Tuesday, July 6, 2010

BUSY

I have been really busy with things of late....I am hoping to actually make dinner tonight.  It has been awhile since I did some good ole fashioned din din.
Hopefully tomorrow I will have something to post

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Weekend Food

I cooked a couple times over the weekend.  Friday i decided that I should entertain my neighbor Joann & I also invited Patrick.  Fun night with 4 doggies and 3 adults running around my apartment.  It wasn't too bad..both dinner and dessert were "1 pot" meals.  I was craving Spanakopita -- but I wanted to have some protein in the dish.  I cooked some chicken breast that I added to the mix.  I love spinach pie.  I guess it all goes back to working with a greek family for a few years.
Dessert turned out AWESOME.  I bought a few yellow peaches.  I halved them and cut out the pit.  Then I took out some of the pulp...That made room for the yummy filling.  I used the pulp I removed, crushed amaretti cookies & sugar.  After a quick mix i stuffed the peaches.  Once in the pan I crumbled more cookies and drizzles some rum and sugar on top.  30 minutes later it was soooooooo good.

Saturday lunch came around and I had to use up some of the fresh japanese eggplant and green tomatoes I got from the Farmer's Market.  I decided to try something new.  First I needed a quick jaunt to the Central Market....Pizza Anyone?
I bought a multigrain crust to use, garlic lovers pasta sauce made with San Marzanos.  I bought some herbed goat cheese, fresh shredded mozzarella, portabella mushroom & away I went.  The sauce smelled awesome as i coated the pizza crust.  Then I decided to help the veggies along and grilled the eggplant and green tomatoes.  I also soaked the Portabella in EVOO & Balsamic.  Then I grilled that as well.  I placed the veggies all over the pizza and then dropped bits of the goat cheese all over.  I sprinkled thyme all over the pizza, fresh cracked pepper & a little mix of my SW Seasoning.  Then a nice top of mozzarella and it was ready for the oven.  MMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm  It was better than I hoped.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Another Monday

It's Monday the 14th of June, 2010.  I wasn't sure what i wanted for breakfast this morning.  I took Chiich and Colin out at 6am for a walk while I contemplated.  HOLY CROW it was already 85 out.  I was sweating before I even fully opened my eyes.  That sucks =(
After about 30 minutes I had enough.  I got the pups into the house and I started getting around for my day.  I decided to heat up the ole grill pan to make a refreshing tomato sandwich.  I had a few green tomatoes from the Farmers Market to use.  Have you ever just grilled a green tomato?  It is soooooo yummy.  A little tart, a little lemon-ish, and oh-so good.
I put a little olive oil mayo on some whole grain bread.  A little fresh ground pepper, garlic powder & thyme made for great sandwich.  Granted it wasn't extremely filling, it was better than nothing.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Yummy Chili--blackberries--OH MY

Another Monday back at the office.  Fooood....Friday night I decided to try a recipe I wrote a few weeks back.  I browned a package of ground turkey to start.  Once that was done I added it to a crockpot.  I then topped it with a can of crushed pineapple, can of kidney beans, jar of raspberry chipotle salsa, jar of peach salsa & some chili powder.  After 2.5 hours I went in for a taste.  OH MY GOSH!!!  Yummy...sweet and spicy all in one.  I know Breann..fruit in the food  =(  LOL....It was just 210 calories a serving.
Saturday I had yummy Pesto Chicken Salad at Barnaby's.
Last night I had another recipe I threw together to try.  I bought some turkey cutlets (looked like pork chops).
I sprayed a baking dish and placed the cutlets in there.  In another bowl I whisked sugar-free seedless blackberry preserves, Worcestershire sauce, low carb ketchup, salt, red wine vinegar & chipotle powder.  It sounds like a mess...but I poured it all over the turkey and backed for 45 minutes.  Served it over brown rice...YUMMY  Only 296 calories

Friday, June 4, 2010

A Few Quiet Days

No news is better than bad news?  I haven't written much as I haven't had an exciting week.  I plan on cooking some this weekend and will see what happens =)
One of my neighbors works for a company called "Gourmet Ranch".  He said they specialize in meats.  It is always good to make friends with people that can get you things at cost =)
I was asking him about boneless whole turkey breasts..Yippie they have them.  He actually brought me the complete item list.  They are like a SYSCO I guess.  I can get everything I want from them.  The "game" section was quite entertaining.  Any type of Venison you need?  They have elk, antelope, rabbit, buffalo, wild boar, alligator, frog legs, turtle, quail, squabs, ostrich, kangaroo, rattle snack & python.  Hmmmmm Do I dare?
I sent in a few requests on pricing...the strangest thing I want is Buffalo strip steaks =)

Friday, May 28, 2010

Creole Chicken Stew....


