Spicy Food Mood Creations

So today I have been in a spicy food mood. And the main focus of my spicy food day dreams was a wonderful twist on an already delicious treat that was introduced to us a few weeks ago at a friends house. I have shared our taste for the Pioneer Woman's "Jalapeno Thingies." And while at our friends' home for dinner one day, they served these delicious little treats, slightly altered. The cream cheese, we originally thought, was a roasted red bell pepper cream cheese. Later (today for that matter), we realized that it had been a sun dried tomato cream cheese. Either way it was delicious. 

Having been desiring these for several days, and reaching the point of "must have or I might cry" today, I decided to take a swing at it. Thanks has to go out here to my wonderful husband for making the run to the store for me... twice. And shortly after he arrived home from the store, I received word about the mix up in the cream cheese additive. But already having the red pepper, I went ahead with that instead. And the product was wonderful! The whole family loved it, including both kiddos! (The cream cheese, not the jalapenos.)


Here is the recipe:
Roast one red bell pepper.
Remove skins and innards
Place in blending device of choice
Add about 3/4 tsp of minced garlic
And 12oz cream cheese
Blend and enjoy


We used a lot of cream cheese because I didn't anticipate how much the pepper would water it down. So we started with 8oz and then wound up adding more to get a more creamy spread.

We filled 10 jalapenos (halved), wrapped them in bacon, ran them through with a toothpick, and baked them at 375 for about 25-30 minutes.

While they were getting amazingly delicious, Jim, Daelynn, and I snacked on part of the remaining "dip" with crackers and tortilla chips. Blake even got to sample some, and loved it. Jim has decided it should become an addition to my recipe book, both as a dip and for the jalapenos, and has already named several upcoming events where it could be included.

As for the jalapenos: wonderful! Not one survived to become a 'leftover.' And truthfully, I think Jim only had a few of them. They really hit the spot for my spicy craving. I would have posted an image... but none survived long enough for me to think of taking a picture either. But, if you make your own you will get a first hand look at them. ;)

I Am Thankful

What a wonderful year it has been! New job, new state, new baby, new home - all of it wonderful! And today we got to celebrate Thanksgiving together, in our new home, with both our babies, in the wonderful state of Tennessee. Blessings all! 

We had hoped to have some family over, but that wasn't able to happen. Hopefully we will be able to visit with our family another time soon. We also received a couple invitations to spend the holiday with friends. But we chose a calm quiet holiday together. It was a wonderful day!

I started cooking a little after 7... and finished as we sat down to eat. I love cooking, so it is always such a fun holiday for me! 

 And I had so much "help" in the kitchen this year :)

My little veggie tray sampler...  I am talking about Daelynn here, not the tray, lol. 

She loves to play with and eat olives. Before long she had eaten almost half of them!

Including some of Mommy's

Mommy's best little helpers

They were both eager to get to be the sweet potato taste testers.

This creamy goodness was a last minute addition, and a big hit. 

Case in point.

However, after a while, the thrill of helping in the kitchen wears off. But toys cannot hold them away from the wonderful smells and anticipation of all the yummy food. So then there is the waiting...

But, the waiting eventually pays off, and the pay off is delicious!

We ate at noon mainly because of the kids' nap schedule. Plus, why wait for good food. ;)

We had a ton of food! Partially due to the anticipation of guests, and partially because its Thanksgiving! We had both a ham and a turkey, and all the trimmings. 

And tons of food means tons of leftovers and leftover related meals. Yum! I am most excited about ham and bean soup and creamy turkey enchiladas. :)

A few hours after our Thanksgiving dinner... lunch... we had some pie for dinner... dessert. Jim also got to enjoy one of the Sam Adams seasonal brews for his after dessert... dessert. 

Yes chocolate beer. And he really enjoyed it. It is a fantastic "dessert beer." 

A wonderful, warm, fun and food filled day. So much to be thankful for today and every day. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday, whether it was a calm, quiet day with just a few close people, or a loud, busy day spent with many friends and loved ones. What a treasure, the ones we love.