Monday, April 30, 2012

Fried Ricotta Cheese Balls

I have a nerdy little secret (NLS). In fact, I have many. But I just want to put out there that I play Dungeons and Dragons, and I love it. I am so glad to have been introduced to it at all, even if this late in life. I am a level 3 elf druid, and I can kick some serious @$$ when the occasion calls for it.  I play pretty religiously every weekend with my boyfriend Josh, his brother Jake, their dad, Paul, and Josh's best friend, Bob. One of my favorite things about the game, besides the game itself, the camaraderie and laughs, is that I usually get to cook something up---usually snacky food. The guys are also a great help in the kitchen! They usually make suggestions on what they would like to try, we try things out, and then we decide how to improve or enhance the recipe, if need be. Bob saw this recipe courtesy of Giada on the Food Network, and the original can be found here.These were decent, but honestly, kinda bland. We decided that next time we might forget the ricotta and just go with mozzarella or monterey jack, add more salt and pepper (and jalapeƱos for the guys---yuck!), and use marinara for a dipping sauce. But, here goes!

Fried Ricotta Cheese Balls


Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15-20 minutes (1-2 mins per cheese ball batch)

Ingredients:
-1 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
-1 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
-1/4 tsp salt
-1/4 tsp pepper
-2 cups Panko bread crumbs
-3 eggs
-3/4 cups flour
-Vegetable oil (for frying)

Dipping Sauce:
-6 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
-2 tablespoons of lemon juice
-2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard
-1 tablespoon of honey
-1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
-1/2 tsp salt
-1/2 tsp pepper

1. For the Fritters: In a small bowl combine the ricotta, mozarella, salt, and pepper.



2. In another bowl pour the panko. In a third bowl lightly beat the eggs. Put the flour in a fourth bowl.


3. Scoop a 1 1/2 tablespoon ball of the cheese mixture into the flour and roll to coat.



4. Transfer the ball to the eggs and roll to coat.



5. Transfer the cheese ball to the panko and again roll to coat. Transfer the ball to a plate. Continue with the remaining cheese mixture.



6. Meanwhile heat 3 inches of vegetable oil in a large skillet to 350 degrees F. Fry fritters in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan, until golden, about 1 to 2 minutes.



7. Remove with a slotted spoon to paper towel to drain.  Serve warm with Balsamic Dipping Sauce.


8. For the Balsamic Dipping Sauce: Combine the vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, and honey with a whisk. Blend until combined. Season with the salt and pepper.

Bob mixing up the sauce

9. Serve in a small bowl alongside the fritters.


Friday, April 27, 2012

Save Green Peppers

Here's a fun tip...that left over green pepper you have? Don't throw it away! Chop it up into little pieces, put it in an empty container (I used a clean water bottle), and freeze it for next time.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Wisconsin

Do you love Wisconsin? I know I do--Milwaukee, especially. Born and raised here in the "City of Festivals," it's definitely one of my fave cities in the world (I swear I am not being biased! I have been to a LOT of cities). If you haven't been, come visit!


Milwaukee is actually the largest city in Wisconsin, and the 28th most populated city in the U.S., with nearly 600,000 residents made up of Germans, Polish, Italians, Irish, French, Russians, English, Swedish, African Americans, and Mexican Americans. It was originally settled by French Canadian fur traders in the early 17th century (Score!!! The nerdy French geek in me is dancing for joy! Eeeee!!) There is some speculation as to where the word Milwaukee originated from. Wikipedia says it comes from the Ojibwe word ominowakiing, or the Potawatomi word minwaking, meaning, "gathering place by the water." But hey, you didn't have to read this post to know that. You could catch that tidbit on Wayne's World!

Some famous celebrities born here in the dairyland include: Heather Graham (actress/model), Jane Kaczmarek (actress), Willem Dafoe (actor), Gene Wilder (actor), Gena Rowlands (actress), Chris Farley (comedian), Danica Patrick (racecar driver), Les Paul (musician), Steve Miller (musician), Harry Houdini (magician), Georgia O'Keeffe (artist), Frank Lloyd Wright (architect) and Charles and John Ringling (circus entrepreneurs). We also have some famous serial killers--Ed Gein and Jeffrey Dahmer...
 

I have to share my absolute favorite Milwaukee food place in the world with you, hands down: Kopp's Frozen Custard. I take everyone there, local or not. I can't believe for as often as I go there, I don't weigh 400lbs. Seriously, I pay their electric bill easily in burgers, fries, and custard. A Milwaukee staple, Kopp's is known for its delectable frozen custard and tasty jumbo burgers. Founded in 1950 by Elsa Kopp, the frozen custard stand has 3 locations. Every day there are 2 unique flavors of the day. In fact, you can even get a calendar for your flavor forecasts! They always have the traditional chocolate and vanilla custard, if one of the daily flavors doesn't strike your fancy. I am on their tweet list, and receive text messages every day about their flavors of the day!


Now, onto some fun. I have to admit, I saw this little checklist on Facebook and stole it, so it's not a Sam original. It's actually a really fun list of things to do in Milwaukee. Being the good little tour guide I am for those out-of-state friends that visit, I have also added a few of my own that I was actually kinda shocked didn't even make the list. So if you are living in or visiting Milwaukee, here are some activities to keep you busy this summer. Be advised, some cannot be done over summer, like ice skating or Candy Cane Lane, but most can. Print this list off, hang it up, and check it off! Oh, and if you have any suggestions for more things to add, feel free to add on!

