Chocolate Stout Cakez...

I made this incredibly delicious cake this weekend... I have
to say it's the best dessert I've ever made. I mean EVER.



The photo does not do the cake justice, but I just wanted to
share a little bit of it's AWESOMENESS with you!

black friday

has been relaxing and nice so far.

no shopping, except for fixings for
this and out for a walk with this:


mmm, mayo + turkey = gooood.

If You're Driving in Your Car and You Can't Get Very Far...

you know the rest... Fiahreea! fire, ow.
Anyhow, I made the hottest Green Chile Stew that there
ever was yesterday and my belly is on fire today... TMI?
sorry. But, thanks to my mom for the hotness. And, Lyd,
it was sooo hot, you would've loved it!

I made the yummiest dessert last night, this, and
it rocked.



The other night we saw Into the Wild and you
should see it too. Not only is it very compelling, but
the main character is played by Emile Hirsch, a
favorite of mine. Please watch this movie.



This evening is the return of some favorites, 30 Rock
and of course, the Office... WOO-HOO!

Pam is the best!


Right now, I am starving.

You Don't Eat Meats? That's Okay, I Make Lamb.

I love me some meats.

I'm making this brisket for the familia tomorrow,
so I'll start marinating the beef tonight. Craig made
one using the same recipe but added a can of Dr. Pepper
(like his grandma used to do!) and I'll do the same. We'll
probably have some mashers and a veg with this... can't wait!

What are you eating or making this weekend?

Holla.

Cinnamon Rolls

Craig and I made these on Friday night
and let me tell you... so. flippin'. delicious.
We made them as a birthday gift and there were
more than enough to share with our nice neighbors,
Char Char and BryBry, and still have some for
ourselves. It was really nice to spend time with
my Sweets, doing something we both like doing...
melting and eating butter.

Last Night

I made this and
these and we were
very pleased!

Along with the new
season of The Office,
all was happy in the
Blanragg household.

Oatmeal Crispies

... also known as 'Man Pleasers' according to
The Pioneer Woman Cooks.

Either way, they look delicious and very easy,
another treat to add to my 'Baking To Do' list!

ho-ly shit.

Bacon Chocolate Cake.

Need I say more?


I'm sooo going to make this someday!

I Love Date Night, part 2.

I'm one lucky biotch! When I came home from work
yesterday, I walked into our house smelling like a
fancy ass Italian place. Craig informed me earlier in
the day of what we'd be having, but he totally went
all out!


With food from our garden, he put together a feast
for his baby! I was one happy baby!



For starters, we had lightly fried squash blossoms
stuffed with goat cheese and roasted garlic... delish.




Next, we had grilled bread with olive oil and roasted garlic -
so damn good - and a caprese salad with basil and tomatoes
from the garden , mozzarella and oil and vinegar.



And for the main course, we had parpadelle pasta
with pancetta, copa, sweet peas and pecorino cheese,
lots of pepper and love. For the side dish, we had
braised squash with bacon, onions, garlic, FIGS, and
ridicchio...oh. my. god. it was fabulous!



I really liked the vegetables... a nice change from
the usual broccoli or green beans we love so much.
I loved the roasted garlic and fig combo on grilled
bread... it was heavenly.

Later, we enjoyed La Bamba for the
1,001th time and yes, we ran our lines with the movie
and cried a little at the end.

After that, we talked and talked and talked, then
played around in our bed - you know what I mean?
After all, it was Date Night!

What's for Dinner?

check out some recipes at epicurious for
something delicious and new to make tonight!

Ahh, the Salad Days...

It's hot outside.

So, tonight for dinner we had
something yummy and refreshing:



romaine w/ homemade vinaigrette, chicken w/
panko breadcrumbs, tomatoes, bacon, chopped
egg, avocado, red onion, blue cheese crumbles,
and cayenne candied walnuts... bread + butter.

so damn delicious.

"And there's what's right and there's what's
right and never the t'wain shall meet."

- H.I. McDonnough, Raising Arizona

Oh, Happy Day!

Howdy! I hope everyone had a great 4th of July,
we did. We continued our newest family tradition
of driving up to Moriarty, east of Albuquerque, to
get some fireworks - illegal of course. The 3 of us -
Craig, Angus and myself - enjoyed the short drive,
listened to some classic rock and even saw a black
pug in the parking lot of the fireworks place.



For dinner we BBQ'd some brats, burgers and
hotdogs. Along with that, we had butter bag corn
and a fabulous potato salad created by yours truly.
I was so happy when both Craig and Angus said
it was the best potato salad they've had! Maybe
they were just being the sweet boys they are,
but either way, I was one happy gal. Here's a
rundown of the recipe:

Boil 6-7 red potatoes til just piercable, about
30 mins. Hard boil 2 eggs - I used our teapot,
it worked perfectly. In the meantime, chop some
celery, scallions and yellow onion, put aside in
the bowl you'll use for serving. When the potatoes
are ready, quarter and add to the bowl, salt +
pepper, toss. Next, add red wine vinegar and toss
again. Cover and chill for about an hour or so.
Then, when you're almost ready to eat, add mayo,
dijon mustard, chopped egg and fresh dill.



Later that evening we lit our fireworks ...






and Bombay was just so scared, he stayed inside
hiding under Craig's desk most of the night.


poor withers.

This was Bombay this morning: