Turkey, Bacon, Avocado on Squaw Sandwich

My daughter asked me - mommy, if you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be? My answer is the turkey, bacon and avocado sandwich from Butch's Grinders in Riverside. Their secret ingredient is the squaw bread from Galasso's Bakery in Mira Loma.

I attempted to recreate it after purchasing a loaf of squaw. Here's what you'll need:

INGREDIENTS

Squaw Bread

Mayonnaise

Garlic Oil

Iceberg Lettuce Finely Shredded

Onion - finely sliced

Tomato

Pickle

Provolone - 1 slice

Turkey

Avocado

Bacon

Every ingredient must be fresh and chilled. Mix the lettuce and onions together and lightly season with salt and pepper. Spread the garlic oil on one bread slice and light mayo on the other. Layer your sandwich accordingly, bacon, tomato, avocado slices, pickles, lettuce onion mixture, cheese, turkey, top with mayonnaise side down.

Enjoy!

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Pastrami Pizza

I do not like pastrami or mustard, except when it is placed atop a pizza. I first tried a pastrami pizza from the Downey Pizza Company. Now it is a monthly meal in our home. It is so easy and everyone loves it. I'm thinking I will bring it to a super bowl party next year.

INGREDIENTS

Pizza Crust (I used a BOBOLI)

Yellow Mustard

Pastrami

Pepperocinis

Jack cheese

Red Pepper

Garlic Salt

Spread the mustard on the pizza dough as you would sauce. Cover the pizza with the remaining ingredients as you like. Season with Red Pepper and Garlic Salt. Bake at 450 degrees for 14 minutes.

While you are eating the pizza, bake a brownie pizza for dessert! (recipe coming soon)

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Looking for Love? - Here it is!

This recipe makes my heart melt: Dark Chocolate covered Strawberries served with a Marshmellow Cream Dip.

INGREDIENTS

Long Stem Strawberries

1 package of Ghirardelli© Dark Chocolate Chips

1 Jar of Marshmellow Cream

1 package of Neufchâtel Cheese

HOW TO MAKE

Melt chocolate chips in a glass bowl atop boiling water. Add 1 tsp oil then stir until smooth. Dip Strawberries and lay on wax paper. Place in Fridge to harden.

For the dip, blend the entire jar of marshmellow cream with 1 package of Neufchâtel Cheese. Optional: sprinkle with brown sugar.

I decorated the bowl with the remaining chocolate. The strawberry shaped like a heart is the first picture in the album on facebook titled, Looking for Love. Make sure to look for love wherever you are. Take a picture and share the love with everyone.

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Tequila Chicken Fettucine

One of the best recipes at California Pizza Kitchen is their Tequila Chicken Fettucine.

It is requested in our home every month.

Here is how we make it:

-1 (16 ounce) package fettuccine pasta

-1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

-2 tablespoons minced garlic

-2 tablespoons minced jalapeno peppers

-3 tablespoons butter

-1/2 cup chicken stock

-3 tablespoons tequila

-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

-3 tablespoons soy sauce

-1 1/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cubed

-1/4 red onion, sliced

-1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

-1/2 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced

-1/2 green bell pepper, sliced

-1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

DIRECTIONS

In a medium saucepan, saute the cilantro, garlic and jalapeno pepper in 2 tablespoons of butter or margarine over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the stock, tequila and lime juice. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until reduced to a paste-like consistency. Set aside.

Pour soy sauce over the chicken and set aside for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, In a medium sized skillet, saute the onion and the red, green and yellow bell peppers with the remaining tablespoon of butter or margarine, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, cook fettuccini according to package directions.

When the peppers have wilted, add the chicken and soy sauce. Toss and add the reserved tequila/lime paste and cream. Bring to a boil. Gently simmer until chicken is cooked through and sauce is thick. Toss with well drained fettuccini and garnish with cilantro. Serve.

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Big Belly Banks - A great gift for kids

Traditionally when a niece or nephew turns 1 or 2 in my life, they get one of these adorable BIG BELLY BANKS.

It makes saving money fun. And, instead of putting coins in their mouth, they put the coin in the bank and watch it travel down to its belly. When it's full, simply unscrew it and count the savings.

My daughter's bank gets emptied every birthday. It has been a great tool in teaching her how to count money.

Big belly banks have over 20 designs and sizes to choose from to match the decor.

