Tasty Tuesday

This week's Tasty Tuesday features two more appetizers from Everyone Brings Something to the Table.  Last week, I was fortunate enough to cook at Jeanie's home.  Cooking with a chef's tools, in a chef's kitchen, really makes slicing, spicing, and dicing much more manageable!

Our first recipe is Brie in Puff Pastry.

This is a party favorite because it is quick, easy, and delicious.  Allow your pastry to dethaw a bit before beginning.

Add some of your favorite jelly or jellies.  Jeanie chose a chili pepper and a raspberry jam.

Wrap the pastry, pop it in the oven for 25-30 minutes, and...

Enjoy!

The next recipe is Prosciutto-Wrapped Shrimp

Like the puff pastry, this recipe only requires a handful of ingredients.  After mixing your shrimp with olive oil, salt and pepper, wrap each shrimp in prosciutto.

2-3 minutes on each side over medium heat,

and you're done!

Once again, I put my faith in Jeanie's delicious creations.  Normally, I would not eat seafood or red meat, but in an effort to expand my horizons, I promised Jeanie I would try this recipe.  I am so glad I did.  It was delicious, and I even reached for seconds!

To get your own copy of Everyone Brings Something to the Table, or to learn more about Jeanie DeGroff, connect via:

Web

Blogger

Facebook

Friendly Weekends

I have spent the past 2 weekends with some of my favorite people.  Last weekend I was in Richmond with my best friend and our boyfriends.  A quick visit with my Mom topped the weekend off. 

 

 

This weekend, college friends made the trip to Raleigh all the way from Columbia and Charleston, for a belated surprise birthday party for Abby.  We stayed out way too late, but it was well worth it! 

 

 

 I feel more blessed than ever to have such wonderful friends.  I hope 2012 brings many more memorial weekends.

Happy Moan-day!

As you may know, my friend Tippins gave birth to beautiful baby girl almost 2 months ago.  My first gift to little Miss Eloise was a pink tutu onesie which I bought almost 6 months prior to her birth.  This morning, Tippins sent me a darling photo of Elle wearing her tutu for the first time.  I think it's her new favorite outfit.

Looks like I'm not the only who has a case of the Mondays. 

Have a great week y'all!

.....Must Have.....

We all know The Sak for their handbags, but, now they have crossed into the world of footwear.  Paying homage to their iconic collection of cross-body bags, The Sak's line of flats and wedges are crocheted.  Pre-order the shoes on their website now and have them just in time for spring.  

.....Must Hear.....

 "Umbrellas" Sleeping at Last

Tasty Tuesday

My first Tasty Tuesday entry is finally here! This was probably the fifth time in my life when I cooked something entirely by myself.  Amazingly, the fire department never had to be called! 

Despite my limited workspace and prehistoric knife set, I still was able to produce delicious results.  This is a true testament to how simple the recipes in this fabulous cookbook really are!

   

 The first appetizer I will be featuring is Artichoke Crescent Rollups.

I will admit, I was a little reluctant to cook this recipe because I'm not a big fan of artichokes or mushrooms.  However, to my delight, the combination of flavors is so delicious, I didn't even know I was eating vegetables.  Healthy and tasty, what a surprise! 

Since I was only cooking for myself, I did not halve the crescent rolls.  They weren't as delicate and dainty looking as the one's portrayed in the cookbook, but they were delicious none the less!

Jeanie's next featured appetizer is Chili Cheddar Pinwheels.

The greatest thing about this meal, in my opinion, is that you can modify it.  For example, I prefer milder flavors, so I added a minimal amount of hot sauce and left out the chili powder.  If spicy food is more to your liking, give your bottle of Texas Pete a few extra shakes. 

After allowing the crescent rolls to chill in the refrigerator for an hour, I popped the sliced pinwheels in the oven, and before long, they were ready to be served.  It is the prefect finger food for a cocktail party or small gathering of friends.

Both recipes are easy to follow and do not require a lot cook time.  The longest part of this experience was shopping for the ingredients. Before beginning my journey to culinary success, my kitchen was limited to salt, pepper, and on occasion, crackers and cheese.  Most of the ingredients are very common and can be found in any pantry.

To get your own copy of Everyone Brings Something to the Table, or to learn more about Jeanie DeGroff, connect via:

Web

Blogger

Facebook

HeyItsFree.net

 "Hey, It's Free" features a variety of websites offering free promotions for a limited time.  As a well seasoned weekend warrior, I can never have enough travel size goodies.  From pain relievers to perfume to peacock feathers, there is a promotion sure to peak anyone's interests. 

Since discovering this gem, I have received a personalized Get Well card and an issue of Martha Stewart Living, for free!  I'll be checking my mail this week for the David Yurman fragrance sample I ordered.  

The deals don't last forever, so stop by their site throughout the day to snag choice freebies before they run out.

.....Must Hear.....

"Moneygrabber" Fitz & The Tantrums

When Parents Text

Over Christmas, my cousin was telling me about a hilarious book called, When Parents Text: So Much Said...So Little Understood.  I brought a copy of the book with me on my plane flight to Nashville. From takeoff to landing, I was that girl on the plane laughing to herself (I may have even snorted once or twice). Every page was hilarious!  Here are just a few of my favorites:

 

If you're ever having a bad day, or just in the mood for some laughs, visit their website.  Happy Wednesday! 

Big News!

Last New Year's, I made a resolution to try new foods.  I will admit, I did not follow through with this commitment.  This year, I am taking this resolution to a new extreme.  I am not only trying new foods, I am going to cook new foods as well!  

Earlier this year, I was speaking with a customer, and he told me his wife, Jeanie, had just published a cookbook. The cookbook features delicious and easy to make (that's key!) Italian dishes, each with a personal story behind it.  I offered to help develop Jeanie's blog and website, and, in exchange, Jeanie offered to give me cooking lessons! 

Over the next few months, I am going to be doing a bi-monthly cooking segment called "Tasty Tuesdays".  Jeanie has selected some of her favorite recipes from the cookbook, and I am so excited to be able to share these meals with the blogging community. 


 I am thrilled to have the opportunity to learn from a published chef.  
I am confident that in a few months time, I will be able to bring more to the table than a bowl of cereal!