Dear Friends:

 

May GOD bless us all!!.

If you're curious about Ol Saint Nick, please follow the link below to see when he should be arriving. 

http://www.noradsanta.org/en/index.html

Merry Christmas.

-CM

DON'T SAY I NEVER GAVE YA ANTHING

Not only does it FEEL delicious... IT IS DELICIOUS.... this is what I am making for Christmas.

To my friends, neighbors, acquaintances, readers, bloggers, and enemies, this is the greatest gift I can give you all.

Here we gooooooo!

CHERRY GLAZED PORK POT ROAST with HERBS

One 3.5 to 4 lbs rolled boneless pork loin roast (NON JBS SWIFT BRAND)
3 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
4 fresh sage leaves
3 cloves garlic, quartered
2 medium sized yellow onions, sliced
one 12oz jar tart cherry preserves
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup red wine vinegar (RED WINE FOR DRINKING)
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup slivered almonds

1. Remove the string from the non JBS pork roast and trim any visible fat.  Sprinkle evenly with the chopped parsley, rosemary, and thyme; lay the sage leaves on top.  Roll up and tie at 2 inch intervals with heavy string.  Pierce the roast all over with the tip of a paring knife and insert the slivers of garlic.  Spray the inside of the crock with nonstick cooking spray and place the onions on the bottom.  Place the roast on top of the onions.  Coat with a few blasts of the cooking spray.  Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours

2. Combine the preserves, honey, vinegar, cloves, cinnamon and salt in a small saucepan.  Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.  Add the almonds.  Pour the glaze over the pork roast, reduce the heat setting to LOW, cover and cook for another 6 hours, until the meat is tender when pierced with the tip of a knife and an instant-read thermometer registers about 160 F.

3. Transfer to a platter, cover with aluminum foil, and let stand for 10 minutes before removing the string and carving into thick slices.  Serve with the crock juices spooned over the top.

Make this dish.....Be a culinary hero.

WATCHING NOW

Oh, the silent majesty of a winter's morn... the clean, cool chill of the holiday air... and an asshole in his bathrobe, emptying a chemical toilet into my sewer...

Christmas Vacation.....don't ya love it

HOLIDAY COCKTAIL - THE GINGERBLING

And I now present THE GINGERBLING............

For the Rim of a Martini Glass

Apple slice

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Grated nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a shallow dish or saucer.

Wet the rim of a martini glass or tumbler with the slice of apple, reserve for garnish. Dip the rim of the glass in the sugar mixture and reserve.

• 1 ounce cinnamon schnapps
• 1 ounce vodka
• 4 ounces ginger ale
• Ice
• In a cocktail shaker, pour the cinnamon schnapps, vodka, and ginger ale over ice, shake and strain into the glass. Garnish with the apple slice

ENJOY SUGAR PLUMS DANCING IN YOUR HEAD...

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT EGGNOG

Having problems getting into the Christmas spirit? This should help.

12 eggs
3 pints heavy cream
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 cup bourbon whiskey
1 cup cognac
1/2 tsp salt

Separate the eggs. In an electric mixer, beat the egg yolks with the sugar until thick and lemon colored. Slowly add the bourbon and cognac, while beating at slow speed. Chill several hours. Add the salt to the egg whites and beat until almost stiff, or until the beaten whites form a peak that bends slightly. Whip the cream until stiff. Fold the whipped cream into the yolk mixture, then fold in the beaten egg whites. Chill one hour. When ready to serve, sprinkle the top with freshly grated nutmeg.

Read more: Eggnog - Spiked recipe http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink1171.html#ixzz17w0MoBXd

DINNER ON QUINCY

Delicious, Easy, Perfect for all the cold weather we are having.
Make it.

4lbs of pot roast
2 cans (10.75oz) cream of mushroom soup
1 package dry onion soup mix
1 1/4 cups water
4 carrots
4 potatoes

1. Mix mushroom soup, dry onion soup, water, and pot roast in crockpot.  Coat meat with mixture.
2. Clean and peel carrots and potatoes (cut in two in squares).  Add to the crock.
3. Cook on low for around 8 hours or high for 5 hours.
4. Open that bottle of Merlot you have stowed away and ENJOY.

-CM
cmaggard1200@yahoo.com

MOZZ -REVIEW

Last night we tried Mozz for the first time.  Please read below for an amateur review. 

 Mozz was a fun time.  Lots of parking options and they even have a valet on site to park your car for you.  The restaurant was very busy last night and the mood was good.

The staff worked great with our requests.  Due to uncontrollable circumstances, they fit in 18 of us on a Saturday night with very short notice.  With such a large group, it can create havoc for some places but they did not miss a beat.  Thank you.

