- I have entirely too many dishes to do. I do not have a dishwasher, and in my whole life outside of my parents' house (1994 to present) there were only like 4 years when I did have a dishwasher, when I owned a house in Fairfield. So no big thing, but also my faucet has been sorta broken for months now, meaning when I turn it on it makes a HORRIBLE noise and the water pressure is all jacked up so you can see how this, on top of my normal laziness, would make it that there are dishes piled up. Those things and the fact that I actually cooked some stuff so yes. A lot of dishes. And I don't want to do them but I know that's first on the list after this post.
- I missed the Endeavour flyover. Well, first of all, I'm oblivious and didn't even realize that was happening today until I saw a friend (Mamasattva) Tweet about it. And then who knows if I would have seen it from my little neck of the woods, though I did see this really big jet stream from my backyard so maybe that was it, who knows. The good thing is that I was reminded that my backyard is super duper peaceful. Chirping birds and it's all nature-y out there. Serenity NOW!
- Yesterday was a bad day to forget to take my meds. Well, any day is, but yesterday especially so.
- Today was picture day at the kid's school. First of all, my kid is beautiful. Which is great. Second of all, she tends to do this thing when she smiles where she is thinking too much. Or something. It's hard to explain but I'm all like, look, just SMILE. Like, have your eyes smile, too. She's like, like this? And I'm like well, think of something really funny. Like Paper Jam Dipper (from Gravity Falls, which is a hilarious show) or something. Still, the smile is too forced or it's not going with her eyes. I just want her to look in her pictures like she is the happy kid she is and not like she is full of all this inner turmoil but trying to smile for the camera. Because she really isn't. So hopefully I didn't do a major head job on her and when they tell her to smile she's gonna be all like, what did Mommy tell me to do? Smile with my eyes? Paper Jam Dipper? And have like a wackadoodle meltdown. Because that would suck. And then I put this cute yellow jacket on her, it's super adorable but it's basically like a casual zip-up hooded sweatshirt sort of deal, but she totally looked like SUNSHINE, with this coat and the light blue dress with white polka dots and a daisy on it with a bright yellow center. So she's like I want to wear the jacket in the picture. I'm like you should take it off. She gets all pouty. I'm like holy. Heck. In my mind, I'm thinking is there NOTHING I can say or do this morning that will actually be RIGHT??? I'm like wear the jacket if you want, but keep it open so we can see the dress. Then as I'm walking away I'm all discombobulated and it occurs to me that I didn't check her eyebrows and smooth them out. So who knows what her eyebrows will look like in the picture. Sigh. She's cute. I'm sure it will be fine.
- I am madly and passionately in love with my daughter. She is hands down the very best thing that has ever happened to me and she brings me a ridiculous amount of joy. But sometimes her wackadoodle parts are like mine with the volume turned up, mixed with being bolder and more opinionated than I EVER was at the age of six-almost-seven, so I sometimes feel like I'm being slapped in my face with ME. Another sigh. I wouldn't change a thing. But yes, this is the part where my mom is laughing. Because I did get a kid very much like myself. But way, way better.
- I really do love my kid more than life itself. And usually life with her is very easy.
- Do you know what is NOT easy? Anything that has to do with me and boys, it seems (insert your favorite joke about being "easy" here).
- According to Facebook, I really am the only person in the Bay Area who missed the Endeavour flyover. Sheesh.
- I read a blog post today that made me cry. It was so good. Klonnie, you're hecka awesome, and a huge part of why I've managed to blog three days in a row.
- Crap. My head is empty and so is my coffee cup so I guess I need to do those f#$king dishes now.
Friday, September 21, 2012
The Contents of My Head: Friday Edition
I apologize in advance because I'm just not feeling a post that I could consider an organized bunch of thoughts. So I'm just going to write about the stuff that is going on right now.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
You're Doing It Wrong!
So the other day my BMSF (Beer Mayonnaise Sister Friend), Jean (who I'm supposed to be calling Jeannie, but I'll work on that), posted this picture on Facebook which she captioned "Hey asshole on the scooter - you're doing it wrong."
Asshole parking his (why it gotta be a guy, the men are asking) scooter wrong
Jean rides a scooter, so she knows what's she is talking about. Meanwhile, I would have no clue that this guy was doing it wrong.
So I was like, "you're doing it wrong," I love that and it's from a movie and I've said it a million times and I totally blanked on the movie from whence it came. Thank goodness for the Internet, that place where you can find like, EVERYTHING. Well, almost everything. It's a quote from Mr. Mom, a classic from 1983, that I am pretty sure I watched eight million times back in the day when it was on cable. If you have never seen this movie I will ask you, why, what is wrong with you? And then tell you to watch it because it is great. It also has one of my other favorite movie lines, "You fed the baby CHILI?! You crazy? You don't feed a baby CHILI!!" You'd be surprised how often you can use that, even if there is no chili involved. But today we are focused on that great line, "you're doing it wrong." For your viewing pleasure, here is a clip:
"You're doing it wrong."
The conversation with Jack and his kid and Annette the crossing guard lady, it's like my daily conversation with the parts of me that actually want to lose weight and be all healthy. I feel sorry for them having to talk to me, as I am constantly doing it wrong. Because I do know how to do it. I just do it wrong. A lot. I will riff on the dialogue and show you how this goes:
"You're Doing It Wrong," a short skit that takes place inside the confusing jumble of overgrown weeds known as "Jen's Brain," featuring three characters, Jen, Healthier Jen, Thinner Jen, and Fed-Up Jen, who we will call J, HJ, TJ, F-UJ, since the author is lazy. (Tee hee, I said "F-U.")
TJ: Jen, you ate that whole burrito that was as big as your head.
J: Ate what, I don't know what you're talking about.
TJ: But this isn't the way fit and trim folks roll.
J: I'm doing it the Jen Moore-Skallerud method.
(J feels the bloated awfulness that always comes after a ridiculous amount of over-indulging.)
J: What is this god-awful feeling? Ugh, my gut. This is nuts. Why do I feel like CRAP????