After work I was hankering for something with a little spice.  I had written a recipe a few weeks ago that I never made...until now.  It is very high in protein and low in calories.
Chiich and I went for another hour long walk around River Oaks.  She was not having it...she looked at me like I was Satin.  When we got home I started on dinner.
The rice...standard process.  I just do half chicken broth & half water.  I just think it is a little more depth of flavor.  The stew was a few stages.  I sauteed the onions & bell peppers until they were translucent and tender.  Transferred that to a bowl.  In the pan I now sauteed chunks of boneless/skinless chicken thighs.  I generally am not the dark meat kind of guy.  I just thought I would try again.
After the chicken browned on all side I added 2 sliced of chopped up turkey bacon and garlic.  Once they were cooked I added white wine..water..chopped tomatoes..thyme..S&P..hot sauce..cumin..after a quick boil I added green beans and let it simmer for 20 minutes.  It made a YUMMY meal.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

FOOD -- YUMMY -- FOOD

Last night I had Patrick and Joann over for dinner.  I had a pork loin thawed out that was calling my name.  There were some blue cheese crumbles in my fridge that needed a place to go -- hmmm -- I ended up stuffing the pork loin with figs & blue cheese.  I tied up that puppy and seasoned with S&P, Thyme, Rosemary & Dried Orange Zest.  To try and stay healthy I decided to roast cauliflower and attempt to "mash" it like potatoes.  The roasting was great..S&P EVOO.  After it was good and roasted I put it in a pot with some garlic I sauteed.  I added some No-Fat dry milk to get a little creamy like texture.  I also added some chicken broth.  When that was mixed to my liking I added some Cayenne & Thyme.  It didn't mash well...It really looked more like rice =)  It tasted good though.  The side was plain-ole but very good for you steamed broccoli.

Dessert was next.  I decided I deserved something yummy.  I found some mascarpone cheese that was half the calories than the brand I use normal.  I added a teaspoon of honey and whipped that together.  As it came to room temperature i halved & cored peaches.  I grilled them till they were nice and juicy.  I also added honey to balsamic vinegar to make a yummy syrup.  I put it all together for sheer bliss.....
The best part about dinner & dessert........It was 459 calories for the whole deal...mmmmm

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Do We Have To Daddy??



Hola...
So yesterday I went home with an agenda.  I had to get changed and get Chiich out for her walk...also needed to set-up the massage table for an appointment at 6pm.  I got home about 4:08pm from work...like Wonder Woman I twirled and all-a-sudden "dadadana Wonder Woman" I was in shorts t-shirt and sneaks. =)
Chiich and I were off to walk the town.  We walk for an hour again..but a little faster and a little longer.  We went along the school track to Alabama...Down Alabama to Buffalo Speedway...Up BS to Westheimer..Across the street to River Oaks...We went down a few streets and hung a left...After a long walk we hit Weslayan...Then up to San Felipe..turn round...left on another side street and walked all the way to the cross street we originated on...Then up a ways and home....Nice long walk...Chiich stares me down when we get home...Beotch I am not the one who needs the exercise =)
So after my massage I had boring HPLC dinner.  I made rice with seasonings to make it edible...I cooked a chicken breast with garlic/thyme/S&P/cayenne & tossed green beans in the pan to cook and pull in those same flavors.  Whooopie....Tomorrow I will have food pictures and yummy dinner planned...more calories than I am allowed...but oh well.

Monday, May 24, 2010

The Weekend before a Holiday---Fried Olives?? Really??

