Monday, February 25, 2013

Seriously Easy Risotto

Have you ever attempted making risotto? It's the one culinary dish that absolutely terrifies me. Why does risotto scare me so? I blame Food Network.

I distinctly remember watching Next Food Network Star a couple summers ago and the challenge one week was for the contestants to cook a celebrity dinner with Wolfgang Puck as the guest of honor. One of the contestants absolutely screwed up the risotto so bad that Wolfgang stood up from the table and insisted on taking the poor contestant back into the kitchen to teach her how to make risotto the right way. That scene seriously intimidated me into making risotto. (Watch it here)

So call me crazy, but I decided to make my very first risotto for Dusty on Valentine's Day. The secret to the risotto is that I cheated. I made a foolproof, idiot-proof, can't-mess-up, seriously easy baked risotto from Ina Garten. Dusty and I have seriously got a foodie-crush on Ina's cooking. Every single thing I've made from her has been wonderful. I was so impressed by her easy Parmesan Risotto, I had to share it with you!


Easy Parmesan Risotto by Ina Garten
{4-6 servings}

-1-1/2 cups Arborio rice
-5 cups Chicken Stock (divided)
-1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
-1/2 cup White Wine
-3 tbsp Butter (diced)
-2 tsp Salt

-1 tsp Pepper
-1 cup Frozen Peas

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Place the rice and 4 cups of the chicken stock in a Dutch oven. Cover and bake for 45 minutes, until most of the liquid is absorbed. Remove the Dutch oven from the oven, add the remaining cup of chicken stock, the Parmesan, wine, butter, salt, and pepper, and stir constantly for 2 to 3 minutes, until the rice is thick and creamy. Add the peas and stir until heated through.


I told you it was easy! Go make this for your family and friends and impress them!

Recipe from Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa)

Monday, February 11, 2013

Valentine's Day Menu

Aaaugghhh! It's starting to happen again. School is getting insane and free time to make yummy new creations is decreasing.

Must. Fight. This.

My first Senior semester of nursing school has kicked off with a bang! I spent last week on ATU and had a blast. Previous semesters we were only assigned one patient, now we get to pick our own patients and we get to have two! Juggling the two patients and having more responsibility with freedom is awesome! I'm totally loving it. On Wednesday I get to spend 12 hours at the ICU and can hardly wait because I'm so excited! I seriously can't wait to be a nurse.

Don't worry. I'm not a total loser. My life isn't just school. It's also working on Orthopedics, cooking, baking, date nights with Dusty, shopping and....The Walking Dead.

Ok. Maybe I'm kinda lame right now. But oh my gosh! The Walking Dead is on Netflix, which means Dusty and I watched 2 seasons in like 3-4 days. Nerd alert! 

Well, that pretty much sums up where I've been the past week or two. Work, school, homework, and watching an obscene amount of zombie killing on Netflix. Also, I've been planning one of my favorite meals of the year besides Turkey Day.....Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is the one day I like to go all out and show off my culinary skills to Dusty. Since good seafood is a luxury in Montana, I love to make something fishy and fancy for the big day of love. I found these beautiful babes at Costco this weekend....

And they are going to taste so good broiled with a lemon-chive butter and served over a creamy parmesan risotto with roasted green beans! It will be my first attempt at making risotto, so wish me luck!

While I'm spending my 12 hours on Wednesday in the ICU, Dusty is in charge of making a Red Velvet Cake with the classic frosting. On our first V-day spent together 5 years ago, Dusty surprised me and made a Red Velvet Cake for me. I know it's the typical Valentine's Day dessert, but it sure is special to me!

If you are struggling to think of something special that has some WOW-factor, then I've got the perfect Valentine's Day menu for you....

Impressive and fancy!

Seriously seductive ;)

The perfect side dish!

And finally, the most delicious and decadent dessert...
This dessert is super impressive, but so easy!

What are you making for your sweetie? Are you eating out or staying in? 

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Super Bowl Round-Up

Guess what....Super Bowl is only one week away! While Dusty will be all wrapped up in the big game, I'll be over in the corner eating my delicious football food and paying attention only during the commercials. Just like every other Super Bowl Sunday for the past 24 years of my life.

Besides the commercials, I love the seriously awesome grub I make for the big game. It's a total blow out of all things cheesy, good and/or sinful. I haven't decided exactly what I'm going to make yet, but I know it's going to be amazing and big game worthy.

