Leah's Pepperoni Pizza Rolls

These are easy to make, and taste much better than the frozen ones!

Recipe:

Vegetable oil for frying

1 egg

3 tablespoons water

1 squeeze bottle of pizza sauce

1 package sliced pepperoni

1 package string cheese

1 package won ton wrappers

Directions:

Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large pan on medium high.  Whisk egg and water together in a small bowl.

Remove the string cheese from the individual packages and slice each one in half.  Set a few won ton wrappers on a cutting board.  Lightly brush the wrapper edges with the egg mixture. Squeeze a dab of pizza sauce onto one corner of each won ton.  Place one slice of pepperoni on top of it, and place the string cheese diagonally over that.  

Fold both sides over the edge of the string cheese, and then roll the won ton from the corner, like a burrito. Repeat with remaining wrappers.  Fry the pizza rolls in batches until crisp and golden brown, about 5 minutes.  Remove from pan and place on paper towels to drain, then sprinkle lightly with salt.

Serve with additional pizza sauce for dipping - yum!

Meatball Nirvana

I found this recipe online - it was touted as "the perfect meatball".  I've made meatballs using many different recipes, and I do think this one is as good as it gets.  I did make a few changes, of course!

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef

1 pound ground pork

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp garlic salt

2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1 1/2 tsp dried oregano

1 1/2 tsp dried basil

3 dashes hot red pepper sauce

3 tbsp worcestershire sauce

1 egg

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/2 cup bread crumbs

Directons:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Place the meat into a mixing bowl, and add the seasonings, hot pepper sauce, and Worcestershire sauce; mix well. Add the egg, Parmesan cheese, and bread crumbs. Mix until evenly blended, then form into 1 1/2-inch meatballs, and place onto a baking sheet.

Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, 20 to 25 minutes.

Tips - If you turn the meatballs over halfway through the cooking process, they will get browned on both sides.  You can also cook these in a frying pan, if you want them to be more seared on the outside. These meatballs have a very intense flavor (salty, savory, spicy!) and will work well in pretty much any sauce, as an appetizer or main course.  Enjoy!

Caribbean Jerk Pork Chops

This is really good on the grill, but you can also cook it on the stove - just make sure to get the heat really high, to get that delicious sear on the outside.

Recipe:

2 boneless pork chops

Jerk Marinade: 

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 jalapeno (for less heat, remove the core and seeds) 

4 garlic cloves

6 green onions, root removed 

1 teaspoon white sugar

1 teaspoon ground allspice 

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper 

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions:

In a food processor or blender, add the marinade ingredients and process until the ingredients are fully liquefied.  Taste and add seasoning if necessary - it should be relatively hot, to retain any of the spiciness after cooking, so you may want to add a dash of cayenne if it doesn't seem hot enough.

Marinate the chops in the sauce for at least 30 minutes or up to 6 hours.

When ready to cook, remove the chops from the sauce and discard.  Pat dry with paper towels on each side.  Grill the pork on medium-high heat for about 4 minutes per side, or until just cooked through.  Let rest for about 5 minutes, then serve.

Tips -   I like to reserve a bit of the sauce before I marinate the raw meat in it, and serve it on the side.  Also, I've seen various other things added to this marinade, so if you want to switch it up, you could add pineapple, or brown sugar, or an extra jalapeno to make it even more spicy.  Enjoy!

Raspberry Crepes with Berries & Cream

My boyfriend Kyle invented this recipe. It's a lovely summer dessert and doesn't take long to prepare at all.

Ingredients:
Pancake batter (follow instructions from whichever brand you use)
1 tbsp butter
3 tsp raspberry extract
Red food coloring
1 tbsp white sugar
1 cup whipped cream
1 cup chocolate chips
Assorted berries (strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, etc)

Directions:

Make about 1 cup of pancake batter according to the directions on the package. Add the raspberry extract, white sugar, and about 4-6 drops of red food coloring (batter should turn a medium pink). Taste the batter, and if it isn't quite sweet enough, or doesn't have enough raspberry flavoring, adjust those ingredients to your liking.

