Catz in the Kitchen

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Weekly Menu 9/29-10/5

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I'm not exactly sure what happened last week. I meant to post a few recipes and then for one reason or another it didn't happen. Oops! Sorry about that! I promise to make it up to you!

This week, I've got a few things I'm going to share with you, so I hope you're ready!

By the way-did you know today is National Coffee Day and isn't it ironic that I don't have any coffee to drink in the house. Actually, that's not true. I've got coffee mate, just no creamer. To the grocery store I go!

Monday
(Meatless)
Mini Pizzas and Salad
Tuesday
(Taco)
Tex-Mex Taco Pizza with a Side Salad
Wednesday
Baked Rosemary and Parmesan Chicken with Sweet Potatoes, and Veggies
Thursday
Grace and I will be at our Homemaking & Hospitality Class
Friday
(Pizza)
Hawaiian Pizza and with a Salad
Saturday
A Possible Date Night could be in my future ;)
Sunday
Fried Egg Sandwiches and Smoothies

Tuesday's Tidings (on a Wednesday!) for September 24, 2014

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1. Last week my first nephew was born! Meet Oliver! My brother and sister's newest edition. This makes #3 for them and new babies are always exciting. Eden got to hold him and did such a great job and she was so excited to meet him. She keeps saying that she can't believe Christian was ever this small, lol.

2. Have you guys heard of Fabletics? It's a lot like Stitchfix except that it is all like lounge wear clothing-which is really up my alley since I rarely buy those kind of clothes. I looked at the website and everything looks so comfortable-but it's one of those monthly fee sites and I don't like that.

3. Blacklist premiered on Monday, but we didn't get to watch it until Tuesday night. Worth the wait-really missed and loved that show. Such great acting and plots.


4. I broke a clothing trend I said I would join in on. I bought...printed leggings!! I bought them from that site Jane.com and I got them over the weekend and loved them!!! I paired them with a long white lace tunic I bought from Kohls and my brown boots and it looked really nice. I wouldn't say I would buy any printed legging though-the floral and camo/striped doesn't appeal to me. But the aztec designs are cute. But my rule with leggings is I will never wear them in public unless I have a shirt that covers my butt. I'm not 15 yrs old and even then, I don't think it's flattering on girls.

5. I got the new iPhone 6 on Friday. I think it's a lot better than the plus because it is smaller. But the color is nice, I just wish they would wrap the color all the way around to the front of the phones because when I get a case, the gold will be covered up. But so far, it's a nice phone. But I'm not really one to go on and on about a phone. You would need to talk to Josh if you want someone to do that, lol!

6. James 1:2 has been on my mind a lot lately. I've been dealing with so much drama for my upcoming surgery next month. I've had a sinus infection for the last 3-4 years and they think a wisdom tooth that is way up high in my cheek and needs to be removed in a hospital is a culprit. They think maybe a cyst or absess formed around the tooth and went to my sinus's. I had never had a sinus infection till a few years ago when I got this one-so I lived with it and took antibiotics off an on for the last few years and nothing has helped it. So my ear, nose, and throat dr. needs to remove the tooth and drain the sinus cavity because it is completely clogged. So much fun! Anyways, I just keep running into issues and it's frustrating because it seems like it is one thing after another-but, the one thing I do constantly keep in mind is that it will be taken care of soon and then it will be over with!

7. It rained all night last night! Do you all know how happy I am about that??

8. I learned a new card game last week. Have you guys heard of nerds? Oh my gosh-Love. It's a fun fun game.

9. Josh finally bought me an immersion blender-so now all the soup recipes I was avoiding because I didn't want to deal with transferring the soup to the blender in batches I can now cook!

10. I decorated for fall! I love it!

Honey Maple Granola with Pecans

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Hey guys, and Happy First Official Day of Fall!!!!
I've over at Evermine sharing this fabulous granola that will hopefully help the transition from summer to fall easier for you.

I love granola but believe it or not, this was my first time ever making it before! I could not believe how easy it was and how good my house smelled afterwards.


This honey maple & pecan granola with pecans is out of this world good. I've been enjoying adding it to my yogurt or just snacking on it throughout the day.

Head on over to Evermine's blog to get the full recipe and see all the pics!

Have a great Tuesday everyone!

Weekly Menu 9/22-9/28

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My house is officially ready for fall and as of 10:29pm tonight, the rest of the world will have no choice! Bwahahaha!

Let there be PUMPKIN everything!!!!!

