So...

I found out today that books cannot be taken out of the Bryant Park Library location.  Apparently, the only books that can be taken out are children's books.  (This was after I tried to check out a book which was in the reference area, nice move Julia.)  I thought about re-reading Charlotte's Web for a hot second, and then decided to replace #38 with a project I have been eyeing up recently: A Newlywed Map.

Now, I know J and I are not married (yet!) therefore we are not newlyweds, BUT the idea of a map hanging in my living room is all the decorating excitement I needed to quickly switch this goal in as my new #38.

77. Go on a date with J once a month. (February 2010)

For Valentine's Day - J and I headed to our favorite neighborhood restaurant Amelia's. 

For Love Day - Amerlia's suprised us with a few items not on their regular menu. 

J and I split a caraf of their fabulous sangria.  J had a fabulous steak while I dined on miso glazed sea bass. yum.  We even ordered a delicious (and huge!) brownie sundae with all the toppings and then returned home to promptly fall asleep while watching the olympics.  I blame it on the food coma :)

71. Make 80 new recipes.

Here's a question: What do you do when you have no idea what to make for dinner?  
Answer: Scour the internet for a fabulous recipe and hope for the best.

This is exactly the mentality I took on after I found and decided to make this Chicken with Mushrooms recipe.

And wow was it fantastic, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

This my stove all ready for the deliciousness.

Chopped mushrooms and the breading station for the chicken all ready.

I took the advice of other's before me and baked the chicken without the cheese until about 5 minutes are left on the cook time - then I added the cheese.

This my friends, was the final product.  Juicy, flavorful, and perfect for a Sunday night.  I served it with some rice and steamed veggies for a hearty February meal.  

Just another reason to thank Al Gore for the internet ;) just kidding.

71. Make 80 new recipes.

Tonight's new recipe comes to us from Rachel Ray's 30 Minutes Meals. Love her or hate her - that woman makes a fine meal. Sometimes when I feel I am at my max level of "yum-o"s for the day, I watch her on mute. Regardless, I decided to try making her Mac and Cheddar Cheese with Chicken and Broccoli.

Chickens and onions cooking.

(Side Note: I love the smell of sauting onions. Yankee Candles should make THAT smell in wax form. I would burn that in my kitchen 24/7. no lie.)

Cooked mac, broccoli, onions, and chickens amxiously awaiting the cheese sauce.

Cheesy. Yum.

Overall - this was a great recipe. J gave it with a thumbs up to include it in our recipe binder.


I did learn two things:


1. Skim milk does not take the place of whole milk. When I make this again - I think I will only add 2 cups milk and 1 cup stock. Or maybe 3 cups milk. 4 cups made the sauce a bit runny.


2. I need to add bacon to this. No other reason than I love bacon and melty cheese.