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Michelle’s Incredible Lentil Salad

Filed under: appetizers, blogging events, cheese, gluten free, legumes, lentils, recipes, salads, side dish, tomatoes, vegetables, vegetarian — nikki @ 1:44 pm

Do all of you know Michelle at Thursday Night Smackdown? If you don’t? Get over to her site right now! I’ll wait.

No, seriously, I will.

Isn’t she great? She has the best sense of humor, and her blog is filled with delectable goodies ranging from appies to salads to mains to desserts. I discovered TNS a few months ago, and it has quickly become one of my “first reads” in the morning. Thursdays are “Smackdown” days. Michelle chooses a recipe from one her many cookbooks and makes it. Mondays are “Cheap Assed” days, where she uses pantry staples and inexpensive ingredients to make incredible meals for *under* *$5!* per serving. With today’s economy, that is one hell of a bonus! You may remember her Extreme Rotini and Cheese, that I am totally claiming as my own from now on (sorry Michelle! lol) As of late, she has been making meal after incredible meal…all spot on with my tastes. It’s as if she were trying to seduce me with her cooking. You’re not, are you, Michelle? lmfao I’m just teasing. It’s just that…I dunno…awesome food…swearing…getting my funny on…well, it’s just the best, that’s all. It’s like one stop blog shopping. Treats! Snark! Giggle! See what I mean?

So anyway…the other day she made this incredible looking lentil salad. Lentils! Salad! I’m so there. Not only is this salad good, it’s EXCELLENT. I even cheated. I didn’t cook my lentils with the oh so fun to make cloved onion. I used a jar of lentils. That I had in the pantry. Then added the ever so smallest pinch of ground cloves to the salad. Nobody noticed that I hadn’t spent that extra hour plus cooling time. See that? And? AND I was frugal, because I used pantry goods, as well as basil from my leetle basil plant on the patio. I also subbed Feta cheese, because that’s what I had. That salad was free! I had everything in the house. I bet you do, too.

Now, there are a couple of events that I want to participate in. My very good friend Shaye, at Smarter than Pancakes had a birthday recently, and would like us to bring something to her Birthday Picnic!

I’m bringing this salad. Not only because it’s freaking fabulous, but because it’s a dish that lends itself *perfectly* to an afternoon outside with friends. So, Happy Birthday, Shaye! MUAC!

Grace at A Southern Grace is also hosting an event, called Beat the Heat!

that I’d like to participate in, seeing as it’s hot as Hades round here, and we’re all looking for refreshing dishes to combat the scorching heat of summer. The catch? No heating up the kitchen! Microwaves and ice-cream makers are allowed, but not the stove or oven or any other heat emitting appliance. Grace, check this salad OUT man. Seriously. If this doesn’t beat the heat, maybe we’ll have to have a beer with it or something. lol

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Empanada of the Month! Empanadas Mendocinas

Filed under: appetizers, beef, blogging events, eggs, recipes — nikki @ 7:54 am

The lovely Rebecca at From Argentina with Love is hosting “Empanada of the Month!”and you know I just couldn’t resist participating. Empanadas (or empanadillas as these little ones are called over here) are basically beautifully flaky pastry wrapped around the filling of your choosing. They’re like little pillows of crispy on the outside, flavor explosion on the inside. The variety is endless…you can fill them with meat (as in this case), fish, vegetables, cheese or even custard and/or fruit for dessert empanadas.

Empanadas Mendocinas are basically filled with ground beef, onion, olive slices and a slice of hard boiled egg, with a bit of bite from the crushed red pepper. The first time we tried Empanadas Mendocinas was (if you can believe it! lol) at our favorite neighborhood Italian restaurant, Calabria. Before you think we’re goofy for ordering Argentinian food at an Italian place, let me explain. The owners and all of the workers are native Argentinians. Of course, that doesn’t detract from their ability to make incredible Italian food…one of these days I’ll tote my camera along so you can see. :) So anyway, back to the story. One of the appetizer menu items is empanadas, so we asked what they were and she explained. Well, that was the end of that! Bring it on out! We want that! So, we had our first delicious taste of these little bites. Since then, we order them as an appetizer every time we go.

