Paul Wright and Cinco De Mayo

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Hey Guys Hey!!!! So this is a fun post because Im doing this in honor of a really cool music artist named........PAUL WRIGHT! Several years back I had the opportunity of seeing Paul Wright play here in Chicago when I was going to see KeKe Sheard and I forget who else. So how about this cool surfer singing man comes up and sings "get your flip flops off the ground." It was super catchy and I fell in love with his music. Not to mention he's a cutie as well. Okay, I had to say it, and its my blog so I can.haha. The other time he was supposed to come to the Chi, we had a crazy snow experience which messed things up. Whyyyyyyyyy. Well, I know he loves Mexican food and speaks of his favorite burrito spot in Eugene which is Burrito Boy. So today I made something special just for him. Chorizo and Salsa Verde Nachos! Hope you guys like =]

Happy Cinco De Mayo to you all!



Chorizo and Salsa Verde Nachos

• 10-12 corn tortillas, cut in fours
• oil for frying
• salt and cumin

In a pot of hot oil, fry tortillas until golden. Season with salt and cumin.

Salsa Verde

• 4-6 tomatillos(Husks and stems removed)
• 1/2 red onion
• 1 poblano
• oil for drizzling
• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1-2 limes, juiced
• salt to season

Put oven on broil.
In a baking dish, add tomatillos, onion, poblano and drizzle with oil. Broil for about 20 minutes. Remove and place in a food processor. Add in cilantro and lime juice and season with salt. Pulse until slightly smooth

• 15 oz. Chorizo(casings removed)
• 6 oz. Quesadilla Cheese(shredded or shaved)

In a skillet over medium to high heat, cook the chorizo. Drain excess fat.
Assembling the nachos!
Place chorizo over the tortilla chips. Spoon about 1-1 1/2 cups of salsa over the meat. Add cheese. And place in oven until cheese melts. Serve with Mexican Crema. Enjoy your remaining salsa =]

Vanilla Wafers with Caramel

Caramel Sauce

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/8 cup water
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• 1/8 cup heavy cream
• 4-5 tbl. butter

In a saucepan over medium heat, add in sugar, water and lemon juice. Stir slightly and allow to cook. Swirl the pan once the sugar begins to caramelize. Remove once sugar is golden. Add in cream. Then stir in butter until melted. Set Aside.

Cookies

• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tbl. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 1/3 cup cups flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a bowl beat butter and sugars. Add in the egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. Slowly add in the wet ingredient. On greased or lined baking sheets, spoon/drop a tablespoon of dough 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool. Top with caramel.

Bye Bye Easter, Hello Spring?

So Easter is over and as a goodbye to the holiday I love so much, I wanted to share me and my friend Elena's bunny shortbread cookies! She is such an awesome helper and we had a blast making these cute bunnies. Now that Easter has left us, hopefully some consistent spring weather will occur. Cmon weather cmon!! Alright enough of the rant lets get to the yummy shortbread =]

Orange Shortbread Bunnies

• 3/4 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 
• 1tbl. orange zest
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 to 7 ounces very good semisweet chocolate chips
• 1tbl. shortening

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a bowl beat butter and sugar until pale yellow.

 Add in vanilla, orange zest and the orange juice.

In a separate bowl, sift flour and salt. Slowly add in the flour and beat until the dough comes together.

Dump onto a floured surface and form into two flat disks. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

 Sneaking some dough!!!

Roll dough out to about 1/2 in thickness and use the shape of your choice. Of course we used bunnies!!! Do you spot baby Luke?

Place shortbread on cookie sheets and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Allow to cool.

 

In a microwaveable bowl melt chocolate chips and shortening. Be sure to melt the chocolate at 25-30 seconds at a time to prevent burning. stir well. 

Dip each shortbread in the chocolate. Enjoy!!!

Hope you guys enjoy!!

A Vampire Extravaganza!