Grease a hot pan with a little dab of butter and drop pancake batter by small spoonfulls onto the pan, to make silver dollar sized pancakes. Keep doing this until you have used the batter up and made a decent sized pile.

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave on low heat, stirring occasionally. Wash and dry the berries you plan to use.

To assemble, make a small pile of pancakes, drizzle with chocolate, surround with berries, and top with whipped cream. Hooray!

Tips - this would work with any flavored extract, I've tried almond and also banana. You could also top with caramel or sprinkle with coconut.

Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup

I like to put this soup in a crockpot and cook it all day while I'm at work (I usually get it ready in the pot the night before, stick it in the fridge and then just turn it on before I leave). You can omit the chicken if you want to serve it as an appetizer and/or for vegetarians.

Recipe: 

1 tbsp olive oil
1 red onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed chicken broth
1 1/2 cups corn kernels (fresh are better, but frozen or canned will work!)
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 can garbanzo beans
1/2 can pinto beans
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 boneless chicken breasts, cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
salt & pepper to taste
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese 


Garnishes (optional) - tortilla strips, lime wedge, cilantro, avocado....


Crockpot Directions:   You can put all of the ingredients in the pot with the exception of the chicken, set it to low or medium, and let it cook for around 3-4 hours (or up to infinity).   

For the chicken, season it with a little salt and pepper, then sear it in olive oil until just browned on each side (about 5 mins).  It won't be cooked all the way through, but that doesn't matter, you are just doing this for flavor and texture.  Let it rest on paper towels to drain, then add to the pot.  You can actually skip this step if you are in a rush, but I don't recommend throwing the chicken in without browning it slightly - it will taste okay, but bland.  Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls, and top with cheese, tortilla strips, and any additional garnishes.


Tips -  You can easily make your own tortilla garnish by slicing a few tortillas into strips and quickly frying them in a pan with a bit of oil.  Drain, sprinkle with salt, and voilà - much tastier than store bought!  I serve this in mini trifle bowls... cause it looks cute.

Smoky Bacon & Egg Grilled Cheese

Another gem from the folks at Top Chef. They called this the "midnight bachelor sandwich". Not to be eaten frequently for the sake of your arteries, but delightfully salty and satisfying!

Recipe:

1/2 pound thick sliced hickory smoked bacon

4 slices of french bread, cut at an angle

1/2 Granny Smith apple, finely sliced

1/2 pound aged white cheddar, sliced

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

2 eggs


Directions:

The recipe called for this to be cooked on a griddle, which, believe it or not, I don't have. I used a grill pan instead and it turned out just lovely.


Turn your griddle (or grill pan) to high heat. Lay slices of bacon flat in the pan. Cook until browned and crisp on each side, then remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain. I used about 3 slices of bacon per sandwich, but you could do more or less, depending on your level of hedonism.

Drain the grease from the pan and wipe down, then return to medium heat.

Place the bread on a cutting board and slice diagonally. Top with slices of cheese, the apples (if desired), and finally the bacon. Assemble the sandwiches, then smear the outside with butter on each side. Place the sandwiches on the pan that you cooked the bacon in. Gently press down on the sandwiches with the back of a spatula or top with a weight (such as another pan). Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and the cheese is melted.

In a separate pan, add a little butter and set over medium heat. Crack eggs into the pan and fry gently for 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper, then serve the egg on top of the bacon grilled cheese sandwich.


Tips - If the cheese doesn't melt all the way, you can throw the sandwich in the microwave on low power for a few seconds to finish it off. Also, the apple slices may sound strange, but the flavor works really well with the cheddar! Enjoy!

The Perfect French Fry

This is a Top Chef recipe - restaurant quality french fries! It does take a bit of extra work but you won't believe how crispy they come out. You don't even need a deep fryer!

Recipe:
Russet Potatoes
Vegetable Oil
Salt

Begin by peeling potatoes (if you want, the skins have flavor/nutrients!) and slicing to desired thickness. Then rinse the sliced fries in water to wash off excess starch.

