06/28/13

Portobello Burgers with IPA Mustard

Until last year, I thought I was allergic to Mushrooms. I’ve spent my whole life avoiding them.

I was sick a lot as a child, and my parents thought I was allergic to mushrooms {I was sick all the time and would get sick after eating them so they assumed I was allergic to them on to of everything else}. I thought I was, too.

I was eating lunch at work one day and my throat started feeling weird, and I started developing hives on my face and neck. Luckily, I worked at a Allergy Specialist at the time and quickly downed some Benadryl. I found out there was mushrooms in the gravy I was eating. When I was in Italy, I had a few bites of mushroom risotto, one night, and was sick the next day.

Neither of these satiation made since though. My throat never felt weird before. Was I really sick in Italy from the large amount of alcohol I had the night before instead of the mushrooms?

I slowly started experimenting with mushrooms last year to find out the truth. I tried them a few times and nothing happened. I wasn’t sold on them, though. I wasn’t a fan of the texture or the taste.

Huck loves mushrooms, so I started cooking with them in dishes: pasta sauce, casseroles, ect. I started to enjoy the taste after a while. A few weeks ago I tried something I’ve always wanted. A Portobello Burger and it was amazing!

Last week, Portobello Mushrooms were on sale, so I bought some for lunch.

It was so good and easy to make. And I really didn’t miss the meat at all. Huck even enjoyed them.

I served my Portobello Burgers with IPA Mustard. I cheated and used prepared spicy brown mustard. It was already in the fridge. Lunch came together in less than 15 minutes.

These burgers would be a great addition to your 4th of July cookout. It would pair great with my Pomegranate and Lime Beer Punch. Light and refreshing.

Do you ever substitute veggies for meat?

Portobello Burgers

Serves 2

Ingredients

  • 2 large Portobello Mushroom Caps
  • 1-2 teaspoon Oil
  • Salt and Pepper To Taste
  • Topping For Burger (Buns, Cheese, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Onion, IPA Mustard, Pickles ect.)

Directions

Preheat grill or indoor grill pan over medium heat. Lightly coat each Mushroom with Oil and season with Salt and Pepper
Cook Mushroom 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from pan and serve with your favorite Burger toppings.
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IPA Beer Mustard

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup Prepared Spicy Brown Mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Honey
  • 2 tablespoons IPA Beer

Directions

Combined all ingredients. Taste and add more honey if you would like a sweeter mustard.
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06/26/13

Life Size Jenga

The 4th of July is a week away. Are you ready? Our friend Gump is coming into town, but I’m not sure what we are going to do yet. Maybe we can grill out here, play some Jenga, then head to Downtown Abacoa. As I was thinking about playing Jenga, I remembered, I never shared how to make it with you guys.

The idea for Life Size Jenga came from a night of drinking at a bar… Surprised? We were at Das Biergarten one night with some friends. They had Jenga setup outside and we started playing.

Huck, the contractor, starting thinking about how easy a game like this would be to make. A few days later, he bought the supplies and 30 minutes later, we had a Life Size Jenga.

**Huck was nice enough to take all the step-by-step pictures for this post.**

HOW TO MAKE LIFE SIZE JENGA

What You Need

  • 8- 2x4x96” Boards
  • Saw
  • Sandpaper-Optional
  • Large Box for Storage

What To Do

Step1: Purchase 8 2x4x96” from lumber store.

The straighter the better.

Step 2: Measure 10.5 inches exactly. You will get 9 cuts per board.

Step 3: Cut Boards.

Cuts must be perfect to line up with each other.

Step 4: Repeat 72 times.

Step 5: Sand edges to make smooth.

We actually rubbed the edges on the concrete. No sandpaper was required.

Step 6: Play and Enjoy!

Stickers are optional unless you’re Huck. He thinks stickers are mandatory on everything.

Total Cost
  • Lumber: $22
  • Sandpaper: $3- Optional

Grand Total: $22

The cheapest set I found on Amazon was over $100. It included a bag, but a cheap Rubbermaid container works great. And it’s really heavy. I can’t imagine it being easy to carry in a duffel bag.

Rules

Each player takes a turn and pulls out one board, at a time, and places it on top of the stack. If you change your mind about a board {before fully removing it} you must replace it to the original position. You are not allowed to hold the stack while removing a board. You can only pull a board from the second completed row down.

We’ve used the Jenga set a few times at our house and at the Pig Roast in March. It’s great for parties. I’ve also found a few ways to make it into a drinking game because everything is better when drinking is involved.

I’m the current Jenga Champion by the way.

Stay tuned for some 4th of July themed recipes this week. With my recipes and Jenga, you’re 4th is guaranteed to be awesome.

