What a beautiful Saturday!! (Skillet White Beans and Tomatoes over Linguine)

What a gorgeous Saturday!!  I am glad it was a nice day,  wish I could have done something other than what I did,  but you have to do what you have to do..  Today we went and took pictures of the SUV that Rebekah was in Wednesday night..  It really brings to light how much worse it could have been..  while on the way back home so Boo could get ready for work this car pulls right out into our lane..  Why do people not think?!?!   Got Boo to work and Saundra to work and now home,  did a little cleaning, kitchen, dining room and living room..  need to vacuum,  but my vacuum cleaner decided to be stupid and stop sucking..   grrr..  so the carpet looks like crap which drives me nuts.. I have beans in the crockpot for Chili tomorrow for dinner,  Roasted the Chicken bones from the chickens and covered them in water and they are in the oven giving me more yummy broth so I can make more soups. I have blankets in the wash.. need to put them in the dryer.. Saundra has been covering up with them and she is sick.. poor thing..  and again spraying the apt well to disinfect any germs..  plus have the door open,  music playing and dinner is cooking..  all might be getting right with my world again..  It has been a very very stressful month!!!  I am ready for a new one..  and praying it is better..  Yes,  I know my month could have been a lot worse and I am so thankful for all my blessings..  but can't a girl catch a break..  and not the kind of break where you fall down the snow and ice covered stairs.. I caught that break...  lol..    Here is wishing us all a better February and an early spring!!!
I hope you enjoy what is for dinner tonight!!

  Skillet White Beans and Tomatoes over Linguine

2 tsp olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 Tbsp minced garlic
2 cans diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano
2 cans any Cannolini beans. drained
1 package fresh spinach
6 cups linguine, cooked according to pkg directions
Parmesan cheese (grated)
In a separate pan start boiling water for linguine,  cook according to pkg directions.  drain
Heat olive oil in a large skillet add onion and cook for 2 to 4 minutesk add garlic and cook for one minute..  while those are cooking drain and rinse beans,  add the tomatoes and the beans and bring to a boil.
Cover with spinach, top with lid, reduce heat to low and simmer about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
add the linguine to the sauce and stir well.  Top with grated cheese

The call you never want to get!!!

Being a Mom is tough,  very tough..  Being in bed and hearing your oldest daughter's phone ring and her answer it and here her say "are you ok?"  and your blood runs cold because you know it is your youngest daughter..  that is extremely tough..  but Thank God,  we got lucky!!  Rebekah and Nik were shaken up, bruised and will be sore for a few days.. 
I'm going to drag out my soapbox now..
A drunk driver pulled out in front of them..  they t-boned her on her passenger side..  Rebekah's side of the car  took most of the impact..  Thank God she was wearing her seatbelt and the airbags opened..   her face was very bruised this morning and very swollen,  it is going down and the bruising is going away too.. 
I have always told my children don't drink and drive..  ever..  it isn't worth it..  even one drink,  because you don't know how that drink is going to affect you..  These people that do it repeatedly piss me off..  you aren't only taking your life in your hands,  you are taking the lives of innocent people in your hands.. I for one do not want that on me for the rest of my life..  How would you be affected if you knew that you killed someone or changed someone's life completely because of your selfish act of having to drink and drive??  if you have to drink,  either have a designated driver or hell..  stay home and drink.. then you don't have to go anywhere..  just stumble wherever and pass out..  I am ill!!!  Very, very ill..  we got lucky..  very very lucky,   and it is ironic that tonight on World News with Diane Sawyer they are doing a segment on drunk drivers and how do we stop them..
I want you to think the next time you are out and you are drinking..   do you really know what your threshold is??  Are you really ok to drive..  maybe use some of that money and get a cab home..  what in the long run would be better??  Cab or accident and possibly kill someone??   I just want people to think..   really think and then picture their kids with bruised faces because they couldn't not drink..

