Day 2: Simple Sirloin Steak w/ Shallot Butter, Lemon Thyme Orzo and Cheesy Popovers

It has taken me a while to post this but before I do, I wanted to show the cookbook I am using:

I started the recipe by making the compound butter. This is a very simple and flavorful item. I know that in the future, I will use this technique with other meats. You can add just about anything to butter to make it special.  This recipe called for thyme and shallots.

After mixing the butter, it is placed in the fridge right away so it is hardened before placing it on the hot meat.

Popovers are another favorite and it was by far the favorite for my family from this meal.  So few ingredients and so yummy! Below is the butter placed in the bottom of the muffin pan that is placed in the oven so it can melt before the batter is poured in.

Any kind of cheese can be used to flavor the popovers.  The recipe called for swiss cheese, but I had cheddar on hand and they were delicious!

The orzo called for boiling chicken stock and water.  Orzo is very small pasta and unfortunately the amount of orzo I used did not absorb all the liquid.  I added in the flavor ingredients below (lemon zest, Parmesan cheese and thyme) and then had to scoop out the orzo with a slotted spoon.  The flavors did not fully come through so it was not a family favorite :(

I don't usually cook steak, not even Sirloin Steak which is pretty easy.  This is not my comfort zone so I do not try it often.  This recipe was self explanatory so I cooked it according to the recipe and it came out pretty good! Medium rare. 

This is the finished steak with the cold compound butter.  It was wonderful how the butter melted and made the flavor even better!

Here are the popovers......

And the full meal....

Okay, I have been cooking up a storm with other recipes that I am finding as I look at cooking magazines or on the Food Network but have not taken any pictures, so I don't think I will post them.  But if one is REALLY good, I might :)

Until next time, enjoy trying new recipes.  If you want any of these recipes, you can find them on Foodnetwork.com

Day 1: Burgers, Potato Wedges and Affogato

Today is day 1 and it was a hit! Yay!  If you own Melissa D'Arabian's cookbook Ten Dollar Dinners, you can follow along as I will label the recipes with page numbers.

My plan was to cook three meals that added up to 5 dots on the chart Melissa uses in her book. The point of the dots is to equal her $10 dinners philosophy.  5 complete dots is a complete $10 dinner.  I have created menus that include 5 dots, but have gone over at times.

Tonight I decided to cook Grilled Two Cheese Burgers w/ Garlic Dressing (p. 193)

These are the ingredients for the burgers and the sauce (oops, I forgot the cheeses but I used fresh mozzarella and Parmesan cheese)

These are the burgers....they are BIG!

This sauce was AMAZING....you have to try it at home!

Then the side dish: Spicy Buffalo-Style Potato Wedges (p. 243).  I left some plain since some of us don't like the spice of buffalo seasoning.

The finished product, yummo!!

Dessert was a new one for me but I am thankful that every member of my family likes coffee :)  It is called Affogato (p. 295) and basically is strong coffee or espresso poured over ice cream with chocolate.  I did not have a chunk of chocolate to shave so I used mini chocolate chips.

 I placed a bit of cinnamon in with the coffee grinds to make it taste extra special (and the recipe calls for it too, hee hee).

Dessert was amazing!

I am happy to report that my entire family enjoyed the entire meal! This is one for the books since I know that will not happen every time. 

My goal is to cook new recipes twice per week.  And there are 140 so I have my work cut out for me.  Until next time, happy eating!!

It Has Been TOO Long!

Hello to everyone. I am going to try and start blogging again. And to help me, I have decided to start a project that will keep me on track.

I know you've heard of the movie, "Julia and Julia," right?  Well, I heard one of the chef's on Food Network recently say she cooked her way through Julia Child's cookbook and it gave me an idea; I want to cook my way through a cookbook.  I am going to cook my way through Melissa D'Arabian's Ten Dollar Dinners cookbook that just came out. I love love her show on the Food Network and since she is budget conscience, it seemed like the perfect fit.  My family is on board and I am  hoping to learn as well as eat some really good food.

I hope you join me on this new adventure!!

I've Created a New Blog

Since I don't want to pay for a website to advertise my totes, I've decided to create a blog.  I must admit that navigating all of the blog features has me frustrated, but at least the layout is cute! Check is out here:
http://www.archandmadetotes.blogspot.com/

I will post any new designs I come up with and use the attached email address (archandbags@yahoo.com) specifically for questions and orders.

Please stop by often (you can even subscribe) and let me know what you think.  Send the link to family and friends for Christmas gifts!

Thanks for your support!

God Amazes Me

Hello blog world! This last week has been an amazing one!  If you read this post: (http://myhandingods.blogspot.com/2010/07/part-2-conditions-of-mind) you know that I have been praying about the decision to go to work part-time insead of full-time.  WELL......God gave me a job!!!! Yes, that is right, He did it!

I have been searching for months and nothing has worked out.  The funniest story I have to tell is that I applied for a part-time teller position and, with over 10 year banking experience, I was told I was not a candidate.  Very humerous!  I had to take an online assessment test and for some reason I am not any good at those tests. :)

Anyway, I texted a friend I go to church with about the medical practice she manages.  She told me she would check and see if she had any part-time work available. On Tuesday, she texted me a few questions and then told me to call her.  We talked and she said they need someone for a project that will last till the end of the year and in the mean time I could be trained to work the front desk.  At the end of the project, I would transfer into a part-time position as a receptionist for one of the doctors.  She told me she would talk to whomever she needed to at work and get back with me.  Within two hours, I got a text that the job was a go!

That is amazing in itself because I did NOTHING!  I simply asked and God provided.  But, more amazing than that miracle, is that God didn't just give me what I needed, He gave me what I wanted!  I wanted to work 8 - 2, M-F and make a certain amount per hour.  This way I can be off before my boys get out of school and I will be available to pick them up or take them where they need to go.  This job will allow me to work those hours and the hourly pay is more than I was asking for.  I am beyond excited and am giving God ALL the glory!  Thank you God for loving me so much!

Thanks to all my "Ladies Coffee Night" girls who have kept me in your prayers! You are all so precious to me and I am so thankful you are in my life!  Love you!