Man, last night's lasagna was so good, I wasn't even hungry this morning. We only had one piece each (albeit quite a large one) and were full. I made a simple salad of lettuce and tomato for the side. We have lasagna for lunch today, and hello, for dinner also.
I made it with roasted butternut squash and eggplant again, with a standard tomato beef sauce with mushrooms. It was so loaded with veg that the dish was really bloody heavy when I chucked it in the oven. I didn't have any Gruyère which would have tipped this bad boy over the line to a new level of awesome, but was good with melted mozzarella anyhow. Wasn't as sloppy as I would have liked but never mind.
Breakfast was one hell of a juicy grapefruit eaten over a cat that wont stop smooching us. She copped a fair bit of splatter but wouldn't budge. And the standard ryvita, and a cup of coffee. We are really feeling this Monday morning, plus its miserable outside, and our fresh couple of inches of snow are washed away by gloom of the rain. It was fun taking Soph for a walk in the snow yesterday but today... it's nasty outside.
Looking forward to this weekend because I am bored as hell in the kitchen cooking budget food then eating it for 3 days. Don't get me wrong, its still fun and tasty but I need a challenge plus I need to cook things that are a lot healthier like I used to. Crazy that health comes with a price tag, it should just be a given eh? Not saying that beef wellington is a healthy choice, but I mean regular meals. I also want to tackle a dessert once a week, we are not really dessert people, but have loads of things I want to try. Hopefully I get a job soon and fix all of this...
February 27, 2011
Dinner last night was a huge success and dead easy. I skinned the chicken drumsticks (I hate chicken skin), did the flour, egg & breadcrumb thing (breadcrumbs spiked with paprika, chilli flakes and some cajun) and baked them on 380 for half an hour, turned em, then another half. They crisped right up, were not oily, and tasty as.
Lee surprised me with some maple tartlets, oh my god they are divine. So we had a few of those and called it a night. I will put together some photos when we are back at our place.
BAU this morning, grapefruit was really good too. As was the black French vanilla coffee, I love that stuff.
Lunch today was pita pizzas with mozzarella, ham, mushroom and red onion. They were really yummo but not entirely satisfying, so we conquered the rest of the doritos from yesterday.
To finish off the day, we have lasagna for dinner. I will get cracking on that later this arvo. Going the squash and egg plant route again, we don't have any Gruyère but will use some parmesan and the left over mozzarella.
Lee surprised me with some maple tartlets, oh my god they are divine. So we had a few of those and called it a night. I will put together some photos when we are back at our place.
BAU this morning, grapefruit was really good too. As was the black French vanilla coffee, I love that stuff.
Lunch today was pita pizzas with mozzarella, ham, mushroom and red onion. They were really yummo but not entirely satisfying, so we conquered the rest of the doritos from yesterday.
To finish off the day, we have lasagna for dinner. I will get cracking on that later this arvo. Going the squash and egg plant route again, we don't have any Gruyère but will use some parmesan and the left over mozzarella.
February 26, 2011
Well, today is cooking challenge day but unfortunately I have to postpone it due to the cost of the beef fillet. The beef wellington was a clear winner, which makes me one happy lady! But it will have to wait until next week when Lee gets paid. I have chosen the recipe from John Torode's BEEF cookbook, will give all the details when the challenge is in motion next Saturday. I really like John Torode, we met him in London at his restaurant Smith's of Smithfields, he is an Aussie chef who is friends with a mutual friend. Cracker of a guy, cracker of a chef. He is also on Saturday Kitchen quite a bit with James Martin, I really miss that show.
Breakfast this morning was two ryvitas with peanut butter and a coffee. We are yet to figure out what we are going to do for lunch, as we are en route to the McGregor's house in Guelph after Sophie's walk. Taking some food with us, I will make a lasagna tomorrow which will get us through til Tuesday, just need to sort out what we are having tonight.
Things were a bit calorific yesterday but for the record, I did dream about that burger and I am still thinking about it! But when things taste that good there is no room for regret, only self control, hahaha. I would like to master the meat recipe, I don't know what they did to those patties but they were out of this world.
Will update later with lunch and dinner, and hopefully some more pics.
UPDATE: Lunch was veggies & hummus with some corn chips. Dinner is oven baked chicken drumsticks and green beans, maybe a salad, I dunno yet. We are at the McGregor's and I forgot the cable to the camera so no photos for a few days, but will take them anyway and add them later!.
Breakfast this morning was two ryvitas with peanut butter and a coffee. We are yet to figure out what we are going to do for lunch, as we are en route to the McGregor's house in Guelph after Sophie's walk. Taking some food with us, I will make a lasagna tomorrow which will get us through til Tuesday, just need to sort out what we are having tonight.
Things were a bit calorific yesterday but for the record, I did dream about that burger and I am still thinking about it! But when things taste that good there is no room for regret, only self control, hahaha. I would like to master the meat recipe, I don't know what they did to those patties but they were out of this world.
Will update later with lunch and dinner, and hopefully some more pics.
UPDATE: Lunch was veggies & hummus with some corn chips. Dinner is oven baked chicken drumsticks and green beans, maybe a salad, I dunno yet. We are at the McGregor's and I forgot the cable to the camera so no photos for a few days, but will take them anyway and add them later!.
February 26, 2011, in the wee hours
Oh... my... gosh....
This is a crazy story, of two crazy people looking for a crazy burger that beats all crazy burgers, and naming this experience off a crazy tv show where they have their own crazy burger standards. I have mentioned before that our search for the Ultimate Burger stems from How I Met Your Mother, and we call it the Marshall Burger. And from this stems our story.....
We are Sophie sitting, and Soph and I walked more than 4km today in two goes (which takes forever because of the uber sense of smell dogs have, there is lots of stopping) so I was knackered and hungry after the tiny piece of pie I had for lunch.
Lee was hungry at work, I was hungry at home, so it made sense for Lee to pick up a snack on his voyage home. Well, that snack was a bit filthy... We had a Twister from KFC. Shame on us.
Sophie watched with hopeful eyes, but she knew she wouldn't be privy to such shame. And while the twister fulfilled its duty, it also didn't fill us up for very long....
I really didn't want to cook today, so we decided to go a dirty burger. But which dirty burger we had no idea. We assumed it would all be standard fare due to our experience over the last few months, outside of the fast food realm. So when our friend Julie invited us to her last shift at Boston Pizza before she moves to the Netherlands, we couldn't refuse. "How are the burgers?" I messaged her at about 4pm today.
"DELICIOUS" she replied, and so we went....
I ordered the Boston Pizza Prime Rib Burger with bacon and cheese sans BP sauce, Lee did the same but without bacon, and wanted the BP sauce. This is what I got:
All I can say about this burger is... It's a Marshall Burger. To the tee. The combination of an amazing meat patty, crisp lettuce and tomato, soggy pickles, zesty cheese and a sauce that wont quit makes an easy eating amazingness. If you think I am kidding, I never joke about a good burger. This is by far the best burger we have had in Canada, and as a standard beef/bacon/cheese burger in NA, it wins hands down. I cant wait to try out their Double Bacon Whiskey BBQ Burger, but thats going to be some time away, cant have too much of a good thing, right?!
If I don't dream about this burger tonight, it will be a royal shame.
This is a crazy story, of two crazy people looking for a crazy burger that beats all crazy burgers, and naming this experience off a crazy tv show where they have their own crazy burger standards. I have mentioned before that our search for the Ultimate Burger stems from How I Met Your Mother, and we call it the Marshall Burger. And from this stems our story.....
We are Sophie sitting, and Soph and I walked more than 4km today in two goes (which takes forever because of the uber sense of smell dogs have, there is lots of stopping) so I was knackered and hungry after the tiny piece of pie I had for lunch.
Lee was hungry at work, I was hungry at home, so it made sense for Lee to pick up a snack on his voyage home. Well, that snack was a bit filthy... We had a Twister from KFC. Shame on us.
Sophie watched with hopeful eyes, but she knew she wouldn't be privy to such shame. And while the twister fulfilled its duty, it also didn't fill us up for very long....
I really didn't want to cook today, so we decided to go a dirty burger. But which dirty burger we had no idea. We assumed it would all be standard fare due to our experience over the last few months, outside of the fast food realm. So when our friend Julie invited us to her last shift at Boston Pizza before she moves to the Netherlands, we couldn't refuse. "How are the burgers?" I messaged her at about 4pm today.
"DELICIOUS" she replied, and so we went....