Entering the restaurant on the side entrance (the front entrance is not used), the first thing I noticed is that the decor is very suitable.  On the left side, work is continuing on the NULU lounge which is scheduled to be open sometime in spring.  On past the hostess stand and you will find yourself at the Mozzarella Bar with they specialize in meats, cheeses, breads, pizza, etc.  For our night, we sat on the fine dining side where they had two large tables waiting for us.

The fresh in house made mozzarella was excellent and came served with melon.  The complimentary bread brought out by the staff was really very good. 

They do have an extensive, reasonable priced wine and cocktail list as well.  My dirty martini was very good and had just the right amount of olive juice.

The menu here is quite large and can be somewhat confusing but there are lots to choose from.  We had salads, which were very fresh, and then moved onto pizza.  They still use the brick oven that was there when Primos was in business.

The pizza to be honest was OK.  It wasn't bad, wasn't fantastic, just was good.  When I go back, I prob will order something else.  The entrees ordered around the table all got great reviews. 

All in all, it was a great time, the atmosphere is loud but good.  Lots of things going on around you and the jazz band was good.  Great environment.  I would recommend this place to everyone and can't wait to go back again.

HAPPY HANUKKAH (CHANUKAH)!!!!

Happy Hanukkah to my friends.  Today marks the first day of 8 straight days of fun and excitement.  Think about it, 8 days of goodness.  It can't be beat........

To my Jewish friends, nothing but love.

Also... if you are looking for a treat, and I know you are, ValuMarket at Mid City Malll has Delirium Noel on tap.... that's right ON TAP.  Fill up the growler, take it home, open some gifts....

Straight up HEAVEN
 -CM

DRINKING NOW.......

On a cold night, this brew is great.... its made with cinnamon, ginger, and a hint of citrus.  Just bought a 12 pack at Brownsboro Kroger. 

No bad advice here, just excellent brew. 

http://www.samueladams.com/

-CM

THE NEXT MORNING.........

Thanksgiving is great...........

-CM

TURKEY FACTS 101

As we all gear up for the turkey........ I thought for this post, I would share some interesting facts so that you can steal the show for your celebration.  Happy turkeying to all............

DID YOU KNOW.........

1.Wild turkeys can run at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour.

2.Benjamin Franklin wanted the national bird to be a turkey.

3 A wild turkey has excellent vision and hearing. Their field of vision is about 270 degrees. This is the     reason they continue to elude some hunters.

4.Turkeys spend the night in trees. They fly to their roosts around sunset.

5.Minnesota led the United States in turkey production in 2001. Forty-three million turkeys were produced

6.Turkey eggs hatch in 28 days

7.The fleshy growth under a turkey’s throat is called a wattle

8.Turkeys have a long, red, fleshy area called a snood that grows from the forehead over the bill

9.Israelis eat the most turkeys.....28 pounds per person

10.The costume that "Big Bird" wears on Sesame Street is rumored to be made of turkey feathers

11. They are so freaking tasty...................FACT

-CM

DINNER ON QUINCY

No crock potting this week.........but still some goodness..............

1 (16oz) whole wheat uncooked lasagna noodles
1 1/2 jars of spaghetti sauce or marinara
1 1/2 container cottage cheese
2 (8oz) pkg shredded mozzarella cheese
2 (8oz) pkg cheddar
1 1/2 cups of Parmesan cheese
2 lbs chicken or turkey

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Brown meat in skillet
3. Bring large pot of lightly salted water to boil.  Add noodles, cook for 8-10 minutes. Drain water.
4. Using a blender, add sauce, cottage cheese. Blend til smooth.  Spoon mixture into cooking pan
5. Place layer of cooked noodles over sauce and sprinkle a portion of cheeses over noodles.
6. Add layer of cooked meat
7. Repeat layers but last layer should be finished with noodles and cheese.
8. Bake in the oven for 45-60mins or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
9. Eat entire portion in one setting.

Hope you enjoy.  We eat like Kings over here.  Recipe courtesy of N.
-CM

MARGARITA MUY STRONGO!

The STRONGEST frozen margaritas in town are at Sol Aztecas at 2350 Frankfort Ave.  Most of the time, I will bypass the frozen stuff and have a fresh margarita on the rocks.  Don't do that here.   For those of you who know me personally, I like to drink....sometimes A LOT.   Two of these bad boys and I'm straight up tipsy.   Lots of these places around town so not sure if they are stronger here than any other faux Mexican joint so do some research and get back to me.

SUMMARY:  GET A FROZEN MARGARITA.  MAYBE TWO.  GET SOME TYLENOL ON THE WAY HOME FOR THE MORN....

-CM
cmaggard1200@yahoo.com

Drinking EVERDAY

Why Almond Milk?

