Guest Post (not my idea) - Coffee

I actually know how to make coffee. However, a few weekends ago when our friend Troy visited, they decided that this should be a blog post. I argued with them since I do NOT consider making coffee cooking and I didn't want to add it. However, here it is...they're so lucky I like them. Welcome to the Joshua Smyser Coffee making experience. Photography by Troy.

Josh's new thing is grinding fresh beans. So, here he is using my Magic Bullet (I love that thing!) to grind the beans he purchased from Caribou. I LOVE the smell of coffee, and I like most coffee flavored drinks/foods, but I don't like drinking coffee. Weird. I know. Here's our coffee pot and the coffee mugs the guys used. Troy said this was the best coffee he's ever had. But, the added sugar probably helped, too!

Anyways, sorry I've been neglecting the blog lately...I've just been busy and lazy and not cooking. I do have a new meal planned for this weekend, so the next update should be early next week. I am trying to get back to my kitchen more!

Mexican Lasagna (from Rachael Ray!)

For the last two years, I've made tacos on Superbowl Sunday for Josh and me. This year, we had originally decided to uphold our tradition, but then, I decided to spice things up just a bit as I had been wanting to try this recipe from Rachael. Basically, it's tacos in a casserole dish (and it's somewhat healthy...I didn't really tell Josh that part). So, I checked with Josh, and he was a bit hesitant (he hates casserole type meals). But, decided he'd try it for my sake. Isn't he a great husband?! His true reaction will be included later on...

Well, overall, this was super easy to make! And, I got to use ground chicken for the first time. You simply brown the chicken in some EVOO, and add some red onion, chili powder, and cumin. Let that cook through, then add some taco sauce, black beans, and corn. That's it! (I had the idea as this was browning that I could also easily make this into a chili by adding some canned tomatoes and tomato sauce, too! Go me for even thinking like this!)

After the meat mixture is done, all you do is make layers in a greased (I used Pam) baking dish. Start with meat, then add shredded cheese, then a tortilla, then cheese, meat, cheese, tortilla, and top with cheese. Bake it for 15 minutes or so for the cheese to melt and brown. Here's the finished product...hot out of the oven. I could have used more cheese on top I suppose. But overall, I was trying to keep it somewhat healthy, so I used ground chicken, reduced fat cheese, and 94% FF heart healthy tortillas (I would have used whole wheat tortillas, but then I would have really been pushing it with Josh!)

Here's my plate. I topped mine with sour cream and some scallions. It was pretty tasty, although a bit messy to eat. But, the flavors were nice, and it was a fun change from normal ol' tacos. What did Josh think? Well, he grew up with a mother and grandmother who liked to sneak in vegetables. Hence, his now extreme dislike of casseroles and need to know EXACTLY what's in his food.

Well, once he discovered the corn...he was not a happy husband. :( Now, he does like corn by itself, and I knew he didn't like corn in salsas, but I didn't think it would be a big deal in this recipe, so I didn't say anything. I did mention to him that black beans were in it, but like I said, I did not mention the corn.

So, he was a bit unhappy because he thought I was trying to sneak in vegetables. I wasn't! And, I even put in LESS corn than the recipe called for. So, after that fiasco, it was decided that he did like the Mexican Lasagna ok (which was also surprising since it was made with chicken, and he's a beef man) but, the next time I make it, it could be spicer (I thought it was spicy) AND with NO corn. :) Yay for him at least trying a casserole-type dish for me. I did appreciate that!

Ok, Josh...I can live with excluding the corn next time. And I promise to never, well not never, but I promise to rarely sneak in any more vegetables when I cook for you. ;) Ha!

Guest Post :-) Dinner at Troy's!

I was at UNI last weekend for the UNI-RA Conference, and during our break I spent some time with some of our good friends from college Troy, Kiley, Kelsie and Kelsey. Troy and Kiley were Josh's former residents at UNI, Kelsie is Kiley's fiancee (also a UNI alum), and Kelsey is Kiley's sister.

Troy hosted a fabulous dinner and baked and cooked for us! Here is Kiley with the wonderful spread that Troy had pulled together. (Kiley...you're luckly I included this picture...I typically only want pictures of food in this blog!) Troy told me the Doritos were home-made, but I didn't believe him there. He also made meatballs that were tasty. Troy was an excellent host!

The star of the meal though (in my opinion) was the wonderful beer bread and cheesey dipping spread that Troy made. It was super tasty! I still need to get that beer bread recipe from Troy...and the chees dip, too...

Oh, and Kelsie made a yummy yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Kiley messed up the frosting though and then complained until I fixed it for him. Ha!

Next post...coming early next week...I'm attempting another Rachael Ray recipe tomorrow!!!