A New Kitchen

I can't wait to get into my new kitchen! Although the house was built in 1972, it has a newly remodeled kitchen. These pictures are from the real estate listing on the web.

 

It's been a long time since I've cooked on a regular basis. Only a little more than a week until we are in. I'm thinking this kitchen will inspire me!

 

A New Adventure

Sooooo... This happened about 2 weeks ago!

 

 

And now we are living in Florida!

 

Hubby has been in Florida since January at his new job. I stayed behind until we sold our house in Georgia. That finally happened and I was able to join him. All of our belongings are in storage while we wait for the closing on our new place. I have joined Eddie in the condo where he has been living with roommates. Now there are 4 humans, 4 cats and 1 dog. It's actually not bad at all, it's a big place.

 

I was concerned about my 2 cats getting along with their 2 cats and small dog. They aren't friends, but they aren't fighting either.

 

We are here for 2 more weeks and then will move to our house. I can't wait!!

Cajun Black Eyed Peas

Still doing a little catch-up since I haven't posted in so long. I made this for New Year's Day.

CAJUN BLACK EYED PEAS

recipe from Cajunlicious

I forgot to take a picture, there is a lovely one over there.

 

 

1 pound dried black-eyed peas

1 32 ounce box vegetable or chicken broth

1 onion, chopped

1 small red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1 small green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

2 celery stalks with leaves, finely chopped

2 bay leaves

Salt & Pepper, to taste

1 Tablespoon Cajun or Creole seasoning

A few dashes of  Worcestershire sauce

Hot sauce, to taste

 

 

There is no need to pre-soak the peas.

 

Place all ingredients into a crock-pot and stir to mix. Cook in a crockpot on low all day (8 hours). Remove the bay leaf.

 

I like to serve it over rice.

Hot Pimiento Cheese Dip

Picture borrowed from Cooking with Paula Deen.

 

HOT PIMIENTO CHEESE DIP

recipe from Cooking with Paula Deen

 

2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

1 (8-ounce) package sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded

1 (8-ounce) package Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

1 (7-ounce) jar diced pimientos, drained

1/4 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons finely chopped pickled jalapeños

1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Bagel chips

 

 

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9-inch baking dish with nonstick baking spray.

 

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and next 7 ingredients at medium-low speed with a mixer until combined. Spoon mixture into prepared pan, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Serve with bagel chips.

 

 

Recipe above is copied straight from the Paula Deen website. I made a few adjustments to the recipe:

 

I doubled the amount of chopped pickled jalapenos.

I chopped jarred roasted red peppers instead of using diced pimientos. I probably used more than 7 ounces.

I used plain yellow mustard instead of whole-grain mustard.

Freezing Brown Rice

 

I have discovered that I can freeze brown rice in individual servings. May not be a huge discovery, but I had never done it before. I find it very useful because my favorite way to cook brown rice makes about 5 cups, more than I need at any one time. (I know, I could figure out how to adjust the recipe and make less....)

 

 

So, I use Alton Brown's recipe to bake brown rice.

 

 

After baking, let it sit uncovered and completely cool..... completely cool, and fairly dry. I put one cup portions into ziploc sandwich bags. Squeeze the air out and seal the bags. I flatten them so they will heat evenly later. I have re-heated the rice in the bag in the microwave for one minute, maybe a bit more.  I would probably transfer to a bowl and cover if I was re-heating more than one portion at a time, maybe add a tablespoon of water for a little steam.

 

This worked great! Rice was just as good as when first cooked.

Picadillo Cubano

 

This recipe is from My Columbian Recipes.

 

It may sound like a weird combination - using green olives, raisins, white wine with ground beef, but this was very, very good! So happy to have leftovers that freeze well for a couple of weeks.

Bourbon Meatballs

 

 

A fun  and tasty party food... Just wish I had used the smaller frozen meatballs (these were the larger 'homestyle' ones).

 

I found the recipe at Tasty Kitchen.

Crusty Parmesan Herb Zucchini Bites

 

A healthy veggie side dish...... Came out just right, not mushy, not raw.

 

Found at NutritionElla.

Pineapple Shrimp Stirfry

I found this recipe at The Healthy Foodie. I adjusted the recipe just a bit - I skipped the sambal oelek and the bean sprouts.

 

Tasted really fresh and yummy!

Hamburger Steak with Sweet Onion-Mushroom Gravy

This Hamburger Steak recipe that I found in Southern Living several years ago was delicious!