Its the cats knees, man.  Check our their website to discover all of the healthy benefits.  Its a great alternative to cow milk, soy milk, or any other milk you crazy kids drink.

www.silkpurealmond.com

...........and no, I am not a spokesman for this product.  Just sharing some goodness with the WORLD!!!!

GRAB SOME, SON

-CM

Break-FAST!

Looking for a good, HEALTHY BREAKFAST?  I know you are.....

Try this....

1 small orange
1 whole wheat English muffin, toasted w/ honey or Almond Butter
Hot Tea or Coffee
Water

Ass Kicking.............

- CM

GOOSEBUMPS

If you like champagne, try this.  A sparkling shiraz made by Mollydooker.  Its kinda hard to find around here but you can if you look hard enough. 

Please check out their website.      http://www.mollydookerwines.com/

Lots of great wine on there, but this one is my favorite.

- cm

JOHN MAZE

John Maze  7/5/1940 - 11/14/2010

John passed away today at 4:05pm.  He was loved by many and touched many lives.  A good man is gone.

John loved food, loved to eat, and always enjoyed a good meal.  If he doesn't belong on this blog then nothing does.  May he rest in heavenly peace.  He will be missed.............

 

-cm

DINNER ON QUINCY

This recipe is easy.  Go get the ingredients and make a large pot.

2lbs ground chicken (or beef, turkey, bison)
2 pkgs Chili Seasoning
4 cans of beans ( I do an assortment, black, kidney, chili hot, etc)
1 onion
2 cans diced green chiles (jalapenos if you like it hot)
1 tbsp garlic powder
3 cans tomato sauce
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp sea salt
Guacamole
Sour Cream
Shredded Cheese

1. Chop onion and place in skillet.  Add chicken.  Season with a teaspoon of chili powder.  Brown chicken.
2. While chicken is browning, take beans, diced chiles, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and add to slow cooker or pot.
3. Add cinnamon, cumin, sea salt, and chili seasoning.
4. Put cooked chicken and onions in cooker.
5. Set on high, cook for 4 hours.
6. Serve with guacamole, sour cream, and shredded cheese.
7. Don't forget the hot sauce.

A good brew to enjoy with your chili is tafelbier from the New Albanian Brewing company.  Get a growler and go fill it up. If you don't have one, they have them there.

Everyone can send a Thank you to cmaggard1200@yahoo.com  :)

Have a great Sunday!!!!

Drinking NOW

LOST ANGEL MISCHIEF 2006.

GET SOME..........

Happy Veteran's Day to all.  Find a veteran and say THANK YOU.

That is all............

The Amazing Onion

The Onion has amazing healthy benefits.  They are packed full of natural antioxidants and some studies show they help to fight cancer.  Also, if you are interested in fiber,  the onion has that too.

Additional benefits:  Looking to appear a tad more tender?  Have problems showing your softer side?  Just chop an onion and watch the tears flow.  Your better half will think you have finally found that inner peace and tenderness he/she has been wanting.  CHA-CHING!!!

We put onions in most meals we make at home, and they seem to only make it better.


GO BUY SOME ONIONS!

CHEAP BUT GOOD!

Most of my friends know that I like to seek out and find the cheapest, best wine. In fact, if you ever let me come to your party, I will not be ashamed to brag about how little I spent on the wine I bring over. Now, I have no experience in wine tasting, I can't tell the difference between a pinot noir and a cabernet but I know what I like. The wine above is a good buy, its very cheap and tasty. Please check out their website.

www.bigredmonsterwine.com

-CM

Dinner on Quincy

In our house, we really like our crockpot. We normally make a meal on Sunday that lasts us for most of the week. Its easy, throw in and go. If you don't have a crockpot, you should buy one, but for now you can use a conventional stove pot. This is whats for dinner on Quincy.

WHITE CHICKEN CHILI:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken or ground chicken
4 (15oz) Great Northern Beans or Navy Beans (for the sailors out there)
2 (15oz) Hominy or white corn (I like the hominy)
2 cans chopped Green Chiles
2 Taco Seasoning
2 (10.75oz) cans cream of Chicken Soup
2(14oz) can chicken broth
1 cup Sour Cream
chopped green onion
monterey jack cheese

1. Place chicken in a slow cooker or pot
2. Top with beans and corn
3. Add Chiles, condensed soup, chicken broth, taco seasoning
4. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours. On high it will cut time in half. Walk away

Go to wine store, buy a bottle(s) of wine, come home, open wine, drink wine.

5. Before serving, if you use chicken breasts, break up chicken.
6. Stir in sour cream
7. Serve topped with green onions and jack cheese.

Hope you enjoy this recipe. It's easy and delicious.
cmaggard1200@yahoo.com

- CM