Super Fabulous Enchiladas

Hap-hap-happy Monday!  Today's meatless recipe comes straight from the Keeley House.  Jana invited me and the Trophy Wife over for birthday dinner and Glee.  She dished up these super awesome wonderful black bean and sweet potato enchiladas.  I've made these enchiladas several times in the past, including for our Lake Trip last summer.  But I think this version is definitely my favorite. 

Black Bean and Sweet Potato Enchiladas


INGREDIENTS

• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• 1 small chile, seeded and minced
• One 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2 cups salsa
• 8 large flour tortillas
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion

Method:

• Preheat oven to 400F. Put the sweet potatoes on a lightly oiled baking sheet in a single layer and roast for 20 minutes, turning once, until they’re tender. Remove from oven and set aside.
• Turn oven down to 350F. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and chile and cook about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Add beans, tomatoes, chili powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Add cooked sweet potatoes and simmer mixture 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Spread a thin layer of salsa on the bottom of a lightly oiled 9 x 13-inch baking dish and set aside.
• Place a tortilla on a flat work surface, spoon a portion of the sweet potato mixture down the center of it and roll it up. Place the filled enchilada in the baking dish with the seam side down. Repeat with remaining tortillas and sweet potato mixture. If there’s any filling left over, spoon it on top of the enchiladas, then top with remaining salsa and sprinkle with red onion. 
• Cover and bake until casserole is hot and bubbly, about 20 minutes. Serve immediately.

"I love sweet potatoes!"

After the super awesome enchiladas, we dug into the vegan cupcakes.  D doesn't look super excited about them, but trust me, she is.

Birthday Veegs.

Jana tried showing off her super knife skills, and proceeded to saw off her finger.  Maybe that's why these enchiladas were so good?

Oops.

 And we Jana so thoughtfully gave DeAnna a super fabulous birthday gift.  She's a real Gleek now.

Yea Glee!

If you haven't tried the magical combination of sweet potatoes and black beans, this is your day.  These enchiladas are amazing!!!

Happy {meatless} Monday!

Glee Goes to the Grammys

My favorite girls hit the red carpet again this weekend!  The dress code for the Grammys is less formal and a bit edgier, so we got to see the girls in some very different looks this go round. 



Lea Michele

 I thought Lea's look was good, not great.  Her shoes were amazing though.  For some reason her dress made me feel like she was all slouchy.  And what's up with her always choosing a dress that requires a certain pose?  It must have been hard cocking her leg out like that all night.

Kelly Osborn totally called Lea out on Fashion Police for her ridiculous sexy faces.  Seriously, she always looks like she's trying to be some sort of sex maven.  You're hot!  You're young!  Stop taking yourself so seriously! 

Case in point.

Amber Riley

I think everyone expected a lot from Amber because of her awesome attire at the SAG awards.  Apparently this dress was a big disappointment.  I didn't think it was that bad!  I don't really love it, but she looks cute and confident.  I was so sad when she was named worst dressed on Fashion Police. :(

Dianna Agron

Dude, I love her.  Love her.  Love the shoes, love the dress.  I think she perfectly off-set the LBD with her big hair and makeup.  Plus those shoes are hot!  Did I mention I love her?

Jenna Ushkowitz

Okay, I mean I'm glad she's not wearing a prom dress again, but... what is she wearing?  I will say that her hair and makeup look a lot better than usual and I think she looks really pretty... neck up.  I don't understand this dress at all.

Naya Rivera

I love this!  I don't 100% understand it, but I love it!  I think this look is so fun, but really really pretty too.  It takes a lot for me to disengage from the show and allow myself to like her on the red carpet since I hate her so much on Glee.  Especially after tonight*.  Damn you Santana!

Chord Overstreet

I don't know what boys are supposed to wear on the red carpet, but I just think he is so adorable!  He gives me Bieber Fever.




Matthew Morrison

 Okay, for real.  Mr. Shue has some serious bed-head and appears to maybe have the munchies.  Please stop whatever it is you were doing before arriving at the red carpet.

That's all I have for Glee.  Let's move on to people who are famous for other things:




J-Lo

Jennifer Lopez was named best dressed at the Grammys this year.  Apparently this is what you are supposed to wear to the Grammys.  She looks amazing!  My only concern is the length of her skirt.  Call me a prude, but I wouldn't want to risk anyone seeing my girlie-bits on the red carpet.

Let's move on to another short & sparkly dress:

Snookie?

