Sirious Gift Guide: For the Fellas

Hi.  I'm traveling this week, which means I'm doing a lot of eating but not a lot of cooking.  So I thought that I'd share some food/drink/kitchen-related gift ideas for the season.  I'm not going to suggest you buy someone a Lexus with a giant bow (really, America?).  These will be practical, mostly.  So let's start with the menfolk...  

Beer Making Kit

because they think they're MacGyver

Bacon Marmalade

because what man doesn't like bacon?

Adam Perry Lang - BBQ 25

because the book (and the chef) are awesome

'Me Eat Meat' print

because, let's be honest, this is sort of for you too

Jumbo-Size Ice Cube Tray

because he's a cocktail snob

Personalized Apron

because deep down, they are dorks like us

A Mini Big Green Egg

because he likes to tailgate, and there are no words to describe this thing

Next up, for the ladies and for the kiddos...

Couscous with Kale and Mushrooms

Guess what?

I LOVE KALE!!!

I bet you were starting to worry about me and my sugar-fat-calorie intake.  Because I love that too, probably more than kale, but I digress... we're talking about green, leafy things rich in vitamins and minerals!!  KALE!  If you're thinking, "Ew, Siri, that is way too green for me, and bitter, and trendy" well, than I say to you, "green is pretty, it's only bitter if you prepare it wrong and yes, it is trendy, but let's be cool people."

Last night I chopped up some mushrooms into teeny, tiny pieces, sauteed them in olive oil... 

...chopped up kale in teeny, tiny pieces and let them wilt with the mushrooms...

...added one tablespoon of butter, one teaspoon of soy sauce and salt and pepper to taste, and then tossed it with a box of couscous.  The earthy mushrooms and the salty soy balance out the kale, and the small amount of butter adds depth and deliciousness and butter.  

You should try it, I'll be back to cookies soon.

Brown Sugar Cookies

The time has come.

Do you hear what I hear?

Said the night wind to the little lamb...

You guessed it, I'm going mental.  Because I hear the sound of Christmas Cookie season, right around the corner.  Just around the river bend.  If you could see me right now, I look like a cross between that freaky Target lady and a gerbil (I need to shower).  

These cookies are like sugar cookies but with brown sugar instead, which adds depth and richness.  There is also a hint of spice, thanks to the cinnamon and ginger.  THANKS BE TO THE SEASON!

Recipe found HERE.

Christmas cookies on the brain.

Want to make ALL of these.  My neighbors Marge, Earl and Merv better be hungry.

Cran-Pistachio Cookies

Mini Vanilla Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Colorful Spiral Cookies

Siriously Chopped: Thanksgiving Appetizer WINNER!

A big congratulations to my finalists, and a big congratulations to us all, because really, why not?  But without further adieu, I am pleased to announce the winner of the first ever Siriously Chopped...

Kathryn's Corn Cheddar Ravioli in an Apple Cider Sauce! 

Kathryn, you focused on each ingredient and brought out the flavors in a creative and delicious way.  This was sweet, savory, crispy, melt-in-your-mouth - a perfect fall appetizer to impress your guests with!  (Your Williams Sonoma gift should be hitting your inbox shortly...)  

I hope you all have happy and healthy Thanksgivings!  And by "healthy" I mean, "eat until you try jumping out of your own skin" - obviously.  I will try to post a bit this weekend, and if your family is boring you terribly you can always follow my silly, stupid antics on Twitter.    

p.s. I am thankful for you.

p.p.s. Next up... Siriously Chopped: Holiday Dessert : )

p.p.p.s. No one should ever write a "p.p.p.s."

Favorite Thanksgiving Sides

From years past...

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Crispy Shallots

Cranberry Avocado Salsa

(more of an appetizer, but A-MAZING)

Baby Onions with Balsamic

Shredded Brussel Sprouts with Maple Hickory Nuts

Molasses Horseradish Mashed Potato Spears

Godspeed.

Siriously Chopped: Thanksgiving Appetizer FINALISTS!

