Crawfish Boil

One of Trey’s friends had a crawfish boil on Saturday. I had Trey find out if they were having anything besides what was in the boil and they said no. I wasn’t sure if I would like the food so I brought an appetizer. I made a Mexican dip. It turned out really good!

A whole pan of it disappeared before I could even take a picture. Everyone really liked it.

Mexican Layered Dip

by Brittany Ray

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Keywords: appetizer Mexican

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Ingredients (serves 6-8 people)

• 1 (16 oz) can of refried black beans
• 1/2 packet of taco seasoning
• 8 oz fat free sour cream
• 1 (16 oz) jar of mild salsa
• 8 oz iceberg lettuce, shredded
• 1 large tomato, diced
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 (8 oz) bag 4 cheese Mexican blend, finely shredded

Instructions

In a medium bowl, mix refried beans and taco seasoning.

Spread bean mixture on the bottom of serving dish.

Layer each of the remaining ingredients one item at a time on top of each other.

Enjoy!

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They put crawfish, potatoes, onions, garlic, lemons and pineapples in the boil with various seasonings. I was shocked that I actually liked the crawfish.

When we got home I was a little hungry so Trey made me a grilled cheese. His grilled cheeses are the best I have ever had. He uses his dad’s homemade bread and whatever cheese that’s in the fridge. This one’s made with white cheddar.

Before I left on Sunday we went shopping and had lunch at Santa Fe Mexican Grille.

We started with cheese dip which I really liked. It wasn’t too spicy. I ordered the Fajita Chicken Salad. It was very good! The chicken was tender and seasoned perfectly.

I am glad I didn’t look at the reviews before we ate there!

After eating we walked around the mall. I went in Sephora and one of the sales lady handed me a free sample of a bareMinerals lip gloss. It is a little darker than what I usually wear.
 


At forever 21 I bought these earrings for $1.50 each! I couldn’t resist they were so cheap! I also got 3 dresses.

This is the only dress I could find a picture of online. I also got a pale pink one and a gray/yellow one.

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Let’s chat!

• Have you ever been to a crawfish boil before? What did you you think?

P.F. Chang’s Lettuce Wraps Take 2

Yesterday I was craving lettuce wraps from P.F. Changs. I made them before like this. Those are good but these are even better! Not to mention easier and faster.

P.F. Chang's Lettuce Wraps

by Brittany Ray

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Keywords: saute appetizer entree turkey Japanese

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Ingredients (serves 2-3)

• cooking oil
• 1/2 lb. ground turkey
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 1/2 tsp. garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp. ginger, minced
• 1/2 tbs. red wine vinegar
• 1/4 tsp. chili powder
• 2 tbs. soy sauce
• 1 tbs. hoisin sauce
• 1 tbs. honey
• 2 tbs. green onions, chopped
• iceberg lettuce

Instructions

Place cooking oil in medium skillet and heat on medium low.

Place all ingredients (except for the lettuce) one by one into skillet stirring after each addition. Make sure to chop up meat and not let it cook together.

Place lid on skillet and simmer for 4 - 5 minutes.

While simmering, pull lettuce leaves off in whole pieces. Wash and set aside to dry.

Serve turkey mixture in lettuce leaves.

Sprinkle extra soy sauce on top for extra flavor.

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I had the leftovers for lunch today and it was just as good the second time.





I wore another new outfit today. I just love wearing clothes for the first time! I have had the yellow jacket for a while but it is a favorite. So comfy and warm. My mom made the scarf/cowl. She sells them if you are interested shoot me an email!



My mom and little cousin came by my work and brought me some Valentine’s Day cookies they had just made!



I saw this on Pinterest. Chopped lettuce will supposedly stay fresh longer when put in a mason jar. Have you tried this? I packed the jar full and put the remaining lettuce in a zip lock. I will keep you guys posted:)



Sorry this picture is super bright but it was my dinner. Baked scoops, black beans, cheese, lettuce and salsa. Quick and tasty. If you haven’t already noticed, quick and easy has been a usual for me lately.

