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Do you know what “The Bachelor” is?

Published on January 31, 2011 in Eat & Drink and Entertaining. 2 Comments

…other than a train wreck, a waste of brain cells, and borderline painful to watch?

It’s an excuse to mini-rage on a Monday! Much like Book Club, it’s a reason to have your friends over, pop open some vino, nosh on some good food, and round-table rip-to-shreds everything that goes down on the Most Dramatic Season E-VER of the show. It almost makes Monday like the caboose of a 3-day weekend every week.

A few weeks ago, I made Karrie’s Turkey Chili for Jess & Mary – two of my whip-smart girlfriends who also happen to be totally hilarious and TOTALLY ruthless. Letting those two loose with an easy target like ABC’s “The Bachelor” is like watching a comedy routine. I was literally doubled-over, howling/laughing – the way you do when no noise comes out of your mouth, but tears come out of your eyes. My landlord actually called upstairs to ask “what in the @#$%” was going on. I’m pretty sure that was the painfully cheesy episode where Ashley What’s-Her-Last-Name and Brad went to the carnival. And then we all ralphed in perfect unison.

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I give up though – that show is sheer garbage entertainment, and I’m totally hooked. Between Voldemort Michelle’s shenanigans (have you noticed they play circus freak music when she talks?? priceless), Ashley H’s self-induced meltdowns, Brad’s shrink coming on and spewing crap like, “Brad, this is therapy for you, make out with as MANY girls as possible,” and girls jumping into Brad’s arms, à la “1-2-3-WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!” – it’s JUST too good.

So why don’t you shoot out an email invite to some friends, cue the DVR, bop over to the groc after work, and whip up some comfort food for your homies? Here are a few ideas…

If YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUU:

1. Called in sick to work today and have a few extra hours this afternoon, try this Boeuf Bourguignon Soup recipe from Martha Stewart. It’s a twist on Julia Child’s classic, but easier. Note: I double my mushrooms and carrots. Also, the horseradish chive bread ‘serve with’ suggestion was not my jam, so I’d kick it old school with a hot, fresh, crusty baguette.

2. Won’t have time to whip anything up after work, hit the easy button and do takeout. You could grab a couple of Kashi pizzas (or fresh ones from Whole Foods), a little fresh basil, a few bottles of red, and you’re golden. [If you wanna put in a smidge more effort, make a small green salad too.]

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Other Chi-town takeout faves? Homemade Pizza Co… Big Bowl via Grub Hub for Asian/Thai/Chinese… Wakamono for Sushi… Frasca for Italian.

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3. Have 30 minutes to cook, do a Taco Bar.

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Everybody’s taco preferences are different, but my must-haves are:

  • Both hard shells AND corn (not flour) tortillas
  • Ground Turkey or Beef + Taco Seasoning Packet
  • Habanero Hot Pepper Cheese from COSTCO (this stuff makes life worthwhile)
  • Avocado
  • Gobs of Cilantro
  • Black beans
  • Limes
  • Donkey tortilla chips
  • Salsa, preferably this kind
  • A dollop of Daisy
  • Coronas

Happy Monday Mini-Raging!

2 Comments

Guilt-Free Comfort Food: Turkey Chili and Vegan Cornbread

Published on December 9, 2010 in Eat & Drink and Guest Bloggers. 5 Comments

Ohhhhh, snap.  It’s holiday time, b*tches!  I love this time of year for so many reasons…  one being the fact that it’s totally acceptable to step into my elastic waistband pants and eat inordinate amounts of food.  Buh…  wait what?!  Mouth-watering comfort food that’s (gasp!) HEALTHY?  …POR SUPUESTO!

You can imagine my giddiness and intrigue when our sassy guest blogger, Jess, offered to treat me to a deeel-ish meal of turkey chili and vegan cornbread she was trying out.  I’ll let Chef-boy-ar-Jess take it from here!

Hi guys!!  Jess here.  First of all, I was so happy when Karrie and I came up with the idea of her coming to my house to make dinner one night for Covet Living.

I’d been wanting to concoct a turkey chili for years, but had never pulled the trigger.

After last night, I can safely say that chili is THE easiest thing you can make for a group.  It also got RAVE reviews!  So if you’re entertaining soon and want to keep it low-maintenance and low-key, chili is a great way to go.

I served the chili with the Vegan Cornbread below…  Yum.

As you can see by looking at both recipes towards the bottom of this post, all of the ingredients were wholesome, fresh and delicious.

The amazing cookies above (chocolate chip/potato chip!!!!!!!!) came from Betty and Denise at GRUB in Hollywood.  To be clear:  these are definitely fresh and delicious, but maybe not-so-much wholesome.  I hope you all enjoy it!

Love,

Jess Turkey Chili Recipe

  • 2 lbs of ground turkey (1 ¼ white meat, ¾ dark meat)
  • 2 onions
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 2 cans of 28oz diced tomatoes
  • 3 cups of water
  • 1 T of Kosher Salt
  • 1 tspn of white pepper
  • 1 tspn of garlic powder
  • 1 tspn of onion powder
  • 1 tspn of paprika
  • 1 tspn of cayenne pepper (more if you like things spicy like me)
  • 1 tspn of crushed red pepper flakes
  • ½ tspn of cumin
  • Shake of oregano
  • 2 cans of kidney beans
  • Glug of olive oil

Garnish:

  • Avocado
  • Tortilla strips
  • Green onion
  • Mexican blend cheese
  • Sour Cream
  • Jalapeño
  • Hot sauce

Directions:

  1. Put the olive oil in your pot and warm.
  2. Add the onions and garlic and put the flame to medium.  Wait for the onion to become translucent – this will take a few minutes.
  3. Add the turkey meat to pot and cook until cooked through.
  4. Add the tomatoes, water, kidney beans and the rest of the spices.  The spices in this recipe are meant to be a guide of what to put in but go with your taste and personal preference.
  5. Put the burner to a simmer and allow 2 hours to cook through.

Vegan Cornbread

  • 2 T of ground flax seeds
  • 6 T of water
  • 1 cup of whole-wheat white flour
  • 1 cup of cornmeal
  • ¼ cup of sugar
  • 4 tspn of baking power
  • ¾ t of kosher salt
  • 1 cup of rice milk
  • ¼ cup of canola oil
  • 1 can of corn
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper and garlic powder

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees
  2. Spray 8 inch square baking dish with non stick cooking spray
  3. Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan
  4. Add the ground flax seed and reduce the head to medium low and simmer the ground flax in water for 3 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally.  Set aside.
  5. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt, garlic power and cayenne until well combined
  6. Add the ground flax seed, rice milk, canola oil and corn to the dry mixture
  7. Beat until smooth.  If you are using a mixture keep it on the low setting.
  8. Put into baking plan
  9. Put into the over for 20-25 minutes.
  10. Let cool and serve!

Thanks Jess!  Here’s to a yummy – yet healthy-ish (!) – meal.

xoxo,

5 Comments