The Big Four Oh

It is my sweet husband's 40th birthday today. Happy Birthday! We are having a few friends over for a simple dinner party to celebrate. On the menu....Homemade Spaghetti Sauce, Caesar Salad, Fresh Bread and Ice Cream Sundaes. The sauce is a recipe my Grandmother handed to my Mom and my Mom handed down to my sister and I. Even though we live on opposite coasts - we can smell it simmering in our kitchens when we put a pot on. It's the sort of recipe that you can evolve and change. In fact I don't follow the recipe anymore and I'm sure neither my Mom or sister do either. Somehow it comes out the same - fabulous every time.

You need one big pot that can simmer on the stove top all day. Dice one yellow onion, saute slightly in the big pot. Add 2 lbs ground beef or sausage or a combination. Brown, season to taste. While the beef is browning I add 3-4 crushed garlic cloves and a generous amount of Italian Seasoning - whatever you like or have in the spice cupboard. Once the meat browns add a quart or more of diced mushrooms - stir. Add 1 large can of tomato juice, 1 large can of tomato sauce (32 oz or so) and 2 small cans of tomato paste (12 oz or so) - stir. Let this simmer all day, stirring ocassionally.

Serve it over spaghetti or use it in a lasagna or manicotti.

Monday Menu Planning

Monday - Cheesy Chicken Chilaquiles from Pampered Chef
Tuesday - 40th Birthday Party for my husband - his favorite is Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Black Eyed Peas and Banana Cream Pie
Wednesday - Beef Satay and Fried Rice
Thursday - Grilled Shrimp and Skewer Veggies
Friday - Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce and Meatballs

Friends, birthdays and cucpcakes

Some girlfriends and I gathered to celebrate a birthday. Even big girls like cupcakes. These were Chocolate and Coconut. YUM. Here is the recipe from Ina Garten Barefoot Contessa. They are indulgent and because these are girly girls - only pink coconut would do.



Coconut Cupcakes
1999, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, All rights reserved


Ingredients
3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
5 extra-large eggs at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons pure almond extract
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup buttermilk
14 ounces sweetened, shredded coconut
For the frosting:

1 pound cream cheese at room temperature
3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
1 1/2 pounds confectioners' sugar, sifted
Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In 3 parts, alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold in 7 ounces of coconut.

Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Fill each liner to the top with batter. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Remove to a baking rack and cool completely.

Meanwhile, make the frosting. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, on low speed, cream together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla and almond extracts. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix until smooth.

Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle with the remaining coconut.

Marshmallow World

Living on the eastern side of Donner Summit in Truckee has many advantages. Terrific mountain views, deep winter snow and outdoor fun. When we get a big snow the whole landscape turns into a marshmallow world. The bluebird days that follow a big snow storm are the best. Kids love it, dogs love it and I love it.

Powder Hound

This is Chili Dog. He is suppose to love chasing cows but there aren't any around here. We do have snow - feet of it and he loves the snow.

Sweet Treats from SF's Kara's Cupcakes

Lucky me. I got to take a two day trip to San Francisco this past weekend. Walk, shop, eat. It is always good to spend a little time in the city - for me at least. My friend and I found our way to Kara's Cupcakes in Ghirardelli Square and brought a selection to take home and share with our families. I brought home Karrot Cake, Meyer Lemon, Chocolate Velvet and Sweet Vanilla. The results are in - our favorite was Karrot Cake. Moist, spicy and the perfectly sweet and tart Cream Cheese frosting. We liked the Meyer Lemon filled cupcake too. Tough to pick a favorite. Any way you slice them and share them you can not go wrong with a cupcake right? Yum.

Fly me away

It is time to fly away. I always get a little antsy this time of year and feel the need to travel. This time I have a free ticket. This past May my good friends (who else would do this but good friends) and I competed, using the term loosely in the annual Bay to Breakers 12k in San Francisco. Part of the fun of the race is that you can dress up - or not - there were a few who run in the buff. That is for another post. We dressed up as the Real Housewives of Truckee and WON the Most Creative Costume Contest and a free ticket on Southwest Airlines. So with temperatures low and snow covering the ground I need a little sand and surf fix, or city fix, or foodie fix. Help. Where should we go?