Avocado Egg Rolls

When it rains, it pours. That is what it seems like with my blog posts! I have been meaning to post, but for one reason or another, haven't.
This is for you, Kizzie. Mostly because I know that Sam won't make them any time soon!
Do you remember the Avocado Egg Rolls at The Cheesecake Factory? Great times..
Well, I found a copycat recipe and...oh yum..
Feast your eyes on this..and then make some and feast for real!

Copycat Cheesecake Factory’s Avocado Egg Rolls

Dipping Sauce

• 3-4 teaspoons white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon tamarind pulp
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 pinch powdered saffron
• 1/2 cup chopped cashew
• 2/3 cup fresh cilantro
• 2 garlic clove
• 2 green onion
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Egg Rolls

· large avocado, peeled, pitted, & diced

· 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato packed in oil, chopped

• 1 tablespoon minced red onion
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 pinch salt
• 3 egg roll wraps
• 1 egg, beaten

Directions

1. Stir together vinegars, tamarind, honey, and saffron in a microwave safe bowl, and microwave for 1 minute.

2. Stir until tamarind is dissolved.

3. In a blender, puree tamarind mixture, cashews, 2/3 cup cilantro, garlic, onions, sugar, pepper, and cumin.

4. Pour mixture into a bowl and stir in oil.

5. Refrigerate until ready to use.

6. Gently stir together avocado, tomatoes, onion, 1/2 teaspoon cilantro, and salt.

7. Distribute filling evenly onto center of each egg roll wrapper.

8. Position a wrapper so that a corner is pointing toward you; fold the bottom corner up, 1/4 of the way over the filling.

9. Brush remaining corners and edges of the wrapper with egg, roll up from side to side, fold top corner over all and press to seal.

10. Repeat with remaining wrappers.

11. Continue by deep-frying the egg rolls in 375 degree oil for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown.

12. Drain on brown paper bags.

13. Slice egg rolls diagonally across middle and serve with prepared dipping sauce!

Cute Things

A funny thing happened today. I had Pixie in her exersaucer in the kitchen while I was making lunch. She was being so good that we left her in there (we could see her through the doorway) while we ate at the table. Afterward, I went in there, picked up her bottle and said "boogity" to the side of her head. The poor baby didn't wail like she usually does when she's scared...and turned to me and screamed "AH!", with terror in her eyes. I felt so bad and hugged her, but it was so funny because it seemed like a grownup thing to do! She sounded exactly like Scott when he's scared or surprised!

Here are some pictures of the cute things in our lives...

This shirt is adorable, but I think it's going to be outgrown even before Valentine's Day. It was the largest size they had at the One Spot in Target. She doesn't suck on pacifiers..she thinks they are funny and plays with them. And there is nothing on the whisk. I haven't given her any desserts yet! That baby doll is one that my Mom gave to her. It squeaks and she carries it everywhere with her. And yes, that is my overdue laundry in the background!
She probably looks like a boy in this outfit, but hey, it's warm! She crawled over and found an Xbox controller. What is it with babies and electronics? By the way, she only crawls backwards, rolls, and does planks. Nuts, right? It's funny when she backs herself under the futon and can't move. She can maneuver herself easily to electric cords. AH!

Because of the space issue, I decided to store the nice highchair Becca gave me until we get a bigger house. So, I bought a space saver one. I thought there was only one around here, but my Mom did some research and found that there were more in the booster seat area that doubled as both. So, instead of the $50 one, I got this one for under $25 and it's a lot more portable. It's Fisher Price too. I love it!



Remember Perrin? How did he go from this:


to this...


And being tiny next to Nova...


to being..well..see for yourself..

He was such an adorable puppy! I took him to be neutered almost two weeks ago and he was 34 lbs. He was 6 lbs when we got him! He grows at the rate of 2-4lbs a week...and he is only about 5 months old. He is doing extremely well with house training, only has an accident once in a while, and he has a very deep bark and barks at anyone who approaches the house (we're working on this). It'll be wonderful to have him to protect me the 3 nights a week that Scott's working!

The Holidays

So, the much needed update.
Well, the Holidays were just fine. I never got Christmas cards out, but I didn't beat myself up for it.
I got Scott to agree to pitch the idea of drawing names for his family and having a gift exchange. It was a lot less hectic that way! We didn't get his whole family together, but we met with most of them on Christmas Eve. The others were postponed until after Christmas and New Year's were over. I got Pixie only one or two things, but her Aunt Amy and Uncle Michael came to the rescue and played Santa. We got tons of gifts for her in the mail! It was awesome. Here are a few pictures of her first Christmas.

I look like I just woke up. Hey! I did!

We went to my Mom and Dad's house in the late morning.

I needed and wanted these cooking utensils so badly! They are the best, time tested quality.

Pixie hanging out with Grandpa.

After Becca and her family got there..things started to get a little silly. Scott missed the fun, he had to work at 6pm, but got holiday pay! Wahoo!

It was a great season. We weren't planning on doing anything for New Year's Eve really, but we ended up going and visiting Kizzie at her parent's house. We stayed until 11pm after Pixie had a power nap, but we couldn't hack it! So, we went home, let out Becca's dog for her (they were out of town) and walked in the door as it was turning 12am. I put Pixie down, we didn't look at any clocks (we can freeze time that way!), and I grabbed a bottle of sparkling burgundy and we drank it right out of the bottle. We had our own little celebration and then went to bed. It was one of the best New Year's Eves I've probably ever had!