Cajun Chili Cornbread Skillet

This was super good...

The sweetness of the cornbread and the savory spiciness of the chili was fantastic....

First up...

Using a cast iron skillet, brown up one pound of ground turkey...drain

In a a bowl combine the turkey, 15ounces of canned chili, some fresh garlic and 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning..(I however realized at this point that I didn't have this particular spice, so I improvised and threw in some paprika, cumin and black pepper..not sure if that's whats in Cajun...but I was too lazy to research it on the computer)

Next.... slice one green and red bell pepper into rings...for a total of 12 rings..(six each color).

Arrange the pepper rings in the cast iron skillet in a circular pattern, overlapping them.

Chop up some onion and put that over the pepper.

Now put the turkey mixture over the pepper and onions in the skillet.

In another bowl combine 2 8.5 packages of corn bread mix..

3 eggs, 1/2 cup of water, and 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese..Mix well. Add in some more Cajun season (if you have it) to the corn bread mixture.

Pour bread evenly over the turkey.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes.

Loosen edges of cornbread from skillet. Invert onto a large plate.

Sprinkle with more cheese.A dollop of sour cream is nice with this also.

Valentines Day

We had our Valentines Day on Friday actually. My friend watch the kids Friday and then I watched her daughter Saturday. I didn't want to go anywhere. I wanted to stay home..warm and cozy and just cook and have a cocktail or two.

Its funny when we are alone. I feel like I don't know how to act without the kids here. Its been so long since its been just us. This year I was doing stuff for Justin. I bought some steaks and some veggies to grill...We were going to have some salad..but we decided not too. I even made him a homemade organic carrot cake in a heart shape and some home made chocolates..heart shaped of course. I scoured a few stores to find him a few beers. I like picking out single beers for him. Its kinda fun..This is what I picked out....

Here are a few steps of the cake..I forgot to start photographing it from the beginning And of course the candy.

We played some board games and drank some Whiskey..

We even had enough time for me to belt out some No Doubt on Rock Band2..that was great.

The kids came home around 830pm and we tucked them away in bed.

We really need more of dates like this. :)

Rainy Day Thoughts....

Its raining outside..
No..actually its hailing outside and I have been thinking about this blog for some time now..
Wondering what to do...
Should I only post if I have a good recipe?
Shall I post my most inner thoughts and contemplations?
Well I have been going back and forth on this for quite some time..
Ultimately, I have decided to just blog, to talk and just get thoughts out that have been lingering deep within.
I have been on Facebook for some time now, and really for me the only fun thing is updating your 'status'...
I particularly fancy what Justin says..where does he come up with this stuff..???
Cracks me up.
For some time I thought this blog was morphing into a foodie blog...
But realizing I have more then ingredients to post I have decided its just a blog...no label... no nothing..just my thoughts..
I have missed coming hear and typing away..
So perhaps there will be some grub..
perhaps there will be some ranting...
But there will always be something.
I feel like I am in some weird vortex..or maybe some time lapse where nothing is happening..its weird...
Some days..(like today for example) I feel like running away..
but hey, doesn't that make you a better mom when you make time for yourself?
I miss hiking..its been a week since that has happened. I really want to go tomorrow, but it would be ridiculously muddy..
Justin and Lily will be attending the 'father/daughter dance' soon... and yes of course there will be pictures. I just have to figure out how to be sneaky and capture cute little moments on camera...oh and who will watch Jack while I do that is kinda important too.
So much has happened since the last time I posted...
Eventually I will get it all out...
But for now...
I am off to finish my Cape Cod and enjoy the rain.
Peace.

Finally updated!

Finally I have a moment where I can add a few things. The holidays came and went..(I must say I am so glad its over!)Kids didn't even give a crap about the stuff they got..seriously..in the middle of opening presents Jack throws a gift down and asks if he can go play Donkey Kong...

So yeah..good bye holidays..

I am so ready for Spring..and warmer weather..and more importantly gardening! We are going to do container gardening this time and I can't wait.

In other news I started hiking with a good friend from work..(Hi Kara!) So far we have only been twice..but we shall continue, hopefully conquering a new place each weekend. I've lost 6 pounds which is awesome and better yet, Justin even wants to hike! He even bought himself some hiking shoes! :)

Now..onto some food...

First up is a wicked good Philly Cheese Steak Sammy...

*Thinly slice one onion and one green pepper

*Drizzle in some oil in a hot skillet

*Saute until onions are translucent(maybe 10 minutes)

*Next up add in some sliced roast beef..I get mine at the deli counter at the local grocery store. It tastes better than the pre packaged crap.

*Cook until thoroughly heated..then add some A-1 sauce...

*Slice open a long roll and add some Provolone and Munster,

put it under the broiler for like 2 minutes until its all eewy gooey, melted.

*Pile up the meat and veggie mixture over the top..

*Enjoy...p.s. have the napkins handy..this is disgustingly messy!

Now..for something a little more healthy...

*For lunch today I gathered these items...

3 parsnips, one celery root..(that's the weird monstrosity sitting there) and 3 potatoes.

*Clean and peel all veggies. Be prepared to get a serious workout when shredding these..that celery root is a bitch to grate! Use your cheese grater.

*Put all this in a bowl and add some salt, pepper and olive oil.

*Heat your skillet with some spray and throw down a pile of that shredded goodness. Cook for about 5ish minutes on one side..(you'll see it turning golden brown..that's when you flip it)

Cook for another 5 minutes.

Add some sides if you want..I used a bit of sour cream and fire roasted salsa..

Lily LOVED this...Jack..well whatever..hes so freaking picky these days..

I made some Oatmeal Scotties for a man at Justin's work..he always loved it when I made those, so he got a huge tin for Christmas...

Kids put together a authentic German gingerbread house...

and finally, Santa was pleasantly surprised when he stopped by our pad... :)

That's all for now..I will be a regular blogger again..now that all the holiday stuff is over...pinky swear!

Crockpot Cassoulet

I have been wanting to make Cassoulet for a long time.. its a hearty slow cooked bean dish originating in the southwest of France.

Being that I have been working constantly (hence the lagging on this blog) I found a quick and easy 4 1/2hour Cassoulet recipe.

Here's the how to:

*Dice up one medium onion and saute in a large skillet with one tablespoon of olive oil.

*Chop up about 4 boneless,skinless chicken thighs

*Add in 1/4 lb of turkey sausage.(However..I miss read this and I ended up buying Italian sausage and I added more like 1/2 lb and it was fabulous).

*Add the chicken and sausage to the skillet along with 3 cloves of garlic..

*Cook until browned. Remove from heat

*Add 4 tablespoons of tomato paste and 2 tablespoons of water...mix well to evenly distribute

*Put in crockpot

*Next add 3 cans of Great Northern beans..rinsed well and drained.

*Cook in crockpot on low for 4ish hoursWhen its ready chop up some parsley and sprinkle seasoned bread crumbs over it.

Enjoy... I really loved this dish..in fact I think it would be way better if you don't even use the turkey sausage and go for the Italian sausage..it has much more flavor..you can taste the fennel..its wonderful.

In other news, Lily and I visited a ranch where my sister in law has her horse. Lily was so thrilled to be going as she loves horses.

We will be going hopefully every Saturday (weather permiting) so Lily can help out and maybe feed the horses or brush them or any thing she can. Eventually Justin and I may allow her to have riding lessons..Here are some pictures I took..

She was so happy and very brave too! I was intimidated to say the least..I was terrified a horse would bite me when I fed some carrots...Lily had no care in the world. Didn't even think of that. Litia,(my sister in law) showed Lily the proper way to do it).