Si, si Senorita

If you give her a taco, no one will get hurt.

Blueberry Muffins, redone

I am not a health nut.
Let's just get that out there.

But every once in a while I realize I can be sneaky and pack a little more nutritional punch into whatever it is I am eating, or feeding the fam.

We love some good blueberry muffins. Have been known to polish off a good half dozen between us when they come out of the oven.

I made some the other day, and on a whim decided that if I revamped the recipe a little, mostly for Kaelyn, I may be able to eliminate a little oil, sub in some whole wheat flour, and get in that extra serving of fruits and grains that are not included in her Goldfish crackers or YoBaby yogurts.

I had no idea how they would turn out, but I was pleasantly surprised... (and because I'm obsessed with it and think you should be too, you really should try fresh strawberry orange juice, thus the pulpy glass shown here... its sooo good!)

Here you go, kids. Snack on!


Blueberry Muffins

3/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. fresh blueberries
1 c. pecans or almonds, chopped (optional)
1 c. all purpose flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
1 T. baking powder
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. apple sauce
1 egg

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, and sugar. In another bowl, whisk together milk, apple sauce, and egg. Pour into flour mixture and stir until just blended.

Gently fold in blueberries (and nuts, if desired) into mixture. Divide batter into greased muffin cups. Sprinkle each muffin with a little sugar before baking. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes or until they test done.

xoxo dae

In Honor

Well, this isn't starting off so well.

All it took was uploading the pictures for this little post.

WHY. WHY do I cry so much ???!?

Everyone, this is my Dad.

Hi Dad!!

You didn't think you were going to get out of a sappy little Father's Day post, did you Dad?

This is me telling the world about you.

World, this is the man that swept me off my feet when I was a little girl, gave me his last name, and let me be his "Irrigation Eerineer"; scooping me up in his arm on the golf course where he was Superintendent up to the irrigation control and letting me think that I really was in charge of all those exciting sprinklers and making sure that everything was watered and taken care of. I thought it was the best gig ever.

All the while I was the one being watered, and he was the one making sure that I was growing as strong as he could help me be.

And while he was and is a man of few words, when he did say something, I listened (see, Dad, see, I really did!!).

He showed me that I should have no fear in the kitchen, that I need to try new things, unconventional things, and introduced to me the appreciation of escargot, fresh pico di gallo, and a litany of other creations that are now what I blame for my spoiled tastebuds.

He taught me to challenge myself, to never settle with knowing enough when there may be more to learn, and to form my own opinions, not just go along with whatever someone else said. He persevered through those lovely (ahem) teenage years of mine where I can pretty much guarantee I'm the one that made him loose the majority of that hair.

He has devoted his life to now telling others about the power and love of Jesus Christ, and while the sacrifices are great, I know that the rewards and legacy are so much greater.

He is loved.

Happy Fathers Day, Dad!!!

This intimidating fellow is my Dad-in-Love, Dave.

Hi Dave!!

I will not be telling the world about you for fear that you will make me drop and give you 20, after which I will convulse, hurl, and pass out. 

I kid I kid!! (Not about the passing out part).

This is the man who, on the first time we met, when I was already engaged to his son, (listen, it was six weeks, we just didn't have time for the whole meet-the-parents thing...) ushered me in with a smile from ear to ear, and immediately put my young, nervous, newly engaged heart at ease.

He has a work ethic that beats anything I've ever seen. He has raised three boys that could each take home the medal for Heart of Gold. He is faithful, and when I say he walks with the Lord folks, I mean he walks. He puts Scripture into practice daily, and it has inspired me from the time I have been lucky enough to know him.

He is the one that I credit with teaching and modeling for Ben what a man after God's own heart is; what a wonderful husband, father, and friend can be.

He serves our country, and I can't even begin to tell you how good his is at doing that either. So good that we like to brag on him, though ;)

He helps these pesky kids of his with endless home repairs, puts up with all of our crazy on family vacations, and much to my delight and to the Three Musketeers (also known as his sons') frustration, sides with me in our great debates, and it tickles me to no end.

He's golden.

Happy Father's Day, Dave!!

And this, this is the reason I breathe.

This is the guy that I have a hard time finding words to describe. He's just that good.

He's the father to our child, the keeper of my heart, and my perfect teammate in life.

Becoming a father and seeing just how good he is at it took him to another level of wonderfulness in my book. 

Kaelyn, we are a couple of lucky women.

Happy Fathers' Day, Benj!!! You studmuffin of a father you.

Hope the rest of ya'll out there have a sweet day,  love on that Dad of yours! ;)

xoxo dae

Restaurant Wars

Ever been here?

http://www.cabananashville.com/

Click on the menu.


You're welcome.

Just a few suggestions.... the Tennessee Sliders, House Made Potato Chips w/ Gorgonzola Dipping Sauce, Lemondrop Martini, and every dessert they offer. Or anything else on the menu for that matter.

But especially what we now refer to as Best Dish in Nashville, their Spicy Shrimp & Grits.

Ben and I headed out for a date night a week or so ago, and went to Cabana. (Complete with my hair not in a pony tail and applied eyeliner! ooh la la) The evening was lovely, relaxed, a normal date night.... then we were introduced to Cabana's version of shrimp and grits, and now I feel that my life is complete.


After the initial shock of happiness, I told Ben I was about two seconds away from asking if I could go into the kitchen and beg the chef for the recipe.

On the way home in the car it dawned on me that while I didn't get the recipe (and wouldn't give it up if I were them anyway) it was time to brush up my imitation in the kitchen skills.

Cue grocery trip.

As I do most nights, I grab my little pajama bottomless helper and we go to work. 

 

Is it too much to say I hit a home run??

Cuz I did.

