Sunday, February 27, 2011

mangia!

That's "eat!" in Italian, for those who do not know...

Today I'm sharing with all five of you my favorite favorite favorite pasta to make.

Why do I LOVE it?

It is EASY.

It is DELICIOUS.

It is VERY similar to "Tag Pic Pac" at Carrabas.


Cast of Characters--plus whatever spaghetti-type pasta you like.
 Fresh Pasta

Serves 2

Ingredients

1/2 box of spaghetti noodles (regular or whole grain)
1 can diced tomatoes, drained and rinsed
10 cloves of fresh garlic, sliced
2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
6 fresh basil leaves, chopped
Romano cheese, shredded
Italian seasoning
Red pepper or red pepper flakes
Salt
Pepper

-Prepare your pasta according to the box (add some salt to the water). Don't over cook the pasta!

-While the pasta is cooking, over med/high heat in a large skillet, soften the garlic in a Tbsp of olive oil. This takes about two minutes--be careful not to burn the garlic!

-Add the drained/rinsed diced tomatoes to the garlic/olive oil.

-Add Italian seasoning (just sprinkle some).

-Add salt and pepper (to taste).

-Add a few dashes of red pepper.

-Continue to stir tomato mixture until thoroughly heated.

-Drain pasta and add it into the skillet with the tomato mixture.

-Add fresh chopped basil.

-Drizzle with remaining Tbsp of olive oil.

-Mix together (easiest with tongs).

-Plate and top with Romano cheese.

You may add more tomatoes or less--same with the olive oil, basil, and garlic. BUT, in my opinon, the more the better. The garlic and the basil are what REALLY flavor this pasta, so don't skimp!

Mangia.

Fresh Pasta


Thursday, February 17, 2011

florida food.

We are headed to Florida to hang out with Husband's family for a long weekend. One thing we look forward to is eating at all of our "places" while we are there. Try these out if you are ever in the Tampa/St. Pete/Sarasota area...

William's Subs.
3801 Tyrone Blvd.
St. Petersburg, FL 33709


William's Subs

Fresh bread, cheese, and meats. Add mayo, onions, fresh diced tomatoes, sweet relish, and spicy pepper relish. SO. SO. GOOD. See below....



Ted Peter's Smoked Fish.
1350 Pasadena Ave S
South Pasadena, FL 33707

Ted Peter's

Smoked Fish Spread

Cheeseburger...that's Velveeta on there!

Ted Peter's is the "Lloyd's" of St. Petersburg--in my opinion. They do smoked fish instead of BBQ. Husband and his family LOVE their 'smoked fish spread'. I do not eat seafood. They have a GREAT cheeseburger...and they have Barq's Rootbeer served in frosty mugs!

Columbia Restaurant.
411 St. Armands Circle
Sarasota, FL 34236


Columbia Restaurant in Sarasota

1905 Salad

Sangria
The Columbia Restaurant has several locations in the Tampa/St. Pete/Sarasota area. We like to visit the one on St. Armand's in Sarasota. We always order Sangria (of course) and a '1905 Salad'--which is made by your server at your table. Here is the recipe. They also sell their sangria mix in the gift shop and online.


Monday, February 14, 2011

valentine's history lesson

Today is St. Valentine's Day.

Who the heck is/was Saint Valentine?!

I, like most of you, did not really know either--except for the part about him being a "saint."

So, here it goes:

**Disclaimer: I am not Catholic and am just compiling what I could find online. Thank you.**

Saint Valentine = Valentinus

Valentinus was a priest who assisted those in Rome who were being persecuted--and performed marriage ceremonies at a time when marriage was outlawed (i.e. the Emperor needed "single" soldiers for his army). He was captured, beaten, and then beheaded on February 14 (suprise!) in 270 AD by Emperor Claudius II. Thus, making him a martyr. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius marked February 14th as a celebration in honor of his martyrdom...and to replace a pagan holiday of Juno Februata, Roman goddess of the "fever" (google it).

