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Sunday, February 15, 2009

• The Pug & The Cat: Still warring - but this is totally on the cat's doing. She's screaming bloody murder every time he wants to play or give her a smooch. Eeehhhh - she's going to hate not having cookiez if she keeps this up.
• The Pug: OMG - I have adopted a garbage pail. He. Eats. EVERYTHING! I mean E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. I feel like I have a 2 year old where I'm constantly chasing him going "Wiggs - what the eff did you eat. Spit it out!" And we won't go into the sushi argument. Apparently, because I had sushi tonight, in his mind I was obligated to share. I didn't. He's pissed. Tough shit. I should just give him some Wasabi and see how that frosts his cookie. He'll have a jambalaya flashback to last week where he begged and whined and barked and pleaded only to get a small morsel. By his standards it was lip smackin' good - until the heat kicked in and that little pug ran for his water dish. Don't think he'll bug me for jambalaya again...
• The Pug: Also has issues where he spins on his tail again -anal gland issues. I know. I know TMI. But you know things are bad when you email the vet for an appointment and know that you will get charged for "Hazardous waste disposal". It's going to be a recurrent 6 week expense. Lucky. Ducky. Me. Shoe fund is depleting before my eyes.
• Cooking took a backseat to life and the revamp of the culinary blog. I seemed to have gotten my culinary mojo motor running and we'll see what happens next weekend as I head down to South Beach for a little "research" and fun as I attend Food Network's South Beach Food & Wine Festival. Can't wait to see the culinary demonstrations - Sunny Anderson, Bobby Flay, Tyler Florence, Michael Symon, Anne Burrell and so many more. Will take pictures - promise.
• My neighbors - downstairs. If I have to deal with the residuals of ONE MORE FOOD FIGHT, I swear I'm going to flip a kid. The parking is non-existent as there are 3-4 roommates and they all have friends coming in and out all. the. damn. time. They apparently go to the "Golf School". I should have known when I saw one of the idiots waving a golf club at an overhead light like it was a game. The complex says that "well, boys will be boys". That's fine but the one problem with the food fights and their constant mess is the fact that we have a resurgence of palmettos. GEE THANKS! Hmm... wonder I catch a couple of the slimy rat bastid bugs, I could just leave them for the idiots.
• The shoe shopping has been pretty quiet - but don't worry. I have a few good "OBSESSED WITH" selections this week that will show y'all that I haven't lost my shoe game JUST yet.

And, how are y'all doing?

Labels: Food Network, Mr. Wiggles, Random Mess, Shadow, Shoes, Shopping, The Great Palmetto War, Travel

Posted by Lys :: 10:35 PM :: 5 comments

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Thursday, July 24, 2008

Houston, I Think I Have A Problem...

This week, I've been making good use of my Williams Sonoma spice rubs and cooking a bit extra to make into other dishes during the week. Takeout just isn't my [wallet's] game right now.

Apparently, I'm starting to really enjoy cooking with spice so the other night I made a coffee spice rubbed steak which then turned into a spicy steak penne another night. Then I did chili lime pork chops with stuffing. Last night was a chipotle mole roasted chicken (which will be a spicy chicken salad this weekend). Each time, I had a small plate for the cat put together.

Now, before PETA gets all on my case about "how dare you feed that animal PEOPLE food" and start yipping cruelty to animals or something, let me tell you that in my house - if you don't at least OFFER Shadow a bit, she'll make your life hell the rest of the night. I'm guessing it's due to her being spoiled at my last apt. and my roommate definitely helped with spoiling her.

So, when I create a small dish, it's only a little bit and she doesn't normally partake. However, this week she's been attacking with gusto and when I was home sick today she even was pissed when I didn't give her watermelon. Earlier this week, when I grilled a plum with some turbinado sugar, she went nuts. Fruit & Cats = HUH?

My take is that she must have watched too much Food Network and just is going nuts for spice and people food. Or just thinks she's the kitty version of Bobby Flay.

I just hope she can handle the heat.

Labels: Blog 365, Cooking, Food Network, Random Mess, Shadow

Posted by Lys :: 8:42 PM :: 2 comments

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Thursday, February 07, 2008

A Thing of Beauty - A Necklace Like Giada's....

I get ALOT of interesting google keywords leading some new visitors here (some of which we'll save for another day of NaBlahBlah365) but one favorite of readers is that Food Network Chef - Giada de Laurentiis.

It's no surprise I use many of her recipes in my cooking and, yes, I want her kitchen - I mean, it's my opinion that she has some of the coolest stuff on her set. It was through Everyday Italian that I learned the wonders of Global Knives, Le Creuset and keeping spices fresh every 6 mo. or so. I learned with the right tools and ingredients - an ordinary dish can be fabulous.

One thing that is interesting is her fashion - more specifically, her necklaces. She wears three floating chains with Diamonds on them (Tiffany - of course) and I always thought they looked elegant. However, I rarely put a CZ on my neck and diamonds, outside of the one necklace I won in the Bahamas on my birthday, are just really not me.

