Wordless Wednesday {w/linky}

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Saw this "proper cat" on Pinterest....and just had to compare her to my fat cat....I'm so funny, right?

Or as my brother-in-law said... "Go home proper cat, you're drunk!"
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FWF: Deviled Ham Terrine & Roasted Asparagus

This was a great appetizer for dinner, but it was even better as leftovers for a lunch!

For the Introduction to this series of recipes, click HERE

DEVILED HAM TERRINE

1-1/2 lb smoked ham, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

1/2 cup mayonnaise

6 Tblsp butter, softened

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

3 Tblsp dry white wine

1 celery rib, finely chopped

2 green onions, finely chopped

1 tsp lemon zest

3/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp ground red pepper (optional)

Crackers

Veggies

• Pulse ham, in batches, in a food processor 4 to 6 times or until shredded. (do not overprocess)
• Stir together parsley and next 9 ingredients. Stir in ham until well blended. Cover and chill 8 hours. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 3 days.
• Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before serving. Serve with crackers and veggies.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS

2 lb fresh asparagus

2 Tblsp pan drippings from the Roast [or use 2 Tblsp Olive oil and Salt & Pepper to taste]

1 lemon, thinly sliced

• Preheat broiler with oven rack 3 inches away from heat.
• Snap off and discard tough ends of the asparagus [Click HERE for clearer instructions] and toss with pan drippings and lemon slices.
• Arrange in a single layer on a jelly-roll pan. Broil 4 to 9 minutes or until browned.

For the Introduction to this series of recipes, click HERE

"Feast with Friends"

~Quick Winter Pickled Veggies

~Deviled Ham Terrine

~Kumquat Martini

~Fennel-Crusted Rib Roast

~Roasted Asparagus

~Warm Greens with Cornbread Croutons

~Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Zinfandel-Poached Figs

FBF: Cheddar Bay Biscuits

FLASH-BACK FRIDAY

CHEDDAR BAY BISCUITS

click on image to see full post from 1/25/12

Corn & Potato Chowder [Slow-Cooker]

CORN & POTATO CHOWDER

(low calorie, about 220 per serving)

3 medium red potatoes, finely diced
2 (14.75-oz) can cream-style corn
1 (1.5-oz) can chicken broth
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 (11-oz) can whole kernel corn with sweet peppers, drained
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Cracked black pepper
Soup or saltine crackers
Dollop of sour cream

• In a 3-1/2 to 4-qt crock-pot, combine potatoes, cream-style corn, broth, garlic powder, corn with peppers, and ground pepper.
• Cover and cook on low-heat for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. 
• Serve with crackers and dollop of sour cream on top.
• Makes 6 servings.

Wordless Wednesday {linky}

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

I've been out of the hops the last 2 weeks, just been really busy and then the flu hit this family. But I'm back now!

I have 2 foster-kitties right now. They need some social time before they can be adopted.

  

Padme' and Sola

Do you remember this little girl? Joey! She finally got adopted, it makes me so happy!

This little guy was just an over-night foster while we transported him to another shelter who offered to take some kitties off the hands of the shelter here. He slept on my shoulder all night. It was just 24 hours, but I grew attached and it was hard to see him go.

We named him "Mark-E Mark" which is short for "Mark- Exclamation Mark" (because he looks like he has an "!" on his nose!)

And of course, my cats don't mind. But I usually get his view when we have fosters in the house.

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~Please follow Cookin' for my Captain via GFC, FaceBook or Networks Blog!

~Leave a comment if you're a new follower, so I can return the follow!
~Grab the WW button if you want to...

...and add your "Wordless Wednesdays" up below!

Chinese Pork Tenderloin with Garlic-Sauced Noodles

CHINESE PORK TENDERLOIN 

with GARLIC-SAUCED NOODLES

(this has only about 300 calories per serving!)

