French onion soup

So this is my favorite recipe, it is from the Chopping Block:

2 tablespoons of butter
4 Medium yellow onions thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon thyme
salt and pepper
1/2 cup sherry*
5 cups beef stock**
French bread
Gruyere Cheese

Heat your pot, when it is hot add the butter. Let it melt and then add the onions, let the onions saute for 20-25 minutes stirring occasionally (Christina's note, our onions were huge so they filled the pot all the way to the top, do not worry as they cook, they reduce in size. I also added a pinch of salt at this step to heap the onions sweat)

Add the thyme, salt and pepper.

Add the sherry and use it to deglaze the bottom of your pot. Make sure you get all the yummy brown bits. Let the mixture simmer a bit until the sherry has evaporated.

Add the beef stock and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat so to a simmer. Let the soup simmer for about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning (Christina's note, if you are using a regular stock, you can reduce some of your salt. I also love extra thyme so I add more)

Get your oven proof bowls, cut the bread about 1/2 inches thick. Grate the cheese.

Ladle the soup into your bowls. Fill only 3/4 of the way, add the bread and then sprinkle the cheese. Set the bowls under your broiler for a couple of minutes (Christina's note watch the bowls as different ovens have different heat levels. It is a good idea to put them on a rimmed cookie sheet, because they are hot).

Remove, and add extra cheese if you wish (um yes!)

Let it cool for a moment and enjoy!

Serves about 6

*Use regular sherry not cooking sherry
**Vegetable stock can be substituted

Notes:
-This is even better the next day, you can make the recipe up to adding the soup to the bowls.
-You can substitute thyme for herbs de Provence

If you make it, let me know your thoughts.

To take the chill out

Since we are in the middle of the winter, I get to the point where 6 weeks seems like an eternity and the cold stays in my bones.

So I have been on a slow-cooking-take-the-chill-out- thon. Last week the BF made chili because I love his chili. I have never had chili before I moved out here. I had it only once before I met the BF. His is the best and I love it Cincinnati style with extra cheese.

On Sunday, I made a beef stew and had that over egg noodles. It was ok, I could not find my regular recipe so I tried another one and it was missing something but now I know what I can mix into it next time, canned diced tomatoes. The upside is that beef stew leftovers are so yummy.

Last night I made fresh onion soup. I love onion soup and it is so easy to make. I make it ever few months because it is one of my favs but seriously it is so comforting and it makes me happy. Again the cheese may be the reason.

I want to try this garlic soup that I have had at the chopping block that is SO good but am running out of tupperwear.

Of course the most fav get the chill out thing for me to make is hot chocolate with milk and Munster cheese. When I grew up we did not have instant, my mom is from Colombia so we had these special chocolate bars that you would slowly melt with milk. It was always served with metlty cheese and as kids we would put our cheese in the chocolate and it is bliss. I can't drink instant hot chocolate mix it tastes fake to me.

What are your warm day comfort foods? Any ones that I should try?

(If you want any recipes, let me know)

Casa sweet Casa

I was thrilled when my flight landed on Friday. I could not wait to get home but of course that was delayed by the mix up at baggage claim. then I hopped into a scary cab and the BF was waiting for me on the curb to help me with my bag. The two beasts were thrilled to see me and I was so happy to see everyone. Everyone got hugs and kisses.

Saturday the BF and I went out for breakfast and then to the mall. We had to start our registry and spend a few hours with a scanner at Macy's. The woman who helped us could not have been any nicer, she was an older woman but was on top of the game and was very helpful. We were so tired when we were done with everything.

I made this simple easy pasta with spinach fresh cherry tomatoes and parama cheese and it was nice to cook again. Plus it was healthy and easy.

Yesterday, we went to run a few more errands and register in one more store and one of us registered for a Sham WOW. The BF made some chili and it was so good and hearty. It was nice to have a homemade dinner and not eat out. We had the fire on and the beasts were sitting in front of the fire sleeping and lounging.

I have a question, if anyone has been to Paris, what district are nice to stay in?

A mellow merry

We spent the day with the BF's fam yesterday. We finally got out of our iced in parking spot and headed west for the day. It was very mellow and quiet, the girls got a Wii so they were busy with the games and their toys so they were kept very busy. The food was delish and I made two dishes

One was this easy cheese puff appetizer that was just made with butter, flour, Guyer cheese, salt and some Cayenne pepper. It was so easy, if anyone wants the recipe let me know. The second was the chocolate crinkle cookies that I made this past weekend. Both were hits.

