Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Guest Post: The Tale of Two Kitchens

One of the things I love most about the blogosphere is the connections I have made with people I would have never known otherwise.

My favorite part of the military spouse blog community is the fact that spouses of different military branches can come together and share our histories and stories with no animosity.

So far I have had guest posts from a Marine wife, an Army wife and today I am introducing you to Jessica, and Air Force wife.

I 'met' Jessica through her blog Jesstagirl and Her Officer.

I was more than thrilled when I found out Jessica was creating a food blog with her sister in law.

Jessica and her sister in law are new to the food blogging world but I think they are fabulous and I think you will too. You should definitely jump over there and check them out...after you read her guest post.

It's all yours Jessica!



I am so excited and honored to be guest posting for Maranda on Jolts and Jollies. I'm always so excited whenever she posts a new recipe, because I know her recipes are easy to make and delicious. My sister-in-law and I recently started a cooking blog called The Tale of Two Kitchens, and I'd love for you to check it out—after this recipe, of course! 

This recipe has been in my family for years—I can't remember a New Years where my mom didn't make this black-eyed pea salad. Black-eyed peas are supposed to be eaten on new year's day for good luck in the coming year. But truth be told, I typically eat this several days after January 1st, because I'm usually too busy and always forget about it on New Year's Day. I like to think the black-eyed peas will bring good luck whenever I eat them.

This salad is full of fiber, flavorful, and is perfect to keep in the fridge for a quick, filling snack. The flavor of the salad gets better with time, so don't be surprised if you find yourself eating a huge bowl days after you make it.





In a medium pot, combine frozen black-eyed peas, salt, vegetable broth, water, sugar, jalapeno pepper, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.


Turn off heat and allow peas to cool in the cooking broth for two hours or overnight before finishing salad.


There should be about ¼ cup of cooking liquid left in the kettle. Discard the bay leaf and dice jalapeno (optional).




Stir tin cider vinegar and olive oil into the cooking liquid. Add green pepper...




Tomato...




Green onion and jalapeno (optional).





Toss to mix; serve chilled or at room temperature.


Black-Eyed Pea Salad
by Jessica Lynn from The Tale of Two Kitchens


Ingredients:
  • 1 (16-ounce) bag frozen black-eyed peas
  • 1/4  teaspoon salt
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can vegetable broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 jalapeno, rinsed but left whole
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 green pepper, seeded and chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 2 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
  • 2 green onions
Directions:

  1. In a medium pot, combine frozen black-eyed peas, salt, vegetable broth, water, sugar, jalapeno pepper, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
  2. Turn off heat and allow peas to cool in the cooking broth for two hours or overnight before finishing salad.
  3. There should be about ¼ cup of cooking liquid left in the kettle. Discard the bay leaf and dice jalapeno (optional). Stir tin cider vinegar and olive oil into the cooking liquid. Add green pepper, tomato, green onion, and jalapeno (optional). 
  4. Toss to mix; serve chilled or at room temperature. 

Monday, January 3, 2011

Guest Post: Uncork & Unwined

This is my first post for 2011!!!

Seriously. Where did 2010 go??

I know I've asked that before, but it seems no one can answer my question.

I am currently sitting in El Paso, TX at my in-laws house.

When we came into town it was snowing like crazy! Who knew they got snow in El Paso!!!

So while I'm continuing to be a complete internet and computer slacker, I am making other people do the work for me and keep my poor little blog company. LOL!

Today I present to you Kendra from Uncork & Unwined.

Kendra is another military spouse that I found through the blogosphere.

But let me tell you, her blog is one of the most awesome that I found in 2010.

Not only does Kendra live in Germany (picture chronicling her many travels through Europe) but she also talks about wine, coffee and shares recipes with her readers. I mean, come on...she won me over with the wine and coffee. The recipes are an added bonus. But I will admit I get incredibly slightly jealous when I see the pictures of the gorgeous European sites she visits.

To top off all those amazing qualities in Kendra's blog, she is also super sweet. Pretty much as sweet (if not sweeter) as these little balls of oreo heaven she has to share with us today!

Thanks for the recipe Kendra! Take it away!




Hi!
This is my first time guest blogging for the fabulous Maranda. I am a huge fan of her and her blogs. When she asked me to guest post for her I was so flattered. I love to cook and bake, though I mostly post dessert recipes on my own blog. This recipe is no exception. It has been a huge hit every time I've made it. It is super easy to make and so delicious. It also makes a ton so you can share (or not!).

Oreo Truffles
Courtesy of: Kraft

Ingredients:
1 pkg. of Oreos
1 pkg. of Baker's white chocolate baking squares
8 oz. cream cheese, softened

So, before I get started let me tell you that as with most good stories in my life, there is a back story here. The day before J's birthday party I spent the entire day baking. I had several treats to make that day and most required the use of a microwave. Our microwave was a loaner from the base, huge, loud, inefficient and without a precise timing function. In short, I wasnt a fan of it. It worked well enough until the day I really needed it to work. As I was in the middle of melting chocolates for this dessert the microwave stopped working. Completely. stopped. working. So I turned to my stovetop and attempted to melt the chocolate that way. Our stove heats quickly and gets extremely hot. So of course I burned the chocolate. Thankfully, I had a box of white chocolates in reserve and used those instead. I borrowed my neighbors microwave and was able to finish my treats. Ive made these truffles with semi-sweet chocolate and white chocolate and while they are good with both, I actually like them with white chocolate better. I might not have discovered that if my microwave hadnt broken, so I guess it was a blessing in disguise. (And we received a MUCH better microwave when I took the broken one back!)

Three simple ingredients

I took this picture prior to burning the semi-sweet chocolate. Ha!

1. Crush the Oreos in a medium bowl. I used a food processor, but you can use a freezer bag and a can of soup. 


2. Mix 3 cups of Oreos with the cream cheese. Reserve the rest of the crumbs for later.


3. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on wax paper lined cookie sheets.


4. Dip each truffle in white chocolate and place back on wax-paper lined cookie sheet. I used a fork to dip them into the chocolate.  


5. Sprinkle each truffle with remaining Oreo crumbs. 


6. Enjoy! 



Saturday, January 1, 2011

A Toast to You!



Happy New Year!

May your upcoming year be filled with friends, family, love, peace and above all...delicious treats!
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