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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

WIAW 9- Last Post of the Year!

Happy WIAW everybody!  As always thanks to the wonderful Jenn at Peas and Crayons for hosting this wonderful linkapalooza.






I've been gorging myself this holiday weekend (actually, it's kind of turned into a week long food fest), but unfortunately I didn't manage to snap many photos.  So this week I'm keeping it short and sweet with some of the good eats I did manage to make/photograph/eat.


They are all crazy delicious recipes that you have to try.  If you only make one, please let it be this:

Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Red and Brown Onions

Seriously, I could not get over how amazing these potatoes are.  I had about four cups of leftover mashed potatoes from Christmas dinner, which would have been pretty good on their own.  However, I find that reheated mashed potatoes kind of loose their sparkle, and since I'm one who can't leave well enough alone, I had to jazz them up.  It's so easy, and the results are insanely delicious.  Imagine the savory, salty, oniony goodness with the creamy buttery potatoes.  Make these.  Right now.  

Ingredients
3-4 cups mashed potatoes
1 medium brown onion
1 medium yellow onion
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper
fresh thyme
garlic powder
cayenne powder

Directions
1.  Peel and cut your onions into half, then slice into thin rainbows, about 1/8 of an inch thick.  In a large skillet melt butter and oil over medium high heat, when hot add the onions and stir to coat evenly.
2.  Add salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste to the onions and let cook over medium high heat for about 15 minutes.  Lower the heat and cook an additional 5-10 minutes until thoroughly caramelized.  They will be pretty browned and very soft.
3.  Add the thyme and garlic powder to taste.  I used 3 sprigs and 1/2 tsp.  Next add the potatoes and stir until thoroughly combined.  Allow to cook until heated through. 





Buffalo Chickpea Dip

As a lover of all things 'buffalo' I often find myself faced with the problem of delicious food that is absolutely horrible for me.  For most people this is not an issue because the are sated with the occasional buffalo product at a party or potluck.  I however have to get my fix on a more regular basis.  If you find yourself in the buffalo crazed crowd, then by golly you should give me a medal.... or at least try this spread.

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked chickpeas
1/3 cup melted butter
2 tbsp blue cheese crumbles
7-8 tbsp Franks' Red Hot


Directions:

1.  In a small sauce pan melt the butter and add the blue cheese and hot sauce.  Stir to combine.
2.  In a food processor combine chickpeas and butter mixture.  Puree until smooth and creamy.  Add additional hot sauce if desired, and serve with celery sticks, tortilla chips, etc.

This dip tastes exactly like buffalo chicken dip (a.k.a crack-cocaine of the culinary world), with the smooth creamy texture of a fine hummus.  Give this a try, you won't regret it.

And this boys and girls is where I must end my post.  I've been a bad photographer this week, but I pledge that next year (only a few more days!!) I will make a more valiant effort to document my culinary exploits.

Have a fantastic New Years!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

WIAW 8: Weekend Edition

Hey y'all Happy WIAW!






Seriously though, can we throw some love out to Jen over at Peas and Crayons for hosting this shindig?


This past Saturday/Sunday I had an awesome food weekend (as always).  However, this weekend is different because I managed to take pictures of it all!!!  I usually forget or am so hungry I say 'meh.'

I thought I should commemorate this glorious food documenting  miracle by sharing all of my tasty footage.

Let the Feasting of the eyes begin!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

WIAW sept- Un jour imaginaire.

WIAW seven- an imaginary day.


Here's the deal ladies and gents- I've been taking pictures of delicious delights all week, but failed to reign in on just one day.  So instead of posting a mish-mosh of all my eats I've decided to put them all in one imaginary perfectly pigged out day.


So sit back, relax, and feast (with your eyes).  Also give thanks to our Jenn at Peas and Crayons for providing us this most food-filled of days- WIAW.  Oh, and on a more personal level- I'd like to thank everyone who has commented on my posts.  Y'all really know how to make a girl feel special.  Seriously though, it's nice to know people are reading.





Monday, December 12, 2011

You BREAD-er Believe it!

My apologies for the title.  Try as I might I just can't resist corny word play.


As I'm sure you've already deduced (from my insanely clever title) this post is dedicated to bread.






The idea of making bread yourself can lead to a number of reactions: smug (I do that all the time!  I even milled my own flour),  terrified (you let it 'rise'?  like the living dead?), apathetic (meh, that's what Foodtown's for), or curious.

Up until a few weeks ago I found myself in the curious/terrified set.  However I think I've moved into the cautiously optimistic crowd.  That's right kids, that glorious carb fest pictured above I wrought with my own two hands!  In like one hour.  Seriously.   If you'd like this hot bun coming out of your oven then see the recipe after the jump.


Wednesday, December 7, 2011

WIAW SIX: squash it to me

Today's WIAW is brought to you by squash (more specifically acorn and pumpkin), actually pumpkin might be a gourd (I'm no botanist), but 'gourd it to me' just doesn't have the same ring to it.






Anyway, apologies for being a bum and not posting.  My rhythm got thrown off during Thanksgiving, and I've been struggling to climb out of my pit of laziness ever since.  I assure you though I have been cooking!  and eating!  and I will post all of the back-logged recipes!

For now though you will have to satisfy yourself with some squash-core food porn.