06/23/13

Mushroom, Beer, and Barley “Risotto”

I wanted Mushroom Risotto a few weeks ago. I looked through the pantry, but couldn’t find any rice :( I did find a box of Barley.

I cooked the barley like risotto, but it didn’t have the creaminess of traditional risotto. I normally make my risotto with wine, so I decided to substitute the wine for beer. Why not, right? The beer added great flavor with the barley and mushrooms.

The pictures are lacking, I know. It needs color. It needs herbs. It needs help! I showed Huck some of the “Food Porn” sites, and he said my pictures were all the same. I needed to step it up. When I get paid next month, I’m going to buy some props. Or I may go buy some today with Huck’s money.

Date Night

Last night we went to Downtown at the Gardens for dinner and a movie.

We started our night at RA Sushi. I feel really old saying this but it was SO LOUD. The music was loud, and the people at the bar were really loud. It wasn’t the best choice for dinner.

After dinner, we went to see Monster University 3D {It was Huck’s idea by the way}. Monster Inc. is one of my favorite cartoons, and MU was just as good. I differently recommend it.

It was a nice night with my hubby!

What is your favorite cartoon?

Mushroom, Beer, and Barley “Risotto”

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Beef Stock
  • 1/2 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 cloves Garlic (Minced)
  • 1/4 cup Onion (Chopped)
  • 1 cup Barley
  • 1 cup Mushrooms (Chopped)
  • 1/2 cup Beer (You can use wine or stock instead.)
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese (Grated)
  • 2 tablespoons Parsley (Chopped)
  • Salt and Pepper To Taste

Directions

Heat Beef Stock over medium low heat.

Heat Oil to a pan over medium to medium low heat. Add Garlic and Onions. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
Add Barley and coat with Oil. Add Beer and stir.

Add Beef Stock to pan one ladle at a time.
Stir mixture often and add more Stock as the liquid absorbs. Cook for 20 minutes or until all liquid is used and Barley is tender.
Stir in Parmesan Cheese and Parley. Season with Salt and Pepper as need.
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06/20/13

Beer Shrimp Boil

Shrimp is a popular food in our house. Except when we thought Huck was allergic. I thought we were done with shell fish for good. That was a bad time.

We went to a sushi restaurant for lunch one day and had shrimp rolls, and I made some kind of shrimp dish for dinner that night. After dinner, I went to take a shower. A few minutes later Huck comes into the bathroom and told me to look at him. I figured he wanted to show me a new trick Oopie could do. I peeked my head out of the shower and seen red dots all over his face and chest.

He was covered head to toe in large hives. I quickly found the Benadryl and made him take some. I know that you can develop seafood allergies over time, and he had a lot of shrimp for dinner. It was the only thing I could think to cause Huck to react like that.

When I told him this, he almost cried “Life isn’t worth living if I can’t eat shrimp!?” Yea, he really said that… A few times. I felt so bad for him, and then I started thinking, shit! Now I can’t have shrimp.

A few weeks later, with liquid Benadryl close by, he tried eating some shrimp again, and luckily, for both of us, no hives. I still have no idea what caused it, but I’m really glad I can still cook shell fish.

This recipe is to celebrate not being allergic to shrimp!

Shelled Shrimp was much less than shell-on Shrimp at the grocery store. Feel free to use whatever shrimp you like.

Puffy Clouds

We are in that time of year when it’s super hot and rains every day at 3PM. The other day on our way home, we seen this.

{Huck took this while I was driving}

You can see the rain to the left.

The pictures do not do it justice.

Are you allergic to anything? Until recently, I thought I was allergic to Mushrooms.

 

Beer Shrimp Boil

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Beer of Choice
  • 4 cups Water
  • 3 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning (Old Bay or Homemade)
  • 1/2lb Potatoes (Large Diced)
  • 2 Corn Cob (Frozen or Fresh.)
  • 1lb Large Shrimp (With or Without Shell)
  • 1/2lb Sausage (Sliced)

Directions

Add Beer, Water, and Seasoning to a large pot. Add Potatoes and heat over medium heat.
Boil Potatoes for 10-15 minutes and add Corn.
Preheat skillet over medium high heat. Add sausage and sear on both sides.
Add Sausage and Shrimp to pot. Cook until shrimp is fully cooked.
Remove from liquid and sprinkle with extra seasoning.
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06/18/13

Beer Mac and Cheese

Homemade Mac and Cheese! Is there anything better?? Some people would say there is…

Let me tell you a story about my Husband. I’m actually embarrassed to tell you this.

Huck likes Velveeta Shells and Cheese. There I said it!!

The worst part… He doesn’t like Homemade Mac and Cheese. He only likes Velveeta.

