Recipe tips: Spice up your sides!

Wow, it's been a while since my last post. Sorry for the brief absence... I started a new job, which I love, but has obviously been taking up a lot of my time. I also traveled to Northern Virginia last weekend to celebrate my niece's first birthday. So I have been busy!

Since I have been busy, I have been making quicker meals. Now, when making a quick meal, the quality of the dish can sometimes waver because I omit steps or don't put as much love and care into the meal as I should. :-) So below I found and tested a couple of ideas to spice up your sides for a quick, tasty dish...

#1 Red pepper flakes are your friend.

Pictured above is frozen broccoli that I thawed in the microwave, then added to a skillet with olive oil and garlic. After sautéing for a little while, I sprinkled some red pepper flakes in and what a difference it makes! Now, don't go crazy with the red pepper flakes because they can overpower the dish if there are too much, but a couple dashes should be great. Taste as you go to get your perfect amount. The great thing about this tip is you can use it in pretty much any veggie dish... so give it a try!

#2 Why hello balsamic... we meet again and again.

I need to admit, I have a bias here... I love balsamic vinegar. I got this idea from a coworker of mine about a year ago and I love making this dish. It could be a main dish or a side and it is very versatile, so you can really make it however you wish.

What you will need: water, garlic, pasta (any kind), vegetables (any kind; fresh or frozen), salt, pepper, olive oil, balsamic vinegar

Here are the main steps:
- Set a pot of water to boil on the stove
- Slice up some garlic (very thin)
- When the water is boiling, add salt, garlic and pasta
- Cook pasta per package directions or desired doneness
- Add veggie(s) to boiling water before you strain or cook separately
- Strain pasta, but reserve some pasta water (just in case you need it)
- Combine pasta, veggie, olive oil, and balsamic (add pasta water if dish seems sticky or too dry)
- Salt and pepper to taste

There are no measurements for this recipe because it is all to taste. I know some people don't like that, but this dish is best done by taste testing. Also, I make it differently every time, so a set recipe just would not work.

Pictured above is refrigerated cheese tortellini and frozen peas. You could probably even do this dish without the pasta and just dress up some veggies. Have fun with it and make it your own!

#3 A simple sauce can go a loooooong way.

I love my sauces! If I could have a delicious sauce with every single meal, I would be one happy girl. This is a very broad tip because there are SO many sauce possibilities out there, but I wanted to point it out because it really can bring a quick meal to the next level. Many sauces are also very easy and quick to make, so they are a perfect match for a fast dish.

Whatever you are making, just look up some sauce ideas online and go for it! I made steak the other night and made my own version of A1 steak sauce. It wasn't perfect, but it didn't need to be because it was still yummy. And be creative - just because you don't have one or two ingredients for the sauce... try a substitute or work the sauce a different way. Again, your taste buds don't lie - so taste as you go and see what you come up with! This was one of the best ways I started to gain confidence as a cook. Tasting sauces will teach you what flavors go well together and help you in all areas of cooking.

Pictured above is an avocado cream sauce I made with some spicy tilapia to help cool it down. It had 4 ingredients and whipped up in the food processor - easy and quick! It was delicious!

I hope you find these tips helpful! Happy cooking. :-)

Recipe Review: Mashed Cauliflower

Source recipe: "Mock" Garlic Mashed Potatoes

I found this recipe last summer and fell in love with it. It's a great, easy side and an awesome substitute for mashed potatoes. You can really make it however you want, but here is how I do it...

Mashed Cauliflower
The Haught Lady's Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1 medium head cauliflower
1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon unsalted butter or margarine
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
1/8 teaspoon straight chicken base or bullion (can substitute 1/2 teaspoon salt)
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Optional for garnish:
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh or dry chives
3 tablespoons unsalted butter or margarine

Directions:

• Heat water in a large pot to boil; clean and cut cauliflower into small pieces while the water heats up
• Cook cauliflower in boiling water for about 6 minutes or until very well done (should split easily when pierced with a fork); drain well
  
• Using an immersion blender, hand mixer, food processor, or hand masher combine the hot cauliflower, cream cheese, butter (or margarine), Parmesan, garlic, chicken base (or salt), and pepper until smooth.
• Garnish with chives and top with pads of butter, if desired

Boil it...

Mash it...

Serve it! Pictured with broiled steak and balsamic onions.

 I give this recipe a 9 out of 10 for being easy, yummy, and flexible (can change ingredients if needed). Enjoy!

