"You gotta stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone outta be."

I had a great Labor Day weekend....
Saturday, I spent a LONG time making lasagna. Due to the labor day weekend budlights I was drinking, I forgot to take a picture of the outcome because I dug right in. (By the way, it was only $16.00 for 30 racks at Hannaford all weekend long.)
I spent about 3 hours making sauce for the lasagna. I used diced tomatoes with Italian herbs in it ,2 jars of roasted garlic and onion sauce,an entire bulb of  minced garlic,red bell peppers,and an onion with some basil, oregano,and italian seasoning. I let it cook on low heat for about 3 hours and added about 1/2 cup of water at the end to make it less thick. I used about 1 LB of sweet sausage (ground), 1 LB ground beef, and about 1 LB of shredded chicken breast., along with the usual ricotta and lots and lots of fresh mozzerella.
The lasagna came out perfect as expected. Next time I'll post the recipe with pictures.
Sunday was my beautiful mothers birthday. Happy birthday mama, i love you. Her and I went to see Eat,Pray,Love with Julia Roberts. I really enjoyed the first half but I think towards the second half it got alittle boring. Julia Roberts always has been and always will be one of the most talented actress's , not to mention she is flawless for her age...The movie made me want to go to Naples, Italy sooo bad... and it also featured tons of amazing looking food.
"Eat, because it nourishes your body and mind. Don't shy away from food. If you love food, eat without guilt. Our body can be resilient to the food we eat. But we should also respect the body's needs..Pray, for the redemption of our souls. Spirituality gives you solace and peace of mind. Prayers should not read like a wish-list for Santa Claus. Instead, they should energize the soul and loosen the grip of material thoughts...
Love, as you have never loved before. Do not feel ashamed to express love and revel in the feeling of being in love. Love everything and everybody around you. See how it revitalizes your soul."

I love the new Ben & Jerry's Boston Cream Pie Ice Cream

similar looking rodents.

Beaver

Woodchuck is the same as a Groundhog

woodchuck

groundhog

Capybara

incase you were wondering

Fresh produce

Today I went to the farmers market. I currently have been having some financial difficulties, so I only had enough change to get a peach...It was so juicy and sweet...the best peach I ever had.

I can't wait until I have an extra 10-20 dollars to go back before they close October 21. I like knowing where my produce is coming from and also, that it's locally grown...and most importantly...fresh!

If  you haven't gone to a farmers market yet this summer, you are definately missing out...and should try to go to one before they close in mid-October...

In Manchester it is every Thursday, I think from 3-6pm. I took a few pictures on my cell phone. Tomorrow...is.....Friday! And a 3 day weekend!!!

I love Labor day, mainly because it is a day off from work, but also because it is one of the two BBQ HOLIDAYS.

I love barbeque food. If I could eat barbeque food on a daily basis, I would.

I need to begin figuring out how I am going to own my own restaurant someday. Or taco truck.

I need to showcase my amazing inside out cheeseburgers. I will not reveal all of the ingredients because I don't want anyone trying to steal my recipe.

I will be famous for my burgers someday.

Everyone have a safe and fun labor day!!

Quick & Easy Cheeseburger With fryed eggs

I was too tired to make the usual inside-out burgers last night, so instead I made this 1/2 pound cheeseburger and added 2 fryed eggs to the top. It took no time and is something I think anyone can handle making...even if you mess up the fryed egg it will still taste good...I only succeded at one of the two and it still came out fine!

Ingredients
(serves 2)
- 4 eggs
- 1 Lb ground beef made into 2 1/2 Lb pattys
- 4 slices of bread, or burger buns
- 2 slices of provolone cheese
- 2 slices of horsradish cheddar cheese
- horsradish mustard ( i prefer Silver Springs beer and braut horsradish mustard)
- black pepper
- ketchup and any other desired condiments

