Mike & Christine: Our Favorite Things

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Our Favorite Things - Blog Style

Happy Holidays to One and All!

The other day I was thinking about Oprah and her annual My Favorite Things show. You know, the one where she gives all the guests in her audience fabulous gifts that she has found during the year. Well, I'm certainly no Oprah, so there will be no fabulosity-slash-generosity here...but I can share with you some of our favorite finds of 2008:

*There's this little hole-in-the-wall candy manufacturer in Ogden that makes a creamy and oh so delicious black Licorice Caramel Chew. We bought 40 lbs. this year and no I haven't gained 40 lbs but I could be well on my way. See www.jmorganconfections.com for your own personal indulgence. Credit: Carolyn

*Michael and I can't get enough of Guy Fieri and his show Diners, Drive-Inns and Dives on the Food Network. Guy is the winner of the second Next Food Network Star Challenge. Recently Guy filmed in Salt Lake City and one of the establishments that he showcased was the Blue Plate Diner located at 2041 S. 2100 E. You can bet that Michael and I will be paying a visit to sample the breakfast menu very soon.

*Recently a dear friend gave us a box of Sun Valley Chocolate Foundry hand-dipped magic. I'm not going to lie - I'm thinking about hiding the rest of these chocolates - they're that good. You can only get this wonderful treat, in person, by making a visit to the Sun Valley Mall or by calling 208.622.2147.

*My Mom introduced me to the Bee Bar about six years ago. And Recently Michael's Mom gave us another one. What's a Bee Bar you ask? Only the most wonderful lotion in a bar that there is on the whole planet. It smells good, feels good and is made of good stuff like sweet almond oil, shea butter, jojoba, lanolin and bees wax. Get yours at www.honeyhousenaturals.com. Credit: Mom x2

*Debbie Meyers Bags are amazing. A few weeks ago my Mom gave me some of the bread and vegetable bags. Their story is that the bags absorb the gas (who knew - vegetables have gas?) that is released by the food so that it stays fresher much, much longer. And guess what? They really do work. You can purchase them for about $10 at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Credit: Mom

*Cafe Rio Salad is the recipe of the year. Just about every time the family gets together - this main course salad is requested. See the recipe on the side bar of our blog.

*Michael and I recently attended an Empty Nester's FHE where we watched a stunning DVD called Reflections of Christ. The production is a photographic recreation of the ministry and life of Jesus Christ by Mark Mabry. This is a must-see, must-own book and/or DVD. They can be purchased at www.deseretbook.com.

*I've read about 20 incredible books this year but I have to admit that the one I keep thinking about is Creek Mary's Blood by Dee Brown. Although many of the characters are fictional - this novel is a historically accurate account of the various Native American tribes and their travails from the early 1700 to 1980. What a powerful, compelling story. I simply love this book.

*Last year at Christmas, Michael and I gave Carly a panini press. I borrowed it a couple of months ago and now Carly may have to arm-wrestle me to get it back. We've used the press a lot - with my personal favorite being sourdough bread, muenster cheese, smoked turkey, thinly sliced onion, artichoke hearts and pesto. Yum! This product is called The Griddler by Cuisinart.

*Last on my list of favorites is Revitalash, a formula created to help eyelashes grow long and lush. Last May, my family gave me lash extensions from Got Lash? I loved, loved, loved the extensions but at $65 a pop, I could no longer justify the 4-6 week replenish appointments. Once the extensions grew out, I was left with little stubs of lash. So Carly gave me Revitalash and I've been using it religiously for the past three weeks and I've already seen a positive change. Contact Carly for your own supply or see www.skincarerx.com.

Well, that's the list. Next year, I'll get more input from Michael so that there will be less about food and more about golf, sports and adventure. Until then, May Your Christmas Be Merry and Every Hope Be Realized!

Love,

Christine

1 comment:

Carly said...: Mom, I am glad to see not EVERY "favorite thing" was food-related. It was starting to look that way as I began reading your list...

