Fresh Eggs

 Contrary to popular belief, brown eggs are not "healthier" than white eggs. White eggs come from white chickens and brown eggs come from brown chickens. It's as simple as that.

Those of you who know me really well, go ahead and make sure you're sitting down.  What I'm about to say is something I never thought I would wish for.  Are you ready?

I would like to live on some land and own a chicken.

You there still?  Laughing?  Choked on your food yet?

That's right folks, this city girl who probably dislikes animals more than I should ever admit wants a chicken and some land.  Allow me to explain...I want land so I can have a fabulous garden.  Again, if you know me, you also know I kill any plant/growing things at rapid speed so that will be interesting.  Can you hire garden people? 

As for the chicken, well, I don't want it for a pet, duh!  I want it's eggs!  Seriously, my aunt (shout out to Aunt Brenda-THANK YOU!) gave me two cartons of FRESH eggs from a lady she knows and they are fabulous.  The yellowest-it's my blog, I'll make up words if I want-tastiest scrambled eggs ever.  (And, I don't even like scrambled eggs that much)  It's amazing the difference in taste when you attain the freshest ingredients.  Furthermore, it's much healthier when you get it straight from the source.  Would anyone think it's weird if I drove to Kansas City once a month for my eggs?  Ha ha...just kidding.  Sort of. 

The point of this post is to encourage you to buy eggs at the farmer's market, from someone who has a chicken, or worst case, spend the extra few bucks at the store and get the farm fresh, cage free, hormone free eggs.  It's worth it!  Or, better yet, somebody I know should get a chicken so I don't have to. You know you're thinking about it now...

Holiday Food

I love everything about Thanksgiving and Christmas.  All the traditions, the food, the lights, the gifts.  But, really, what I love most, is when everyone slows down from the busyness and gathers around the table.  I've mentioned it in my blog before, but I'm a stickler for sharing meals around the table and not in front of the television.  Something that once was the norm, has now become a rarity in many homes.  It's an extra special meal when the whole family is under one roof and can share a meal filled with food and laughter.  I have my parents to thank for instilling this in me and I know I am also fortunate to have a family that gets along and really enjoys each other's company.  And, let's just say, my mom sure knows how to make the table inviting!


Thanksgiving table

 

We each had our place assignment with a pumpkin.  Loved it!  My mom even got Josh his own wine for the meal too!

This next picture is probably not exactly what you thought of when I titled my post "Holiday Food".  However, this deer that my mom and I found hanging from the back deck after Black Friday shopping (you never know with those three boys) was the meat in a few of our holiday dishes.  And, although I didn't have a lot of it, I was happy to eat some of it sparingly.  I mean, let's face it, that's about as fresh and the least amount of processing you can get!  I was excited to take several pounds of ground deer meat home and it's in our freezer.  Our weekly spaghetti nights just got a little fresher!

 

Moving right along to Christmas.  Well, it just isn't Christmas in my book until I've seen the plaza lights in Kansas City.  Our first stop when we got to town was to head that way and see Josh's sister's new apartment and take her and her new fiance out to celebrate their engagement.  We went to a new place I wanted to try called Gram and Dunn.  The restaurant is beautiful on the inside and the service was fantastic.  The menu is a little interesting...duck or rabbit anyone?  They have "normal" choices as well and I went for the Porcini Risotto. (Three mushroom risotto) I am ashamed to confess I ate the entire thing.  I loved my entree, but I think the rest of the table would agree it was alright, but nothing special.  However, Kelsey's fiance, Dustin and I got the best choice of the night in our drink selection.  You'll see in the picture, but that's a fresh sprig of rosemary frozen in my ice cube.  I thought that was pretty cool.  It's called The Smoking Dun and here's the description: Templeton rye, Rothman and Winter Cherry, hickory smoked ice, rosemary simple syrup, lemon juice. Don't worry, I don't know what most of that is either.  What I do know, is back when I ate meat I loved it when my dad would smoke meat.  You vegetarians out there-go right ahead and order this drink.  The smoky flavor is fabulous!  I'll be honest, I think it's more of a "manly" drink, but I can't stand sweet, fruity drinks so I went for it and loved it.  Will we be back to eat?  I would, but for the price there are probably other placed on the plaza I'd choose first.  However, their patio is the bomb and I will for sure be back when the weather is nice and order another Smoking Dun!  It's a locally owned restaurant after all and I always like to support those.

