I really like to cook and try new receipes...BUT only when I have the time. Well, I had plenty of time this afternoon. I LOVE egg salad. Mom made some for me last weekend, so now I'm craving it. Here's what I made for work this week. (Sorry the pic isn't pretty. I'm saving it for my lunches.)
Egg Salad with a Kick
4 servings
6 hard-cooked eggs, peeled & chopped
1/4 cup light mayo
1/4 cup low-fat sour cream
1/8 tsp. cayenne
1 Tbsp & 1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp prepared horseradish
1 Tbsp chopped red onion
2 Tbsp real bacon bits
Salt & pepper
Stir everything together in a bowl. Add salt & pepper to taste.
Here's what I made for dinner. The risotto is soooo yummy. It might need some added spice is you're eating it alone...but it's so good with these spicy brussel sprouts.
Shittake and Sweet Pea Risotto
4 servings
Courtesy of Cooking Light
4 cups fat-free, low-sodium broth (chicken or veggie)
1 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 1/2 tsp minced garlic, divided
1 cup uncooked Arborio rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
6 Tbsp grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1 Tbsp EVOO
4 cups thinly-sliced shiitake caps
2 tsp chopped fresh-thyme
3/4 cups frozen peas
1/4 tsp freshly group black pepper
1. Bring broth to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Keep warm over low heat.
2. Melt butter in a pot over medium-high heat. Add onion & cook 2 minutes. Add 1 tsp garlic & cook 30 sec. Add rice & cook 1 minute while stirring constantly. Add wine & cook 2 minutes or until liquid is absorbed stirring frequently. Stir in the remaining broth 1/2 cup at a time waiting until liquid is absorbed each time.
3. Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms & saute 5 minutes or until tender. Add remaining 1/2 tsp garlic & 1/2 tsp thyme and saute 1 minute. Set aside.
4. Stir mushrooms, remaining 1 tsp thyme, peas, 1/4 cup cheese and pepper into risotto and cook 3 minutes. Spoon into bowls & top with cheese.
Pan-Braised Brussel Sprouts
4 servings
1 lb. brussel sprouts, halved
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1. Add oil, garlic, mustard, paprika & salt to a bowl. Toss with brussel sprouts to combine.
2. Cook in pan with oil for about 10 minutes or until tender.
Background
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Beautiful Day for a Beer!
Saturday morning Chad and I set out for a day of drinking with friends. We headed out late morning for a brunch at Cracker Barrel! You have to have some sustenance before a day like yesterday.
Next we met Ashley & Chad and Angie & Kyle at the STL Microfest in the Muny parking lot in Forest Park! What a blast! The first stand I stopped at once we entered the festival was this gentleman selling vintage brewery T-shirts with logos imprinted on them from breweries that aren't around any longer. They were quite awesome. Check them out at Yesterbeer.
Here are some pics of our day...
Next we met Ashley & Chad and Angie & Kyle at the STL Microfest in the Muny parking lot in Forest Park! What a blast! The first stand I stopped at once we entered the festival was this gentleman selling vintage brewery T-shirts with logos imprinted on them from breweries that aren't around any longer. They were quite awesome. Check them out at Yesterbeer.
Here are some pics of our day...
Chad and I
Ashley and Chad
Angie and Kyle
Cheers!
Friday, April 30, 2010
April Showers...
Wow, it's been a bit since I've blogged. Here's what I've been up to.
Chad and I hit up our second Opening Day festivities for the Cardinals in early April! This year was soooo much better!! Last year Chad and I froze our asses off with Julie & Rob! It was so cold & snowy. Can you believe it?!?! This year was much warmer. There's nothing like taking off a half-day from work on a nice day, kicking back, and drinking some beers while watching the Cards! It's even better that I can see the office from Busch and know that all my colleagues are still working. He he!
Here's a couple of pics...