2 (1-lb) pork tenderloins, trimmed

1/4 cup soy-sauce, divided

1 Tblsp hoisin sauce

1 Tblsp tomato sauce

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp grated peeled fresh ginger

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 Tblsp seasoned rice vinegar

1 tsp dark sesame oil

8 cups hot cooked Chinese-style noodles

1 cup matchstick-cut carrots

1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves

3/4 cup green onions, sliced

1/3 cup peanuts, chopped (optional)

1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

9 lime wedges

• Place tenderloins in a 5-qt electric slow cooker. Combine 1 tblsp soy sauce and next 5 ingredients (through garlic); drizzle over tenderloins. Cover and cook on LOW for 3-1/2 hours. Remove pork from slow cooker and place in a large bowl, reserving cooking liquid in slow cooker. Let pork stand 10 minutes.
• Strain cooking liquid through a sieve into a bowl. Cover and keep warm. Shred pork with 2 forks (or use THIS method).
• Return cooking liquid to slow cooker, stir in remaining 3 Tblsp soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil. Cover and cook in HIGH 10 minutes. Turn slow cooker off. Add pork, noodles, and next 3 ingredients, tossing to coat. Spoon noodle mixture into bowls; sprinkle with peanuts and chopped cilantro leaves. Serve with lime wedges.

Curried Carrot Soup [Slow-Cooker]

I'm taking a week off from posting dinners from Christmas so I can post these other fabulous dishes I've made! I've had a couple friends ask for recipe, so I didn't want them waiting too long!

CURRIED CARROT SOUP

1 garlic clove, minced
1 large onion, chopped
2 Tblsp oil
1 Tblsp butter
1 tsp curry powder
1 Tblsp flour
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
6 large carrots, sliced
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground red pepper (optional)
1-1/2 cups plain yogurt or light sour cream
Soup crackers

• In a skillet, cook minced garlic and onion in oil and butter until veggies are limp, but not brown.
• Add curry and flour. Cook 30 seconds. Pour into slow cooker.
• Add chicken broth and carrot. Mix together well.
• Cover. Cook on high for about 2 hours, or until carrots are soft.
• Puree mixture in blender. Hold top on tightly with a thick towel. (the heat tends to push the lid of the blender off)
• Return to slow cooker and add seasoning. Keep warm until ready to serve.
• Add a dollop (of daisy!) of yogurt or sour cream to each serving.

FBF: PW's Twice Baked Potato

FLASH-BACK FRIDAY

PW'S TWICE BAKED POTATO

click on image to see full post from 1/16/12

Elegant Holiday: Pancetta-Wrapped Beef Tenderloin

ELEGANT HOLIDAY DINNER:

PANCETTA-WRAPPED BEEF TENDERLOIN

with HORSERADISH CREAM

1 (5-6lb) beef tenderloin [this is a $100 slab of meat, so I used ribeye steaks instead]
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp coarsely ground pepper
3 Tblsp olive oil, divided
14 very thin pancetta slices
3 garlic cloves
2 Tblsp chopped fresh rosemary
Whipped Horseradish Cream 

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Sprinkle tenderloin [or steaks] with salt and pepper. Cook in 2 tablespoons hot oil in a skillet over medium-high heat 5 minutes on each side or until browned. Let cool 5 minutes. 
• Meanwhile, arrange pancetta slices in 2 rows on a large piece of wax paper, overlapping to form a rectangle. Sprinkle garlic and rosemary over tenderloin. Place tenderloin on edge of 1 long side of pancetta. Tightly roll up tenderloin with pancetta, using wax paper as a guide. Discard wax paper. Tie tenderloin with kitchen string, securing at 1-inch intervals. Transfer to an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet, and brush with remaining 1 Tblsp oil. [Since I used steaks, I seared each side in the oil, then laid on baking sheet, sprinkled with garlic and rosemary, placed 2 slices of pancetta on top of each one and stuck them in the oven that way]
• Bake at 425 degrees F for 30 minutes or until pancetta is crispy and meat thermometer instered into center of tenderloin registers 120 degrees F (rare). Let stand 10 minutes. Discard kitchen string before slicing. Serve with Horseradish Cream.