This kitchen was on fi-yah!!!

Try this, it will make your tummy so happy.

Spicy Shrimp and Grits, Cabana Style

(serves 2-3)

3/4 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/2 lb. Vermont white cheddar cheese ( I use Boars' Head), grated

4 servings worth of original grits (not quick grits, trust me.)

1 pint heirloom tomatoes

1 clove garlic, minced, quartered

6-8 medium mushrooms, sliced

1/2 c. cooked and diced real bacon

1 1/2 stick unsalted butter

Tabasco sauce, sliced scallions, Tony Chachere's seasoning

In a cast iron skillet if you have one, melt 1/2 stick butter. Add garlic and mushrooms, saute until tender. Meanwhile cook grits according to directions. Add tomatoes and bacon to mushroom mix and heat throughout. Salt and pepper to taste. Set mixture aside in separate bowl. Add shrimp to skillet and sprinkle with Tony Chachere's, flipping and cooking until just pink (don't overcook or they end up like little pieces of shrimp-flavored chewing gum). Remove from pan and cover with foil to keep warm.

In same skillet, melt 1 stick of butter and add as much Tabasco as your spicy self wants. Turn burner to low and keep warm.

Add cheese to grits, a dab of butter, and s&p to taste, and stir until smooth.

Spoon grits into bowl, add a heap of tomato/mushroom/bacon mix, invite 6 or 7 shrimp, and then drizzle with Tabasco butter. Top with a few sliced scallions.

And if you have any other great shrimp and grits recipes let me know, this woman loves variation.

xoxo dae

                        

And THIS Little Piggy...

... has pigtails!!

(Why are two little sprigs of hair just so darn cute??)

Yummies

Photo: RecipeTips.com

Serve this addictive little side dish with burgers, some grilled fish, or good ol' pulled pork barbeque. Or do what I did and serve half of the entire bowl to yourself while sitting on the kitchen counter while your child naps (and you secretly enjoy some semblance of a meal where the only person you have to feed is yourself).  

Asian Cole Slaw
Greens
1 bag cole slaw (or broccoli slaw)
1 cup chopped celery
2 bunches of scallions, chopped


Mix greens together. One half hour before serving, add the “crunchies” and dressing.


Crunchies
1 cup sunflower kernels
1 cup toasted almond slivers/slices
2 packages Ramen beef noodles, uncooked and broken up (save spice packets for dressing)

Dressing
2 packets Ramen spice mix
¾ cup oil (of which 2 tablespoons are sesame oil)
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup cider vinegar

Whisk together and add with crunchies one half hour before serving.




And then there were these:
 
 

Photo: Tastykitchen.com

We had these with some insane Blackberry Chipotle Grilled Shrimp... . I still dream about that dinner.

Two things: mine were wrapped in a little more bacon than shown in this picture (let's be honest, that bacon up there is just a skinny little teaser of what a bite of bacon should be), and when it says dredge it through the brown sugar, don't. It's a little too much. Lightly sprinkle/coat the side of the bacon that will face out when you wrap it, lightly. I used a hoard instead of a hint of brown sugar the first time and I'm pretty sure we're still in sugar shock.

Bacon Wrapped Pineapple Bites

1 lb. thinly sliced bacon

1 large can chunked pineapple

1/2 c. brown sugar

Set your oven to 375F.

Cut the pound of bacon in half. Put the brown sugar in a shallow bowl. Take a half a slice of bacon and dredge it through the brown sugar. Put a chunk of pineapple on one end of the bacon slice and roll up. Secure with a toothpick.
I put a cookie cooling rack into a foil-lined jelly roll pan. Lay the bacon pineapple bundles onto the rack.
Bake for at least 25 minutes, or until the bacon looks brown and crispy. Sometimes I pop them under the broiler for the last few minutes just to get them really crisp. 

xoxo
hope ya' enjoy!

Well Hi!!

Random Update! Been a while.

Let's see.... we had a priceless 3-day weekend, SYTYCD and Wipeout have started ( and you better believe it's an event in our house), I've been out in the sun ( really, its just therapeutic for one's attitude I think), I've tried out a few new recipies (wait for it), and we now live with what I refer to as a jabberwalkie.

Kaelyn is still testing out the waters of whether or not this whole walking thing is really worth it, but meanwhile, she has decided that it is so much fun to be extremely vocal (gets it from her dad). 

Basically I need a translator, because I have no clue.

I get 'milk', 'please', 'more', 'shoes', 'dada', and 'all done'. Other than that its pretty much the language of Curious George. Which actually makes sense because please, try to pull her away or get her dressed while that show is on tv. It's like you have ripped out her retinas and stolen her best friend.

It is pretty cute to watch her carry on a conversation with the tv though, I will admit.

So we've been playing outside. Stormy continues to teach Kaelyn that its just easier to carry things around in your mouth. Woof.

The kids:

Kaelyn's current favorite snack. She will point, say please, and literally beg whenever we walk outside to go to the strawberry pot. Once again, have a video. It won't load. Ugh.

We've been busy in the yard.

My new favorite feature! Hello my pretties.

Cilantro for salsa, basil for pasta, oregano for roasted veggies, and dill for homemade dressings and pickles. And our orange tree we got four years ago. It is bound and determined to make it in this crazy Tennessee climate. In ten years I may get fruit!!

The roses mean serious business this year. Which makes me happy because now I can actually start cutting and putting them around the house.

 

And we love the park :)

Kaelyn's version of peekaboo-

Tried the mulch. Not her flavor.

Recipes soon... have you ever had bacon wrapped pineapple? You should. Someone refered to them as little golden nuggets of heaven. That made me smile. :) And Asian Coleslaw? Oldie but a goodie, and a must for summer. Stay tuned!

xoxo dae