Yes, it's true. April showers bring May flowers. I've been really behind on all of my yard work this year since it rained for the last few weekend. So I decided to take the day off today and get a bit caught up. Lucky for me...Mom was off today too. I got so much more done with her help. Thanks, Mom!
Here's a few pics of the newly mulched landscaping. (Please disregard the ugly window flower boxes and the dilapidated porch railing. Those are my next projects.)
Chad and I hit up our second Opening Day festivities for the Cardinals in early April! This year was soooo much better!! Last year Chad and I froze our asses off with Julie & Rob! It was so cold & snowy. Can you believe it?!?! This year was much warmer. There's nothing like taking off a half-day from work on a nice day, kicking back, and drinking some beers while watching the Cards! It's even better that I can see the office from Busch and know that all my colleagues are still working. He he!
Here's a couple of pics...
Yes, it's true. April showers bring May flowers. I've been really behind on all of my yard work this year since it rained for the last few weekend. So I decided to take the day off today and get a bit caught up. Lucky for me...Mom was off today too. I got so much more done with her help. Thanks, Mom!
Here's a few pics of the newly mulched landscaping. (Please disregard the ugly window flower boxes and the dilapidated porch railing. Those are my next projects.)
My lilac bush! It smells so good when it blooms. I wish I had more of these.
This is a very old azalea bush that was here when I moved in. It barely bloomed before last year when Mom pruned & fertilized it. Go Mom!
Tomorrow we're off to the STL Microfest in Forest Park! Very excited!! Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Veggie Black Bean Burgers
It's been great weather lately and I've been wanting to grill but...I'm not able to eat much of what goes on the grill. (I haven't learn to grill fish yet.) So I tried my hand at making my first batch of Black Bean Veggie Burgers along with some Spicy Chili French Fries. We didn't do too bad of a job.
Veggie Black Bean Burgers
Courtesy of www.allrecipes.com
6 servings
We opted to grill these, but they tended to stick to the foil regardless of the oil. We instead put one of those grill pans for fish/vegetables on the grill, sprayed it with Pam, and it worked out just fine. They are fairly fragile burgers, so be careful when you turn them.
Spicy Chili French Fries
Courtesy of www.allrecipes.com
4 servings
Veggie Black Bean Burgers
Courtesy of www.allrecipes.com
6 servings
- 1/2 cup uncooked brown rice
- 1 cup water
- Two 16oz. cans black beans, rinsed & drained
- 1 green bell pepper, halved & seeded
- 1 onion, quartered
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
- 6 cloves garlic, peeled
- 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella
- 2 eggs
- 1 Tbsp. chili powder
- 1 Tbsp. ground cumin
- 1 Tbsp. garlic salt
- 1 tsp. hot sauce
- 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
- Bring brown rice & water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover & simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. (About 45-50 min.)
- Preheat grill. Lightly oil sheet of aluminum foil. (Read my note at the end of this recipe.) Mash black beans in a large bowl with a fork until thick & pasty.
- Place the bell pepper, onion, mushrooms & garlic into a food processor bowl and chop finely. Stir this mixture into the mashed beans. Place the mozzarella & brown rice into the food processor & process until combined. Stir rice mixture into bean mixture.
- Whisk together the eggs, hot sauce & spices. Stir egg mixture into the black bean mixture. Stir in the bread crumbs adding additional if needed until mixture is sticky & holds together. (I added about an extra 1/2 cup.) Divide into 6 patties.
- Place onto foil & grill until browned (about 8 min on each side).
We opted to grill these, but they tended to stick to the foil regardless of the oil. We instead put one of those grill pans for fish/vegetables on the grill, sprayed it with Pam, and it worked out just fine. They are fairly fragile burgers, so be careful when you turn them.
Spicy Chili French Fries
Courtesy of www.allrecipes.com
4 servings
- 4 large russet potatoes, peeled & cut into 1/4 inch thick fries
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup tomato-vegetable juice cocktail
- 1 Tbsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 2 tsp. dried onion granules
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp. white sugar
- 1 tsp. salt
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a large baking sheet.
