Green Curry...

Thai style with coconut milk, sauteed veggies, and coconut milk, over rice.......

This is my new favorite comfort food.  It is seriously amazing.  I'm going to have to try to figure out how to make my own.

Stay tuned.....

Sausage, Egg and Cheese Muffins

Ready for a change from the normal Saturday morning breakfast, I tied something new!  

This should be something that I make every Sunday for quick, easy grab-n-go breakfasts during the week.

If I were so regimented to do so, I would, but most likely this will be a fun weekend treat. 

The possibilities for these little muffins are endless.

• Pre-heat oven to 375
• Spay muffin pan with non-stick spray
• Beat at least 4 eggs in a bowl
• Sprinkle in about 2 Tbls of Italian style bread crumbs
• Add in S&P and fillings (today I used turkey sausage, mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese)
• Mix
• Spoon egg mixture into muffin pan until each hole is filled at 3/4 of the way to the top
• Bake for about 12-15 minutes

ENJOY!!

Smoked Salmon Cheeseball

I love snacks!  

This is a good one!

Cream Cheese

Smoked Salmon

Dill

Green Onion

Lemon Juice

Salt

Shredded Cheese

...and a cracker to serve it on! 

Smoked Salmon Rangoon

Only adding to my new addiction, these may be my favorite use of smoked salmon thus far.  

It really make complete sense....

Cream Cheese

Dill

Lemon Zest and Juice

Green Onion

Smoked Salmon

Mix together & Fold in Wonton Wraps & Fried

Smoked Salmon

I have a new addiction!

A new, healthy addiction!

A new, healthy, always available addiction!

Amazing! 

My new wine glasses....

...LOVE!

Pork Tenderloin Medallion, Brown Rice and Veg

I made a special trip to my favorite meat market this weekend.  

I needed to fill my new freezer with delicious meats.  

These are one of my all time favorite things to get there.....bacon wrapped marinated pork tenderloin.

I fired up my little grill on my new patio, on what could possibly be the last nice 

night I will have to grill out all year.  

It was perfect and delicious!  

Served with brown rice and sauteed veggies, it was a quick, healthy meal.  

Nothing special, but good, none the less...

Egg Nog

This is the real stuff.  I should not have tried the real stuff.  I like this too much.  

I always loved egg nog as a child.  I haven't had it for years and years.  

I was at the wine store today and just had to try it.  It is absolutely as delicious as I had hoped it would be.  Fall and winter will be much more enjoyable with this little gem! 

YUM!

Hearty, Healthy Breakfast Pizza

When in need of food therapy, what do you desire?  I desire comfort food!  What is more comforting than sausage gravy, eggs and bacon?  I would argue that there are very few things more satisfying.  This pizza includes them all in pizza form, which I might argue makes it only that much better, but with a healthy twist.

This pizza will make you smile! I promise!

Build it:
Pizza Crust
Turkey Sausage Gravy
Scrambled Eggs
Center Cut Bacon
Mozzarella Cheese

Make it:
Crust - Thaw and stretch
Gravy - Brown the meat, Sprinkle in flour to absorb the juices, Pour in milk, Simmer, Season, Done!
Eggs - Scramble
Bacon - Fry and Chop
Cheese - Sprinkle

Bake @ 450 for 12-15 mins.

Enjoy!!! :)

Salmon Tacos w/ Fruit Salsa

Inspired by my new access to fresh seafood, these were a nice, light, fun dinner!

The Parts:

Steamed Corn Tortilla

Seared Salmon

Fruit Salsa

Cilantro Lime Cream

Smashed Avocado

Fresh Salmon: season with Cumin, Goya Adobo, Blackened Seasoning and Cayenne Pepper.  Seared in a non-stick pan with a TBSP of EVOO.

Fruit Salsa: Lime, Papaya, Apple, Grapes, Strawberries, Cilantro, Green Onion and a dash of Sugar

Cilantro Lime Cream: FF Plain Greek Yogurt, Lime Juice, Cilantro, and a dash of Goya Adobo

Smashed Avocado: Avocado, Lime Juice and a dash of Sea Salt

Ole`

Fresh Seafood

A local butcher now has fresh seafood.  It is on my way home.

This makes me very happy! 

Simply Avocado

In an effort to kick a virus that just about killed me (small stretch of the truth) and won't seem to go away,  I have decided that veggies are the main course....all day!  

Today's breakfast was this.....

Avocado

Lemon Juice

Sea Salt

Healthy Corn Chips

So simple, yet so good! 

I NEED TO COOK!

