Go bucks!!!

Scalloped Potato Bake

While Moe and I were in France, I discovered creme fraiche.  Although it is not the healthiest of foods (to say the least), it is amazing.  I made this recipe while we were staying in Provence France and Moe loved it.  I decided since I was serving fish, I'd offset in Moe's book and make this recipe for him.  It turned out perfect as he loved the fish and the potatoes!

Scalloped Potato Bake
Source:  Miss J Original
Serves: 4

2 Idaho potatoes, divided into 3 servings
4 ounces creme fraiche, divided into 3 servings
1/2 small onion, divided into 3 servings
1 tablespoon fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, low fat, divided into 3 servings
2 tablespoons of half and half, fat free
salt and pepper to taste

Using a mandolin slicer (or a sharp knife) slice potatoes into thin rounds.  Dice onion into long slivers.  Chop parsley.  Coat a small baking dish with oil or cooking spray.  place two layers of potatoes at bottom of pan.  Layer creme fraiche, onions, and mozzarella.  Repeat so there are three layers of potatoes and three layers of cheese.  Pour half and half around the edges of the baking dish.  Top with salt and pepper to taste.  Bake for 1 hour or until potatoes are tender.  Once done, place under broiler for 1 minutes to make the top golden.  Sprinkle with parsley before serving. 

                                                Before                                                  After

Ratings:
Moe, 9.5 out of 10
Miss J, 9 out of 10

- Miss J

Pistachio Encrusted Rockfish

This dish was inspired by a pistachio encrusted tilapia that I ordered the night Moe surprised me and took me out to dinner for our anniversary this year.  It was one of the few seafood dishes that Moe actually enjoyed so I thought I'd try to recreate it for dinner tonight.  The only major change was the addition of a mustard cream sauce which I served drizzled on top of the fish.  It turned out wonderful.  Both Moe and I were part of the clean plate club tonight!

Pistachio Encrusted Rockfish
Source:  Miss J Original
Serves: 2 (with leftovers to spare)

7 oz of fresh cut rockfish
1 cup of pistachios
1 egg
1 tablespoon of fresh flat leaf parsley, minced
1 tablespoon of panko
salt and pepper to taste
olive oil
1 tsp of butter
8-10 pieces of asparagus, rinsed

Mustard Cream Sauce
1 tablespoon of honey mustard
1/2 cup of half and half
1 tsp of flour
2 oz of cream cheese
pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Remove shells from pistachios and place in zip lock bag.  With a meat pounder, gently crush the pistachios.

Add panko to the pistachio mixture.  Coat baking dish with olive oil.  Crack egg in a bowl and mix.  Pour egg on a flat plate (or use a basting brush) and coat fish evenly with egg.  Sprinkle with chopped parsley.  Discard extra egg (which there will be a lot - you really only use about 1/4 of the egg).

On a new plate, pour pistachio mixture to fully coat the fish.  Carefully transfer fish to the baking dish.  Pour any remaining pistachio mixture on top of fish.  Place tiny slivers of butter on top of fish.

 Divide asparagus in half and place on either side of fish.  Bake at 425 degrees for 8-10 minutes until fish is cooked. 

While fish is cooking, heat half and half in skillet. Sprinkle flour so that it does not clump in skillet.  Add cream cheese, honey mustard, and pepper to taste.  Continuously mix until creamy and smooth.  Remove from heat before serving.

Once fish is done, drizzle cream mixture on top of fish and serve immediately.

Ratings:
Moe, 9 out of 10
Miss J, 9 out of 10

- Miss J

Restaurant Review: Bristol Seafood Grill

Last week, I went out to dinner with my co-workers to a seafood restaurant in Creve Coeur.  I had eaten a HUGE lunch so wasn't very hungry.  I had heard from numerous people that the crab cakes were to die for so I decided to go with the appetizer portion with a side salad.  It was a perfect portion for my hunger level.  I also threw in an impromptu order of lobster bisque which was awesome, but unnecessary as I ended up taking home one crab cake for Moe.  Overall, I was impressed with this restaurant and plan to take Moe sometime when we are in the mood for some good seafood.  I would warn everyone that it is pricey, but the happy hour special at the bar was reasonably priced if you are interested in some house wine and appetizers. 

