Bahn Mi

I have a thing for cilantro.  And for good sandwiches.  So when my hair guy was telling me about his family recipe for Bahn Mi sandwiches my mouth started watering.  There are some great Vietnamese delis and restaurants in the area, especially by our old house, but I don't have time to drive that far.  Plus, after listening to my hair guy and researching recipes, the ingredients are pretty basic.

First, I warmed 1 c. rice vinegar with 1/2 c. water and 1/2 c. sugar.  Once the sugar had dissolved, I added about 1 c. julienned carrots and 1/3 c. finely chopped white onion. This mixture needs to sit for a couple hours or overnight.

To make the chicken, I sliced up two boneless chicken breasts and marinated in 2 chopped cloves of garlic, 1/4 c. soy sauce, 2 tsp sugar, 1 tsp five spice powder, 1/2 tsp ground pepper.  Let sit for 4 hours or overnight if possible.

I cooked the chicken on the stove and to assemble the sandwiches I took a slightly warmed french baguette and layered on thinly sliced cucumber, cilantro (I used a lot), the pickled carrots/onion mix and the chicken slices. I also squeezed a big wedge of lime over the sandwich fixings and sprinkled on red pepper flakes to get a nice kick without altering the flavor.

Presto! An amazing sandwich that would be great for lunch or dinner.  It is very light but very filling.  This sandwich can't be too unhealthy for you either... no mayo, cheese, or processed meats.  Just fresh veggies and marinated chicken (with bread and some sugar thrown in!).

This will be showing up at a future football tailgate party - pretty simple, full of flavor, and a crowd pleaser.

Drunk Gummies

I saw an idea on Pinterest last week.  Soaking gummy bears in vodka, creating a drunk gummy bear.  The gummies sit in some vodka for a day or two and they absorb the liquid creating a dangerously tasty 'shot'.  I of course wanted to try this, since I'm constantly reinventing the gelatin shot... But instead of using vodka which has a strong odor and flavor, I tried Malibu Rum.  Malibu's appealing scent and flavor seems similar to a gummy bear, so why not?

After two days of bears soaking up their rum bath, I tried one. Then another.  Nevermind it was only noon on a weekday, but these puppies (or bears...) were GOOD.  This is one fun trick that will definitely be used in the future. Maybe for my girls weekend in a couple weeks, and definitely for Husky Football!

Chocolate Covered Fruit

What is better than fruit?  Chocolate covered fruit, of course!

Thanks to Pinterest, I had a great idea for tonight's Superbowl game.  Add a few dashes of white chocolate to chocolate covered strawberries and you've got cute little 'football' strawberries!  They taste even better then they look.  But chocolate usually tastes better than it looks. 

To dip fruit in chocolate, don't wash the fruit!  If you do, you need to make sure the fruit is totally dry before you start.  Strawberries, apple slices (pat dry with paper towel), dried apricots, bananas, are all great options.  But today we're talk'n stawberries! It also helps if your fruit is at room temperature.

I did this recipe by guessing measurements because I wasn't sure how much I'd need for a two pound container of berries. So, don't complain if you have a bunch of leftover melted chocolate (who would complain about that anyways!?). Extra chocolate means you can dip everything in sight...banana slices (see below), graham crackers, your fingers, or just a spoonful put directly to your mouth...

I melted one bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips in a double boiler on the stove, adding about a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the mix as the chocolate begins to melt.  This addition of veggie oil will help smooth out the chocolate and make it a little easier to dip.  It will also ensure that once the chocolate hardens on the fruit it won't turn to rock and crumble when you take a bite.  Place your dipped fruit on a cookie sheet covered with parchment or a silpat liner. Let cool and solidify on strawberries.

As the chocolate on the dipped strawberries hardens, begin to melt about one half cup of white chocolate chips in a double boiler.  Use low heat!  I've found white chocolate is very tempermental, and high temperatures will leave you with a mess.  Add a teaspoon or two of vegetable oil to the mix and stir until melted.  Spoon the white chocolate in to a small ziploc bag.  Snip a VERY tiny piece off one corner of the bag and use this as a homemade pastry bag to pipe the white chocolate on to the berries.  You might want to practice a few football lace patterns on to plain parchment to get the hang of it.

