Dinner Theater?

  Movies are a favorite pastime of mine, so the latest incarnation of movie-going experience is always of great interest to me.  Stadium seating theaters were an amazing improvement in movie watching for the theater going crowd, but had a particular advantage for the vertically challenged of us. No longer do we have to worry about the tall person sitting in front of us spoiling our experience.  The newest improvement to this configuration is restaurant-type service in your theater seat.  The chain theaters do this in a big way; namely Cobb's Cinebistro and Amc's Dine-In.  Unfortunately,  these are not very convenient to the Carrollwood area.  However, we now have the privately owned Villagio Cinemas.  Located in the Main Street Plaza on Dale Mabry Highway, Villagio is wonderful way to do "Dinner Theater" or "Lunch Theater". In addition to the usual movie fare the Italian style menu features pizza, pasta, sandwiches and salads. The food is great and reasonably priced. The theaters are intimate, the seats are large electric leather recliners, and the service is terrific.  The theater can sometimes be cold, so I recommend bringing a sweater.  Its a definite must try.

  Before heading to the theater, make sure you feel your best with a Full set of Gel Nails, Acrylic Nails, a Manicure and/or a pedicure.  For info on all services visit my website www.tampanailchick.com .

"Pass It Down"

I haven't written in a while, but by popular request, I'm glad to be back online. Today's subject, Pass It Down, has two meanings for me.  The first is something we all heard and did as kids,  It usually concerned either a note to be passed down the row or aisle or a message whispered that always seemed to take on a life of it's own.(Sometimes referred to as "telephone").  The second is a tradition that families honor in many different ways.  Some pass down quilts or afghans, stories, furniture, photographs and recipes.  Happily my family passes down all of the above and more.  My newly engaged nephew, Justin, recently asked me for my Chicken and Yellow Rice recipe.  I was touched and honored to pass my first original recipe to the next generation.  So to all my readers cook, eat, laugh, and love; together!

Jody's Chicken and Yellow Rice

Chicken parts(skin on-bone in)2 legs or thighs, or one breast -per person
Extra Spicy Mrs Dash
Paprika
2-3 large onions
1 green pepper
1 clove garlic(chopped)
vegetable oil(for sauteing)
1 jar diced pimentos
1 can green beans
1 can peas
1 can mushrooms
1 package Vigo Yellow Rice

1. Wash and pat dry chicken.
2. Season on both sides with Mrs Dash and paprika, set aside.
3. Slice onions and green peppers the long way.
4. In a 15 inch or larger electric frying pan or deep skillet with lid, saute onions, garlic, and green pepper in oil until onions are translucent.
5. Add chicken to pan and brown on both sides.
6. Add pimentos and 2 cups water.
7. Lower the temperature, cover partially, and simmer 45 minutes, turning chicken often so it doesn't stick and adding water as necessary.
8. While chicken is cooking, prepare rice according to package directions.
9. Drain canned vegetables, and add to chicken.
10. Simmer 15 more minutes.

Since presentation is important, use a round or oval platter and arrange rice in a ring around the outer edge. Place chicken in concentric rings on the platter, ending with one piece in the center. Garnish with some of the vegetable mixture(sparingly). Serve remaining vegetable mixture(my family calls this "the goop") in a separate bowl and do the same with any rice that didn't fit on the platter. Enjoy!!!

*This recipe is based on what will fit in the aforementioned frying pans. If more chicken is need to feed your hungry mob, use more than 1 pan. For a recent family soiree, I needed to feed 14 people, so I made 3 batches of this recipe- 2 electric frying pans ,and 1 skillet on the stove and 2 family size packages of rice. An enjoyable labor of love.


As always, for info on manicure, pedicures, acrylics or gels or to contact me please visit http://www.tampanailchick.com/.