- Miss J

Bristols Seafood Grill Link

Baby greens salad with watercress, pine nuts, feta, and honey balsamic vinaigrette

Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes (baked, not fried) served with creole remoulade and mango tarter sauce

Spinach, Pasta, and Chickpea Soup

Cool weather has finally arrived and as a result we have officially entered into "SOUP SEASON"!  I love soups so be prepared to be reading lots of recipes that involve my crock-pot, a stock pot, and/or a ladle.  This recipe was very light and was a good starter dish for my Quick Pastitsio that I served last night.  It reminded me of wedding soup but without the sausage.  The lemon was very subtle but added a nice smooth flavor to the soup. 

I forgot to take a picture before I served the soup so I had to take a picture of the picture.  Source:  Cooking Light Magazine, October 2011 (page 34)

Spinach, Pasta, and Chickpea Soup
Source:  Adapted from Cooking Light Magazine, October 2011
Serves:  4

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves
2 thinly sliced green onions
4 cups of chicken stock (low sodium) - or vegetable stock if vegetarian
2 cups of water
1/3 cup of carrots, diced into cubes
3/4 cup of orzo (sun dried tomato, spinach, original blend)
1 tablespoon of graded lemon zest
1 can (15 oz) chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon of fresh oregano
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
salt and pepper
6 oz of fresh baby spinach
1/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese

Chop onions and garlic.

Heat large saucepan over high heat.  Add olive oil.  Add garlic and onions and saute for 1 minute.  Add onions to crock pot. In pan, saute carrot cubes until slightly softened.  Remove oregano from the stem and roughly chop. 

Add onion mixture, broth, water, oregano, and orzo to the crock-pot. 

Add all remaining ingredients together in the crock pot and cook on high for 2 hours. When orzo and carrots are soft, soup is done.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Reduce temperature to warm until ready to serve.  Serve with Parmesan cheese on top. 

Ratings
Moe, 8 out of 10
Miss J, 8 out of 10

- Miss J

Quick Pastitsio

I will be completely honest, I have never heard of the term "pastitsio". I googled it and it is a Greek and Mediterranean dish that is baked pasta that has ground beef and bechamel sauce. Since this is the first time I've come across this term, I felt obligated to make it. The Emmys are on tonight which I super excited about for two reasons. First, Jane Lynch is the host and I LOVE her. Second, we can actually watch this on our TV in our apartment since it is on one of the four stations we get from our bunny ears!!! We invited another couple over for dinner so I thought this would be a great dish to serve as I can assemble it ahead of time. I also am going to serve a spinach, orzo, and chickpea soup that I have been simmering in the crock pot all day.

Quick Pastitsio
Source: Adapted from Cooking Light Magazine, October 2011
Serves 6


8 oz uncooked Rigatoni pasta
1/4 lb ground turkey (supposed to use beef but I had left over turkey in the fridge)
6 sun dried- tomato trader Joe meatballs (thawed)
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 chopped onion
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
2 cups of skim milk
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
3/4 cup (6 oz) of cream cheese, softened and cubed
3/4 cup shredded low fat mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
salt and pepper


Preheat broiler.  Cook pasta according to package.  You want the pasta to be al dente so once done cooking run under cold water to stop the pasta from continuing to cook.  Heat olive oil and the skillet over medium heat.  Add ground chicken or turkey to the pan and saute for 5 minutes or until browned.  Remove from pan.  Add onions to pan and saute for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add garlic and saute for 1 minute stirring constantly so the garlic does not burn.  Add beef back into skillet and season with salt and pepper. 

Add flour and cook for 1 minute stirring constantly.  Stir in milk, tomatoes, and cream cheese.  Mix until smooth.  Bring to a simmer.  Cook 2 minutes or until heated thoroughly. 

Stir in pasta. 

Spoon pasta mixture into a 13 x 9 inch broiler safe baking dish, coated in cooking spray.  Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the top.  Broil for 4 minutes or until golden.  While pasta is in the oven, chop parsley.  A quick tip is to remove the leaves from the stem and then use scissors to chop the parsley.  

Sprinkle with parsley before serving.


Notes:  I made this earlier in the day.  Instead of broiling.  I heated the pasta dish up for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. I then put it under the broiler for 4 minutes before serving. 

