So, I have gotten through two days!

So I have gotten through two days of culinary school! It's been boring so far. It's all basics you know...this is a pot thats a knife. Blah blah blah. I'm sure it'll start getting better. Once I start learning new things I am sure things will be great! I am so tired! Early mornings! Well, just wanted to update you! I will leave you with a silly picture.

Fall Makes Me FAT!

Fall leaves me feeling like a bag of ass and I love every last second of it. Some of my favorites are beef stew, pork and apple stew, chicken pot pie and shepard's pie (which I have made tonight!) I love making shepard's pie because it's cheap and it's easy. Here's how I do it:

2 pounds ground beef (or turkey if your down for that sorta thing)

1/2 onion, chopped

1.5 tbsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 16 oz bag frozen corn

2.5 cups of mashed potatoes (you're favorite recipe)

1 sleeve of ritz crackers, crushed up!

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Heat a large saute pan over high heat. Put in a tablespoon of olive oil and brown ground beef and onions until beef is almost all cooked through. Season with the salt and pepper. Drain off all but a couple tablespoons of the fat and transfer beef to a 9x9 glass baking dish. Top the beef with the frozen corn (it can stay frozen.) Then top the corn with the mashed potatoes (if the mashed potatoes are put on cold this will take longer to cook and I would wait to put on ritz crackers so they dont burn. My suggestion is to make sure potatoes are hot when you put on top of corn) Then top mashed potatoes with crushed ritz crackers and place in the oven for 10 minutes! Let cool slightly and enjoy!

oh yum! shepards pie makes me happy! Beef stew is my favorite fall winter time fare. But if I told you that recipe...well...you know the drill! Hope you enjoy!

Culinary School

Monday September 29th is the first day of the rest of my life. Monday I start culinary school. The very thing I was so against because I believed I could teach myself. (Which I have!)I just thought it was too much money and I didn't need it! Until the economy turned to shit and no one wants to hire a chef with out an education. So, to my demise I start school on Monday. I am super nervous. I kind of thought I would be fine, I know a lot already. But I'm going to be getting up at 4:00 am Monday-Friday and then working from 1-10 every time there's an event at the garden. (which we all know is a lot) Can I handle that? I didn't mean for this blog to be a personal story, I didn't want it to be poor me and or anything like that. But I felt as though this was good for all you foodies out there who want to take it to the next level! Yes, I'm nervous. Yes, I will probably be bitchy. Yes, I will never see anyone. And yes, I don't know that I won't fail on some aspect of my life. But, I am going to try! I will keep you all updated on how things are going an what I have learned along the way. I am sure I will learn a couple good foodie things for you. Well wish me luck!

Canning was a success!

Canning was a success. Blueberry jam and applesauce line my fridge with an expiration date stating a year from now! Isn't it amazing! Self sufficiency at it's finest. Haha. Well, maybe 4 jars of jam and applesauce won't keep me if the economy crashes or something crazy but it does lead hope for my baking business I like to run October-March. You should definitely check it out in a couple weeks everything will be up and running. I'll write another blog about it when it's all set but if you want to check it out anyway its   http://www.myspace.com/wickedfunsnax  Everyone should try canning. Just make sure you keep everything super clean and do not alter recipes. You must have certain amounts of acids and sugar in your final product and recipes made to can will already have the correct amount. Well kids, my day has been made, I'm off to a red sox game! 

Did it work?

I just finished canning my ten minute applesauce. Did it work? I don't really know. I haven't heard the seal pop yet, but it's still cooling! I only made two jars so if my success rate was not good I wouldn't waste too much. I will definitely let you know the results! I am waiting impatiently.....

Have you ever noticed?

