Kitchen Sink Crock-pot Soup
WARNING: The above picture was taken on the hubby’s iPhone. My camera was indisposed taking pictures of the newest little angel, Sweet Baby Jane, which let’s be honest – is MUCH more important than taking pictures of my soup. Proceed….
Last year we got home from a trip to warm and sunny Cabo San Lucas, only to be welcomed by pouring rain, cold wind and an even colder house. We landed at LAX and the girls and I were still wearing our swimsuits and shorts when Mother Nature turned reality back on with a giant slap to our goose-bumped keesters. We were cold and grumpy and ticked off that we weren’t on the beach anymore. Of course, after being gone for a week, our fridge consisted of a jar of pickles, some sticks of butter and coffee creamer. Unless you’re pregnant – that ain’t dinner. So, I rummaged through our pantry for a bit….
Six Cup Salt Crusted Pork
Don’t be scared. Don’t close your eyes. I promise this recipe is not as crazy as it looks. And I promise it’s easy. And the pork isn’t salty. And you will love it. And re-pin it. And if you don’t know what it means to “Pin It” then we need to talk.
Thai Red Curry Chicken
Pin It
In 2003, on a beautiful afternoon in the middle of California’s Indian Summer, I married my hubby. We said our vows in blistering heat with sweat dripping down to you know where and we sealed our commitment with a kiss.
And then we partied.
We danced and drank mojitos and visited with (almost!) every single one of the 200 guests. We fed each other cake and I was a good sport when he dolloped some on my nose. We watched a dear friend of ours (who is now an ocular plastic surgeon) try to smoke a cognac dipped cigar while four inch flames leapt from it as two other friends (mere feet away) tried to relay a sincere message to us on our wedding video.
It. Was. Perfect.
Happy New Year!
Let’s be honest. The holidays are a time of complete and utter chaos. Between shopping, parties, school parties, shopping, cooking, winter break, family, shopping and regular life – it’s a lose your mind time of year. But it’s the best time of year (especially for shopping 😉 ). And as a result, I had to ride the amazing wave of holiday life and let Mommy Bistro take a nap for a few weeks. But I’ve missed her. And I’ve missed YOU! I’m back with a recap of my life from the last few weeks, some resolutions, and some questions for the new year.Â
Braised Short Ribs
It’s windy here. Like, 60 MPH windy. I can handle rain, cold temperatures, blazing heat— but wind? It messes with my sanity. It’s a good thing I don’t live in a city that the Chumash Indians named after their word for “WINDY”. Oh wait, I do. Yep, that’s what Simi means. The Valley of the Wind. I’ve lived here since I was a baby but I swear I don’t remember it being this bad growing up. It’s seriously getting on my nerves. The “everyday-ponytail-look” shows way too many of my roots. It looks like I haven’t been to the salon in a year. But I can’t go now. I’m on a very tight hair schedule for the next seven months given the three bachelorettes, three bridal showers and three weddings that I will be a major part of in the next year. You hear me girls, don’t you? You gotta plan those hair salon visits accordingly.
Chimichurri Steak (And Thanksgiving Debrief)
Wheredya go?
I’ve missed you so,
Seems like it’s been forever,
That you’ve been gone….
It’s been a week. I’m so ashamed. I’ve missed my computer, designing new recipes, and posting them for you. So, what’s new? Anything happen to you? Thanksgiving – that’s right. How was yours? Did ‘ya do Black Friday!?!? Did you eat turkey leftovers till Monday even though you probably should have tossed them on Saturday?Â
Roasted Banana Ice Cream with Nutella Ripple
No clue where I came up with this wacky idea. But my mother-in-law has an ice cream maker and for some reason I thought it would be an amazing idea to make my own ice cream. I thought, the girls can help me with it! This will be fun! And made from real ingredients! In my own kitchen!
Smokin’ Butt – Hubby Edition
Special Hubby Edition of BBQ Pulled Pork
Gentlemen, start your grills! Grab a six pack, a lawn chair, and get ready to smoke some butt. Ok, it may not sound as appetizing as it actually is but trust me when I say that there is little in life better than the flavor of a slow smoked butt in your mouth. I like big butts. And I cannot lie.Â
Thai Lettuce Wraps
I honestly think I could be vegetarian. All day long, I pretty much eat vegetarian. That is, until dinner when Ryan gets home and spoils everything. I can already see his hubby’s note on this one.
Him: “Well, if you didn’t cook ridiculously amazing things every night I wouldn’t weigh one hundred and ……”
Me: “Well honey, if you weren’t such a protein junkie we could eat simpler, less savory and delicious items. This blog is all your fault. So there.”
Breakdown of my meals everyday:
Jamaican Jerk Chicken Sandwiches
Yep. I must be sentimental this week. NO – I am most certainly NOT pregnant. But a lot of people around me are so maybe that’s it? It’s also Pixie’s FOURTH BIRTHDAY in a few weeks so maybe that’s got me all mushy. Regardless, fifteen years ago (yes, you read that correctly. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO) I worked as a hostess at Doc’s Brewpub in Simi Valley. They served pub food, kicked up a notch. And they brewed their own beers. Not that I was drinking the beers. I was only 17. Okay maybe I had a few. But don’t tell my kids. Repeat after me, “Do as I say, not as I do!” Right?
Anyway, the Jamaican Jerk Chicken Sandwich was one of my absolute favorites at Doc’s. If I knew what the chefs name was and how to hunt him down, I would – because I want this recipe! I’ve been trying to recreate it for years and after much trial and error, I think I’ve finally gotten close. It’s a lot of ingredients and stuff you may not use all of the time but I think it is well worth it. This is comfort food at it’s finest.
Hubby’s Note: I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…The Panini Press is the single greatest invention of the 20th century. Not the Internal Combustion Engine. Not the Internet. Not the Refrigerator or the Electric Light. Heck, not even the Contraceptive Pill—wait. Scratch that. The Contraceptive Pill is the single greatest invention of the 20th century. A close second would be the Panini Press. And this chicken recipe makes an amazing Panini. I highly recommend adding Avocado and dipping the sandwich in the Caribbean Sauce. Hubby Recommended!