January. 75 degrees. Something is Wrong Here.

It's 75 degrees today.  That's great for April or May, but the end of January?  I think not.  I don't care what you guys say, January it's supposed to be cold.  I should be wearing a freaking sweater.  I should NOT be in shorts and a t-shirt.  This is just not right.

After my wonderful run Saturday, I decided to keep the good times rolling by hitting the streets and trying it again...and adding on another mile...

Allow me to properly introduce my running buddy, Anna.  

hehehe  She makes me laugh.

 Look at that face!  How can you NOT get excited about running with that face?! She was ready to go!  Sometimes she gets so frustrated with me because I'm not ready as soon as I snap on her leash that she takes it in her mouth and chews on it, like she's saying, "Hurry up or I'm gonna open up this door myself and leave you in the dust".  I also love that she's getting more white around her mouth.  She's only almost 4, but I'm trying to imagine what she'll look like in old age...she used to be completely black around her mouth.  She must get her premature greying hair from our families :)

HH and I have had Anna for almost 4 years.  We got her around June of 2008 before we got married.  She has been my running partner since we lived by White Rock Lake.  She loves long runs, though today I could tell she was struggling with the heat.  Y'all my perfect running weather (and Anna's, too) was Saturday.  Mid 50's, sunny, slight breeze. Perfection.  Today??  No. Thank. You.  It was ridiculous out there.  It was sunny and warm and just gross.  Part of the time the wind would blow and then sometimes it would just STOP and the air would just get thick and the pavement just got hot.  It was not fun.  I had to walk multiple times because I just got so hot out there.  All in all I ran 6.87 miles with an average pace of 11 minute and 35 second miles.  Blah.  Not my best....but I didn't want to push myself too hard where I couldn't finish or just had to walk home the rest of the way.  I mostly took my cues from Anna and from the weather.

After I got home, I had to sit for about 15 minutes and just cool off, drink some water, and recoup.  I then decided I needed a little pick me up.  A smoothie sounded delicious, so I opened up my little magazine and whipped up an Avocado Smoothie.

So yummy.  Here is the before I whipped it up and an after.  I made one for Steve and one for me.

In a blender (I used our magic bullet), combine 1 avocado, 1 banana, 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt, 1 1/2 cups fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup honey, and 2 1/2 to 3 cups ice.  Blend until smooth and serve immediately.  (this should make about 4 servings-though we split it 2 ways) DELICIOUS.  So refreshing and smooth.  I will totes be making this again.  LOVE IT.  Try it.  Trust me.  You'll love it, too.

Chicken Soup Base and Chicken Minestrone Soup

Well, it's the start of a new week and it's time for me to make my soup for the week.  Last week I made my first "base" for my Favorite Chicken Noodle Soup.  While it was a lot of work, it was so nice to know exactly what I was putting into my body as far as broths are concerned.  I decided to put forth the time again to make this Chicken Minestrone Soup.  This recipe is in the Everyday Food magazine that I get once a month.  This month's magazine issue was about cooking light.

Perfect timing if you ask me!  Just last week, HH asked me to start using less meat in our dinners.  My response was, "Seriously?!" (with an astonished look).  I have no problems cooking dinners with less meats.  The deal is, usually it's really fatty foods (you know, manicotti type dishes), so I was determined to find us some things that didn't necessarily have to have a ton of pasta and/or cheese in the dishes.  So many of the dishes I am making this week are going to be light in calories with or without meat.

This soup I made, I modified just a bit.  I basically followed the steps I took last week to make my soup base....

1 whole chicken
I put about  half a pound of chicken thighs in, too
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 onion quartered
2 tsp black peppercorns
(I forgot the parsley)....

Anyway, I boiled all that stuff in 12 cups of water for about an hour and a half, turning the chicken once.

Then I pulled all the chicken out, strained the broth, and discarded all the solids.  I skimmed the fat off the top of the soup, too.  I let all that stuff sit for a while to cool off before I started the next step for the minestrone soup.

When the chicken was cool enough to handle, I pulled all the skin off and pulled the meat apart.

