Saturday, February 12, 2011

Grammy Shmammy Frammy and Mini Nutella Cheesecakes!

It wouldn't be fitting for The Rockin' Foodie to not touch base on the eve of the music's biggest night - or perhaps the music business' biggest night - THE GRAMMYS.

Say what you will about the this huge commercial spectacle, I support Bono's thought below about the Grammys:

"It was all there: anger, love, forgiveness, family, community and the deepest sense of history... Here was the full power of American music challenging my arrogance. I watched the rest of the show with new eyes. The Grammys invited jazz, country, rock, soul, and classical into the same hall. No regard for demographic studies of what would deliver ratings, no radio call-out research—a mad amalgam of the profound and the absurd and the creeping realisation that one man's Mozart is another man's Vegas."

Let's keep this simple and dive into Z's fav Grammy 2011 nominees and follow it up with a gorgeous Grammy party dessert.  

I have featured several Grammy nominees in 2010 in previous blogs - Cee Lo Green's "Forget You" except I featured the potty mouth version (8/27), Katy Perry's California Gurls (8/18), Broken Bells (12/29), and Vampire Weekend (9/26).  I still dig these songs and artists, but will highlight some different ones to keep things fresh.

In the "Over the Top Pop" Category (I am making up my own categories):  Lady GaGa featuring Beyonce TELEPHONE.  I freaking love this song - Every chick has felt like this at some point in her life - "Dude stop calling me - I am out without you, and thus will call you when I am no longer out.  Go do something else that does not involve calling, texting, or facebooking me. xoxo."



In the "Fashionable Rock" Category: The Black Keys TIGHTEN UP.  It took me a minute to jump on the BK band wagon, but now am on it, and BK I am Howlin' for You!



In the "Sensitive Indie Rock Darlings" Category: Arcade Fire READY TO START.  I am so glad that the Grammys are recognizing these guys because they are just good and honest.



In the "Why Doesn't My BF Write This About Me" Urban Category: Bruno Mars JUST THE WAY YOU ARE and B.o.B Featuring Bruno Mars NOTHIN' ON YOU.  Umm - Y'all this know this isn't classically my genre, but these two songs are SEXY. Enough Said.





And now FOOD TIME!  Full and fair disclosure: I have not actually made this recipe yet, but plan to imminently and will post pics and additional tips when I do.  And if one of you makes it before me, please let me know how it is.  I found this recipe as part of the "Petit Chef" food blog community (note the icon on the left side bar) and it sounded so good, simple, and festive for a Grammy Party!  And  as most of you know, I love all things CHEESE and can eat Nutella (hazelnut chocolate spread) by the spoonful - hence its destiny.

MINI NUTELLA CHEESECAKES (Serves 8)

Here is what you need:

-2 (8 oz) bars of softened cream cheese

-2 eggs
-3/4 cup sugar
-1/4 cup Nutella
-36 Nilla Wafers
-Red Food Color, optional  (I don't plan to use food color, but could be a nice touch for Valentine's Day)

Here is what you do:

Pre-heat oven to 350. In a large mixing bowl combine the eggs and sugar and beat until fluffy. Mix in the Nutella and beat until combined. Add in the Cream Cheese and mix until combined. Pour in the food color; about 8 drops, and mix. (optional).  Prepare the cupcake pan with mini paper baking cups.Add one Nilla wafer into each cup. Pour the cheese mixture into each liner to 3/4 full. Bake for 30 minutes. Allow to cool for some time before serving. I would likely refrigerate it overnight or at least a couple hours.

Here is the cheezy picture from the website - Happy Valentine's Day I guess...

For those who choose to watch the Grammys - Enjoy the Show! 
For those who don't - Happy Sunday!

Hugs and Kisses.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Candle, Napa Cab Sauv, Amos Lee, Pantry Pasta, & Blogging...

Sometimes on Friday nights, I like to take it easy - I reflect, listen to tunes, and cook.  Such is the case tonight, friends. 

Following a wonderful Restorative Yoga class, I returned home, lit a comfy candle, fired up my iPod, opened a 2007 Rutherford Cab Sauv, and perused the fridge.  Since I just went to TJ's I have the basics - Kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and garlic.  After a glance through the pantry, I grab the Capellini dry pasta (angel hair) and its on - feta, olive, tomato, angel hair pasta. 

I can't cook without music  - so I turned to an old friend, Amos Lee - beautiful folk, soul, jazz singer-songwriter.  I don't actually know Amos Lee, but I feel like I do when I listen to his music.  I know its a trite sentiment, but he speaks to me.  He brings tears to my eyes, a smile to my face, and I feel what he is feeling through his words.

 In 2008, my previous wonderful boss and friend passed along Amos' debut 2005 album "Amos Lee" because he thought I would like it - and he was right.   Man - that CD got me through some tough times.  I know every word of that album and I found great hope, acceptance, and peace in his words (and yes, I am choked up right now). 

His music speaks for itself:  See below ALL MY FRIENDS off his debut album, and then one of the most passionate songs I have ever heard, ARMS OF A WOMAN also off that same album. 





And in our great fortune, Amos has just released a brand new album that is currently #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart.  Granted it was a horrific week for album sales, but still... Pushing 40k units in one week in these times is reason to celebrate.  Yay Amos!  I just bought the new album "Mission Bell" tonight and listened to it while cooking and then eating my pasta dinner.  One song immediately resonated with me after only one listening - LEARNED A LOT.  The below video is a live performance probably shot by an iPhone and even with that quality, his voice shines through as if he's standing right next to you.   I can't wait until he plays LA.



Now for the Friday night easy relaxation meal:
 
Kalamata Olive, Tomato, Feta Angel Hair Pasta

What you Need:

- Capellini (angel hair) or any pasta noodle
- Little tomatoes (a handful)
- Kalamata Olives (4 per person)
- Feta cheese (healthy handful)
- Garlic (one clove per serving)
- Olive Oil (couple tablespoons to coat the pan)
- Fresh basil (wish I had some)
- Salt and Pepper




Here is what you do:

Bring boiling salted water to boil, add a little olive oil, and then add the pasta.  Normally, I don't add olive oil to pasta water since it coats the pasta and doesn't allow the noodles to absorb the sauce as well; however, because olive oil is the sauce and angel hair can stick together easily, adding olive oil is a good idea for this dish.  Angel hair cooks very quickly (maybe 5 minutes) so keep an eye on it! Once ready, drain the pasta (but don't rinse it with water).

Chop up the garlic and tomatoes.  Heat olive oil in the same pot as the pasta and then add the garlic. Saute garlic for one minute and then add the tomatoes and saute for an additional minute.  Remove the pot from heat and let stand one minute, then add in the pasta directly to the pot.  The oil will still be a little hot so the noodles will cook for a second in the oil which I like because the noodles get toasty flavored.  Transfer the noodles to a bowl and add the olives, feta, salt, pepper, and fresh basil.  YUMMY and EASY.

Alright - I am now going to watch a bad chick flick, take a bath, and go to bed. 

Hugs and Kisses.