Chicken Tikka Masala Ravioli

Ummmm.... I am totally making this! Dinner party at my house!! Holy cow. I dare you to not drool as you read this and gaze longingly at the photos.

(courtesy of the blog Food In My Beard)

"Chicken Tikka Masala Ravioli: "

This idea popped into my head the other day and I dropped everything to make it immediately. I was hanging out with people when I thought of it and got home pretty late, but still managed to throw the chicken in some yogurt. When you think about it, this recipe is super obvious and I cant believe I haven't thought of it before. The sauce on chicken tikka masala is tomato based and similar to pasta sauce. This came out amazing. We ate it all and even my family who is sort of shy with indian flavors said it was great. I have never thought to put grilled things into a ravioli, but what a revelation. You can really taste the grill flavor as you eat these.

The marinated chicken and some buttered onions. The marinade was yogurt mixed with some curry powder, salt, pepper, cumin, and smoked paprika, soaked overnight.

Tasty stuff! It sucked that there was still a long time until I could finally eat. This chicken was so tasty I had about 5 pieces fresh off the grill.

I saved a few of these chicken tikka chunks to eat with rice tomorrow.

I recently saw this 5 minute ricotta recipe on serious eats. Put milk and vinegar into the microwave, and take out ricotta! I made this in place of the Indian cheese called paneer.

Ravioli filling done.

More store bought curry powder. I am normally not one to use the store bought mix, I like to grind my own! Today I didn't feel that it was necessary.

Tomatoes, cream, and cilantro in, then blend it all up.

So tasty!

So good that I am putting 5 pictures of the final dish. Deal with it.

This meal is such a natural combination, why didn't I think of this earlier?

Mix yogurt with curry powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until it is a nice reddish pinkish color. Add chunks of chicken. Let it sit overnight. Skewer. Grill.


Along with the chicken, grill some onions that have been spread with butter and salted.


Follow this recipe for 5 minute ricotta. Or this classic ricotta method.


Chop the above grilled items, then mix it all together with the cheese for the ravioli filling.




Make pasta with this recipe. Roll it into sheets and make ravioli.



Make a paste with ginger, garlic, chiles, and curry powder. Saute the paste in butter for 2 minutes. Add a large can of tomatoes with the juice, and some cream. Add cilantro. Simmer for 10 minutes, then puree with a blender.


Boil the ravioli in salted water for about 5 minutes. Toss in the sauce and serve.

"

Trololo Man found!!!

Remember on video week... I wondered where Trololo man was.

I FOUND HIM! SO had a lot of other people on FB... but I had to post this! It is a current video of this gentleman watching all of the youtube parodies of his now infamous song. brilliant. :)

You Know You're From Georgia IF....

Ok - I have had this for a while and thought that it would make an awesome post. It made me pee my pants a little... so true!

A little background. I was born in Augusta, GA - but moved to Watkinsville, GA when I was 7 as my mother decided to go into Law School at UGA. Watkinsville is this tiny tiny farming town right outside of Athens, GA. I think Watkinsville's primary purpose was to provide land for UGA's agricultural school! People say they are from the country, "I had to pass a cow pasture on my way to school!!!" I get a kick out of responding with, "My high school was surrounded by cow pastures and a cemetary." There was one grocery store, Bells. There was one gas station, The Golden Pantry. There was a Dairy Queen. That was it. Anything else and you had to go into Athens.

Now, as I grew up and we all got into High School - "the man" made his way into Watkinsville and created.... a Hardees. A Publix. McDonalds. Blockbuster. A Coffee House. omg.... we were all so excited! I think the town gained a few pounds when the McD's came in. Oh... and let's not forget - one of the very first Zaxby's as one of the founders is from W-ville. I hated it, growing up. Feeling as though there was nothing to do and we were all bored out of our minds. NOW... I kinda want to move back. But only to the Watkinsville of my youth. Not the trumped up, strip mall town of the present. Oh well....

On to the post!!!!!

You Know You're From Georgia IF....

1. You can properly pronounce Chickamauga, DeKalb, Dahlonega, Smyrna, Buena Vista, Valdosta, Hahira, Houston Co., Milan, Okefenokee, and La Fayette.
P.S.. Atlanta = ADD-LANNA not AT-LANT-A.

