Take Me to the Greek...Salmon

See what I did there on that shnazzy title?

When Hubby comes home and says that the house is filled with all his favorite food smells, you know you're doing something right. When your house STILL smells like that two days later...ummm, I'm not quite sure what that means. ::scratches head::

Point is, I made something that smells amazing and tastes even MORE so. I am pretty excited to post this because I created this recipe using my own noggin. Pretty impressive if I do say so myself. Sorry to toot my own horn, I'm just happy that my noggin is working. YAY for New Year's Resolutions.

Project Wifey Wife: The Savory
Panko Hummus Crusted Salmon with Orzo Salad

Ingredients:
For the Salmon
12-16oz  salmon or any other fish
2-3 garlic cloves; minced
1/4 of a yellow union; diced
1 Tbs of dried parsley
1 Tbs of dried oregano
1 cup of panko breadcrumbs
2Tbs of Hummus (I used a generic store bought one with no added flavors)
salt to taste
olive oil to moisten
feta for pretty decor

For the Orzo Salad
1 1/2 cups of dried orzo pasta
1 zucchini; chopped
1 yellow and 1 red bell pepper
1/4 yellow or red onion
1/2 Tbs parsley
1/2 Tbs oregano
Drizzle of olive oil
salt to taste

1.Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and Boil the orzo pasta according to the directions on the box.
2. Saute the onions and garlic for the salmon in a small pan. Add the oregano and parsley and stir. Cook for 2-3 minutes until onions are translucent.

3. Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, hummus, salt, and oil together. Add the onion mixture and stir together. It should hold together pretty well.

4. Spread the mixture ontop of the salmon and crumble some feta on top if you'd like. I did it and turns out, I don't like feta.

5. On the same baking dish, throw on those yummy veggies for the orzo pasta. Toss with olive oil, oregano, parsley, and salt.
6. Bake  for 20-25 minutes until Salmon is flaky and the veggies are roasted. Mine cooked together perfectly.

7. Mix the beautifully fragrant veggies into the orzo pasta.

8. De....wait for it....vour.

In other news....

I've actually been to The Greek Amphitheater for a Lykke Li concert. It's pretty phat.

You know what else is pretty bangarang? The Coachella Line up. Wahoooo! I can't wait! Remember all the fun I had last year? It's going to be epic, my friends.

I am most excited to see Florence + The Machine, Radiohead, Bon Iver, The Shins, DJ Shadow, Santigold, The Rapture, Snoopaloop and Dr. Dre...oh my... I guess I could just show you the poster because there are so many more.

TAKE ME TO THE DESERT!

My Blogiversary

One year ago I started this crazy little blog thing. I kept it private for about a month before I let the little beast run wild and free on the internets. At first, some of my family and friends questioned why I would even want to do such a thing. And in good mommy fashion, my mom was worried that someone would cook my recipes, stalk me, and find me to cut me up into pieces...or something like that. Regardless, I kept on going, starting Project Wifey Wife, continuing my Zelda quest for my "princess" named Healthy McHealthiness, and joining the fun of Bloggerworld.

Check it out!

I never revealed this, but I wanted to blog because my life was a little topsy turvy with being a newlywed, struggling with my job, and considering a career change. These changes were enough for me to throw up my arms and say "CURSES!" or something else that started with an F. This blog became my comfort. I've always been a journal person, heck, I even had a diary in 1st grade (which I forgot the combination to and haven't been able to open since 4th grade). I had a Xanga in college and continued to keep a handwritten one near my bed. Writing is a friend of mine, for sure.


My first header

This blog is my pride and joy. Even with the horrible spelling mistakes and grammar fumbles, (Did I mention I'm a teacher... I... is... so ...smarte!) and the time I let pass between each post (don't look down at the last time) I thank you, reader, for reading about my life and leaving sweet comments. To my friends and family, who now give me so much encouragement, Thank you. And of course, To The Man, The Mister, the Hubby Hub to my Wifey Wife, Thank you for always encouraging me to blog...AND you're welcome for all the food.

Here's to another year....