Ratings
Moe, 9.1 out of 10
Miss J, 8 out of 10

- Miss J

2011 Saint Louis Art Fair

A few weekends ago, Moe and went to the Saint Louis Art Fair in Clayton.  Everyone had been ranting and raving about the event so I felt like we should check it out.  Upon arriving, we were blown away at the mere size of the event.  It was street after street of exhibits!  The art ranged from painting to pottery to street chalk to accessories.  Moe of course said he wouldn't "look at art" unless he had a beer in hand so we spent the first 20 minutes hunting down the Budweiser stand.  Of course after walking isles and isles of exhibits, we realized that we had walked past the beer stand twice.  Once the drinking began, the spending quickly followed.  I stressed about whether or not I should spend $80 on a pair of earrings so I ended up dragging Moe back to the stand for a total of three times.  The first two times I didn't have enough cash (as we spent too much on beer).  Melissa, the designer/owner, offered for me to take the earrings and then just mail her a check. I was in disbelief that she would let me do this. I had to buy it not just for the fact that I loved them, but because she was so nice.  As the fair was closing down, a piece of pottery caught my eye.  Again, I was a few beers deep and the spending frenzy had begun.  I had it purchased two minutes after spotting it on the stand.  I have no self control :)

- Miss J

There was an entire parking lot filled with pictures drawn out of chalk.  It was amazing. 

Purchase #1

http://www.etsy.com/shop/melissaschmidt

Purchase #2

Balloons, balloons, and more balloons!

Skyler and Moe enjoying the hot air balloon festival in forest park!

Book Review (Sarah's Key)

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

I read this book while I was traveling in Europe.  There was so much to see on our trip, yet I had a hard time putting this book down after we arrived by train to our destinations.  I found myself reading it while Moe was showering or taking a nap.  For whatever reason, I have always been fascinated by the Holocaust.  In Rome, we stayed in the Jewish Ghetto which was amazing, especially after reading a story like this one.  You walk along the side walks and just think about what horror occurred on these little cobblestone streets.  This book is about the 1942 Jewish Roundup in France.  Prior to reading this book, I knew little about it.  The story is centered around a mystery, but the author intertwines the historical piece into the story line as a way to raise awareness of the horrible events in 1943. The reader gets a glimpse into the terror that occurred when thousands of Jews were rounded up by their own, the French, and held hostage and ultimately shipped off to concentration camps. 

Publishers Weekly on Amazon

Starred Review. De Rosnay's U.S. debut fictionalizes the 1942 Paris roundups and deportations, in which thousands of Jewish families were arrested, held at the Vélodrome d'Hiver outside the city, then transported to Auschwitz. Forty-five-year-old Julia Jarmond, American by birth, moved to Paris when she was 20 and is married to the arrogant, unfaithful Bertrand Tézac, with whom she has an 11-year-old daughter. Julia writes for an American magazine and her editor assigns her to cover the 60th anniversary of the Vél' d'Hiv' roundups. Julia soon learns that the apartment she and Bertrand plan to move into was acquired by Bertrand's family when its Jewish occupants were dispossessed and deported 60 years before. She resolves to find out what happened to the former occupants: Wladyslaw and Rywka Starzynski, parents of 10-year-old Sarah and four-year-old Michel. The more Julia discovers—especially about Sarah, the only member of the Starzynski family to survive—the more she uncovers about Bertrand's family, about France and, finally, herself. Already translated into 15 languages, the novel is De Rosnay's 10th (but her first written in English, her first language). It beautifully conveys Julia's conflicting loyalties, and makes Sarah's trials so riveting, her innocence so absorbing, that the book is hard to put down. (July)



Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Book Review (The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest)

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

I loved this entire series. This is the third and final book of the trilogy.  Unlike the second book which picks up approximately a year or so after the first book, this book starts only minutes after the second book. From the very first page, you are hooked and can't put it down.  The entire series is being made into an American movie so you better read up before it hits the big screens!  I say an American movie because the movies are available but are all in subtitles as the original story was written in Swedish and then translated into English.

