Tomato Bolognese as 2008 fades away.

It is New Year's Eve and I ended up with no plans. I have been in relaxation mode for a few days now and the thought of putting on a bra and mascara was more than I could handle. So I opted for a new year's meal with the people I love most. My parents, sister, and Baby Love.

I had never made my own sauce before but a clip on the Food Network made me willing to try it. My recipe is adapted from Anne Burrell.

Tomato Bolognese

Ingredients:

1 large onion roughly diced
2 large carrots, peeled, ½ inch dice
3 stalks of celery, 1 inch dice
4 cloves of garlic roughly chopped
olive oil
2 pounds ground beef
18 ounces tomato paste
1 ½ cups red wine (I used a strong shiraz)
water
1 bunch of thyme
1 large can crushed tomatoes
salt
pepper

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cooking Time: At least 2 hours

Directions:

1. In a food processor puree onions, carrots, celery and garlic into a thick paste.
2. Heat 2 to 3 tbsp. of olive oil in a large stock pot at medium heat.
3. Add pureed vegetables, stirring frequently until moisture has evaporated and vegetables begin to brown, season generously with salt and a little pepper. This takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Once browned remove vegetables from the pan and add ground beef season generously with salt and garlic powder about ½ teaspoon. Again taking time to brown the meat, 15 to 20 minutes. After beef has cooked through about 15 minutes add vegetables and continue browning for another 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Add tomato paste, stirring and allow to cook for another 5 minutes.
6. Add red wine stirring the wine will be absorbed quickly allow to cook for another 5 minutes.
7. Add water into the pan until it is about an inch and a half above the meat. (More water can be added later if the sauce appears to become too thick, as water will evaporate.)
8. Bring to a simmer add crushed tomatoes and bunch of thyme. Let simmer on low heat stirring occasionally. Sample and season as needed. Let simmer for 1 to 2 hours. More if time allows. Adding water as needed.
9. Serve with pasta and enjoy!

My father is fairly picky about his sauce so his nose was in the pot tasting every few minutes. The project that started as mine quickly became ours and in the end turned out wonderfully. Well worth the time and effort. Plus you get and abundance of sauce which can easily be frozen and served later.

Happy New Year!

End of the semester

I think I have survived. The semester that is. I am quite proud of myself for my accomplishment. I really want to pop a bottle of champagne and celebrate with someone but I am just too tired or maybe too alone. 

It has been quite the semester:

• Starting with a topsy start to the school year at work, with difficulties with co-workers and space issues. 
  
• Then I was sick again and again, every week it was something, more doctor's visits and antibiotics in the last 12 weeks then the last 12 years of my life. 
  
• Let's not forget every weekend a blessed event of marriage to attend. 
  
• Or all the babies that needed to come into the world. 
  
• We probably shouldn't even begin to discuss that at the start of the semester I had a roommate and now I don't. Thankfully I know a little bit more about what divorce might feel like and why I never want to go through it. But I must admit that the whole experience did re-ignite some trust issues.
• We can't even discuss my love life. 

But somehow despite all of the craziness I think I may have pulled a 4.0 and actually learned something. I worked hard. I am proud of me. 

She's left on a jet plane.

... and she won't be back again for 2 whole months. my sister that is. She has gone to the United Arab Emirates to visit a boy. A boy who may possibly be taking her away from the United States for 2 years. I just don't know what I would do if that happens. So right now I am just hoping it's 2 months and not 2 years. This is not some mail order bride scheme, or my parents attempt to rid themselves of my sometimes worrisome middle sister. No this is my sister falling for a boy a few months before he was scheduled to leave on a government contract for 3 years. They have been apart for 6 months and now she is flying on a plane to be with him for the holidays. Him not us. 

If there is one lesson I have really learned in the last few years it is that my family will always be there for me. Lovers and friends come and go but my family is always there. I just really wish that "there" wasn't halfway across the world. I like to be able to pick up the phone and talk to my sister whenever I want. But I will have to get over it and be happy for the opportunity she has been given. It does make me wonder how much longer I will live in the steel city when my family is just too far away.

you say mice i say mouse

"Why are you limping?" I asked my student as we walked down the hall. 

"A mice bit me," he responded. 

"A what?" I asked. 

"A mice" he replied.

"Wait, did one mouse bite you or more than one?" I ask again. Now let's pause because even as I am having this conversation I am kind of like... huh, a mouse! But for some reason I first focused on a grammar lesson- I know call me crazy. 

"One but it was a baby so the small ones are called a mice." 

"No they aren't, if it's one it is a mouse."

"Nuh uh." 

"Ok let's not keep doing this... you got bit by a mouse? How?" 

"I don't know, it bit my foot. We have mice in my house."

"Did you tell your mom?"