I ordered the Boston Pizza Prime Rib Burger with bacon and cheese sans BP sauce, Lee did the same but without bacon, and wanted the BP sauce. This is what I got:
All I can say about this burger is... It's a Marshall Burger. To the tee. The combination of an amazing meat patty, crisp lettuce and tomato, soggy pickles, zesty cheese and a sauce that wont quit makes an easy eating amazingness. If you think I am kidding, I never joke about a good burger. This is by far the best burger we have had in Canada, and as a standard beef/bacon/cheese burger in NA, it wins hands down. I cant wait to try out their Double Bacon Whiskey BBQ Burger, but thats going to be some time away, cant have too much of a good thing, right?!
If I don't dream about this burger tonight, it will be a royal shame.
February 25, 2011
Last night's pie was delicious but sloppy and flat on the plate. I made it with chicken, zucchini, celery & leeks.
With a side salad of lettuce, capsicum, sunflower seeds and goats cheese. Yummy sloppy goodness.
I also snacked later on left over chilli. Whoops. At least its all gone, finally.
Breakfast this morning was a little different, All-Bran. The milk is already messing with me. I topped it with walnuts and a sprinkle of flaxseed, so even though its messing with me, it was tasty. Could have used some fresh strawberries or something.
Lunch today is left over pie. I am glad I used thigh fillets, definitely more flavour than chicken breast, but more fidgety. We are out of salad stuffs, again, so not sure what else I will have with it.
I have a busy day today, going to take Sophie for a walk, and have an appointment this afternoon. Then Lee will come home, we will take Sophie for another walk, then we might accidentally go out and eat something dirty from the outside world. Yes, I am starting to get sick of the kitchen, I just need a release every once in a while, like once a week! Its not just the kitchen, its being home pretty much all day every day (going to the gym doesn't count as going outside), I think I might have a touch of cabin fever...
With a side salad of lettuce, capsicum, sunflower seeds and goats cheese. Yummy sloppy goodness.
I also snacked later on left over chilli. Whoops. At least its all gone, finally.
Breakfast this morning was a little different, All-Bran. The milk is already messing with me. I topped it with walnuts and a sprinkle of flaxseed, so even though its messing with me, it was tasty. Could have used some fresh strawberries or something.
Lunch today is left over pie. I am glad I used thigh fillets, definitely more flavour than chicken breast, but more fidgety. We are out of salad stuffs, again, so not sure what else I will have with it.
I have a busy day today, going to take Sophie for a walk, and have an appointment this afternoon. Then Lee will come home, we will take Sophie for another walk, then we might accidentally go out and eat something dirty from the outside world. Yes, I am starting to get sick of the kitchen, I just need a release every once in a while, like once a week! Its not just the kitchen, its being home pretty much all day every day (going to the gym doesn't count as going outside), I think I might have a touch of cabin fever...
February 24, 2011
Dinner last night was actually a bit better than the day before, which was already tasty. I guess cos the chilli got some time to work through the meat, was full of flavour.
Lee bought me home some Reeses peanut butter cups, so I devoured those in the blink of an eye.
I was hungry around 9pm so I had a slice of toast with strawberry jam. Much hungrier yesterday than the day before, so need to make sure we stock up on some snack type items, like celery, nuts, etc.
BAU with a coffee this morning, I needed the kick start as I have my interview after lunch. Jad is dropping Sophie off around lunch time also, she is staying here for two days, then we will go back to Guelph and stay at the McGregors. It will be nice to have some company during the day, even if the conversation is a little one sided!
Lunch today will be more left over chilli beef in a wrap, will be glad to see the end of it even if it is tasty. Stretching... stretching... stretching.... Either way its good value for money.
UPDATE: Ok ok, I quesadilla'd again, and had Jad over at lunch to drop of Sophie, so he ate his pizza while I mutilated a sloppy mess.
Dinner tonight will be pie. I have chicken thighs (I got 10 thighs for $4) which I will poach first, then just tear the meat up. I have some spinach and some other veg and some ham, so just going to throw it all together and chuck the puff pasty on top. Winging it normally works out, but you never know, so stay tuned and I will let you know what happened!
Lee bought me home some Reeses peanut butter cups, so I devoured those in the blink of an eye.
I was hungry around 9pm so I had a slice of toast with strawberry jam. Much hungrier yesterday than the day before, so need to make sure we stock up on some snack type items, like celery, nuts, etc.
BAU with a coffee this morning, I needed the kick start as I have my interview after lunch. Jad is dropping Sophie off around lunch time also, she is staying here for two days, then we will go back to Guelph and stay at the McGregors. It will be nice to have some company during the day, even if the conversation is a little one sided!
Lunch today will be more left over chilli beef in a wrap, will be glad to see the end of it even if it is tasty. Stretching... stretching... stretching.... Either way its good value for money.
UPDATE: Ok ok, I quesadilla'd again, and had Jad over at lunch to drop of Sophie, so he ate his pizza while I mutilated a sloppy mess.
Dinner tonight will be pie. I have chicken thighs (I got 10 thighs for $4) which I will poach first, then just tear the meat up. I have some spinach and some other veg and some ham, so just going to throw it all together and chuck the puff pasty on top. Winging it normally works out, but you never know, so stay tuned and I will let you know what happened!
February 23, 2011
Yesterday was such as uneventful day with food, so that just makes today more uneventful! There was no snacking yesterday other than the yogurt with nuts.
BAU, this morning we had coffee as neither of us slept very well. I got up with Lee, packed him an amazing lunch loaded with meat and cheese, only to find out he has lunch provided today! I hope it lasts until tomorrow, cos with all that cheese I cant eat it!
Lunch today was several uneventful things, because I got mega hungry by 11am. I made a quesadilla (I know, I know), but this time it had left over chilli in it, a smidge of cheese and refried beans. I ate that before 12, so I was hungry again a couple of hours later. I then ate a yogurt with nuts. I have a feeling there will be another snack later on.... Maybe an apple.
Dinner tonight is chilli beef with potato again. I am already planning dinner for tomorrow, we were meant to have sausages but thats too many boring meals in a row. So might go a chicken pie or something else a little more interesting instead! Nice to spruce things up a little, don't you think?
I might have to postpone the cooking challenge from this weekend to the next, as we are bit short on cash. It looks like Beef Wellington is going to be the winner so would prefer to do it properly with a sensational cut of beef. Will keep y'all posted.
BAU, this morning we had coffee as neither of us slept very well. I got up with Lee, packed him an amazing lunch loaded with meat and cheese, only to find out he has lunch provided today! I hope it lasts until tomorrow, cos with all that cheese I cant eat it!
Lunch today was several uneventful things, because I got mega hungry by 11am. I made a quesadilla (I know, I know), but this time it had left over chilli in it, a smidge of cheese and refried beans. I ate that before 12, so I was hungry again a couple of hours later. I then ate a yogurt with nuts. I have a feeling there will be another snack later on.... Maybe an apple.
Dinner tonight is chilli beef with potato again. I am already planning dinner for tomorrow, we were meant to have sausages but thats too many boring meals in a row. So might go a chicken pie or something else a little more interesting instead! Nice to spruce things up a little, don't you think?
I might have to postpone the cooking challenge from this weekend to the next, as we are bit short on cash. It looks like Beef Wellington is going to be the winner so would prefer to do it properly with a sensational cut of beef. Will keep y'all posted.
February 22, 2011
Breakfast as usual this morning, with rooibos tea, while reading about the awful second earthquake in Christchurch. Thoughts are with those there, hope friends and families are ok. I feel terrible continuing my blog when things like this happen - floods, storms, cyclones, earthquakes, etc, but I will.
Lunch was a quesadilla, I made it using some left over pork, refried beans, a small amount of cheese (wish I could use lots lots more) and some olives. Oh, and Franks Red Hot. Nice. I like making these, they are easy, filling, and quite small as I use small sized tortillas. Bloody tasty stuff.
This afternoon I had a yogurt with some walnuts.
Dinner tonight is chilli beef on potatoes. Well, when I say tonight I mean for the next two nights. Stretching it right out. Should be good, its easy to reheat, we are going to spin tonight, and hopefully tomorrow night too. Will add a pic later of the chilli.
UPDATE: Chilli beef on a spud went well, very filling. Tasty stuff, which is good, cos we have the same thing tomorrow.
