#ShareaStraw - Shake It Up Baby #Martinitime

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Share a Spoon
"MARTINI TIME"

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Welcome to Happy Hour Smackers!  This week's theme is compliments of The Quacker, Daffy of Batcrap Crazy.  You might know her as The Duck, a moniker I am proud to say is compliments of yours truly!  She requested we shake up some drinks this week like she shakes her tail feathers.  Appropriate no?  It's the end of Summer.  Soon....hopefully.  Please let it be over soon.
So...in order to beat the heat, or at least quench a wicked thirst brought on by anything outdoors we are throwing back some martini recipes.  I love martini glasses.  I think they are beautiful.  They make any drink look fancy, alcohol in it or even a simple lemonade.  They make desserts look fancy schmancy too.  They are just pretty.  I like the ones with stems, without stems, with crooked stems, whatever.  I just love them!

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Aren't those just the coolest things ever?  

So this week's drink recipes are short and sweet and to the point!  You need a cocktail shaker to make a great martini.  Must have.  Even if you buy a cheap plastic one, you need one!  Martinis are shaken.  Especially the sweet variety.  In order to get the alcohol well distributed and that frothy look martinis are known for, you must shake shake shake.....shake shake shake....shake your boo-tay....  Wait!  That's something else, but you get the idea.
BDC loves him a Wallaby Darned, or whatever that peachy adult slushy in a mug from Outback Steakhouse is called.  So...I made him a Fizzy Naveltini at home to give him the same tastes.  What the hell is a Fizzy Naveltini?  It's my take on a Fuzzy Navel, mixed with a little Fizz (Champagne) which is in that Wallabywhateverthehellyoucallit drink.

Image provided via Google Images.

Fizzy Naveltini
1 oz Peach Schnapps2 oz Vodka 1/4 cup orange juiceSplash of Champagne
Fill a cocktail shaker 2/3 full with ice.  Add Schnapps, Vodka and orange juice put the lid on.  Shake vigorously for a few seconds.  
Strain drink into martini glass.  Top with a splash of Champagne (or Prosecco).Garnish with a Maraschino Cherry.

Pomegranate Martini
3 shots Tito's Vodka (trust me)2 jiggers Rose's Pomegranate Twist MixSlice of lime
Fill cocktail shaker 2/3 full with ice.  Pour vodka over ice.  Add PomTwist mix.  Shake well.
Pour into a martini glass and squeeze in lime slice.
Now, this isn't the recipe on the mixer bottle.  It calls for way more mix, which is really really sweet.  3 parts vodka to 2 parts mix, with the acidic bite of the lime works best.
Alrighty Smackers....Happy Hour is officially on!  Bring on your favorite drink recipes!!  

Dear Family, It's On Like Donkey Kong!

I have mentioned before that we are gaming geeks here at Casa di Romano.  We love us some board games.  I will pretty much play most anything.  I do draw the line at Monopoly.  That game sucks the life out of me.  I mean.....seriously!  Until such time as I can actually purchase things (in the real world) with all the money I win in that game, I am not playing again.  Unfortunately, they make that damn game in every freaking flavor.  We have a Spiderman version, a Hello Kitty version, a Mario version, a new updated electronic version that includes inflation readjustment for today's day and age, and about seven other flavors.  Blah!  I hate that game.  However, that is not the point of this post.

In addition to board games, we love us some video games.  I have mentioned before that we own every game system.  I do mean EVERY game system.  It's actually a sickness.  We're addicted.  Fine, whatever.  At least the Wii and the XBox360 Kinect get us up and moving!  We play the sports games, the blow them up, shoot them up, run them down games and everything in between.


My boys are hopelessly addicted to the MMORPG games.  That stands for Massive Multi-Player Online Role Playing Games.  BDC and I aren't into those so much, but, to each gaming geek their own, right?


I play word games online.  We have a membership to one of the monthly game sites where we can download a game a month and earn credits.  We do a lot of picture in picture games, match 3 type games and puzzle games.  None of this is really the point of this post either.  Just back story.

