Desean Jackson Punt Return TD for Eagles Win vs Giants 12/19/2010

Sunday Night Dinner Party

Chef George has been busy all day preparing tonight dinner and everything smells excellent I can’t wait to taste. We are starting out with Oysters on the half shell along with my favorite champagne Veuve Clicquit.  The dinner menu is Beef Wellington with red wine sauce with truffle butter, Yam gratin with gruyere, and roasted Brussels sprouts with apple wood smoked bacon. The wines that will accompany the meal will be a 1982 Chateau Cheval Blanc from St. Emilion France.  Cheval is one of my favorites as well.   A 1985 Gevrey Chambertin Burgundy , and a 1999 Colgin Cabernet  Sauvignon Herb Lamb Vineyard.  
  
  More to come ......   Recipes are listed in the comments if anyone wants to try any of these. If you do please be sure to let me know how you enjoyed them. 

Chicken, Cashew and Vegetable Stir-fry

Colorful in-season vegetables provide plenty of nutrients. Plus its quick,easy, and delicious.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quick-cooking brown rice
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon chopped ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon peanut (or sesame) oil
• 1 zucchini, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 yellow squash, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1/3 cup chopped cashews

Preparation

1. Cook rice as directed on package (omit added fat). Dissolve cornstarch in broth in a bowl; stir in hoisin and soy sauce; set aside. Toss ginger, garlic and chicken in another bowl. Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat; cook chicken until nearly cooked through, 4 minutes. Add zucchini, squash and pepper; cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add reserved sauce; cook, stirring until sauce is thick, 2 minutes. Add nuts. Serve over rice.

The skinny

463 calories per serving, 12.4 g fat (2.4 g saturated), 53.3 g carbs, 3.9 g fiber, 35.1 g protein

Cooked this up last night for dinner from Self Magazine and it is really good. We did add a little hot sauce just to give it a kick. The kids thought we ordered take out. They loved it as well. 

A week of wonderful Beers!!

  This week seems to be about the holidays and beer. Saturday we went to Monk’s Café in Philadelphia to try some of the wonderful beers they have on tap. We had heard about this place for a while and it’s rated one of the top places for beer. So off went. When we arrived we were a bit surprised at how small the place actually was. There is a small bar in the front with a few tables than another bar in the back also not very large. But all the different beers on tap and in bottles certainly made up for size. 

Remembering the Philadelphia Spectrum

     I was down the Flyers game on Saturday and saw the big hole in the building. That building brings to mind so many memories. The first time I can remember being there was my first concert David Cassidy in 1972. I was only 9 yrs. My father took my best friend and me. The concert was great and we screamed as little girls do. The best part was after the show my father somehow managed to get us to meet him. We were so star stuck we couldn’t even tell him our names.                     

    That was the start of so many concerts and events there for me.  I saw Fleetwood Mac, Yes, The Who, Springsteen, Madonna, Phil Collins, Howard Jones, Diana Ross, Inxs,Peter Gabriel,  mmr’s festivals, and so many more. My first Springsteen shows were in 1979 with all my girlfriends.  I also saw him for all the last concerts in 2009. He still rocked the place and we danced just as we did 1979.

  My first Dead show was August 1980. That was one I will never forget. We went with no tickets and for around $20.00 plus my cooler filled with beer we got 3 tickets into the show. The encore that night was one more Saturday night and I was now a Dead head.  From that night to the present there hasn’t been many shows I was not a part of at the spectrum. My favorite night was 1987. We had first row of the second floor so all night we stood at the rile dancing. When Spenser Davies came out singing with them just made it all the more special for us. After the show we went to the Four Seasons with no money and ended up talking to Phil and Brent via the house phones. It was one special night. Years later with a bit more money we stayed at the Four Seasons and had beers with Bobby.  There were so many great Dead shows over the years and each one holds its own special memory.

    Outside of concerts there were many Flyers games along the way. I was there when the Flyers played the Russian.  In the 90’s became a season ticket holder.

  I have laughed, cried, cheered, danced, and sang me heart out within those walls. Thanks for many great memories that can never be forgotten

La Stalla Authentic Italian food served family style

Just found a wonderful restaurant in Newtown, PA. Tonight we had dinner at La Stalla. It was outstanding. We started with a mix meat and cheese plate.  It included stuff figs which were very tasty and really good homemade crusty Italian bread.  We tried their traditional Caesar salad for two. That was good. For the main course there are many different chicken, fish, and veal choices but we went with two different pastas. Black truffle sachet, ting pasta purses stuffed with ricotta and black truffle in a roasted almond and sage butter sauce and Rigatoni carbonara, pancetta and sweet onions with a touch of cream and finished with parmigiana cheese. Both of these were just delicious and you could really taste all the flavors in each one. We couldn’t even think about dessert after all this but the menu looked great.   We are already looking forward to our next meal here. There are so many things to try. 

