Mushroom Risotto

If you have 15 minutes, a slow cooker and a few easy ingredients... you can make this! I was always afraid of making risotto because of the attention it takes to make the risotto the perfect consistency. I found this recipe from Food Network (Sandra Lee Semi-homemade) and will most definitely make it again!

Mushroom Risotto

Prep Time: 5 min

Cook Time: 3 hr 0 min

Serves: 8 servings

2 cups arborio rice
1 cup white wine
4 cups vegetable broth
1 (10.75-ounce) can condensed golden mushroom soup
1 teaspoon minced garlic
6 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 cup grated Parmesan Stir together all ingredients, except Parmesan, in slow cooker.

Cook on high, stirring every 30 minutes for 2 hours.

Check consistency. Continue to cook, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Be careful not to overcook rice.

Copyright 2009 Television Food Network G.P., All Rights Reserved

Roasted Halibut with Herb Butter

Halibut is one of my favorite types of fish. This recipe was awesome. I went down to the Fish Market and picked up some halibut, not knowing how expensive it was..... $40 later i went home. The recipe itself was sooo yummy. The fresh herbs were a great mix with the fish and I added a few lemon slices on top just for some extra flare :)

Roasted Halibut with Herb Butter
makes 4 servings

Unsalted butter: 4 Tbsp, room temp
Fresh flat-leaf (italian) parsley: 2 Tsp minced
Fresh Thyme: 1 Tsp minced
Fresh Chives: 1 Tsp minced
Lemon zest: from 1 lemon, finely grated
Lemon juice: from 2 lemons
Salt and Fresh ground pepper
Yellow Onion: 1 large, thinly sliced
Halibut Fillet: 2 lbs, pin bones removed
Olive Oil: 1 1/5 Tsp

1. Make the herb butter
In a bowl , using a fork,beat the butter until soft and light. Add the minced herbs, lemon zest and juice, and a pinch each of salt and pepper and beat until thoroughly blended. Taste and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper. (The herb butter can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored, tightly covered, in the refrigerator.)

2. Season the Halibut
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Oil the baking dish just large enough to hold the halibut. Spread the onion slices in a single layer in the prepared dish. Scatter the thyme springs on top. Rub the halibut with the oil and season lightly with salt and pepper. Place on the onions.

3. Roast the Halibut
Roast until an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the halibut reads 120 degrees. The total cooking time will be about 10 minutes per inch of thickness. Start checking 5 minutes before it is done to prevent over cooking. Divide the fillet into individual portions and transfer to plates. Top with the herb butter, place the onion slices alongside, and serve.

*Tyson always says when the fish fat bubbles on top, the fish is done :)

I served the halibut with steamed snap peas and Lemon Orzo. Enjoy!

Borrowed from William Sonoma's, The Weeknight Cook

Visit to Auntie's House "Mimi"

Just got back from an adventure at Auntie's house. Kayda had a great time playing with her cousin dogs, Milo and Dax. They were such good sports hanging with Uncle Rich while Mimi and I did some playing of our own... Little to say we were all pooped at the end of the day!

Kayda and Milo playing a little tug-o-war


Smily Puppy


Sleepy Dax

Rainy Day Dog!

So after all the rain we just had, Kayda was having sooo much fun digging in the mud! We just got back from the vet for her last puppy shots. She is a whopping 16 weeks old and 23 pounds. When we picked her up, she was 8 weeks and 10 pounds so she has literally doubled in age and weight... and then some :) This is an updated photo of her muddy excursion!

Meyer Lemon Cheesecake Squares

Craving something sweet and light? I know cheesecake cannot always be light but with this sweet citrus flavor, I could honestly eat 10 of these little squares in one sitting. The recipe is from Martha Stewart and calls for plain old lemons but with Meyer lemons at Trader Joes for $1.99, I had to substitute! My squares didn't come out so pretty so I had to use the website's picture. Try them, I promise they are soooo yummy!

Meyer Lemon Cheesecake Squares

Ingredients

• FOR THE CRUST:
• 8 graham crackers (each 2 1/2 by 5 inches)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

• FOR THE FILLING:
• 2 bars (8 ounces each) cream cheese, room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon (2 to 3 teaspoons zest and about 3 tablespoons juice)

Directions

1. Make the crust: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on all sides. Crimp overhang under rim of pan.
2. In a food processor, blend graham crackers with sugar until finely ground; add butter and pulse until moistened.
3. Transfer crumb mixture to prepared pan, and pat in gently (wipe processor bowl clean, and reserve for making filling). Bake until beginning to brown, 10 to 12 minutes. While crust is baking, make filling.
4. Make the filling: Place cream cheese in food processor; blend until smooth. Add sugar, eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice; blend until smooth.
5. Pour mixture onto hot crust in pan; smooth top. Return to oven, and bake until set (filling should jiggle only slightly when pan is gently shaken), 30 to 35 minutes.
6. Cool completely in pan. Cover very loosely with plastic wrap; chill until firm, at least 2 hours (and up to 2 days). Use foil overhang to lift cheesecake out of pan. With metal spatula, lift cheesecake from foil; cut into 16 squares.

From Everyday Food, June 2006

Rainy Day Fun

Ok torrential downpours in Santa Barbara today.... but all the more fun we had! After sitting at home till 11am next to the fire, we decided to head out into the unknown. Of course we had to leave right at peak rainfall. With Kayda in the back of the truck we went for a "rain ride". Safety first of course :)



We finally made it to Mom and Pop Perks house for some relaxation.... and so Kayda and Ryder could make out for a while.



make out....

Kayda... oh Kayda

This dog couldn't be more perfect for us. She makes us laugh all the time, she cuddles and chews literally till she sleeps and constantly fills us with joyful moments. This is no exception. Ty and I love our new iphones and as we were getting used to them, Kayda had to show us her interest as well. This video explains it all...

Christmas Eve 2009

Ok, so I know I have been struggling with our blog posts but we had a lot going on. Here is the latest from Christmas Eve 2009.
Our first married Christmas was spectacular. Filled with family and fun, it couldn't have been better. It was so exciting, I even forgot the camera on Christmas Day. Enjoy these pictures... hopefully there will be more soon :)

The Grand table.... nice work Jeannie :)


Picture Perfect


The beautiful Tree


The food... oh the food! Prime Rib, rolls, potatos au gratin, broccoli and apple pie :)



Biz keeping score while we play "Screw your neighbor"


The crowns were from our Christmas poppers.



Ty and Jeannie