Cheese? Yes please.

So I decided to get a little fancy, and discovered fancy does not necessarily mean hard to do. Spinach and Brie Chicken with Tomato Orzo was super quick and easy, once you defrost the spinach. Yummm... a spinach Popsicle.



I was honestly surprised Martha uses frozen spinach. It's so very Rachel or Sandra. I am almost proud. So when it's defrosted, you squeeze the liquid out and set aside. The spinach, not the liquid. The liquid you just pour out.

You know what else makes me proud? Cheese. I love cheese. This, obviously, calls for 4 ounces of brie.



Yes, it says 4.35 ounces. It's cheese. You can never have too much of it.

So, the recipe calls for 8 thin chicken cutlets, or 1 1/2 pounds. Well, my 1 1/2 pounds yielded just 5 cutlets. I've already sliced the cheese into seven pieces. Yum! Extras!!!

OK, so on a cookie sheet lined with foil, lay out the cutlets, and spread Dijon mustard on one side. (Safety tip: I used kitchen tongs to transfer the rinsed chicken cutlets from a plate to the cookie sheet, to keep my hands chicken free so I could handle all the other things I needed to to prepare these. And to take pictures.)



Then you top it with some spinach.



And then CHEESE!



Now comes the fun part! After you salt and pepper them, you roll the cutlet up with all that goodness inside, and place it on the cookie sheet with the seam side down.



You put them in under the broiler (move the rack up to 4 inches from the coil) for 8-10 minutes. I split the difference and timed it for 9 minutes.

Meanwhile, I boiled a cup of orzo, chopped up two plum tomatoes, 1/4 cup of chopped parsley and a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Or RealLemon. I don't judge.



When the orzo was done, I drained it and while it was still in the pan, I dropped in a tablespoon of unsalted butter and added the tomato mixture, stirring it all together.



Just in time, because the oven timer went off as I was stirring. Looks done.... (I cut into one, just to be sure. Yep. DONE!)



I must admit, I am not a fan of Dijon mustard. I am a French's Yellow kind of girl. I have tried it on a sandwich, and it's just not my thing. BUT, I don't know what it is about mixing it with other things that makes the flavors so good!! The mustard with the brie... in a word YUM! Just YUM!



And P.S. get some Carr's water crackers and some red pepper jelly. Spread brie on a cracker and top with a dollop of the jelly. Dee-LISH!!! (Chris turned me on to that. It's yummy.)

Here is the Simple, yet Still Fancy playlist.
Kindly Unspoken Kate Voegal (Actions speak louder than words)
Be With You The Bangles
This City Never Sleeps Eurythmics (From the 9 1/2 Weeks soundtrack. It's not really a naughty song, but when it plays in the movie, naughty things happen)
Trailways Josh Joplin Group
When Tomorrow Comes Eurythmics
Wild Thing Tone Loc (Let's do it....)
The Downeaster Alexa Billy Joel (I have charted a course for the Vineyard, but tonight I am Nantucket bound.. Godspeed Teddy. (That's not part of the song, but that lyric is perfect for him.))
World on Fire Sarah McLaughlin (Hearts are worn in these dark ages. You're not alone in this story's pages)
Adia Sarah McLaughlin
Brian Wilson Barenaked Ladies (And if you wanna find me, I'll be out in the sandbox)
New Position Prince and the Revolution
If I Told You That Whitney Houston (On my Twenty-Five George Michael DVD, this is on there as a duet between the diva and my boy, George.)
Trust The Cure (I love you more than I can say. Why won't you just believe?)
Runaground James (LOVE James. Oh no, she's gone. Back to wherever she came from. You watch her her go. Your reactions far too slow.)
Like to Get to Know you Well Howard Jones
It's Going to Take Some Time This Time The Carpenters (Yes, the Carpenters. I love them. Deal with it.)
New Sensation INXS (Gone too soon!)
I Want Love Elton John (I want a love that don't mean a thing, that's the love I want.)
The Freshmen The Verve Pipe (We fell through the ice when we tried not to slip)
Thank you for the Venom My Chemical Romance (I love when this song comes on the shuffle when I am on the treadmill.)
When you Were Young The Killers
This Woman's Work Kate Bush (Ironically, this came on as I started to wipe of the counters.)
This is No Ordinary Love Sade (You said a mouthful there, sister.)
Honky Tonk Woman (Cuz I just can't seem to drink you off my mind.)

