I have created this site to help people have fun in the kitchen. I write about enjoying life both in and out of my kitchen. Life is short! Make the most of it and enjoy!
Author: ajeanneinthekitchen
I have worked in the restaurant and catering industry for over 35 years. I attended 2 culinary schools in Southern California, and have a degree in culinary arts from the Southern California School of Culinary Arts, as well as a few other degrees in other areas. I love to cook and I love to feed people.
We have some new neighbors that just moved in a couple of doors down from us, so I thought that would be a perfect opportunity to bake some ooey -gooey drunken cherry and almond brownies. As you know, I am really trying to be good and not make sweets, or even have them in the house, unless I have a special reason to do so. New neighbors is an excellent reason to make something sweet and “naughty”.
Sometimes, things that come in a mix are the best. Brownies are one such thing. Everything is already pre-measured, and they almost always come out perfect. I started off with the Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate brownies, then added the cherries and almonds. When I was in culinary school, my pastry chef was the creator of the Pillsbury cakes, and he was a Master Pastry chef, so I know, the quality that goes into these top brand mixes. Ghirardelli is one you can’t go wrong with. It is definitely one of the best.
I cut the cherries in half and removed the pits, then I chopped them and soaked them in some almond tequila for a few minutes. I replaced some of the water that was called for with the almond tequila.
Other than adding the “drunken” cherries and almonds, believe it or not, I actually followed the recipe. This does not happen very often in my kitchen. It is a pretty rare event. 🙂
Once I evenly spread the brownie mixture into the baking pan, I sprinkled almond slivers on top and baked it at 325* F for about 1 hour. Then I let them cool completely before cutting.
They are still very ooey and gooey though. But they taste oh so good.
Each bite of brownie is a little bit of decadent bliss. 🙂 A little bit goes a long way. These are very rich and very decadent.
I still have not had a chance to really relax yet after our swim season ending, but then again, this is nothing new. RELAX is a word that is not really in my vocabulary. In fact, I don’t think I really even know what the definition of that word is. Friday, as you know, our swim season officially ended. Our Final Meet of the Season – Day 2. Yesterday, with NO rest for the weary, and believe me, very weary I was too, was another early day, though not nearly as early as every other day this summer has been. I am used to this kind of schedule though, as I have been doing this for MANY, MANY years.
Our church had a big car show that Larry and I volunteered to help with, so we were there for most of the day, then got together with Jonathan and Priscilla after.
The car show was a big success. There were over 50 cars that were proudly displayed by their owners. There was a wide variety of beautiful cars around for our viewing pleasure too. There were old classics, new classics and everything in between. Of course I had my favorites.
I am always better when I have a job to do, and since no one gave me an official job, I created my own job as the unofficial church photographer. I got to see and enjoy everything that was going on. I took pictures of all the cars (as well as other means of transportation), but I will only share some of my favorites with you today.
There were all forms of transportation, not just the four-wheeled kind. I am a Mustang lover, and these beauties are actual wild mustangs that are being successfully introduced to society and domesticity. They seem to be enjoying their new life. This is Esther.
Misty wanted to make herself known too, but Midnight was not quite so sure.
From no wheels to four wheels.
From four wheels to three.
And from three to two.
Now for some of the real “stars” of the day. These cars were all in mint condition and all had just been cleaned and dressed up just for the occasion.
This 1955 truck came complete with an exact mini replica of itself too. Peek under the hood for a closer look.
Our Pastor, Matthew, bringing out the awards.
We had a jumpy castle and games for the kids, we had prayer tents, and we had live music too.
And we also had lots of hamburgers, hot dogs and all the fixin’s as well. There was a little something for everyone.
It was a fun family event for everyone. Thanks to everyone who helped out.
These last few days have been very long and very busy with the end of my swim season. Our Final Meet of the Season – Day One, Our Final Meet of the Season – Day 2, but I have still been in the kitchen cooking a bit too. I made a ham, mushroom and red pepper quiche, but I needed something to go with my quiche. Potatoes and quiche are always a good combination in my book, but I wanted something a little different than just regular old potatoes. I decided on making some spicy potatoes with a tomato-jalapeno sauce. They are similar to patatas bravas Patatas Bravas, but just different enough to be considered something new. These potatoes were a very good choice to accompany my quiche.
Like so many other recipes I make, these only required a few simple, basic ingredients, and were not difficult to make either, which is great when pressed for time. Lately, I have been pressed for time a lot too.
