in the kitchen.

Having some extra time off from work this week allowed me a chance to try some new recipes, so here's what's been cooking.

Lemon-Almond Bars-February 2014 Southern Living.  I made these for quilt club on Friday, and they were very good.  Were they worth the many steps required to make them, I'm not so sure.  I think if I make these again, I'll try store bought lemon curd to see if it makes a difference in the the overall taste.  Also, I will toast the topping a little longer, and maybe use a bit more butter to insure that it browns.  The topping sorta fell off the bars and made them a little crumbly.

Saturday night's dinner was Mushroom Bourguignon from Deb Perelman's The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook.  This was AMA-zing.  I loved the meatiness of the portobello mushrooms.  Next time I make this recipe I'll use fewer pearl onions (I had actually meant to do this to start with), and I'll cut them in half.  I did not have the tomato paste that the recipe called for, but it didn't seem to matter.  I'll make sure I use it next time so I'll know for sure.  I also used a Chianti for the wine, so not sure if that makes any difference in this type of recipe or not.

 On Sunday's I like to have a do ahead dish for after church.  The February 2014 Southern Living had a lot of one-pot dishes that sounded good.  I fixed the Chicken-and-Collards Pilau, this also was really good.  The modifications I made was to use just chicken breast (cause that's what I had already), and Aidell's Cajun Chicken Andouille sausage.  I think this recipe would also be good with shrimp, and maybe add a can of tomatoes.  The recipe called for basmati rice, but I had to use jasmine instead-cause that's what I already had on hand, and it seemed to be fine.

I'm looking forward to trying more recipes and will share the results here.

time for a quickie.

i have ever intention of blogging about snowjam 2014 the sequel, but for now i'm
-catching up on blog reading
-working on my willard pullover (one sleeve nearly done!)
-drinking my last cup of coffee-for today.
-re-reading a very sweet and unexpected Valentine from a friend i haven't seen in a while
-getting ready to take my mother to her hair appointment.
-looking forward to a 3 day weekend after a 3 day work break courtesy of snow jam
-looking forward to 2 1/2 additional days off this next week-a sewing class, quilt club, and general de-cluttering are on the to-do list
-wondering what it's going to be like not having hot water until the new hot water heater is installed on MONDAY!!!

you know nothing really says Happy Valentine's Day than finding that your hot water heater has a rusted out bottom, and you spend a good hour or so shop vac-ing the basement floor!

what's your current "i am's"?

Red.

I do love red, especially if it's the deep-blueish red. orange-y red, not so much.  so here's my list for the 10 on Tuesday prompt.

10. my nearly finished Flax pullover-madeline tosh juniper-reminds me of chocolate cherries!
 9. flowers (roses and geraniums)
 8. lipstick
 7. shoes
 6. tomatoes
 5. strawberries
 4. grapes
 3. dining room walls (barn red for this)
 2. retro swimsuits
 1. wine

Nothing like a pop of red to make me smile.