Showing posts with label Pioneer Woman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pioneer Woman. Show all posts

Menu Monday: Crispy Smashed Potatoes

"You say potayto, I say potahto..."

Hello, old friends.  I've been on a hiatus.  It started out as one I didn't choose (my Macbook had to go to the hospital and then for much longer than expected) and did choose (I've been out of town for work, and since I got back, I've been trying to get back in the swing of things).  And now the semester is winding down, so I'm busy, busy, busy.  Only four three more weeks left!  (My class is on a Thursday night, which means we get Thanksgiving week off.)  So I'm back to blogging.  Nothing like procrastination to make the world go 'round, I always say.  :)

Zach got a promotion, and as I work three jobs, things have fallen by the wayside.  C'est la vie, non?  We've decided I can take next semester off from teaching, so I can do more at home to keep the house running now that he doesn't have as much time.  (Even as I type, he is going on his fourth hour of answering emails after working an hour over his normal 8 today.  And the man's been working 10+ hour days 5 days a week.  Sheesh.)

I vowed this weekend that I would get back into a normal routine this week:  cooking at home, working out, grading papers throughout the week rather than trying to get them all done Wednesday night.  As of 9:30 p.m., I've got 2 out of 3 done for today.  That ain't too shabby.

(The papers will have to wait.)

Here's a new recipe I tried tonight.  It was destined for me, and I knew it was the one I would be going after, after I saw I had pinned it THREE times:


Crispy Smashed Potatoes

potatoes (preferably red-skinned but I used russet)
olive oil
salt, pepper, spices

-Scrub potatoes.  Half and/or quarter them if using russet.  Boil until tender in salted water.
-Preheat oven to 450.  Grease cookie sheet with olive oil.  Place cooked potatoes on cookie sheet and smash until they are the size and shape of baked cookies.  Coat with olive oil using a pastry brush and generously sprinkle with spices.
-Bake for 20-30 until golden brown and crispy.

These were delicious!  I guess it was originally a Pioneer Woman recipe that took the web by storm.  I will definitely be making them again.  Next time, I'll try the red potatoes, but I think I'll stick with Italian herbs.  Happy eating!


 photo b1ec0eef-a9ee-48d9-87d2-1285feb7aa0c_zpsd6f56ab6.jpg

Menu Monday: Cinnamon Toast

Last week, we didn't do a ton of cooking because I started off the week sick, which mean we hadn't bought groceries.  Then we were struggling to find time to hit up the grocery store after work, and the one day I could go, my purse got locked up in my office!  (The new security officer couldn't find the right key to let my boss and me in.)  I finally made it Thursday evening, but then the weekend arrived, and we had plans with friends.  So...not much cooking happened.

But I did make some more Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Toast for breakfast, which was the third time I had made it in about a week and a half, which is crazy for us because I have to have variety.  If you try it, you will understand why!


CINNAMON TOAST, THE PIONEER (WOMAN) WAY
(It just happens to match my coach.  Apparently, it really IS cinnamon-colored.)

4 slices of bread
1/2 stick of butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
1/2 tsp. vanilla

-Preheat oven to 350
-Mash butter with a fork.  Add in sugar and spices, and mush to blend.
-Add vanilla, and stir to combine.
-Spread one side of bread with the cinnamon butter mixture.  Place on baking sheet, buttered side up.  (Duh. ;)
-Bake for 10 minutes.  Then broil for one.

[serves 2--you probably want to double this!]

Sooo good!  It reminds me of my childhood and of fall and yummy things to eat.  SOOO GOOD!

Are you getting in the fall mood with food?  The weather has been ridiculous here, so I've been wearing boots and dreaming of pumpkin bread and spiked apple cider.  :)

 photo b1ec0eef-a9ee-48d9-87d2-1285feb7aa0c_zpsd6f56ab6.jpg

Weekend Update: CATS

Here is what my weekend with strep throat consisted of:

ate lots of smoothies to get enough yogurt to balance out the antibiotics I'm on
(BONUS:  It felt good on my throat and is healthy and easy to make!  I don't know why I don't make more smoothies...)

 photo IMG_0131_zpsc1944a72.jpg  photo IMG_0134_zpsaeeec4b8.jpg
watched as these two became friends again

made some awesome spaghetti with some of my semi-homemade sauce

 photo IMG_4487_zpsaa821881.jpg  photo IMG_4540_zps74ea3dab.jpg
 photo IMG_4471_zps9578b201.jpg  photo IMG_4496_zps57b45383.jpg  photo IMG_4516_zps7aa76f5f.jpg  photo IMG_4522_2_zps6a1c3a3a.jpg
 photo IMG_4473_zpsa8d382af.jpg  photo IMG_4511_zps0530c3ca.jpg  photo IMG_4506_zpsf7971ef1.jpg  photo IMG_4531_zps43759667.jpg
 photo IMG_4536_zps66beef1a.jpg  photo IMG_4519_zps65e6f643.jpg  photo IMG_4537_zps26a91dab.jpg  photo IMG_4520_zps1013e625.jpg
 photo IMG_4507_zpsc48f0262.jpg  photo IMG_4534_zps03bf6cf7.jpg  photo IMG_4501_zps160ef7c5.jpg  photo IMG_4528_zpse4852ffb.jpg
took lots of photos of my gorgeous cats

(There is NO turning back now!)

got kitty snuggles

 photo IMG_0140_zpse50c26a4.jpg  photo IMG_0141_zps2dc8bcf6.jpg
let Dinah help me with the laundry

 facetimed the husby a lot
(Ew.  I look so gross here.  Feeling better but not my best.)

baked this lovely peach tart
(More on this tomorrow!)

Oh, and I finished the second book of Chaos Walking and started watching Doctor Who!

What did you do this weekend?  Hopefully, you weren't down with the sickness!

 photo b1ec0eef-a9ee-48d9-87d2-1285feb7aa0c_zpsd6f56ab6.jpg