Could I BE writing any more blog posts this month???
For my last Sept recipe, I made THIS! Thanks Zeetlebug it was yumtastic!!
I also have to mention the best spaghetti sauce ever!! I've always been sort of whatevs about red sauce. I hated spaghetti, or any Italian food, as a child (bizarre right?)...and to this day, I'll usually order something more exotic like a vodka tomato cream sauce or simple garlic infused olive oil type sauce if I'm at an Italian joint...never a plain, run of the mill, basic spaghetti sauce. But I now create a red sauce myself that I would eat above all other options if I had the choice!
1 small eggplant
1 zucchini
1 tomato (a really beefy one from the farmer's market would be great!)
a boatload of cremini mushrooms (like 10+)
half white onion
4+ garlic cloves
...all chopped
After sauteeing all these guys for several minutes (onion/garlic...then other veggies, but the mushrooms last!), I add a can of Contadida thick & zesty tom sauce (because why should I do all the work?) plus a couple TBs of tom paste. Then spices...anything you've got like dried oregano and/or basil, red pepper flakes, pepper. PLUS, and here's the trickery, a tsp or so of chicken stock granules AND a tsp or so of sugar! Now let that all stew together-covered-stirring every so often, for 10-20 mins. DEEEEELISH! If I had some, I would've added chopped fresh basil leaves to the sauce once it was done. Maybe next time!
To accompany this fine meal, I made this concoction that Z developed the other day. Mashed Cauliflower that tastes WAY better than mashed potatoes...well, at least in my opinion. The fact that it's better for you may have something to do with it. Just steam a heck load of frozen cauliflower in a half inch of chicken stock for awhile (until fork tender)...throw the drained veggies into a blender with some pressed garlic and a tiny bit of sour cream (I actually used a TB of this garlic dip my mom gave me)...blend away until the consistency of mashed tatos and you're done. No need to add salt as there is plenty in the stock, but add pepper or any other spice that suits your fancy. I swear, you gotta try...they are freaking GOOD!!
So that's my food rant for now. I think it's because I've been nothing but HUNGRY these days. I may or may not have mentioned the layer of fat my body wants to put on for the oncoming winter.
Meanwhile I'd like to touch base on the fact that, lately, when I go to bed at night, I cannot fall asleep for the life of me because I think about 234983204 projects and really cool ideas I want to do. I feel as though I need to hire a team...like I'd come up with projects, and then delegate tasks to them. There are not enough hours in the day! Especially when it's suddenly tv season again :\ In any case, today I'm going to write down everything I've thought of and try to come up with a game plan to get them accomplished.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
more food!
#90 - Well I finally watched the moonrise! I didn't actually get to see it come up from the lake horizon, but it was pretty close. I originally had "watch the moonrise 4x" on my list and changed it for fear that I'd barely get to do it once! So I think I'll try it again within the next year, hopefully when I have a tripod and can take some pix. In any case, this particular time was extra cozy! Mandsi walked with me down to the hill that overlooks the lakefront and we indulged in some lovely boy talk as the large orange waning gibbous hung low amongst wisps of clouds in the dark sky. ;)
#45 - Two new recipes for Sept!
1. Chicken Curry and Rice mmmmmmm
Oh man was this a recipe and a half! SO delicious!! Here's my best translation:
First, prepare a couple servings of jasmine rice per package directions and keep warm to the side. Then, in a hot dry skillet, brown a medium sized palmful of curry powder...this brings out the flavor and spiciness! After a couple minutes, constantly stirring so it doesn't burn, add a tsp of paprika, 1/2 tsp of cinnamon, and a sprinkling of red pepper flakes. Then add a half of an onion, a couple garlic cloves, and a red bell pepper...all chopped. Cover to steam and stir every minute or so until veggies are soft. Cut two chicken breasts into bite sized pieces (season with salt and pepper) and add to the veggie mixture. Then add a TB of tomato paste or ketchup, 2/3 cup of plain yogurt, and 3/4 cup of coconut milk (I used like 2/3 of a can). Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped green onions (and salt if necessary). YUM!!! It's even better the next day, per usual! It made my whole apartment smell like curry of course, but this was NOT a bad thing!!! Unless someone in your living quarters doesn't like Indian or Thai food of course. Then I guess you're out of luck ;)
2. Butternut Squash Chicken Bake with Rice
This was sort of a cheating recipe, but I just took my leftover V8 butternut squash soup (like a third of the box), to which I had added a quarter of an onion and a couple garlic cloves...and added barely a quarter of a cup of water, a half cup of uncooked jasmine rice, and a cubed small sweet potato (for seasonings I added some red pepper flakes, a little brown sugar, and some nutmeg). I seasoned a chicken breast with paprika, steak seasoning, and cumin and seared both sides on a hot pan with olive oil for a couple minutes each side (until slightly browned). I put the breast in a small greased baking dish and topped it with the soup mixture. Baked in a 350 degree preheated oven for about 40 minutes. I added a little bit of mozzarella to it when it was done. GLORIOUS.