- Fill a large bowl with cold water, add potatoes & allow to soak for 10 min.
- Whisk together the oil, vegetable juice, sugar & spices in a large bowl.
- Drain potatoes & pat dry. Toss the potatoes in the oil & spice mixture. Stir until evenly coated. Arrange in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 min, turn & continue to bake for additional 20 min.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Bunny Hop!
So Easter is my favorite holiday for food consumption. We do it a little differently at my Mom's abode. We do an Easter brunch! I think it was originally planned as that to work in with all of the kids' schedules to make it easier for house hopping...not to be mistaken with bar hopping. : )
It has since grown into an Easter brunch with yummy breakfast and dessert crepes, wonderful breakfast casseroles, salads, bacon, ham...and don't forget the mimosa's!! Yumm-o!!! I'm in charge of the mimosas! Would you expect any less?!?!?!
Here are Lehni and I cleaning up the dishes after all of the cooking Easter morning. I'm so glad that I had my little helper!
Eggs and mimosas!!
Fun with stickers!
This was Lehni's first year hunting eggs! She was so into it. Much more than I anticipated! I heart that last picture...after she was finished. Enjoy!
Hunting with Mom and Dad...
Almost done. Last check in the car tailpipe! Thanks, Dad!
All done!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
A few minor projects
So I thought I'd post a few pics of the minor home improvements I've been working on. I've definitely been watching way too much HGTV. I totally heart Sabrina Soto!!!
So my house had a totally country vibe when I bought it. The mailbox on the outside of the house was a barn. The flower boxes have heart cutouts in them...still. (These will be removed this summer. I HATE hearts.) There was wallpaper with barns on it in the kitchen, which is one of the first things I removed prior to moving in! Here's a pic of the kitchen prior to moving in. I can't resist showing you the mess I started with! I've changed a bunch since then...including the cabinet hardware!
So my house had a totally country vibe when I bought it. The mailbox on the outside of the house was a barn. The flower boxes have heart cutouts in them...still. (These will be removed this summer. I HATE hearts.) There was wallpaper with barns on it in the kitchen, which is one of the first things I removed prior to moving in! Here's a pic of the kitchen prior to moving in. I can't resist showing you the mess I started with! I've changed a bunch since then...including the cabinet hardware!
Well, it wasn't any different with my house numbers. I wish I would have remembered to take a pic of it prior to removing it. It was a wooden sign with wooden blocks for each number. It had hearts painted on it and the words "Home Sweet Home" on it. I have no idea why it's taken me 5 years to change it, but here's the new version...
I've also been working on the bedroom. My bedroom used to be two separate small rooms...I think. Anyway, now it's a bedroom/office. Each side has one very small closet. I take up both currently, but want to make room for Chad...just in case that boy ever decides to migrate over to the East Side. I spent most of yesterday working on closets, moving things around and reorganizing. I ended up with multiple bags of trash, 1 huge bag of giveaways...including 5 pairs of shoes. Here's the final result...
Lastly, Chad and I purchased some new bedding. Chad is really into white bedding, but I didn't want it to look too formal like a hotel. Here's what we ended up with. Kind of shabby chic, but maybe a bit more formal. Either way, it's so comfy looking. I love it!
That's all for now kids! Hope you like the updates!!
Friday, April 2, 2010
More Wedding Pics...
It's been a bit since I've blogged. I've again had some crazy weeks at work. I'm not sure when it will end. It seems like it's all about the bottom line and screw anyone that gets in the way. I've really always like the company and what it stands for...and I still do. It's just that now corporate is running the company so much that we cannot barely go to the bathroom without calling down to Bethesda to ask permission. They are changing anything and everything...and it all had to be done yesterday. I'm all about change, but I think you have to really explore it first and implement it in stages if necessary. Now I'm just hoping to keep my job on a daily basis. Thank goodness I have great people in my life to keep me going...Chad, my family, my friends...including my kick ass bootcamp girls!