WHIPPED HORSERADISH CREAM

1 cup whipping cream

1/4 cup horseradish

2 Tblsp chopped fresh parsley

1/4 tsp salt

• Beat whipping cream at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer 1 minutes or until soft peaks form. 
• Fold in remaining ingredients. 
• Serve immediately, or cover and chill up to 8 hours.

"An Elegant Holiday Dinner"

from Southern Living's 

"Cooking for Christmas"
Cherry-Pecan Brie
Tossed Greens-and-Grapes Salad
Easy Asiago-Olive Rolls
Pancetta-Wrapped Beef Tenderloin with Whipped Horseradish Cream
Crispy Potatoes with Fennel
Lemon-Garlic Green Beans
Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

For the Introduction to this series of recipes, click HERE

Elegant Holiday: Green-Grapes Salad and Olive Rolls

For the Introduction to this series of recipes, click HERE

TOSSED GREENS-AND-GRAPES SALAD

(Salad on top right)

3/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1-1/2 Tblsp Dijon mustard
1-1/2 tsp honey
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper

1 (15oz) pkg spring greens mix or sweet baby greens
2 cups seedless red grapes, halved
1 cup salted, roasted cashews
2oz Manchego cheese, shaved

• Stir together olive oil and next 5 ingredients in a large serving bowl. Add spring greens and next 3 ingredients, and toss. Serve immediately. 

EASY ASIAGO-OLIVE ROLLS

1 (13.8oz) can refrigerated pizza crust dough
1/4 cup refrigerated olive tapenade
1/2 cup grated Asiago cheese
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
1 Tblsp butter, melted

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Unroll pizza crust dough. Spread olive tapenade over dough, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Sprinkle with cheese and rosemary. Gently roll up dough, starting a 1 long side. Cut into 10 (1-1/4 inch thick) slices. Place slices in a lightly greased 9-inch round cake pan. Brush top of dough with melted butter. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden. Serve immediately.

"An Elegant Holiday Dinner"

from Southern Living's 

"Cooking for Christmas"
Cherry-Pecan Brie
Tossed Greens-and-Grapes Salad
Easy Asiago-Olive Rolls
Pancetta-Wrapped Beef Tenderloin with Whipped Horseradish Cream
Crispy Potatoes with Fennel
Lemon-Garlic Green Beans
Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

For the Introduction to this series of recipes, click HERE

Elegant Holiday: Cherry-Pecan Brie

For the Introduction to this series of recipes, click HERE

CHERRY-PECAN BRIE

1/3 cup cherry preserves
1 Tblsp balsamic vinegar
1/8 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/8 tsp salt
1 (16oz) warm Brie round with rind removed from top
Garnish: toasted pecans
Assorted crackers

• Stir together cherry preserves, balsamic vinegar, pepper and salt in a bowl. Drizzle over Brie. Top with chopped toasted pecans. Serve with crackers.

"An Elegant Holiday Dinner"

from Southern Living's 

"Cooking for Christmas"
Cherry-Pecan Brie
Tossed Greens-and-Grapes Salad
Easy Asiago-Olive Rolls
Pancetta-Wrapped Beef Tenderloin with Whipped Horseradish Cream
Crispy Potatoes with Fennel
Lemon-Garlic Green Beans
Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

FBF: Risotto with Prosciutto, Mushrooms and Peas

FLASH-BACK FRIDAY

RISOTTO WITH PROSCIUTTO, 

MUSHROOM AND PEAS

click on image to see full post from 1/12/12

Easy Supper Club: Roasted Veggies & Salad

"Easy Supper Club"

from Southern Living's 

"Cooking for Christmas"
Bacon-Arugula-Apple Bites
Herbed Pork Roast
Roasted Fall Veggies
Puffed Mashed Potatoes
Basil-and-Blue Cheese Salad
Brandy Alexander Cheesecake