So just one more to go which I'm sure I can squeeze in next week.
By the by, I will fully admit that knowing I only have a smidge over a year left to complete all 101 things, and have barely touched any of my creative projects, keeps me up at night :\
#45 - Two new recipes for Sept!
1. Chicken Curry and Rice mmmmmmm
Oh man was this a recipe and a half! SO delicious!! Here's my best translation:
First, prepare a couple servings of jasmine rice per package directions and keep warm to the side. Then, in a hot dry skillet, brown a medium sized palmful of curry powder...this brings out the flavor and spiciness! After a couple minutes, constantly stirring so it doesn't burn, add a tsp of paprika, 1/2 tsp of cinnamon, and a sprinkling of red pepper flakes. Then add a half of an onion, a couple garlic cloves, and a red bell pepper...all chopped. Cover to steam and stir every minute or so until veggies are soft. Cut two chicken breasts into bite sized pieces (season with salt and pepper) and add to the veggie mixture. Then add a TB of tomato paste or ketchup, 2/3 cup of plain yogurt, and 3/4 cup of coconut milk (I used like 2/3 of a can). Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped green onions (and salt if necessary). YUM!!! It's even better the next day, per usual! It made my whole apartment smell like curry of course, but this was NOT a bad thing!!! Unless someone in your living quarters doesn't like Indian or Thai food of course. Then I guess you're out of luck ;)
2. Butternut Squash Chicken Bake with Rice
This was sort of a cheating recipe, but I just took my leftover V8 butternut squash soup (like a third of the box), to which I had added a quarter of an onion and a couple garlic cloves...and added barely a quarter of a cup of water, a half cup of uncooked jasmine rice, and a cubed small sweet potato (for seasonings I added some red pepper flakes, a little brown sugar, and some nutmeg). I seasoned a chicken breast with paprika, steak seasoning, and cumin and seared both sides on a hot pan with olive oil for a couple minutes each side (until slightly browned). I put the breast in a small greased baking dish and topped it with the soup mixture. Baked in a 350 degree preheated oven for about 40 minutes. I added a little bit of mozzarella to it when it was done. GLORIOUS.
So just one more to go which I'm sure I can squeeze in next week.
By the by, I will fully admit that knowing I only have a smidge over a year left to complete all 101 things, and have barely touched any of my creative projects, keeps me up at night :\
Monday, September 15, 2008
stuffing my face...and ears?
First off, a couple more recipes to add to this month's Big Seven (#45):
1. Veggie Mexican Casserole
Preheat oven to 350. Saute onions, garlic, sliced mushrooms, cubed eggplant, diced bell pepper and jalapeno until soft. Add a small can of mild green chilies, a small can of sweet corn, and a half packet of taco seasoning and let that simmer for a few minutes. Line the bottom of a greased 9x13 baking dish with 1/4 inch slices of firmed polenta (#50), top with the veggie mixture, then top that with a can of black and garbanzo beans, and finally top that with a Mexican cheese blend. Bake for 20 minutes and once out of the oven, top with sliced black olives, green onions, and sour cream. ENJOY!!! It's even better the next day, and like three times as good the day after that! It lasted me all week and I had like three servings at each meal...WHOOPS!
2. Spinach Artichoke Dip Pizza
Bake a Boboli crust (I recommend the whole wheat kind!!) per the instructions. Combine a good sized package of spinach dip from the deli (or make your own...two cups perhaps?) along with a can of chopped artichoke hearts as well as a half cup or so of freshly grated Parmesan cheese (or prepackaged shredded Italian blend). Heat up four slices of bacon and some shredded chicken (I used a rotisserie chicken from the deli, but you can shred a couple poached chicken breasts as well). When the crust is done, let cool a bit, and then top with the spinach artichoke dip, the shredded chicken and crumbled bacon, and some green onions. Voila! Quite a spectacular appetizer for a party, especially when coupled with my recipe for BLT pizza!
#51 - Fried Food
Two things. I went to a sushi restaurant on Friday and could NOT partake in the deliciousness that is tempura and thus simply drooled over my sister's Spider Roll while I [thoroughly enjoyed] my Philly Roll. Additionally, yesterday I went to this sports bar to watch the Bears game and while they typically have a bunch of menu options, sammiches and the like, on "Game Day" they have a bit of a stunted menu that features 95% fried food! So I had a choice between some sliders or pizza. I chose the sliders and they arrived atop a mountain of greasy golden French fries that I had to stare at longingly while I consumed my mini burgers. It was torture, but I made it through ;)
#68 - Speaking of eating a lot, jeez I've been eating a lot! I blame this early cold snap. My body is completely freaking out that I need to build up a thick layer of fat for the oncoming winter...especially if it's a winter like last year! So I've been stuffing myself with sweet bakery and one too many helpings of the dinners I make. I think I've gotta slow down a bit!!
