I know you all have heard this before but...

I'm baaaaaaack!

No, seriously...I'm back.

For real...like for real for real...

It's been a crazy few months...and I can't blame this absense on work...

On August 29th, I found out I was pregnant! For the last couple of months all I have been thinking about is baby.baby.baby...and researching everything baby.baby.baby...and to be honest, after all that research...I had no desire what-so-ever to blog. But now that I have read everything humanly possible (sometimes twice three times) on the internet about first time parents...I'm good for a while!

I'm 18 weeks along and will find out on December 15 if baby S is a boy or a girl (as long as he/she cooperates). We are SUPER excited!

So, again, I want to thank you guys for sticking around!

OK - Now onto a quick and easy recipe!

No pictures for this one because, well, I simply threw it together and forgot!

Wild Rice with Mushrooms and Cilantro

1 box Unlce Ben's long grain & wild rice

1 bunch cilantro, washed and roughly chopped

1 package baby bella mushrooms, chopped

Cook rice according to the directions with the exception of adding the mushrooms and cilantro!

VOILA!

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I'm baaaaaaaaaaack

Finally!
First off, I want to apologize for my lack of posting, facebooking, commenting, etc...although, I blame the lack of commenting party on blogger since it is still NOT cooperating with me all the time. I also want to thank all of you for sticking around!!! I promise there will be lot's of new posts and a giveaway coming up! I would have done the giveaway now buuuuuuuuut what I wanted to giveaway - a handy little plate/silverware/napkin holder/display - is no longer in the store and am trying to locate it online!

I am working on typing up recipes and uploading pictures as we speak.

New post soon!

Much love!
StephPin It

So sorry...

That I have been SUCH a BAD blogger lately...I haven't even had time to read/comment on all my favorite blogs!!! I have some good recipes up my sleeve and tons of pictures to upload. I will be working on that this week and will have a new post and a giveaway SOON!

Thanks for being patient with me!

XOXO

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Crockpot Jambalaya

Since I eat lunch at my desk everyday and lack of dining options in the area...I am always trying to think of things that I can bring to work that don't include lean cuisines, ham sandwiches or cup o' noodles...We are in full swing vegetable mode and I brought way more than I needed home the other day. I decided to test out my new crock pot, so I threw together some jambalaya and let it cook overnight...I woke up four or five times last night because it smelled SO GOOD! I'm not sure if it is a true jambalaya but it sure tastes good to me.

Crock pot Jambalaya

1 package boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1" cubes

1 lb andouille sausage

3 cubanelle peppers, diced

4 round tomatoes, diced

1 whole onion, sliced

3 cups chicken broth

3 tablespoons hot sauce, I use Louisiana

3 bay leaves

1 tablespoon cajun seasoning

2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

2 teaspoons garlic powder

salt/pepper, to taste

3/4 cup white rice, uncooked

 

Place all ingredients, except rice, in the crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. Add the rice and cook an additional hour or until the broth has absorbed into the rice. You want it to be sticky.

 

Printable Recipe!

 

Sorry for the lack of pictures...I was throwing this together at 9:30 last night and wasn't feelin' it!

We are a pretty tight clan here at SMP so I brought it to the office to share...it must have been good because when I went to get some, it was almost gone!

I hope you guys enjoy!

 

 

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Carne Guisada with cheese...Please!

You all know how I love my Mexican food...and if you have not had this or even heard of it...you are in for a treat! Carne guisada is one of my absolute FAVORITE Mexican dishes! It's slow cooked beef in gravy with diced potatoes and you can eat it in a taco, over rice, by itself or however your little heart desires. Whatever you do...make sure you put cheese on it! Mmmmm. I decided to make a big batch on last Sunday since my plans of laying by the pool were foiled once again by the weather...and then we enjoyed it for lunch at the office the next day!

Carne Guisada

4lbs top sirloin steak, cut into 1 inch cubes

3 potatoes, diced

1 - 2 cups water

1 beef bouillon cube

3 tablespoons tomato knorr

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

salt & pepper, to taste

1/3 cup flour

1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil

In a large pot or dutch oven, heat the oil over med/high heat. Coat the meat with the flour, salt and pepper. Brown the meat until browned on all sides.

Add the water, potatoes, bouillon, knorr, cumin and oregano. Cover and simmer for 3 or more hours, stirring occasionally.

NOTE- I ended up needing to thicken it a little. I had some leftover bacon grease and made a roux with that and flour...it was a delicious addition.

Printable Recipe!

I doubled the recipe...that is why it looks like so much!

The sun was a little bright! Not the best pic!

Delish!!!!!!!

 Serve it with Authentic Mexican Rice and Homemade Flour Tortillas!

 Once again, sorry for the lack of posting...BUSY.BUSY.BUSY! I am stockpiling alot of good dishes for you though :)

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Lunchtime!