Rustic chicken Minestrone Soup

2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced small
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
obviously Chicken base
1/4 cup small pasta shells
3 medium carrots, cut into 1/4 inch rounds
1 Parmesan rind, plus grated Parmesan for topping (I left this out...because I wanted to save myself some calories)
1 bunch kale (My Walmart apparently doesn't believe in Kale, so I just used what I had-arugula and baby spinach)
1 medium zucchini, diced medium
1 can (15.5 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
coarse salt and pepper to taste

In large pot, heat oil over medium high heat.  Add in onion, and cook for 8 minutes or until onion is soft.  Add garlic and cook until fragrant (30 seconds).  Add tomatoes with juice and cook for 4 minutes or until water is evaporated.  Add broth and bring to a boil.  Add in shells, carrots, and Parmesan, cook for 5 minutes.  Add kale, zucchini, and chickpeas and cook until zucchini is crisp-tender, 5 minutes.  Stir in chicken and cook until warmed through.  Season with salt and pepper.  Remove rind before serving and sprinkle with Parmesan, if desired.

The tomatoes, onion, and garlic cooking

 Yummm everything added in!

 What I'll be eating at school for lunch this week!  Yummy!

On another note, last weekend my mother in law and I went to a place and painted a piece of clay.  I chose a square plate...I'm hoping to use it as a place to set my jewelry on in my bathroom, since that's where I usually end up taking it off.  I think it turned out pretty nicely!  Not the best job in the world, but hey, it was my first time painting and making designs on a plate!

Happy cooking!

Moroccan Braised Beef and Naan

I get tired of the same old thing.  I also get tired of the same old recipes that call for the same old ingredients and don't do anything for me.  While I've not gotten to travel much, I figured my cooking could do the traveling for me.  Lately, I've been in the mood for more Indian and Asian style meals.  I decided on this recipe when I noticed that I had a lot of the ingredients already and it just sounded really tasty.  I cooked this for my in laws and it seemed to go over really well.  The only thing I left out of this recipe were the onions (for my mother in law's sake).  I think it tasted amazing without the onions, personally.  But I do look forward to making this again some time soon and seeing how much of a difference the onions make.  I hope you enjoy this recipe.  This a slow cooker recipe and it was a delight to come home to the house smelling so wonderfully after a long day at school!

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

2 lbs boneless beef chuck roast (cut into cubes-I just threw the whole thing in uncut because I didn't want to waste my time...if it's going in the slow cooker for the whole day, it will fall apart on it's own)

3 tbsp olive oil

2 cans  (14 1/2 ounces) beef broth 

2 cups chopped onions

1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 cup dry red wine

2 to 3 tsp curry powder

1 tbsp paprika

1 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 cups golden raisins 

hot cooked couscous or basmati rice (I made both)

Place flour in a resealable bag, place meat in bag and toss.  Put in a skillet, brown beef in oil.  Transfer to slow cooker, add the broth, onions, tomatoes, wine, curry, paprika, salt, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper.  Cook on low for 8-10 hours.  

During the last 30 minutes, add in the raisins.  Serve with couscous or basmati rice.  

I served it with basmati rice, couscous (with about 2 tsp of paprika added in), sauteed brussels sprouts, and naan bread.  The meal was a hit!  Definitely will be making this one again it the near future.

Here's what it looked like cooking in the crockpot.

Naan

• /8 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup and 1 tablespoon warm water
• 2 tablespoons and 3/4 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 tablespoon and 2-1/4 teaspoons milk
• 5/8 egg, beaten
• 1-1/4 teaspoons salt
• 2-1/2 cups and 1 tablespoon bread flour
• 1-1/4 teaspoons minced garlic (optional)
• 2 tablespoons and 3/4 teaspoon butter, melted
• 
  
• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand about 10 minutes, until frothy. Stir in sugar, milk, egg, salt, and enough flour to make a soft dough. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes on a lightly floured surface, or until smooth. Place dough in a well oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and set aside to rise. Let it rise 1 hour, until the dough has doubled in volume
• 
  
• Punch down dough, and knead in garlic. Pinch off small handfuls of dough about the size of a golf ball. Roll into balls, and place on a tray. Cover with a towel, and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
• 
  
• During the second rising, preheat oven to 500
• 
  
• Roll one ball of dough out into a thin circle. Place dough on stoneware or baking sheet, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until puffy and lightly browned. Brush uncooked side with butter, and turn over. Brush cooked side with butter, and cook until browned, another 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from oven, and continue the process until all the naan has been prepared.

