Is it pathetic that my stomach does a little flip when I think about all my favorite shows coming back?
If Ninja is reading this he actually said YES, out loud.
I can’t help it, some of these characters are like my friends… I miss them. I am actually shaking my head at my own desperation. I know I have talked about the difference in my 20’s as opposed to my 30’s but there ARE so many differences it bears mentioning again.
I remember being too busy to watch TV. Of course I had some shows that I would go as far as setting my VCR to record if I was out. But, for the most part TV was what my Mom watched. Even as I got older and lived on my own, yes, I watched some TV but working full time, full time University, friends, and having a boyfriend took up the majority of my time.
Fast forward to today. I can blame my addiction on so many things:
1. Having children. By evening I am so tired all I can do is drool and focus on some lame show right in front of me.
2. PVR! Having this amazing device allows me to get hooked on shows I would never have watched before but now have the chance to.
3. Length of shows “run” I mean seriously, Greys Anatomy is going into it’s 10th season. Survivor?? OMG it is like season 52 or something. What can I say… I’m NOT a quitter.
4. It’s all about the reality shows… society is so hooked on talent shows, singing, dancing, cooking, designing, adventuring, racing and performing. I too like these things… I pretend I am learning something. J
It IS funny though that yesterday Ninja and I were having a “tea party” with HBear and she said she had made dinner like the Masterchefs. We asked what it was and she replied…
“Crepes with strawberry sauce and fresh whipped cream” LOL That’s my girl!!!
It does make me angry though about Big Brother. I am ashamed that I watch this. There is a few of those but Big Brother actually lowers my IQ, I can feel it. Despite this fact, I can’t stop watching it. This year however has been the worst year yet. I don’t even want to watch the finale but I have to… after watching 3 times a week for the past 3 months I have to see the end. BUT… I don’t like any of them! Just saying.
This weekend Ninja was sick. He never gets sick! It is so weird when he looks all sad and… sick. My poor baby.
Speaking of poor babies, SBean has been doing great in her crib! I am so proud of her, especially when we noticed 2 new teeth pop through this weekend! HBear didn’t have 1 by this time and SBean has 4!!! She is a trooper, I HATE mouth pain!
So with a bed all to ourselves and a sicky hubby we actually watched 2 movies this weekend. The Amazing Spiderman, SUCKED! I love comic book movies so even though we didn’t rush to watch it, I was still looking forward to it. It was bad. I love Emma Stone but I am just not understanding the whole highschool thing. Ninja doesn’t understand my love of highschool TV shows like Pretty Little Liars but it just doesn’t translate into Peter Parker and Spiderman. It was hokey and weak.
We also watched Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. I actually liked that one. It isn’t a true story though. Not that it matters but it was a something we discussed after watching it. No, you cannot salmon fish in the Yemen.
Yesterday we had Eggs Benny… we weren’t super hungry so for a side I made Bruleed Grapefruit. What is that? You ask. Well, I took a grapefruit cut it in half and trimmed the ends off so each side laid flat. Then I edged each segment. I sprinkled brown sugar on top and broiled them until nice and brown on top! It was an awesome side for thick, rich hollandaise!
For dinner tonight we are having a dish I am calling Ichabod chicken in honor of Sleepy Hollow which starts tonight LOL with a side of Sleepy Market Risotto J
Ichabod Chicken
Adapted from Table for Two
4 chicken breasts
1/3 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tbsp. cornstarch
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
2 tsp. fresh rosemary for garnish
Preheat oven to 450
Line a 8×8″ oven-proof pan with 2 layers of tin foil
In small bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, maple syrup, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper
Place the chicken in the foil layered pan then pour the mixture on top of it. Add the mushrooms. Turn the chicken around in the sauce to make sure it and the ‘shrooms get all coated.
Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes.
Remove from oven and let chicken sit for 5 minutes then transfer to a plate. Do NOT discard the liquid.
Whisk in the cornstarch into the liquid in the pan. The liquid needs to be hot in order for it to thicken properly. If it’s still not thickening add a little more cornstarch.
Drizzle sauce and sprinkle rosemary on top before serving.
Sleepy Market Risotto
Adapted from Iowa Girl Eats
4 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon butter
2 green onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 cup arborio rice
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 cup zucchini, shredded
1 cup tomato, chopped
1/2 cup orange pepper, diced
1/2 cup corn
1/2 cup corn
1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
handful torn fresh basil
handful torn fresh basil
Bring chicken broth to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to low and keep hot.
In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat then add green onions, season with salt and pepper, and then sauté until tender, about 3 minutes. Add garlic then sauté for 30 more seconds.
Add rice then stir to coat in butter. Add wine then stir until nearly absorbed by rice.
Add 1/2 cup chicken broth then stir constantly until broth is absorbed. Continue adding broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until nearly absorbed before adding more.
When there’s 1/3 of the broth remaining, add zucchini and peppers, season with more salt and pepper, then continue stirring.
When there’s 1/4 of the broth left, add corn then continue stirring. Add the tomatoes with the last batch of broth then stir until absorbed.
Take risotto off heat then stir in feta cheese and basil. Add more salt & pepper to taste.