Hey there!

I just wanted to share this awesome Chinese Chicken Salad recipe with you real quick. My mom used to be in a bowling league and got this a fellow bowling buddy. I made a request for it the other day and Voila! She brought it to the office a couple days later. She's the best.

Here we go...

Chinese Chicken Salad
Recipe by: Helen

4 cups boiled chicken, cut into strips (you can use a store bought rotisserie)

8 green onions, chopped

1 cup olive oil

5 tablespoons vinegar

1/4 cup splenda

3 tablespoons soy sauce

dash of worcestershire sauce

Combine the above ingredients and refrigerate overnight.

1lb green cabbage, shredded

1 package fresh spinach, cut into strips

2 packages ramen noodles without dressing, crunched

3oz sliced almonds

Just before serving, mix above ingredients together and combine with those refrigerated overnight.

Printable Recipe!

 

 

I seriously LOVE this salad.

 

 

PS-Sorry the recipe doesn't have any spacing..blogger is NOT cooperating with me today!

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I'm alive!

Barely...I have been crazy busy at the office and had zero time to post. By the time I get home it is after 7 and then it's on to the work that has to be done at home...and then on the weekends, after work, Matt and I try to get out and do something fun...that doesn't involve work in any way! Last Saturday we went to Round Barn Winery and met up with his cousin and his wife, who also happens to be my very good friend! Every weekend they have something called Jammin' in the Vineyard. We had such a blast just hanging out, people watching, listening to live music and enjoying some wine, vodka slushies and beer! We then went to dinner at Wheatberry Tavern and had some great food!

The brewery

Bob's Uncle Scottish Ale

Becky G & Me! Who knew when we met years ago we would end up cousins!

Slushie time

Isn't the sky gorgeous!

Brian & Becky

Guacamole at Wheatberry...not the best pic but AWESOME guac!

Finally..a picture of us TOGETHER!

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Quick Post

Hey there!

I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday weekend filled with lots of food, family, fun & fireworks!!! I know we had our fare share...I think there were close to 100 people at my house on Sunday...not even JOKING! It was crazy.

Anyways, I just wanted to share a quick recipe with ya'll since I don't have much time today. My aunt used to make this all the time and I found the recipe in my notebook...Super delicious!

"Brown" Rice

Recipe by : Aunt Bea

1 cup white rice

1 can beef consumme

1 can french onion soup

1/2 stick butter

Heat butter in medium sauce pan over high heat, add rice and cook until lightly browned.

Add both the soups, reduce heat, cover and simmer for approx 20 minutes or until all liquid has evaporated.

 

Printable Recipe!

 

 

Annnnnnnnd your'e done! See, wasn't that easy?

Have a delicious day!

 

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Fourth of July ideas!

Going to a BBQ? Having a BBQ?
Need a dish to take? Need ideas?
Here are some of my favorite side dishes!

BBQ Beans

"Brown" Rice

Mom's Super Spaghetti Salad

Nana's Potato Salad

They all go great with ribs and chicken!

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Let the stress begin...

Well...Summertime is finally here and that means my busy season is upon us...I apologize for my lack of posting this past week!
I need to try and figure out how to keep up with blogging on top of everything else like cooking, cleaning, laundry and other various things around the house...but I WILL figure it out. It just may take me a little bit...I hope you will bear with me :) Please?

Now onto the fun stuff...What is everybody doing for the 4th???

My family has been having 4th of July parties for year..last year the party torch was passed onto Matt and I and so we are having ours on Sunday with a guest list of about 50. I sometimes bite off more than I can chew...being that I have to go into the office Saturday, Sunday and Monday...What was I thinking??!!Pin It

Dear Blogger,

Please fix your website so I can comment on peoples posts!!! Oh, a blogger app would be pretty sweet too.

That is all...
StephPin It

And the winner is...

KT @ KT's Refinishing School!!!

Congratulations, you are now the proud owner of La Pinata Cookbook!

Please email me your shipping address at eccentrickitchen@gmail.com and it will be on it's way!

*Thank you to ALL that entered!!! Seriously, you guys are awesome. I'm looking forward to doing more giveaways in the future!!!

~The winner of this giveaway was chosen using random.org~

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Last day for the GIVEAWAY!!!

Hey guys!
I just wanted to remind you about my giveaway!

Up for grabs is my favorite go-to cookbook, La Pinata. Since I just went to Texas, I though this was fitting :) It is a collection of recipes from The Junior League of McAllen. It's first printing was in 1976 and I gotta tell ya, It has a little bit of EVERYTHING!!! You're going to love it, I promise!

Here's all you gotta do...

Leave me a comment telling me what your favorite "go to" cookbook is.

~If you are a fan on facebook and/or a follower on twitter, let me know in your comment and you will get an extra entry for each~

I will choose a winner using random.org and announce the winner next Friday, June 23.

