sometimes, really, really need! (My husband doesn't always agree!) Even though I love to shop and enjoy trendy items, I do my best to seek out bargains, too.

This week, What I Want Now is a microplane herb mill from Williams-Sonoma. I just so happen to have a postcard coupon for Williams-Sonoma, too!

This handy gadget grinds fresh herbs with a few twists - much quicker than chopping herbs by hand! I always cook with fresh herbs whenever I can, as their flavor is far superior to that of dried herbs. At $19.95, it's not even much of a splurge! I have somewhat of a collection of kitchen gadgets and this one would fit in perfectly (and actually see some use!).

Another Bountiful Basket

I was so impressed with today's Bountiful Basket!  This was only my second week to participate, and we got a HUGE amount of produce!

Can you believe this produce?! It included plums, peaches, bananas, lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli crowns, golden apple-pears, brussels sprouts, onions, tomatoes, Tuscan kale, and red grapes. So excited to cook healthy meals this week with these beauties!

Midweek Munchies

Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers

A couple of years ago, my friend Julie introduced me to these amazing stuffed jalapenos.  My husband and I make them increasingly frequently since then. They are an amazing appetizer that packs a huge punch, with the great flavor of jalapeno without the heat. I have modified the original recipe for a low(er) fat option...warning, though - these are highly addictive and you probably can't stop at eating just a couple!

Ingredients:
20 Jalapeno Peppers
Tip - peppers with brown or grayish colored "cracks" that start to form in the skin or ones on which the skin is beginning to wrinkle are hotter than smooth skinned peppers.

8 oz reduced fat cream cheese, softened
2 cups shredded reduced fat Monterey Jack cheese
8 oz Jimmy Dean turkey sausage crumbles
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Tony Chachere's creole seasoning

Core and seed the peppers, and cut them in half lengthwise.  Use care in handling peppers - wear gloves, or wash hands very thoroughly with soap and water.  Place on a baking sheet (I line mine with foil for easier clean up).

In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, garlic, and creole seasoning.  I buy the pre-cooked Jimmy Dean turkey sausage crumbles for convenience.  However, it can be made by purchasing raw sausage (regular breakfast sausage or lower fat turkey sausage), cooking and draining the sausage.  Add the cooked sausage to the cheese mixture and combine well.



Stuff the mixture into the pepper halves.  Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until the cheese begins to turn golden brown.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes before serving.  These are so great, they are often a side dish to grilled chicken and rice at our house! 





Midweek Munchies

Nutella Pizza...

...is one of our favorite desserts, and I think quite possibly the easiest dessert that I have ever prepared (unless of course you count opening a carton of ice cream bars). This dessert only has 4 ingredients and is so simple to make, yet it tastes so very rich thanks to my BFF Nutella.

2 flatbreads - I use La Tortilla Factory Smart & Delicious Flatbreads
4 T Nutella (or more/less depending on your taste)
1 cup sliced strawberries
Powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and place the flatbreads directly on the oven rack for 6-8 minutes, until they are heated through.  If you prefer yours crispy, leave it in longer.  Remove from the oven and immediately spread the Nutella on the warm flatbreads.

When the Nutella hits the hot flatbread, it begins to melt into this creamy, even-more-yummy-goodness than it was before. Top each flatbread with half of the sliced strawberries and dust with powdered sugar.

Use a pizza wheel to cut each flatbread into 4 triangles and serve.  For the three of use, we make 2 flatbreads.  The La Tortilla Factory flatbreads come in packages of 5, so we typically make an individual pizza for each of us, followed by these dessert pizzas, so it works out perfectly. There are NEVER any leftovers of this dessert at our house...we all fight for the last bite!

Midweek Munchies - French Toast

I have to brag a bit...I am known for having the best French toast among friends and family members, and it is often the requested breakfast when guests are staying with us.  What better dish to try my new cinnamon-sugar from my Foodie Pen Pal with?!  Here's my simple but oh-so-delicious recipe.

French Toast
1 loaf Challah bread                                       3 eggs
3/4 tsp vanilla                                                 3/4 tsp cinnamon
1 cup milk                                                       butter

Slice the Challah into approximately 1/2" thick slices.  In a bowl, combine the eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and milk and combine well (the cinnamon will float on top of the milk mixture). 

Heat a nonstick pan (I favor my grill pan - love those grill marks!) or griddle to medium / medium-high heat (I set mine halfway between these two settings) and spray with Pam or melt butter if you prefer the richness/fat.  Dip a slice of Challah into the mixture, and immediately turn and dip the other side.  (Challah is a very absorbent bread, so do not allow it to sit in the milk mixture or it will soak up alot very quickly, and then fall apart.) Place the wet slice of bread into the pan; repeat with the remaining slices. 

Cook for approximately 5 minutes or until the first side of the bread is golden brown, and turn, cooking the other side for approximately 3 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from pan and brush with melted butter.  Serve with warm maple syrup, cinnamon sugar, and powdered sugar.