I don't mean to offend anyone here.  I don't watch Jersey Shore, so I don't really get the hype with this orange lady.  My question is, what is she doing at the Grammys?  Like seriously, what do you have to do to get invited to the Grammys?  Do all reality stars get invited?  Or is it only the super trashy popular shows?  Does Kate + 8 get invited?  What about the girls from the Bachelor**?  What does Snookster have that they don't?

Think about that one and let me know. 

*Did you watch tonight's episode?!?  I was dying of joy the entire time... I kept saying it might be my new favorite episode... until that stupid home-wrecking hootchie swooped in with her big fake boods and stole the innocence from yet another darling Glee boy!!!  What is up with those boys' need to be popular???  I thought boys were too cool to care about that sort of thing.

**I'm so still boycotting this season. 

SAG Awards; Glee Style

Again, I'm probably a bit late on this... but again, I don't actually watch the awards shows.  I just wait to see Fashion Police the next night so I can see what everyone is wearing.  And my Glee girls looked awesome... again.

Let's start with my fave: Brittany AKA Heather Morris.  She's wearing Ramona Keveza... which I've obviously never heard of.  Regardless, she looks phenomenal.  I cannot believe how gorgeous she is.  I don't know what else to say about it. 

Work it girl.

Dianna Agron did a completely different look than she did at the Golden Globes, and I loved this one just as much.  She's in vintage Chanel, and while I'm not super crazy about that length, I get that its vintage... so its supposed to look a bit different.  Waist up; perfect.  I love her hair and makeup!

Haute.

Lea Michele in Oscar de la Renta.  I don't know anything about designers, but I do know that I love Oscar de la Renta.  And I love Lea.  This is so different than the beautiful ball gowns I love her in, but it is equally as awesome. 

Girl looks good.

Amber Riley looks AMAZING!!!  Her dress is actually a wedding dress that she had re-styled for the red carpet.  The Fashion Police named her "Best Dressed" of the night and I think I might have to agree. 

Love!!!

Didn't I say last time that Jenna Ushkowitz always looks like she's headed to the prom?  This Badgley Mischka dress is really pretty, but it totally looks like a prom dress.  I just think she could do so much better.  The hair, jewelry, and makeup are all wrong... in my super professional opinion.

Alright, you all know I love love love Jayma Mays.  But I have been so disappointed in her red carpet looks!  And, is it just me or does her head look really really really big in this photo???

No bueno.

Alright, I don't expect Jane Lynch to be a fashionista, but I really think she's been making some strange choices.  I just wish she would do something age-appropriate and a bit more elegant.  Maybe a black satin track suit?  With rhinestones?  No?  Whatev...

Horror.

And... because we all like a bit of eye candy... Chord Overstreet:

I wanna be a billionaire... so freakin' bad.

Yea Glee!  Glee kids, hooray!  I'm just so happy to see them on the red carpet... and I can't wait to see them this weekend after the Super Bowl!!!

Red Carpet Extra Credit:  My bid for biggest psycho on the red carpet?  Winona Ryder ---> WITHOUT A DOUBT!  Girlfriend wore a dress from the Alberta Ferretti wedding collection.  I know I just said Amber Riley looked amazing in her dress, which was technically a wedding dress, but she had it restyled.  Winona just showed up in a wedding dress.  Girlfriend looked like a damn crazy woman.

Crazy Sauce.

Let me hear it!  Who was on your best and worst list from this year's SAG Awards?!

Golden Glee Globes

I'm sure I'm a bit late on my fashion commentary here, but better late than never, right?  For the record I didn't actually watch the Golden Globes.  I'm not big into awards shows, but I love to see what people are wearing.  I was especially excited to see what my Glee gals were wearing!

Amber Riley

I thought Amber looked amazing.  The dress was beautiful and she carried herself fabulously.  Work it, girl.

Jenna Ushkowitz

I've never been a fan of Jenna's style, and this dress reminded me a bit too much of my Junior year prom dress.  Not a fan.

Heather Morris (!)

Stop it.  Brittany S. Pierce is gorgeous and that dress is stunning!  So fun to see her in something other than a Cheerio's uniform.

Dianna Agron

This is by far my favorite look of all the Glee gals.  I love the dress.  I love the hair.  This look is so classic and beautiful.  Love!

Lea Michele AKA Glee Barbie

Okay, I know Lea got a lot of crap for this dress, but I freakin love it!  I was so happy to see so many starlets wearing pink on the red carpet, and I think Lea's over-the-top dress was perfect for her.  Joan Rivers made some comment on Fashion Police about her being a fake bitch.  I'm fine with that.  And I'd probably dress like Barbie if I were going to be on the red carpet too.

Mark Salling ---> Hot!