 

 

 

 

 

Here's the whole family right before Christmas Eve dinner.

 

Bin 36 was a wine we carried in our restaurant and we all loved it.  We haven't been able to find it anywhere since.  Finally, I decided to get serious about it and learned it is not licensed to be sold in Kansas liquor stores anymore.  I didn't let that stop me though!  A little research on the world wide web and a phone call to the Chicago restaurant it comes from and I had a case delivered to my doorstep.  My dad was pretty excited and we all enjoyed it with our Christmas meal.

Just in case you're wondering what a football player eats this would be part of it.  His rib eye took up the entire plate and he ate it all.  Then he went and got some leftover turkey.  It was disgusting.

 

Tyler's girlfriend is from Ukraine and she came over for Christmas Eve dinner and brought us Russian candy!  I think it's so interesting to learn other traditions and customs.  It added to the great evening!

 

 

The 4th annual Tannahill gingerbread contest came to a close with Tyler getting the trophy.  He won last year as well.  You just wait until next year-I'll get it back!

 

 

This  pic has nothing to do with food, but when you've been married 6 1/2 years and don't have any kids yet...well, it's time to get creative.  I mean, there are only so many pics of just me and Josh we can send out each year as a Christmas card.  Thanks to my goofy husband and my creative photographer friend Katie, we got a good one this year.  :) 

 

Coming up next-my post on what I did on the most depressing day of the year. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Panera Breakfast

Maybe I've been blind when I look at the breakfast menu, but until my most recent visit to Panera, I never noticed steel-cut oats as an option.  Before this awesome discovery I really struggled with what to order for breakfast at Panera and finding a healthy option.  Bagels, not good.  Muffins, even worse.  Pastry, no way! 

Risking you thinking I'm a total lunatic, here's the conversation I would have with myself as I stood in line.

Do I really want to eat a bagel that is horrible for me?  Furthermore, will the person I'm having breakfast with think I'm weird when I scoop out the insides to cut down on the calories and carbs?

That souffle was so tasty when I tried it last time, but I thought it was just egg and didn't realize it was a pastry.  Now, I know...shame on me if I order it again.  I DID work out this morning though, so...

I suppose I could get a breakfast sandwich with only egg and cheese, but then I get bread and I'd really rather eat some pita and hummus later...

I should just get a cup of coffee.  The hazelnut is so good.  I'm not that hungry anyway.  Wait, breakfast IS the most important meal of the day.  Something bad is better than nothing at all.

Perhaps I shouldn't share my "craziness" with you, but indeed, Panera has been cause for concern for me in trying to eat healthy at breakfast.  Well, problem solved!  I have enjoyed the steel-cut oats twice and they are fantastic!  The only downside is they charge $3.99 which is a TOTAL rip-off, but it does come with fresh strawberries and pecans so I'll deal with it.  (You can also choose cherries and almonds if you prefer) The only suggestion I have for you is to ask for it with the cinnamon-sugar crunch on the side.  Plain steel-cut oats will start you at 150 calories; add pecans, strawberries and cinnamon/sugar and you're up to 320.  Which, is a great option to start your day.  However, if you've read my other blog posts you know I'm most concerned about my sugar intake.  No cinnamon/sugar crunch and you're at 4 g of sugar.  Add it, and you spike to 16 grams!  I still add some of it, but if you just add half of it you make a huge difference.  By asking for it on the side, you can really control your sugar intake.  Kudos to Panera for adding this the menu.  Or, kudos to me for finally noticing it.  Either way, enjoy! 