Are you hosting a Super Bowl Party?

Do you want something more exciting than just chips and salsa???

Here are my go-to Super Bowl dishes that will be a game winner and crowd pleaser!


















Looking through this list of food, drinks and treats makes me that much more excited for next Sunday!

Monday, January 21, 2013

Hearty Vegetable Mexican Soup with Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread {Soup Week}

Happy Soup Week!
I made some soup for you.
Some really healthy, hearty, and flavorful soup!
Not to mention, some of the best cornbread you have ever tasted in your life!

This week in the blogging world, my favorite group of ladies have gathered together to bring you a week full of delicious soups and such that will warm you up. 

So many soups! Which one to make next?!?!
Check out these links throughout the week to see the wonderful soup creations these talented ladies have created....

Monday
Me!
Katie of Hill Country Cook: 3 Bean & Spinach Soup + Le Creuset GIVEAWAY!
Kirsten of Comfortably Domestic: Broccoli Cheddar Soup & Bread Bowls

Tuesday
Madeline of Munching in the Mitten: Garbage Soup
Mads of La Petite Pancake: Gnocci Pesto Soup 

Wednesday

Megan of Wanna Be A Country Cleaver: 40 Clove Garlic Chicken Soup with Parmesan Croutons

Lauren of Climbing Grier Mountain: Sunchoke Soup with Gorgonzola and Honey Crostini
Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Don't all of those look fantastic!?!?
Such a great selection of wonderful soups!

Hearty Vegetable Mexican Soup
{Serves 4-6}

-1 tbsp Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
-1/2 Yellow Onion-diced
-1 Medium Zucchini-diced
-1 Medium Yellow Squash-diced
-1 Red Bell Pepper-diced
-4 ounces sliced Mushrooms
-1 tbsp minced Garlic
-15 ounce can Chickpeas, drained and rinsed
-14 ounce can Diced Tomatoes
-1 cup Fat Free Low-Sodium Chicken Broth
-1/4 cup chopped fresh Cilantro
-1 tbsp Lime Juice
-1 tsp Cumin
-1 tsp Chipotle Chili Powder
-1/2 tsp Salt
-1/4 tsp Pepper
-Sour Cream, Cheddar Cheese & Green Onion (for garnish)

Heat the olive oil in a dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions, zucchini, squash, red bell pepper and mushrooms. Cook and stir until tender, about 6-8 minutes. Add the minced garlic, stir to combine and cook for 1 minute. Then add in the rest of the ingredients (chickpeas to pepper) to the dutch oven. Stir to combine and bring the soup to a simmer until hot. 

Serve the soup into individuals bowls and garnish with sour cream, cheese and green onions.

Recipe Adapted from Picky-Palate 

Now let's not forget about this guy!
This cornbread is truly amazing and perfect with this soup.
You are going to love it!

Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread
{Makes 9}

-1-1/2 cups Flour
-1/2 cup Cornmeal
-2 tbsp Sugar
-1 tbsp Baking Powder
-1 tsp Salt
-1 cup Milk
-2 Eggs - lightly beaten
-1/2 cup Butter - melted
-1-1/2 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese - divided
-1 Green Onion - chopped
-1 tbsp seeded and diced Jalapeno Pepper

In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a smaller bowl, combine the milk, eggs and melted butter. With a spoon or spatula, stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until the lumps are just dissolved. Gently mix in 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, green onion and jalapeno pepper. Allow the mixture to rest in the bowl for 20 minutes. 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F) and grease a 8x8 baking pan. 

Pour the batter into the baking dish, smooth the top and sprinkle on evenly the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese. Bake for 30 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a baking rack and cut into 9 equal squares. Delicious! Enjoy!

Recipe Adapted from Ina Garten, Barefoot Contessa

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Winter Time Comfort Foods

After a freakishly warm December, the nasty snow and freezing winds of winter have finally arrived. I hate it because snow = stuck car. I drive a Ford Focus and it always gets stuck and slides around. Living in Montana means I have developed amazing defensive winter driving skills. But seeing how I hate using my amazing defensive driving skills, I like to be a homebody as much as I can and stay off the the roads.

So when it's freezing outside and snowing, I like to cuddle on the couch with Dusty and my blanket and eat hearty comfort foods that warm the soul.

Here is a collection of my favorite winter time comfort foods...






What are your favorite comfort foods? 
Stay warm!