Other looks I loved from the red carpet:

Emma Stone

I heard talk of this dress being too old for Emma.  I loved it.  Loved it.  Again with the pink.  Jess & I discussed and we think Emma is super wonderful and could fill any roll that is given to Lindsay Lohan.  And she'd do it with a bit of class.

Olivia Wilde (?)

I have no idea who Olivia Wilde is, but I love her dress.  Yes, it also looks a little prom-ish.  I don't care.  It's fancy.  Fancy fancy fancy.

Claire Danes

More pink!  I love when stars can make such a simple dress look amazing.  Claire is beautiful in pink.

Carrie Underwood

More sparkles.  Carrie looks stunning.  If I liked her hair more she might take Dianna's place as best dressed on my list. 

And there you have it... my professional fashion opinion. 

Who topped your "Best Dressed" list from the Golden Globes???

Acafella Pomadora

Buenas Lunes!  Happy Monday!  Are you caving under the stress of the holidays?  Running around town in search of that perfect gift?  Or are you one of those fools who has had your presents bought and wrapped and are now lounging around laughing at all of us procrastinators? 

Well, either way... I've got a super delicious recipe for you today that is E-A-S-Y.  And super impressive... if your dinner guest happens to be Jana, who is uber-easily impressed.

This Pasta Pomodora is a recipe I found in Runner's World Magazine.  The sauce is basically canned tomatoes simmered with olive oil and garlic.  Easy, right?  We're usually Prego people, and this sauce kicks Prego to the curb. 

Gi-normo can of maters from Costco.

It's as big as my head.  I have a large head.

The pasta was served at our now weekly showing of Glee.  My favorite bloggers attended for song and pasta.

T-Dub; looking overly excited for pasta.

This was Jana's first visit to the Hood.  Thankfully her car wasn't stolen.

Squiggly noodles, pomodora, and Panera bread.

Pasta Pomodora

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed (I used 5... and sweat garlic for two days).
• 3 16 oz cans of peeled, whole Italian plum tomatoes, such as San Marzano (or 1 can the size of your head)
• 1 tsp Sicilian oregano (I just used regular)
• 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 lb. pasta

Method:

• Heat oil in a saucepan over medium.  Add garlic and saute until golden brown, about three minutes.
• While garlic browns, pour tomatoes into a bowl.  Squeeze with your hands to break them up*.
• Add tomatoes and their juice to the saucepan.
• Add oregano, salt, and pepper.
• Simmer on low for 45 minutes.  Add a little water if needed to keep the sauce from becoming too thick (it should be bright red, if it becomes brick red, it's too thick). 
• Add one pound of pasta to a pot of boiling, salted water.
• Two minutes before it's cooked, remove pasta from water and add to the sauce.  Cook until tender, allowing pasta to absorb the sauce.  Add a little pasta water if needed to keep the sauce liquid. 
• Drizzle with olive oil (I forgot to do this).  Sprinkle with Italian cheese (unless you're a vegan).  Garnish with basil.  Serves 6.

Mya and Cade made fast friends when he decided to share his bread with her.  Mya has been on a grain-free diet for over a year, so one bite of carbs and she decided Cade was the best thing ever.

Sniff Sniff.

Chomp.

She kept an eye on him the rest of the night, just in case he happened to drop something scrumptious.   

"Give me a snack, baby!"

Cade liked Mya too.  I took a lot of pictures of the two of them.  I just love when Mya makes new friends.

T-Dub spanking Cade (???)

We watched episodes 3 & 4 from season 1 of Glee.  Although I don't think the girls were as impressed with the Acafellas as I am, they were hooked when the Celibacy Club pregnancy scandal was revealed in episode 4.

Mission accomplished.  I've created two new Gleeks.

More gratuitous baby pictures:

Cade shares his cell phone.

Mya snags Cades blanket.

Cade demands wine.

I hope he uses his cell phone to call social services.

Best wishes for a happy week-before-Christmas!  Remember, if you're in a time-pinch and need an easy dinner fix, this pasta is super super easy and infinitely better than Prego!

Happy {meatless} Monday!

*For many reasons I did not use my hands to squish the tomatoes.  One, sticking my hands in there kind of freaked me out.  Two, I don't think I'd want Cade squishing my dinner in his hands, so I'm sure he doesn't want me squishing his dinner in my hands.  And three, I totally slashed my finger open cutting into the bread when I got it home.  I guess I got a bit excited about the straight-from-the-oven loaf and let the knife get away from me.  Broken skin + tomato juice = gross & ouch.  So I just smashed the 'maters with a wooden spoon.   You're welcome.