Foodie Fridays: Mushroom Marsala Sauce with Chicken

I love Chicken Marsala, but in all honesty it is the mushrooms with the marsala wine that I adore rather than the chicken.  A recent trip to the grocery store resulted in the impulse purchase of a whole pound of sliced cremini mushrooms.  I had to come up with a recipe for mushrooms quickly, before they passed their prime, so I decided to turn Chicken Marsala topsy-turvy and make the focus of the dish the mushrooms instead!  A hearty Mushroom Marsala Sauce was the result, made with the pan juices of a modification of my very Embarrassingly Easy Baked Chicken Tenders.  This dish was so good I may never make traditional Chicken Marsala again!

Mushroom Marsala Sauce with Chicken

3 T. olive oil
1 pkg. (about 1 lb.) chicken tenders
1 pkg. (1 lb.) sliced cremini mushrooms (also known as baby bella mushrooms)
salt and pepper to taste
1/3 C. plus 2 T. marsala wine
1 1/2 C. chicken stock (I used unsalted)
2 T. flour
1 lb. pasta of choice (I used fettuccine), cooked and drained

Pour 2 T. each olive oil and marsala wine into a large skillet with an ovenproof handle.  Add the chicken tenders and turn to coat completely.  Season to taste with salt and pepper, then drizzle the tops with another 1 T. olive oil.  Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.  Remove from the oven.  Transfer the tenders to a plate and set aside.

Place the skillet on the stove top over medium-high heat and bring the pan juices to a boil.  Add the mushrooms and cook until soft.  Season to taste, then pour in the marsala wine and 1 C. chicken stock and bring to a boil.  Combine the remaining 1/2 C. stock with the 2 T. flour to create a thick slurry.  Add about 4 T. of the pan juices, 1 T. at a time, to the slurry to increase the temperature and thin the mixture.  Stir the warmed slurry into the pan 1-2 spoonfuls at a time until the sauce thickens.  Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if needed.  Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.  If the mushroom sauce seems too thick, add stock or water 1 T. at a time until desired consistency is reached.  Nestle the chicken tenders in the sauce, turning to coat.  Let sit for a few minutes before serving over pasta.  Serves 4.
             

This 'n That Thursdays: Best Pet Halloween Costumes

This kitten makes an adorable little witch!
(from Good Housekeeping)

It has been a while since I have dressed any pets in Halloween costumes (my first Dalmatian actually seemed to enjoy them, but all subsequent dogs have not shared her enthusiasm).  Nonetheless, I get a kick out of seeing pictures of pets all decked out for the spooky season, so I decided to share some truly creative costumes I have seen on the web lately.

Fearsome, or not (at least one head looks a bit scary)?

From Bored Panda

I wonder if this little dog can do a decent hula dance?

From Talk 2 the Animals

How can such a cute little kitten look so menacing?

From Bored Panda

This regal fellow looks positively pontifical!

From Spirit Halloween

That is one laid back beagle (I doubt if any of my dogs would be so blasé about a costume like that)!

From Yeepet

These gals look so stylish in their finery, better than a lot of humans!

From Design You Trust

I wonder if my black horse would let me do this to him?

From Bored Panda

Sometimes the simplest costumes are the best:

From Being Posh

Some people feel that dressing pets up is just wrong, but I guess my attitude is that if the animal does not seem uncomfortable and you promise to only do this to them one night a year, they may just be happy to oblige as a way to have some fun with their people.  Only you and your pet will know what is right, and your pet will trust you to make the correct decision.

Of course, with a face like this, who needs a costume?

Sorry, girl (we do love that face)!

Happy "Howl-o-ween"!

             

Wish List Wednesdays: Halloween Teatime Treats

As the weather (very) slowly cools down here in Georgia, I start to get a craving for afternoon tea.  With Halloween so near, I thought it would be fun to give in to those cravings with some holiday-appropriate fare.  The Dana's Bakery Pumpkin Macarons ($34.95 for 12) from Williams-Sonoma (above) would be a perfect light snack, while my tea of choice would have to be Twining's Pumpkin Spice Chai.

And my mug preference for the tea?  Well, it is Halloween after all, so how could I resist a Cthulhu Creepy Cup from creaturecups ($19.99) on Etsy?

(What is a Cthulhu, you ask?  The H. P. Lovecraft Wiki will explain, but be forewarned that neither Cthulhu nor, apparently, Lovecraft himself, were very nice creatures!)

Foodie Fridays: Gnocchi with Oven-Roasted Tomatoes and Sausage

Gnocchi with Oven-Roasted Tomatoes and Sausage is another quick, simple main dish recipe that uses only a few ingredients to deliver a lot of flavor impact.  Gnocchi are little Italian dumplings, often made from potatoes, with a soft but firm texture and a mild taste that complements the acidity of the tomatoes and the seasonings of the sausage perfectly.  My version is based on a stovetop recipe that I quickly converted to one prepared mostly in the oven, since I like to avoid using a frying pan whenever possible.  Use whichever cooking method you prefer, but do give this dish a try if you are looking for a quick, satisfying, flavorful meal.  And if you happen to have a loaf of Italian bread lying around, don't even try to resist cutting yourself a slice to sop up any remaining pan juices (share if you must, but it would be completely understandable if you claim cook's prerogative here!).

