Dinner for The Busy Kirklands

Dear Diary-
OK the pictures look a little random but these are the key parts to a yummy dinner that will please all the Kirklands. This can be made in advance and sealed up and even put into Tupperware and frozen.. so what's for dinner? Coca Cola Baked Chicken and BBQ Pasta Salad with hidden veggies for Stella

Pasta Salad
1 box of tri color spiral pasta ( fun colors for Stella )
1/2 cup of ranch dressing
1/2 cup of BBQ sauce
1/4 cup of chopped carrot
1/4 cup of chopped green pepper
1/4 cup halved grape tomatoes

Cook up pasta, and rise with cold water. Mix with remaining ingredients and
refrigerate.

Chicken
1 whole chicken cut into parts ( your butcher can do this just ask )
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup of any flavor jam
1/2 cup Coca Cola
1 tsp garlic powder
3 tbs onion soup mix

Pre heat the oven to 350
Rinse chicken and pat dry
Mix remaining ingredients together until combined
Place chicken parts into a baking dish and cover with sauce
Bake chicken covered with foil for 1 and a half hours
Remove aluminum foil and bake for additional 30 min

This will be right up Bre's alley and Mark will be so happy- and it's a sneaky way to get Stella to eat her veggies...it's not too crazy but still has some yummy flavor...you can do this on Sunday and eat on Monday! PLUS this is a very budget conscious meal...

ENJOY!

Help Me Dear Diary

Dear Diary-
My fantastic hair dresser/ lifelong friend is in need of some culinary intervention!
See below from my Bre

Dear friends diary,
I'm a mom of two girls under the age of 3... I work and supprt the family financially, I don't have lots of time for dinner an when I get home from work it's late and I'm starving and need food fast? Is there yummy recipes for pre made food that I can freeze for the week??? And on the side, I would like some new chicken recipes ?? I'm a pizza burger kind of girl! Thx a bunch
Signed, a tired mom with not a lot of time to cook!

OK so Housewife 2.0 to the rescue... you see Bre is a meat and potatoes kind of eater... and she LOVES a big can of Coca Cola... so I need to come up with something good for her...and her hubby Mark and SUPER cute babies Stella and Ivey...Recipe will be listed soon... tune in!

Dinner for Keri and ANDDDDREEEEEEEEEEEWW

Dear Diary-
My dear dear friend and NYC buddy Ker asked for an Orange Roughy recipe... she had some Orange Roughy and Israeli Cous Cous. What is Orange Roughy you may ask? Well Diary it is a firm fish with a mild taste- great for people who don't like strong flavored fish like salmon.
And here is my recipe for my friend Ker and her ANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNDDREEEEEEEW!

2 Orange Roughy Fillets
1/2 sliced red onion
1 tbs of lemon zest
Juice of 1 lemon
One bunch of fresh oregeno
2 tbs of chopped kalamata olives
1/4 cup of feta cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tsp white wine

Israeli Cous Cous
Chicken Stock
White Wine

Cook the Israeli Cous Cous according to package instructions. Use 3/4 of liquid as a chicken stock- the remaining 1/4 use white wine or lemon juice ( added flavor )

Pre heat oven to 400
Place fish on a baking sheet covered with aluminum foil and non stick spray
Season fish on both sides with salt and pepper
Combine the red onion, lemon zest, olives, oregeno, sour cream and white wine.
Spread mixture on the fish and top with crumbled feta cheese
Bake for 10-12 minutes
Serve over the Cous Cous, garnish with lemon wedges and sip on some white wine!

Love The French Food

Dear Diary-
I felt like I was kinda back in Paris today. I sat at a little table by the window enjoying my tasty Parisian Sandwich. MMMMMMMMMMM warm tasty ham smothered with grainy mustard and swiss cheese all pressed between some crusty bread... it would have been better with a glass of white wine but I'm here to work- so no wine at lunch. I wish I could have a second home in France and eat tasty French food and sip on tasty French wine whenever I wanted...ok that's the new goal to put on the list... HOME IN FRANCE...
Bonjour Diary....

Steak and Shake with Dad

Dear Diary-
So Mom is out of town and we decided to support Dad at Holy Family's Steak & Shake event. It is only fitting since Steak N Shake is Dad's FAVORITE restaurant- I don't even know if that place is really worthy enough to be called a restaurant but whatever it is Dad loves it. Thing is all the Orlando locations of the Steak N Shake are in some less than desirable neighborhoods...
So this Steak & Shake was actually a steak dinner and dance. Anyway we all went to support Dad- and WOW he needed it! When we finally got to see him it looked like he lost about 10 pounds sweating over the grill!

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He grilled over 200 ribeyes... granted they were frozen as they hit the grill so it was not the tastiest steak but Dad did a good job.
So we ate our "steak" and left before the shake...

