Quote Friday... things in the night

When witches go riding, 

and black cats are seen,

the moon laughs and whispers,

'tis near Halloween.

- Author Unknown

Quote Friday....Small things

"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together."  - Vincent van Gogh

Adventures in Cooking...Mariscos in Hard Cider

Last Christmas Nick's parents got me the Trader Joe's Cookbook. I have been consistently cooking through it this year and love it. Here is a recipe that I tried the other night. I didn't have every ingredient the recipe called for (original recipe was shrimp in hard cider) so here are my improvisations. Be-aware there is a fire show below!

Mariscos in Hard Cider
Ingredients:
1/2 Bag Trader Joe's Mariscos seafood mix (calamari, scallops, shrimp)
1 Tablespoon Butter
2 Cloves garlic, minced
1/4 Cup Brandy (I had EJ Gallo VSOP)
1 Cup Hard Cider (I used Trader Joe's Newtons Folly red)
Salt and Pepper

Directions:
1) In a large pan heat the butter and saute the garlic until fragrant.

2) Add the mariscos and saute until cooked through (about 5 minutes).
3) Remove mariscos to a bowl.
4) Add brandy to pan, then flambe to burn off alcohol.

5) Add the cider and bring to a boil.
6) Reduce heat and simmer until mixture is reduced to half.
7) Add back the mariscos for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

8) Add to your favorite rice (I served this over my Roasted Corn and Basil Cauliflower rice)

Note: The meal was delicous, but as you can tell the mariscos mixture was a bit soupy. Next time I could cook the frozen mariscos first, then 2 minutes before they were ready drain the water off and add the butter and garlic to saute.

Quote Friday: Meaning of Life

What is the meaning of life? To be happy and useful.

- Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama

Dogs are always happy, miss you JJ! Photo 2004

What I've been up to....

So I realize most of my reader are family and friends and I wanted to update you on my happenings in Newport. School has been going very well. I am really enjoying this semester. I still working part time at my marketing job, as well as taking 3 classes from USC (Teaching ELLs, Elementary Language Arts and Social Studies, and PE). I am also volunteering/observing a few days a week at a local elementary school in the 2nd grade. I LOVE IT. The children are amazing and the teacher is fantastic, a great master teacher. Right now I am just observing and helping out the class but in a few weeks I will actually be giving PE lessons! Yikes! But also very exciting. I have to say it is fun getting to help with the development of my students learning, I think I have finally found my career path. I have also been accepted to Substitute in the Huntington Beach City Unified school district, so if you know any teachers/principles/staff in the district pass my info along to them, I would love some experience subbing.

Moving on...life has been great. I have been playing a TON of beach volleyball. I met a great group of women who play a few times a week and have been fortunate to make my way onto the call list for games. I have to say, it's nice to be competitive again and playing group sports, especially volleyball. And since I live in So Cal the weather is perfect for outdoor games on the beach even in fall.

I've been making/ re-purposing some jewelry for myself and my mom (shoot I just ruined the birthday surprise, sorry). It's been a challenging experience since I lack patience and the jewelry making fine motor skills. But I have enjoyed it (even if I threw away a whole bag of beads just minutes after I bought them, ugh, bad Scottish luck). Here is what I have been working on:

Nick and I checked out a fantastic new restaurant on a date night. Mario Batali's Pizzeria Mozza. It.....was....DELICIOUS! A bit pricey for pizza, but the pizza was so worth it. The crust was like a buttery crisp sourdough, the ingredients imaginative and fresh, and the wine list was fantastic (all the wines are from Italy). I have to say if you are in LA or Newport you MUST check out this restaurant.

I'll wrap up with photos from a much needed girls night. My friend Melissa made some fantastic pumpkin-coconut soup and pumpkin snicker doodles. I contributed the roasted cauliflower with melted parmasian and the green beans with butter and bacon. While Rachel provided the bruchetta and was a fantastic sue-chef! We have a wonderful evening cooking, sipping champagne, eating, and chatting. Thanks girls!

Quote Friday...Beautiful Life

My Life Works Beautifully

 Believe it, even in the down times, everything happens for a reason.

Adventures in Cooking...Rudy's and Beer Chicken

I am constantly looking for easy to do quick dinners that are tasty. I am not sure how to cook a whole chicken yet. One day I will try, but here is my version of Beer Can Chicken.

Ingredients:

1 Can American Beer (we had the Bud's left over from the 4th, sorry dad I know it's not tasty beer)

1/8 Cup Rudy's Poultry Seasoning (only available in Texas but any seasoning will do)

Chicken breasts or thighs (this was an old, very frozen pack of costco chicken thighs)

Directions:

Heat oven to 425 degrees F

Place frozen chicken directly in baking pan

Pour the whole can of beer over the chicken

Sprinkle the meat with the seasoning

Bake for about 50 minutes, or until chicken is done

Serve with your choice of sides. Here I made cauliflower mashed potatoes (recipe to come) and corn. I found that cooking the chicken this way really gets the beer flavor, next time I might try it with a nice flavored wheat beer, since you really do get the beer taste even after cooking.

Enjoy!