Tag Archives: the chihuahuas

Mar12

Apple walnut muffins

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We took the dogs camping at Leo Carillo State Park this weekend, and for breakfast I made a batch of apple muffins (in advance, not at the camp site). We finally finished off the huge back of apples that my dad brought us!  In addition to eating them plain, I made an apple crisp recently.

For the muffins, I used the recipe from Joy of Cooking.  I was really impressed with their portioning!  I multiplied the recipe amounts by 1.5, and it made exactly 18 muffins.  We ate them the next morning after sitting in a freezing car overnight, and they were still moist.

Apple Walnut Muffins
Adapted from Joy of Cooking (2006 version), makes 18 muffins

2 1/4 c flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
2 1/4 tsp cinnamon
3 eggs
1 1/8 c sugar
2 1/4 c diced peeled apples, with their juice
1 stick butter (8 T), melted
3/4 c chopped walnuts

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a muffin pan with paper liners. Combine the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon) in medium-sized bowl.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs and sugar. Add the apples, stir in, and allow to stand for 10 minutes. This is what makes the muffins flavorful and juicy!

Add the butter and walnuts to the eggs, sugar, and apples. Stir to combine. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ones, and stir gently to combine. The batter will be thick and somewhat lumpy.

Spoon batter into the muffin tins, so that each cup is about 2/3 full. Bake for 15 minutes.

Feb20

Sunday at the Venice Canals

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My brother Doug was visiting from San Francisco this weekend, so we took the dogs on a walk around the Venice Canals.  I had never been before, but it’s a cute little area to walk around. Lots of upscale homes with big picture windows looking into their designer living areas, with ducks swimming in the canals and a canoe docked outside of each home. “Preciosa” is what they would call it in South America.

Doug really captured the essence of Lando and Rascal in these pictures!

Feb15

Chicken meatball sandwiches

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Since last night was the casual portion of our Valentine’s Day celebration, I wanted to make something comforting but light-ish to eat at home before going to the movies.  Chicken meatball sandwiches totally fit the bill.  I love these in a sandwich, but you can of course eat them over spaghetti for a Lady and the Tramp style Valentine’s Day!

Chicken Meatball Sandwiches

For the meatballs:
1 lb ground chicken
3 cloves garlic
1/4 onion, finely chopped
1 egg
1/3 c breadcrumbs
1/4 c parsley, finely chopped
1/4 c grated parmesan cheese
kosher salt
black pepper
1 T olive oil

For the tomato sauce:
1 28 oz can whole peeled tomatoes
3 cloves garlic
1/2 onion, chopped
1 T olive oil
1 T butter
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp dried oregano
basil

For the sandwiches:
baguette
mozzarella cheese

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

To make the meatballs, combine all of the ingredients except for the olive oil in a mixing bowl. Mix together with your hands (don’t over-combine though, it will make them tough). Drizzle the olive oil onto a baking sheet, then roll the balls into one-inch balls. Place the balls on the baking sheet and roll around in the oil.  Bake for 20 minutes.

Set one meatball aside for your chihuahuas!

To make the sauce, heat a pot over medium heat with the olive oil and butter. Saute the onions and garlic until soft. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Add the tomatoes and about a cup of water. Simmer for at least 20 minutes. I would normally add some finely chopped basil towards the end, but we were out because Paco made an enormous batch of pesto. Luckily, the canned tomatoes that I used had basil in them (not as much basil flavor, but definitely enough for this recipe). When the meatballs are ready, add them to the sauce, and simmer for at least five minutes (or up to an hour).

 

To assemble the sandwiches, slice the baguette into 4-inch pieces. Cut long-ways, but not all the way through. Arrange meatballs and sauce on the bread.

Sprinkle cheese on top.

Place in a 400 degree F oven for a few minutes, until the cheese is melted.

Feb10

In San Francisco for the weekend!

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I’m spending the weekend in San Francisco, and I’m really excited to spend some time in the city (The City).

Although I’m not as Bay Area as some. . .ahem. . .Lando. . .

. . .San Francisco holds a special place in my heart.  Paco and I spent five years there post graduation, lived in a variety of charming  (drafty/overpriced) apartments, and have a lot of fond memories there!