Best Lemonade Ever

Dear Diary-
OMG so I found this lemonade when I was in Maine... at a place called Tidal Falls- this is where Gabe proposed... anyway. The Lemonade was so freaking good! So I found the recipe and made it for Father's Day...I could have guzzled the entire pitcher! I didn't I shared with the family and everyone agreed that is was a hit. Although some asked if we had a little Vodka to throw in to make it REALLY good...we did not.

Makes 9 Servings
*8 cups of Water
*1 1/2 cups of sugar
*1 1/2 cups of fresh squeezed lemon juice



*1 tbs of lemon zest (use a microplane to zest the lemon)
*Mint for garnish

Heat 2 cups of water and sugar over medium high heat until sugar is dissolved
Mix remaining ingredients together and chill
Serve over ice and garnish with fresh mint

Drink and then Propose to the one you love....


ahhh Gabe and Jen getting engaged kissy face

How Can You Not Be A Fan

Dear Diary-
I stayed true to my driver this year- and after a much awaited win... my boy KASEY KHANE drove into Victory Lane last night. Oh Diary I was biting my nails in anticipation last night! The dang double starts after cautions had me so nervous... Smoke was on his tail the whole time. And of course Diary Gabe is a Smoke fan... I was happy the Ishams had a 1 2 finish last night- Gabe was of course upset that my driver won....
I want to meet Kasey one day....

To Work or Not to Work.....

Dear Diary-
I am stuck in the office on a Saturday- MOD :( BAHAHHH! Anyway I figured since I was here that I might as well be productive- productive on a crafty craft that is not work. I am so pumped with my creation! I made the CUTEST moving announcements! I am so proud of myself for sneaking the layout and design off a great site and making them for FREE! I just have to finish them up on some more card stock but i think the product so far is STELLAR! I also enjoy the nifty return address labels... I can't wait til 3 so i can jet on over to JoAnns and finish these puppies up! I think i even have a coupon for JoAnns- happy Saturday!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Dear Diary-
I HEART that I can grow such awesome tomatoes all year round. We picked 6 yesterday and I also picked another 3 jalapenos and our basil and oregano are just out of control.
Granted I need to wash the tomatoes because that bush is Cesar's favorite pee spot... oh god... do you think the pee is getting into the tomatoes? Now I'm second thinking my excitement....

Kristen's "Sandwich"

Dear Diary-
OMG my friend made the BEST "sandwich" this weekend! I'm glad it was good because she talked this puppy up! Well Diary- it was not a let down at all- it was FANTASTIC! I think it's so good because you can get all the ingredients at any store- hell, i think you can get them all at a gas station store too. It's also super yummy because you make a kazillion variations of this.
OK so how you make it... here we go
1. preheat oven to 350
2. grease bottom of glass baking dish
3. unroll crescent roll dough and cover entire bottom of dish
4. top with sliced turkey meat
5. top with sliced banana peppers- make sure these are drained!
6. top with lacey swiss cheese ( has tons of tiny holes in it )
7. top with sliced ham
8. top with another layer of crescent roll dough- make sure everything is covered
9. top with egg wash mixed with chopped garlic
10. sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese
11. bake for 40 minutes uncovered
12. let stand for 5 minutes before serving

Diary, I want one now! But think about this- you could throw some pickles in and make it a cuban version or make an Italian version with salami and provolone.

THANKS KRISTEN!

Boom Boom Pow

Dear Diary-
OMG I had such a great weekend with my girls! I needed a weekend to unwind for sure. We had a blast eating SUPER yummy fresh seafood at JB's Fish Camp, danced our butts off, sang the hell out of some Celine Dion and had many many inappropriate conversations.
Oh yeah I forgot... picture this Diary. I was on the dance floor minding my own business... and then out of nowhere this "dancer" comes heading my way. Before I knew it I was in some sort of strange dance off- yet I was pretty much an apparatus in this girl's routine. Diary- I had nowhere to go and then all of a sudden she dropped it like it was hot and did a split in front on me as she pulled down my dress....
I felt a bit violated and to be honet scared.....

Thanks Straight Talk!

Dear Diary-
I think I might want to move to Sarasota. Why you may ask? Well the awesome radio program Straight Talk on WSRQ has been so awesome to me! I have now been on their morning program twice now and the support from Gid Pool has been the best. It's great to have some people that I have never met really stand behind me and believe in my Housewife 2.0 point of view...makes me more determined to be published and spread the word....
Housewife 2.0 to rule the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think of the infamous words of Meg Ryan in French Kiss...
I WILL TRIUMPH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.newstalk1220.com/

This is Ron Burgundy

Dear Diary-
I did the news today! I felt kinda like Ron Burgundy- needed a sweet red suit and wish I had some of that Sex Panther by Odeon cologne. That would have been awesome to sport on Fox News....



Anyway I made some tasty treats! I made a Blueberry Bruschetta.

Slices of grilled baguette
Top with gorgonzola cheese spread ( available in cheese section- a milder blue cheese )
Top with an arugula leaf ( it's a peppery lettuce )
Top with a few fresh blueberries
Drizzle with honey

The result? A tangy and sweet crunchy treat. AND it's Blue and White- perfect app for Orlando Magic fans!

