Breakfast Sushi For Your Valentine

We took our love of both sushi & breakfast food and combined them!  Here's a fun new twist on your morning meal, and a new way to say "I love you" this Valentine's Day.   
 
You probably have most of these ingredients on hand:
Eggs (made scrambled)
Bacon
Potatoes
Shredded cheddar
Chocolate to garnish the plate*

*optional, but also required on February 14th :)

First, scramble your eggs the way you like them.  Some people add water, milk, cream, or cheese.  I add a little cheese and some half and half to mine.  Set aside. 

Cook your bacon.  I used turkey bacon for my recipe.  Less fat and also very easy to wrap.

Make your potatoes.  For a faster prep time, I use the frozen variety.  But you can use any potato, they're all delicious.  Tator tots and crispy crowns are especially easy to work with.    

Take your bacon and lay the strips on a plate.  Spoon a little of the eggs and then top by pressing a potato and hold in place.  Then roll your "sushi" up and secure with a toothpick.

Serve to your valentine(s) with a side of toast & a smile.  And don't forget to save some for yourself!

Pinch Your Dough

I use cooking terms to relate to life.  I don't know, maybe it's because food is always fun to talk about.  Sometimes we find ourselves at a point where we know we have plenty of interesting ingredients in the kitchen, but we just can't seem to figure out something interesting to create out of it all. 

If you're anything like me, you have days where you feel like you can take on the world Emeril style.  And then there are those days where you are just happy that Chef Boyardee decided to put spaghetti in a can.  You got nothin.  But it's okay. 

Have you ever made homemade pizza?  Like with dough you rolled out yourself?  I love the feeling of dough in my hands.  The cool and squishy feeling of a very forgiving slab of flour, yeast, and water.  It moves with your pressure.  If you spread it too thin, you can always reshape it.  If you accidentally make a hole, all you have to do is pinch it together and it disappears from sight.  That's what's so cool about it.  There's really no way to mess it up.  Anyone can do it.  Even when you struggle with confidence in your ability, if you want an instant surge of empowerment, just roll out some dough and experience the therapy.

So here we are in a brand new year.  A counter top full of fresh ingredients.  A pantry of possibilities if you will.  The first few days of 2014 have already come and gone.  Maybe yours started really exciting.  Maybe not.  Perhaps grief struck you.  Or maybe you're still stuck up to your ears in snow and Christmas boxes that are staring at you, waiting to be put away. 

Whatever you're marinating in right now, I hope you are finding yourself well and ready to take on the journey of a new year's promises with hope, energy, and optimism.  You may want to play it safe for awhile.  Or you can kick it up a notch with something spicy or herb-infused.  But wherever you are, there you stand with a brand new fistful of dough.  It's ready to turn into something you create with your two hands.  What will you make with it?

Do your best.  Take a risk.  And if you fail?  Just pinch your dough.

Instructional Video: Easy Homemade Pizza Dough in 30 minutes

 

P.S. I have made several phone calls to the Kraft headquarters just this morning, begging them to please get it together with this "Velveeta Shortage" we're hearing about in the news.  For the love of nachos, Super Bowl is less than a month away, people! 

 

The 15 Most Successful Celebrity Chefs

More! Recipes From The Heart

*This post is written in honor of the wonderful season we are in now... the season of food, love, and leftovers. 

I knew you'd still be hungry.  So welcome BACK to Karen's Kitchen, where we meet up, and I share with you my amazing secrets to some of the best undiscovered recipes out there.  You won't find them on allrecipes, smitten kitchen, or in any of those foodie magazines with the scrumptious meals on the cover that put 5 lbs on your behind just by looking at it. 

"I only meant to browse the table of contents.  Before I knew it I was reading every single page and taking pictures with my camera phone so that I could make the recipes later." - Me Anonymous 

If you missed the first edition, click here. 


***************************************************************************************   
Welcome to the 2nd Edition of Recipes From the Heart, featuring "A Letter to my Kitchen."  This newest edition contains a few more specialties for the seasoned palate, and we've traveled high and low to bring them to you.

