Cook Book!!

One of my resolutions was to make a cook book.  Yep, a cook book.  I am putting my recipes and photos together on http://www.tastebook.com/.  I will keep up my cooking madness until I am done making this wonderful masterpiece.  I usually try a new recipe a week.  Gotta change up the menu, so you don't get bored!!  Some of my "prize" recipes will be in this cookbook.  I was thinking about selling them and giving profits to a charity like the Wounded Warrior Foundation.  Any thoughts?  Or recipes for me to try?

Favorite Things Friday

One thing I love to do on Friday night is go through my DVR to see what I missed that week.  I go to school, work pretty late (sometimes), and just don't feel like sitting in front of a tv, when I could walk the pup, go for a run, or have a much needed date night with the bf. 

My top 5 shows in my DVR are:

1. NCIS..who doesn't love Mark Harmon? 
2. NCIS LA..more hot guys.
3. Grey's Anatomy ..can't get enough Seattle Grace drama.
4. Blue Bloods..Tom Sellek and a Wahlberg.  Yup.
5. Chicago Code..the city I love and the cops I love.  Oh my. 

I guess most of these shows all have a few themes in common...the Navy..cops.. :)  I will have to start buying the dvds when I go back to sea and miss a season, or two..

Restaurant Week 2011 Part 2

I don't think I could only go to 1 place for Restaurant week, so my bf and I went to Japonais last night.  He had never been there, and one of our favorite things to do is get sushi together.  Usually the BYOB place a few blocks from my house.

I had been to Japonais before, and wanted to try their special menu this week.  I ordered "The Rock" for both of us.  One of the best appetizers I have ever had.  I also ordered some rolls for him, and the crab, sashimi, cake for me. ($33 menu)  Oh my was it all amazing!  I hate sashimi.  Something about the tiny piece of chewy fish on rice, no thanks.  Last nights meal changed my view on that!  The sashimi I ordered is called the Tuna Tuna Salmon.  Highly recommend it!

My oldest brother moved from Japan back to the US almost a year ago.  I can't wait to take him to Japonais, I know he will love it!

Semi Homemade

I don't always have a lot of time to cook a homemade meal every night.  So enter Trader Joes/Whole Foods.  I love going there to buy a few go to items to make my life easier.

I went to Whole Foods to get some fish and came home with some coconut crusted mahi. I baked it for 15 minutes at 350.  Oh my goodness.  This was amazing.  I paired it with some cold orzo salad and steamed corn. 15-20 mintues for all of this.  Sign me up. 

Restaurant Week 2011

Saturday night was girls night out, and we had reservations at Osteria via Stato.   We tried their restaurant week menu, which as the waitress said, we would not leave hungry.  She was right!  At $33 a person, we couldn't go wrong for all the food we were about to be served..

For the antipasti, we had giardinara, chicken soup, meatballs, arugula and pear salad.  I had the Chicken Mario for the main dish along with sides of baked brussel sprouts and potatoes.  Finally, we had a chocolate tarte for dessert.  The meal was amazing, and there was plenty of food to go around. 

I definitely want to come back and try their Italian Dinner Menu!

Banana Bread

Who doesn't love a fresh baked loaf of banana bread?  I know I do.  I made this recipe last week, and added a few bakers chocolate chunks for some added flavor.  It was Valentines Day..had to spice it up:)

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
2 eggs (beaten)
1 1/2 cups of mashed ripe bananas (this is about 4-5 bananas)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup of vegetable oil, melted butter, or margarine
1/4 cup of chopped walnuts

-Prehead oven to 350.  Grease a 9x5x3 baking pan, set aside.  Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg.  Set aside.

-Combine eggs, banana, sugar, oil ina nother bowl.  Add it to the flour mixture.  Stir until moistened.  Add walnuts.  Spoon batter in greased 9x5x3 baking pan.

-Bake for 55-60 minutes.  Cool completely before slicing.  Enjoy!!

Finished product.  Yum!

Favorite Things Friday

I have already covered my favorite bars/seafood joints in Norfolk, now onto my other favorite places.

1. Francos.  Awesome Italian food.  Shout out to Mikey for taking us here!
2. Charlies.  Best breakfast place ever!  Steps from where I used to live, and loved going there.  Plus they serve beer.  Just saying.
3. Baker's Crust.  Great place for lunch with the girls.
4. No Frill Grill.  I went here for dinner every time I came back from deployment.  Crab cakes and beer. Yum.
5. Freemason Abbey.  Classic nice dinner spot.  Always a good choice!

Dessert...Doumars!  Home of the ice cream cone. 

I miss Norfolk..and can't wait to visit this summer!