"She said 'why did you let it bite you?'" 

"What did you say to her?"

"I said, I don't know mom the mice just bit me." 

"Are you gonna be able to walk on the field trip today?"

"Oh yeah, it's just a mice bite." 

Purpose

I wonder if others wonder about purpose...

It is my constant life perplexing question. 

It keeps me awake at night. 

It causes me to question every decision I make. 

It makes me want to leave school, my job and move to France, or Italy, or Buffalo, or somewhere, anywhere. 

It makes me want to stay in this town and never leave. 

It is circular, shades of gray and frustrating. 

Sometimes I wonder if the questions will haunt me my whole life. Or if some day I will find the answers. 

Sometimes I feel like I am in limbo waiting for my life to happen but somedays it feels like life is happening so fast that I am missing it. Or that it should be something more than what it is. 

On rainy days like today I can't help but be driven by these questions, in the solitude of my mind I am sent stumbling around searching for answers, longing for a more naive day when I believed life would just happen in the American Dream sort of way, now I know better. With my knowledge comes no answers just a continued pursuit of purpose. 

Sunday Blues

Perhaps it's because I have had bronchitis for 5 weeks and am heavily medicated, or perhaps it is just because this was my first weekend without a wedding in over a month or perhaps it's just cause I love my house so much but I barely left it. I cooked, I slept, I watched movies, I messed around on the internet, and I tried not to cough but most of all I stayed in, with the exception of a few hours I was a happy prisoner of my house all weekend long. And for once my former roommate didn't show up. It was bliss. Although I feel slightly guilty because I accomplished nothing, not guilty enough to get off the couch. And the best news- because I have now been sick for so long I have lost 5 pounds. And my mother called today to read me some research that states apparently dark chocolate cures coughing better than codeine. Which is why I just can't believe I am still sick since I have been sucking down cough medicine with codeine and dark chocolate for 2 days now. Anyways I am sad that the weekend is over. I am thankful that I have Tuesday off- thanks Veterans- at least I can get everything done on Tuesday that I should have gotten done this weekend. 

I did get out and take a few pictures, and got text messages from 2 men of my past. Hmm weird. Not even sure what that means. But MD text me yesterday asking if we can hang out next time I am home and my 'ex' and I actually had a brief text conversation after not communicating for a year and a half. So random. 

wedding soup

I am a big fan of wedding soup... it is something I actually never tasted until I dated an Italian a few years ago. A love of wedding soup is one good thing that came out of that relationship. But I had never tried to make it myself, until last night. I am now poor, since my roommate went psychotic and has flown the coop and I have been sick now for a month and therefore all my money goes to prescriptions and doctor visits. I went to the doctor again yesterday and as I picked up 4 prescriptions from the pharmacy counter the girl said, "have a nice evening." I wanted to say, "well i plan on sipping on this cough syrup with codeine all night so it should be a GREAT evening." But I just said "you too" and proceeded to the check-out. Now if you can explain this to me that would be fabulous - how does a single girl spend $106 at the food store. What did I buy? Stuff to make cheese cakes, chicken fingers, wedding soup and chili... and a colossal size box of soft pretzels. They are my new favorite late night snack. They are low fat and they quench my after class hunger pains. Back to wedding soup. I have been buying it by the pint from my local italian restaurant for a few weeks now but decided it's easy enough to make myself. 

Here is my recipe. 

12 cups chicken stock/ broth (I ended up with 2 containers of stock and 1 broth) 

1 pound of chopped escarole

2 cups mini meatballs (I was exhausted and since I use them more for flavoring than actually eating them I bought pre-made frozen meatballs, gasp!)

1 cup diced carrots

2 tbsp parsley 

3 large eggs 

3 tbsp grated parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)

1 cup acini di pepe (little ball pasta)

salt and pepper

Bring stock to a boil in a large pot. 

Bring water for pasta in a boil in a separate pot. When boiling add pasta and cook for 10 minutes. 

When stock is boiling add carrots and let simmer for 1 minute then add meatballs, and escarole. Let simmer until tender, about 9 minutes. 

Whisk egg and parmesan in a small bowl. Stir soup in a circular motion, add egg mixture slowly stirring soup with a fork to create strands of egg. Add pasta and parsley. Serve, top servings with parmesan cheese.

So good I had some this morning for breakfast. 

Where did September go?

So this month I went back to work and started grad school. Let me clarify that I started back to work full-time teaching and started grad school full-time. So basically Monday through Thursday I leave the house at 7am and return at 9pm. So that would be my excuse for not blogging. But even though I haven't been blogging I have still been eating and drinking, well sort of. So the brief rundown of the month. 