For the Introduction to this series of recipes, click HERE

ROASTED FALL VEGGIES

[I just roasted carrots to keep it a little more simple, but below is a list of other veggies that would taste wonderful as well]

10 small carrots with greenery

8 baby yellow beets

8 baby candy cane beets

3 Tblsp Olive Oil, divided

1 tsp kosher salt, divided

1/2 tsp pepper, divided

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Cut tops from yellow and candy cane beets, leaving 1/2 inch stems.Peel beets and cut in half. Cut tops from carrots, leaving 1/2 inch of greenery on each.
• Toss yellow beets and carrots with 2 Tblsp olive oil in a large bowl; place in a single layer on 1 side of an aluminum foil-lined jelly roll pan. Sprinkle veggies in pan with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.
• Toss candy can beets with remaining 1 Tblsp olive oil; arrange beets in a single layer on remaining portion of jelly roll pan. Sprinkle with remaining salt and pepper.
• Bake at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes; stir once, and bake 15 minutes more or until tender.

BASIL-AND-BLUE CHEESE SALAD

Our Elf joined us this day for dinner! So this was "Elf-Approved"!

1/3 cup olive oil

1/3 cup seasoned rice vinegar

1 tsp country-style dijon mustard

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp dried crushed red pepper

10 cups mixed salad greens

1/2 cup firmly packed fresh basil leaves, coursely chopped

2 ripe pears, thinly sliced

2 navel oranges, sectioned

2 avocados, sliced

1 (4oz) package blue cheese, crumbled

• Whisk together first 5 ingredients. Cover and chill until ready to use (up to 24 hours).
• Toss together greens and basil. Top with pears, oranges, avocados, and blue cheese; toss. Drizzle with vinaigrette. Serve immediately.

[Its best to wait to slice pears and avocados last minute so they won't turn brown]

Easy Supper Club: Herbed Pork Roast

"Easy Supper Club"

from Southern Living's 

"Cooking for Christmas"
Bacon-Arugula-Apple Bites
Herbed Pork Roast
Roasted Fall Veggies
Puffed Mashed Potatoes
Basil-and-Blue Cheese Salad
Brandy Alexander Cheesecake

For the Introduction to this series of recipes, click HERE

HERBED PORK ROAST

1 (4-5 lb) untrimmed pork loin roast

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp coarsely ground pepper

Kitchen string

5 Tblsp olive oil, divided

2 Tblsp chopped fresh sage

2 Tblsp chopped fresh parsley

2 Tblsp chopped fresh thyme

1 Tblsp chopped fresh rosemary

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Sprinkle pork with kosher salt and ground pepper. Tie pork with kitchen string, securing at 2-in intervals.
• Cook pork, fat side down, in 3 Tblsp hot oil in a stainless-steel skillet over medium-high heat 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Place fast side up, on a wire rack in a aluminum foil-lined roasting pan. Remove kitchen string; make 5 (1/2-inch deep) cuts in pork.
• Stir together sage, next 3 ingredients and remaining 2 Tblsp oil. Stuff herb mixture into slits in pork.
• Bake at 425 degrees F for 30 to 40 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion registers 155 degrees F. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.

Thursday: Roasted Fall Veggies & Basil-and-Blue Cheese Salad

Easy Supper Club: Bacon-Arugula-Apple Bites

"Easy Supper Club"

from Southern Living's 

"Cooking for Christmas"
Bacon-Arugula-Apple Bites
Herbed Pork Roast
Roasted Fall Veggies
Puffed Mashed Potatoes
Basil-and-Blue Cheese Salad
Brandy Alexander Cheesecake

For the Introduction to this series of recipes, click HERE

Bacon-Arugula-Apple Bites

• Toss Red Delicious apple slices in lemon juice; pat dry. Spread each with about 2 tsp garlic-and-herb spreadable cheese. Top with cooked and crumbled bacon, baby arugula sprigs, and freshly cracked pepper.

