3 recipes in 1...Now that's multi-tasking

Today was one of those days...After 11 hours of principal"ing" the only thing that I wanted to do was come home and eat something really fattening and yummy.  So, I went for the layered bean dip from PW's website.  My kids ate something good for them at my in-laws, so I didn't have to worry about that whole "balanced nutrition" concept that we teach at school.  The great thing about this recipe is that I killed three birds with one stone (well not really birds...no meat in this recipe).  I made Pico de Gallo (pg 16), Guacamole (pg 20), and the Layered Dip (website).

I began my adventure into appetizer bliss by making the Pico de Gallo.  I can pretty much make this recipe in my sleep because it has become a staple in my household.  It's got some veggies in it, so it's balanced, right?  The trick to this dish is to dice equal amounts of tomatoes, onions, and cilantro.  I like it a little spicy, so I add two jalapenos.  YUM!

Next, I made the to die for Guacamole...I could LIVE on this stuff.  And, it's so easy to make.  Mash up the avocados, add lots of pico, and mix it all up.  Add kosher salt to taste.

Now on less stressful days, I usually stop there.  I make the pico and guacamole as condiments for fajitas, enchiladas, or some other mexican food wonder.  But, today was one of those days.  So, I proceeded to make the devilish delight in a bowl...the layered dip.  How can you go wrong with refried beans, green chilis, sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, cheese, and tomatoes?  The recipe calls for black olives too, but I HATE those things, so I wasn't ruining my dip with those nasty little suckers.  I have to say that the dip hit the spot, and it was easy-shmeezy to make.  Look at it and weep, my friends.  As my little one always says...it was deliciousis!

Recipe # 2 Lasagna

Is there anything better than cheesy lasagna for Sunday lunch?  Pioneer Woman's lasagna is to die for!  The sauce (made from SCRATCH--I'm so proud) is so delicious that I like to eat it all by itself.  Like a WHOLE bunch of it by itself for breakfast this morning!  And nothing makes a kitchen smell better than four cloves of fresh garlic.  I LOVE garlic.  This recipe makes me so happy because it calls for whole tomatoes, basil, and parsley.  It tastes so fresh and authentic...   

After the sauce simmers for 45 minutes or so, it's time to layer the cottage cheese mixture, the mounds of mozzarella cheese, the homemade sauce, and the lasagna noodles.  There is one whole pound of mozzarella cheese in this sucker!  YUM!!!  Can we say heart attack on a plate???  I have to say that I love the cottage cheese filling waaay better than any ricotta filling I have ever had.  I overheard someone yesterday at the book signing saying that they have never made PW's lasagna because they just buy the Stouffer's frozen brand.  WHAT A TRAVESTY!  Don't make the same mistake.  This lasagna is Italian Heaven on a plate.

Of course mine isn't nearly as pretty as the finished product in Pioneer Woman's cookbook (as my husband so lovingly pointed out), but it sure is tasty!  I served my rendition of the lasagna with crusty garlic bread and a fresh salad with Italian dressing.  YUM-O!  


Buon appetito (aka:  Italian for "Happy Eating")

We've officially met...

I. Met. The. Pioneer. Woman.  What a fabulous day!  My husband and I left for Full Circle Books this morning at 10:00 AM.  The book signing began at 1:00 PM and we didn't leave the store until after 4:15 PM.  But, I have to say, it was well WORTH the wait.  I have tried to imagine what it would be like to meet her...I am a freak of nature, I know.  It was even better than I could have possibly imagined.  She is so down to earth, funny, and friendly.  I want to be friends with her.  Like good friends.  She seemed to like me in the three minutes that I got to talk to her.  I had an opportunity to tell her about my blogging project.  She asked me to write down the blog site for her.  In my hand shaking, neck blotchy excitement, I could hardly remember the name.  I had to write it twice.  The Pioneer Woman might actually read our little blog!  Holy Guacamole!

Today is the DAY...

Today is book signing day!  I am actually going to meet the Pioneer Woman!  I am so excited...I have waited for this day all my life.  Well, I guess not all my life.  Just since I first cracked open her yummy cookbook last year sometime.  I have been racking my brain to come up with ways that we can stand out at the signing without getting ourselves arrested.  Dress up, sing a song, bring treats?  Ideas anyone?  My husband has lots of ideas, but all of his ideas will definitely get us arrested!

I know she will love us when she meets us!  We will be fast friends.  With my new blog undertaking, in one day, I have sold three cookbooks to my friends.  Maybe she will let me be a marketer or something.  I know.  Dream world.  Wouldn't that be fun though?


Anxiously waiting for 1:00 PM...

Recipe #1 Chicken Fried Steak...YUM

I started my cooking adventure with a recipe from Pioneer Woman that I have not yet tried.  We were not disappointed.  There is nothing better on a cold snowy day than chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, creamy gravy, and whole green beans.  I am STUFFED!  I'm pretty sure that this blog project will not correlate well to the Biggest Loser contest at school...just sayin.  


Today was my very first attempt at a chicken fried steak.  I was pleased with the results.  Although, next time I make it, I will season the meat more thoroughly with seasoning salt, garlic salt, and pepper before I dredge it in the egg and flour mixtures.  This recipe is comfort food at its very best.  


I will warn you...this recipe is incredibly yummy, fattening, and MESSY.  I will be cleaning my kitchen until tomorrow, I am pretty sure.

It's a jungle out there...

There are no words to describe my grocery store outing today.  The place was ransacked!  They did not have eggs, hamburger, breakfast sausage, and many other goods on my list.  Who knew that starting this blog would prove to be so difficult?  One cannot even push a grocery cart through the parking lot due to the snow, ice, and gray slush that covers the ground.  And yet, the wannabe food diva prevailed...I went to TWO grocery stores!  But, now I am tired.  What's for dinner? :)

It's official...I am a blogger

I am so excited.  It's kinda scary that it took me all morning (with lots of help from friends) to come up with a title for my blog.  I hope I get faster at this blogging thing!  In an attempt to find a little sanity, I have decided to blog my way through the Pioneer Woman's Cookbook.  Have you ever seen the movie Julie and Julia?  It inspired me to start this therapeutic adventure.  I emailed PW once to tell her that this was my goal...I am pretty sure she thinks I am a stalker.  But, alas, I am not.  Just an Oklahoma girl who absolutely loves her recipes!

The first order of business is to get to the grocery store...that may prove a little tricky due to the snow drifts that still cover our street.  We are going on our fourth snow day from school.  I have to admit that after four days, I am going a bit stir crazy.  However, the cabin fever has inspired me to stop talking about blogging and actually get to it.  With cookbook in hand, I will venture out into the snowy wilderness and hope that there are still some groceries left on the shelves.  The people around here go NUTS at the first hint of snow and buy out everything they can get their hands on, just in case they might get trapped for 3 months or so.   


Wish me luck...