Crushed Red Pepper | Mommie Cooks!

Penne alla Vodka – A guest post from Christy at Fudge Ripple

April 18, 2011 By Julie 20 Comments

I’m thrilled to have Christy from Fudge Ripple as a guest poster for Mommie Cooks today! Her unique writing style drew me instantly into her blog and the delicious recipes keep me coming back for more. I hope you enjoy reading and tasting her delicious creations as much as I do. When you’re finished here, be sure to stop over and check out her blog. I promise you won’t be disappointed. On with the show!

when i received Julie’s kind invitation

to share a recipe with all of you

i got so excited

i had so many ideas about what i should share

and this one stuck

a recipe

that brings back memories of my wonderful

grandma

today

i share with you

spaghetti alla vodka

made with vodka soaked tomatoes

this is really simple. peel tomatoes and cram into a jar, use a skewer to secure tomatoes if they start to float to the top. fill the jar with vodka and store in the refrigerator for at least 5 days. i make several jars because i like to use the tomatoes and the vodka for my sauce. leftover vodka is really great for a bloody mary pick me up.

spaghetti alla vodka

(printable recipe)

1 lb spaghetti or pasta of choice

olive oil

1/2 of small onion–finely diced

2 garlic cloves–finely diced

6-8 basil leaves–chiffonade

1 large tin peeled whole tomatoes or combination of vodka soaked tomatoes and tinned tomatoes to equal about 4 cups whole

1/2-1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 cup tomato soaked vodka (or other vodka you have on hand)

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup grated parmesan plus more for serving

cook pasta in salted water, according to package instructions. cook onions and garlic in olive oil over low heat. meanwhile, place the tomatoes in a food processor or blender and pulse until it is smooth. do not allow the onions and garlic to brown, but let them begin to soften and become translucent. at this point, add the tomatoes and vodka and let simmer for about 10-15 minutes. add the basil, red pepper flakes and heavy cream and allow to heat through. stir in parmesan, then toss drained pasta in. if the sauce seems too thick, use a bit of the pasta water. shave a bit of parmesan on top of each individual serving, along with additional crushed red pepper, if you like spicy.

17 Bean White Chicken Chili

March 21, 2011 By Julie 24 Comments

Have you ever bought one of those packs of beans from the grocery store? You know the ones, they have 17 different flavors of legume in the assortment and a recipe for the same old soup on the back every time you pick it up.

Well, I just so happened to have one such bag gracing the inside of my pantry a few weeks back that was bellowing at me to eat it. Being the adventuresome food blogger that I am, I decided to veer away from the bean sack’s dinner plans and instead attempt to create a dish of my own. It would be a chili dish. And while I was at it, I resolved to make it a chicken based chili. And if I was going to use chicken, why not take it one step further and make the base be something other than tomatoes. I was on fire; the inspirational juices were flowing like a glass of cool water on a hot summer day.

I threw in a little of this, and a bit of that. The steam was rising and the water was bubbling. All I needed was my witches hat, a wart and a good cackle, and I would have been concocting one seriously wicked witches brew. When the smoke cleared and the spoon was laid to rest, what remained was one seriously delicious white chicken chili.

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Shrimp Appetizer Delight

March 9, 2011 By Julie 29 Comments

Here in Charlotte, Scott and I belong to a neighborhood supper club. Once a month we get together with three other couples and share a meal. The person hosting is responsible for the main course and the other couples supply the appetizer, salad, and dessert. I look forward to the night all month long. I get to try out new recipes, we both get a night out away from the kids, and the food is most always amazing.

This past weekend was our first get together of the new year and I found myself in charge of the appetizer. Ideas fluttered through my mind; everything from a white bean dip with hummus chips to homemade crackers with an assortment of cheeses. But when all was said and done, a more hearty combination of cheese, shrimp and bacon won me over. Just try and tell me you can resist that combination of flavors. I didn’t think so.

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Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup

February 21, 2011 By Julie 61 Comments

Having grown up in Wisconsin, there were certain foods that I came to enjoy as a part of everyday life. Bratwurst cooked on the grill. Friday night fish fries. Beer (Need I say more). And then there is the food that Wisconsin has always been known for, cheese. California may try to claim it from us, but make no mistake, we are considered the cheeseheads for one big reason. Wisconsin knows cheese. Sorry California. I love your beautiful weather and your beaches (lord knows Wisconsin is lacking in the sand and salt water department and our winter weather leaves something to be desired), but I just can’t give you the crown for cheese over my beloved hometown state; and yes I’m most definitely biased.

So in the spirit of true cheesehead pride, I have created this recipe as a salute to the state where I grew up. You can find a steaming bowl of beer cheese soup in just about any mom and pop restaurant in Wisconsin. And I’m willing to throw money down that pretty much every bowl you find will be good enough to scrape the dish clean. There’s just something magical about combining cheese and beer together that makes the world right again. Serve up a brat or some fish fry on the side and you’ll be ready to move your roots to the north. Guaranteed.

In other news, the big day is finally here! My blogoversary is officially on Thursday, but we’ll be celebrating on Friday with a giveaway or two and a look back at the past year of Mommie Cooks (and what a year it’s been!) Hopefully the new site design will be launched by then as well. It’s as good as ready. I’m just waiting for the green light from my designer. So keep an eye out cuz Mommy’s updating to a whole new look and this one plans to stick around for awhile.

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