Tuesday: Herbed Pork Roast
Thursday: Roasted Fall Veggies & Basil & Blue Cheese Salad

Friday: Puffed Mashed Potatoes

FBF: Artichokes & Hollandaise Sauce

FLASH-BACK FRIDAY

ARTICHOKES & HOLLANDAISE SAUCE

click on image to see full post from 1/5/2012

Fondue Fun: Tomato & Herb Fondue

"Fondue Fun"

from Southern Living's 

"Cooking for Christmas"

Two-Cheese-and-Honey Fondue
Tomato-and-Herb Fondue
Mixed Salad Greens
Mississippi Mud Fondue

For the Introduction to this series of recipes, click HERE

Tomato-and-Herb Fondue

Fondue:

1 tblsp butter

1/4 cup chopped sweet onion

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 (14.5oz) cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes

1 tsp tomato paste

1/2 tsp lemon zest

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Serve with:

Cubed, lightly toasted French bread; cubed, toasted cheese bread; chopped cooked chicken tenders; cooked meatballs; cook tortellini.

• Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; add onion and garlic, and saute 3 minutes or until veggies are tender. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, and lemon zest; cook, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in basil. Transfer to fondue pot' keep warm. Serve with desired accompaniments.

Mississippi Mud Fondue

I have no  picture of this one...got so wrapped up in chocolate that I forgot! Make this, and you'll understand.

Fondue:

1 cup heavy cream

1 (12oz) package dark chocolate morsels

1 (7oz) jar marshmallow creme

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Serve with:

brownies, biscotti, graham crackers, marshmallows, chopped toasted pecans

• Bring cream to a boil in a large heave-duty saucepan over medium-high heat; reduce heat to low and simmer. Add chocolate morsels, and stir until melted and smooth. Stir in marshmallow creme and vanilla, stirring constantly until smooth. Transfer to fondue pot. Keep warm. Serve with desired accompaniments. 

Wordless Wednesday {linky}

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Christmas was pretty crazy this year! Went to parent's house (2 hours away) for Christmas, but my hubby had to work Christmas eve to Christmas morning (so his soldiers could have off) so Christmas morning we went up to his work--where santa decided to stop! We can't imagine Christmas morning without him, so we managed around that!

Kids made gingerbread men instead of houses this year!

And, of course, read "the night before Christmas" with our foster kitties and then read the real story of Jesus. A tradition that will never be broken!

And these 2 foster kittis HAVE been adopted! So happy they could be a sweet Christmas present for a few kids. =)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~Please follow Cookin' for my Captain via GFC, FaceBook or Networks Blog!

~Leave a comment if you're a new follower, so I can return the follow!
~Grab the WW button if you want to...

...and add your "Wordless Wednesdays" up below!

Fondue Fun: 2 Cheese & Honey Fondue

"Fondue Fun"

from Southern Living's 

"Cooking for Christmas"

Two-Cheese-and-Honey Fondue
Tomato-and-Herb Fondue
Mixed Salad Greens
Mississippi Mud Fondue

For the Introduction to this series of recipes, click HERE

Two-Cheese-and-Honey Fondue

Fondue:
1 cup heavy cream

1 cup chicken broth

1 Tblsp honey

2 cups freshly shredded Jarlsberg cheese

1/2 cup freshly shredded Swiss cheese

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp dry mustard

1/4 tsp freshly cracked pepper

Serve with:

Cubed ciabatta bread, sliced pears, sliced apples

• Bring heavy cream, chicken broth, and honey to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce head to medium-low and simmer. Meanwhile, combine cheeses, flour, mustard, and pepper in a large bowl. Slowly whisk cheese mixture into simmering brother until melted and smooth. Transfer to fondue pot; keep warm. Serve fondue with desired accompaniments.

Wednesday: Tomato-and-Herb Fondue