February 29, 2012

Happy Leap Day


Happy Leap Day! February 29th, a day that only comes once every 4 years, and most people probably don't think anything of it, unless it's your birthday! What is a leap year exactly ?


In mundane terms, it marks a "leap" in time, when the calendar is adjusted to make up for extra seconds accumulated over the preceding three years due to the rotation of the earth.
  

"Use this day to do something daring, extraordinary and unlike yourself. Take a chance and shape a different pattern in your personal cloud of probability" -Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration



Asiago Mashed Potatoes and Broccoli

We were looking for a side dish to go with our Slow Cooker Parmesan Honey Pork Roast and came across this mashed potato recipe. Who doesn't love mashed potatoes? I love finding new ways to jazz them up, or sneak in some green veggies like this recipe. These turned out great, and I think we will definitely make them again. 


Ingredients
8-10 small red potatoes
2 cups broccoli florets
4 tbs butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup Asiago cheese

Bring slightly salted water to boil in a medium pot.

Peel potatoes, or leave skin on if you prefer (like we do), and quarter them. Cut off the stems of the broccoli and roughly chop into small chunks.

Boil the broccoli and potatoes together for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are soft.

Drain the veggies and return to pot, add butter, cream, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Use an electric mixer or potato masher and blend the ingredients until smooth.

Add the asiago cheese, season to taste and serve!


These paired perfectly with our pork and some grilled balsamic asparagus.