Weekend Recap

What a great holiday weekend!  My husband and I were able to have a much needed date night this weekend and went to Ciao Bella in Edina for dinner.  We had no idea this restaurant existed and it's part of the same people who own Zelo in the Twin Cities (which we LOVE).  The restaurant looked so similar to Zelo with art work on the walls and great local handmade food.  All their pasta is hand made and they have a lady that comes in every night to bake fresh bread!

Since we were baby-free for the night I ordered a yummy Kendall Jackson Reserve Chardonnay...

Here's me enjoying my glass of wine...

We started out with of course Calamari.  These were the largest Calamari rings I think we have ever had.  They also had a citrus aoli sauce that was superb!

Then I ordered Linguine with Sea Bass, Salmon, Ahi Tuna in a red sauce.  What I love about this restaurant is that not only can you get a 3oz glass of wine, but you can get a half plate of food.  The half plate is pretty much exactly the perfect amount of food for me.

After dinner we headed off to see Cirque Du Soleil's new show OVO.  I think I held my breath about a hundred times during the show.  I'm pretty sure that all the performers are made of rubber!  It was such a great memorable show!

The next morning it was time to dust off the golf clubs and shoes and get out all the golf balls!  The first golf game of the summer was Sunday in Stillwater with my family.  Last year it was so humid and hot it was so nice to golf in 60 degree weather and not get off the course dripping in sweat.  Although I did not golf the greatest game it was so nice to know the snow is gone and it's time to golf!

And Monday I spend the day with my two favorite people...

My son the artist

Yes he's only one and yes i'm his mother so i'll love any arts and craft thing he does, but I think we have an artist on our hands...This was his first attempt at finger painting on a wet rainy day at home.  He was in heaven in his diaper on the floor getting messy with paints...

Limehouse Chicken

Ho hum is probably how i'm going to describe this dish.  I have made better recipes than this one that have more flavor.  It wasn't a food flop since  it was edible, but i'm going to file it under food flops since I probably won't make it again...

Greek Alphabet Stoup

I came across this recipe on the eatliverun.com website.  Although I did not find the alphabet pasta, I decided to use rings instead.  It was probably the fastest soup (sorry stoup) I think i've ever made!  I definately put in way too much pasta, but it was very yummy.  The only thing missing was meat.  I think next time i'm going to put in some Italian Sausage chunks or some ground lamb just to give it a little something!

Here is the link to the recipe
Greek Alphabet Stoup

Pinstripes

Pinstripes Restaurant Review:
Well, I had no idea what this place was when one of my friends suggested we meet there for dinner and a little indoor bocce ball.  I walked in and it was so big!  I can't believe I had never heard of it.  They have tons of bowling and bocce lanes as well as a full restaurant and party rooms.  We met in the restaurant at 6pm with no reservations and sat down right away (this should have been a warning).  I ordered a margarita pizza that was just average at best.  Even after eating the left overs today I think i'll definitely go back to play bocce ball on a cold rainy day, but will have to skip dinner in their restaurant.
(no pictures since the food wasn't that great)

YEAH!!!

About 4 months ago I pre-ordered Chelsea Handler and Jen Lancaster's new books.  They are finally here!!!  These two are by far two of my favorite authors.  I'm not sure these will be discussed in my upcoming book club/playdate events, but hopefully I can squeeze these two reads in.  I will let you know in later posts what I think about these two books.

Pedicure and Cookies

Last weekend I had a much needed girls night (bridal shower) where we got pedicures, saw Bridesmaids and had dinner.  I was so excited to have my first pedicure before the summer that I picked the brightest pinky coral color I could find:

I then come home to find these sitting on the counter:

Yes those are chocolate chunk cookies my husband made while I was out for the night!  Isn't he the best?!?!?!?

Habanero-Honey Pork Kebabs & Grilled Pears with Melted Blue Cheese

Another great meal from by my husband...Thank goodness he can grill because I think it's just intimidating...

Habanero-Honey Pork Kebabs
From Mastering The Grill Cookbook
Ingredients:
1/4 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon habanero chile powder
1/4 cup tequila
3 teaspoons salt
1 1/2lb boneless center cut pork loin cut into 2 inch chunks
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons oil
Directions:
Mix the honey, chile powder, tequila and 2 1/2 teaspoons salt in a small bowl and set aside.  Season pork with the left over salt and pepper and then toss in oil.  Skewer pork.  Place on grill and cook until pork is browned (about 10 minutes).  Rotate skewers a few times for about 5 minutes.  Brush on honey mixture and cook for another 3 minutes.  Serve with left over honey mixture

Grilled Pears With Melted Blue Cheese
From the Mastering The Grill Cookbook
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon amaretto
1 1/2 teaspoon sugar
8oz blue cheese crumbles
4 ripe pears
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Directions
Heat butter, amaretto and sugar in sauce pan over medium heat until melted.  Remove from heat and stir in blue cheese until beginning to melt.  Coat pears with 1 tablespoon oil and put cut side down on grill.  Cover and cook until tender (5 minutes).  Remove and serve with blue cheese sauce on top

