The Apple Of My Eye

Even though I've had this blog for almost two years, I am just now realizing how much I can benefit from the world of social media. Over the past month or so, through Pinterest, StumbleUpon, and other blogs, I have discovered (too) many recipes, DIY projects, and ideas for the home that I am anxious to try. It's incredible how much information is at our fingertips these days. I'm grateful for these resources as I'm trying to learn new skills and accomplish different things without breaking the bank. Without further ado, one of my somewhat successful attempts...

I rarely get creative in the kitchen. I'd venture to say that the most creative I've ever gotten with food is making "spider cookies" with my residents. Scary, huh?

In addition to rarely getting creative in the kitchen, it's even more rare that I make dessert. Unless I've signed up to make something for a bake sale or a birthday party, the only dessert you'll see me eating is frozen yogurt from one of our favorite fro-yo spots. But I wanted to mix it up on this particular November evening. I found a recipe for "Stuffed Apple Crisp" and couldn't pass it up when I saw that it called for oats, caramel, and apples. Mmm, yes please. I tend to look for recipes that require the least number of ingredients and the least number of detailed steps as possible. That being said, I had to step out of my comfort (lazy cook) zone for this one, considering the first two steps instructed me to core and gut the apples. But if I was going to do more than your average slice and bake Pillsbury cookies, I might as well go the distance, right?

And here it is... my variation of "Stuffed Apple Crisp":

I made sure to take a totally posed picture of the dessert before Firas and I chowed down, as any serious food blogger would do. That festive fall pumpkin just happened to be sitting by the corner of the plate, I swear.

Here's the recipe (which I found to be extremely confusing, not to mention annoying as the writer put a smiley face after each step that she found to be entertaining... I would remove them, but now I think it's rather funny):

Stuffed Apple Crisp

I love the smell of baked apples, cinnamon, oatmeal and caramel

To make them I cut out the insides of the apples,

and didn’t even worry if there were holes in the bottom of the apples.

I cored the apples first then took a knife with a thin blade about 6 inches long and cut about 1/4 inch inside the apple edge and then made slices from the center out to make the pieces manageable to get out. It only took a few minutes, looks harder than it was, really

I diced up the apple minus the core

added a cup of oatmeal,

a tablespoon butter,

two tablespoons brown sugar,

one teaspoon cinnamon

and 6 caramels I diced up (unwrapped of course)

Mixed it all together, then baked them at 350 for 20 minutes.

There you have it! A somewhat scattered recipe for "Stuffed Apple Crisp". This is why I had to make up my own variation, but as long as you use the same ingredients, you should be just fine. And if you're smart, unlike me, you'll have a big gallon of vanilla ice cream in your freezer just waiting to be scooped and placed on top of this delicious dessert. It really was the perfect nightcap for a crisp November evening (who am I kidding? It was probably 90 degrees in Texas that night). Enjoy!

Food Coma

"Thanksgiving, man. Not a good day to be my pants."

~Kevin James

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

This Thanksgiving will look different than most... this is the second year in a row where I will be spending the holiday without crisp, cold weather, sisters, cousins, road trips, prank calls with "Barbie", Dad's turkey, reminiscent conversations and stories, Mom's stuffing, getting together with friends in Charlottesville the night before Thanksgiving, and the list goes on... but Nicole is in New York with Tony's family, Deirdre and my parents are in Maryland with Will's family, and I am here with all of my residents in Austin, Texas. Only 'til 3:00! And then I will be enjoying the holiday with Firas and his family. It is happening; we are growing up, carrying on old traditions and creating new ones. I have tried my best to recreate my Mom's stuffing and I may even convince Firas to make a prank call with me. I will still find the radio station that plays Christmas songs starting the day after Thanksgiving. And I will always refuse to wake up at 4 am for "Black Friday" shopping. But this year, instead of the classic turkey, we are giving "cajun fried turkey" a shot. No, I am not living in Louisiana and Firas' family is not featured on "Swamp People". It's something that Firas wanted to try, and who am I to kick and scream over wanting the traditional turkey dish for Thanksgiving? Okay, I did. But then I quickly realized that I couldn't recreate everything about my family's Thanksgiving holiday. I was never a fan of cranberry sauce, anyways. I feel thankful to have such wonderful memories of holidays with my family, and I am thankful for the opportunity to create new ones.

But let's get to what I'm missing MOST this Thanksgiving....



