5/28/08

This weekend we had a really fun opportunity.  Our church does an all church camp out up in Wisconsin.  We wanted to get to know more people and it was an inexpensive vacation so we decided to go.  It was wonderful to say the least!  We really enjoyed getting to know friends better, making new friends and spending time outside!  Wisconsin is beautiful and we were camping near a lake which was great.  As always our name was spelled wrong.  I really got spoiled with Jones!  

5/22/08

Spice Crusted New York Strip Steaks with Mesa Grill Steak Sauce

2 Tbsp Ancho chile powder

1 Tbsp Spanish Paprika

1 Tbsp ground coriander

1 Tbsp dry mustard

1 1/2 tsp dried oregano

1 1/2 tsp ground cumin

1 1/2 tsp chile de arbol

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

4 (12 oz) New York Strip Steak

2 Tbsp canola oil

To make the rub combine combine all the spices plus 1 Tbsp salt and 1 tbsp pepper in a small bowl.

Brush steaks with the oil and season with salt and pepper.  Rub one side of each steak with the rub and place on a medium heat grill rub side down.  Grill until spices form a crust and then turn.  Cook to desired doneness.

This is worth a try and would be great for a date night in!

5/21/08

You know those nights when the last thing you want to do is cook?  I was having one of those on Monday.  I desperately needed to go to the store so I was having to decide whether to have mac'n'cheese or tuna for dinner.  What a choice!  When I called Currey for his expert input it was a sweet treat to hear that I didn't need to worry about that.  

I could hear him making a lot of noise but he wouldn't tell me what is going on.  I get home to this.

   

I have been really wanting this Bobby Flay cookbook.  Being the precious husband that he is he surprised me with that, which would have been more than enough.  But then he found several recipes out of it and prepared a wonderful dinner!   We had the best steaks I've ever had in my life.  They were crusted in pepper and super spicy.  He also made a sweet homemade steak sauce that was a perfect compliment to it.  He also made a wonderful spinach side dish and picked out a great wine.  It was a WONDERFUL treat and a sweet surprise at the end of a long day.  I'll post the recipes later today.

5/13/08

This weekend we were finally able to celebrate Currey's birthday.  Even though it was several days late he wanted to be completely done with school so that he could enjoy it to the fullest.  We were able to celebrate with lots of friends by going bowling.  Those of you who know Currey know how much he loves to bowl  He's too cute!  I got him this band before we were married and he continues to keep up with it and use it whenever he bowls.

We LOVE strawberry cake with cream cheese icing.  It's even what we had at our wedding.  So Currey requested that as his birthday cake.  I was brave and made a three layer cake.  I think it turned out well.  And I loved the precious candles that I found as well!

Currey makes outstanding burgers so even though it was his party he cooked burgers for everyone.  We enjoyed spending the rest of the evening playing Wii and spending time with our precious friends.  It was a great weekend that went by way to fast!

5/7/08

It's safe to say that one of the things we miss most about living in Texas is Tex Mex.  When we lived on the south side of Chicago we were very close to the Latino community and we were able to enjoy some of the most authentic food I've had.  Out in Wheaton we don't have that luxury.  Although we've tried lots of recipes we haven't found much to replace that type of food. I recently ran across this recipe and we have really enjoyed it.  I will not even pretend it's Tex Mex but it's a great combination of flavors that we love.  I know that it sounds weird but I promise it's worth a try.   

Potato Nachos  

3 large baking potatoes

1 lb ground beef, browned

1 package taco seasoning

shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 can black beans, drained

Slice the potatoes in 1/4 inch slices and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.  While those are cooking brown the beef.  Drain the fat and return to skillet.  Add the taco seasoning and black beans and warm through.  Pile the potato slices like chips and top with bean and meat mixture.  Top with cheese and return to the oven until the cheese melts.  Garnish with sour cream, salsa or guacamole.  A very fast and easy dinner!

On a very different note....Currey finished his semester today!!!  He had two finals today so I made sure he had brain food to do well on those tests.  We love breakfast sandwiches so I made fried egg sandwiches with bacon and cheese.  Probably not the most healthy but so yummy!  Currey is taking one summer school class but other than that he is done until next semester.  The summer is a nice break.  I can't believe that this time next year he will be graduating and then who knows where we will be headed.  Yet another adventure for the Blandfords!   

5/5/08

Like most people we have a grocery budget.  Ours probably just happens to be tighter than most.  I must admit that if money were no object I would cook extravagant meals every day and have people over for dinner at least twice a week.  Unfortunately money is an object but it makes creative cooking much more fun! 

I grocery shop once a week.  (Or at least that's the goal.  I always forget something and make at least one more trip.)  I'm a coupon clipping, sale shopper and I count every penny that's beign spent.  Depending on Currey's work schedule regulates how many dinners I cook.  If he's closing at work than we eat big breakfasts together in the morning since we won't be able to have dinner  that night.  We've found it's much more economical to eat at home and if you are preparing great meals you really don't miss getting to eat out near as much.

So here is this week's break down.  $63 were spent.  That's all our breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for one week plus a few staples that I was out of.  We are having 4 dinners this week which include 2 new recipes.  We tried one tonight that was outstanding!  I love Rachel Ray's magazine.  I look forward to getting it every month because there are normally several recipes to try.  Tonight's meal was a variation on a pizza she made.  As I'm writing this I realize that I should mention that I don't measure lots of things.  I just eyeball them.  The recipe below reflects this!

1 Store bought pizza crust (I just used a Pillsbury refrigerated one)

3 handfuls of greens (we used torn spinach)

6-8 slices of bacon, crumbled

3 mashed avocados  (we made guacamole with garlic salt and lime which added great flavor)

1 handful of grape tomatoes, halved, salted and peppered

Cook the crust as the package directs.  Let cool slightly.  Spread the avocados like a pizza sauce. Top with greens, bacon and tomatoes.   

We thought it was a wonderful summertime recipe.  Hope you enjoy!

I have been wanting to join the blogging world for some time now because I love reading so many of my friends blogs.  Even though we are so far away it seems like I'm much closer as I get to read about the everyday details of their lives.  But here was my issue.  I feel that we are pretty boring.  Life often seems kind of mundane.  Lots of my friends blog about their children of which we have none or some great hobby or skill that they have.