Spicy Potato Wedges with Tomato-Jalapeno Sauce
2 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges
2 large tomatoes, diced
1 shallot, diced fine
1 TBSP garlic
2-3 TBSP olive oil (I used basil olive oil this time)
1 tsp allspice
1 TBSP paprika
salt & pepper to taste
1 jalapeno, diced fine
1 TBSP balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup fresh basil, chiffonade
Cut the potatoes into wedges and place in cold water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and continue to cook for about ten minutes.
While the potatoes are cooking, make the tomato jalapeno sauce. Saute the shallots, jalapenos and garlic in olive oil for about 2 minutes. Since I was using basil, and I had basil olive oil, I used that to saute my vegetables in.
Add in the tomatoes and balsamic vinegar and continue to cook for about 10 minutes, or until most of the liquid has evaporated and you have a thick sauce.
Add the basil at the very end. You can also change it up a bit and use cilantro instead of basil if you prefer. This would also be a good spread for bruschetta or to top over some roasted chicken too.
Preheat the oven to 400* F or 200* C
When the potatoes are ready, drain them and pat them dry with a paper towel. Mix all the spices and salt and pepper together. Drizzle olive oil over the potatoes then sprinkle the spice mixture over the potatoes. Roast in the oven for about 20-30 minutes, or until they are golden and crispy. Turn the potatoes after about 10 or 15 minutes to ensure even cooking and browning.
When the potatoes are cooked, serve them immediately with the tomato jalapeno sauce. These are best when served hot. Nothing like hot potatoes. 🙂
Have a great day Everyone. Stay safe and stay well. ‘Til next time.
Our summer season officially ended today around 5:30 PM. It was a VERY successful meet. Considering we were one of the smaller teams in the meet, with only about 65 swimmers, we ended it with a bang! We came in 5th overall, but we were only 15 points away from 3rd place. I think we ended up with about 595 points overall. We had 5 swimmers, of all age groups, who were recognized for high points, and we had a few trophies and medals, as well as a whole bunch of ribbons.
My Seals swam their hearts out and all did an amazing job! I am so proud of all of my swimmers. One of my 13-14 year olds broke new records every time she got into the pool. She has a very bright future ahead of her.
We had some fun coaches’ rivalries today as well, but everything was all in the spirit of fun and team support. We sported our team colors in style. Our colors are purple and green, the Meadows are green and white, and Rock Creek is orange.
As Head Coach, I am not quite done yet, but the swimmers are all done. It is now time for them to enjoy the rest of their summer and to relax a bit. They have certainly earned a bit of R & R.
We had a bit of a scare at the end of the meet, with just a few heats left to go before ending our season, due to Mother Nature. With less than 15 minutes before finishing, lightening struck and we had to postpone the rest of the meet for 30 minutes. But all ended well, and the skies cleared up, allowing us to complete our meet and to finish the season in style. We even had time for the awards.
It was a fantastic season and I am already sorry it is now over, but at the same time, I am already looking forward to next season, which I know is going to be even better!
Just keep swimmin’, just keep swimmin’, just keep swimmin’.
It has been a very long, 12 hour day. We are at our final meet of the season. Today was the first of a two-day meet. My kids who were there at the meet today, all swam great. Once again, records were broken, times were beat, and there were a lot of personal bests. We are swimming The Alamacka Invitational at the Boulder Meadows, in Boulder, Colorado this week. I am SOOOOO proud of all my kids, from all age groups. 🙂 🙂 🙂
This is our settings and surroundings around the pool.
My office. One of my swimmers got to sing the National Anthem for us today, and she will do so again tomorrow as well. How cool is that?
The results are in for today. My 8 & Unders-12 year olds are currently ranked in 3rd place overall and my 13-18 year olds are ranked in 5th place overall, out of 10 teams. I LIKE it! My kids all swam their hearts out, and we have one more day to go. Tomorrow will be another day similar to today, just different events. They are long hours, in the hot sun and on our feet, but it is well worth it.
Just keep swimmin’, just keep swimmin’, just keep swimmin’.
I am busy winding down my swim season and haven’t had much time or energy to actually get in the kitchen and cook. But fun food facts are always entertaining, and we all learn something new.
Dark Chocolate is made from the roasted beans of the cacao tree and has many health benefits. From improving bad cholesterol to lowering blood pressure, helping to reduce stress and improving vision, it’s definitely worth eating a square or two a day. A study by Harvard also found that drinking two cups of hot chocolate a day prevented memory decline. Drink up! We chocolate lovers have been trying to convince the world for ages about the benefits of chocolate, and especially dark chocolate. We chocolate lovers have been trying to convince people of this fact for years and now, we have the science to back it up.
