Veuve Clicquot...It's the Bubbliest!

"I only drink Champagne when I'm happy, and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company, I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I am not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it - unless I'm thirsty"
Lily Bollinger 

I'm sad to say i've been MIA from the kitchen this week, but I promise I have a good excuse!  Last week, when Mike and I were in Savannah, he decided to put a ring on it (yay!) and since we've been back, i've been basking in congratulatory cakes, dinners, lunches, social sips and celebrations! Being engaged is so exciting for us and it's been wonderful celebrating with friends and family and drinking some delightful bubbly on the way.

Champagne is of course the loveliest of social sips.  My friend Magen gave me the bottle on the left when I got a new job last year, and it only felt right to wrap it up in the ritziest of wine accessories- my Pottery Barn fur (faux fur, don't worry) stole.  Magen also introduced me to the ultimate in champagne, Veuve Clicquot.  Now, for some of you, Veuve Clicquot may be an every day sip, but for me it is strictly special occasions given my budget.  The first time I tasted it was when Magen smuggled a few bottles to my house from her parents new years eve party, and i'm not sure we knew at the time that it was a high quality champagne.  It's super crisp, effervescent and dry, just like a good champagne should be. I think given the occasion, i'm going to treat myself to the ever fabulous bottle of Veuve Clicquot and relax before the planning begins!  Though really, do you ever need an excuse to pop a bottle of bubbly?

Shiitake Mushroom & Goat Cheese Risotto

Last week, Mike and I ventured to Savannah for a quick trip to see a comedy show.  The show was great, but Savannah was even greater!  I had never been before, and even though I didn't run into Paula Deen like I hoped I would, I did get to eat some wonderful food, enjoy some Savannah Sweet Tea (with Sweet Tea Vodka of course!), and stop by the Lady & Sons for souvenirs - because who doesn't need a "Hey Y'all!" koozie?

Wednesday night, Mike and I had a really delicious late night dinner at a restaurant called The Public.  The weather was absolutely perfect, cool and crisp, for eating outside so we dined al fresco and ordered some warm, hearty food and a nice glass of red wine.  I had the Wild Mushroom and Goat Cheese Risotto with Chicken and it was absolutely to die for.  I was still thinking about it last night so I made my at home version, and it turned out exactly as I hoped!  I skipped the chicken, but feel free to add it (shrimp might be good in this too!).  Risotto really isn't difficult to make, but it is sort of labor intensive.  You need to stay by the stove and stir continuously until it's finished, but it's so worth it!  This recipe can be served as an entree or side, and makes enough for two people.

At Paula Deen's The Lady & Sons

Ingredients:
* 1 c. arborio rice (arborio is a must for risotto, I wouldn't try to substitute)
* 1 small sweet onion, diced
* 4 or 5 shiitake mushrooms, cleaned and roughly chopped
* 1 (32 oz) box chicken stock
* 3 tbsp. butter
* 2 oz goat cheese

Add chicken stock to a small pot and heat to medium heat.  In a large sauté pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat.  Add onions and sauté until translucent, about 8 minutes (if they start to brown, reduce heat).  Add 1 more tablespoon of butter and the mushrooms to the pan and cook for 2 minutes.  Next, add the last tablespoon of butter and the rice to the pan and toast it for 2-3 minutes.  Add a ladle full of stock to the pan (if stock starts to boil, reduce heat to med-low) and stir continuously until the stock is absorbed. Continue to add stock to the pan, one ladle full at a time, being careful to let the rice absorb the stock before adding more.  Continue this process until the rice is cooked through and has a creamy texture (I used all of the stock, which took about 30 minutes total).  Once the risotto is done cooking, fold in the goat cheese.  Serve immediately.  Enjoy!

Plum Tomato Pizza

Homemade pizza is such a fun and easy weeknight meal, but also doubles as a great party food.  Tonight, Mike and I had this plum tomato pizza for dinner with a caesar salad, but just by cutting the pizza into bite size pieces transforms it into a quick and delicious hors d'oeuvre.  I love using canned plum tomatoes because they have such robust flavor, you can skip the pizza sauce!

