Throw down! (deviled egg recipe)

On New Year's eve when we went to Doug's boss's house, Doug said that the hostess asked him to bring deviled eggs.  I said I would make them.  He said he would boil them.  I said "make sure they are hard boiled." 
Then he said he would remove the shells and slice them, get them ready to make and I could finish them.  First thing I noticed is that they were not as hard boiled as I prefer.  Second thing I noticed is that they were not sliced like I like. 
I have been known (at times) to be rather picky.
Some say controlling.
Others say bossy.
I am the big sister.  The oldest of three.
Somewhat of a perfectionist.
Doug and I began to have words.
Words over deviled eggs.
I started boiling another dozen eggs. 
To lighten the mood, I said "let's have a throw down."
It wasn't Bobby Flay and Paula Deen, but it was close. 
Doug is very messy and he was chopping and dropping and dripping stuff all over the place.

voted best tasting

 I am extremely neat and tidy and I wash up my work space as I go. 
When I cook, I always have dishwater drawn and ready to wash dishes.
We took both batches of eggs to the party and I was sorely disappointed in the results. 
I thought they would laugh at Doug's eggs, but they said they were very good.
One person said they didn't like my eggs because I had olives on top and pickle relish in mine. 
HMPF!

voted most attractive

Cheryl's Deviled Eggs
Hard boil one dozen eggs
(Grandma's egg holder only holds 8 eggs, but you want some extra yolk)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard (I use Colman's)
3 Tablespoons mayo
(even though I'm not a mayo fan and normally eschew the stuff, it tastes good in recipes)
a few squirts of yellow mustard
a couple of teaspoons of sweet pickle relish
sprinkle with paprika and add a sliced olive with pimento

Magnifico!
Which would you vote for and why?

Off to a good start (a breakfast casserole)

Being my usual amazing self, I made dinner last night and breakfast for this morning, simultaneously.  This breakfast casserole is quickly mixed up, then you cover and leave in the refrigerator overnight.  It is definitely company-worthy.  We didn't have guests this morning, but figured that we were worthy of this yummy treat.

breakfast casserole

a good start

This recipe if from Tennessee Pride.  They call it "Tennessee Pride Country Kitchen Casserole."
I asked Doug to get breakfast sausage but he bought Italian sausage which added some interesting spices and flavors.  He asked me afterward  "did I taste anise or fennel?"  I said "you bought Italian sausage, so you may have." 
Here is the recipe: 
1.5 lbs hot or mild sausage
1 package (5.5oz.) herb seasoned croutons
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese
1/4 cup minced onion (I can't have onion, so I left this out)
8 eggs
2 cups half and half cream
1.5 cups milk
1.5 teaspoons dry hot mustard (I use Colman's)
salt & pepper (I used sea salt and the pepper grinder)
garnish with chopped red & green bell pepper
mushrooms if desired (my addition)
Cook sausage in large skillet until browned.  Drain, crumble and set aside. 
Spread croutons on bottom of lightly greased 9x13" (3 quart) baking dish.  (I used my thirty year old battered aluminum cake pan.)
Cover croutons with cheddar and Pepper Jack cheeses.
Sprinkle cooked sausage and onion over cheese.
In large bowl, beat together eggs, cream, milk, mustard, salt & pepper; pour mixture evenly over sausage.  Cover and refrigerate casserole for 8 hours.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes.  Let stand 20 minutes before serving. 
I served with fruit, coffee and orange juice.  A good start to your day or a new year.

Feliz Ano Nuevo!

Last night we attended a New Year's Eve party with some Latino friends.  Doug's boss, Craig, married a woman from Costa Rica.  Iliana invited others from Columbia and Mexico.
I studied French for five years. Many people in my life-  my children and friends, studied Spanish.  Spanish and French are both romance languages and some words are similar.  I can speak un poquito and know how to say como ce disa?
Iliana is a talented cook and whenever she has a party, there are a lot of tasty dishes to choose from.

Our beautiful hostess, Iliana and her beautiful pork dish

Ili and Andrew

Iliana and Craig have a beautiful son named Andrew. 


Doug popped the cork and it sat like this. I was saying "let me take a picture!"



Me with Andrew

I love Latinos.  They are so warm and loving and kind and sincere.  The conversation was flowing fast and furious and at times I had no idea what was being said.  Ili would stop and tell us what they were talking about in Spanish.  Especially if everyone is laughing.  We think that since Andrew has come along we will all learn a little more Spanish. 
Doug is going to Nicaragua in April.  When ever I tell anyone, people ask why he is going there.  He is going with a friend who fell in love with Nicaragua and bought property with the hope of retiring there.  The guys are just going together.  Doug has never studied Spanish and is working hard to learn.  One of my Christmas gifts from Doug is that he and I are going to take a Spanish class together.  My hope is that by the time the next party rolls around, I will understand a little more and be able to communicate in Spanish. 
Feliz Ano Nuevo!  Happy New Year!