Good Morning!  Do you need a smile today?  A little pick me up?  Well you are in luck.  I have just the fix!  For those of you who didn’t see this online yesterday, check it out.  This laughing baby had me laughing out loud!  After a long Monday….and an equally long Tuesday, it was just what I needed. 

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/momentsofmotherhood/laughing-baby-loves-ripping-paper-2459529

Hopefully it will hit the spot for you as well.  And what a friendly reminder….it’s all about the little things….like torn paper.  🙂

And speaking of little things…I have a recipe to share with you today for some “not-so-little-meatballs”…and spaghetti, of course!  After a month of looking forward to this meal, our good friends Bonnie and Matt came over on Saturday night to enjoy a “S’ghetti and Meatballs” dinner with us.  You all know how much we love italian…and you all know we love to cook…but there are few things we love more than cooking for friends.  Thank you, Bonnie and Matt, for joining us! 

Now…I am not going to lie to any of you and tell you that this is a quick easy meal.  It’s not.  No…it’s not hard but it does require a little patience.  We’ve made this recipe before but later swore we’d only do it for a group because it was just a little too much  work (and makes servings for 6) to whip it up for just the 2 of us.  With all of that said, we love this recipe.  It is well worth the patience!   

 S’GHETTI & MEATBALLS

6 servings

For the meatballs:

• 1/2 pound ground veal
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1 pound ground beef (90%)
• 1 cup fresh white bread crumbs (4 slices, crusts removed)
• 1/4 cup seasoned dry italian bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 extra-large egg, beaten
• Olive oil
• 1/2 lb mozzarella cheese, freshly grated

For the sauce:

• 2 tablespoons good olive oil (plus another tablespoon)
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 onion)
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1/2 cup good red wine
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, or plum tomatoes in puree, chopped
• 1 (28-ounce) can whole, peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand with juices
• 2 (14-ounce) cans petite diced tomatoes, with garlic and olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For serving:

• 1 1/2 pounds spaghetti, cooked according to package directions
• Freshly grated Mozzarella
• Freshly chopped Basil

For the sauce, heat the olive oil in the 5qt pot.  Add the onion and saute over medium heat until translucent, 5 to 10 minutes.  Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.   Add the crushed tomatoes, whole peeled tomatoes, and petite diced tomatoes.  Add the wine, fresh basil, salt, and pepper.  Stir well and bring to a gentle boil.  Return to a simmer uncovered, stirring often.  Reduce for ~1 hr.  Drizzle in another tablespoon of olive oil just before serving.

While the meatballs are baking, fill another pot with salted water.  Bring the water to a boil.  Add spaghetti noodles and boil until al dente.

Remove meatballs from the oven (cutting one in half to ensure they are done and no longer pink).  Strain the noodles.  Build your feast! 

Top your spaghetti noodles with sauce, meatballs, freshly grated mozzarella, and freshly chopped basil.

Serve with a good glass of red wine (yes, N/A versions do exist…I will review in another post), a salad, and homemade garlic bread!

Twirl your s’ghetti and dig in! 

If you are looking for something to do this weekend, cancel your dinner reservations and invite your friends over for dinner.  Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.”  If I could share my two cents, I would go on to say…

“The heart of the home is the table gathered round by guests .” 

Indulge.  In Life.  In Love.  In Food.

