Screen Capcha Friday

I would like to introduce a new series for YPK.  I shall call him her, "Mini Me" "Screen Capcha Friday".

As I scroll through Instagram/Facebook on the hourly daily, I find myself screen shotting things that make me LOL, things that make me get a little teary, and things that I screen shot and immediately send to Boyfriend with a "please buy me onneeeeeeee" text (it's usually a puppy FYI).  Here are a few screen shots, or screen caps as I call them, that I had in my Camera Roll this week.

This actually happened to me

Gift idea!

:( Too soon!

Obviously sent this to my mom, sister and Biff

This brought back awful memories

Wittle babyyyyy

Have a great weekend!!

Xoxo 

Jillian

Crazy Lady Nachos

What do you call cheese that's not yours?

Mine.

Duh.

What'd you think I was going to say?

As you guys may know from my last post, last weekend we went skiing and bought too much food.  Boo freaking hoo.  Not really.  I have left over stuff up the wazoo and it has just left me with intense inspiration (not to be confused with pinsperation.....or perspiration.  Ignore me).

I had all of the intentions in the world on this day to make my boo baked chicken and veggies, but *TMI ALERT* my Aunt Flo decided to visit (that betch) and any thought of regular food went out the window.

As I was stuffing my face with some Wholly Guacamole and chips, I was like HOLD UP.  I recalled the 32 oz bag of cheese that went unopened, the scallions, the bacon and omggg Aunt Flo can suck it.

This recipe will feed 2 or 3 people.  Or if YOUR Aunt Flo is in town, just you.

What you will need:

• 7-10 slices of bacon

• 3 small chicken breasts

• 5 scallions

• Cheese

• Tortilla Chips

Preheat your oven to 350.

Season the chicken with salt and pepper and cook in a frying pan with some olive oil.  In a separate pan, cook the bacon.

When the chicken and bacon are done, set aside on a few paper towels to absorb any excess oil, then chop.

Chop your scallions and set aside in a small bowl.

I wanted 2 layers of nacho-ness, so I divided the chicken, bacon and scallions in half.

In a baking dish, spread the first layer of Tortilla Chips and top with a thick layer of cheese, and half of the chicken, bacon and scallions.  Add on the second chip layer, followed by more cheese, then the other half of the chicken, bacon and scallions.

Pop the nachos in the over for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. 

Oh yeah - and add some Guac on the side :)

Enjoyyy!!


Xoxo

Jillian

Chicken, Guac and Bacon Bagels

Hi there!  It seems like it has been so long since I last shoved food into your eyes.  Here we are again :)

Last week was a short one.  Off on Monday, 3 days of work and then I took the day off on Friday.  A bunch of us went to PA to ski Big Bear Mountain, and it was a ton of fun, minus the -7 degree weather on the mountain, that is.  Take away the frostbite and it was a really great weekend.  We went skiing, then quadding, relaxed at the house, ate, cooked, ate some more, consumed alcohol, and learned some interesting things about each other through a game of Kings.  Heehee.

We bought waaaay too much food, which is really ok with me since I would rather have too much food than have everyone go all Terminus on each other (Google it, non-Walking Dead people, then get on the train).  Needless to say I have a surplus of items back in my custody, such as:

• A Costco-sized Wholly Guacamole serving
• 3 bags of Thomas' bagels
• A wide assortment of chips
• About 50 eggs
• A 32oz bag of Shredded 4 Cheese Mexican Blend cheese (mwahahaha)

I feel like I have alllll the food.  My horizons are endless, as are the carbs.

I really should have gone on the lighter side with this dish seeing how I ate and ate and ate all weekend long, but life is short, so stuff your face.

These are a few of my favorite things, so I put them together to make something ah-mayz-ing: Chicken, Guac and Bacon Bagels.  

• Bagels (#isbutteracarb?)
• Guacamole
• Chicken
• Bacon (obvi)
• Cheese (double obvi)

What you will need to serve one:

• 1 plain bagel (I used the Thomas' brand), toasted
• A few tablespoons of guacamole, enough to coat the bagel
• Shredded 4 Cheese Mexican Blend cheese, for sprinkling
• 1 cup of cooked and chopped chicken (seasoned with seasoned salt, such as Lawry's)
• 2 slices of bacon, cooked

Season the chicken and cook in a pan over medium heat.  When finished, chop, then cover to keep warm.  In a separate pan, cook the bacon and set aside.

Toast the bagel to your heart's desire.  Spread the guacamole onto the bagel, then sprinkle the cheese.  Top with the chicken, and crumble the bacon over the bagel.

Literally.  Can't.  Even. 

Xoxo

Jillian

Crispy and Crunchy Frenchy Fries

We've gots another spiralizer recipe for the books, people!  And oh em gee am I in loooove.  These fries are crispy and crunchy and not too greasy.  Plus, they are lightly seasoned, which leaves tons of room for the guac, the bacon, the sour cream, and whatever your stomach desires.  They are the perfect appetizer...or dinner, if it's that time of the month :)

The potatoes are going to be spiralized just like zoodles.  No need to bake or boil beforehand.

Choose your accessories wisely.  This time around I used bacon, salt, garlic powder, guacamole (we try to keep the Wholly Guacamole brand in the house, although it doesn't last too long, because, duh, it's guacamole) and sour cream. 

Drool.

What you will need to serve 2-4:

• 2 whole potatoes
• 10 slices of bacon, cooked
• 4 cups of canola oil
• 1/2 cup of guacamole
• 1/2 cup of sour cream
• Salt
• Garlic Powder

"Special" Equipment Needed

• Spiralizer
• Candy Thermometer

Spiralize the potatoes and set aside.  Cook the bacon in a large frying pan, and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess oil.

