One of my favorite things

So if you can hear the song from the Sound of Music, "These are a Few of My Favorite Things" that is what has been going through my head when I think of what I made this week.  For those of you who know me well, I love my Greek cooking heritage.  I love Greek food (most of it anyways) but one of my absolute favorite things is a bread I make a few times a year.  My dad (who is greek) spelled it Tsoureke on the recipe but for those who wouldn't get the pronounciation it's called "too-RAY-kee".  There is nothing on earth like the smell or taste of it for me in my world. 

Anyways, I didn't get enough of it at Christmas time and opted to make another batch to enjoy...and we DO enjoy it.  It is a pretty simple enough thing to make--considering I'm not the greates bread maker out there--but if you are missing this one ingredient, it just won't taste the same.  It is called Machlebee (mak-LEH-bee) and it gives this bread a very unique aroma and flavor.  Delish!! 

Making this bread is pretty old school.  Everything is done by hand with not even a wooden spoon.  The dough initially rises for 2 hours before you braid it and let it rise again.

Once it rises again, you baste it with egg and bake it.  Truly it is one of my favorite smells in the world; even better than just bread or buns baking in the oven.

And to me, it is such a pretty bread too.  One I love to share with others like my neighbors and friends.  This is probably the biggest thing that's happened in my kitchen this week.  (it's been a pretty dull week, I guess) but it is fabulous!



Two Ingredients...okay three counting the pepper

So, I've decided to try and feed my family some different/better foods.  I realized that my fridge was full of junk and my pantry was full of junk...thus we were becoming what we ate...junkies.  That being said, I knew there would be some resistance from some in the Smith ranks...namely one of my children who shall remain nameless.  (although anyone who knows this child will know who I'm referring to...)

I signed up on a free website called sparkpeople.com.  It is a weight loss site that is completely free.  It has apps for my ipod and I downloaded both of them; one of which being an app with recipes on it.  I decided to try one of them out.  Broiled Tilapia Parmesan sounded pretty adventurous given that my family doesn't eat a whole lot of fish but since I'm determined to get us eating better I thought I'd give it a try.  What was tricky for me was what to serve with it.  I didn't want heavy potatoes or pasta with sauce.  It had to be rice--how lovely--two white things on a plate.  So I dug around in my fridge and wracked my brain and came up with a few extra items.  Spinach salad with hard cooked egg and bacon, and then the best side dish I've made in a long time--bacon wrapped asparagus. 

You'll have to forgive the fact that I didn't take any photos but don't fret as I will be making it again and will post them then.  So you will need a total of 2 (possibly 3) ingredients: bacon, asparagus--and fresh cracked pepper if desired.  Preheat your oven to 400F.  Line a cookie sheet with foil.  Wash your asparagus and chop off the woody end parts.  Bunch the asparagus in groups of 4 (or three I suppose if they are large stalks).  Take one piece of bacon and wrap it around the 4 stalks of asparagus.  Place it seam side down on your baking sheet.  Repeat with the rest of your asparagus.  Sprinkle with fresh cracked pepper if you'd like--I did 4 bunches with and 4 without.  Bake in your hot oven for about 20 minutes and then crisp them up under the broiler for about a minute or so (but keep an eye on them so they don't burn.)  Voila!!  Simple side dish with yummy reviews.  Even my pickiest eater ate them!  (although the tops were cut of because they weren't enjoyed very much--but everything covered in bacon got eaten with rave reviews!!!)  If you give them a try, let me know.

The Numbers Are In!

So Christmas has come and gone and what are we left with?  We are left with the accomplishment of dipping over 3700 chocolates, having a terrific Christmas Day, avoiding the nasty flu that went around...oh, and a partridge in a pear tree.

It was a lovely Christmas overall but very busy in my house.  I didn't even get my Christmas Cards done!  Sorry, but a New Years note will have to do for everyone.  The kids are back to school today and I am back to normal life but with an added friend of Roxy, our Puppy.  She will, no doubt, cramp my style at times but I adore her and we'll get things all figured out.  We had fun with my husbands sister and her family (and dog) and had a chance to see many family and friends.  It was a wonderful 2 weeks. 

The house does seem rather quiet so I guess I'd better get some music going and get it in shape.  Puppies are like toddlers and tend to put everything in their mouths...time to get everything out of mouths reach. 

If I haven't said it to you in person, Happy New Year!  I truly wish you all the best this coming year!