I don’t know if I would call it a “perk”…but if there is one thing that accompanies pregnancy it is this ever-changing rollercoaster of cravings.  A mere glimpse of a pizza commerical…a quick whiff of coffee as I stroll through the hospital…a passing comment on cupcakes…or a suggestion to make pasta for dinner and suddenly a raging craving sets in.  Fortunately or unfortunately for me, I am not satisfied until I answer the rumbling in my stomach.  And somehow…I convince myself that surely this must be what Baby Boudreau is requesting.  Already…this baby knows what he/she wants and Mama better cave!  Well, this week (and last) is no different.  As I stood in the OR of Methodist Hospital last week…stomach rumbling, sugars dropping, and patience for lunch quickly wearing thin, suddenly a vision of scotcheroos flashed before me.  I don’t know where it came from…but I knew immediately I had to find some (or make some)…fast.  Luckily for me, I was in Des Moines and vaguely remembered that Palmer’s Deli had scoterchoos and cookies near their cash register to tempt hungry customers as they paid for soup and salad.  In the past…I could easily pass up a cookie…even a scotcheroo…sweets just weren’t my thing.  And certainly, I would have NEVER thought about driving across town to buy one!  But…there I was….speeding down I235 to get to Palmer’s as quickly as I could.  As satisfied as I could have been devouring a scotcheroo…and only a scotcheroo…I had a talk with the munchkin inside of me and reminded him/her that treats were only allowed after all the fruits and veggies were gone.  And with that, I ordered up a spinach salad…topped it with oranges, onions, nuts, feta, and light raspberry vinaigrette.  I won’t kid you…I ate that salad as fast as I could…all the while my scotcheroo was sitting on the table in front of me….taunting me.  And finally, after all the spinach was gone…it was time.  That first bite was AMAZING.  Oh gosh it was good. 

With a satisfied tummy (and I assume very happy baby), I bought another scotcheroo and jumped in the car.  No No No…I didn’t get another one for myself.  See…my partner Mike and I had such a successful morning and early afternoon in the hospital that I wanted to leave a little “thank-you” for him on his windshield.  After all…not only is he a great partner but he was kind enough to let me sneak out for lunch (by 2pm I’m pretty sure ‘FEED ME!’ was written across my forehead.)…and I was certain that he too would be starving by the time he got to his car.  With that, I tucked a Palmer’s bag and scotcheroo under his wiper and took off for Iowa City….enjoying bite after bite after bite of my scotcheroo!

Later that weekend, I pulled out Kellogg’s recipe and made a batch for home.  Sure…I indulged in a few but later wrapped them individually in saran wrap and shared with friends.  After all…cravings are GREAT…in moderation.  🙂

 SCOTCHEROOS

Recipe courtesy of KELLOGG’S RICE KRISPIES

24 servings

• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 6 cups RICE KRISPIES® cereal (I use just 5 cups to make sure the ‘roos are a little more moist!)
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
• 1 cup butterscotch chips (I used a full 11oz bag…because I love butterscotch!)

Satisfy your craving.  Life is short.  🙂

Indulge.  In Life.  In Love.  In Food.

Good Morning!  I hope you all enjoyed your day…and night for Valentine’s. Whether you believe in the holiday or argue that it was created by Hallmark…there is no doubt that having another reason to show the ones you love that you love them is something that should be welcomed.  I hope you seize that opportunity on Valentine’s Day…and every day! 

With that, I have some exciting new to share with you today.  As corny as it may sound, today Ryan and I celebrate 14 years together.  On Feb 15th, 1997…we started our journey at just 15 & 16yrs old.  Sometimes that is so hard to believe.  There certainly have been ups and downs…but more ups than downs…I guess that is the key.  🙂  From Iowa to Canada…across the miles today…”Happy Anniversary Buddy!”

Not only do we celebrate 14years today…but we also celebrate a new weekly milestone at our house.  With Baby Boudreau on the way…this week we celebrate 15 weeks!  Even harder than believing we have been together 14 years…is believing that are are finally taking the plunge into parenthood.  We made the decision last fall…and concieved this little munchkin in Tahiti.  We are so excited to be parents and can’t wait to meet our first little girl/boy.

For those of you who may be wondering, “YES!’…we will definitely find out who is growing inside of me.  In fact, we’ve already tried.  My good friend Abbey, who does Ultra Sounds, so kindly offered to give us our first peek inside.  At just 15 weeks, we had a good, long look!  Amazing.  I am still in awe.  🙂  With a bouncy baby inside…jumping and launching off of my uterus…getting a good look at the genitals was a bit of a chore.  But….we think we have a pretty solid prediction!  I will fill you all in after our next ultra sound on March 10th.  But for today…we look forward with anticipation and are so thankful to be blessed to have a child growing within me. 