To celebrate I will cook my first Project Wifey Wife meal:
Boeuf Bourguignon

And just like the first time, I will forget to post the recipe.....maybe.

Thursday Favs: #Winning

~ I went shopping today for summer clothes (2 shorts, 2 tanks, 1 dress, and a partridge in a pear tree)  #winning

...Via Moo.com..

~ Had a yummy croissant club in beautiful Downtown Riverside with my favorite blogger friend. #winning


..Via..

 ~WON my first blog giveaway from Delighted Momma. Do you follow her blog? You really should, she has AWESOME stuff! Thanks Lindsay, can't wait to get my necklace!

Pair this with a plain Jane tank... #Winning... seriously...#Winning!

• What's one thing you loved about today?
• Anything that was #Winning?

Gets Me Everytime!

#157 on my bucket list..participate in a flashmob.
The end makes me tear everytime.

(#1 on my bucket list...make a bucket list.)

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

Arm Painting is the New Black

One thing I love about going to kid birthday parties is that they have dope things to do....like face painting, or in this case, body painting. I'm not ashamed to partake in such activties. I also jump in jumpers if you're wondering. The key is to make all the other adults  older people do it with you. That way you don't look crazy all by yourself.

The very funny and talented Lacy from LacyInk.com (Check her out, yo!)was there and when she busted out her portfolio... I surveyed my body to count how many places I wanted her to paint. (Keep your mind out of the gutter... this is a kid's birthday for crying out loud!) Because there was a line of kids who wanted their faces painted... I only chose two.

Right Forearm...Mr. Octopus!


 "Hey little kid, your mom is going to get mad if you get paint on your face... you better not do this."


Left forearm...Drizzle of Sunshine! Get it?

I convinced Hubby to get one...


He chose a Roboto with a 'stache playing bball. Don't ask me why.

I forced Katwina to get one...

Whoo Whoo is cool now?

And I didn't have to ask my Kuya because he's weird like me and wanted one just as bad...we are related afterall.

Yo Gabba Gabba

I made a cake of that guy once. No, no, not of my brother... of Muno...the red sea cucumber.

And the GRAND FINALE...



Handlebars and Soul Patch

 Sebby and Clark were almost as cute as Senor Taco... ALMOST!

I'd like a real tattoo one day...maybe when I'm 60. That way I'll ink myself when my skin is ALREADY saggy. See...solved that problem!

• Holla if you like kiddie activites still!
• Do you have any Tats?

Carnitas and Cilantro Pineapple Pizza

You guys....brace yourself. I hit the mother load of pizzas. I tested this ridiculously scrumptious pie out and...whoooo NELLY FURTADO! Hubby and I were blown away by how DELICIOUS it was.

It was so delicious, we were shaking our heads and saying "Oh My GOD, this is good."  after each bite.

It was so delicious that when I ate the last piece for lunch today, I cried sobbed.

It was so delicious that I thanked God for blessing my life with all that I need...which is IN this pizza.

It was so delicious that I want to think of more reasons to blog but I can't right now because I'm at a loss for words.

Project Wifey Wife Week #17-The Savory
Carnitas and Cilantro Pineapple Pizza
Adapted from Costco Cookbook

Ingredients:
2 small onions; cut into thin strips
1 tsp olive oil
8 ounces shredded cooked pork carnitas
3 Tbs of softened butter
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1- 20 ounce can of pineapple chunks
1 1/2 cups crumbled Queso Frecsa
chopped cilantro
salt to taste

Are you ready for this, my friends?

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. I pre-made pizza dough using a basic recipe. Then I PUNCHED IT! Wah-Pow!

What could be "funner" than this?

Poke it and spread it out onto a greased pan...a cookie sheet will do just fine.

3. Saute onions in a large skillet over medium-high heat until tender. Add the shredded carnitas and let them dance together until the meat is cooked through and the onions are nice and caramelized.

4. In the meantime, combine butter, cayenne pepper, chili powder and cumin in a small bowl. Brush butter  mixture over the pizza crust.

