Spicy & Saucy Chicken

   This chicken dish tastes a lot like a spicy Chinese dish. In other words, I now consider myself part Chinese because I was able to execute this. I sincerely doubt though that the Chinese use ketchup in most recipes.

Ingredients

• Olive oil
• 1 Onion, chopped
• 3-4 Skinless, boneless cubed chicken breasts
• 3 Tbsp Ketchup (just trust me)
• 2 Tbsp Soy sauce
• 3 Tbsp Sugar
• 2 Tbsp Lemon juice (I used the kind in the lemon shaped bottle. Easy)
• 1 Tbsp Ground black pepper

   Saute the onion in the olive oil until translucent. Add in the chicken.

I know. Raw chicken is gross. But it just looked so fresh...I had to share!

   Saute chicken until slightly browned. Mix the ketchup, soy sauce, sugar, pepper and lemon juice together in a small bowl. It will look clumpy and gross. Don't worry.

Keep mixing!

   Pour over the chicken and onions and make sure it coats all of the chicken.

Add cover and let it simmer on lowered heat for about 25 minutes.

Serve over rice!

Soooo good!







Friday Factoid 5 #3

   Good morning and happy Friday! I was 100% sure yesterday was Friday. So much so, that when I rolled over at 6:29 to check the time I thought to myself "Oh YAY it's Saturday!". Saddening. It will be a nice weekend here in Connecticut. The leaves are starting to change a bit and it's cooling off finally. This hair just CAN'T do humidity.

   Onto the 5!!

1. I take traffic jams personally. I can't stop myself from thinking "maybe if whoever was in the accident had been more careful then 10,000 people on the interstate wouldn't be in standstill traffic and late for work right now!" Selfish, I'm aware. I just don't take traffic very well. Let me bask in my immaturity.

I normally soar past this area of the highway. Not today!

2. I am not a cowgirl. I may live in the sticks of Connecticut but I am the opposite of country. I don't love country music, I am allergic to horses, I just can't bring myself to wear cowboy boots (even when in fashion) and you know I'm doing something for you when I got to a party and where this hat you have provided me with.

Note the sarcasm on my face. This one's for you, Alix.

3. Crooked bumper stickers annoy me to death. You wanna rock your favorite vacation destination, your family (in my case a cat sticker) or the college you went to? I think it's awesome and I say go for it. I have a Cape cod "CC" sticker (which is oft confused for Cancun. No I did not go to Cancun when I was at UCONN. I went to Disney, thank you very much) and a small cat  cut out wearing  mouse ears. These are in my rear window because I'm afraid to stick anything to my car's paint (except for bright green paint). If you are going to place stickers on your car PLEASE double check their alignment. Or I will get stuck behind you gritting my teeth in traffic.

The trajectory of the left sticker is wrong. Just wrong. They should have both been placed on  like the one on the right. Big deal? No. But it drove me nuts to stare at.

4. I have trouble understanding people with thick accents. To a fault, like I can't have a real convo with them. I think my mind just blocks out accents sometimes. I probaby have an accent to someone in the south. I sound like the uptight CT jerk that I am. We have an Egyptian man at work who runs the kitchen in the cafe. He's such a great guy, I adore him. I can understand 30% of what he says. It's probably my brain reacting to the jealousy that I was born in CT and still live here. I'm a non-exotic.

5. I would have majored in Egyptology if they offered it. I am obsessed with ancient Egypt. I think there is no more fascinating ancient culture. I got my minor in history (and psych, but only because I had taken so many as electives) and I enjoyed every class I took. If I'm watching tv with husband he will stop flipping if it's a show about mummies or pyramids or Egypt related. He just knows to stop. Someday...I will see the glorious Sphinx. I will stand in its shadow and bask in the sands.

Courtesy of davidpbillington.net

Or I'll bask to the far front of Sphinx because clearly I'd fall on that gate pictured above if I really basked and I don't like the idea of bruised ribs.

Later, peeps.

