Cooking with Love

I am a person that likes a variety, with food that is. My family may not believe it as I don't eat underwater animals and am skeptical of fluorescent colored bakery items, but it is true, I love an exposing of flavor with every bite. I like to be WOW'ed with every bite. Probably a downfall ultimate because it shows, but oh well, I can tell you that my pallett thus far has been happy. With veriety comes new challenges of release from boredom with the same ole' dishes. I have recently discovered a bible full of recipes from pampered chefs website. I know you are probably thinking Oh goodness here it comes, Heidi is going to ask me to buy pampered chef items. Nope, not me. I was skeptical to even attend one of these partys cause I have always heard the items are pricey. But I went and discovered some amazing recipes. That was exciting in itself. Bonus I got some gadgets out of the deal. So no, I am not selling anything.

What I require from a good recipe is several factors
A. The time involved cannot be long, prep to finish requires as little of my time as possible.
B. Ingredients can not be off the wall, must require spices I have, or spices I can use in other dishes.
C. Health, trying to be good to myself means buying food that is beneficial to my body, veggies are a must.
D. Taste I don't like bland, I like to be impressed.
E. The hubby likes it, if he isn't there is a problem.

With all that being said I have received and purchased many recipe books throughout my short adult life and find that recipe books tend to annoy me. I hate getting excited by the look of the picture, imagining what that will taste like and attempt to make something that comes out a totally different color (yeah that happened once). Or that its too salty or not enough flavor. So I have been reluctant to venture out for new recipes. Recently I have been inspired to introduce new food, I visited safeways and pampered chefs website and came out with about 10 new recipes. I have made a gorgonzola and fresh tomatoe pasta, gorgonzola and pruscito wrapped steak, chicken and asparagus risotto and today an asain beef and veggie noodle dish. Thus far I am pretty excited about all of these recipes and hope to get some more time to post the actual recipes and my modifications. That's all I have for tonight.

horseshoe of love

What I love about my family is that we are all unique, experienced different situations and do very different things, but when it comes down to it, everyone is accepting of one another and a cheerleader for each other. Tonight as I celebrated my Mom's birthday I looked around and saw underlying connections from everyone at the table. We may not always agree with each other, but we always love each other. I love my family and feel thankful to be from this family. I love you Mom, Happy Birthday

Romantical Romance

There is something so exciting about summer especially in the NW. Noone here stays indoors and looks forward to fall (if you do you are a weirdo). Most people I know do and have met their special someone during the spring or summer months. It takes me back to 7 years ago when John and I were first dating. I think most people know how we met and about 1 year into our relationship we had a trip planned to Arizona. This is a state I am fairly familiar with as I have been there many times. This was Johns first time there and we had to do all the touristy stuff. It was a warm night, we made it to the Grand Canyon and about 1 hour before sunset we got situated on Hopi point. We set on the edge of one od the cliffs and I remember my knees feeling wobbly afraid slightly that one wrong move and I may just fall in. John took several deep breaths, obviously distracted with what he was trying to accomplish. We both look down and see a rather large nest of big red ants. We resituate and John goes for his backpack. He asks me to spend the rest of my life with him, and Marry him? How could I possibly say no? He looks almost worried. I am trying to think of something witty to say and have nothing...my thoughts were yes, but I couldn't get any words to the surface. I say yes and he says I have made him the happiest man ever. We hug and kiss and say with excitement were getting married! The next day I call my bff and she says she already knew, and so did my Dad, John asked his permission and I hear my Dad says to him "son, do you know what you are getting into" HA! I love it. 7 years ago the man of my dreams asked me to marry him and I am so thankful to have him in my life. I love you John.

change of seasons

this summer has been incredibly fun and I cannot describe why. I wonder if it is because I have speant more time with John? Or maybe its because I am not incredibly depressed about losing my Dad this year? I will write something a little later about what was accomplished this summer. But for now this mind dump is about what is coming up. Fall is the time for nesting, watching football games (if you give a rip about that). And enjoing indoorsy activities. I have triedsince the beginning of summer to get into P90X and found the outdoors was far more appealing then sweating my ass off inside while I see the sunshine and watch my dog try to get involved with Ab Ripper X (don't ask) so here comes my goal, my commitment to myself, the week after we get back from our anniversary vacation its on like donkey kong! John has committed to do it with me, and well Raven will somehow get involved also I am sure. This will put mee into the new year hopefully substainally thinner, defined and make me feel good about where I am. I have much more to say but that's all I got for now

Easy Breezy Monday night Taquitos

I like Mondays to be enjoyed at home, as the post weekend blues can set in. I love simplicity and yummeness.
I buy whole cooked chicken from the deli at any local grocery store. This chicken can provide a multiple of dinners and lunches throughout the week.
This week I tried something new based on wanting something new. To my suprise it turned out delic.
This can be made for 1 or 20 people (depending on how much ingrediants you have)
This is my recipe for 2 people, but by all means alter to fit your needs.
Preheat over to 350;

Ingrediants:
-1 package 10 small flour tortillas
-1 container cream cheese (whipped, generic, or expensive)
-6 green onions
-about 1 cup verde sauce (not entirely sure on measurement, I kept pouring until it looked good)
-about 1 cup shredded cheese (not entirely sure on measurement, I kept pouring until it looked good)
1-2 cups fined chopped chicken
Sprinkle of chilli powder
Optional-red onion, jalapeno, red pepper flakes, corn or anything else you think will taste good in these

Directions:
place onions, verde sauce, shredded cheese and chicken and chilli powder (and optional ingredients) in a mixing bowl, stir well.
Lay out 1 tortilla at a time, spread cream cheese down the middle and a little dab on each side (the cream cheese will act as a glue and hold the tortilla in place)
spoon the chicken-mix down the center of the tortilla. Roll tortillas to mini burritos.
Place on a non stick cooking sheet.
Bake for 12-16 minutes.

add your fave dipping sauce, sour cream, salsa or ranch.