Before Christmas I went to the Chopping Block and it was one of the best, the food that they made was so delish. They made awesome margaritas, this cheese Focaccia bread with a three cheese spread, salty Carmel brownies, truffle fries and steamed mussels. It was the highlights of some popular restaurants and they were all so wonderful.

Today we went to a local mall and I finally bought a pair of jeans! I also got another pair of pants, a cute sweater and stocked up on some refills of my sephroa favs.

We are getting ramped up for more wedding to dos. It is easier said than done. Guess who has to spend two weeks in NJ for work?

Now that the holidays are over, we have a lot of wedding things to do.

I ate, therefore I am.

On Saturday, Diana , CBN and I had a girls only foodie day. We started off with tapas at one of the hands down best tapas places ever...Tapas Barcelona. I seriously crave their olives and I don't typically like olives. We then hopped in the car and headed to the Spice House where we stocked up on a few things. We wandered around a bit and CBN dragged us (OK not really dragged) to the Great Harvest Bread Co. I got this amazing asiago pesto bread (Oh and half of a Chocolate babka which is bread with chocolate chips baked in the middle, we have maybe a slice of that left). We then headed back into the car to go to Cauputo's Italian grocery store for cheese and Italian delicacies.

Afterwards we came back to my place to make some carmel apple crepes and chocolate peppermint martinis. We all had a blast and I for one am still full of food!

Yesterday, we went to the BF's niece's 2nd birthday in west bumblefuck. Each time we go out there it seems longer and longer. The birthday girl was in the cutest outfit and her cake was a 3-d of Elmo's head. There must have been at least 5 inches of frosting because they replicated fur. It was amazing but a wee bit freaky because it was a head on a silver platter....seriously freaking weird. We got out of there before the sugar hit the blood stream of the under 10 crowd and we did not partake in any cake.

Once we got back to the city AKA civilization, I wrapped a few presents, wrote the rest of my cards and got another Christmas gift from the BF.

It was destine to be an icy morning and I had to make sure I was ready for the trip! I am so over winter!

Monday snow

I am working from home today and just turned to look out the window and their are flurries! It is quite pretty and typical. As long as I've been here it almost always snows near Thanksgiving!

This weekend was very very productive. We've been busy doing wedding stuff these past few weeks and neglected other things. So this weekend we spent time wandering around Evanston, doing random errands and just getting some things done. I bought a new winter coat that I needed and the BF got some spices that he had been wanting.

Saturday evening, I met up with D and CBN at the chopping block. It was the food and wine of Burgundy. It was so delicious, and with the exception of the escargot, I cleaned my plate. Plus it was my favorite instructor and she is so awesome!

For lunch on Sunday, I met Nilsa. It was so great to meet her, we were chatting non stop and she gave me some great wedding tips and recommendations. Plus she recycled her wedding mags and I can't wait to go through them. I am so glad that I met another blogger.

Afterwards, the BF and I did some cleaning, hung a few photos and prints and called it a day.

Just have to get through this one day of work then I am officially on vacation!

Wii kicked my abs

So while I was away in the lovely Tri-state area last weekend, the BF got me my Christmas gift. I have this knack for guessing what it is or insulting it inadvertently as you may recall from this episode.

But he was planning on giving it to me anyway when I got home...he got me a

While he was away I used it and it was a lot of fun and more challenging than I thought it would be. I sweated and today my Abs are killing me. It will be a good thing to do to supplement my trips to the gym.

The BF got home last night and we were all glad to see him. I do not have to get up at the butt crack of dawn to take the dog out and I was able to warm my feet against him last night. He is the perfect heater.

Tonight the girls and I are going to take a garlic cooking class so vampires beware!

Noodles

So on Friday i took a class at our favorite cooking school with these two girls. It was "Italy in Autumn" and there was a varied menu. I was looking most forward to learning how to properly make pasta! The last time I attempted to do so ended up in a crumbly mess and was tossed in the bin. So I learned that I needed more moisture and that most recipes call for extra large eggs so to add one extra normal egg to the recipe.

So on Sunday night I made the dough and yesterday I made the noodles! It actually worked, no crumbly dough! With the help of the BF, we made some fettuccini and ate it with gusto. The next time it has to be rolled out a wee bit thinner but it works. So now I al looking forward to making ravioli, chicken soup with home made noodles, spinach pasta and more.

When shall I expect you for dinner....I am serious.