Check out the first two books if you are interested in taking on the trilogy before it hits the theaters.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
The Girl Who Played With Fire



Source: Amazon.com Review

As the finale to Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest is not content to merely match the adrenaline-charged pace that made international bestsellers out of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire. Instead, it roars with an explosive storyline that blows the doors off the series and announces that the very best has been saved for last. A familiar evil lies in wait for Lisbeth Salander, but this time, she must do more than confront the miscreants of her past; she must destroy them. Much to her chagrin, survival requires her to place a great deal of faith in journalist Mikael Blomkvist and trust his judgment when the stakes are highest. To reveal more of the plot would be criminal, as Larsson's mastery of the unexpected is why millions have fallen hard for his work. But rest assured that the odds are again stacked, the challenges personal, and the action fraught with neck-snapping revelations in this snarling conclusion to a thrilling triad. This closing chapter to The Girl's pursuit of justice is guaranteed to leave readers both satisfied and saddened once the final page has been turned. --Dave Callanan --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Book Review (The Alexandria Link)

The Alexandria Link by Steve Berry

If you love The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons books then you should give this author a try.  Steve Berry follows a very similar writing style to the Dan Brown books. The author takes you on an exciting adventure to find the supposedly lost Library of Alexandria. Although this is not one of my favorite books of all time, it was a quick read that kept me entertained until the end. 

Source:  Publishers Weekly on Amazon

At the start of bestseller Berry's second thriller to feature Cotton Malone (after The Templar Legacy), Malone, a former employee of the covert branch of the U.S. Justice Department, is trying to lead a secluded life as a bookseller in Copenhagen. Unsurprisingly, that hope is short-lived when his son is kidnapped and his ex-wife, Pam, asks for his help in rescuing the boy. The abductors intend to force Malone to reveal what he knows about the survival of the legendary lost library of Alexandria, which may hold ancient texts that could undermine Israel's claim to biblical legitimacy. Malone and his allies get mixed up in Washington intrigue and double-dealing as they try to identify the high-level traitor seeking to use the secret sources to change the dynamics of the Middle East. Characters implausibly leave enemies unsecured, placing themselves in unnecessary jeopardy, while the notion that the texts could have the desired effect may strike some readers as too far-fetched. Predictable plots twists (like the growing rapprochement between Malone and Pam) and superficial treatment of the issues between the Israelis and the Palestinians are further minuses.



Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Book Review (Unbearable Lightness)

Unbearable Lightness by Portia de Rossi

This is a fascinating read.  For those of you that want to learn more about anorexia or bulimia this is a great place to start.  Portia de Rossi opens up her world to the readers and holds nothing back.  This book gives a real sense of the "inner voice" that individuals with the disease battle with day in and day out. Although I thought the book was a bit repetitive, this is somewhat the point.  That each day, she wakes up and is faced with the same challenges and each day she rationalizes the situation to make it seem normal.  Remarkable read that I would recommend to all!

Source:  Publishers Weekly on Amazon

The author, an actor in movies and TV, (including Ally McBeal, Arrested Development, and Better Off Ted), model, and gay rights advocate, writes that "playing the role of heterosexual while fantasizing about being a homosexual had been my reality since I was a child." It's one she played into her 20s, when she was for three years married to a man. Now, she is married to Ellen DeGeneres, whom she met in 2001 after recovering from anorexia and bulimia. De Rossi nicely chronicles the years in between, during which she starved herself to 80 pounds. She artfully draws the reader into the tension of a life lived in secrecy: did anybody notice she lunges rather than walks, the better to burn calories? will anyone guess she is gay? when she nearly fainted, was anyone around? While some details could be viewed as anorexia how-tos, they make it possible to comprehend the twisted logic of de Rossi's frantic daily pursuits, and grasp the enormity of her achievement in overcoming her problems. The path de Rossi took to her happy ending is well worth reading about: her story is a cautionary tale, an inspiration, and a triumph. (Nov.)


(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Book Review (Half Broke Horses)

Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

I absolutely love Jeannette Walls as an author.   Her writing style keeps you on the edge of your seat as she takes you on an adventure with a wide array of characters.  Half Broke Horses was such an enjoyable read as you find yourself laughing out loud, gasping in astonishment, and wiping tears away.  For those of you that have not read The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls childhood story, I strongly recommend reading it first. I guarantee you will LOVE both of  these books!