Snap, Crackle, Pop Life

It started with an email. I was planning to attend my friend Trisha and her husband Ted's annual Yankees/Red Sox party. I had asked what to bring. And then I got this:
"What do you think about making Rice Krispies Treats for the party."
My response was quick. "I think I've never made them in my life," I said. But I agreed to do it. Two batches (it's a big party!).

I got some funny looks when I told people what I was making, and that I'd never made them before. "Didn't you ever help your mom make them?" someone asked.

No.

As I have stated before, Jan doesn't like to cook. So you can imagine how high baking is on her list. (Although she did make yummy Christmas cookies and the occasional apple pie) But I guess Rice Krispies Treats don't really count as baking. Or cooking for that matter. It's pretty much just melting and stirring.

I am getting ahead of myself. I picked up a box of RK's at Publix, and studied it. Well, not so much studied it as searched for the recipe. No where. Now, you pick up a box of Knorr Vegetable Soup mix, POW, right there on the back of the box is the recipe for Spinach Dip. In fact, when people ask me for the recipe for my spinach dip, I tell them to get a box of Knorr Vegetable Soup mix and turn it over. You pick up a bag of Toll House Morsels. POW. Chocolate chip cookie recipe. That can of crispy onions? POW! Green Bean Casserole recipe right there. I flipped that stupid box of cereal around like Rain Man trying to find a recipe. Don't tell me I am going to have to go home and look this shit up!!! And then, I spot something...



Can you see it? No? Let me get closer....



Oh there it is. A SHOPPING LIST for what you need to make these magical treats. Why is the recipe just not ON the box?? Is it that fucking special? What are these elves (or whatever the fuck they are) trying to hide?!?!?! Well whatever it is, it calls for margarine. Huh??? Really?? After some discussion, I was assured that butter would be a fine substitute. You know I only use butter to cook with! 10 ounces of marshmallows and six cups of Krispies. Super. I grab the big box, as I am making two batches, and two bags of mini marshmallows. I get some other stuff and head home.

I'm still wondering in my head why the hell the recipe isn't on the box. Why wouldn't they put it SON OF A BITCH! I forgot butter. I really am so lucky that Publix is literally across the parking lot, and no thank you I do not need a bag...

Oh what luck. The recipe IS on the box...



See? There it is. ON THE INSIDE. Most helpful. Sigh.



OK. Ready to light this baby!!!! So now I get to see how these things are made. With 10 ounces of marshmallows. Big marshmallows. OR 4 cups of little ones. I, of course, had just grabbed two 10-ounce bags of mini marshmallows. You know what a plus is to putting the actual recipe on the OUTSIDE of the box is??? People can figure out what and how fucking much they are supposed to buy! Although it also says here that diet, reduced calorie or tub margarine is not recommended. And yet on the "shopping list" on the outside of the box, it says "MARGARINE," with no specifications.... Kellogg's really needs to rethink their box layout...OK, I'm done complaining. Maybe...

Three tablespoons of unsalted butter on low heat! ROCK ON!



Four cups of mini marshmallows!!! Stir as they melt... looking... good?



Then it's off the heat, and six cups of RK's into the pot. Stir until a mess.



You could here them snapping and popping. Like the screams of tiny little puffed rice lobsters getting thrown into a pot of molten marshmallow. OK, when it's fully a mess, and they've stopped the popping, you spread it out in a sprayed pan. It's better to spray the spatula, too. Although, as you can imagine, it's a sticky mess. There. That looks right.



Damn, I need a drink after that. I enjoy a delightfully crisp Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc and talk to Trisha about finishing one batch and other party plans.



And on to the second batch. This time, I added a teaspoon of vanilla and some dark chocolate chips. Special dark. So they are Special Treats.



