Healthy Superbowl Fare? Oxymoron?

My friend, Brady, posted this video of Bethenney Frankel's dishing about a healthy Super Bowl spread. Dare I say this all sounds pretty good?

What's on YOUR Super Bowl Menu?

To The Side: Root Vegetable Gratin

I don't think I can help but try this dish before the end of the holidays.  My dear friend, Rebecca, says that she took a stab at the recipe and it's delicious albeit a little rich.

Photo credit: Williams-Sonoma

Are you trying any new recipes during this holiday weekend? What's on YOUR menu?

TBS Cooks: Crockpot Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

It was sooooo rainy and gloomy in Atlanta this past Sunday.  Besides wanting to waddle in bed all day and watch old movies (one of my VERY favorite things to do, by the way), I knew I didn't want to stand over the stove at. all.

Early in the day, I found a recipe for Crockpot Pulled Chicken, thawed some frozen buns and whipped up a side of pineapple coleslaw. Tah-dah!  Six hours later,  we were grazing on one of the most simple (but delicious) meals ever.

What is YOUR favorite crockpot recipe?

Here's the recipe for the pulled chicken sandwiches:

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken breasts
• 1 (16 ounce) jars 505 medium hot salsa ( or other brand if your store doesn't carry 505)
• 2 serrano peppers, chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, pressed
• 1 packet taco seasoning 

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in crock pot and cook for 10 1/2 hours.
2. To shred chicken, remove from crock pot and use 2 forks to pull apart.
3. Very easy!
4. Put shredded chicken back in sauce to keep moist
   
   

Dying To Try This Recipe!

Photo: Real Simple

Y'all know that I'm obsessed with Real Simple, right? It's one of the very few magazines that I still "take" (a.k.a. subscribe to).  The September issue features a dish that I can not wait to chef up: Creamy Seafood Casserole.  I'd modify it a bit by eliminating the carrots (blech...I hate warm carrots) and adding a bit of lump crab meat. Yummy!

What comfort food can't you wait to make when the weather is cooler?

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups olive oil
• 3 medium onions, chopped
• 2 pounds medium carrots (about 16), halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
• 2 pounds medium parsnips (about 16), halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
• 8 stalks celery, thinly sliced
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups dry white wine
• 4 cups heavy cream
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 1 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 6 pounds waxy potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 3 pounds skinless tilapia fillets (about 12), cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 pounds peeled and deveined medium shrimp, tails removed
• 2 cups coarse fresh bread crumbs

Directions

1. Divide ½ cup of the oil between 2 large pots and heat over medium heat. Divide the onions, carrots, parsnips, and celery between the pots and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 18 to 20 minutes. Dividing evenly, sprinkle with the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute (do not let darken). Divide the wine between the pots and simmer for 1 minute.
2. Divide the cream between the pots; season each with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and, dividing evenly, stir in the parsley. Divide the vegetable mixture among four 8-inch square baking dishes and let cool.
3. Meanwhile, place the potatoes in a large pot and add enough cold water to cover. Bring to a boil and add 1 tablespoon salt. Reduce heat and simmer until tender, 15 to 18 minutes. Reserve 3 cups of the cooking water, drain the potatoes, and return them to the pot. Add 1 cup of the remaining oil, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, and 1 cup of the reserved cooking water and mash (adding more cooking water, if necessary) until smooth.
4. Dividing evenly among the baking dishes, nestle the fish and shrimp in the vegetable mixture. Top with the potato mixture.
5. In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs and the remaining ¼ cup of oil. Dividing evenly, sprinkle over the potatoes.
6. To eat tonight: Bake the casserole on a rimmed baking sheet at 375° F until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.
7. To freeze and cook later: Freeze the unbaked casserole, tightly sealed, for up to 3 months. To cook, thaw the casserole and bake, uncovered, on a rimmed baking sheet at 375° F until heated through and golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes.

You Can't Beat A Burger!

It seems that burgers are all the rage right now.