Bettis' Grille 36 - Went with the teaching staff for a work lunch, had a great chicken sandwich. Thanks Favorite Boss! They pay for lunch the whole week of inservice which is just really nice of them. 

I should stop and interject here that with my new schedule I have little time for cooking or baking and most of the time I have gone out this month is for happy hour. Not that my drinking has increased but my stress level has so the need to relax is definitely evident. 

McFadden's- for happy hour on Fashion G's 25th birthday. I spent my 25th birthday at McFadden's a year and a half ago and ended up in the ER. Met this cute attorney from the South Hills he bought me a few drinks (3 total)... was a good girl and went to the bar with him. But I looked away for a second and something must have been slipped into the shot cause I was done for. That's the only time I almost got arrested. I was so drugged I needed my friends to come into the restroom pick me up off the floor and carry me outside into a cab. Cops were everywhere and the bouncers were like get her out of here quick. The cab took me and my friends to AGH where I proceeded to fall out of the cab and out of the wheelchair in the waiting room. I have no recollection of any of it. Now I am by no means a lightweight and 2 and a half drinks has never put me over the edge so there was no way it was just alcohol. The guy called the next day and when I accused him he didn't even have a defense. Thank God for good friends who knows what he might have done to me otherwise. Thankfully Fashion G had a much safer night. 

Also went to Fox & Hound on McKnight Road in Ross Twp. which I had never been to before on a Saturday night a few weeks ago. We all got fun cocktails and scoped out the cute bartenders. It was a fun night and I was impressed by the size of the place. The waitress was a flake but the crowd was interesting. I would definitely go back again. 

Carson City and S Bar on Friday night. 1.50 shots of SoCo with B and Fashion G makes us all happy girls. The problem is by 11:00 on a Friday night I am exhausted because of my crazy schedule during the week. So I think I was out of the southside and on my way home by 11:30. Carson City is such a strange place, the girls working there have the strangest sense of style and the crowd isn't particularly friendly but they have decent drink specials so. I ended up there twice in the last month. 

Bar Louie - They have this hummus and tabbouleh and tzatziki dip with cucumbers and flatbread. It is so delicious AND their chicken fingers, hand breaded and just perfect. Fashion, Double D and I were all in need of a drink but because of our schedules we started early 4:00 we went from Bar Louie to the southside. 

Hit 1311 and then Carson City but was an early night once again and I was home by ten. 

Crepes Parisiennes- P&K with their new bundle of joy met me for crepes at their Oakland location. I love crepes! My parents have decided they should open a crepery and I am in full support. But P&K and I haven't seen each other in awhile. We planned on meeting in Shadyside but P found out my ex was on his way to the same location at the exact same time. Weird. Strangely we are still connected by some cosmic force. Too bad he is a cheater and a jerk. We spent the day strolling through Oakland then ran over to Whole Foods for some groceries. 

Went kayaking last Sunday once again. RADical Days is going on in Pittsburgh and they offer all sorts of free events. FH and I took advantage of the gorgeous weather on the last day of summer and hit the water. We kayaked for an hour it was his first time and we had great fun. Then we were hungry so we ate at Atria's in PNC Park. I know I said a couple of posts ago that I wouldn't go back because there service was so bad. But this time it was excellent. FH got the chicken parm and I had the steak salad. I was so happy to be outside and eating with such good company. FH is a new friend and I am kind of hoping he sticks around. 

Hit up Bistro-To-Go on East Ohio Street once again. Had their balsamic chicken, red potatoes and ho-ho cake. I was definitely having a GIVE ME CHOCOLATE AND NO ONE GETS HURT kind of day. Ho-ho cake definitely does the trick. 

Ok so that is the rundown of where I've been in a nutshell at least what I can remember. I'll try to update on what I have been cooking and baking cause I made these delicious veggie cookies. i know sounds weird but they are soft chewy and tasty. 

Pittsburgh Bottleshop Cafe

So Fashion G and I did a little back to school shopping for teacher stuff- nothing fun like clothes. Then decided to stop at this great place in Bridgeville for a late lunch. The Pittsburgh Bottleshop Cafe is your typical local bar. Clean and well decorated, nice bar and excellent choice on drinks. Menu was just right not overwhelming, with a good selection of bar food. Fashion G got the Veggie Wrap which had this really great hummus. I had the Chicken Salad with Buffalo style chicken. I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't breaded. Food was delicious, service was good. Even though we were there in the afternoon I am sure they get a decent happy hour and weekend crowd. I'll visit again. 

The Pittsburgh Bottleshop Cafe

1597 Washington Pike

Bridgeville, PA 15017

Not ready to start back to work in a week. Just hoping to enjoy my last few days of vacation. 