Let your finished product sit in a cool place, but not the fridge!  Cold temperatures will make the fruit sweat.  You can store leftover chocolate dipped berries in the fridge, but they will only last a day or so.  But seriously.  Why or how could you have leftovers!?  Just eat them... its healthy because there is fruit inside!!

Chocolate Covered Bananas
I had some melted chocolate left over after dipping the strawberries so I sliced two bananas and started dipping them. As well as my fingers.

Then it hit me.  What could make chocolate covered bananas even better?  Peanut butter! I grabbed the PB and smeared some on top of the slices.  Then I dipped those too!  Note - you have to work fast with the PB bananas because the warm chocolate will start to melt the peanut butter.   

Once you are done, pop these little guys in the freezer and let them chill for a bit. Or, you can just store them in the freezer and eat them like little bon bons!  Again, it can't be that bad for you... there is fruit in the center and protein in the peanut butter.  Am I right, or what? 

Gelatin-mania

I think many of my friends think I have lost my marbles when I showed up to the tailgate with these jello shots.  A purple 'W' inside gold shots.  These were time consuming to make, but the end result was so cool! 

Jello just tastes better in the colors of purple and gold!

And what tailgate party is complete without a full bar and two different beer selections via keg?  My type of party! 

Husky Cupcakes and Jello Shots

This weekend is the big Husky Homecoming game.  Our tailgate will get an extra kick of purple and gold spirit with the help of my extra lovely gold lamay tablecloth, purple and gold vase (pictured above...an oatmeal container with ribbon glue-gunned on), and fun food.

I bought a bag of yellow chocolate from the craft store, heated it in the microwave, placed in a ziploc bag and snipped off one corner.  I then made 'W's on to parchment paper.  This is one of the easiest garnishes ever!  The 'W's cooled in just a minute or so and were the perfect addition to our cupcakes with purple frosting! (I will admit to cheating... QFC made my dozen cupcakes for $5!!)

And Homecoming deserves an extra special gelatin shot.  My favorite drink is an Arnold Palmer (ice tea/lemonade), and my new favorite alcohol based drink is a John Daly (same as Arnold Palmer but with vodka added or ice tea flavored vodka).  But because a John Daly is more of a summer drink, I've got a bit of ice tea vodka left.... that called for a John Daly shooter!

The base layer is lemonade and whipped cream vodka.  The top layer is ice tea vodka.  Hello my friend!

GOOOOO Dawgs!

Because every good tailgate deserves equally good gelatin shots. GO HUSKIES!  And happy birthday mom!

Jello Shots - UW vs Hawaii

For the second game of the season, I was attending a Hawaiian themed tailgate hosted by my friend Allison.  I decided to go all out, and create two different kinds of jello shots because I don't make it over to Allison's tailgate very often!

First up?  A purple and gold mosaic made with both vanilla and whipped cream vodkas.  The white portion?  A little bit of plain gelatin mixed with watered down condensed, sweetened milk.  Sounds gross but it adds a nice flavor!

Second batch was following the tropical theme... fresh orange and pineapple juices mixed with whipped cream vodka.  Kind of a tropical creamsicle shot.

I added a little extra gelatin to today's shots due to the 90 degree weather.  Fortunately, the little guys survived just perfectly in the shade! 

The hostess and I before the big UW win!

Other highlights from the tropical tailgate?  Mini mai tais served in small sipping cups and garnished with pineapple and peach slices and POGka cocktails (POG/vodka). I'm sure there was some good food too...

Hot Wings Chicken Dip

Whenever I make this recipe I usually don't have many, if any, leftovers.  Everyone loves a hot wing slathered in blue cheese dressing, so why not combine the two in to a dip?  Genious!  This is a perfect tailgate or Super Bowl appetizer and any leftovers are pretty tasty wrapped inside a small torilla...