Bistro-11

So last weekend I ended up in Tornado town (Loretto) for a sort of bridal shower dinner.  I didn't even know Highway 55 went that far out in the state.  Just when you think you have blown way past it, you come on this tiny town of a few newer buildings and Bistro-11.  Everything grown locally with a changing menu.  It was a very small restaurant, but the food was fantastic.  The bride-to-be had been there about 20 times I think.  We started off with Calamari (my favorite), beef kabobs and baked brie.  I ordered the Coque Au Vin (i've never had it before) and the chicken just fell off the bone.  It also came with a mashed potato puree and green beans (good, but not as good as Grandpa Bud's).  Because they had messed up our reservations we also got chocolate cake (the best i've ever had) and passion fruit cheesecake.
What a great place if you're willing to make the trek out there!

My First Garden

I had no idea how hard it is to garden.  Once the little man went down for a nap Brent and started our very first garden!  There was one set up on the side of the house already, but the dirt had really dried out.  I think it took about a hour for us to till it up and drench it with water before we could even start planting!  Here are some pictures of our garden.  We'll see what happens, but for right now it's a good start.  Next weekend we'll be splitting Hostas and planting raspberry bushes...
Tomato plant
Red Bell Peppers
Green Bell Peppers
Jalapeno Peppers
Cucumbers
Zucchini
Strawberries
Sweet Basil
Oregano
Flat Leaf Italian Parsley
Mint
Cilantro

Old man Kona keeping me company while I garden:

Giada's Mac and Cheese

I love Mac and Cheese.  Right now it's one of the few dishes my son will eat.  This recipe is great because you can make it ahead of time and put it in the fridge until ready to heat in the oven.  I've noticed that when you do this you don't have to let the dish sit for 10 minutes once done in the oven...I usually am starving by then and can never wait...thus the dish turns into a soupy mess if you don't wait.

Giada's Mac & Cheese (by Giada De Laurentiis)
Ingredients:
Butter to grease dish
12 oz wide egg noodles
2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 1/2 cups whole milk
2 teaspoons flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups grated Fontina
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup Mozzarella cheese
ham, cut up
2 tablespoons Italian parsley
Directions:
Preheat oven 450 degrees and grease a large baking dish.  Cook egg noodles for about 5 minutes, drain.  Meanwhile mix together heavy cream, milk, flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper in a large bowl.  Add 1 cup Fontina, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1/2 cup Mozzarella, ham and parsley.  Stir together.   Add noodles and toss.  Pour into baking dish.  Mix remaining cheeses in a separate bowl and sprinkle over dish.  Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown on top.  Let stand for 10 minutes and enjoy!

The Royal Wedding Post 2

Yes i'm still obsessed with the royal wedding.  This is a picture that is circling around facebook and I think it's just perfect.  Cinderella (with her hair a different color) and her price as well as the evil stepsisters and the worst hats that showed up to the wedding.

Spaghetti with Prosciutto, Asparagus, and Mozzarella Cheese

Holy cow i'm eating a lot of asparagus lately!  This recipe is great to make during the week.  It is so easy and quick!  Also makes great left overs.

Spaghetti with Prosciutto, Asparagus and Mozzarella Cheese
(by Giada De Laurentiis)
Ingredients:
Spaghetti
1 bunch asparagus
4oz thinly sliced prosciutto
2 cloves of garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 bunch of basil
Mozzarella cheese
Directions:
Cook asparagus in boiling water for 2 minutes.  Create an ice bath and place the asparagus in ice bath after boiling to shock them.  Add spaghetti to the boiling water the asparagus was in and cook for about 7 minutes.  Meanwhile heat oil in skillet and add garlic.  Cook for about 20 seconds or until garlic is fragrant.  Cut up asparagus into small chunks and add to skillet and cook until tender, turn down heat to medium.  Add spaghetti and a little pasta water and mix everything together.  Add in small sliced up prosciutto and basil and toss to coat.  Add as much Mozzarella as you like and toss together.  Put in individual bowls and serve.

Napa Style Eggs Benedict

A few years ago Brent and I made our first journey to Wine Country.  It was (and still is) one of our favorite vacations we have ever taken!  One morning on our way to Sonoma we stopped to have breakfast at this little restaurant in town.  All of the walls were covered in 1950's decorations and there was just one other customer (a regular) eating.  Granted it was mid week and very early in the morning (you have to start drinking wine early in wine country right?).  I ordered Eggs Benedict (California Style) and out came this giant stack of goodness covered in Bearnaise sauce and adorned with avocado and fresh tomato. 
This Mother's Day Brent decided to create that same dish!  Just your basic poached egg on top of an English muffin along with Canadian bacon, tomato, avocado and Bearnaise sauce.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ME!!!!

