Hawaiian Barbeque Chicken Pizza

Earlier this month I was congratulating myself that I had not gotten sick the entire winter.  I was a little premature in my celebration because I started coming down with a cold yesterday.

I stayed home from work today and slept in until 11 am.  It has been years since I slept in so late.

To make this pizza I used a naan (I used a frozen naan from Trader Joe's), barbeque sauce, 1/4 cup chicken, 1/2 spear fresh pineapple, 1 green onion, and 1/3 cup mozzarella.  

Rocky Road Fudge Brownies

What a great name! With such a name, can these brownie disappoint?  I think not.

They were tearing down a church near my office building today.  Some coworkers and I stopped and watched for a bit.  While watching, I felt something fly from across the street into my eye.  My left eye has been swollen, red, and runny ever since.  People probably think I have pink eye or something.  That was the low part of my day.

The high point of my day has been looking at pictures of these brownies.  I made them last Friday for a friend's chocolate party.  It was an excellent party theme.  The brownie was invented at the Palmer Hotel in Chicago as a dessert for ladies.  They are still made at the hotel according to the original recipe.  Next time your in Chicago, you'll have to check it out!

Southwest Vegetable Salad with Cilantro Dressing

Hello spring!  I don't know the weather you're having today, but the weather here is amazing.  You could get away with not even wearing a jacket.  Given that a little over a week ago I didn't go to work because of too much snow, this weather seems miraculous.  

Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes

The recipe originated with a regular pancake recipe from allrecipes. I used lemon juice instead of vinegar and added poppy seeds and lemon zest.

I once learned that poppy seeds come from the same plant used to grow opium.  Strangely enough, I’m sure I learned that from a Seinfeld episode.  I think Elaine or someone tested positive for drugs because she had eaten a lemon poppy seed muffin.

Sparkling Cider Pound Cake

I had a small bottle of sparkling apple cider in my cupboard leftover from the holidays. A quick google search lead me to this highly rated recipe.  It was rich and moist yet still light.  If you’re looking for an easy desert, try this out. 

Have you ever wondered about the origin of pound cakes?  At first a pound cake had a pound of flour, eggs, butter, and sugar each.  That’s a big cake!

Healthy General Tso's Chicken

It's a snow day!  Yesterday I felt like I was in elementary school; I was anxiously waiting and hoping for snowfall.  I can't sleep in because I automatically wake up, but I am still wearing my pajamas.  I don't anticipate changing into real cloths all day.  It's a beautiful thing. 

General Tso’s chicken, like fortune cookies, is one of those delightful “Chinese” recipes that didn’t originate in China. It is named after a general during the Qing dynasty, but the dish has no connection to him. On Wikipedia there are several possible stories of the origin of the dish. Two of the stories say it was first served in a New York Chinese restaurant.  Another fascinating fact is at the US Naval Academy dinning hall the dish is called Admiral Tso’s Chicken.  I didn’t make that up!  I read it on Wikipedia.

Chocolate Fondue

Fondue is traditionally melted cheese eaten communally with long tongs.  In the 1930s it was promoted by the Swiss Cheese Union as the national dish of Switzerland.  It became popular in America in the 1960s.

In the 1980 fondue was promoted in Switzerland with phrases such as "fondue is good and creates a good mood."  With such a catchy phrase, I think it makes the perfect Valentine's Day dessert, no?

Valentine's Day Sugar Cookies

Valentine's day or the Feast of Saint Valentine is just around the corner.  As I am single, Valentine's Day isn't a huge holiday for me, but it's fun to think of holiday themed food. 

Valentinus was an early, Roman Christian imprisoned for performing marriages for soldiers and ministering to other Christians.  While imprisoned he healed one of his jailer's daughters.  It became a romantic holiday during the middle ages.

Baba Ganoush

A few weeks ago I ate at a Middle Eastern restaurant named Tash with some friends. In the past, I rarely ordered appetizers, but I have gotten in the habit. We ordered some baba ganoush to share. I’m glad we did. I’m not sure I had ever eaten it before. It was so delicious, creamy, and savory. My entrée was a lamb shank stew. It was incredible. I’m definitely going back

What is baba ganoush? It is an Arabic word that mean “father of pestle.” While searching for information about baba ganoush, I learned the work Levant. This dish originates in the Levant, an area comprising Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Israel, and southern Turkey.

Baked Spaghetti Pie

Is there anything more comforting and homey than pasta, especially when it’s baking and the smell permeates your home? I think not.

The ingredients for this recipe are 6 ounces spaghetti, 2 tablespoons butter, 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 beaten eggs, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 small onion, ¼ cup chopped green bell pepper, 12 ounces chicken sausage, 1 garlic clove, 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, 1 6 ounce can tomato paste, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 2 teaspoons dried basil, 1 cup cottage cheese, and ½ cup grated mozzarella.