Question:

• Do you have any quick and easy go to dinners? If so, please share!

What I Ate Wednesday #4

Here is a look at some of my eats this past week.

To be completely honest I wasn't even going to watch the Super Bowl... I had no clue what time it was going to start or even who was playing. My friend/old roommate/now neighbor Leigh (yes we have known each other for a really long time:)) came over to borrow my vacuum cleaner on Sunday and it was then we decided we should watch the game together. I then invited another friend that just moved to town to come over. I decided I better start cooking and already had a list of things I wanted to make. I narrowed it down since there would only be three of us.

-  Mini Corn Dog Muffins inspired by Iowa Girl Eats : I took the super easy way out and used Jiffy Corn Muffin mix and followed the box instructions and adding the hot dog in the middle.
- Baked Parmesan Garlic Fries also from Iowa Girl Eats: I pretty much followed the recipe except I didn't measure anything and I used baby red potatoes. I was in a hurry and just threw everything in the bowl.
- Trey's Brie Pastry: This is a favorite of mine but I refuse to make it unless I have company because I will eat the whole thing. So to save my hips I only make it for special occassions.

I had one of the heart cookies from my FBS2012 swag bag. It was so good and I love that The Piece de Resistance only use real ingredients you can actually read. You must go look at her cookies they are gorgeous! I had some egg drop soup that wasn't all that great... A salad from Subway that was even less great. I really like Subway's sandwiches but I would suggest not getting a salad. It was too plain but maybe that was my fault for not adding a lot of toppings I don't know.

Yesterday for lunch I had a vegetarian bowl from Chipotle with brown rice, black beans, fajita peppers and onions, lettuce, pico, cheese, sour cream and guac. Mmmm tasty but as always I attempted to eat the whole bowl and was way too full.

Now I am sipping on my last Click Vanilla Latte. I should not have waited until I ran out to reorder. Now I may go through withdrawals... It's okay I will survive I still have Starbucks!

I hope everyone's week is going good so far! We are half way to the weekend!

Christmas Craft Party

Last Thursday, Angela and I had a Christmas Craft party at my place. It was a lot of fun. I had just as much fun putting it all together.



Christmas Party Menu
1. Ham and cheese bites
2. Mini Cheeseburgers
3. Vegetable Tray
4. Sister Schubert Sausage Rolls
5. Sausage Balls
6. Ham “Church” Sandwiches
7. Chocolate Mousse Shooters
8. Double Stuffed Oreos
9. Apple Cider
10. Mimosas



The craft of the night! We went to Michael’s on Wednesday to buy supplies but all they had left were ornament kits. These turned out good and easy to make.

I love Christmas Parties!

Trey’s Brie Pastry

 I am back from Mobile! Here is a quick weekend recap and recipe!

When I arrived in Mobile Trey had Mellow Mushroom waiting on me for dinner. We had a Caesar salad, bruschetta and a Mediterranean pizza. For dessert he got a slice of German chocolate pie and a red velvet cupcake from Fresh Market. Everything was wonderful. I didn’t even think about taking pictures.

Friday we got up and went to Fresh Market and bought sushi, salad and the stuff to make his Brie Pastry. If you haven’t notice already I love Fresh Market. Anytime I am in Mobile we go at least once if not more during my stay.



When Trey and I were in the pre-dating phase (not sure what to call the time when you aren’t sure what you are but you know you like each other kind of thing) he made this pastry appetizer. I was completely impressed. It taste so good! His cooking is one of the many reasons why I date him.

If you need something quick but impressive to make for an appetizer try this.

