A Veritable Rainbow of Flavors!

1. oven roasted butternut squash
2. peas
3. crispy polenta
4. tiny tuna
5. freakin' tomatoes

How'd you like that title? That's called high-PER-bow-lee. Or in-SAN-uh-tee. Want to peek in my brain? Of course you do! I looked at the picture, thought, "ohhhh, pretty colors, like a rainbow!". Then thought of Top Chef's Team Rainbow, then thought of Skittles and then thought of Mazda ads. At this point I was bored with myself - see it's not just you - and the word veritable popped into my head. When I was a kid my mom and I used to read the dictionary for fun - and yeah, we had cable - and I remember instantly falling in love with the word veritable. And why did I think of that right after the Mazda thought? Like anyone's still reading this! Well Mazda led to Caddie Woodlawn which lead to sprigged lawn which led to dictionary fun and then of course, veritable. I hope someone buys me a Pannetone soon. Sophie and I need brandy butter.

Read more...

The Weather Outside ....

is not even close to being as frightful as soggy corn chips.



1. chili
2. corn chips
3. sour cream
4. pumpkin bread

Nice bowl of chili for lunch on a cold dreary day? Good idea. Packing corn chips in a container with other stuff and sticking it in the fridge the night before? Not such a good idea. But all was not lost! My original plan was to dip - my revised plan was to crumble and stir. It worked out.

The pumpkin bread, corn chips, sour cream, cilantro and beans used in the making of the above pictured chili were all purchased at Fresh & Easy. Now known as My New Boyfriend.

Okay, it's reallllly not all that cold here. But it was colder than usual. Cold enough that I'm disappointed that I most likely wasted a potential coat wearing day. And people? I have a new coat. It's red. And it was dirt cheap. In other words, perfect! Gaze on it's beauty.



Maybe tomorrow....

Read more...

Ham & Greens

1. ham and greens
2. jalapeno corn muffin

That little muffin is from a boxed mix and it is the best thing since...well, since jalapeno corn muffin mix! Fresh & Easy saves the day again! Actually, I love F&E. Know why? They have collard greens. I LURVE me some collard greens. Who needs beans when you can have greens? Beans are stupid. And mean.

Oh. One last thing. Have you heard that liquid fabric softener will remove a thick layer of carbonized bean from the bottom of a stainless steel pot? Well it will.

Read more...

Ham Biscuits and That Other Thing

1. ham in biscuit
2. tiny tomatoes
3. baked sweet potato
4. sweet, sweet cake

For Julie - 'cause I love her.



7 random facts - or at least near-truths - about me.

1. I'm wearing a sweatshirt right now that's older than the Boy.
2. Above mentioned sweatshirt was purchased with a matching pair of buffalo check leggings that I happily wore. In public. A lot.
3. I'm afraid of birds.
4. I hate the sitcom Wings and seriously question whether I can be friends with anyone that feels differently.
5. I've washed the same load of laundry 3 times this week because it doesn't "smell right" but have totally ignored the DOG URINE in the laundry room for the same length of time.
6. I hid 40 bucks 5 years ago and couldn't remember where I put it but I can't forget that I lost 40 bucks.
7. I talk about drinking WAY more than I actually do it.

and the lucky tagees will be...

Mimi @ Potspoon!
Yvo @ The Fiesty Foodie
Abigail @ Piece of Cake
Jesse @ We All Go Poopie
Sarah @ Lemony Life
Allergy Mom @ The Allergic Kid
Kristie @ The Spiteful Chef

'cause leaving a comment totally pays off around here.

Read more...

No Leftovers & A Shout to Ray-Ray

When we walked into Yao Saturday we were greeted with two questions. "Did you have a nice Thanksgiving?" immediately followed by "Did you go out of town?" When I answered yes she frowned "ahhh, no leftovers." A woman who clearly has her priorities in order.

So yeah. We went out of town. I love Thanksgiving with my parents. They let me cook ... AND clean up! But the best part is that we want the same food, the same way, every time. Thanksgiving is NOT the time for experimentation. Sure, some things may come, and some things may go, but the core menu remains. Turkey. Sweet potatoes. Dressing. (not -stuffing-). Gravy. Cranberry sauce. Pumpkin pie. I know, I know! Anyway, we love it, and I love them, and I miss them. Except Max. I don't miss Max much. But Ray-Ray? You my only friend.

1. spicy eggplant hiding rice
2. grapes, tomatoes, cucumber

Read more...

Daring Baker #12 Caramel Cake with Caramelized Butter Frosting

tap tap taptap

Is this thing on? Sorry. I got distracted or something. You look great! I've missed you! Did you see the Twilight movie? Oh. Anyway. Daring Baker. Yeah. Late. Very.



My thoughts? The cake is good, the frosting is better, the caramel sauce needs to be -really- dark, the salt is essential.

Caramel Cake with Caramelized Butter Frosting recipe courtesy of Shuna Fish Lydon, as published on Bay Area Bites.

Hosting this month are Dolores, Alex, and Jenny.

Read more...