On a lighter note, we received a few more photographer wedding pics from S. Africa that I thought I would share with everyone. He really got some great shots...very fun!
On a lighter note, we received a few more photographer wedding pics from S. Africa that I thought I would share with everyone. He really got some great shots...very fun!
The 4 groomsmen...
Check out my face on this one! I think this was where Sheldon was showing us very close up pics of the lions him and Anna saw in the park. We'd been on safari for over 2 days and saw what we thought to be a pack of lions from sooooo far away that we couldn't even get a pic. We were quite envious!
Moi!
Ryan (the groom) and I going for a spin!
Hope you enjoyed the show!
Now on to some Easter celebration. My niece, Lehni, is coming into town tomorrow. I hope to have some more pics to share by the end of the weekend.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Down the Rabbit Hole...
What a busy weekend! Friday night Chad and I headed up to the Wine Tap. Haven't been there in quite a while. We had a quick salad and pizza and then headed home to catch up on some TV.
Saturday we had to take the cats to the vet. Yuck! It's such an ordeal. They have to be the worst cats there but the vet assures me they are not. Even though, they definitely are not stellar vet-goers! They actually "scream" when the vet is dealing with them even before they actually get their injection. It's quite embarrassing to walk out of the exam room and have all the other pet owners staring at you. : (
I actually had Chad go with me this time. It was his first vet experience for my cats...and those of you that know us, know how much Chad likes cats. He was very helpful though. It was good to have someone else there for moral support. At least were good for another year...hopefully.
Saturday night we met Mom and John up at Olivia's for a little bit of birthday celebration for my Mom, whose birthday was earlier this month. This was their first visit to Olivia's, and I believe they enjoyed themselves very much. We went earlier in the day, so it wasn't as crowded, and we could converse with Rick quite a lot. Then we headed off to STL to the Moolah Theater to see Alice in Wonderland in 3-D. It was a great movie. I really liked how it was a bit darker than previous Alice movies, but exactly what one would expect from Tim Burton. Johnny Depp was amazing! Finally we headed down the street to Triumph Grill for some dinner. This is one of mine and Chad's favorite places to eat in STL (outside of Sage). We had some good grub and more good wine. What a great night! Happy Bday Mom!
Today Chad and I had a Skype wake-up call. Chad got to converse with his mom in NY and his brother, Ryan, and Tanya in S. Africa! This was quite a nice surprise! Chad hadn't talked to his brother in quite some time. Now if we could only get Ryan and Tanya over to the U.S. : ) We should be receiving some more of the wedding pics from S. Africa soon. I'll share them when we receive them. The remainder of the day I just painted some doors & trim and changed out some door hinges and door knobs. One of these days I'll get this house in order and ready to sell. It seems to take forever though.
Hope everyone had a good weekend. It's going to be a busy week for me. I have to travel to KC at the end of the week for work.
Saturday we had to take the cats to the vet. Yuck! It's such an ordeal. They have to be the worst cats there but the vet assures me they are not. Even though, they definitely are not stellar vet-goers! They actually "scream" when the vet is dealing with them even before they actually get their injection. It's quite embarrassing to walk out of the exam room and have all the other pet owners staring at you. : (
I actually had Chad go with me this time. It was his first vet experience for my cats...and those of you that know us, know how much Chad likes cats. He was very helpful though. It was good to have someone else there for moral support. At least were good for another year...hopefully.
Saturday night we met Mom and John up at Olivia's for a little bit of birthday celebration for my Mom, whose birthday was earlier this month. This was their first visit to Olivia's, and I believe they enjoyed themselves very much. We went earlier in the day, so it wasn't as crowded, and we could converse with Rick quite a lot. Then we headed off to STL to the Moolah Theater to see Alice in Wonderland in 3-D. It was a great movie. I really liked how it was a bit darker than previous Alice movies, but exactly what one would expect from Tim Burton. Johnny Depp was amazing! Finally we headed down the street to Triumph Grill for some dinner. This is one of mine and Chad's favorite places to eat in STL (outside of Sage). We had some good grub and more good wine. What a great night! Happy Bday Mom!