Here he/she is!

Baby Boudreau…expected arrival:  August 5th

After all of the jumpin…movin’ and shakin…baby finally cozied up.  Rubbing his/her eyes!  So tired…just like Mama.  🙂

And before we left…a quick wave!  “Hi Mom! Hi Dad!” 

♥ “Hi Munchkin…we love you already! ” ♥

And so there you have it…after 14 years…we are celebrating 15 weeks.  We had our “Pre-Parenthood Bucket List”…which mostly consisted of multiple travel destinations…and with all of those bullets checked off, we look forward to our new beginning…just the 4 of us.  (Ruby included!)

“I begin to love this creature, and to anticipate her birth as a fresh twist to a knot,

which I do not wish to untie.”  ~Unknown

Thank you all of your support and encouragement along the way.

Indulge.  In Life.  In Love.  In Food.

Congratulations Green Bay!  What a game!  It hasn’t been an easy season but it has been a fun one.  The same can be said for the Super Bowl.  It was a nail biter down to the end, but somehow, the Packers pulled through. 

Aaron, you deserve the trophy…and the belt! 

Some of you will agree with me…and some of you will shake your heads…but I hope that Brett Favre is proud of his team (yes, I still consider GB his team) and proud of the man who followed in his footsteps.  They have both been a joy to watch and during their time in GB, both led with excitement and determination, and now both have won Super Bowls with the Packers.  I can’t wait to see so much more from Aaron!  I can’t wait for another Super Bowl…and another afternoon celebrating with Cheese, Beer and Bratwurst!

Many of you probably enjoyed this game with a group of friends or family.  Some of you probably hosted a party.  Some of you were lucky enough to GO to the game.  And some of you were like me…at home on the couch…watching the game…PLAY.BY.PLAY.  I put on my usual show…clapping, shouting, cheering, and screaming some pretty ridiculous comments at the TV.  My husband sat next to me and endured my enthusiasm…occasionally jumping in with his two cents.  At one point (early in the 2nd half), Ryan looked at me and said, “I sure hope the Steelers can make this a game.  I don’t want a blowout.  This will never be a memorable Super Bowl if it is a blowout.  It will be forgotten and reported that the Steelers just weren’t a worthy opponent.”  I, of course, told him that I thought that was ridiculous.  I Said I would be perfectly happy with a blowout.  If nothing else, it would save my finger nails from being bitten to their nubs.  And then…as the game progressed into the late 3rd and 4th quarters, I reminded Ryan that he ASKED for this stress…this MATCH…this nail-biting game and that I, again, would have been fine with a run away game.  He laughed at me…obviously.

But when we weren’t going back and forth on the game…we indulged in some good ol’ fashioned WI grub!  I recently read an article on food in WI.  All I can say is, “Spot.On.”

“Green Bay is a meat and potatoes town.  Make that meat and potatoes and cheese.  And if the meat is in the form of a bratwurst, all the better.  This is not a problem in Green Bay, or in any other place in Wisconsin for that matter.  They love bratwurst, beer, and cheese and are proud of it.  On Friday nights, the folks in Wisconsin go out for fish frys.  Almost everyone I know in Wisconsin participates in this, and when I’m there, so do I.  Then on Sunday, you grill up some brats and drink a few beers and life is good.”  ~Unknown

With that….what better way to celebrate a GB trip to the Super Bowl than with the appropriate food.  CHEESE.  BRATS.  BEER. 

First up…fried cheese curds!  Let it be known…cheese curds (the real deep-fried kind) are one of my FAVORITE treats.  There are few things in this world that top cheese curds in my book.  Thank heaven I was born and raised in WI!  While I had contemplated learning how to bread and fry my own cheese curds, I opted to try this boxed version for the game…and instead of frying, I threw them in the toaster oven.  DELICIOUS.  If you want to treat yourself to a WI classic…give these a try!