Monday, January 14, 2013

Fancy Potatoes

Nursing school started up again this week. Good-bye free time! Good-bye life. It's been fun while it lasted. After looking through the course syllabus for my classes, I don't think this semester going to be hard, but it's going to be busy. Very busy.

I'll have class all day on Monday and Tuesday, clinicals on Wednesday and Thursday, and then two 12 hours shifts of work on Friday and Saturday. That means I get Sundays to grocery shop, do laundry and homework. Sounds fun, right? No wonder there is a nursing shortage. They sure make it hard to become one!

With this in mind, my weekly menu-planning has become very strategic and now I have gotten Dusty involved. I plan the meals for the nights I can cook and he plans for the nights that I work. Let me tell you what, after a 12 hour shift at the hospital, it is awesome to walk in the door to a home cooked meal made by your man. I'm a lucky girl.

On the menu this week:
Sunday: Roast Chicken, Sauteed Carrots & Fancy Potatoes
Monday: Chili with Jalapeno Cheddar Corn Bread
Tuesday: Leftover Chili & Cornbread
Wednesday: Fish Tacos & Mexican Rice
Thursday: Shrimp Penne Vodka Pasta, Salad & Garlic Toast
Friday: Tuna Casserole (made by Dusty)
Saturday: Leftover Casserole

Last night (Sunday) I made the most delicious Roast Chicken. I don't know why I never roast chickens on a regular basis. They are so easy to cook and seriously amazing. What I loved just as much as the roast chicken were these Fancy Potatoes...

Tender on the inside and crunchy on the outside, these fancy potatoes look and taste really impressive on your dinner plate! 

Fancy Potatoes
{Serves 4}

-8 medium sized Golden Potatoes (approximately 2 pounds)
-2 tbsp STAR Olive Oil with Roasted Garlic
-2 tsp Kosher Salt
-1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper
-1/2 tsp dried Rosemary
-Cooking Spray

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees (F). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Set aside.

Cut the bottoms off one side of the potato so that they lie flat. Make 1/8" slices across the potatoes, but don't cut all the way through! Only cut down about 1/4" from the bottom. 

Place the sliced potatoes in a large bowl and add the olive oil, salt, pepper and dried rosemary. Using your hands, rub the potatoes down with the olive oil and spices and also so that it gets between the potatoes slices. Place the potatoes on the greased baking sheet and roast for 40-45 minutes until tender and crispy on top. Enjoy!

Variations: You can substitute the roasted garlic olive oil for regular EVOO or you could omit the dried rosemary and use STAR's Olive Oil with Fresh Rosemary instead. These potatoes are really versatile!
Recipe Adapted from Ina Garten, Food Network

Friday, January 11, 2013

Peanut Asian Noodle Salad

Somehow this week I ended up eating a ton of seafood. I didn't plan on it, but it happened. I'm not complaining or anything because it was fantastic and delicious!

On Monday I made a penne vodka pasta with shrimp, then on Tuesday I went to a seriously fun and amazingly good sushi party. A bunch of my nursing school friends got together and made homemade sushi. We made everything from nigiri, sashimi to soft shell crab rolls with lime and honey. Oh my gawd it was to die for! My friend Rosa is the queen of sushi and I learned so much from her. It was a blast!

Then on Wednesday, Dusty and I went out to Bistro Enzo for his birthday where we both had the dinner special, which ended up being seared scallops with a trout-corn risotto and an avocado, tomato, lime chutney (so good!).

Since I menu plan each week, it also just so happens that I planned for Thursday (last night) to be Asian-Panko Salmon with this Peanut Asian Noodle Salad....

I absolutely love this side dish! 

It's perfect to serve along with salmon or chicken. If you want to have it as a main course, you could easily roast some shrimp or cooked chicken, and toss it in the salad.

Peanut Noodle Asian Salad
{Serves 4 side dish or 2 main course}

-6 oz Spaghetti
-1/3 cup Vegetable Oil
-1-1/2 tbsp Rice Wine Vinegar
-2 tbsp Low-Sodium Soy Sauce
-1 tbsp Sesame Oil
-1 tsp Honey
-1/2 tsp minced Garlic
-1/4 tsp fresh grated Ginger
-2 tbsp Creamy Peanut Butter
-1 tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds-divided
-4 ounces Sugar Snap Peas
-1 Red Bell Pepper-thinly sliced
-1 Green Onion-thinly sliced

Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente in a large pot of salted water. Once cooked, drain and set aside. 