Lasagna Florentine
Ladies and gents, this one could not be any easier.  You can prepare the lasagna just about any way you'd like (including buying a Stouffer's), but you'll want to leave the finishing touches to the little folks in your home.  We had to travel very "low" to find this recipe.  So low because it was on the floor.  And that's why it's called Lasagna floor-entine.  Trust me though, when you're hungry enough, it's gonna hit the spot. 

Seafood Lover's Plate
Don't let the title intimidate you.  This mouthwatering trio of oyster crackers, Goldfish, and a can of sardines served on a plate will only take you about 5 minutes to prepare.  I don't think Red Lobster's menu features this as of yet, but that endless shrimp thing is about to expire anyway.  Enjoy with your favorite crackers and a glass of anything.

Swedish Meatballs
If you have an Ikea store near you, you're gonna love this recipe.  This is the creme de la creme on the snack bar menu there.  So plan an evening of shopping or browsing with your sweetheart, and enjoy a dinner that you didn't have to make!  You can thank me later.

Mexican Steak
Take a slice of bologna, heat it in a frying pan, and ole!  Pour yourself a margarita.

Dinner Pops
It's not just for cake anymore.  Whether you're in the mood for meatballs, ravioli, or even a turkey pot pie, it matters not.  Just take your dinner, insert a stick, and watch how much fun it becomes to eat.  Kids love it too!  The Dinner on a Stick method saves your dish pan hands because, guess what!?  No utensils to wash afterward!  Just eat it up and throw away the stick.  I told you this was easy.

Chocolate Coconut Creme Pie
Take 3-4 Almond Joy bars, smash them up real good, get a can of Redi-whip, and lather it up.  (No need to rinse, but feel free to repeat as often as necessary.)  Top with a cherry, several cherries, or the whole jar of cherries.  Fruit is a staple in any diet.
***************************************************************************************

• To my cookbooks, I am sorry if you feel like I've been neglecting you.  But let's just agree to call it "preserving you for the future."
• To my wine rack, thank you for helping me make dinner every night.  You never judge.
• To my refrigerator, you have been the last place I've seen so many of my thoughts, I cannot even tell you.  Thank you for graciously keeping your patience as I've closed your door a little harder than you expected on many occasions.
• To my trash can, thank you for hiding all my mistakes.   
• To my sink, one of these days I'll empty you. 

As you prepare your kitchens for Christmas Dinner, best wishes for a wonderfully delicious and successful meal.  And in case it's not, I recommend the Stouffer's Five Cheese Lasagna.

Now accepting submissions for the 3rd Edition!  Write to me @ karenlynnbrownrinella@gmail dot com with your wonderful, easy, delicious recipes, favorite take-out suggestions, or ANY other food ideas.  I need all the help I can get over here. 

Love, Karen

Recipes From the Heart

People have been asking and asking, and frankly, I was getting a headache from all the requests.  So, to help satisfy your cravings, here are some of my most popular recipes, sure to give your tongue a sleigh ride.  Yes, move to the side Ms. Crocker.  I'm borrowing your apron for a bit.  From my kitchen to yours, you're welcome.

 

 A+ APPETIZERS

Egg-stremely delicious hard boiled eggs
Find what's left of the eggs in your fridge.  Don't worry about the "best if used by" date.  Those are only suggestions.  Boil those bad boys up.  Peel them right away, but for best results, don't get hung up on getting every piece of shell off.  Honestly, I've noticed with my family, it's effective in increasing concentration skills and sharpening focus.  Enjoy them plain or with a sprinkling of your favorite condiment.

Sweet Party Mix
Open up your pantry and locate the cereal area.  You may need to stand on a chair or wear a helmet, depending on the conditions (both if you're at my house).  Choose 3-5 varieties and a get a medium sized bowl.  Scoop a handful of each kind into the bowl and mix.  Serve with cold milk chasers.     

