Friday, December 31, 2010

Make This!!

I love reading David Liebowitz's blog about living & eating in Paris. He recently featured this recipe for a holiday nut mix. Miraculously, I had everything in the pantry. I made a 'test' batch this morning and loved it! I plan to make another batch tonight to take to a New Year's Eve party. Happy New Year everyone!!

Spiced Glazed Nuts and Pretzel Mix

**Note that the salt is added after the nuts are stirred, so it doesn’t dissolve. And be sure to use coarse salt, which has an appealing, crunchy texture and more delicate flavor than ordinary table salt.

2 cups mixed raw nuts (untoasted); any combination of cashews, whole almonds, peanuts, pecan halves, and hazelnuts

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

3 tablespoons dark brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or another red pepper)

1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup

1 teaspoon flaky sea salt or kosher salt

2 cups small pretzel twists

1. Spread the nuts on a baking sheet and roast in a 350F oven for 10 minutes, stirring once for even toasting.

2. In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, cayenne, and maple syrup.

3. Add the warm nuts, stirring until coated. Then mix in the salt and pretzels, and stir until the nuts and pretzels are completely coated.

4. Spread the mixture back on the baking sheet and return to the oven for 12-18 minutes, stirring twice during cooking. Remove from oven and cool completely, separating the nuts and pretzels as they cool.

Once cool, this mixture can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Make This!

Believe it or not...but this is my 1000th post. Sarah B. - thank you for getting me started on this whole blogging bandwagon. I dedicate this post to you!

This is my sister Brenda's recipe. I wish I had submitted this recipe to Koin Studio 6 instead of my broccoli-corn crunch. This recipe is 100 times more delicious!

Sweet Cornbread Pudding

1/2 onion, finely diced
1/2 tsp fresh thyme
1/2 tsp fresh rosemary
1 15 oz can cream style corn
1 cup heavy cream
2 eggs
1 t sp baking powder
1/2 c cornmeal
1/2 c parmesan - shredded
1 tsp salt
pepper to taste
2 cups French bread - cubed

Preheat oven to 350*. Combine onions, thyme & rosemary and sweat over medium-low heat until onions are translucent. Set aside. Combine corn, cream, eggs, baking powder, cornmeal, parmesan & salt/pepper. Add onion mixture. Add cubed French bread. Add ingredients to a well-greased 9x13 pan. Bake for 50 minutes or until set.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Botox Update

It's now been eleven days since I had the Botox injections. Ten days is the point where patients will see the maximum results. Before Botox

Eleven days after Botox.
I AM frowning in this photo believe it or not.

Would I get the Botox again? Absolutely!!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Koin Studio 6

Today Omid and I drove to Gresham to tape my Koin Studio 6 segment (click here to watch the video). Back in November, I entered one of their contests & was one of four finalists. What did I win? A $30 Safeway gift card and a seven piece stainless steel cookware set. We had to tape the segment at Riegelmann's because they sponsored the contest. The contest asked for 'easy holiday side dish recipes.' I thought the broccoli-corn crunch dish I make every Thanksgiving fit the bill. The KOIN producers thought so too. :)
Here I am preheating the oven. I put my dish in & waited for my turn to tape the segment. However...there was another contest winner in the kitchen next to me. Her segment took so long (& THREE takes) that the croutons on my dish started to burn. Omid saved the day and turned all my croutons over so they wouldn't look burned. We had no idea when the other lady would finish so we turned off the oven and just let the dish sit in the warm oven.

I had an awesome GO COUGS tshirt on, but was asked to wear the Riegelmann's chef jacket. I took the apron off before the segment. I felt it was too much. :)

KOIN Studio 6 host Hayley Platt (she was also the host from when I baked my cobbler on the show in September). She was so sweet & invited Omid on the show to cook Persian food. He was flattered, but declined.

Preparing the broccoli-corn crunch.

Finished product.

I had as much fun as last time. Hayley & her producer George stayed after my segment to talk with Omid and I. They took the entire broccoli dish in a 'to-go' box with them. So glad they liked it!

After we were finished at Riegelmann's, Omid & I drove to Albany to a certain gun store. Omid bought a new tshirt & some gun accessories. Check out his new tshirt below:


Monday, December 20, 2010

Sunday, Seattle, Sunshine & Seahawks

Yesterday, Matty, Omid & I spent the day in Seattle. What a beautiful, sunshiny day it was too! Think Perry Como's The Bluest Skies You've Ever Seen are in Seattle beautiful.
We started our morning at the Pike Place Market. Always fun to shop, people watch & see the Ferries coming in to town.

This man & his dog made me smile.

Even the support posts in market were festive.

Rock Cod rocking sunglasses.

Pepper wreath. So cute!

Omid & Matty with Rachel, the Market pig.

Fun Fact: See this meat shop? My dad worked here while he was a student in HS. He would ride the bus from the U District where he lived & work until closing. The name has changed, but the shop looks exactly the same.

Love this: Pannettone ornaments

So many delicious salami meats! How can one choose?

Mini Christmas trees were all over the Market buildings.

Gnomes!

Cookie Monster!

Smith Tower - long ago, this was the tallest building in Seattle.

After eating our way through the Market, we met up with our friend, Kamyar & headed over to Qwest Field for a Seahawks game.

Safeco Field (right across the street).

Beautiful Olympic Mountains

Peek-a-boo shot of the field

While trying to find our seats, I turned around and saw this view of the Space Needle. If you look real close, you can see a Christmas tree on the top. So cute. We went up to the Suite level to find our seats, because that is where we thought we were supposed to be. An usher took us on a 15 minute walk & elevator ride to where our suite was located: ON THE FIELD! Unbelievable & so exciting!