While the noodles are cooking, bring another pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the sugar snap peas in the boiling water for 4 minutes until crisp tender and then shock them in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, drain and set aside.

To make the peanut dressing: 
In a small bowl combine the vegetable oil, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, garlic, ginger, peanut butter and 2 tsp of toasted sesame seeds. Whisk the ingredients together and set aside.

To serve:
In a serving bowl combine the spaghetti noodles, sugar snap peas, red bell peppers, 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds, green onions and peanut dressing. Toss to combine. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Enjoy!

*Recipe Inspired & Adapted by Ina Garten, Food Network.com

Monday, January 7, 2013

The Perfect Omelet

Yesterday morning when I woke up and made breakfast, I didn't expect that I would be making the most perfect omelet I have ever encountered in my life.

Like I had said in my previous post, I bought two new Barefoot Contessa cookbooks that I absolutely love. The recipes are earthly, sophisticated, elegant and simple, yet challenging. Everything I love about cooking. I've read them both cover-to-cover and have incorporated a handful of her recipes into my weekly menu planning already.

When I saw the recipe for Omelet for 2, I instantly knew that I must make it since I only cook for two on a daily basis for Dusty and myself. Rarely do you find a recipe for two! Such a rare creature in the culinary world! Everything is for 4, 6 or 8 servings, which means I'm constantly doing math and division on a daily basis.

So back to yesterday.

Dusty and I slept in because it's Sunday, and that is what you do on Sunday. I rolled out of bed and headed to the kitchen to make breakfast and approximately 30 minutes later I pulled my omelet out of the oven. I snapped this picture for Instagram, not knowing what I was just about to encounter....

The perfect omelet.

I split the omelet in half, gave Dusty his half of the omelet and took a bite of mine. After only one bite, I knew I was in for something amazing so I ran over to the window to get another picture with my iphone. I kept thinking, I must share this recipe! I don't care how nice the photo looks, I gotta do a post on this omelet! The world must taste this omelet!!!

Thanks to Ina Garten and her wonderful Omelet for 2 recipe, I was a culinary goddess in Dusty's eyes that morning. He kept singing my praises all morning and gave me a huge kiss just for making him the best omelet he has ever had in his life. I pretty much felt like a rock star and I want all of you to make this omelet for your loved ones so that you can be culinary gods/goddess's for your family too!

I'm not kidding. This omelet is goooood! The eggs were fluffy, but not to eggy. The cheese was cheesy, but not too cheesy. The flavors from the potatoes, bacon, jalapeno and two types of onions were just absolutely perfect. What I love most is that the ingredients are so simple and pretty much everyone has them in their refrigerator already!

Do yourself a favor and make this omelet for breakfast! You are going to love it. 

Omelet for 2: by Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa At Home
{Serves 2}

-1/4 lb Bacon
-1 tbsp unsalted Butter
-1 cup medium-diced Yukon Gold Potatoes
-1/2 cup chopped Yellow Onion
-1 tbsp minced Jalapeno Pepper
-5 extra-large Eggs 
-2 tbsp Milk or Cream
-1 tsp Kosher Salt
-1/2 tsp freshly ground Black Pepper
-1/4 cup chopped Scallions, white and green parts
-4 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar Cheese, diced, plus grate cheese for garnish

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Cut the bacon crosswise in 1-inch pieces. Cook the bacon in an 8 inch ovenproof saute pan over medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until browned. Drain the bacon on paper towels and discard the fat from the pan. Add the butter to the pan, then add the potato and yellow onion. Cook over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the onion starts to brown and the potato is tender but firm. Add the jalapeno pepper and cook for 30 seconds.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl beat the eggs, milk, salt and pepper together with a fork. Stir in the scallions and diced cheddar. When the potato is cooked, add the bacon to the pan and pour over the egg mixture. Place the pan in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until the omelet puffs and eggs are almost cooked in the center. Sprinkle with a handful of grated Cheddar and bake for another minute. Serve hot directly from the pan.

*Some changes I made to the recipe...
I used salted butter, shredded (not diced) cheddar cheese and large eggs instead of extra-large. Also, I used a 10 inch pan because that is what I had. The changes I made to the original recipe were delicious and perfect because I worked with what I had in my kitchen. That's what cooking is all about! 

If you want the recipe to serve more than 2, you can easily cut it into thirds or fourths. I would just maybe serve the omelet along with a fruit salad, sliced oranges or strawberries to go along with it.

