Definite Redo!

On a roll again, here I am, trying to make sure that Mr. Potts is well taken care of while I'm here. Even when I'm not, I try to make sure he has leftovers for a few days.

Does anyone else out there pull recipes out of magazines & end up with a bunch of loose papers? I used to but then would lose the 2nd half of a recipe if a page got lost.

So I bought a binder with a few tabs and started saving my recipes.

Dinner last night was one of these recipes. I found this recipe for Coq Au Vin in Shape back in May and had never gotten around to trying it out.

It was super easy & very yummy!

I didn't use the mushrooms - the only food I absolutely abhor!


Coq Au Vin

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 3 tbsp white wine (such as chardonnay or pinot grigio), divided
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• ¹/₄ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• ¹/₂ cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 4 oz uncooked egg noodles
• 2 tbsp peanut or vegetable oil, divided
• ¹/₄ cup 1/4 -inch diced Canadian bacon (about 1 ounce) (optional - I left this out)
  
• 1 cup 1/4 -inch-thick sliced carrots
• 1 cup 1/4 -inch-thick sliced mushrooms (definitely left this out!)
  
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, plus whole thyme sprigs (optional - left out, didn't have)
• ¹/₂ tsp salt
• ¹/₂ cup thinly sliced scallions

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to boil for the noodles. Slice chicken into bite-size pieces, being careful to cut across the grain of the meat. (If you cut with the grain, the chicken will be tough.)



In a medium bowl, combine chicken, garlic, 1 tablespoon wine, cornstarch, and pepper. Toss to combine and let sit for a few minutes. In a small bowl, combine broth and remaining wine. Once water comes to a boil, add noodles and cook according to package directions for about 7 to 10 minutes or until al dente.



Meanwhile, heat a 14-inch flat-bottom wok or 12-inch skillet over high (I used my 12 inch cast iron). Swirl in 1 tablespoon oil, then add chicken and spread evenly in 1 layer in pan.



Cook undisturbed for 1 minute, letting chicken begin to sear. Stir-fry for 1 minute or until chicken is lightly browned but not cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate. Swirl remaining oil into wok, add bacon, carrots and mushrooms and stir-fry for 1 minute or until mushrooms begin to brown. Return chicken, along with any juices that have accumulated, to pan.



Swirl broth mixture into pan, add thyme leaves and salt and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes or until chicken is just cooked through. Stir in scallions, cook for 20 seconds. Divide noodles among 4 plates, top with chicken & vegetables and serve, garnished with thyme sprigs if desired.

Turned out wonderful & Mr. Potts has asked for a redo (that's how we determine if something is good & should be made again).

Anything new in your kitchens?

The icing to my cake

This past week was a long one in New England. The weather was wet and all I could think of was getting back home.

My travel day on Tuesday was one of the most frustrating I've had in a while. It started when I was on my way to the airport and stopped behind someone at a red light. Stopped behind someone who was driving a manual transmission car.

Remember the part about being stopped at the light? We were on a hill. A fairly steep hill. Apparently the girl in front of me wasn't so great at getting going on a hill.

The light turned green and she promptly stalled her car. But instead of stalling and hitting the brakes, she stalled & rolled back about 2 feet. And then proceeded to stall 2 more times, each time rolling another 2 or 3 feet. At this point, my car was in reverse & I was just trying to keep from getting rolled into.

Eventually she got going, but by then, my nerves were on edge. What else?

I walked up right as the shuttle bus at the airport pulled off.

I tried to enter the airport and went for the "Exit" door. Didn't work so well.

The man at the security line was a LIAR. "Security Line at D is much faster." Not so much.

A woman and her father were behind me going through security. She was impatient, she was short, she was fussy. And he was confused.

We chatted a little and after getting through security I turned to her and said, "It must be hard for you both to have him traveling." She looked at me and told me that he suffered from Alzheimer's/Dementia.

And I almost started crying. I wanted to give them both a big hug - I've been there & seen the effects.

But I didn't. I went on to my gate and was off to New England.

I got my car, a funny little Yaris, and was off to the office.

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Almost there when I suddenly had to slam on the brakes. As I was coming off of the interstate, this animal came trotting across the exit ramp:

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And this wild turkey took his sweet time getting across the road.

As he reached the grass, that guy turned around & I swear I hurt him say, "Gobble Gobble Sucka!"

I shot right back, "You're lucky I didn't hit you & pack your birdy butt in dry ice & ship you home!"

And that, was the icing on my travel day cake.

Happy Monday!

Kissing Mrs. Potato Head

Don't you love when you have time to wake up slowly on a Saturday? No where to be, nothing important to do, no reason to fix your hair or put on make up?

That was my morning today - we were heading to the lake and in no hurry.

I read an interesting article lately (October's Women's Health) about the fact that many of the things we do to stay healthy & in shape contribute to a loss in facial volume.

Or, "After a certain age, you have to choose between your fanny & your face."
Quote often attributed to Catherine Deneuve

So as I was slowly waking up I turned to Mr. Potts & asked if he could see my "Eleven".

He looked at me a little perplexed and I explained the lines (one major, one minor) between my eyes. I told him that next year (2011) I may check into the fillers to smooth them out.