Lunch was a quesadilla, I made it using some left over pork, refried beans, a small amount of cheese (wish I could use lots lots more) and some olives. Oh, and Franks Red Hot. Nice. I like making these, they are easy, filling, and quite small as I use small sized tortillas. Bloody tasty stuff.
This afternoon I had a yogurt with some walnuts.
Dinner tonight is chilli beef on potatoes. Well, when I say tonight I mean for the next two nights. Stretching it right out. Should be good, its easy to reheat, we are going to spin tonight, and hopefully tomorrow night too. Will add a pic later of the chilli.
UPDATE: Chilli beef on a spud went well, very filling. Tasty stuff, which is good, cos we have the same thing tomorrow.
Husband duties
So after dinner I was feeling pretty naff, Lee stood up to his husbandly duties and took me out for ice cream. And while we shouldn't be eating such fatty calorific dairy sugar injectors, we went to Cold Stones, as anyone in -12°C would do. I had this monster, and it was fantastic:
For those who don't know what Cold Stones is, our friend we traveled the US with got us on to it - they make ice cream combos up in front of you. My one today was ice cream, a brownie, caramel sauce, pecans and chocolate fudge all mixed up in front of me and chucked into a waffle cone, otherwise known as Founders Favorite. This stuff is the shizzle. I might be suffering dairy overload now, but I can tell you, it was worth it!
For those who don't know what Cold Stones is, our friend we traveled the US with got us on to it - they make ice cream combos up in front of you. My one today was ice cream, a brownie, caramel sauce, pecans and chocolate fudge all mixed up in front of me and chucked into a waffle cone, otherwise known as Founders Favorite. This stuff is the shizzle. I might be suffering dairy overload now, but I can tell you, it was worth it!
February 21, 2011
Last nights pork was lush as usual, had it with some roasted zucchini and a salad of lettuce, tomato, olives & goats cheese.
Breakfast was grapefruit with ryvita and a coffee. We slept in a bit (it is a bank holiday here in Ontario today, 'Family Day'). It snowed a few inches last night, thankfully! I was worried because it rained a lot last week and I thought that was it for winter. Rain is due next week again though, bummer. It is definitely warming up. We didn't make it to gym but cleared the driveway, it was much easier today so I feel like we cheated a bit on the exercise front.
Lunch today was left over onion soup with Gruyère croutons. Yummy yummy. Although I don't think I can face another onion for a while, I am all onioned out. Something tells me we will get snacky later on but at the moment we are already two hours past lunch o'clock (I like to eat at 12 on the dot, some things don't change), so aiming to get through to dinner without pigging out on something that I shouldn't.
EDIT: Unfortunately I didn't make it, I had a yogurt with crushed walnuts, and then a wholewheat tortilla with hummas and salad.
Dinner tonight is roasted chicken breast with salad. Chicken was on sale, we got two fillets for $4 at Zehrs, the free range kind. What a freakin' steal!
We received our hydro bill today (electricity), its a lot... So a sober two weeks coming up, but hopefully with some good recipes! On another positive note, I have an interview for my dream job coming up, I just heard today. So will spend some quality time prepping for that too, researching my ass off and preparing etc. Loads of distractions from our lonely pennies in our bank account!
Breakfast was grapefruit with ryvita and a coffee. We slept in a bit (it is a bank holiday here in Ontario today, 'Family Day'). It snowed a few inches last night, thankfully! I was worried because it rained a lot last week and I thought that was it for winter. Rain is due next week again though, bummer. It is definitely warming up. We didn't make it to gym but cleared the driveway, it was much easier today so I feel like we cheated a bit on the exercise front.
Lunch today was left over onion soup with Gruyère croutons. Yummy yummy. Although I don't think I can face another onion for a while, I am all onioned out. Something tells me we will get snacky later on but at the moment we are already two hours past lunch o'clock (I like to eat at 12 on the dot, some things don't change), so aiming to get through to dinner without pigging out on something that I shouldn't.
EDIT: Unfortunately I didn't make it, I had a yogurt with crushed walnuts, and then a wholewheat tortilla with hummas and salad.
Dinner tonight is roasted chicken breast with salad. Chicken was on sale, we got two fillets for $4 at Zehrs, the free range kind. What a freakin' steal!
We received our hydro bill today (electricity), its a lot... So a sober two weeks coming up, but hopefully with some good recipes! On another positive note, I have an interview for my dream job coming up, I just heard today. So will spend some quality time prepping for that too, researching my ass off and preparing etc. Loads of distractions from our lonely pennies in our bank account!
February 20, 2011
Last night I got hungry, surprise surprise, and had some baked beans on toasted left over baguette. Heinz original baked beans in North America do not taste like the original baked beans back home, or in the UK. They are sweeter, like ketchup to tomato sauce. And while I prefer the less sugary type, the good news is they come in some other wicked flavours, including the super sweet maple syrup, which is a bit of a contradiction but maple anything is always better! This is what I ate last night (what ended up in my mouth that is, I spilled A LOT of it!)
Breakfast this morning was porridge oats, the fridge is kind of bare on the breakfast front. They are a great back up plan, good to have around. And funnily enough maple flavoured!
We went grocery shopping and managed to get another six days worth of food for less than $90, including the veggies for the next week which we already have meats for. Being very creative, and looking forward to some of the food challenges coming up. Chicken thighs were on sale, so will make another pie (hopefully a little healthier than the last), we got some pork mince and some sausages, veggies and some tofu, plus we still have the food in the freezer from the previous big grocery shop. I love being able to find a bargain and get creative with it.
I haven't been out of the house for a week so we wanted to make the most of it today, Lee took me to Moose Winooski's for lunch to watch some sports and have some food. I had a wrap, and this time was naughty and got it with chips rather than substituting for a salad. Lee branched out and tried a Philly Beef Sandwich, and I think he got more than he bargained for. We often talk about why I don't include his food in my blog, mainly because I don't eat it! But I had to include it here cos it was... something else! I had a bite so it kind of counts as something I ate. Here it is, to give it context the pickle was about three inches long:
And this was my lunch, also tasty, and glad I didn't eat even half of the fries:
Tonight we are having pork and veggies, our favourite chipotle pork fillet, thats lean, mean and reminds us of the awesome fatty sausages we ate while we were camping in the US! Gotta love a healthy substitute.
I am going to do some menu planning this evening for the up coming week, we are dog sitting Sophie from Friday for a week and a bit while the McGregors go to the US on a ski trip, and it should be fun! Will spend our time between our place and theirs, and shouldn't affect the food plan at all.
Breakfast this morning was porridge oats, the fridge is kind of bare on the breakfast front. They are a great back up plan, good to have around. And funnily enough maple flavoured!
We went grocery shopping and managed to get another six days worth of food for less than $90, including the veggies for the next week which we already have meats for. Being very creative, and looking forward to some of the food challenges coming up. Chicken thighs were on sale, so will make another pie (hopefully a little healthier than the last), we got some pork mince and some sausages, veggies and some tofu, plus we still have the food in the freezer from the previous big grocery shop. I love being able to find a bargain and get creative with it.
I haven't been out of the house for a week so we wanted to make the most of it today, Lee took me to Moose Winooski's for lunch to watch some sports and have some food. I had a wrap, and this time was naughty and got it with chips rather than substituting for a salad. Lee branched out and tried a Philly Beef Sandwich, and I think he got more than he bargained for. We often talk about why I don't include his food in my blog, mainly because I don't eat it! But I had to include it here cos it was... something else! I had a bite so it kind of counts as something I ate. Here it is, to give it context the pickle was about three inches long:
And this was my lunch, also tasty, and glad I didn't eat even half of the fries:
Tonight we are having pork and veggies, our favourite chipotle pork fillet, thats lean, mean and reminds us of the awesome fatty sausages we ate while we were camping in the US! Gotta love a healthy substitute.
I am going to do some menu planning this evening for the up coming week, we are dog sitting Sophie from Friday for a week and a bit while the McGregors go to the US on a ski trip, and it should be fun! Will spend our time between our place and theirs, and shouldn't affect the food plan at all.
February 19, 2011
So after French onion soup last night, Lee and I hooked into some beer and wine, snacked on some celery & baby carrots with hummus a couple of hours later, and kept drinking.
Today I woke up feeling seedy as. Had jam on left over baguette for breakfast, and we ordered pizza at lunch. I have been eating pizza all afternoon so I don't think dinner is going to happen. Really naughty but I guess we all have days like that once in a while.
Back to normal tomorrow, with gym, grocery shopping and cooking.
