Leftovers!

Jamie and Jesse gave me an immersion blender for Christmas, and I have really been looking forward to making soup!

I followed my friend Ina's suggestion and used the leftover roasted veggies from last night's dinner. I brought a few cups of chicken stock to a boil, added the leftover veggies, put my immersion blender to use and before I knew it I had a beautiful soup!

I did add some additional chicken stock and water to get a consistency that I liked, and I drizzled some delicious Palmaz olive oil. Last but not least, I topped with some homemade croutons (ok more than 'some'!).

Paired with a chilled glass of pinot grigio, I would say this episode of leftovers was a hit!

Chris' bday dinner!

Chris just turned 32 and to celebrate he requested a home cooked meal! On the request list: pork and butternut squash.

I found a delicious 'Cooking Light' recipe for breaded pork. I decided to spruce up the roasted butternut squash and follow Ina's 'Winter Roasted Vegetables' recipe, and add in the carrots and parsnips from my fridge. Lastly, a light green salad. I get so excited when I have the perfect ingredients in my kitchen--all I needed for this dinner was pork and sage!

This was my first attempt at breaded prok, and I have to say it was so fun arranging the dishes and dipping the meat!

The first dish just has 1/4 cup of flour, the next dish is 2 egg whites whisked together with mustard, and the last dish has bread crumbs (thanks to my Magic Bullet blender!), parmesan cheese, chopped sage, salt and pepper.

Butternut squash can be a bit of pain to prepare, but it is always worth it to buy the full squash. I have tried the pre-cut version from Trader Joe's and was not impressed.

While I cooked we enjoyed a little antipasto tray and some champagne! Somehow we didn't make it to dessert, and maybe that is a good thing; I bought 2 delicious fruit tarts and felt guilty all day about not having a homemade birthday treat! Stay posted, I plan to tackle the tart someday soon!

et voila: Bonne anniversaire, Chris!