I was thrilled when Rebecca graciously invited me to join in her Empanada of the Month event, and really excited to get my little paws on her recipe. It’s incredibly good, you guys. Incredibly good. I didn’t add the lard at all…The ground beef I bought had a bit of marbling, so I just left it out in the interest of lowering calories. I think the next time I would perhaps add just a bit more olive (one slice just ain’t enough for my greedy olive loving self lol), but other than that, wouldn’t change a thing.

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The Best Cup-o-Noodles You’ll Ever Eat! Creamy Pesto Penne

Filed under: blogging events, cheese, chicken, italian, pasta, poultry, recipes — nikki @ 8:53 am

Fresh basil is abound at the vegetable markets, and you know what that means! Pesto! Lots and lots of pesto! It’s such an easy sauce to make, and goes oh so wonderfully well with, well, with *everything!* lol Would you believe the very first time I ever had pesto was at the Renaissance Fair in Southern Minnesota? There was a stand there that had freshly baked dense bread slathered with pesto. I think I went back to that stand like 5 times that day. lmfao Of course after that fateful day, I had to learn to make it on my own. Well, that was over 20 years ago already (and you better not make any old jokes either! ), and pesto still pays regular visits to my table. And by regular? I mean like at least once a week.

See those pine nuts in there? Yum. Pine nuts are soooo good…One of my first visits to Spain, we went up to a little town called Ávila. While walking, one of my friends picked up a gigantic pine cone and started eating from it. I was all like, “WHAT are you doing?” And she started laughing at me and showed me that she was eating the fresh pine nuts, straight from the cone. OMG! Free pine nuts! All over the place! Well, needless to say, we picked up a bunch of those suckers and had our fill of those delicious little nuggets. Good times, good times.

And while I’m on the subject of good times, Tony at Olive Juice is having a pesto event (It’s actually part of a series of events called, A Taste of the Mediterranean)!

italy

Doesn’t that sound like fun?! Why don’t you join in and submit one of your own pesto dishes? This time, I’m submitting my old standby, Creamy Pesto Penne. I already have plans for another pesto dish this weekend, too.

Ingredients:

4 cloves garlic
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts (to toast pine nuts, just toss them in a dry skillet over medium heat until lightly browned and aromatic)
1 large bunch basil (by large, I mean about 3 cups leaves), stemmed
1 small bunch parsley (about a cup), stemmed
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
salt and cracked black pepper to taste
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (about)
3 cups cream
1 pound (1/2 kilo) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into strips
1 pound (1/2 kilo) penne

Preparation:

Prepare pasta according to package directions.
Meanwhile, make pesto.
Using a food processor, first process garlic, then add basil and parsley and process until finely chopped.
Now toss in the parmesan, salt and pepper and pulse until combined.
In a steady stream, add enough olive oil to bind the pesto (so it sticks together, but isn’t liquid-y).
Add in pine nuts and pulse to combine, you don’t want to break them up entirely..those little nuggets are good!
Mix about 1/3 of the pesto with the chicken strips.
Heat a skillet over medium high heat, and drizzle with a bit of olive oil.
Saute chicken until cooked through, then add cream and stir to combine.
Heat through, then remove from heat and add the remaining pesto and stir to combine.
Drain the pasta, and then toss with the creamy pesto sauce and chicken.
Serve with extra parmesan if you like.
Try not to die of happiness and joy with each bite.

Penne con Pollo y Salsa de Pesto Cremoso

Ingredientes:

4 dientes de ajo
1/2 vaso piñones, ligeramente tostado
1 manojo grande de albahaca fresca, (unos 3 vasos)
1 manojo pequeño de perejil (un vaso)
1/2 vaso queso parmesano recientemente rallado, y mas para servir
sal y pimienta al gusto
1/4 vaso (mas o menos) aceite de oliva virgen
3 vasos nata
1/2 kilo pechuga de pollo en tiras
1/2 kilo pasta penne rigate

Elaboración:

Preparar pasta según el paquete.
Mientras tanto, preparar el pesto.
Utilizando el robot de cocina, procesar ajo primero.
A continuación, añadir la albahaca y el perejil y procesar hasta que estén picaditos.
Ahora añadir el parmesano, la sal y la pimienta y procesar.
Verter el aceite poco a poco hasta que el pesto esté homogéneo, pero no líquido.
Añadir los piñones y pulsar un poco, no quieres romperlos del todo–que son buenos!
Mezclar la tercera parte de pesto con el pollo.
Calentar una sartén sobre fuego medio fuerte y rociar con aceite de oliva.
Saltear pollo y pesto hasta que esté hecho, y a continuación, añadir la nata.
Calentar solo hasta que la nata esté caliente, y retirar del fuego.
Añadir el pesto que sobra y mezclar bien.
Escurrir la pasta y mezclar con la salsa y el pollo.
Servir con parmesano si quieres.
Intentar no morirse de gusto y felicidad con cada mordisco.