Along with our beer-battered cheese curds…there were brats!  Real…Wisconsin-style…beer-brats.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with prepping brats the WI way…be sure to buy fresh beer-brats, poke them a few times with a fork to open the casing, boil them in beer, and then throw them on the grill!  And NO…it is NEVER too cold to grill.

Last, but certainly not least, there was beer!  Not too much for these 2 home-bodies, but we each had a beer or two!  Ice-cold WI brew.  I have no doubt that Vince Lombardi was smiling down on the Green Bay Packers last Sunday. 

Cheers to an exciting and successful season!  With the Lombardi trophy safely home in WI, may you now remember….

“After all the cheers have died down and the stadium is empty, after the headlines have been written, and after you are back in the quiet of your room and the championship ring has been placed on the dresser and after all the pomp and fanfare have faded, the enduring thing that is left is the dedication to doing with our lives the very best we can to make the world a better place in which to live.”  ~Vince Lombardi

Indulge.  In Life.  In Love.  In Food.

The Packers left Titletown yesterday and headed to Dallas!  That’s right…in a few short days they will be working to bring the Lombardi trophy back to Green Bay where it belongs!  As Lombardi would say, “I firmly believe that any man’s finest hours – his greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear – is that moment when he has worked his heart out in good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious.”  What a joyous day it would be, not only for the fans, but more importantly for the players wearing Green and Gold, to leave Texas…Victorious.  From my couch in Iowa City, Iowa…I will be wishing them just that.  Lord knows I will be proudly sporting my Rodgers jersey, clapping, cheering, and shouting at the TV in my attempt to encourage them along.  Go Pack!

Speaking of Lombardi, how many of you have read his book, “What It Takes To Be Number One?”  For those of you who haven’t, I highly recommend it.  Vince Lombardi’s story and legacy has encouraged me, guided me, and reassured me.  There are days, weeks, quarters, and years in which we see the results we work so hard for every day.  There are times we are called into the final game or onto the big stage and applauded for all we accomplished.  But there are also the days we feel knocked down, in last place, with nothing to show for all the work we’ve put in in the the days, weeks, and months leading up to that point.   It is in those moments that I hear Lombardi say, “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.”  And with that, I turn my computer back on, re-pack my bag, fill my planner, and head back to work!  No matter what you do..these words apply to you too.  So whether you are winning right now…or struggling to keep your head above water..Press On!

And in your free-time, get ready to celebrate and enjoy a big game!  If you are anything like me, you are already planning the menu.  🙂  So today, I thought I would offer up a suggestion.  One of our favorite game-day meals comes from the kitchen of Mom & Dad Boudreau.  For the last several years, Mom & Dad have been making these delicious sandwiches for a late night snack on Christmas Eve.  After all the gifts have been opened, the Wii has been good and warmed up, board games are back in closet, and Christmas Story is into it’s 3rd viewing…the Jalapeno Beef Sandwiches are served.  Slightly Spicy…Mighty Tasty!

My first attempt at making this recipe came on New Years’s Eve.  The way they were devoured by our friends and family joining us that night, I’d say they were almost as good as Mom & Dads!  Next time, I’ll add a little more jalapeno.  We all agreed…we needed just a little more KICK!  From the look on our faces in the picture below…we were plenty happy tho!  Give these sammies a try for the Big Game…bring a smile to the faces of YOUR friends and family.

JALAPENO BEEF SAMMIES

6 – 8 Servings

• 3lb Sirloin Tip or Chuck Roast (cut in half)
• 1/2 Cup Water
• 1 Can (4 oz) Diced Jalapenos (hot)
• 1 Envelope Italian Seasoning/Dressing Mix (Good Seasons)
• Slider Buns
• Arby’s Sauce & Arby’s Horsey Sauce (Some locations will let you purchase the sauces.  At others…grab a handful of packets.  I did!)

Combine water, jalapenos, and italian seasoning mix.

Place beef in crockpot.  Pour mixture over beef.  Cover and cook on low for 8 – 10 hours.  Shred.