Instructions
- When I make this type of burger I put the patty on a small frying pan and cover with another small frying pan so the burger can cook all the way through, otherwise I find that the burger over cooks on the outside and under cooks on the inside. I cook the burger on a medium setting until it is ready to be flipped.
- Flip the burger and cover again with the small frying pan and let cook about 4 minutes or until burger is fully cooked. Sometimes it depends on how hot your stove gets on a medium setting. If it is a gas stove you want to cook on a medium-low setting, expecially the last few minutes of cooking.
- Put a slice of horsradish cheddar on the bottom slice of bread, and the finished burger next.
-While cheese is melting, crack 2 eggs on another frying pan and fry the eggs. When I do 2 eggs i cook them together so it is like one big fryed egg with 2 yolks.
- Once fryed egg is complete but it on top of the burger, sprinkle with salt,and put the slive of provolone on top.
-Add the desired condiments and put last slice of bread on top and enjoy!

ALSO-Some people like to toast the bread ( like me) and spread some butter on it. I think it adds some flavor, but regaurdless the result is delicious!

ZZzzzzZZzZzZZZZZZzzzz

Today I COULD NOT get out of bed. I slept until 11:05 which is a new record for me on a work day.
There is nothing like laying in my air conditioned bed room under a few blankets with my kitty cuddling with me. The black out curtains definately improve the quality of my sleep. Here are some photos of others enjoying their sleep.

DUBAI- a small piece of heaven

 My first blog is all about a place I never heard of before up until Tyler showed me a picture of it yesterday. Dubai. The place has A LOT going on and basically it fascinates me. I hope you enjoy the reading material and recipes because I honestly spent about 8 hours researching and writing this...xox-chef steph

   Dubai is essentially a desert city with ground-breaking infrastructure. In 1971 Dubai along with five other small city-states on the Persian Gulf gained independence from the UK. This went on to form the United Arab Emirates. Nearly a half century ago Dubai was just a small trading port and oyster fishing town. The discovery of oil in 1966 began the transformation of this region and the first oil exports in 1968 were followed by a period of rapid development that laid the foundation for today’s modern society.

    Decades later, Dubai became an attraction to foreign workers and investors after the realization that it would run out of oil within 30 years. In the mid-1990s now ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum masterminded the extraordinary plan to reinvent the city as an international hub of finance, free trade, and tourism so Dubai would no longer rely on the oil trade.
    Currently, Dubai is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations on the planet. It is thriving with the worlds largest shopping mall, tallest building, biggest indoor ski area, and much more. Increasingly, Dubai is not just next to the gulf – it’s extending into it, with hundreds of man-made islands.

Palm Jumeirah is the largest man made island which was created by Dubai’s ruler to help solve the areas beach shortage. The Island is shaped like a palm tree because it provides more beach frontage then a traditional circular island.

“The World” is an engineering expedition to create an island paradise of sea, sand and sky. The World is a destination that allows investors to create their own unique island with an expression of individuality, where the only limit is the imagination. An innovative and one of a kind destination, The World is a collection of 300 private man-made islands shaped into the continents of planet Earth. It was created from sand unearthed from the sea and surrounded by breakwater which took 34 million tons of rock to create. It is divided into four categories- private homes, estate homes, dream resorts, and community islands. The area that the world occupies is 5.4 miles long and 3.6 miles wide and over 3 and a half square miles are visible to the naked eye from outer space. The World is now destined to become Dubai's exclusive island destination…a blank canvas in the sapphire waters of the Arabian Gulf, no more then a 15-minute boat ride from Dubai.

The Burj Dubai is currently both the tallest building and the tallest free-standing structure in the world. It boasts more stories than any other building on the planet, is home to the highest-occupied floor and has the world’s highest outdoor observation deck – situated on the gaspingly-high 124th floor.

Atlantis, The Palm is a 1,539 room, ocean-themed destination resort located at the centre of the crescent of the man-made Palm Jumeirah. Here is a variety of water park amusement, further marine attractions, entertainment, and a collection of some of the most renowned world-class chefs including Nobu, Giorgio Locatelli, Santi Santamaria and Michel Rostang. It is home to one of the largest open-air marine habitats in the world, with some 65,000 marine animals in lagoons and displays including The Lost Chambers, a maze of underwater corridors and passageways providing a journey through ancient Atlantis.