Today I went to Michael's Craft Store to get some mason jars for canning (oh don't worry, i'll let you know the results!) While I was there I found a slew of halloween crafts that made my eyes water and fingers twitch! Not only that, it made my wallet cry too. I can't believe Martha Stewart is charging $6 to make your own cupcake toppers, when it came with little strips of paper and a couple toothpicks. I feel as though this may be one of those things you could figure out on your own for way cheaper! I did have success in other means at the craft store today, I got my mason jars ($1.00/jar not bad!), orange and black food coloring (for pumpkin cookies of course), pumpkin cupcake cups and some pretty halloween ribbon to put around my jars when I give my friends my homemade apple sauce (which again, ill let you know how that goes!) I do love the craft store for many things, I don't want it to seem like I hate it because of my run in with the Martha Stewart products. Don't get me wrong if I had $10 to blow on make my own bat headband I would. I just don't! I think I am going to change my blog name to Foodies and Crafters. I do love crafting and want it to become a bigger part of my life! Especially since I am moving into the city, I got to make things look nice for cheap, and add my own special touch! I will let you guys know how everything goes with the canning! I'm pretty sure I am going to attempt it tomorrow! Wish me luck!

Almost Game Day!

I obviously look forward to fall for the obvious. Pretty leaves changing, apples and pumpkins, and definitely halloween. But, something else I always look forward to is FOOTBALL! I love having something planned once a week to get together with my boyfriend Al and just eat bad for you kinda food.  (Even though I usually make it in a healthier way shhh, don't tell the boys.) The first week of football this year I made Chili Dog Bacon Cheeseburgers. Oh yeah, I said it, Chili Dog Bacon Cheeseburgers. It was a recipe I heard of from Rachael Ray (she made it up!) But I kind of tweeked it to make it my own. Last week I made Ultimate Nachos with ground beef, red onion, spicy chiles and lots of cheese! Tomorrow I plan on making steak and cheese sandwiches with peppers and onions along with waffle fries! Yummy! Even if you aren't a huge football fan it's still fun to have dinners around a theme I guess. Maybe baseball is your thing or soccer. Maybe you love movies or playing cards. I think it's fun to meld your meal around what you're doing. My favorite football team is the New England Patriots and baseball I love the SOX! I pretty much love all boston teams. It's really cool to hang out with Al and just scream at the television and eat some good food. Try some of these. I think you will like them!

MY Version Chili Dog Bacon Cheeseburgers

16 Slices Bacon (Baked in the oven @ 400 degrees until crispy)

8 Slices of American cheese (or cheddar jack would be delicious)

2 pounds of ground beef

8 hamburger buns (lightly toasted)

4 hot dogs, halved and cut into small pieces

1.5 Tbsp Tomato Paste

1 Jalapeno, Seeded and minced (leave the ribs in if you like it spicy)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 small onion, minced

1 tbsp oil

2 rounded tbsp, chili powder

1 tbsp cumin

1 tbsp salt 

1/2 tbsp black pepper

Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado, Onion, Chili Sauce and Limes for garnish

Mix hamburger, hot dogs (yes, the hot dog goes into the burger!), tomato paste, jalapeno, onion, chili powder, garlic, oil, cumin, salt and pepper together in a large bowl. Be careful not to over mix. Preheat your grill pan (or large saute pan) to medium high. Mold your hamburger and hot dog mixture into 8 equal patties. Cook 4 hamburgers at a time until your desired doneness. I like well done so it usually takes about 7 minutes or so a side but it really all depends on your pan and how thick your burgers are. Only flip once! When the burgers are about 2 minutes from being done place one slice of american cheese on each burgers and tent a piece of foil over the pan to help cheese melt. Place burgers on buns, top with bacon and any other fixins you like and there you go! Your friends will love you!

What I like to eat on Game Day is definitely a little different then the boys. Last week when they had beef nachos, I had refried bean nachos yum yum! I used all the same ingredients as there's I just made mine using beans instead of beef! And of course, I had some guacamole on the side! Seriously, I love game time! 

Ugh. It's that time.