Cinderella

Cinderella by autumnvanweir featuring hair clip accessories

Jason Wu wool dress
$2,185 - stylebop.com

2 Lips Too silver stiletto heels
$50 - heels.com

Monsoon clutch bag
£35 - monsoon.co.uk

Oval ring
$25 - macys.com

Toy Watch stone jewelry
€241 - lindestore.com

Juicy Couture rhinestone jewelry
$40 - juicycouture.com

ASOS long knit glove
$15 - asos.com

Tarina Tarantino hair clip accessory
$28 - tarinatarantino.com

Snow White- for Chelsea

Snow White- for Chelsea by autumnvanweir featuring blue jackets

Draped dress
$135 - modcloth.com

Miss Selfridge blue jacket
£30 - missselfridge.com

Supertrash high heel pumps
€150 - welikefashion.com

Kate Spade studded handbag
$193 - couture.zappos.com

Blue necklace
$275 - charmandchain.com

Mango long chain necklace
£23 - mango.com

Leather flower belt
$32 - topshop.com

Forever21 floral hair accessory
$2.50 - forever21.com

Royal Blue Sixlets | Decorative Candy | Decorating | Layer Cake Shop
$3 - layercakeshop.com

Polyvore. Yes, please.

   I can't hold it in any longer. I'm addicted. I have an illness. My cousin Natalie introduced me to my newest weakness the other day. I sometimes think I'm blood related to HER and not, in fact, her husband (who is my 1st cousin). Bravo, Nat. Bravo.


   Polyvore is the site where all the amazing fashion bloggers I follow assemble their goodies! It's all the hats, purses, shoes, earrings, skirts, pants and blazers in ONE  place. It has an easy drag and drop tool to make you create the most amazing fashion "scenes". I added a gadget to the right ---------->
that actually shows you my latest diabolical  creative madness. I can't stop though. If you like fashion in any way shape or form...or wonder how Autumn would dress if she wasn't poor, go check me out over there! You can follow me and see what else I've done. believe me when I say there's plenty to see. Methinks I'll occasionally share my creations here as well. Addicted.

   I know, right??



Organ donors: artichoke hearts

   Delicious and I have been told, difficult to cook. Guess what? Not hard, just takes a long time (that's what she said). Begin by cutting off the stem with a mega sharp knife. Cut off the top portion where all the leaves join. Rinse that pup. Be careful...I sliced my finger open on a leaf. Literally.

   Add water to a pot with steamer tray in it to the the base of the steamer. You may need to add more later as these have to cook for ions.

   I read something that suggested dripping some lemon juice over them because they will brown. Done and done. Then I found some chopped garlic in olive oil in the fridge (sweeeet). Also drizzled some olive oil over the tops of the chokes so they'd remain supple.

  Cook like this with lid on top for 40 minutes! Yes, 40. Check back in around 20 minutes to add more water if need be. Leave burner on medium or so.

A. Mazing. Melt some butter. Dip away.

Where's the heart? The precious heart.

I meant "of the artichoke", but OK.

Delicious and something you can prep and walk away from! Awesome appetizer.

The Multi-Wallet

   I learned something about a dear friend at dinner the other night. You know the saying "One can never have too many_____"? And people usually insert their interest into the quote. "Shoes" or "cars". In my case as a kid I had a "One can never have too many cats" shirt (foreshadowing much?). Well we have a new one, care of Lisa.

   When the check came at the pizza place we both pulled out our wallets. Or, what I thought was the only 2 wallets we had. Lisa didn't have exact change, but I did, which was rarity enough. Then she unleashed this on me. "Let me check these other wallets."...



   She has a cold, so I went easy on her. But 4 wallets? It was insanity! And even crazier...she had the SMALLEST purse!

   Suffice it to say- it resulted in a good hearty laugh, needed by all. Lisa and her tiny purse and 4 wallets. And then she threw a dime at me and we called it a night.

Vitamins?

   Has anyone else noticed recently how often people in the media and news are talking about vitamins?? Like now the multiple vitamins I buy at Target that are a rip off of women's centrum isn't enough? Well according to Dr. Oz, they aren't. After reading a scary article on calcium (and my Mom lecturing me) I started taking calcium chews. Fine. Then my neurologist (migraines) advised me to take potassium since I don't like bananas. OK. So that's now 4 things I take in the am. Then I hear the Elvis Duran show this morning. Dr. Oz (who I think is rad) was on yesterday and addressed blood pressure. That got the team all worked up about health. Today they announce the study on B12. And while it's good for older adults, I can't remember what day it is most of the time, so maybe I need to look into this.

   Then I was daydreaming about vitamins and remember when I was younger and uber-bitchy my Mom was force me to take B6. It supposedly "un-bitched" you. However, I did some research and found NOTHING here about B6. And that's from the feds, people. So i'm at a loss. Aaron will just have to continue dealing with me at this rate of aggression because ain't no B6 gonna fix it (according to the US Government).