Stuffed Shells with Pumpkin

You didn't think I'd let December get here and fail to post another pumpkin recipe, did you?  I saved the best for last!  Wait, that's not true, I can't pick the best...all pumpkin is delicious, but this recipe is always the first one I make of the fall season. 

Sadly, when I made pumpkin shells this year, I completely forgot to take pictures!  I was telling my friend Katie how I was disappointed I wouldn't have pictures when I posted the recipe and a couple weeks later she told me she made them AND she took pics for me.  How awesome is that?  There's more; you all are in for a real treat.  My pictures that I take...well, they leave plenty to be desired.  They are taken with my phone or IPad and if you're lucky I'll spruce them up a bit with Instagram.  I should really always do that-I'll work on it.  Katie is a professional photographer are amazing!  Really, in the end it all worked out.  I get to share one of my favorite dishes with you and I have fabulous pictures to accompany it.  Thank you again, Katie! As for the rest of you, don't get used to this professional looking blog post.  My simplistic, and well, quite raw pictures will return next time. 

Stuffed Shells with Pumpkin

1 12 oz. package jumbo pasta shells
1/2 C. butter
1/4 C. + 2 T. flour
1 1/2 C. milk
1 1/2 C. grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
2 C. ricotta cheese
2 C. cooked pumpkin
1 C. chopped raw spinach
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 C. shredded mozzarella cheese
olive oil

Good news: no heavy cream.  Bad news: TONS of cheese. 

Preheat oven to 350.  Boil pasta shells according to package directions.

 

Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat.  Stir in flour, continue stirring while you gradually add milk.  Continue stirring until sauce thickens.  When it thickens, stir in 1/2 C. of the Parmesan cheese.  (If it gets too thick, you can add more milk)

 

In a medium bowl, combine 1 C. of Parmesan cheese, pumpkin, ricotta, spinach, garlic and salt and pepper to taste.

Most people can't wait to lick the cookie dough bowl.  This is my kind of bowl. 

Mmmm...I might need to make this recipe this week!

 

Lightly oil 2 qt. baking dish.  Or, whatever dish you want.  Sometimes I use a 9 x 13, other times I like it in a prettier one.  It really doesn't matter.  This recipe's all fancy and uses olive oil to grease the pan.  Don't let my high quality pictures fool you.  I'm like the rest of you and just sprayed my dish with that stuff that comes out of a can. 

Open pasta shells and stuff with desired amount of filling.  I've found the easiest way to stuff them is with a cookie dough portioned/scoop thing.  It seems to be the perfect amount and makes it go really fast.

 

Looks scrumptious, right?  We haven't even added the cheesy goodness yet.

 

 

Cover shells with sauce.  Sprinkle mozzarella on top.  Bake, uncovered, 30-35 minutes.

 

 

Out of the oven and ready to devour.  I made these for a Halloween party once and they were enjoyed so much that a certain someone started forgoing the plate and fork method and grabbed them with his hands to eat.  Straight out of the pan.  We're high class like that.  That may or may not have been the photographer of these photo's husband. Let's just say, there's a reason she has the recipe already.

 

 

Enjoy! 

 

 

 





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Kelly Ripa's Butternut Squash Soup

 

 

In a perfect world, I would wake up each morning and share a morning cup of coffee with Kelly at 9 a.m.  Instead, reality arrives and I DVR her and Reg...I mean, Michael each day and usually end up watching many days worth at once towards the end of the week.  I love how she is so quick on her feet with her banter and her story telling ability is always entertaining.  Basically, she's everything I'm not, which is probably why I find her so entertaining.  I bore people with my stories, there's never a punchline, and quick on my feet?  Never.  I always think of "funny" things 10 minutes later when it doesn't matter anymore.  Personality wise, we are quite opposite, but I must stick with my fellow flat chested females.  She rocks it and I love it.  Oooh, and our husbands are hotties.  Love you, Josh.  Lastly, she shares some spectacular recipes on her show.  I don't know if that means she likes to cook, but I'm going with it as our third similarity.  With those similarities I'm sure she could overcome my dullness and we'd be great friends if we met.  For sure. 