2. Did you know that the word ‘nectarine’ means sweet like nectar and this is most likely the origin of the name. Studies have suggested that nectarines, like peaches, originated in China over 2,000 years ago and were introduced to England in the late 16th or early 17th centuries.
Nutritionally, nectarines are a high source of Vitamin C and A and are abundant in antioxidants. They aid in weight loss, help regulate blood pressure levels and overall good health. They also help improve immunity and heart health.
3. Raspberries are a member of the rose family, as are cherries, apricots, plums, pears, apples, quinces, peaches, strawberries, and blackberries. These types of fruits typically have flowers with five equal petals arranged around a central core. Unlike many other fruits, once picked, unripe raspberries do not ripen.
4. Broccoli has more protein than steak. Former President George W Bush may have once famously proclaimed: “I’m president of the United States and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli,” but don’t listen to him! Besides the usual nutrition one gets from eating their greens, broccoli has a great deal of protein. Calorie for calorie, there is more protein in broccoli than steak. And it doesn’t come with all those saturated and trans fats or cholesterol, so you can get all the protein you need with a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease with this healthy food.
Don’t get me wrong, I love broccoli, but I am NOT ever going to choose broccoli over a nice medium-rare juicy steak. That’s just NEVER going to happen. 🙂
5. Apples give you more energy than coffee. The coffee snobs may not don’t want to believe it, but it’s true. If you’re ever a little low on energy during the afternoon, then consider munching into an apple instead of buying a cup of coffee. Thanks to its high carbohydrate, fiber, vitamin C and mineral content, eating apples are the perfect (and healthy) option to help you stay energized all day.
Yesterday was our end of season Awards Banquet. We gave out a whole bunch of trophies to our outstanding swimmers. We gave out 35 awards total. There were 7 awards for each age group, including Most Dedicated, Most Improved, MVP, one each for a boy and for a girl, as well as a Coaches’ Award for each age group. We also had some record breakers that got recognized, as well as one other special Shining Star award.
All the kids and parents were so excited about their awards, as they should be. The kids swam hard all season and did an amazing job.
But I was the one who was blown away. We coaches all got some very special gifts too. We each had a poster board made up with heartfelt thank yous from our swimmers. My swimmers also spoiled me with a bunch of gift cards to various places. Some of the messages from my swimmers were just so touching. I feel so loved. All those long hours and early mornings were well worth every minute. They made our poster boards like a swimming pool, complete with “lap lanes”, and the messages were written on “swimmer’s equipment”, like kickboards and swim caps. Many of my swimmers are quite talented artists too.
Here are just a handful of the personal messages I received.
Two of my kids (brother and sister) gave me a special team magnet too.
I also got a beautiful team travel mug that was filled with all kinds of special goodies ($$$$).
I fell very honored and very loved. It was a truly amazing season. I am just sorry it has already come to an end. We have two more swim days and two more days of a HUGE invitational meet, and then our season will officially come to an end.
Stay well and stay safe Everyone. And just keep swimmin’, just keep swimmin’, just keep swimmin’.
Our 2021 season is quickly coming to an end. Tonight, we will have our Awards Banquet, where a lot of my swimmers will be awarded for their accomplishments and achievements throughout the season. I will also be giving my coaches a little something special just from me as well. They know nothing of this.
I bought a variety of different flowers and made them each a little bud vase of colorful flowers. I even had enough flowers leftover for me to have some too (you all know how much I love my flowers).
I also found some cute Christmas ornaments especially for swim coaches.
Though there have been trials and tribulations, overall, we had an excellent season. These little gifts are just my way of thanking both Meghan and KJ for all their hard work and dedication to the team.
With much gratitude and thanks, I could not have done it without both of you. Next season will be even better this very successful 2021 season. Just keep swimmin’, just keep swimmin’, just keep swimmin’.
WOW! I can’t believe our summer swim season is already coming to a close. Today was our last dual meet of the season. We were at the Rock Creek pool in Superior. We beat 3 team records today, and a lot of personal bests were achieved at today’s meet too. We did not win the whole meet because the Rock Creek Flyers are literally about twice our size, but the kids all did an amazing job and everyone had a great time, and that is all that really matters.
The Lafayette Seals and our home pool.
Don’t you love my office? I have had this kind of office for almost 20 years.