Good Luck!!!



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Mushrooms, Steaks & Garlic Scapes!

My friend and her husband grow their own garlic and hooked me up with a bunch of garlic scapes. Have you guys ever cooked with them before??? I hadn't even heard of them until she asked me if I wanted some and they are AWESOME! I read that you can freeze them, I will definitely be doing that!


This should last me a while!

Ever since she dropped them off, I have been trying to think of ways to use them...I bought some nice filet's from Sam's Club on Friday that needed to be cooked...
I remember one time my Mom asked my brother what he wanted for dinner and he said "How bout steaks?" and my Mom's response was "Well, that's not really a Monday night kinda thing." It must have stuck with me because, rarely, do we have steak on Monday's...Weird, I know...
ANYWAYS...I decided to make a nice butter to go on top of the steak and some yummy mushrooms for the side...here it goes...

Garlic Scape & Rosemary Butter

4 garlic scapes, finely chopped

1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped

1/2 stick butter, room temperature

Using a fork, mash the butter with the garlic scapes and rosemary until blended.

Printable Recipe!!!

I didn't take any pictures while preparing the butter...oopsie
But this is right after I put it on the meat. How GOOD does that look???
Mmmm

Mmmm Mushrooms

Inspired by : Michael Chiarello 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced 4 garlic scapes, finely chopped (or regular garlic) 1 1/2 pounds whole button mushrooms, washed 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon steak seasoning such as Montreal or Adams Reserve House Seasoning Heat oil in a skillet over med/high heat. Add the onion and garlic scapes, cook until the onions are lightly browned. Remove onions from the pan, set aside on a paper towel lined plate. Next, add the mushrooms and let caramelize for approx 8 minutes. DO NOT STIR THEM AROUND. Finally, add the onions back to the pan, season with seasoning and stir together. Printable Recipe!!! Clearly, I had too much oil... Not too bad for a Monday night!  I hope ya'll enjoy! PS- Don't forget to enter my giveaway, if you haven't already. You have until Thursday to enter! Just click here.

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Texas Eats & a GIVEAWAY!!!

Howdy Y'all!!!

I'm FINALLY back...well, to tell you the truth, I got back Sunday but my laptop just got here Wednesday and I've been kinda busy...
We had a fabulouso time in South Texas...let me tell ya...it was H O T - H O T - H O T!!! I'm talking 98-102 everyday...but I'm not complaining, I got a great tan!

Our first stop was McAllen for the first night and then we were Padre Island bound...we were only going to stay a few nights but since things at the office changed a bit, we ended up staying for 5 nights. We had a blast. We went fishing, ate great seafood, spent time with family, saw some old friends and most of all....Matt got to relax (even though he was on the phone for a few hours everyday) and take a break from his crazy schedule...



Prime Steaks and Twice Baked Casserole
The Seel Residence
McAllen, TX



Our fresh catch...blackened redfish and fried trout.
Blackbeards
South Padre Island



It was damn good....



Fried mozzarella and fried portabellas at Gabriella's.
South Padre Island

Braised Beef Parpadelle
Gabriella's
South Padre Island



Cool pic, huh???



Ceviche
Laguna Bob's
South Padre Island

Whole Red Snapper
Sea Ranch
South Padre Island

Garza Special
Garza's Mexican Restaurant
1 Taco 2 Enchilada's Rice Beans
San Juan, TX



Ribs and Jalapeno & Cheese Sausage
The Seel Residence
McAllen, TX





Ok...Now on to the FUN part. My first giveaway!!!

When I started this blog back in January, I really had no idea what sort of response I would get...in all honesty, I didn't care, I just wanted a place to be able to share my love of cooking with others out there and get some new ideas.  Now, five months later, 44 followers and 206 fans on facebook later...I thought it was time to show you how much ALL of your support means to me!!! Seriously, I have met so many great people in these last few months its incredible and hope to meet many many more in the future.

Up for grabs is my favorite go-to cookbook, La Pinata. Since I just went to Texas, I though this was fitting :) It is a collection of recipes from The Junior League of McAllen. It's first printing was in 1976 and I gotta tell ya, It has a little bit of EVERYTHING!!! You're going to love it, I promise!

Here's all you gotta do...

Leave me a comment telling me what your favorite "go to" cookbook is.

~If you are a fan on facebook and/or a follower on twitter, let me know in your comment and you will get an extra entry for each~

I will choose a winner using random.org and announce the winner next Friday, June 23.

Good Luck!!!

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I'm still here!

Hey all!!!
I apologize for my lack of posting...We ended up staying longer than we expected at the beach and have been eating out since Friday! I must say it's been nice but I am starting to miss the kitchen and my blogging buddies :) I just wanted to say Hi!! I will be back soon and will be doing my first giveaway!!!

I caught the biggest redfish! 32 inches!

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