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I made some this weekend and they are fab!

Let me start by saying that I’ve had a loooove affair with Caesar Salad since the first time we met. When I was a kid, croutons were the only reason to order salad at a restaurant. I’m totally serious! The second I saw Caesar salad on a menu, I immediately ordered it. Even if the dressing was suffocating the lettuce, I was guaranteed the crouton fix I was looking for.
One day in my teen years, I read that Caesar salad was the worst possible salad to eat if you were keeping an eye on your weight. It is like the Haagen-Daz of salads…meaning it’s the most fattening salad out there. Like having a Big Mac..or two?? BIG SIGH. What was I to do? As a result, I stayed away from the Caesar for awhile. When I met my husband, his love for the salad rekindled mine. He is the person at restaurants who orders a Caesar with extra anchovies on the side. Total ick, I know. But to see the delight on his face when he bites into one is kinda worth it.
A few months ago, when I was super sick I asked Casey to make us dinner (a total rarity). He chose the lovely Caesar from Alice Waters’ The Art of Simple Foods cookbook! It is the star player of his cooking “rotation” (which I am secretly trying to add too). He’s made it for us a few times and the results have been exceptional! All I have to do is make the croutons, and he’s totally ready to make the salad (provided I have all the ingredients for him).
Today I decided treat him to a Caesar Salad for lunch because nothing pleases him more. It’s the holidays and it’s a Sunday so what better way to indulge? It’s has lettuce in it, right?! That’s healthy!
So how did it go?

This recipe really doesn’t need an explanation; it’s absolutely amazing and you will not have leftovers. One of my guy friends asked me how I got the potatoes so crispy without frying them. It’s the cheese! The cheese made them crispy! I mean, how good is that?
Give me a plate of these fries and a spatula so I can chisel all the cheese & potato crispy bits from the baking pan. Seriously, there’s nothing better.

Here’s a good holiday gift idea for your tea loving friend…make them some earl grey tea cookies!

Every Wednesday night I hang out with my gal pals and watch Glee! This week I volunteered to make dessert for the season finale (waah). Last week I made my sausage soup that ended up in my friend’s driveway. Don’t ever think you can put a pot of soup in a tote bag. It didn’t work….and somehow I figured it wouldn’t. Why did I insist on it anyways?

Two words: FROZEN BURRITOS
I found out how easy it is to make & freeze burritos when I was pregnant. When I got the nesting bug (which came mainly in cooking form) I stocked up our freezer with these burritos from Everyday Food. Two months after Cooper was born, I found a batch of them in the back of my freezer and they were like gold! Three minutes in the microwave and this momma was nourished just like that! The best part was that I was able to feed my husband…who really deserved a home cooked meal after all the countless diapers he changed!
Let’s face it, this year giving presents will be a bit tough with the economy in the crapper. What better excuse to get into our kitchens and make stuff?!! It’s fun, rewarding and it’s a great way to show people that you care!!
I also find that baking late at night with a cocktail is VERY therapeutic. Agreed?
So I’ve compiled a little mash up of ideas for you!
If you want to treat your friends & family to some amazing candy, make:


Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We sure did!!! Lots of activity at my mom’s house. We had great food, great wine & great company as usual.