Favorite Saturday morning shows as a kid

As I woke up this morning and flipped on the TV there was some "cartoon" on made me think of my childhood and the Saturday mornings I spent watching cartoons with my brothers and sister.

I remember watching Bugs Bunny most of all.  So this morning I went onto You Tube and found some Bugs Bunny cartoons and watched them and felt like a little kid again. I remember back in the day being sad when 11:00 a.m. rolled around all the days cartoons were over. No cartoon network for us back then.

Maybe this will bring you back to your good ol' days:

 The opening theme song and visuals to this show gave me nightmares back in the day and it still gives me a chill watching it now!.  See if you remember this show  (sound is really loud, beware): 

Or what about this show?  One of my favorites:: 

And I can't forget those lovely crime fighting Vixens: 

Ah, those memories of Saturday mornings.  I'll save more favorite shows for futures posts.  Guess you're never too old to feel like a kid again. 

What are some of your favorite Saturday Morning shows? 

  

Spicy Italian Style Chicken with Peppers and Onions

Happy Tuesday to you.  Last night's new recipe = Italian Style Chicken with Peppers and Onions.  Yummy!  It was my first attempt and boy did it turn out good. See...

Here's a link to the recipe: Italian Style Chicken with Peppers and Onions courtesy of Cooks Country.

First of all I am not a fan of "spicy" so I substituted Sweet Cherry Peppers for the Hot Cherry Peppers. I also couldn't find "sweet" Italian sausage so I replaced with medium Italian.  Finally, I decided to use Sweet Yellow Onions.  As you can see, but unfortunately can't smell, It turned out great.

There are many ingredients as you can see from this shot below.  I hardly had any room left on my counter top.

Overall it took me two hours to prepare and cook and an hour to clean up but I think it was worth it.   My place smelled of garlic, and onions.  If only I could bottle that smell. 

Give the recipe a try and hopefully it will turn out well for you.

Kitchen tips; cooking for 2 and skillets

Happy Earth Day everyone.  OK, it's a day late but so what. As I write this blog tonight I am enjoying a cookie (OK, maybe two cookies) and milk.

I often hear from my single friends that they don't like cooking for just one person or that it isn't enjoyable.  I understand where they are coming from but here are some tips that I think may help.

One of the most obvious is to reduce the recipes in half.  I once made a crock pot full of beef stew and there was so much I had to invite my parents and brother over to help me eat it and there was still almost half left! Enough for many nights of leftovers.  But cutting recipes in half isn't always easy.  Try figuring out half of 1 and 2/3 cups or 1/8 a tsp.  With my parochial school math, fogetta bout it.

Another tip, look for recipes made for two.  I have a cookbook from America's Test Kitchen titled "Cooking for Two".  It's awesome as the portions are just enough for me with leftovers for the next day.  It can be found online or at Barne's and Noble.

Here's some other website's that are dedicated to cooking for two: Healthy Cooking for Two; Everyday Cooking for Two

It also helps to have the right cooking tools.  Having the right tools doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg.  Case in point, one of my favorite all purpose skillets is my Lodge Logic 12" cast iron skillet. It cost me less than $25.  I use it for everything from frying, searing, and even baking! Yeah it's heavy and needs to be seasoned but so what,  it should outlast me (OK, that may not be saying much).

Most recipes call for a 12" stainless steel skillet. You really want 18/10 quality but have you ever priced them?  All Clad, which is top of the line, can easily cost upwards of $200 for just one skillet! Too much. But here's a secret.  Walmart sells a line of 18/10 skillets from Tramontina for a fraction.  Here's my skillet and it cost me a whopping $40.  And as an amateur, I think it suits my needs.

Check it out for yourself: Tramotina.  They even sell cast iron dutch ovens at a fraction of the cost of the Le Creuset.

These are some of the things I wish I knew when I was starting out in my kitchen.

I'll have more tips in the future.  Now I'm off to have another cookie... or two.

Series Finales

It's a cold and gloomy day up here in Minnesota and I found myself with some time on my hands so I thought I'd watch the final season of the King of Queens on DVD.  Even though the show ended a few years ago I was still a bit sad after watching the series finale. Check it out.