Source:  Publisher Weekly on Amazon

For the first 10 years of her life, Lily Casey Smith, the narrator of this true-life novel by her granddaughter, Walls, lived in a dirt dugout in west Texas. Walls, whose mega-selling memoir, The Glass Castle, recalled her own upbringing, writes in what she recalls as Lily's plainspoken voice, whose recital provides plenty of drama and suspense as she ricochets from one challenge to another. Having been educated in fits and starts because of her parents' penury, Lily becomes a teacher at age 15 in a remote frontier town she reaches after a solo 28-day ride. Marriage to a bigamist almost saps her spirit, but later she weds a rancher with whom she shares two children and a strain of plucky resilience. (They sell bootleg liquor during Prohibition, hiding the bottles under a baby's crib.) Lily is a spirited heroine, fiercely outspoken against hypocrisy and prejudice, a rodeo rider and fearless breaker of horses, and a ruthless poker player. Assailed by flash floods, tornados and droughts, Lily never gets far from hardscrabble drudgery in several states—New Mexico, Arizona, Illinois—but hers is one of those heartwarming stories about indomitable women that will always find an audience.(Oct.)


Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Book Review (One and the Same)

One and the Same by Abigail Pogrebin

This book was a gift from my husband's twin brother and his wife last Christmas.  It was ironic they had given this to us as I heard the book review on NPR (the same book review my sister-in-law had heard) and had added it to my running list of books to read.  The author tells the story of experiences of numerous different twins and how their relationship changed throughout their lives.  For me, this book helped me understand the unspoken bond that Moe has with his brother.  A bond that is so strong and true that it can't be compared to any other relationship that I've encountered.  The book also addressed what it is like to be in a relationship with an identical twin.  My response would be wonderful, 99% of the time.  Just like anything else in this world, it comes with its fair share of challenges.  It was interesting to read what challenges others have experienced.  Even if you aren't a twin, married to a twin, or know a twin, I would recommend this book.  It is a series of short stories tied together by the authors comments.  It is a wonderful and thought provoking read. 

Note:  Please take a look at the cover of the book.  Moe and his brother used to be dressed everyday in blue and red so that everyone could tell them apart.  As I was writing this blog, I looked up and saw this picture that we framed in our kitchen.  It cracked me up.  They were happy chubby kids :) Can you guess which one is Moe?!

Source:  Jan Isay Book Review on Amazon

Abigail Pogrebin’s One and the Same: My Life As an Identical Twin and What I’ve Learned about Everyone’s Struggle to be Singular is a terrific travelogue through the world of identical--and fraternal--twins. She tells the story of the twin experience from the inside out, and shines a smart and loving light on this special relationship. Pogrebin brings heart and brains to her own experiences with her twin sister Robin, from infancy to a ripe maturity. And she has done prodigious amount of research, speaking with scores of twins--together and apart--and interviewing dozens of experts on all aspects of the twin experience.


Modern medicine has given us more multiple births every year, and so more and more people are parents of twins. When we see so many pairs of kids riding in their double strollers, we ask ourselves so many questions.


What’s going on in their little minds as they grow up together? Do they feel like they’re one person, or two? How do they relate to other kids in school? Do they feel that it’s a privilege to be a twin, or do they find it a burden? What about the social expectations that they should love each other best and should be ever so close? How do they separate enough to get married and form their own families? What is the mistake parents most often make in rearing their twins?

Abigail Pogrebin has answers to these questions and many more. In each chapter she writes a bit about her and her sister, and then brings in testimony from other twins and the experts. In addition, this book is valuable because of the light it sheds on all sibling relationships by describing the closest pairs we know. Even people without a twin in their lives--and most of us are fascinated by twins--will benefit from reading One and the Same.


If you’re considering IVF, if you are a twin or have a twin, or are married to a twin, or dating one, this book is a necessity. In addition, Abigail Pogrebin’s family is one of those singularly successful and loving ones, and basking in the warmth of her life is a pleasure.--Jane Isay

Book Review (Damaged)

Damaged by Cathy Glass

Although this book was a disturbing story, it was eye-opening.  It was fascinating to be in eyes of the care-taker especial one as brave, gentle, and loving as Cathy Glass.  This is a remarkable, yet heartbreaking story of a child that slipped through the cracks of Social Services.  From the moment Jodie arrives on the step's of Cathy's house, you are roped in. Although this is an addicting read, the story is so truly disturbing.  I found tears streaming down my checks as I continued to read on to find out what happens.  I can't imagine a child going through such pain and even worse a child going through this while others sat on the side lines and did nothing.  I have mentioned to Moe on multiple occasions that I would love to foster at some point in my life.  Although you would think this book would turn me off of the idea, it in fact did the opposite.  It made me feel like you can make a difference in a child's life even if the task seems too difficult to bear.