Y'all know I adore D. Celestine Designs and can I say Diana has some jewelry that just rocks my world. It's chic. It's elegant. It's timeless. I got my first piece of D. Celestine jewelry, a pair of filagree & pearl earrings, a few months ago but had my eye on a specific necklace that I said I would get for myself when I hit a certain goal. Knowing that I have a big business/fun trip planned for Philly in a few weeks, no time like the present, right?

Ladies/Gents, may I present the Giada necklace, inspired by Food Network's own Giada de Laurentiis:

I adore this piece. It's FAR from gaudy, sits perfectly at the base of the neck (and has an extender which can be a godsend for us plus size gals!) and just is stunning. It captures the random hitting of the glint of silver much like Giada's necklaces do during a natural shift. Its sterling silver and I have to say, it is one of my favorite go-to pieces. I've been wearing it almost every day this week and I just got it on Friday. It is quite the conversation magnet.

So, if Giada inspires you or you just adore some well made jewelry, why not pop over and get a little somethin' somethin' for yourself for Valentines day from D. Celestine Designs. I can't praise Diana's work high enough. You will NOT be disappointed - Trust!

Also - for those that must have stuff as seen on Everyday Italian, I created a little list on Kaboodle that will be updated as I come across stuff in my shopping travels. You can check it out here. This is for those other googlers that ask "Giada kitchen knives" and "Everyday Italian pot". Those that are looking for stuff related to her clothing or various *ahem* YouTube vids - you are on your own my friends. This isn't that kind of place.

*Giada de Laurentiis Photo courtesy of ErinCooks.com

**Giada Necklace Photo courtesy of D. Celestine Designs

Labels: Blog 365, Food Network, Review, Shopping

Posted by Lys :: 7:49 PM :: 2 comments

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Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Yay or Nay: Chef Robert Irvine Seasoning Blends..

It's all about the celebrity chef branding my friends and here's my question: Would you buy spices from Dinner Impossible's Chef Robert Irvine? Ladies - forget the guns and let's focus on the issue at hand please.

Let's see - Bobby Flay has spices at his site, Giada's got her stuff through Crate & Barrel - hell I'm in Dillards the other day and not only do they carry Barefoot Contessa and Rachael Ray but they also carry Paula Dean's food products - it's all about the branding and the Food Network seems to have that one on lock.



SO - Yay or Nay! Who wants to be the Guinea Pig?? Well, besides me *LOL*

Labels: Blog 365, Cooking, Food Network

Posted by Lys :: 7:37 PM :: 1 comments

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Sunday, January 06, 2008

Battle of the Chefs: Giada Strikes A Blow...

Rachael Ray - watch out. Giada de Laurentiis has sounded the bell and has branded her own line of oils, vinegars and spices exclusively for Crate and Barrel. Bobby Flay is also branding some things for sale through his website and Robert Irvine also has a line of cookware and spices available for sale on his site. What's next?

Let's just hope Sandra Lee doesn't do her own line of cocktails.

Labels: Blog 365, Cooking, Food Network, Gourmet

Posted by Lys :: 11:25 PM :: 0 comments

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Sunday, December 02, 2007

YOU MUST See This..."All Star Holiday Dessert Battle" Review...

I'm crackin' up over here.. the pictures say it all! You must read this post and see the corresponding captioned photos. Consider me officially wary of Paula Dean.

Bravo, FoodNetworkAddict, Bravo!

Labels: Food Network

Posted by Lys :: 10:49 PM :: 1 comments

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Sunday, November 25, 2007

The Delirium Must Be Setting In...

After a long day at the 9to5, with the impending chaos to begin tomorrow on or before 7:00 a.m. til whenever, I decided that since I got home late tonight, a night on the couch was in order. I was cleaning off the Tivo and started to watch Iron Chef America: Holiday Dessert Battle and I've been in a fit of giggles from the get go.

I don't know what is worse:

• The Chairman in a Santa Suit;


• Paula Dean mixing processed cheese with chocolate to make fudge (Cheese Fudge Balls - are you kiddin' me);


• Cat Cora's sous chef in an elf costume;


• The Sous Chef telling Tyler Florence to "BITE ME!"


• Paula Dean's talking smack;


• Robert Irvine's talking smack;


• Paula Dean trying to bite Roger Irvine's finger off;


• Tyler Florence's sneaking a smooch from Ms. Paula during the heat of battle (and at the end too - kissing bandit, I guess);


• Tyler Florence's desecration of the Bush de Noel (Yule Log);


• Paula's incorporation of butter into EVERY food item she's making;


• Red Hot Marshmallows;


• Cat Cora and Paula Dean trying to get their Sandra Lee on and prepping cocktails;


• Tina Fey's commentary;


• Robert Irvine's panic at the beginning and at the final plating; or


• Robert Irvine stripping off the chef's coat hoping to distract the judges with those mammoth arms of his.

