Deconstructed Pepper Bruschetta

This recipe is a new favorite in our house. By coincidence twice now when I've taken leftovers to work they have been serving mash potatoes in the cafeteria. I mix the two together into a potato, pepper and bread pile and enjoy every bite.

Deconstructed Pepper Bruschetta
You could easily substitute the red pepper for tomato, but my husband doesn’t eat tomato so …

Ingredients:
1 sweet yellow pepper, seeded and cut into ½ inch chunks
1 sweet red pepper, seeded and cut into ½ inch chunks
1 bunch of green onions, chopped
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp fresh ground pepper
½ cup fresh chopped basil
1 small loaf of thick, crusty bread (I like the small cheddar loaf from Walmart)
Aged white cheddar or parmesan shavings to top (optional)

Directions:
Mix yellow pepper, red pepper, onion, olive oil, mustard, Italian seasoning and pepper in bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Cut bread into 1 inch cubes. Toss with small amount of olive oil to coat and toast at 400 degree for 12 minutes, stirring midway through. Mix toasted bread and pepper mixture. Top with basil and cheese if desired.

wishing you a sweet (and healthy) Valentine's Day

I ran across these super cute stickers at Twig and Thistle. I am absolutely going to use them for Emma's daycare valentines. So much better than a pile of candy. I mean have you SEEN a toddler on sugar?

portobello and basil burgers

The skies parted, the snow cleared and just for an instant our family was transported from the frozen tundra into a little piece of heaven... Then Jon proclaimed, "This is the best sandwich I can remember having."

Portobello and Basil Burgers
Adapted from Pioneer Woman

Ingredients
½ cups Light Mayonnaise
16 whole Basil Leaves
4 whole Large Portobello Mushrooms
Olive Oil For Brushing
Salt And Pepper, to taste
4 slices Provolone Cheese
4 whole Light Buns, Split

Instructions
Rinse mushrooms thoroughly.
Combine mayonnaise and basil in a food processor or blender. Pulse until basil is totally mixed in with the mayonnaise. Set aside.
Grill mushrooms in a grill pan or on a charcoal grill, brushing lightly with olive oil and sprinkling with salt and pepper. Melt provolone cheese over the mushrooms.
Drizzle griddle with olive oil. Toast buns over medium-low heat until very crispy and toasted.
Spread basil mayonnaise generously on both the top and bottom halves of the kaiser roll. Place provolone topped mushroom on the bun. Press lightly so some of the juices from the mushrooms will run into the bottom half of the roll.
Serve immediately. Yum!

custom mugs

When I saw the tutorial on Design Mom for custom monogram mugs I immediately knew this was something I had to do. I mean look at these. How cute are they!



So I went online and ordered some of the pens from Dick Blick. Then over Christmas we decorated our own mugs. Here's Emma's ...




Now it's Jon's favorite mug to use. The best part is once you bake the mug, it is totally safe to use. (I even throw it in the dishwasher on occasion.)

Sunday football pineapple chili

Are you ready for some football?! We are (almost) thanks to this recipe for pineapple chili. Simple and wonderful. Jon told me the white kidney bean threw him off a little and I could stand to make it hotter (we differ on our tastes for spiciness). But none-the-less it was a touchdown. Now, "Go Pack." If only I can get me rabbit ears to pick up Fox! This is one of the few days I really wish we had cable.

Pineapple Chili

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 small can of tomato sauce
• 1 jar pineapple salsa (we like Newmans, but Target's Archer Farms has a good pineapple salsa as well)
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1/2 cup extra fresh pineapple diced (makes the pineapple taste more distinct; plus more the garnish if you like)
• chili powder to taste (or whatever you like to up the spice)

Directions:

Brown beef in large saucepan and drain off excess fat. Add tomato sauce, pineapple salsa, rinsed and drained kidney beans, diced pineapple and chili powder to pan. Let simmer, uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes and enjoy.

I've put the extra on low in my crock pot to keep it warm for munching through the game.