- Miss J

Source:  Book Summary on Amazon

Although Jodie is only eight years old, she is violent, aggressive, and has already been through numerous foster families. Her last hope is Cathy Glass. At the Social Services office, Cathy (an experienced foster carer) is pressured into taking Jodie as a new placement. Jodie's challenging behavior has seen off five carers in four months. Despite her reservations, Cathy decides to take on Jodie to protect her from being placed in an institution. Jodie arrives, and her first act is to soil herself, and then wipe it on her face, grinning wickedly. Jodie meets Cathy's teenage children, and greets them with a sharp kick to the shins. That night, Cathy finds Jodie covered in blood, having cut her own wrist, and smeared the blood over her face. As Jodie begins to trust Cathy her behavior improves. Over time, with childish honesty, she reveals details of her abuse at the hands of her parents and others. It becomes clear that Jodie's parents were involved in a sickening pedophile ring, with neighbors and Social Services not seeing what should have been obvious signs. Unfortunately Jodie becomes increasingly withdrawn, and it's clear she needs psychiatric therapy. Cathy urges the Social Services to provide funding, but instead they decide to take Jodie away from her, and place her in a residential unit. Although the pedophile ring is investigated and brought to justice, Jodie's future is still up in the air. Cathy promises that she will stand by her no matter what—er love for the abandoned Jodie is unbreakable.

Book Week!

I realized I haven't shared any of my most recent reads in a LONG time.  This week I am going to post a different book each day.  Hopefully one of them catches your eye if you haven't already read them!

- Miss J

Fish Tacos

The lesson of the week is complexity does not always constitute good cooking.  Last night I threw this meal together in less than 25 minutes and Moe rated it a 9.5!  I know I should be pleased that he enjoyed it, but sometimes it is frustrating when I spend hours on a sophisticated meal that Moe just thinks is so-so.  I called him out on this very fact last night. His response was "I am a simple man that likes simple things"! Well enough said I guess. For those of you that want something "simple", try this recipe out! 

Fish Tacos
Source:  Miss J Original
Serves: 2 (2 tacos per person)

4 organic tortilla soft shells (World Market's 365 Red Chili Flavor)
1/2 - 3/4 lb of white fish (cod, sol, or tilapia)
1 bell pepper (any color)
1/4 onion, sliced
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 tsp taco mix seasoning
1/2 cup panko
shredded lettuce
shredded cheddar cheese
1 tomato
Olive oil
salt and pepper

Mix sour cream and taco seasoning in a small dish and place in refrigerator to keep chilled until serving time.  Dice peppers and onions on a cutting board. 

Heat up olive oil in skillet.  Add onions and saute for two minutes.  Add peppers and continue to saute for approximately 4-5 minutes. 

While onions and peppers are cooking, slice the tomato.  On a large platter, arrange shredded lettuce, cheese, and tomato and set aside. 

Once the onions are translucent, remove from pan and set aside.  

Cover with foil so that peppers and onions remain warm. Do not clean skillet as will use the same pan for the fish.

Slice fish into long strips and toss in panko. 

Turn heat to medium low on skillet.  Once heated, add fish to the skillet.  Using tongs, arrange fish evenly across the pan.  The white fish is delicate so be careful not to move around too much or will flake apart.  Cook approximately 2-3 minutes on each side until cooked through (time will depend on thickness of the slices). 

While fish is cooking, heat up another small skillet.  Place tortilla shells one at a time, tossing over once to heat and soften.  Stack them on a plate until fish is done.

Once fish is done, transfer to a serving bowl or place skillet on a trivet on the table and serve directly out of the skillet.  Serve with peppers and onion medley, sour cream mixture, and lettuce, tomato, and cheese.  Enjoy!