TJ: Because YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG!
J: Don't tell me I'm doing it wrong, I know how to do this.
(HJ walks into J's brain.)
HJ: Hi Jen, I'm Healthy Jen.
J: Hi.
HJ: You're doing it wrong.
TJ: SEE?
HJ: This is what I tell all the people who are trying to be less fat and more healthy. We eat less, and we exercise more. And then we repeat. That way we don't feel like such crap and we get to wear cuter clothes and maybe even stick around longer to drive our kids crazy.
(J nods, taking it in.)
HJ: Okay, move it out, and remember, eat less, exercise more!
J: Eat less, exercise more, okay, that's a good system.
F-UJ: PUT DOWN THE FORK, MORON!!
Yes, it really is a good system! And when I do it, it really works. But I just keep doing it wrong for reasons that seem right at the time. No, not really. Not even at the time I'm eating a burrito the size of my head. But at the time, I'm like Jack Butler, and I'm like screw it, we'll do it my way. And I think the Jen Moore-Skallerud Method has been like the Control Data Institute commercial from back in the day, when the dude is saying he will start trying to find a career... tomorrow... tomorrow... tomorrow... and it like echoes? I think that is what goes on with me. Probably that guy was thinking, "Today I'm gonna watch daytime TV and get stoned, TOMORROW I'm gonna apply at Control Data Institute and get started on my path to a CAREER!" And I'm thinking today I'll eat EVERYTHING, and then tomorrow, not so much.
And those of you who know me or have read the many posts I've done about the same thing know that I have "issues," like being a compulsive over-eater and an emotional eater and junk like that, and yes, I've got some super sad stuff going on, stuff that makes me all, "if this is my last day on Earth I wanna live it up, yo!" Which.... is good way to be, but not if NOT taking off some of this weight makes me sad on top of that sadness, right?
So... how is today going to go? Maybe better than yesterday since I wrote this. Here's to doing it less wrong today.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
My Cat Makes Me Wanna Break S$%t
Really, he does.
Right now he is doing his current crazy thing, which is to sit on the bathroom counter. Why? I have no idea. I am in the office and I can hear that something just fell off the counter and since I don't have ghosts (well, I kinda have had one or may still have one [which is a whole other story] but never one that sat on the bathroom counter and pushed stuff off) and I'm the only one in the house, it's gotta be Chief. But let me go verify this...
Yep, he was sitting on the counter. But he saw me walk to the kitchen (I needed more coffee), so he hopped down and followed me. Why? I have no idea. I fed him an hour ago. There was no need to follow me, but this is what he does.
When I'm getting ready to take Kayla to school in the morning, he likes to walk RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, either nearly tripping me or causing me to step on him. When I step on him he gets very perturbed and I not-so-gently or quietly explain to him that had he not been walking RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, perhaps I would not have stepped on him. Usually, this explanation, in addition to being somewhat loud, contains several bad words, none of which I will write here, but I'm sure you can imagine.
He has a penchant for wanting to be let out. And then back in. And then out again. Or, if you let him in the back door, thirty seconds later when someone comes through the front door, he dashes out as if you've been holding him hostage for months.
My cat is one crazy a#$ motherf$%ker.
I don't think he has always been this nuts, but he's old, as my mom always reminds me. She told me today that getting mad at him is like elder abuse. I'm not sure exactly how old he is and I only know he showed up at our door on Corte Arango in El Sob #1 in 1998 or 1999. Like a long time ago.
Also, he has no teeth.
He had one tooth for a really long time. Like, years. But just last week I came home from work and my ex-husband goes, "Hey, Chief lost his tooth." The tooth is MIA. It would have been nice to find it and, as Mom said, put it under a pillow for the Kitty Tooth Fairy, or at least bury it and have a little ceremony, but I am thinking it will not turn up. It probably fell out when he was rolling around in some weeds, one of his favorite things to do, so that he can come home with little burs and weeds stuck to him which fall off in the just the right place for me to step on them.
Anyway, I am thinking that if I had no teeth I'd be kinda crazy and grouchy all the time, so I do try to cut him some slack. I love him very much, he is my Chiefypoo and my kid is absolutely nuts about him. However, he really does make me want to break s$%t.
Right now he is doing his current crazy thing, which is to sit on the bathroom counter. Why? I have no idea. I am in the office and I can hear that something just fell off the counter and since I don't have ghosts (well, I kinda have had one or may still have one [which is a whole other story] but never one that sat on the bathroom counter and pushed stuff off) and I'm the only one in the house, it's gotta be Chief. But let me go verify this...
Yep, he was sitting on the counter. But he saw me walk to the kitchen (I needed more coffee), so he hopped down and followed me. Why? I have no idea. I fed him an hour ago. There was no need to follow me, but this is what he does.
When I'm getting ready to take Kayla to school in the morning, he likes to walk RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, either nearly tripping me or causing me to step on him. When I step on him he gets very perturbed and I not-so-gently or quietly explain to him that had he not been walking RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, perhaps I would not have stepped on him. Usually, this explanation, in addition to being somewhat loud, contains several bad words, none of which I will write here, but I'm sure you can imagine.
He has a penchant for wanting to be let out. And then back in. And then out again. Or, if you let him in the back door, thirty seconds later when someone comes through the front door, he dashes out as if you've been holding him hostage for months.
My cat is one crazy a#$ motherf$%ker.
Chief wearing Kayla's nightgown
I don't think he has always been this nuts, but he's old, as my mom always reminds me. She told me today that getting mad at him is like elder abuse. I'm not sure exactly how old he is and I only know he showed up at our door on Corte Arango in El Sob #1 in 1998 or 1999. Like a long time ago.
Also, he has no teeth.
Chief back when he had one tooth
He had one tooth for a really long time. Like, years. But just last week I came home from work and my ex-husband goes, "Hey, Chief lost his tooth." The tooth is MIA. It would have been nice to find it and, as Mom said, put it under a pillow for the Kitty Tooth Fairy, or at least bury it and have a little ceremony, but I am thinking it will not turn up. It probably fell out when he was rolling around in some weeds, one of his favorite things to do, so that he can come home with little burs and weeds stuck to him which fall off in the just the right place for me to step on them.
