Food

Okay, so not that any one of us have time to keep this up to date..clearly! However, just thoughts on maybe doing a Pinterest diaries of some sorts. Sharing recipes or DIYs we have actually done. Successful projects and ones that deserve a "nailed it" moment. When Ang was in the Midwest last week, her "blooming onion bread" was a definite success. I will start it off with a simple recipe I found with 3 ingredients. Great for tailgate party or breakfast. Sausage Pinwheels.
1 8oz package of Cream Cheese
2 packages of Crescent Rolls
1lb of sausage

Pretty self explanatory after this..Cook sausage, mix with cream cheese, roll out dough, fill with mixture, lay out and roll into a log. Cut and bake at 375 F for about 12-15 min depending on your oven. Golden brown is the goal. Ewy, gooey sausage goodness is the result. Yum! I have yet to try variations. I have done it with less sausage, more cream cheese as well as more sausage and less cream cheese. Its all about your personal preference. If my vague directions are lacking in details, here is the link. :)
Sausage Pinwheels











Have you ever watched Chopped on Food Network? If you haven't, you must watch at least one episode. I know what you're thinking: with all the quality network television shows to watch, it's hard to believe I opt for this instead. But it's almost impossible not to get hooked once you start watching.

It starts with 4 chefs in an appetizer round. They each get a basket with 3-4 mystery ingredients and then have 20 minutes to incorporate all of them into a dish. All ingredients must be used. Worst dish gets chopped and chef goes home. Entree round is the same, except they have 30 minutes. By the dessert round, only two chefs remain. Winner gets bragging rights and $10,000.

I mean, seriously, where else are you ever going to see people come up with an appetizer that incorporates catfish and marshmallows (yes, they really did - and I was really glad I wasn't a judge who had to try 4 different versions of it). Or watch them figure out just how to cook ostrich meat or eel correctly. Or make a dessert out of tomatoes and chocolate. All in 20 to 30 minutes. This is high drama at it's best, folks!

I'm most impressed that not only do the competitors usually come up with dishes that use all the ingredients, they actually meet the time deadline and most of the time, the dishes actually look pretty good. I'm pretty sure I would still be trying to figure out what to do with the ingredients by the end of the time limit, much less actually cooking and plating anything to be judged.

As if this show wasn't awesome enough, this week they started...are you ready for this??...Chopped All-Stars, where the chefs who host shows on the Food Network channel compete against each other. It's gonna be awesome. Bon appetit!