The Seagals.
Fun Fact: The daughter-in-law of my mom's hairdresser is a Seagal dancer.
Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll


So excited to be there & to have such great seats!!

Touchdown Seahawks!

Kamyar & Omid

View from my seat!

Seahawks & Atlanta Falcons

Omid & Matty.
See the box next to them? That box belongs to Matt Hasselbeck (the Seahawks quarterback) & those people are his friends & family.

Blitz - Seahawks Mascot

Cheers!

It was chilly!
The upside? We could go into the suite behind us to get warm & eat lunch.
Even though the Seahawks lost, the game was a lot of fun to watch!!!
Here is a video I took right before the game. I was so excited to be there, it's fast moving & you might get sick. If you have a strong stomach - enjoy! If not, you'd be better off not viewing it.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Netflix This!!


The American. This is a good, but sad movie. Put it on your Netflix list!

Botox Update

It's now been 3 days since I've had the Botox injections. 24 hours after having this done, I just barely brushed my right eyebrow area with my fingers while moving my hair out of my face. The pain was excruciating. I made sure I didn't do that again!

I am trying NOT to frown on my own - sort of training myself to stop the awful habit. I decided I am not going to even 'check my progress' at all until Christmas day. That will be ten days and will also be the full effect of the injections. I hope I am happy with the results!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Happy Birthday to Me!

A few weeks ago, Omid asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I told him there were only two things that I really wanted: #1 - travel to Las Vegas & see a Barry Manilow show or #2 get Botox injections for the number l l l between my brows. Omid said there was NO WAY he was going to see Barry Manilow; so the Botox won.

Why did I want this done? Even though I am a very happy person, I catch myself frowning while concentrating (talking to people, baking, blogging, etc.). I don't want to be one of those people who frown so much, the lines become deep, permanent wrinkles.

Last Wednesday I visited a doctor's office for a consult and today....I had the Botox! It was exciting and terrifying at the same time and YES - it was painful.

My problem area.

Injection sites.
I actually had 6 injections. I placed an ice pack on the area just before the injections. The freaky part were the injections themselves. The SOUND of the needle piercing my skin was almost too much. Not only that - but I could HEAR the Botox being injected. The nurse told me that's usually a sign of dehydration. So...I've been drinking lots of water today.
After the procedure, I was told to stay upright for at least 4-5 hours. No bending over, no lifting heavy objects, no exercise, etc. This is to limit the Botox from migrating to other areas of my face/body. I have been following those directions religiously as I want the Botox to stay right there between my brows.
*It's now been 4 hours since my appt and I do have a headache (one of the side effects) & some of the injections sites are throbbing. My head also feels like I have a tight band around it at times. I will take these side effects vs some of the worse ones (nausea, droopy eyelids, intense itching, etc.).
*Update: 5 hours and am now pain free (except when I try to frown & that is a good thing!).

Pre appt shot.

Notice the parentheses around the mouth? Looks like Juvederm may be in my future.

I have to wait ten days to see if the Botox was able to work. If so, then I should be 'frown free' for 4 months.

Stay tuned!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Method Contest Update

Remy & I made it onto the Method blog! Click here to see us & read all about the other contest winners.

Fun Fact: Nas did the math for me...1200 people applied for 23 samples packs to pass out. The probability of me winning one of the sample packs was 0.019%.

Accepted (Again!)

Naseem heard from Central Washington University on Saturday.
She's in!
Yay Nas!
Nas is still waiting to hear from a few more schools before she makes her final decision.
Stay tuned!

Friday, December 10, 2010

8 Minutes of Fame

Remember back in September when I was a guest on Koin Studio 6? Click here to remind yourself if you forgot. I only used up 7 minutes of my allotted 15 minutes of fame. On December 22, I will be back on Koin Studio 6, using up my remaining 8 minutes to cook another recipe! This time I will be making my favorite holiday side dish: broccoli corn crunch.

Here's the recipe if you can't wait until December 22 to make it.

Broccoli Corn Crunch

1 10 oz package of frozen chopped broccoli
1 8 1/2 oz can cream corn
1 tsp salt
1/4 c melted butter
1 1/2 c seasoned croutons
1 egg, beaten
1/4 c chopped onion
1/4 tsp pepper

Thaw broccoli & drain well. Combine egg, corn, onion, salt & pepper. in a separate bowl, combine butter & croutons, toss to coat evenly. Reserve 1/2 cup for topping. Combine broccoli, egg-corn mix & 1 cup croutons. Spread evenly in greased, shallow 1 1/2 qt casserole dish. Sprinkle with reserved croutons. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.
*serves 4-6
*I have doubled & tripled this recipe before!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Make This!!

If you love Safeway's Tuscan Tomato Bisque Soup, you will like this soup! It's almost as good as the real thing (without paying Safeway's high prices!). Brown one onion, add 2 chicken breasts (cubed), & one tablespoon of diced garlic. Add one container of Trader Joe's Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper soup, one carrot (sliced), two stalks of celery (sliced) & simmer for 30-40 minutes (or until carrots/celery are soft). Add salt & pepper to taste.
Serve with green onions & homemade croutons.

Monday, December 6, 2010

ACCEPTED!!!

It's an exciting time in our house tonight! Nas found out today that she was accepted to the University of Arizona! Matty checked the mail today and said, "Nas, you got in to U of A!" I told him not to tease her. He said, "No, really!" LOOK!!
Sorry, Matty!
Acceptance Letter

Yay! Good job, Naseem!!