Mexi Mexi Mexi...

...can food.

Tonight I was lazy and just made Green Chile Tacos with pico de gallo.
Pico de Gallo- (measure it out yourself!)
Tomato
White Onion (or red)
Olive Oil, Lime Juice
Cilantro
Salt & Pepper
Jalapeno
I also don't use taco seasoning anymore. It's so much better to make your own.
Taco Seasoning- (once again, measure to taste)
Mexican Oregano
Cumin
Salt & Pepper
Chili Powder
Garlic Powder

This is in my oven right now...

45 more minutes!

And here it is, all done and warm and pear-y and wonderful!

Tonight's dinner

Pan-seared strip steaks with garlicky green beans, and wild mushroom risotto with peas. I love love love risotto!

My first tropical storm...

So Tropical Storm Claudette is on the way, she's supposed to hit here sometime this evening with winds upwards of 40 mph. Shouldn't be too bad.

There is more than one way to cook a pork chop

I love the way food looks, just lying there, waiting to be cooked!

The finished product-
Pork chops stuffed with sage, fontina cheese, and prosciutto, sauteed spinach with garlic, and grilled red potatoes with fresh herbs and lemon juice.

Groomed!

After searching for a groomer, we finally took them to Elaine Mack, right here in Gulf Breeze. She was fantastic! Malo received a full (head to paws?) grooming, and Maggie Mae was too little, so she just got her tears cleaned up, her ears trimmed, and her toenails cut. Elaine said that Maggie freaked out a little, understandable, this being her first time, but Malo was great. We're very proud of them.

Currently Reading

The God Of Small Things
by Arundhati Roy

I just finished Still Life With Woodpecker, by Tom Robbins. I love this book every time I read it.

J'adore soupe! (Tasty French Bistro Supper)

After the Boeuf Bourguignon, I wanted to make something quick and easy tonight before Ricky went to work. Voila! French Onion Soup with Gruyere Croutons served with a Croque Monsieur!

Mmmm cheese on bread...
My French Onion Soup recipe:
4 large yellow onions, sliced
2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp dried thyme ( or 2 sprigs fresh)
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup Sherry
4-6 cups good quality beef stock
1.5 cups red wine (such as Bordeaux or Chianti)
salt & pepper
-Heat the oil and butter on medium high in a large pot. Add the onions, along with the thyme, salt, and pepper. Cooke until beginning to caramelize, about 12-14 minutes. Add the Sherry to the pot and de-glaze. Add the bay leaf and the beef stock, along with the wine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for about 20 minutes. Serve with Gruyere croutons.

House Progress

My entry way before, over on the right...

...and today.

We're getting there, slowly yet surely.

Bon Appetit!

After seeing Julie and Julia, I invited Bethany (and baby Mordecai) over and in homage to Julia Child I made Boeuf Bourguignon! It was trés manifique, if I do say so myself. It took forever. Literally, if a light year was in fact a measure of time it would have take around that long (a light year is a measure of distance, it's a common misconception.)
Well worth it, though! To accompany said main course I prepared heirloom tomato bruschetta, spinach artichoke dip with mozzarella, and lots of crusty French Bread. The best part was the braised onions! I could eat these as a side dish all on their own!The finished product after four and a half hours in the kitchen!
Spinach dip, so gooey and fabulous!
Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta, although here it looks like some sort of fruit salad...
I just love this picture! I stopped by Ever'Man and picked up some organic fennel, artichokes, and these beautiful jewel toned heirloom tomatoes. Gorgeous!
This, my friends, is a pumpkin scone. Not just for breakfast anymore, these tasty little triangles are a genius way to end a meal, paired with a cup of spiced chai tea. Go make one, and then eat it. Not very French, but who cares? Neither is Bruschetta.

Here are some more pictures of Maggie being adorable, because I'm sure you aren't sick of them yet.
P.S. Ricky's '67 Mustang, Gloria, is finally here. He picked her up from New Orleans today, which was as close as the Air Force could get her. This is her in the rear view mirror on the drive back.

Black Widows, Diabetic Cupcakes, Presents, and Puppies

This is Natasha, she lives in our garage. I think Ricky re-located her to the backyard, though.

Tonight I finally made those sugar free chocolate cupcakes for Ricky's co-worker. Better than I expected, though a little dry. Ah well, they're cute.

There is a woman who works in the hospital that has been so nice to me ever since I started at the coffee shop there. She loves dragonflies, so I got her this really cute tea mug with an infuser that has a dragonfly print on it and wrapped it up! I love wrapping gifts, I think this one turned out really well.

And here are some gratuitous cute dog pictures. Enjoy!

Is there anything better than pie? Really?

This is my very first attempt at peach pie. I used local peaches from a farmer's market, and they were so delicious! I almost didn't want to bake them into a pie, but I'm glad I did. Tasty tasty.

This was dessert after a simple quick dinner of grilled Ahi tuna with couscous and roasted carrots. I love meals that can come together in less than 25 minutes! Especially before a pie that takes 90!