Kitty Deschanel

Yesterday's meal of Trader Joe's Masala Simmer Sauce was a big, lemony failure. I set out to jazz up the leftovers today, but half expected the entire thing to end up in the trash. Yuck, c old leftovers! Add a couple handfuls of spinach. *Nifty Tip* Storing rinsed spinach inside a Tupperware or glass container with a paper towel on the top and a paper towel on the bottom keeps it edible and slime-free for a long time. Add a few splashes of coconut milk Another "by the way" moment: I love our can opener! Not only does it leave a smooth edge around the lid so that your cooking isn't interrupted by running off to find a first aid kit, it also creates a great way to re-seal the can if you don't use the entire contents. Ta da ! With the added spinach and coconut milk, as well as some homemade "french fries", this was actually a pretty tasty meal.  If you're going to buy Trader Joe's Masala Simmer Sauce, disregard the directions

*Update* Since posting this, I have found a way to modify the Trader Joe's Masala Simmer Sauce recipe on the bottle into a masala recipe that tastes good. Click over to enjoy that recipe instead. It's even better than the Mini Masala Meatballs recipe from the Trader Joe's website. (Unless you enjoy lemon in your meatballs - yuck.) Trader Joe's Masala Simmer Sauce What the heck is a masala? (Google and you shall receive. It's 'any of a number of spice mixtures ground into a paste or powder for use in Indian cooking.') I wasn't in the mood to prepare anything elaborate tonight, so it seemed like an ideal opportunity to try the Trader Joe's Masala Simmer Sauce that has been sitting in our pantry. I poured the contents of the jar, some small pieces of chicken, and a cup of water into a pot and covered it, then let it heat on the stove. Easy enough. I also added some carrot, celery, onion, and peanuts. Sexy Nerd made some instant brown ri

*Update* My post, Easter is Over , is being featured in the BlogHer list of links this morning. Now, more of the world will know what a nut I am! You want to know more about my experience at Camp Blogaway? Well, okay. Let's start with a confession. Remember how I told you that the bunk beds are close together? Like, crazy close together? Squeeeeeze in there! The first time I met my bunk mates, I put my foot right into my mouth. I carpooled over (no driving in LA traffic for this gal!) and we were one of the last groups to arrive, driving up shortly before dinner (courtesy of that glorious LA traffic! Who would have guessed it would be so busy driving from LAX...during rush hour...on a Friday...into the mountains?) Each camper had been assigned to a room. I noticed while unpacking that some rooms had crammed in four people. My room had just myself and two roommates, so I considered myself lucky. Fast forward to after dinner and after the highlight of the evening (Joy the Baker

Congratulations to all the wonderful nominees! Now, the fun really begins. Voting (right sidebar) will run until this weekend (give or take a couple days - the mysteriousness of being lazy adds to the fun!) Of course, you're welcome to vote for your own post and can help sway the voting in your favor by taking a nomination button: Yeah, as a nominee, you're pretty hot stuff! Be sure to stop by next week to see who won the Best in Show award! Good luck, my bloggy friends!