2. You think people who complain about the heat in their states are sissies.

3. A tornado warning siren is your signal to go out in the yard and look for a funnel.

4. You know that the true value of a parking space is not determined by the distance to the door, but by the availability of
shade.

5. Stores don't have bags or shopping carts, they have sacks and buggies.

6. You've seen people wear bib overalls at weddings and funerals.

7. You think everyone from a Yankee-state has an accent.

8. You measure distance in minutes.

9. You go to the lake because you think it is like going to the ocean.

10. You listen to the weather forecast before picking out an outfit.

11. You know cowpies are not made of beef.

12. Someone you know has used a football schedule to plan their wedding date.

13. You know someone who has a belt buckle bigger than your fist.

14. Almost everyone you know is either Baptist or Methodist.

15. A Mercedes Benz isn't a status symbol. A Chevy Silverado Extended Bed Crew Cab is.

16. You know everything goes better with Ranch dressing.

17. You learned how to shoot a gun before you learned how to multiply.

18. Ironically, you only crave Chik-Fil-A and alcohol on Sundays..when neither are sold.

19. On one side of the road there's Wal-Mart and on the other is a cotton field.

20. The directions to your house include "turn off the paved road."

21. "YALL is a word.

22. Fried chicken is a major part of your diet

23. Krispy Kreme dounuts are the only kind of dounuts you eat.

24. You call it a cold Christmas if you don't break out in a sweat in your new sweater.

25. When a single snowflake falls, the entire state shuts down, even if it doesn't stick. The radio and TV news will make snowstorm reports every 10 minutes and the grocery store will be completely sold out of bread, milk, bottled water, toilet paper, and beer.

26. People actually grow, eat and like okra!

27. You know the difference between a hillbilly, a redneck, and a Southerner.

28. Your dog and your wallet are both on chains.

29. Panama City Beach, Florida is a big deal.

30. You understand that at least once a year your car will turn yellow with pollen.

31. You know at least one Bubba, and maybe a few guys named Bo.

32. You say "tuna fish sandwich." (not tuna sandwich)

33. You use "Sir" and "Ma'am" if there's a remote possibility that person you're talking to is least 30 minutes older than you are.

34. Braves=good. Yankees=bad. Mets=LOATH

35.You love sweet tea, mashed potatoes, biscuits, and all Southern comfort food...and Southern comfort

36. You don’t appreciate it, You preciate it.

37. Your last words might be, "Yall watch this."

38. Herschel Walker, Larry Munson, Sid Bream, Hank Aaron are legends

39. You say and know what "I bet your sittin in tall cotton right now" means

40. You use the heater in the mornin and AC in the afternoon during the "winter" season

41. You might have heard of people finding their lost boat in a lake that has dried up recently

42. You know that Hurricanes are those the really big storms that give us lots of rain and a lil wind while at the same times destroys Florida!

43. You know there is more than one type of Pecan

44. You know the general population in the state will be stocking up on ammo and guns due to the new President

45. You say "mash" instead of "push", for example...buttons

46. The Redneck Games in Dublin and Smileys Flee Market are kinda a big deal

47. Savannah is The place to go to in the state for St. Patty's Day

48. The Perry Fair (GA National Fair) is on your calendar of events every year

And finally...
This one is the absolute Gospel truth! I have said this so many
times!!


49. You are 100% Georgian if you have ever had this conversation:



"You wanna coke?"



"Yeah."


"What kind?"


"Dr Pepper"

The video below shows you a little bit of Downtown Athens, GA. With a beautiful song in the background! Sleepy Time In the South... :0)

(ps... if you read this - and are from the south... leave your own favorite southern-ism!)

Glory!

I had to end You-Tube week on a broadway note!

Ben Vereen.

'nuff said.

(from Pippin... just listen to that voice. See if you can take your eyes off of him....)

Ok - I just have to add - Pippin is an AMAZING musical that most people don't know about. Early work of Stephen Schwartz... of Wicked fame. This has Benny, William Katt (Greatest American Hero!!), Chita Rivera and so many other amazing, talented people. I have it on DVD... come over for a Pippin party!

And another End-Of-You-Tube-Week treat.... Ben Vereen in a favorite childhood show of mine!!

Trolololo....

I am currently obsessed with this... It was shown at a party I went to for my friend Leah's recital (which, btw, was fantabulous!)

