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Thankful Times a Zillion

November 25, 2010/1 Comment/in Blond, Family, Happiness, Lucy, Pregnancy, Trent /by Megan

Guest Banana: Cooking with Lane – 15 Minute Dip

November 23, 2010/1 Comment/in Guest Banana /by Megan

(Editorâ€™s Note: I asked my super-chef friend Lane to come up with some easy holiday recipes for those of us who arenâ€™t so naturally talented in the culinary arts. Today she’s focusing on an appetizer that would be easy to whip up for unexpected guests or to take to a holiday get together.) 15 Minute […]

Thankful Times a Zillion

November 25, 2010/1 Comment/in Blond, Family, Happiness, Lucy, Pregnancy, Trent /by Megan

Guest Banana: Cooking with Lane – 15 Minute Dip

November 23, 2010/1 Comment/in Guest Banana /by Megan

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Thankful Times a Zillion

November 25, 2010/1 Comment/in Blond, Family, Happiness, Lucy, Pregnancy, Trent /by Megan

Right now I am stuffed to the gills with delicious food from our first Thanksgiving at home. Similar to last year’s pajama Christmas, this year, as I’m about to burst with baby-ness, we decided that any trip out of town was out of the question, and spent the day just lazing around the homestead. Trent made his first turkey (on the grill, of course) and Lu and I spent the day putting together a bunch of sides. Then we made nametags for the table and pilgrim hats and headresses and glittery bonnets. It was awesome.

Trent and I both mentioned how crazy this whole day felt. Like we were pretending to be grownups, making our own big dinner and starting our own traditions. We probably won’t have another Thanksgiving at home for a while, but it was so nice to have this one, relaxing day of thanks before our lives are turned upside down. We needed it, and I’m so glad we took advantage of the opportunity.

My favorite memory from the day? Mid afternoon, I looked down in to our living room from the kitchen, and found Lulu passed out on the couch, wrapped out in blankets, a fire in the fireplace. It was quiet and warm and she succombed to the comfort of it all. It was a lovely moment.

I hope you all have as much to be thankful for this year as I do. And if this wasn’t a great year for you, I hope you still have a happy enough heart to know it will get better. And if you need some pie, we have tons of leftovers. Come on over!

Guest Banana: Cooking with Lane – 15 Minute Dip

November 23, 2010/1 Comment/in Guest Banana /by Megan

15 Minute Dip

When we were putting together ideas for recipes, Megan asked me include an appetizer that could be made quickly and easily.

And, thatâ€™s just not how I do appetizers. Ever. I tend to make overcomplicated recipes that leave me either very happy or tired and grumpy.

So, as you can imagine, this was a stretch for me. I tried a few things with ricotta and was not happy with the results. After heavy taste testing, my husband and I came to the conclusion this dip needed bacon. (Yes, weâ€™re geniuses.)

This cream cheese/bacon dip is a quicker version of a Rachael Ray recipe Iâ€™ve made before. The dip can be pulled together in a few minutes, which is perfect for last minute get-togethers. I keep most of these ingredients on hand, but the list is so short, it would make for a quick grocery store run at the last minute.

(Ed. Note: Not that I like to think I influence Lane’s cooking all that much, but I would like to present a tweet she posted while trying out different appetizer recipes….)

8 oz. softened cream cheese – plain or onion/chive (I used 1/3 less fat, and it worked just fine.)
2 slices of bacon
Salt
Pepper
1 tbsp. of Dijon mustard (If you use the onion/chive cream cheese, use only 1 tsp. of Dijon.)

Preheat oven to 400Â° F. On a microwaveable plate, place two paper towels with the two slices of bacon on top. Microwave on high for 1 minute.

In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese with mustard, along with salt and pepper to taste. Tear the bacon into small pieces and add it to the cream cheese mixture.

Put the dip into a ramekin or small oven proof dish. Bake for 10-15 minutes. The top should be starting to brown, and the center of the dip should be creamy.

Serve with veggies, crackers, chips, pita chips or a toasted baguette.