The kids and I survived Josh's absence last week. He was gone for basically 3 whole days-but we had a smashing time without him. He leaves again for one night this week, but then hopefully that will be it for awhile.

Monday
Tuesday
(taco)
Chicken Quesadillas with beans and a salad
Wednesday
Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad, and Garlic Bread
Thursday
Italian Chicken, Cheddar Potato Bake, and Peas
-This meal is subject to change
Friday
(Pizza)
Hawaiian Pizza and Side Salad
Saturday
Open Faced Turkey Swiss Sandwiches
Sunday
Fried Egg Sandwiches and Smoothies

Pumpkin Thumbprints

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Pumpkin Thumbprints | Catz in the Kitchen | catzinthekitchen.com | #pumpkin #fall #cookiesThis is my third pumpkin post and it's not even officially fall yet. Close-we've got 2 days to go and then there is no more holding back!

Thank goodness because I don't know how much longer I could wait. Fall is my favorite month and I am completely ready for it. Our weather the past few days has been more fall-like, but guess what? We're forecasted for 90 degrees over the weekend again. Gross, right?

I've been hanging onto this cookie recipe for almost a year now and I'm so glad I finally got a chance to share these cookies with you. I was invited for dinner at my in-love's last night since Josh has been gone for work in California (he gets back tonight) and I offered to bring something and mom suggested dessert. Perfect-I knew just what I was going to make!

These cookies were gobbled up and everyone was wishing for more and I was wishing I had doubled the recipe-something I will probably do from now on in the future. Take my advice, you'll want to double it too when you share it with friends and family.
Pumpkin Thumbprints | Catz in the Kitchen | catzinthekitchen.com | #pumpkin #fall #cookies

Pumpkin Thumbprints | Catz in the Kitchen | catzinthekitchen.com | #pumpkin #fall #cookies

Pumpkin Thumbprints

Yield: 20
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

These soft and chewy pumpkin thumbprints with a smooth cream cheese filling are the perfect treat to welcome the changing of the seasons!

Ingredients

  • 1 cupall-purpose flour
  • ½ tspbaking powder
  • ½ tspbaking soda
  • ½ tspground cinnamon, plus more for dusting
  • ¼ tspground allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cuppacked brown sugar
  • ½ cuppumpkin puree
  • ⅓ cupvegetable oil
  • 1 largeegg
  • 1 tspvanilla extract
  • 4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 2 TBunsalted butter, at room temperature
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ½ tspfresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven;preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray, set aside.
  2. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, and salt together in a medium bowl. Whisk brown sugar, pumpkin, oil, egg, and ½ teaspoon vanilla together in a large bowl. Add the flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined.
  3. Drop tablespoonfuls of dough 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 6-8 minutes, then remove from oven and with the back of a teaspoon or using your thumb, make an indentation in the center of the cookie. Return pans to oven, switching the placement of the pans and continue baking for another 4-6 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
  4. To make the filling: beat the cream cheese and butter in a bowl on medium-high speed until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, lemon juice and remaining vanilla; beat until incorporated. Transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a small round tip; pipe into the indentions and dust with cinnamon.

Notes

Recipe from Food Network Magazine

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 20 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 70Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 57mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 0gSugar: 4gProtein: 1g

Nutrition information isn't always accurate.

© Catz in the Kitchen
Category: Dessert

Catz on the Move: Aquariva Restaurant (Portland, OR)

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When Chels and I stayed at the River's Edge Hotel & Spa in August, we were invited to dine at the hotel's neighboring restaurant, Aquariva. When I say we were invited, I mean that in a couple of ways. First, our package at the River's Edge included a 20% coupon for lunch or dinner at the restaurant, and secondly, the restaurant's entrance is literally about 50 feet from the front door of the hotel, making it almost ridiculously convenient. Realistically, the proximity of the establishment makes it something of a default choice, especially for a hotel that isn't located in the heart of downtown - frankly, there aren't a lot of other choices within walking distance. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, as it simplifies the occasionally laborious dining decision making process, the restaurant is classy and modern, and the ability the simply stroll across the parking lot to eat is both convenient and relaxing.

Aquariva features two different outdoor dining experiences. For happy hour, there's a small patio to the left of the front entrance. It doesn't feature much of a view, but it's outdoors and pleasant nonetheless. The second is behind the restaurant, directly on the Willamette River. In fact, the only separating your table from the river is the jogging path that winds along the river behind both the hotel and the restaurant. The setting is idyllic, and while Portland may see more than its fair share of rain, in August it's a lovely spot. While we didn't dine indoors, we walked through the dining room several times. It's modern, clean, and classy.

