It's Chowder Weather!!

Happy weekend everyone!!  I don't know about where you are, but it's been cold, snowy and icy here in Texas for the last few days.  Abilene broke the records for one day snowfall and temperature yesterday, so I'm staying in today and making a nice big pot of CHOWDER.  Perfect for cold weather, right?  I found this recipe for Cauliflower Chowder on Damn Delicious and, let me tell you, it is delicious.  It's a great low-carb alternative to  regular chowders without sacrificing flavor.   

The recipe can be found here.  Enjoy, stay warm and have a GREAT weekend!  See you all tomorrow for new recipe Sunday.

Buffalo Gap Flea Market & Perini Ranch Steakhouse

Since moving to Texas a month ago, I've been amazed by the amount of flea markets, vintages stores and antique shows I've been able to find while doing research.  To say I'm excited, would be an understatement.  I heard about the once-a-month Buffalo Gap Flea Market from a co-worker of my husband, Michael.  So we decided to check it out and stop for lunch at Perini Ranch Steakhouse.  We had originally planned to visit the Buffalo Gap Historic Village, as well.  Unfortunately, once I'm at a flea market, all bets are off.  We ran out of time, but I promise to visit it soon. 

Buffalo Gap, Texas is a very small town located in Taylor County.  One of the first things I noticed was the little metal buffaloes hanging from the light poles.  Super cute!  The little shops above were closed, but the buildings themselves had so much character I had to take a picture.  I can't wait to go back and shop!  Now for the flea market.......it was bigger than I was expecting and I've heard will have even more vendors later in the spring and summer.  There's was definitely something for everyone........garage sale items, crafts, furniture, homemade food items, animals, custom metal work and so much more.  It's really hard to list it all.  Below are just of few of the many items at the market.

I absolutely loved the items in this booth.  It was hard to walk away. 

I really wanted the rooster weather vane.  I'm hoping it's still there next month.

Yes, that would be sneaker boots.  For the days you just can't decide which way you want to go.

Just a few of the birds you can find at the market.

Between the food vendors and food booths, there was quite a variety to choose from.  The food vendors sold everything from corn to Navajo Indian tacos and everything in between.  I took a pic of my favorite menus that were offered.  Everything is better deep fried, right?! 

Then there were the homemade food booths selling jams, salsas, relishes, candy, jerky, beef sticks, spices and so much more.  Below is what we ended up coming home with.  The jalapeno peanut brittle from Fresh From Pappy's Kitchen is too die for!  If you ever get a chance to get to the market, you must try it!

Next up, the Perini Ranch Steakhouse for lunch.  The ranch is beautiful.  I honestly could have stayed outside soaking in the sun and exploring.  If you haven't heard of the ranch before, it's an award winning eatery that specializes in mesquite-grilled beef cuts & Southern comfort food.  The restaurant itself is in a converted hay barn which gives this place so much character.  Because it's such a popular place, it is suggested to make reservations.  Of course, I forgot to do this because I turned 40 last month and can't remember anything.  The good news is.......the hostess made room for us anyway.  Southern hospitality at it's finest!

I can't wait to go back and just walk around the ranch.  So peaceful!

Love the metal roof!

I'm not going to lie, it was hard to decide what to order.  We went with the jalapeno bites appetizer to start.......AMAZING!  Perfect amount of heat and you can never go wrong with bacon and cream cheese.  For the entrees, Michael chose the Cajun Catfish with Green Chile Hominy (white hominy with bacon, green chiles, and cheddar cheese) and I picked the Hamburger Steak topped with provolone, grilled mushrooms, chiles and onions with a side of Cowboy Potatoes (skin-on red potatoes, seasoned, and roasted with butter and garlic).  It was all DELICIOUS!  I highly recommend visiting the ranch if you're ever in West Texas.

Last but not least, I can't forget Barbadilla.  Isn't she cute?!  She greets you as you enter the ranch.  I wanted to climb on her and get a picture, but again, I am 40 and would probably fall off and bust a hip.  Seriously, I'm clumsy with a capital C.