Heavenly Pasta

During a weekend of a nice, slow, change of pace, we actually turned on the TV and watched some Food Network.  We watched a new show with a house wife that cooks at her ranch somewhere out in the middle of gorgeousness.  

This is a rendition of what she called her favorite pasta dish ever.  

My daughter insisted that we had to make it. 

So....we did that same night.  

We agree that it is the most delicious pasta dish ever.  

There is nothing healthy about it....just plain, old, full calorie goodness! 

Ingredients: Leeks, Bacon, Pasta, White Wine, Butter, Heavy Cream, Parmesan Cheese, S&P

• Slice, soak, and clean leeks.  
• Set aside to dry.
• Chop and fry 1 lb. of uncured bacon.
• Remove from pan and set aside.
• Add 2 Tbls. of butter to the pan.
• Add in all leeks and saute until cooked through and tender.
• De-glaze the pan with about 1 C white wine (I used Chardonnay)
• Simmer and reduce down.
• Add back in bacon.
• Add in 1 C heavy cream, simmer 
• Season to taste with S&P (as needed)
• Add in cooked pasta.
• Coat all pasta with sauce.
• Add in Parmesan Cheese.

Prepare for a bowl full of heaven! 

Enjoy! 

Lite Cesar Pasta Salad

I love pasta salad in the summer.  It is a complete meal, in a pinch. 

These bow-tie, or farfalle, pasta are my new favorite.

This is so easy and versatile.  You could use any combination of veggies.

Farfalle

Green Onion

Cucumber

Cherry Tomatoes

Carrots

Lite Cesar Dressing (Kraft is my favorite)

Parmesan Cheese

Enjoy!! 

Carnitas Ole!

Steamed corn tortillas, marinated pork tenderloin and lots-o-lime! 

Delicioso!

Marinade

The Juice of 2 Limes

2 Tbls Agave Syrup

2 Garlic Cloves

 Handful of Fresh Cilantro

 A couple Green Onions

1 Tbls each of Cumin and Chili Powder

S&P

Sear on all sides in a frying pan. 

Finish cooking through in oven for about 20 min @ 350 degrees.

-Chop pork

-Steam corn tortillas

-Pile high with toppings 

(I used cheese, sour cream, lettuce, green onion, cilantro)

-Squeeze fresh lime juice

Enjoy!

Spaghetti a la Veg

Awkward vantage point.....but delicious pasta! 

As part of my week long stint as a vegetarian, I used as many veggies as possible to keep it interesting.  This dish was a simple, quick, light week night meal.  

Saute in olive oil:

Onion, garlic, sweet yellow, orange and red peppers, grape tomatoes, 

baby bella mushrooms, parsley, basil, S&P

De-glaze with vegetable broth.

Add in cooked pasta to simmer and thicken sauce.

Top with Parmesan Cheese! 

Enjoy! 

CCTP

In an attempt to be a vegetarian for the week, I knew that I would need to add lots of cheese to my diet.  Cottage cheese was one of my choices.  This was a part of my packed lunch today.  

Cottage Cheese - Grape Tomatoes - Fresh Parsley 

(with a little S&P)

I want this to be in my lunch everyday! 

It is my new favorite snack! 

In fact, as I sit here about to embark on another school project that is due this week.....I think I will make myself up a big ol' bowl of CCTP!  

Smoked Blue Cheese and Honey Flatbread

I love when I make happy mistakes!

I grabbed a container of smoked blue cheese rather than the regular crumble blue cheese that I normally buy.  When I first opened the container I thought that it had gone bad because the edges of some of the pieces were a little brown.  When I looked for the expiration date I realized that it was smoked....hence the brown edges.  I was a little nervous about it but figured just like any smoked meat that I had, smoked blue cheese had to be good.  Well....turns out it is fantastic.  

I have put this on my scrambled eggs in the morning and decided to try it out on some flat bread, as well.  

This was easy and delicious!

Pizza Crust

Olive Oil

S&P

Smoked Blue Cheese

Parmesan Cheese

Honey

Bake and drizzle with more honey! 

Enjoy!!!

Cucumbers....

Cucumbers have become a staple in my house, as of late. 

My daughter requests cucumbers as a bedtime snack every night.  

I have so many cucumbers in my fridge at any given time now that I seem to put them in and on most everything that I eat cold.  

This was breakfast one day! 

A nice, light, refreshing breakfast! 

Triscuit, Cucumber and Fresh Mozzarella! 

Marinated Artichoke Salsa

Marinated artichoke hearts are one of my new favorite ingredients. 

I needed an appetizer to serve while cooking the rest of dinner and came up with this tasty treat.  

