Hubby makes dinner!

Stuffed baked potatoes, stuffed baby portobello mushrooms and caesar salad. I was not in the best of moods and there is something about melted cheese that makes me happy:)

Soyrizo!!

I picked up something new at PW Market the other day. It was less like chorizo and more like crumbled and seasoned minced soy meat. It was tasty, I just wasn't able to do what I wanted with it which was to slice it lengthwise and eat it on it's own. As it turned out, I had to mix it into pasta and veggies. Nothing specatular.

My lack of motivation to train is bothering me a little bit. I have been doing pilates as much as I can, but I just don't get the same feeling from it as if I was riding my bike for 40 miles or swimming in the open water. I really have to get my ass up in the morning and just do it. Anyone know how to force yourself to become a morning person?

24 ends and marsala begins

We had Keith over for dinner tonight and to watch the season finale of 24. Just don't fcuk with Jack Bauer...mmmmmmkay? Yes, he got Marwan and the missile was destroyed before it could kill any LA folks...damn....we could always use less of anything that is LA.

Sheri gave me the recipe for chicken marsala and I am so incredibly proud of myself for how good it turned out. Keith and Les could probably eat dirt and be grateful for being fed, so neither of them are a good gauge of how yummy something is. I thought this was yummy:) I used shallots and mushrooms in the marsala reduction. I swear, I'm getting really good at this. Roasted fingerlings and broccoli accompanied the chicken nicely.

My mom bought me some lemon infused olive oil that I've been using a lot lately. It just gives everything a nice kick in the butt. That and kosher salt are my favorite things at the moment.

I was going to make a berry crisp like Sheri made us on Saturday, but the store had no blueberries! Can you believe that? So we had raspberry shortcakes instead.

Pork Tenderloin Revisited

It's been a while since we had some pork going on in this house, it's just not right...so I fixed that! I made a marinade of soy sauce, oj, shallot, honey, and ginger. It was really good. I messed up the pork though because of my bright idea to roast it in the oven with the fingerlings. It dried out...I totally knew better than that....there's not enough fat on it for roasting.

Les loves these potatoes as do I, I'm so glad Sheri brought them into our lives:) Served with asparagus (makes your pee smell sooooo bad, but it's yummy!)

Breakfast YAY!

The most imporatant meal of the day, I haven't ever really subscribed to that theory, but since I've started Winsor Pilates and following the meal plan, I have to say I feel better eating breakfast.

I am so absolutely okay with eating the same thing for breakfast everyday and since it's yummy, it's really even less of a problem! I poach an egg and mix it with plain yogurt and chives serve it over whole wheat toast and thinly sliced ham. Good stuff.

shopping day....must keep dinner simple

I have been so good lately I decided to reward myself with a pedicure. This was a 45 minute escape from reality and it was very very nice. I feel like more of a woman with my toes painted French:)

I picked up some pasta in the refrigerator section of the store. It was really good, cheese filled something-or-others...they looked like little sachets. Les loves ice cold cesar salads, so here it is:)

"Tonight's dinner is yummy, baby!"

I thought the hubby would like it, I know I did for sure! Stuffed and grilled pork chops, roasted fingerling potatoes, and marinated spinach salad. Yes, spinach is a staple in our house:)

I got the pork chop idea from "Good Eats" with Alton Brown. It calls for the chops to be brined in cider vinegar and brown sugar and a few other things. I didn't have time to soak them for 2 hours as suggested, but 45 minutes worked just fine. I stuffed them with finely chopped pine nuts and dried apricots, a sprinkle of parm cheese, sage, and spinach. Yum.

I loved the fingerling potatoes, it was the first time I used them. I'm a fan now, thanks Sheri:) I cut the olive oil in half for them and the thyme and sage still infused the potatoes perfectly.

I read Fine Cooking Mag!!

Thank you Sheri, for introducing me to the dark side. I've been eyeing up some of these recipes and have found a few that I can live with:D

You know I can't follow a recipe in its entirety, I always have to add my own thing. Last night I made sirloin steak over spinach and mushrooms and "mashed potatoes"...which was amazing...cauliflower, butter, and salt mashed together with some parmesean cheese! Served it with the obligatory cesar salad in a bag:P But you should be so proud...I really did it and it didn't even hurt putting the butter in!!

I love roast broccoli

Tonight was Foster Farms Garlic and Herb chicken roasted with broccoli and red onions. I absolutely love roasted veggies...we actually skipped the starch tonight and it's amazing how hungry I am right now. Methinks a snack is in order soon:)

World Famous Chicken Enchiladas

I think the picture says it all, Les really loves them...I don't think they're all that...but he sure does! He picked some chicken up with mexican marinade and I sauteed it with corn, cheese, green chiles, and enchilada sauce. Roll it all up on whole wheat tortillas and you've got enchiladas. I always make homeade pico de gallo to accompany it and that's my favorite part.

Yep...another 30 minute meal:D

I don't care what you two say about Rachael Ray...she is my hero on weekdays when I don't want to think about cooking. She takes the thinking out of it. I find myself drowning out her annoying giggles and incesant use of EVOO, and just watch the food. And tonight it looked real simple:)

Sweet pecan crusted chicken breast and bbq succotash. Les walked in as the show was on and he said, "I want that for dinner:)" So, off to the store I went. Dessert was mini mud "pies". I swear the woman in a genius! Starbucks Java Chip ice cream smashed in between two chocolate covered graham crackers....YES Please!!

Strawberry Shortcake

Les' parents were here from England for the past two weeks. We've been eating out for a while now! However, one night, I did make a chicken dish that was ordinary. Afterwards, we had strawberry shortcake. Although it's one of the most simple desserts, it's always a winner in my book:) Completely satisfying everytime. Lighter version made with angel food cake and light Cool Whip.

Steak and Chips

Day after the gruelling race...Wildflower! Man, I am so happy that's over with, now I can relax a bit for the next few months. I knew it was going to be tough, but it's a beast that is not to be tamed. It's totally mind over matter with that one. If you want to read a report or view the pics from it, go here ----> http://trisociety.com/msg.php?id=5850 and get all the details:)

So, what I was trying to say is that I wanted beef...must have been low on iron. Gave some sirloin steaks a heavy dose of spice rub, threw it in the grill pan and served it over some french bread with some curly fries. I love simplicity:)