Flowers, race cars, dogs, dinosaurs, football stand, baseball bat, cat, and more.

Visit their website for more details.

http://www.bigbellybanks.com/home.php?cat=1

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Give a Heart Attack to someone you Love

Just because Valentine's has passed, doesn't mean you can't share the love with those who deserve it. In fact, why not make a tradition of it?  This is a great way for teams to show their appreciation for a coach's effort and replaces the old tradition of toilet paper and raw eggs.  Decorate the lawn with homemade hearts or get this adorable flock of flamingos to garnish their lawn with.

Either way, the coach will appreciate the effort.  

Have fun and go give a heart attack to someone you think is doing a great job!

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The 3 things in every relationship

This is a picture of my husband and I. It's the typical engagement picture on the beach at sunset looking into each others eyes and holding a toaster. Yes everyone - that is a toaster.

But this toaster is not just any toaster. It is a symbol of an expression my stepdad says about choosing your partner which is,

"Take the three things you hate most about the person you are dating. Multiply that by 10 and if you can live with it, then you should get married."

Well our first "fight" was about this toaster. I liked it put away and he liked it on the countertop. So every morning he went to make toast he would have to pull it out of the cupboard, plug it in, toast the bread, eat, then go to work. Then I would wipe away the crumbs and put the toaster back in the cupboard. It lasted about three weeks before he finally snapped.

When sharing the story with our parents, they laughed because they knew our "rose-colored glasses" of new love were clearing up. They shared with us it's the little things in marriages that build up. The shoes he leaves laying in the hallway, the dishes she leaves in the sink for days, the light bulb no one wants to change, and the toaster's permanent spot in the kitchen.

I knew they were right but quickly dismissed it thinking, "I will never let those petty things bother me. Especially not with this wonderful man who is choosing to spend the rest of his life with me." Taven on the other hand, had the foresight to trust "experience and knowledge" when he carried the toaster out to the shore at sunset. (Well, I can call it foresight now 13 years later. Truth is, at the time, he was trying to make my parents laugh.)

This picture sits on the shelves at the offices of W.F. Underwood Financial and Insurance Services (my parents). When their clients come in, many will look at the picture, and do a double-take asking, "is that a toaster?" To which he will share his life lesson "the 3 things."

As with most couples, Taven and I have fought over many "toaster" issues throughout our marriage and never were they about a toaster - until two weeks ago when the one we've used broke. He went and bought a new one at Costco but I didn't like it (the slots weren't deep enough for his sourdough bread) So I told him I would exchange it. I went to three stores testing various types. Unsatisfied with them all, I decided the one he chose was perfect. I brought it home and meant to put it back where it belonged but instead left it in its box on the dryer. When he woke up and went to make toast he yelled, "Where's the damn Toaster!!!!!!!"

I laughed.

Then he did too.

So what are your three things? And/or what marriage advice can you share?

If you reply with some good advice before March 1st, you will be entered to win - you guessed it, a free toaster!!!!! Comment on the Facebook fanpage or below.

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30daysof...Romancing your Man

As February 14th approaches, it is common for women to play sweet in hopes their Valentine will present her with flowers, candy and an intimate table at a fancy restaurant. However the flowers die, the candy makes us fat, and the restaurants pack in so many extra tables, you might wonder whose knee he is really rubbing. This type of evening is not romantic at all, least especially for the man. And this year, I am all about romancing my man. So using social networks, i asked men, how do you like to feel special? What is your ideal date? What can a woman do to make you feel loved? Their responses are listed below and are numbered from the least desired to the most effective. In fact, if you ever want to make your man truly feel loved, skip all the way to number 1.

30. Nightcap - Pull down his sheets for him before bed.

29. Put tooth paste on his toothbrush for him in the morning

28. Bring him coffee in bed

27. Stay off your handheld devices when talking with him.

26. When not with him, send seductive or thoughtful texts to him.

25. Send a sexy picture of yourself to him on his phone before he gets home.

24. Write a poem or a love letter for him and put it in a homemade lunch.

23. Bake him his favorite cookies, cake or pie.

22. Wear a whip cream bikini

21. Go shopping for lingerie. You stay in the dressing room and let him bring you what he likes. You put it on and love it (even if you don't).

