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

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.

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.

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

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 =)

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.

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