Anyway, I am thinking that if I had no teeth I'd be kinda crazy and grouchy all the time, so I do try to cut him some slack. I love him very much, he is my Chiefypoo and my kid is absolutely nuts about him. However, he really does make me want to break s$%t.
Friday, July 13, 2012
I Procrastinate So Much That Here's a Post About June Stuff That I'm Going to Post in July
So today is Friday, July 13th. I totally have no plans to tell Kayla that I want to switch places with her because as we know, if you do that on Friday the 13th there is a possibility of a Freaky Friday scenario. Plus, I truly believe that in some ways, being 42 is easier than being 6, but that's a whole other post. So anyway, I started this post below sometime in June and never went back to it, so I'll post it and I guess it needs to be finished so it's a June post with July bread on it. And then maybe I'll do a fresh post, like a July sandwich, complete with yummy July filling and July bread and everything. Why does everything have to be about food for me? Yet another whole other post...
I haven't posted since March. That's just silly. But it's also how I roll. I mean, I've done some blog posts for Pinole Patch, but still, my real blog has been woefully neglected, as usual.
I'm planning to make some lasagne for a favorite colleague of mine with who's last day on the job is June 17th, so I came to my blog to send the recipe to his wife to make sure there was nothing in there he didn't like, and that's when I noticed the last post was March 21st. So there's my first June thing, a good pal and great co-worker is moving on to a job he really wants to do and I'll miss him. He's been great fun to have around and it won't be the same but I wish him all the luck in the world in his new endeavor and I know he'll rock it.
July update: He loved the lasagne and I miss that guy!
Today, June 9, 2012, would have been my 10th wedding anniversary. So on this day I am eternally grateful to no longer be married and reminded that those blasted three pieces of paper that need to be turned in to the court to finalize my divorce ARE SITTING ON MY DINING ROOM TABLE. None of the reasons I haven't turned those in yet have anything to do with wanting to be married to my ex or ANYONE, I swear, Mom. Since I'm on vacation this week I'll get that done.
July update: I turned those papers in on June 22nd (well, I attempted to do it the day before but I was missing a form so I had to go back)!!!! Now, I'm just waiting for that piece of paper to come in the mail that says girl, you are FREE, as in, officially a single lady like all the single ladies who is not going to be singing a song about how if you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it because this single lady has been there done that.
On June 6th I turned 42. I'm cool with that. I feel really thankful that turning 40 was one of the best things ever. I mean, I was really adjusted to being single and loving my place in life with my daughter and my friends and my family, so to hit a number like that just as you feel your life is exactly where it should be is so very helpful as far as not freaking out about aging goes. And I don't feel old. Don't get me wrong. Sometimes my body feels very, very, very, very old. I mean super old. But mostly I don't feel that way inside so I'm gonna try to ride that train as long as I can and think of birthdays as a day might go out and party (as I did on this last one) and get a whole bunch of super sweet messages on Facebook (like I did this week) and even maybe get someone singing me Happy Birthday on my voicemail (which also happened). So really, what is there to complain about??
July update: I still like being 42.
The part to complain about would be mortality. Getting older, ostensibly getting one year closer to the end of my time on this planet. I'm very much not liking to think about mortality these days, mine or that of people around me. I just don't want to think about the end. I'm way more into thinking about the days we have right NOW.
July update: I still hate the fact that one day I won't be around and neither will people I love. I just hate it.
June 1st was Kayla's Kindergarten graduation. Luckily, I was distracted by being hot (as usual) and the fact that my camera was acting up so I didn't even cry. I teared up the day before when I had the privilege of being at the graduation rehearsal - as soon as I heard "Pomp and Circumstance" playing and saw the kids walking around the multipurpose room I was like wow, this is really happening. Her last day of school was June 8th. So bittersweet, because it's just been an unbelievably awesome year. I've enjoyed being in her classroom one day each week for most of the year, and I love the kids in her class, and part of me just wishes we could re-run this year every year, but we all know she's going to start first grade... and then turn seven... and start second grade... and turn eight... whether I'm on board with these changes or not. And I loved age four. But then I liked five even better. And now I'm a huge fan of six. So let's hope it keeps going on like that, at least until we hit ages that end with "teen."
July update: I still love six and we are having a fantastic summer. That kid is awesome.
June 10th we'll head to Monterey for an overnight trip with two of our very dearest friends, the first of hopefully several cool things we'll do this summer. This is our first summer break, of sorts, since when Kayla was in Tiny Tots she went during the summer, too. So this is truly a summer during which I'll appreciate sleeping in if I want to on my weekends (which happen to be on weekdays) and the time I get to spend with my kid, either just chilling or getting out and enjoying some sunshine and nature and all that good stuff. Happiness.
July update: Kayla's first trip to the ocean (Asilomar Beach in Pacific Grove) was a smashing success. She said it was the best day ever. But we went to Stinson the other day and she said THAT was the best day ever. Asilomar was the second best day ever, and the day we went to the pool down the street a few weeks ago was the third best day ever. She makes so many of my days the best day ever. Also, I love to sleep in on my weekends very much.
So, I like June. I'll probably dig July and August. Most likely I'll be a fan of the months that follow. At least that's the plan. I wish the same for all of you.
July update: So far so good mostly in July, and I hope you guys are having a great summer. I am thinking of something I heard someone say before, someone famous, and I have no clue who they were or what it was exactly that they said. But it was basically like hey, make the most out of summer because you're only going to get so many of them. Which I take to mean that when we look at each day, sure, hopefully, you have a bunch of those. If you're lucky. But you don't have a bunch of summers, really. Like, I've had 20-something as a grown-up, which is not all that many, if you think about it. And I'll only have a few more, maybe, where the kid wants to hang out with me and stand in the waves and hold my hand at the beach. So take all that blah blah blah that I just said and make the most of your summer. And every day, of course.
