What a Day...

Well today was the beginning of a new semester of school. It was an interesting beginning to say the least. Thanks to the 13+ inches of snow last night, today's commute was definitely not a fun one. It took me three times longer than normal to get to school, which made me 20 minutes late for my first class, but thankfully it wasn't a big deal since we didn't do anything. It's the beginning of the end for me, leaving hopefully only one more year left, thank god. It's not that I don't enjoy school, it's that it isn't what I really want to do, it's something that I have to do. I was going to go to Le Cordon Bleu for culinary arts about a year and half ago and was forbidden to do so. Yes, I could still have went, but I wouldn't have any funding or aid, which is no fun. What I want to do is either run my own grocery store or a small cafe. Since I was young, I've always been enchanted with grocery stores and the products on the shelves. Once I discovered specialty stores, it was it, I was head over heels. I guess that's why I've worked in these kinds of stores since I was 15. It doesn't matter how long I spend in the stores at work, I can always go back to one that night... Yes I have a problem... I think that I might belong in Grocery Stores Annonomyus. At least J understands, he loves them too. Our best dates often end in grocery stores, haha.
Well leaving you with that note, I'll leave with this recipe. It's an easy meal thats really good, and you don't have to go any farther than your local store.
Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli
1 lb. short cut pasta ( I really like whole wheat penne)
1/2 lb. italian sausage ( Turkey or pork works)
1 head of brocoli
1 clove garlic
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
1/2 c. chicken broth
Parmesean cheese for garnish

Cook pasta according to package directions. In the last 3 or 4 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli. Meanwhile, brown the sausage in a large skillet until it is no longer pink. Drain. Add the garlic and cook for one minute. Add chicken broth, crushed red pepper, cooked pasta and brocooli. Toss to combine, top with the cheese.

This is so easy and tasty, and is good even as leftovers.

You Win Some, You Lose Some

So yesterday was the NFC championship game, and living in Wisconsin, not watching that game with your "home" team in it would be a sin. Of course, such a game calls for a party, meaning good food, and honestly that's all I really care about. So J and I made our way to his dad and stepmom's house, who always makes sure there is plenty of food.

It was the typical Sunday football spread: chips, salsa, veggies and dip, hot ham and rolls, potatoes etc. Perhaps the best things in my eyes on the table were two things that were complete opposites. Chocolate covered mini creampuffs ( yes I'm sure they were bought, but they were oh so good!) and this dip that J's brother in law makes. It's so simple, yet I have yet to ever make it (probably because I have been putting of buying a crock pot, wierd I know). It's good with crackers, bread, tortilla chips, pretty much anything...

Cheesy Sausage Dip
2 lbs. of Bob Evans Zesty Sausage (any kind of sausage will work here, just make sure it's the spicy kind)
2 packages of cream cheese
2 -16oz. Rotel tomatoes with chilies

Brown the sausage in a skillet. Drain. Combine the browned sausage, cream cheese and tomatoes with their juice in a crockpot on low until melted.

Mmmm...


Seriously, really easy and really good. Well, the Packers didn't win the game, but I did with all the good food.