Coffee Love

I love coffee, I have for years. At least out of all of the things I could be addicted to it is pretty harmless. Every time I bring home a new kind of coffee maker my husband gives me a look, but that's another story. I tell him I could be addicted to buying jewelry so he should count himself lucky. I don't really have than many coffee makers. I have a Gaggia espresso machine, a Senseo, a couple of French presses and a stove top espresso pot. I think there's room for more, don't you?

Ugh, Hurricanes

Hurricanes are a fact of life living in Florida. I don't sweat them too much. We make sure the home insurance is paid and the shutters are in good shape and try to forget about it. But I hear that there is already one brewing off the coast of Mexico. Things don't usually start hopping until later in the summer, this is pretty early for a hurricane. I have my fingers crossed that this is not a sign of a bad season to come.

A Tradition Revived

My husband's daughter was here this weekend and we revived an old tradition. When she and her siblings were small he would make crepes for them for breakfast on special occasions. He had mentioned it to me before so to surprise him I gathered all the supplies including an electric crepe pan. He was so excited when I showed him. He made a big batch Sunday morning and his daughter loved it. I think there will be a lot of crepes made around here from now on.

I Get So Confused

I get very confused when it comes to computer hardware. At least I think it is computer hardware that I am talking about. I even get confused between hardware and software. Bad, huh? My desktop is ill and I took it to my local geek. He started trying to tell me something about the ddr2 and how I needed to do something. All I know is that my eyes started glazing over and I gave him my usual "just fix it" line. I don't know why he even tries to explain these things to me anymore.

Pork Chops with Balsamic Vinegar Recipe

I spent the morning helping my mother sort through her options for Medicare supplement insurance. There are so many insurance companies, it can be confusing trying to find the policy that is right for her. I hope we made the right decision.

My husband asked for pork chops tonight so I pulled out an old favorite recipe. The balsamic vinegar adds a great flavor boost.

Pork Chops with Balsamic Vinegar

2 T. olive oil
4 pork chops
2 T. tomato paste
1 cup grape tomatoes cut in half
1/2 cup chopped onions
2 cloves minced garlic
salt and pepper
1 t. Italian seasoning
1/2 cup water
Parmesan cheese for topping

Heat oil in large skillet and brown pork chops. Remove. Add the onion and garlic and saute until just tender. Add the tomato paste, tomatoes, seasoning, salt and pepper and water. Stir to mix and add pork chops back in. Cover and turn down to simmer. Cook until the pork chops are tender, adding more water if necessary. This will take approximately 30 to 60 minutes depending on thickness of the chops. Remove the chops, and stir the balsamic vinegar into the sauce. Pour the sauce over the chops and top with Parmesan cheese.

Don't Forget the Balsamic Vinegar

I know foods go in and out of style. Balsamic vinegar was hot in the 90's but you don't hear much about it now. That's a shame. It is a delicious addition to many dishes. Just be sure you are buying an authentic one from Italy and not a poor imitation made elsewhere.

There's nothing better for an appetizer than a fresh tomato and mozzarella salad topped with torn basil and drizzled with a good balsamic vinegar. Or try crusty French bread dipped in a little olive oil, sea salt and balsamic vinegar.

It makes a great marinade for any meat. It adds zest to vegetable. Stir it into a pasta dish at the last minute. There's not much you can't put it on. Try it with some fresh strawberries and confectioners sugar for dessert. You'll be surprised at how good balsamic vinegar is.

Grouper with Jalapeno Tequila Sauce - Recipe

Grouper is my favorite fish and grouper with jalapeno tequila sauce is one of my favorite ways to cook it. Fishing season is getting into full swing here in Florida and my husband likes to fish. There is nothing better than freshly caught fish from the gulf. He is going tomorrow so let's hope he brings some home! I'll be spending the day shopping for Grohe faucets for our potential kitchen redo.

Grouper with Jalapeno Tequila Sauce - Recipe

2 generous grouper fillets
garlic salt
onion salt
pepper
1 jalapeno, finely chopped, seeds discarded
1 clove garlic, minced
2 T. olive oil
2 T. tequila
1/2 c. cream
1 T. salsa

Preheat oven to 400. Season fillets with the garlic and onion salts and pepper. Preheat heavy oven proof skillet, add 1 T. of the oil. Place fillets in skillet. Lightly brown one side then turn. Put skillet into oven and bake about 15 minutes, until it flakes.

While fish is cooking assemble the sauce. Place the other 1 T. oil in small pan or skillet and add the garlic and jalapeno. Saute until tender and add the tequila. Add the cream and cook until it is reduced by half. Stir in the salsa at the last minute. Plate the grouper and top with the sauce.