Marinated Artichoke Hearts

Grape Tomatoes

Green Olives

Shallot

Mozzarella Cheese

A dash of S&P

A splash of Red Wine Vinegar

A drizzle of EVOO

Viola!

Rotisserie Chicken Mexican Pizza

With very little time in my schedule, the key to my week night dinners is finding quick proteins to work with.  I picked up a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store the other day, knowing that I could make some quick meals with the meat.

Saute onion, shallot, garlic, red pepper and mushrooms. 

Season with S&P, cumin, oregano, chili powder, cayenne pepper.

Add chopped rotisserie meat.

Saute more.

Layer:

Crispy baked corn shell

Fat free re-fried beans

Cheese

Chicken-N-Veggie Mixture

Crispy baked corn shell

Fat free re-fried beans

Taco sauce

Lots of cheese

Green Onions

Bake until cheese is melted!

Top with chopped veggies and sour cream.

Enjoy!!!

Tostadas con Venison

A friend of mine gave me some venison to experiment with.  

It is super lean and has a very gamy flavor to it, if it isn't prepared right.  

I was instructed to drain off as much of the fat as possible to avoid the gamy flavor.  

It was absolutely delicious!

  I could have served this as ground beef to anyone and 

they would have never been able to tell the difference.  

It is a super healthy, lean alternative to beef....if you can get your hands on it, of course! 

I don't think you can readily find it in many retail markets.   

I will be trying venison spaghetti sauce tomorrow night! 

A Thai Lunch

After working in a little city with no good restaurants for a couple of months, it is nice to have some good options again.  Today I went to Jack & Jin's Thai restaurant.  

I had Hot and Sour Soup, a Spring Roll and Chicken Satay w/ Cucumber Salad. 

All for $9 including tip! 

Can't beat it! 

The Incredible Edible Egg Experiment - Pho

With far too much school work and starting a new job, I have had very little time to cook lately. In an effort to wake up enough to write a paper at 11pm on a Tuesday night, I opted for a big, hot bowl full of Pho. Without any other protein options, I decided to chop up a couple hard boiled eggs for my soup. It was a great choice! It was the perfect addition to the rest of the un-authentic ingredients that I threw in this bowl. It was egg-stra yummy!

Now back to writing.....

Marinara Sauce

I may never make marinara again. This is the best sauce EVER! I used it on pizza and pasta. It is fabulous!

Try it!

Gourmet Breakfast Express

I have to eat breakfast. No question about it. Finding the time seems to be the main issue. I've been experimenting with egg sandwiches lately and really got it this morning.

This was quick, light and delicious!

• 1 Whole Wheat Sandwich Thin Bun
• 1 Slice Low Fat Provolone Cheese
• 1 Egg + 1 Egg White mixed with real bacon bits, fresh basil and S&P in a round microwave dish sprayed with cooking spray

Microwave 45 seconds, toast bread, add cheese and breakfast is served!

Italian Roasted Chicken and Veggie Pasta

My goal this week was to make one huge portion of something to last me through the week.  

I achieved my goal with this dish.  

Add to a baking dish:

Cherry Tomatoes

Baby Bella Mushrooms

Sweet Peppers

Onion

Garlic

Fresh Basil

Olive Oil

S & P

Lay split chicken breasts on top of the veggies and season with S & P, garlic powder and oregano.

Cover and bake @ 400 for 1 hour

Remove chicken, set side and rough chop the cooked vegetables.

Put veggies and juice into a sauce pan to simmer down a little bit.

Add cooked spaghetti to the pan and simmer a couple more minutes to let the pasta absorb some of the flavor of the chicken and vegetable broth.  

Serve pasta and vegetables topped with fresh shredded Parmesan Cheese 

and a chicken breast.  

Cap City Diner in Columbus, OH

In an effort to break up a long drive from Hocking Hills to home, I was fortunate enough to talk a friend into meeting me for dinner! The menu was a little overwhelming and made it hard to make a decision, but we chose well!!

The rolls are served swimming in a bath of melted butter. I am told at breakfast they add cinnamon and sugar. Yum!

Maytag Blue Cheese Chips for an appetizer packed more calories than I care to know. They were amazing, to say the least!

Blackened Tilapia Po Boy with a side of blue cheese cole slaw was my choice. The light grilled fish was a good balance to the heavy appetizer! It was delicious!

I can't wait to go back to try more of their menu.

I am told that the Eggs Benedict on their breakfast menu is to die for! I will be the judge of that!!!