Today Chad and I had a Skype wake-up call. Chad got to converse with his mom in NY and his brother, Ryan, and Tanya in S. Africa! This was quite a nice surprise! Chad hadn't talked to his brother in quite some time. Now if we could only get Ryan and Tanya over to the U.S. : ) We should be receiving some more of the wedding pics from S. Africa soon. I'll share them when we receive them. The remainder of the day I just painted some doors & trim and changed out some door hinges and door knobs. One of these days I'll get this house in order and ready to sell. It seems to take forever though.
Hope everyone had a good weekend. It's going to be a busy week for me. I have to travel to KC at the end of the week for work.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
No cavities!
I had the day off today to visit the dentist...no cavities! I was planning to take a half day off work, but what the heck? Right? A full day off it is! It was actually quite productive...and expensive. Ha! Lots of errands, clothes & shoe shopping, home improvement and even got to have lunch with my mom and grandma. Since I was off, I actually made it to the gym for the 5:30pm spinning class. I can never make it when I'm working.
To top off the day, we were able to book a condo in Ft. Lauderdale through my mom's timeshare. Thanks Mom! Chad and I will be heading down there at the end of May! Woo hoo!! Vacation here I come!!! I think we're actually going to try to spend a day in Miami and a couple days in the Keys! After this crazy year, I really need a RELAXING vacation...and for me that means lounging by a beach/pool. We had an amazing vacation last year to S. Africa, but it wasn't "relaxing". It was such a long flight followed by last minute wedding plans. It was all worth it though. We attended an amazing wedding which Chad was a part of. I just need a different type of vacation this year. So excited!!! Now that the condo is booked we can get started on booking some other things.
Speaking of S. Africa...Ryan (Chad's brother) sent us a few pics from the photographer. So I thought I'd share them with you. Enjoy!
To top off the day, we were able to book a condo in Ft. Lauderdale through my mom's timeshare. Thanks Mom! Chad and I will be heading down there at the end of May! Woo hoo!! Vacation here I come!!! I think we're actually going to try to spend a day in Miami and a couple days in the Keys! After this crazy year, I really need a RELAXING vacation...and for me that means lounging by a beach/pool. We had an amazing vacation last year to S. Africa, but it wasn't "relaxing". It was such a long flight followed by last minute wedding plans. It was all worth it though. We attended an amazing wedding which Chad was a part of. I just need a different type of vacation this year. So excited!!! Now that the condo is booked we can get started on booking some other things.
Speaking of S. Africa...Ryan (Chad's brother) sent us a few pics from the photographer. So I thought I'd share them with you. Enjoy!
The happy couple with Ryan's (and Chad's) Mom
Chad and Ryan
The groomsmen
Monday, March 15, 2010
Irish I was drunk...
Wow! I can't believe how long it's been since I've blogged. I always seem crazy busy but then cannot figure out what to say when people ask me what' I've been doing. LOL!
Two weekends ago we ventured out to a new tap room and wine bar called The Bridge. What a great place! It's definitely not the cheapest place, but what a great selection of draught beer (in 4 different sizes), bottled beer, wine and a superb selection of cheeses. You must try the Chimay Trappist cheese! Yumm-o!! This was the perfect place for a temporary vegetarian to eat. Sorry for the fuzzy pic, but it was a bit dark inside.
So I'm still trying to psych myself up to eat some meat. I've progressed to the place where I think that meat dishes sound good, but I still can't bring myself to actually consume beef, pork or chicken. Needless to say that I've been eating a lot of seafood...and cheese. I've found a new affinity to seafood risotto, which probably isn't the best for me. This vegetarian diet might actually not be so healthy. Ha! My family is actually starting to take bets on how long it will be before I eat meat again. It is seeming to average out to a year. Better get your bets in soon!!!