 

Tonight was soup night at my parents and my mom made a recipe Kelly shared on the show last week and it was the bomb.  Seriously, you need to make this as soon as you can.  I liked it so much I'm blogging the recipe for you a few short hours after I ate it. 

 

 

 

This isn't the butternut squash soup.  This is a dish we only get a few times a year and my dad made some for us.  We used to have an Asian restaurant and this is our hot and sour soup.  Top secret recipe, sorry, I can't share, but it was a special treat so I had to put a picture on here!

 

 



 

This is the butternut squash soup.  Isn't it pretty?  Props to my mama for presentation.  She swirled our honey on top and I've got a story about those pecans.  When we went to the TCU game a couple weeks ago we went to her friends sons house before the game to tailgate.  He had two huge pecan trees in his yard and pecans were everywhere.  I mean, all over the yard.  We each grabbed a ziploc and filled it up as pecans were literally falling from the tree all around us.  When we got home we both cracked open some of those bad boys and the taste was incomparable to any pecan I've eaten.  Fresh is best.  Sadly, although there was an abundance of them, we each only took one bag.  I'm rationing mine and I might have to hide some soon because Josh eats them like crazy as well.  The fact that my mom shared them with me and garnished my soup with freshly cracked pecans shows how much she loves me.  A lot. 

 

Next time you go to the store, grab these ingredients and make yourself some of Kelly Ripa's soup.

 

 

Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients For Herb Pouch

• 3 Sprigs Fresh Thyme
• 4 Whole Cloves
• 1 Star Anise Pod*
• 1 Teaspoon Peppercorn

*I didn't know what star anise was until a few years ago when I worked at an Asian restaurant in Vegas and we used it. It's a Chinese spice that's shaped like a star, hence it's name.  My mom couldn't find the pods at the store, but she found the spice ground up so we used a little bit of that and it worked just fine. 

Ingredients For Soup

• 2 Tbsps Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 3 Shallots
• 3 Garlic Cloves
• 4 cups Chicken Broth (My mom used vegetable)
• 1 Large Butternut Squash
• 3/4 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Steps

• Cook finely chopped garlic and shallots in olive oil until translucent, about 2-5 minutes.
• Add chicken broth, then the herb pouch (simply wrap herbs in cheese cloth to make the pouch). Then add salt and pepper to taste, and cubed squash.
• Partially cover and let simmer for 25-30 minutes until soft.
• Remove herb pouch and use an emulsifier to blend until smooth.
• Top with a drizzle of honey and toasted pepitas.  (We didn't have pepitas so we substituted pecans)

Here's a picture of star anise in case you're wondering.  Enjoy your soup!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Copper Oven Cafe

I know I can be biased to Kansas City eating, but it's what I'm used to and I had many years living there to find all my favorite places.  Breakfast is no exception.  I love First Watch.  Or Le Peep.  Or even Einstein Brothers when a girl needs a good pumpkin bagel.  All three of these are fine choices for a lovely Saturday breakfast.  All three of these are also not options in Wichita.  When we first moved here I bought a Groupon for a place in town called The Good Egg, which is Wichita's version of First Watch.  It wasn't good.  In fact, one of my friends even refers to it as, "The bad Egg."  It should come as no surprise that Josh and I have never returned as the food was mediocre and unmemorable.  And, yes, there are a couple other breakfast options in town, but they are very "diner-esque" (it's my blog and I can make up words if I want) and I'm not really into that type of thing.  Needless to say, although I can't say we have ventured out and tried every breakfast option I can say we haven't found that really awesome omelet and coffee that takes me back to KC mornings...until a couple weeks ago.  Well, Josh and I didn't find it, but my birthday outing with Brittany and Katie proved to be quite a successful celebration!

