Curiosity’s Got Something Big?

Nothing has held my attention quite like this little SUV sized guy.  I stalk him.  Every day.  Sometimes multiple times a day and I’m completely shameless about it.  Every move Curiosity makes, I know about.  Every update NASA blesses me with, I know about.  I was giddy when he confirmed what I already knew, water once flowed on Mars.  I was CRUSHED when Curiosity’s SAM (think mini chemistry lab looking for organic compounds) first air samples showed no methane (90-95% of Earth’s methane comes from an organic source).  I’ve been on an emotional roller coaster with Curiosity and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My hobby or more like my free time obsession is anything space related.  Maybe it’s the realization of just how small we truly are or the prospect that there is something or someone else out there.  But whatever it is, I’ve fallen hook, line and sinker.  So when NPR released an article earlier this week stating NASA had processed samples from SAM and discovered something “for the history books” can you imagine my ridiculous reaction.  I was happy, I started squealing and I may or may not cried a little (feel free to judge me).  In typical NASA fashion and well any scientific fashion, we have to wait to hear the results for a few more weeks.  I’m sure NASA will over analyze,test , review and then re-analyze whatever it is they have found.  And that’s ok…I’m patient NASA, every good stalker is.   –Bellini

World Hello Day

Today is World Hello Day.  Created in response to the Yom Kippur War of 1973, it focuses on promoting the power of words to create peace instead of using force as a mean of resolution.  And its simple, all you have to do is say hello to 10 people today.

Here at French My Toast, we believe in the power of good wine, good friends and well said words.  We will make our Wednesday goal to say hello to ten strangers and we hope you do too!

So…Hello!

Love -French My Toast

Hump Day Wednesday!

Elegant Cranberry Sauce

This a particular favorite of ours.  Unfortunately, it’s rather time consuming and needs quite a bit of effort from the maker( we promise it will be well worth it).  Be prepared to delight your friends and family with this one of kind Cranberry Sauce recipe!

Open this:

Put it on this:

Cut along the indented can lines and Voilà…Elegant Cranberry Sauce!

Enjoy!

Love, French My Toast

Sourdough Stuffing with Sage Sausage and Apples

And what would Thanksgiving be without stuffing…yummy delicious stuffing.

What you need:

• 1 lb of sage sausage
• 4 Tbsp. butter, divided
• 4 shallots, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 apple, peeled, cored and diced
• 1 cup portabello mushrooms, diced
• Wine (DRINK!)
• 2 Tbsp. fresh thyme
• 3 Tbsp. fresh sage, minced
• ¼ cup dry white wine (…to cook with this time)
• 1 loaf whole wheat sourdough bread, stale and diced into 1 inch cubes
• 3 Cups chicken broth
• salt and pepper to taste

What to do with all that stuff (a.k.a directions):

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook sausage until no longer pink; about 10 minutes. Drain fat and set aside.
2. In the same skillet melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add shallots, garlic, celery, apple and mushrooms and sauté until tender. Sprinkle with thyme and sage.
3. Pour white wine over vegetables and de-glaze the pan. Sauté for another 2 minutes to cook off the alcohol.
4. In a large bowl, combine sausage, vegetable mixture,  2 tablespoons of butter, and bread. Pour chicken broth over stuffing, stirring well to evenly coat the bread pieces. You want the bread to be moist but not soggy.
5. Place stuffing in a 9×13 inch casserole dish and cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes and remove foil.
6. Dot the top with remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until the top has browned.
7. Serve immediately.

Enjoy – Bellini!

Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Now that you’ve had your starch with Baked Potatoes in Cream, here are your veggies – Fat Girl Style…

What you need:

• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped broccoli, cooked and drained
• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped cauliflower, cooked and drained
• 1 (8-ounce) can of mushrooms, or 1 package of fresh, sauteed.
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup grated sharp cheddar
• 2 cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• Wine (yep, you guessed right just for you)
• 2 cups crushed crackers
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper, Coarse Ground

What to do with all that stuff (a.k.a directions):

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13 by 9-inch baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray.In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, mayonnaise, cheese, soup and eggs. Mix well with a metal spoon. Place the mixture in the prepared baking dish. Top with the crushed crackers and pour the melted butter evenly over the crackers. Bake for 35 minutes or until set and browned.

Enjoy – Poinsettia

Potatoes Baked in Cream

Here’s a recipe that we normally like to make for Thanksgiving. It’s simple, easy and completely delicious and what’s better then that?  Lots of Cream? Check. Butter? Check.  Fat Girl Approved!

What you need:

• 1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 4 idaho potatoes
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 cups heavy cream
• 1 pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• Red or White Wine (DO NOT ADD, solely for personal consumption)

What to do with all that stuff (a.k.a directions):

1. Peel onion as thinly as possible.
2. Peel the potatoes and slice as evenly as possible, about 1/8″ thick.
3. In a 4 quart heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
4. Add the onion slices.
5. Stir with a wooden spoon and cook until the onions are wilted and translucent.
6. Add the cream and bring to a boil.
7. Add the potatoes, folding them into the cream with a rubber spatula to make sure each slice is well coated.
8. Add nutmeg and season with salt and pepper.
9. Simmer until the cream begins to thicken and the potatoes are almost tender.
10. Refill Wine Glass
11. They should still have some resistance to the bite.  **(Recipe can be completed to this stage well in advance. If you are not ready to proceed with serving the potatoes, remove them from the pan and store in a covered container in the refrigerator)
12. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
13. In 6-8 shallow, oven-proof gratin dishes, OR individual casseroles, OR in one large Pyrex baking dish, spoon a layer of potatoes and cream mixture about 1 inch deep. **(It is not necessary to grease the dishes first)
14. The potatoes will not discolor since they are already partially cooked.
15. Bake in the upper third of the oven at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes, or until the tip of a knife slides easily into the potatoes and they are golden brown on top.
16. Serves 6-8.

Enjoy – Mimosa!

Bon Appetit Tuesday!

In honor of the Thanksgiving Day Holiday, French My Toast is moving Fat Girl Friday to Tuesday this week and sharing a few of our perfected and most family requested recipes.  Bon Appetit!

Just Another Manic Monday!

So True…

How was your weekend?  Ours sure was an interesting one…

I applaud the effort: learn how to use an apostrophe.

As we may or may not have mentioned before…some of us may or may not be on match.com. I’ll give you a moment to judge.

Ok, that’s all you get. You know you’ve at least considered it before.

Honestly, it’s kind of a pain. You have to really put some effort into it and then rely on a little blind faith to hope that the person is actually who they seem to be online.

And then there are the fluffernutters that don’t even bother reading your profile, the ones that can’t spell (hello, CHECK YOUR SPELLING) and the ones that are just downright NOT what you’re looking for. Anyway, it makes for some good laughs, so we thought we’d start sharing some of our favorite emails in a little section we like to call: I Applaud the Effort.

Enjoy!!

“Hi,I like your profile, you seem like a cool relaxed girl. Id be glad to get to know you better. Im maybe that cool guy your looking for. A bit about me:

I have Master in Physics, I have my own business, I work hard to achive my goals, my job is very flexible I only need computer and internet access. I can travel any time, so the distance do no matter if you are the woman I’m looking for

I’m easy going, honest, spontaneous. I play piano and guitar, i love the arts, laugh, music and dancing. I have traveled a lot, but I would like to do the next trip with that special someone to enjoy and have fun together. I don’t like drugs. Not interested in playing games.
M*****”

Dear M,

Here’s some advice: learn how to use an apostrophe. Also, it’s “you’re” not “your”. You’re welcome!

xoxo,

French My Toast