I made this recipe (from my cookbook Vegan with a Vengeance) tonight, and boy, was it yummy! Plus, it made tons of leftovers for lunches for tomorrow (my kind of meal!). And if anyone can tell me how to pronounce “Tagine,” bonus points!!! I’ve just been calling it Moroccan Stew to save myself the embarrassment. :)
Sunday Sunshine 08.16.09 August 16, 2009
Good gravy, this mommy is creative. She must never sleep!
Speaking of creative mommies, here is a very compelling post (and discussion following in the comments) about living simply. I would love love love to hear your response to it.
Freebies for Photoshop and Vector.
A beauty of a post from Aunt Ruthie.
I’ve long been a fan of Caroline Tran’s work, but this wedding stood out to me because of the incredible attention to detail. The bride did a fabulous job of putting it all together, and Caroline did her usual stellar job of photographing everything.
Popcorn “pops” even more inside your belly… July 20, 2009
Or at least, it sure feels like it! I just made this phenomenal (and easy!) kettle corn for the second time this month, and ate probably 4 cups of it. Ouch! That’s hard for an already-squished belly to take. But Joy’s right…it’s like an addictive drug.
Tip: Don’t use old kernels. We bought new before we made it a second time and they popped up SO much lighter and fluffier.
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Pregnant rant: Why is it that, when I tell people I’ve popped a lot earlier with this baby than I did with Anja, they feel compelled to console me with, “Oh, I don’t think you’re even showing…” That is NOT comforting, people! At 14 weeks, I’ve gained 8 pounds, and a lot of it is in my hinder and my thighs, just like last time, but my belly is already far enough out that I have resorted to maternity skirts (no pants yet…still using my Bella Bands and waiting it out) for comfort, and most of my normal shirts are a smidge too tight to be appropriate. So to gain 6 inches in the waist and be told I’m not showing…that’s just an insult to how I looked before. I was not this fat! I swear! End rant. The hormones, they made me do it.
Kale Puttanesca June 20, 2009
I made this recipe for supper tonight. It was yummy! Just one small change–I substituted albacore tuna for the anchovy fillets, because Husband is allergic to most fish, but not tuna. Even if you think it sounds a little strange, I encourage you to try it! You might be surprised.
“I danjuss!” June 19, 2009
Translation: “I’m dangerous!”
That’s what Anja said to me after lunch today. Little weirdo.
Anyway, I am recording what I made for my own keeping (because it was yummy!), but feel free to copy and/or experiment and share your results.
Italian Couscous with Chickpeas
Combine 1 can drained and rinsed chickpeas (garbanzo beans), 1 cup water, 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, 1 tsp. olive oil, 1/2 tsp. sea salt, and 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Stir in 1/2 c. couscous (we use whole wheat with flax), cover, and let sit for 5 minutes.
In the meantime, chop up 1/2 a green pepper and 1/2 an avocado. After the 5 minutes, fluff the couscous mixture with a fork. Stir in 2 T. to 1/4 c. Creamy Italian (we used Paul Newman’s, and I’m sure normal Italian dressing would be fine, too) dressing. Put into serving bowls, and sprinkle avocado and green pepper on each serving. We also topped ours with about a teaspoon of sour cream, then stirred it in. Even that small amount adds a surprising amount of flavor. Enjoy!
Chick and Egg Cake Pops April 13, 2009
After seeing a photographed step-by-step tutorial for Bakerella’s cake pops on Pioneer Woman’s site, I decided that I should give them a try.
I’ll start with the good side of this story, the photos.
I decided to go with the spring chickens, since they were (in my opinion) the cutest. I also did some eggs. I didn’t have any fun spring colors to shoot them in front of, so bear with my drab chipboard. ;)
They each developed their own “personality.” We have the normal chicks:
The dancing chicks:
The shy chicks:
The chicks-gone-bad-and-turned-into-a-weird-looking-guy-with-green-hair:
Some eggs that turned into Jesus (see? the crown of thorns and the blood and water from the convenient gouge in his side?):
And enjoying:
The bad side is that, between Husband and myself (yes, he helped, the sweetie), I bet we logged 7 or 8 hours on these babies. I think they’d be a great thing to do with, say, a group of pre-teen girls, where each person would decorate two or three, but to do an entire batch by ourselves was very time-consuming. I have much more respect for Bakerella after attempting them!
