Fajitas!

I'll keep this short and sweet... Non stick skillet, plus shrimp, chicken (for the meat eaters), some different colored bell peppers and onions, your set! Fajita feast, you will have! Skip the flour tortillas, head straight for the corn ones. Why would you want to eat enriched flour? You do know what that is right? Well, hopefully you do, and if not... well look it up. It's an important part of being healthy. Just sayin'.

Rather large blog, due to: lack of a computer.

Errr... Viruses. No matter how careful you are, they seem to find their way in anyways. I'm ever so thankful to my computer nerd of a boyfriend for a fast fix! This blog my seem a bit lengthy, but I'm trying to get you caught up. Working full time, means not much time for projects, but I'm trying. No new pictures that I'm satisfied with, but the dresser is slowly coming along. Still working with paint thinner and a ton of sandpaper... I think I can, I think I can... Ha. I started trying out some recipes for an upcoming event... so I wanted to share a little on those.

Spicy ranch deviled eggs, definitely.

These bad boys, are 100% delicious. I've always loved the original deviled egg, but this tops that.
http://othersideof50.blogspot.com/2010/07/spicy-deviled-eggs.html

Next on the list, zucchini pepper jack muffins... unfortunately, they were gross, but made for a pretty picture:

I'm a fan of both, zucchini and pepper jack, love them. But these were blan, and icky = /

But we had the eggs, hummus, salsa, and cinnamon muffins (from a box mix, lack of time=no recipe made muffins). Good snacking.

I made 2 different flavored hummus. One side was with salsa mixed in, the other was with green olives. I love love love hummus, so I liked them equally. If you have garbanzo beans (chickpeas), some yogurt, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic, you've got your self the perfect start. Throw it in the blender to the texture of your liking, and you're done. Easy peasy.

Also I'd like to share a couple cool finds from this weekend. Yard sales and antique stores are my favorite... and I really scored this weekend...

At the end of a long day, of sitting out in the sun hoping people will buy your crap, people will give you some really good deals. All of this was $20. Plus there is a few things not pictured. But just the wooden high chair and changing table for dolls, would go for $80 easily brand new, and these are pretty much brand new :D!  So it was a great deal!

Then there was a camera... I couldn't resist.

I love old cameras. If I could find ones I like more often, I'd probably collect them... But with my suitcase collection, I don't know if I should start another... maybe. I'm just crazy in love with it.

Okay. I'm finished.

Stir Fry/Chow Meinish dinner and Fresh Mango Cupcakes to follow.

This is a dish I make often. If you have had many dinners at my place, you've surely tried this dish. It's a favorite.

I grab a jar ( I save every glass jar I come across, it's a wonderful idea if you buy bulk health foods) and I splash some soysauce, garlic chile sauce, fish sauce, cilantro, lime and ginger. Never the same amounts, always delicious. Then I cook rice noodles, drain, fry, add veggies, tofu and then sauce. Then we om nom nom it!

Sorry for no recipe, but I'll make it for you anytime.

Today with my "kids" (the ones I nanny for) we made vegan mango cupcakes. And if you like a less sweet version of cupcakes... you're gonna LOVE these!

http://www.dessarts.com/2010/06/fresh-mango-cupcakes.html

 It's more then worth trying, its moist and creamy deliciousness. Mmmmhmmm.

The once a week "manly" meal...

Greek Sloppy Joes and Tator Tots...

I, obviously, stuck with a protein bar for dinner... But once a week, at least, a boy needs some meat and grease. Or so says the boyfriend. I'm not against it, just hate cooking the meat. The sacrifices I make, are great for love! Ha. Again, sorry for the terrible picture. Hopefully my camera will cooperate tomorrow after a new set of batteries. No new update for the dresser, I'm working on it, just don't want to take and send pictures from my phone. More tomorrow.

Comfort food on a cold summer day.

I wanted to make the boys (the boyfriend and his brother) a warm yummy lunch today. I do this from time to time and I thought I'd be doing it more often but, to my great surprise, I saw the taco truck has returned after a long vacation. Funny that I decided on Mexican Macaroni today, huh? Please excuse the terrible picture quality, as my camera decided to not work this morning.

Nothing says comfort like some homemade mac and cheese!

2 TBS Olive Oil

1/2 CUP Diced Shallots

3-4 Pickled Jalapenos, minced

1/2 TSP Mexican Oregano

1/8 to 1/4 TSP Turbinado

8 TBS Butter

4 CUPS Whole Milk

2 CUPS Ditalini

1 1/3 CUP Grated Cheddar Cheese

1 CUP Grated Mild Jack Cheese

3 OUNCES Goat Cheese

In a large ovenproof skillet, heat olive oil. Add shallots and jalapenos. After 2 minutes add oregano, lightly sprinkle turbinado over shallots, and stir for 3 minutes. Once shallots are crystallized, turn heat down low and add the stick of butter, chopping and stirring it in.

After minutes add the milk and stir. Add macaroni, and turn the heat back up to medium or med low. Be careful not to let the milk curdle. After another minute sprinkle 1 cup of cheddar cheese then the jack. Stir gently and add goat cheese. Continue stirring gently trying to prevent cheese from clumping. Increase the heat as you see fit. Heat and gently stir for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350.

Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle the rest of the cheddar on top. Put skillet in the oven for 10 minutes, then broil for 3-4 minutes until the cheddar is lightly browned, forming a crust. Serve immediately.

This picture does not do it justice... I'm sad my camera was being dumb. It was delicious, I only tried a small bite, the rest was devoured by the boys :)! And I have to throw in a HUGE thanks to my mother in law for my favorite Calphalon skillet, it has to be the best think I've ever cooked with. It was given to me for my birthday in March, and I couldn't even count the number of times it's been used since then. And the fact that it can go into the oven, 2 thumbs up. I'm still getting use to having nice pans (I got some from my wonderful boyfriend this past Christmas, also) but I'll never go back to cheap stuff! It's THAT amazing. Okay, off to do some work on my dresser since this is my last day off. More blogging to follow...

Yum, fish!

Dinner tonight: Hot and Sweet Grilled Tilapia and Quinoa

Thank you Padma Lakshmi for this sweet fish recipe!

4 Tilapia Fillets
Olive Oil
Salt
Ground Pepper
2 TBS Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
2 TSP Sugar
1 TSP Minced Ginger
1 TSP Minced Fresh Green Chile

Brush grill with olive oil and heat until very hot. Brush the fish with oil, salt and pepper them.

Combine lime juice, sugar, ginger and chile with a dash of salt in a small bowl.

Place fish on the grill, for about 2 minutes on each side, or until white and fluffy.
Take off the grill and pour the sauce on top.

All done!

As for the quinoa, 2:1 ratio, like rice. I use broth instead of water. Bring to a boil, turn down heat, let cook until water or broth is absorbed. Add feta, enjoy.

Tonight dinner was wonderful. Completely satisfied.

It burns too much.

I attempted to finish removing as much paint as possible.  Unfortunately, I ran out of gloves. Paint thinner is not nice to my skin either, it burned like h-e-double hockey sticks. All that goop is the paint, if I could think of something to do with it, I totally would. Nothing comes to mind. I got quite a bit done between chores and I'm happy with my progress. So I'm done for the day, but I will make a trip to the hardware store on my way home from the gym for more gloves. I have a scheduled training today with my very own personal trainer, which I'm sure is going to kick my butt! = /

If you don't like it, don't eat it... or read it.

Taco Sunday.

 Yes, we still eat tacos... minus the ground beef. The thought of cooking ground beef, makes me want to vomit. Never thought that would happen. Not eating meat, for me, is a health thing. It's not that I don't believe in killing for dinner, I just like trying to be skinny. It's truly been a crazy change in my life... from the way I eat to the way I feel about meat. But enough jibber jabber... lets talk about these tacos!

If you hate the thought of eating tofu, you're not alone. I would've agreed, even when turning into a pescetarian. Then I found that it could be flavored just like anything else. Tonight I mixed the tofu with taco seasonings, worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and cilantro. Yum! Then topped with a little cheese, guacamole and more cilantro. Add corn and a Corona, and you've got yourself a fantastic taco dinner, vegetarian style ;)

It was a hit... even with my brother, who is staying with us. He is trying stuff he's never eaten in his life! I'm happy he is enjoying it, for the most part, anyway.

Struggles.

The laziness of this dressers previous owner, makes my life all the more difficult.

Yesterday, I spent a good amount of time and sweat, to get just this 1 corner done! Last year's project dresser, I sanded by hand and almost finished all the sanding in one day. Bleh. So I went back to the hardware store today... and I purchased paint thinner, more sand paper, scraper, and gloves. Ahhh... life got a little tiny bit easier. The top is mostly finished. Here's my progress as of tonight:

Still debating between staining and painting. I absolutely LOVE to paint, but I'm thinking about trying something different. Plenty of work still to be done before making any final decisions.

Meatless Burgers.

Some beans, rice, onions, garlic and ginger always make me smile. My favorite part of being a vegetarian, is the creative cooking. It's healthy and deee-lish!

Some ginger garlic rice and corn, complete the happiness!

:

Jamaican Veggie Burger:

2 TBS Olive Oil

2 1/4 CUPS Onion

3 Cloves of Garlic

1 Habanero Pepper

1 1/2 Grated Ginger Root

1 TSP Salt

3/4 TSP Alspice

3/4 TSP Nutmeg

2 1/4 CUPS Black Beans, or 2 CANS

2 1/4 CUPS Cooked Rice ( I use brown rice)

2 1/2 CUPS Bread Crumbs

-Buns

Heat 1 TBS of oil over med heat, stir in onion, garlic and habanero.

In a large bowl, combine all remaining ingredients, when onion mixture is cooked, add to bowl.

Mix (smash) with hands and form burgers.

Heat remaining oil, cook burgers until browned, serve on buns.

As for the rice... it was the first time trying that recipe, I think I need a few more tries to have that perfected for you :)

I see potential in the strangest places.

My newest project.

Earlier this week, I pulled into my parking space and this is what I found, waiting for me on my front porch. My dad bought it for $5 at a yard sale. Who else would save this hideous dresser? I don't think many people, but he will be better off in my care. You can see the terrible colors in the front, the lack of a back end, oh and the sander on top getting ready for a hard day at work. Off to work I go... updates to follow.