Weekly Want: Matroyshkas Dry Measuring Cups

If anyone knows me, they know that I am obsessed with Matroyshkas or Russian Nesting Dolls- that's why when I saw these darling Dry Measuring Cups by Fred M, I knew my kitchen needed them!

Available at Amazon for roughly $10 these kitchen must-haves will not only look great lying out on your counter top, but have a precious practical use as well!

Meal for Two: Me & You

Sunday Dinner included Radiatore with Winter Squash Sauce & Roasted Turnips with Rosemary

Radiatore with Winter Squash Sauce

What You'll Need:

-2 cups of radiatore pasta

-1 cup of Bird's Eye frozen winter squash- thawed

-2 tbsp of parmesan cheese

-1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream

-1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper

-salt and pepper to taste

What You'll Do:

1. boil radiatore in a pot

2. while the pasta boils, combine these all other ingredients in a blender or food processor and puree

3. After the sauce is thick, creamy and well mixed, heat up in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally

4. drain radiatore and and pour sauce over the pasta

~

Roasted Turnips

What You'll Need:

-3 large turnips

-2 tbsp of olive oil

-2 tbsp of balsamic vinegar

What You'll Do:

1. cut turnips into small cubes and place in a baking dish

2. cover in olive oil and balsamic vinegar, shake to coat all turnips evening

3. season with rosemary

4. roast at 450 for 25-30 minutes & serve immediately!

-image via http://nofuckingreasons.tumblr.com/

Helping the Plant-it!

So you want to recycle & have a beautiful houseplant to enjoy in this dreary winter weather?

Well have I got your oh-so-easy remedy to this dilemma!

In a few easy steps you'll be enjoying your new, modernly chic plant holder!

1. Start by buying a clear plastic "soda" can, like this one from Asia Plaza on Payne Avenue in Cleveland's Chinatown. They're about a dollar or so and come in a variety of flavors!

2. Drink up!

3. Rinse with water & fill with water to right under the tab

4. If you do not already have, buy a hydroculture plant, such as a Mini-Ficus or Sansevieria Trifasciata which has just started to grow its first leaves or so & place it in the can

5. As you will see in time, the roots will expand, outgrowing the plastic pop can. Simply remove your plant and move to a larger recyclable- water bottle, 2 liter of pop, you name it!

***

this simple, chic and nearly free idea not only helps the planet, it also looks cool on your desk or in your kitchen window sill

Country Fried Pickles

What You'll Need:

Vegetable Oil or Peanut Oil

Italian Bread Crumbs

Cayenne Pepper

Black Pepper

2 Eggs

Pickle Chips- any kind that you'd like- dill, bread & butter, etc.

What You'll Do:

Fill the pan with oil about a centimeter deep

Beat 2 eggs in a bowl

In a separate bowl, place the bread crumbs (a sufficient amount; about a cup- you can always add more)

Mix Black Pepper & Cayenne Pepper (in an amount to your liking) in with the bread crumbs

Drain pickles and pat dry with a paper towel

Next dip the pickles in the egg, bread and place in hot oil

Let them cook till golden brown, about 30 seconds on each side

Place on a plate that has been lined with a paper towel to absorb the grease

For the Dipping Sauce:

1/2 cup of Blue Cheese or Ranch

1 tsp of Sriracha

Grab some napkins and chow down!

Weekly Want: Owl Tea Cozy

Hoo doesn't love teapot cozies!? This one from Etsy seller Shazzasknits is darling!

$38.00- comes in blue (seen here) or brown!

For all you crafty knitters out there here is an owl-dorable teapot sweater pattern from Etsy seller Periwinklepark for only $3.50! Make your owl hoo in any color that you want!

Spicy-Zah!

Sriracha Pizza

What you'll need:

Naan- you can pre-buy it at Trader Joe's, Giant Eagle & most grocery stores or make it!

Sriracha Chili Sauce

Mozzarella Cheese +/0 Pepper Jack, Cheddar

Toppings! Mine included imitation crab meat, left over spaghetti meatballs and pickled artichokes

*Cilantro- for garnish (to cool the mouth from the spicy sriracha), can also use Basil or whatever your little heart desires!

*Blue Cheese or Ranch dressing for dipping and additional mouth cooling!

What you'll do:

Place the pieces of Naan on a sheet of wax paper- the naan is already baked, so it helps prevent it from burning on the pan.

Next, very sparingly sauce the naan with the Sriracha. Remember that only the tiniest amount of Sriracha goes a loooong way.

Then, sprinkle cheese over, add your toppings and then cover with a more copious amount of cheese!

Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes- check at 10 and see how they're coming along!

Pull 'em out- add cilantro

And wah-lah! Easy, delicious, *spicy* pizza!

Nice to "Eat" You!

be it as it may:

I have decided to start a restaurant review/favorite recipes/anything food & drink blog and throw in some pictures of pugs and boston terriers along the way (because every good foodie needs something warm and delightful that's not just food)

So enjoy, feel free to comment, request I try and cook up a particular dish (since this blog is also kitchen-experimental) and let the mouth-watering begin!

My boys: Mooch (bottom) & Killer (top)

Dog Eat Dog World

This past Friday I went to Happy Dog. It's located in the Gordon Square Arts District (the cutesy up-and-coming neighborhood located between Ohio City and Lakewood along the Shoreway). I had driven past Happy Dog many of times, but just figured it was a hole in the wall bar with nothing but booze and bar nuts. Boy was I wrong! Called Happy Dog because of it's signature item- hot dogs, this place boasts one hell of a doggone menu!

When you enter, there's stage to your right, booths along your left and round tables scattered about. Although seating is limited at the booths and tables, Happy Dog has a gorgeous hardwood racetrack bar. Happy Hour is from 5-7 M-F on domestic bottles (kinda blah for drink specials), but the they do have a great range of beers on tap to chose from, including indie darlings, Genesee & Pabst. Beers are about $2-4. Can't beat that! But enough about thebeer. Let's talk food!!

I am and have always been obsessed with hot dogs. I love hot dogs. I love things that come on hot dogs. And in my opinion, the more toppings and condiments on my hot dog, the better. Which is why I instantly fell in love with Happy Dog. 50 toppings to chose from on a quarter pound special recipe hot dog or veg-vegan friendly Italian sausage in a poppy seed bun. This American dream is enough to make your eyes tear up with excitement and your tummy shout "hot-dayuum!" I went all out on my first ever Happy Dog experience. My toppings included: Cajun Mayonnaise- Remoulade, Bourbon baked beans, Habanero picked red onions, Bacon spiked southern style greens, smoked gouda cheese, Caribbean coleslaw & Chorizo chili! You can choose between tater-tots or french fries for your feast accompaniment, so in light of middle school cafeteria nostalgia, I chose tater-tots with free sides (there are many to chose from as well) including Black truffle honey mustard, Saffron aioli, Brazilian chimichurri, Marcella's grape jelly and chile sauce and Oaxacan red chile and chocolate mole (my fav!). I should take a moment to say that you can get AS MANY TOPPINGS on your dog and YOU WANT at NO extra price! Hot dogs are only $5 and taters/fries a mere $2.50.

Overall, I give Happy Dog an A++! The friendly, local atmosphere, along with the laid back decor and Friday Polka music gave this place its own unique charm. They have bands play often and I can imagine it's a great place to see some local talent. Just make sure you get there before 9pm because that's when the kitchen closes. Parking can be a little tricky, although they do have their own extremely small parking lot. Best of the best however, is obviously the food. If you can dream it, you can eat it at Happy Dog!

5801 Detroit Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44102-3001

(216) 651-9474