I would also like to thank Elle at Elle’s New England Kitchen for awarding me an I love you this much award!

i love you this much

Thank you so much, Elle! I love YOU that much and MORE!!! MUAC!!!

I’d like to pass this award on to some great bloggers:

Nina at Nina’s Kitchen
Judy at No Fear Entertaining
Ginny at Just Get Floury
Gloria at Canela’s Kitchen
Brenda at Flanboyant Eats

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Mo Taaaahts! Spinach and Feta Tartlets

Filed under: appetizers, blogging events, cheese, onions, recipes, spinach, step by step, vegetables, vegetarian — nikki @ 3:03 pm

Ok, so that was my sad attempt at an English accent. LOL Did you hear it? Was it close? The other day my friends were giggling at my accent from the video I posted…they said I have a combination of Minnesotan and Spanish accents (Spanisoooodan, hey? hehe)…I dunno. I don’t think I have one. LMAO

Anyway, about those taaaahts…one of the best fillings for pretty much *anything* is the spinach and feta combo. Spanakopita, quiche, tarts, omelettes, bread…I love the way the tangy feta contrasts with the delicate flavor of the spinach. And? It’s practically health food, what with all the calcium, folic acid and other nutrients these little babies provide. The filling is so quick and easy to throw together, too. Now, put this healthy and delicious stuff into some puff pastry…What’s not to love?

I’d also like to submit these little delights to this month’s Monthly Mingle Event (this month’s theme is appetizers) at Mansi Desai’s site, Fun and Food. This fun event was started by Meeta at What’s for lunch, Honey?. Go and check out the event and these great blogs!

Just look at that flaky goodness! Let’s get started making them.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, minced
1 pound (400 grams) frozen spinach, squeezed dry
1 bunch spring onions, chopped
2 tablespoons dill
juice from 1 lemon
1/2 pound (200 grams) feta cheese, crumbled
1 egg
salt and pepper to taste
1 sheet puff pastry, cut into 9 equally sized squares

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350ºF/175ºC.
Lightly oil muffin tins or ramekins with olive oil.
Heat butter over medium heat and saute garlic until golden.
Add onion and saute until soft.
Add spring onion and spinach and stir well.

Remove from heat and add dill, lemon juice and cheese, and then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Stir in egg, beaten. Look at this filling!

Line muffin tins with a square of pastry, and put a bit of filling on each.
Pinch the corners together, leaving a little breathing space (you can see this here).
Bake about 20-30 minutes or until golden.

Tartaletas de Espinacas

Ingredientes:

2 cucharadas mantequilla
2 dientes de ajo, majados
1 cebolla, picada
400 gramos espinacas congeladas, completamente escurridas del agua
1 manojo cebolletas, picadas
2 cucharadas eneldo
zumo de 1 limón
200 gramos queso feta, desmenuzado
1 huevo
sal y pimienta al gusto
1 lámina de hojaldre, cortada en 9 cuadrados

Elaboración:

Precalentar el horno a 175ºC.
Engrasar unas flaneras individuales con un poco de aceite de oliva
Calentar la sartén y dorar el ajo en la mantequilla.
Añadir la cebolla y sofreir hasta que esté tierna.
Añadir la cebolleta y las espinacas y remover bien.
Retirar del fuego y añadir el eneldo, el zumo, el queso y salpimentar.
Añadir el huevo batido y mezclar bien.
Forar cada flanera con una pieza de hojaldre.
Poner un poco del relleno en cada una y cerrar las puntas.
Hornear durante 20-30 minutos o hasta que estén doradas.

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And the Winner Is……………

Filed under: blogging events — nikki @ 11:08 am

Hi Everyone! I’m so excited! Today is the day I drew the name of the winner for the Canarygirl.com 1 year anniversary cookbook giveaway! Thank you all SO much for participating in the drawing, and for leaving your much appreciated comments. You are all just the best EVAH!