That's all for this little adventure to Buffalo Gap.  I'll definitely return for more flea market shopping, lunch at the ranch and, of course, the historic village.  My next journey will take me to Baird, Texas, which is the unofficial "Antique Capital of West Texas".  I can't wait!  Stay tuned........

Cajun Lasagna

Sunday is the day I like to try out new recipes.  So, this week I chose Cajun Lasagna.  I love lasagna and I love Cajun spices, so why not mix them together, right?  I cheated a little and used the Barilla oven-ready lasagna noodles so I could skip a step.  I hope you love it as much as we did!   Happy cooking!!

Ingredients 

1 lb ground turkey or ground beef

1 lb andouille sausage, fresh, casing removed

1 box lasagna noodles, cooked and dried

1 red onion, diced

1 bell pepper, diced

1 stalk celery, diced

1/2 bunch Italian parsley, minced

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups chicken broth

1 28oz. can crushed tomatoes

1 6oz. can tomato paste

1 1/2 tablespoons creole seasoning

1 tablespoon black pepper

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon Italian seasonings

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1 teaspoon sugar

For the Ricotta/Cheese Mixture: 

1 cup parmigiano reggiano cheese, grated

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated

2 cups jack cheese, grated

8 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese, grated

2 cups ricotta cheese

2 eggs, beaten

extra virgin olive oil

Instructions 

 1.  Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

 2.  Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta for 6 minutes.

 3.  Rinse Pasta with warm water, drain, coat with oil and set aside.

 4.  Mix seasonings, reserve 1 tablespoon for ricotta/cheese mixture, and divide remaining seasons in  half, set aside.

 5.  In a large soup pot heated over medium heat add 2 tablespoon of olive oil, add onion, bell pepper, and celery.

 6.  Saute for about 5 minutes, add garlic and cook 1 minute more.

 7.  Add ground turkey and andouille sauce, break into small chunks. Season with half of the seasoning blend and cook until browned about 15 minutes.

 8.  Add tomato paste and mix well, cook for 5 more minutes.

 9.  Add crushed tomatoes and chicken broth, season with remaining seasoning blend and mix well.

10.  Lower heat to medium-low and cook uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

11.  Add chopped parsley and mix well and allow sauce to cook about 15 more minutes.

To Assemble Ricotta/Cheese Mixture: 

 1.  Mix eggs, ricotta, parmigiano reggiano, 1 cup sharp, jack, and mozzarella cheese with remaining seasoning blend and set side.

To Assemble Lasagna: 

 1.  In a large greased 13X9 inch casserole dish, place about 1 cup of pasta sauce on the bottom.

 2.  Top with lasagna noodles, slightly overlapping noodles.

 3.  Top with more pasta sauce, top with about 6 heaping tablespoons of ricotta/cheese mixture.

 4.  Top with a handful of remaining grated cheeses and repeat with another layer of lasagna noodles, meat mixture/ricotta cheese mixture/grated cheese.

 5.  For the last layer top with noodles, pasta sauce and remaining grated cheeses.

 6.  Cover casserole with greased foil and bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

 7.  Remove foil and cook 20 minutes more.
 8.  Remove from oven, allow to cool 10 minutes. Serve with garlic bread.

Original recipe can be found at the Creole Contessa.  

Vintage Shopping in Abilene, Part 1

What better way to start my exploration of Texas, then to begin in the town I now call home.....ABILENE.  With a population of 120,000 and an area of 110 square miles, Abilene boasts 29 vintage/antique shops and flea markets.  At least, that's what is listed on the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau website.  I'm guessing there are many more and you know I'll find them.

 My first stop was Classic Collections, a little antique mall located on Butternut Street.  There are roughly 40 booths filled with vintage, antique, upcycled and handmade items.  There is definitely something here for everyone.

The two booths above are a couple of my favorites.  Probably because they are so girly and feminine.  

I tried really hard to be good and not buy everything I liked, which is a good thing.  Otherwise, the owls above would now be in my home as well as the lockers.  Wouldn't they make the perfect storage in my craft room?  Absolutely!                             