Serve with the bigger sized Fritos and large celery sticks good for scooping. I also like to include sliced carrots as well as red grapes for a little palate refresher. 

Tonight we'll be bringing this as a heavy appetizer to the Medina Days concert in the park. Such a fun evening to try and catch up with friends while chasing your kids around the playground!

Hot Wings Chicken Wing Dip

4 Chicken Breasts, cooked and shredded
8 oz cream cheese
½ jar of Blue Cheese Dressing
8-10oz Mozzarella, shredded
1 Bottle Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
Fritos & celery to serve

Simmer the shredded chicken and Frank’s hot sauce on stove for 20 min.

In a 9x12 casserole smear cream cheese on bottom, add chicken mixture, ½ bottle of dressing and mozzarella cheese on top.

Bake 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes (after 20 minutes stir mixture in pan and put back in oven). Serve with Frito’s chips and celery.

Note - It is better to keep this dip semi-warm while serving.

UW vs. USC

What a game! I don't even know where to begin! Maybe with the fact that UW beat USC!? Amazing energy was running through the stadium and I didn't see one fan leave early. I am so thankful my phone has a camera on it, otherwise I don't think I would believe my eyes... students, fans, athletes all flooding the football field after the final play. We lingered in the stadium for quite some time to watch the celebration!

But what football game is complete without a little tailgating?  Today we (we meaning not pregnant me) enjoyed 'gold' Jell-O shots, purple and gold Bud Light (that I bought 4 cases of while very pregnant - and received many stares), Dump Soup, and the never to disappoint Monster Cookies!

I'm most proud of my budget centerpiece.  The vase is an empty Quaker Oatmeal container covered with one long piece of ribbon continuously wrapped around the canister and glue-gunned along the way.  I bought some purple craft foam for the 'W', and some hydrangeas.  Not only is it a festive vessel, but you can use it to store tailgate supplies if you keep the lid!  Gotta love Michael's craft stores and their 40% off coupons!

Want to make some Monster Cookies of your own?  Here is the coveted recipe.  They are so good, I'm warning you.  They freeze exceptionally well.  Just make the dough, roll in to balls and freeze. This way you can take as many cookies out as you need, or just make a few at a time like Tony and I do.  A few meaning a minimum of three each! :)  Let frozen balls thaw while oven warms up and cook for 9-12 minutes depending on size. 

Monster Cookies

2 sticks butter
2 c. white sugar
2 c. brown sugar
2 c. peanut butter (smooth only)
6 eggs
2 tbsp. vanilla
4 tsp. baking soda
3 c. quick cooking oatmeal

Mix in order given using mixer. Transfer batter to large container and add the following:
6 more c. quick cooking oatmeal
2 c. Nestle chocolate chips
2 c. nuts (optional - I never add them!)
1 med. bag M & M's - these can either be included in the batter or used on top

Mix until well blended. Form cookies (use large mixing spoon for monster size). Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Makes 10 to 12 dozen cookies.

*Note - I realize quite a few people have peanut allergies. Unfortunately, this is a recipe that must include the peanut butter. I have done research to find a good substitute, but alas, PB is where the cookies get their punch.

Dawg Saturday!

Today is the first Husky game of the season! YES! There are so many things to do for a husky home game... make the always important Jell-O shots (yes, prego and making shots...), wear purple and gold all day (had to buy a purple long-sleeved and warm shirt from maternity store last minute due to weather), and head to the stadium to get the festivities started!

We had planned to host our usual tailgate, but pregnancy got the better of me.  So instead I packed up my tasty Jell-O shots and we headed to our friend's tailgate party.  The Jell-O orange wedge shots were a hit, especially with the LSU fans that traveled up from Baton Rouge. Yes, I was friendly and shared... with just a few.

I've been asked by many people how to make these orange slice 'shots'.  The answer is quite simple if you put a little thought in to it. So, I'm going to be mean and let you figure it out on your own. Really, its not hard!  And, what a fun treat (of the non-alcoholic kind) to make if you need to bring snacks to school or kid-friendly party!  Use grapefruits, lemons, limes... basically any type of fruit with a tough skin!