Powered by Blogger.
Showing posts with label unique. Show all posts
Showing posts with label unique. Show all posts

This Is NOT A Food Blog

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

I do not like to cook often at all. I much prefer going out to eat but we only go out twice a week for dinner and at least once a week for lunch. But I am a terrific cook. I can say this with modesty because I'm not much good at anything else, except listening to friends problems and listening well and giving good advice.

Anyway, this is definitely not a food blog. But a recipe I've developed myself and recently taken in to friends in our ward who are sick and have absolutely raved about it. To me it's just a simple recipe for my favorite food pasta but I'm going to share the recipe.

I fly by the seat of my pants usually in creating a new recipe. I'm also picky, picky, picky about food. I use the best ingredients and do NOT economize on essentials. I believe this makes a world of difference in taste.

Pasta Primavera, which translates to Pasta Spring, meaning fresh vegetables. I love pasta. I use rigate penne for this dish.

For two people:

If you want chicken in it, take one chicken breast, sprinkle it with black pepper and Mrs. Dash seasoning and roast it in the oven just until it starts to darken in its juices. That will be the best time to pull it out. It will have a sweet roasted flavor. I may sometimes spread a tiny bit of butter over it but there's no need. Let it cool before cutting it into small bite-size pieces. Then set it aside while preparing the other stuff. I have never, ever boiled a chicken. I can't imagine doing it because of the gross smell. I've always roasted chicken breasts in the oven with Mrs. Dash, which makes all the difference in the world for a piece of chicken breast.

2 cups of penne pasta, salted lightly in pan. Cook until al dente. Set aside for a few minutes.

Topping:
Sliced red onion
Sliced yellow bell pepper
I toss in some California veggies—broccoli, carrots and cauliflower, just one or two handfuls
Chicken you've set aside
Fresh cut up tomato, one roma does it for 2 or 4 people
Peas, a handful of frozen

I throw all the stuff for the topping in a sautè pan with 1/2 stick of butter or more if needed.

This is what the vegetables will look like sautèing in butter.


Closer view. See how some are browning a bit. Just be careful not to burn. Keep tossing until the vegetables carmalize in the butter. This makes a tremendous difference.


And what they look like when ready to serve. Now you'll take the penne pasta and drain it, put it in a pan adding one whole cube of butter, some heavy whipping cream and Parmesan cheese. I don't measure anything because as you start adding the whipping cream and stir it in you'll see how it looks. Just enough to cover the pasta but enough to not let it be dry. Put some on plates and then spoon the sauteed vegetables/chicken, if you want chicken, over each plate of pasta and serve. It's a wonderful meal and so incredibly simple. I can throw it together in 15-20 minutes. Friends and family will love it and it quite impressive to see on a plate. French bread if you want also. Just remember to saute in the butter to carmalize the vegetables and they just start turning brown. The sweeter they'll be, I promise.
*

Isn't this a beautiful shot of the sky through a beautiful umbrella?


This is gorgeous! I really do like stripes.


A pretty bracelet.


Squeeeeal!!! How tiny can things get? Adorable!


A caravan or camper with all the accoutrements needed. Well, except for maybe a chef to cook all the meals. ;-)


Loved this photo of the table setting.


I have no idea where this is or even WHAT it is but it looks like some sort of living quarters.


Adorable entry. This is one I'd like to have.


We took some old windows out of a storage shed we had once and I saved them. Imagine my surprise when Love Bunny burned them in a wood pile! I was NOT happy, trust me.


A beautiful shot of a sky, castle and private beach.


Gorgeous vine/climbing roses.


One of my top favorite flowers.
*

Useless Information:
First year sales of famous products, proving you shouldn't give up if you've come up with an idea:
VW Beetle: 330
Wite-Out: 1,200 bottles
Cuisinart food processor: 8
Remington typewriter: 8
Scrabble: 532
Coca-Cola: 25 bottles
~*~

Gorgeous "Dream" Homes #2 and Tidbits

Sunday, July 15, 2012

  
Tidbits:

My home always smells good. I love coming home, walking into my house and sniffing its fragrance. Notice that the next time you come home. If it's not a nice smell, then get busy and make it happen.
*

I don't doubt much about my life. To doubt is to be defeated before the enemy has thrown a first punch. Do not accept defeat before you try.
*

Have you noticed that lottery winners almost always say they're going to buy a new house, new car or go on a vacation? Top 3 answers I'd bet. Haven't they heard about saving money?! That's always stymied me. I don't play the lottery or any sweepstakes offered at my local stores. I'm happy with what I have. What would I possibly do with a million or more dollars? My car runs fine. I have a house sufficient for my needs. My kids are both financially set for life. It wouldn't change my life one bit. I'm still not going to fly anywhere to visit exotic places. (Hmmm, reminds me of a story. Later I'll tell you.)
*

I've heard Yellowstone doesn't allow tent camping now. Because. Of. The. Bears! I'd say that pretty much does it for me. We have a pop-up tent camper. It's going nowhere near Yellowstone! I don't even care if this is true or not. If there is even a possibility of a bear, I ain't goin'!
*

A lot of blogger change their headers frequently; I'm not one of them. I've had the same header logo just about from the beginning. I like instant recognition. I don't change with the seasons even. When some bloggers change and I first go there, I'm not sure I'm in the right place until I check it out. I'm a creature of habit, I suppose.
*

 When I view a news clip or video on the internet (which is not often at all, just on occasion) I've noticed the women always brushing their hair back behind their ears with their fingers trying to get it out of their eyes—a LOT. Most distracting. Why don't they secure it in such a way that they're not always fiddling with it. Sheeesh, now even some guys do it. (Rolling my eyes!) My hair is short but let me tell ya, it wouldn't move in a hurricane with the hairspray I use! ;-)

Okay, enough tidbits. On to the eye candy!
*


I love symmetry in my home and, actually, my life. This house is a gorgeous example of symmetry in a home.


Underground houses. While I’m sure they’re cozy and energy efficient, I don’t think I could live underground like that. I’d want windows in every room. It is a delightful setting however.


I thought I’d show you some more lamps and these are so cute for a bedroom.


I love the base of this lamp, but I’d put on a different shade.


Oooooh, sigh… I love this chair, pillow and feathers in a jar (giving me an idea).


My blogging buddy, Claudia, would love this vignette. She adores blue.


Interrupting with a bit of real “eye candy” here! ;-)


A beautiful way to wrap a gift or just old books to display around your home.


Another beautiful home.


And yet another one in the woods. This looks huge—too much to clean for me—and symmetrical.


A stunner up in the mountains somewhere. Could be near us here, perhaps Sun Valley.


Another beautiful lamp in coral. I wouldn’t even change the shade on this one. Gorgeous.


Hanging acorn lamps. They are adorable, unique and I can see them in a Craftsman-style home.


Four different beautiful lace lamps.


Just some more eye candy in the way of a darling office to leave you with today.
~*~
Joining Mary at Mosaic Monday
 

Popular Posts