Oh... how I love food.; December 10, 2008 at 8:47 PM

Holiday Gourmet Hot Chocolate

We're experimenting with some amazing, delicious homemade hot chocolate. We've tried two so far. Here are the recipes - modified a bit to minimize the overly thick, sweet steaming stuff.

Fluffernutter Hot Chocolate

1 1/2 cups 2% milk

1/4 cup marshmallow cream

1/3 cup peanut butter chips

1/3 cup semi or bittersweet chocolate chips

Heat milk in a saucepan until hot but not boiling. Add the marshmallow cream, and chips and whisk until melted and smooth. Serves 2. Top with an additional teaspoon of marshmallow cream, if desired.

Nutella Cinnamon Hot Chocolate

1 1/2 cup 2% milk

1/3 cup Nutella

Dash ground cinnamon

Pinch Salt

Heat milk in a saucepan until hot but not boiling. Add Nutella, cinnamon and salt and whisk until smooth. Serves 2.

Chicken Wild Rice Soup

1 medium onion, diced
2 Celery stalks, diced
2 Carrots, diced
1/2 Cup butter
1/2 Cup flour
4 Cups chicken broth
1 6oz. box Uncle Ben's Long grain and Wild rice-Original recipe, cooked according to directions on box
2 Cups cream (I use Half & Half)
2 Cups chicken, cooked and chopped
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Saute veggies and butter until soft. Reduce heat. Blend in flour and cook until bubbly and veggies are coated. Gradually add broth, stirring constantly. Boil one minute. Reduce heat and add cooked rice, cream and cooked chicken. Stir. Add salt and pepper. Mix well. Let simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Enjoy!

Carol's Cajun Shrimp

1 C. Butter, Melted

1/4 tsp. Salt

2 tsp. Pepper

1/4 C. Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 tsp. Tabasco Sauce

1/4 tsp. Basil

1/4 tsp. Rosemary

1 Clove Garlic, Minced

1 Half Lemon

1/3 Pound Raw, Deveined, Peeled Shrimp

Melt butter, remove from heat and add salt, pepper, Worcestershire, Tabasco, basil, rosemary and garlic. Place washed and drained shrimp into a shallow baking dish. Pour butter mixture over shrimp. Squeeze lemon juice over all. Cut lemon rind into strips and add to shrimp. Bake at 450 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until shrimp are pink. Serve the shrimp and juices with chunks of French bread. So yum!

Strawberry Fruit Punch

Michael and I had the privilege of attending Kelsey's flute recital at BYU a couple of Friday's ago. After the stellar performance, we were treated to some wonderful treats - foremost this wonderful punch. It tasted so much like Summer that I couldn't stop dipping into the punch bowl. And now, I have this wonderful recipe. Thanks Carla!

Boil for 5 minutes:

2 cups water

2 cups sugar

Cool the syrup and then combine:

2 quarts hulled strawberries

1 cup sliced, canned or fresh pineapple

1 cup white cran-strawberry juice

juice of 5 oranges

juice of lemons

Chill these ingredients. Immediately before serving, add:

2 quarts 7-up

3 cups or more crushed ice

Enjoy!

As Promised - New Recipe

Sausage Pizza Dip

1 tbs. extra-virgin olive oil

3/4 lb. sweet Italian sausage

Half of an onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

8 oz. cream cheese

1 c. shredded scamorza or mozzarella cheese

2/3 c. grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

2 pinches dried oregano

1 c. tomato sauce

1 loaf artisan bread, sliced

1. In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the sausage, breaking it up into little bits with a wooden spoon. Drain off all but a few tablespoons of fat from the sausage. Reduce heat and add the onion and garlic. Cook until tender and remove the pan from heat.

