Short - Sweet - Lost

I couldn’t really decide on what topic I wanted to use today. I know most of the time it’s hard to find a topic. Sadly – and although there are dozens of sites that state lists and lists of topics – I have not found much inspiration for today.

Which is why I’m posting this around 11 at night.

I could ramble on about something I enjoy, such as: The Phantom of the Opera, Walt Disney, New York pizza, old movies, sock monkeys, tangle art, writing, fanfiction, movies in general, opera, theatre, theater, musicals.

(Okay the pizza’s a random – but I’m watching “Friends” and they are eating cheese pizza right now, which looks so incredibly delicious!)

Alright – fine – there’s a ton of things I could write about today. Instead I think I’ll just leave it here – ask me a question if any of the above are things you love.

Twisted Tuesday - Tasty Treat

Week two of my new blogging adventure!

This week I thought about what I was going to post about. It had to be something interesting, to keep 

your attention.

Ironically enough I was going to do a food post, and I just so happened to make a meal last night based on recipes found around the internet.

For the side dish I used a recipe for “Green Beans and Orange”. Sadly, I did not mark where I got the recipe from, so if you find it along your travels among the culinary side of the internet – please let me know! I would love to credit the original maker of this fantastic recipe.

I highly recommend this for any side dish. Its equal parts classy, easy and delicious.

The Recipe: Green Beans and Orange

Ingredients:

1 (8-oz) bag fresh microwaveable French green beans

1 orange

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt-free garlic/herb seasoning

Directions:

1.       Microwave beans following package instructions. Zest/grate orange peel (no white), 1 teaspoon. Remove remaining peel and cut orange into segments.

2.       Preheat large sauté pan on medium, 2-3 minutes. Place oil in pan, then add beans, seasoning, and zest. Cook 1-2 minutes or until beans are crisp-tender.

3.       Remove pan from heat; stir in orange segments. Serve

Calories (per 1.4) 100 kcal; fat 7g; chol 0mg; sodium 0mg; carb 9g; fiber 3g; protein 1g; vita A 10%; vita C 45%; calc 4$; iron 2%

This makes about four servings.

It’s a super easy way to prepare your green beans with some added flavor and bonus flare. The blend of orange and garlic is so delightful you’ll have to make more. This is the easiest recipe for the dinner.

The main meal. This one was a wonderful surprise, and tasted better about an hour after it was made and there was time for the sauce to really sink into the chicken. (We’re all anticipating the round of seconds today for lunch – so much that my family hid the leftovers last night so our company couldn’t take it home. This one is a winner.

I do have the source of this recipe and gladly post the link right here: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/almond-chicken---strawberry-balsamic-sauce

If you don’t want to take the time to click the link, I will post the recipe right here for you.

Almond Chicken & Strawberry-Balsamic Sauce

Total Time: Prep: 20 minutes; Cook: 20 minutes

Makes: 4 servings

(I found out that the first time you make this, it takes far longer. So if you plan to make this for a group of people, then make sure you have at least an hour and a half, possibly two.)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup panko (Japanese) bread crumbs (I used the regular bread crumbs – but I plan on using the other later)

1/3 cup unblanched almonds, coarsely ground (this one could take time too – plan accordingly!)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)

Butter-flavored cooking spray

3 teaspoons canola oil, divided

1/4 chopped shallots (be prepared for some crying while you chop these)

1/3 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

1/3 cup strawberry preserves (sounds weird, right? NOT! This makes the meal!)

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary OR 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed

1 package (9 ounces) fresh baby spinach (Ok…. I forgot this entirely when I made it, but it tasted alright)

Directions:

1.       In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the bread crumbs, almonds, salt and pepper. Add chicken, one piece at a time, and shake to coat.

2.       In a large nonstick skillet coated with butter-flavored spray, cook chicken in 2 teaspoons oil over medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side or until juices run clear. Remove and keep warm.

3.       In the same pan, cook shallots in remaining oil until tender. Stir in the broth, preserves, vinegar and rosemary. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 5-6 minutes or until thickened.