Here's a link to today's segment on Fox News!
http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/entertainment/television/060809food_network_star

Next Food Network Star

Dear Diary
This whole crazy roller coaster started back in October last year when I went to an open call. Although I was the first to get the boot, I am so proud of myself that I had enough guts to get up and try out for this. I will never be able to ask myself “what if” because I did it. I went after this and I landed a spot in the top ten out of thousands of applicants. I’m so lucky to have a seat on this crazy ride.

Ugh, so yes, I was the first one to be kicked off and I’m not going to pretend that it’s all good, because it’s not! Being kicked off first was the ONE thing I did not want to happen and I must admit I was completely blindsided. I honestly don’t know why I went home. The whole final portion of the elimination process was a complete blur. I remember burying myself into Eddie’s chest and trying my best not to “ugly cry.” I had my mind set from the beginning to be who I was and not pretend to be anything that I wasn’t. I represented my culinary point of view. I LIKED my green beans. I have not had green beans since that day, but that night I liked them! I guess I could have been a little more animated in my presentation and given them more “Jen” I guess. But at the end of the day they had to send someone home that they only met for maybe 20 minutes. I was the fall guy. I was who I was, and if they aren’t looking for me then that’s ok.

In my short time on the show, it was no less than a chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to meet all the Food Network chefs and even be interviewed by Nancy O’Dell was something that only a handful of people in this world will ever get to experience, and I am one of them! Just regular old Jen Isham got to do this. I’m going to miss the feeling of waking up in the morning and wondering what is going to happen and the hope that “wow” I could maybe win this whole thing. Not having the “what could happen” feeling is something that I’m struggling with. But hey, at least I don’t have to keep this secret and keep avoiding answering questions anymore! My Dad finally knows the big secret. I’m going to miss the nine friends that I made too. Katie, Debbie, Jamika, Melissa, Teddy, Eddie, Jeffrey, Michael and Brett will be these nine random people that shared the most exciting adventure I have - and mostly likely will - ever experience. They will always have this crazy special place in my heart.

So what’s next? I know with absolute certainty that I am meant to get back to food. It is now my goal to get my Housewife 2.0 way of life out there to the masses. I am hell bent on finishing a Housewife 2.0 cookbook/guide for the modern gals out there. Look for me on The New York Times best sellers list! It’s not that far-fetched. After all, I have said I was going to be on Food Network for the past five years. I did that. So if I set out to have a best-selling cookbook, I bet I can do that too. Right after I cook Gabe dinner.

Oh Crap

Dear Diary-
It's never good to be cooking dinner- chimichurri skirt steak with black beans and red onions over cumin spiced rice- and hear a chainsaw start up. Even worse when you realize it's your husband on the back porch and you know there is nothing that needs to be cut- let alone with a powered rotating spiked chain......

Ahhh and best yet- I asked what he was doing with the chainsaw. Diary he said he just wanted to start it up and is now going to put it in the back of his truck- "because you never know when you need to cut something down"
Yessss don't we all need to travel with a chainsaw like a spare tire...that's why I love my man always thinking ahead...

food network addict

food network addict

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Single Minded Women

Dear Diary-
Wow Diary this whole week has been so freaking cool. I can't believe I am really in all these publications- even on the side of a building in NYC! I mean I always said I'd be on the Food Network- and it wasn't totally shocking when i first found out- but still it's so random. I guess i still don't quite believe it.
Anyway... hahah i'm all over the place which is pretty evident by my wandering posts-and therefore makes it very ironic that today there was the BEST article on www.singlemindedwomen.com. It is BY FAR my most favorite write up!
I can just see us now... Debbie, Jamika, Katie, Melissa and I jamming out to Unbrella...el el el el ella......with the hot French photographer...MEMORIES...

Examiner Online Magazine

Dear Diary-
This is the most amazing yet crazy and stressful week. I feel like a full on Food Network personality! So far this week Miss Alexis has set me up with a few interviews and my first on air radio show! That was mad cool... i have no clue what I said but it was cool- Shannon and Gabe said I did a good job.
Anyway just really grateful for all the amazing opportunities that have come my way and that will continue to come my way. This is one fantastic roller coaster and I'm so happy I have a seat!
Off to finish roasting a chicken with peaches and rosemary for Bre tomorrow. It smells so good! Cumin, and honey, peaches and rosemary- wow Gabe is jealous he doesn't get any....
Below is a link to a new article- click below and then choose Orlando as your city- thanks Examiner!
Night Diary off to bed.... I'm way too tired.

www.examiner.com

White Wine

Dear Diary-
What happens when you mix BFFs and white wine? Well when it comes to Jen Isham and Alicia Weaver it means unwrapping her wedding gown from her preservation box and playing dress up.
It's a nice night for a
WHITE WEDDING...................