Love in the Kitchen - making fast, healthy, homegrown meals you'll enjoy

Friday, February 28, 2014

An Oscar Party!


I always look forward to the Oscars.  When I was a kid, I am pretty sure that it is because we usually gave up television for Lent, but we made an exception to watch the Oscars.  :-)

These days I enjoy theming my Oscars dinner.  One year it was around the major movie houses, but most often our theme is based on the best picture nominees.

Here are some ideas of menu items based on this year's nominees:


American Flag Cheesecake Bars
American Hustle is loosely based on the '70s and '80s FBI sting operation ABSCAM where agents worked with a conman to target corrupt politicians. Director David O'Russell's madcap crime film is nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including all the top categories: Picture, Director, Actor (Christian Bale), Actress (Amy Adams), Supporting Actor (Bradley Cooper), Supporting Actress (Jennifer Lawrence) and Original Screenplay.
***** 

Pirate Chest with Fish and Potatoes - I like this one because the ship was a container ship, and this recipe has a container for the fish & potatoes!
Captain Phillips is based on the true story of Captain Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks), whose cargo ship was invaded by Somali pirates, leading to his being taken hostage. The seafaring thriller is nominated for six Academy Awards including Picture and Supporting Actor for Barkhad Abdi who plays the lead pirate.
***** 

Texas Style BBQ Baked Beans
Dallas Buyers Club looks back to the early days of AIDS, when a diagnosis of the disease was akin to a death sentence before the development and approval of the life-saving drugs available today. In the film, rodeo cowboy Ron Woodruff (Matthew McConaughey) is diagnosed with AIDS and given a few weeks to live. Unsatisfied with this prognosis and the poisonous drugs available at the hospital, Woodruff begins a quest for better AIDS treatments, starting a buyers club to supply himself and his members with unapproved yet more effective pharmaceuticals. The film is nominated for six Academy Awards, including Picture, Actor (McConaughey), Supporting Actor (Jared Leto) and Original Screenplay.
***** 

Starry Sky Chips and Dip
In Gravity, astronaut Ryan Stone finds herself alone and adrift in space after a shocking accident destroys her space shuttle and kills the rest of her crew. Director Alfonso Cuarón's gripping visuals propelled the film to 10 Academy Award nominations, including Picture, Actress (Sandra Bullock), Director and many technical awards.
***** 

In the film Her, recently separated Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) acquires a new smartphone with a hyper-intelligent operating system that he names Samantha (Scarlett Johansson) and forms a romantic attachment to. The movie is nominated for five Academy Awards, including Picture, Original Screenplay and, for its beautiful vision of a futuristic Los Angeles, Production Design.

***** 

In Nebraska, Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) is convinced he's won a million dollars when he receives a magazine publisher's sweepstakes notice. Although his son David (Will Forte) recognizes the notice as a scam, David nonetheless agrees to drive his father from their home in Montana to Lincoln, Nebraska so he can claim his "prize." The quirky comedy-drama is nominated for six Academy Awards including Picture, Actor (Dern), Supporting Actress (June Squibb), Director (Alexander Payne) and Cinematography, for its beautiful black and white photography by Phedon Papamichael.

***** 

Mushy Peas - a quintessential British comfort food
In Philomena, a mother (Judi Dench), with the help of a British journalist, searches for her son who was adopted in the early '50s from an Irish convent where she had the baby following an unplanned teenage pregnancy. The film is nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Actress (Dench).

***** 
The movie 12 Years a Slave begins in 1841 when Solomon Northup, a free man from Saratoga Springs, New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery. Taken from his life and family, he spends 12 years working on several Louisiana plantations, subjected to increasingly cruel conditions. The deeply affecting film is nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Actor (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Supporting Actor (Michael Fassbender), Supporting Actress (Lupita Nyong'o) and Director (Steve McQueen).

***** 

Director Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street unabashedly immerses itself in the vulgar, corrupt and greedy world of late 1980s Wall Street, based on the true-life story of Jordan Belfort. The film is nominated for Academy Awards for Picture, Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio), Supporting Actor (Jonah Hill), Director and Adapted Screenplay.
***** 



Looks like it should be an interesting show this year.  Will you watch?  Any predictions?





zentMRS - Love in the Kitchen
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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Celebrate Citrus!


When I was a kid growing up in Minnesota, we spent a week or two every winter visiting my grandparents in Southern California.  I loved escaping the Minnesota winter to a beautiful Southern California "winter" - and my grandparents lived near a tangelo orchard.  Tangelos are a tangerine/grapefruit hybrid, and are incredibly sweet and juicy.  Especially straight from the tree.  They tasted like liquid sunshine to me.

I know this winter has been a tough one for a lot of folks, so I thought I would pull together some of my favorite citrus recipes to spread a little sunshine!





Do you have a favorite lemon or orange recipe?


zentMRS - Love in the Kitchen
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Monday, February 24, 2014

Tuesday's Table for February 25, 2014

We had a wonderful party last week. Thanks to all of you who stopped by to add your links to last week's party, and a "Welcome New Friends" to all of our new followers.








