Swag- in Cookbook Form (hurrah!)

So I have been participating in this networking/seminars class type thing called Introduction Knoxville. Our first session was all about Knoxville history, and yesterday's session involved local government and business. We toured Scripps Networks- home of DIY, Food Network, HGTV among others, then were treated to a panel discussion with the President of Scripps and Jim Ethier, the head of Bush's Beans. Okay, my spiel is over, you can deglaze your eyes.


Getting to the good stuff- our swag bags! The highlight was Ellie Kreiger's cookbook- The Food You Crave. I tore into the minute I got home.

The following recipes are high on my to-make list- perfect healthy nibbles for a snackster trying to lose 7 lbs.



Ingredients
8 ounces Italian style poultry sausage*
8 large basil leaves
12 pitted calamata olives, halved
24 grape tomatoes
24 (6-inch) wooden skewers
Directions
Cook the sausage according to the directions on the package and cut it into 1-inch rounds. Cut the basil leaves lengthwise into thirds.
Put an olive half about 1/3 of the way down onto a skewer. Then add 1 strip of basil, folding so it fits nicely on the skewer. Follow with 1 grape tomato and a round of sausage. Position everything on the end of the skewer so the skewer can stand up on its sausage end.








12 asparagus spears
1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 thin slices smoked turkey (about 1/4 pound)
12 chives, optional
Directions
Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Break the woody end off each asparagus spear and peel the outermost layer off the lower 3/4 of the spear with a vegetable peeler. Place asparagus on a large plate, drizzle with the olive oil and toss gently so the oil is evenly distributed. Slice each slice of turkey lengthwise into three strips. Wrap one strip of turkey around each asparagus spear, leaving the tips of the asparagus unwrapped. If using, tie a blade of chive around each wrapped spear. Place the wrapped asparagus on baking tray and bake for12 minutes, turning once.

Bev Hills Fashion- a Cure to a Serious Case of the Blahs

If you are suffering from such affliction (like myself, thanks cloudy nasty weather!), please hightail it to Sling Blog for hilarious Bev Hills recaps- the original in all of it's acid washed, polka dotted, bike short sporting glory. None of this current crap.

The early years of 90210 could not have existed without the snap-crotch bodysuit. Must have been a lot of long lines to the ladies room at West Bev.

Here I believe both Brenda AND Kelly are wearing body suits!

Donna's turn. Blair Waldorf ain't got shit on Kelly in her headband. If memory serves me correctly Kelly is sporting bike shorts under that polka dot mini. Hawt.

Brenda is looking sporty chic in her bike shorts and headband.

Back to the bodysuit- in maroon crushed velvet. I swoon.
Ooh, did Brenda let Donna borrow it for a party at the Walsh's? Or is Donna's a more expensive, designer crushed velvet maroon bodysuit? With no back! I don't think Felice would approve. Not very virginal looking, Donna.
Comparatively, this skin tight, off the shoulder floral number with matching headband is positively demure. And coordinates nicely with Steve's mini-floral shirt. Notice both he and Kelly and sported the pleated waist pant with black silver buckled belts. He however, is NOT wearing a pink bodysuit. For shame.

Now to the most embarrassing part of the post- outfits which I sported (or tried to within the confines of my 6th grade clothes budget and the strictures of my mama).

Definitely this look- copied right out of the pages of Teen magazine.

The following looks of Donna's were definitely in my 6th-7th grade wardrobe- short-all with elastic headband, and black leggings with oversized colored sweater on top. I was looking good!

Early nineties fashion. I can't believe it is coming back. Not for me folks! I've got awkward 6th grade dance pics to prove that it should stay in the past for me.

Cookbook Love

Well, Garden and Gun just sent me a delightful e-mail detailing several cookbooks which will soon be released. I should have just deleted, as I have a major cookbook problem. I have over a hundred cookbooks, yet refuse to quit buying them. I am a cookbook addict. It's sad.



First purchase will be East Tennessee's own Blackberry Farm's tome. If you have an opportunity to visit Blackberry, go with haste! It is a little piece of super luxurious heaven. Sigh.

http://gardenandgun.com/skillet-apple-crisp-blackberry-farm-cookbook Here's a link to one of the recipes for an apple crisp- perfect for fall which is rapidly approaching.

Next up is the Lee Bros. new cookbook-

Follow the link to a recipe for Ginger Lemonade- sounds so yummy.

The Hot and Hot Fish Club Cookbook, from the famed Birmingham eatery.

And finally one of my Top Chef Masters crushes- John Besh. I have a feeling after this purchase, there will be a lot of Cajun dinner parties happening at the condo.

This is not helpful to me losing 7 lbs. Crap.