That was so hard.  Ugh.  YOU ARE SUCH CLEVER RECIPE CREATORS!  I think you should all start food blogs and I will read them.  So (as my son says 47 times a day), for the top 3, I wanted to include a variety of appetizers that fit my criteria: creativity, plating and overall appeal.  I have linked each finalist to their recipe.  Drum roll...    

Catherine's Cornballs with Apple Cream Topping

I received a lot of fried or pan-fried corn cakes of various sorts and honestly, they all looked fabulous (Aunt Pam, Gretchen, Sara - I die).  But something about this one hooked me.  I can almost taste the crispiness just looking at this photo, and an apple cream cheese topping?  Yes.  (Catherine's blog)  

Larry's Corn, Maple & Walnut Spiced Bread Bites

I did a double take after looking at this recipe.  I read "bread bite" and assumed this was a crostini of sorts but no, it's a bunch of wonderful fall flavors mixed together and baked in a mini muffin tin.  Creative!  The sliver of spicy jalapeno on top combined with the sweet, cider, maple syrup dipping sauce seems like such a great contrast of flavor - I'm dying to try.

p.s. If you don't have a ceramic Japanese spoon I'm sure it will still be good.  (Oh Larry...)  

Kathryn's Corn Cheddar Ravioli in an Apple Cider Sauce

This one fell into my top 3 almost instantly.  The name of the dish and the picture was almost all it took.    I was very excited to see the crispy sage/bread crumb topping, and of course ground sage throughout.  Cooked apples and onions, swimming in the buttery cider sauce, spooned over cheesy, corn ravioli - I would order that in a restaurant.    

So there you have it.  I will be making all three of these tonight and tomorrow (sucks to be me), myself and my two co-judges (Jack and Carson) will test taste until we explode, and I will announce the winner on Wednesday!  

A thousand thanks to those who participated - I am saving all of your recipes and will be making them, no matter what.  I love you romantically.  

Jury in session...

Guys, I don't know how I am going to do this.  You sent me amazing recipes for Siriously Chopped, and I don't know how I'm going to pick my top three, let alone a winner.  Who's idea was this??  MINE?!  Wow, I have horrible ideas.  Everyone should win.  Alas, those aren't the rules.  So please stay tuned, as I will post the Top 3 later on today...   

(Photo by Reader Gretchen Klotz - how dare you take cooler pictures than me??)

Easy Tomato & White Wine Sauce

Nothing makes you feel more like a great cook than whipping up an easy, delicious and versatile sauce. Weird, I sound so serious, like a walking advertisement.

Farts.

That's more like me.  Back to being a great cook and mature adult.

I served this sauce over poached fish and it felt like I was indulging in something rich and sinful when, in fact, it was very vibrant and light (I know, healthy...again, unlike me).  Here's how to do it...    

**Melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat.  Add a finely chopped shallot, and saute until translucent.  Add one clove of minced garlic, and saute for another 5 minutes or so, to really let the flavors mesh.  Add one cup of white wine and one can of diced tomatoes (14oz), bring to a boil.  Let boil for a hot second, and then bring down to a simmer for 20 minutes or so.  Let it thicken up.  Season with salt and pepper.**  

Mmm.

So, have you entered the cooking contest yet??  Why not, you don't want to win $75 from Williams Sonoma?  Loving the recipes I've seen so far, everything from soup to salsa.  You guys are the bestest!  Have super weekends!  

Crispy Fried Apple Rings

Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god.  I am a chocolate person.  A creamy, rich, dark, chocolaty dessert will always win over something fruity in my book.  And then came these.  Which I found HERE.  Which are NOT called "Crispy Fried Apple Rings" but that's what they are to me.  A crispy, sugary, slightly spiced exterior around a tart, juicy cooked apple - best served right of of the fryer.  Would be perfection dipped in ice cream.  Or chocolate?  (By the way, yes that's a beer in the photo below.)    

apple rings...

I'm an adult.

mmm, frying things...

sugary crispy fried apple rings...

Yes, my Christmas tree is up SO WHAT.  