I was so taken with it that I wikipedia'd the song and the guy.

He is a Russian "pop star" from the 70s. The song is actually a popular style of the time. It is to tell a story through only sounds and emotions - no words. When I first saw it - I couldn't stop giggling. The man's facial expressions are to die for.

My first impression was that he is the musical Mr. Bean. Mr. Bean never speaks... just kind of grumbles his way through with ridiculous comedic timing!

...... I wonder where Trololo man is now .........

(I am posting the version with lyrics... because it makes it that much better. My favorite is {head dance} )

All I Ask Is That You Listen To Me...

This clip below is from one of my favorite shows - Jesus Christ Superstar.

This particular song is sung by Judas and opens the musical. Kind of an introduction for the audience and a warning for Jesus and all of his followers. Carl Anderson is BY FAR the best Judas I have ever heard. His voice just pours emotion.... I could listen to this over and over.

Enjoy - Heaven on Their Minds

(edit...)I had to come back and edit my own post:

I have to comment on my own post... when he does the first "Jeeeeeeeeeeeesus!" @ 00:50s - it warms my heart with it's beauty

That is all.

Can't read my... Can't read my....

Oh Lea Salonga. I love you. I can mark milestones of my life by your shows. :0)

I also love Lady Gaga.

This. is. perfect.

(I will keep this short after yesterday's Bye-Bye Birdie novel...)

You Know What I'd Say?!

Ok - Today's video comes from a fantastic musical that everyone should watch. BUT - excuse me for not being a purist... watch the 1995 Made-For-TV version with Chyna Phillips, Marc Kudisch, Tyne Dailey, Jason Alexander and Vanessa Williams. It is SOOOOOOOOOO much better than the original Ann-Margaret version. Hearing her sing makes me cringe inside.

Also, the song adaptions in the new version are fantastic and Marc Kudisch is HILARIOUS as Conrad Birdie.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with BBB - it is a spoof off of the fanatic craziness that happened when Elvis was drafted into the army. CB's Manager, Albert creates this idea to stir up craziness by choosing one girl from the fan club that will get Conrad's "One Last Kiss" before he goes into the army. That girl is Kim McAfee - who just started going steady with her boyfriend, Hugo. Hilarity ensues as everyone tries to make CB at home and Hugo is jealous and the parents are upset and Kim deals with being kissed by this man who - as a member of his fan club - has pledged that every time she hears his name - she must let out a bloodcurdling "Birdie Scream"

Anywho - this clip below is from the 1995 version. The girls (Kim's friends) are sitting in the diner lamenting Birdie's leaving - only to break out into an amazing rendition of the title song.

Brigitta Dau plays Ursula Merkle (the girl in the middle!). When I was 14 and saw this - I looked at her with stars in my eyes. She had such amazing comic timing throughout the voice, a great voice and hilarious facial expressions. One of those people who just throws their self completely into the role.

After seeing this - the role of Ursula added to my list of Dream Roles.

(wow... this is a long post about a musical clip... well, you know me and my broadway!!)

Enjoy... (and watch the movie - available on Netflix Watch Instantly!!!)

WAS!!!!

Ok - I saw this as it flew through facebook back in the fall. I then forwarded it to everyone at work. It tickles me inside. This guy (if you can find the original) has a whole series of talking cats. It kills me with smiles! There is one with a mystic cat.
Ok... I might have to post this one too.

But FIRST! Please watch angry cat! Make sure to close the google ads as they pop up so that you can be sure to see the subtitles at the bottom!

AND... just because I love you - Mystic Kitty!

Hello Madeline.... Hello Madeline...

Oh no! 2 days into my blog-fest and already I have failed! Though, I consider making up that blog at 8am to be good enough to make up for it!

Day 2 of You-Tube extravaganza!

Here we have 2 of my favorite funny ladies! Gilda Radner and Madeline Kahn. Both hilarious in their own right - together, they make magic!

I found this little gem a few weeks ago as I was doing a gilda search online. It was a sketch I had never seen. It tickled me so much I even attempted to teach Maggie how to meow, "hello" at me! For those of you who do not know my cat - she is extremely talkative. She usually responded to me with a meow or squeak of some kind. All I was looking for was a 2 syllable response. ;)

Anywho - enjoy!