#87 - On a completely different note, on Friday I received one of many emails about upcoming concerts and such and there was this article about a band called Elbow. They compared the music to Coldplay and Radiohead, but I don't really think this is the case. I purchased their latest album on iTunes for $7.99 (sweet freaking deal!) and I'm loving them!! I'm not exactly sure who to compare them to, but they're definitely British and moody. Sometimes they sound like Morrissey/The Smiths...sometimes Peter Gabriel...sometimes Blur...sometimes even My Morning Jacket. Try them today!! ;)
1. Veggie Mexican Casserole
Preheat oven to 350. Saute onions, garlic, sliced mushrooms, cubed eggplant, diced bell pepper and jalapeno until soft. Add a small can of mild green chilies, a small can of sweet corn, and a half packet of taco seasoning and let that simmer for a few minutes. Line the bottom of a greased 9x13 baking dish with 1/4 inch slices of firmed polenta (#50), top with the veggie mixture, then top that with a can of black and garbanzo beans, and finally top that with a Mexican cheese blend. Bake for 20 minutes and once out of the oven, top with sliced black olives, green onions, and sour cream. ENJOY!!! It's even better the next day, and like three times as good the day after that! It lasted me all week and I had like three servings at each meal...WHOOPS!
2. Spinach Artichoke Dip Pizza
Bake a Boboli crust (I recommend the whole wheat kind!!) per the instructions. Combine a good sized package of spinach dip from the deli (or make your own...two cups perhaps?) along with a can of chopped artichoke hearts as well as a half cup or so of freshly grated Parmesan cheese (or prepackaged shredded Italian blend). Heat up four slices of bacon and some shredded chicken (I used a rotisserie chicken from the deli, but you can shred a couple poached chicken breasts as well). When the crust is done, let cool a bit, and then top with the spinach artichoke dip, the shredded chicken and crumbled bacon, and some green onions. Voila! Quite a spectacular appetizer for a party, especially when coupled with my recipe for BLT pizza!
#51 - Fried Food
Two things. I went to a sushi restaurant on Friday and could NOT partake in the deliciousness that is tempura and thus simply drooled over my sister's Spider Roll while I [thoroughly enjoyed] my Philly Roll. Additionally, yesterday I went to this sports bar to watch the Bears game and while they typically have a bunch of menu options, sammiches and the like, on "Game Day" they have a bit of a stunted menu that features 95% fried food! So I had a choice between some sliders or pizza. I chose the sliders and they arrived atop a mountain of greasy golden French fries that I had to stare at longingly while I consumed my mini burgers. It was torture, but I made it through ;)
#68 - Speaking of eating a lot, jeez I've been eating a lot! I blame this early cold snap. My body is completely freaking out that I need to build up a thick layer of fat for the oncoming winter...especially if it's a winter like last year! So I've been stuffing myself with sweet bakery and one too many helpings of the dinners I make. I think I've gotta slow down a bit!!
#87 - On a completely different note, on Friday I received one of many emails about upcoming concerts and such and there was this article about a band called Elbow. They compared the music to Coldplay and Radiohead, but I don't really think this is the case. I purchased their latest album on iTunes for $7.99 (sweet freaking deal!) and I'm loving them!! I'm not exactly sure who to compare them to, but they're definitely British and moody. Sometimes they sound like Morrissey/The Smiths...sometimes Peter Gabriel...sometimes Blur...sometimes even My Morning Jacket. Try them today!! ;)
Friday, September 5, 2008
it's getting better every day
Tonight I will finally indulge in a pumpkin spice latte as I heard through the proverbial grapevine that they are definitely officially available! Currently it is 62 degrees outside and I am loving the part where I wore a jacket to work this morning. Unfortunately a small part of my brain is screaming about how winter feels like it just ended, so that's too bad :\ Shut up brain!
Speaking of PSLs, Z just pointed out to me THIS FUN FACT:
In other words, when you google image "pumpkin spice latte", my blog banner is the sixth photo to come up?! That's devotion my friends.
Meanwhile, I made two of seven recipes for the month of Sept:
1. Enchilada Pizza (I made tomatillo salsa again to use for the sauce, and topped a wheat Boboli with black beans, a four cheese Mexican blend, guac, and green onions. If I wasn't poor I would've made some tasty shredded chicken to put on it as well.)
2. Squash and Sweet Potato Tortellini, which I will partake once again in about 20 minutes!
sweeeeet action!
