Christmas table

I have been thinking about Christmas dinners.

As many of you know I am from Spain, and where here Christmas dinners have lots to do with turkey, ham and casseroles (which I love); Spain has more to do with appetizers (lots of them), seafood soup, and roasted lamb leg.... well, at least at my parents house.

This coming Saturday my family is coming over. Thankfully my sister, my nephews (her grown up boys), and a niece live close by. Like 5 minutes close by. Which is a great blessing considering that we are all from Spain. Some of them are going to be away for Christmas, so we are getting together to celebrate.

So this got me thinking apetizers. What to make, what to make. So this is what I am thinking

I found this recipe in the internet and I thought it look really cute. No, it is not very Spanish (although I found it at a Spanish web page), but I thought it looked cute, and will get the vote of the little ones.

This have King crab in it.... it just sound good.

Every Spanish table has to have some of this. Queso Manchego and Jamon Serrano.

I am also thinking shrimp (we are big on seafood), I am thinking salmon.... and a few more things.

Christmas day will be more the ham type.

So, what is it that you MUST have at your dinner table in Christmas?

Time management

I have been reading a lot of blogs lately where people are getting blogging breaks, others than used to post every day are doing it less and less. I think many of us are beginning to realize the time that blogging takes. The time is taking off the other things that need to get done around the house.

If you are like me, I don’t have enough hours to get the things I need to get done, done J. I believe the hours are there, but I believe I am not managing my time properly. But everyday new things are added to the list of things to do and very little are erase from that list. That really has to change.

I enjoy blogging; I really don’t want to get rid of that. I enjoy reading your blogs, that is something that I don’t want to take away either. It is a daily blessing to my heart to keep this contact. It is a way to be myself, to share my heart, to keep it real. It is something that I really enjoy.

But I believe I need to schedule my days. I was thinking about scheduling my every minute for a week. After the week is done readjust my schedule. Figure out what works and what doesn’t. What needs more time and what less. Adjust the times if necessary. I really think I could get a lot more done if I do that. If I get a lot more done, then I won’t feel so guilty by being “caught” sitting in my computer.

So, how do you manage your time? Do you have any plan? Do you just shoot to get as much done as possible? Are you, like me, in need to rearrange your schedule? Any plans?

OUR WEEK MEAL PLAN

Here is my meal plan for the week. I did get something done :) my meal plan and my grocery list… of course my husband just had to take the car to the shop because is leaking something…. No good…. How am I supposed to buy groceries? :)

MONDAY: Baked chicken legs, corn and mashed potatoes
TUESDAY: Shrimp Calzone
WEDNESDAY: Chicken parmesan and broccoli casserole
THURSDAY: Marinated grilled fish, carrots and rice
FRIDAY: Tacos
SATURDAY: Church activity- Mexican Meal made by our mexican women
SUNDAY: Pasta Nonna

I am off to clean the house. You just have to love Mondays :)!

New recipe: Crisp chicken and sauce

Last week when I shared the Shrimp calzone recipe, I said I would try to share some of our favorite recipes, one every week. I don't know for how long I would be able to do that, or if I will remember :), but at least this week I did remember.

I found this recipe several years ago in one of those free magazines that Public sends out. It turned out into one of the favorites of every member of the family. The girls love it, Matthew loves it and I love it. And it may take 30 min to get it all done. Can you beat that :)?

So here are the ingredients: (Serves 4)

2 cups Minute brown rice (I use at least one more cup)
1 can chicken broth Ritz crackers, finely crushed (TUC for those here in this side of the ocean)
2 tbsp Grated parmesan cheese
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1/3 cup Chive and Onion cream cheese spread (Finas hierbas if you are in Spain)

And here is how to make it:

Kayla was the cook help for today. They love to help but when I allow one to help, the other two come running. So we decided to make them take turns.

Mix cracker crumbs and parmesan cheese in a plate. Dip chicken in cracker mixture, turning to coat.

Cook rice as directed on package using 1 1/4 cups of the broth and 1/2 cup of water. If you are not using minute rice, or you are not using the regular cans of chicken broth, just cook the rice with lots of chichen broth because the point is that the rice would take the taste of the chicken.

Add remaining 1/2 cup of broth and cream cheese in a small pan. Cook on medium heat until mixture comes to boil, stirring constantly. Simmer 3 min, or until sauce thickens. Set aside

Heat oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add chicken and cook. Don't you love it when everything is getting cook in the same area?

How we serve it?. Rice first. Chicken second. Sauce on top. Enjoy!.............

....... She sure is :)

What is for lunch?

Okay, so I figure after yesterday's post, and telling you about my story of the spaguettis I needed to post something to proof my family is eating :).
One thing before I go on. Did you get to read the comments from yesterday? One is from one of my nephew? (one of the ones from the spaguetti story). If not, let me put it in here for you, it will give you another laugh, especially if you know him :).

From Alberto": I remember the day of the spagettis like it was yesterday!! I was the one gagging and begging my aunt not to make me eat them (I cried too, but not in public). But recently at Matt and Pilar's house I really enjoyed all of the meals. My favorites are the chicken parmesan and the shrimp calzoneto."

Alberto, I am really sorry for doing this to you. And to proof it, the rest of the post is dedicated to you. The shrimp calzoneto recipe!

When I asked some people what they thought I should write about, several asked me for recipes ideas (I am glad I am not the only one that needs some help in the menu planing department). Of course, I am sure you were asking for Spanish meals, but like I explained yesterday, I learn to cook in the States. I will work on finding spanish recipes just for you guys :).

This recipe has shrimp though and seafood is big here in Spain so...... :) So this recipe (of course it is a recipe) was given to me by my friend Deanna. Here is the link for the original recipe from foodnetwork.com . Now, like we all do, you may choose not to use some of the ingredients (like I did), but wanted to give you the original recipe and then let you do without whatever you want.
This says serves 6 but I like mine stuff, so I use the same amount to make 2 calzones. They end up pretty filling so you may want to make some salad and share one of those. Or follow the recipe and make the 6. Up to you. I do not make the dough (although Deanna does and it is great) I use the refrigerated pizza dough. I also don't use so much cheese, but because I make 2 instead of 6 (the pizza dough I use is really big anyway). Here are some photos of the before and after. This has turned into one of our favorites.

Shrimp is pretty cheap here (unless you are trying to buy it in Christmas). I payed 3 euros for 1lb. Peel it, cut in in smaller pieces and put salt and pepper.

Put in skillet the rest of the ingredients (but cheese) and cook until is more like a paste.

Mix it with the shrimp... (I always think you could stop here and serve it as an apetizer with some bread.

Spoon shrimp mixture over Pizza dough and sprinkle cheese

Blush edge of dough with egg. Place calzones in an oven and cook till done :).

And now enjoy :)

Sooooo good!!!

I am going to try to post one recipe a week of something I have make that week. I would love if you did the same, maybe that way we can help each other. Let me know if you do please.