I haven't posted since March. That's just silly. But it's also how I roll. I mean, I've done some blog posts for Pinole Patch, but still, my real blog has been woefully neglected, as usual.
I'm planning to make some lasagne for a favorite colleague of mine with who's last day on the job is June 17th, so I came to my blog to send the recipe to his wife to make sure there was nothing in there he didn't like, and that's when I noticed the last post was March 21st. So there's my first June thing, a good pal and great co-worker is moving on to a job he really wants to do and I'll miss him. He's been great fun to have around and it won't be the same but I wish him all the luck in the world in his new endeavor and I know he'll rock it.
July update: He loved the lasagne and I miss that guy!
Today, June 9, 2012, would have been my 10th wedding anniversary. So on this day I am eternally grateful to no longer be married and reminded that those blasted three pieces of paper that need to be turned in to the court to finalize my divorce ARE SITTING ON MY DINING ROOM TABLE. None of the reasons I haven't turned those in yet have anything to do with wanting to be married to my ex or ANYONE, I swear, Mom. Since I'm on vacation this week I'll get that done.
July update: I turned those papers in on June 22nd (well, I attempted to do it the day before but I was missing a form so I had to go back)!!!! Now, I'm just waiting for that piece of paper to come in the mail that says girl, you are FREE, as in, officially a single lady like all the single ladies who is not going to be singing a song about how if you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it because this single lady has been there done that.
On June 6th I turned 42. I'm cool with that. I feel really thankful that turning 40 was one of the best things ever. I mean, I was really adjusted to being single and loving my place in life with my daughter and my friends and my family, so to hit a number like that just as you feel your life is exactly where it should be is so very helpful as far as not freaking out about aging goes. And I don't feel old. Don't get me wrong. Sometimes my body feels very, very, very, very old. I mean super old. But mostly I don't feel that way inside so I'm gonna try to ride that train as long as I can and think of birthdays as a day might go out and party (as I did on this last one) and get a whole bunch of super sweet messages on Facebook (like I did this week) and even maybe get someone singing me Happy Birthday on my voicemail (which also happened). So really, what is there to complain about??
July update: I still like being 42.
The part to complain about would be mortality. Getting older, ostensibly getting one year closer to the end of my time on this planet. I'm very much not liking to think about mortality these days, mine or that of people around me. I just don't want to think about the end. I'm way more into thinking about the days we have right NOW.
July update: I still hate the fact that one day I won't be around and neither will people I love. I just hate it.
June 1st was Kayla's Kindergarten graduation. Luckily, I was distracted by being hot (as usual) and the fact that my camera was acting up so I didn't even cry. I teared up the day before when I had the privilege of being at the graduation rehearsal - as soon as I heard "Pomp and Circumstance" playing and saw the kids walking around the multipurpose room I was like wow, this is really happening. Her last day of school was June 8th. So bittersweet, because it's just been an unbelievably awesome year. I've enjoyed being in her classroom one day each week for most of the year, and I love the kids in her class, and part of me just wishes we could re-run this year every year, but we all know she's going to start first grade... and then turn seven... and start second grade... and turn eight... whether I'm on board with these changes or not. And I loved age four. But then I liked five even better. And now I'm a huge fan of six. So let's hope it keeps going on like that, at least until we hit ages that end with "teen."
July update: I still love six and we are having a fantastic summer. That kid is awesome.
June 10th we'll head to Monterey for an overnight trip with two of our very dearest friends, the first of hopefully several cool things we'll do this summer. This is our first summer break, of sorts, since when Kayla was in Tiny Tots she went during the summer, too. So this is truly a summer during which I'll appreciate sleeping in if I want to on my weekends (which happen to be on weekdays) and the time I get to spend with my kid, either just chilling or getting out and enjoying some sunshine and nature and all that good stuff. Happiness.
July update: Kayla's first trip to the ocean (Asilomar Beach in Pacific Grove) was a smashing success. She said it was the best day ever. But we went to Stinson the other day and she said THAT was the best day ever. Asilomar was the second best day ever, and the day we went to the pool down the street a few weeks ago was the third best day ever. She makes so many of my days the best day ever. Also, I love to sleep in on my weekends very much.
So, I like June. I'll probably dig July and August. Most likely I'll be a fan of the months that follow. At least that's the plan. I wish the same for all of you.
July update: So far so good mostly in July, and I hope you guys are having a great summer. I am thinking of something I heard someone say before, someone famous, and I have no clue who they were or what it was exactly that they said. But it was basically like hey, make the most out of summer because you're only going to get so many of them. Which I take to mean that when we look at each day, sure, hopefully, you have a bunch of those. If you're lucky. But you don't have a bunch of summers, really. Like, I've had 20-something as a grown-up, which is not all that many, if you think about it. And I'll only have a few more, maybe, where the kid wants to hang out with me and stand in the waves and hold my hand at the beach. So take all that blah blah blah that I just said and make the most of your summer. And every day, of course.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Jen's Hot Damn Delicious Lasagne™
So, like, the only recipes I ever seem to post are things you can make in a 13" x 9" pan that are casserole-ish. Or lasgane-ish. And I guess this is because it's really the only thing I can make... a lasagne or a casserole or a variation on that, which makes sense, because what are we talking about, basically? Carbs and cheese. Which means that almost any way you spin it, it will be delicious. Seriously, every once in a while I might make something that doesn't fall into this category of "put stuff in a baking dish and throw it in the oven," but not very often.
Right quick, let's talk lasagna vs. lasagne. One thing I find says well, in the US it's lasagna and in the UK and Italy it's lasagne. But I also find that lasagne is plural for lasagna. So though part of me prefers what seems like the simplicity of lasagna, I am going to go ahead and stick with what appears (based on my limited web research) to be more correct.
The title of this dish comes from my pal, Stephanie, because she's a big fan of this dish and said this is what it should be called. So who am I to argue with her? She ate it for dinner thrice in one month and also for breakfast the following day on each occasion so she knows of what she speaks.