Today I woke up feeling seedy as. Had jam on left over baguette for breakfast, and we ordered pizza at lunch. I have been eating pizza all afternoon so I don't think dinner is going to happen. Really naughty but I guess we all have days like that once in a while.
Back to normal tomorrow, with gym, grocery shopping and cooking.
February 18, 2011 - French Onion Soup
I have wanted to make French onion soup for soooo long. There was a time in London when I was actually addicted to it, Lee had to hold an intervention. Not really, but that image is pretty funny, eh! Hahaha.
So I found a recipe in my French cook book, although it was called just onion soup, but I used a recipe in one of the new books my mum sent me. It looks simple, and it actually is. So here is the recipe
50g butter
4 large brown onions
3/4 cup white wine
3 cups water
1 ltr beef stock
1 bay leaf
1 tbs plain flour
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
1 small French baguette
1/2 cup coarsely grated Gruyère cheese
Now, when I made it, as I went I tasted and realised when all the stock was in it lacked depth, so I added a tablespoon of brandy. GOOD DECISION!
Basically you melt the butter, cook the onions until they caramelise, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile bring wine to boil, add the stock and the water, and the bay leaf, return to boil, then remove from heat (covered).
Stir the flour in with the onions and continue to cook for about two minutes.
Then, gradually add the stock mix to the onions, stirring until it boils and thickens slightly.
Reduce heat, simmer uncovered, stir occasionally for about 20 minutes.
For the croutons, cut up some french stick, grill on one side, turn over, add cheese, and grill until cheese goes golden and melty... mmmmm.
I actually learnt a few things about this recipe. One was the brandy, really oompfs it up a bit, and definitely worth it so if I make it again I will just add it in anyway. Another is I had used some of the stock during the week, so I didn't have enough, I thought I could extend this with white wine. While it worked flavour wise, my soup lacked that deep rich colour of a great French onion soup.
Also, I only used two onions which were plenty, because these were mammoth onions!
Still I call this a success. My first home made French onion soup, and it wont be the last.
So I found a recipe in my French cook book, although it was called just onion soup, but I used a recipe in one of the new books my mum sent me. It looks simple, and it actually is. So here is the recipe
50g butter
4 large brown onions
3/4 cup white wine
3 cups water
1 ltr beef stock
1 bay leaf
1 tbs plain flour
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
1 small French baguette
1/2 cup coarsely grated Gruyère cheese
Now, when I made it, as I went I tasted and realised when all the stock was in it lacked depth, so I added a tablespoon of brandy. GOOD DECISION!
Basically you melt the butter, cook the onions until they caramelise, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile bring wine to boil, add the stock and the water, and the bay leaf, return to boil, then remove from heat (covered).
Stir the flour in with the onions and continue to cook for about two minutes.
Then, gradually add the stock mix to the onions, stirring until it boils and thickens slightly.
Reduce heat, simmer uncovered, stir occasionally for about 20 minutes.
For the croutons, cut up some french stick, grill on one side, turn over, add cheese, and grill until cheese goes golden and melty... mmmmm.
I actually learnt a few things about this recipe. One was the brandy, really oompfs it up a bit, and definitely worth it so if I make it again I will just add it in anyway. Another is I had used some of the stock during the week, so I didn't have enough, I thought I could extend this with white wine. While it worked flavour wise, my soup lacked that deep rich colour of a great French onion soup.
Also, I only used two onions which were plenty, because these were mammoth onions!
Still I call this a success. My first home made French onion soup, and it wont be the last.
February 18, 2011
Oh man, shame on me. Breakfast this morning was two maple cookies and a muffin.
About two hours after dinner last night (I added photos to yesterday's post btw) I was hungry so I made myself a slice of toast with refried beans and cheese. Then about an hour later we cracked into a box of maple cookies, that are not for us, they were meant to be posted some time ago, but we keep eating them and keep replacing them.
Lunch today was a baked omelette with leeks, zucchini and goats cheese with chopped up prosciutto and a sprinkle of Italian herbs. It was freaking delicious! Then I spoke to Lee, his lunch plans at work fell through and came home for lunch so I made him one too. Note, these are on small plates, not big ones, I didn't make huge 6 egg omelettes each! Hahaha!
I am making French Onion Soup this afternoon, Lee picked up the missing ingredient yesterday - white wine. We waited until the end of the week because of this, because I dont need a full bottle and well, couldn't trust myself having it in the house before the weekend, hahaha!
So stay tuned, will post about that soon.
For those who are reading this and have not yet voted on my poll please do so, its over ----> there (top right)
Thanks!
About two hours after dinner last night (I added photos to yesterday's post btw) I was hungry so I made myself a slice of toast with refried beans and cheese. Then about an hour later we cracked into a box of maple cookies, that are not for us, they were meant to be posted some time ago, but we keep eating them and keep replacing them.
Lunch today was a baked omelette with leeks, zucchini and goats cheese with chopped up prosciutto and a sprinkle of Italian herbs. It was freaking delicious! Then I spoke to Lee, his lunch plans at work fell through and came home for lunch so I made him one too. Note, these are on small plates, not big ones, I didn't make huge 6 egg omelettes each! Hahaha!
I am making French Onion Soup this afternoon, Lee picked up the missing ingredient yesterday - white wine. We waited until the end of the week because of this, because I dont need a full bottle and well, couldn't trust myself having it in the house before the weekend, hahaha!
So stay tuned, will post about that soon.
For those who are reading this and have not yet voted on my poll please do so, its over ----> there (top right)
Thanks!
February 17, 2011
Firstly, HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIC!
Ok, back to food. Last night I was feeling pretty average, coming down with yet another cold which is just pants, so Lee went to get me some Halls and came back with some dark orange chocolate also. A few pieces of that had me cheered up and ready to sleep. Healing powers of chocolate is truly amazing.
Breakfast this morning was just a muffin and a coffee, of which I really really wanted. Made Lee some lunch and sent him off to work.
Lunch today was a tiny bit of left over lasagna and a bit of a 'whatever else I can find in the fridge' situation. In this case, it was a salad with lettuce, tomatoes, goats cheese, red peppers and pumpkin seeds. Not too shabby eh?!
Dinner tonight is stuffed chicken breast wrapped in parma ham, and salad. I love it when parma ham is on special, its so easy to use and so versatile, and we love love love it. Life seems so much more gourmet with the right cut of pork!
This weekend is pay weekend but we are still stretched for cash. We still have six dinners left from our shop last weekend which is good, we just need to top up on veggies, grapefruit (again, we are out) and lunches for Lee. Will see what else we can get on special!
Ok, back to food. Last night I was feeling pretty average, coming down with yet another cold which is just pants, so Lee went to get me some Halls and came back with some dark orange chocolate also. A few pieces of that had me cheered up and ready to sleep. Healing powers of chocolate is truly amazing.
Breakfast this morning was just a muffin and a coffee, of which I really really wanted. Made Lee some lunch and sent him off to work.
Lunch today was a tiny bit of left over lasagna and a bit of a 'whatever else I can find in the fridge' situation. In this case, it was a salad with lettuce, tomatoes, goats cheese, red peppers and pumpkin seeds. Not too shabby eh?!
Dinner tonight is stuffed chicken breast wrapped in parma ham, and salad. I love it when parma ham is on special, its so easy to use and so versatile, and we love love love it. Life seems so much more gourmet with the right cut of pork!
This weekend is pay weekend but we are still stretched for cash. We still have six dinners left from our shop last weekend which is good, we just need to top up on veggies, grapefruit (again, we are out) and lunches for Lee. Will see what else we can get on special!
February 16, 2011
Last night after dinner we watched a movie and I got the chocolate hankering, so Lee presented me with some maltesers, and what can I say, a girl needs her chocolate!
BAU this morning, with the rooibos tea (making a conscious decision to cut down caffeine, having coffee when I want it now, not out of habit, plus its cheaper this way). Followed by a muffin.
Lunch today was another wrap, pretty much the same as yesterday but I added some cheese and tomato. I know I shouldn't but I needed to bulk it up a bit. Was actually quite tasty, still lacking in the meat department though.
Dinner tonight is left over lasagna, I can smell and taste the Gruyère already. We will go to spin first, so it will be a later dinner. Might have a fruit smoothie an hour before spin, make sure we have the energy for the one hour battle on a stationary bike.
BAU this morning, with the rooibos tea (making a conscious decision to cut down caffeine, having coffee when I want it now, not out of habit, plus its cheaper this way). Followed by a muffin.