Truth be told, they are surely one of my favorite meals.  Since I've become an old lady, I don't eat as many beef burgers anymore...you're more likely to find me noshing on a turkey burger.  However, I always become overwhelmed by a sense of nostalgia when I think about burgers.  They remind me of Saturday afternoons at my Grandma Sarah's as a child.  She'd whip out her cast iron skillet, sautee onions and then fry up the ground beef patties that she'd got from Dosters, the local IGA.  Not much for buns, she'd serve them up between slices of "light" (a.k.a. white) bread with ketchup, mustard and a side of home fries or chips.  Goodness! My mouth is watering.

I really like to try different options and combinations with burgers.  Not too long ago, Mr TBS and I cheffed up this Mar-A-Lago turkey burger.  I agree with Oprah (as it was featured on an episode of her show): this is one of the best burgers ever!

I recently stumbled across a post from one of my favorite sites, Bon Appetit.  If you're adventurous and want to grind your own meat, this is a great step-by-step outline.

My favorite burger right now is a traditional turkey burger with blue cheese dressing and caramelized onion jam from Sensatiables.  It's heaven between bread.

What's your favorite burger and toppings?

It's Her Birthday! It's Her Birthday!

Join me in wishing a very happy birthday to the High Holy Priestess of All Things Lifestyle, A One
Ms Martha Stewart. Now THAT'S a good thing.

In her honor, methinks I will chef up one of my favorite summer salads that I got from her website.

Happy Birthday, Martha!

There's Something About (A Bloody) Mary

You can't beat a good bloody mary. This is a good video for your entertaining files.

What is your brunch cocktail of choice?

My Summer Cookbook: 101 Simple Summer Dishes

I LOVE to post this link every year as the weather turns warm.  The only thing that I enjoy more is actually abiding by this "cookbook" and consuming the delightful dishes.  Mr TBS introduced me to The Minimalist, Mark Bittman,  in The New York Times a few years ago by actually printing all of these recipes and bringing them home for us to try.

Trust me.  Some of the greatest dishes I've ever eaten are embedded in this list.  In the past, Mr TBS and I have taken turns choosing something from the list and surprising the other with it AND a great bottle of sparkling water (or wine, for me).

I wouldn't steer you wrong.

Take a pass!

What's your favorite warm weather dish?

I Tried A New Recipe: Spiced Pork Chops With Spinach Sautee

Helllllllllo!

I've missed y'all tremendously. After being stricken with the double-whammies that were strep throat and a sinus infection, I am FINALLY on the mend. Mr TBS and Gareth took great care of me.  In a couple of posts I'm going to have to dish on some of the home remedies that contributed to my feeling better.

On Sunday night, I did feel like eating something that didn't come out of a can (I blew through my inventory of homemade soup within the first few days of being puny last week) but since I was still building my strength, I didn't feel like slaving over the stove.

I reached for the March issue of Real Simple and came across the recipe for Paprika Spiced Pork Chops and Spinach Sautee. Six servings cost me $10 and the entire meal took no more than 25 minutes to prepare.  Gareth ate more than his share (per usual) and the reviews were stellar.

Stumbling across the recipe reminded me that it's come high time that I purge my magazine stash; thus tearing out recipes and filing them in a binder with protective sheets for future reference. Gosh...a Broke Socialite's projects are never done, right?

Are you a magazine maven? What do you do with your back issues?


Photo credit:Quentin Bacon/Real Simple

I Tried!

We had a lovely weather weekend in Atlanta. It might not seem like much but, like most places, we've had a few drab weather weeks. For nearly the past month, it's either rained and/or snowed every weekend.

Mr TBS and I ventured outside the house for a couple of events: Shark Planet at The Georgia Aquarium (we did not make it in because the line was far too long for my taste...TBS does NOT do lines) and the Georgia State Wrestling Finals.  Gareth won his first two matches and advanced to the semi-finals but went on to lose the last two matches in a double-elimination scenario.  I frankly believe it was survival of the fittest on the mats. All of the kids were dog-tired and some mentally threw in the towel after so long.  Though he literally fought the good fight, methinks our kid was one who was just too tired to forge ahead.  With his elimination, we are now done with high school sports! Yes! (Did I say that out loud?) No more bleacher butt for me....well, at least until college.

