Brown Sugared Grapefruit

I recently have  become a fan of grapefruit, but this was my first time working with a "yellow"one (some people call it white, but not me) as I usually enjoy "red". This was an easy and new way for me to prepare a grapefruit. It's actually more popular than you think, even thought is sounds funny but I broiled a grapefruit the other morning. I have seen it all over food blogs and recipe books and when I told my mom & dad what I was making they mentioned my Grandma Kay and Grandma Anne both use to make grapefruit the same way.  

I really enjoyed this breakfast, although it was more tart than i expected, I think next time I will use a red grapefruit which is generally sweeter.

Heavenly Cinna-Mini Cakes

Just ate one to get inspiration for the blog!

Family.Friends.Love. What more could a girl ask for?? Yummy CAKE!

For those of you who don't know, my birthday is on February 14th. My favorite holiday, VALENTINE'S DAY!! When I was little I didn't get the concept of a holiday being on my birthday, so I thought all the stores were decorated for me. I still like to believe that. So pretty much anything pink, red and heart shaped makes me happy in February! Add some frosting and I really can't complain!

I had such an amazing Birthday with friends, family and Jon! Everyone made me feel special from wine tasting, to the Gypsy Den, a duffy boat ride in Newport and even a nice Italian dinner in Laguna. I am blessed and definitely felt the L.O.V.E this year!

The way to my man's heart: Pasta, Sausage, Cheese Bread and Wine

"I love cooking with wine, I sometimes even put it in the food"

Picture Courtesy of Pioneer Woman

Today I had a nice meeting with my unemployed club. My girlfriends Cassy and Tina came over to work on applications while I worked on job hunting. The hard work we were putting in, with our three lap tops on my dinning room table quickly morphed to finding our doppelganger for facebook and researching for yummy pasta recipes I could make for Jonny B. I settled on Whole Wheat Rigatoni with sausage and peas in a light cream sauce. MMMM yummy. I started with garlic cheesy bread that was pretty much amazing. We had a wonderful time talking with Cass, cooking while munching on the bread and washing it down with a $3.99 bottle of Chardonnay. I honestly can say one of my greatest joys is making a meal for Jon and watching how much he loves the food. We haven't quite got him to do ALL the dishes after every meal but hey he is so sweet all the time I can sacrifice doing half the dishes. Everything I make comes with love to my family and friends. Its one way I really know how to express I care.

Kitchen Therapy for the Unemployed

Being unemployed definitely has its ups and downs! Some days can really be hard and depressing, but I have hope and keep praying that God will guide me to where I am supposed to be. Although it has been a hard track, I have also had some really great experiences and connections. Through all life's adversities the great aspects of raw humanity ALWAYS comes out of the woodwork. I have been lucky enough to live at home rent free with my wonderful family. Since time is now not an issue, I am able to focus part of my time on my passion for cooking. I really haven't put much into this blog thus far, because I really haven't been cooking too much! These past 22 days, my kitchen has been my site for therapy. I feel so relaxed and happy when I am cooking and when I test a finished product with my biggest fans, my boyfriend Jon and my family. I have taken this time to work on some basics and some personal specialties. I have found some simplistic cooking ideas through magazines and online blogs.

This is a tasty and easy recipe for Chicken of any cut, but I have been doing drumsticks (cheaper cut) not as healthy as breasts:

Simple Baked Chicken Adapted from Cooks Country Magazine

Serves 4 to 6

Because different cuts of chicken cook at different rates, Use only one cut of chicken (such as all breasts or all thighs) or be prepared to remove the various different cuts from the oven as soon as they reach their appropriate temperature for doneness.

4	pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (whole breasts, split breasts, whole legs, thighs, and/or drumsticks), trimmed
2	tablespoons Olive Oil

1. Adjust an oven rack to the upper-middle position and heat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a broiler-pan bottom with foil and lay the slotted broiler pan on top.

2. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and arrange, skin-side up, on the broiler-pan top. Brush the chicken with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Roast until the breasts register 160 degrees or the legs, thighs, or drumsticks register 175 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, 30 to 50 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.