Bangkok City

M and I wanted anything other than Thanksgiving leftovers for dinner last night. We never take home left overs. I’m so over the meal once it’s all said and done. I like one or two plates of turkey and sides then I am on to my next meal sans turkey. We ordered take out from Bangkok City. Mmm.. We enjoyed pad thai, chicken curry and pad kee mow. My favorite was the chicken curry. You could really taste the creamy coconut milk and subtle spices. I soaked up every last bit with the white rice and spring rolls. I accidentally forgot to mention that I wanted shrimp in the rolls. Lucky for me, that was a deal breaker for M. I got his veggie rolls plus mine. M devoured the pad thai. It was perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of chopped peanuts. We topped the meal off with a couple bottles of Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon. I was so happy to see the bottles on sale at Kroger for under $20. It’s a favorite of mine. It’s one smooth cab!

Today, we’re heading to the bar to watch the Tech game at 2:30 and then the OU game at 7PM. We’re so hoping for a win for OK St. It’s a day of beer, bar food, football and friends. First, a nice long run to work off last night’s meal and today’s munchies.

That was easy!

So far, this has been the easiest Thanksgiving yet. I had all four dishes cooked and ready to go by 11AM. In years past, it took me triple that time to get my dishes prepared. I was left with an afternoon all to myself with whatever I wanted to do. I thought about going for a run, but felt too tired for that. Instead, I hit Mom up for a walk in the neighborhood. It was just what I needed.

Now, I’m sipping on a beer while waiting for M to get out of the shower. His best friend is in town from New York. Looks like it’ll be a night filled with lots of red wine and old French classics. I’m so in the mood for a lazy evening filled with great people, good movies, wine and conversation.

So, how many of you were missing an ingredient for a recipe? Did you replace it with something at home? Skip it altogether? Or, go to the grocery store (gasp)?

Turkey day

My in-laws celebrate Thanksgiving the weekend before at the ranch. They cater in bbq and have a ball of a time playing horse shoes and Taboo. Unfortunately, I was not able to go this year. I think that is why I have all the more reason to be so excited about the upcoming holiday. Last night, we previewed the big day with Sunday dinner at my Mom’s. We had a blast. My nephew was there along with his parents all the way from Reno, NV. We sat around the table enjoying bottles of red wine along with chili and cornbread.

It’s a short work week. I’m only working a day and a half. The rest of my time will be spent with my nephew and preparing for Thanksgiving. I’m making creamed spinach, corn and chipotle gratin, broccoli cheese rice casserole and a pumpkin cake. So far we don’t have a chocolate dessert. My cousin backed out on making a chocolate cream pie. I’m thinking of making a chocolate cake using the recipe on the Cocoa box. It looks pretty good to me. I’m open for suggestions. Got any good chocolate recipes for me?

Has anyone put up their tree yet? M and I are all set to get it up early this year as in today. I can’t wait!

TGIF

Happy Friday! We made it to the weekend!! M is going to the ranch this weekend so I’m all by my lonesome. Well, I have Carlos so I’m not completely alone. I’ve been taking him outside on his leash. Boy does he love it out there. With the chilly weather I am inclined to do some baking this weekend. What shall it be? I want chocolate in the form of a pie or a cake. Hmm… I’ve got my work cut out for me today. I’ll do some research at work while it’s slow. We’re also having a potluck. I made that pumpkin pie cake that I blogged about previously. I hope it’s a hit. If not, more for me. Ha! What does everyone have going on this weekend? Got any baking ideas that involve chocolate?

pet sitting

A coworker has asked me if I would like to take in his little pup next week while he is away in Florida. I love the idea, but I’m not sure how he and Carlos would get along. What do you think? Should I go for it? He has even offered to pay me. He doesn’t want his boy locked up in a kennel all week and neither do I.

Moops

Okay, I know I said that we weren’t getting another kitty, but we (meaning I) haven’t completely ruled it out. Yesterday, I went to Petsmart to get Lola (Mom’s kitty) her cat food. I came across the sweetest little boy ever! If he’s still there today then he’s all mine. I already named him and everything. Moops, if you’re still there you are coming home with me.

