Ricotta and Tomato-Stuffed Chicken

A few weeks ago, I found myself in the midst of another evening where I had to use what I had in my pantry and fridge to whip up some dinner.  I had a roma tomato, ricotta cheese, pepperoni, and a whole bunch of spices, plus some chicken and, of course, a drawer full of little bamboo skewers.  Stuffed chicken breasts seemed the way to go.

I combined a few slices of pepperoni (chopped up pretty small) with the ricotta and spices (I think I used oregano, parsley, and basil).  Then pounded 2 chicken breasts until they were super thin, then rolled them up with the ricotta mixture inside, as well as some tomato slices.

Rolled up, skewered, and grilled, these were absolutely tasty.  The BF, of course, required some sauce, so he ended up throwing some store-bought marinara on top of his.  I thought the ricotta made it creamy enough that no sauce was required!

Not the prettiest picture, but you get the idea.

I'm feeling like incorporating a little green into my wardrobe would be a good idea.

3.1 Phillip Lim via Saks

Spend a little green to get a little green, right?!

Always a contributor . . .

Hey peeps, it's that time again!




Scoot on over to JC's Loft to check out this month's contributing post by yours truly!

Quickie Friday: (Un)Forgettable Chicken

This, of course, isn't the first time that I've posted a dish after looking at the pictures going "I know what it is . . . but when did I make it and where did I get the recipe?!"  And I certainly realize isn't doesn't do you much good, peeps, to have pictures of food without the recipes to recreate said food yourself.

But today, not good enough is just going to have to be good enough, because I have NO idea where this came from!  I can tell you this, it involved butter, red onions, and rosemary.  Helpful?  Didn't think so.

In the spirit of disappointment:

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Yuck.

Turkey Enchilada Casserole

This recipe caught my eye some time back, largely because of the accompanying picture of the dish (as an aside, cookbooks MUST have pictures, don't you think?  I'm pretty sure I picked this cookbook-photo obsession up from my mother [HI MOM!] but it makes recipes look so much more appealing, even if they seem difficult at the outset [which this recipe is not, so don't fear]).

Picture or not, this casserole is awesome.  And it's only 250 calories per serving.  I was thinking, the other day, that with all the talk of the weekday (which I just typed as "weakday" . . . that's a slip if ever there was one) diet, my readers who don't know me may think that the BF and I look like supermodels.

We don't.  I won't scar you with pictures, but suffice it to say that with weekends spent stuffing our faces with tasty treats like this, this, and this, the weekday diet doesn't always serve its purpose.

I'm going to go astray from my typical shoe post today because of one reason and one reason only:  my BFF/"brother" and his wife are having a baby this year, and so is the BF's BFF.  I have spent many free hours perusing the internet for the perfect baby gift.

Gucci via Saks

Baby Girl Gucci.  Also known as the world's coolest (albeit most impractical) baby gift.  Bad idea?

Fried Zucchini Spaghetti

I realize that my opinion on topics outside of cooking (in heels!) may not interest any of you (or that my opinion on cooking really interests you that much, for that matter) but I feel the need to share nonetheless.  So here's another random factoid:  I am not a fan of Gwyneth Paltrow.  She had me at Shakespeare in Love.  She lost me when she appeared on Glee: Season Two.  (I know some people loved her guest appearance . . . I didn't and stopped watching the show shortly thereafter, but I digress).

Anyway, when Gwyneth showed up in Vogue, interviewed by Jeffrey Steingarten (my personal hero who, after being a lawyer for many years, left the profession because of his love of food.  He is truly a man after my own heart) about her upcoming cookbook, I thought maybe, maybe, I would be willing to try a recipe.  Maybe.

Then she showed up in Food & Wine, and on the cover of Bon Appetit, and I could no longer resist the urge.  I had to try this fried-zucchini spaghetti.  And peeps, I am SO glad I did.

Who knew that zucchini, pan-fried in olive oil, could be so sweet and delicious?  Not I.  Who knew that Gwyneth, mother of a daughter named after food, could actually cook good food and write delicious recipes?  Definitely not I.  I am happy to admit when I am wrong, and I was definitely wrong in my assumptions about Gwyneth's cooking.  And for that, I apologize (because I'm sure she cares).

Perhaps I could offer Gwyneth an apology, in person, while wearing these:

Giuseppe Zanotti via Bergdorf Goodman

Surely she would think my apology was important and worth her time if I were wearing such badass shoes.  Surely.

Quickie Friday: Wedge Salad

Once again, I'm raving about Cooking Light Fresh Food Fast: Over 280 Incredibly Flavorful 5-Ingredient 15-Minute Recipes and its quick, easy recipes.  This wedge salad is also in the cookbook and, while I tweaked it a bit, I still can't say enough about the recipe (or the cookbook)!

Should you pick up the cookbook and try the recipe, know that I cut the recipe in half (since I was just cooking for the BF and I) and then added an extra green onion, an extra chipotle pepper, and 1/4 cup of salsa to the dressing to make it extra special.

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These quickie Friday shoes appear as if they would be super comfortable, and I think they'd look great under my new trouser jeans.  And they'd make me taller, which is always a good thing.

