QUOTE OF THE WEEK

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Before cooking, soak the clams thoroughly to enhance their sweetness. I place them in a container, cover with water, add a touch of cornmeal, and keep them cool in the fridge for about an hour. This was absolutely delicious and looks like it came from a 5 star restaurant. One of my co-workers had made it and gave me the recipe. I doubled the recipe so we would have left overs. If you like it on the hot side, like we do, just add a little more of the chipotle chilis. Enjoy!!

Shellfish with Chipotle and Tequila

Ingredients

1 teaspoon olive oil
Cooking spray
1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion (about 1 large)
1/2 cup chopped red bell peppe
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 3/4 cups water
1/4 cup tequila
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons tomato paste
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped seeded chipotle chile, canned in adobo sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 (14.5-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
24 littleneck clams
1/2 pound sea scallops
1/2 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup chopped green onions
Preparation
1. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add yellow onion, bell pepper, black pepper, and salt to pan; sauté 5 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Add 1 3/4 cups water and next 10 ingredients (through chicken broth) to pan. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Arrange clams in a steamer. Cover and steam over boiling water 8 minutes or until shells open. Discard any unopened shells; set aside.
3. Add scallops and shrimp to tomato mixture; cook 7 minutes or just until done. Ladle 2 cups soup into each of 4 large shallow bowls; top each serving with 6 clams, 1 tablespoon cilantro, and 1 tablespoon green onions.

24

I came across this and thought it was pretty funny so I thought I would share it.  Everyone knows how much I love Jack Bauer and he did save my life once!

Here are some Bauerisms for your enjoyment!(Courtesy ofwww.funnyandjokes.com)
1.If you wake up in the morning, it’s because Jack Bauer spared your life.
2.Upon hearing that he was played by KieferSutherland, Jack Bauer killed Sutherland. Jack Bauer gets played by no man.
3.If Jack Bauer was in a room with Hitler, Stalin, and Nina Meyers, and he had a gun with 2 bullets, he’d shoot Nina twice.
4.Jack Bauer killed 93 people in just 4 days time. Wait, that is a real fact.
5.Jack Bauer got Hellen Keller to talk.
6.Jack Bauer was never addicted to heroin. Heroin was addicted to Jack Bauer.
7.Jack Bauer’s favorite color is severe terror alert red. His second favorite color is violet, but just because it sounds like violent.
8.1.6 billion Chinese are angry with Jack Bauer. Sounds like a fair fight.
9.Jack Bauer doesn't miss. If he didn't’t hit you it's because he was shooting at another terrorist twelve miles away.
10.As a child, Jack Bauer’s first words were “There’s no time!”

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

I decided rather than go out for Valentine's Day I would make dinner for my husband. My menu included king crab legs with drawn butter, sauteed seasoned green beans with fresh parmesan cheese, sweet potatoes and dipped strawberries for dessert. Of course the dinner wouldn't be complete without pomegrante martinis!!

PAJAMA GRAM

                  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

     My sweet husband sent me a pajamagram for Valentine's Day and the pajamas are so cute. They send them to you in a mesh hat box with ribbons and a sachet. They have pjs for all ages and for both sexes. I first received one from Jed and Ashlee for my birthday. So if you are ever looking for a gift other than flowers or chocolates check them out.

VALENTINE ARRANGEMENT

A Rose Is a Rose
This rose heart is sure to be a hit, whether you create your own arrangement or order it from a florist. A shaped block of wet floral foam is covered with rosebuds. Green leaves are pinned to the sides to cover the remaining foam.

I just love this arrangement from Better Homes and Gardens.  It is very easy to make and and fairly inexpensive when you buy your roses from Costco. You can get 2 dozen for $15.00.  You can't beat that.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

CHICKEN AND ARTICHOKE CASSEROLE

1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms, sliced                1/8 tsp pepper

2 tbsp butter                                                 3/4 cup light cream( half & half)

1 can (14 oz) chicken broth                          1/2 cup parmesan cheese

6 chicken breasts                                           1/2 tsp dried rosemary, crushed

1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup flour    1/4 tsp salt

Saute mushrooms in 2 tbsp butter until golden brown. Set aside. Put chicken breasts in simmering broth in a single layer. Cover and cook 20 minutes. Remove from broth. (Save 3/4 cup broth). Place chicken in 8x13 casserole. Top with artichoke hearts. Set aside. Melt 1/4 cup butter. Stir in flour, salt, and pepper until smooth. Gradually stir in 3/4 cup broth and light cream. Cook and stir as mixture boils and thickens.  blend in parmesan cheese and rosemary. Pour over artichokes and chicken. Sprinkle with mushrooms. Bake for 35-40 minutes

MOVIE DAY

I decided there were so many movies that I wanted to see I decided to see 2 in one day. The first one was Marley and Me. Not only was it funny but it tore at the old heart strings.  It's a movie the entire family can see.

The second movie was Slumdog Millionaire. This movie was very good but disturbing at times. It definitely makes you thankful you live in the USA.  

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Nothing makes us so lonely as our secrets.

                          -Paul Tournier 

This quote started the second chapter of "The Shack".  This book is very good and very thought prevoking.  If you haven't read it I would highly recommend it.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Gorgonzola Potatoes
3-4 large potatoes, chunked
salt and black pepper
ground nutmeg
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 cup half and half
3/4 cup gorgonzola crumbled (3oz)
2 tablespoons parmesean cheese
Preheat the oven 400°
In 8 or 9 inch square baking dish arrange half the potatoes; season with salt and pepper and then sprinkle with nutmeg. Top with onion and continue laying the rest of the potatoes on top. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Add cream and half the cheese and cover with foil.
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Top with cheese and bake uncovered 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve with a wonderful steak, salad and a glass of red wine and you have the perfect meal.

BABYSITTING HONEY

Jed and Ashlee are in Hawaii so we have the privelege of watching Honey. She is the cutest little thing and loves to play.

She is pouting in this picture because she wants me to go outside and throw snowballs so she can find them in the snow. She knows this method works.

She decided she doesn't like me reading the paper so she just sits on it. She doesn't realize how much I love my paper and coffee in the morning.

.

She is waiting anxiously for another one.

BANDIT

My sister, Diane, just bought a horse named Bandit.  He is 11 years old and she says he  seems pretty mellow (probably a good thing at her age) and should be a good riding horse.  We grew up with horses so hopefully it's like riding a bike-once you learn you don't forget. I can't wait to get on myself.