Happy New Year 2012

{Source: keisotsu}

Wishing you good health and happiness in the new year.

New Year's Eve party for Deux

Trying to plan a menu for New Year's Eve. So far I have this:

Image via kerryg.hubpages.com

AND THIS

Image via peet-astn flickr

Duchess Potatoes

We revised our Christmas menu to include these:

Duchess Potatoes

They are piped mounds of yummy potatoes. The recipe was a modified version of the The Pioneer Woman's recipe. 

  I think it is a keeper and these cute little mounds of potatoes will show up on our plates on many more Christmases to come.

Merry Christmas

I'm in a Christmas state of mind

Image via http://weheartit.com

Trying to finalize the Christmas dinner menu

Christmas Menu:

Prime rib with a Tuscan rosemary rub served with a mushroom sauce

Scalloped potatoes with dill

Sauteed spinach with garlic chips

Clover leaf rolls with rosemary and sea salt

Artichoke dip & mushrooms stuffed with Brie for appetizers

Coconut cream pie for dessert

Starbucks Bling Bling

Ever thought of trying to bling out your Starbucks cup?

Image via weheartit.com

It's official: I want an owl for Christmas

iBio: Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

If you have the slightest interest in technology, I highly recommend the biography of Steve Jobs. It was interesting to read about the conception of Apple and its products. I was amazed at his passion for Apple. When he was given his diagnosis, he could have easily have chosen to quit his job and travel the world. Instead, he chose to stay and help make a "ding in the universe" with game changing devices. Would those products exist without Steve Jobs? Maybe, but they would not have impeccable style and exemplify perfection.  

"Stay hungry, stay foolish" - Steve Jobs

Texas Chili

When a cold front moved through, my mind immediately thought of chili for dinner. For some reason I associate chili with cold weather. Maybe chilly = chili?? For a while, I used the pre-made  chili starter, you know, the one that comes in a box with all the spices, but I noticed it was missing something. I realized that I had never made chili from scratch, so I decided to give it a try. I came up with my version of Texas chili. How long has it been since you've had a big, steaming bowl of Texas chili? Well, that's too long! - Sorry, you knew I had to go there.

Texas Chili:

1 1/2 pounds, grass feed ground beef, (I used the 90%)
1 can kidney beans, (you can make this sans the beans if you like)
2 cans tomato sauce
1/2 onion, finely diced or microplaned
2 cloves garlic, finely diced or microplaned
2 1/2 cups beef broth
4 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon mexican oregano
2 tablespoons olive oil 
1/4 cup beer  
1 teaspoons brown sugar
1/4 cup masa incorporated into 1/4 cup warm water
salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in a large soup pot, add ground beef. Cook until meat has browned (3-5 minutes). Add finely minced onion and garlic. Cook an additional 2-3 minutes. Add spices, tomato sauce, sugar and beef broth. Bring to a boil. Cook for 30 minutes on simmer. Add beer and beans and cook 10 more minutes. Mix masa and hot water in a small cup, add to chili. Top with shredded cheddar and diced onion.

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