Credits-Epicurious, Taco Time and John.

This is delicious paired with a salad, spanish rice or by itself.
These can also be deep fried or pan fried, but baked is the best.
These provide plenty of left overs, so Here is your Tuesday lunch as well.
Hope you enjoy, and Happy Monday.

Sunday Meatballs with Love

Part of my prepping routing is making a large quantity of something that can be frozen or refrigerated and stored until neeed. Sunday Meatballs can contain any version of meat that your heart desires. This time for me it contained :
1 lb of spicy ground sausage
1 lb lean ground beef
1-2 eggs
Stale bread
Italian bread crumbs
1/2 cup of milk
Optional
sliced or diced onion
fresh herbs: Cilantro, Parsley, Sage
garlic cloves

Credits-While I swear I got this recipe from my Mom I have no evidence to prove this.

In a large mixing bowl peel crusts of stale bread into small pieces (discard or munch on middle pieces) , pour milk over and let soak in the bottom of the bowl while putting the rest of the ingredients together. combine beef and sausage, crack egg(s) over meat, pour bread crumbs over (about 1/4-1/2 cup) (optional ingredients here) let sit in fridge for 15-20 minutes. Turn on oven to 350. Take from fridge and mix together, with your hands.... yes with your hands.
Once you feel you have mixed enough roll into balls (Size of your desire) and place on non-stick cooking sheet bake for 10-12 minutes flip and bake for another 10-12 minutes.

Set aside what you plan on eating and freeze the extras.

Story about cooking meatballs:
One of the most favorite episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond. Deborah wanted to cook for Ray as good as his Mom did so she asked for the recipe, her mother in law alters the recipe and gives it to Deborah (to make it taste disgusting). She cooks it and confesses I dont know what I did wrong. Ray's Mom says you didnt cook them with love. This puts Deborah in tears, saying I did cook them with love. Ultimatly Deborah discovers the recipe was altered and gets the real recipe. My lesson here is to always cook your food with love. Love for the flavor, love for the effort, and love of life.


Sunday Meatballs with love brought to you by me, my Mom and Everybody loves Raymond

Just an everyday gal

This is dedicated to My Mom, who suggested I do this. From time to time I forget how good journal ling makes me feel. This will be my adventures in food making, and enjoying food out and about. I love food, well most of it. What I don't partake in is any type of under-water animal aka Seafood. Shocking right? You must be thinking to yourself, she just hasn't had it cooked right. Or She would love Aunt Betsy's smoked crawdads... right? No you are wrong. I don't like 3 parts of seafood: smell, texture and the fact that every "monster inside me" episode I have seen somehow relates back to the underwater animals. Let me emphasize, in my short lifetime I have had access to some of the finest underwater animals, and I dont like them. I would even go as far as to say my parents are underwater animals connoisseur. I also dont partake in eating mushrooms or olives, as mushrooms remind me of slugs, and olives make me think of eyeballs. If they are small enough in my food that I cannot see or taste either I am fine with that. Additionally, my idea of "hunting" is at the grocery store meat section. Have you ever been at Fred Meyers meat section on a Sunday, it is truly an olympic event. I could not kill an animal in its habitat, and certainly couldnt after I saw his eyes. I am not saying hunting is wrong, its just wrong for me.

I love spending Sundays prepping for the week, so as the week comes it is not overly stressful doing things just to get through it. Last year I lost 22 lbs by eating at home, reducing the amount of caffine, and counting calories. No secrets, no pills, revising how I eat. I would like to also share that my husband is as skinny as a twig and can put down alot of calories and never let it show. So my "diet" has to make sure he is full and happy.

Eating, for the most part is about survival, eating enough calories to equal what you are burning or less. This is not the funnest thing in the world, especially for a foodie. But I have found the tricks to it. Put less on your plate. Stop eating before you feel full. Eat slowly, enjoy and savor every last ounce of a bite. Eat alot of fruits and veggies. Limit soda, and juices. Drink LOTS of Water, even if its flavored water. Dont eat while doing other things (working, watching tv) you will not pay attention to what is going in your mouth and eat more than you need/want.

Prepping for the week. Carefully measure (cups, ounces whatever) what you anticipate eating. Place the items in snack bags or tupperware containers. Add up how many calories you anticipate on eating througout the week. Every day will be very different as different events happen each day. Some days you can "cheat" if you are better on other days. Have goals if you do this for health reasons. Small goals and large goals. Reward yourself at the small goals.

Please stay tuned for recipes and resteraunt reviews.
-Heidi