How can I be married to someone that likes fake processed cheese over something homemade with real cheese? When he first told me, it was almost a deal breaker. I’m not a food snob but thinking Velveeta is better than real mac and cheese is just crazy.

I’ve been able to look past his love for Velveeta, though. I still want to grab him by the shirt, shake him, and scream “what is wrong with you”, every time he puts that crap in our buggy.

Huck also believes everything has to be covered in Crusted Red Pepper! I’ll make something AMAZING and look over and see him covering my masterpiece in species. Somewhere under all those pepper flakes was my perfect meal. It’s heartbreaking. Sometimes, I joke that I’m just going to serve him cardboard covered in Crusted Red Pepper and he’ll love it.

Maybe one day I can fully convert him to the real world. The world where cheese is real and everything doesn’t have to burn your mouth to be good! One day! It wasn’t today, though.

I made Beer Mac and Cheese for lunch on Sunday. Its been on my list of recipes to make for awhile, and I needed a side to go with lunch. I didn’t tell Huck I was making Mac and Cheese. I didn’t want him to complain it wasn’t his beloved Velveeta.

I was hoping if I added all his favorite things, he would like it. Beer, Bacon, Broccoli! It had to be a winner. I ever added crackers to the top for crunch.

The moment of truth came when I served him the life changing Beer Mac and Cheese. He took a few bites and said…

Huck: “This is really good!!!”

Me: “WHAT?? You actually think my homemade mac and cheese is better than Velveeta??”

Huck: “NO! But it’s good.”

Me: “Do you even have taste buds??”

Velveeta 1 Me 0!

One day I will win this war! You’re going down Fake Yellow Mush!

A few notes about my Beer Mac and Cheese. This taste like beer! I’ve ordered “Beer” Mac and Cheese at restaurants but it’s always tasted like regular Mac and Cheese! Not this one. The beer really shines through. I recommend using a beer you like to drink. If you’re not a big fan of beer, you can use 1 Cup of Milk and 1/4 Cup of Beer.

You can also skip the baking step if you do not have crackers. Or you can use bread crumbs.

I have more great Beer recipes lined up for this week. Are you noticing a theme??

Beer Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Broccoli

Serves 6+
There is not denying this has Beer in it! My Beer Mac and Cheese has everything you love: Bacon, Cheese and Beer! Can't beat that!

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups Uncooked Macaroni Noodles
  • 2 tablespoons Butter
  • 2 tablespoons Flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Powder (Options)
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 cup Beer (Wheat, Pale, IPA will work. Something you like to drink.)
  • 1/4 cup Milk
  • 2 cups Shredded Cheese (Your Choice)
  • 3 pieces Turkey Bacon (Cooked and Crumbled)
  • 1/2 cup Broccoli (Chopped)
  • 15 Crackers (Ground)
  • 2 tablespoons Butter (Melted)
  • Cooking Spray

Directions

Cook Pasta according to package directions. Drain to remove all water.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Heat a medium sauce pot over medium low. Add Butter and Flour. Fully combined. Add Red Pepper Powder and Garlic.
Whisk in Beer slowly to prevent lumps and foam up. Next, add the Milk. Allow mixture to thicken.
Combined Cheese into beer mixture and combined with Pasta. Add cooked Bacon and Broccoli to the mix.
Spray individual ramekins or a large baking dish with cooking spray and add mac and cheese.
Combined Crackers and Butter together and sprinkle over the top.
Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the top is brown.
Serve Hot and Enjoy!
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06/17/13

I’m Kind Of A Big Deal

I had a great Birthday Week! It started with my Mommy flying into town and spending the week with me. She left Thursday, and our plans were to go to the Food Truck Invasion in Abacoa Friday night and Beer and Burger Bash Saturday.

Friday, I was asking around, and no one wanted to go the the Food Truck Invasion.

Deena and Alex said they were going bowling and asked if we wanted to go. I figured since no one else was going downtown, bowling sounded like more fun.

When we arrived at the bowling alley, Huck said he needed to call Deena to make sure we were at the right place… That’s when I caught on to what was going on.

I think every person we have met, since moving to Florida, was there. I understood why no one wanted to go to the Food Truck Invasion.

Apparently, Huck started planning this earlier in the week. I was so confused because I felt like it was my idea to go bowling with Deena and Alex. That boy is so sneaky!

Deena did a great job with the decorations and cake.

{I told them that was the wrong age!}

Red and Black!

And she bought me a T-shirt from Harpoon Brewery in Boston.

She truly is the best!!

Jilda and Warren bought me a birthday shot… Saturday, I was questioning if she liked me or hated me ;)

The rest of the night was spend bowling and laughing.

