Friday, September 21, 2012

Love you Grandma

I just wanted to post a short blog about my Grandma Lou that passed away suddenly this week. She was an amazing grandmother. Always had a way of making everyone feel like they were her absolute favorite person in the world. She was warm, loving, kind and generous. So many memories from my childhood have her in them, and I will always remember her voice telling me how proud she was of me and how much she loved me. Hug your loved ones extra tight every day and don't take a moment for granted. If you ever have someone on your heart, even if it is for a brief moment, let them know.  Hugs & kisses Grandma.


Thursday, September 20, 2012

Chili Relleno & Ground Turkey Casserole

Another dish inspired from Farmers' Market!  This dish had locally grown peppers (sorry there were a couple different kinds and I can't remember their names) that had such awesome flavor. This is a super easy dish for a weeknight when you really don't feel like laboring over a stove with numerous pots and pans.

5-6 peppers w/ thin skins
1 lb turkey
1 lb cheese (I used 1/2 pepper jack and 1/2 Mexican blend)
1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 cups milk
3 eggs
chili powder
garlic powder
salt and pepper

Directions:
  • Microwave peppers (or you can charbroil the and peel them) 
  • Cook ground turkey in a pan and season with seasonings
  • Mix the flour, milk and eggs together
  • Spray a 9x13 baking pan and then layer the cooked chilies
  • Follow by all the turkey meat 
  • Layer all the cheese
  • Then add the mix that you made in step 2
  • I had a small can of chilies that I added on the top, but this is optional
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes until it is firm to the touch and the top and edges have slightly browned
  • Serve with some tortillas!

Lemon, Cilantro & Parmesan Bowties

Last weekend, Stephen and I went to Farmers' Market and went pretty crazy buying veggies, so this week I have had to be creative with my meals. I must say, the meal I made last night was SO good. ALL the veggies were grown in SLO County! I made this pasta to accompany a baked Sole, which I put in a baking dish, drizzled olive oil all over it and then added fresh tomatoes and garlic for it to cook in. This lemon pasta is perfect for any fish dish, and it is SO easy!

1 box bow tie pasta, cooked and drained
1 cup cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon garlic, chopped 
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
2 lemons, juiced 
2 tablespoons cooking water from pasta
salt and pepper

Directions: 
  • After you cook the pasta, reserve 2 tablespoons of the cooking water and put aside. 
  • In a bowl, add all the ingredients and mix
  • If the pasta seems a little dry, add the cooking liquid.
  • Taste as you go and modify to your taste!