I should say at the start that for best results make this 24 hours before you plan to eat it. That's part of the magic. If you don't it's still gonna taste good, but if you want it to specifically be Jen's Hot Damn Delicious Lasagne™, pop a beer or pour a glass of wine (because this is what I do when I cook) and relax and leisurely prepare this the night before you plan to wow your guests with it.
So really, first get yourself a beverage. Here's what I went with the last time I made this:
You want to start with sauce. This is very important because this is your foundation. The flavor of your lasgane is coming from the sauce. Well, and cheese, too, but the sauce is muy importante, as they say in Mexico, where no doubt, lasagne is super popular. If you are all like
a) super culinary
b) super Italian
c) super fancy
d) all the above
then you might make your own sauce. And if so, more power to you. I am none of those things so I start by cooking the meat I will use with my jarred sauces. My favorite for this recipe is Chicken Sicilian Sausage with Fresh Tomatoes and Romano Cheese from Trader Joe's (and I forgot to take a picture of the package but at the Pinole store you can find it against the back wall with the rest of the sausages and burgers and meats and whatnot), heretofore to be referred to as TJ's since almost all my ingredients come from there.
Squeeze the goodness out of the casings, and yes, this part is kinda nasty and looks gross like this:
but it's how you git 'er done. I cook it over a medium-high heat, constantly working it with a wooden spoon to break it up. This part's a little labor-intensive but it's the best way I know to get my sausage the way I want it. After like... hmmm... 20 minutes, maybe, it should look like this:
Dump it out of the pan onto a plate lined with paper towels. You want to sop up some of that grease. Take a paper towel and just wipe down your pot. Into the pot pour the sauce you want to use. These are the ones I love, and of course, they're from TJ'S:
Take a paper towel and try to sop off more grease from the top of your sausage pile, then add that to your jarred sauce. I also added these items:
I would say add these to your taste, of course. I went with two tablespoons of garlic powder and one tablespoon of red pepper flakes (and then next time I made it I went one and one and it was still good, so go figure).
Heat the sauce over medium heat. As soon as it starts to bubble a little, turn the heat to low. Let it simmer for as long as you can. It's going to be good whether you do it for five minutes or thirty, I swear it will be, but this might be time to get another beer and put your feet up and just let it go. It will look like this:
So let's talk about cheese... you can really use whatever you want. Well, Kayla asked if we could use American cheese and I said no. I said if you only remember one thing your mother told you, have it be that we don't use American cheese in lasagne. However, you know, even that could work if you wanted to do like a cheeseburger-type of lasagne, I suppose, but for our purposes I would say no. I used lite (and I say "lite" because this is what the packaging says) white Cheddar, lite provolone, and lite Muenster, all sliced and from TJ's.
Now to start layering. Do a layer of sauce, I always like to start with sauce.
Now a layer of noodles. As you can see, it does not matter if they are pretty:
I used the no-boil noodles from TJ's because it's what I had but you can really use whatever kind of noodles you like (they do NOT have to be no-boil).
On top of the noodles do a cheese layer. This, also, does not need to look pretty, to wit:
I was trying to make it so that when someone took a bite they got at least two different cheeses. So it was pretty much Muenster on one layer, filled in with provolone, and white cheddar for the next, filled in with provolone. (The next time I made this dish I did muenster on the bottom and tore pieces of provolone and Havarti in half for the top layer, so every bite had those three cheeses plus the Gruyére [by the way, I literally just learned how to make an e with an accent mark over it and I'm pretty pumped] on top. I know, genius.)
So after cheese I did more sauce, then noodles, more cheese, more sauce, then ended with a little bit of shredded cheese. Ideally, I'd use something with a little bite, like Gruyére, as I've done that before and it was super good. But I didn't have that, and I did have pepper jack, so as random as that sounds I put a little of that on top, and also some Parmesan.
Cover it with foil and stick it in the fridge. When you're ready to cook it, hopefully the next day, pull it out and keep it at room temp for a bit... How long you do this isn't too important. The last time I made it I actually had it out for a couple of hours at least, because we were busy drinking beer and snacking. But you know, try to let it sit out for like 45 minutes at least. Preheat the oven to 375. Keep the foil on and cook it for 45 minutes. At that point, pull off the foil and put it back in for another 15. When it's done, it will look like this:
Let it rest for a bit after you take it out... this part is gonna be hard because it will look and smell really, really good. But really, let it rest for like 15 minutes at least. Then dig in and ENJOY!
Here's the recipe, in case your eyes glazed over during all my rambling.
Jen's Hot Damn Delicious Lasagne™
1 package of TJ's Chicken Sicilian Sausage with Fresh Tomatoes and Romano Cheese
1 jar of TJ's Puttanesca sauce
1 jar of TJ's Three Cheese sauce
1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons of garlic powder
TJ's no-boil lasagne noodles... as many as you need to cover 2 layers of a 13" x 9" glass dish, 6-8, probably
lite white Cheddar or lite Havarti
lite Muenster
lite provolone
(all sliced from TJ's)
shredded cheese (something with a kick, like Gruyére), about half a cup
Parmesan cheese, the kind in the can is what I used but if you can be fancy and shred some, even better
Remove sausage from casings and cook over medium-high heat until browned, about 20 minutes. Drain and sop up excess oil with paper towels. Return to the pot and add both jars of sauce; cook over medium heat until they just bubble, then turn down to low so it can simmer, for at least 5 minutes or so but longer is better. Layer a 13" x 9" pan with sauce, followed by noodles and then cheese, repeat, ending with sauce and shredded cheese on top. Cover with foil and refrigerate over night if possible. Bake while covered with foil at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or so. Remove foil and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes. Let it rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Please let me know if you wind up making this. Or what you think about lasagna vs. lasagne. Or what kind of cheese you like to use. Maybe you'd like to talk about your feelings regarding American cheese. Whatever, I'd love to hear from you!
Right quick, let's talk lasagna vs. lasagne. One thing I find says well, in the US it's lasagna and in the UK and Italy it's lasagne. But I also find that lasagne is plural for lasagna. So though part of me prefers what seems like the simplicity of lasagna, I am going to go ahead and stick with what appears (based on my limited web research) to be more correct.