 5. Top the pizza crust with the carnitas mixture, pineapple chunks, and CHEEESE!

6. Bake for 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melty and yummy. Sprinkle the chopped cilantro after you pull it out of the oven.



UGH! This picture brings back such great memories from yesterday. My tummy heart is broken. The only remedy would be to make this again. But no... I can't do it...I need to have some self control. I cannot have pizza twice in one week...because who the hell am I? A college frat boy?

Instead, I will cherish the moments I shared with this pie, my hubby, salsa and Tostitos chips with a hint of lime, and my peach iced tea. Ahh to be young again. Next week will be a new week...pizza quota will be reached.

That's Amore....

• What are your favorite pizza toppings?

Sunshiney Day

Happy Friday! YIPEEEE!

Smiling is my favorite sport. My childhood nickname was Sunshine because I smiled so much. I'm working on bringing back the old me. And when I say old me, I mean the 2 year old me...minus the peeing in my parents' bed and trying to buy gum with buttons. (Both are true stories.)

This week, there were some awesomely awesome changes that made my days Sunshiney.
1. This bowl from TJ MAXX.... not because it was cheap and it's pretty....

but because when the sun shines through the window,  it turns my living room into a disco club every morning. (Sonic goes cray cray )

2. Trying something new. I rarely paint my fingernails. One, because I'm lazy and two, because I'm lazy. But I somehow had enough energy to paint my nails all purdy. I'm glad I did because every time I look down... it makes me giggle. Don't you just love polka dots?

I blame this new obsession on Katwina. There was a sale at Ulta and we agreed that it was too good to pass up. Buy 2 ($5 each) and get 2 FREE! I mean...if that's not a steal, I don't know what is. Free things make me smile! Why is this her fault? Because it sure wasn't mine.

3. Baby Bumps EVERYWHERE! I'm at that age where everyone around me is getting preggos. That makes me smile. I'm having slight  strong baby fever so I'm trying to remedy it by living vicariously through them. ( I know I'm not truly ready for one myself) I'm one of those weirdos that rub their bellies every time they walk by me. ( I always make sure to ask first) OOoooo wook at the widdle bewwy!

My Bunco pal Jilly is preggos...yesterday was her BABY BUNCO!

Her baby boy got SOOOOO excited that he decided to come out a month early. Her water broke the day before her baby shower. Don't you love unexpected surprises!? How can that not make you smile?

Welcome to the world Wesley Joshua!! Remember me? I was the one who rubbed your mommy's belly ALL THE TIME! You're going to be so loved, Baby!

Because Jilly couldn't make it to her own baby shower, we Video chatted ourselves opening her gifts so she can watch them while she was waiting for her baby to come! Technology is a beautiful thing!

Now, I'm off to go to Vegas until Wednesday! I have a Teacher Conference to attend (yes, in Vegas). Pictures and yummy dinners Vegas style to come!

Have a wonderful weekend!

• What are you doing this weekend?
• Tell me one thing that made you smile this week.

Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles

Hello Bloggerinos.

This post is going to take me a million years to complete. I let so much time pass that I forgot how to blog. I forgot how to type and I'm typing with a voice activated machine. It's not letting me say any bad words, so this will be boring. I'm just messing...It's letting me say all the bad words I want.

So, how do I come back to Bloggyland after a week long Hiatus? How'z about the best waffles you've ever had? I think THAT is very very appropriate for my return. I'm tellin' you kid...BEST waffles.

Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles- Pasadena, California

If you decide to come here...and I promise you it will be a good decision... you need to do some things to prepare.

1. Exercise. Make that heart of yours healthy for your upcoming butter and lard consumption. They ain't cookin' with no healthy oils. (I don't know why I had to grammatically butcher that sentence.)

I wonder if I could use this as a Lip Balm.

2. Come Hungry. I usually like to come here to introduce some friends to a good place to eat, or maybe when we are celebrating a special occasion like the fact that it's a weekday or a weekend, or if we're really feigning for some food for the soul...or soul food...which ever. We went to celebrate my Sister-in-law being such an awesome Softball pitcher.