I also tried two new things over the weekend:

• Paula Deen's Southern Biscuits - I don't know why but I woke up on Sunday morning with a hankering for biscuits. The only think I knew was that I didn't want them from a bag or a can.  Since I had all of the ingredients in the pantry, I figured I'd whip up a bakers' dozen.  I'd only tried my hand at biscuits one other time and those were a disaster.  I took my time, followed the directions to the letter and whipped up a decent batch.  They were a tad blonde for my taste but I think I know how to correct them next time...broil the top for a minute or two.

• SkinnyGirl Margaritas - Enough said. The brainchild of Bethenney Frankel of Real Housewives of New York fame, each of these pre-mixed cocktails has only 110 calories! About the same as a glass of wine. I'm usually not one for drinks whipped in advance and bottled but they've now a fan in me. A combination of silver tequila, lime and a splash of Triple Sec, it rendered the essence of margarita without the guilt. I can't wait until my next case bottle.

Have YOU tried anything new lately?

Who Dat? The Broke Socialite's Super Bowl Menu

Let's get one thing straight. I could not care less about who wins the Super Bowl this year. The Southern Girl in me, though, has me to root for the New Orleans Saints, the southern team in the tie-up.

In honor of my friends and family with ties to New Orleans, I shall be cheffing up a pot of gumbo for Sunday's showdown and will serve it with a side of Hurricanes. I think I'm an OK gumbo chef but Mr TBS says I'm being too self-critical. I only make it a couple of times a year but when I do, it's most always a therapeutic experience.  Here's my gumbo recipe. The only variation are that I opt out of the okra and use shrimp or chicken stock in the absence of a turkey carcass.

I made the recipe a couple of Thanksgivings ago and it's been a mainstay since. I usually have most everything on hand to make it and try to keep the pot under $40 (which can sometimes be a challenge)

What will YOU serve on Super Bowl Sunday? Will you watch the game?

The Broke Socialite Chefs Up: Shrimp and Corn Chowder!

Last night, I felt the urge to make a comfort dish...sometimes you just need it, you know?

I opted for a Scallop (I substituted shrimp)and Corn Chowder recipe that I saw in Real Simple magazine a few weeks ago.  It was absolutely delightful. The dish cost me approximately $15 to make and there are approximately 12 servings. Yes. 12. I, therefore, froze over half of it.

Here is the original recipe which I altered.

Have you tried any new recipes lately?

The Broke Socialite's Primer To New Year's Day Brunch On A Budget

If you're anything like TBS, you're still trying to figure out what I'll do on New Year's Eve. While uncertainty looms on the New Year's Eve front, one of the things that I enjoy most during the holiday season is preparing a New Year's Day Brunch for family and friends.

Even if you have other plans, you should always be equipped with some ideas for a budget brunch!

When planning your brunch, do remember that your guests will likely be recovering from celebratory New Year's eve, so start around 11 AM. Stress that passes will be issued for tardiness; this encourages folk to drop in at their leisure (do however set a firm soiree end time).

Set the ambiance: jazz in one room while college football bowl games are offered in another can be just the right backdrop. If you can get them in enough time, fill a huge bowl with fortune cookies (maybe check with a local Chinese restaurant)---this is a built-in icebreaker.

Upon arrival their arrival, be prepared to issue either a mimosa, a very strong cup of coffee or a tall bloody mary to your guests. Mini ham biscuits or cheesestraws are great for quick bites. Do also consider a basket of mini-muffins.

Your main menu should be effortless: a mixed fruit salad, a frittata or egg casserole and hashbrowns (or even a green salad) will suffice. Do also consider dishes that you can prepare the night before such as baked french toast.

A dessert platter will top off the festivities nicely. Cookies and brownies will comfort everyone as they head home for a nap and before they begin to consider their supper of collard greens, black-eyed peas, et al.

What's on your New Year's Day menu?

Soiree for Six: Only $94!