He said that was fine, as long as I didn't get my lips done too.

"Because then, you know, it would be like kissing Mrs. Potato Head."

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I die. What a way to wake up!

Hope you all have had a wonderful Saturday!

Steak - Not just for special occasions

Last night I made my third "new to us" meal and was thrilled with the results.

I'm a HUGE lover of sandwiches: Philly Cheese, Reuben's, Pastrami on Rye, Beef on Wec, etc. When I ran across a recipe for Steak & Cheese Sandwiches (which also had mushrooms in them, but I took that out because..EWW!) I knew these had to come into play this week.

I followed the recipe almost to a t - obviously I left out the mushrooms, I added a bit more Worcestershire Sauce and used more onion/pepper than it called for (I used a full onion & pepper each).

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To go along with them, I made the homemade potato chips. To season them, I used cracked black pepper, a little garlic & one of the salts I won from Mrs. Life Accounts forever ago. How awesome are these salts??? I love them!

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I learned from the last batch & gave myself more time to cook them. This allowed me not to broil them to make them, "Hurry up & get ready!". The broiling last time may have resulted in us losing a few. But only a few!

I also tried to make a cheese dip - which didn't turn out so hot. I just kind of winged it & we could tell. Anyone have a good way to make a cheese dip that will hold up to thinly sliced, baked potato chips?

You know what the best part of today is? It's FRIDAY Y'ALL!!

Happy Fabulous Friday!!

A Tale of Risotto

Last night was the second night in my "Make a New Meal for Mr. Potts" week. Y'all. It. Was. FABULOUS.

I kid you not. Monterey Jack, Corn & Roasted Red Pepper Risotto. D-VINE.

And yes, I know that it is spelled "Divine", but I had to do something to show you how wonderful it was.

I, as always, made some modifications. I added a little chicken, I threw in some black beans, I used frozen corn that had a Southwestern flavor.

In the pan - notice the dented side? Yes, I need some new pans.


Close up - look at the chicken, the black beans, the corn & the red peppers. I love the color of this dish!
Side Note: If anyone would like to recommend a camera that will take better pictures than my old Cannon Powershot (point & shoot) that will not break the bank, I'll gladly take those recommendations.

The highlight of the night was not the food, however. It was spending time with Mr. Potts in the kitchen while he stirred the rice (short grain brown, takes a little longer to cook than the recipe calls for) and I chopped the peppers and chickens.

We talked about our days. We laughed about MOTY - my brother recently said she was living her dream life of being a donut maker. You had to be there, it was a hilarious comment.

We talked about his new Kindle that came in the mail yesterday (part of his 35 for 35).

We spent time together that we don't normally get.

It was absolutely wonderful.

And the food? Well, that was just the icing on the cake.

Or the best risotto ever!

A little of this, a little of that

I've got to follow in b.e.g.'s & Susannah's steps and throw a little randomness out there for you.

I'm absolutely exhausted. As in worn out, plum tuckered out (as my step-mom would say), lost all my energy, in bad need of good sleep....TIRED.

I plan to remedy above situation by being in bed at 9pm tonight. On the dot. No Fantasy Football will keep me up tonight.

Since my norm has been airports, hotels & rental cars so frequently, I decided to pull out my Cooking Light cookbook and pick some new recipes for Mr. Potts this week.

Last night's dinner was a result of cookbook perusing. We had Smoky Bacon & Blue Cheese Chicken Salad Pitas and Potato Chips with Blue Cheese Dip. Both were excellent. I made numerous small tweaks, which is the norm with all recipes I use, and was so happy with the results.

I'm ready for fall. I get a good taste of it when I'm in New England, but then I come home & it is 90+ degrees. I get to wear sweaters one week and short sleeves the next.

Driving to work this morning, there was a man waiting to cross the street in jeans, a turtleneck and his leather coat. Guess he's ready for fall too.

These stockings help, but they are so ugly. They were great in Vermont last week while I was standing & at the end of the day, my legs don't hurt as badly, but yeesh, they're ugly! And when I take them off I suppose the blood all rushes for my legs which makes them tingle.

We've all got these random thoughts that run around in our heads - at least, I hope I'm not the only one.

What's running around in your head lately?

A magical night at the fair

The county fair was in town the last week and a half. Since I was out of town last week, Mr. Potts & I took the munchkins this weekend.

And they had the best time. My nephew kept telling me that it was the best day he'd ever had in his WHOLE life (he'll be 4 in January, so he has tons to compare it to).

**On a side note, why is there no sarcastic font. Or a way to show how important things are to a kid?**

We went through a petting area and petted the animals. The kids loved it & Mr. Potts even got in on the petting and feeding action.

Pure happiness, I tell you!


Such a fuzzy llama.

We ate fair food because nothing is better than a corn dog & lemonade for dinner.

We rode fair rides.


The munchkins were thrilled and squealed & oohed & ahhed.

Mr. Potts even volunteered to ride the last ride of the night with them.

The fair was a success.

We also went to the Panthers' game yesterday afternoon. I won't bore you with the details of the game (it was sad), but I will tell you that at 90 + degrees, I swear I sweated off 5lbs yesterday.

Certainly not the highlight of our weekend. The kids and the fair take that spot!

What was the best part of your weekend?