Lunch

For lunch today I went to...............................Taco Bell! What? Yes, yes I did. My roommate talked me into it. To be fair, he wasn't feeling well, and was wearing sweatpants and slippers at the time. HOW do you say no to someone in that state?

Back when I lived in the good 'ol Midwest there was a Taco Bell pretty near our house. We would eat there every so often (don't worry marmie, I won't tell how often). I would always get the meximelt. No one has ever heard of this which just baffles me because 1. it's the freakin' meximelt, it is delicious, everyone in the world should know what it is, and 2. it has remained on their menu for the past 20 something years so SOMEONE other than me is eating it or they would stop selling it, right?

Anyway, I have not been to a Taco Bell for about 8-10 years...somewhere in that range (little bit sad I broke that streak now, but I'll try not to think too much about it). While riding the car through the drive through (that was for BOTH Taco Bell and KFC....who doesn't want some fried chicken with their soft shelled taco....). I saw that "MEXIMELT" item listed on the menu and my luxurious childhood came flooding back to me. I knew I had to try it, but I was nervous it would not taste the same, or give me intestinal issues or have adapted into something totally different containing cheese wiz or sardines.

I am glad to report - the meximelt is STILL DELICIOUS! I am serious. You should go and pick one up. And then maybe some tums.

It's that time year

I just put my holiday flannel sheets on my bed. It's like sleeping in a hug.
I'm listening to Christmas music
And I'm drinking a vanilla misto in a holiday Starbucks cup.

I'm not saying I don't appreciate Thanksgiving and am trying to skip over it. I'm just saying I think it deserves to be celebrated in a similar manner.

I love this time of year. It's so cozy. I just want to light candles and fires and sit in a snuggie drinking cider all day!

No longer eating alone

Good news! My roommate and his fiancee ate dinner with me on Tuesday night. I am not going to admit that the last few meals and treats I have cooked have all been just for me (don't worry....I didn't eat them all in one sitting), but let's just say that I enjoy making other people like me by cooking for them.

Secretly, I don't think they were planning on having dinner with me until Ipp woke up that morning and smelled the DELICIOUSNESS coming out of the crockpot that was already stewing with succulent chicken.

Cream Cheese Chicken - by Stephanie O'Dea

6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (or large thighs)
2 Tbsp italian seasoning
1/2 tsp celery seed
1 Tbsp onion powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp kosher salt
2 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon sugar
1 10-oz can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 8-oz block of cream cheese

Put the chicken into the cooker. Combine the seasonings and sugar in a small dish and pour on top. Add the mushroom soup. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through. Shred with two large forks, and mix in the cream cheese. Switch the cooker to high, and cook for another 30 minutes, or until the cream cheese has fully melted. Serve over pasta.

I took a before picture, but was so excited to eat, I forgot to take an after picture so you'll have to use your really great imagination.











I served it with a green salad, asparagus with basalmic vinegar and goat cheese, and dinner rolls.











This was delicious. My roommate said he liked it even better than beef stroganoff which is just blasphemous, but quite a compliment.

Sweet Treats

And now my sweet tooth has taken over.

First I made Lizzo's famous pumpkin cookies. Seriously, so good. I am not even going to be humble. These were AMAZING cookies. Even ask my staff...cause I shared.











Then I decided to make another drink in my crockpot. This time..........

PEPPERMINT HOT COCOA

3 cups nonfat dry milk [wanna know a secret? i didn't see the DRY part on this sentence when i first read it....so my batch was SUPER rich...you MIGHT want to make the same mistake]
1 cup confectioner's sugar [known as powdered to the common human]
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup milk chocolate syrup
1 to 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
7 cups water

Combine the dry ingredients in the stoneware and stir with a spoon. Squeeze in the chocolate syrup, and add the peppermint extract. Add water a cup at a time (this is also were I started adding milk, one cup at a time) - and stir well. The chocolate mixture will be bubbly and look powdery. It's okay - Stephanie promises it will cook together. Cover and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours, or until completely hot. Serve with marshmallows and candy canes (if you want to be super cute).

I promise that soon (but not quite yet) I will talk about something other than food.

Life is fragile

I don't think I could articulate it better than Robin.

I miss you Paris.
Your laugh, your wisdom, your guy advice, your positive outlook on everything. May we all remember to live our lives with a little more of your spirit.
Love,
Nicole