Stuffed Pork Chops

Slit a pocket through the middle of a thick cut chop, stuff it, sear it, bake it! Yum!

The stuffing could be just about anything you could dream of. This was portobellos, onion, garlic, S&P, Parmesan cheese and blue cheese mixed with a little olive oil and a touch of truffle oil.

Seared in a little olive oil, and then baked at 450 for about 10 minutes. Done!

I threw some grape tomatoes in the pan before I put it in the oven. I figured it would be a healthy meal if I added a veggie (or fruit in this instance, I guess)!

Enjoy!!

Sushi w/ Sriracha Soy Sauce

During a bedtime sushi snack session, I had an idea. Instead of mixing wasabi in my soy, I mixed in Sriracha.

Don't mean to toot my own horn, but I have to this time.

That was a fantastic idea!!!

Try it, you'll like it!!

flipflop Pinot Noir

In my quest to find decent, affordable wine, I think I have a winner!

I thoroughly enjoyed this! I will buy it again!

Seared Ribeye w/ Blue Cheese Noodles

Beef. Need Beef.

Got it...and kept it simple!

Ribeye seasoned with S&P, garlic powder and seared to a medium rare in a scorching hot pan.

Spaghetti sautéed in the pan drippings, deglazed with pasta water and tossed with blue cheese, Parmesan cheese and S&P.

Something really amazing happens when the beef juices mix with the pasta!

Beef craving satisfied!

Ponzu-Chili Salmon Spring Rolls

After a long power walk and yard work, I knew that I was going to want a light dinner. This really hit the spot!

Bamboo steamed salmon marinated in ponzu and sweet chili sauce.

Lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, cilantro, green onion, sesame cellophane noodles and salmon all wrapped in rice paper and dipped in a sauce made of ponzu, sweet chili sauce and soy sauce reduced down to thicken!

The perfect light, fresh dinner for a warm spring evening!

Delish!

Roast Beef Po' Boy

My dreams will forever be filled with this incredibly sinful Southern sandwich. The day after a hearty New Orleans roast beef dinner is always followed with this traditional favorite...

Crispy, warm French bread, insane amounts of mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, pickles and sloppy, gravy drenched sliced roast beef.

Absolutely, positively one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten!

A Taste of New Orleans

I was introduced to some good old fashion New Orleans comfort food. Rump roast, rice and green bean casserole are prepared quite different in cajun country than my northern roots have taught me. I like it! I will be adding these new dishes to my recipe box.

Beef Roast w/ Gravy - beef rump roast stuffed full of garlic, seared in an electric skillet with lots of onion and simmered in a flavor packed brown beef broth for 4 hours. Sliced thin and then added back into the thickened gravy. Amazing!

Green Bean and Artichoke Casserole - french cut green beans, artichoke hearts, olive oil, Italian bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Delicious!

Brown Rice - white rice, butter, beef consummé, and French onion soup baked to a piping hot, fantastic side dish.

Grilled Chicken Thigh Tacos

There is just something so wonderful about chicken thigh meat. It's juicy and rich and delicious!

Marinate is olive oil, sweet Spanish paprika, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, S&P, chili powder, cayenne pepper and agave syrup.

Wrap in a steamed corn tortilla with cheese and grilled vegetable salsa!

Grill 'em, slice 'em & love 'em!!!

Grilled Vegetable Salsa

This has got to be the best experiment I've done lately! The charred flavor on the veggies adds a great depth to this salsa. It was a hit!

Grill - sweet peppers, green onions, white onion, garlic, jalapeño, tomatoes

Chop grilled veggies and mix with the juice of 1 lime, a bunch of cilantro, 1 avocado, 1 can of diced tomatoes.

Season with S&P and agave syrup. Kick up the heat with cayenne pepper.

Scoop it, eat it, enjoy it!

Ole'

I want this for Mothers Day!

I wish My daughter was older and could buy this for me. It would be a perfect present for me....

Doritos Locos Tacos @ Taco Bell

I couldn't resist any longer. I had to try it. And, of course, it's ridiculously good. There's really no reason for it not to be.

New craving to add to my list!

OrGREENiC

I'm a sucker for infomercials! I bought the miracle blade knives back when they were first popular 10+ years ago. They weren't such a miracle and I swore off buying any more of these items.....well, until today!

I have seen the Orgreenic commercial too many times. I have read about it online and almost ordered it numerous times, but resisted.

My resistance failed today when I came across this pan in a drug store.

I need new pots and pans. I'm going to buy a real high end set once I save the money so I figured for now I could just spend $20 to try this out.

I'll give it a review after a while.
Stay tuned.....