- Miss J

Ratings:
Moe, 9.5 out of 10
Miss J, 9 out of 10

Peppercorn Lasagna with Chicken, Spinach, and Mushrooms

This past weekend I went to the Soulard Farmers Market.  It was amazing!  It had endless rows of stands with anything from fruits & vegetables to fresh pasta to live geese.  The prices were also very affordable and significantly less expensive than the Tower Grove Farmers Market.  However, I later found out that unless that stand is labeled "organic", it is the leftover vegetables from the local grocery stores that didn't sell that week.  Although this seems terrible, there were wonderful organic stands spread through the market.  My favorite find was a pasta stand that sold a wide assortment of unique flavors... anything from chocolate to lemon garlic to spicy Thai.  The best part was you get a recipe with each 1/2 lb or 1 lb of dried pasta you buy. As part of this blog, I am going to try out a couple different kinds of pasta a month (and yes, this includes the chocolate one that I was a bit scared of)!  The first recipe will be cooking with the Peppercorn Trio Lasagna pasta. 

 

Peppercorn Lasagna with Chicken, Spinach, and Mushrooms
Source:  Pappardelle's, The Fine Art of Pasta , http://www.pappardellesonline.com
Serves: 8 (unless you are feeding Moe then you are only going to get six out of this dish)

1 bag of Pappardella's Peppercorn Tri Lasagna Noodles
1 10 oz block of frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1 tablespoon of butter
2 small chicken breasts (approximately 1/2 lb total), diced into small cubes
8 oz portabella mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup of onion, finely chopped1 8 oz container of low fat sour cream
1/4 block of sour cream1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (split into 1/ and 3/4 increments)
1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Add lasagna noodles and cook for 6 minutes.  Drain spinach with a strainer and press out excess water.  Chop the mushrooms and onions.

In a large skillet, heat up butter.  Add chicken and saute for three minutes*.  Add mushrooms and onions to skillet.  Saute for 8 minutes.  Turn off heat and stir in mushroom soup, cream cheese, spinach, salt and pepper.  Once mixed, toss in 3/4 a cup of cheddar cheese. 

Spray lasagna pan with olive oil spray or pam.  Spoon 1/4 of chicken mixture in the bottom of the dish and spread evenly.  Arrange a layer of noodles on top of mixture.  Repeat this process for two more layers.  Add remaining 1/4 of chicken mixture to the top.  Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese on the top.  Cover with foil and cook for 45 minutes.  Remove from oven and sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese on top of lasagna.  Bake uncovered for 15 minutes more or until heated through. 

Ratings:
Moe, 8 out of 10 (Moe is a traditional lasagna guy.  He loved this dish but refuses to give it higher than an 8
because it was a "white" lasagna and not a "red" lasagna.
Miss J, 10 out of 10 (I loved it!)

*Note: I am always pressed for time on a work night so I decided to prepare this meal a couple nights before.  I baked the chicken at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  I then allowed it to cool and diced it into small cubes.  I also drained the spinach and mixed it in with the soup, cream cheese, and sour cream.  That way all I had to do was add that mixture to the mushrooms and onion and toss in the chicken and I was ready to go once the noddles were cooked.  I also added a tiny bit of half and half to the lasagna pan while it was cooking to avoid the noodles on the edges from drying out.
- Miss J

Restaurant Review: Aya Sofia

Tonight Moe and I went our for dinner and drinks with another couple from our apartment complex.  We always hangout with them at the dog park, but it was nice to get out of the building and have a chance to talk while our dogs were not off chasing squirrels or making a scene - mostly my dog :)  In attempt to try new things, we went to Aya Sofia, a Turkish Mediterranean restaurant in South Hill.  We were worried it was going to be packed but with it being the day after a long weekend, we were one of few hitting up the restaurant scene on a Tuesday night.  It was amazingly too cold to sit on their amazing patio so we sat in a comfortable booth inside.  Ciara and I had a glass of the house red which was a wonderfully mild Malbec.  Moe of course hit up a Schlaflys, and Samir had a glass of Riesling. 

We started off with the Ezme Meze Platter which was a combination of humus, biber ezme, and babaganus.  Biber Ezme is a pureed roasted red pepper with garlic, breadcrumbs, olives, and cheese.  Babaganus is of course pureed grilled eggplant is one of my all time favorite snacks.  All were great but my favorite would have to be the humus and the unlimited amount of warm pita that the restaurant provides! 