Top buns with beef and your favorite Arby’s sauces!  Serve with chips and a pickle!

Whether it be a Super Bowl party this weekend or your next friendly gathering, give these sammies a try!

“I would say that the quality of each man’s life is the full measure of that man’s commitment to excellence and victory – whether it be football, whether it be business, whether it be politics or government or what have you.” 

~Vince Lombardi

Indulge.  In Life.  In Love.  In Food.

Good Morning MIAMI!  I bet you are starting to wonder each week just “where in the world is Robin?”  I wonder that myself sometimes.  🙂

This week…I am in Miami for both work & pleasure.  I figured if I was making the trip South, it was worth adding on a day or two to soak up some sun.  With that in mind, I called up my sister and sister-in-law and suggested they meet me here.  No coercing necessary and their flights were booked.  Isn’t it amazing what a little sun can do?  🙂

With sun-kissed cheeks and a GB trip to the SuperBowl just weeks away, there is a lot to be celebrated.  (It’s the little things in life.  Remember that.)  I promised you I would share our celebratory dinner last Sunday night after the GB win over the Bears.  You were probaby expecting something fancy…like steak….or lobster…but NO…this dinner included a childhood favorite of mine:  Sloppy Joes & Chocolate Malts.  I can’t tell you the last time I had sloppy joes.  I am pretty sure I was under the age of 18 and living in my parents house.  A chocolate malt…even that was probably ages ago.  So with this win, I decided it was time to pull out a couple of old favorites. 

I will never forget the nights my mom would come home from work and say we were having sloppy joes for dinner.  Music to my ears!  I am not sure if it was the sloppy joe I was all that excited about…looking back, I think it had a whole heck of a lot more to do with the chocolate malt that would accompany it.  🙂  It wasn’t too often we were allowed treats.  No Happy Meals (ok, rarely).  No fruit snacks.  No twinkies.  But every now and then…there were malts!  Thank Heaven.

To start this old-school dinner, I whipped up a couple of our everyday salads…what we call the “Boudreau Balsamic Salad” at our house.  I don’t remember having a salad with this meal growing up….but we are pretty serious about our veggies these days!

Next up…making the sloppy joes.  After reading several recipes on the Food Network, I opted to go with Rachael Ray.  With 467 reviews and 5 stars…I thought it was safe.  One minor adjustment…the addition of a chopped jalapeno.  You just gotta have some KICK!

SUPER SLOPPY JOES

Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
• 1 1/4 pounds ground beef sirloin (or chuck)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon steak seasoning blend, such as McCormick brand Montreal Seasoning
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 small red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 small jalapeno, chopped (Robin’s addition)
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worchestire Sauce
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 crusty rolls, split, toasted, and lightly buttered

Last, but CERTAINLY not least….we whipped up batch of Chocolate Malts!  Ryan was new to this process but he caught on quick.  Last year for our 13 year anniversary (really, what!?), I bought him a “real” malt maker so we could make malts the way my mom and grandma always made them.  I still remember my grandma’s malt maker.  Sweet memories.  🙂

Apparently a year later, we still hadn’t used the one I bought.  But with a quick tutorial, he was on his malt-makin’ way!    A couple scoops of vanilla ice cream.  A couple tbsps of chocolate malt mix.  A swirl of hershey’s syrup and a quick pour of milk and blend away!  Finish with whipped topping and a cherry.

They were as good as I remembered…

Heavenly really.

Can you tell by the look on his face?

Truth be told…my malt was GONE in a flash.  And being the thoughtful husband he is, he let me finish the last sip of his too.  🙂  YUM!

Treat yourself to a childhood favorite this weekend.  You would be amazed at what a little bit of sunshine can do…And you would be amazed at what reliving a childhood memory can do!  This tradition shall live on in our house!

Indulge.  In Life.  In Love.  In Food.