Greg told me I exceeded my Surprise Party limit for a lifetime! I told him I was kind of a big deal and those rules didn’t apply to me.

It was a great time with awesome people. It was just wanted I needed after my Mommy left.

My Actually Birthday

For my Birthday, we went to the Beer and Burger Bash at PGA National.

Once we arrived, I remembered why I didn’t have much fun last year. The middle of June is not the best time to have a beer festival in the middle of a parking lot!

I did try a couple of burgers that were really good. Mrs. Smokey’s BBQ had the best food with their Pulled Brisket on a Fried Biscuit, and Hurricane Grill had the best burger {pictured above}

My favorite beer of the day was the Glades Pale Ale from The Native Brewing Company.

This year, they had a large tent setup with cooling fans.

Our group stationed in front of a fan at the TBC booth. The only time I left was to get a refill.

So many people walked up and asked if it was really my Birthday. I was also called a snob when someone apparently said Happy Birthday, and I did not hear her. Drunk Chicks!

{Dianne from The Kitchen Prep was there, too.}

We left a little before it ended to beat the traffic. We stopped by a friends house for her Birthday Party {her Birthday was the 16th}. We played in the pool for a little while before heading home. I was so ready to shower and curl up in bed. The heat plus waking up hungover kicked my butt!

I had a great Birthday. Thank you to everyone who made my birthday great: my mom for surprising me, my friends that made me laugh until my sides hurt, and my husband that spoils me more than I deserve! I am truly blessed to have all these people in my life!

06/14/13

My last day as a 17 year old

My mommy left last night:( We dropped her off at the airport around 6:30PM. Her flight was scheduled for 7:05, but with the storms, it was delayed. Her flight keep getting delayed and didn’t leave until 10PM. Great way to end a great trip, right?

I promised myself I wouldn’t cry until I got the the car. I spent all day yesterday sulking knowing she was leaving, and saying goodbye was really hard. It was great spending so much time with her, and knowing she was leaving sucked. I felt bad because I didn’t say much at the airport. I knew if I started talking, I would start crying. Then, her being stuck at the airport for 3.5 extra hours made it harder.

I didn’t make it to the car though. As soon as I turned away, I started balling. I told Huck I’m way to emotional. I get it from my Grandmother. She lives in Florida and we would go visit her every year. I can remember every year, as we were pulling out of the driveway, she would be crying. I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND WHY!! It sucks watching her family leave or leaving your family.

Huck feels bad because “he made me move here”. I reminded him, multiple times, I was the one with the first job interview here. I was the one that wanted to move out of Georgia. He just so happened to get a great job first.

Must change subject so I don’t cry again

Tomorrow is my 18th birthday. I keep staying I’m turning 18 for some reason, so I’m going with it. It sounds much better than 28. Eww I’m getting old.

My 27th 17th year was a great one. So many great things have happened over this last year.

I got married

We went on our Honeymoon-Mexico and Belize

I went Ice Fishing-Beaver Bay, MN

Celebrated Deena’s 30th-Key West

Surprised my family- GA

Went to my first Blog Conference-Orlando

I drank lots of Beer

I made lots of Food

It was an amazing year. So many great things happened.

I’m celebrating my Birthday doing what I love, eating and drinking with Huck and friends. {I’m not sure how I’ll be drinking since I’m only 18, but we’ll figure it out}

06/12/13

What Did You Do In Florida?

I’ve been having a blast, spending time with my Mommy, the past few days. We’ve been sight seeing, hanging out, and eating. Lots of eating!

Monday started with a “2 mile” bike ride to the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary.

The 2 miles were more like 6. Luckily, Florida is flat, but it’s also really hot! We enjoyed seeing the ride and seeing the animals.

Once we arrived back, Huck drove us to lunch at Guanabanas.

We all enjoyed Burritos.

Later that afternoon, me and mommy rode the bikes to Downtown Abacoa for Happy Hour.

For dinner, I made Pork Chops and Fried Rice from The Pioneer Woman. Great Recipe!! Everyone agreed. And so easy!

We spent the rest of the evening watching movies.

Wednesday, we woke up really early to ride with Huck to a claim. After the claim, we stopped by the Hard Rock Casino.

We gambled for a little while. Well, mommy and Huck gambled. I was just their lucky charm. I didn’t win anything, but they were doing pretty good.

After playing, we had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe.

One the way home, we bought some nice steaks with our winnings.

We also had potatoes again.

Once the smoke cleared, from the kitchen, I was able to take a picture. I’m sure our neighbors think our house is on fire every time I make steak.

Tomorrow afternoon, my mommy is going home. I don’t want to think about it :( This week is going by too fast!!

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