Speaking of special treats, Trisha has whipped up a batch (well, TWO batches) of sangria. In the cooler. I told her, it's like an adult version of the whapatoola punch we used to drink in college. Out of a garbage can. Except this is made with wine and brandy, instead of Everclear, Kool-Aid and whatever was left in all the liquor bottles. BUT, one thing holds true. Don't eat too much of the fruit. That is really a lesson you only need to learn once. Well, maybe twice. Three times tops.

I had been listening to Prince in the car, and thought I would just do a shuffle of his royal awesome purpleness, so here goes!

Pop Life (Seriously!!! How ironic!)
Head (Ok, Prince is a bit risque. Part of why we love him.)
Dirty Mind (OK... I can't make Rice Krispies Treats, with cartoon characters, listening to this.)

CHANGE OF ARTIST
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you a playlist of 80's pop gods, DURAN DURAN
(I LOVE YOU SIMON!!!!)

Wild Boys (This video was so cool!)
Serious (May be right. May be wrong. Doesn't have to be serious...)
The Reflex (I tell you somebody's fooling around with my chances on the danger line)
Dirty Great Monster
Skin Trade (Sometimes you wonder, and she laughs at your frustration)
New Moon on Monday (Duran Duran saves the town from the scary soldiers. Five days through the night!!!)
Lady Xanax (Can't be alone when the darkness falls. Got to make it to the party. Socialize. Break the ice.)
The Valley
Is There Something I Should Know? (You're about as easy as a nuclear war.)
Nite-Runner (You're nocturnal, only come out at night)
I Don't Want You Love (My obsessive fascination is in your imagination.)
Notorious (Lies come hard to disguise)
Come Undone (Who do you need, who do you love, when you come undone)
Perfect Day (It's such a perfect day. I'm glad I spent it with you.)
The Chauffeur (and the droning engine throbs in time with your beating heart.)(PS LOVE this song)
Tempted
Last Man Standing (Now an unexpected peace comes to the day, as the howling din of fighting dies away.)
Tricked Out (Instrumental. Play that synthesizer Nick!! I LOVE YOU NICK!!!!)
Make Me Smile (Come up and See Me) (It's just a test, a game for us to play, Win or lose, it's hard to smile. Resist, resist, it's from yourself you have to hide.)
Save a Prayer (And you wanted to dance, so I asked you to dance but fear is in your soul...)(This is one of my favorite Duran Duran songs. It's so beautiful and sad.)
Planet Earth (I only came outside to watch the night fall with the rain.)
Electric Barbarella (A little tip of the hat to where they got their name. Duran Duran is a character in the Jane Fonda cult classic Barbarella. He created a pleasure machine, and tries to kill her with it. She ends up breaking it, the dirty girl)
Red Carpet Massacre (Or, as I like to call it, watching the celebs arrive at awards shows!!!)
Last Day on Earth (Now what would you do if there was no tomorrow?)
Girls on Film (YES!!!! awesome, so totally 80s!!! Give me shudders with a whisper take me high Till I'm shooting a star!)

Oh, and here are my leftovers. I love the loose bag of RK's because I had to destroy the box to get to the recipe.



The good part... I got to cut into those laughing elves mocking faces.
There. NOW I am done.

Pardon my French

I'm definitely seeing Julie & Julia this weekend (UPDATE: Saturday at 1:20), so I was feeling a little French. Again, Martha not so much with the French. This week I've been going through my torn out recipes to actually throw out stuff that, while I thought looked really good, once I read it again it was more like, that looks really hard and what in the world was I thinking. One that I did find was a recipe for Cooktop Cassoulet. I love a cassoulet. Here is me in France, waiting patiently for my cassoulet at lunch in Carcassonne.



Now cassoulet is usually a slow cooker meal. With duck. But this one, you make in a skillet. With chicken and sausage. Actually, looking over the recipe, it's similar to jambalaya. Except you use Northern beans instead of rice, and there are diced tomatoes in this, and no tomatoes in jambalaya. Also, I was able to find smoked sausage at Publix for this. They don't carry the Savoie's that I need for a jambalaya.