Although I wish I could be there to celebrate this little turkey's first Thanksgiving, I feel fortunate that I will be home for his first Christmas.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

"Forever on Thanksgiving day, the heart will find the pathway home."

~Wilbur D. Nesbit

Better Than Your Two Front Teeth

When I think about Christmas and finding the perfect gift for Firas, all I can think is, "How will I ever top this?"

Any ideas?

SPEC'Stacular Idea

I finally made it to Spec's wine tasting last week, and it definitely exceeded my expectations! I laughed as I pulled into the crowded parking lot, watching people swarm towards the lit up store, each one with wine glass in hand. It was like observing a herd of wino zombies. And I was quick to join the herd! Spec's offers a wine tasting on the first Tuesday of every month. If you bring your own wine glass, you receive 20 samples of wine for free. And not only that... but they offer an amazing selection of cheese, chips, crackers, sandwiches, and dessert. All for free! Excellent marketing... I walked away with three bottles of wine, along with most of the people in our group. My only complaint would be the wine-pourer at one station who clearly hated the world. Okay, maybe just her job. But she was a serious stick in the mud. When we approached her table, she was pouring the second of two wine samples for another group, unbeknownst to us unfortunately. As I extended my wine glass in her direction, she quickly snapped, "Would you like the FIRST wine before you try the SECOND?" Woah cowgirl. Sit me in time-out already. Another employee approached her about how crowded her table was and she (loudly enough for all to hear) commented, "If these people would act less like ANIMALS and form a line, I might be able to serve them quicker." I didn't know whether to be angry or scared. I was a little bit of both. She had a glass bottle in her hand, and all I had was a glass with two sips of white wine in it. But in all seriousness, Spec's needs to get a hold of that wino witch... because even if I had liked the wines she was serving, I would have refused to buy them just to make a stand. Take that!

Other than that one episode of poor customer service, the Spec's wine tasting was fantastic! The wines were delicious, and even more so at a discounted price that night. The food was a nice surprise as well... wine tasting is always a bit more enjoyable with cheese, crackers, and..... flan. Random, right? But definitely the best flan I have ever tasted.

I urge you to go to Spec's on the first Tuesday of next month.... and if you do decide to join the herd, I'll see you there!

When the Moon Hits Your Eye Like a Big Pizza Pie

In my opinion, an afternoon that includes pizza, eating outside, and Frank Sinatra is almost perfect. Firas, Susan (Firas's Mom), and I enjoyed one of these perfect afternoons at Coal Vines, a new pizza and wine bar, just a few weeks ago. The weather was ideal for a Sunday afternoon - jeans and a t-shirt kind of day. I knew that I loved it from the moment we walked in, as Frank Sinatra crooned "Fly Me to the Moon" throughout the restaurant and patio. I was also a fan of their decor.... red and black furniture, exposed brick, and countless bottles of wine lining their walls. And of course, their huge coal oven where they fired our delicious pizza. We opted to sit outside on the patio and for our pizza we chose the "White Special" - mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, sliced tomatoes, fresh garlic. Yum! A quick glance at our leftovers...

The pizza was thin, crust was perfect, and my favorite part.... how thin the tomatoes were sliced! Nothing more awkward than taking a bite out of pizza and not being able to bite through the freaking tomato, causing you to pull off the entire layer of cheese and toppings with just one bite. Am I the only one that this happens to? On top of the thin tomatoes, the prices were totally reasonable and it is a prime location for people-watching in downtown Austin.

I am aware that I look like an apprehensive, blue version of "Where's Waldo?" in this picture, but there was only one other taken... and it's even worse.

If you live in Austin (I also think they have restaurants in Dallas and Houston), I strongly suggest you check out Coal Vines. How can you go wrong with a slice (or two or three) of pizza and a glass (or two) of wine?

Yes, Dean Martin....that's Amore!

Apology Note

Dear Guy in the White SUV:

I'm sorry that you tailed me this morning in an area where I know police are lurking, preying on the people who are late to work and flying down the highway at 75 MPH in a 55. I feel awful that I was going only 60 MPH, forcing you to detach the front of your SUV from the back of my car and peel out into the other lane with such determination and speed... only to be greeted by flashing lights in your rearview mirror. And I'm sorry that I smiled as I watched it all go down.

Sincerely,
Jaclyn

Hope that your Friday didn't start off with sirens!