Over the years several TV shows series finales have touched me such as "M*A*S*H, which I threw a big party for back in the day,  Monk, and Mary Tyler Moore.  But the one show that's series finale really hit me hard was Cheers.  It was one of my favorite shows and last summer I watched ever episode from beginning to end on Netflix and  you know what,  in the final scene I felt the same way I did when it first aired, very sad.  

As I was watching each episode of Cheers I started reminiscing about what I was going on in my life at the time.  The show started when I was still in school in 1982 and ended when I was married in 1993. It was like a sort of time capsule of my life.  Nevertheless, I couldn't find the final scene but below is a collage of the show along with the them song.  

Do you have any favorite shows where the series finale really touched you?  

Three Stooges Pie Fight

In honor of the new Three Stooges Movie, I've attached a clip of a pie fight.  Maybe it's a guy thing because every woman that I've asked said they don't like the Three Stooges but most guys do. What's not to like about a pie fight and who did it better than Larry, Moe, and Curly?! It's so funny.  Maybe it just brings the kid in me out.  Enjoy. 

Loopy and Apple Pie

Hello my blogger friends.  A very cold Monday in the Minnesota.  40 degrees today!  No golfing tonight.

I just finished cooking a BIG pot of spaghetti and with my tummy full I'm settling down to watch the Twins vs. the Yankees.  I expected the Twins to be blown out but at the moment they are winning!

Yes, I am a Yankees fan, have been since 1976.  Why would a kid from Minnesota fall in love with the Yanks?  Well, back in the day there was no cable so I rarely, if ever, saw the Twins on TV but the Yanks seemed to be on every week. My hero was Thurman Munson (RIP). But, over the years I've fallen in love withe the Twins and to prove my allegiance, I wore my Twins hat and Uniform to the New Yankee Stadium two years ago (see photo). Now I am planning to wear my Yankees hat and coat to Target field in September to complete the circle.  I just hope my fellow Twins fans don't jeer me too much.

Had a great weekend. Played on Saturday with a new friend, Mike, and his son Shaun.  It was great.  I shot a 90 (for you non golfers, that is a good score for a rookie).  Weather was great, 70 degrees, course was in good shape and the company was fantastic.  Can't wait to golf with them again.

Then went out with my friend Maria (hello Maria) for dinner with Mike and his wife Chris at their house.  Then Maria and I ended the night at Duff's in Vermillion with her friends Angie and Todd.  We were the only ones left in the bar, besides the staff, so the waitress decided to give us some samples of her concoctions. She let us sample many drinks.  There is this new vodka called "loopy" that taste just like fruit loops.  She made a drink with that which did taste just like fruit loops. We also sampled this vodka from UV called Cake. Smells and taste just like birthday cake.  But by far my favorite was the waitresses own special drink called Apple pie made with everclear and had cinnamon sticks in it. Dang was that delicious as it tasted just like an apple pie.  I best not get the recipe for myself.  I'll just have to head back down to Duff's.

Oh well, I should get back to the Twins game and maybe I'll switch to the hockey playoffs too. Good night.

New cooking tool

Happy Friday to you all. It's a bit gloomy up here in the north (Minnesota) with a little rain.  But that won't stop me from golfing all weekend, although my sprained finger might.  But I digress...

I finally bit the bullet and purchased the "Thermoworks superfast digital thermometer" and it just arrived!  It wasn't cheap but it's supposed to give you the temp of the food instantly so you don't have to keep your hand over a hot pan or in a hot oven for very long.  I've seen it used on America's Test Kitchen for years and they have always said it was worth the investment. I guess I'll find that out for myself.

Have a super weekend.

Golf

Summers near so I need to work on my golf swing.  I usually go to the U of Minnesota driving range and hit a basket of 150 balls.  Need to work on a few things before I go out to the links this weekend.

I got involved in the game 6 years ago and I was so obsessed at one time that I went to the driving range almost every day and in doing so I injured my knee and hurt my back.  Got surgery on my knee and saw a terrific Chiro for my back.  Not I'm literally back in the swing of things.  I took the game very seriously studying up on the various equipment, which clubs to buy, what balls to hit at certain temps,  even what size tees to use.  I'm not so obsessed today as I am taking it a bit easier on my body.  Only go to the driving range once a week. 

They (whoever "they" are") say it's good to have a vice that keeps you active and in shape.  My vice's are golfing and cooking (as you can tell).  Do you have a favorite hobby too?

