Shopping Deals at Ross

Today I went to Ross for the first time in a very long time. Ross is very much a hit or miss place, but there are always great deals on housewares and accessories.

Today I got a stainless steel tea kettle for only $10. I have been wanting to get a tea kettle for awhile and I couldn't pass this one up. Now, it just needs to get cooler than 90 degrees, so I'll feel like having a cup. Another houseware I purchased, also for $10, was a set of four white storage canisters. I am going to store my flour and Kosher salt in them for sure and I'm thinking maybe some orzo and breadcrumbs in the other two.

Last, but certainly not least, I bought this charcoal grey Calvin Klein sweater dress for only $50. Again, I just need it to cool down so I can wear it. That and also a pair of great black boots would look cute, so that'll be my next purchase. What is even more exciting than finding this dress at Ross, was immediately afterwards I went over to the mall and was browsing around Macy's when I saw the exact dress for $100. I couldn't believe it. I was so excited I had to tell this perfect stranger shopping in the same vicinity. She was excited for me. I tried to find a picture of it to post, but couldn't find it at Macys.com or the Calvin Klein website.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share my cool findings from Ross today. I need to remember to check out Ross more often. You never know what kind of deals you'll come across.

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Time Flies...

It is amazing how fast time can fly by. Summer is gone. I don't think we really had a fall season because this morning when I looked out my window...the ground was covered in snow. SNOW!!! Can you believe it?

That means today is a perfect day to watch movies with the girls, do some baking and make a big pot of stew. So, I am going to browse the internet and my recipe books to find some yummy treats to make as well as an awesome recipe for beef stew.

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Spicy Feta Dip

It is no secret that I love Mediterranean food, so this dip recipe is right up my alley. I am always looking for new snacks and noshes I can make for get togethers and this one was a big hit tonight at my monthly book club meeting. The book? Not so much. Everyone agreed that the book wasn't very captivating and could have delved a little deeper into the story and character developement, but nontheless it was a nice story and had a good ending. Oh! the book was The Next Thing on My List by Jill Smolinksi.

This recipe was courtesy of my Cuisine at Home magazine. A great magazine that I believe comes out bi-monthly or quarterly. It has great recipes that are easy to follow and shows step-by-step instructions.

Ingredients:
1/2 lb. (or 8 ounces) feta cheese
4 Tbsps. extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. chopped pepperoncini chile peppers (I used banana peppers)
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano (I prefer to use dry, just use a lot less of it, maybe a palmful.)
couple of pinches red pepper flakes (recipe says to use 1 tsp., I just didn't want it too spicy)
1-2 tsp minced garlic (1 clove is sufficient)
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme (again, you could use dried thyme, just use less)

Using a potato masher, mash together feta and oil until mixture is smooth and creamy. Add peppers, lemon juice, oregano, pepper flakes, garlic and thyme. Mash to combine. Serve dip with warm pita bread or fresh vegetables.

Seriously, this dip is super fast to prepare, under 10 minutes, and is so easy and full of flavor. Definitely want to use a high-quality feta cheese for this.

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Chai Thai Teriyaki Turkey Tacos

This recipe is courtesy of my friend Michele, the brilliant creator of Intensity Academy gourmet sauces. I first had these at my first tastecasting event for Save the Tortillas. She made these then and the next time I made tacos I asked her for the recipe. It is really easy and the best turkey tacos you'll ever taste. Plus, they're healthy because a.) it's ground turkey and b.) the sauce is all natural. Thanks, Michele for a wonderful recipe! You can find Michele and her award-wining sauces at local farmer's markets and festivals. Check out the St. Pete Saturday Market every saturday at Al Lopez Park. Check out all the sauces and order at www.intensityacademysauces.com. Here is the recipe, plus a few seasonings my husband added in.

Ingredients:
1-2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 an onion, chopped
1 package ground turkey
1 tsp cumin
dash of crushed red pepper
1/2 bottle of Intensity Academy's Chai Thai Teriyaki
flour tortillas - I like TamXico's low-carb wheat tortillas
toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, lettuce, tomato, avocado, hot sauce

In a large skillet over medium-high heat add the olive oil. Once hot, add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until softened. Add the ground turkey and brown while breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula. Season the meat with the cumin and crushed red pepper. Once browned, add the teriyaki sauce, reduce the heat and simmer allowing the meat to absorb the sauce.

Serve on warm tortillas and top with desired toppings.

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Black Bean Soup

My husband loved the Cubans I made last weekend, so he requested them again. This time I thought I would make them for Saturday night's dinner and press them on my panini press. I was trying to think of what I could make with them, not really wanting to do the black beans and rice thing, which we do a lot when we have tacos and such. He suggested a black bean soup. It was perfect because I knew I had seen recipes for black bean soup in one of my Rachael Ray cookbooks. The below recipe is a variation of her Black Bean Stoup (thicker than a soup, thinner than a stew) that is in her 365 No Repeats cookbook - my favorite cookbook of hers I think.

This soup is healthy, high in protein and can be made vegetarian if you use veggie stock instead of chicken stock.

Ingredients:
2 Tbsps olive oil
2 dried bay leaves
4 garlic cloves, chopped
3 celery ribs, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
3 (15-ounce) cans black beans
2 Tbsps cumin
1 and 1/2 tsps coriander
Salt and Pepper
couple of pinches crushed red pepper
2-3 Tbsp hot sauce
1 quart (4 cups) chicken or veggie stock/broth
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
sour cream and chopped scallions for topping the soup

Heat a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil to the hot pot, then add the bay leaves, garlic, onion and celery. Cook for 3-4 minutes, then add the bell pepper and continue to cook for another 3-4 minutes. Drain 2 cans of black beans and add them. With the remaining can, pour the entire contents into the food processor and blend until smooth. Add to the pot. Season with cumin, coriander, crushed red pepper, salt and pepper and the hot sauce. Add the stock and can of tomatoes, bring to a bubble. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes over low heat. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with a dollop of sour cream and scallions.

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Tampa Pitcher Show

I have been going to the Tampa Pitcher Show for years. It is truly a Tampa original, located in Carrollwood off of North Dale Mabry. What's unique about it is instead of sitting in the normal row of seats, you sit at a little pub table where there are servers that bring you food and drinks, like beer. That is what is truly great.

They have everything from snacks like popcorn and appetizers to sandwiches and even entrees like pasta dishes. My husband always orders the chicken wings and I usually get the blue cheese burger, but I have had entrees like lasagna before, which was equally good.

It is just one theatre, so they only play one movie at a time. Last night we went and saw The Informant! with Matt Damon. The movie was a little weird, but Matt Damon was great, as always. But even when the movie isn't that great, the experience always is because you can enjoy a pitcher of beer or sangria and enjoy some deliciously bad for your food.

14416 N. Dale Mabry Hwy

Tampa, FL 33618

I definitely suggest all you locals check out the Tampa Pitcher Show if you haven't already. It's a great laid-back atmosphere and definitely a better value than going to the regular movies. Admissions for adults are only $7 and you can have the whole dinner and a movie at the same spot.

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Salmon Puttanesca

Tonight I whipped up a quick meal of sauteed salmon topped with puttanesca sauce served over linguine. I took some amateur pictures, which I have posted below. I think it looks like a pretty fancy dish when in reality it took less than a half hour. Here is the recipe from a previous post: http://amodernhousewife.blogspot.com/2009/07/puttanesca-sauce.html, except tonight I topped with some really good feta cheese. The Land & Sea Market has really good Greek and French feta cheese.

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