Shish Kabobs

I haven't cooked for just me all summer long. But I was feeling a little hungover from Friday night and decided to make dinner. Friday night Queen Kittanning and her hubby were having a picnic and since she is 6 months prego I drove up to help with the food and hang out. I love their new house and being around them, definitely two of my favorite people in the world. So we had good food and drank way into the wee hours of the morning, well not prego but her husband and his coaching buddies.

But that's that. I figured my hangover meal should be shish kabobs. Picked up a nice hormone free round top steak and some rye bread from the market. 

Cube the steak 

Marinate for 45 minutes- I love Adolph's meat marinate but it's hard to find. 

Sliced into large chunks peppers and onions. 

Skewer and grill until cooked. 

With it brown rice, tablespoon of butter, 1/4 cup of chopped onion and organic chicken broth. 

Sat on the back porch and enjoyed. My neighbors I am sure can't figure us out. We have only lived here a month and a half but being summer we're rarely here and especially at the same time. I swear I felt their eyes upon me as I sat on my porch eating alone. Oh well, the night was nice and the food simple and filling.

Later went to Tilt in Gibsonia, crazy local bar with the roomies sis. Amusing to say the least.

Camping

Headed up to Breakneck Campgrounds in Portersville for a few days of wilderness fun with some girls from college. We did well despite some of the girls husbands believing we couldn't handle ourselves. The first night we cooked chicken marinated in italian dressing, on the fire and baked potatoes with onions, sour cream and cheddar cheese. A simple green salad and garlic bread completed the dinner. Smores for dessert. I love cooking on an open fire. Something about being in the woods, crouching low, avoiding the smoke and hoping that the flame stays consistent as you cook your food, just love it. We did eggs, hashbrowns and bagels for breakfast. Biking, swimming and a picnic lunch at Moraine State Park. Even Stacy 6 months pregnant got on the bike and did 6 miles. She probably did better than the rest of us. Hot dogs, green salad, and potato salad for dinner. I will only eat hot dogs when I can roast them over the fire on a stick. They just taste better that way. And once again smores for dessert! We did a cold breakfast of pop tarts, grapes and bagels before packing up camp and heading to McConnell Mills for a hike. 

It was nice just to reconnect with women who were such a big part of my life for four years. We supported each other through everything. Even though we now live far apart and our lives seem to be headed in different directions I appreciate the fact that we each made it a priority to be there. I love these girls and am so thankful for them. 

Kayak

I went kayaking today! It was so fun. Kayak Pittsburgh lets you rent kayaks for $15 for the first hour. We had a great time. I am hoping to go again soon. We did lunch at Atria's at PNC Park... seriously horrible service and food. I don't know if restaurants on the North Shore think that because of their location they can disregard service and quality of food. Really though they shouldn't. 

I also called 911 today and maybe saved someone's life or stopped a crime or something. I thought my new neighborhood was safe but now who knows. My roommate is gone for a few days. I decided not to go to the the beach because just about everyone backed out. Damn marrieds. And I ordered my books for grad school! I am starting to get excited about starting classes and nervous about the work. I know it will be a challenge and I am a bit crazy, I just hope I am strong enough to handle it. 

blueberries

My parents have had just a few blueberry bushes for as long as I can remember. Some years the crop was good and other years not so good. Some years my dad would create this crazy net contraption to keep the bird and deer away. For this the whole family would need to help in the yard. With the net thrown over us like trapped animals, waiting for my dad to secure it in place.

My dad is famous for his blueberry pancakes, growing up the neighbor kids always wanted to sleep over on the weekend, just so that they could be here for breakfast. Even as a teenager this was still true. We still have pancakes on a weekend morning but now babylove is old enough to have them and this morning I tried my hardest to out eat the baby of 19 lbs. I was only successful because her mother cut her off and we were able to tie at 3. But if she had her way I wouldn't have stood a chance. 

Independence Day

I like my independence. When I think about how I live my life as a 26 years old single female. I know I have more freedom than many women around the world or throughout history. I am thankful. 

East Aurora always does their fireworks the night before. My aunt and uncle have the perfect spot and we always know right where to find them. A bunch of the cousins were in from out of town so we started last night and continued the party today. It was good. 

Our picnic was a collaborative affair however my aunt and uncle carried most of it, wonderfully. My uncle did ribs- slow cooked, they were fall off the bone melt in your mouth delicious. I think I need to try making them, I never have. We played badminton, silly relay races and watched fireworks from the front yard. It was one of the best Independence Day's in a long time. 

grilled pizza

I have wanted to make grilled pizza for some time now and since I have been cooking so much this week it seemed like a good thing to try on the family. I did my research and felt ready, however my dad wasn't so sure, it took some convincing for him to follow my process but the results won him over. He might never make pizza in the oven again. 