 End result.  (I did not follow this recipe to the T, Naan is a learning process for me)  :)

Anyway, I really liked this recipe.  The moroccan beef wasn't too spicy, it had just the right amount of spiciness and sweetness and the couscous, basmati, brussels sprouts, and naan were excellent sides.  Definitely give this meal a try!

Happy cooking!

Tilapia in Thai Curry Sauce with Asian Cauliflower

Steve has requested that we use less meat in our daily meals...which is fine by me!  One way of appeasing him is to make more fish entrees.  I was looking for something a little more exotic than "salmon and veggies", so I started combing through my cookbooks to see what I could find that fit the bill.  I saw this recipe in my Kohl's-purchased, "Good Housekeeping's Fast Weeknight Favorites" book.  It. Was. Delicious.  OMG.  Seriously.

(it was supposed to be halibut, but I only had tilapia....)
1 cup basmati rice (I did half basmati, half saffron rice)
1 can light coconut milk
1 tsp grated, peeled fresh ginger
1 tsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp thai red, or green curry paste or curry powder (I used curry powder)
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
4 pieces tilapia (or halibut)
2 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup firmly packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1 lime, cut into wedges

Prepare rice as directed
Meanwhile, in a non-stick 12 inch skillet, whisk coconut milk, ginger, brown, sugar, curry powder (or paste), and garlic until blended; heat to boiling over high heat, stirring. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes.
Add fish fillets to skillet and cook, turning once, until just opaque throughout, 8-10 minutes.  Transfer fish to warm deep platter.
Remove skillet from heat.  Stir in green onions and cilantro.  Pour sauce over fish and serve with lime wedges and rice.

Onion, garlic, ginger.

 coconut milk, spices, and brown sugar

 All mixed together!

 I didn't take the fish out because I thought that was a little ridiculous to dirty up a plate, so I just added in the onion and cilantro while the fish was still in the skillet.

 The plate of goodness.  Served with asian cauliflower (recipe to follow)

The Asian Cauliflower recipe I got from my Taste of Home cookbook.  I had bought a whole thing of cauliflower the week before with intentions to use it in a recipe but I forgot WHICH recipe I was going to use it in, so it was just sitting in the fridge.  So I looked up a recipe that I could use it as a side and found this.  I was surprised at how good it was and how much I actually liked it!  Even Steve gave it two thumbs up!

Asian Cauliflower:

1 medium head cauliflower, broken into florets
3 tbsp water
1/2 cup diced celery
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1 tbsp  butter
1 cup hot water
1 tbsp chicken bouillon granules
2 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp soy sauce
dash of pepper

Place cauliflower in microwave safe dish.  Add 1 tbsp water.  Cover and microwave on high for 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 minutes or until tender. Drain and keep warm.

In a 1 quart microwave safe bowl, combine the celery, onion, parsley, and butter.  Cover and microwave on high for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

In a small bowl, combine hot water and bouillon until dissolved.  Combine the cornstarch and remaining cold water until smooth.  Add soy sauce, pepper and bouillon; mix well.  Stir into celery mixture.

Microwave uncovered at 70% for 2-3 minutes or until sauce comes to a boil, stirring after each minute.  Pour over cauliflower.

I didn't take any pictures of the process...but it was delicious.  A little time consuming, but totally worth it if you're looking for something out-of-the-box to do with this vegetable!

Happy cooking!

I. Was. Run. Ning.

Please tell me you know where the title came from.  10 points to whoever guesses it.

I haven't done that decent of a job running since I was knocked on my butt with a sinus infection, but I'm getting back into it slowly but surely.  Luckily, I didn't lose any of my leg strength and time while I was out.  I'm actually doing really well, I keep shaving seconds off each time I run, so that makes me happy.

I started back to it and ran early this week on Tuesday.  It was a pretty good run 4.76 miles in 50 minutes.  An average pace of 10 minutes and 41 seconds.  Not bad, not bad.  My ultimate goal is to knock off about 1 minute and 15 seconds by the start of summer.  We shall see.  I think it's going to take consistent running, weight loss, and more weight lifting to get me there, but I really want to be in the best shape of my life by summer time.  I want to look tres chic when I make landfall across the pond in July.  I think it's doable.