Gnocchi with Oven-Roasted Tomatoes and Sausage

1 package (16 oz.) gnocchi
1-2 T. olive oil
1 package (10 oz.) cooked chicken sausage, sliced
1 pint grape tomatoes
1/2-1 C. roughly chopped basil

Cook the gnocchi according to the package directions.  Drain, toss with a little olive oil, and set aside.  Place the sausage slices and tomatoes in a roasting pan and toss with about 1 T. olive oil.  Season to taste with a little salt, if desired.  Roast at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes, tossing well after the first 10 minutes of cooking.  Remove from the oven and add the gnocchi.  Allow to cool slightly, then stir in the chopped basil and serve.  Serves 4.
             

This 'n That Thursdays: Creative Design Ideas from Martha's Vineyard

HGTV Dream Home 2015 virtual image

The HGTV 2015 Dream Home location is on Martha's Vineyard.  Never having been to this area before, I have become intrigued by life on this small island off the coast of Massachusetts.  I decided to take a look at examples of interior design style on Martha's Vineyard, and was surprised at the diversity and creativity I found.  In fact, many of the images offered design ideas that could be applied in any interior.  Here are seven ideas that I would happily use in my own home:

1) Use texture in unexpected places

This simple white bedroom is anything but boring thanks to the use of texture.  The woven natural material of the bed and ottomans adds color and interest to the room, and similar color and texture are repeated in the art and chair.  By emphasizing texture rather than color, the spectacular view from the bank of windows remains the focal point of the room.

2) Use color in unexpected places

Turquoise dining chairs bring a welcome hit of color to an otherwise monochromatic room, and pick up the color of the water viewed from the windows.

3) Don't forget the "fifth wall" (or is it the sixth?)

Lately the idea of adding color to ceilings has become popular, but don't forget about the area under your feet!  Unique floor treatments can bring interest to an unremarkable space, as the staircase above illustrates.

4) Artwork in unexpected places

Clever placement of artwork can turn an underused area into a space full of interest.  In the photo above, a vast expanse of awkwardly shaped whiteness gains a focal point thanks to a series of little paintings hung on the staircase stringer.

5) Gardens as part of the exterior color scheme

Careful selection of plantings can enhance the look of any home's exterior.  Classic weathered grey cedar shingles paired with blue hydrangeas create a color scheme with a coastal vibe for the Martha's Vineyard home shown above.

6) Use repurposed materials in unexpected places

The vanity in this powder room was made from a piece of repurposed old weathered lumber that resembles driftwood found on local beaches.  Similar ideas include making a unique dining room light fixture from old wine bottles in a vineyard region, or decorating a mirror frame with locally collected shells.  The possibilities are endless with a little imagination!

7) Use a favorite theme to create a specific feel to a space

While themed houses can be a bit excessive, when used with restraint favorite themes can add a delightfully personal touch to the home.  A small sunroom in a Martha's Vineyard house with its eye-catching octopus triptych and whale pillows reminds one of the nearby ocean and this New England island's nautical history.

These design ideas from Martha's Vineyard have me rethinking my own home's look, and quite coincidentally the ominous octopus in the last photo is the perfect segue into the Halloween season!  I think it's time to come up with some unique Halloween décor, possibly with a historic New England touch?
             

Wish List Wednesdays: Embroidered Halloween Cardigan

Looking for something appropriate to wear on Halloween but not interested in dressing up in a costume?  The Embroidered Halloween Cardigan ($49.95) from Catalog Favorites may be the solution!  Spookily stylish but frightfully festive, the black bat and spider design on an orange background subtly suggests the holiday without being overly outrageous.  Wear this cardigan with black pants when you head out to buy your Halloween candy, or as a fun but not too scary outfit for greeting little trick or treaters at your door (eerie Halloween lip art is optional, of course).

From Meltybuzz

                

Foodie Fridays: Dark Chocolate Brownies

In my continuing quest to find recipes that will help me use up our surplus of dark chocolate, I came across one for Dark Chocolate Brownies from Nestlé.  The recipe of course calls for Nestle's dark chocolate chips, but I simply chopped up the remaining 12 ounces of a one-pound block of dark chocolate we had and added that instead.  Since the original version only uses 10 ounces of chocolate, I had to increase the amount slightly, but better too much chocolate in a brownie than too little, in my opinion!  Best of all, in addition to some lusciously decadent brownies, I finally managed to use up the first of two one-pound boxes of dark chocolate - now that's progress!

Dark Chocolate Brownies

2 C. (12 oz.) dark chocolate chunks (or 1 2/3 C. dark chocolate chips)

1 C. sugar

1/3 C. butter, cut into chunks

2 T. water

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

3/4 C. flour

1/4 tsp. salt

Microwave 1 1/2 C. dark chocolate chunks (or 1 1/3 C. chocolate chips) in a large bowl for one minute.  Add the butter chunks and microwave one more minute.  Stir together the melted chocolate and butter.  Blend in the sugar and water.  Add the eggs, one at a time, stirring well after each addition.  Stir in the vanilla.  Add the four and salt and carefully fold them in until completely incorporated.  Stir in the remaining dark chocolate chunks.  Pour the batter into a greased 8-inch square baking pan.  Bake at 325 degrees for 38-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out slightly sticky.  Remove from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack.  Cut into squares.  Makes 16 brownies.

Note: The original recipe calls for an optional 1/2 C. chopped walnuts or pecans, but I prefer my brownies without nuts.

If you have trouble cutting and removing brownies from the pan, the best tip I read recently is to use a plastic serrated knife instead of a metal one (this will also save your pans from scratches).  The brownies don't stick as much to the plastic, and these knives cut through them just as easily as a metal knife would.  I have two plastic knives that work equally well, both available from Amazon.com:

Translucent Plastic Cake/Brownie Cutter and Lettuce Knife

  Koziol Coco Red Cake Knife in Crocodile Design
(I just love this cute little crocodile!)