MORE MAD MEN

Season Five premiers on Sunday March 25! Everyone is gearing up to have their Mad Men themed viewing parties! I wish I could be hosting one but I shall be in Vegas this weekend. BOO! But I'm still dying to get this Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook.

I must have it!

Homemade Bread and Shepard's Pie!

Sorry for the poor quality, these pictures were taken on my iPhone...

Irish Shepard Pie Recipe (via Food Wishes)

Ingredients:

For lamb mixture:

1 tbsp butter

1 tbsp olive oil

1 diced onion

2 pounds lean ground lamb

1/3 cup flour

salt and pepper to taste

1 tsp paprika

1/8 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp minced fresh rosemary

3 cloves minced garlic

1 tbsp ketchup

2 1/2 cups water or broth (use more or less to adjust thickness as needed)
12 oz bag frozen peas and carrots, thawed, drained well

For the potato topping:

2 1/2 pound Yukon gold potatoes

1 tbsp butter

salt and pepper to taste

pinch of cayenne

1/4 cup cream cheese

1/4 pound Irish cheddar

1 egg yolk beaten with 2 tbsp milk

Few notes: I found lamb meat at Sprouts Supermarket and I just asked if they can group it for me and they did! I used yellow cheddar cheese instead of white, not because I like yellow cheddar more but because I was an idiot and bought the wrong kind at the store. Also the water should be added into the lamb mixture a little bit at a time! I added the full 2.5 cups of water at once and it was way too much so it took awhile and more flour before it thickened. 

Homemade Bread Recipe (via Food Wishes)

Ingredients:

For the sponge:

1 1/2 teaspoon dry active yeast

1/2 cup AP flour

1/2 cup warm water (about 100 degrees)

Then:
12 oz bottled beer

18 ounces AP flour (about 4 cups)

1 1/2 teaspoon fine salt

Few notes: The first time I tried this recipe I messed up and bought a Gingerbread Ale which is a darker beer and it made a darker bread with a pretty strong beer smell and taste. I did not like it at all so the second time I used Stella Artolis! I should've known to buy a beer that I would actually drink! This one turned out PERFECT. No hint of beer smell or taste.  This is a super easy recipe that makes a gorgeous and delicious bread! Everyone should try it. 

The Mr.'s 29th Birthday

Last week was a super hectic week because I was busy planning a surprise birthday party for my darling husband! I decided to host a dinner party for his close friends (well only 7 of them because it was the  most I could squeeze at our dining table). Hosting a formal dinner party is definitely stressful but also really fun and rewarding when you see the look on your guests face. And in this case, my husband was the guest of honor and it was his reaction I valued the most. I'm so glad the party was a complete surprise to him and a great success! Thanks to everyone that helped out and especially the lovely Miss Ahn for taking all of the wonderful pictures! See her amazing blog here.

Without further ado...

The theme was "artsy and colorful"

Yes these are the 36" latex gallons. I LOVE THEM.

Yeap! Everyone got their own fake mustache

Avocado Shrimp Salad

With Homemade Cilantro Lime Dressing

Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes

The glorious prime rib

Dinner is served!

Yes, it was perfectly medium rare and amazing

Dessert

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

Thanks Everyone!

What a goofy bunch we are

To my love. Happy 29th Birthday! Just wait till your 30th, I have the most amazing party in the works for you ;)

Dinner Menu:

Avocado Shrimp Salad with Homemade Cilantro Lime Dressing
Prime Rib (Recipe by Chef John)
Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes (Recipe by Chef John)
Creamed Corn
Flourless Chocolate Cake with Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

Homemade Ice Creams!

Ever since I got my ice cream maker this month I have been on a little bit of an ice cream bender! Here are some delicious creamy treats I have created so far...stay tuned for more!

 Simple Vanilla Ice Cream

Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream

March!

I love starting a new month! For some reason it just feels like a brand new beginning for me on the first of every month. New budget, new meal plans, new goals and plans for the month. March is probably one of my FAVORITE months because not only does it announce the beginning of Spring, it is also me and my husband's birthday month!

For March I am teaming up with my sister to create a meal plan that is all organic, unprocessed, all-natural foods while creating chinese food recipes that use these higher quality ingredients. A lot of people think Chinese food is greasy and unhealthy because they are seeing Panda Express in their heads. But actually Chinese food is quite healthy because it doesn't use salt (substituted with soy sauce) and it is abundant in vegetables! The only thing is the quality of meats and seafood at chinese supermarkets isn't great which is why we are going to create recipes using organic meats and vegetables! I'm very excited about this venture because there are a lot of healthy recipes for American foods on the internet but I rarely find any healthy recipes for AUTHENTIC Chinese food. Please keep in mind that our chinese food would be considered Taiwanese cuisine because most of these are recipes we learned from our mom.

I'm also super excited to create lots of homemade desserts and baked goods! I just discovered my husband got me the Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer! (He says I ruin all surprises but I think I'm just pretty intuitive!) I also got an ice cream maker and an array of baking necessities!

 On Amazon deal for $47!

Macy's 1-day sale is pretty awesome. Especially if you have a 15% off coupon and open up a Macy's account (another 20% off.) My total savings was $85!

Kitchen Aid hasn't arrived yet but it's the 5qt on Amazon for $199 + $30 Rebate + 10% off using Chase Visa!

I'm so excited to use all of my new goodies! Stay tuned for all my cooking adventures in March =)