Deep Thoughts by Angie Handy

Hi Kids. Happy Friday!
Hope everyone is doing well. I am doing very well. It's been a busy, but productive and good week. Coming back from vacation is always a super busy time at work. That's what happens when you work at a really small company. It's ok, though, adds variety and makes the days go by quickly. I'm a little sadend to be noticing my tan is fading. Those days in the Caribbean sun are becoming just memories, now. Really good memories.
This week, I've managed to fall asleep twice before 9 pm and wake up EVERY SINGLE DAY B.E.F.O.R.E my alarm! I can't begin to explain how WRONG this is! I'm hoping it's a time-adjustment thing and that my body will soon be back to jolting awake with the alarm only to slam down the snooze button (oh, I love this morning ritual). Have I ever mentioned that I really HATE the morning time. Well, I do. Enough about that, though.

I've been doling out cooking tips recently, and have learned a few myself...so I thought I would share (since cooking is my passion...ok, maybe food is my passion)

kraftfoods.com = great, easy (even for a novice) everyday recipes. They even have a quarterly FREE magazine that you can subscribe to. Lots of really fantastic meal ideas.

cooking with wine is super delicious! it adds this phenomenal background flavor that makes the food taste really deep, layered. If you aren't a wine drinker, you can freeze small portions of wine for use in cooking later. I just fill up small butter containers. Perfect. Oh - and NEVER cook with wine that you wouldn't drink.

making an alfredo-type sauce can be pretty easy...and not super fatty. I combined wine (reduced: boiled down to about 1/2 as much) with about a 1/3 cup milk and half can of cream of mushroom soup (98% fat free) with some salt & pepper and a little garlic. Yummy over noodles. I threw in some rosemary and red pepper flakes, but that's optional.

Chili - start with your basic: tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, kidney beans and chili spice. Add in any of the following: cooked meat, corn, sauteed peppers & onions, beer (yep, beer is really yummy in chili, cook it - in the chili- for a while to burn the alcohol off), bacon, liquid smoke, even baked beans.

Meatloaf. (yes, I'm a pseudo vegetarian, but I do make meatloaf once in a while). If you don't have time to bake it for 60-90 minutes. Make the same recipe, but divide the meatloaf mixture into muffin tins, bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes. Faster meatloaf...and it's kinda fun to eat!

k, that's it for now...work must be done.
Have a lovely Friday kids.