Belated Merry Christmas

Christmas yesterday was great, and I received many wonderful gifts. I think about 90% of them are going in my kitchen. I am so excited about it that I feel I have to list some of them:

- Cuisinart 11 Cup Food Processor (Finally!)
- Cuisipro Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless Steel Pans
- Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless Steel 3 1/2 quart Saute Pan
- OXO Potato Ricer
- Microplane Zester
- Barefoot Contessa at Home Cookbook
- Barefoot in Paris Cookbook

Okay, I'm exhausted from copying and pasting links. I am so excited about all of these things. =). Cooking will be so much fun as I play with my new toys. I will also say that the Barefoot Contessa at Home cookbook came from Geoff's mom, and that she ordered it from the Barefoot Contessa website, and it is signed and inscribed to ME! I was so excited! I already used the measuring cups yesterday morning to make Apple Cake Tatin to take to my parents house. By the way, that cake is absolutely delish. The measuring cups are fantastic. I love the oval shape.

I am going to the Food Bloggers Potluck this weekend, and have decided to make Chicken Chili. It is one of my favorite recipes that I make all the time. And, it's healthy! Well, until you add shredded cheese and sour cream to the top. Mmm. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. I might also make a dessert. Or an appetizer. I did make a delish caramelized onion dip on Christmas eve that we devoured. I am sure no one will mind if I bring extra food. =)

I should be ashamed

I live off of Kenny Rd in Grandview and I had never been to Penzey's Spices until a few weeks ago. I had passed it a million times on the way to TJ Maxx, but for some reason never gone in. I supposed I figured it would be really expensive. I was wrong! It isn't expensive at all! The first time I went there, I was scouting the place for possible Christmas gifts for Geoff's stepdad. Of course, I ended up buying myself a few things. I went there again on Saturday to buy the actual gifts. I bought a Sweet Hungarian Paprika, a Rib and Chicken Rub, an English Prime Rib Rub, Saffron, and Fleur de Sel. Needless to say, it was hard to not keep these things for myself. I did buy myself some new Chili Powder, whole Nutmeg and the same Rib and Chicken Rub. I made Chicken Chili last night and tried out the new chili powder. It was fab!

Okay, so I am really excited cooking on Christmas Eve. My menu is simple, and going to be delish. Here is the plan:

Roast Loin of Pork with Fennel and roasted vegetables
Williams Sonoma Classic Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

Simple. I am not killing myself this time, like I did on Thanksgiving. I am really excited about the pork roast!

Okay, time to watch Barefoot Contessa!

My house smells like rosemary

I am making this roast:




And I want to eat, NOW. I have been craving beef so bad recently. I made burgers on Monday night, and a beef roast tonight. I just chucked a bunch of potatoes, carrots and onions in a roasting pan with the seared beef, and added 2 bay leaves, some rosemary and a little garlic. Also, a little chicken stock. I'm STARVING. We usually eat around 6 or 630, but this won't be ready for eating until probably 7:15.

This is my new olive oil dispenser:



It is just one of those plastic squeeze bottles. It cost 79 cents at Wasserstrom, and I swear, it is the best one I have ever used. I need a dispenser because it seems like when I pour the olive oil directly out of the bottle it came in, I always use way too much.

Oh, and I have to share this new cookbook I bought last night at Half Price Books. It is called the Hay Day Country Market Cookbook, and it looks amazing. It only cost $4.98, and I even bought 2 copies. One for myself and one for Geoff's stepdad, who is an amazing cook. The recipes focus on using fresh, seasonal ingredients, and they also give great information and tips throughout the book. I can't wait to try some recipes from this book. I will surely post the results.

Okay, time to take the roast out of the oven to rest. Mmmm.