Saturday I had an Orff workshop all day that focused on dancing, so I was moving pretty much non stop from about 9:15 to 3:30.  Then I came home and decided to take Anna on a run since I owe her for being all cooped up the past week and a half.  We went for a 5.54 mile run and I ran that in 59 minutes with a an average pace of 10 minutes and 40 seconds.  I felt kind of slow at the beginning, but after looking at the info I was pretty consistent and average.  Maybe my legs are starting to want to run faster?  And lately, whenever I hit my "home stretch" I kick up the pace to about 9 minute miles (for about a quarter of a mile).  Maybe today I can up that speed to 8 1/2 minute miles for the last quarter?  A girl can dream.

Today I'm planning to add another mile onto the run, for a total of 6.5, but we'll see.  It's kind of windy today, so I'm not expecting any PR's on time or anything.  But my legs feel pretty great today, so we'll see.  I'm also going to start some weight lifting with Steve today...and I'm going to try to keep that up at least 3 days a week.  Along with core work outs (which Lord knows I need to be doing that 7 days a week for 5 hours a day)....  Anyway, I'll let y'all know how that goes  :)

Get outside and enjoy this beautiful January day!

Melt in Your Mouth Meatloaf

I've stated before, and I'll state it again, I LOVE comfort food.  There's just something that makes you feel warm inside when you eat it.  When I was younger, I was a never a fan of meatloaf.  I guess I just didn't like the idea of it...it's a big ole loaf of meat and that just sounded funny to me.  Now-a-days, I enjoy it.  It's easy to make, it fills you up, and (when you use the right ingredients) can be extremely flavorful.  This recipe I got from "Taste of Home Casseroles, Slowcookers, and Soups".  

2 eggs

3/4 cup milk

2/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs

2 tsp dried minced onion (I used onion salt because I did not have minced onion)

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp rubbed sage

1 1/2 lbs ground beef

1/4 cup ketchup

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp ground mustard

1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

In a large bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients.  Crumble beef mixture over it and combine well.  Shape into a round loaf, place in slow cooker.  Cover and cook on low 5-6 hours.  

In a small bowl, whisk the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard and Worcestershire sauce.  Spoon over the meat loaf.  Cook 15 minutes longer.

Sorry for the blurry iPhone pictures.  

All in all, this was a hit.  Steve loved it and considered it one of the best meatloaf meals he's had.  Which is a home run in my book!  Definitely give this recipe a try!  I forgot to take an after picture, so apologies on that!

Happy cooking!

Cordon Bleu Casserole

I've had my eye on this recipe for probably a few years now.  I have no idea why I didn't try it until this weekend, but it was a success.  The few times I've made chicken cordon bleu, it's been a big hit in our household...so when I saw this recipe I figured it wouldn't hurt to give it a shot.  Plus, can you really go wrong with ham and chicken?  I think not.

Cordon Bleu Casserole
(from Taste of Home Casseroles, Slow Cooker & Soup)

2 cups cubed fully cooked ham
4 cups cubed cooked turkey (I used chicken)
1 cup (4 oz) shredded swiss cheese
1 large onion
1/3 cup butter, cubed
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 tsp ground mustard
1/3 tsp ground nutmeg
1 3/4 cup milk
Topping:
1 1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese
1/4 cup butter, melted

In a large nonstick skillet, saute ham for 4-5 minutes or until browned; drain and pat dry.  Meanwhile, in a greased 2 qt. baking dish, layer the turkey, cheese and ham; set aside.

In a large saucepan, saute the onion in butter until tender.  Stir in the flour, mustard, and nutmeg until blended.  Gradually stir in milk.  Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.  Pour over ham.

Chicken, ham, and swiss cheese

 Onions and butter.  I love the smell of it cooking

 The topping on, ready for the oven

Combine topping ingredients; sprinkle over the top.  Bake, uncovered, at 350  for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Steve thinks there may have been just a little too much topping, but other than that it was a keeper!  I hope you like it, too!

Happy cooking!