Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Godzilla Quesadillas and Beyond Basic Black Beans

What is a great use for leftover chicken? Dillas!!! They're delicious and reheat beautifully for a tasty snack or lunch. Black beans are always a nice side, but these are packed with a PUNCH!

Refried black beans sauteed with chorizo infused olive oil, minced garlic and onion.

Our dillas included taco seasoned chicken, reg chicken, roasted poblano peppers, sauteed red peppers and onion, monterey jack cheese and spinach.

"Fry like bacon, b*tches!!!" (sometimes i yell/sing/encourage my cooking food along)

The finished product. Those are three stacks. Jack's salsa, green onion, chopped jalapenos, and cilantro added tasty garnishes to the plato.

Monday, February 22, 2010

More Pizza Pics (see full post below)

Our sous chef, Maddie, giving direction from below and hopeful for some scraps.

An artfully inspired creation with pesto strip down the middle.

The happy diners.

Pizza Party!!!!

With a true collaborative spirit, several of us got together to FEAST on homemade pizza pie.

Annie and Blanton showed true bravado by taking on the daunting task of making dough. Equipped with a dough hook and active yeast - they were successful in 3 out of 4 attempts. The second batch tried unsuccessfully to take over Annie's kitchen, but shrunk back in fear at the sight of Blanton's mean dough hook hand!!!

Unbeknownst to all but himself, we had an expert among us. Knox worked at Mellow Mushroom through high school and college and proved himself to be an excellent dough tosser. Go Knox!!

(Look at the height!)

Yorke made a delicious and zestfully spicy tomato sauce to adorn our pizzas. Pesto was also on hand for a different sauce option.

Other toppings included:

  • prosciutto
  • arugula
  • spinach
  • pepperoni
  • chicken
  • goat cheese
  • mozzarella
  • caramelized onions
  • red peppers
  • pine nuts
  • mushrooms
  • ricotta
  • jalapenos
  • basil
  • rosemary
  • gorgonzola
  • fresh mozzarella

With the possibilities endless, we got started!! Each duo was in charge of one pie and then everyone came together to make a "We are the World" pizza (appropriate since the Haiti Relief telethon was on in the background).

(Half pepperoni and mushroom with fresh basil / Half artichoke heart, basil and cheese)

We called this the pizza and pepper extravaganza. Fresh mozz and caramelized onion rounded this mammoth pie out.

(Pesto, chicken, red pepper, caramelized onion, and toasted pine nuts)

Fresh out of the oven!!



Friday, February 5, 2010

Slow Roasted Honey Mustard Pork with Sweet Carrots and Beets

Finished plate
Reducing honey, mustard, thyme gravy

Carrots and Beets cooking with honey and balsamic vinegar



Heating the honey after roasting the carrots


Peeled beets after roasting