Woot woot for Thirsty Thursday! I wanted to share an awesome day with you all that was last year....My 21st Bday! So Im a huge Twilight Fan and I just had to have a twilight themed party for my big day. I had my closest family and friends over and it was a blast. Everything was twilight, but not your cheesy twilight plates and cake. It was elegant and fun. There were lights, red and black everywhere with floating apples. You get the picture. But for Thirsty Thirsday, I wanted to share the drink that was made at my party called Bloody Bellas. It was super yum and my friend Chris felt like he needed the leftovers.lol

Bloody Bellas

1 (46-ounce) can red punch (recommended: Hawaiian Punch) 
1 (46-ounce) can apple juice 
1 (48-ounce) bottle cranberry juice 
1 (2-liter) bottle ginger ale 
Ice cubes

-Berry vodka, optional -Orange liqueur, optional

Directions 
Combine all ingredients in a large punch bowl. Add ice and stir.

Add in Berry vodka, optional
Add in Orange liqueur, optional

So I welcome you to Forks.....

 Candles were everywhere!!! Thank God a fire didn't start.lol

 Some of my favorite Characters. We made this spooky looking tree.

 Floating Apples...A MUST for a twilight Party. We also had framed quotes from the movie everywhere in the house.

 Vegetarian Grub Fit for Bella and her Vampires. Mushroom Ravioli like from the movie. Caprese Salad, Garlic Shrimp....

 For one Game: I took people into the Chamber(Kitchen) in groups for a sniff and tell. Cmon Vampires are super keen on smell. It was the best...Check out the loot

 We even watched the movie afterwards...

 We made to go treats with red licorice in them. (strawberry of course)

 Spinach Dip too!!!

 Sams Club came up with these cute cupcakes with black and red roses for my party! There are the bloody bellas!! My friend Chris took half of that I swear!!!

 Goodbye Edward!! (My auntie!)

 Thanks for revisiting my 21st. It was a great time. =]

If you're interested in having a twilight or vampire party..A few links

http://www.hostessblog.com/2009/04/host-a-twilight-theme-party-at-home/

http://www.squidoo.com/twilight-party

Bacon Bruschetta Pasta

Hey hey!!!! I had a fun time buying up a few yummy ingredients at Meijers! So I decided to make some pasta with a tomato and smokey kick. This pasta is a quick make and is oh so delicious..But wait....it gets better. This sesame crusted bread my mother picked up was fantastic. It was a Sesame Semolina loaf. I made a mild spread to put on the bread because it honestly didn't need anything! Such a great meal this was. So go ahead and see for yourself. You'll thank me later =]

Bacon Bruschetta Pasta

1 lb. Whole Grain Linguine( Ronzoni Style)
1 1b. Bacon, chopped
1/2 Purple Onion, chopped
4 Garlic Cloves, chopped
1/4 cup White wine
1 can Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes( 1lb, 12 oz.)
6-8 basil leaves, chopped
1 tsp. Smoked Paprika
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1.In a pot over high heat, bring water to a boil, add in salt and olive oil. Cook pasta until Al Dente

2. While pasta is cooking, in a skillet over medium to high heat, cook bacon until fat is completely rendered and bacon is crisp. Remove bacon from pan. Remove fat leaving about 3-4 tbl. in the skillet.

3.Add in onions and garlic and cook until tender

4. Stir in wine, tomatoes, basil, paprika. Cook for about 3 minutes. season with salt and pepper

5. Add pasta, bacon, and cheese. Toss well.

Quick Bread Spread

4tbl butter, softened
3tbl olive oil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1. Mix well. Spread on bread and place in oven, and bake at 425 degrees for 8-10 minutes, open faced.

Enjoy Everyone!!!!!

Giveaway Winner!

Thanks to everyone who participated! I counted every person that commented as one entry, I did no double entries and used Random.org. So There were 13 entries. Random.org. generated the number 11.(Because I still dont know how to do the widget, this is how I have to show it.lol)

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 11 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

SO who wins the natural hair and body pack?????

The winner is.....................Amber

...with ♥, Amber said...

I follow your lovely blog. {Happy Belated birthday!}

April 7, 2011 12:50 PM

I'll be contacting you asking what shampoos, soap, and lip balm you want! If I have any trouble, contact me at kiwi_1698@yahoo.com

Thanks everyone!! Be on the look out for the next one.