It started on the Saturday before my birthday with a trip to Williams-Sonoma for a cooking demonstration.  We had so much fun!  The cutest older man taught the class on how to cook your Thanksgiving turkey and a few sides. (I don't know about you, but I think elderly people are the best.)  There was a small rough patch at the very beginning when he literally grabbed pliers and pulled the white tendon out of both turkey legs.  For someone who eats meat sparingly and very much dislikes raw meat, that was a bit disgusting.  However, after that it was smooth sailing! 

 

We even got a little sample of the turkey, dressing and cranberry sauce. It was all very tasty and a nice preview of our Thanksgiving meals to come!  Don't you worry, before we left we also spent a nice chunk of our time longingly looking at all the spectacular things at that store that we can't afford.  A good time was had by all.

 

Next stop: breakfast at Copper Oven Cafe.  Katie was excited to show Brittany and me a new breakfast place.  It was fantastic!  It started with a delicious cup of flavored coffee.  Sadly, I was enjoying my good company and savoring my coffee I forgot to take pictures of our food. Whoops.  However, as soon as I have a weekend where I am in town I can't wait to take Josh and I'll make sure to take some pictures.  It didn't take me long to pick out what I wanted. 

 

 

SOUTHWEST BLACK BEAN OMELET

.............................................................................................$ 7.59

Our Three Egg Omelet Filled Jack Cheese, Black Beans, Onions and Peppers, Topped with

Cheddar Jack Cheese and Salsa and Served with a Side of our Ranch Potatoes and Flour Tortillas

I found this combination so interesting.  I love black beans, but I never would have thought to put them in an omelet.  While it was a different combination, it worked beautifully.  I can't wait to go back.  Brittany ordered a skillet of some sort, but I can't remember what kind.  Katie ordered a ham quiche that smelled amazing and she echoed that description on taste once she took a bite.  Our server did a phenomenal job, which I always take note of.  I'm quite hard on them actually, but she was fabulous.  Very friendly at all times, she recommended a few things when we asked questions and she even filled my to- go cup with fresh coffee when I asked for a cup to take mine with me.  Bonus!

I know this "review" is pretty lame and lacks detail.  But, like I mentioned, I was in Happy Birthday to me mode, not I can't wait to blog about this mode.  Bottom line, if you live in Wichita and have not been to Copper Oven Cafe you need to make this your new breakfast spot! 

Copper Oven Cafe is closed on Sunday and Monday.  Tuesday through Saturday they are open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.  Yes, they have lunch and dinner, which I'm sure is great, but I can only recommend breakfast.  I actually didn't even look at the lunch options, but breakfast includes omelettes, pancakes, french toast, skillets, quiche and many more items.  They serve breakfast until 2 p.m. so those of you who don't get up early have no excuse.  It may have taken three years, but I finally have a breakfast place in Wichita.  Thank you to Brittany and Katie for a wonderful morning filled with food and fun!

http://www.copperovencafe.com/menus.htm



 

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

A little thing came and went this past weekend.  You're now reading the blog of a 29 year old!  I really can't believe it-time sure flies when you're having fun!  I'm okay with getting older...I had a quarter life crisis when I turned 25.  As in, sat alone at my kitchen table in the dark with a bottle of wine and cried.  (No, Grandma, I didn't drink the whole bottle, don't worry.)  That melt down wasn't even about getting "old".  It was more about being an adult and fully grasping all the crummy things and struggles people you love go through.  Anyway, I know it wasn't my 30th on Saturday so ask me in a year if I still feel the same way.  :)

I read this a year or so ago and it really stuck with me.  Such good words to remember and it makes me thankful for all I've enjoyed this past year.  Looking forward to all that my next year has in store!

My birthday was on Saturday and you guessed it-there was a KState game to attend!  It was at TCU, so most of the day was spend in the car driving to Texas.  My parents came to Wichita from KC on Friday night in time to take Josh and I to dinner for our birthdays.  It was such a great evening! 

We tried an Italian restaurant I've been wanting to go to for months called Bella Vita.  It was delicious and deserves it's own blog post so I'll save that for another time.