Lunch today was another wrap, pretty much the same as yesterday but I added some cheese and tomato. I know I shouldn't but I needed to bulk it up a bit. Was actually quite tasty, still lacking in the meat department though.
Dinner tonight is left over lasagna, I can smell and taste the Gruyère already. We will go to spin first, so it will be a later dinner. Might have a fruit smoothie an hour before spin, make sure we have the energy for the one hour battle on a stationary bike.
February 15, 2011
Woke up feeling pretty groggy this morning, had my usual breakfast with a cup of tea, and then a muffin.
Lunch was not the soup, I couldn't face it. Instead I had a wrap using one of the spinach tortillas, stuffed with refried beans, lettuce, avocado and hot sauce. As much as I love refried beans, the wrap definitely needed some chicken or beef or something.
Snacked on a yogurt with chopped walnuts after lunch, which got me through to dinner.
So, dinner! Inspired by Rachael Ray, 'lazy lasagna'. The main difference is that you cook the lasagna sheets like pasta, and then you mix in all the ingredients together, chuck the white sauce on, and cheese, and grill it for a few minutes for the cheese to melt. I did mine with roasted butternut squash and eggplant, a basic meat sauce with spinach, and used Gruyère for the top. I mixed all this together with the pasta sheet, chucked the rest on and boom. Win. It takes about half the time (although I used roasted veg and that does take an extra half an hour, but couldn't help myself) and is easy as. The pasta takes about 7 minutes to cook, about ten for the meat sauce, and the white sauce about 10 also. Another ten in the oven/grill, and voila, you get this:
Very tasty, and definitely takes less time than a normal lasagna... but I dunno... there is something about the layers and cutting into a fresh lasagna all neat and tidy that I like. But as a half hour after work effort? Hell yeah, it tastes as good and as long as you can time everything so its all still hot when you put it together, its a winner. Seeing as though I don't have a job at the moment though, I will stick to the long way I think!
Very tasty, and definitely takes less time than a normal lasagna... but I dunno... there is something about the layers and cutting into a fresh lasagna all neat and tidy that I like. But as a half hour after work effort? Hell yeah, it tastes as good and as long as you can time everything so its all still hot when you put it together, its a winner. Seeing as though I don't have a job at the moment though, I will stick to the long way I think!
February 14, 2011
Breakfast as usual this morning. No coffee, a cup of rooibos tea instead, tasty stuff, reminds me of London.
Lunch was soup, the left overs from the other day - tomato and basil. I added a dollop of light sour cream, some pumpkin seeds and a pinch of paprika to jazz it up, and it worked.
I also didn't get to the muffin making yesterday so I made them today, I like to send Lee off to work with a muffin for some reason! Wifely duties I guess. I made them from defrosted berries, and well, the colour shows it. I ate one, and they are actually really tasty. Blueberry and raspberry. Mmmm. They look pretty ugly though! Blue muffin anyone??
Dinner is left over pie after spin tonight. Originally we were going to have lazy lasagna but we want to stretch the food as far as it can go and the pie is there, so it must be eaten! So lazy lasagna is tomorrow. I am tipping my lunch will be the same as today, as there is still more of that left too. Joy!
UPDATE: Spin was great, but the pie didn't cut it, so baked quesadilla ahoy!
Lunch was soup, the left overs from the other day - tomato and basil. I added a dollop of light sour cream, some pumpkin seeds and a pinch of paprika to jazz it up, and it worked.
I also didn't get to the muffin making yesterday so I made them today, I like to send Lee off to work with a muffin for some reason! Wifely duties I guess. I made them from defrosted berries, and well, the colour shows it. I ate one, and they are actually really tasty. Blueberry and raspberry. Mmmm. They look pretty ugly though! Blue muffin anyone??
Dinner is left over pie after spin tonight. Originally we were going to have lazy lasagna but we want to stretch the food as far as it can go and the pie is there, so it must be eaten! So lazy lasagna is tomorrow. I am tipping my lunch will be the same as today, as there is still more of that left too. Joy!
UPDATE: Spin was great, but the pie didn't cut it, so baked quesadilla ahoy!
Chicken, Leek (and Mushroom) Pie
I used the recipe from the Woman's Weekly Classics cookbook my mum sent me. The pie is on the front cover, and it had me at 'hello'. This is seriously an easy recipe, doesn't take too long and easily adapted to any changes you want to make. It's quite heavy though, we don't really eat creamy foods much, but I guess every once in a while its ok....
The cookbook with the pie cover:
This is the recipe from the cook book
Ingredients:
500ml chicken stock
600g chicken breast fillets
1 tbsp olive oil
40g butter
1 large leek, sliced thinly
2 stalks celery, trimmed and chopped finely
2 tbsp plain flour
2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
125ml milk
250ml cream
2 tsp wholegrain mustard
2 sheets ready rolled shortcrust pastry
1 sheet ready rolled puff pastry
1 egg yolk
Now, I didn't have any celery or short crust, I decided to make the pie with just the top as I couldn't be bothered making the case myself (terrible I know). But I figured we didn't really need it, especially as its a pretty heavy pie! Less calories, right? Right?!
I also added about six white mushrooms thinly sliced, and I used less oil and less butter, about 1 tbsp oil, and about 25-30g butter. We had reduced fat cream and 1% milk, but I hardly think that makes up for it! Also, the recipe has no seasoning, which I think is very necessary.
Basically, I poached three chicken breast fillets in the stock for about 10 minutes on a simmer, then let it sit for another ten minutes. After that, I removed and roughly chopped them up. I reckon using thigh fillets would be just as good, and cheaper. Could even do a combo of them both.
I melted the butter with the olive oil and threw the leeks in, softened them, then added the flour and the thyme and continued stirring for about a minute over heat. I then added a few table spoons of the stock, and gradually added the milk and the cream. Once it thickened and close to boil, I added the mustard, stirred the chicken through and left off the heat to cool for about five minutes.
Once cooled, I stuffed the mix into a pie dish (if I used short crust pastry, it would have been blind baked first), covered with the puff pastry, whisked up an egg yolk and brushed over the top. Cut the two obligatory slits in the top of the pie, and chucked in the oven on 200°C for 20 minutes.
I scooped it out, served with a side salad of spinach greens and grape tomatoes in a raspberry vinaigrette. I think the plate looks pretty bare but it was enough food, anything additional would have been over kill. I was originally thinking green beans, but alas we don't have any of those either! Didn't matter, we didn't need them after all.
And here it is, including a close up:
The cookbook with the pie cover:
This is the recipe from the cook book
Ingredients:
500ml chicken stock
600g chicken breast fillets
1 tbsp olive oil
40g butter
1 large leek, sliced thinly
2 stalks celery, trimmed and chopped finely
2 tbsp plain flour
2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
125ml milk
250ml cream
2 tsp wholegrain mustard
2 sheets ready rolled shortcrust pastry
1 sheet ready rolled puff pastry
1 egg yolk
Now, I didn't have any celery or short crust, I decided to make the pie with just the top as I couldn't be bothered making the case myself (terrible I know). But I figured we didn't really need it, especially as its a pretty heavy pie! Less calories, right? Right?!
I also added about six white mushrooms thinly sliced, and I used less oil and less butter, about 1 tbsp oil, and about 25-30g butter. We had reduced fat cream and 1% milk, but I hardly think that makes up for it! Also, the recipe has no seasoning, which I think is very necessary.
Basically, I poached three chicken breast fillets in the stock for about 10 minutes on a simmer, then let it sit for another ten minutes. After that, I removed and roughly chopped them up. I reckon using thigh fillets would be just as good, and cheaper. Could even do a combo of them both.
I melted the butter with the olive oil and threw the leeks in, softened them, then added the flour and the thyme and continued stirring for about a minute over heat. I then added a few table spoons of the stock, and gradually added the milk and the cream. Once it thickened and close to boil, I added the mustard, stirred the chicken through and left off the heat to cool for about five minutes.
Once cooled, I stuffed the mix into a pie dish (if I used short crust pastry, it would have been blind baked first), covered with the puff pastry, whisked up an egg yolk and brushed over the top. Cut the two obligatory slits in the top of the pie, and chucked in the oven on 200°C for 20 minutes.
I scooped it out, served with a side salad of spinach greens and grape tomatoes in a raspberry vinaigrette. I think the plate looks pretty bare but it was enough food, anything additional would have been over kill. I was originally thinking green beans, but alas we don't have any of those either! Didn't matter, we didn't need them after all.
