Pepperoni & Four Cheese Lasagna Rolls

DISCLAIMER: Upon making this recipe, you hold neither Sublime Hodge Podge nor its creator Jill Moore responsible for any harm done by excessively gained weight, high carb overload, exponentially jiggly thighs, burst waistbands or broken bathroom scales. 

Hi.  I like lasagna.  I like Guy Fieri also.  And waaaay back when Guy was just a another contestant on Food Network's Next Big Star thingy, he made an ultra gooey, over indulgent pepperoni lasagna.  I remember sitting there going "omg, that's just genius."  I like pepperoni too.  (forgot to mention that)  The only thing I hate about making lasagna is that I *always* have leftovers for nearly 3 days.  I don't know about you, but I'm kinda funky monkey on the eating leftover thing for days on end.  I need a break in there somewhere for my poor taste buds.  So, taking Guy's pepperoni and riffing on it a bit, I love lasagna rolls.  Not only are they smaller portioned, but they are typically lighter than my usual lasagna, meaning not as much ricotta or sauce is used.  They're cute too, all rolled up and mini looking.  

Pomegranate Blood Orange Sorbet

I've had some pretty bangin' desserts over my years but I've never yet had one of those truly orgasmic food experiences that makes your eyes roll back in your head, gives you tingles from head to toe and leaves you wondering "what do I need men for if desserts like this exist".  But...this is by far the sexiest sorbet I have ever had.  So tart and slightly sour, its icy texture just melts upon hitting your tongue and leaves this lusciously lingering chilling pop in your mouth of deep orange and bright pom flavors.  The pinky color is so cheerful & inviting, just beckoning you to scoop out one two more scoops into your bowl.  Its evil like that.

Bubble Puff Pizza

I've never met kid who didn't like pizza until recently when I was babysitting for an Army buddy of my husband's.  I had planned to make this recipe for her since she could help me prepare lunch.  She's 4 and what kid wouldn't love playing with food and sneaking pepperoni slices?  When lunch time rolled around, I told her we'd be making Bubble Puff Pizza, something my mom had made for me and that I had made for my kids when they were little too.  I started pulling out ingredients from the fridge and she's standing there, looking at her feet disheartened.  I said "Oh honey, what's the matter?"  She sheepishly looked up at me and said "I don't like pizza at ALL!"  I was floored.  I thought pizza was a staple in any kid's diet, who knew otherwise?!  So we ate peanut butter sammies and chips.  Oh well.

Dark Chocolate Orange Mousse

Valentine's Day here in Georgia was a beautiful, warm day and for my sweetie, I made him a plate of treats to tempt him.  I bought him the aphrodisiac truffle collection from Vosges Chocolates called Sweet Coquettes.  They had oyster cream chocolates with real pearl dust....not my thing but he's into the exotic stuff so it was right up his ally as a present.  (the Absinthe truffle was a really decadent though)  So what better to spoil him rotten than placing his favorite chocolate candies with his favorite chocolate mousse?  We sat outside on the back deck and enjoyed the Valentine's Day sun rays and ate our treats happily, like little kids, licking every last bit out of our dessert dishes.  We're gluttons, we know.  :P 

Happy Valentines Everyone!  Wishing it the sweetest one ever.  <3

Luscious Lemon Ice Cream

Click to enlarge!

I wish I could say I was in the mood for Valentine's Day and have something chocolatey with sprinkles all over but alas, I am not in a lovey dovey mood.  However, I am so ready for spring and sunshine or at least warm rains, not this freezing cold stuff.  I am ready to hear the birds singing and squirrels prancing all over the yard.  I miss green grass and swaying tree branches, heavy with pretty glossy green leaves.  *sigh*  In keeping with that line of thought, lemon ice cream came to mind to add a bit of sparkley happiness to my rather dull, bland life as of late.  Lemon is always cheery and bright.   Just what I needed!

Chicken Croquettes - a diner classic!

In our hometown was a very small diner, known for its counter where everyone would sit and watch their food being prepared on an ages old flat griddle.  My grandpa used to take me there nearly every weekend as a child and I fondly remember stacks upon stacks of flapjacks and never-ending plates of bacon.  The people who owned the diner happened to live next door to my grandparents and I remember quite well the smell of baking pies and cakes wafting over into the yard from their kitchen, cooling for tomorrow's dessert menu at the diner.  While I can't say they ever had chicken croquettes there, it certainly IS in the spirit of the Taylors who owned that diner and every time I make these, I think of them and how awe inspiring their food was.  Simple, tasty and made with someone's hands JUST for you.  Nothing was pre-packaged or nuked.  It was made right then and there for you. 

Me vs. Tate's - A Cookie Comparison

There has been much hype about Tate's Cookies as of late on the blogosphere and our store finally received some in stock so I caved and bought a bag of the chocolate chip version.  I was so excited to have found them, I think I actually did a mini-jig in the aisle.  We raced home and while putting items away, I opened the bag for a pre-dinner snack.  I have to say, I am not impressed in the least and I have to wonder if their popularity has more to do with Ina Garten's praise than it does their flavor.  Whether it be Paula Deen or Rachel Ray, whenever a food celebrity touts praise of an item and/or brand, it grows to ridiculous popularity due to zealous fans wanting to be just their televised idols.  I have to think that after tasting a Tate's cookie, this is the issue as well.

Breaking News!

I am so happy to have my first submission to Food Gawker chosen!  I always heard it was really hard to get your photos on there as they have over 400 photos submitted EVERY day.  That's alot to wade through.  That particular photo was my first real "stylized" photo so maybe I'm on the right track now. 

That just really made my day...thanks Food Gawker!

You can see my submission by clicking HERE.

A Divine Brisket - My Food Porn

I can do it.  I have the willpower today to resist.  I.must.not.look.  Just keep walking.  You want the deli counter, not the butcher shop.  Boots, don't fail me now!  I nearly walk past the meat counter at my store but stop dead in my tracks, staring and drooling at the raw brisket laying there all nice and demure.  "Come on...buy me.  You know you wanna.", it taunts me.  Feverishly, I bite my lower lip....my heartbeat drums in my ear.  *THUD THUD THUD* And before I know it, I'm telling the overly hot, tattooed butcher boy Jimmy, I want a piece of his meat brisket.  He smiles up at me as he slowly wraps his the red, juicy meat in brown paper.  "Thanks, sweetheart.", he tells me while our fingers longingly touch as he hands over his the package.  "No....thank you.", I quip before being so rudely interrupted by my husband who, at the other end of the counter, while waving a plastic bag full of crab legs, bellows out "HEY HON!  I GOT CRABS!"  Sighing, and looking at the empathetic butcher god staring sympathetically at me, I mutter under my breath, "Great.  Just great."  The size 0 fashion model-ette standing next to me mockingly twists her lips into a evil sneer and sideways glances at me as Jimmy barks "NEXT!".