Last evening, I experienced the delight of hosting a small cocktail party in my home...nothing formal 'Twas an intimate gathering amongst the coolest friends and their significant others. At the end of the night, I was euphoric: from the spread, the libations and laughing (last night reminded me that it IS the best medicine).

As I developed my menu this week, I issued a self-imposed challenge: pull this thing off for $100 or less. In true TBS fashion, I met the mark. I left the market having spent only $94. If I could do that move where you jump up and click your heels together, I'd have been all over it.

Here's the menu:

*Crudite platter with homemade Caesar dressing

*Creole stuffed mushrooms

*Spicy shrimp skewers

*Deviled eggs with prosciutto and chives

*Two versions of individual macaroni and cheese: three cheese (ricotta, parmesan riggiano and cheddar) and lobster and bleu cheese.

*Cold shrimp salad with artichokes, capers and lemons (brought by one of my guests)

*Pinwheels (a veggie blend baked in phyllo dough and brought by a guest)

*Cheesecake (deliverd by a guest)

*Chocolate walnut brownie bites

*Louis Latour Pinot Noir

*Stella Artois (for the guys, of course...ok-and me)

I was thrilled that I was able to stay under budget. Dare I say that I was even proud of myself? Hey, I'm trying to do better!

Will any amongst us host any parties at home this holiday season?

The Broke Socialite Loves A TV Dinner

Once again, I've something that I MUST confess.

I, The Broke Socialite, am obsessed with The CW's Gossip Girl.

Am I likely too old? Yes.

Do I care? Absolutely not. I'm of the 90210 generation and this gang satisfies my thirst for trash television. So there.

I love to hate the circuitous storylines and threaten to stop watching it every other week. The problem is that I can't seem to tear away.  Where else can I get my fill of teen angst except from the fictitious brood of Upper East Side-ers (except Vanessa, of course)?  First Nate dated Serena then Blair then Vanessa then (fill in the blank here)...Now Dan and Jenny (due to their father, Rufus', relations with Lily Van der Woodsen, no doubt) have moved up to the de-luxe apartment in the sky-iy-iyyyyyyyyyy.....

Then there's the teenaged be-ascot-ed Chuck Bass, the heir to his deceased father's hotel empire (of course). *swoon*

Your head spinning yet? Gotta love it.

So imagine my delight when I saw this Gossip Girl TV Dinner menu on Epicurious.

Though this spread is quite delightful for mindless television. I think it'll translate to YOUR favorite show or for any occasion for that matter.  I hope you are inspired!

Do you watch Gossip Girl? Which is your favorite character? If you're not watching it, what's your TV candy as of late?

More Turkey Talk: How To Carve One From Real Simple

Are your turkey carving skills up to par? Or do you delegate it to someone else? If you're not confident, consider purchasing a couple of cornish hens to prepare and practice at some point over the next week or so.

Oh, Did We Come Together: The Broke Socialite Helps Macy's Fight Hunger

Hi y'all!

How are you?

I've missed you, sure enough.  I've been busier than a one-legged woman in a butt kicking contest.  Not too busy for a cause, though.  The folks at Macy's asked The Broke Socialite to host a dinner party to bring awareness to and discuss the real issue of hunger and the 10 million people who are dealing with it each and every day.  For the majority of this month, Macy's 'Come Together' initiative has utilized an array of media to educate us all and raise money. Today is the last day you can go to Macy's and make a donation to Feed America. You can also use this link.

Instead of spending an exhorbitant amount of money on food (I just couldn't), I thought it might be a good idea to put a TBS spin on said soiree.  I opted to host a brunch and each attendee made a donation to the cause.  For less than $50, I created a simple menu for 6:

• Southern Fried Chicken
• Waffles (thank you to our short order chef, Christie Crowder)
• Scalloped Potatoes
• Three Berry Fruit Salad
• Juices
• Coffee

In addition to myself, Christie and The Boy (of course), Joan of All Trades, The Fabulous Do-Gooder and my friend, Denise enjoyed the fellowship.  "A Good Time Was Had By All" was an understatement. Brunch began at 1 PM and didn't wrap up until 6 PM.  TBS throws a great party.  I've included recipes for my menu.