Ah...cards.  Oh how I love to play card games.  Poker.  Uno.  Hell, I even like to play Go Fish.  Crazy 8's.  Old Maid. Spades.  Rummy.  Gin Rummy.  Cards are good to me.  They love me, and I them.  A family favorite of ours is Phase 10.  It's a Rummy type game.  You get runs and sets.  It's a fun game....unless.  Unless what you say?  Unless you get stuck.  Then it sort of blows.  But more about that in a few...


So here is the point of this post.  I am a teensy way bit competitive.  And by teensy way bit, I mean in the crazed lunatic, I have to win, I won't let my kids beat me kind of way.  It's not an unhealthy crazed lunatic, I have to win, won't let my kids beat me sickness per se, but of course I might see it differently than those I live with, or you know, just about anyone who has ever played a game with me.  EVER.


Here's the thing though, I am either really really lucky, or I have badass ninja skills when it comes to games.  Let's go with BADASS NINJA.  It doesn't really matter if they are board games, video games, cards games....whatever.  I just win.   Especially if the game is part strategy, includes a number component and a little luck of the draw.  Then it's almost impossible to beat me.


So...my family has now instituted a rule.  Apparently it's been going on for quite some time and I didn't know....I am too busy making strategical moves in the game to notice, but they are ganging up on me.  ALL OF THEM.  It's a collective thing.  They don't care if they win, just so long as I DON'T.  Take today for example...we played Phase 10.  I LOST.  I was pissed.  Every time they could, they dropped skip cards on me.  ALL OF THEM.  Even when I was losing...badly, they still skipped me.


So now?  It's on.  It's on like Donkey Kong!  NO MERCY!  Mercy is for the weak!  I have been known in the past to "throw" a game or two, just to keep them interested in playing with me, because I like to play.  Scrabble for example....other than online play, no one has ever beaten me legitimately playing face to face on the board.

So....Smackers, what do you think?  Are they teaching me a lesson?  Do you get crazed out of your mind and drunk on the taste of sweet sweet victory?  Do you let your kids win to build their confidence or do you play to win?


I've shared my dark need to beat even five year olds.  Fess up.  Do you or don't you?

Hey, It's Okay Tuesday....

The Whispering Writer over at Airing My Dirty Laundry, One Sock at a Time does this little diddy on her blog every Tuesday.  She got the idea from Glamour Magazine and has encouraged others to give it a whirl if they like.  She always makes me smile so...I thought what the heck.


______________________________________________________________


It's Okay....


To admit you gave up on daily showers the moment you had children.


If you dream of yelling at your children like Gordon Ramsay yells at his cooks and  wish you could tell everyone to "Piss Off".


That you think the idea of restaurants that don't allow children is the best idea ever even if you have kids.  Seriously, on date night?  Don't you want to eat in peace and quiet?


To love Flo from the progressive commercials.  She's funny.  Just might want to keep that one to yourself.


If you consider chocolate a food group, especially for breakfast, no matter what Michelle Obama says.


To admit that extra poundage you're carrying around has nothing to do with babies.  Period.


To pretend you were raised by wolves because you're family is completely nuts.


To admit the only reason you don't carry a gun in the car is because you would hang out the window shooting idiot drivers GTA (that's Grand Theft Auto for you non-gamers) style.


If you don't understand why The Kardashians are on television, popular or famous, no one really gets it.


If Blogger makes you want to punch babies in the face because while typing up your post it disappears into thin air and you have to retype half of the things you wrote and they aren't nearly as funny the second time.


And finally.....


It's soooooo OKAY if you are so far past WAY OVER this SUMMER HEAT that you may or may not have turned the AC down several degrees in the house so that blankets and socks are needed so you can pretend that it's FALL.


It's also totally OKAY if you hit that Facebook "like" on my sidebar!!  hint hint!




Alright Smackers this was fun!  I might have to do this again soon!  Make sure you go tell the Whispering Writer that you love this idea!

#ShareaStraw Theme - SHAKEN NOT STIRRED

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Share a STRAW Theme
"Martini Time"

The one and only Ducky asked that we have a martini theme.  YES, a MARTINI THEME!  Can you say YOWZAH?!?  Apparently Miss Daffy of Batcrap Crazy likes to shake her tail feathers real pretty while holding one of those pretty drinks!
Most of the time you think alcohol when it's martini time, but there are plenty of "mock"tinis out there for people who don't like alcohol!  And let's be honest....everything looks prettier in a martini glass!  Those glasses are just so perfect for a pink drink right?
I expect lots of drink links this week!  Even if you don't drink martinis, share your favorite drink.  We'll throw it in a martini glass and give it a pretty name! *wink wink*
That's it!  Join me for the HAPPY HOUR on Thursday when we Share a Straw!!

