DIY Countertop Update

Hi Friends! I just wanted to write a little post today updating you on how my countertops are holding up!  Back in October I had this genius idea to cover my ugly blue formica countertops with contact paper! I looked into some options, and while I liked the carerra marble paper available on Amazon, the price was a little out of my budget for something I wasn't sure would work.  So, I found some really cheap paper at Walmart and decided to give it a try.  You can read all about how I cut, measured, and applied the paper here.  Here are a few photos that I took on my iphone this morning...

It's been about 6 months now since I tackled this project and I get asked all the time how it's holding up and if I still like it.  My answer: pretty well and yes!  For how much this project cost (about $10) I would say I definitely got my money's worth.  Overall it still looks pretty decent.  If you get up close, you can see some of the seams where the paper overlaps, and there are a few areas where the paper is actually peeling off a little, especially around the sink where there's a lot of water and near the corners.

But I still think this is one of my favorite projects I've done.  It cost so little to do and only took a few hours of work.  The overall results are really amazing and not seeing that blue every day makes me a happy gal!

I hope this answers your questions!  Feel free to leave me a comment if you have more!

Easy Sesame Chicken Dinner

Do you shop at a local Asian or International Market?  If you don't you might want to give it a try. We have a pretty big selection of Markets on the South Side of Sacramento, but not so many up in the area where we live.  However, there is a pretty large international market called KP that isn't too far away.  Especially on the weekend when there's no traffic.

Since the international market has a pretty good selection of traditional Asian foods, spices & sauces I headed over there yesterday to pick up a few things that I needed.  I ended up with a cart full of fresh produce, some egg roll wrappers and some de-boned chicken legs, and let me tell you, I would have easily spent twice as much if I'd bought the same things at Raley's.

I knew I wanted to make sesame chicken and the leg/thigh meat is so much more flavorful, and it was also really cheap!

I found this recipe on Pinterest and it worked pretty well.  I'd definitely try it again!

Ingredients for the Chicken

1 large egg
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken leg/thigh portions
2 Tbsp vegetable oil (for frying)

Ingredients for the Sauce
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp water
½ Tbsp toasted sesame oil
1½ Tbsp brown sugar
1½ Tbsp rice vinegar
1 inch fresh ginger, grated
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbsp sesame seeds
1 Tbsp cornstarch 

Instructions for the Chicken:
In a large bowl, whisk together the egg and 2 tbsp cornstarch.. Trim any excess fat from the chicken leg/thighs, then cut them into small 1 inch pieces. Toss the chicken in the egg and cornstarch mixture.
Heat a large skillet with 2 Tbsp of vegetable oil over very high heat. When the oil is very hot (it should look wavy on the surface), add the chicken and all of the egg mixture. Cook the chicken, stirring only occasionally, until it is golden brown and cooked through (about 7-10 minutes). Drain off the excess oil, if desired. (If you double this recipe you may want to brown the chicken in batches so it all gets golden brown instead of just steaming.)

Instructions for the Sauce:
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl stir together the soy sauce, water, sesame oil, brown sugar, rice vinegar, fresh ginger, minced garlic, cornstarch, and sesame seeds.
Once the chicken is cooked through and golden brown, pour the sauce over top. Toss the chicken to coat in the sauce. The sauce will begin to thicken as soon as it hits the hot skillet. Once the chicken is coated and the sauce thickened, turn off the heat.

Serve the chicken over a bed of rice and sprinkle the sliced green onions over top.

Ham & Swiss Sliders

I first noticed the trend in slider sandwiches on Hawiian rolls on Pinterest, and about a month ago I gave them a try.  The first version I made was with roast beef and provolone cheese (just as good!) and the butter sauce on top was the same as the one here.  Feel free to try out different meat/cheese combinations and let me know which is your favorite!

Ingredients:

1 pkg of hawaiian sweet dinner rolls
leftover ham thinly sliced (or thin sliced deli ham)
6 slices of swiss cheese
1/2 stick of butter, melted
1 tbs ppoppy seeds
1 1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce
1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp seasoning salt

Instructions:

Remove the rolls from the package and slice completely in half with a serrated knife while still stuck together.  You should have one half with bottoms and one half with tops.  Add a layer of thinly sliced ham and a layer of cheese then top with another layer of ham.  Place the top on the rolls.  In an oven safe bowl melt butter for 30 seconds, then add worcestershire sauce and seasonings and stir well. Place the rolls in a baking dish lined with foil. Pour butter sauce over the top of the rolls and then cover with another piece of foil. Bake in 350 degree oven for 20 minutes covered, then remove the foil and bake for 5 minutes uncovered.