EASY ENTREES

Easy Cheesy Calzones
First, call up your local pizza joint.  Once you get your pizza (delivered of course, we are a busy kitchen with no time for frivolous errands), take it out of the box and lay it flat on the counter.  Now, carefully, with both hands, fold your pizza pie in half.  Then press down on the edges firmly.  Voila.  Calzone.  Suggested wine pairing: anything that pours.

Tacos and Tequila
Now, it's very important that you prep your tequila and throw back a few shots while you're constructing the tacos.  Because then it really doesn't matter that the tacos are Fritos and a can of bean dip.  Cause suddenly, those are the best dingdang tacos you've ever had, Pablo!

DECADENT DESSERTS

Oh-My Apple Pie
Slice up an apple.  Find a few graham crackers that aren't too stale.  But stale will work too.  Closing your eyes, alternate taking bites of each.  Doesn't taste exactly like Grandma's?  Close your eyes tighter.  And use your imagination.  Optional topping: freezer burned vanilla ice cream. 

Mint Chocolate Grasshopper
First, open a bag of Oreos.  Eat as many as you think you should.  Then, go rinse with Scope.  A mint chocolate merry-go-round in your mouth. 

3 MUST-HAVE KITCHEN INGREDIENTS

Garlic: Scares away more than just vampires. "Oh, hhhhhello, Mr. Solicitor.  Hhhhhhow can I hhhhhelp you today?"

Onion: "Oh, honey.  I am so sorry (*tear) to hear that the Yankees are on a rain delay.  Wanna help me finish making this salsa?"

Tabasco: "I would LOVE to hear a recap of every one of your golf shots from this morning, Dad.  But I'll have to call you back, later...Jackie found that flimmin' flammin' bottle of hot sauce again.  Gotta run!"

   
I've submitted a couple of these recipes to Taste of Home Magazine. No word yet, but I'm sure they're just really busy licking beaters and taste-testing over there. Take your time guys, I'm in no hurry. 

Do you think she'll notice if I just casually drop this off the side of my tray?

 

Clipart:
http://www.sodahead.com
http://www.squidoo.com

Must Love Leftovers

A Personal Ad: Sung to the tune of "If You Like Pina Coladas"
Written with a little help from Rupert Holmes  
(His song was a one-hit wonder, as will be my version)

I was tired of my baby

We'd been together so long
Like a worn-out recording
Of a Wiggles song
So while he lay there sleeping
I read my laptop in bed
And in the match dot com section
There was this letter I read

"If you like mixing up bottles
And also Thomas the Train
If you like Animal Crackers
And eating leftovers again
If you love waking up at midnight
And your favorite flavor's grape
Then I'm the baby you've looked for
Write to me and escape."

I didn't think about my baby
I know that sounds kind of mean
But me and my little baby
Have fallen into the same old dull routine
So I wrote to match dot com
Took out a personal ad
And though I'm nobody's poet
I thought it wasn't half bad

"Yes I like mixing up bottles
And even Thomas the Train
I do love Animal Crackers
You must be reading my brain
I've got to meet you by tomorrow noon
And cut through all this red-tape
On the blanket in the living room
Where we'll learn colors and shapes."

So I waited with high hopes
And he crawled in the place
I knew his smile in an instant
I knew the dimples of his face
It was my own little baby
And he said, "Oh it's you."
Then we laughed for a moment
And he said, "I always knew."

That you like mixing up bottles
And watching Thomas the Train
Thanks for the Animal Crackers
And for not going insane
Thank you for waking up at midnight
So glad your favorite flavor's grape
You're the Mama I've looked for
Stay with me and escape.

 

Hard to believe, but our little Jackie is 9 months old today.  This last month has been monumental in terms of his physical development and coordination.  He really "took off" in the crawling department and discovered that there are a lot more sections of the house that don't yet contain his hand prints.  And he's out to explore them all.  He is currently obsessed with balloons and refrigerator magnets.  He finds both to be hilarious.  We've been enjoying every minute with our little monkey. 

Original Lyrics: If you like Pina Coladas
source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/onehitwonders/pinacoladalyrics.html
clipart: http://www.nickshell1983.wordpress.com