Favorite Pizza places

OK,  you probably guessed by now I love pizza so I decided to post a list of some of my favorite pizza places in the Twin Cities area. These are in no particular order.

MaMa's in St. Paul. You get a cone after every meal and they place a bib on you to keep  your shirt tidy.

Angelos- located in St.Paul on White Bear or in S. St. Paul.  The atmosphere in the St. Paul restaurant hasn't changed in over 30 years nor has their food.  And that's a good thing.

Hearthside's in St. Paul - always taste yummy after a night of drinking.  They used to let you eat peanuts and throw the shells on the floor but alas no more.

Savoy's Pizza - they have locations all over the Twin Cities and in Western Wisconsin. I believe Rocco's is an offshoot of Savoy's too. . Some say, and I agree, that the original Savoy's on 7th street in St. Paul is the best.   You can even purchase frozen pizzas (at least in Eagan).

Carbones - one of my favorite places.  They are located all over the TC's.

Roadside Pizza St. Paul- perhaps overshadowed by the nearby Hearthsides, Roadside is not bad. They have a dine in or take out special for $9.95.  Plus you can get a slice for lunch.

The Little Oven in St. Paul- this used to be Ron n Ally's. Located on the east side, the parking may be tight but the food is worth it.  Besides, who else has a buy one lg pizza get one free?

Broadway Pizza- OK, I can't leave my friends on the other side of the river out.  There are several locations throughout the TC's but I like the one in Mpls, on Broadway of course.  Look for the caboose.

The Village Inn- Hudson, WI- I also can't forget my friends in Packer country.  Great atmosphere and where else can you enjoy live music and a beer while waiting for your pizza.  If you're out that way give it a try.

 The Italian Pie Shoppe- both in St. Paul on Grand or in Eagan.  I recommend the Chicago Style Deep Dish.

Sam's Club - no this is no typo. Did you know you can buy a whole pie at Sam's Club for less than most other pizza places. Or stop in for a slice.  I don't think you need to be a member.

Piccolo's in Eagan - not nearly as well known as Carbones or Savoy's but don't overlook Piccolo's. They have a great sausage pizza.  Bring your cash, no credit cards accepted.

Aurlio's Pizza- Roseville - This is the only location in Minnesota for this authentic Chicago style thin crust pizza. It's tucked away on Hamline Ave.  I sometimes make a special trip from Eagan.

America's Test Kitchen Homemade Pizza - or do as I sometimes do, and make your own.  This is my recipe for deep dish pepperoni.

Lombardi's NYC - If you're in the big apple and in Little Italy check out Lombardi's. One of the last of the coal fired oven pizzeria's in the city.

The Crocodile, Seattle - where else can you enjoy a wood fire pizza in a place where the likes of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Mudhoney, and Yoko Ono once played! If they're still there say hello to "Babs" the waitress with the butterfly tattoos and "Eddie" the bartender from LA.

Well I could go on and on but for now I'll leave my list as is.  Let me know of your favorite pizza joints so I can check them out too.

You are what you eat

They say you are what you eat.  I think it's true.  I eat lots of pizza and I feel I am Italian (hee hee) and I am slightly round.  I'd always thought to have a tombstone shaped like a pizza with a slice missing and it would read "Here lies Nick, he enjoyed a slice of life."  Case in point, here's me and my brother Dave at Lombardi's in NYC.

But I think it's more true that you feel like what you eat. What do you think?

Since I've started cooking from scratch about a year ago I feel much healthier and I've noticed I don't eat as much "junk" food.  Yeah it's more work but I have learned so much about how to cook, and a bit about myself.   More on that in a future post.

 Nevertheless, I'll be adding some photos of some of my recipes.  I especially like America's Test Kitchen's TV show and recipes.  I highly recommend it for us novice cooks.

Hello World; my first post

Hello world, my name is Nick.  I'm new to this whole "blogging" world.  I wanted a place to type my musings and other thoughts and to share them with you.


I love cooking and as I am in my tiny kitchen I often ponder as I wait for my food to finish cooking, or if I just daydream when listening to music. 


As I get more familiar with this entire "blogosphere" I hope to keep adding pictures, and other things to my site.  I'll add some recipes, some cooking tips, perhaps a joke or some other musings.


So for now, hello world, I hope you enjoy and I hope to hear from some of you.