Thursday, March 31, 2011

Kabob-off Part 1

I think it's no secret I'm a foodie, but I don't know if all realize how much an international foodie I am... given the choice to make shrimp&grits, meatloaf&mashed potatoes, or grilled fish&asparagus VS thai, mexican, or italian, I will always choose the latter.


So here is part 1 of a two-part series on my latest international dishes, specifically kabobs.  Lately I've been obsessed with Thai food, and quickly I've come to realize that fish sauce, chile paste, rice noodles and light coconut milk have entered the "always stocked" status in my pantry.

Thai Chicken Kabobs with Jasmine rice and Spicy Peanut Sauce

Kabobs
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or tenders
1/3 cup soy sauce
2 Tbs fresh lime juice
1Tbs fish sauce (optional)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
3/4 red pepper flakes
3 Tbs water
1 cup canned unsweetened (or light) coconut milk
1 Tbs creamy peanut butter
4 green onions with tops, cut into 1" pieces
1 each yellow red and green bell peppers, cut into strips

Cut chicken into 3/8-inch cubes; place in shallow glass dish.

Combine soy sauce, lime juice, fish sauce, garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes in small bowl.  Reserve 4 Tbs mixture.  Add water to remaining mixture.  Pour over chicken; toss to coat well.  Cover; marinate in refrigerator at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours, stirring mixture occasionally.

Soak 8 (10-12 inch) bamboo skewers 20 minutes in cold water to prevent them from burning; drain.  Prepare grill for direct cooking.

Meanwhile, for peanut sauce, combine coconut milk, 4 Tbs reserved soy sauce mixture and peanut butter in small saucepan.  Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly.  Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 2-4 minutes or until sauce thickens.  Keep warm.

Drain chicken, reserve marinade.  Skewer chicken intermittently with green onions and peppers.  Brush chicken and vegetables with reserved marinade.  Discard remaining marinade.

Place skewers on grill.  Grill uncovered over medium-hot heat 6-8 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink, turning halfway.  Serve with jasmine rice and cilantro with peanut sauce over top.




From Thai Cooking 2005

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

hello


just a little hello from our front yard looking in

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

The Three Amigos....

The three amigos now have justified their years of hard practice fighting the good fight against the bulls... As they are now fully prepared for their upcoming vacation in Spain.

Jeff aka El Operador Suave

 Jimmy, aka El Terror de la Noche

Troupe, aka El Pequeño Torero

Stay tuned for updated pictures from new bullfights, coming late May 2011.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

mmmm gotta love the Spring Bourbon!

Went out the other night to our favorite spot, Dram, a whiskey bar, in Mountain Brook Village.  I was having quite a nice time as the 3rd wheel for the Etiers, that is until Jimmy showed up... ;)

On their menu is a fabulous bourbon drink called a Blackberry Winter... But I have to say it reminds me of Easter and springtime!  Saturday rolled around and I had already purchased the ingredients to make my own... Here it is!

2 oz Bourbon of your choice (I chose Makers... comes with Knob Creek at Dram)
2 oz orange-juiced based juice (I chose a mix of OJ/pineapple/apple, but Dram uses Sour Mix)
a hefty squeeze of lime juice
1 Tbs of coarsely pureed blackberries



Puree 1 container blackberries (save about 4 berries for garnish), coarsely, with chunks.  This keeps if you choose to make the drink several nights in a row.

Pour all above ingredients in a shaker.  Fill shaker 2/3 of way with ice.  Shake.  Delicious served in a double-old-fashioned... but I bet even better served up and neat!

Enjoy!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

bubble boy

As you know, Jimmy is quite accident prone.  Cover has given him 4900 square feet of bubble wrap now for his next birthday to be used prior to any and all future outings.

Case in point... no, this is not the intentional redneck schmearing of the first-kill's blood; this is in fact his own blood.


In an attempt to move away from high-powered rifles and further potential mishaps, Fred decided to entice Jimmy to learn turkey calling so he could turkey hunt (with a shotgun) this spring.



What an awkward face? is what you must be thinking.  This is Jimmy fighting off his gag reflex while attempting to call large gobblers into our living room.

_______________________________________________________________________

So we encourage him to stick with what he knows.

Bourbon



Sleeping



and Entertaining...


anyone else like that he's wearing the same jacket in all the photos? he tries to wear it to work but i have to draw the line.  alabama has created a monster.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

a few new friends

Life in Birmingham has been good for us.  Lots of good friends and good food.  We tend to spend most of our time combining the two.  How lucky are we to have found friends with such similar interests..?!?



from top left, me, Brian and LaLa Etier, Emily and Jason Determann, Jimmy, Brad and Ashely Culotta, Sara Mullins, Cover, Ed Grady, Jacob Shevins, Jeff DuBois, Andrew Sherman, Eric Fite, Tom Sawyer (yes, that's his real name), Stacy Wade, and Brian Thompson.

baha is anyone else as entertained by the fatface app as I am???