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

Scrambled Western "Omelette"

I love omelets, but I am not a morning person so when it comes to breakfast I am all about fast and easy.  This has all the flavor without all the prettiness.... but let's face it. Pretty is my last thought at 7 AM when my baby girl wakes me up.

• 6 eggs
• 1/2 cup hot rotel
• half jalapeno diced
• 1/4 cup diced mushrooms
• 1/4 cup half and half
• 1/2 cup of sharp cheddar cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

Whip all the ingredients together and poor into a greased hot skillet. Cook until scrambled. Enjoy!

Christina

"Pina Colada" Spinach Smoothie

 

I wish I loved spinach. But I don't. I have to find very creative ways to get it down.

 

This smoothie was SO good and I didn't even taste the greens!  I felt like I was laying on the beach with the wind in my hair, a good book in my hand, and sand on my toes.  Then I woke up and realized I was still in my pajamas and my baby girl had pooped on me again. Anyway.

 

• 1/4 cup pineapple (canned or fresh)
• 1 small banana
• 2 cups of fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup of coconut milk
• 1/3 cup of greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon chai seeds

Blend all of these together and it's a tropical vacation for about 5 minutes. ;)

 

Christina

Picnic

 

This photo melts my heart. Nothing like a daddy's love for his daughter. This was Tessa's first picnic. :)

Best Garlic Bread EVER

 

I'm still salivating looking at this photo.

 

• Half Loaf of French Bread
• Head of Roasted Garlic
• 3 Tablespoons Red Pepper Flakes
• 3/4 Stick of Butter
• 1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese Grated
• 3/4 Cup of Mozzarella Cheese Grated
• 3 Tablespoons of Italian Seasoning

 

 

Start by roasting your garlic head in the oven on 400 for 45 minutes. Saw the top off the head off and top with a little olive oil and place it in the oven. After it cools simply squeeze the garlic out and mash it up. Melt the butter and add everything to it except the Mozzarella. Spread this on the loaf and top with the Mozzarella cheese. Place in the oven for 10 minutes on 400.

 

Remember, you still have to eat your main course. This doesn't qualify as dinner... or does it?

 

 

Christina

My Munchkin is Munching!

The avocado doesn't fall far from the tree (pardon the cheese) but my girl apparently loves avacados just like her momma!  I am so excited to start making all her own baby food with my baby bullet. So far she has tried bananas and avacados. I am making her carrots as I type!

Gorgonzola Chicken Salad Sandwiches

I love making chicken salad because you can always mix it up. This may be one of my new favorites because it incorporates a lot of bold flavors to conquer the boring every day "chicken salad."

• 1 Cup REAL mayo
• 1/4 Cup Silvered Almonds
• 3 Diced Chipotle Peppers
• 1/4 Cup Gorgonzola Cheese
• 3 Tablespoons Sour Cream
• Salt and Pepper to Taste
• Bread

I prefer to slow cook my chicken in some chicken broth and seasoning all day, then toss it in the food processor with everything except the cheese and almonds. Your lunch will never be boring again.

Christina

Christina's Crescent Calzones

 

Here is another super easy and customizable recipe.  I know, I know, I'm cheating by using crescent roll dough. I promise I can and do make my own dough, but sometimes I would rather not take the time and this recipe is so fool proof and easy. I just love it. As with any calzone or pizza, the filling is up to you, but this is what I did.

 

Preheat the oven to 400 and grease a 9 by 13 cooking dish.

• Half a pound pork sausage
• Pepperoni
• Marinara
• Ricotta Cheese
• Mushrooms
• Black Olives
• Roasted Garlic Cloves
• Parmesan
• Motz Cheese
• Italian Seasoning
• Egg
• Fresh Parsley
• Crescent Roll Dough (2 Packages)

Divide each package of crescent rolls into two pieces. Scoop the filling on one piece and fold the top piece over it and press the sides together to seal. Place in dish and brush egg over it. Then top with parmesan and Italian seasoning and toss it in the oven until golden brown.

Too easy to taste so good.



Tessa is 6 Months Old!

I couldn't be a more proud mommy. This baby is the sweetest, funniest, most amazing little thing I have ever met.

Baby in a Blanket

German Chocolate Cookies

These bad boys are good and oh so easy. This is really a cheat/half way home made recipe. My hubby hates sweets but loves coconut, walnuts, and chocolate, so I created these for him!

• 1 Box of German Chocolate Cake Mix
• 1 Stick Salted Butter
• 2 Eggs
• 1/2 Cup Chopped Walnuts
• 1/2 Cup Shredded Sweetened Coconut

Mix the cake mix, eggs, and butter until smooth. Toss in the nuts and coconut until evenly coated. Then roll them into 1 inch balls (these puppies expand so be prepared!) toss them in the oven at 350 for about 10 minutes, grab a big tall glass of milk and enjoy!