2. Preheat broiler wit the rack set about 10 inches away from the heat source. Combine the softened cream cheese with half of the shredded cheeses. Stir in the oregano and then fold the sausage into the cheese mixture. Spread this mix into a a casserole dish and top with the tomato sauce and remaining cheese. Cover with foil and broil for 3-4 minutes. Then uncover and broil until bubbling, about 5 minutes. Serve with bread. Oh yeah! Oh yum!

Cafe Rio Salad

The night before you want to serve:

Take a 3-4 pound pork loin and cover with this rub - 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon salt.

Put into crock pot on low setting and cook all night. The next morning add - 1 to 2 cans Coke, 1 cup of chicken broth, 2 cloves of minced garlic and 1 small onion, chopped. Cook all day. One hour before serving shred the pork and stir in 1 cup of brown sugar and more Coke if needed to moisten the meat.

Serve with shredded lettuce, black beans, cheese, guacamole, cilantro and fried corn tortilla strips in a warm flour tortilla bowl. Don't forget the special Ranch dressing.

Ranch Tomatillo Dressing

1 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup ranch dressing mix

2 jalapenos, stems removed

6 drops tabasco

1-1/2 cups mayonnaise

1-12 oz. can whole tomatillos

juice of one lime

Whirl all together in food processor or blender. Serve.

Michael Jon Speaks Out

Q: What makes you laugh?

A: Grandkids being grandkids.

Q: What's the one thing about yourself you'd like to reclaim?

A: Even though I like my career and the people I work with, I could've/should've done something more challenging with my life's work.

Q: What are you really good at?

A: Finding deals and bargains...2 For 1 in the dictionary has a picture of me in it.

Q: Before I die, I'd like to...

A: Visit all major league baseball parks in America and golf Myrtle Beach in South Carolina.

Q: What's your favorite book?

A: The more I read it, the more I love it...The Book of Mormon. Also, in the past ten years, my favorite was probably The DaVinci Code.

Christine Anne Speaks Out

Q: What makes you laugh?

A: Michael. Everyday he brings joy and laughter to my life. Oh, and when others laugh so hard that milk (or whatever) comes out their nose.

Q: What's the one thing about yourself that you'd like to reclaim?

A: Besides a size 7? The confidence that I can make everything and everyone right.

Q: What are you really good at?

A: Poetry. It's untapped potential. I've only written a few poems but I think they're really good.

Q: Before I die, I'd like to...

A: Oh. That's really tough. I can think of so many - but, if I had to pick one it would be to see all my loved ones in the Temple together.

Q: What's your favorite book?

A: It's usually the one that I'm currently reading. So, right now it's The Holy Secret by James L. Ferrell.

Sisters

I want to introduce you to Zoe and Winnie. Our two kitty-kattys who just happen to be sisters. The story goes like this: I was living alone in this big, beautiful home in Farmington, when Kyle insinuated that the house was dull and lifeless. Go figure. So, I went to the Humane Society to adopt a cat. The people working at the Humane Society should be charged with cruelty to people - but I digress.

I picked out this cute gray and white cat, we did the bonding thing by rubbing noses and I was ready to go with cat in tow. But no, no, no, I couldn't take the gray cat without taking her Calico sister - they've never been apart. That's how Winnie and Zoe brought some color and life into my dull existence. That is until Michael came along! Watch for more about their wonderful cat personalities in the sequel called Sisters Who Fight Like Cats and Cats.

Favorite Quotes

"Unless you are fully engaged in living the gospel - living it with all your heart, might, mind and strength - you cannot generate enough spiritual light to push back the darkness."

-Elder Robert D. Hales

"Faith is more than knowing there is a God. It is knowing God..."

-Prophet Joseph Smith

"There is one thing one has to have - either a soul that is cheerful by nature, or a soul made cheerful by work, love, art and knowledge."

-Fredrick Nietzsche

"When I think of my ancestors. Those who came before me, I know that they gave everything asked of them. I can do no less."

-Elder Quentin L. Cook