20. If he is nice enough to watch a chick flick with you, then don't wear your panties for him.

19. Tell him thank you for choosing you.

18. Plan a sports party for him and his friends - make a great dip (Chili-Cheese Dip) , drinks, and let them get as loud as they want. Don't tell him to turn anything down. Smile and be happy for him.

17. Say I love you. Now you can say it in a 100 different languages.

16. Sushi Bar on your Body - If you don't know, think Samantha from the movie, SEX AND THE CITY. If you haven't seen it, refer to number 20.

15. Draw naked pictures of each other. (Remember Titanic?) Let him go first even if he can't draw.

14. Make a music cd of your favorite love songs.

13. Dress up. FOR HIM, just becuase. Pick up a Victoria Secret Catalog.

12. Wink at him. Flirt. Touch him as you walk by. Or spank him and then hide.

11. On his birthday, wrap yourself up like a present and let him unwrap you after he blows out the candles to the cake you made him.

10. Park. On a cliff, At a drive-in, or in a remote place. Bring #14.

9. Leave articles of clothing throughout the house, leading to yourself in a bathtub.

7. Hire a masseur for his/her massages. You supply the happy ending.

6. Make a video of yourselves together...or watch a video and roleplay.

5. Play a Game - Truth or Dare, Spin the Bottle, Strip Poker.

4. Serve him a home cooked meal 4 times a week.

3. Wear only an apron when serving him dinner.

2. Smile. When he leaves for work AND especially when he gets home from work.

1. Simply touch it. Done. Romanced.

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Green Sauce Enchiladas - Lasagna Style

At a holiday party I hosted, these Green Sauce Enchiladas I created were the first to be completely devoured.  Make them for yourself and I guarantee, you will receive rave reviews from all the guests.

INGREDIENTS

8 boneless skinless chicken breast

1 container of sour cream

2 cups of jack cheese

1 bunch of cilantro

Remaining ingredients are from the

El Tapatio Markets

1 pack of freshly made flour tortillas 

2 containers of green chili sauce 

1 container of salsa fresca  (or make your own with diced tomatoes, cilantro and onion) and let sit overnight.

TO PREPARE

Boil chicken breast.  When cool, Shred the chicken and add the sour cream, Salsa Fresca, and 1 cup of Jack cheese and 1/2 container of the green chili sauce. Mix well.

Get a 9x12 baking pan and pour a thin layer of the green chili sauce to coat.  Cover the bottom of the pan with the flour toritillas as you would layer a lasagna.  Spread the chicken mixture over the layer, then cover with tortillas.  Cover with remaining chicken and layer again with tortillas (top)  Pour the remaining green chili sauce over entire dish. Cover with the remaining jack cheese.  Back at 400˚ for 35 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbling.  Garnish with fresh cilantro and green onions.  

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Holiday Treats Platter

These cookie recipes are great to share and take only minutes to prepare!

Package them up in a holiday tin from Aaron Brothers or on a festive plate covered in cellaphane. Attach your favorite cookie cutter (cookie cutters from Sur La Table) and handwritten recipe card to personalize it even more.

Giant Snowflake Sugar Cookie

• 1 1/2 cups butter, softened
• 2 cups white sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I USE Pure Madagascar Vanilla Bean Paste from SurLaTable)
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.

For the Icing. 1 cup of powdered sugar, two tsp. corn syrup, 2 T. Milk. I have a still paint brush and I paint them on from the middle out.

Mexican Wedding Cookie (from allrecipes.com)

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (I USE Pure Madagascar Vanilla Bean Paste from SurLaTable)
• 2 teaspoons water
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped almonds
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Stir in vanilla and water. Add the flour and almonds, mix until blended. Cover and chill for 3 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
3. Shape dough into balls or crescents. Place on an unprepared cookie sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from pan to cool on wire racks. When cookies are cool, roll in confectioners' sugar. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.

Haystacks with Cashews

What you will need:

3 cups Chinese noodles (chow mein)

1 cup Cashews halves

1 bag dark Chocolate chips

1/2 bag Butterscotch chips

To Prepare:

Melt Chocolate and Butterscotch chips in Microwave at medium or low 3 to 4 minutes until melted. Stir chocolate smooth; add noodles and cashews. Toss to coat well. On strips of foil or wax paper, form into 1 1/2 inch clusters. Cool to set. Makes about 24 (1 1/2 inch) "haystacks."

To Serve: Serve on a chilled plate at dessert time.

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