Nothing too entertaining to report from the weekend.  We to Chinatown for dinner Friday night and had a yummy vermicelli bowl with pork/shrimp/egg roll.  Also had 2 spring rolls.  All in all healthy on my HPLC diet...Patrick wanted to go out somewhere light.  Then he twisted my arm a little to go have a few alcoholic beverages.  Sad when you log the vodka (double poured) with a hint of grapefruit (ee gak).  Then another double poured vodka with a hint of diet coke.  I really am strange I guess...I would rather have a properly poured drink that is easy to suck down than a heavy poured lightly "mixer" drink that take awhile to gag down.
I can do it with bourbon just not vodka..and hell it was grey goose.
Saturday I was up early and walking the Chiich.  I went to volunteer a few hours at Pride Houston.  Stuffing envelopes...was actually a fun group of people.  After I went to the Hobbit Cafe and had a yummy grilled Mahi Mahi on a whet bun with dill tartar sauce.  It had field greens on the bun as well.  I opted for steamed mixed veggies and ice tea to compliment.  My night ended with a bang...laundry on a saturday night =)  LOL
Sunday was a good day.  Chiich and I went on a hour long walk in the 94 degree heat.  The breeze was actually nice in the shade.  We walked all up and down the streets of the rich peoples neighborhood near home =)  Before the walk I burned a few calories on the Wii..tennis..baseball..bowling..golf..boxing.  Between the Wii and walking I burned 884 calories.  That gave me lots for the rest of the day...Good thing..
Joann and I went to the Houston Symphony.  We started off with a free perfectly chilled glass of wine.  Then sat with the conductor that was explaining about the show we were about to see.  The first half of the show was complete enjoyment.  The pianist was the largest (tall & broad) man I have ever seen at a piano.  He was going at the keys effortlessly.  Intermission came and the nice lady already had another perfectly chilled glass of wine waiting for us.....We should have stayed right there...the second half was the Symphony without the pianist.  It was probably the worst piece of music I have ever listened to. 
Joann said she needed a drink...I couldn't agree more.  We walked across the street to the Lancaster.  Another glass of wine....geesh 270 calories in my 3 glasses of wine.  There was a strange appetizer on the menu that she needed to try...fried olives stuffed with blue cheese....well we wont be ordering those again any time soon.  Lightly breaded green olives that were stuffed with blue cheese...barley fried...with a marinara sauce to dip in...tasted like an olive...nothing special.
We split a dinner...Seared Sea Bass over risotto....The sea bass was excellent...the saffroned fishy tasting risotto was ok...the liquid used to make it must have been a seafood broth...tooo fishy...nothing like the sea bass.  There were roated cherry tomatoes and black olives as well around the plate.  It was much better than the olives....but a very over priced meal....

Friday, May 21, 2010

Boring Thursday

I don't have pictures of the thrown together dinner from last night.  After work the Chi-Monster and I went for a 3 mile walk at Memorial Park...It was 91 per the thermostat in the car...and that was sitting in the shade.
We planned on 6 miles but she was too hot for that.  After getting our sweaty selves home...I threw a turkey burger together in a saute pan.  I had some blue cheese crumbles to use up...so I put some on there near the end.  I had some extra calories to use since the walk and cleaning gave me a few.  I them boiled a few chicken & mozzarella stuffed raviolis to go with it.  It really only was 520 calories in the end....could have been ALOT worse....I still had 40 calories for the day left when I went to bed =)

 She had a long walk and was tired....

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Day 3 of "HPLC" Dinner

Last night was a very boring dinner.  I got home from work and decided to thaw out some sweet potato fries.  I like to saute them until they are crisp rather than bake.  I made a turkey burger with southwest seasoning that I made up.  I threw the SPF & Turkey Burger all in the same saute pan and let it cook on med-low. 
My lovely iPhone app tells me you how many calories are burned from cleaning...so i did the dishes/swept and picked up the laundry.  Then I flipped the food in the pan...walked Chiich (it is the shorter walk) and came back to eat.  I put a tsp of whole grain mustard on the TB and away I went.  It was good...filling...and healthier than other options dancing in my head =)  I kept thinking about the yummy lasagna from Carrabbas sitting in the fridge at the office....