I cooked a brisket in the crock pot yesterday. It turned out really well. M was in heaven last night. He’s a meat and potato guy so last night’s dinner was right up his alley. I think my favorite part of the meal was my sweet potato. I forgot how much better they are than regular baked potatoes.

Note to self. All the hype about olive oil cakes is crap. I made one yesterday and it sucked. I’m sticking to the real deal next time. What a waste of ingredients.

M and I dined at Javier’s on Friday. What is it about that place? M and I absolutely love it! We started off with their smoked chicken nachos. Hello, where have you been all my life? Yes, they were to die for. As for our meals, it’s beef all the way. They create some of the best filets in town. I’m already itching to go back.

Crock Pot cooking

I am searching for crock pot recipes. I want to get the slow cooker out this weekend. I’m thinking along the lines of brisket and chili (no beans, please). Can someone throw me a bone?

Poblano Rice Pudding

I can’t remember which New Mexican cookbook this recipe came from. I picked up so many on our last trip out which was our honeymoon. It’s a good one. I even added it to my own recipe collection.  Once I make a recipe and I like it then it goes into my own cookbook with additions/subtractions. Dig in.

Savory Rice Pudding

Tomato Sauce
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
½ TBS butter
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped almost minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 28-ounce can whole plum tomatoes in juice, coarsely pureed
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice
6 poblano chiles, roasted, peeled, seeded and cut into thin strips
1 tsp. Marjoram
½ tsp. oregano
2 bay leaves
Pinch of sugar
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Cream Sauce
2 cups of sour cream
1 cup plain yogurt
1 (8oz) pkg. cream cheese
¼ cup white wine
1 cup whipping cream
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
To assemble
2 cups grated Mozzarella cheese
1 ½ cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
6 cups cooked long grain white rice

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan. Sauté the onion and garlic until softened and slightly browned. Add tomatoes and chile strips and cook for another 5 minutes. Season with marjoram, oregano, bay leaves, sugar, salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 20 minutes, until slightly thickened.

Stir sour cream, yogurt, cream cheese, white wine and whipping cream together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a large (3-qt) baking dish. Toss the Mozzarella and Monterey Jack cheeses together in a bowl. Spoon half of the rice into the dish and smooth evenly. Cover with half the tomato sauce and then half of the cream sauce. Spread half the cheese over the cream sauce. Repeat with remaining rice, sauce and cream. Reserve the remaining cheeses. Lightly cover the casserole with foil and bake about 30 minutes, until heated through. Uncover and sprinkle with reserved cheese. Return the uncovered casserole to the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes more, or until the cheese melts.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

1 pkg. boneless, skinless chicken breast (cooked and chopped into pieces)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1 can Rotel
1 small can of chopped green chiles
1 TBS lemon juice
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
¼ cup white wine
1 yellow onion, diced
1 TBS. minced garlic
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp pepper
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp New Mexico chili powder
3 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
½ cup of heavy whipping cream
1 pkg. flour tortillas
1 TBS butter
1 TBS olive oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9 x 13 glass casserole dish.

In a large sauce pan, sauté onion in olive oil and butter until translucent. Add garlic and sauté another minute.

In a large bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, lemon juice, white wine, salt, pepper, cumin, chili powders, green chiles, Rotel and cilantro.

Layer the bottom of the glass dish with torn tortillas. Top with chicken, half of the sour cream mixture and cheese. Repeat again topping the casserole with a final layer of cheese. Pour heavy cream over the entire casserole. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake another 15 minutes. Let cool and enjoy.

One more

Yeah! M agreed to get another kitty. Carlos is one VERY needy baby. He cries when we leave the house. He waits for us to get home from work by the front door with his little mouse. It’s so sad. Carlos needs a companion. I start that search today. I don’t know how long it will take, but when I see our new buddy I will know.