The title of this dish comes from my pal, Stephanie, because she's a big fan of this dish and said this is what it should be called. So who am I to argue with her? She ate it for dinner thrice in one month and also for breakfast the following day on each occasion so she knows of what she speaks.
I should say at the start that for best results make this 24 hours before you plan to eat it. That's part of the magic. If you don't it's still gonna taste good, but if you want it to specifically be Jen's Hot Damn Delicious Lasagne™, pop a beer or pour a glass of wine (because this is what I do when I cook) and relax and leisurely prepare this the night before you plan to wow your guests with it.
So really, first get yourself a beverage. Here's what I went with the last time I made this:
You want to start with sauce. This is very important because this is your foundation. The flavor of your lasgane is coming from the sauce. Well, and cheese, too, but the sauce is muy importante, as they say in Mexico, where no doubt, lasagne is super popular. If you are all like
a) super culinary
b) super Italian
c) super fancy
d) all the above
then you might make your own sauce. And if so, more power to you. I am none of those things so I start by cooking the meat I will use with my jarred sauces. My favorite for this recipe is Chicken Sicilian Sausage with Fresh Tomatoes and Romano Cheese from Trader Joe's (and I forgot to take a picture of the package but at the Pinole store you can find it against the back wall with the rest of the sausages and burgers and meats and whatnot), heretofore to be referred to as TJ's since almost all my ingredients come from there.
Squeeze the goodness out of the casings, and yes, this part is kinda nasty and looks gross like this:
but it's how you git 'er done. I cook it over a medium-high heat, constantly working it with a wooden spoon to break it up. This part's a little labor-intensive but it's the best way I know to get my sausage the way I want it. After like... hmmm... 20 minutes, maybe, it should look like this:
Heat the sauce over medium heat. As soon as it starts to bubble a little, turn the heat to low. Let it simmer for as long as you can. It's going to be good whether you do it for five minutes or thirty, I swear it will be, but this might be time to get another beer and put your feet up and just let it go. It will look like this:
Now you should pull out your noodles and cheese. No, I did not skip boiling my noodles because I NEVER BOIL MY NOODLES. EVER. Boiling noodles is for suckers. I'm half kidding about that. I heard Mario Batali say on The Chew that he finds it to be an integral part of making lasagne, and while I love him and his orange clogs I don't agree. It's not just because I'm lazy, either. But yes, the fact that I'm lazy means that I will never ever again boil noodles for my lasgane. If you think this is sacrilege, then by all means, boil your noodles but I can't tell you how that works if you assemble this a day in advance as I'm telling you to do, just keep that in mind. And really, skip the boiling this one time if you're gonna make my version.
So let's talk about cheese... you can really use whatever you want. Well, Kayla asked if we could use American cheese and I said no. I said if you only remember one thing your mother told you, have it be that we don't use American cheese in lasagne. However, you know, even that could work if you wanted to do like a cheeseburger-type of lasagne, I suppose, but for our purposes I would say no. I used lite (and I say "lite" because this is what the packaging says) white Cheddar, lite provolone, and lite Muenster, all sliced and from TJ's.
Now to start layering. Do a layer of sauce, I always like to start with sauce.
Now a layer of noodles. As you can see, it does not matter if they are pretty:
On top of the noodles do a cheese layer. This, also, does not need to look pretty, to wit:
So after cheese I did more sauce, then noodles, more cheese, more sauce, then ended with a little bit of shredded cheese. Ideally, I'd use something with a little bite, like Gruyére, as I've done that before and it was super good. But I didn't have that, and I did have pepper jack, so as random as that sounds I put a little of that on top, and also some Parmesan.
Cover it with foil and stick it in the fridge. When you're ready to cook it, hopefully the next day, pull it out and keep it at room temp for a bit... How long you do this isn't too important. The last time I made it I actually had it out for a couple of hours at least, because we were busy drinking beer and snacking. But you know, try to let it sit out for like 45 minutes at least. Preheat the oven to 375. Keep the foil on and cook it for 45 minutes. At that point, pull off the foil and put it back in for another 15. When it's done, it will look like this:
Here's the recipe, in case your eyes glazed over during all my rambling.
Jen's Hot Damn Delicious Lasagne™
1 package of TJ's Chicken Sicilian Sausage with Fresh Tomatoes and Romano Cheese
1 jar of TJ's Puttanesca sauce
1 jar of TJ's Three Cheese sauce
1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons of garlic powder
TJ's no-boil lasagne noodles... as many as you need to cover 2 layers of a 13" x 9" glass dish, 6-8, probably
lite white Cheddar or lite Havarti
lite Muenster
lite provolone
(all sliced from TJ's)
shredded cheese (something with a kick, like Gruyére), about half a cup
Parmesan cheese, the kind in the can is what I used but if you can be fancy and shred some, even better
Remove sausage from casings and cook over medium-high heat until browned, about 20 minutes. Drain and sop up excess oil with paper towels. Return to the pot and add both jars of sauce; cook over medium heat until they just bubble, then turn down to low so it can simmer, for at least 5 minutes or so but longer is better. Layer a 13" x 9" pan with sauce, followed by noodles and then cheese, repeat, ending with sauce and shredded cheese on top. Cover with foil and refrigerate over night if possible. Bake while covered with foil at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or so. Remove foil and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes. Let it rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Please let me know if you wind up making this. Or what you think about lasagna vs. lasagne. Or what kind of cheese you like to use. Maybe you'd like to talk about your feelings regarding American cheese. Whatever, I'd love to hear from you!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
More
How can I not blog about resolutions and junk like that when it is January 1, 2012? Like, I sort of need to do this. Especially when one of my resolutions is to
blog more
And that reminds me, I also want to
read more blogs
You can check my blog roll or whatever it's called to see some of my peeps who blog and other blogs I enjoy. I just need to make it a point to read them more often because I think I blow the time I could use for that doing stuff that's not nearly as interesting.