And here it is, including a close up:
February 13, 2011
After a few wines last night I decided to have a crack at a late night quesadilla using spinach tortillas, light cream cheese, olives and left over turkey burgers. I have to say, it was delicious! Lee and I were stoked, even if we shouldn't have been eating it.
Breakfast is back to usual, we finally have more grapefruit. And they are good ones too, satisfied indeed.
Lunch today was meant to be French onion soup, but I am missing a key ingredient, so we went to the mall and ate in the food court instead. My Hong Kong Wonton Soup was really good, especially for food court standards. So the French onion can wait until later on this week, probably Friday.
Snacked on edamame this afternoon:
About to whip up some blueberry and raspberry muffins and then get started on the chicken and leek pie for dinner.
Breakfast is back to usual, we finally have more grapefruit. And they are good ones too, satisfied indeed.
Lunch today was meant to be French onion soup, but I am missing a key ingredient, so we went to the mall and ate in the food court instead. My Hong Kong Wonton Soup was really good, especially for food court standards. So the French onion can wait until later on this week, probably Friday.
Snacked on edamame this afternoon:
About to whip up some blueberry and raspberry muffins and then get started on the chicken and leek pie for dinner.
February 12, 2011 - Dinner
Oh my... our flat still smells amazing after a sensational meal. Slow cooking is the way forward.
I made a beef and mushroom casserole with polenta (this time just polenta, no cheese or butter needed). I remember my sister Emma and I used to say 'YUMMY' really aggressively with angry faces when we were teenagers when mum made something amazing, and then kill ourselves laughing. I did that tonight and got the chuckles, some things don't change :)
Unfortunately no photos, we just cracked right in to it, but there are leftovers and I am not sure they will last long....
I have left over polenta, and because its not mixed with anything, I am thinking I might make chips tomorrow with it to go with pie. YUMMY! Hahahaha!
I made a beef and mushroom casserole with polenta (this time just polenta, no cheese or butter needed). I remember my sister Emma and I used to say 'YUMMY' really aggressively with angry faces when we were teenagers when mum made something amazing, and then kill ourselves laughing. I did that tonight and got the chuckles, some things don't change :)
Unfortunately no photos, we just cracked right in to it, but there are leftovers and I am not sure they will last long....
I have left over polenta, and because its not mixed with anything, I am thinking I might make chips tomorrow with it to go with pie. YUMMY! Hahahaha!
February 12, 2011
Small reminder, please vote for my next cooking challenge over there --------->
Today we thought we had a bit of a late start to the day but in fact we were up and about relatively early considering! Peanut butter on ryvitas, again, and a cup of rooibos tea.
We ventured out to the supermarkets today. Thats right, supermarketS. We hit not one, not two but three supermarkets today, and I gotta tell ya, I need a beer!
After Walmart we went to Boston Pizza for lunch, I had the same salad as last time, Chipotle Chicken and Bacon. Here is what it looks like:
I thought there was too much cheese on it, but at the end I hardly noticed, whoops. I gotta say though, if they took the shredded cheese off and replaced it with a crumbly feta, this salad would be on fire. Also they serve it with a slice of garlic bread, would have been awesome if it were pesto or something with a bit of colour.
We finished our supermarket shopping, and I am pretty pleased, we have about two weeks worth of food for less than $200. Plus, I stocked up on spices and we had other house hold items in there, so pretty happy indeed. Tonight we are thinking beef casserole for dinner, we both have the hankering for beef. And what goes better with beef than red wine!
Tomorrow I am planning on making a chicken and leek pie, and French onion soup. We have a fairly eventful weeks worth of food planned (considering), so I am looking forward to it all. Tomorrow we will buy containers so I can freeze some cooked food, making lazy nights easier and stretching the buck just that little bit further.
Today we thought we had a bit of a late start to the day but in fact we were up and about relatively early considering! Peanut butter on ryvitas, again, and a cup of rooibos tea.
We ventured out to the supermarkets today. Thats right, supermarketS. We hit not one, not two but three supermarkets today, and I gotta tell ya, I need a beer!
After Walmart we went to Boston Pizza for lunch, I had the same salad as last time, Chipotle Chicken and Bacon. Here is what it looks like:
I thought there was too much cheese on it, but at the end I hardly noticed, whoops. I gotta say though, if they took the shredded cheese off and replaced it with a crumbly feta, this salad would be on fire. Also they serve it with a slice of garlic bread, would have been awesome if it were pesto or something with a bit of colour.
We finished our supermarket shopping, and I am pretty pleased, we have about two weeks worth of food for less than $200. Plus, I stocked up on spices and we had other house hold items in there, so pretty happy indeed. Tonight we are thinking beef casserole for dinner, we both have the hankering for beef. And what goes better with beef than red wine!
Tomorrow I am planning on making a chicken and leek pie, and French onion soup. We have a fairly eventful weeks worth of food planned (considering), so I am looking forward to it all. Tomorrow we will buy containers so I can freeze some cooked food, making lazy nights easier and stretching the buck just that little bit further.
February 11, 2011
Man, I have been bad today.
Peanut butter on ryvitas for breakfast. A banana for lunch. It is now 3:15pm and thats all I have had, downing a cup of decaf right now, waiting for Lee to finish work, which will be in a couple of hours.
Tonight is meant to be left over turkey burger night but I dunno, I think I might try to convince Lee of something else... It's just been one of those days
EDIT: Ok, so it didn't really get better from there. After I had an appointment with a recruitment agency where I had to do loads of MS Office proficiency tests that should only be forced upon those over 45 (cos lets face it, the rest of us grew up with Microsoft) I had my decaf coffee and then met Lee at McMullens, we shared a spinach dip over a pint, and then came home. We later ordered some noodles and dumplings to share, and thats it. A good way to end an average day.
Peanut butter on ryvitas for breakfast. A banana for lunch. It is now 3:15pm and thats all I have had, downing a cup of decaf right now, waiting for Lee to finish work, which will be in a couple of hours.
Tonight is meant to be left over turkey burger night but I dunno, I think I might try to convince Lee of something else... It's just been one of those days
EDIT: Ok, so it didn't really get better from there. After I had an appointment with a recruitment agency where I had to do loads of MS Office proficiency tests that should only be forced upon those over 45 (cos lets face it, the rest of us grew up with Microsoft) I had my decaf coffee and then met Lee at McMullens, we shared a spinach dip over a pint, and then came home. We later ordered some noodles and dumplings to share, and thats it. A good way to end an average day.
February 10, 2011
You know, most of us could argue that our mothers are the best, but I have to tell you, mine totally rocks. I got a parcel yesterday, included were a couple of cook books and some instant polenta, thanks mum! I sat on the couch yesterday and last night totally distracted by them, kept snatching one up and flicking through, then putting it down again, only to repeat the process. I am also looking forward to the instant polenta, I want to know how different it is from the corn meal I have been using. The Molino one says 'Ingredients: corn meal' but yet its instant. We will see. I would like to give polenta chips a crack as well, if anyone has made them feel free to give me any tips etc.
Last night after left over lasagna we devoured the violet crumble mum also included in her parcel, and a few hours later I snacked on some crackers and tzatziki while having a mid week glass of wine.
Breakfast this morning was ryvitas with peanut butter. Ready for the grapefruit again but we are all out so its on the shopping list for Saturday. We are out of coffee too, probably a good thing, but I miss my morning hazelnut cup. Had green jasmine tea this morning instead.
Lunch was uneventful tomato and basil soup.
Dinner is turkey burgers and sweet potato wedges. It would be nice to chuck some cajun on there or something but we don't have any, so chicken salt it is. Oh and of course the obligatory salad. If they look any good I will post a photo later.
EDIT: Forgot the potatoes, had some coleslaw instead. But check this out, the burgers were amazing. From the bottom up: Pickle relish, turkey patty, cheese, balsamic mushrooms, pastrami, ketchup and hot sauce. A... MAZE....ZING!
I have some recipes I am going to try this weekend, straight out of the mentioned cook books above. There are some really great recipes out there that don't necessarily cost an arm and a leg, so will continue down this route for a while. Still, there is a new poll so it would be great if y'all voted! Its in the same place, top right.
Last night after left over lasagna we devoured the violet crumble mum also included in her parcel, and a few hours later I snacked on some crackers and tzatziki while having a mid week glass of wine.