 
I can't wait for you to make this for breakfast!

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Balsamic Glazed Strawberries

Happy New Year Everyone! 
This is my first recipe post for 2013 and believe me, it's a good one.


Dusty and I went up north to spend Christmas and New Years' with Dusty's family on the farm for the past couple of weeks. We had so much fun hanging out, relaxing and eating so much food! While we were there we spent a day in the "big city" where we did some post-Christmas shopping and went to go see some new release movies. The boys went to see Django and us girls went to see Les Miserables.

Before the movies started we decided to kill some time at the neighboring Barnes & Noble. As usual, I made a bee-line for the cookbook section (go figure, surprise-surprise!) and purchased two Ina Garten cookbooks, Barefoot Contessa At Home and Foolproof. I absolutely love these books and have spent the past few days reading her books like a novel. I've read them cover-to-cover and can't wait to cook everything! Her recipes are so simple but elegant, which is my absolute favorite style of cooking.

One of the recipes that caught my eye was the Panna Cotta with Balsamic Berries from that At Home cookbook. I have previously assisted in making panna cotta when I use to assist in culinary classes, but never made it myself. Plus, I just recently posted a recipes for Raspberry Balsamic Glazed Berries. This recipe looked divine and I wanted to add my own twist and changes to it....hence, Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Balsamic Glazed Strawberries!


Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Balsamic Glazed Strawberries
{Serves 4}

-1 tsp unflavored gelatin powder
-1-1/2 cups Heavy Cream
-1 cup Vanilla Bean Tillamook Yogurt (or any other vanilla yogurt)
-1 tbsp Vanilla Bean Paste (or 1 Vanilla Bean)
-6 tbsp Sugar
-1 pint fresh Strawberries-sliced
-1 tbsp Star Fine Foods Balsamic Vinegar
-1-1/2 tsp White Granulated Sugar

In a small bowl, sprinkle 1 tsp of gelatin powder onto 1-1/2 tbsp cold water. Stir to combine and set aside until dissolved, 10 minutes.

In a bowl, stir to combine 3/4 cup heavy cream, yogurt, and vanilla bean paste. Set aside.

In a small saucepan, heat the remaining 3/4 cup heavy cream with the 6 tbsp of sugar. Bring the cream to a simmer over medium heat. Once simmering, remove the saucepan from heat and add in the gelatin from the small bowl and stir to incorporate and dissolve.

Pour the hot cream mixture into the cold cream-yogurt mixture and stir to combine. Pour evenly into 4 small ramekins and place in the refrigerator to chill. Once chilled, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.


1 hour before serving the dessert, slice 1 pint of strawberries and place them in a bowl. Combine the strawberries with 1 tbsp of Balsamic Vinegar and 1-1/2 tsp of sugar. Gently stir to combine so that the strawberries soak up all the juices and flavors.

When you are ready to serve, run a butter knife around each dessert in the ramekin and dip the bottom of ramekin into a bowl of hot water. This will loosen the panna cotta from the ramekin and allow it to easy release. Invert each ramkin onto small individual serving plates. The panna cotta should easily release onto the plate, but you may have to help it out and jiggle a little bit.

Surround the panna cotta with the balsamic glazed strawberries and serve!

Your guests are going to be so impressed with this dessert!

Recipe Inspired & Adapted from Ina Gartens Barefoot Contessa at home

Friday, December 28, 2012

Raspberry Balsamic Glazed Berries

Usually when you think of breakfast, you tend to think of a big stack of pancakes, french toast, eggs, hashbrowns, bacon, sausage, waffles etc. I could go on forever...I love breakfast.

 What about a nice simple bowl of fruit to start the day? 

I love having fruit for breakfast. Whether it is with yogurt, cereal, granola, oatmeal or by itself. Fruit is refreshing, sweet and good for you. Fruit is awesome. 

So when Star Fine Foods sent me their brand new line of Creamy Balsamic Glazes, I knew exactly how I was going to use it!

This recipe couldn't be any easier! Combine a whole bunch of berries in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of Raspberry Balsamic Glaze and 1-1/2 teaspoon of sugar. That's it! 


Not only is it good for breakfast, save some for later and make dessert with pound cake or angel food cake! 2-for-1 is the way to go! Just spoon some berries on top of cake with all of their fantastic balsamic juices and you have a delicious and simple dessert!


I'm in nursing school, doing clinical rotations and working at the hospital...I love simple! Simple is good. 