I often (and by often, I'm going to go ahead and say every single year) make a resolution about less. I want there to be less of me and I resolve to eat less in an effort to make that happen. So yes, I am making that resolution again, but I have already been trying to do that and even though I said that Christmas cookies were gonna be my bitch they actually made me their bitch and I mean really. Have you ever had like, four buckets of cookie dough in your fridge? Like, Otis Spunkmeyer already-shaped-into-little-cookie-circles-dough that are really good right out of the bucket and really easy to just slap on a cookie sheet and turn into yummy warm cookies? Well, my advice to you if you have resolved to eat less and you would like for there to be less of you is to not have four buckets of Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough in your fridge. Between that and treats treats everywhere and colder weather and shorter days yes, I have sorta been hibernating a bit and as a result I am maintaining more of a grizzly bear physique than I would like but yes, I would like to get back to going down that healthy road and to that end I would like to
journal my food more (myfitnesspal.com, I've mentioned it before, so cool)
eat more fruits and veggies (Tami was just talking about this in her blog post about her prescription for wellness)
get my kid to eat more fruits and veggies (because I have really sucked hard on that front)
The food part is always so hard. And really, I am always resolved to do better on this front. So I don't see why it hurts to be resolved about this once again. Additionally, I would like to
exercise more (I do so enjoy it... most of the time... and I love endorphins and I just got a Zumba game for the Wii from my Mom for Christmas and of course I love the treadmill for whittling down the DVR and getting my blood pumping at the same time)
get more muscles (Seriously. I have said this before. But seriously, I gotta get the strength training to be a regular thing in my life. I know all the great benefits and yet, I hardly do it. Which is just silly.)
Speaking of muscles, might I just add at this point that I'm watching Date Night (while blogging, because I am a multi-tasker) and though I love Tina Fey and I dig Steve Carell, I wasn't getting into this movie too much and then Mark Wahlberg shows up and he's shirtless and I really think that is an excellent way to get my attention. Just sayin'.
I think I will also resolve to
sing more
It just seems like a good idea and I really enjoy doing it.
There is another resolution I've made but I can't mention it because my mom reads this blog but suffice it to say it's something that seems like a good idea and I really enjoy doing it.
I just ordered up this book for my Kindle because a) I need to
meditate more (and by more, I mean at all, because I don't do it)
and b) it was only $3.82. I know this is something Tami has talked about and I'm sure CdG has, also. I know this is something I need to do. I also know that it seems impossible. But I'm going to give it a whirl.
I also want to
be a nicer person
For real. Like, I want to be
more patient
more tolerant
more understanding
I really do. I am pretty sure those things would make me even happier than I (usually) am. And
more happiness
sounds like a super great idea.
What about you? Any resolutions? What do you want more of in 2012?
blog more
And that reminds me, I also want to
read more blogs
You can check my blog roll or whatever it's called to see some of my peeps who blog and other blogs I enjoy. I just need to make it a point to read them more often because I think I blow the time I could use for that doing stuff that's not nearly as interesting.
I often (and by often, I'm going to go ahead and say every single year) make a resolution about less. I want there to be less of me and I resolve to eat less in an effort to make that happen. So yes, I am making that resolution again, but I have already been trying to do that and even though I said that Christmas cookies were gonna be my bitch they actually made me their bitch and I mean really. Have you ever had like, four buckets of cookie dough in your fridge? Like, Otis Spunkmeyer already-shaped-into-little-cookie-circles-dough that are really good right out of the bucket and really easy to just slap on a cookie sheet and turn into yummy warm cookies? Well, my advice to you if you have resolved to eat less and you would like for there to be less of you is to not have four buckets of Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough in your fridge. Between that and treats treats everywhere and colder weather and shorter days yes, I have sorta been hibernating a bit and as a result I am maintaining more of a grizzly bear physique than I would like but yes, I would like to get back to going down that healthy road and to that end I would like to
journal my food more (myfitnesspal.com, I've mentioned it before, so cool)
eat more fruits and veggies (Tami was just talking about this in her blog post about her prescription for wellness)
get my kid to eat more fruits and veggies (because I have really sucked hard on that front)
The food part is always so hard. And really, I am always resolved to do better on this front. So I don't see why it hurts to be resolved about this once again. Additionally, I would like to
exercise more (I do so enjoy it... most of the time... and I love endorphins and I just got a Zumba game for the Wii from my Mom for Christmas and of course I love the treadmill for whittling down the DVR and getting my blood pumping at the same time)
get more muscles (Seriously. I have said this before. But seriously, I gotta get the strength training to be a regular thing in my life. I know all the great benefits and yet, I hardly do it. Which is just silly.)
Speaking of muscles, might I just add at this point that I'm watching Date Night (while blogging, because I am a multi-tasker) and though I love Tina Fey and I dig Steve Carell, I wasn't getting into this movie too much and then Mark Wahlberg shows up and he's shirtless and I really think that is an excellent way to get my attention. Just sayin'.
I think I will also resolve to
sing more
It just seems like a good idea and I really enjoy doing it.
There is another resolution I've made but I can't mention it because my mom reads this blog but suffice it to say it's something that seems like a good idea and I really enjoy doing it.
I just ordered up this book for my Kindle because a) I need to
meditate more (and by more, I mean at all, because I don't do it)
and b) it was only $3.82. I know this is something Tami has talked about and I'm sure CdG has, also. I know this is something I need to do. I also know that it seems impossible. But I'm going to give it a whirl.
I also want to
be a nicer person
For real. Like, I want to be
more patient
more tolerant
more understanding
I really do. I am pretty sure those things would make me even happier than I (usually) am. And
more happiness
sounds like a super great idea.
What about you? Any resolutions? What do you want more of in 2012?
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Christmas Morning Strata Surprise
I orignally posted this on Facebook as a "note" because I was at work and my Blogger basically does not work at all on that computer for some reason. But I really wanted this information on my blog because this dish was so tasty. I was just reminded of that when I had some leftovers a few minutes ago. I forgot to take a picture when it was done and just out of the oven and all bubbly and a picture of the leftovers won't really do it justice but I'll post one anyway:
So here's what I wrote on Christmas day:
Because every recipe sounds better if you add the word "surprise!"
