Monday, November 29, 2010

Chicken Soup For The Healing

Jim hasn't been feeling well so the parents made a special batch of chicken soup for their boy.  I think he will be feeling better in the morning!  They ordered a meat pie that had a pig face on it - GO HOGS!!!!  What a game this past weekend - we got the boot!!  YEA!
 

GO HOGS!!!!!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Holiday Spinach Dips

Nothing like a cheesy dip.  Here are a few recipes that I enjoy.  I like to pair the dips with fresh bread, homemade pitas, tortilla chips, or wheat thins.  It's all good!

Spinach & Artichoke Dip
1 pkg. frozen spinach thawed
1 jar marinated artichokes, chopped
8 oz. Philly cream cheese softened
8 oz. sour cream
3/4 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 onion chopped
1 stick of butter
red pepper flakes to taste (optional)

Saute onions in butter.  In a 9 by 9 in. baking dish add thawed spinach, cream cheese, sour cream, parmesan cheese, monterey jack cheese, artichoke hearts, pepper flakes, pour butter and onions on top and mix all together then bake at 350 for 20 - 25 mins.  Serve with bread.

Trio's Spinach Dip
  • 1 10 oz pkg chopped frozen spinach, thawed and heated in the microwave a touch, drained
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 8 oz Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1 can Rotel
  • 1/4 cup diced purple onion or to taste
  • 1/3 cup of 1/2 & 1/2 or heavy cream
  • Combine all ingredient: warmed spinach, cheeses, and onion in a 9 by 9 pan stir.
  • Bake at 350 for 20 - 25 minutes
  • Serve warm with Pita crisps.
Pita Crisps
  • Take several slices of Flat Bread - brush the surface with olive oil, sprinkle with lemon pepper and cumin.
  • Bake in a 325 oven for about 20 minutes on a cookie sheet.
  • Remove from oven - cool slightly.
  • Cut the flat bread into several slices.
  • Use for dipping with Spinach Dip.
Or
  • 4 whole-wheat pita breads, halved
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Cut each pita half into 4 wedges. Arrange the pita wedges in a single layer on a baking sheet. Brush with the oil, then sprinkle with the oregano, salt and pepper. Bake for 5 to 8 minutes until crisp and golden.


Cold Spinach Dip

1 cup Mayonnaise
1 package Knorr® Vegetable recipe mix
1 container (16 oz.) sour cream
1 package (10 oz.) baby spinach, chopped, or 1 package (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 can (8 oz.) water chestnuts, drained and chopped (optional)
3 green onions, chopped (optional)

Combine all ingredients and chill about 2 hours and serve with wheat thins.

Hot Mini Phyllo Cups: Fill mini phyllo cups with 2 to 3 tsp. dip. Sprinkle each with shredded Parmesan cheese. Arrange on a baking sheet and bake at 375° for 10 minutes or until dip is heated through.

Cucumber Bruschetta: Thinly slice a seedless cucumber on the diagonal, then top each slice with dip and garnish with snipped chives or thinly sliced green onion.

Cherry Tomato Bites: Hollow out cherry tomatoes, then fill with dip and garnish with dill.

Houston's Spinach Dip 

1 clove of garlic - mince
1/2 onion - chopped
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 stick of butter
1 cup of heavy cream
1 cup of Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. salt
1 8 oz. cream cheese softened
4 oz. sour cream
10 oz. frozen spinach thawed
6 oz. jar of artichokes - drained and chopped
1 cup white cheddar cheese

Saute garlic and onion in butter in a sauce pan over medium low heat for 3 - 5 minutes.  Add flour and stir for about 1 minute.  Slowly whisk in heavy cream and bring to a boil.  Lower heat to medium and add parmesan cheese, salt, cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese and stir until melted.  Add spinach and artichokes and simmer on low 5 mins stirring frequently.  Pour into a dish sprinkle with fresh grated parmesan and serve with tortilla chips along side salsa and sour cream.

    Friday, November 26, 2010

    Wednesday, November 24, 2010

    Fall In The City


    Pad Thai


    A traditional basic Thai dish that is so hard to "get right."  I had heard Wondee in the upper west side of NYC got it right so I went to find out.  They did indeed!

    Monday, November 22, 2010

    Top That Shaquita

    I've always enjoyed the teen witch "top that" scene.  Well, this past Halloween Shaq got all dressed up along with his wife/girlfriend/SO/whoever?!  I thought it was neat they were out being silly just having fun together.  Here's what they did.  Shaq has a back up job - he can dance and lip sing.  Enjoy and laugh out loud!  Wished we were still living in Boston and could have caught a glimpse of Shaquita out and about up close.

    Tuesday, November 16, 2010

    Wedding Bells Will Be Ringing

    Ashley and David had their engagement photo session at the place where David proposed and a few other special locations.  I love these photos and to think I was thinking, "Oh they don't need engagement photos." 

    Let the showers begin......
     
     
     

    Accesorize With A Broach

    Broaches are a neat accessory.  I've always loved accessories and even more so if they have a sentimental touch.  My Aunt Ruth gave me this broach that I wore out on my birthday last night.

    So great to have neat pieces like this.  My sister found this one online.  It's always fun to have fun with accessorizing!

    Happy Birthday To Me





     

    Passing

    We pass through moments, days, years, and eventually life.  Yesterday I celebrated my birthday and present life.   Just a few days ago I celebrated a beautiful life passed.  Ecclesiastes 3:2 a "A time to be born and a time to die."  May we cherish the seaons of life and may we have an understanding of the "times" in life.  My friend Laura's words are tender and touching of her beloved mother, Halita, who passed from this life November 7, 2010.  Those we love are always loved and missed when they are gone.

    May we take the time this holiday season to love, share love, and be loved while we have the opportunity.  Grace and peace to you....2 Corinthians 1:2.

    Tuesday, November 2, 2010

    "There are places I remember.....

    All my life I've loved them all....." - Beatles