Simple makes my life a whole lot easier when time is not available.

Can we take a moment to talk about how awesome these Creamy Balsamic Glazes from Star Fine Foods are for cooking and baking? I can't wait to make a caprese salad so I can use the Modena flavor. Or how about a pork loin for the Apple and/or Raspberry flavor? I can't wait to also try the Modena flavor with my Balsamic Onion & Prosciutto pizza. YUM!

These glazes add a lovely gourmet touch to any dish and there are so many possibilities for how you can incorporate them into your recipes!

If you can't find them at your local grocery store, fear not! They are available to purchase online with Star Fine Foods. This tends to be an issue when you live in Montana. New products that are fun are most likely impossible to find. Thank goodness for the internet!

I can't wait for you to try these Balsamic Glazes and to make these Glazed Berries...they are absolutely delicious!


Raspberry Balsamic Glazed Berries
{Serves 4}

-1 pint Strawberries-hulled and cut in half
-1 pint Raspberries
-1 pint Blackberries
-1 tbsp Star Fine Foods Raspberry Creamy Balsamic Glaze
-1-1/2 tsp White Granulated Sugar

Rinse, wash and drain berries. In a large bowl, combine the berries with the Raspberry Balsamic Glaze and sugar. Stir gently. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate berries for 1 hour so the juices of the berries soak up and combine with the creamy balsamic glaze and sugar. Spoon the berries into a bowl and enjoy!

*Note: Star Fine Foods sent me a package full of their awesome products to test out and use to create recipes. All opinions and thoughts written about the products are my own. I seriously love these glazes! Thanks Star Fine Foods!!!

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Top 10 Favorite Movies of 2012

The name of my blog says it all, I'm a "girly girl" and it's true. But what you might not know about me is that Dusty and I love going to the movies. Seriously love it. We love going to the movie theater, renting movies and watching Netflix. Being that I'm a "girly girl" and all, you would think I would only be a fan of the romantic dramas and/or chick-flicks, but that is soooo not the case.



My favorite movie genres are thriller, action, historical dramas and adult comedies. Basically, I have the movie preference of a man, but those movies are in my opinion the best and extremely entertaining! So when I created my top 10 list of movies I loved for 2012, it's no surprise that these following movies made the list...

10. The Dark Knight Rises
Synopsis: Eight years on, a new terrorist leader, Bane, overwhelms Gotham's finest, and the Dark Knight resurfaces to protect a city that has branded him an enemy.

Star Rating: 8.7

Why I Love It: The last in the 3 part trilogy, this movie goes out in with a bang! Anne Hathaway as the seductive Cat Woman and Tom Hardy as the super muscular and powerful Bane add to the fantastic character line-up in this Batman series. Pretty much I just loved the character Bane. His voice is indescribable and unique, plus those muscles...oh those gorgeous muscles. The story line has shocking twists and turns that have you on the edge of your seat, plus some surprises for you at the end!

9. Skyfall
Synopsis: Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her, bringing MI6 under attack.

Star Rating: 8.0

Why I love it: Sorry Sean Connery, but Daniel Craig is my favorite Bond of all time! I just love how he gives Bond a raw edge about him. Plus, did you know Daniel Craig does all of his own stunts? Impressive! I also enjoyed how the past of Bond is explored more so you can get deeper into the mind of 007. The train scene at the beginning gets you sucked into the action right away and Javier Bardem is the perfect super genius!

8. The Bourne Legacy
Synopsis: An expansion of the universe from Robert Ludlum's novels, centered on a new hero whose stakes have been triggered by the 
events of the previous three films.

Star Rating: 6.7

Why I love it: Having a B.S. in Microbiology makes me a super geek. So anything that has to do with gene alteration and genetics, I'm all over it! Jeremy Renner has become one of my favorite actors after watching him in The Hurt Locker and I find myself just loving to watch him as an actor in all his movies. Like Daniel Craig, he also has a raw edge about him that grabs your attention. I love how this chapter in the Bourne series actually runs parallel to the last Bourne movie. The action-packed events occurring to Aaron Cross coincide with Jason Bourne during The Bourne Ultimatum.   


7. The Cabin in the Woods
Synopsis: Five friends go for a break at a remote cabin in the woods, where they get more than they bargained for. Together, they must discover the truth behind the cabin in the woods.