TBS's "Macy's Come Together" Brunch Setting

What are your favorite brunch dishes?

Cloudy Stemware? TBS Helps!

The things that rumble around in this head of mine never cease to amaze me.  I got a query from my dear friend, Ask Wifey, a few days ago that made me realize that, of all things, cloudy stemware could be an epidemic.

Since the holidays are nearly upon us, now is the time to begin to prep your china, silver and glassware.

Read Ms Challenged Glassware's quandary here.

Any china/silver/glassware cleaning tips you'd like to share?

The Eat On $30 Challenge? Me? No Problem...

...Or at least I thought. Did you know that I'm the step-mother to a 17 year-old, 240lb, 6 feet tall linebacker who lives with us? Meet Gareth.

Gareth (#72) and his mentees at the Boys and Girls Club

This week, I 've been participating in the Eat On $30 challenge by my dear buddy, Tami. 
 
Tami is passionate about bringing awareness to how many families in our society are struggling and barely have $30. Here are some statistics from her post:

• At some point during the year, 1 in 5 Americans receives food assistance from 1 or more of the 15 programs providing help.
• In 2009, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will help feed 31 million people per month. The average monthly benefit? $101.
• Between March 2007 and March 2008, the global price of food rose 43%. 1 billion people - 1/6th of the world's population - live on $1 per day.

Wow! What a wake-up call.

So...the rule is as simple as this: for one week, I can only spend $30 per person in our home on food...that can be groceries, eating out or a combination of the two.  My kitty was $90 and I opted to plan our meals, buy groceries and cook at home.  This isn't that far outside of the norm for me...after all I am The Broke Socialite. Emphasis on Broke, please.

What has been challenging, however, is marrying my busy schedule this week (and especially having come off a busy weekend) with the time (read: desire) to slave over a stove.  Couple that with a linebacker of a teenaged son whose sole purpose in life is seemingly to eat me out of house and home.  As quickly as I can prepare food, he's gobbled it down.  This week's menus have been filled with meals that can stretch: red beans and rice, tacos, sandwiches and so far, so good.  As y'all saw yesterday, I even made a couple of loaves of banana bread. During the week.  That's an anomaly for me.

The problem?   Remember Gareth, the teenaged boy who eats like he has a hollow leg? It's him.  Normally, I allow him to eat to his heart's content.  He runs at least 6 miles a day and is, well, a growing boy.  This week, however, I've had to instruct him to not be so erra...greedy...because we need to make groceries stretch this week.  I might as well have had 10 heads but then I took the time to explain the Eat on 30 Challenge to him.  Surprisingly he thought it was so cool!  Though we are remarkably blessed, there have been times, years ago, that we've struggled due to job losses and I think he's sensitive to the reality of actually having to be on a budget out of necessity. What a teaching moment (until he went and grabbed two a handful of Little Debbies and retreated to the Man/Boy Cave)!

I've included a picture of the red beans and rice and my recipe (except I do not use tomatoes).

Could YOU eat on $30 for a week?

TBS Cooks Prep School 101's Banana Bread

One of my most recent obsessions is this delightfully fresh blog, Prep School 101. Penned by Jennifer, an arbiter of all things preppy with her own twist, I've had so much fun peeling back the layers.  One of her posts from the weekend struck a chord from me.  She talked about her Sunday rituals and how she's evolved over the past few years.  One of the things she likes to do with her daughter on Sundays is make banana bread. Oh! My mouth began to water.

I decided I'd give her recipe a try! It is sooooooo good.  I very rarely bake from scratch but this was simple and didn't take much time...even on a weeknight.  Next time, I think I'll throw in some walnuts for a bit more texture. 

My banana bread (it MAY look a little meatloaf-ish but it's divine!)

Since I'm participating in the Eat on $30 For A Week Challenge (more details about that tomorrow), this fit right into my budget.

You can find Jennifer's recipe here. Enjoy!

When was the last time you made a dessert from scratch?