Random Treats I Like This Week

Yes, dinner has been made but not blog worthy, in my opinion.  However... I have this excellent little discovery.  It's called....

Balsamic Vinegar CREME

or maybe balsamic glaze, but whichever this balsamic creme I got at trusty Laurenzo's is heavenly.

It's obviously phenom on a caprese salad, especially with the fresh mozz.  I made a salad with arugula, fresh mozz (which I am POSITIVE goat cheese would've been amazing too), strawberries, granola and the balsamic creme.  I've had it drizzzled over strawberries, with granola and a splash of milk.

Above, I just had mozz and strawberries with the bottled happiness.

Balsamic creme is very versatile but another treat I love this week is nutella (of course) spread on these all-natural boxed cookies, which I am sure might defeat the entire purpose of the natural-ness but it's.... perfect.





Something GOOD to wake up to, for sure

Somebody was surprised (and by surprised I mean disoriented) when he woke from a little cat nap after a long day at the beach to find (smell) such a fantastic meal, on a Saturday evening!  We rarely eat a good meal on Saturday evenings.  It's usually something light and rushed.  But, for whatever reason, the dinner I planned to cook Friday night didn't happen soooo...

We had Chicken Marsala! Yummmmm. Nick said he was STARVING before his beer/sun coma began. 

3 chicken breast
1 package of mushrooms (I believe I used the 16 oz one)
1 cup of Marsala cooking wine
2-3 cloves of garlic (I used two big ones and one tiny one)
pepper
flour
oregano
olive oil

Cut the chicken into small fillets or cubes, whichever you prefer.  Combine about a cup of flour and a couple generous sprinkles of pepper.  Cover the pan with olive oil and heat it up on medium.  Cover the pieces of chicken in the flour and place them in the oil.  When the chicken is lightly cooked on one side, flip them all.  Cut up the garlic and add it.  While that's cooking cut up and add mushrooms.  Cover for a minute or two to steam/soften the mushrooms.  Add the Marsala wine and sprinkle oregano over everything.  Cover and finish cooking for another 5-8 minutes (or until your chicken is cooked, of course).  If the juice in the bottom of the pan is too thin, add a little flour, like gravy.

We also had asparagus cooked in garlic and olive oil.  After a few unsuccessful attempts to wake Nick I ate it and it was awesome.  He later got up and ate a thoroughly enjoyed it and really like the mushrooms.

I think I am going to go have the leftovers right now!!

New Favorite Meal!!

Nick has name tonight's dinner my "best ever"!

Blackened Cajun Fish

1lb tilapia
1 tablespoon oregano
1 tablespoon thyme
1 tablespoon parsley
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon chili pepper
4 garlic cloves
1 stick of butter

Combine all spices.  If you favor one or two, add more.  If you are particularly fond of one or two, add less.  I obviously did not measure all of these out to the exact amount.  Melt the stick of butter and combine spices.  I used a stick but I probably could've used a third of stick. Dip/cover each fillet (1 lb was 2 fillets) with the butter and spices mixture.  The recipe said to heat the pan REALLY hot for a couple minutes, then turn it down, put in the fish, turn it back up to medium and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side.

On the side we had tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella, with the last of the butter and spices out of the bottom of the pan.  I served it on toasted slices of baguettes.

PLEASED!  and so was Nick!!

My debut cooking pic!

This is a MUST do - loaded with flavor!! xoxo