My day started with a pumpkin coffee from Quicktrip.  One of my favorites!  My day ended with pumpkin pancakes at IHOP for a late dinner after the game was over.  Not too shabby.

You're probably wondering when the Pumpkin Crunch Cake recipe is coming.  I haven't had time to blog lately so I'm a bit long winded today...just catching up from my unplanned leave of absence from blogging. 

The pumpkin crunch cake was enjoyed before the game.  So, yes, I had pumpkin flavored things for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  I told you I love pumpkin.  You really shouldn't be surprised.  Anyway, my mom's friend has a son at TCU so we tailgated at his house before the game.  It was so nice to have a place to hang out and stretch our legs after the drive.  My mom's friend's dad (did you follow that?) is Italian and she made her family's authentic baked ziti that was incredible!!!!!  I realize she made it for her son, but I don't think she grasped how excited I was about it too!  For a "foodie" like me it really added to the fun on my birthday. 

My mom made me my favorite dessert.  Pumpkin crunch cake.  My friend Katie actually found this recipe last year on Pinterest and I've been hooked ever since.  It's so delicious and EASY.  Those are the only good things I can say.  It's also horrible for you, will clog your arteries, will cause your pants to get tight, etc.  Hence why I haven't made it this pumpkin season yet.  But, it was my birthday, and if a girl can't splurge on her birthday, when can she?!

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

Ingredients:

1 box yellow cake mix
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (the original recipe called for 1/2 cup)
1 cup butter, melted

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease bottom of 9 x 13″ pan. Mix pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour mixture into greased pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix over pumpkin mixture and top with pecans. Drizzle melted butter over pecans. Bake 50-55 minutes.

**My mom taught me that many recipes can taste just as delicious with less sugar than it calls for.  She used 3/4 C. sugar instead of the 1 1/2 it calls for and you would never know.  So, at least I consumed 47 g of sugar per piece instead of 52 g.  Okay, I exaggerated a bit on the sugar content, but in all seriousness, every little way you can cut back adds up!

If you follow my blog and read my last post about Josh's birthday you're probably wondering how I'm going get back in shape after all the food I ate the past week. 

See below:

I will be so nervous for Travis I will have no problem not eating.  I'm not joking...it's so, so, so exciting, but oh, the pressure!



Purple Potatoes

 

Yes, you read that right: Purple Potatoes!  Aren't they beautiful?  These bad boys were hard to get my hands on.  So begins...

Josh's 30th birthday weekend!

 

I know, I know, I'm a "food blog".  This will all have to do with food! (mostly) I must say, I was quite proud.  Silly, I know, to be proud of my hubby for the specificity he had when it came to his birthday meals.  Even though he doesn't enjoy cooking, he enjoys eating it just as much as I do and that makes me a happy wife.

 

A couple months ago when I asked Josh what he wanted to do for his 30th birthday it didn't take him long to decide.  He wanted to go to Salina and eat pizza at one of his favorite pizza places with his friends.  It's called Scheme pizza and he goes every chance he gets.  To make it more special for him and so we could all ride together, I rented a limo.  (I know what you're thinking and yes, when I called the limo company they said, "So...if I may ask, what's in Salina?") :)

 

The sun kind of ruined this pic, but here we are getting ready to leave our house. 

 

 

 

 A HUGE thanks to everyone who made the trip and helped Josh celebrate.

 

 

Two of my three brothers even made it from KC and Manhattan!

 

Josh doesn't even like cake, but I decided since it was the big 3-0 he needed one.  I went with a golf ball and it turned out great!  (No, I did not make it...I cook, not bake, remember?!)  Poor guy, he didn't feel well at all the entire night, but made the best of it!