Christina

Summer Come Quickly!

Tessa and I are tired of being cooped up inside during this cold winter so we decided to make summer come to us! :)

Asian Chicken & Garlic Noodles

This is a great and simple Asian noodle recipe that can be easily adjusted to be vegetarian or not nearly as spicy.  If you haven't cooked with oyster sauce before... your life is about to change. It has such a great flavor for stir fry and Asian noodle dishes.

• Diced Chicken
• Sliced Mushrooms
• 1/4 cup diced green onions
• 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons of adobo sauce
• 6 tablespoons of butter
• 2 tablespoons of coconut oil for frying
• 6 crushed cloves of garlic
• Angel hair pasta
• 5 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 3 teaspoons of soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons of oyster sauce

Marinate the chicken for an hour in some extra soy and oyster sauce and season with salt and pepper. Throw the coconut oil on the skillet and brown the chicken with the marinating liquid until brown. Toss in mushrooms and garlic until cooked. Set aside.

Cook your noodles separately and set those aside when finished.

For the sauce, combine the butter, oyster sauce, soy sauce, green onions, brown sugar, red pepper flakes and adobo sauce until thick. Add a layer to your noodles and enjoy!

Christina

Snow Days!

 

If it's going to be cold, it might as well snow.

Especially when your better half works in education and still gets adult snow days. ;)

Baby Feet

Is there anything cuter?  I wish she could just stay small forever. Tessa Jean melts my heart! I must say though, these cute little feet kick pretty darn hard. I keep my distance.

Chipotle BBQ Chicken Pizza

Being a Midwest girl, I love my BBQ. BUT I also love adding some spice to all my sweet things as well. As with a lot of my recipes you can modify them to make them more or less complex. For this one I did not make my own crust (I know, I know, it's Sunday and I'm lazy.) But I did make my own BBQ sauce which you obviously don't have to do.

• 1 Premade thin crust (Or be adventurous and make your own.)
• 1/2 Cup of brown sugar
• 1/4 Cup of Ketchup
• 2 Tablespoons of Worsh Sauce
• 2 Tablespoons of Soy Sauce
• 2 Tablespoons of Adobo Sauce
• 1 Diced Adobo Chipotle Pepper
• 1/4 Cup of Rum (Oh yeeeeah)
• Garlic Pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon Dry Mustard
• 1/2 Cup of Diced, Cooked, Seasoned Chicken
• 1/4 Cup Sliced Red Onion
• 1 1/2 Cups of Mozzarella Cheese Grated

Preheat oven to 400.

For the BBQ Sauce combine the worsh, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, peppers, dry mustard, and adobo sauce over a medium low skillet for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Spread a thin layer of BBQ over the crust. Top with chicken, red onions, and then the cheese.

Cook in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is nice and charred at the top.

Enjoy!

C

Burger Bar

Okay. The Burger Bar was a success. How do I know this?  My husband closed his eyes and did not utter a word during dinner except a few groans.

The Cast of Characters includes but is not limited to:

• Sliced Avocados
• Diced Serrano Peppers
• Caramelized Onions
• Mushrooms
• Your Choice of Cheese (I used Munster, the hubby used Crumbled Blue)
• Bacon Chunks (Yes I said chunks, we don't do bits in the Parisse household!)
• Roasted Head of Garlic
• Chipotle Mayo (You can buy it but I made my own.)
• A Pound of Ground Beef
• An Egg
• Parmesan
• Garlic Pepper (I don't ever use regular pepper if you haven't noticed.)
• Salt

If you want the exact details of what I did then keep reading, but honestly you can pretty much mix and match all your favorite burger toppings on your own.

BURGERS: Toss the ground beef with an egg and some parmesan to hold it together. Form it into patties and make a thumb print in the center to ensure even cooking. Then heat up your skillet to medium high (I don't have a grill. Yes, I know, it's ridiculous.)  Throw a tablespoon of butter on the grill and cook the patties on each side with some garlic pepper and salt for 4 minutes for medium well.

CHIPOTLE MAYO: If you're interested in making the chipotle mayo, simply mix about 6 tablespoons on mayo with 2 tablespoons of adobo sauce.

ROASTED GARLIC: To roast your garlic head, slice off the top of the head and place in an oven safe dish. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper and bake at 375 for 40 minutes. Once it's cooled you can literally just squeeze out the cloves. Since learning how easy this is I now add garlic to everything. Pasta, Sandwiches, Burgers, Ice Cream... yadda yadda.

BACON: You can cook your bacon however your heart desires, but I stick mine in a cold oven, turn it to 375 for 20 minutes and then do it all over again because I ate it all.