Star Rating: 7.2

Why I love it: Sounds like your typical horror movie, right? WRONG! During the month of October, to celebrate Halloween Dusty and I only watch scary movies. It's a thing we started a couple of year ago. When we saw this movie had a 7.2 star rating, we had to investigate because most scary movies never rank this high. About 5 minutes into the movie we realized why. The Cabin in the Woods is a scary movie, but also a comical and witty tribute to all horror films. It's brilliant, scary and surprisingly hysterical (but not in a cheesy way). I absolutely loved this movie. 


6. The Raven
Synopsis: When a madman begins committing horrific murders inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's works, a young Baltimore detective joins forces with Poe to stop him from making his stories a reality

Star Rating: 6.3

Why I love it: According to history, Edgar Allan Poe's death is a total mystery. Due to the lack of technology and resources in the 1800's, the cause of his death with never be know. This movie tries to explain the cause of his death with a thrilling and mysterious story line.  


5. Ted
Synopsis: As the result of a childhood wish, John Bennett's teddy bear, Ted, came to life and has been by John's side ever since - a friendship that's tested when Lori, John's girlfriend of four years, wants more from their relationship.

Star Rating: 7.3

Why I love it: 3 words...Dirty. Raunchy. Hysterical. I laughed so hard throughout this movie. Typical Seth Macfarlane sense of humor and comedy, but even better. Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis are hysterical in this movie as well. I just enjoyed every second of this movie!


4. The Hunger Games
Synopsis: Katniss Everdeen voluntarily takes her younger sister's place in the Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death in which two teenagers from each of the twelve Districts of Panem are chosen at random to compete.

Star Rating: 7.3

Why I love it: At first the idea of children being put into an arena to kill one another kinda disturbed me. But then I decided to go watch the movie and I got sucked in. As an older sister, I related to Katniss by volunteering to protect her sister. I would totally do the same. I call it my "momma bear instincts" because I'm super protective over my little sis. As most girls do, I also loved the love-triangle between Katniss, Gale and Peeta. Are you team Gale or Peeta? I'm totally team Peeta. I love me some Peeta. The movie is action-packed, political, serious, sad and extremely entertaining. After watching the movie, I read the books and became obsessed. I read all 3 books in one week. So good!

3. Lincoln
Synopsis: As the Civil War continues to rage, America's president struggles with continuing carnage on the battlefield and as he fights with many inside his own cabinet on the decision to emancipate the slaves.

Star Rating: 8.3 

Why I love it: Daniel Day-Lewis. Wow. Probably the greatest actor of all time. You forget you are watching Day-Lewis and actually think you are watching Lincoln before you. I could go on forever talking about the things I loved about his performance, but I'll  just say this....Daniel Day-Lewis as Lincoln is the most amazing performance by an actor of all time!


2. The Avengers
Synopsis: Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. brings together a team of super humans to form The Avengers to help save the Earth from Loki and his army.

Star Rating: 8.4

Why I love it: After years of making separate Marvel movies, finally all of them have come together to make the coolest action-comic hero movie of all time. Action-packed, witty, exciting, and hysterical. This movie has it all. The story-line of this movie is brilliant, smart and a fun time for all. I saw this movie multiple times in theater with Dusty. We loved this movie....and guess what! They are making a sequel! 


1. Argo
Synopsis: A dramatization of the 1980 joint CIA-Canadian secret operation to extract six fugitive American diplomatic personnel out of revolutionary Iran.

Star Rating: 8.2

Why I love it: I was so surprised that this was my favorite movie of 2012. Based on a real historical event that was use to be classified by the government, it seems too impossible to be true. The fear, raw emotion and tension throughout the movie from beginning to end was incredible. Ben Affleck directing was very impressive, smart and he was amazing at creating such an intense tension throughout the movie you could cut it with a knife. The entire movie you are sitting on the edge of your seat gripping for the characters. Will they make it? Will they get out? Dusty had to lean over and tell me to calm down a couple of times because I was so into the movie and freaking out with suspense...which is funny because you know how the movie is going to end the entire time. All I know is that this movie better win some Academy Awards and even Best Picture. Go see it! You will love it.


Well, there you have it....my top 10 list for 2012! There are still a few movies being released before the year is over and here are some movies I still need/want to see:
Django Unchained
Les Miserables
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
This is 40

Can't wait to see them! I'm sure they will be added to the list.

What was your favorite movie this year? Are there any that I missed?

*Star Ratings, Pictures & Synopsis source from IMDB.com*
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