Trey’s Brie Pastry
Makes enough for 4-6

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
• 8 oz round Brie block
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1 cup craisins (we used a berry mix)
• water crackers
• grapes
• cooking spray
• foil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Cover baking dish with foil. Spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
3. Spread out pastry sheet on counter (make sure counter is clean!)
4. Cut brie in half like a hamburger bun.
5. Place one half of the brie in the center of the pastry.
6. Cover the cheese with the almonds then add the craisins. Top with the other half of the Brie.
7. Take corners of pastry and fold on top of the Brie. Make sure the pastry completely seals over the cheese. You do not want any holes
8. Place in baking dish folded corners side down.
9. Bake for approximately 1 hour. Until pastry is golden brown you know its good when the cheese starts bubbling out the bottom.
10. Serve on crackers with grapes.  

Today after work I went to Walmart and bought every type of cleaning item I will ever need! Or at least I hope so. I also got some odds and ends.



Now I need to finish packing everything! 1 more day!

Chuck’s Fish

After a great day at work, I went with a couple of friends to dinner. Tonight was Ladies’ Night at Chuck’s Fish. Like always everything was really good.



We all got the a glass of the house Riesling and started with edamame.



I got the California Roll add cream cheese. I use to hate cream cheese but once I tried it I love it in all of my sushi rolls.

Well I am off to enjoy some tv and catch up on some reading.

Game Day Food

For lunch Friday I was craving a vegetarian burrito bowl from Chipotle. Cilantro lime rice, black beans, grilled peppers and onions, lettuce, pico de gallo, cheese, sour cream and guacamole with a side of chips. Totally hit the spot.



RVs rolling in! This is the usual sight in Tuscaloosa on a Thursday or Friday afternoon before a home game.

Trey got into town early then expected so instead of cooking we decided to go out to dinner. We went to Red Lobster. I am usually not big on chain restaurants but I was craving some seafood and we don’t have that many options to work with.



I ordered a mango strawberry daiquiri. It was huge and soooo good! Trey had a bloody mary. It was okay. (He drove straight from work hence the scrubs.)



Trey ordered the lobster bruschetta. I ordered the pick two had chose steamed snow crab legs and garlic shrimp scampi. I had one of Trey’s bruschetta and he helped me tackle the shrimp.
For the game on Saturday Trey and I made two dishes.

First we made an Angel Food Cake Dessert. My boss’s wife made this when we served dinner to the police volunteers who came in town to help with the tornado relief. It was a big hit. It is so good and like nothing I have ever had.

Angel Food Cake Dessert

Ingredients:

• 1 Angel Food Cake
• 8 oz pkg fat free cream cheese
• 1 can of fat free Eagle Brand Milk
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• large container of strawberries, chopped (you can use any fruit you want)
• large container of lite cool whip

Instructions:

1. Mix cream cheese, Eagle Brand milk, lemon juice, 3/4 of your strawberries and half of the cool whip.
2. Tear 1/4 of your Angel Food cake apart and mix it in with the mixture.
3. Tear the rest of the Angel Food cake up and put a layer of the cake in a dish.
4. Pour some of the mixture over the layer of cake.
5. Repeat layering until you run out of both cake and mixture.
6. Top with the remainder of cool whip.
7. Sprinkle the top with the left over strawberries.
8. Let sit in fridge for at least 1 hour. The longer it sits the better.

Next we made a Jalapeño Popper Dip.

Adapted from Annie’s Eats recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 - 8 oz pkgs fat free cream cheese
• 1 – single serving size of nonfat Greek yogurt (can’t remember how many ounces)
• 1 – 4 oz can chopped green chiles, drained
• 1 – 4 oz can chopped jalapeño peppers, drained
• 1/2 cup reduced fat shredded Mexican blend cheese
• 1/2 cup 2% mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• cooking spray

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a medium casserole dish, mix cream cheese, Greek yogurt, green chiles, jalapeños, and both shredded cheeses. Mix until creamy and well mixed.
3. Spread evenly over the dish.
4. In a small bowl, mix Panko and parmesan.
5. Sprinkle over the cream cheese mixture.
6. Spray top with cooking spray.
7. Bake for 25 – 30 minutes. The top should be golden brown.
8. Serve with tortilla chips.

This dip was gone before half time. It was so good!

• What game day foods do you make/like to eat?
• What team will you be cheering for?