Life is to be enjoyed: 2011

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Long Time Ago...

So it has been almost four months since my last post. Crazy how time flies by when so much is going on. What's new? Well for starters, I have a new job that I really like. The people are great, the company is awesome and overall just really great. The commute is longer but I am adjusting and all is going ok, so happy to be working in a much healthier work environment.

We have been watching what we eat lately but that just means I am forced to get more creative. If you are ever looking for a great frozen meal to help keep calories low, SmartOnes really offer alot and have so many different flavors. They also have breakfast options and desserts for the sweet cravers. So typically we will have a SmartOne, fruit, yogurt and half a bagel or other carb. For dinner is where I have to try and amp things up a bit. I am in love with Henry's Market so I have been shopping there a lot lately. Their meat and produce is uncomparable to even the best markets, and is reasonable, especially the produce. So below is a typical list of meals we enjoy for dinner:

Chicken tacos on corn tortillas, served with pico di gallo and queso fresco or avocado (Henry's has really delicious marinated chicken)
Chicken Cajun (or hot italian) ssg sir fry with peppers and sweet onion, served over boiled red potatoes
BBQ baby back ribs served with summer squash and red potatoes (a Jose favorite)
Fish sticks with some sort of vegetable
Teryaki chicken (grilled) served with rice and vegetable stir fry (or made into kabobs)
Baked chicken tenders served with salad or vegetable
Shrimp Scampi served over vegetables

Saturdays we will typically go all out and maybe have a steak but it all depends on what they have going at Henry's or what we are doing. As you can see our meals tend to have chicken as a protein but as long as I prepare it differently we haven't really gotten to tired of it.

I will try to post some recipes soon!

Live, Laugh, Love

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

V-Day Reflection

What could be a better way to spend Valentines day than with the one you love, cooking together in the kitchen? For me, not much... (And this was in additional to all the wonderful flowers he gave me.)

That's what JL and I did and it was so much fun! On occasion JL has been helping me cook dinner and I would say recently he has really starting taking an interest in it. I couldn't be happier knowing there will come a day when he will feel comfortable enough to just have dinner ready and waiting for me when I get home but for now I am happy to share that time with him.

I prepared the menu, with him in mind, and we went from there.

Menu:
Beer battered onion rings & mushrooms with spicy mayo
Pommes Anne (kicked up)
Ribeye steak with a mushroom marsala gravy
Cheesy garlic pinwheels
Chocolate chip creme brulee with banana

He was super excited to try and fry things and after doing it he was even more convinced we needed a deep fryer... After that though, there was still lots to be done and his excitement dimmed, but he was still happy to help... and eat! We didn't end up making the Pommes Anne since we already had so much food and I knew it wouldn't be eaten and would take up more time. Overall everything was delicious!

Inspiration:

The Onion rings were a spin off on a recipe by Guy Fieri on the food network.
The Pommes Anne was inspired by Anne Burrell from the food network.
The Ribeye steak and gravy was an adjusted recipe from Giada from food network.
The Pinwheels are a recipe from http://www.ourbestbites.com/ but I used a store bought french bread dough from the refrigerated section since it unrolls nicely.
The Creme brulee was a recipe from Paula Deen (surprise-surprise) that I added some flair to.

Overall incredibly successful dinner and great memories :)

Live, Laugh, Love & Enjoy!

Monday, February 7, 2011

Gooey Butter Cookies

Let me just start by saying, these cookies are in no way low fat, and honestly can't be. They are rich cookies so eating one or two will suffice but if you share with your friends or co-workers, they will praise you and will ask for the recipe.

This recipe is inspired by Paula Deen and depending on your creativity, you can follow the recipe of hers or split off for your very own creation. Her recipe calls for chocolate cake mix but any flavor will work.

Gooey Butter Cookies

To make the chocolate center, I wrap the dough around a Hershey's kiss. Since there are so many flavors nowadays, let your creative side take hold and go with it!

Some combos:

Chocolate with Cookies N Creme Kisses
White with Milk or Dark Kisses
Yellow with Caramel Kisses
Devils Food with Meltaways or Mint Chocolate or Hugs

You can also use any type of chocolate candy you wish. I stuck with kisses for the simplicity and size. They also didn't come out hard or chewy after they cooled, probably due to the high fat content...

Live, Laugh, Love & Enjoy!!!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Jalapeno Popper Dip

For the holidays I had the fam-fam over. I like to make something for people to munch on before dinner since they are usually asking me when dinner will be ready, snacks keep their mouth full :) I served this with tortilla chips.

Jalapeno Popper Dip

1 8oz. package cream cheese, softened
1/2 C mayonnaise
1/2 C shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 C Parmesan cheese
2 jalapenos, seeded and diced
1/2 C Parmesan cheese
1/4 C panko bread crumbs

Combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese and jalapenos.
Spread into greased baking dish. (I used a bowl 6" in diameter.)
Sprinkle panko bread crumbs and Parmesan over the top.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 25 minutes.
Turn broiler on low and broil for 2 to 3 minutes so the top can brown. (Watch it!)

A trick to finding a spicy or mild jalapeno is to look at the skin. If the skin has cracks or scars on it then it will be spicier than a smooth skinned one. Many times a smooth skinned jalapeno will have very little or no spice after the seeds are removed.

Live, Laugh, Love & Enjoy!