This week's feature is Whole Food Mom on a Budget's Cinnamon Roll in a Mug.  One of my favorite breakfast treats is cinnamon rolls, but I rarely make them.  This deliciously simple recipe could definitely change that!  You need to head over and see her site.





Please grab a button  - and thanks so much for sharing!

And now it's time to fill Tuesday's Table.  I'm hoping that this week we can fill the table with tasty treats for Valentine's Day.  I can always use some great inspiration, and y'all always come through with it!

For this week's party, only a few guidelines:
  • Please share as many links as you like, but only if you haven't shared them here before
  • Add a link back to Tuesday's Table (or grab a button above!) so others can join in the fun
  • Follow me via Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+, RSS or Bloglovin (see my sidebar!)
No other requirements, but visit the other links here, and I'd love for you to sign up for my email reminder here!

And now, for this week's link party!



zentMRS - Love in the Kitchen
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Monday, February 17, 2014

Tuesday's Table for February 18, 2014

We had a wonderful party last week. Thanks to all of you who stopped by to add your links to last week's party, and a "Welcome New Friends" to all of our new followers.








This week's feature is Eat, Drink and Be Mary's Rice Krispies Treats.  I just love how she takes a simple treat and makes it adorable and special!  You need to head over and see her site.





Please grab a button  - and thanks so much for sharing!

And now it's time to fill Tuesday's Table.  I'm hoping that this week we can fill the table with tasty treats for Valentine's Day.  I can always use some great inspiration, and y'all always come through with it!

For this week's party, only a few guidelines:
  • Please share as many links as you like, but only if you haven't shared them here before
  • Add a link back to Tuesday's Table (or grab a button above!) so others can join in the fun
  • Follow me via Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+, RSS or Bloglovin (see my sidebar!)
No other requirements, but visit the other links here, and I'd love for you to sign up for my email reminder here!

And now, for this week's link party!




zentMRS - Love in the Kitchen
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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Cinnamon Red Hot Bark


If you are looking for a simple but spectacular Valentine's Day treat, look no further!  This Cinnamon Red Hot Bark is a sweet and spicy treat that comes together in just a few minutes! Smooth white chocolate is swirled with rich dark chocolate and studded with cinnamon red hot candies in this beautiful and simple bark recipe.




Cinnamon Red Hot Bark

by Susan Zentmyer
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
  • 1 package white chocolate chips
  • 1 package dark chocolate chips
  • 1 1/2 cup cinnamon red hot candies, divided
Instructions
Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper and set aside.

Lightly crush 1/2 cup of the cinnamon red hot candies - you want piece of the candies, not dust.

Place the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until melted, stirring after every 30 seconds to prevent overheating. White chocolate burns easily, so it is important to stir frequently so you don’t ruin your chocolate.

Once the white chocolate is melted and completely smooth, stir in 1/2 cup of the whole red hots and 1/2 of the crushed red hots into the chocolate until they are well-distributed.

Pour the candy out onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it into a thin layer with an offset spatula or knife.

Place the dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until melted, stirring after every 30 seconds to prevent overheating. Stir frequently so you don’t ruin your chocolate.

Once the dark chocolate is melted and completely smooth, stir in 1/2 cup of the whole red hots and 1/2 of the crushed red hots into the chocolate until they are well-distributed.

Swirl the dark chocolate candy into the white chocolate candy, taking care that some of each type of chocolate is visible. Try not to let the candy get too thick or it will be difficult to eat.

Place the bark in the refrigerator to set for about 15 minutes. Once the chocolate is set, break it into small irregular pieces by hand and serve. Cinnamon Red Hot Bark can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.




Isn't it beautiful?  I put a heart pancake mold in the middle of the bark before it cooled to make the  beautiful heart-shaped piece of bark.  Simple - and a real treat for your Valentine.







zentMRS - Love in the Kitchen
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Monday, February 10, 2014

Tuesday's Table for February 11, 2014

We had a wonderful party last week. Thanks to all of you who stopped by to add your links to last week's party, and a "Welcome New Friends" to all of our new followers.








This week's feature is My Healthy Habit's Mediterranean Indulgence.  I am planning a Mediterranean vacation right now and this just makes me want to go all the more!  You need to head over and see her site.





Please grab a button  - and thanks so much for sharing!

And now it's time to fill Tuesday's Table.  I'm hoping that this week we can fill the table with tasty treats for Valentine's Day.  I can always use some great inspiration, and y'all always come through with it!

For this week's party, only a few guidelines:
  • Please share as many links as you like, but only if you haven't shared them here before
  • Add a link back to Tuesday's Table (or grab a button above!) so others can join in the fun
  • Follow me via Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+, RSS or Bloglovin (see my sidebar!)
No other requirements, but visit the other links here, and I'd love for you to sign up for my email reminder here!

