Happy Hour Friday: Blue Mountain Rockfish Wheat Beer

Photo: From Blue Mountain Brewery

Last weekend one of my best friends from college came to visit. With this being her first visit to Charlottesville, I knew that I had to show her the gorgeous vineyards and our favorite brewery. After an afternoon of wine tasting we ended up at Blue Mountain Brewery for some afternoons beers. I love this brewery because of the beautiful scenery and delicious beers. It also doesn't hurt that they are open long after all of the vineyards close. "Blue Mountain Brewery sits in the shadow of Appalachia’s Blue Ridge Mountains in Afton, Virginia. They are a farm brewery, growing their own hops, and making a vast variety of tasty beers."

The Rockfish is their summer beer. It is an "authentic Bavarian-style “Kristall Weizen” filtered wheat beer. It has such a wonderful and light flavor. It is perfect for those hot summer days and cool spring nights. This beer is available from April to September and can be purchased at most large grocery stores - Kroger, Harris Teeter and Publix. A six pack of blue mountain bottles varies in price from roughly 8 to 10 dollars.


Happy Feasting!

Curry Chicken Salad

As I have mentioned before, I am always searching for new lunch ideas. It is important to me to be able to keep lunch at the office somewhat exciting. I love making various salads (tuna, chicken and egg) at the beginning of the week and then being able to quickly grab some in the morning to eat with crackers, on top of a salad or in a sandwich. This curry chicken salad is easy and quick thanks to the pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. If you are not a curry fan, omit the curry powder altogether and just make good ole' regular chicken salad.

You Will Need:

• 1 whole rotisserie chicken, shredded
• 2 stalks celery, sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1/4 cup golden raisins
• 3/4 cup fuji apple, diced
• 3/4 cup seedless red grapes, halved
• 1/2 cup miracle whip or light mayonaise
• 1 1/2 tsp curry powder
• salt and pepper to taste

Here We Go:

• Place first six ingredients into large bowl
• Add miracle whip or mayonaisse and mix together with wooden spoon
• Add curry power and continue to mix
• Serve atop a bed of lettuce or with bread

Happy Feasting!

Spaghetti Carbonara

I was asked last week by one of my readers for a spaghetti carbonara recipe. She said that she had attempted to make it at home and it had turned into a complete disaster. Now, before I go ahead and share this recipe with you guys, I will say that I know this reader personally and she is a fabulous cook. I highly doubt that it was a disaster but nonetheless I loved how this carbonara turned out so I wanted to share it with all of you!

I have copied the directions from bell'alimento literally verbatim because I think she hit the nail on the head. Timing is EVERYTHING with this dish. The main ingredients are spaghetti, garlic and fresh Parmesan - heaven! This dish will turn out perfectly if you just follow the directions below word for word because it is essential that each step is done while something else is cooking....you following me? Follow the steps below and you will have restaurant style carbonara at home in no time!

Source : Bell'alimento

You Will Need:

• 1 package spaghetti
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 6 oz pancetta – diced
• 4 large cloves of fresh garlic -minced
• 2 large eggs -room temperature – beaten
• 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
• freshly cracked black pepper

Here We Go:

• Place a large pasta pot with enough water onto boil and season generously with salt
• Once water comes to a boil, add spaghetti & stir so that the pasta separates
• Cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente and reserve one cup of the pasta cooking water.
• WHILE the spaghetti is cooking, in a large pan over medium heat add olive oil and cook pancetta/bacon until fairly crisp (about 3-4 minutes).  Reduce heat to low, add in garlic and cook for another minute (you don’t want your garlic to burn).
• WHILE the bacon/garlic are cooking crack your eggs into a small bowl & add 1 cup of cheese. Mix together and set aside.
• Drain your pasta well and add to bacon mixture. Is is IMPORTANT that your pasta is HOT when adding it to the mixture. Toss well (I find two forks or tongs work really well for this). Take off of heat.
• To your plating bowl, add cheese & egg mixture. Transfer the pasta to plating bowl and toss well to combine. If you find the mixture is too thick, you can thin it out with a little of the pasta water (remember you can always add more so add sparingly) Season well with pepper. Garnish with the remainder of your cheese.

Serves 4
Happy Feasting!

Slow Cooker Santa Fe Chicken

Cinco de Mayo is tomorrow and that means you should absolutely indulge in a complete Mexican feast! I love an easy slow cooker recipe that involves dumping the ingredients in the pot, turning it on, and returning after several hours to a delicious and home cooked dinner. This slow cooker santa fe chicken is healthy and satisfying. You can through all of the ingredients into the slow cooker and come home from work with dinner waiting for you. Pair this with ice cold margaritas, queso, mariachis and sombreros for the perfect Mexican fiesta!

Source : Skinny Taste

You Will Need:

• 24 oz (1 1/2) lbs chicken breast
• 14.4 oz can diced tomatoes with mild green chilies
• 15 oz can black beans
• 8 oz frozen corn
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 14.4 oz can fat free chicken broth
• 3 scallions, chopped
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper (to taste)
• salt to taste

 Here We Go:

• Combine chicken broth, beans, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne pepper and salt in the slow cooker
• Season chicken breast with salt and lay on top
• Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours
• Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred with fork
• Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in
• Adjust salt and seasoning
• Top with shredded cheese, scallions and sour cream if desired (Also great when served with cornbread muffins!)

More Cinco de Mayo Ideas
Chicken Fajitas
Fish Tacos with Creamy Lime Guacamole and Cabbage Slaw
Gucamole

6 Ingredient Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are so easy and delicious. With only six ingredients, I almost guarantee that you have everything you will need already in your pantry. One of my friends made these cookies and after my first bite I knew I had to get the recipe (thank you Alison!).If you are in need of a chocolate and peanut butter fix, give these cookies a try - you will love them!

You Will Need:

• 1 (18 oz) jar crunchy peanut butter
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 (11.5oz) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

Here We Go:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Stir together first 5 ingredients with spoon or spatula
• Add chocolate chips
• Roll into small balls and bake for 8-12 minutes

Makes 30 Cookies (depending on size)

Happy Feasting!