Thank You!

First things first! Girlichef passed on an award to me recently, and its the cutest award. One of her children a few months back picked my name out of a hat to win a sample of Sea Salt. Purple sea salt at that! Hints of Merlot, and a sister who loves purple I thought I would save it for my trip to Texas, but one day I found myself with no salt in the house, and no time to stop at the market. Well, you can guess what happened. Sorry Donna! I did not use it all, but let me tell you, the baked potatoes were delish with this salt! Thanks Girlichef for both of these wonderful things you have passed on to me...
















Next Ricardo @ Rico Cafe has passed on a questionnaire for some of us to answer. Rico here are my answers, and more...

Diamonds or pearls?
Give me the oysters and keep the pearl!

What is the last film you saw?
I have not gone to a movie in a long time, I read books, write, or fish...

Your favorite series?
I DVR Trueblood, Phyc, Monk, and a few others...

What kind of breakfast do you have usually?
Water and a piece of cranberry-walnut rustic bread, or gluten-free bread

Second given name?
Ann

Which kind of food can't you stand?
liver

Favorite name (at the moment)?
E; which is short for Exciting

Which car do you drive?
Catering Van

Which trait or character don't you like?
negative people

Favorite clothes?
Any nice comfortable ones, (preferred materials, cotton and linen) Same as Rico, so I know if we visited him, and our luggage was lost; then they would have extra clothes for us, lol

If you could take the airplane to go somewhere, where would you go?
Brazil. -I am there Rico; when are we going?

Where would you want to live when you are retired?
Where my grand kids are one day!

Which birthday do you remember the most?
Two more years I will be fifty, so start planning my party ya'll!

Your birthday?
June 16th

If you were a color, which one would you be?
Burnt Orange

Chocolate or vanilla?
depends on what the dessert is!

Coffee or tea?
Irish Coffee

The last person you had on the phone?
My sweetie, no car repair; sweetie soon...

Sweet or savory?
both...can't choose really. -I think they go well together!

The day of the week you prefer?
The day I get to cook...














Now we are suppose to pass it on, so I am passing it on too...


Tangle Noodle
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen
Ginger
Reggie Girl
Patty

and Rico, because sometimes a man just has to try one of for size and support now and then!

Everybody have a great weekend, and thanks for all of you that follow me...and go check out all the other great blogs out there! I have to ask someone to forgive me out there...I had an another award passed to me, but I get busy and forget, so sorry if I have forgotten someone! -Elizabeth

Recipe Request & Contest Goods

If you think you are seeing double blog posts, sorry, but nope! I received a few recipe request (Alexis AKA Mom and others) for that casserole we had on Saturday; that my friend Anna Cmil had made, and she gladly sent it my way, so here it is guys and girls...

Biscuit Topped Italian Casserole

1 pound ground beef, 85% lean
1 can (8oz) tomato sauce
3/4 cup water
1/4 tsp pepper
1 package (10oz) frozen mixed vegetables
2 cups (8oz) shredded cheddar cheese
1 tube (12oz) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1) in a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. stir in tomato sauce, water and pepper. bring to a boil. reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. remove from the heat. stir in vegetables and 1 1/2 cups cheese. transfer to a greased 13-in x 9-in x 2-in baking dish

2) split each biscuit in half. arrange biscuits around edge of dish, overlapping slightly; brush with butter and sprinkle with oregano. sprinkle remaining cheese over the meat mixture. bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown.

(feel free to sprinkle the cheese on the biscuits as well, just adds a little more look to it. also, this dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking.)

Chef E could see this with fresh veggies and a nice vodka sauce!














Girlichef (Heather) had a contest, and I guess I commented that my sister would like the 'purple' salt since that is her favorite color, and they did not have orange! I won a sample, so I am going to take it to her when I go down to Texas in a month and we will cook something together using this lovely 'Merlot' Sea Salt. She is always complaining her kitchen is small, but I bet not as small as my condo kitchen is!



















Kitchen Rap & The Gourmet Girl Magazine was also having a contest, and I go over there to check out her info about other events and contest stuff, and was lucky enough to get this cookbook. Looking through it I have decided to make at least three things in the future. Once I make the dishes from this fabulous book it will go into the donations for my culinary students library (I will still have access). Who would think- Chef m'E, the non-sports fanatic would love this cookbook? The recipes range from comfort familiar to freaking fantastic, and is full of NFL player information all around. I actually could think of a few friends I might have to watch out for when they come over! Purses and pockets will be checked when leaving...



















Last but not least, because he is funny, cooks great food, and is an all around great guy...Buffalodick @ Opinions & Rectums, We All Got One! He donated a t-shirt for my students. He is going to help me devise a contest of sorts...hmmm maybe a chili cook off? The winning (chili) recipe recipient will receive this shirt and a new cookbook as a prize! Thanks Buff- we love ya!