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Simple..Filling...Healthy



Last night was "Day 2" of the "HPLC Diet." I have tons of white rice left after my April charity function. I prefer brown or wild, but white will just have to do. Who would have thought that 1 tsp of butter is 50 calories eeeek...I walked 6 miles with Chi-Chi before hand so it helped me have more calories to eat.
I made chicken breast with lemon pepper seasoning. I had to just spray the pan vs. using olive oil. 1 tsp of olive oil is 50 calories. This is sort of an eye opener to me. A lot of the people I know have no need to calorie count, but I struggle with my weight. I am surprised how much is in things. My banana has 90 calories. Good thing I like to cook....I can control the totals.
I am just rambling on....So with the lemon-pepper chicken I also had 1/2 cup white rice & 1/2 cup green peas. The rice was made the day prior. I found that adding the rice and peas to a saute pan with the tsp of butter and a little water works great. I used the same pan I made the chicken in. This picked up any seasoning that might have browned to the pan & the juices. I took a quick iPhone shot of the boring but yummy dinner. In total it was 384 calories for dinner. My daily goal for calories is 1500....If you add the hour of walking Chiich at Memorial Park...I had 1886 calories for the day...I cheated with skinny cow of ice cream sandwich =(....BUT in the end I only used 1354 calories for the day. Do I get to roll over the other 532? LOL
I am also showing the fruity snack i am eating right now...fresh blackberries & raspberries & banana..total 130 calories.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

OOooops No Picture

I went home after work to veg a little bit. I then decided that I better cook this yummy stew meat before it makes a lovely dark red pool in my refrigerator. I made another "low cal high protein" recipe for a "Beef Stew." It tastes fine, just not as thick as I generally like. I love green beans and I put a little more than I was planning originally. The recipe to follow...

Chunky Beef Stew

Nonstick cooking spray

3/4 pound boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes

3/4 pound tiny new potatoes, halved

1 package (9 ounces) frozen cut green beans (2 cups)

4 carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

1 onion, cut into thin wedges

1 can (14 ounces) low-sodium beef broth

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

3 cans (8 ounces each) no-salt-added tomato sauce

Directions

Over medium-high heat, lightly coat a 4-quart pot with cooking spray; add beef. Cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove beef from pot using a slotted spoon and set aside. Add potatoes, green beans, carrots, onion, broth, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and pepper to the pot. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered, about 15 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Add tomato sauce to pot. Return to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Add beef; heat thoroughly and serve.

Nutrition facts per serving: 240 calories, 20g protein

Monday, May 17, 2010

WOW LTNS....



I have been very Lax with my writing on here. I am sort of inspired now after watching Julie & Julia last night. If she can manage to work, shop & blog everyday...I should be able to put something. Not to mention...this can help me track my day to day "Low Cal High Protein" "Diet" I am starting.
Last night I made Meatball & Escarole Soup. It has small MB's made with 93% lean ground beef. There are onions, garlic, carrots & escarole. I seasoned it with thyme, S&P, Sirracha & red pepper flakes. Total calories are 220 per serving. The recipe makes 5 servings.
I also made my very first attempt at protein bars. I made strawberry Banana bars. They looked like a small cake all golden and yummy looking. I hope they taste as good as they looked. They are 203 calories a bar.

Strawberry Banana Protein Bars
Makes 6 bars
1 cup raw oatmeal
5 scoops of strawberry protein powder ( 90g of protein)
1/4 cup fat free cream cheese
1/2 cup non fat dry milk powder
2 egg whites
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 bananas, mashed
2 tsp. canola oil (this is the secret to moist bars instead of the traditional dry bar)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray a 9x9 square pan with cooking spray & set aside. In a medium bowl combine oatmeal, Protein powder & dry milk. Set aside. In another bowl beat together with an electric hand mixer, cream cheese, egg whites, bananas, water & oil. Add the oat mixture & continue to beat until the two are combined. Pour batter into the prepared pan & bake for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
Calories-203, Protein 22g

Meatball & Escarole Soup

Makes: 6 servings

Ingredients
1/2 pound 93 percent lean ground beef

6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

6 tablespoons plain bread crumbs

1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 large onions, finely chopped (about 2 cups)

2 carrots, peeled and cut into coins

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

8 cups packed shredded escarole, rinsed and drained

3 cans (14 ounces each) low-sodium chicken broth

Directions

Combine beef, 4 tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, parsley, salt, pepper, and eggs in a large bowl. Form into 24 meatballs, using about 1 level tablespoon for each. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a stockpot over medium-high heat. Add meatballs; cook on each side until nicely browned and transfer to a plate. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the pot with the onions, carrots, and garlic. Cook 10 minutes, or until vegetables are soft. Stir in escarole; cook 3 minutes. Add meatballs and broth. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve soup with remaining Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.

Nutrition facts per serving: 205 calories, 15g protein