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.
Fried Chicken
It’s January 10, 2012 and here in California it has been between 75-90 degrees for the last two weeks. I’m not gonna lie – it’s been really, really nice to have a summer break in the middle of winter. I’m sure some of you are thinking of stabbing the computer with butcher knives reading this as you shovel your driveway for the umteenth time this week. But here’s the deal: us Californians are accustomed to nice weather for most of the year. So when it is raining, windy and cold; we are grumpy, short tempered and cold. In addition, studies have shown that 90% of California drivers are incapable of driving in any weather other than bright and sunny. Seriously, most of us just can’t do it. We freak out. Of course now that I’ve put it out in the universe that our weather has been nice, it is going to start raining immediately. Quick, knock on wood! (Hubby?)
Thai Red Curry Chicken
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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 š ). 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.Ā
S’mores Pops
I’ve recently started a new addiction.
Hello, my name is Jessica and I’m addicted to Pinterest.
Hi Jessica.Ā
Meyer Lemon Bars
We love Meyer lemons. As in, we have our own tree. And we look everyday to see if another beautiful sweet little lemon is ready for picking. On halloween, our friend Josh the farmer had a few beers and looked at our tree and said, “this needs to be pruned.”
Crack Bars (Blondies Brownies)
Iām blonde by choice. And so are these brownies. Youāre probably thinking…coconut and peanut butter? Not so sure about this one Jess….try it and fall in love with a blonde.
Not Your Mom’s G-Man (Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies)
I keep a clean house. I canāt focus when everything is everywhere….which is quite the challenge with two little ones under the age of 4. So, when I made these cookies, my girls and my best friendās son were addicted. As a result Iām still finding little crumbs of these all over my house. I can only assume that they helped themselves and created a fallout shelter full of these cookies somewhere with a secret handshake and a ādonāt tell the mommies where the cookies areā pact.
I cannot for the life of me find the original recipe. Whoever the fabulous genius was to come up with this recipe….I thank you. As do my children.
Hubby’s note: I’d like to explore Mom’s G-something a little later. I’ll give you a hint, I’ll be the only man there.
Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies
I just finished baking 600 cookies. Yes, you heard that right. 600. Every year my brother-in-law’s production company hires me to make their holiday gift baskets. So, I’ve been MIA because I was chained to my oven busting out cookie after cookie. I love to bake. I love to try new things. However I am not the kind of baker who can come up with new recipes on the spot. I can easily make a new savory entree but when it comes to baking….I just don’t have it in me! The only recipe that I have for cookies that is my very own creation is my crack cookies. Don’t judge me on the name. I’m taking ideas for what they should be called. You can see pictures of these cookies here. So for the next 12 days, I am going to feature all of the cookies I made this year. And of course who the credit goes to for the original recipe! These freaking amazing red velvet cookies are those of the southern master; Ms. Paula Deen. When I made these cookies last year, one of the production companyās clients called after receiving their basket. He said he had just finished licking the plastic bag these cookies were in because they were so incredible.