Eat your heart out!

Cardio block was a little nuts - and since I stayed in Cali for the first few days of it, I was scrambling to catch up. Subsequently, my cooking was to a minimum - and I went NUTS after it was done. Also, my wonderful old friend from hs (working on a decade of friendship!), Shannon Triggs, came in town to visit. We made Shepherd's pie and sugar cookies for old times sake.

But before that: State Fair!! We went to the Texas State Fair in Dallas. It was also the day of the TX/OU game AND Emily's bday! We ate:

 <-- turkey leg!

-corndog
-fried smores (same as fried cheesecake - smores were wrapped in a pastry, then fried)
-alligator 
-fried peaches (battered) and cream 

<-- fried cheesecake

<-- chicken wings (Jerry, confused as always..)

Happy Birthday Emily!! Too bad we couldn't get the candles to light.. too windy.

The crew.

If you've ever made icing, you'd understand the frustration of having leftover icing with nothing to ice. If you've got this guy around, your icing will never go to waste.

Licking the remainder of the powdered sugar from the funnel cake.

We left pleasantly plumper than we had arrived. But definitely happy.

POST-TEST EXTRAVAGANZA!

So, I always bite off more than I can chew. This menu was no exception. But when I do something, I like to go ALL out. Luckily, like I said earlier, I had the best sous chef - SHAN!!

SO pumped to be in the kitchen. And reunited!

First up - butternut squash ravioli. First time I ever made pasta:

3.5 cups of flour + 4 eggs

I made a well in the middle of the flour and slowly incorporated the eggs into the flour until it came together into a ball. I had to add a few splashes of water because it was too dry. Then I wrapped it in plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge - we took a break to go Halloween costume shopping.

Then Shepherd's pie... Rachael Ray's recipe :)

 

Fried chicken, the healthy way. In the oven. I always overplan for food... a bit much??

 That's alot of chicken. 10 pounds to be exact.

This sink got filled twice. I think we used every pot/pan/dish in my kitchen. Twice. But the final product was soo worth it!

Jason brought some delicious pasta with asparagus and pesto. You can see it in the back right. Also: Joye brought some banana bread (in the back)!

Shout out to Joye for letting me put a batch of chicken in her oven :) Best neighbor ever!!

And the finale....... Halloween sugar cookies

Love it all. The cookie recipe was from my new cookie cook book - bday gift from Shan, thanks!!!

Can't wait to have another dinner party. I think the next one is Thanksgiving wooooo!!!