http://www.lastallarestaurant.com/ 

Jamaica RIU Ochos Rios

We arrive in Jamaica with no problems. On the way to the hotel we asked the driver to stop so we could get some beer for the hour and half driver to the hotel. You should have seen the faces when at a local beer we were told it would be $48.00 for 12 red stripes. We opted for only 6 beers.
  We got to the RIU by noon. Got some lunch & some red stripes.
  The RIU Ochos Rios is a very nice hotel. We all have Jr Suites overlooking  the gardens, pool, and ocean. The staff here is wonderful and really go out of there way to help you. We had a few bumps with check in but the staff was right on it and even got a upgrade for one of our rooms. You just need to be nice and have a little patience sometimes.
  Dinner we ate at the buffet which was Jamaica night and the jerk chicken, pork, and sausage was really good. Saturday night is there beach party which was very fun we just were all to tried to stay to long.
   Yesterday was a fun beach day. We even got a team together for beach Olympics. We were team smoke it up with captains sleep a lot & captain drink a lot. We won!

Jamaica

It's 4:44am & have already been up for 2 hours but the good part is by lunchtime I will be on the beach in Ocho Rio with a red stripe in hand.
The airport security is going very smoothly. No X-ray machines here in Philly and no pat
downs.
More from the beach later.

Bombastic Meatbats with Chad Smith

One night over dinner a friend of mine says”hey you know that band you like, Chili Peppers I think one of the guys is playing in New Hope.” I was thinking  yea right but the next morning I looked it up and sure enough Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers was playing with his band the Bombastic Meatbats in New Hope, PA I had to go.
I had no idea what to except as I had only ever eaten outside on the porch at Havana’s. We got there early and we were checking in with the hostess and there was Chad. He walked over gave a big smile said “hello, how you doing tonight as he gave my arm a little squeeze. Made my night, OK so I am just a little bit of a groupie. I have seen the RHCP a couple of times, saw Chad with Chickenfoot and now meeting him was unbelievable. 
   We had a table right up front, the band came on a little past 8:00pm and they were great. What I really couldn't believe was that there really wasn't anyone in the place. I think there was only about 50 people there.

 We really enjoyed the music. Chad rocks on drums and is very funny. After the show we they did a meet and greet. Great night!!!!!        
 I will definitely be back for more shows at Havana. 

BOMBASTIC MEATBATS with Chad Smith

Going to see Bombastic Meatbats with Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers tonight at Havana's in New Hope, PA.
Check them out www.myspace.com/bombasticmeatbats

Comfort Zone

I just made a family favorite macaroni & cheese with hot dogs. It's both simple, delicious, and a perfect comfort food. What is your favorite comfort food?

Baked Mac & cheese
1 pd elbow macaroni
2 pds shredded cheddar cheese
Some butter
3/4 cup milk or skim milk(which ever you prefer)
Optional hot dogs I use the whole pack but however many you like is fine

Heat oven to 350
Cook elbow macaroni according to box
Spray casserole dish with Pam
Put a layer of macaroni
Top with some cheese
Optional layer of hot dogs
Repeat layer of macaroni than cheese
Top layer cheese
Dot with some butter
Pour in the milk
Cook for about an hour until bubbly
Eat
Life is good.

Sunday Tailgating at the EAGLES

Nothing is better than an afternoon of friends,family,tailgating, and football. The only thing that makes this sweeter is when your team wins. Yesterday we had it all here in Philadelphia, great friends, tasty food, delicious brews,& The Eagles beat the Colts 26 -24.
Today we grilled shrimp & vegetable Kabobs, some traditional favorite’s hot dogs and hamburgers plus an array of cheeses, grapes, and crackers. The beer was a local favorite from River Horse Brewing, Lambertville, Pa. They brew up some fine Ales and Lagers. My favorite is the River Horse Hop Hazard. You can fine them online www.riverhorse.com.
The Brewery is opened for samples Friday – Sunday. They also give tours.

Time to eat & drink

Tonight we will be tasting some Italy wines.
First we are starting with Vigna del Sorbo Riserva 1988 a Chianti Classico
Than with dinner a 1988 Ornellaia and a 1990 Castello Dei Rampolla Sammarco.

For dinner Chef George is preparing Veal with mushrooms, wild mushrooms risotto,
and asparagus.

Just booked myself to Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya
Mexico's most exceptional boutique resorts, is set on 14 acres, including a private beach. Just just 90 luxury suites.Hurry! Reserve your stay today at Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts and they'll receive up to 50% off their winter getaway!
Plus, they'll enjoy up to $200 in resort coupons for use towards spa treatments, fine wine and romantic dining!
Book early for this amazing gift of sun, sand and surf.
 Be sure to contact to me if you are interested or need more information.
Jills@wingsgt.com  - 215-343-9440

Pumkin Chunkin

This weekend is the 25th Anniversary of Word Championship Pumkin Chunkin.
Thats right for these of you that have never seen this its well worth it.
November 5th, 6th, and 7th in Delaware.

http://www.punkinchunkin.com/main.htm