   The last vitamin that has been rearing it's ugly head is D. My allergist (who confirmed to Aaron that I am in fact allergic to horses and nothing else) advised me to start taking vitamin D. It was clearly his pet cause because I showed no deficiency in anything and he probably just has a deal with the vitamin companies. So he said every human should spend 30 minutes in the sun per day, or take 1000mg of D. 30 minutes? We live in Connecticut, pal. I'm lucky if I don't run to my car because I'm freezing to death half the year. I'll take the damn pill October-May.

   I think it's like when you don't know anyone who has a certain car. Then one or more of your BFFs get one and you see Rav 4s everywhere suddenly (yes, that happened). I knew I should take a multi-vitamin because growing up my Mom was a health freak and hammered it into me (which I'm grateful for). But why all the vitamin talk now? You think it has anything to do with American's "All Oreo" diets? Do any of YOU take any vitamins I should add to my list? I'm going to Target after work to go vitamin shopping. AND to pick up my fixed pumps!! Finally caught the shoe repair guy!

Carpet non-prep

   I am being SUCH a slacker. I am fully aware that I have to have EVERY knick knack and decor items removed from walls, shelves...basically any surface I have crap on, needs to be cleared off. I've done 5% of that at this time. I have tonight and tomorrow night to work on it as they will be gracing us with their presence 9 am Friday morning.

   In related news, the areas of the spare room I started to clean out a bit, a bigger mess has erupted, courtesy of Turk. We used purple feathers rather than flower petals at our wedding for my flower girl to drop. I have a ton left over because I grossly overestimated how many feathers would fit in her tiny basket. I came around the corner last night to this:

It looks like a purple bird got mauled in my guest room.

   90% of the items on the floor came off that shelf. By the cats. The other 10% was from the contractor who came over last night to "patch up" the holes he made in our dining room ceiling. He didn't get very far when he realized he "forgot something" and apparently bounced. He wasn't there when I got home at 7.

   I hope to God he doesn't think the hole he fixed there is done...because it looks like hell. But don't worry he'll back. Again. Tonight. So I can't comfortably walk around in sweats like a slob. Aaron says he's almost done and to get over it. That's super easy to say when you aren't the one who has to make small talk with this clown when all you want to do is lay on the couch with no bra and eat Oreos. Aaron gets home late, so it's a moot point for him.

   What I have started to pack has naturally been undone by cats as well. I don't know why I thought it brilliant to put an open box on the fireplace.

Luckily the "good stuff" wasn't in there when Apollo leaped in.

                              I will be at home this evening. Dealing with this nonsense. Think of me...

Totally regretting the "let's make our condo nicer!" idea.



Smothered chicken and Italian Potatoes

   A tasty and SUPER easy meal choice. I like those best as I am relatively untalented and don't like letting myself down.

Italian Style Skillet Potatoes (By Ms R. Ray)

Ingredients

2 pounds medium white or yellow potatoes, cut into 1-inch-thick wedges (I used 4 large potatoes    since it's just 2 of us! Cats don't eat potatoes)

Salt

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

3 large cloves garlic, crushed

3 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped (this is hard to chop. Maybe use scissors. Avoid embarassment)

Freshly ground pepper

Grated Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, for serving (I use a combo of both, shredded, not grated)

Put the potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, salt the water and cook for 5 minutes. Drain.

Heat the EVOO in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until golden, about 2 minutes. Remove to a cutting board with a slotted spoon, then chop and reserve.
Add the potatoes and rosemary to the skillet and season with salt and pepper.

Cook until browned and crisp, 5-10 minutes. Sprinkle cheese over the top and remove from heat.

Then for the meat...you can cook the meat all while cooking the potatoes, of course.

Delightful Smothered Chicken Breasts (a variation of this bad boy )

Ingredients

4 (6 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves                   

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

8 bacon strips

1 medium onion, sliced

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese

Sprinkle chicken with salt. In a large skillet, cook chicken in oil for 13-15 minutes or until juices run clear; remove and keep warm. I have a fear of not cooking chicken enough so I put a clear lid on my pan and watch it carefully. I also tend to use a meat thermometer (I bought a terrible one. Wish I had gone digital!) and then I slice into the fattest part just to be safe. I also wanted it browned and it turned out to be about 15 mins.

In the same skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp.

Move that crispy bacon to the top of your cooked chicken. Cover it though. You aren't done yet and it's gonna get cold.

 In the drippings, saute the onion and brown sugar until onion is golden. This took longer than I anticipated.

Top  that chicken with caramelized onions and cheese and let it melt...

Dinner for two is served :) And the cats will watch us eat.