So, it's 10:00 am and I can't seem to get Al out of bed so we can go see an apt in Woburn. And seriously, I feel like absolute crap! I feel bitchy and crampy and I don't want to deal with getting him up. So, I am going to just stay on the couch until he decides to get up. If we don't make it on time...oh well. No need to get upset over nothing! I'm just sitting here, chillin out, watching my cats get the last of the morning sun in front of the slider (they are hairless cats, they do that sort of thing.) I feel as though since I am so cranky (and trying not to be) and since it is 10 am maybe I should go on about breakfast! I've been trying to have breakfast everyday even if it's just a handful of dried fruit just to get into the habit. Once school starts I will definitely be trying to have breakfast everyday because they only have vending machines there. Ick! I'm sure I'm not the only student/full time worker out there or even parent/full time worker etc that needs a couple little hints for breakfast. I'll give you some of mine, but you better write back with some of yours!!

Instant (but not instant!) Oatmeal

1 cup rolled oats (you could use instant but I like the regular better its only a difference of like 3 min)

1 1/2 cups of water (or more if you like yours a little more runny)

1/3 cup dried cherries (or blueberries, or raisans the list goes on)

A pinch of salt

2 tbsp milk (if you like)

2 tbsp cherry preserves (or blueberry, or brown sugar, or strawberry wte)

Put oats, water, cherries and salt in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the oats are tender remove from the heat and add preserves and milk if you like! enjoy!!

Snack Mix on the Go!

1/4 cup dried cherries

1/4 cup chocolate covered raisins

1/4 cup pretzels

1/4 cup chex 

1/4 cup kix 

1/4 cup nuts (if you like, I'm allergic! I keep them out)

Mix everything together in one bowl and seperate 1/3 cup each into little baggies! Snack on the go!

I Hope you enjoy these!!! Give me some of yours.

It's 5:00 am Let's Talk about Tea!

So, let me say first and foremost. I am up at 4:30 am yet again! I'm not really sure what's causing my awful sleeping patterns. I really believe I need to start my diet again (not really a diet just a healthier way of life which I will be starting yet again on 9/29; my first day of culinary school.) I mean don't get me wrong I still have a treat here and there just not as much! IT KEEPS ME ASLEEP AT NIGHT!! Well anyways, I figured since I'm up and I'm indulging in one of my favorite good for you treats then we may as well talk about it! TEA! That's right, tea. With out tea and broccoli my world would probably collapse. Although I love tea, I'm not about going in the realm of crazy teas. I'll drink the occasional green tea or berry blossom or when I am stressed chamomile but all in all black tea is where I'm at. I drink decaf black with milk and a little sugar. I probably drink like 6 big cups a day too! Tea is filled with anti-oxidants and has actually been said to help you live longer. I say the perfect cup of black tea is brewed in anywhere between 3-5 minutes. Green, oolong and white tea take about 2-3 minutes. Herbal teas are same as black 3-5 minutes. Now you're suppose to brew all tea at different temperatures too but I feel as though as long as you don't leave the tea brewing too long you're pretty set to go. I wish I could have more tea parties and little lunches. Maybe when I move. Well, I am going to try and head back to sleep, but not before a few little recipes. These are some delicious little tea time snacks.

Caramelized Onion and Dill Tea Sandwiches

1 Softball Size Sweet Onion or 2 medium, julienned very thin

One package of cream cheese at room temp (low fat is fine, never fat free though it's loaded with sugar!)

1 Tbsp chopped dill

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 English Cucumber, sliced thin

A loaf of soft white bread, (crusts removed please)

Place a saute pan over medium heat with a pad of butter and about a tbsp of olive oil. Add the onions and let caramelize until the color of a deep deep caramel. Be careful not to burn the onions you want a slow caramelization. (this makes the onions super sweet and in my opinion it's the best way to eat an onion) This process will take 20-30 minutes. Once caramelized, let cool. In a bowl blend together, onions, dill, salt, pepper and cream cheese with an electric mixer. (I use my pink stand mixer that I love dearly.) Spread cream cheese mixture onto half the slices of bread and top with sliced cucumber, then with other slice of bread. Cut the sandwiches on a diagonal and there you go! Delicious tea sandwiches. 