The Dubai Mall has a world class aquarium features on of the world’s largest viewing panels.features a walkthrough tunnel, and has over 33,000 living animals, representing more than 85 species including over 400 sharks and rays combined.The mall also consists of a medical center, a cinema, a hotel, and an underwater zoo.

 Dubai is one of the worlds greatest gold trading centers. 

A 7 star hotel in Dubai

In Dubai it is illegal to drink in public. Alcohol isn't served at restaurants, only in hotels. If you reside in Dubai you need a permit in order to drink alcohol in your home.

Home to the largest indoor ski area.

Dubai Fashion Fiesta
"Nowhere else will you see a Muslim lady covered from head to toe in her black Abaya standing next to a European lady dressed in a mini skirt."--Dubai is a very diverse place, english ranks alongside arabic as the language of commerce.

 Finally, I will leave you with some recipes that are common in Dubai. In Dubai you can find practically any type of food, but the most common foods are Arabian, Lebanese, Moroccan, and Iranian.

  Hoummus- Today the traditional Middle East’s recipe has several variations, but is generally served with fresh or toasted pita bread.



Ingredients
- 2 15-oz cans of chickpeas or garbanzo beans.
-1/4 cup liquid from can of chickpeas.
-3-5 tablespoons lemon juice (depending on taste).
-1 1/2 tablespoons tahini.
-2 cloves garlic, crushed.
-1/2 teaspoon salt.
-2 tablespoons olive oil.
Preparation
---Drain chickpeas and set aside liquid from can. Mix the remaining ingredients in blender or food processor. Add 1/4 cup of liquid from chickpeas. Blend for 5 minutes on low until thoroughly combined and smooth.
Place in serving bowl, and create a shallow well in the middle of the hummus. Add a small amount (1-2 tablespoons) of olive oil in the well. Garnish with parsley (optional). Serve directly with fresh, warm or toasted pita bread, or cover and refrigerate. Optionally, insert a sliced red chili or a dash of cayenne pepper for a spicier dish.--------

Chicken Shawarma (Also can be made with lamb like the greek gyro)Ingredients
-1/2 cup malt vinegar
-1/4 cup plain yogurt
-1 tablespoon vegetable oil
-salt and pepper to taste
-1 teaspoon mixed spice
-1/4 teaspoon freshly ground cardamom
-8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
-1/2 cup tahini
-1/4 cup plain yogurt
-1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
-2 tablespoons lemon juice
-1 tablespoon olive oil
-1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
-4 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced
-1/2 cup sliced onion
-4 cups shredded lettuce
-8 pita bread rounds
Directions
-In a glass baking dish, mix together the malt vinegar, 1/4 cup yogurt, vegetable oil, mixed spice, cardamom, salt and pepper. Place the chicken thighs into the mixture and turn to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a small bowl, mix together the tahini, 1/4 cup yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper, taste, and adjust flavors if desired. Cover and refrigerate.
-Cover the chicken and bake in the marinade for 30 minutes, turning once. Uncover, and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove from the dish, and cut into slices.
-Place sliced chicken, tomato, onion, and lettuce onto pita breads. Roll up, and top with the tahini sauce.

And I will also leave you with a link to the "20 reasons not to live in dubai" just so you can see the negatives along with the postivies.
http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/94/art_20_Reasons_Not_Move_to_Dubai.html

Either way I would love to go to Dubai someday.

Happy Monday!

I decided to try this who blog thing out. I am currently at work, and I need to punch out in 10 minutes---WOO HOOO. However, that means I need to wait until tomorrow to start my blog.
If anyone is interested in getting free samples of beauty,food,health,etc products check out shop4freebies.com
I stumbled across this site last week when I was signing up for a free sample on AOL.com.
I filled out about 50 free sample ads.....I know, I am crazy...but it passes a lot of time by at work.
My blog is going to mostly contain recipes,pictures,and some writing.
I always have so much on my mind and I make a million to-do lists every day so I figured I could use this to gather all of my thoughts.
I chose cloudy with a chance of meatballs mainly because everything else i wanted was taken and Francine and I always wished it would rain meatballs.
Time for me to punch out. I will surely be adding a lot tomorrow.