Kale & Sausage Soup

As a food blogger I obviously love food.  Cooking it, shopping for it, eating it... And although I love trying new restaurants, once in a while there is something comforting about a restaurant chain. There's just something about knowing you can get the same thing every time you go. You will probably recognize this soup from one of the popular Italian chain restaurants, but what you may not know is just how easy it is to make at home! I promise, it's just as good as the restaurant version, and for those nights when you are craving this popular soup, being able to eat it at home in your sweats while you binge watch Santa Clarita Diet (oops, did I just admit I do that?) is pretty much the best thing ever!

Forgive my photography on this one, I was starving and couldn't wait to dig in!

Ingredients:
1lb. of bulk mild Italian sausage
1 small yellow onion diced
2 cloves of minced garlic
1 pinch of red pepper flakes (more if you like it spicy)
2 boxes of low sodium chicken broth
1 large russet potato diced into 1" cubes
1 bag of chopped kale (or 1/2 of a Costco sized bag)
1 cup of heavy whipping cream
parmesan cheese if desired for garnish

Directions:
In a large heavy bottom skillet (I use my Dutch oven) saute the Italian sausage until it is browned over medium high heat. Drain half of the fat and then add the diced onion, garlic and red pepper flakes. When the onions begin to turn translucent, add the chicken broth.  Once the broth comes to a boil add the potatoes. When the potatoes are fork tender add the kale and stir until wilted. If the soup seems a little too thick, you can add a cup of water at this point if needed.  Remove from the heat and stir in the cream.  Serve with grated parmesan cheese and garlic bread.  Enjoy!

Welcome Baby Camille

Hello Friends!  I cannot believe how fast the month of January flew by!  I had the greatest of intentions to write a New Year's post, but things have been a little busy around here...

On January 11th welcomed our sweet new addition to the family, Camille Ray, we couldn't be more thrilled to start this new year with this sweet little blessing!!

Is there anything sweeter than tiny baby toes??

Life adjusting to a newborn has been easier than I expected.  Her big sisters have been so helpful! I'm hoping to get back to posting new recipes soon, but for now I'm just soaking up this sweetness and enjoying every moment with my sweet Camille.

Crock Pot Meal - Simple Carnitas Tacos

I am at that stage in my pregnancy where all I can think about is having this baby.  I'm due a few days and as far as the doctor can tell, baby has no interest in making an appearance. I. Am. Not. Happy. or comfortable...

To make matters worse, my kids winter break is super late this year and they have been home from school all week.  Which would be fine if it hadn't been raining cats and dogs all week.  Thankfully, the sun is shining today and I don't care if we have to walk the aisles at Costco for an hour, we are leaving this house before I go nuts!

What does this have to do with tacos?  Well I am in no mood to cook, but eating sounds good pretty much any time, and who doesn't love tacos?  Especially when it is very little work to make these yummies!  Here is my favorite no fuss taco recipe:

I stick 3 boneless thick cut pork chops in a crock pot today with a jar of salsa verde and set it on low for 6 hours. That's it! No salt, seasoning...

The result? The perfect taco meat! I like to fry my shells, but flour, corn, fried, unfriend... The meat is perfection.  You can top with lettuce and cheese, or get fancy and add tomatoes, sour cream, avocado, it's up to you.  

I'm going to stick with the simple lettuce and cheese and eat on the couch tonight while I think baby thoughts...

Holiday Treats | Peppermint Marshmallow Bark

With Christmas just a few weeks away, you might be looking for a little gift you can make for friends, neighbors, teachers... Just about anyone you can think of that you just want to give a little treat to this time of year.  This Peppermint Bark is something we make every year and it's always a huge hit.  It's also super easy to make, so win-win in my book ;-) I hope you enjoy is as much as we do!

Ingredients for Chocolate Peppermint Marshmallow Bark:

Two 12oz bags of semi-sweet chocolate chips (or whichever type of chocolate you prefer) 

6 candy canes with wrappers removed 

1 cup of small marshmallows

1 large sheet of parchment paper