Heat the canola oil in a medium-sized pot to 300 degrees.  Fry the potatoes in 2 batches. Frying will take 8-10 minutes, but keep a close eye on them to prevent burning!

When all of the potatoes have been fried, sprinkle with the salt and garlic powder, and toss to coat evenly.  Top with the sour cream and guacamole, and crumble the bacon over the plate.

Consume, then cry when it's over.

Xoxo

Jillian

Happy Weekend!

Via

Tee Gee Eye Eff!!  You feel me?!?  Here are some fun links I found this week on Le Internet.  Enjoy your weekend!

This festive pizza.

I want need all of these.

Perfect dish for a romantical evening :)

Fairy Toast?  I gots to try this!

Memoriessssss

I love these wittle babies!

Can't. Handle. The. Cuteness.




Xoxo

Jillian

Pinterest Chicken Bake

Pinterest.  Where I can totally cook a 12 course meal for 35 people in 3 easy steps, make the table runner from old books for said dinner, and make goody bags for my guests to take home.  Ummm what?  I'm overwhelmed.  And out of breath.

Pinterest.  Where I pin food ideas that are actually possible, and food ideas that require not only a culinary degree, but a construction license.

PINTEREST.  Where I find dinner ideas like this:

It looks plain, but it is delicious, I swear.

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.  Inhale.  Check off Pinterest Bucket List.

The End!


Xoxo

Jillian

Valentine's Day Chocolate Bark

If I told you that I really didn't care for Valentine's Day, I would be sort-of lying.  I mean, I'm all for candy, going to dinner, getting/giving a small gift (or two), but it's really not that different from the other 364 days of the year.  Valentine's Day is nice, but I get most excited for the Valentine's Day themed food.  Heart-shaped Reese's are da bomb.  Heart-shaped ravioli are delish.  Red, pink and white M&M's - so pretty.

My intention for this dessert was to make a chocolate bark with a graham cracker crumb crust.  However, since I am a person that cannot have nice things, I ended up with chocolate bark/graham cracker crumb combo.  I made the graham cracker crust, and was in the middle of pouring the melted chocolate over it, when the bowl slipped out of my hand and onto the crust.

Shit.

Sooooo I did my best to spread the chocolate and graham cracker together, added the M&M'S and pretzels, and tossed 'er in the freezer to set.

After about 10 minutes, I took the pan out of the freezer and drizzled melted white chocolate on top of the bark, and put it back in the freezer for another 10 minutes.

Then I proceeded to break apart and consume, without further damage. 

Nom.  

This recipe will serve 5-10 depending on the size of the bark pieces:

• 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs
• 5 tablespoons of butter
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 2 cups of milk chocolate chips, melted
• 1 bag of Peanut M&M's
• 1 handful of small pretzels, broken into small pieces
• 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips

Cover a baking pan with wax paper.

In a small bowl, add the graham cracker crumbs.  Melt the butter and sugar on the stove over medium heat, and add to the graham cracker crumbs.  Stir to combine.  Pour the graham cracker mixture onto the middle of the pan, and press down to create an even layer.  Melt the milk chocolate in the microwave in 30 second intervals, or over a double boiler.  Pour the chocolate over the graham cracker crust, and spread evenly using an offset spatula.  The graham cracker crumbs will likely mix into the chocolate, which is fine.

Top with the M&M's and pretzels, and put in the freezer for 10 minutes.

When the 10 minutes are up, melt the white chocolate in 30 second intervals, and drizzle over the pan.  Put the pan back in the freezer for another 10 minutes.  

When the white chocolate is firm, break apart and serve.

Clumsiness at it's finest, people.

Xoxo

Jillian

Turkey Chicken Tortilla Bowls

I need some sun in my life.  I mean REAL sun.  With 80 degree temps, my embarrassingly pale legs burning basking in the sunlight.  Margies by the pool.  You know the deal.  Instead, we have -80 degree temps, car doors frozen shut, ice, snow, blah blah blah, I'm over it, goodbye.

When I am freezing my balls butt off, I crave Mexican food.  The fresh ingredients, avocados, salsa, and pico de gallo all scream summertiiime.  Oh, and MARGIES BY THE POOL!  I need it now.

This dish was inspired by my need for warmth and my love of Chipotle.  While I do love the Chipolts, it is a little hard on the wallet.  I usually go for one of the burrito bowls with errythang.  Including Guac.  No, it's not ok that it's $325.00 extra but I'll take it anyway :)

What you will need to serve 2:

• 1 pound of ground chicken
• 1 pound of ground turkey
• 1 8 oz. package of taco seasoning sauce (I used Archer Farms Mild Taco Seasoning Sauce)
• 2 cups of cooked brown rice
• 2 avocados, scooped and chopped into large chunks
• 1/2 of a red onion, chopped
• 1 can of refried beans, cooked as per the package instructions
• Shredded Cheddar Jack cheese for sprinkling
• 2  large Tortilla shells for serving (since we're honest with each other, this is purely for beautification purposes)

Combine the ground chicken and turkey in a mixing bowl.  Warm a large frying pan, and add the meat, seasoning with salt and pepper.  Cook through on medium heat, 10-15 minutes.  When the meat is done, drain any excess fat and oil into a bowl and discard.  Turn the heat down to low, and add the taco sauce.  Stir to combine.  Add the cooked rice, a few spoonfuls at a time, and toss to combine.

To serve, place one Tortilla shell in a medium-sized bowl, and spoon in the meat and rice mixture.  Top with the refried beans, avocado, red onion and cheese, and serve.

Margies.  At the table.  Not by the pool.  Because it's winter.  And that would be weird.

Xoxo

Jillian