Going Green

No, this is not a post about saving the planet.  It's about avocados and eggs and how when you marry the 2 you get something so good you can't wait to share with all your friends.  We had dinner with dear friends this weekend and this was on her table.  Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but don't knock it 'til you try it.  If you like deviled eggs, give these a try.  I give you GUACAMOLE DEVILED EGGS...

These deviled eggs have no mayo in them.  You mash up an avocado and add it to the yolks instead!  Add some finely chopped jalapeno, green onions and a touch of cilantro to the yolk mixtures.  Remember that salt is your friend here.  Even if you don't normally salt things as liberally as I do, these really need it.  Eggs and avocados are both foods that scream for salt so don't skimp.

 Kind of looks like actual guacamole in this photo, huh?

If you want to make them prettier you could sprinkle some more cilantro on top or put a pickled jalapeno slice on each one.  They really are so tasty, trust me on this one. 

My Kind of Girl

I made a new friend at the store yesterday.

As soon as I got her home, she got out of that fussy dress and got to work.

She had a blonde friend that I left behind.  I may need to go back and get her!

Fish Tales

I enjoy cooking fish, but I'll admit, my repertoire is small.  I know what I like and what works so I don't branch out very often like I do with other ingredients.  I normally buy salmon fillets already cut into individual servings.  However, last time I was shopping a whole salmon fillet caught my eye.  For one smidge of a second I considered cutting it up before I marinated it, but why would I do that?  I bought that big beauty for a reason.  I went in search of the best way to prepare this little fishy without firing up the grill.  It's really just too hot to cook outside.  Some of you would argue that it's too hot to fire up the oven, but mine's electric (boo)  and it really doesn't heat up the house.  This marinade was really simple to throw together.  I left out the brown sugar because I didn't have any and I doubled up on the red pepper 'cause we like things hot over here.  I'm going to cook it in the oven at 450 for 20-30 minutes until the fish flakes.   I'm thinking a ginger soy dressing over some romaine hearts is the only accompaniment necessary.  Wish me luck!

Here she is, soaking in her soy ginger bath, pretty huh?

Totally True

Source: google.com via Amy on Pinterest

I sent this to one of my BFF's because it made me LOL! You know you would laugh too.

This Weekend I...

• got in late from a trip to MN, man, it sure is pretty there!
• made a new friend on that MN trip, actually, I made several, but you can meet one of them here.
• watched the LAST EVER Friday Night Lights, sniff sniff.
• caught up on laundry ( I HATE unpacking from a trip).
• got to see my sweet daughter for the first time in a week, she was off at camp and off was off on a work trip.  I've yet to see my son...TEENAGERS!
• ate some deeeelish Mediterranean food that I made the hubs go pick up.  He was set on going there to eat it, but that would have meant I would need to get dressed.
• finally watched The King's Speech, loved it!
• saw my sister for a short visit at  my folks house.  It was rare that she and I are there at the same time without the rest of our families.  We sat down to eat lunch and it was like the old days!
• grocery shopped for the first time in I can't tell you when.
• celebrated my step daughter's 15th birthday, mmmmm Hibachi!
• watched Casey Anthony walk out of prison, what in the heck is that girl gonna do with the rest of her life?
• watched True Blood.  Eric Northman might be my new TV crush since FNL is gone for good and I had to say goodbye to Coach Taylor and Tim Riggins. NAAAH, TEXAS FOREVER!
• finally found a use for some peaches going south in my fridge.  Making this for dinner tomorrow night.

What did you do?

Watermelon Woopsie

That's what I'm calling my new concoction.  I cut into an ice cold watermelon the other day and was sorely disappointed.  Rather than the juicy, red fruit I was hankering for, I found a light pink, mushy mess.  I was just about to toss it when I had a thought...you know me, always thinkin'! I cubed up the watermelon and through it in the blender.  I used a fine mesh sieve to strain the puree', leaving me with what I will call watermelon water.  It actually tasted great on it's own, not too sweet and really refreshing.  I broke out my cocktail shaker and it was on.  Through a little trial and error I came up with this little gem:

2 parts of said "watermelon water"
1 part vodka
4 muddled mint leaves
Just pour it all into the shaker with some ice and pretend like you're Tom Cruise in Cocktail.  Strain into a martini glass and add a squeeze of lime.  If you like things a little sweeter you could add a little simple syrup or rim the glass with sugar.  You know what I love on my watermelon? SALT.  I'm thinking you could rim the glass in salt OR a mixture of sugar and salt.  There I go again with all that thinkin'!

Ice Ice Baby

I picked up some ice cube trays on my shopping trip today.  I have an open bottle of pinot noir sitting on my counter and I'm just not much of a red wine drinker this time of year.  I saw an idea on Pinterest that I thought was ingenious; just pour the leftover wine into the trays and freeze.  Once they are frozen you can pop them out and store them in a bag in the freezer...all ready to go when you need a bit of wine for a recipe.  I may try to freeze some coffee too since my iced coffee addiction is still in full swing.  

Summer Suppers

Man y'all, it's H-O-T!  You know my love for cooking (and eating), but this weather is curbing my appetite for both.  We have been living on salads and sammies over here.  I am currently addicted to Greek salads with chicken.  I marinate the chicken all day while I go about my business then throw it on the grill at dinner time.  Another staple is a good ol' BLT.  I add avocado and that just kicks it up to the point of eye rolling good.  I have put my ice cream maker to work too!  I just whipped up a batch of mocha almond, and yes, it was as good as it sounds. I've got some fresh mozzarella and home grown tomatoes just waiting to be dressed in basil and balsamic--sounds like lunch tomorrow.  What are you all doing to keep cool as a cucumber in the kitchen?

My Rock N Roll Fantasy

The hubs surprised me with Def Leppard tickets today.  The show is in just a couple of weeks and I am so excited!  Heart is going to be with them, I've always loved them too!  I have had one fun packed summer and now I get to add this to the list.  It'll make a fun little date night, good thing hubs puts up with doesn't mind my singing. 

Stuff I'm Embarassed to Admit, 1st Edition

Source: ohhellofriendblog.com via Gae on Pinterest

Do y'all remember these label making thingies? Back when they were cutting edge, my dad had one (of course).  One night the Goodyear Blimp was flying over our house and he was so excited to take me outside to show it to me.  Mind you, this was before I could read.  He took his label maker outside with us and told me that whatever he punched in was what the words scrolling on the blimp said.  I don't know which is funnier, the fact that he actually thought this up or the fact that I actually believed it!

Happy Fourth

Hot dogs, and beer, and fireworks, oh my...

Happy Fourth of July!