Grilled Garlichokes

Every housewife needs a break from cooking right?  Brent decided to make these Grilled Garlichokes tonight and they were so tasty.  This recipe is from the a cookbook that he received for Father's Day (years ago) from the dogs.

Grilled Garlichokes
From cookbook "Mastering The Grill"
Ingredients:
2 globe artichokes
1 lemon
4-5 cloves garlic minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Trim artichokes and cut stems to the artichokes are flat on the bottom.  Squeeze 1/2 juice from lemon into large bowl.  Add artichokes and turn to coat the cut surfaces.  Add enough cold water to cover and put on plate on top to weigh down the artichokes so they remain submerged.  Set aside for 10 minutes.  Remove artichokes from water.  Work garlic through each leaf of artichoke. Drizzle with olive oil and top with salt and pepper.  Warp each artichoke tightly in foil.  Put on grill and cover for 45 minutes.  Squeeze other half of lemon on artichokes and serve.

Baby Proofing...

So i'm not a big advocate on baby proofing your entire house (besides the basic outlet covers & drawer latches), but I caved in when I watched Max race around an IKEA table with super sharp corners (you get what you pay for there I suppose).  I went to Target and purchased the Safety 1st corner bumpers (the word bumper should have been my first red flag).  These little rubber "bumpers" are suppose to stay on your coffee table by tape....yes tape!  I thought maybe it would be super sticky 3M tape, but it took about 30 seconds for Max to pull off every corner on the table....I've found these corners in his room, the kitchen, the basement...I'm starting to wonder if he thinks they are a great new toy I bought for him.
I give you the before picture:

And now the after picture:

I guess if you don't have an adventurous or curious toddler (not sure those even exist) then go ahead and buy this product...If you have a spirited curious toddler these will not work for you at all....

Why My Brain Is Turning Into Mush!

I can't believe how much I have been forgetting things lately...Maybe it's the fact I haven't been working for 14 months....Taking care of a toddler is a very hard (and rewarding) job, but I find myself forgetting words, groceries and things I thought about doing only minutes before....I do blame Bravo TV, E!, VH1 and MTV for coming up with these shows that I cannot get enough of and therefore my brain is now mushy...

Pregnant in Heels
Real Housewives of OC
Real Housewives of New York
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Real Housewives of New Jersey
Real Housewives of Miami
Real Housewives of DC
Teen Mom 2
16 and Pregnant
Keeping up with the Kardashians
Khloe and Lamar
Kourtney and Kim take New York
The Dance Scene
Rob and Big
The Apprentice
So You Think You Can Dance
Dancing with the Stars
The Voice
The Hills
Laguna Beach
Newleyweds (the start of this madness)
Top Chef
Top Chef Masters
Top Chef All Stars
Million Dollar Listing
Flipping Out
Giuliana & Bill
Tori and Dean Home Sweet Hollywood
Millionaire Matchmaker
Audrina

hmmm is there a Reality TV anonymous club somewhere??  I may need to join...

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

What a fast hearty recipe to make during the week.  I was surprised that even though this is a Paula Deen recipe there isn't much butter and there is no cream cheese in sight!  It does need something to moisten it up a bit, but all in all a very good dish!

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
by Paula Deen from the Cooking with Paula Deen magazine March/April 2011 issue
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 large onion, chopped
2 cloves minced garlic
2 cups shredded  cooked chicken
3/4 cup diced ham
1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
1 1/4 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup Parmesan cheese
Directions:
Preheat oven 350 degrees and spray a 11x7 inch baking dish with Pam
In a medium saucepan, melt butter and add onion and garlic cooking until tender.  Add chicken and ham, cook until heated through.  Add rice and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.  Stir in chicken broth, milk, salt and pepper and cook for 2 minutes.
Pour mixture into baking dish.  Sprinkle with cheese.  Cover and bake for 45 minutes or until rice is fully cooked

Country Apple Dumplings

Wow!  This sweet and citrus recipe is so yummy.  I can't decide if this is better for a brunch item or a dessert...I found this recipe on allrecipes.com and every time I look at it my mouth starts watering.  I have never been a fan of Mountain Dew, but all it gives is a citrus taste to this recipe.  Next time I might use Sprite just to keep the sugar content down.
Here is the link to the recipe:
Country Apple Dumplings

Key Lime Salmon

This recipe is from the Deen Brother's and it is oh so yummy.  What a great Spring/Summer meal.  I love limes and you put Key Lime juice and butter together and they form this happy marriage on top of my favorite fish!  I did sort of forget to take a pictures before digging into this lovely meal so I do apologize for the odd photo

Key Lime Salmon
Ingredients:
1lb Salmon
1/2 stick of butter
2 tablespoons Key Lime Juice
Directions:
Melt butter and add Key Lime juice.  Slather salmon with some of the sauce.  Put on grill and after a few minutes slather some more sauce on the salmon.  Put on serving plate and drizzle some more sauce if preferred.