I wanted to make something I could do the night before and throw in the oven on Christmas morning. I looked up recipes that used the basics; eggs, milk, sausage, cheese, bread. But I was stuck on using some potatoes, too, since I'd made a hash brown casserole last year that was tasty and delicious. So that's how I found Paula Deen's recipe and used that as a starting point. I also looked at this one.
You could do all kinds of stuff with these recipes. So GO CRAZY! Here is what you need if you want to do what I did. I have been told my version was pretty yummy!
Most of you know I'm not good with measurements and stuff, so I apologize in advance for not being terribly helpful on that front!
Christmas Morning Strata Surprise
(Should serve at least 6 HUNGRY folks if not more)
Frozen hash browns (I used Ore-Ida's Southern Style, a 2 lb bag, but I didn't quite need the whole bag)
French bread
Chicken apple sausage (Aidells), 4 links
Onion (I used one medium yellow)
Cheese, whatever kind you like (I used Havarti [some brand I got at Target for cheap and it's really good] and Dubliner; shred up enough to make... not sure it was quite two cups, but maybe?)
8 eggs (egg substitute would totally work, too)
2 cups of milk (I used fat free and it worked just fine)
Parmesan cheese (Ummm... didn't measure... a few tablespoons, maybe? 1/4 cup, perhaps?)
Salt, pepper, garlic powder (to taste... check out some recipes for ideas on this if you don't trust your abilities in this area, I just sorta sprinkle and stuff!)
Couple squirts of mustard (I used a jalapeno mustard I get from Target that is yummy; I think anything that adds zing would be good, dry mustard of course, would work)
Few drops of hot sauce (I used Crystal, and of course, if you don't like spicy then skip it)
Get out a 13x9 pan (I used glass) and spray that with some cooking spray.
Thaw the hash browns in the microwave. I put the bag in a casserole dish and had them on defrost for 15-ish minutes. You know how your microwave works better than I do! Set those aside. Dice up some French bread. I used a small loaf I got a target but you could do whatever kind of bread you like. You're just going to need enough to make a layer in the pan. Dice your sausage and slice up the onion thinly. Sautee them together over medium heat just to get a little color on them. I did not wind up draining mine; I cooked them in cooking spray and I didn't really have to much residual oil, but depending on what kind of sausage you use you might want to drain it. Shred your cheese(s).
In a bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients.
Put a layer of thawed hash browns into the pan. Add some seasoning like salt, pepper, and garlic powder and mix it up a bit, just so you don't have boring taters. Then put the bread on top of that. I sprinkled a little bit of my cheese over the bread. Next, add the sausage and onion. On top of that, pour the egg mixture carefully, making sure you get it even distributed. End with cheese. Cover it in the foil and put it in the fridge overnight. Of course you don't need to do this, Paula's recipe doesn't call for this, but that's how I did mine.
In the morning pull the casserole out. Let it sit at room temp for at least 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes; it will look firm and golden brown and delicious on top. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. ENJOY!
So here's what I wrote on Christmas day:
Because every recipe sounds better if you add the word "surprise!"
I wanted to make something I could do the night before and throw in the oven on Christmas morning. I looked up recipes that used the basics; eggs, milk, sausage, cheese, bread. But I was stuck on using some potatoes, too, since I'd made a hash brown casserole last year that was tasty and delicious. So that's how I found Paula Deen's recipe and used that as a starting point. I also looked at this one.
You could do all kinds of stuff with these recipes. So GO CRAZY! Here is what you need if you want to do what I did. I have been told my version was pretty yummy!
Most of you know I'm not good with measurements and stuff, so I apologize in advance for not being terribly helpful on that front!
Christmas Morning Strata Surprise
(Should serve at least 6 HUNGRY folks if not more)
Frozen hash browns (I used Ore-Ida's Southern Style, a 2 lb bag, but I didn't quite need the whole bag)
French bread
Chicken apple sausage (Aidells), 4 links
Onion (I used one medium yellow)
Cheese, whatever kind you like (I used Havarti [some brand I got at Target for cheap and it's really good] and Dubliner; shred up enough to make... not sure it was quite two cups, but maybe?)
8 eggs (egg substitute would totally work, too)
2 cups of milk (I used fat free and it worked just fine)
Parmesan cheese (Ummm... didn't measure... a few tablespoons, maybe? 1/4 cup, perhaps?)
Salt, pepper, garlic powder (to taste... check out some recipes for ideas on this if you don't trust your abilities in this area, I just sorta sprinkle and stuff!)
Couple squirts of mustard (I used a jalapeno mustard I get from Target that is yummy; I think anything that adds zing would be good, dry mustard of course, would work)
Few drops of hot sauce (I used Crystal, and of course, if you don't like spicy then skip it)
Get out a 13x9 pan (I used glass) and spray that with some cooking spray.
Thaw the hash browns in the microwave. I put the bag in a casserole dish and had them on defrost for 15-ish minutes. You know how your microwave works better than I do! Set those aside. Dice up some French bread. I used a small loaf I got a target but you could do whatever kind of bread you like. You're just going to need enough to make a layer in the pan. Dice your sausage and slice up the onion thinly. Sautee them together over medium heat just to get a little color on them. I did not wind up draining mine; I cooked them in cooking spray and I didn't really have to much residual oil, but depending on what kind of sausage you use you might want to drain it. Shred your cheese(s).
In a bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients.
Put a layer of thawed hash browns into the pan. Add some seasoning like salt, pepper, and garlic powder and mix it up a bit, just so you don't have boring taters. Then put the bread on top of that. I sprinkled a little bit of my cheese over the bread. Next, add the sausage and onion. On top of that, pour the egg mixture carefully, making sure you get it even distributed. End with cheese. Cover it in the foil and put it in the fridge overnight. Of course you don't need to do this, Paula's recipe doesn't call for this, but that's how I did mine.
In the morning pull the casserole out. Let it sit at room temp for at least 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes; it will look firm and golden brown and delicious on top. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. ENJOY!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)