Siriously Chopped: Thanksgiving Appetizer

My name is Siri, and I'm your badass JUDGE.  Welcome to Siriously...

1 appetizer.

4 Thanksgiving-themed ingredients.

1 winner of $75 to Williams Sonoma.

Are you ready to open your baskets?  Here we go...

Ingredients:

SAGE.  CANNED CORN.  BREAD CRUMBS.  APPLE CIDER.

The Rules:

You MUST use all four ingredients.

You can use other items from your pantry or fridge, but the 4 ingredients should be the focus of the dish.

You must be able to prep and assemble the recipe in 30 minutes.

To Enter and To Win:

Email me the recipe you create and please include a photo.

You must be an official follower of this blog to be eligible.

I will pick the top 3 based on creativity, plating and appeal.

I will make all 3, post them on the blog, and choose my favorite.

The winner will get $75 at Williams Sonoma! 

Any questions?  Comment below and I will answer them.  

The contest closes this Sunday at 8pm PST, I will post the top 3 on Monday the 21st and I will announce the winner the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.  

(That way you can run to WS with your $$ to buy a roasting pan or gravy boat before Turkey Day.)  

Good luck!  

Remake and a Question...

An oldie but goodie ~ Miso Shrimp Stir Fry ~ remade last night...

Now I add toasted almonds and cilantro on top.

Ok, now for the QUESTION.  Do you guys watch the Food Network show Chopped?  Chefs are given a basket of random ingredients, and they have to make something out of them.  3 people lose, one person wins.  Do you know it?  Ok, but that wasn't the question...

Would you guys participate in a Siriously Chopped competition?  I'll give you four ingredients, you come up with an appetizer that can be easily made in 20 minutes, email me the recipe and a photo, I'll pick the top 3 and eventually the winner and give out an awesome prize!!  

Would that be fun?  I think it would be fun.  But I think putting up Christmas in mid-November is fun, so...    

On my mind...

All via Pinterest.

Which, by the by, is sort of my last name.

Ugh, why am I such a big deal these days??  

Fine, I'm going to change my name to this:

Siri on the Iphone Pinter(est). 

Homemade Almond Joys

As a kid, you didn't like Almond Joys, did you?  They had almonds in them, ew, and something called coconut, which just sounded gross because it had the word "nut" in it.  Besides, your mom loved them, so you knew they were "adult candies" that were best paired with wine.  

Am I just talking about my childhood?  Ok.  I feel so alone.

Anyway, I did NOT care for these as a kid and now I adore them.  And I say words like "adore" when referring to food, because I'm a giant, grown-up food nerd. 

Found this recipe online and it's super (so is the blog) - tastes JUST like the candy bar if not better.  

There is never a time when I do not want to swim in chocolate.

Wednesday Poll: How do you Thanksgiving?

What's your role each Thanksgiving?  Do you cook the whole thing?  Order in?  Eat out?  Do you assign everyone a dish?  Do you do nothing except eat, watch football and scratch your balls?  

Everyone has a role, and mine is usually to take full control.  See that picture up there?  Don't I look happy and thankful?  Nope.  That smile is a manic one... a panicked, "everything-will-be-fine-if-I-show-teeth-like-Giada" shit-eating grin.  That's what happens to me when I try to do too much.  So this year, I've decided to do next to nothing and let someone else take over.  Teach me how to watch football please (I already know how to scratch my balls).

NOW TELL ME, what's your role in Turkey Day??

More Turkey Day Reads from last year...

A Tale of Thanksgivings Gone By and Three Strikes

Fall Salad

My friend Katy introduced me to the BEST.SALAD.EVER.  She made it this past weekend while our moms were in town visiting, and because I spaced and didn't take pictures of it, I decided I had to remake it.  Of course I didn't have any of the right ingredients for the salad, but for the dressing I was set.    Balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, chopped shallots, olive oil and maple syrup.  I could bathe in the stuff.  Why is there an 'E' at the end of bathe?  I hate that.  Recipe found here.