blackeyed pea & cabbage jambalaya

Every new years day we make this yummy jalapeno black eyed pea and cabbage jambalaya! It is an easy and delicious way to get in your peas and cabbage! It is great for a New Years Day party too!

Jalapeno Black eyed Pea Jambalaya

INGREDIENTS

• 1 stick butter
• 1 can jalapeno blackeyed peas (we use trappeys)
• 1 can beef broth
• 1/2 cup chopped onions
• 1/2 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 lb. jalapeno sausage
• 10 green onion tops
• 1/2 cup cabbage, diced
• Tony’s to taste

DIRECTIONS

• 1
  Preheat oven to 350°
• 2
  Saute vegetables and sausage. Add broth and cooked rice in 9x13 baking dish. Bake 25 mins or until warm. (If you have a big enough skillet you can just add the rice to the veggies and sausage and warm together right on the stove.) I also LOVE okra - I think it would be another great addition too :)

Happy happy New Year! 

hey there pumpkin!

I love Trader Joe's even more than I did before! Right now they have Pumpkin EVERYTHING and I just happen to love EVERYTHING Pumpkin! :) 

Here are a few of things I picked up and can't wait to try! 

I think I am most excited about these! These crisps are such a great appetizer served with goat cheese! 

This stuff sells out FAST and there is a reason for it! So good :)

 We LOVE cheesecake and put a little pumpkin in it...that much better.

This is another hard one to find, but so worth the search.

TJ Organic Canned Pumpkin comes from a family owned farm in Oregon's Willamette Valley (which just so happens to be where our favorite Pinot Noir comes from as well!) I will use it to make pumpkin bread and as a little extra treat for Betsey (our boxer). 

This is delicious way to change up your morning routine for the Fall. 

This wine doesn't contain pumpkin, but it is such a great TJ find I had to share! Under $10 this TJ exclusive is a must for your cart.

They also have the cutest pumpkin branches and regular pumpkins at great prices for fall decorating! 

Happy Wednesday! 

japanese chicken curry

Japanese Chicken Curry

Ingredients

2 tablespoons of butter (you can also use olive oil instead)

3-4 chicken breasts – cubed

1 yellow onion – chopped

1 bag small red potatoes – peeled & chopped

4 carrots – peeled & chopped

2 cups of water

1 Golden Curry brand Sauce Mix – Medium Hot (found at HEB)

1 cup of frozen peas

salt & pepper

1 bag of rice (brown or white)

Directions 

1.                Heat skillet over med/high heat

2.                Melt butter & sauté the chicken & onion together 

until slightly browned - season with salt & pepper

3.                Add in potatoes, carrots, & water - bring to a boil

4.                Reduce heat, cover & simmer for about 20 minutes 

until potatoes are soft & chicken is cooked

5.                Begin to boil the water for the rice & cook

6.                Remove the chicken mixture from heat & add in peas

7.                Add in one curry cube at a time until each is dissolved

8.                Continue to stir until all is mixed well & begins to thicken

9.                Serve over rice 

Enjoy! 

A coworker had this for lunch one day and it was delicious so 
I decided I would try it out myself! I was so excited 
when my husband gave me the go ahead to make it! 
It is so easy and such a filling warm dinner for a cold or stormy night.  

Next time we are going to try the "hot" version of the curry to spice
it up a bit, but overall we were very pleased. I hope you all try
it for something different for dinner. 

Happy Wednesday!

rainey street

I fell in love with Austin a little more this past weekend! After the football game we took a fun little pedi-cab ride over to Rainey Street! Y'all. It is just so cute - they had me at the sting lights - EVERYWHERE! It is basically just a street where older homes were renovated into fun cute bars. We just went to Lustre Pearl and Bungalow, but I can't wait to go back and visit them all this Fall...

Lustre Pearl

Bungalow

Bangers

No Va

Clive Bar

Craft Pride

and the list goes on and on... I think I am most excited to go No Va sit on the second floor near the floor to ceiling windows, have dinner and then head out for drinks and live music after :) 

 They have tons of food trucks around and new spots are opening all the time! I will be planning my next trip to ATX very soon :)

Happy Wednesday! 

tomato and corn pizza

I love making pizzas because you can get as creative as you want and really add to it what looks good to you or whatever you may have in the garden or the fridge.

This tomato and corn pizza may sound a little weird, but trust me it is so good!

I first had this at the beginning of the summer at my in-laws and absolutely loved it. The corn is the ingredient that kind of took me by surprise, but it adds a different element and really tastes good pureed with the parm! 

Tomato-and-Corn Pizza

modified from Southern Living

Ingredients

·         3 plum tomatoes, sliced (or whatever tomatoes you have on hand - heirloom, green, etc.)

·         1/4 teaspoon salt 

·         1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 

·         1 (14-oz.) package prebaked pizza crust (we use the whole wheat crust from Whole Foods or HEB)

·         1/3 cup refrigerated pesto

·         1/2 - 1 cup fresh corn kernels 

·         1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 

·         1 teaspoon sugar 

·         8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced

·         3 tablespoons fresh whole or torn basil leaves 

Preparation

    1. Preheat oven to 450° with pizza stone already in the oven so it preheats as well. 

2. Place tomato slices on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; let stand 20 minutes.

     3. Place pizza crust on a cutting board; spread with pesto. Mix together corn, Parmesan, and sugar in a food processor. 

4. Top pizza with corn mixture, tomatoes, and mozzarella slices.

      5. Slide pizza from the cutting board onto the pizza stone. Bake at 450° for 14 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden. 6.Remove from oven, and top with basil leaves.

ENJOY!