4.       Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, bring 1/2 inches of water to a boil. Add spinach; cover and boil for 3-5 minutes or until wilted. Drain; serve with chicken and sauce.

     Yield: 4 servings

     Nutritional Facts

      1 chicken breast half with 1/4 cup spinach and 2 tablespoons sauce equals 439 calories, 13 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 63 mg cholesterol, 476 mg sodium, 31 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 29 g protein

     I cheated for dessert, due to the fact I started late and our guests were helping make the meal (which was a great way to knock out the basic chit-chat). Instead of a wonderful recipe meal, we made a box mix of brownies. Adding whipped cream to the top when they came out, it was a simple, easy way to end a wonderful meal.

     

     For drinks I leave it up to you to decide which would go best. We had ginger ale and basic Fanta (not to classy, but it was still delicious).

      I hope you all try these recipes out – and tell me what your results are!

Finally Fickle and Free

Hello unwary travelers.

If you've stumbled upon my little blog here you've probably found that there's not much to look at. I have decided to try my hand at keeping a long-running, weekly updated blog - finding time each week to post on things that have caught my interest. Or things you have read in the headlines.



So, a little backstory about This Particular blogger:

I began to monologue - on a private blog back in 2009 - yeah a long time ago. For me it was while I attending college, working on my associate's degree. (Emphasis Fine Arts: Backstage shenanigans, er Tech.) Back then I was semi-regular in updating or adding a little blurp here. Mostly it was just me ranting about school or life in general. I had (and still have) one follower who is a close friend. (Often I think she may have followed me out of pity. I never was all that popular in regards to having the most watched anything, most viewed post, or even someone that commented on the state of my cat.)

I am a female writer who loves finding interesting things to learn about or random facts about life in general. For instance: did you know the average humpback whale has a two-ton tongue? And can eat about a Ford Truck's-size worth of fish in one gulp?

I grew up in a large family, the youngest girl with five older silblings (who never once taught me the proper use of make-up, so I wear none), an older brother (who could make you laugh with his impression of Aliens and Donald Duck voice), and a younger brother (who I used to try and sell every Saturday, but no one wanted him. He grew older and finally became fun to hang out with). We were all little sneaky tyrants to two amazing parents who had far more patience than I have ever had.

Most of my mini life was spent watching the great classics: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, The Last Crusade, Next Generation and the Original Star Trek. There were dinosaurs (before it got way out of hand with sequels), Disney princesses (who had time to wait for some guy to get a clue?), Pikachu's who were incredibly adorable, and The Animated Series of Batman (which became infinitely more awesome when I later learned that Luke Skywalker was now the voice of Joker).

Needless to say I led a rather geeky and nerdy life. Did I mention Sailor Moon? Yup she was there too, along with Toonami.

Well, after all that got me through elementary and middle school I finally upgraded. (That's actually debatable, since you can never really out-grow your childhood. Unless it's socks.)

Musical Theater (re - I've heard it both ways).
These two words changed the entire outcome of who and want I wanted to be. With a re-introduction to "The Phantom of the Opera", I decided that I would work on Broadway. Being far too shy and terrified of stage lights to play Christine (not to mention I can't nail a high "E" like the others around me) I decided to play an actual Phantom. I mean that, instead of being in the spotlight, I would prefer to work behind the scenes. Backstage. That was where the real show happened. The stories I could tell about mishaps, forgotten lines, costume malfunctions and sneaky shenanigans!

But, this post is already becoming far longer than I wanted. So -

Fast-Forward!

I am now an older nerdy geek with two summers up in Alaska under my belt, an internship behind me, vocal work in the bag (and currently working on) and theatre usher as my status. Mostly volunteer work, which means -

I'm back in the market!

The Job Market, as it were (see what I did there Disney fans?) according to the news, is on the rise. (Though I am skeptical about that, considering all the jobs I've applied for and not heard word from since). So this is an attempt at creating something amazing so that I can find work later on. (I know, self promoting, but what else can I do? Oh, yeah. Self-Five!)


I'm a big movie buff - I love checking imdb, though I'm usually right without having to check 98% of the time.


There you go, my introduction. Hope to see you back here (unless I've frightened you away).