Ok…first things first….THE PACKERS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!!  WooHoo!  What a fun game…and relaxing Sunday.  I will share our celebratory dinner with you later this week.  In the meantime, let me tell you about what we did on Saturday.  🙂

Saturday marked one of the coldest days of the year so far…and the beginning of the end of a pregnancy for our friends Jeremy & Sara!  It is hard to believe, but their 9 months is almost up and Baby S will be here in no time.  To celebrate, Ryan & I hosted a baby shower for J & Sara at Cedar Ridge Winery in Swisher Iowa.  I know I know…not your traditional baby shower…but it was “our-kind-of-shower!”  No games…just wood-fired pizzas, vino (for those not pregnant), cupcakes, friendship, & laughter. 

        …The hosts…                                              …& the Guests of Honor…

To start our gathering, there were apps such as meat & cheese platters, assorted breads, and olives! 

To wet the whistles of our attendees, wine tastings!  A few favorites:  Reserve Red, Marechal Foch, & Five Seasons.

And to satisfy the growing appetites, wood-fired pizzas!  Iowa Bourbon BBQ Chicken, Margherita, and Philly Cheesesteak to name a few!

There may not have been games…but their were gifts to shower Mom & Dad-to-be.    My friend Sarah Granquist recently started selling “Thiry-One”…which includes some of the cutest bags I’ve seen.  So as I planned a little something for this Sara and her husband Jeremy, I thought, why not order them an embroidered “Baby S” tote bag and fill it with some essentials!  Boudreauxs Butt Paste, Aveeno lotions and shampoo, Boogie Wipes, Hinder wipes (lol), a blankie, and a couple little outfits!  If you are wanting or needing to do something similar…check out Thirty-One.  🙂

Last but not least…there were CUPCAKES!   If there is one thing you can’t take out of a baby shower…it is cupcakes!  And lucky for me, my good childhood friend Holly is just starting up her business….Cakes…Cookies…Cupcakes.  Aren’t these adorable?  Thank you, Holly!

Some Marble…Some Chocolate Chip…

All topped with buttercream frosting and sprinkled with love!

If you are needing cupcakes for an upcoming event, reach out to Holly.  hollyjlauer@gmail.com  or…find me and I will put you in touch.  🙂

All in all…a great weekend!  Congratulations Jeremy & Sara.  We anxiously await meeting Baby S.  And to the Green Bay Packers…we love you!!

Enjoy your week this week!  It is just the beginning….

Indulge.  In Life.  In Love.  In Food.

And this week, I wish you a good morning from Chicago!  Chicago…home of the Bears who are awaiting a loss on Sunday to the NFC Champs-to-be…GREEN BAY.  HA!  I am travelling again for meetings but waiting anxiously to get home and enjoy a Green Bay Packer game on Sunday.  I am still kicking myself for forgetting to pack my Rodgers jersey!  You might think I am kidding, but I had every intention to wear my green and gold proudly into the meeting today (which will packed with Bears fans).  In all honesty, I expect a close, entertaining game….but I look forward to a “W” for GB.  It is Rodger’s time to shine.  🙂

Growing up in Wisconsin, a love for the Packers is instilled very early on.  I will never forget seeing my dad on the couch every football Sunday afternoon…hooting and hollering at the top of his lungs.  There were years that I would look at him in awe…and confusion…and quite frankly, thought he was crazy.  There were years I would sit there along with him.  And now, I find myself (even when watching the game alone), clapping, cheering, and shouting at the tv…sometimes the same ol’ comments Hot Rod taught me all those years ago. 

Look closely…I was very serious about GB being #1.  Do you see that little finger?  LOL

In addition to my love for the Packers, I also grew up LOVING Chicken Dumpling Soup.  My grandparents would often take my sister and I to a restaurant (truck stop in Abbotsford WI) called “Mr B’s”.  There was nothing I looked forward to more than lunch with Grandpa and Grandma.  My order always included (and never swayed):  a side salad with french (sweet & tangy) dressing and a bowl of chicken dumpling soup.  Since when does a kid order a salad?  Don’t worry…it was really the dressing I was after.  🙂  But the soup….I will never forget the soup.  So this week…(finally)…I decided it was time to attempt homemade Chicken & Dumplings (Tyler Florence style).  I knew I was in for a solid 3.5 hours…but I trusted every bite would be worth it.  Man was I RIGHT!

