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Monthly Archives: March 2013

Pasta Risotto by Nigella

17 Sunday Mar 2013

Posted by Jennifer in Favorites, Food

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Tags

kid friendly dinners, New dinner ideas, Nigella Lawson, Nigellissima, Orzo, Pancetta, Pasta Rissoto, Peas, USA Weekend

ImageWhat’s for dinner? Answering that dreaded question daily is quite exhausting. Even the most imaginative person runs out of new dinner options.  This is why I have committed to trying one new recipe a week. While I have not always had great successes, there have been a few gems. This is one of them. I found this recipe in the USA Weekend magazine in my local paper.  It is by Nigella Lawson, author of Nigellissima. I have been watching Nigella since I was in high school on VH-1 on Saturday mornings. I knew when I saw the recipe I would try it. I am only sorry my camera phone did not do it justice. TRY THIS RECIPE!!! It is so yummy, and ALL 3 of my kiddos ate it.

Pasta Risotto with Peas and Pancetta

2Tbs. garlic-flavored oil (or add peeled garlic clove to regular oil and cook until golden, discard garlic, use oil)

6 ounces cubed pancetta (or diced, thick cut bacon)

1 1/4 cups frozen petite peas

8 ounces orzo pasta

2 1/2 cups boiling water

salt to taste

1 Tbs. soft butter

2 Tbs. grated Parmesan

pepper to taste

Warm the oil in a heavy pan. (this is a one pan dish))  I use an enameled cast iron dutch oven) Add the pancetta (I used bacon) Cook pancetta until it becomes crisp and bronzed, then add the peas and stir for a minute or two until the frozen look leaves them. Add the pasta and turn it about in the pancetta and peas. Next, pour in boiling water. Add salt cautiously as the pancetta is already salty. Turn down the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Check on it and stir to keep from sticking and to see if you need more water. When it is ready, pasta should be soft and starchy and the water should be absorbed. Beat in the butter and Parmesan. Check the seasoning. Serve immediately.

I always try a recipe for the first time according to the directions. I never change anything without tasting the original. This is amazing and I changed very little. I did use bacon because it is what I had on hand. My lack of garlic infused oil required I infuse my own. It was easy.  I also added an additional tablespoon of butter.  The dish is very delightful with 2 tablespoons of Parmesan. In order to tempt my children into eating more than one bite, I added a bit more. At least 1/2 cup….I do love cheese. It is great either way! There is something about this dish that gives you the warm fuzzies. The bacon gives it a smokey flavor, and the peas make it fresh.

Clutter Killer!

14 Thursday Mar 2013

Posted by Jennifer in Cleaning House, Food

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Cookbooks, Cooking, home organization, kitchen organization, recipe filing, recipe keeper, recipes

 

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Some people hoard, I purge. I think I could be a professional purger. Few things bring me more joy than killing a little clutter. Less is always more! Cookbooks are always a source of clutter.  I have a love hate relationship with mine. There are a few I use constantly. Others are kept because they are pretty….seriously. Above is a picture of my slimmed collection. This is my secret, and please don’t think I am terrible. See the Jacob & Co Creamed Cracker box?  It contains my favorite recipes. For those cookbooks that contain just one recipe that I love, I rip it out of the cookbook.  It is then placed in the cracker box for safe keeping.  The defaced cookbook then goes in my Goodwill pile. (another post all in itself, but I keep a box that I can toss give away items in. I visit the Goodwill drop off weekly.) The cookbooks I use frequently are the ones you see. Beyond that, there is hardly a recipe that can’t be found online. This is an easy afternoon project to kill the clutter in your kitchen and spread cooking love by donating those barely used books. I would say take them to the used book store…but if page 193 is missing…..:0)

The Battlefield

13 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by Jennifer in Family, Favorites

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Battlefield, Civil War, Civil War Battlefield, Courthouse Battlefield, Family, State Parks, State Parks of Viriginia, tourism, Virginia

BattlefieldadventiuresWe are blessed to live in the land of preserved Civil War Battlefields. Virginia has so many open fields that are available for exploring, as long as you stay on the path! The staying on the path part is a task to teach to our littles, but they are getting it!  It is tempting to go running through an open field, but not permitted! Now that it is warming up, we visit the Courthouse Battlefield after dinner. It is the perfect place for some evening exercise.  This is one of my favorite things about living in Virginia.