Breakfast this morning was ryvitas with peanut butter. Ready for the grapefruit again but we are all out so its on the shopping list for Saturday. We are out of coffee too, probably a good thing, but I miss my morning hazelnut cup. Had green jasmine tea this morning instead.
Lunch was uneventful tomato and basil soup.
Dinner is turkey burgers and sweet potato wedges. It would be nice to chuck some cajun on there or something but we don't have any, so chicken salt it is. Oh and of course the obligatory salad. If they look any good I will post a photo later.
EDIT: Forgot the potatoes, had some coleslaw instead. But check this out, the burgers were amazing. From the bottom up: Pickle relish, turkey patty, cheese, balsamic mushrooms, pastrami, ketchup and hot sauce. A... MAZE....ZING!
I have some recipes I am going to try this weekend, straight out of the mentioned cook books above. There are some really great recipes out there that don't necessarily cost an arm and a leg, so will continue down this route for a while. Still, there is a new poll so it would be great if y'all voted! Its in the same place, top right.
February 9, 2011
Breakfast this morning was a bit of the healthy slice I made up last week. Gotta eat it before it goes off. And a mug of green jasmine tea.
Lunch was left overs from yesterdays lunch - tofu and bok choy stir fry. Tasty as. I love tofu.
Dinner tonight? Lasagna, more left overs! The lasagna was win so I am happy with this, and quite often its better the next day.
While left overs often leave people feeling a bit bored, tired and uninspired, I am really pleased we are making the most of the food, not wasting much (even though I ended up throwing out some of the food from the nibble platter on the weekend which is a shame but had to be done) which in turn means costing us less. We still have a few meals out of the $38 we spent on Sunday so we should make it through to Sunday. Not bad, I estimate that we had about $20 worth of food already in the fridge so for six days, three meals for two people, not bad at all.
Still, I wouldn't mind cooking something interesting this weekend! And having a wine or two...
Lunch was left overs from yesterdays lunch - tofu and bok choy stir fry. Tasty as. I love tofu.
Dinner tonight? Lasagna, more left overs! The lasagna was win so I am happy with this, and quite often its better the next day.
While left overs often leave people feeling a bit bored, tired and uninspired, I am really pleased we are making the most of the food, not wasting much (even though I ended up throwing out some of the food from the nibble platter on the weekend which is a shame but had to be done) which in turn means costing us less. We still have a few meals out of the $38 we spent on Sunday so we should make it through to Sunday. Not bad, I estimate that we had about $20 worth of food already in the fridge so for six days, three meals for two people, not bad at all.
Still, I wouldn't mind cooking something interesting this weekend! And having a wine or two...
February 8, 2011
Wow, I have no idea what happened to me yesterday but I was completely wiped out and was in bed by 7:30pm. I went with a salad for lunch yesterday (not the soup) which was lettuce, tomato, capsicum, sundried tomatoes and pumpkin seeds:
Snacked on a cookie in the afternoon and we had the chicken casserole with polenta for dinner. I was a bit disappointed in it, but was tasty none the less. I cant believe I crashed so badly last night. I think it might be dairy backfiring from the weekend, I was not feeling good at all.
Woke up this morning at 5am. Waited for Lee to wake up, made him breakfast and lunch and sent him on his way to work. I ate a yogurt with nuts and had a cup of coffee.
There was a huge head of bok choy in the fridge and some tofu so I made up a stir fry for lunch, and will have it again tomorrow (and probably send some in with Lee as well).
I am going to make a lasagna today which should also last us a couple of nights for dinner. Its been aaaages since I have eaten lasagna, and even longer since I have made it, so I am looking forward to it, even if its going to be a bit on the cheeseless side. If I had it my way, I would coat it with more Gruyère cheese than we can afford and let it melt right into it *drool*.
EDIT: Lasagna was bloody beautiful. I roasted up some eggplant and chucked it in each layer which gave it an amazing smoky flavour, was delicious, even without the Gruyère.
Snacked on a cookie in the afternoon and we had the chicken casserole with polenta for dinner. I was a bit disappointed in it, but was tasty none the less. I cant believe I crashed so badly last night. I think it might be dairy backfiring from the weekend, I was not feeling good at all.
Woke up this morning at 5am. Waited for Lee to wake up, made him breakfast and lunch and sent him on his way to work. I ate a yogurt with nuts and had a cup of coffee.
There was a huge head of bok choy in the fridge and some tofu so I made up a stir fry for lunch, and will have it again tomorrow (and probably send some in with Lee as well).
I am going to make a lasagna today which should also last us a couple of nights for dinner. Its been aaaages since I have eaten lasagna, and even longer since I have made it, so I am looking forward to it, even if its going to be a bit on the cheeseless side. If I had it my way, I would coat it with more Gruyère cheese than we can afford and let it melt right into it *drool*.
EDIT: Lasagna was bloody beautiful. I roasted up some eggplant and chucked it in each layer which gave it an amazing smoky flavour, was delicious, even without the Gruyère.
February 7, 2011
Wow, Super Bowl was fun, even if the Steelers didn't win it.
Krista opened the eating shenanigans with a layered Mexican dip which was awesome, and I kind of went to town on it, even though I knew there was much more to come. Then came the jalapeno poppers, then the quesadillas, then the lobster, with taquito chasers. All while drinking beer and watching the football. I over did it but it was great fun and have all this week to make up for it!
Breakfast this morning was ryvitas with peanut butter, couldn't face the grapefruit this morning as I have chapped split lips *ouch* And then a cup of green tea. I think I am still digesting lobster.
Lunch is soup and maybe salad. Not that hungry today to be honest. Will see how the days pan out, might be famished after exercising. Might crack into the edamame.
Tonights dinner is chicken casserole. I am just going to wing it and see what happens, so will update on that later...
Krista opened the eating shenanigans with a layered Mexican dip which was awesome, and I kind of went to town on it, even though I knew there was much more to come. Then came the jalapeno poppers, then the quesadillas, then the lobster, with taquito chasers. All while drinking beer and watching the football. I over did it but it was great fun and have all this week to make up for it!
Breakfast this morning was ryvitas with peanut butter, couldn't face the grapefruit this morning as I have chapped split lips *ouch* And then a cup of green tea. I think I am still digesting lobster.
Lunch is soup and maybe salad. Not that hungry today to be honest. Will see how the days pan out, might be famished after exercising. Might crack into the edamame.
February 6, 2011
Happy Super Bowl!
This morning we had peanut butter on ryvita for breakfast. We didn't eat much last night, didn't even make our way through the rest of the nibblies, there are still leftover leftovers. Woke up starving and the ryvitas didn't do it for either of us. We spent 45 minutes clearing the fresh ft of snow out of the driveway, a neighbour saw us doing this with shovels and offered to help with his snow blower. How nice! He has invited us over for ribs and beer at the beginning of summer. I love it here.
For lunch we went to Boston Pizza, and I had the Chipotle Chicken Salad, which was really bloody good. Its basically a salad (spinach, tomato, olives) with santa fe dressing and shredded tortilla chips on top. Could have probably had a pizza for the calories but at least this wasn't as filling, full but not bloated.
We are on our way to the McGregor's this afternoon for the Super Bowl party. Joy! We decided against the margaritas because Lee is still suffering from his man flu and we decided we would come home tonight. Still, a few beers and some good food and great company, while watching sport. Niiiiice!
We are on a budget this week, we just did our grocery shopping. We have some food in the fridge, but just spent $38 on two lots of mince beef, one minced turkey, some chicken drumsticks, veggies and some lasagna sheets. I am thinking casseroles, rissoles, chilli con carne and a lasagna. Voila, a weeks worth of food. Time to get creative.
This morning we had peanut butter on ryvita for breakfast. We didn't eat much last night, didn't even make our way through the rest of the nibblies, there are still leftover leftovers. Woke up starving and the ryvitas didn't do it for either of us. We spent 45 minutes clearing the fresh ft of snow out of the driveway, a neighbour saw us doing this with shovels and offered to help with his snow blower. How nice! He has invited us over for ribs and beer at the beginning of summer. I love it here.
For lunch we went to Boston Pizza, and I had the Chipotle Chicken Salad, which was really bloody good. Its basically a salad (spinach, tomato, olives) with santa fe dressing and shredded tortilla chips on top. Could have probably had a pizza for the calories but at least this wasn't as filling, full but not bloated.
We are on our way to the McGregor's this afternoon for the Super Bowl party. Joy! We decided against the margaritas because Lee is still suffering from his man flu and we decided we would come home tonight. Still, a few beers and some good food and great company, while watching sport. Niiiiice!