We dined with Aquariva twice during our stay, and I'll address the experiences separately, as they were very different. The first time was in the evening. We arrived about 30 minutes before our reservation, and asked if we could wait for a riverside table in the happy hour area. We had drinks and a marvelous cheese plate while we waited. Upon being escorted to our table, which was in a beautiful and private alcove on the south side of the building, we discovered that we were sharing our server with an enormous party of some kind - it looked like perhaps it was a baby shower. At any rate, the party numbered probably 25 people, and was setup in a side yard about 30 feet from our table. The point of my pointing this out is this: the party needed a dedicated server. Because our server was, understandably, distracted by the huge party he was handling, our service was excruciatingly slow. Though the gentleman assisting us was kind, courteous, and knowledgeable, we just never had his attention for very long, and this impeded our enjoyment of the experience.

I ordered the brisket, and Chels ordered the duck breast. Both entrees were nicely prepared and plated, but neither took our breath away quite the way we were hoping. The brisket was, perhaps not surprisingly, heavy, but made more so by the fact that it was sitting in a pool of equally heavy mashed potatoes. It was good, but I wouldn't order it again. Chels's duck was, in a way, similar, rich and heavy. Duck is rich by nature, of course, but we both came away with a feeling, not of disappointment, but not of exhilaration either. And, as you know, we like to be exhilarated by our food!

Thinking that perhaps we had made poor menu selections and had a one-off experience with our server, we decided to return the following morning for the restaurant's publicized "Sunday Brunch." Oh, the ways in which I am glad we did...

Our brunch at Aquariva was a completely different experience than dinner the night before. We were seated, again, on the riverside patio, able to enjoy a marvelously sunny Sunday morning. Our server was fantastic. She was attentive, funny, and informative, checking in with us just often enough to make us feel cared for, but not so often that it interrupted our conversation or made us feel rushed (this is a fine art, as many of you know). Chelsia ordered the crunchy French toast with toasted hazelnut and oat crusted brioche and a vanilla cherry compote. I've never had better French toast in my life, and if you read Catz, you know I am something of a French toast fanatic. I had the sausage and pepper omelette, with fennel sausage, peppers, gruyere, caramelized onions, potatoes, and toast, and, again - what a treat. Truly a spectacular combination of flavors. Brunch completely changed our opinion of the restaurant. 

Will we go back? Probably, when the opportunity presents itself. Certainly, we would return for brunch, but we would also be curious to give the dinner menu and service another shot. Given the sensational caliber of the brunch, I have to imagine dinner can provide a better experience than we had. At the end of the day, if you're staying at the River's Edge, you'd be silly to not at least try a meal at Aquariva. Enjoy!

Aquariva

0455 SW Hamilton Ct.

Portland, OR 97239

(503) 802-5850

Tuesday's Tidings for September 16, 2014

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1. My kids get their creative genes from their father. I can't draw or color or paint at all. But my kids, astound me all the time with how good they are quickly becoming. Lately, Grace and Eden have been working on drawing people and Eden drew this picture of herself wearing the same outfit. The detail she drew into the shirt is really good. Kids, I'm not just saying that because she is my child-she honestly is, really talented! It's no wonder she wants to be a fashion designer when she grows up. :)

2 Yesterday, Josh and I got the opportunity to go out for a date night! We went and saw "The Hundred-Foot Journey" and it was fantastic! I can't wait to own it. Such a beautifully filmed movie with excellent acting, fantastic character development, and a charming story. If you have a chance to go see it, do it before it's out of theaters.


3. Yesterday it was 93 degrees. Today, it's supposed to be 80 degrees. Where is my jeans and sweater, and sweatpants weather?

4. Not sure if you heard or not-but a lot of people (my husband included) are all pumped up about the Apple release last week. I certainly do not care about these things, though I realize its an interest of my hubby so I try and act excited (emphasis on try).  I think one of the reasons I have a hard time mustering up the enthusiasm is because I don't want a bigger phone. I thought the size of the first iPhone was great and since then it's getting bigger and bigger and now it's #biggerisbigger. Regardless, I ended up having Josh order me a new one too. I was ready for my upgrade and settled on the smaller of the two phones.

5. It sounds like Josh is going to buy me a subscription to Taste of Home magazine! Yes! I haven't had it for a few years and I've missed the magazines. Cooking magazines and parenting magazines are the only ones I read. I've come a long way since my days of devouring Us Weekly and People.