1. 
Walk the Riverwalk
2. 
Drink from a bubbler
3. 
See the lakefront fireworks
4. 
Watch the Great Circus Parade
5. 
Lawn bowl at Lake Park
6. 
Enjoy frozen custard at Kopp's
7. 
Take a picture with the bronze Fonz
8. 
Close Wolski's
9. 
Attend a Milwaukee Admirals game
10. 
Take the Polar Bear Plunge on New Year's Day
11. 
Visit the Mitchell Park Domes
12. 
Tour Miller Brewery
13. 
Go fly a kite at Veteran's Park
14. 
Ride a Harley
15. 
Run Al's Run
16. 
Ride the skyglider at Summerfest
17. 
Tailgate at a Brewers game
18. 
Bet on the racing sausages
19. 
Use a Tyme machine
20. 
Spot the Milverine
21. 
Eat something fried on a stick at the Wisconsin State Fair
22. 
Watch the Brise Soleil open or close at the Milwaukee Art Museum
23. 
See a movie at the Oriental Theater
24. 
Take a ride on the Milwaukee County Zoo train
25. 
Make a mold-a-rama animal at the Milwaukee County Zoo
26. 
Press the secret rattlesnake button at the Milwaukee Public Museum
27. 
Let a butterfly land on you at the Milwaukee Public Museum
28. 
Order from the "brat guy" on Water and Wisconsin
29. 
Eat some fromage at Bastille Days
30. 
Drive past the witch's house on north shore
31. 
Play bingo at Potawatomi
32. 
Take a boat cruise down the Milwaukee River
33. 
Eat a State Fair cream puff
34. 
Stand in the old County Stadium chalet at the Lakefront Brewery
35. 
Walk through the aquarium tunnel at Discovery World
36. 
Hang out in the lobby of the Pfister Hotel
37. 
Shop the Third Ward galleries
38. 
Attend a Milwaukee Bucks game
39. 
Polka at Polish Fest
40. 
Eat some ribs at Speed Queen
41. 
Tour the Sprecher Brewery
42. 
Drink Guinness at Irish Fest
43. 
Wear lederhosen at German Fest
44. 
Listen to New York, New York at Festa Italiana
45. 
See the orange steel art thingy at the end of Wisconsin Ave.
46. 
Attend Jazz in the Park
47. 
People watch at the Brady Street festival
48. 
Late night snack from the Pepperoni Cannoli guy
49. 
Have a cocktail at Bryant's Cocktail Lounge
50. 
Try at least 3 different places for Friday night fish fry
51. 
Rub Gertie the duck for good luck
52. 
Tour the Pabst mansion
53. 
Smell the roses at Whitnall Park (Boerner Botanical Gardens)
54. 
Ice skate at the Petit National Ice Center
55. 
Buy some sausage at the Usinger's deli
56. 
See a Brew City Bruisers roller derby event
57. 
See the Miller Park roof open or close
58. 
Tour the Harley Davidson Museum
59. 
Find homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
60. 
Have a beer at Major Goolsbys
61. 
Party and exercise on Milwaukee's Pedal Tavern
62. 
See a show at the Pabst Theater
63. 
Spin a penny on the spiral wishing well at General Mitchell Field
64. 
Defy gravity at Turner Hall
65. 
Sit in the Uecker seats
66. 
Get some sun at Bradford Beach
67. 
Take a tour at Great Lakes Distillery
68. 
Mini bowl at Koz's Mini-Bowl
69. 
Pound nails in the stump at the old German Beer Hall
70. 
Pretend you are oceanside at Barnacle Buds
71. 
Ride, run, or walk the Oak Leaf Trail
72. 
Take in the view at Villa Terrace
73. 
Play Atari at Koppa's Grocery
74. 
Ride the Giant Slide at State Fair
75. 
Visit the Basilica of St. Josaphat
76. 
Take in some nature at the Urban Ecology Center
77. 
Read something at the Milwaukee Public Library
78. 
Visit the St. Joan of Arc Chapel on Marquette University's campus
79. 
Visit the Lynden Sculpture Garden
80. 
Take a tour on the Jingle bus
81. 
Visit Candy Cane Lane
82. 
Attend a Milwaukee Wave game
83. 
Behold St. Sava's mosaics
84. 
Visit the Grohmann Museum at MSOE
85. 
Enjoy frozen custard at Leon's
86. 
See a show at the Riverside Theater
87. 
Catch a flick at the Milwaukee Film Festival
88. 
Take in light opera at the Skylight
89. 
Take in heavy opera at the Florentine
90. 
Try a malt at Ted's
91. 
Tour the homes via driving tour on Lake Drive
92. 
Say hi to the rocking granny on the Streets of Old Milwaukee
93. 
See the Pieta at the Italian Community Center
94. 
Attend an opening at the Haggerty
95. 
Hike the trails in Warnimont Park
96. 
Visit Seven Bridges
97. 
Move the sculptures at Discovery World
98. 
Walk the Hank Aaron State Trail
99. 
Visit Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
100. 
Visit your ancestors at Forest Home Cemetery
101. 
Call an Illinois driver a FIB
102. 
Take in the sounds of a mariachi band at Mexican Fiesta
103. 
Go to the Safe House
104. 
Have a tropical drink at Foundation Tiki Bar
105. 
Visit one of the 3 bars at the Landmark
106. 
Attend the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
107. 
Ride your bike at Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park
108. 
Take the Lake Express ferry across Lake Michigan for the day
109. 
Take a picture of the Allen-Bradley clock
110. 
Try frozen custard at Oscar's
111. 
Tour the Great Lakes Distillery
112. 
Try some authentic Mexican food at Coneijito's Place
113. 

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119. 

120. 

121. 

122. 

123. 

124. 

125.