So many recipes, so little time.

I may never get to all the recipes I have already cut out or marked in one of my cookbooks AND the internet just adds to the pile...AND I actually have TWO "apps" on my iphone. AND then there is the family recipe box with all its treasured, tattered index cards...sigh.

Nothing is Perfect!

I could not resist trying these new sauces...one-it is quick, two-who doesn't like Philly cream cheese? three-with  great coupons, they ended up costing 50 cents.

The recipe that came with this one was Chicken Bruschetta Pasta, another sauce's recipe was Easy Chicken Enchiladas.  They were both very good.  However, it isn't a dish that this house will be having often.  It contains 25% of your daily saturated fat.....SIGH.....other than that "little" detail it was going to be a keeper.

Who knew I was married to a hamburger purist?

I know the term purist usually refers to music or art..but I think it may also be appropriate for Michael's review of tonights new burger recipe.

Michael declared they were more like meatloaf...and I think he was right.  So  "NO recipe for you" (Think soup nazi) I will try it in a few weeks as a meatloaf. It has salsa, brown sugar, and bread crumbs....so it probably does have a  future as a meatloaf

My Dirty Little (Pizza) Secret

Growing up in South Jersey I had the good fortune to be surrounded by GOOD Italian cooks and GOOD Italian food.  However, I will resort to average take out when I have no inspiration to cook and many times it will be pizza.  I must be honest and say tonights take out wasn't bad!  And it was cheap.  We have tried two of the local Pizza joints and neither one of them will get a return visit.  They were average and NOT cheap. NO inspiration=Domino's Pizza.
So, even though I feel just a little guilty...I mean you can't really call Dominos Italian food if you are a Jersey girl.....but all in all it was quick, easy and NO mess to clean up. 

Dr. Seuss with Dinner

To put it mildly, the Stuffed Eggplant did not go over too well.  Michael actually used the word abhor...really.

He even started a rhyme a la Dr. Seuss "I cannot tell you how much I hate it...I do not like it diced or grated"

THEN...he recited the list of things he does not like: eggplant, asparagus, brussell sprouts, onions, radishes,water chestnuts, turnips, rutabagas, buttermilk, cheap dill hamburger pickles...that's about it.  Sheesh!

I actually liked it, thought it was quite good, so here's the recipe!

Stuffed Eggplant

1/2 lb. ground beef
1 onion chopped (I always use dried..see above)
1 eggplant (about 3/4 lb.)
1/2 a green bell pepper, chopped
3 T Italian-style bread crumbs
1/4 C sour creme (I used low fat)
2 T grated Parmesan cheese

1) Coat frying pan w/cooking spray.  Cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until beef is no longer pink.
2) Halve eggplant lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out flesh. leaving 1/2" border all around. Chop flesh into pieces.  Add eggplant flesh and bell pepper to pan with beef.  Cook until softened.  Stir in bread crumbs and sour creme.  Spoon mixture into shells, sprinkle w/Parmesan cheese, and place in a 4 quart or larger slow cooker
3) Cover. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.

Green Beans in lemon chiffon sauce

3 lbs. fresh green beans, trimmed
3 C water
1T cornstarch
1 1/2 C chicken broth
1/4 C parmesan cheese
6 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 C butter cubed
1/4 C lemon juice
2t  parsley
2t chopped green onion

1) place beans in a Dutch oven and cover with water.  Bring to a boil. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes or until crisp-tender.
2) Meanwhile, in a large saucepan combine the cornstarch, broth and parm. cheese  until smooth.  Cook and stir over med-high heat until thickened and bubbly.  Reduce the heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat.  Stir a small amount of filling into the eggs; return all to pan, stirring constantly.  Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer.  Add butter, one piece at a time, whisking after each addition until butter is melted.
3) Remove from the heat.  Gently stir in the lemon juice, parsley and onion.  Drain beans; top with sauce.

Yield: 12 servings*

I cut the recipe to one third and it was just fine.

I am so distracted

I can't even think about dinner.  This media obsession with Charlie Sheen is so distracting.  The man is a human train wreck. One thing is for sure......Lindsey Lohan should be sending him flowers (or at least a "proper" thank you note). He is making her look like Mother Teresa