So…I decided to record a video of the drawing…but here’s the thing. I look like a TOTAL DUMBASS in the video. Please don’t hold this against me! lmfao I don’t normally sound so freakishly stoooopid, I was just totally nervous. I don’t do well speaking to a crowd. And apparently, neither do I do well talking to an inanimate object. Still love me?

Ok, so without further ado (or embarrassing drivel)…I proudly announce the winner of the cookbook drawing!

The Winner is Commenter #51, Jacqueline! I will be sending you an email to get your snail mail address so that I can send you the book. Thanks again everybody!

MUAC!

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Kung Pao Chicken

Filed under: asian, blogging events, chicken, onions, peppers, poultry, recipes, rice, vegetables — nikki @ 8:13 am

The other day I posted an entry for Mochachocolatarita’s Chinese Take-Out Party…(if you guys haven’t checked out her party yet, get over there! There are tons of delicious dishes to be had!)…Of course, once the round-up was posted, my fingers couldn’t click the mouse fast enough to get to her site. There are main dishes, rices, noodles, appies, soups and desserts. There were a couple (ok, ok *more* than a couple!) of dishes that really caught my eye. The Kung Pao Chicken entries were especially insistent with the powers that be within my grumbling stomach. Kung Pao Chicken is basically chicken and peanuts, stirfried in a delicious brown sauce. But take this simple dish and add a bunch of ginger and vegetables, and you have elevated it to something sublime. The entries on Rita’s page inspired me to go out and make some Kung Pao, go and see what inspires you!

Ingredients:

2 pounds (1 kilo) chicken breast, small dice
1/4 cup cornstarch
salt and pepper to taste
2-3 tablespoons sunflower or peanut oil
1 knob of ginger (about 1-2 inches), minced
4-5 cloves garlic, minced
1 large onion, diced
1/4 head of cabbage, chopped or sliced
1/2 yellow pepper, diced
1/2 red pepper, diced
1-2 ribs of celery, thinly sliced
other veggies at will
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup rice vinegar
a good splash of sesame oil
1 tablespoon sugar (more or less to taste)
1/2 cup water or chicken broth
1 cup peanuts (more or less to taste)
2-3 thai chilis, sliced (optional)

Preparation:

It’s best to prep everything before you get started, so here’s what I’d recommend.
Combine the chicken, cornstarch, salt and pepper in a bowl and reserve.
Chop and mince all vegetables according to the ingredients list.
Whisk sauce ingredients (soy through broth/water) in a small bowl and reserve.
Heat oil in a larger wok over high heat.
When the oil comes to just below smoking point, add the ginger and garlic and stirfry until golden.
Add chicken and toss around until cooked through.
Add vegetables and continue to toss around until desired doneness.
Add sauce mixture and stirfry until sauce thickens.
Add peanuts and serve over steamed rice.

Pollo al estilo Kung Pao

Ingredientes:

1 kilo pechuga de pollo, en daditos
4 cucharadas de Maicena
sal y pimienta al gusto
2-3 cucharadas aceite de semilla o de cacahuete
1 pieza de jengibre (2-3 cm), picada
4-5 dientes de ajo, majados
1 cebolla grande, picada
1/4 col, picada
1/2 pimiento amarillo, troceado
1/2 pimiento rojo, troceado
1-2 tallos de apio, picado
otras verduras que te gusten
1/2 vaso salsa de soja
1/2 vaso vinagre de arroz
un buen rocío de aceite de sésamo
1 cucharada de azúcar (mas o menos, al gusto)
1/2 vaso agua o caldo de pollo
1 vaso cacahuetes, mas o menos
2-3 gindillas, picadas (opcional)

Elaboración:

Es mejor tenerlo todo listo para freir antes de empezar, así que esto es lo que recomiendo.
Mezclar el pollo con la maicena, sal y pimienta y reservar.
Picar todos las verduras según la lista de ingredientes.
Mezclar todos los ingredientes de la salsa (desde la soja hasta el agua/caldo), y reservar.
Calentar aceite en un wok sobre fuego fuerte.
Cuando llega a casi el punto de humo, sofreir jengibre y ajo hasta que estén dorados.
Añadir el pollo y saltear hasta que esté hecho.
Ahora, añadir las verduras y saltear hasta que estén en su punto.
Añadir la mezcla de la salsa y cocinar hasta que se espese un poco.
Añadir los cacahuetes y servir sobre arroz al vapor.

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