Speaking of PSLs, Z just pointed out to me THIS FUN FACT:
In other words, when you google image "pumpkin spice latte", my blog banner is the sixth photo to come up?! That's devotion my friends.
Meanwhile, I made two of seven recipes for the month of Sept:
1. Enchilada Pizza (I made tomatillo salsa again to use for the sauce, and topped a wheat Boboli with black beans, a four cheese Mexican blend, guac, and green onions. If I wasn't poor I would've made some tasty shredded chicken to put on it as well.)
2. Squash and Sweet Potato Tortellini, which I will partake once again in about 20 minutes!
sweeeeet action!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Do you remember?!
I cannot believe it's already September. Thank all that is holy, because the summer should really be over soon. The weather has been ideal, especially after the winter we had, but the shenanigans have been plentiful and I need a break! I will say that this summer will go down as one of my favorite summers since Summer '98: post high school graduation, not a care in the world, also lots of shenanigans. It will also go down as one of the most tumultuous summers...full of soaring highs and devastating lows. I don't think I've ever in my life felt such an intense roller coaster of emotions over this length of time (five months straight). I look forward to what I can only hope is a much more calm autumn because at this rate, highs are great and all, but the higher you are, the harder you fall. And speaking of falling hard, I still have one more emotionally exhausting event to get through before the summer ends: my coworker's wedding, which my ex-boyfriend and his girlfriend will be attending. While I'm super excited for my coworker/friend, I cannot even describe how much I'm dreading this evening. It'll be one of the hardest things that I've ever endured. I can only hope that it'll be like running a marathon: takes a lot out of you, but makes you stronger and, um, more interesting? So on that note, wish me luck? ;)
In any case, I have a few updates, so here they are:
#5 - I'm picking away at the Q&A photo interview I mentioned awhile back. Who knew it'd be so difficult?!
#17 - I indulged in a pretty selfish decision the night of my friends Chelsea and Nick's wedding?
#18 - And on that note, I'm cheating a bit crossing this one off, but I don't think I'll get any closer to this task than I did that evening! That's all I'll say ;)
#34 - Nutcracker tickets have been purchased for Sat, Dec 13th!
#45 - I failed miserably at recipes in August. One...that's it. Pathetic. So September's going to be seven total. I wish food didn't cost so much :\
#50 - My atypical item this month will be polenta which isn't produce really, but I've always wanted to cook with it.
#51 - Guilty pleasure will be an oldie but goodie: No fried food.
#54 - I finally got my haircut last week after almost five months!
#68 - I ate like a crazy person the weekend of Chelsea and Nick's wedding: Like five helpings of taco salad at my parents Thursday night; ginormous greasy breakfast at the Pancake House Friday morning; way too much fried fish, fatty chowder soup, and piles of french fries at the rehearsal dinner; another huge greasy breakfast the wedding morning; and MORE fries and gooey Reuben the day after. I felt like I had been starving myself for weeks and I totally just let loose!
#87 - Band/artist of the month happened right at the end when a coworker recommended Love As Laughter...good stuff!
That's all I got! In really awesome news, it's about that time of year when Bucks rolls out the Pumpkin Spice Latte!!! You better believe I'll blog about it too ;)
In any case, I have a few updates, so here they are:
#5 - I'm picking away at the Q&A photo interview I mentioned awhile back. Who knew it'd be so difficult?!
#17 - I indulged in a pretty selfish decision the night of my friends Chelsea and Nick's wedding?
#18 - And on that note, I'm cheating a bit crossing this one off, but I don't think I'll get any closer to this task than I did that evening! That's all I'll say ;)
#34 - Nutcracker tickets have been purchased for Sat, Dec 13th!
#45 - I failed miserably at recipes in August. One...that's it. Pathetic. So September's going to be seven total. I wish food didn't cost so much :\
#50 - My atypical item this month will be polenta which isn't produce really, but I've always wanted to cook with it.
#51 - Guilty pleasure will be an oldie but goodie: No fried food.
#54 - I finally got my haircut last week after almost five months!
#68 - I ate like a crazy person the weekend of Chelsea and Nick's wedding: Like five helpings of taco salad at my parents Thursday night; ginormous greasy breakfast at the Pancake House Friday morning; way too much fried fish, fatty chowder soup, and piles of french fries at the rehearsal dinner; another huge greasy breakfast the wedding morning; and MORE fries and gooey Reuben the day after. I felt like I had been starving myself for weeks and I totally just let loose!
#87 - Band/artist of the month happened right at the end when a coworker recommended Love As Laughter...good stuff!
That's all I got! In really awesome news, it's about that time of year when Bucks rolls out the Pumpkin Spice Latte!!! You better believe I'll blog about it too ;)
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