He is the patron saint of (this is where it gets interesting): affianced couples, bee keepers (?!?), engaged couples, epilepsy (?!?), fainting (?!?), greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague (?!?), travellers, and young people.

It is said that before being beheaded, he wrote a farewell letter, and signed it "From your Valentine..."

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!


Valentinus

Emperor Claudius II

Pope Gelasius


Wednesday, February 9, 2011

i like...i dislike.

-When Nemi sits on the edge of the tub while I take a bath.
   -When she starts drinking the bath water while I am still in the tub.


Hi there.
 -My nieces.
   -Missing them.



Baby Brookes

Big Girl Harper
"I like you Annie," Harper.
"I like you too, Harper," me.

-Canada Dry Diet Ginger Ale.   
    -Buffalo Rock Diet Ginger Ale.


Delish.

Disgusting.
 -Cooking, baking, eating.
   -Clean-up.


-Interior design and being creative.
   -Being unemployed and without a creative outlet.


I didn't design this...I just like it.


I did do this though...
 -Spin class.
   -Arriving at class 20 minutes early to find all the bikes have been taken and then driving back home.


Get a seat cushion.
 -Traveling...anywhere.
   -Waiting the weeks and months before it is time to take the trip.


We are going here in May, with these people...

The Winter fam.
 -Being home when Husband gets home from work.
   -Being alone all day while he is at work.

Ok, so this isn't quite in Montgomery....
  
-My sister's photography skills.
   -Being envious of her camera...oh and her talent.


I think this is hilarious.


 Sisters :)

-Everyone who reads my little blog.
   -Those who read, but do not comment.

My two regular "commenters":

Lauren


Meghan




Monday, February 7, 2011

sameness

I found a shoe that I like for this spring/summer. Wear it with jeans, a dress, or a skirt.

Here is the good news: you can either buy it at Anthropologie OR at TARGET!

Ok, I know it's not the same shoe...I'm positive the materials are a little different. I will be purchasing the Target version...


Anthropologie--To Extremes Platform Mules, $110


Target--Mossimo Wendi Peep-Toe Clogs, $24.99 (also in black)
 As styled by Anthro...



Going to purchase today....

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

pizza and a cat nap.

Yesterday, Husband was home resting from shoulder surgery from the previous Friday. He got on a Food Network/Travel Channel kick. This lasted for several hours. During the "several hours", I went to the grocery store to purchase breakfast/lunch/dinner food. Upon my arrival home from the store, Husband announces that he is going to "make" us a "fancy" pizza for dinner...you know, maybe some goat cheese, some pesto, some fresh dough. Turns out they were making "fancy" pizza on one of the shows he was watching.

Did I purchase any "fancy" pizza ingredients on my recent trip to the store?

NO.

I told him I would love a "fancy" pizza, but I was NOT going back to the store (it was monsooning).

So, he said he would go.

I got ready for spin class and he got ready to go to store to purchase "fancy" pizza ingredients.

I went to sping class (used one of the gel seat covers--AMAZING).

This is what I got when I returned home:

Fancy Pizza


Proud Husband and his Fancy Pizza



IT WAS SOOOOO SO GOOD!!!

Husband's "Fancy" Pizza Recipe

Publix Fresh Pizza Dough (in the bakery)
Pesto
Goat Cheese
Mozzarella
Fresh Garlic (chopped)
Fresh Basil (chopped)
Carmelized Onions
Sliced Hard Salami

Follow directions for dough preparation. Add whatever amounts of the above ingredients you like. Enjoy.

It was really good, and he is allowed to make "fancy" pizza whenever he wants.

Now for the second half of the show.

I call it "cat nap interrupted."

Captured on film.

Enjoy.


It is too bright in here.

Now you've awoken me.


I will just go back to sleep.


No, I'm awake, now.

Nevermind. I'm really sleepy and it's too bright in here.