Veggies on the Way!

13 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by Jennifer in Backyard Garden

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backyard, Backyard Garden, cut flowers, family garden, flower garden, flowers, gardening, Peas, Radishes, seed tape, Spring, starter plants, suburban garden, tomatoes

Garden StartWe already have a few sprouts! Typically, we start our own seeds instead of buying plants. This is so much fun for our boys. They really get into it when they see it from the start. This year we are planting a variety of tomatoes, radishes, carrots, lettuce, peas, and onions. We are trying seed tape this year for the radishes and carrots.  My favorite garden items are flowers. They are in the covered container. I love being able to walk outside and cut flowers for my dinner table. Daisies and zinnias are beautiful and very easy to grow.

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Snow Day

12 Tuesday Mar 2013

Tags

Snow, Snowquester, VA Snow

Snow Day

We got a little snow! Of course, while my husband was out of town, 6 inches of snow give or take, fell from the sky! I lost internet for 3 days as well as cable. It was beautiful, heavy snow, and I am so glad it has melted!

Posted by Jennifer | Filed under Family

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Mac N Cheese

05 Tuesday Mar 2013

Posted by Jennifer in Food

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comfort food, Mac N Cheese, Macarooni, Macarooni and Cheese

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This is a favorite at my house, but I will be the first to admit it has less than stellar nutrition. This recipe also commits a crime in using processed cheese. BUT, it is yummy and worth the splurge. You can sub in cheddar, you will just loose a little creaminess. On a cold a snowy day, this is the perfect comfort food.  You should also know, this makes a ton!!

1lb elbow macarooni

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup flour

5 cups milk

1lb Velveeta 2% milk box

8oz light sour cream

salt and pepper to taste

Cook elbow pasta according to box directions. Drain and set aside. Melt butter in the same pot. Stir in flour and cook for a minute or two on medium heat. Add 5 cups of milk, continually stirring until mixture thickens. Don’t give up hope. It will thicken. After sauce is thick, add Velveeta cut up into cubes. Once cheese product is melted, add sour cream. Remove from stove top. Stir in cooked elbows. I allow mine to sit for a a few minutes in the pot before serving so the elbows have an opportunity to soak up the cheese sauce. Salt and pepper to taste.

Backyard Garden

05 Tuesday Mar 2013

Posted by Jennifer in Backyard Garden, Family

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Backyard Garden, Carrots, Garden, Onions, Peas, Radishes, Spring

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Sweet Summer

03 Sunday Mar 2013

Posted by Jennifer in Family

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Family, Snead's Farm, Summer

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March kills me. There are no signs of spring to be seen and no apparent rise in temperatures. I was born for summer. I love it. I love the heat and the ease of walking out to my garden to pick a tomato. This picture was taken at Snead’s Farm in Spotsylvania, VA last summer. How can any dreary winter days compare to swinging over a shady creek on a hot summer day? For now I will have to look back at my snapshots from last year and pine away for warmer weather. Summer always comes, she just drags her feet getting here.

Quote

“There are two …

03 Sunday Mar 2013

Posted by Jennifer in Uncategorized

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Billy Graham, Billy Graham in Quotes, poor, rich, wealth

“There are two ways of being rich-have a lot, or want very little. The latter way is the easiest for most.” -Billy Graham (Billy Graham in Quotes, 2001)

Love on the Line

03 Sunday Mar 2013

Posted by Jennifer in Recently Read

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Deeanne Gist, historical fiction, Love on the Line, review

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My heart will always hold a special place for Texas. I lived in Montgomery, TX for 2 years when Jeremy and I first got married. In fact, we lived not far from Brenham, TX where this lovely story takes place. Deeanne Gist is always able to draw me into her stories in the first chapter. This is a story about Georgie, an independent, bird loving woman who is the “Hello lady” (a.k.a switchboard operator) of her town. An undercover Texas Ranger who masquerades as a telephone company troubleman steals her heart as he searches for a notorious gang. Love on the Line is a joy to read and very entertaining. I was rooting for these two love birds all the way through. Love on the Line is a stay up late to finish it kind of novel!

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