Homemade Pizza Dough

1 1/2 packages of yeast

1 1/2 cup warm water plus more if needed

1 1/2 Tbsp. sugar

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 Tbsp. oil

4 1/2 to 5 cups flour 

Combine the first three ingredients and let set for 5 minutes. Mix with a whisk. Add oil, salt and flour. Mix with a wooden spoon, then knead with your hands until dough is soft and smooth. If dough is sticky, add a small amount of flour. Put dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel and put in a warm place for 45 minutes. 

While dough is rising. Prepare your toppings. I choose a variety. If you don't want to turn on the oven many of these can be done on the stove top or grill. 

Toppings List:

Mini sweet peppers - grille with a little salt, pepper and olive oil, just until they are soft and starting to blacken. Or roast in the oven with olive oil, salt and pepper until starting to blacken and become soft. 

Grape tomatoes and garlic - Separate garlic cloves, I used about 6, keep at least one layer of skin ~ this condenses the flavor but speeds the roasting process. Place in an oven safe container with grape tomatoes and cover with olive oil, salt and pepper. This can be placed in the oven or off direct flames on the grill. Tomatoes will burst and garlic will become soft. 

Onions - Slice onions and rub with olive oil, place on grill or in saute pan. 

Garlic infused olive oil - cloves of garlic, smashed with 1/2 cup olive oil, slowly heated. 

Browned Italian Sausage, pepperoni, mozzarella, fontina cheese and parmesan cheese. 

Separate the dough into a small section about the size of a baseball. Roll and flatten the dough using a rolling pin or your hand on a lightly floured surface, turning and flipping the dough will help shape the dough and prevent it from sticking. Continue separate and rolling the dough stacking the flattened dough  on a baking pan. 

When finished, set out toppings, if possible put them out on a table near the grill. 

Have 2 baking pans ready, tongs and a brush along with the garlic olive oil. 

Grill should be warm on medium low heat. 

Take the first flattened dough and brush one side with olive oil and place on the grill oil side down. Close the lid and let sit for 1-2 minutes. Check to see that it is done, grill marks should form. Using the tongs and an upside down baking pan remove the pizza, sliding it onto the pan. Brush the top side with olive oil and flip. On the now cooked side place your choice in toppings, sauce and cheese.

Using the tongs place back in a low heat area on the grill for about 4 to 5 minutes. The bottom should be grilled and the cheese melting. Repeat the process, doing more than one at a time if possible. 

My favorite was when we took the garlic, remove the skins, tomatoes, the oil from the roasting, peppers, onions and cheese (no sauce) and made a pizza. My dad loved the onion, (I used purple onions by the way) sausage and pepperoni with sauce and cheese. 

Truly amazing. They were seriously delicious and I cannot wait to make them again!

Famous Chicken

Summer is so great. My day consisted of reading a book about writing- which is really inspiring me to write more, taking 2 walks, playing with squirt guns and sitting by the kiddie pool in the back yard. Pretty rough. 

So this is my famous chicken marinate. It could be called Western New York Chicken because there are a few ingredients that you can only get in Western/Central New York. I am still in New York and since I really have nothing else to do mom asked me to make dinner again, more specifically my chicken. 

Super simple... super delicious. The problem is I don't have any measurements for this. It's more about how you feel it should be. 

Ingredients:

Chicken breasts - bone in, skin on (This is a cheaper, juicier option.) 

Basting Oil from Wegman's (It is actually grapeseed oil with herbs.)

Olive Oil (I prefer Virgin and Organic) 

1-2 Lemons

Balsamic Vinegar from Four Chimney's on Seneca Lake (It's not balsamic by any means, its very much red wine vinegar- but works perfect.) 

salt and pepper

Garlic - smashed and rough slice whole cloves

Salt and pepper the chicken well. I find it easiest to do the marinate in a plastic zipper bag. Place in bag. Place in cloves of garlic (1 per breast), zest the lemon- place in bag, quarter lemons and squeeze into bag. Throw lemons in bag. Coat with vinegar, grapeseed oil and olive oil. Your ration to acids ( including lemon and vinegar) to oils should be 1 to 2. 

Let marinate in the fridge for an 30 minutes to 2 hours. Bake in the oven at 375 for 45 minutes. Then put on the grill or under the broiler to crisp the skin. 

Make do lasagna

So I was running around quite a bit today. Trying to help my sister with transfering to a new college and the other sister's car broke down. Kind of a hectic day and on top of that I told my mom I would have dinner ready when she got home. We have been eating together, the whole family I mean, a lot lately and it's been nice. It reminds me of being younger when we all still lived here. So she said lasagna or mac and cheese. Well I can't complete with her mac and cheese but I do a decent lasagna. 