So this past weekend we headed out to the St. Pat's festivities in downtown STL. Many of my friends ran in the 10K in the morning. Chad, Vicky and I met everyone downtown to grab a bite to eat at TGIF's (not a vegetarian friendly place by the way) and have drinks after the race and watch (or not watch) the parade. Here are some pics...
Two weekends ago we ventured out to a new tap room and wine bar called The Bridge. What a great place! It's definitely not the cheapest place, but what a great selection of draught beer (in 4 different sizes), bottled beer, wine and a superb selection of cheeses. You must try the Chimay Trappist cheese! Yumm-o!! This was the perfect place for a temporary vegetarian to eat. Sorry for the fuzzy pic, but it was a bit dark inside.
So I'm still trying to psych myself up to eat some meat. I've progressed to the place where I think that meat dishes sound good, but I still can't bring myself to actually consume beef, pork or chicken. Needless to say that I've been eating a lot of seafood...and cheese. I've found a new affinity to seafood risotto, which probably isn't the best for me. This vegetarian diet might actually not be so healthy. Ha! My family is actually starting to take bets on how long it will be before I eat meat again. It is seeming to average out to a year. Better get your bets in soon!!!
So this past weekend we headed out to the St. Pat's festivities in downtown STL. Many of my friends ran in the 10K in the morning. Chad, Vicky and I met everyone downtown to grab a bite to eat at TGIF's (not a vegetarian friendly place by the way) and have drinks after the race and watch (or not watch) the parade. Here are some pics...
What the heck is Judy drinking? Lush!
Cheers!
Gotta love self-portraits...
Judy cutting a rug...
Hope everyone had a great weekend and crazy St. Pat's day!!!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Vegetarian? Carnivore?
Yes, it's true folks. I just might be turning into a vegetarian...at least short-term anyway. I have not been able to consume any chicken, beef or pork since my bout of food poisoning last week. I can't even think of eating any meat without making my stomach turn. Seafood seems to be ok though. I know it's completely psychological right now, but it's completely taking over me...whatever it is. I'm sure I'll convert back to a carnivore in the future...just not sure how soon. I was raised on steak and love it, but it's going to take a bit for the chicken. The most unfortunate thing about all of this is I now must give up my precious Buffalo Chicken Salad at Jefferson's. *sniff* *sniff*
As I may have mentioned before, I lost 3 lbs. last week during all of this. So now my goal is to ramp up my exercise and keep it off...and lose some more. Tonight was my first day back at the gym in a week and a half. Last week took so much out of me that my stamina was so low. Now I'm working on building it back up. Took spinning tonight and it felt great. The exercise isn't the problem though. It's the appetite which I need to work on keeping at a reasonable level. I haven't even had a drop of alcohol during all of this either. However, that will change tomorrow. I'm meeting Judy for drinks & looking forward to it!
Looks like bootcamp is starting up soon too...few weeks to go. Ready to hang with my fellow bootcampers. I haven't seen them in a bit. Let's go girls!!!
As I may have mentioned before, I lost 3 lbs. last week during all of this. So now my goal is to ramp up my exercise and keep it off...and lose some more. Tonight was my first day back at the gym in a week and a half. Last week took so much out of me that my stamina was so low. Now I'm working on building it back up. Took spinning tonight and it felt great. The exercise isn't the problem though. It's the appetite which I need to work on keeping at a reasonable level. I haven't even had a drop of alcohol during all of this either. However, that will change tomorrow. I'm meeting Judy for drinks & looking forward to it!
Looks like bootcamp is starting up soon too...few weeks to go. Ready to hang with my fellow bootcampers. I haven't seen them in a bit. Let's go girls!!!
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