My next stop was Rust and Roses located on South 1st.  The visuals were so overwhelming I only ended up with these two pictures.  Click on the link above to see all they have to offer on their Facebook page.   Don't y'all think I need that skull on the wall of my craft room?  It would look perfect!

My last stop was Stokes and Company.  It's located right next door to Rust and Roses on South 1st.  It's a one of a kind boutique filled with antiques, gifts, jewelry, clothing and home décor.  They also offer custom furniture painting and the design and building of furniture pieces.  It definitely has more of a boutique feel and the prices reflect that, but the store is absolutely beautiful.  I saw many pieces I would love to have, so I know I'll be back.

So, that's my first venture into the Abilene vintage/antique scene.  I'm hoping to visit a few shops each weekend as time allows.  Next weekend I'll be headed to Buffalo Gap to explore the Buffalo Gap Flea Market (held every third weekend of each month) and the Buffalo Gap Historic Village.  Stay tuned........

One last thing.......for those of you that know me well, you know my love of Dr. Pepper.  LOOK AT THIS SIGN I FOUND!  I need it, right?  It wouldn't look ridiculous at all if it was hanging in my house.  It would be completely normal, don't ya think?

Texas or BUST!!

As many of you know, I moved to Texas about a month ago.  I was excited, but a bit apprehensive about making such a big change.  I'd heard so many different opinions, good and bad about Texas, that it seemed people either loved it or hated it.  So, I've come here with an open mind and an open heart.  I want to experience everything this huge state has to offer.  From the food to the vintage shopping and history to scenic views, my plan is to share it all with you through this blog.  I can't wait to get started!  Stay tuned.........

Cajun Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

 Ingredients

4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ¼ lbs.)
1 ½ Tbs. Cajun blackening spice
2 Tbs. butter, divided
1 Tbs. olive oil (or more if needed)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 C. (1/2 pint) grape tomatoes, halved
¼ C. dry white wine (or chicken broth)
1 ½ C. heavy cream (or half-and-half)
1 ½ C. grated Italian cheeses (I like a blend of Asiago, Parmesan, and Fontina.)
3 oz. herbed goat cheese, crumbled
1 tsp. kosher salt (or more, to taste)
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper (or more, to taste)
1 pound cooked fettuccini


For Chicken:

Rinse chicken breast in cool water, and pat dry. Pound each chicken breast flat with a flat meat mallet or rolling pin, between two sheets of plastic wrap. Set flattened breasts on a clean plate. Sprinkle a heavy amount of blackening spice on both sides of each chicken breast, pressing to adhere.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Heat 1 Tbs. of the butter, and the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, until butter begins to brown. Place chicken in the pan, and sear on one side, until it is very brown, about 3 minutes. Flip chicken and sear the other side until very brown, about another 1 ½ minutes. Work in batches so as not to crowd the pan.
Place browned chicken onto a rimmed baking sheet, and bake for 10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside. Remove chicken from the oven and thinly slice against the grain; set aside.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions and begin cooking the sauce.

For Sauce:

If the skillet looks dry, add a bit more olive oil. Re-heat the skillet over medium heat.
Pour in the dry white wine (or chicken broth) into the skillet to deglaze the pan—whisk all of the delicious brown bits off the bottom of the pan. (1-2 minutes)
Add the garlic and tomatoes to the pan and sauté to soften and lightly caramelize, stirring occasionally. (1-2 minutes)
Reduce heat to medium-low and pour the heavy cream to the pan with the tomato mixture, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Add the salt, pepper, and the remaining tablespoon of butter. Continue to stir the cream mixture while it simmers for 3-4 minutes. The cream will reduce slightly.
Remove from heat. Add the grated cheeses, and goat cheese to the cream sauce. Stir constantly until all the cheese has melted, and sauce is smooth. Taste sauce and adjust seasonings.
Pour the fettuccini onto the sauce, and top with the sliced chicken. Toss the pasta and chicken into the sauce with tongs, until well combined. Turn tossed pasta into a large serving bowl.
Serve immediately.