looking brighter everyday!

Things are going just swimmingly as of late...this warm-up is definitely helping!

#45 - Recipes
Three new recipes on the docket...

1. Cornbread Chicken Bake
red bell pepper, chopped
half white onion, minced
several cloves of garlic, minced
small can of mild green chilies
box of Jiffy cornbread mix
two eggs
can whole kernel sweet corn
rotisserie chicken, shredded (or 3-4 poached chicken breasts, shredded)
packet of Ranch dip mix
8 oz light sour cream
can Cream of Chicken & Herb soup
optional: jalapenos and shredded cheese

Saute onions and garlic in some EVOO or butter on low heat for about 5mins. Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine cornbread mix, eggs and corn (add a little salt as well!). Add the onion/garlic and mix. Preheat the oven at 375. Grease an 9x13 baking dish and spread cornbread mixture across the bottom. In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, red bell pepper, green chilies, the sour cream, ranch packet, and soup (optional jalapenos). Add salt/pepper and mix well! Spoon on top of the cornbread, but leave at least an inch of "crust" open along the side. Sprinkle with optional cheese and bake for 35-40 minutes (until the cornbread "crust" is golden brown).

2. Red Lentil Curry
1 cup red lentils
half white onion, chopped
cup shredded carrots
red bell pepper, chopped
cup spinach, chopped
can tomato puree (I used Muir Glen Fire Roasted Tomatoes)

curry base:
garlic clove, minced
TB curry paste
1/2 TB curry powder
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp cayenne, chili powder, or hot sauce
1/2 tsp white sugar
1/2 tsp minced/grated ginger root
1/2 tsp salt
optional: sour cream

Rinse the lentils until the water is clear. Begin by boiling 3 cups water (add a couple broth cubes/some granules, if available, to add flavor). Simmer lentils and watch carefully (they only take 10 mins or so...you don't want them to be too mushy!) Meanwhile saute onions for 5-7mins, low heat, and add the remaining veggies...cook 5 more mins. Combine the "curry base" and mix into to the sauteed veggies. Add the can of tomatoes and simmer for a couple minutes. Drain lentils (most of the water should be soaked up) and add to the veggie mixture. Add salt if necessarily. Top with sour cream!

3. Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe
I'm not going to bother with this recipe as it was just ok and probably not something I'd make again. Decent, but not glorious.

#50 - Atypical produce (or not produce at all)...broccoli rabe and lentils done!

#69 - I made an appt for PLATELET donation on Monday yikes! I thought twice about volunteering for these guys...it's like the most selfish thing ever, but I know how they are about calling you 9248235023 times a day to donate, I can't imagine how they'd be asking you to volunteer once you sign up. It frightens me. And I don't have the time...especially to devote to an organization I'm very luke warm about. So Plan B involves the fact that you can donate platelets every two weeks. If I go once a month, I could probably fit in almost eight donations. Barring they don't go horribly wrong. We'll see.

#87 - Two newish-to-me band/artists are: Band of Horses and Christian Falk

And finally, the Proud Moment of the Month:
#52 - Expensive (almost $100!) running shoes have been purchased, and the running has commenced!!! You can read more over at YET another blog of mine (I'm obsessed): Must Run! Gooooood stuff!