Wednesday again!! (Pasta with Pancetta and Leeks)

Ahh,  another wonderful Wednesday!!!  I really love Wednesday,  it is the perfect day to have off during the week..  mid-week,  when I am off the weekend then I am off Wednesday,  work 2 more days and off 2 days..  Now the other end when I work 6 straight is draining,  but I do it,  complain and whine a little and move on..   It isn't easy,  especially when closing a couple nights,  those are rough on the body!!
I slept until 10 this morning..  I was hurting a bit in my right side last night,  who am I kidding,  have been hurting in my right side since I fell down the stairs a couple weeks ago,  so I snuck into Saundra's purse and took 2 of her Advil.. sweet relief.. and I did ask her,  she just had her earphones in watching Supernatural on her laptop..  lol  so she didn't hear me..  :)   I think I will be investing in my own bottle of Advil..  just to take when I am really hurting badly..  I have to be careful what I take because I have wonderful ulcers..  it is so much fun..   I slept good too..  better than I normally do..  usually I can't stay in bed that long,  I got up and made some fresh coffee and enjoyed it and reading a little online..  mostly looking up new recipes and getting ideas..   I finally showered and cleaned the kitchen and laundry room and did some laundry.. still need to dry it and then fold and put up..   I straightened the dining room and living room and then did my taxes..  fun..  ugghhh..    oh well.. basically breaking even..  :)  Guess it is better than having to pay,  but I need to make adjustments to my w4's..    So here is the new recipe..  I hope that you enjoy..   I can't wait to taste it!!!

I finally brought out my pasta pot that I have had for a while..  fill with water and put over medium high heat and bring to a rolling boil.

3 oz pkg chopped pancetta

3 leeks

after slicing the leeks,  make sure you clean them well in cold water

heat olive oil in a large pan.. 

add pancetta

cook until brown

add butter

and leeks,  I added the garlic after the butter,  but didn't take a pic..

ahh the pasta water is boilling..

add salt

and the pasta

bring back to a boil and cook for around 11 mnutes

vegetable broth

1/2 cup,  add to the pan of leeks and pancetta after it has cooked for 8 to 10 minutes..then cook for 2 to 4 minutes

heavy cream

1/2 cup

reduce the heat to low and add the cream to the pan

let simmer while the pasta finishes cooking

it looks and smells wonderful

shred the parmesan cheese,  add to the sauce

when the pasta is done,  drain

add to the sauce

stir well to coat the pasta,  adding a little pasta water if needed

top with more parmesan cheese..  yummy

 Pasta with Pancetta and Leeks

1 pkg farfalle pasta, cooked according to pkg directions
1/2 to 1 c reserved pasta water
Olive oil
3 oz chopped Pancetta
3 leeks,  sliced and washed in cold wated and then drained
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp butter
1/2 c chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 c heavy cream
salt and pepper
Parmesan cheese, grated

Saute pancetta in olive oil until fat is rendered and it starts to brown,  add garlic, butter and leeks and cook for 8 to 10 minutes add the vegetable or chicken broth, cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes, until reduced. Reduce heat to low, then pour in cream. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in Parmesan. Toss in pasta, adding a little pasta water to thin as needed. Serve with Parmesan on the top.

It is so yummy,  serve with a green salad or a green vegetable and some crusty bread

Rainy, dreary Tuesday!!! (Chicken Noodle Soup)

So we had a visit today at work!!  It went well,  of course,  because we are the best team ever..  haha...  no it lasted maybe 5 minutes..  wow..  we got dinged on the Mens Jean Wall,  which is a pain in everyone's ass!!!  I didn't get to do anything in my dept's  I got to work in Mens and Ready to Wear(Juniors, Misses, Women's clothing)  the day passed by quickly,  which I am glad of..  and well Autumn and I,  we are the best..  lol..   then I get a text from Saundra,  I don't feel well..  I think I am getting what Greg has..  Thanks Greg!!!  you are the best..  so I told her I would make Chicken Noodle Soup when I got home..  That doesn't mean I come home and open a can of Campbell's or Progresso soup,  that means I come home and I make from scratch Chicken Noodle soup..  Here's the recipe

Chicken Noodle Soup

Olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 8 oz pkg mushrooms, sliced
salt, pepper, rosemary, sage
Either a roasted chicken,   the meat pulled from the bones and chopped or shredded or 3 to 4 chicken breast, cooked in about 5 c water, seasoned with salt, pepper, rosemary, sage, etc..  cook until chicken is done.  remove chicken from broth and put aside to cool
Boxed or canned or homemade chicken stock..  I used the stock from the chickens I roasted on Sunday..  and I skimmed the fat from the top..
3 to 4 carrots, sliced thinly
1 bag egg noodles,  I use whole wheat

In large stockpot heat olive oil,  add chopped onion and celery and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, add garlic and cook for another minute,  add mushrooms.  cook 2 to 3 minutes,  add the shredded chicken and seasonings,  then add the broth and let simmer for 30 to 45 minutes.  then add the carrots and cook another 15 to 20 minutes..  add the egg noodles and a little more salt and cook 7 to 10 more minutes..   Serve hot with crusty bread, crackers or a salad on the side.. 