#ShareaSpoon - Parmesan Chicken Strips

 

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Share a Spoon
"Chicken Boobs"

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I am really glad that Stephanie of Babes Rockin' Mami and Steph's Rockin' Bakery asked for a chicken theme this week.  I love chicken.  She specifically asked for the breasts!  Um....that's pretty much all I eat.  I know that most chef-types, cook-types, food people prefer dark meat.  They say it's more flavorful, more juicy, blah, blah....whatever.  I don't like the dark parts of the chicken.  It's....well....slimy.   I'm comfortable with myself....I'll just say it.... I AM A BOOB GIRL!
When I go to grocery shopping, I buy chicken at the wholesale clubs.  Unless it's on sale for a ridiculous price at the local grocery store.  I usually buy two 10lb bags of boneless, skinless chicken breasts.  I can get 10lb bags for $19.99 which makes it $1.99 per pound.  I can make that chicken go a long, long way for my family.  Depending on the size of the breasts, which are usually pretty large, 2 breasts usually will feed my whole family in chicken soup, chicken and rice, chicken pot pot, chicken and dumplings, and the list continues!
We do so many things here at Casa di Romano with chicken breasts.  I bake it,  BDC grills it, throw it in the slow cooker, and I cut it up and make it part of all sorts of yummy goodness.  I have some tips for you Smackers!  Many of those chefy-types, cook-types and other food people I mentioned earlier don't like white meat because it gets dry.  At least that's the complaint.  Um....don't over cook it!  When we grill our breasts and when we bake them, I usually make sure they are still half frozen.  Juicy chicken every single time!
I marinate chicken breasts as well.  For best results, take your frozen chicken breasts out, put them in a zip top bag, add your marinade, Italian dressing, whatever you like as flavoring and put in the fridge the night before.  Many of the store bought marinades say 30 minutes.  Yeah...um...do it overnight.  WAY MORE FLAVAH!
My kids favorite thing is chicken tenders.  I make them baked, however, I also fry them on occasion.  I NEVER buy chicken tenders in the store.  For one thing, they are always expensive.  Another problem is they are really thin, which causes them to get dried out.  So, in order to make chicken tenders, I cut boneless skinless chicken breasts into tender sized strips.  I promise, once you try them this way, you won't buy the tenders anymore.  The thickness of the breast cut into strips gives a better mouth feel once you bake them or fry them!
Parmesan Chicken Breast Strips
4-5 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into strips2 cups all purpose flour1 Tablespoon paprika1 teaspoon cayenne pepper1 teaspoon garlic powder1 teaspoon onion powder1 teaspoon seasoned salt1 teaspoon kosher salt1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper3 extra large eggs3-4 dashes hot sauce1/2 cup milk or cream2 cups seasoned bread crumbs1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cut boneless skinless breasts into even strips.  You should get 4-5 strips per breast.
Set up 3 shallow baking dishes.  In one mix flour and all spices.  The second mix eggs, milk and hot sauce.  In the last mix bread crumbs and grated Parmesan.
Season your strips with salt and pepper.
Dip dry strips in flour.  Shake off excess.  Dip floured strip into egg mixture.  
Roll strips in bread crumbs and Parmesan mixture.  Place coated strip on a baking sheet.
In a large pot for frying, bring peanut oil (canola would be fine)  up to 360 degrees.  Gently drop 4-5 strips into hot oil one at a time.  Fry tenders for 5-6 minutes until nicely browned.
Remove from oil and allow to drain on paper towels or brown paper bags.
Now, don't be scared of the cayenne pepper or the hot sauce.  These tenders are not "spicy".  My mom doesn't like spicy anything and she loves these.  It just adds the ever elusive "FLAVAH" we all search for!  Don't be scared of the frying either!  When things are fried at the right temperature, they are greasy! One more thing, and this is IMPORTANT!  Are you listening?  You can bake frozen chicken, and you can grill frozen chicken, but DO NOT FRY frozen chicken!  EVER!
Ok...now...it your turn to share a boob recipe!  Get your chicken on!  Also, click that Facebook "LIKE" button over there on the right for me!   

