You like to write?

It's only taken me 3 years to start a blog. The fact that I even have a desire to blog will probably surprise any of you who take the time to read. Those of you who know me know that I love to cook (Parisses Palate) and love photography (Parisse Portraits) but my trio of things I love would also be writing (Welcome Parisse Ponders). Out of any class I ever took in college, my least and most favorite might shock you. My least favorite was photography (Dark room is hard kids... well- it was hard for me!) and most favorite was creative writing.

Ever since I can remember I would write books. I love to write- I feel like I can best decribe the inner workings of my mind this way (Ask my poor husband- if we have a really bad fight I will most likely write him my thoughts instead of being an inarticulate mess of words and tears!) But being a mom to 3 youngs kids, homeschooling and running a small business leaves little time for these things. I hope to make this more of a habit and if you come back to read more I hope you leave encouraged and don't judge me and my honesty of life too much.

A little about me. I'm 33, I have a beautiful family, and I love the outdoors. I thrive on good coffee, deep conversation, and sunshine. I'm a hopeless romantic but also have a bit of fire in me when it comes to loyalty with those I care about. I'm impulsive, old fashioned, and have high expectations for things being done right and the right thing being done regardless of the world's opinion. Lastly, I love Jesus. I know a lot of people say that so saying it doesn't mean much anymore. But I do love Him and desire to be like Him- and I am so far from it that it hurts. But I strive to wake up every day and try harder to be like Him, and love like Him.

Spinach & Goat Cheese Pizza

Maybe it's this end of the pregnancy, but this was just what I was craving and it's healthy because it has spinach, right?

• pizza crust
• spinach
• balsamic vinegar
• olive oil
• garlic and herb goat cheese
• shredded motz cheese
• diced tomatoes or a tiny bit of marinara sauce

This is one of those recipes where you really just put as much of any topping that you want.

Bake in a preheated oven at 425 for 10 to 12 minutes

Baked Parmesan Garlic Wings

Ingredients:

• Family Size Chicken Wings
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 1 package Lipton Garlic & Herb seasoning
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 1/2 cup flour
• Salt & pepper

Bring 3 cups of water in a skillet to boil

Toss flour, salt and pepper in ziplock bags and toss wings in to coat them

Turn water to medium high heat and carefully place wings in for 12 minutes (this helps to cook the inside)

Preheat the oven to 425

Line a 9 by 13 pan with foil and spray with olive oil. Place wings on pan and sprinkle half of parmesan and half of seasoning mix on one side of wings. Bake for 20 minutes.

Turn wings and place remaining seasoning and parmesan on other side and bake for 15 minutes.

Melt butter and drizzle over wings and bake for remaining 5 minutes.

Peppermint Cookie Milkshake

In a blender combine:

• 2 cups of vanilla icecream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 2 chocolate mint wafer cookies

Balsamic Blue Cheese Chops

Pork Chops can be so boring- here's a fun way to eat them!

Blue Cheese Sauce:

• 2/3 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 1/4 cup mayo
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon parsley
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• pinch of pepper
• pinch of onion powder

Combine all ingredients in skillet on low until thick and melted.

Serve on top of lightly seasoned pork chops!

Mocha Nut Brownies

• 1.5 sticks of softened salted butter
• 1 teaspoon boiling water
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• Shredded coconut (optional)
• Glass of milk (mandatory!)

Preheat oven to 350

Mix instant coffee and boiling water together. Let cool.

Combine all ingredients except pecans and coconut

Top with coconut and pecans

Bake for 25-30 minutes

Garlic Pepper Steak with Chipotle Lime Compact Butter

I had bought steak but forgot to buy any topping for it. I whipped together this compact butter which contains all of my favorite things. This butter can be served on anything you like and makes plenty of extra!

For the Steak:

• Flat Iron Flank Steak
• Garlic Pepper
• Olive Oil
• Kosher Salt

If you have time, dredge both sides of the steak in kosher salt and let sit at room temperature for at least an hour. Then rinse in cold water and pat dry. Cook or grill to your liking with garlic pepper on both sides. You won't need any salt or seasoning since it has already penetrated the meat. I do medium high skillet heat for about 4 minutes per side to get it nice and crispy and medium in the center.

For the Compact Butter:

• 1/3 Cup butter room temp
• 1 head roasted garlic
• 3 chipotle peppers
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1/4 cup cilantro

Blend these together in the food processor and then roll into wax paper and chill until ready to serve.

This will make your week night so much butter... I mean, better. ;)

-C