Recipe Round-Up

Even before the holidays, I wanted to share some recipes that had worked out well for me recently. Now that Christmas has passed, I have a few more that were worth sharing, so without further ado, recipe recommendations from me to you! (I didn't really mean for that to rhyme... it just happened. I'm going to go with it.) 

1. Sweet and Spicy Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Stew w/ Coconut Milk 

Photo from kalynskitchen.com

This is a slow cooker recipe that worked out even better than I thought it would. It is a great combo of easy, healthy, and yummy. The flavor combo may seem odd at first, but it is actually really good! I recommend this and I'll be making it again I'm sure. (Bonus: also husband-approved!) 

2. Eggs in Tomato Sauce 

Photo from smittenkitchen.com

This recipe is quick, simple, and yummy. It's also easily adaptable to your tastes and what you have on hand. For instance, the recipe calls for crushed tomatoes but I just used canned tomato sauce. Hubby was very skeptical of this recipe when I described it but admitted it was good. We didn't have fancy country bread, so we just put it on wheat toast, and it was very tasty! Another one I'll be making again. 

3. Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Cranberries

 Photo from my phone

I already knew Pioneer Woman had some good recipes, but this Brussels sprouts recipe is really really delicious. Coming from someone who used to say she didn't like Brussels sprouts, that's quite the endorsement. The recipe is also really easy - you just roast the sprouts in the oven for about 30 minutes, and make the balsamic reduction on the stovetop. My family loved this dish too - it was the only Christmas food that yielded no leftovers! 

4. Smoked Salmon Pizzette 

My photo

Giada De Laurentiis (who I love) has some really fantastic appetizer recipes, and this is no exception. You just make some pizza dough rounds, then top with a creamy mixture of mascarpone and sour cream and smoked salmon. Easy, delicious, and impressive! The family really liked this one as well. 

5. Mixed Berry Cheesecake

Photo from foodnetwork.com

I've made this cheesecake a number of times, both with and without the berry sauce. It is not always the prettiest (the one I made for Christmas had some cracks in the top), but it is always delicious. Everyone also liked this, especially my grandfather. 

6. Cappuccino Fudge 

I made two types of fudge for Christmas, and I have less of this left than the other. The texture of this one was definitely better than the other - nice and luscious and well, fudgy. The coffee flavor definitely comes through, but if you like that, this is a great fudge with a combo of chocolate and coffee flavors. I'm a fan! 

That's a little sampling of what's been going on in my kitchen lately (a sampling of the most successful adventures, in fact). These all have my whole-hearted stamp of approval! 

Halfway Done!

With law school, that is. My last final (of three) was on Monday and it felt so good to be done. Meanwhile many of my friends were not done, including many who have papers due soon and/or finals tomorrow! I'm just glad I could leave all the studying behind and relax.

Except that by relaxing, I mean being busy in a different way. We are hosting my parents and grandparents this Christmas, and my parents get in tomorrow! Needless to say there are a lot of preparations, decisions, planning, but I enjoy all of those things. I've also been working on planning a quick overnight getaway for hubby and me after our guests leave, which is very exciting.

To celebrate the fact that we got me through finals (because it affects hubby's life too), we took a walk to our little downtown area Monday night, looking at neighbors' Christmas lights along the way. There was a a little bit of nostalgia, because we took a similar walk last year the night before hubby deployed. The differences this year? 1) Hubby is not leaving anytime soon, let alone the day after; 2) It was at least 20 degrees warmer! It has actually been really warm this December, which is weird for Northeasterners like us.

One of our favorite decorated houses. 

 Beautiful magic lights downtown! I just love these decorations. 

I am definitely counting my blessings about now. Another semester of law school behind me, hubby is here, and family visitors are coming soon for holiday festivities. 

While there is nothing adequate I could say, I would feel remiss if I didn't acknowledge the recent tragedy in Newtown, CT. That is our part of the country, and regardless, the tragedy itself, particularly the age of most of the victims, has left the entire nation in shock and horror. Just like everyone else, the thought I keep coming back to is "Why?" I have no other opinions that are worth sharing here, just a lot of sorrow in my heart. 

Catching up again

Well, I certainly can't claim to post regularly, but I will keep posting sporadically as long as I feel like it! I guess sometimes, life happens.

Since I last blogged on 11/5 (more than a month ago), lots has happened, most notably my in-laws' visit for Thanksgiving and the start of my finals for this semester. My first one was yesterday, in fact. I have another Thursday, and another Monday, but I'm taking it easy for the morning. It's not good to study all the time, right? That's what I'm telling myself!

It was great to have hubby's parents here for a week. He was even able to work it out so that he didn't have to work too much while they were here. We had a lovely time together showing them the local area. And of course the high point was Thanksgiving! Hubby's birthday that Saturday, complete with Christmas decorating and putting up our tree, was great as well.

 Thanksgiving prep. YUM. 

 A beauteous pecan pie.

Our turkey ready for the oven. We experimented with brining, and I'm happy to say it was a success! I'd definitely do it again. 

 Hubby and me on Thanksgiving. :-)

Turkey out of the oven!

 Right before we ate!

 My plate. It was all so delicious! 

 As if we hadn't eaten enough, we got some local BBQ the next day. 

Our Christmas tree! We'll be in our home on Christmas this year, and I love having our own tree for the first time.

I'll be done with finals in about a week, and then a few days after, my parents will arrive! It's their first visit here, which is very exciting. My grandparents will be coming for Christmas as well, so it will be a great holiday with family. Just have to get through all the things I need to do before then!

I hope everyone is having a great Christmas/holiday season. I'm trying to enjoy it as much as I can with these pesky exams going on. Above all, I'm grateful to be able to spend this time with family and especially hubby, since he was leaving around this time last year, and I have lots of friends who are separated from their husbands. I'll try to update sooner next time!