If you have time this winter, give this recipe a try!  If you prefer a thicker Chicken and Dumplings style dinner, make this recipe exactly as Tyler describes.  If you are looking for a Chicken and Dumpling “Soup”…make this recipe with my modifications.  DELICIOUS.

CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS

Recipe by TYLER FLORENCE

Level:  Intermediate

Serves:  6 servings

Roasted Chicken:

• 1 (3-pound) whole chicken
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 ounces unsalted butter, softened
• 1 lemon, halved and juiced; halves reserved
• 1/4-cup fresh chopped herbs, such as thyme, parsley and rosemary
• 1 onion, halved
• 4 garlic cloves, smashed
• Fresh whole herbs, such as rosemary, thyme and parsley sprigs

Chicken Stock:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 carrots, cut in large chunks
• 2 celery stalks, cut in large chunks
• 1 onion, halved
• 1 garlic bulb, halved
• Reserved chicken bones
• 2 quarts cold water
• 4 sprigs fresh parsley
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves 

Dumplings:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 to 1 cup buttermilk

 

Supreme Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1/2 cup diced carrot
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 cup flour
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• Freshly ground black pepper, for garnish
• Chopped flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

  

ROBIN’S MODIFICATIONS:

• Add 2 tsp Penzey’s Chicken Soup Base
• Add 6 cups store-bought low sodium Chicken Stock (additional)
• Add 1 tbsp chopped Parsley to the soup

Let simmer for 30 minutes or until fully heated through.  Garnish as listed above and serve with love.  🙂

Mmmmmmm.  Comfort.

Indulge.  In Life.  In Love.  In Food.

“Great restaurants are, of course, nothing but mouth-brothels.  There is no point in going to them if one intends to keep one’s belt buckled.”  ~Frederic Raphael

Good Morning from New Orleans!  I hope you have all had a great week.  I am looking forward to going home tonight…to see my family…to sleep in my bed…and to eat food I like!  LOL  (Seriously…the food down here just isn’t my thing.  Sorry!)

If there is one thing I love about living in Iowa City, it is the plethora of great restaurants!  Sure, I can do the every day chain restaurants (fave: Panera!) every now and then, but having phenomenal local restaurants sprinkled all over town has been a blessing.  Truthfully, after leaving Minneapolis to  move to Iowa City, the last thing I expected to find was great food (seriously….in Iowa?!).  Boy was I wrong. 

While there are several I could rave about, a consistent favorite over my last 7 yrs in Iowa City has been ATLAS.  I.Love.The.Atlas.   For those of you who live in the area, I am sure you can agree.  For those of you who haven’t been…give it a try!  A  few of my favorites are below.

Appetizer:  Chips and Salas (seems simple enough, right?)  This salsa is soo good!  It has a smoky chipotle twist.

Other great apps include the Black Bean Hummus, Boulder Rolls, and BBQ Shrimp Voodoo.  Tasty!

My favorite salad (though also on the app menu): The Atlas Mixed Greens w/ Champagne Vinaigrette (the croutons are awesome!)

And my favorite main course:  The Atlas Mac N Cheese!!  (the slow roasted tomatoes on top are to die for! I always order extra. LOL)

Of special note:  the lunch menu offers a “Mini Mac” option….which is plenty!  The dinner portion is definitely enough to feed 2 (if you are up for sharing.)

Or if you are like me…taking some home for leftovers is always good too!  (Just don’t forget some extra tomato topping to go.)

Other dinners/lunches that tempt me include the Buffalo Chicken Burrito & Tomato Bisque Soup.  But I’m not going to lie, I have a hard time wavering from the Mac N Cheese.  So.Good.

Take a break from the kitchen this weekend and treat yourself to dinner out.  Support a local restaurant.  They are hard to beat!

Indulge.  In Life.  In Love.  In Food.