*this would also be great with a little sliced soppressata or prosciutto*

Here is the "pizza stone" we use:

Sur la Table

 It is actually called a Grilling Stone but, we haven't experimented on the grill just yet. I highly recommend it! I can't wait to try salmon and other meats on it as well. 

FYI - you are supposed to preheat the stone with the grill or oven, but don't worry if you forget - nothing terrible happens (I have done it a few times...oops ;))

It really is so much fun to make your own pizzas! Next time you feel like ordering try and make it fresh!  They are so easy, delish and you can have a little glass of red while it's baking!

Happy Monday! 

local foods 'mintade'

First things first, if you have not been to Local Foods you should go! It is a fairly new lunch spot in Rice Village that took the old Antone's spot next to Benjy's. The Asian Chicken Salad is a favorite of my coworkers and I. We first had it at a fabulous luncheon and can't seem to order anything else.
Everything is locally sourced which makes it even better. 

source

But let's get to the fun stuff...when we were there on Sunday we tried their "mintade". It is such a refreshing drink that has fresh orange, lemon, lime, & grapefruit juices mixed together along with muddled mint. 

We all agreed that it would be even better with a little bit of vodka for a refreshing cocktail on a warm day! 

I looked around for a recipe and found what I think will be very close.

Summer Mintade 

2 c cold water

1 c club soda

2 c orange juice 
1 c  grapefruit juice

1/2 c lime juice 
1/4 c lemon juice 
1/2 c sugar

1 c Tito's vodka (or your preferred vodka of choice)

1 c torn fresh mint (muddled) 

Muddle the mint with the sugar at the bottom of a large pitcher. Freshly squeeze all of the juices into the pitcher, then add the water, club soda and vodka. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved. Serve cold over ice with a fresh sprig of mint! 

You could even add in a fun striped straw for fun :) 

p.s. it was just announced that Local Foods will be opening an additional location in the old Taco Milagro spot sometime in 2014! Can't wait!

Happy Wine Wednesday! 

white linen night in the heights

This was our first year to attend White Linen Night and we have definitely been missing out! It was so much fun! We can't wait for next year already (and will be well equipped with a rolling cooler). We started out on 19th street and ended the night at BB's where the party continued on! A live zydeco band just can't be beat. 

with one of my dearest friends and her sweet baby girl on 19th street

 The event was started in 2006 at the suggestion of a couple from New Orleans and is patterned after a similar event in The French Quarter. They organized the event  here as a way to promote interest and traffic to 19th street so local businesses could thrive in the hot Houston summer. 

  

It was definitely HOT, but well worth it. I was able to stop in so many cute shops and learn about up and coming ones as well. I highly recommend you all visit 19th street, but here are a few of my favorites I will be visiting very soon and often! :)

They are opening a rooftop restaurant and wine bar on top of this locally grown grocery store! Opens in October...don't miss it!


Nothing new, this cute shop has been around forever, but it is recently renovated and has precious home goods and gifts! The other side of their shop also has clothes. 




Another neat shop with unique gifts and home wares. 



A locally owned coffee shop that roasts their own beans in house! I have been told they have amazing breakfast as well! 

This cute child resale shop is not to be missed! 




This pop up shop and online store was a special surprise to find since the owner is a friend from high school! She has the cutest products and if you can't make it by her shop you can easily make purchases right online. 


I hope that you all will make a trip down to 19th Street to support all of these wonderful local businesses! I promise you will not be disappointed. The Heights has so many unique things offer in the city. I am amazed at all the new growth every time I am there. Not to mention that there are some AWESOME restaurants as well! My current fave is Liberty Kitchen. Go. Now. Their new location on San Felipe near Mid Lane should be opening in October...can't wait!

Happy Monday! I hope you have a great week!

ina's summer garden pasta

I just love Ina Garten...The Barefoot Contessa! She is one of my all time favorite chefs. I love watching her show and daydreaming about what it would be like to live in the Hamptons near the beach, make fabulous food, and shop at fabulous boutiques....! She and Jeffery pretty much have the life! :) My sister-in-law was able to meet her while working at Sur La Table and said she is just as sweet and pleasant in person...makes me love her even more!

Here is one of our favorite recipes of hers. I encourage you to make this immediately! It is perfect for the summer especially with fresh tomatoes and herbs from the garden. It is so easy and so delish! Would be great for a big crowd too!

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via Food Network but originally from her cookbook Barefoot Contessa at Home

This will serve about 6 people and takes about 4 1/2 hours just because you let the tomatoes soak for 4 hours, but...if you are in a pinch you can soak them for just 1-2 hours - it is still great - just not as great. 

Ingredients:

4 pints cherry tomatoes, halved

Good olive oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic (6 cloves)
18 large basil leaves, julienned, plus extra for serving
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (we use a full tablespoon for extra spice)
Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound dried angel hair pasta
1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

Directions:
Combine the cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup olive oil, garlic, basil leaves, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, and the pepper in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, and set aside at room temperature for about 4 hours.

Just before you're ready to serve, bring a large pot of water with a splash of olive oil and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil and add the pasta. Cook al dente according to the directions on the package (be careful - it only takes 2 to 3 minutes!). Drain the pasta well and add to the bowl with the cherry tomatoes. Add the cheese and some extra fresh basil leaves and toss well. Serve in big bowls with extra cheese on each serving.

Enjoy!

love those deens

so i found this recipe a few weeks ago while reading the chron.

my friend LB and i tried it last monday and it was SOO good and easy! i was unaware that the deen's could make anything without a vat of butter, but this is actually quite a healthy meal! i highly recommend trying it out...i scratched the greens to put the mixture on top of as i can not stand a soggy green... ;) Enjoy!!