Friday, January 23, 2015

For the love of Pinterest



I think I heard it best on The mysteries of Laura while watching on Hulu.

If Martha Stewart and Rachel Ray had an orgy at the craft store and posted photos online, pinterest is their beautiful love child.
-Max

You can find just about any thing on pinterest. I usually find something new and exciting to cook for dinner. Lately I have been feeling a bit more artsy. I have found some cool artwork and crafts that I can do to keep myself busy. 

I have painted some art work and made a ton of food! 

Everyone has boards that are filled with hopes and dreams, Flavorfull meals that we never make and clothes we will never be able to afford. this is the year that i make my pinterest come to life. 

Christmas Coasters; Atty's
I found these on pinterest right around the holidays
One of my progress pictures.
I have so much fun browsing on pinterest, I swear I have seen almost every pin there is to be. I have so many things to cook, to paint, to piece together, to wear! 

The four seasons, seperate canvases - I know its painted but I would do this with butons or embroidery
I love this picture and totally want it on my wall!
So I decided to try my hand at painting. Don't worry I plan on trying again.
I wont say that my first try at painting with acrylic is going to make me the next Picasso. But it doesn't look like a two year old picked up a paint brush. I will continue to practice, and make new things. Continue my creativity. 

I will try to share some of my favorite recipes in a later posts.  

Keep in touch!

Sunday, January 18, 2015

22 dishes from around the world

Since we have been cooking so much since moving out and we both seem to have so much fun in the kitchen. I thought why not have more fun by cooking dishes from around the world. We occasionally cook dishes from around the world but never to this degree.  I have chosen 22 countries that we will make full authentic meals from the country (as much as we can). There will be a new country every week and we will cook on the weekend. Here's the start to some great food!

This week is Mexico!

We actually cook alot of Mexican food, but tonight we are documenting! 

The Menu:
  • Carnitas
  • Salsa Verde 
  • Red Salsa
  • Roasted Jalapenos and cebollitas
  • Black beans
  • Marranitos (Mexican pig cookie)
    • I did not make this, I bought it from the mexican grocery store
Carnitas
  • 2 pounds fatty pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch pieces ( We used bone in pork shoulder 2 ½ pounds)
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 medium white onion, thinly sliced

  • 1/2 orange, cut into 2 pieces
  • 1/4 cup pork lard or vegetable oil
  • 8 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon of white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon of non-dairy coffee creamer
  • I can of beer (we used miller light)
  • 1 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoons fine salt

Remove the meat from the bone and cut meat into 1-2 inch pieces. Since we used bone in we got as much of the meat off the bone and put the bone into the pot. Add all of the ingredients and bring the pot to a boil. As the pork and goodness are starting to cook you will notice fat the will begin to foam at the top, simply skim off and toss.. Once the pot is boiling turn down to a low simmer. It will simmer for 2 hours. make sure that you stir the pot every so often. 

Plenty of time to get everything else prepped and made.

After 2 hours of simmering you should find that almost all of the liquid has been boiled off. preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Put all the pork into an oven safe dish and cook for 20-30 mins. until the pork looks encrusted and browned.


Its ready to serve in a wonderful warmed tortillas and topped with onion and cilantro. 

Roasted Tomatillos and jalapeno for the Salsa Verde
For the roasted jalapenos and cebollitas, place onto a baking sheet and spray with pam. Roast until the cebollitas a soft on the inside and the jalapenos are slightly toasted.

Here is the recipes for the Roasted Salsa Verde , The black beans,  and Marranitos.

How can you pass up a yummy cookie/cake shaped like a pig.



I threw together my own red salsa. wasn't the greatest, but it was tasty.  

Bon Appetit

Stay in touch! Next week we are cooking Jamaican! 

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Flavor of the season

Has anyone else noticed how the Moscow mule came back this season? I was celebrating Christmas with Steve parents and his mother got two copper mugs and ginger beer. She was stoked to make a Moscow mule! I decided why not and joined her, I had never had one before. It is a very refreshing drink. The best is the simplicity of making it. Vodka, lime, and ginger beer. Nobody results when served in a copper Moscow mule mug!
I went to another family gathering on Christmas day and four people were sporting the copper mug.
So I decided to take the plunge, jump on the band wagon and purchase my own mugs.
Currently treating myself to a wonderful refreshing Moscow mule. If you haven't tried one, I would recommend you do so soon!

Cheers !  I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday season! And a happy new year!!!

Keep in touch!