I will admit that I find pizza dough incredibly frustrating to work with.  I've tried rolling it, tossing it, pulling it....but the most effective method i've found thus far is delegating this responsibility to Mike!  He uses his fingers to press the dough out into the shape of the pan - his patience is our pizza night virtue!

Ingredients:
* 1 ball prepared pizza dough (canned or fresh, from the deli section)
* 1 (14.5 oz) can plum tomatoes
* 1 (8 oz) bag mozzarella cheese
* 1 tbsp. parmesan cheese
* 1 tbsp. olive oil
* 1 tsp. italian seasoning (if you do not have a blend, use a combination of dried parsley and oregano)

Preheat oven to 425 (if you are using a canned pizza dough, use the provided instructions).  Drizzle olive oil onto a sheet pan and use your fingers to spread the dough out within the pan.  Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 5 minutes.  Meanwhile, use your hands to break apart the tomatoes into thinner pieces; set aside.  After five minutes, remove the dough from the oven and top with plum tomatoes (let any excess liquid drip off first), mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, and italian seasonings.  Return pizza to the oven and continue to bake until cheese is bubbly and crust is cooked through.  Cut into squares and serve.

Teriyaki Chicken Noodle Bowl

I swear, it was barely lunch time today when Mike started texting me about dinner, and his request?  Chinese food! I must admit, I am a lover of takeout, but Mike was in luck because it just so happened that I was feeling inspired to make some at-home noodle bowls when I was perusing the fresh-steamed veggies at the store yesterday.  Stir fry is a great weeknight dinner because it's fast, is usually a one pot meal, and with the help of some prepared mixed veggies- super easy as well as economical.  These noodle bowls calmed our takeout cravings and made enough for two large portions, plus some leftovers for lunch.

Ingredients:
* 2 chicken breasts, cut into cubes
* 2 vegetable stir fry steam bags (I use the fresh veggies by the bagged salads at the store- a mixture of broccoli, snow peas, carrots, and cabbage)
* 1/2 lb. linguini
* 1/2 c. teriyaki glaze (marinade, not the thin sauce)
* 1-3 tbsp. soy sauce, as needed
* 1 tsp. ginger spice blend (with the fresh herbs)
* 1 tbsp. sesame oil
* 1 tsp. sesame seeds
* Pepper, to taste

Heat sesame oil in a wok or sauté pan over medium heat.  Add the chicken to the pan and season liberally with pepper (no salt needed, there's plenty in the soy sauce).  Add 1 tbsp. of soy sauce to the chicken and continue to cook, stirring frequently.  Meanwhile, prepare the pasta and steamed vegetables as directed; I used the minimum cook time of 3minutes for the veggies since they will continue cooking in the wok. When chicken is almost completely cooked through, add teriyaki glaze and ginger spice blend to the pan.  When the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened a bit, add the vegetables and noodles to the pan and stir well to combine with sauce.  If needed, add remaining soy sauce to thin out the sauce mixture. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve.

Date Night on a Budget

Mike's Half Bird got two thumbs up!

Mike and I are always trying to find new restaurants, but one old faithful that never fails is the Basics.  Their food has never disappointed, but what's even better is the amazing deal they have.  Between appetizers, dessert, and of course wine for me, Mike and I can easily rack up a $100 bill on even a casual date.  At the Basics however, a mere $60 will get you two appetizers, two entrees, two desserts, AND a bottle of wine!  I really can't even fathom how they make any money given the price and the quality of food.

Filet Mignon with Goat Cheese

If you haven't been to the Basics, they serve gourmet southern food  with a seasonal, local theme. We started with my absolute favorite, fried green tomatoes. They serve theirs with balsamic onions and a tangy honey mustard and they are oh-so-good.  Mike picked (well, I made him pick) an autumn bruschetta with butternut squash, sweet figs, caramelized onions and gorgonzola, that was phenomenal (stay tuned for my at home version!). For entrees, I went with a filet mignon, which if you don't go for the $60 deal, is a steal at $18.  The filet was topped with goat cheese, cooked to perfection, and served with classic mashed potatoes and sautéed green beans.  Mike went with the half-bird, which he gave two thumbs up, served with creamy mac n cheese. Mike was in heaven for dessert, mint cookies and cream cheesecake, and flour-less chocolate for me.  All washed down with a great pinot noir, and i'd call it a success!