So I start to get all my ingredients out, hit the shuffle on the iPod, I have two small/medium onions (there were no large ones at Publix. Naturally), a green pepper, a couple garlic cloves, chicken broth, dried thyme, bay leaves. Bay leaves. Where the hell are my bay leaves... crap.

One quick trip through the parking lot to Publix later, I now have bay leaves. Although, when I went to Grenada, I brought back bay leaves as big as my whole hand. Now, I have to make due with these piddly things.



And why, may I ask, is there a shaker on the top of the bottle?? Seriously, I want to know...



What goes with French food? French wine. I am loving the Fat Bastard Shiraz. The name fits my mood today (not the fat part).



As I have said before, I am a messy cook. I spill, I splatter and generally worry about it later. BUT, I do want to save my clothes. I remembered I have pretty tea towels, so I tucked one around my waistband. Pow. Instant apron. And don't I look skinny??



OK, I love chopping. I just get in a zone. It's very therapeutic. Now, the onions and peppers are just chopped. So you can be as neat or as rough as you want. I did a pretty rough chop. That's how I roll. Sausage gets cut into 1/2 inch rounds, and I diced up three chicken breasts. Here we go. All prepped!



AND, this is one of my favorite kitchen tools, especially when dealing with raw meat and chicken.



Just like jambalaya, the sausage goes first to get all brown.



Then you take it out and put in the chicken.



Take that out when browned and put the veggies in the skillet, cooking them until they get a bit soft. Then add back in the meats, the can of undrained diced tomatoes and the spices (thyme, bay leaves and salt and pepper).



Cover and let simmer for 10 minutes. Then add in 1/4 cup chicken broth and two cans of undrained great Northern beans, cover and cook for 10 more minutes. I don't have a top for my skillet, so I have to use my wok lid.



Oh, it looks so pretty!



It's hearty, and definitely calls for being served in my fancy pasta bowls. In a word (well, two), and in honor of Julia, Bon appetit!








Again, pardon my French, but I'm just going to call this the "What the Fuck did I Ever do to you Steve Jobs" playlist.

Wonderful Tonight Eric Clapton (I do! Hair all pulled back, pants too big because I've lost weight!!)
The Trouble with Love Is Kelly Clarkson (The trouble is, it hurts like hell)
It Must be Him Vicki Carr (Now he'll play that damn Vicki Carr record, and when he comes to bed he won't touch me. Sigh.. —Olympia Dukakis in Moonstruck)
Grafton Street Dido
I Still Haven’t Found What I'm Looking For U2 (I hear you Bono. And I LOVE YOU! Plus I love the end of this video, on the streets of Vegas, where the equally hot Larry Mullen Jr. just says "fuck it" and climbs into a cab for parts unknown.)
Wild Horses Rolling Stones (I prefer The Sundays version, actually)
Nothing Lasts Forever Maroon 5 (I built a wall around my heart, never let it fall apart, strangely I wish secretly it would fall down while I'm asleep)
Everything Zen Bush (Gavin is HOT)
You Tell Me Paul McCartney (maybe we'll run into each other at the airport!)
Father Figure George Michael (My favorite GM song. The video... HOT)
Homeward Bound Simon & Garfunkel (Next weekend, I will be!)
Keep Breathing Ingrid Michaelson (I hear that's the trick)
Head over Heels Tears for Fears (I wanted to be with you alone.. and talk about the weather)
I Could Never Take the Place of your Man Jordan Knight (He's dreamy, but I of course prefer Prince's version.)
Groovy Kind of Love Phil Collins (SERIOUSLY?!?!??!)
Head Over Heels The Go-Go's (well played...)
Rainy Days and Mondays The Carpenters (And this is where I yelled out "Are you FUCKING kidding me!?!?!?!")
Scars Papa Roach (Much better. Same mood, but with bitterness and rock and roll)
This Woman’s Work Kate Bush (And, while I love this song, it's back into the pit)
New Years Day U2 (Again. I love you Bono)
Back at Your Door Maroon 5 (I give up)
Pump up the Volume MARRS (Every time we get makeup in from NARS, I always think.. MARRS.. Needs.. Women...)
Brand New Day Sting (God willing and the creek don't rise!)