CARAMELIZED ONIONS: To caramelize the onions, slice them into strips and cook over medium high heat for about 8 minutes with some butter. Stir the suckers constantly though or they will burn.

If you spent a lot of money on clothes this week like I did, make this for your man. It really will ease his pain.

Christina

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

 

Leave it to me to somehow make a pizza more unhealthy than it already is. But let me tell you, you won't regret it and won't have any leftovers to clean up either.

 

• 1 Pre Made Thin Pizza Crust
• 4 to 5 Chicken Strips
• 1/2 Cup of Butter
• 1/2 Cup Panko Bread Crumbs
• 1/2 Cup of Flour
• 1 Egg
• 1/4 Cup Milk
• Salt
• Garlic Pepper
• 1/2 Stalk of Celery Chopped
• 1/2 cup of Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing
• 1/2 Cup of Frank's Red Hot Sauce
• 1/4 Cup Minced Red Onion
• 1 1/2 Cups of Shredded Motz Cheese

 

Start by heating the skillet to medium high and melting the butter. Whisp the egg and milk together in a bowl. Place the flour in another bowl, and the bread crumbs, salt, and pepper in another.

 

Dip the chicken in each bowl in that order until coated. Then toss it into the skillet until crispy and cooked. Chop the chicken into small chunks.

 

Preheat the oven to 400 and spread and blue cheese dressing onto the crust.

 

Next place the celery, red onions and chicken onto the pizza. 

 

Layer the pizza with the cheese on top and drizzle the hot sauce on top of the cheese. 

 

Bake in the preheated over for about 15 minutes and try not to drool too much. ;)

 

Christina

Tummy Time with Tessa

You may look at this and say "Hey! That's not a picture of food!"  No it's not, but my baby is so cute I could sure eat her up. ;)  She distracted me from cleaning the house... again. Oh well. :)

Zesty Tomato Cream Chicken Pasta

I'm a sucker for anything that has the words "Zesty" and "Wine" in it, and this pasta is no exception.  In fact, its very birth was a miracle considering my stove stopped working in the middle of it and then magically came back to life!  My original idea for this did not come to pass because I cannot seem to ever remember to buy everything on my grocery list, but perhaps it was a beautiful accident because this was dog gone good!

• 1 Packet Zesty Italian Seasoning
• 2 Tablespoons of Pesto
• 1 1/2 Cups of Half & Half
• 8 Ounces of Tomato Juice
• 1/2 Cup White Wine
• 4 Tablespoons of Flour
• 4 Tablespoons of Butter
• 4 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
• 3 Chicken Breasts Diced
• 1/2 Cup of Mushrooms
• 1/4 Cup of Parmesan
• Half a package of Angel Hair Pasta

If you have time to prep, marinate the chopped chicken with the Italian Seasoning and Pesto. Toss this in the skillet on medium high heat with the olive oil until cooked and crispy on the outside. Add in mushrooms for about a minute.  Set aside.

Turn the heat to low and whisk the butter and olive oil until a nice roux occurs. Stir in cream, tomato sauce, wine, and parmesan and let simmer while you cook your noodles.

Toss the pasta and chicken into the sauce and serve!

Christina

Morning Snuggles

I'm not a fan of winter at all, but waking up a cold morning to this beautiful little face makes it all worth it.  Wouldn't it be great if our skin always stayed this clear and our eyelashes so dark and long? :)

Chipotle Beef Enchiladas

 

I LOVE spicy food and Mexican is one of my all time favs. You can modify this to make it as spicy as you want, but this definitely has a kick to it and will make you look forward to leftovers.

 

• 10 Corn Tortillas
• 3 Adobo Chipotle Peppers
• 2 Tablespoons of Adobo Chipotle Sauce
• 1 Pound Ground Beef
• 1 Packet Taco Seasoning
• 1 Can Black Beans
• 1/4 Cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro
• 1/2 Cup of Corn
• 1/4 Cup Diced Olives
• 2 Cans Red Enchilada Sauce (Divided)
• 1 1/2 Cups Mont Jack Cheese
• 1 1/2 Cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Preheat oven to 400 and grease a 9 by 13 baking dish.

 

Start by browning the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat.  Toss in the taco seasoning, corn, chipotle peppers, and black beans and cook on medium low until tender.

 

Spread one cup of enchilada sauce evenly in the bottom of the baking dish. 

 

Add half of each shredded cheese to the beef filling and mix until melted. Spread  1/2 cup of filling into each tortilla and place face down in casserole. 

 

Lightly spray the top of the tortillas with olive oil and place in over for 10 minutes or until crispy.

 

Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce on top of the tortillas followed by the remaining cheese, diced olives, and chopped cilantro.

 

Bake in oven for 15 minutes and try not to salivate too much. ;)

 

Christina