Bean-Stuffed Chiles

One of the best purchases I've made lately (by far) has been Cooking Light Fresh Food Fast: Over 280 Incredibly Flavorful 5-Ingredient 15-Minute Recipes.  The recipes are all so quick and easy, and all super low calorie (which is great for the weekday diet)!  This vegetarian recipe was super-filling and had a great kick!

AND!  AND!  AND!  It was made ENTIRELY in the microwave.  THE MICROWAVE!

I never, in a million years, would have expected something so delicious to be cooked in the microwave.  Convenience?  Check.  Great taste?  Check.  Low calorie?  Check!  A new favorite?  Checkity Check check!!!

Robert Clergerie via Barneys

I find these boots to be kind of weird looking, and kind of fabulous, which is a great combination, in my book.

Mediterranean Strata

Never has a dish (recipe found here) elicited so many questions from the BF.  What is it?  How do I eat it?  What's in it?  There's eggs in here?  There's no meat?  WHAT did you say it's called?!

Strata.  You cut it and chew it.  There's all kinds of stuff in here.  Yes, eggs.  No, there's no meat.  IT'S CALLED A STRATA!

And it is delicious.  There's really not much more to say about it.  I have decided that because of its tastiness AND how fancy it looks, this dish is going to be filed away in my "things to bake to impress company" recipe stash.

The top layer of bread was so nice and crispy, the vegetables underneath were tender, and it only has 297 calories per serving!  AMAZING!  And it would taste great with scrambled eggs and a mimosa.  But, then again, what doesn't go well with a mimosa?

Jimmy Choo via Bergdorf Goodman

These would also, definitely, go well with a mimosa.

Quickie Friday: Wonderful Waffles

There is nothing better than a quick, easy, healthy breakfast.  In times past, I whipped this up with store-bought (*GASP*), whole wheat waffles.

I recently upped my game to homemade whole wheat waffles, which I make in mass quantities and freeze to reheat LIKE a store bought waffle, but better.

Regardless of the waffle's point of origin, I top it with a tablespoon of almond butter and whatever berries I have on hand, whether frozen or fresh.  Quick, easy, healthy, filling, delicious.

These are not as cheap as my typical Quickie Friday shoe fixation, but given my obsession with wedges, they needed to be included:

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Plus they're on sale.  And I love a sale.

Variations on a Theme: Mexican Pasta

I have been known to re-make dishes in a way that suits my mood (seen here) and this dish is no exception, being a Mexican-inspired version of other baked pasta dishes I've made in the past.

(I have REALLY got to get a better camera.)  Anyway, I browned 1/2 pound of ground beef with one medium yellow onion, white pepper, cayenne pepper, chili pepper, and salt, then added 1/2 can of black beans, 1 can of rotel tomatoes with habaneros, and 1/4 cup of salsa.  While that was simmering away, I boiled 4 servings of extra-wide egg noodles according to the package directions.

I combined the beef and bean mixture with the egg noodles, topped it all with reduced fat Mexican blend cheese, and popped it in a 325 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Again, I apologize for the poor picture quality.  Eventually I will solve this problem.  This dish is super easy and has a nice kick to it.  If you don't like spicy, substitute the habanero rotel for the regular and leave out the spices.

Also spicy:

Yves Saint Laurent via Bergdorf Goodman

Orange python?  Yes please.  Even better that it's on a tribute.  I think I just drooled a little . . .

Another Quick Birthday Post

So we celebrated Arnie's second birthday on Sunday (is it weird that I keep talking about my dog's birthday?  No?  Good.) and I snapped a few pics of the celebration.

I turned this many people fingers, peeps!

And I got a peanut butter doggie cupcake!

And I ate my peanut butter doggie cupcake!  

Happy birthday to me, peeps!

xoxo - Arnie 

Thank you for indulging Arnie's desire to share her birthday with the blogging world, she really appreciates it!

It's a Birthday!

Today, peeps, join me in celebrating the 2nd birthday of my absolute favorite (non) person!

I can't believe how much she's grown in the last 2 years!!!

Cheers and happy birthday to my little Arnie!  We will be spending the day at the dog park and shopping at Downtown Dogs, because even a wienie deserves some snappy new duds and a cake on her birthday!

Quickie Friday: Sauteed Mushrooms

I hope everybody had a swell short-week, and is ready to start the weekend (I know I am)!  This quickie Friday I bring you one of my favorite foods, MUSHROOMS.  The BF may hate them, but I enjoy them as a side dish as often as I can.

I saute approximately one cup of mushrooms in a tablespoon of olive oil until the mushrooms just start to get tender, then I throw in a couple of tablespoons (each) of madeira and pinot noir and let it simmer.  Season with salt and pepper and you have a tasty, easy side dish for the mushroom lovers in your life!

I cannot believe I'm about to post these:

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Wal-mart.  I HATE Wal-mart.  I always feel like I need to bathe in bleach when I leave Wal-mart.  But these sandals are cute.  Thank GOD for online shopping, eh, peeps?!