I stopped at the grocery store and got what I needed and really just wanted to cook and be done for the night. Things were going great and dinner was right on schedule until I went to cook the pasta and there were mealworms floating in the water with the pasta! We had no more lasagna noodles, so I improvised. 

Make- do Lasagna

1 lb. of penne pasta 

1 lb. ground beef

1 and a half jars favorite sauce

16 oz. ricotta

2 eggs

10 oz. mozzarella

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

garlic salt

Saute ground beef, season with 1/2 tsp garlic salt.

Boil pasta, 10-12 minutes, al dente.

Mix ricotta and eggs. 

Mix meat and sauce.

Drain pasta pour back into pan and mix ricotta mixture.

Layer large casserole dish with half of the meat mixture, all of pasta, the remaining meat mixture. Top with parmesan and mozzarella. 

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. 

It was good, like goulash, but not. 

Baby's First Birthday Party

Sistermom wanted to have a small party for the baby's 1st birthday. I love to throw a party and I was home for the week with nothing to do so I offered to help. Kept it simple, cake and ice cream with a few "snacks".

We definitely took some shortcuts but took the long road where it mattered most.

THE MENU

To Drink

beer ~ light and regular

wine ~ white and red

sangria

 fresh brewed ice tea

lemonade

To Snack

Cheese & Cracker Tray

Vegetable Basket

Mexican Dip & Chips

Peanuts

Chips

Bowls of fruit ~ watermelon, cherries, strawberries

To Sweeten

Raspberry Cupcakes

Chocolate Cupcakes with Buttercream

Cone funfetti cupcakes

Homemade strawberry and vanilla ice cream

Recipes

Sangria - I researched so many recipes and still think this one needs work. I let it soak for about 2 hours.

Magnum of red wine- I chose an Australian Shiraz.

1 lemon - sliced

1 lime - sliced

1 orange - sliced

1 apple - cubed

1/2 cup of brandy

2 cups club soda

3/4 cup orange juice - I prefer fresh squeezed.

Mix and let sit in refrigerator for up to 5 hours. Add the club soda just before serving. 

Cheese and Cracker Tray- I choose a good mix of traditional cheeses and crackers, colby jack, munster, cheddar and cheese curds. Then put a brie and champagne cheddar to challenge the palate. 

Vegetable Tray- Green beans (raw don't blanch!), carrots, celery, tomatoes, and various rainbow peppers. Dip - ranch dry mix, sour cream and juice of half a lemon.

Mexican Dip - whipped cream cheese and taco seasoning to taste. Topped with blend of shredded cheese, diced rainbow peppers and tomatoes. 

Tomorrow is the party. I'll do the dessert recipes tomorrow cause this is already getting to long. 

The garden

We used to have a decent size garden when I was growing up, I have fond memories of picking green beans, lettuce, tomatoes and corn. One year my parents wanted broccoli and got brussel sprouts, which no one in my family ate. Seeing the perfect deep red tomato, reaching my hand to grab it only to encounter a sticky spiderweb. The fun of running through the yard with my sisters stopping to grab a pea pod or handful of green beans and continue on with our play. Good fond memories~ there are pictures of us as babies with piles of tomatoes as big as our heads. 

Having a garden is one of the things I am most looking forward to in my new place. I'll have a yard so I could do a real garden if I was ever there. My parents garden now consists of this... thanks to the deer it has become impossible to plant much of anything and keep it from being eaten.

So I left the Steel City and headed to the homeland, Western New York. I am in the middle of moving so half of my stuff is in the old place and new place. Yet I decided to leave, I am off from the restaurant for 3 weeks and I'll finish moving when I get back. I have no food in the house so I needed to pick up some snacks. Mango Ice Tea from Caribou Coffee- is my summer essential. (I forewent the shot of Captain Morgan's since I was driving.) I also picked up some great local berries. Absolutely beautiful and pretty sweet considering we have been short on sun this season. 

Boys and girls

Men and women think so differently... truly amazing. 

Yes this is a blog about food ~ breakfast on the northside, eggs, rye toast, yada, yada. 

Good, cheap eats. 

So I got a text message last night. Since when did it become socially acceptable to text message everything, aka, feelings and breakfast invites- I think I am beginning to hate text messaging. Any message with the word "end" in it, especially from a guy I am currently up and down with sends out a red flag. So I approached the diner this morning with much trepidation. Prepared and able to handle the worst news only to find that it was breakfast with me and HIS boys. In HIS message he was simply trying to be sweet. That's why I like food more than boys most days, or at least I wish that statement was true.

Last Day of Work

So I am officially on summer vacation! 

Woohoo! 

