January 2025 Recap

January was a whirlwind – once we kicked off the new year we promptly got ready for our newly minted 10 year-old, then we went away for a wedding. We also have been skating all the time, a little dog sitting.

I made some Green Goddess Deviled Eggs for no occasion than who doesn’t need more apps.

California Burritos with BBQ Chicken were such a hit – fries inside were so fun.

Finally, this breakfast calzone got a little refresh from 2016.

Next up, February will hopefully be more routine and also school vacation and camp sign up time so we’ll see. I love the Superbowl for the snacks so that will be fun!

The Big Kid:
He’s 10! His birthday was really awesome. He had some friends to the arcade and the family came for his fav meal – Jersey Mike’s. He likes having school on his birthday and it was the winter concert then basketball practice…what could be better. He’s very into street hockey and pucking around when we go ice skating. We had a great time at the wedding – he surprised us by loving being dressed up (i.e. wearing a belt!) and was very into the passed apps & a mashed potato bar.

The Littler One:
She’s loving gymnastics and going to ice skate. We recently learned she loves breakfast sandwiches if school makes them. She was obsessed with our tiny dog visitor. The wedding was so fun – she danced hear heart out and was glad to see the fruit and cheese station.

Goals for this upcoming year:
Year of replacements/upgrades! I started with some new blue dress pants. I kept thinking my old ones needed to have their last go but I hadn’t retired them without new ones…until now!
Restaurant Recreations – not yet
Special ingredient focus – I grabbed soft pretzel bites and that led to appetizer dinner!
More fish – not yet
What I’m reading – I read Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano and loved it for interesting characters in a tough plotline. I also read The Wedding People by Alison Espach and was fascinated by the most unusual premise ever. Then I read We Have Always Been Who We Are by Sofia Romero and was drawn to the mystical fantasy elements in otherwise regular stories.

California Burrito with BBQ Chicken

A Cali burrito adds fries but subtracts rice. They don’t always have beans but I’m adding it and went with a BBQ flavors which is also not typical.

Cali Burrito with BBQ Chicken
Ingredients: (serves 2)

1-2 cups fries
2 tortillas
1/4 cup refried beans
1 chicken breast, roasted & tossed with BBQ sauce
1 avocado
sprinkle of cilantro
2 tablespoons caramelized onions
1/4 cup shredded cheese

Directions:
Bake/air-fry the fries. While they are crisping, toss the chicken with bbq sauce and warm the beans and the tortillas enough to ensure they don’t rip.
Assemble the burritos with beans, then cheese, chicken, caramelized onions, fries, avocado, and cilantro, plus more cheese.

Warm a pan and spray with non-stick spray.
Fold the sides in, and roll from the bottom to the top keeping it tightly rolled.
Pan fry gently on each side – use tongs to keep it rolled.

Slice & enjoy!

I loved this! The fries are fun with the BBQ chicken. The chicken, beans, and avocado makes a filling combo.

Green Goddess Deviled Eggs

This one is all about the toppings- there’s green goddess dressing, herby flavors, and brown butter crunchy breadcrumbs on top.

Green Goddess Deviled Eggs
Ingredients: (serves 3-5)

3 eggs
1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning or other herb mix (I used Todd’s Dirt)
2 tablespoons mayo
1 teaspoon mustard
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup panko
2 tablespoons Green Goddess dressing

Directions:
Hard boil the eggs and cool in an ice bath.
Slice the eggs and add the yolks, mayo, mustard, and half the seasoning to a food processor or mix with a hand mixer.

Mix well, add a splash of milk if too thick.
Spoon the filling into a zip top bag – use a glass to hold the bag open!

Refrigerate until serving.
When ready to serve, snip one corner and pipe into the egg halves.
In a small pan, brown the butter over medium low and when brown and nutty smelling, add in the panko and remaining seasoning. Let cool completely.

Drizzle dressing over the eggs and sprinkle with panko.
Enjoy!

These were fun and flavor packed. The dressing is fresh and the brown butter breadcrumbs are decadent. We had them with some other snacky things and leftover charcuterie for lunch on New Year’s Day.

Some fav deviled eggs – all of which can also be topping for crostini pieces or as fun egg salad:
Bacon Ranch Deviled Eggs
Caesar Deviled Eggs
Italian Deviled Eggs

November 2024 Recap

November is crazy at work, and has been for so many of my jobs so I’m used to it but we began the month feeling like summer and suddenly it’s really fall. Mr J’s injury has been the low part of the month so we’re ready to continue on towards being healed! In the kitchen, things were convenience related and without daylight.

I made Chicken, Bacon, & Ranch Chili and we loved it. Everything in a pot is a gamble but this one paid off (and some veggies on the side and crescents didn’t hurt).

Chicken, bacon, and ranch chili is a warm hug whenever needed.


We also had loaded tomato sauce that was packed with flavor.

The Big Kid:
Basketball has been off to a great start – his coaches are wonderful and this is such a nice group of kids. I’m very grateful he has this team for his first travel/tryouts experience. He’s off hard boiled eggs for now and has been interested in cooking! He wants to make his own stuff and is cutting, pealing, and turning burners on now.

The Littler One:
Ice skating has been amazing! She’s a total different kid than the last time we took her out on the ice. She leveled up at the first class to a different group and is progressing. I can’t wait to go with her again! It has been very fun to see her reading beginner chapter books.

Goals for this upcoming year:
Year of replacements/upgrades! I started with some new blue dress pants. I kept thinking my old ones needed to have their last go but I hadn’t retired them without new ones…until now!
Restaurant Recreations – not yet
Special ingredient focus – I grabbed soft pretzel bites and that led to appetizer dinner!
More fish – not yet
What I’m reading – I read Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano and loved it for interesting characters in a tough plotline. I also read The Wedding People by Alison Espach and was fascinated by the most unusual premise ever. Then I read We Have Always Been Who We Are by Sofia Romero and was drawn to the mystical fantasy elements in otherwise regular stories.