And now, for this week's link party!



zentMRS - Love in the Kitchen
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Thursday, February 06, 2014

Spicy Red Pepper Cheese Dip



We made this cheese dip for our Superbowl shindig.  And it was a big hit!  The roasted red peppers bring a hint of sweet and smoky flavor which balances really nicely with the heat of the jalapenos.  And melty cheese?  Who doesn't love that?!  Top it with crispy panko crumbs for that perfect added texture.  This spicy and flavorful dip will disappear in an instant at your next party!





Spicy Red Pepper Cheese Dip

by Susan Zentmyer
Ingredients
  • 2 cups (8 oz.) shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups (8 oz.) shredded pepper Jack cheese
  • 3/4 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup roasted red bell peppers, chopped
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 jalapeno peppers, finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
  • Cooking spray
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°. Stir together Cheddar cheese, pepper Jack cheese, cream cheese, roasted red bell peppers, mayonnaise, jalapeno peppers, garlic, and salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Lightly grease a 2-qt. baking dish with cooking spray; spread cheese mixture in prepared dish. Sprinkle panko bread crumbs over the cheese mixture and spray lightly with cooking spray.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until thoroughly heated, golden brown and bubbly.

{Simple Substitutions}
  • Use low-fat cheese for Cheddar, Pepper Jack and cream cheese to take out some of the fat and calories
  • Use low-fat mayonnaise
  • Serve with reduced sodium crackers







This is wonderful on crackers.  Definitely save some to use for a quick sandwich spread or with your scrambled eggs - delicious!







zentMRS - Love in the Kitchen
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Tuesday, February 04, 2014

Celebrate National Soup Day!



Today is National Soup Day!  Here are a few of my favorite soups.  Try one tonight - nothing warms you like soup!  





What is your favorite soup?

zentMRS - Love in the Kitchen
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Monday, February 03, 2014

Tuesday's Table for February 4, 2014

I can scarcely believe that we are already almost through January! Thanks to all of you who stopped by to add your links to last week's party, and a "Welcome New Friends" to all of our new followers.








And now, it's time to fill Tuesday's Table!

This week's feature is One Tipsy Chick's Brownie Brittle..  I have totally been tempted to buy this in the store. Now that I know it is so easy to make myself, we will definitely be seeing some of this in our house... and soon!  You need to head over and see her site.



Please grab a button  - and thanks so much for sharing!


For this week's party, only a few guidelines:
  • Please share as many links as you like, but only if you haven't shared them here before
  • Add a link back to Tuesday's Table (or grab a button above!) so others can join in the fun
  • Follow me via Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+, RSS or Bloglovin (see my sidebar!)
No other requirements, but visit the other links here, and I'd love for you to sign up for my email reminder here!

And now, for this week's link party!




zentMRS - Love in the Kitchen
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Saturday, February 01, 2014

Super Pretzel Dogs



We watch the Superbowl every year.  Usually not for the game, since my team hasn't been there for some time.  Since 1979.  When the Raiders were coached by John Madden and Ken Stabler was a quarterback.  And they beat the Vikings.  My team.  (I don't actually remember that game... but that was the last time we were there).

So we watch for different reasons.  The ads, the tradition, the company.  All great reasons.

Maybe best of all is the food.  I love game-day, when I can indulge in some of my guilty pleasures - like hot dogs, pretzels and beer.

This recipe combines those favorites.  Soft pretzel dough is rolled around kielbasa, sprinkled with salt and baked until golden brown for a grown-up version of pigs in a blanket!


Super Pretzel Dogs

by Susan Zentmyer
Ingredients (serves 6)
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, plus a pinch or two more
  • 8 tablespoons butter, melted and divided
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/2 cups bread flour
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups very hot water
  • 1 package dry active yeast
  • 2 tablespoons baking soda
  • Nonstick spray
  • Coarse sea salt
  • 1 turkey kielbasa ring, approximately 1 pound, cut into 6 pieces

Instructions



Make the pretzel dough

Place the first seven ingredients in the pan of your bread machine in the order listed (or as per the directions for your bread machine.) Select Dough Cycle and press Start.

Observe the dough as it kneads. After 5 to 10 minutes, if it appears dry and stiff or if your machine sounds as if it's straining to knead the dough, add more liquid 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough forms a smooth, soft, pliable ball that is slightly tacky to the touch.

When cycle is complete, remove from the pan and divide into 6 equal pieces.


Assemble the Super Pretzel Dogs


Preheat oven to 425 F.

Roll each piece of dough into a long rope. Wrap each piece around a piece of the kielbasa and place onto a silpat-lined baking pan.

Stir the baking soda into the hot water. Liberally baste the pretzel dough with the baking soda water (this will help achieve the proper texture). Sprinkle with coarse sea salt.

Bake for 20 minutes, or until the pretzel dough is golden brown and slightly crispy.

Serve hot with mustard.
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These were fantastic!  The pretzels were just the right combination of soft, crispy and salty, and in combination with the flavorful kielbasa, are the perfect game-day food.


And as for the Vikings, well, there's always next year.


zentMRS - Love in the Kitchen
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