Fat Tuesday

Tonight was one of the funnest family nights ever.  We celebrated Fat Tuesday!  Had I thought ahead, I would have planned on having Jambalaya tonight.  I had already planned the week's meals, so we had Chicken Tetrazzini, but I did go to the store for some crafts and a cake. Plus, when I got home, I cranked Pandora radio to New Orleans by Louis Armstrong.  I must say that station rocks.   I have seen some recipes for a king cake, and perhaps I will do it next year, but tonight, I just bought a tiny storebought cake, and washed one of my kids barbie baby figures to put inside.  Traditionally, the person who gets the cake with the baby host next years party, but we did something different this year.  We let our kids choose the prize.  If my daughter got it, she could plan next years Fat Tues. party, and if my son got it, he could choose where we ate dinner next time we go out (with no complaints from anyone in the family).  We made little Mardis Gras masks, and they were so cute.  It was great fun, and perhaps next year will be even more fun.  I hope you all enjoyed your Fat Tuesday.  Hopefully it is the beginning of a fun year to come.

Blizzard Warning

Something wicked this way comes...a blizzard.  There is always something scary about nature's forces, but sometimes I can't help but feel giddy when all the family is safely tucked inside the house with a beautiful whiteout outdoors.  There is hot chocolate and cider to be drunk, games of Uno, Chess, Monopoly, and what not to be played, and books to be devoured.  If I had a fireplace, it would most certainly be lit, and some of those scented pinecones would be thrown in.  I do hope for everyone's safety in the oncoming storm, as well as in the winter storm in the northeast.  Then, hopefully, there will be eight inches of snow to be played in when the blizzard takes its leave.

Pico Pico

Tonight, we are watching the superbowl together as a family.  It is so fun to make and eat yummy game food, and tonight I am making some stupendous nachos.  Here is a step by step delicious recipe for Pico De Gallo.  All you need to do is chop.  You need four tomatoes, one onion, one jalepeno, some chopped parsley (or cilantro), and some salt.

 I start by cutting the ends off the tomatoes and squeezing them over the sink to get rid of the seeds.  Then, chop the tomatoes, and place them in the bowl. 

Next, chop the onion and place it in the bowl.

Then, wearing gloves, seed and chop the jalepeno and add it.

Then, chop the parsley and add it.

 

Next, add the salt. ( I like to keep mine in a fun bowl)

 

Look how pretty it is.  Let it sit in the fridge covered until you are ready to use it.

 Ok, now to make some yummy nachos to go with this.  Brown some beef, onion, garlic and jalepeno, and add some taco seasoning (or if you don't have some, put some salt, pepper, sugar, chili powder, and cumin).  Put this mix on some tortilla chips on an oven safe dish.  Sprinkle with some sharp cheddar or pepperjack, and bake in the oven at 350 until the cheese melts.  Top with the pico de gallo, some avocado or guac, olives, sour cream or whatever suits your needs.  Maybe you could set everything out and let people choose.  Enjoy the game.