Computer crashed. Rats!

Well, folks, my computer has crashed. I knew it was having problems, so I decided to back it all up. Then I put in the "Restore" CD. "Restore" it did not. It went kaput, kaplootie, over the edge, out of commission. "It probably had a memory problem" said the in-house IT guy at the office. Who'd-a thunk'd it, a computer with Alzheimer's. Why did I not see the warning signs?

Anyways, you are probably wondering how I am managing to post something with my computer being out of commission for awhile. Well that's a good question. I am borrowing my husband's for the moment. (Somehow I managed to swing this one. We'll see how long it lasts!) :-)

Being a normally optimistic person, I am going to try to look on the bright side about my computer having Alzheimer's. First of all, I think I've been spending way too much time surfing the internet anyway. It's an easy habit to get into, coming home and vegging out in front of the computer like most people seem to veg out in front of the T.V. I have chore after chore around the house screaming for my attention. Not to mention a new house to move into. Lots and lots to keep me busy!

BUT I promise to not be away for too long, peeps. I set up this blog to help keep in touch with friends & family, and for this the internet is a wonderful tool.

PLUS, I hear on the Clark Howard show that computers are supposed to be getting to be as cheap as $100 by next year, with huge deals starting by this Christmas.

Guess I better start saving for that new computer, huh?

~J

Zucchini Frittata

My latest creation, made with some ingredients I had on hand this late Sunday morning when I started getting hungry!

You will need:

5 eggs
Milk (a splash)
1 Zucchini
2 Roasted Red Peppers, seeds and skins removed (jarred is fine)
Goat Cheese Sprinkles (about 1/4 to 1/3 cup)
Salt &/or other seasoning (to taste)
Olive oil cooking spray

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Lightly spray a Pyrex pie-shaped baking dish with olive oil spray. Grate a zucchini into the Pyrex dish. Finely chop the red peppers and distribute evenly over the grated zucchini. Sprinkle goat cheese sprinkles over the vegetables. Season to taste (I used some garlic flavored seasoning salt).

Now, beat 5 eggs with a splash of milk (here I also threw in about a teaspoon of just plan Kosher salt). Pour evenly over the veggie/cheese mixture.

This is what it should look like before you pop it in the oven:



Now you are ready to bake. Place uncovered in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until eggs are fully cooked and set.

Mmmm...there are few better pairings in life than goat cheese and roasted red peppers. This would be fabulous served with real butter and some crusty bread.

Bon appetit!

P.S. After tasting this I did decide that I should have used MORE red peppers, but it might just be because I love them so. So you may want to try doubling the number of red peppers, in which case it would be recommended that you add an extra egg as well. I'm sure I'll make this again, so I will refine the recipe accordingly.

More Kitchen Pics

Okay peeps, I PROMISE I will upload some pictures of some other rooms besides the kitchen at some point, but, right now I am just so in love with the kitchen that it's hard for me to have eyes for any other room in the house. (And since the kitchen will probably be the room where I spend most of my awake time, its probably a good thing I'm in love with it, huh?) So here are some MORE kitchen pics (because I've decided I can't take enough of these, at least not until I'm actually moved in):






I can't wait to be able to actually use the kitchen for what it's designed for (you mean it's for more than just gazing at adoringly for hours on end and for taking pictures?). Just look at all the cabinet space! All the drawers! All the countertops! All the outlets (can you see the outlets?)! I think we counted 9 outlets in the kitchen alone. For most of my adult life I've had kitchens with only 1 outlet, or 2 that were on opposite sides of the kitchen, so for me this is a BIG DEAL. Oh, thank God for kitchen outlets and the many electrical appliances for which they are made!

Pink-Eyed Pea Salad

I just love summer salads! Here's my latest creation:

Boil some pink-eyed peas (about a pound) until just tender. Rinse several times under cold water. Drain.

In the meantime, chop a couple of onions, then drizzle with about 2 tablespoons of olive oil and a dash of salt. Roast in the oven, stirring them every 15-20 minutes or so, so that they don't burn (I had the oven set on around 350 and the whole process took about 45 minutes).

Dice a couple of tomatoes (I used some grape tomatoes that I had on hand).

Once the onions are done, toss them in bowl with the pink-eyed peas and tomatoes. Add another tablespoon of olive oil and a tablespoon or so of red wine vinegar. I also like to add a splash of lemon juice. To taste, add some black or red pepper, a little cumin, and some chopped cilanro. Yum!

This works great as a side dish for just about any summer meal.

Bon appetit!

Man on Horseback...with a Dog?

Now here's a sight you don't see everyday! I was on my way back from Wally World (no, I was not on "Vacation;" that's Wal-Mart for those of you who aren't familiar with the term), my dog riding in the backseat, when what should I see in front of me but a man AND man's best friend on horseback. They were walking down a 2-lane highway and I couldn't get around them for the longest, so I decided this would at least give me the opportunity to snap an almost-once-in-a-lifetime picture (because now that I'm putting this out on the web, I'm sure at least somebody else out there is gonna try it!)

You may have to look close to see the dog, so here's a hint - the dog is black and brown and is pointed to the right. (you may want to double-click on the photo to blow it up for a better view!)

Nacho Breakfast Pie

Let me just start off by saying that I love to cook (as if it wasn't enough of a clue that the first picture of my blog was that of my new kitchen!), and I mostly create dishes out of what I have onhand, but I'm terrible about measuring as I go along. I will try to do better at this for the purposes of this blog. But most of the time I'm in a hurry, and not thinking about trying to re-create whatever it is that I'm throwing together. If you can relate, then, hurrah! - we have the same culinary communication skills. If you like more more structure when it comes to cooking, then I hope I am able to inspire or at least entertain by sharing my experiences in the kitchen.

And now, for my blog's first recipe - Nacho Breakfast Pie! (Seems fitting that my first recipe blog should concern the first - and often my favorite - meal of the day - breakfast!)



So, last night I made some simple nachos with tortilla chips, banana peppers and cheese. They went well with a movie in bed (perfect way to end a workweek). Well, I couldn't eat all the nachos in one sitting, so I decided to save the leftovers to eat later. Then this morning I had a brainstorm - what about Nacho Breakfast Pie?

I had baked the nachos in a round Pyrex dish, so this allowed for the idea of a breakfast "pie" to work. I had about one even layer of nahcos, so I beat 4 eggs with some milk and poured this mixture over the nachos. Then I sprinkled the egg/nacho mixture with some sliced grape tomatoes, sliced green onions and some chopped cilantro. Season to taste, bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees and they're ready to enjoy. I served mine with a dollop of salsa on the side; some sour cream would be nice as well. Bon appetit!

Future Home Sweet Home

Today we sign the papers for our new home! I am so excited! Especially about my favorite room of the house - the kitchen! We got to get a "sneak preview" of them putting on the finishing touches. Will my culinary creations taste better when prepared in a kitchen with chocolate shaker cabinets and an oven with a "stone hearth" background? Mmmmm....I like to think so, anyway!