We each contributed a bottle of wine to the meal.

The recipe suggested a Cabernet Sauvignon from California or Pinto Noir from Oregon.

Kelly and I took care of both of those regions, and Ashley introduced us to a great wine called Identity Crisis.

Perfectly titled.

The introduction of solo cups with tops/straws came after a red wine incident that is still evident on our couch.

I purchased these at a bodega across the street, and they have taken off like wild fire.

So welcome gregarious hand gestures, drinking while in the reclined position, and cheering with out the fear of spills.

No one said it had to be 100% classy.

Last Sunday our friend Ashley allowed me and my non-cooking, cheese buying, wine drinking, roommate to come to her spacious kitchen and cook a proper Sunday Dinner.

Kelly went to our favorite, East Village Cheese shop and picked us up some delicious goodies to start.

(Reminder: EVCS is cash only)

When we arrived Ashley was already prepping an appetizer, Cherry tomatoes stuffed with marinated feta.

These bit size treats were a perfect, simple, and light start to our meal.

Thanks A.T.

I will definitely make these again!

One Friday before work my alarm went off at 5:45 AM, all in the name of biscuits.

Cheddar, Bacon Buttermilk Biscuits to be more specific

I was headed up north for a long weekend and figured breakfast treats would be a nice addition to any cold weather getaway.

For me breakfast always needs to include one thing, bacon, and these biscuits had it.

I have never made biscuits from scratch before and was unsure about the consistency of the dough.

In the end I added a little more buttermilk than the recipe called for (I also added a little more bacon) and they turned out great!

Coffee really helped in this process!

What a warm fluffy way to start a Friday!

With one biscuit unable to fit in the container headed north, one lucky roommate had a hearty start to her Friday work day.

SIDE NOTE: Recipes are linked through each posts' cooking title

Click Cheddar, Bacon Buttermilk Biscuits (above) and you will be re-directed to a detailed recipe.

Enjoy!

Sometimes you come home from work

Kick off your shoes

Pour a glass of wine

Turn on the TV and think, umm yeah I'm not cooking tonight.

This is one of these nights

I had a little bit of sharp cheddar cheese and tomatoes in my fridge so decided to take Annie's to the next level

The power of "cheese"

Sometimes you just need a meal from a box.

Enjoy!

Out & About:

You wanna drink outside even though it's a little chilly? You want to get an arm work out in before the evening rolls around? I have the perfect solution for you!

Zum Schneider's they serve steins, and they supply blankets. (Remember: Cash only)

Lasagna - Day 2

Let the layering begin!

I have a lasagna pan, so not quite sure why I went with the disposal, but made dishes easier.

I mixed some of the garlic and caramelized onions into the ricotta ensuring a well balanced taste to every bite

Layer it up!

I cooked the lasagna at 350 for approximately 45 minutes

Getting that perfect cheese crust on the edges

Bon apetite Rutledge

Three pieces down, and still a member of the 'clean plate club'

I'm impressed

The year 2011 has been a fun one, but my goodness has it been a busy one! Despite all the running around promises are promises, and I swore to my friend Rutledge that I would make him a meal.

I emailed him a few options that I have been wanting to blog about and he chose Lasagna.

He also starved himself for 3 days leading up to dinner assuring he would be able to eat at least half.

He did not disappoint.

I decided on a meat lasagna (despite it being Ash Wednesday (who knew))

There really are a number of lasagna recipes out there, and the fun thing is, you can really mix and match them all. I used this recipe as a base, adding spinach, spice, and a little heat.

Since things were busy I broke up the prep work into two days.

Day one:

Caramelize onions

Mince Garlic

Cook sausage

Ground sausage

Packed up and ready for lasagna tomorrow!

Wine helps.

This weekend my Mom & I drove nearly 12 hours west, ate an inappropriate amount of McDonalds, drank far too much coffee, slept way too little, and for what?

To adopt this little guy, meet Oz.

I promise to cook this week!

Out & About:

Last week I went to Boqueria for an amazing evening of tapas and wine.

Having ordered what some may consider an inappropriate amount of food, we were encouraged to try a bottle of Tajinaste from the Canary Islands - the bottle opened with hints of cinnamon, cherry and black pepper, and was the perfect compliment to our meal(s).

I have now awarded the spicy Tajinaste my favorite bottle of red! Well done islands.

For dessert, Ina Garten's Roasted Pears with Blue Cheese!

This treat is simple, and can be adapted for any dessert eater.

Ina suggests adding craisins, due to availability, or lack there of, I skipped out.

6 Book clubbers

5 glasses of wine

4 hours of snackin

3 courses

2 blocks of cheese

1 lovely evening

Cheers to another great book club ladies!!