Recipe Review: Frozen Hot Chocolate

Recipe source: Tasty Kitchen's Frozen Hot Chocolate

This is obviously an extremely healthy recipe. Don't judge. It's super chocolatey and delicious. Every sip seemed better than the last.

Special notes: I do not have a double boiler, but I do have glass mixing bowls and saucepans, so I made my own double boiler. I did not have hot chocolate mix on hand, so I substituted cocoa powder. I'm not sure if there is a big taste difference, but I don't care... it was awesome.

Frozen Hot Chocolate
The Haught Lady's Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 package hot cocoa mix (about 3 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup white chocolate chips
12 ounce can evaporated milk, divided
4+1/2 cups ice
Topping options: Whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate chips

Directions:

Combine sugar, cocoa mix, and butter in the top of a double boiler that is set over gently boiling water. Stir often until melted and a smooth paste forms. Add semi-sweet & white chocolate chips; stir. When chips begin to melt, slowly stir in 1/2 cup of evaporated milk. Stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature.

Combine the chocolate base mixture, the remaining evaporated milk and ice in a blender (you can do this in batches) and cover. Blend until smooth. Pour into frosty glasses. Top with whipped cream, additional chopped chocolate chips & mini marshmallows, if desired.

Sorry, I didn't take any blender pictures! It whipped up super fast and easily. This recipe made a lot (way too much for just 2 people), so I divided the rest up into individual portions and froze them to enjoy on other nights. I just took them out of the freezer before dinner and when it was time for dessert, they were thawed and ready!

I give this recipe an 8 out of 10. It it a good amount of work, but I think it is totally worth it!

Recipe Review: Crock Pot Pork Loin

Recipe source: Diana's Easy Crock Pot Pork Loin

This is a great recipe! The pork comes our tender and delicious. It also makes enough leftovers to use in a round 2 recipe.

Special note: there is a gravy in the recipe and I made it, but I thought it was way too salty. My husband liked it, but he enjoys the salty foods more than I do. If you want the gravy recipe, check out the original source link. Or you could make any standard brown gravy to go with this pork dish. Otherwise, enjoy what is laid out below...

Crock Pot Pork Loin
The Haught Lady's Printable Pork Loin Recipe

Ingredients:
2.5-3 lb pork loin
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 medium onion, sliced
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons garlic, minced
3/4 cup beef broth
1 (1+1/4 ounce) envelope onion soup mix
salt and pepper

Directions:

• Trim excess fat off the pork loin to your liking and pat the meat completely dry using a paper towel
• Add 2 tablespoons of oil to skillet and set the heat to medium-high; rub the other tablespoon of oil on the meat and season the meat to your liking with salt and pepper
• Put the meat in the hot skillet (carefully!) and brown on all sides (about 3-5 minutes per side depending on the heat of your stove); when meat is browned, move it to the crock pot
  
• Keep the skillet on the stove and turn the heat to medium; add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, and garlic to deglaze the skillet (be sure to try and stir up all the yummy bits of meat that may still be in the pan)
  
• Top the pork in the crock pot with the onions and onion soup mix, then top everything with the broth mixture
• Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6 hours (the meat is done when it is easily pulled apart)

My husband could not get enough of this pork. He would snag a bite every time he walked by the platter - I had to put it away so we had leftovers! I give this recipe an 8 out of 10.


Round 2 Idea: Chipotle burrito bowl

People either love or hate Chipotle... I love it! We had all this delicious pork leftover, so I wanted to try a round 2 dish with it. I thought of carnitas and decided to attempt a healthier version of a Chipotle burrito bowl. I won't lay out a specific recipe because this was really a haphazard dish that I just threw together, but below I listed everything I used or had available to give you an idea of the possibilities:

Quinoa (instead of rice), tomatoes, onion, green pepper, avocado, pinto beans, salsa, hot sauce, cheese, sour cream, and the leftover pork... yum.

Happy cooking!

Movie Reviews

The ★ Scale:
★ = Don't waste your time.
★★ = Possibly wasting your time. Your choice.
★★★ = Recommend.
★★★★ = Highly recommend.
★★★★★ = Watch it! Or else.

★

Body of Lies: Not impressed. This movie could not keep my intention for more than two minutes at a time. Pinterest was much more entertaining. :-) I may just be over the terrorist movies, but I was definitely hoping for something more especially since Leo and Russel are the stars.

