Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Burning Down the House...

... well not really.... While I was cooking tonight the magazine that has the recipe for tonights dinner somehow made it's way to the burner on my stove.... I was rinsing chickpeas when I smelt something funny, I turn around and the magazine is smoking! :( Below is the damage of my poor magazine... thank god it did not go up in flames!!!
So on to dinner tonight... Penne with Chickpeas, Feta, and Tomatoes from Cooking Light Magazine, now with battle scar... This is one of my favorites and it's very easy to make!

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces uncooked penne
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped shallots (I used onion)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
  • 1 15-ounce can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
  • 3 cups halved cherry tomatoes
  • 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/3 cup small fresh basil leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1/4 cup cooking liquid.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat.

3. Add shallots and garlic; sauté 45 seconds, stirring constantly.

4. Stir in bell pepper and chickpeas; sauté 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Add tomatoes; sauté 2 minutes.

6. Stir in pasta and reserved cooking liquid; cook 1 minute or until thoroughly heated.

7. Remove from heat. Add feta and remaining ingredients; toss to combine.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Time to say goodbye...

Today was a very long and sad day... Today was the funeral for my cousin Sammy. It was a sudden shock to my family, Sammy was in a car accident and passed away as a result of the accident.

My Mom said it best, "Our dear cousin will be missed. He was such a dynamic personality, and a scamp! He will live on in the many wonderful memories we have."

This is one of my all time favorite family pictures. It was taken during Easter when my Mom was a child and my cousin Sammy is sitting front and center.

We will miss your smiling face Sammy. Rest in Peace.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Double Yolk!

This morning I was making mini blue berry muffins and the mix calls for 1 stick of butter and 1 egg... To my suprise when I cracked open the egg, it had a double yolk!! I know there is a "meaning" behind it, but I can't remember what it is! :oP I hope it's a good one!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Falafel: Take 2!

Happy New Year Everyone!! :)

So tonight I attempted falafel again... This timeI did not make them from scratch this time, I picked up a mix from Giant Eagle.... The horrors of last time was going through my head as I made them. All I kept thinking was, please do not disintegrate this time, please don't!!!
So I made the mix... I made both pouches of mix, just in-case the first batch decided to melt away in the deep fryer... So I place 6 balls in the basket of the fryer and lower them down... So far so good... Then the window fogs up! :( Oh please do not fall apart! After two minutes I bring up the basket and they survived!! :) WOO HOO!!!!So we had falafel sandwiches and a chickpea salad tonight... Yes lots of chickpeas :) It was build your own sandwich night.




Well it's 30 minutes until face off! :) Time to get ready to watch the Pens in the Winter Classic!! YAY! :)