Monday, September 24, 2012

sunday "i didn't make soup this week" series.

well, it was good while it lasted, and i'm sure it will be back, but as this title suggests, i did not make soup this weekend.  i did, however, accomplish a lot, drink a lot (of apple cider!) and enjoy a lot of sweet moments with my little boy, who seems to be growing up right before my very eyes.  the only casualty was a small plastic puppy who was forgotten in the cart at target, so i consider it a successful few days.

anyway, back to how i didn't make any soup this weekend.  instead i did lots of other baking, including some old tried and true recipes from my favorite cookbook of all time.  you read that right.  while there are many cookbooks that fill my kitchen cabinets, only one holds the title of favorite and sharing the table at garland's lodge is it.  i was thinking about it and i swear i've purchased at least one of these cookbooks to give as a gift each christmas for the past 5ish years.  i have several recipes memorized, and many of them summon the seasons and bring back special memories of great times with family/friends.  anyway, here's the link to the cookbook.   buy yourself a copy and then buy one for someone for christmas.  i promise - you'll love it.

 my little chef, "helping"

i had to use up some zucchinis from my parents' garden, and i made an old favorite: chocolate zuccini cake.  here's the recipe in case you're so inclined:

Chocolate Zucchini Bread (makes 2 loaves)
4 oz. unsweetened chocolate
1 1/2 cups canola oil (you can sub half plain yogurt or applesauce)
4 eggs
2 1/2 cups sugar
3 cups grated zucchini
3 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup ground pecans or almonds (i use walnuts)

Preheat the oven to 350. Melt the chocolate and oil together in a glass measuring cup in the microwave.  Set aside.  In a med. mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar very well, until lightened and pale.  Stir in the melted chocolate.  Stir in the zucchini, mixing well.

Whisk the flour, soda and salt together in a small bowl.  Then stir in the chocolate mixture.  Fold in the nuts.

Divide between two 9 x 5 loaf pans.  Bake for 45-55 mins, until the loaf springs back when pressed gently.  Cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and cool for 30 mins more.  (IF you can wait... it's pretty delish warm out of the oven with milk!)

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in other news, i finally pulled the trigger on a rug for the living room.  i know, it doesn't sound that exciting.  and it's not really. except for the fact that it changed my whole perspective.  it made me feel all cozy and ready for fall and excited to have a new baby who would start crawling around and giggling while we all sat around cooing at him/her (no, you did not miss anything.  said baby is not arriving for several more months, late february to be exact.).  it's sort of sad that an 8 x 10 piece of carpet can change your whole outlook on life, no?  so anyway, the new rug prompted all of us to relax and spend some time in the living room on sunday.

i made some of this dip (recipe found on the facebook page of a blog i read) and then took a glorious nap.  is there anything better than napping during the day?!  i don't do it nearly enough.  mostly because i don't want to get fired from my job, but i digress.

Buffalo Chicken Dip
Spread a layer of cream cheese on the bottom of a glass pan.  Cook and shred a chicken breast and layer over cream cheese.  Next, pour a layer of wing sauce (we used mild sauce from BWW) over the chicken, followed by a layer of ranch or blue cheese dressing (used blue cheese).  Melt a layer of cheddar cheese over the dip and serve with chips.
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and preparations for fuegerfest continue.  you know, that time of year when i shove dirty laundry, mail and other paraphernalia that would normally be sitting around my house into our closets, don my apron and encourage all my friends to eat and drink copious amounts of german fare.  it's my favorite time of the year, FOR REAL, and i can't wait to see everyone.  jack's party outfit is ready, and i actually dusted this weekend.  T-minus 2 weeks!  woohoo!




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