So basically, you don't need to do much to prepare. Just exercise and come hungry. Burn a few then gain a few. That's pretty much my food/workout mantra.

The menu is pretty much reflective of something your Grandma from the South would cook up on a weekly basis...What? You don't have a Grandma from the South? Neither do I.... Roscoe's will take care of you.

Besides the Chicken 'n Waffles, they are also known for their mac n' cheese, that are so homemadely cheesy and will definitely make you feel like you're five again, their greens, which are smokey and count as a vegetable so you should add it on, and their cornbread, which is soft, buttery, and I want to steal their recipe.

I tried not to go crazy...and by crazy I mean getting a bucket of chicken (which they told me they do not have, so I'll be writing a complaint letter to the president soon.) and two waffles like Hubby. I settled for one and one...



Don't let this picture fool you. This waffle is a monster. Yes, I could've eaten more, but then I  would be a monster. This plate is called the "Carol C. Special" which comes with a "succulent breast, delicious waffle."  They should add the words "NOM NOM NOM" and " I think I'm in Love" to that description.

The chicken is indeed succulent and juicy. Not like KFC juicy, which is not really juicy, just fatty and oily. The flavor on it is perfect and not overly salty or overly anything really. I appreciate the breading to chicken ratio...mostly chicken and just the right amount of breading...as it should be! You can get it smothered with their amazing gravy as well...but I prefer it nekkid.

And then, there is the waffle. My boyfriend. If you told me to marry it I would... at the same church my Hubby and I got married which is literally across the street from this place. It's soft, buttery, has a salt kick that makes any baked good complete, and drizzle on some warm syrup and you got me swoooning.



...via...

The family loved it!

I love this meal so much, I recreated it for my last New Year's Party. It didn't come close to Roscoe's... I will never come close to that. I'm not a Grandma from the South.

 Now who will be my new friend that I will introduce Roscoe's too? Tomorrow is a weekday...and I think that calls for a celebration!! I'll be in the car waiting... call me.

• I missed you! How are you?
• Have you ever heard or tried Chicken and waffles?

The Most FAVORITE of them all.

Tomorrow is my last day of school. My last day of my first year teaching High School. The LAST day.
I. AM. SO. HAPPY!

VERY HAPYY!

Jumping in Jumpers HAPPY!

No more teaching those RUDE High School Boys.
No more staring at bullet holes.
No more pencils.
No more books.
No more Teacher's dirty looks.
...until August anyway. But still...I'm EX....wait for it...CITED!

I have some summer goals I'd like to accomplish. I'm going to go Cray Cray on this summmaaaaa!

1. Kick out this summer reading list

• Bossypants
• The Happiness Project
• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
• Reread The Alchemist
• AND SO MANY MORE! **Any Recommendations?**

2. Jog at the beach. Sleep at the beach. Eat at the beach. Read at the beach. Make sandcastles with  paper cups...complete with the moat that will never hold water because the water just wont stay above the sand at the beach. NOT swim. at the beach (Maybe I should make "Learn to Swim" a goal?)

Barbados 2006 with my beautiful Auntie Irene

3. Organize the HECK out of our house. Purge all the closets. Get rid of the junk (T, can you please come over and help me with this? I'll pay you in....Crustables.) Put away wedding stuff...because the wedding has been over for 7 months now, Joanna!

4.  Be a better Blogger. I have been slacking on my Project Wifey Wife. I assure you that I have been eating good dinners, even if I haven't been posting them. And Hubby is being fed still, too. I have some summer recipes in mind and a new project in store. ::rubs hands together::  MWAHAHAH!

5. Jump back on the Healthy wagon. This is what I ate for dinner last night....

I didn't eat this ALL by myself. I had some help. But now I feel like I just murdered someone. Guilty. If I don't do something about this soon...someone will have to shoot me with a tranquilizer gun. I'm going to run my buh-dunka-dunk off...run like a tranquilizer fun is being aimed at my muffin top. Healthy eating. Heathy habits. Heathy feeling!

LET THE SUMMER BEGIN!

• What are you summer plans/goals?
• Any book recommendations for me?