★★

The Green Hornet: Again, I was hoping for more. I love superhero/action movies and Seth Rogen, but this movie was another disappointment. I gave it 2 stars instead of just 1 because there were a couple of funny parts and I did not browse Pinterest as much during this one.

★★★

Gosford Park: Netflix brought this movie to my attention since I liked Downton Abbey so much and I enjoyed it. At first, it was a little overwhelming, there are a lot of characters and fast dialogue, but as the movie goes on, you get a clearer picture of things. There are a lot of stars in this movie, like Helen Mirren, Clive Owen, and Maggie Smith... so there is great acting. I wasn't really impressed with the romantic stories within the film and some scenes seemed to go by too quick, while others lasted too long. Overall, it was an entertaining flick.

TV Show:

★★★★★

Lastly, I need to say, Archer is back on. Love that show! It's inappropriate, crazy, hilarious, but it is filled with a very specific (some may describe it as stupid) humor that you will either love or hate. My husband and I both love it! It's on FX on Thursdays at 10 PM.

Caesar Salad

Again, I need to give my mom credit for this recipe. Also, my sister Sara, who gave this recipe to me after she received it from our mom and fell in love with it.

My Mom and sister Sara

The great thing about this recipe is that there are easy ingredients that you can always have on hand, so it's a great side anytime! Now, it is delicious, but beware... your breath will be kicking after it. There are a lot of strong, tasty flavors like garlic and vinegar that make it so yummy, but they stay with you for a little while. I personally think it is totally worth it!

Caesar Salad

Caesar Salad
(Printable Recipe)

Ingredients:
1+1/2 teaspoons anchovy paste (OR 4 anchovy filets, minced)
1 large garlic clove, pressed
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (like Tabasco)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 head romaine lettuce, torn into bite size pieces (about 8 cups)
1 cup croutons (purchased or homemade)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (shredded or grated)
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Whisk anchovy paste, garlic, mustard, vinegar, and hot pepper sauce in large bowl. Gradually add 1/4 cup olive oil and whisk until thick. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. Add lettuce and toss. Add croutons and cheese, toss again. Serve and enjoy!

Chicken Caesar Salad

Notes:

• You can easily add chicken and it makes a fabulous chicken Caesar salad!
• I recommend serving it fresh, but it keeps pretty well for 24 hours in an airtight container. You can have any leftovers for lunch the next day or for dinner the following night.
• Anchovy paste comes in squeezable tube that comes in a small box (like small toothpastes). I find it in the dressing section or canned tuna sections of my grocery stores. It stays good for a while, so you can buy it and keep it in the fridge to make lots of Caesar salads!
• You don't have to use romaine. I have used green leaf lettuce too and it's fine. I'm sure any kind of crunchy lettuce would be fine... I mean, it's lettuce, right?

Leftovers

Anchovy Paste

Movie Review: Paradise Lost Trilogy

 

Ever heard of the West Memphis 3? The Robin Hood Murders? Well, if you haven't, don't feel too bad... I had no idea about this story until my husband put the first two movies on our Netflix queue. I was instantly interested when I read the description on the back of the DVD, especially because I studied the kind of effect the media has on our society while I was in college. This is a prime example of the media's power in this country. In this situation, the media not only created stereotypes that aided in the wrongful conviction of three kids, but also created a documentary that commanded attention and created a following that helped to "free" the three now men.

IMDb has this concise description of the films: "A horrific triple child murder leads to an indictment and trial of three nonconformist boys based on questionable evidence."

I encourage you to Google or Wikipedia the story to find out more (well, when the SOPA black-out protest is over). You will either be interested in this or not at all, so that is up to you.

We watched the first two films a few months ago and recently watched the last one since it was just released. The films are a bit repetitive, but that's because they are reminding the viewers of what had previously transpired. It is fascinating to watch all the "characters" in these films change over time. For instance, Mark Byers is the stepfather of one of the murdered children. In the first film, he is out for blood and curses the three boys on trial. In the second film, he continues to blame the convicts, but the table turns and new evidence is revealed that makes Byers a possible suspect. In the last film, he completely changes his tune due to new evidence and joins the fight to free the three convicts.

I love documentaries that really make you think and these ones certainly do. Whether you agree with the convictions or not, these are definitely films worth viewing to keep American citizens on their toes and try to keep our justice system and the people who uphold it in check.

I give all three movies a four star review - ★★★★