Since Moe and I decided to split a meal, he ordered a small Turk Salatasi which had lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, onions, and feta cheese tossed in a lemon vinaigrette. I had the soup of the day which was a pinto bean vegetable soup.  It was loaded with flavor and even Moe who hates beans said it was enjoyable.  Minus being served too hot (temperature not spice), this was my favorite food of the meal. 

Moe and I split the Akdeniz Usulu Tavuk which was a pan-seared chicken breast with basil, sun dried tomatoes and sauteed potatoes with a lemon, garlic, butter sauce.  Please note that we didn't even attempt to pronounce this one.  We did the point and nod when we ordered to avoid embarrassment at butchering the name despite the menu having the pronunciation spelled out next to each word.  The server also offered to split the meal and add extra vegetables (a $2 surcharge which was worth it).  Our meal was awesome.  The chicken was very tender and the sauce was flavorful.  I always fear that when I see lemon as a primary ingredient that it will be too overbearing; however, the flavors complimented each other well. 

Overall the meal was great and we will definitely be making it back to try out some of the other menu items.  I must say though, it is hard to go wrong with good company, wine, and humus in my book! 

For those of you that live in the area, you should check this restaurant out!

Aya Sofia's Homepage

Ratings
Moe, 8 out of 10
Miss J, 8.5 out of 10

- Miss J

Grilled Polenta with Mushrooms and Sausage

I had left over polenta and decided since we were having grill night we might as well use it up.  We threw them on the grill with some steak and topped it with a mushroom mixture that I had made in the skillet earlier.  It is some times difficult to figure out timing when you grill especially being in an apartment where you have to run back every time you need something.  So I had sauteed the mushrooms and then wrapped them in foil to heat on the grill right before the steaks and polenta were finished.  It worked out great and might be the easiest side dish EVER!

Grilled Polenta with Mushrooms and Sausage
Source:  Miss J Original

4 oz mushrooms
1/8 tsp of oregano
5 slices of polenta
1/2 sausage (removed from casing and broken up - I used a feta spinach sausage from Whole Foods)
olive oil

On a grill save skillet, coat pan with olive oil.  place polenta slices on the pan and set aside.  In a skillet, heat a tiny bit of olive oil and throw in mushrooms.  Remove sausage from casing and breakup into little pieces before adding to the skillet.  When mushrooms start to release the moisture and soften toss in the oregano and mix well.  Once mushroom mixture and sausage is fully cooked, place in some aluminum foil. 

Heat grill.  Grill the polenta on each side until done (approximately 5 minutes). 

Set aside on the grill and keep warm until other items (we had steak) are done. Sit back and enjoy a glass of wine while the rest of the items cook.

When there is a couple minutes left, throw the aluminum foil with mushroom mixture on the grill to heat up.  Serve the mushroom mixture on top of the grilled polenta.

Skyler on patrol in case anyone has a food fumble.

- Miss J

Avocado Nectarine Salsa

Today was the first day in a long time that the weather here in Saint Louis was amazing.  It cooled down to mid 60's so it was a perfect night to grill.  Moe wasn't getting off work until around 7 so I decided to make a fruit salsa to eat while we were sitting outside and waiting for the other food to be done.  I love peach salsa but have never tried to make it before.  I had tons of nectarines so decided to give it a whirl.  I figured how can you go wrong with tons of cilantro, onion, and fruit!

Avocado Nectarine Salsa

Source:  Miss J Original

3 nectarines (or peaches)

1/2 small onion

1 key lime

fresh cilantro (approx. 1/4 cup)

1/8 tsp cumin

1/2 avocado

chipotle ground pepper (optional)

freshly ground pepper / salt to taste

Finely dice the onion.  Chop the fresh cilantro and add to a mixing bowl along with the onion. 

Slice the nectarines (or peaches) into small cubes and add to the mixing bowl. 

Slice the avocado into long slices and then cut into thirds. 

Add to mixing bowl.  Cut lime in half and squeeze juice into mixing bowl careful not to let any seeds fall into mixture.  Add cumin and ground chipotle pepper and mix everything together.  Add freshly ground salt and pepper to taste and then mix again.  Chill in fridge for 15 minutes to let flavors meld. Serve with tortilla chips.

Ratings:
Miss J, 10 out of 10
Moe, 9 out of 10

- Miss J