Kids were done Wednesday and we celebrated in full, at Lefty's in the Strip no less. Then I had 2 days of paperwork before I could call it quits but today at 2:30 I left the building and headed to the Southside with another teacher. Fat Heads was are , I got a burger she got chicken fingers and we both got strawberry daiquiris. Their food is so good and I ate everything- including all the homemade fries! It was nice outside so we just kept talking and drinking. THREE daiquiris later it was 5 o'clock and I was done. We were both sick from the heat and alcohol- seriously what were we thinking it was 90 plus and so humid. Oh well I came home took a quick nap and now I am as good as new. 

Fat Heads South Shore Saloon

(412) 431-7433

1805 E Carson St.

Pittsburgh, PA 15203

So why go to Fat Heads. Food is good- sandwiches, burgers, wings. Homemade chips and fries. Great beer list, over 40 creative beers plus a full bar. Outdoor patio is relaxing and comfortable, it's just an easy place to be at. 

Rock for Autism

So a couple of friends attended the event at the Hard Rock Cafe. It's a good thing it was a charitable event cause the service there really does suck. But it was for a good cause - we see children overcoming autism everyday! It was nice to sit outside a people watch in Station Square during dinner and then head in for the concert. The music was decent.

Maddie Georgi- She isn't even 16, so for that she is pretty impressive. Here's her myspace. http://www.myspace.com/maddiegeorgi

Finding a solution to the puzzle of autism and ASD disorders is close to my heart. I am even considering doing my research on it for my PhD. One of my most favorite students in the world has an autism spectrum disorder. He truly is my baby boy and I am so proud of the progress he has made in the last year. 

So support autism research.

Dinner and drinks- Cobb Salad (I love cobb salads, but this one was quite nondescript) and Ketal One and cranberry. 

Birthday

So today i turned 26. woohoo! I have made it to my 27th year of life. My birthday last year was such a disaster that this year i was slightly nervous about the whole affair. When you are a child birthday's are handled for you. You pretty much just have to show up and you get presents, cake, attention, the whole shabang! As i have gotten older, birthdays have lost their sparkle, i never worry about my age but the day itself i dread. There was so much build up when we were little it seems inevitable that as an adult we can't help but be disappointed. 

So this year i felt the need to keep it simple, real simple. Mom and Dad randomly showed up yesterday, i took them antiquing and to the Strip. My mom love's Enrico's biscotti- especially the cranberry pistachio and i am in love with Richard of Cafe Richard's - now Cafe Raymond's. Then E and I met them at Domenico's in Cranberry to watch the Pens. They had this amazing spinach artichoke dip and flat bread. I had a great beer too, Strawberry Blonde something. 

So i woke up and had no plans for the day, except my sister was coming at some point. I headed to the annual Highland Park garage sale bright and early. i started at Tazza D'oro on Highland Ave. with a mocha and hit the sales. My parents decided to join me and we met up with a few of my friends. They are complete lovebirds and expecting their first. I wanted to head to Food Glorious Food on Bryant Street before they sold out. I had this Key Lime Cake, a combination of key lime pie on the bottom and a light as air cake on top. Amazing! Cheddar and broccoli quiche which was good too. So we hit some sales. I found some good deals- I'll attach pics later. This great antique milk jug and some juice glasses which work well for drinking wine on picnics. 

My parents headed back to NY and i stopped at a friends for some grilled pizza and a mimosa. Strange but delectable combination. I have been wanting to grill pizza's and was impressed it was just good food. So I think I am going to try it soon. 

I am home. Waiting for my sister to finish the birthday. My mom got me a cooking class at the New York Wine and Culinary Center for my birthday, we are going to take it together.

More later. 

North Side for Earth Day

Bistro To Go

Walked the River Trail today, then went to Bistro-To Go on East Ohio Street. This was my 3rd visit to the cafe. It is beautiful inside, big open kitchen and a cozy courtyard where you can people watch. Menu changes weekly. The food is fresh and fun, taste is excellent and I'll keep going back. I like it and I want to support businesses on the Northside.




What I have tried:

Hoho cake - Big piece for $3.50, so so so good. Nice overdose of chocolate.

Mr.Pepper Sandwich - turkey, greens, bacon, provolone, tomatoes, Ciabatta roll. Thought the roll could have been fresher otherwise it was good. Fairly priced.

Tuna Salad- Grilled Tuna, greens, tomatoes, parmesan- really good dressing!

Cranberry Autumn Chicken Salad - Chicken salad, grapes, greens - decent, I make the best Chicken Salad ever though so it is a bit hard to top.

Sugared Pecan Salad- Liked it, a little sweet for me but overall pretty good.

Thai pasta salad- good flavor, little spicy, whole wheat pasta, peanuts, little too much peanut oil for my liking.

Potatoe Pancakes- so good crisp outside soft inside, nice flavor. 