6. After watching The Hundred-Foot Journey Sunday evening, Josh and I decided to finally go and eat at La Provence. We were familiar with their pastries because they have a stand at our local farmer's market, but hadn't yet tried one of their restaurants. Oh, my! I dare say that I would go eat there any day of the week vs. going to Portland City Grill. The restaurant was just our style, the petite entrees are spectacular and allow you the chance to try several different dishes-one of our favorites of the night was definitely the seared scallops with summer coulis. But then for dessert-we also indulged. The Versailles cake was out of this world good. So chocolatey, but so silky-light! I originally thought it would be a great dessert for Josh because of the coffee mousse, but I was surprised how much I loved it! Seriously, out of this world good.

7. I'm thinking that I need to make this casserole.

8. Did you hear Gilmore Girls is finally on Netflix??? How awesome is that! I love that show!!

9. Favorite thing about fall? Go!

10. I'm thinking about taking the plunge, breaking my vow, and decorating for fall since Josh will be gone for the majority of the work week. What do you think?

Weekly Menu 9/15-9/21

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Today, we're stuck inside. Though we did leave the house so I could go grocery shopping and then I did refill our bird bath. But for the most part. We're stuck inside. A fire started over the weekend about 20 minutes from our house and it continues to rage. Sunday morning, as we walked out to our car to leave for church, ash was covering the cars and it looks like ashy snow falling from the sky. By Sunday evening, we could smell the smoke and there was a hazy orange glow all around us. This morning, health warnings were issued because the air could be harmful to inhale in. So, our windows are shut and we're not going outside. I'm feeling very thankful for the two window a/c units we have in our house right now.

Josh is leaving for a work meeting in Huntington Beach, CA on Wednesday and won't get home till late Friday night. He flys home Friday, but he has a business dinner downtown Portland, so instead of pizza (I gave the kids the option) we're taking it easy and having...wait for it...tv dinners. *Hangs head in shame*

We never eat that stuff. We make all of our own meals, but I figure since it's just me and the kids, why not live a little and eat something that is kind of fun for them to eat. I thought tv dinners were fun as a kid because I never got them either. We also bought cookie dough for cookies ( I know I can make my own, but this is more fun, I guess) , white chocolate macadamia nut to be exact-it's what the girls wanted and S'mores goldfish crackers. I didn't even know they made that flavor!

Wish me luck this week. Dinner time can sometimes be stressful because everyone is hungry and it will just be me in charge of 3 monkeys. :) They are such good kids though, I'm sure we'll have a blast together.

Monday
Bacon Burgers with Smoked Gouda and French Fries
Tuesday
(taco)
Wednesday
Turkey Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans
Thursday
Spaghetti, Corn, and Garlic Bread
Friday
Tv Dinners, haha
Saturday
Open Face Turkey Swiss Melt
Sunday
Fried Egg Sandwiches and Smoothies

Cooking with Gracie: Apple Crumble Sundae

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Cooked apples, crunchy crumble, drizzled caramel sauce, and creamy vanilla ice cream equal a seriously yummy apple crumble sundae recipe!  

Cooked apples, crunchy crumble, drizzled caramel sauce, and creamy vanilla ice cream equal a seriously yummy apple crumble sundae recipe!
One of the new things Christian has started doing lately is showing off how strong he is. For instance, he'll take one of my reusable grocery bags that's full of groceries (usually the lightest bag) and lift it up as high as he can and make I'm sure what he thinks is manly grunting noises.

We get quite the kick out of this, because he is so serious at showing us what a strong boy he is but it is such a comical thing to watch.

He recently pulled this little stunt at church with a bag full of apples.  One of the sweet ladies in our church brought a ton of apples from her farm to share with all of us. Christian found one of the bags in the back of the church and proudly grunted all the way up to where my father-in-love was preaching at the podium. Needless to say, that was quite the distraction for the congregation as everyone started giggling and laughing at the cuteness that is my son. [Read more...]

Tater Tot Casserole

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A classic comfort food that is creamy, crispy, and easy – this tater tot casserole will help you get dinner on the table in no time. 

A classic comfort food that is creamy, crispy, and easy – this tater tot casserole will help you get dinner on the table in no time.

The photos, recipe, and format of this post have been updated for February 2018. 

I have a confession to make. You may or may not want to continue to read my blog. I'm sorry in advance. Here's goes.

I despise tater tot casserole. Like, as in strongly hate.

There I said it. Whew, that feels a lot better! [Read more...]