P.s. Change it up use roasted red peppers or artichokes instead of cucumber, or use tarragon or basil instead of dill! Also its super fun to use cookie cutters to cut out the sandwiches so they are fun shapes!!!

Turkey Wrapped Asparagus

12 pieces of asparagus, woody ends trimmed.

6 thin slices of turkey (your favorite, I like the kind with the pepper on it)

Salt and Pepper

Olive oil

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Place all the asparagus on a baking sheet drizzle ever so  lightly with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roll around to coat. Take the take turkey and cut it in half (either length or width wise depending on the shape and size of your turkey if they are small slices I would use one per piece and up it to 12 slices of turkey) Wrap a slice of turkey around the asparagus using the turkey to seal on the other side. Place in the oven for about 10 minutes or until golden! yum!

Don't love turkey? Try ham, sliced chicken or even bacon! yum.

Hope you like them!

p.s. i didnt take the picture of the tea, though I wish I did.

Fall Apples

Today was the first day of fall to me. Not because the calendar said so (because well...it won't for another few days.) But because I went apple picking with Breyanne for the first time of the year. We split a bag ($6 each which is not bad for a couple hours of fun) and went into the field. I climbed trees despite the rules and breyanne laughed at me as I dropped more apples than I picked. We talked about what we would make with it and that peaked the conversation of "canning". We decided after picking we would go on a mission to find a canning kit! Sadly, after 2 hannafords, a walmart, a stop and shop, a shaws and a home depot we could not find one!! Finally, when I got home target.com was our savior! We both will be ordering them and our plan to be completely prepared when the economy crashed will be forfilled! lol! Maybe that's a little outlandish but it would still be fun to have the option and to be able to give jelly and jams as gifts and such. Here's a couple fun apple recipes for you. They aren't exact but that's how I roll. Hope you like them!

Apple, Onion n Sausage Stuffed Pork Chops:

1 Green Apple, peeled and cored, cut into small cubes

1 Large Sweet Onion, chopped

2 Sausages (apple would be nice but wte you like) casing removed

1/2 cup apple cider

4 Thick Cut Pork Chop (bone in or boneless whatever)

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Saute apple, onion and sausage together until everything is caramelized. Deglaze the pan with apple cider, add salt and pepper to taste and set aside. Heat a large saute pan over medium high heat. Cut slits into the thickest part of the pork chop so that the opening goes most of the way through but not all the way. Stuff a tablespoon or so of the stuffing into the slit and use a toothpick to seal. Put extra stuffing to the side. Salt and pepper the pork chops on both sides. Put enough olive oil to coat the pan and sear the pork chops on both sides until golden (about 4 min per side). Place pan in oven until the pork reaches 155 degrees and let rest for 10 min. Spoon over the rest of the stuffing and serve!

Easy Apple Crisp

6 mac apples, peeled, cored and cut into bite size pieces

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup softened butter

1/2 cup flour

Preheat oven to 300 degrees and butter a 8x8 baking dish

Mix apples, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg together in a large bowl. In a small bowl with a fork mix brown sugar, flour and butter until crumbly. Put apples in baking dish and then top with brown sugar mixture. Bake in 300 degree oven for 30 min or until golden brown and delicious!

Blogging!

I can't say I've ever blogged before. Well maybe when I was younger but that was just silly drama. I'm 21 years old and I act like I'm 50! I don't get wasted or do drugs. I don't smoke cigarettes or stay up late. I pretty much love living in the slow lane. I mean don't get me wrong I do love the occasional roller coaster and thriller but for the most part I'm just a foodie geek. While I'm eating breakfast I think about lunch and during lunch I think about dinner. It's a wonder I'm not a couple hundred pounds. I thoroughly enjoy going to new restaurants and new supermarkets. (my favorite being whole foods) I hang out with fellow blogger Breyanne and do super geeky things like hang out at country stores and travel all over to find a canning kit to keep our most precious of fruits and veggies good through out the year! Having this blog I hope to share fun recipe and foodie type advice with others and have them share the same with me!