 

Saturday morning meant it was time to drive to Manhattan for the KState game.  Here is where the purple potato story comes in.  At one of the hospitals Josh works at they have a chef that cooks them lunch.  One of my favorite parts of my day comes around 11:15 when I get a text from Josh with a picture of what he's eating for lunch.  A couple months ago Josh sent me a picture and it had purple Peruvian potatoes as a side dish.  When he came home that day he went on and on about these potatoes and how awesome it is that they are purple.  Fast forward to a couple weeks ago when I asked Josh what he wanted for the tailgate before the K-State game for his birthday.  His response: purple potatoes.  I thought it was a great idea!  Until I tried to find them.  You would have thought I was trying to get my hands on an illegal substance.  I called three stores in Wichita as well as Trader Joes and Whole Foods in Kansas City and they were nowhere to be found.  I searched online and couldn't find them.  By Wednesday, I was down to 2 days and it was crunch time.  I had to come through.  He asked for ONE thing and it was such an awesome idea.  Like Batman saving the day, I was on a mission.  It was time to get serious. It was time to call in a favor.  So, Wednesday morning I called the US Foods rep from my old job and I left him a message telling him what I needed. Within 30 minutes he called me back.  Craig saved the day!  He was not able to get them for me from US Foods, but he knew a guy who he calls for "abnormal" food items and he could get them for me.  Brian, at Indian Hills Meat and Poultry was expecting my call.  Hot dog, I was going to come through for my man!  I hung up and called him immediately and explained why I needed the potatoes.  Thankfully, he is a huge KState fan so he didn't think I was totally nuts.  (In fact, he suggested I buy a lot and sell them to the other tailgaters.  I'm always open to making money so for a moment I imagined it...I'd call myself: The Purple Peruvian Potato Girl.  I could get a cute uniform, perhaps become so popular I would soar to new stardom...just me and The Mask, putting Manhattan on the national map.  Totally kidding)  Anyway, my options were 10 lb or 50 lb boxes.  For all his trouble I didn't want to only get 10 lbs.  But, my goodness, what's a girl to do with 50 lbs?  I settled for 20 lbs. and I was able to pick them up on Friday.  Mission accomplished! 

 

We didn't even use one bag.  Guess what color the mashed potatoes will be at the Tannahill Thanksgiving this year? 

 

 

Josh wanted chicken fried steak with his mashed potatoes which I shot down in .02 seconds.  I love men sometimes...I'm tired just thinking about the amount of work it would take to make that for a bunch of people at a tailgate.  He also really wanted white gravy to make purple and white potatoes to really get the school colors on the plate.  Now, that, I could make happen.  We stopped and got some chicken tenders from a place in Salina he likes on our way along with lots of gravy.  It was a very festive and successful tailgate!

 

 

Here we are after the game with my brothers celebrating another WIN along with Josh's birthday. It was a bit of a bummer, because all day Josh could barely talk his throat hurt so bad. We went to all this effort to make his 30th memorable and I'm pretty sure he would have preferred to be in bed all weekend.  He was a good sport and tried to enjoy himself!

 

Josh's actual birthday was on Monday and unfortunately, he still felt horrible.  I had pizza shipped to our house from one of his favorite pizza places in Chicago.  (Yes, I ate WAY too much pizza last weekend, but your hubby only turns 30 once!)  A couple unfortunate things about this process.  First off, they did not deliver on Sunday or Monday.  Which meant, I had to have it delivered on Friday since we would be gone in Manhattan all day Saturday.  No big deal...except Josh was post call on Friday so he would be home all day.  I decided that was okay and he would just get it while he was home and get his present a couple days early.  It would still be a good surprise.  He got it on Friday, but then proceeded to tell me he'd known about it since earlier that week when I ordered it because he got an e-mail from UPS.  Excuse me, WHAT?!  I was so careful not to put his e-mail or contact information on anything when I ordered.  It irritates me UPS would automatically send him an email just because they recognize the address I put in.  So much for a surprise.  Present failure.  Furthermore, in my head I imagined a candle lit pizza dinner filled with good conversation, laughter and memories.  Then, reality set in and Josh was in his sweats, under a blanket in the basement and wanted to eat down there.  I totally understand, when I'm sick all I want to do is lay around, but it wasn't quite how I imagined in my head!

