Sweet and Spicy Button Ribs

Crawfish Etouffee

I made this last week and dear lord it was good!  The bright full flavors were surprising and very welcomed by my whole family!!

Recipe

A restaurant gig

Living in Kalispell where it's quiet and life is peacefully slow, my husband and I like to try new restaurants to bring a little excitement into our lives.

A few months ago we decided to try the new Irish pub, Brannigan's, that had opened up nearby.  Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect.  Growing up I had always associated Irish-anything with red hair, beer, and little dudes dressed in green coats.  To say that I was a blank slate would be putting it mildly.



Walking into Brannigan's felt familiar and comfortable.  The dark timber used throughout the pub made it feel cozy while the large windows and exposed bricks made it feel open and spacious.  The bar and selection of spirits was beautiful.  The food was delicious and staff was friendly. 

After we had finished our meal I felt like I had found my very own version of "Cheers" and I had visions of my husband and I going back every week for date night.

When I got home I was excited to share this awesome place that I had found, but since it was a new business their online presence wasn't much. Now, as a foodie and a photographer I knew that I could help change that. The next time I went in I left my name and number with the manager and told him that if he ever needed any photographs to give me a ring.

On Thursday of last week he called and wanted to know if I could come down and photograph some of their new menu items for summer.  I can't really remember what I said though I'm pretty sure it went something like, "Oh!  Yes absolutely I would love to!!".

The next day I showed up and Sam, the chef de cuisine, had four meals ready to be photographed.  I was super nervous and trembling throughout the whole shoot (however now that I think about it...that could have been from the 6 shots of espresso that I had consumed that morning), but managed to get some photos that I'm really proud of.

I know that I have a long ways to go to become the photographer that I want to be, but I'm hoping that I get many more opportunities like this one.  I learned so much and had a blast doing it!

Brannigan's Facebook

My Facebook
Cat Thomas Photography

Wings ROCK!!

Wow what a crazy few weeks.  While in Spokane last week, my mother and I were rear ended.  Thankfully it seems like we will both be fine after a few month with a chiropractor.  Since the accident, my family has lived on fast food and hot dogs because standing over the stove was not an option. However, I found this recipe on tumblr and decided that it would be worth it to bear the pain....MAN O MAN was I right!!

Brown Sugar Wings with Red Pepper Sauce
and
Grilled Zucchini "Fries" with
Greek Yogurt Ranch

Caribbean Spiced Pork with Black Beans and Rice

Bubble Up Pizza

This right here is the smashing hit of the year for my family. I've been on a pinterest kick the last few months and this by far is one of my favorite finds.  I can't find the pin at the moment, but its quick and easy to make...not to mention you can't screw it up. Along with being super easy (cut, mix, pour, bake) its also really inexpensive, which is always a bonus!

Certain foods remind me of home...

and my mom's Chicken Kiev would be one of my favorites.  I can remember the smells coming from the kitchen when it was baking and how it would make my mouth water.  Its almost indescribable how the combination of cheese, butter, and cheez-itz would combine in the heat of the oven and make my whole family excited to sit at the dinner table.

Tonight, while figuring out what to make with the remaining chicken breasts from last night, I noticed a box of cheez-its sitting in the pantry and inspiration struck....MOM'S CHICKEN KIEV!!  As an added bonus, mini was helping me tonight in the kitchen so I was getting to pass down a family recipe *HAPPY DANCE*, but fate said, "Nope you don't get to have all the required ingredients for that.  That would have been way too easy."

OK, no problem, I can handle this.  I have chicken, cheez-itz, mozzarella and sun dried tomatoes...BINGO!

Cracker crusted chicken stuffed with sun dried tomatoes and mozzarella
with cauli-rice

A simple meal with not a lot of prep work. The hardest part was crushing the crackers and I had an amazing helper for that.  Next time this will be a planned meal that I'm pretty sure will have both my boys waiting with mouths watering.