What's all the fuss? No Big Deal....Yeah, I'm THAT Mom.

I've had this post running around in my head for over a week now.  On August 5th, Nikki Minaj was performing on GMA on ABC and she had a wardrobe malfunction.  I hate that term....wardrobe malfunction.  It's sort of ridiculous.  The fact is her boob popped out and you could see her nipple.


The Parents Television Council was upset.  Yeah, o.k., GMA probably should have been using a 5 second delay.  Whatever.  Here's my thing though.  Why the hell were kids watching Nikki Minaj on GMA anyway?  It's not like she is a kid friendly performer.  AT. ALL.  Her lyrics are meant for adults.


Here's my thing, why do so many of these groups focus on crap like this?  Why not find something productive to do?  Why put all your energy into getting upset about accidents?  Oh my goodness, a child might have seen Nikki's boob.  So what.  A better question would be, what kind of parent was letting their child watch the programming to begin with?


It goes deeper than that though.  It's like the crazy conservative groups who single out shows on television with inappropriate content <---their opinions not mine, and get all up in arms about them.  First of all, I will decide what is and is not appropriate for me, and for my kids.  Second, there are a gazillion and one channels out there for television viewing.  If you don't like a program, CHANGE THE DAMN CHANNEL!


Is it just me or isn't that common sense?  If you don't like what a radio station broadcasts?  CHANGE THE DAMN CHANNEL!  I know, it's a novel concept.  But, seriously people what's the big deal?  There are enough channels out there that there should be something for everyone.  Including and not limited to, what you or others consider filth. 


Here's the really really great thing about living in a FREE country.  No one, and I mean NO ONE, has the right to mandate morality.  Now, I know I am going to get all the comments about what if my child runs across something I don't want them to see, blah, blah, blah.  We have to protect the children.  


Back to that whole....I'll decide what is appropriate for me and mine thing.  It's a parent's responsibility to block content THEY deem inappropriate in THEIR homes.  It is NOT up to some council, some group of self appointed moral do gooders to decide for the rest of us.  Thems the facts kids!


What about you Smackers...do you get all up in arms about this kind of stuff?  Do you want others campaigning against all forms of entertainment they deem is inappropriate for you and yours?

#ShareaSpoon Theme - Split BOOBS

Happy Saturday Smackers!
It's #ShareaSpoon Theme Time!
"BOOBS"

Oh c'mon....that was FUNNY!  We're talking chicken breasts of course!
First things first though....we have some winners to announce!  The two winners of the Gevalia Heritage 1853 Prize packs were Kim of Mo' Betta and EmmaPeel!  Congrats girls!
Now, moving right along...as part of the additional entries for the giveaway I asked for themes.  I asked and you all delivered!  This week's theme is BOOBS!  Chicken boobs.  O.k....split chicken breasts.  This theme comes to us from one of my baking buddies!  Stephanie of Babes Rockin' Mami.  Steph has her own Etsy Bakery.  You can find her Etsy Shop here.  Enter code 'SWEETLOVE' and receive 10% off any order!  That's a SUH-WEET deal on something SWEET for you Smackers!  Who loves you? 
Steph fancies herself a baker, but not a cook.  I think they are one and the same!  As a matter of fact, there is way less science (in my humble opinion) in the savory.  I often throw a little of this, a little of that, smidge here, pinch there.  AnyADHDcook, Steph asked for a split breast theme.  She wants to know what we can do with them besides bake them????
NOW...I know every single one of you has recipes for chicken breasts!  It's like the most versatile piece of meat in the kitchen!  I want everyone to link up this week and share your favorite chicken breast recipes.  Come by this Thursday and get some great new recipes too!
I am looking forward to seeing your recipes.  Chicken is my favorite protein.  I could eat chicken every single day and never get tired of it.  I eat chicken breasts in some form at least 4 or 5 times a week.  So BRING IT!  Ya hear me?