 

 

 

Here's a little bit of what we enjoyed Monday evening.  Sausage for Josh and spinach for me.  I also made him apple pie for dessert.  Even sick he did manage to come up and eat a piece of pie.

 

Just to recap...birthday weekend "curveballs":

 

1) Josh was sick for his birthday party.

2) Limo broke down on the way to Salina.  Oh, I didn't mention that?  Yes, it sure did.  Not a big deal, but not exactly planned.

3) Pizza couldn't get delivered on his birthday.

4) UPS sent Josh an e-mail about his pizza and RUINED the surprise.

5)  Josh was still sick on his actual birthday.

6) Lastly, see those sunglasses Josh is wearing?  The ones that make anyone look like a fly.  Those are my sunglasses I ordered for the last few KState games that have little Powercats on the side of them.  I didn't know the lenses would be yellow!  I realize that has nothing to do with his birthday, but I thought I should explain those hideous glasses in that picture.

 

  Even though it didn't go EXACTLY how we planned, it was a very memorable weekend filled with delicious food and company. Thank you to all our friends and family who helped him celebrate! 

 

 

 

 

Crock Pot Applesauce

Last week, I received my daily e-mail from sugar free mom and there was a recipe for homemade applesauce.  I've always wanted to make applesauce so last weekend I used her recipe and gave it a shot.  I loved it!  I used to eat applesauce a lot , but it has so much added sugar I quit buying it years ago.  Then, I started buying the unsweetened kind and it's still tasty, but I only use it for baking.  This is the way to go for a delicious tasting, homemade side dish that won't cause a spike in blood sugar. 

Here's her original recipe and then I'll tell you what I did.

Nutrition Info
Servings: 5 -1/2 c. Calories per serving: 73 Fat: 0g Fiber: 3g carbs: 20g Protein: 0g

Ingredients
5 apples, cored, peeled and sliced
1 c. fresh cranberries, washed
1 c. water
1 cinnamon stick or 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
sweetener of your choice to taste

Directions
Combine water, apples, cranberries and cinnamon in crock pot.

Cook on high 4-5 hours until apples are soft. Discard cinnamon stick.

Place the mixture into a food processor and process until smooth or pulse slowly and leave some fruit chunks and texture in the applesauce if you like it like that.
Add your sweetener and chill.

She uses liquid stevia in almost all her recipes.  For this recipe she used sweetleaf stevia.  I've never bothered to purchase the liquid form of the natural sweetener and she's really good about giving you alternatives.  (Like honey or packets of dry stevia)  I had honey and she recommended using 1/2 cup and adding it to the apples in the crock pot while it cooks. 

I didn't see any cranberries when I was at the store :( and she said if you don't have/like fresh cranberries to add 1 more cup of apples or pears.  I added an extra cup of apples.  I read the other day that cranberry season is upon us so I'm hoping to find fresh cranberries for my next batch for two reasons.  1) How delicious does that sound? 2) It will make PINK applesauce. :)

While this tasted awesome, next time I will add just 1/4 cup of honey.  I felt 1/2 cup was much too strong and the honey flavor took away from the apples.

 

 This recipe is so easy!  The only tedious part is peeling all the apples.  I always peel apples and watch t.v. at the same time.  Might as well get caught up on Kelly and Michael while I peel away! 

 

It made the house smell delicious! This is how it looked after 4 hours.

 

 

Rather than putting it in the blender or food processor I used my immersion blender.  (Best gadget ever for homemade soups and many other things!)  I wanted to use my immersion blender because I wanted to leave a few chunks of apples and make it "chunky applesauce."  Here's a picture of it all blended up and ready to eat.  You're ready to lick the picture of my crock pot aren't you? 

 

She never specified any type of apple so I'm sure you can use whatever you like.  I had two Gala's so I used those to get rid of them and then used Jonathan's as well.  My only regret is that my apples were store bought.  It'd be way cooler to make this with your apples from the apple orchard!  Hope you like it!