After dinner, I had a mini freak out when I lost a bill. We changed the layout of our office and in the ensuing mess and clean up it went missing. I am normally so good about keeping them in one place and this one just went missing. the problem is that it is a passbook for the place where we got our couch (they are a bit behind the times) so now tomorrow I have to go and pay in person and explain the situation. I am hoping that between now and then it appears. I won't ask any questions....

Tonight we are heading to the gym. Got to start somewhere I suppose.

Ike'd

We got Ike'd this weekend. Two days of non stop rain and flooding in some parts. WE found a hole in our kitchen window that caused a minor leak but a leak nonetheless. So that will have to be taken care of.

Yet, despite of the rain we got a lot of things done. On Saturday it was our typical running around to do errands. So we hit a few stores and bought groceries. We headed out to a fondue dinner to celebrate my birthday early because it falls in the middle of the week. I've never had fondue before and it was a fun experience and the food was delish!

Yesterday was organize the office day. So we spent the day moving the boxes out of the office and filling part of the kitchen and living room. The BF built two bookshelves and we started to move things back in. We have not finished because there is still some work to do. Basically I have to clean and organize my desk and area. However, we are pleased with the results, our office is now more spacious and open. Yukon now has a dedicated spot and more room to move. This week we hope to finish it all up so we can start to actually hang pictures in the condo!

I also make rice krispie treats for the BF and for dinner lasagna rolls. They both turned out to be very good and now we actually have left overs to munch on during the week!

I was hoping to have a house warming/birthday part this weekend but it does not look like it will pan out. So I am thinking that this year will be a birthday sans a party. I am kind of bummed about it but another part of me does not want to be bothered with planning it. I guess it does mean I am getting old!

Randomness

Some random items:

*Mineral oil is crucial for the maintenance of your butcher block products. It is also a laxative.
*The BF makes the best steak au prove hands down
*Red wine + me =Drunk
*The weather is now fall like which means cold mornings and warm afternoons and I have no idea what to wear
*I was the one who made the banana bread that was the BF's good idea (actually I was suppose to help out which turned into I want to make it)
*I have no idea where to start to look for a headboard.
*tomorrow we are having dinner with some college friends. One who lives a few blocks away from us and another who is in town for work. I haven seen my friend D (from out of town) in about 5 years.

Vacation has begun

I got back from the east coast in one piece. But dragging a carry on and carrying a lap top through the airports really caused such pain in my shoulder. When I got home my shoulder was red and in pain. I spent a whooping 4 hours in the office!

This weekend has been awesome, yesterday we went to the burbs to see my friends' new puppy and her granddaughters. Then went to take the BF's father out to dinner. The puppy was so cute, I want one!

Today I went to a whole grain cooking class with two bloggers. We all had a great time and it was as always a yummy experience. I really liked the cookies made with flax seed and almonds with chocolate chips and dried cranberries and the whole wheat pizza. The chef was someone who I had not had before and she was funny and very knowledgeable.

Our vacation has started. A whole week that is work free. We head to Door County on Tuesday. We are so excited!!!

Pinwheels...

The BF has been very busy and stressed out at work.

Yesterday while working from home he accidentally spilled coffee on the laptop and broke a dish. He worked for about 9 hours and was tired.

I heated up leftovers and he spent time killing things on his Xbox. I went to the couch to watch some programs I DVR'ed and picked up a random cook book and began to look through it. This was a cookbook I got for $5 at the discount area a few years ago and all the recipes contain 3-4 ingredients.

So I began to look through it and found something that I could make for the BF. I tried it last night for dessert and oh my God it was so yummy and easy. So I am going to share it.

Cinnamon Pinwheels:
1 sheet of thawed puff pastry
1 beaten egg
1/4 cup of sugar (I also used some vanilla sugar that I had)
2 tablespoons of cinnamon

-Preheat the oven to 425 degrees
-On a floured surface roll out the puff pastry, not to thin
-mix the sugar and the cinnamon together
-with a brush, brush the pastry with the egg
-sprinkle 3/4 of the sugar mixture on the pastry
-Roll the pastry (not too tight) and brush the egg wash on it
-Sprinkle some of the sugar mixture on it
-cut into pinwheels
-Bake on a baking sheet with parchment (or a Silpat) for 10 minutes

When they are warm sprinkle the rest of the sugar mixture.

Warm they taste like cinnamon rolls. Cool they tasted more like a pastry for coffee or tea. I should know I ate about half of them!

I am already planning on buying more puff pastry this week. Plus, I am thinking of making them savory with ham and hard cheddar, spinach and perhaps Gruyère or feta.

Yum!