Heat a large pot of water and bring to a boil. Add about 3 tablespoons of salt. Blanch the potatoes in the boiling water and cook until tender, about 4 minutes. Remove from water and strain, then lay out in a flat layer and place in the freezer to cool and firm. If you have the freezer space you can do this on a cookie sheet - I don't, so I used paper plates and piled the plates on one another, which also worked just fine.

Have a Dutch oven filled 2/3rd of the way up with oil heated to 350-360 degrees. If you do not have an oil thermometer, I would just recommend heating the oil on high for about 10 minutes before using it to fry. Fry in batches so as to not overcrowd the pot and fry potatoes for just 2-3 minutes. The first time frying is to help develop a super crispy exterior. The fries will not be brown yet, but don't worry about that. Place back in the freezer to cool again. (At this point, you can stop and keep the fries in the freezer for later. If so, simply store in an airtight bag once frozen.)

Now the final step! Once the fries are firm (about 10-20 minutes) remove from the freezer and fry in the oil 4-5 minutes, until golden brown and super crispy. When done, remove with a wire strainer (or tongs) to a paper towel lined plate and season with salt immediately.

Tips: Use oil with a high smoking point, like canola oil, vegetable oil or peanut oil. Cut your potatoes to the same size, so they cook evenly, and make sure the potatoes are dry before putting them in the pan.

This is how restaurants do it. The best thing about it is that you can make these up to the last step, store them, and then enjoy the perfect french fry whenever you want!

The Love of Film - Movies with Personal Reviews

For Christmas last year, Kyle and I made a creative gift for a friend of ours whose film collection, and viewing experience, was woefully limited.  We came up with a list of shared favorite films that we knew (or discovered!) that she hadn't seen, and each wrote reviews.

  

Then we bought the movies, attached a color review with each one, and presented this gift to to her, along with a popcorn maker (The Magic Popper, to be specific), and a selection of popcorn toppings.  It was a fun project that we put a lot of thought into, and she really enjoyed the gift!

  

The Darjeeling Limited

By Kyle - A road movie, of sorts, which chronicles the travels of three dysfunctional brothers.  The film captures the spirit of adventure found in the best travelogues, along with the deep emotional exploration of the best dramas.  And it's funny.         4 Stars

By Leah - If you haven't already experienced the haunting beauty of Adrien Brody's nose, this is a great place to start. This is a well written movie filled with unexpected laughter, melancholy, and fully realized characters, who remind you of the importance of friendship, family, and the fleeting joy of train travel.          4 Stars

Big Fish

By Kyle - A story of dreamers, lovers, fathers and sons, Big Fish is masterfully directed by the usually macabre Tim Burton. A story about storytelling, the film gracefully walks the line between fantasy and reality. This one is easy on the eyes and hard on the heart.  4 Stars

By Leah - At it's core, I think this movie is about love. Love of adventure, romance, family, and most importantly, life. I've never watched it without crying, and it always leaves me with a profound feeling of wonder and hope. Unique, moving, and beautiful both visually and emotionally, this movie is pure art.     5 Stars

The Departed

By Kyle - A damn good “cop movie” which transcends an often cliché genre. The story is told at a perfect pace, allowing the actors to develop realistic bonds and immersing the viewer in the world. A simple concept with great emotional complexity and depth.      5 Stars

By Leah - This film is a compelling character drama with great performances from all of the actors, even the caveman-faced Matt Damon. The movie moves along briskly, giving us nuanced characters, none of whose intentions are completely black and white. Leonardo DiCaprio gives the best performance of his career.    4 1/2 Stars

Amelie

By Kyle - Whimsical and spirited, this film will appeal to the poet in you. Not your typical story, Amelie follows a girl with a very active imagination and desire to help others. This is a fun and romantic film worth reading subtitles for. And you can't discount the presence of the lovely Audrey Tautou.    4 1/2 Stars