We are on a budget this week, we just did our grocery shopping. We have some food in the fridge, but just spent $38 on two lots of mince beef, one minced turkey, some chicken drumsticks, veggies and some lasagna sheets. I am thinking casseroles, rissoles, chilli con carne and a lasagna. Voila, a weeks worth of food. Time to get creative.
February 5, 2011
Breakfast this morning was a smoothie of mango, raspberries, blueberries and apple juice with a couple of spoons of crushed flaxseed. Followed by a bowl of maple oats.
We were meant to go to the Chinese festival today but it ended at 2pm and it was hard to remove ourselves from the new couch this morning.
Lunch was a burger, because today is date day (was going to be date night but we moved it forward a few hours). This date was 'burgers, beer and bowling' and we have done all that. Was an awesome day and if my abs were not already hurting from what feels like 1000 sit-ups this week, they would be hurt from laughing. The burgers were good even if they were spewing lettuce, still no Marshall Burger though. We went with sweet potato fries which were lush, even if they were a $3 upgrade.
Dinner is left over nibbles from last night. Mmmmm. And maybe a tim tam... or two... Lets not forget the wine!
Tomorrow is gym and the Super Bowl, we are heading to the McGregor's for some mexican fiesta and I think some screaming at the tv. I think we will bring the margaritas to the party (that and my unbeatable lungs), Jad makes one mean margarita!
We were meant to go to the Chinese festival today but it ended at 2pm and it was hard to remove ourselves from the new couch this morning.
Lunch was a burger, because today is date day (was going to be date night but we moved it forward a few hours). This date was 'burgers, beer and bowling' and we have done all that. Was an awesome day and if my abs were not already hurting from what feels like 1000 sit-ups this week, they would be hurt from laughing. The burgers were good even if they were spewing lettuce, still no Marshall Burger though. We went with sweet potato fries which were lush, even if they were a $3 upgrade.
Dinner is left over nibbles from last night. Mmmmm. And maybe a tim tam... or two... Lets not forget the wine!
Tomorrow is gym and the Super Bowl, we are heading to the McGregor's for some mexican fiesta and I think some screaming at the tv. I think we will bring the margaritas to the party (that and my unbeatable lungs), Jad makes one mean margarita!
February 4, 2011
Happy Couch Day!
Breakfast was late and insignificant, a tub of yogurt with some crushed walnuts. While tasty the tubs are really small and hardly worth it, its a great way for me to get some calcium with minimum consequence.
Lunch was good, warm pastrami sandwiches and a husband visit! Followed by a maple cookie chaser.
Dinner was a lovely platter of too much food - chicken, olives, asiago dip, brie and blue cheese & some parma ham. F$%!&ng delicious! But undoes my entire week of busting my ass with exercise. Still think its worth it though, hahaha. Loads left over so plenty to eat over the weekend.
I need some food inspiration, I have a list of recipes I want to tackle, and I will, slowly (as money comes in), but want to spice things up bit. I might set a goal of a budget and doing as much yummy healthy creative variations as possible. Suggestions welcome...
Breakfast was late and insignificant, a tub of yogurt with some crushed walnuts. While tasty the tubs are really small and hardly worth it, its a great way for me to get some calcium with minimum consequence.
Lunch was good, warm pastrami sandwiches and a husband visit! Followed by a maple cookie chaser.
Dinner was a lovely platter of too much food - chicken, olives, asiago dip, brie and blue cheese & some parma ham. F$%!&ng delicious! But undoes my entire week of busting my ass with exercise. Still think its worth it though, hahaha. Loads left over so plenty to eat over the weekend.
I need some food inspiration, I have a list of recipes I want to tackle, and I will, slowly (as money comes in), but want to spice things up bit. I might set a goal of a budget and doing as much yummy healthy creative variations as possible. Suggestions welcome...
February 3, 2011
Peanut butter on ryvitas again for breakfast this morning.
There was left over pork from last night and I had a hankering for pasta so I cooked up some fettuccine and made a sauce and added the pork. It was ok, pretty stodgy but needed something a little more substantial than the last few days. Also trying to be resourceful with what we have in the fridge and cupboard.
Snacked on some healthy slice this afternoon with a cup of tea.
Lee worked late tonight so he picked us up some soup on the way home. I had a Tom Yum soup, Lee went for Pho. Both of which were delicious.
And thats it for today!
There was left over pork from last night and I had a hankering for pasta so I cooked up some fettuccine and made a sauce and added the pork. It was ok, pretty stodgy but needed something a little more substantial than the last few days. Also trying to be resourceful with what we have in the fridge and cupboard.
Snacked on some healthy slice this afternoon with a cup of tea.
Lee worked late tonight so he picked us up some soup on the way home. I had a Tom Yum soup, Lee went for Pho. Both of which were delicious.
And thats it for today!
February 2, 2011
Had an early start today which is good. Ran out of grapefruit yesterday so breakfast this morning was peanut butter on 2 ryvitas. Followed by some muesli slice. And a coffee.
Lunch was 2 ryvitas with chicken salad. Talk about your ryvita overload. While it was good, it was exactly the same as yesterday, and we have had chicken for dinner two nights in a row also, so was looking forward to dinner. Snacked on a slice of toast with pastrami and havarti at about 4:30pm, and could have kept on snacking, gotta love pastrami.
Dinner was pork loin, stuffed zucchini & salad. Seriously loving the pork loin at the moment, its lean, clean, easy to cook, tender & tasty, and so so versatile. Going to have a crack at a spicy Asian glazed pork loin and noodles soon, probably next week. It would be good to do something for Chinese new year but its a bit hard this year. There are celebrations on in town this weekend so might head to that, hopefully pick up a tasty treat or two.
Lee and I are planning a couch celebration on Friday night. It's almost more of an event than when we got the bed, in some ways more so. Might just do a nibble spread/cheese platter & watch a movie or something...
Lunch was 2 ryvitas with chicken salad. Talk about your ryvita overload. While it was good, it was exactly the same as yesterday, and we have had chicken for dinner two nights in a row also, so was looking forward to dinner. Snacked on a slice of toast with pastrami and havarti at about 4:30pm, and could have kept on snacking, gotta love pastrami.
Dinner was pork loin, stuffed zucchini & salad. Seriously loving the pork loin at the moment, its lean, clean, easy to cook, tender & tasty, and so so versatile. Going to have a crack at a spicy Asian glazed pork loin and noodles soon, probably next week. It would be good to do something for Chinese new year but its a bit hard this year. There are celebrations on in town this weekend so might head to that, hopefully pick up a tasty treat or two.
Lee and I are planning a couch celebration on Friday night. It's almost more of an event than when we got the bed, in some ways more so. Might just do a nibble spread/cheese platter & watch a movie or something...
February 1, 2011
Change of plans last night, ended up having chicken pasta, I mentioned it to Lee for tomorrow and we both went into pasta mode immediately. It was delicious, threw in some onion, garlic and button mushrooms, nice. We then had a muffin, and I had a yogurt later on.
BAU, nice way to start the day, and February. An hour later I had the last blueberry muffin. Not making any more, too unhealthy. Might crack into making the 'healthy' slice later on.
Lunch today was this:
Chicken salad on ryvitas. I mixed up the with some pickle relish, mustard seeds, spring onion, red capsicum and low fat some sour cream. There is enough to feed us for a couple of days for lunch, we have chicken again tonight. Gotta love bulk buys on the cheap eh?
EDIT: Made the slice, much better than last time, check it out:
Also, dinner was awesome. Chicken stuffed with goats cheese & sun dried tomatoes wrapped in prosciutto, roasted onion and sweet potato, and a salad we didn't touch because there was too much food on the plate!
BAU, nice way to start the day, and February. An hour later I had the last blueberry muffin. Not making any more, too unhealthy. Might crack into making the 'healthy' slice later on.
Lunch today was this:
Chicken salad on ryvitas. I mixed up the with some pickle relish, mustard seeds, spring onion, red capsicum and low fat some sour cream. There is enough to feed us for a couple of days for lunch, we have chicken again tonight. Gotta love bulk buys on the cheap eh?
EDIT: Made the slice, much better than last time, check it out:
Also, dinner was awesome. Chicken stuffed with goats cheese & sun dried tomatoes wrapped in prosciutto, roasted onion and sweet potato, and a salad we didn't touch because there was too much food on the plate!
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