The Flyers and Rock Creek. It is a beautiful pool and facility.
We still have one more meet to go, and this one will be a BIG one, with all the teams we swam against all season. This BIG Invitational meet will be next week, and then … Sadly our season will come to an end. I am really going to miss all my swimmers. They are such a great bunch of kids. Hopefully, we will all be swimming together again next season as well as throughout the year.
It has been a very fun season. I can’t wait ’til next season. I am already missing my kids. Tomorrow we are having our end of season Awards Banquet. We have a lot of kids receiving awards for their amazing efforts.
Our swim team, The Lafayette Seals, had another fundraiser last night. This time we went to MOD Pizza, in Lafayette, Colorado. Larry and I and our friend Priscilla all showed up to support the team around 6:30 PM. Some of Seals were there, with more showing up while we were dining, and I know many had shown up before us. It was fun to see so many of my Seals out dining for the team.
“MOD is the original superfast pizza experience – a pioneering fast-casual concept that puts you in the driver’s seat. Artisan-style pizzas and salads are individually sized, made on demand, and ready in just minutes. Choose from over 30 toppings – the price stays the same no matter what you pick. At its heart, however, MOD is a platform for doing good. The idea? If we take care of our employees, they’ll take care of you, and our business will take care of itself. We call it Spreading MODness, and after opening stores across the U.S., we think it’s working. MOD employees are lovingly referred to as the MOD Squad. By putting people first, [the MOD Squad] strives to be a force for positive change in their lives and the communities they serve. From above-industry pay and benefits, to hiring people with disabilities and those in need of a second chance – our ethos is deeply rooted in acceptance, opportunity and development. The result? An amazing spirit of individuality, teamwork and service has emerged. It’s our culture of doing good – and it’s catching on.
MOD Pizza was founded in 2008 by husband and wife, Scott and Ally Svenson, in their hometown of Seattle. Inspired by their own search for quick, affordable, wholesome restaurant options for their growing family, they started to wonder if there were a better way of doing pizza – and business. The last thing the world needed was another pizza place, but maybe this one could be different. What if everyone could get exactly what they wanted, made fresh on demand, for as little as possible? And what if employees were paid as much as possible and given real opportunities for growth, even second chances? It all started sounding pretty great, and soon Scott and Ally were opening the first MOD Pizza in downtown Seattle.
MOD Pizza was started in Seattle, but today, there are MOD Pizza Restaurants popping up all over the United States. The Denver Metro area is lucky enough to have a few MODPizza Restaurants scattered around as well. I have been to a couple, and they pizzas are so fresh and delicious. And they are made to order too. Aside from pizza, MOD also offers a variety of healthy and tasty salad options as well. The pizzas are cooked in a wood fired oven.
Food authenticity is a huge deal with [them] – where it comes from, how it’s prepared – and of course, how it tastes. From pressing [the] dough daily to roasting vegetables – [MOD has] made it a priority to keep [their] food true. [They are] also mindful of animal ethics, environmental impact, and working with food partners that share [their] commitment to quality. If [they] wouldn’t serve it to [their] kids, [they] won’t serve it to you. It’s that simple
Larry and I ordered a Jasper pizza, that was loaded with spicy chicken and sausage with a red sauce. We also shared a large “Italian Chop” salad with Priscilla too, which was loaded with romaine, arugula, mozzarella, parmesan, salami, red onions, black olives, chickpeas, green bell peppers, zesty roma dressing.
Priscilla ordered a different kind of pizza. She ordered the Lucy Sunshine pizza, which was topped with mozzarella, parmesan, artichokes, garlic, dollops of red sauce. As you can see, they also offer different kinds of crusts to. There is a little something for everyone at MOD Pizza.
Not only was everything delicious, but we were helping support the team as well. So it was a win/win for everyone. Good food for a good cause!
Thank you so much MOD Pizza for helping support our swim team, The Lafayette Seals. Your support means so much to us. Everyone had a great time and everyone said the pizza was amazing. You made a lot of hungry swimmers and their families, as well as the coaches, very happy indeed.
The MOD Pizza in Lafayette, is located at 1137 Diamond Circle, Suite 400Lafayette, CO 80026. You can call them and place your order ahead of time at (720) 502-3486 if you like, and it will be ready for you when you come to either pick it up or enjoy it at the restaurant. Either way, you are going to be in for a fabulous and healthy pizza treat.
Stay cool, stay safe and stay well Everyone. ‘Til next time.