By Leah - This movie had me at hello. A suicidal goldfish, a traveling gnome, and a handsome Frenchman who rides a motorcycle; how can you go wrong? The movie is funny, sweet, incredibly romantic, and makes you want to immediately move to Paris and meet a beautiful stranger.      4 Stars

Raising Arizona

By Kyle - Off-beat, quirky, oddball, these are all words that could be used to describe this early gem from the Coen Brothers (The Big Lewbowski, Fargo, No Country for Old Men), but none of those words do it justice. Nicolas Cage plays the pitch-perfect dumbass husband, while Holly Hunter tongue lashes him in her role as his demanding wife. The writing is smart and inarguably hilarious.  As the film progresses, the laughs give way to genuine emotion, but it never loses sight of its own absurdity.    4 1/2 Stars

By Leah - You may think that Nicholas Cage is a terrible actor, and these days you would be right, but in this film he gives an amazing comedic performance. This is one of the most intelligent, ridiculous and hilarious films around. I can never see it on television and not stop to watch a few minutes. Holly Hunter is also incredible as the type A, insanely needy, predictably desperate to procreate wife, who loses all interest in both law enforcement and housekeeping.  I love it.     4 3/4 Stars

I Heart Huckabees

By Kyle - A film that asks the deepest questions about life, and also tries to show you how those questions can be so damn funny. A break out performance for Mark Wahlberg, who steals the film despite the best efforts of the other excellent actors. Funny and philosophical.    4 Stars

By Leah - The movie is fresh, funny, and creative. Seasoned actors like Dustin Hoffman and Lily Tomlin are finally given screen time, ageism be damned, and the movie is so well written that Jude Law almost seems like a real actor. This movie is undeniably hilarious.   5 Stars

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

By Kyle - Steve Martin and John Candy at their finest. Hilarity from the first seconds, this is a classic around our household. Packed with memorable and quotable scenes. Especially good around the holidays.    4 1/2 Stars

By Leah - The first time I saw this film, it was about 10 years after it came out. I'd never heard of it, never seen anything like it, and literally fell out of bed in ecstatic belly laughter. This is one of my favorite movies, so perhaps I'm a bit biased, but I think it is one of the funniest films of all time.   John Candy is pure comedy butter, and no one has ever used the word fuck in a more entertaining way than Steve Martin.    I hope you love it as much as I do.      5 Stars

Being John Malcovich

By Kyle - A brilliant film unlike anything you have ever seen. Cool, dirty, weird, hilarious, this film certainly marches to the beat of its own drummer, in a good way. When it came out, this movie was seen as something exciting and new. To date, I can still see its influence on other films and television shows.    4 1/2 Stars

By Leah - If this movie doesn't make you laugh, someone has stolen your funny bone. Charlie Kaufman, the writer, is a genius. The story is brilliant, incredibly inventive and endlessly entertaining. It is a true original.         4 3/4 Stars

Seven

By Kyle - Dark and dank, Seven is a psychological thriller with a heavy atmosphere. The real success of the film lies in the duality of Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman as the two lead roles. Smart and engrossing, this is a film that stays with you for a while.   4 Stars

By Leah - This is one of the first films where Brad Pitt began to be respected as a real actor. The moment the movie begins, you are lost within the madness. Thought provoking, intense, and inexorably headed toward a painful conclusion, this is a movie that is hard to turn away from, and hard to forget.       4 Stars

Waking the Dead

By Leah - Some people, especially those who live in my house, might call this a maudlin film.  I believe it is heartfelt, and beautifully romantic. Regardless, any film that features the blue eyed, black haired, gorgeous duo of Billy Crudup and Jennifer Connelly has something going for it.

Billy Crudup is a brilliant actor and gives a compelling performance as a man who may or may not be losing his mind. The first time I watched this film, I cried a river of tears and then sat right back down and watched it all the way through again.  3 3/4 Stars

Note - Kyle Masterson refused to review this film, citing irreconcilable differences.  

But he wanted me to mention that he edited these photos himself to add an artistic touch to the gift.