The fact that I find Robert Irvine somewhat attractive is now telling me that I need to start hitting the social scene once this project is over. (Hey - I'm a sucker for great arms, 'k)

As much as I watch Iron Chef, I have NEVER seen the chefs have so much fun with each other. Mario was close but this was hilarious - Paula Dean is totally over the top and add her with the other crew, even Cat Cora gets into the mix.

If you love the Food Network, you must see this if it repeats.

Labels: Food Network, Holiday, Random Mess

Posted by Lys :: 11:01 PM :: 0 comments

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Saturday, November 24, 2007

Chef Lys Strikes Again...

I decided that I would rebel for Thanksgiving because, really, outside of stuffing ourselves on Turkey day and being with family and friends, it's all about the leftovers, right? So, while I had Mexican on Turkey day (because I'm really rebellious *LOL*), I decided to make a turkey breast myself last night. However, I forgot to look up a recipe :::sigh::: I also didn't want to break out the cookbooks either, because, well, I got this.

Well, I whipped out my Le Creuset, looked at the instructions on the package for cooking times and figured "What the hell - I Got This!". I channeled my inner Barefoot Contessa and can I say a year or so of watching the Food Network really helped. When I start cooking, I get into a zone where I just forget about my workload and focus on the cooking. So, out came the cutting board and the knives and I went to town.

I cubed up 4 Yukon Gold potatoes and a yellow onion. I seasoned them with EVOO, Salt, Pepper and a touch of Herbs de Provence. Then, rather than use a rack and a big pan which I'd have to clean, I decided to put the Turkey Breast on the vegetables at the bottom of my LC Braiser. I doused the turkey breast with more EVOO, Herbs de Provence, Salt & Pepper and into the oven it went for 1 3/4 hours. I made stuffing (OK it was from a box but I added some apples to it and more Herbs de Provence - sue me), made an Eggnog Cocktail (SoCo w/ Low Fat Eggnog) and waited for the final result.

And here it was. The Turkey had to be cooked with its net on, but it came out PERFECTLY and needed no basting. I think my cooking mojo is about to resurface after the work project. Now I'm off to make a Turkey panini with provolone, pancetta and tomato. Again, because it's all about the leftovers (with the added bonus of saving me from takeout.)

Labels: Cooking, Food Network, NaBloPoMo, Random Mess

Posted by Lys :: 8:45 PM :: 3 comments

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Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Word To The Wise...

Watching Food Network while quasi napping will cause you to crave weird things at the most off times.

Tonight, came home, did a few things and hopped on the couch only to doze off to Alton Brown making dulce de leche. Tomorrow, guess what I'm getting at 'Bucks. I digress.
I wake up to Bobby Flay's Throwdown and he's facing off agaist Oprah's fave mac & cheese in my fave city - Philly. Guess who is stirring up her version of Mac & Cheese at 9:45 at night. Yup. Moi.

Thankfully it was a small plate and the cat had her own tiny bit (don't ask). I will be having leftovers for a few days tho. Damn Throwdown!

Labels: Food Network

Posted by Lys :: 10:18 PM :: 2 comments

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Monday, July 16, 2007

PR Hits The Next Food Network Star

I've been following the NFNS pretty regularly. I'm loving the series so far (am torn between Rory & Jag) but they brought out the big challenge tonight - facing the media. Can I say I'm loving this ep? The Food Network publicists are no joke. Much respect to them.

However, I'm a little surprised that they had a tabloid (The Star) interview and critique the finalists. Couldn't they have gotten at least US or People instead? Jus' sayin'

Labels: Food Network

Posted by Lys :: 12:18 AM :: 0 comments

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Monday, December 18, 2006

Iron Chef - Catfight anyone?

Photo from FoodNetworkAddict.com.

Have any of you ever watched Iron Chef America? Well, it was on repeat tonight and the Superstar Battle - Iron Chef, Battle Cranberry pitting Rachael Ray vs. Giada deLaurentiis and, to accompany them, Mario Batali with RR and Bobby Flay with GdL.

I've seen it a few times, but the look at the end with Giada kills me - talk about blatant eyeroll. For a fabu account of the whole thing, check out this blog post here. Gotta love the photo from FoodNetworkAddict.com. While I was hoping that Giada would win, eehh.. rematch, anyone?

Labels: Food Network

Posted by Lys :: 1:32 AM :: 2 comments

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Sunday, December 17, 2006

Is It Me Or...

Does Sandra Lee seem to enjoy her "cocktails" a bit? I watched the Semi-Homemade holiday special today and noticed that she's quite the fan of the Godiva White Chocolate liqueur... into the hot chocolate and into the eggnog it went, and rather liberally.

Also - I got an idea from Robin Miller's show and think I'll be making some Hot Chocolate surprise gifts with a bit of holiday cheer for some friends. Who can resist a little chocolate, peppermint schnapps and a candy cane, all elegantly packaged in a C&B mug?

Labels: Food Network

Posted by Lys :: 4:35 PM :: 0 comments

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