Ice Cold Margaritas!

Scott and I leave for our vacation to the Island of Antigua in a couple days and I am just so excited because it is freezing! I know I shouldn't be complaining about our cold winter because it has only just arrived.  However to get us in tropical spirits we decided margaritas were just what the doctor ordered! 

The best place in Ojai to grab a margarita is Agave Maria's, the food is not the best but they do make the stout drinks. I settled on the "Baja" rita which is Malibu Rum, Cabo Wabo Tequila, Cointreau and sweet and sour. Very tropical! I figure if you can't change the temperature we can trick ourselves into thinking we are somewhere on a sandy beach far, far away! 

How is your Wednesday?

Green Chile Quiche

Good Morning little blogettes! It is finally a cold one here in Southern California, it settled in the 30's. I am glad to hear rain in on the horizon, we really need it. Anyhow, when it is cold I like to make comforting food and quiche qualifies as just that in my book.

GREEN CHILE QUICHE

4 eggs

3/4 milk

1 1/2 cup cheese (I had cheddar on hand)

3/4 cup ham - chooped

1 small can of diced green chiles

1 small tomato - chopped

salt and pepper - to taste

pie crust (I cheated and bought it at the store)

Preheat the oven to 350.  Whip eggs with milk and then add remaining ingredients. Roll pie crust into 9 inch pie plate, fringe edges. Add mixture to the pie and let cook for about 40 minutes. Once golden brown on top, take out of oven and let cool for about 15 minutes. 

I served the quiche with a salad last night but it is filling enough to eat all by itself. 

ENJOY!

Red Lobster - Santa Maria, CA

Do you want to find happiness at the bottom of any empty soup bowl? I do! So go straight to your local Red Lobster and order the largest container of Lobster Bisque and devour it until the bowl is licked clean. I have eaten Lobster bisque at fancy seafood restaurants, at dingy shacks on wharfs and straight out of the plastic containers sold at Costco and none it compares to Red Lobster's version. I am not kidding. What are you waiting for? Hurry! Go now! And eat a few Cheddar Biscuits while your at it...

Sidecar Restaurant - Ventura, CA

The Sidecar Restaurant has been a place I have wanted to visit for quite some time now. I drive by it after cruising the mall and it would just speak to me! On Wednesday night Scott suggested we give it a go and I was game. The 1910 Pullman Dining Car is legit  and makes for an elegant dining experience.

We were seated in the bar area, next to the fireplace. Our server was the bartender and he was very friendly and attentive. We ordered glasses of Sauvignon Blanc and enjoyed pieces of their bread that is made in house.

I went outside the box and ordered the Braised Short Ribs, Mashed Potatoes, Seared Greens and Horseradish Cream. I was sold when I read Mashed and Cream! I am a sucker for comfort food and that is exactly what I got. The portions were large and I was satisfied.

Scott ordered the Roasted Jidori Chicken with a Fall Panzanella, Apples, Butternut Squash, Thyme, Arugula and Jus. He enjoyed the crispy skin of the chicken very much. I did taste a couple piece of the squash and some pieces were a little al dente but it was fine. The beautifully roasted chicken made up for it!

After all that savory food we were craving something sweet. The "Cheesecake" was almost a mousse. The "toppings" at the bottom of the martini glass made this quite an interactive dessert course. As we paid the bill, I left feeling very satisfied with the restaurant and look forward to returning very soon!

Middle Sister Wine

I love this gift my sister got me for Christmas. It is called "Middle Sister Wines" and each bled has a exact description of my mulitiple personalities!

• WICKED WHITE: This spunky blend of our three favorite white varieties is perfect for sipping before, during and after our favorite family meals. Sure, you’re wicked but Mom always did like you best. Now we understand.
• SURFER CHICK: She wears a wet suit, not a business suit. She'll stay up late and get up early for dawn patrol the next morning. She likes seafood, sunsets, SPF and Sauvignon Blanc. Not necessarily in that order. She's more than a sister. She's a state of mind.
• SWEET & SASSY: With a touch of natural sweetness, it's smooth and refreshing and so easy to love. Moscato, always stay as sweet as you are. I'll handle the sassy part.
• MISCHIEF MAKER: You change your hair color like most people change their socks. You make lives more complicated, but less boring. You'll be in the stories we tell our grandchildren. You love trouble. And we love you.
• REBEL RED: A sassy blend of our three favorite red varieties perfect for sipping before, during and after our favorite family meals. Some people are just born lucky. Now give me back my blouse.

This truly is the best present I have received in a long, long time. So fitting for me! 

I love my old sister Jennifer!

Nina's Baby Shower - Hollister, CA

My girlfriends! I have missed them so much and was glad I got the opportunity to catch up with them during my last visit back home. Allison, Nina and Keri have been great friends to me throughout the years! They are all married and have babies so that makes me Aunt Missy! 

At Nina's shower she served the best food. I went back for seconds of this Breakfast Casserole. Filled with egg and sausage, it was truly comforting! 

Spinach Salad with bacon, red onion, hard boiled eggs and tossed with a delicious vinaigrette. I chose a section of the salad with extra bacon - I am sneaky like that!

Lots of fruit! All juicy and delicious.

Cheers to Nina, her baby boy and the rest of her family who is just over the moon about his arrival!

Restaurant 1833 - Monterey, CA

I have read about Restaurant 1883 for quite sometime. I have heard the Pimms Cups were refreshing and the cheddar Biscuits were amazing. What I didn't know was that the restaurant was haunted! The house, one of the oldest adobes in California, was owned by John Stokes, a deserter from the British navy who masqueraded for years as a pharmacist and physician. His charade allegedly killed many people. The story is said that a ghost by the name of "Hattie" still frequents the home she passed away in... Spooky!

This was the Pimms Cup I was talking about: Pimms No. 1, Lemon, Cherry Vanilla Bitters, and Ginger Beer make up this concotion. It is perfectly sweet and makes you feel like your drinking a bubbly soda. A little alcohol and lots of fun.

Bacon Cheddar Biscuits served with Maple Chili Butter. As good as the description and worth the weight of the entire menu. I suggest just going and ordering these and cocktails, all night long.

A pan roast of Mahi Mahi, leeks, mushrooms, mussels and potatoes. Did I love it? No. Was it good? Yes, ok. I am not sure I would order it again. Just on the fence about this one.

Deconstructed S'more. I told the waiter that my dessert looked like a melted snowman and he barely grunted. That is one thing that I have not mentioned that bothered me that night. There was a table of young adults (us) and he kind of looked like he was disappointed to see us. I mean, this was a nice restaurant and he surely must be good enough to work there but I fetl like we were slighted in the fun department. Normally a good waiter has a good sense of humor. That is all I am saying...

This was our group for the evening. The guests of honor were Susie and Robert and we treated them to a  Goodbye Party! They are moving to South Carolina for work and a new beginning, how exciting! Best of luck to them and thank you Kate for arranging the evening. You are wonderful!

Cousin Time!

During my visit home I got the opportunity to spend my time with a lot of people. Two of those nights were spent with my cousins and sister, it was a lot of fun catching up with them.

Night #1: We sat around and watched Allison whip up Baked Corn Dogs from a recipe on Pinterest. It was really good! Simple and satisfying served with chili and squash. It really was the perfect meal served with a glass of milk.

Night #2: A meal at Dona Ester's is what we grew up and eating and still enjoy very much. Shredded beef Enchiladas (with extra sauce) for 3, and a chicken tostada for Jennifer. We really enjoyed chatting about the past, present and future. We need to do that more often!