Monthly Archives: December 2015

Celebrating Forty-Something

I, Me, and Myself

Spent my birthday weekend with all my favorites. Favorite city, favorite people, and of course, favorite food. I ordered my custom cake last week from Sophie’s Bakery in Fredericksburg. This is how it went down:

Me: I want to order an amaretto cake with cappuccino filling and cappuccino icing

(three second judgmental pause…)

Sophie’s Bakery : Ma’am, you do know that amaretto is coffee too, right? And you want cappuccino filling AND icing as well?

Me in my head: it’s my birthday, and I will order whatever flavor I want!!!

Me out loud: Yes, please. We are planning on partying all night and we need all the help we can get to stay awake. Unless you can make a Red Bull-flavored cake?

Anyway, judgy-tone aside, the cake turned out great. There are times when I don’t believe in balancing flavor. I love coffee. It’s my birthday. Go big or go home, right?

birthday family pic
birthday family pic
The cappuccino filling was divine.
Here it is: my all-coffee birthday cake. The cappuccino filling was
divine.

We met with my in-laws , Steve and Ginger, in Boerne. It’s a quaint little town between Fredericksburg and San Antonio (where they live) so it was a good compromise. We chose to dine in The Creek Restaurant. It was a wonderful choice. Great location, great food.

It got its name from its creek-side location. We were thinking of getting an outdoor table but weather has been unpredictable lately. It would have been perfect today, but my hair was not set-up for an outdoor gig, so we stayed indoors.
It got its name from its creek-side location. We were thinking of getting an outdoor table but weather has been unpredictable lately. It would have been perfect today, but my hair was not set-up for an outdoor gig, so we stayed indoors.
I had veal picatta. Haven't made this in a long time. In my mind, if I made it again, it would taste exactly like this
I had veal picatta. Haven’t made this in a long time. In my mind, if I made it again, it would taste exactly like this (yeah, right)
D had his usual filet, so rare, a skilled veterinarian would have resuscitated it! It was awesome!
D had his usual filet, so rare, a skilled veterinarian would have resuscitated it! It was awesome!
The "surprise" birthday dessert. The great thing about this was there was a live singer who sang "Happy Birthday" to me.
The “surprise” birthday dessert. The great thing about this was there was a live singer who sang “Happy Birthday” to me.
These two are the sweetest couple, as sweet as the tiramisu they are sharing.
These two are the sweetest couple, as sweet as the tiramisu they are sharing.

Spent the morning driving back to Houston then late afternoon, met up with my co-workers for some wine and cheese…..and vodka shots!

I have to say, Julie makes the best vodka shots. This is green apple vodka. So sweet and deadly…Note the espresso cheese in the middle of the plate.
I have to say, Julie makes the best vodka shots. This is green apple vodka. So sweet and deadly…Note the espresso cheese in the middle of the plate.
Julie, me, Taylor and Elissa. We're watching Magic Mike then Texans vs my Patriots. Fun!!!
Julie, me, Taylor and Elissa. We’re watching Magic Mike then Texans vs my Patriots. Fun!!!

I have to include this. This was taken in my backyard as my birthday came to a close. This is the most perfect ending to a perfect birthday weekend. It’s almost unthinkable that after all the rain, a sunset as beautiful as this appears. It’s almost like an homage of my life in general. After all I’ve been through, I ended up with this life I have now. I am eternally grateful.

image

Queso “Fun”dido

H-town (Houston), I, Me, and Myself, Stuff I Cook

I’ve been blessed with the best co-workers. They love food, they love drinks and they love football. That pretty much sums it up! Last Sunday, the said peeps, and I, congregated to celebrate the three aforementioned things that bind us together. I was making the mojitos and the queso fundido.

Queso fundido aka queso flameado  is basically just flambeed (heated) cheese with lots of good things thrown into the mix. Here’s my version:

chopped red pepper, green pepper, and sweet onions, roughly about a cup each
chopped red pepper, green pepper, and sweet onions, roughly about a cup each
Sauté breakfast sausage of choice. I used tomato and basil sausage from Whole Foods. If I was making this for D, i would be using turkey sausage.
Sauté breakfast sausage of choice. I used tomato and basil sausage from Whole Foods. If I was making this for D, i would be using turkey sausage. Use about a pound.

Drain as much oil as you can. Remember that this will be mixed with cheese and you do have loved ones who would hate to have your arteries clogging shut.

By the way, who loves the personalized stone tile in the background with my name on it? My amazing sister had that made for me. She ordered it from Etsy. I am afraid to go to that website. My credit card might have a heart attack.

Saute for about 5 minutes, just until soft.
Saute for about 5 minutes, just until soft.
I use a mix of Monterey and Sharp Cheddar, about one pound total
I use a mix of Monterey and Sharp Cheddar, about one pound total
Make a abed of cheese at bottom of pan, followed by the sausage and peppers. Do this twice.
Make a bed of cheese at bottom of pan, followed by the sausage and peppers. Do this twice.
Top layer should be cheese
Top layer should be cheese

The iron skillet I’m using is 12 inches. You can actually use a any cake pan, basically anything that can go into an oven.

Bake at 400, for about 8-10 minutes.
Bake at 400, for about 8-10 minutes.

It is an absolute must to serve hot. Otherwise, why even call it flambeed cheese, right?  Seriously, cheese can harden and it won’t be as good, as soon as it gets cold. This should have been topped with chopped tomatoes and cilantro but I forgot, in my rush to have everyone grab their share while it’s still hot. Pair with mojito and you’ve got yourself a party!!!

It was a fun  Sunday. Too bad the stupid Houston Texans lost. I’m so over that team…