301

We have been going to 301 for a bit now... not sure if I have blogged them. We end up there after a long day, or when we are upset at the unreliable men in our lives.

301
Freeport Rd.
Aspinwall, Pa 15215

It's hard to get a drink in Aspinwall and not be rubbing elbows with the over 65 crowd, (not that I am opposed to drinking with those older and wiser than me) that is until now. 301 is it. It's close, most of the bartenders are friendly and there is usually a good crowd there, especially later on in the evening, like after 9.

Sometimes I feel like we live in our little houses and drive our little (sometimes big) cars and go to our little job and run our little errands and then come home, 301 kind of makes you feel like its not that way. I miss the feelings of community.

They recently sold the kitchen off and now its chinese food- but it works. We tried the coconut chicken, egg rolls and appetizer sampler. It was all good. Plus Chinese food is way overpriced in my town and these guys are really from China so I'll support them.

Go to 301.

Dating 5 Guys

So I am having a relationship with 5 Guys. I can't help it. I know they're cheap. They are fat. They don't look good on me. They are greasy. They are a bad idea. So why don't I break up with the 5 Guys. Believe me I have tried. I took some time apart but then I had a bad day and they were there for me, greeting me with open arms, willing to take me back. So I gave in, they really like my ass. We only do it once a week. But its so good. I'll regret it this summer, but today I'll enjoy that juicy cheeseburger and fries.

5 Guys Burger and Fries

Back to Routine

Went back to work today. Most of the kids were excited to be back.

Made chili for dinner because my apartment is so cold. Surprisingly I have never made chili before perhaps because I didn't actually start liking it until a few years ago.



Simple Beef and Bean Chili

1 pound ground beef (less than 10% fat)
2 cups chopped onion
3 cloves garlic
2 to 3 tablespoons chili powder
1 to 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes in puree
1 tablespoon unsulfured molasses
coarse salt
1 can (15.5 ounces) organic red kidney beans
1 can (15.5 ounces) organic black beans

Topped with cornbread or tortilla chips and cheddar cheese.

I use mostly organic ingredients and this makes a huge difference in flavor.

1. Heat a Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add ground beef. Cook, stirring and breaking up meat with a spoon until no longer pink, 8 to 10 minutes.

2. Add onion, garlic, and cook until soft, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Stir in chili powder, cocoa powder and cumin, cook stirring until fragrant about 1 minute.

3. Add tomatoes and molasses along with 3/4 cup of water and 2 teaspoons of salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer; cook, partially covered for 20 minutes. Check seasonings and make adjustments to your own taste.

4. Add beans; continue cooking, uncovered, until meat and beans are very tender, and chili is thick, about 30 more minutes. Serve with toppings.


Prep time is about 30 minutes. Total time is about an hour and a half. Recipe makes plenty, easily enough for 6.

Back in the City

I got back to the city last night after driving through a pure blizzard. Thankfully we had the SUV and my friend Josh drove the whole way, even so the trip took over 5 hours. So I was happy to return home even though my apartment was freezing. Today it was lunch with a friend at Cafe on the Strip.

It was comforting to be home and back to normal. Cafe on the Strip is small and cozy, with a fire in the fireplace it is one of my favorite place.

Cafe on the Strip
1814 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 288-9895

I got there late and my friend had ordered a latte with a perfect mix of coffee, chocolate and milk.

We split an Italian White Pizza with mozzarella and romano cheese. Brushed with olive oil and a hint of garlic, topped with plum tomatoes and fresh basil. Pizzas are thin and crispy, flavors are balanced and delicious and the balsamic vinegar drizzled over the top is the perfect touch.

I am unable to go to Cafe on the Strip without ordering their wedding soup. It might be the best in the city... with chunks of chicken, carrots, meatballs, egg and greens. It is hearty and warming.

Lastly we ordered a turkey, hummus, spinach and feta sandwich on foccacia. It was the perfect combination, moist and flavorful.

Service is personable and friendly. It is an easy going atmosphere, a perfect transition back to Pittsburgh. Some logistics if you ever decide to visit. You have probably walked by this place on your way to Roland's or Penn Mac a million times. It is tucked away and definitely worth the stop. It is BYOB and handicapped accessible, you also can order take out. Below is a link to their menu.

http://www.restaurantrow.com/ShowPics.cfm?Type=Menu&nCode=855668&code=855668&Byte=u&Number=1&Ext=gif&Name=Cafe%20On%20The%20Strip&Word=menu&Count=2&state=PA



Back to work tomorrow. I thought I was ready but I would definitely appreciate a few more days off.

New Year

Well the new year rang in pretty low key and I am satisfied with that. Today I hopefully head back home. It will be sad to leave the family but I'll be back in a few weeks. It definitely makes me wonder if I shouldn't think more seriously about moving back to New York.