Monday, Monday!! (Taco Soup)

Happy Monday!!!  ugghhh..  I wasn't looking forward to today at all..  so wanted to just stay in bed this morning and not go anywhere,  but knowing I have bills to pay and that I like having a mani/pedi done once a month I drug my ass out of bed and showered and enjoyed some coffee and then got ready for work..  nothing cute today,  no straightening of the hair.. left it wavy/curly,  did put on a little makeup and the usual red and khaki..  I get so tired of wearing the same thing,  probably why I love wearing my skirt with black leggings, black boots and cute red sweaters so much..  It makes me feel like sort of a rebel.. lol..   makes me feel different than everyone else there..  :)  It was a busy busy day..  got through 2 1/2 aisles of cosmetics,  cleaning and zoning when I got the news that new accessories came in and that my wonderful STL(store manager) wanted me to put them out.. so I got all the new handbags, hats and wallets out.. still have some belts back there,  will get to them tomorrow..  not a lot of cute stuff so far..  doesn't look spring like at all.. hoping when the other product comes in it is more spring inspired..  I did make it back over to Cosmetics to at least clean the finger nail polish off the displays and shelves..  I so love that part of my job..  I am glad that I was able to take over cosmetics last year..  I am really happy that since I have taken over that the sales have steadily increased..  :)  Positive comps is a good thing.. hehe..  :)   So I am home,  I have on my fuzzy slippers,  my big, baggy comfy pants and my GA Bulldog hoodie and am waiting for dinner to finish cooking..   so you ask,  what
is for dinner??   Hmm,  well I will tell you..  it's Taco Soup..  yummy and quick..  :) 

Taco Soup

Olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pkg Taco seasoning
1/2 c water
1 can rotel tomatoes
1 small can diced green chilis
1 can kidney beans, drained
1 can garbanzo beans, drained
1/2 16oz pkg frozen corn
4 c water
1 c vegetable broth

In a large stockpot heat olive oil,  add onion and cook for a few minutes, add garlic and cook 1 minute.  Add taco seasoning and the 1/2 c water,  stir well.  add the tomatoes and green chilis,  stir,  add the beans, corn, water and vegetable broth.  Bring to a boil and simmer for about 30 minutes..  garnish with avocado, fresh lime juice and sour cream..  serve with tortilla chips..

You can substitute chicken broth and add shredded cooked chicken to the recipe.

Friday!! (Turkey Meatballs with Peppers and Pineapple)

So,  it's Friday again,   doesn't really matter I work this weekend and it is going to be so much fun.    :)   I came across this recipe and decided I wanted to try it..  It seemed delicious and pretty easy..  plus when I saw that Kroger had fresh pineapples on sale,  I knew that was a sign that I needed to make it this week..  :)  I couldn't very well let the pineapple go bad now could I??   In true Nina fashion I changed it up a little bit..  I hope it is as yummy as it looks and smells..  

Turkey Meatballs with Peppers and Pineapple 

1 1/4 pound Groud Turkey
1 Onion, Diced Very Finely
1 Egg
1/2 c Panko Bread Crumbs (or Regular Breadcrumbs)
1 tsp Salt
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
1/2 tsp Crushed Red Pepper, More To Taste
1/4 c All-purpose Flour
Olive Oil
1 Bell Peppers, Diced Roughly
1 1/2 c Fresh Pineapple Chunks
2 c Beef Stock Or Broth
2 tbsp Soy Sauce
1/2 c Vinegar
1/3 c Sugar
1 tbsp Cornstarch
Salt To Taste
Crushed Red Pepper, To Taste
Extra Beef Stock If Needed

Combine ground turkey, diced onion, egg, salt, pepper, breadcrumbs and crushed red pepper. Mix with hands until combined. Roll meat mixture into small balls and place on a cookie sheet.
Mix together beef stock, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar and cornstarch.
Heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Roll meatballs in flour, then fry in two batches until nice and brown, about 5 to 7 minutes per batch. Remove meatballs and set aside on a separate plate.
Add more olive oil to the pan and return pan to medium heat. When pan is hot, throw in the chopped onions and green peppers and cook for one minute. Add pineapple to pan and cook for one minute, stirring gently. Pour sauce mixture, then add meatballs. Stir gently to combine and allow to cook and bubble for 15 to 20 minutes, or until sauce is thickened. Add salt and crushed red peppers to taste.

Serve over cooked brown or white rice.