Wednesday, December 28, 2011

In honor of the new Mizzou SEC football schedule...

I bought this. I love it and I have eyed it for some time and so I purchased it, put it in my truck, took it home and put it behind my desk in my spare room. And I will love it every time I sit down to work from home.

Hobby Lobby!

Go Tigers!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Enchilada Cheese Dip

If you are looking for an alternative cheese dip for the holidays instead of the normal Velveeta Cheese and Rotel dip then whip this up...its just as simple and easy and you can make it as fattening or lower fat (because it won't be healthy regardless).

Enchilada Cheese Dip
1 pound browned hamburger (or sausage)
2 bricks of reduced fat cream cheese (or you can use full fat, just don't use no fat)
1/2 packet enchilada seasoning
1 can Rotel (optional, but I always like the kick)

Combine all into a microwave safe bowl and nuke for 2-3 minutes until all the cream cheese is melted or put into a crock pot on warm stirring occasionally.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Easy and Pretty

So I recently made up some spiced nuts to take to a family function and I didn't know how I was going to transport them in the cute little container I purchased and I decided that coffee filters would be the best. They are cheap, good sized and absorbent so if there is any oils off the nuts it wouldn't make a mess.

Take a look and when you are thinking of something to put your holiday treats in grab a coffee filter.

Isn't that pretty!

From top clockwise: Praline Pecans using Truvia; Chili-lime Mixed Nuts; Cinnamon Almonds and more Chili-Lime Mixed Nuts.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Eat HERE

So I have been traveling non-stop for the past week and I have been to some pretty neat cities and been fortunate to have some pretty great food. If you are out and about during the holidays and in any of these cities...Chicago, Vegas or DC...here are some places to check out.

CHICAGO
Topolobampo - by Rick Bayless
We had the tasting menu...it was a little eclectic but still pretty tasty. If you want to splurge then add the wine pairing with it as well.
A sample of the tasting menu...yes the green stuff was
described as Mexican Air...swear even though I think he was
joking with us!

VIVA LAS VEGAS
Hash Hash a Go Go - Plaza Hotel Old Vegas Area
Great breakfast joint, they actually use the tag line "Twisted Farm Food" which I wouldn't disagree with. First of all the menu was giant and it is great for a hungry Vegas morning . Their bloody Mary's were also amazing they were supposed to come with jalapeno stuffed green olives, but since I'm not big on the jalapenos and he isn't big on olives we didn't try that part. But they did have pickled green beans in them that were tasty! I would say you should ask not to sit by the door. And if you are looking for a good casual sushi restaurant try Aloha Sushi which is just next door in the same hotel. We found the recommendation on Yelp.

Hash served in a cast iron skillet.

Yes that is mashed potatoes with breakfast. And a giant tree of rosemary
in the biscuit.

Big Bloody Mary, served with a big straw!

WASHINGTON DC
Old Ebbitt Grill
To round out my week long journey I was in DC and was recommended to eat at Old Ebbitt Grill by multiple people. It was a very cool DC establishment with some of the very best oysters I have ever eaten in my life. Eat here, get the oysters and order double what you think you will eat.

AND they have nutcrackers on the outside!!!

AND a wooden dog in the window where our booth was!