Where did it go?

What?  Tomorrow is the last day of November?  Who saw that coming?  I feel like turkey month flew by, but man it was fun.  When I think back in my mind this is the whirlwind...

The Opening of the new basketball arena at GT

alot of tennis, working alot, trying to recover by sleeping alot... no pics of that boring stuff...

fried at turkey at the GT vs. Duke game

the beach for Thanksgiving and Ralph playing fetch on the beach

And then there's the food...I don't even know where to start with all the food I prepared and ate this month, here are the highlights

PW's pumpkin pancakes

PW's burgundy mushrooms

Gina Neely's pumpkin cheese cake

Blackened Tilapia Po Boy wraps from Tasty Kitchen

Onion-Bacon Dip from Southern Living

And the best part of the month?  The discovery of this drink!  

Originally from the blog - Cooking in College - this was almost my favorite thing to drink at Thanksgiving!  Second only to the gravy, I mean wine...who drinks gravy....anyway hot or cold this is is freaking fall in a glass - apple, caramel, booze - what more could a girl ask for?

I guess that's about it, now its onto chestnuts, open fires, stockings, reindeer, fat men in red coats...Mariah Carey with her boobs out at Rockefeller Center...oh did you not see that, on live television last night?  Literally a butt in the front -  It was absurd!  For crying out loud Mariah you are singing at a Christmas tree lighting in 30 degree weather, not dancing on the pole in Cabo.  Anyway - all I want for Christmas, is to erase the image of Mariah's boobs from my brain....and maybe get some really cute measuring cups, Anthropology style...

Sincerely Loving Food & Looking forward to Christmas!
Lainey

Single Girl's Ramen

Last night I had Ramen noodles for dinner, yeap that's right like the 99¢ package of sodium enriched, dried out, curly noodles.  But you know what, it was darn good!  The hubs was playing tennis so I didn't have to cook for two, just for myself and I had already taken my bra off  it was cold outside so I wasn't leaving the house, project single girl dinner with ingredients on hand it was.  I found: 2 cremini mushrooms, 1/2 an onion, about 3 inches of usable zucchini and an egg.  DELICIOUS - okay maybe not at first read, but believe me this came out good, like I am planning on making it again good.  I boiled the noodles in water as directed for about 2 minutes and then drained off half of the water, and put the pan back on low heat and separated the noodles with a fork and stirred in the mushrooms, zucchini and onion which I had thinly sliced.  Then I sprinkled about half of the "beef flavoring" in the pan and gave it a good stir.  AND THEN - the piece de resistance (I don't know how to really spell that but it sounds French in my head) I made a little well in the middle of the pan, cracked an egg into it and put the top on.  90 seconds later, the white was set the yolk still looked a little runny and I was ready for the Ramen experience!  I poured it all into a bowl and dug in with a spoon and fork...the egg yolk made a nice sauce over the noodles and veggies and since I had sliced the veggies thin they were cooked just enough, but still retained their flavor.  I am already thinking of what ingredients I will mix into my Ramen next time - and I'll be sure to take a pic.  

Do you like Ramen?  What is your go to single girl dinner?  Ramen may have just taken over tomato soup and grilled cheese for me...And please don't say salad, that is a boring skinny b answer...unless you really like salad, in which case I don't believe you...

Sincerely Loving Food,

Lainey

For 2: Beef and Bok Choy

If I had to pick one ethnic cuisine to eat for the rest of my life, hands down, without a doubt it would be Chinese food.  I would even eat Chinese food on Christmas if it was allowed, HA - remember that scene in A Christmas Story where the turkey burns and then family ends up at the Chinese restaurant and the wait staff sings FARARARA so funny linked here  if you don't know what I'm talking about go watch.  Anyway...back to the point I like to attempt to make some Chinese, at least inspired, food at home every now and then.  Granted I don't go the whole 9 yards with wonton soup and egg rolls, that would be tots awesome, but it still fills the void of my craving for a little while.  This beef and bok choy dinner came together very quickly, was incredibly flavorful and seems to be healthier than my take out house fried rice.  Recipe after the jump.

What is your favorite ethnic cuisine?  Are you as excited as I am about watching Christmas Story 12 times in the next 2 months?  Have a great weekend!
Sincerely Loving Food,
Lainey