Here, Try Some Recipes April 7, 2009
This past week I made several new recipes, AND they’re all online so they’re easy for me to share with you as well!
First off was Baked Brie with Caramelized Onions. I had a big wheel of Brie on hand and have always wanted to try baked Brie. This recipe was not disappointing! And it was pretty easy. The only thing I did differently was mash the roasted garlic and serve it on the side. I served it with crackers, but some pieces had so much puff pastry they didn’t really need crackers.
Next was 7-Layer Meatless Tortilla Pie. I took a picture of it before it went into the oven:
Husband, who is not a fan of beans, liked it despite the fact that it contains 3 cans of the offenders. Both Anja and I gobbled it up as well.
Last, and probably my favorite of the three was Hearty Vegetable Soup. I’m not always a huge fan of tomato-based soups, but this one pleasantly surprised me. It is, like the previous two items, vegetarian, but oh so delicious! Husband actually raved about this one, and Anja also enjoyed it a lot. I did make some negligible changes to this recipe, listed here in case you care:
1. I didn’t have a leek on hand, so I added a bit more onion, probably a full cup.
2. I cooked the carrots, onion, celery and potatoes in a little olive oil in the stock pot for 7-10 minutes before adding the rest. Helps soften the up a bit.
3. I used barley instead of rice (Quaker Medium Pearled).
4. I added 1/2 tsp. sea salt (because I used low-sodium juice) as well as more water and tomato juice.
Helpful note: This recipe makes a LOT of soup. We ate it for 3 or 4 meals!
These meals may seem rather heavy to those of you who are now grilling out every night, but remember that we got snow two days ago and are still wearing winter coats. :)
Delicioso! Letza make-a pizza with the works!* February 3, 2009
Actually, not pizza. Risotto. I made this tonight–it was yummy!
We’ve had oodles of food since Christmas that I’ve been dying to share with you, but haven’t. This post was actually set to go up shortly after New Year’s, so this risotto recipe is (still yummy but) old news. Here are some we’ve tried that have been bit hits with the family recently. Most of them are my own (I twist and re-vamp several versions of old recipes with new ingredients until I find something I like), but those that aren’t are noted so.
And in case you can’t tell, I like my soups, stews and one-dish meals in the winter, thankyouverymuch.
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Wild Rice Soup for a Slow Cooker
4 c. cooked wild rice
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 ribs celery, chopped
1 c. shredded carrot
4 cans (or 48 oz) chicken broth
1/2 T. basil
1/2 tsp. thyme
dash pepper
1 c. cubed cooked chicken
1 can 2% evaporated milk
2 T. cornstarch
1 can cheddar cheese soup
Prepare the wild rice according to package directions. Sautee the onion, garlic, celery and carrot in 2 T. olive oil until soft (5-10 minutes). Stir the cornstarch into the evaporated milk. Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 3-5. Super yummy and much less fatty than other versions!
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Easy Chili
1 lb. hamburger (we get the leanest we can)
1 med. onion
2 cloves minced garlic
1 can chili beans
1 can dark red kidney beans
1 c. frozen corn
1/3 c. honey
3 T. chili powder (or to taste)
28 oz can (or two 15 oz cans) diced tomatoes (Muir Glen fire roasted are AWESOME)
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. coriander
salt and pepper to taste
Toppings:
Light Sour Cream
Cheddar Cheese
Fritos
Brown the onions, garlic and hamburger. Add the rest of the ingredients (except toppings) and simmer for 45 min. to 1 hour. Top with some shredded cheddar, a dollop of sour cream and some corn chips–OH MY. So good.
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Lentil Chili Soup in the 7th Edition The New American Heart Association Cookbook
1 tsp. vegetable oil
2 med onions, chopped
3 med garlic cloves, minced
1 med green bell pepper, finely chopped
3 1/2 c. chicken broth
1 1/2 c. light beer or water (we used water)
1 1/4 c. water
1 1/2 c. dried lentils, sorted and rinsed
6 oz can tomato paste
2 1/2 to 3 T chili powder
1/2 T cumin
1 tsp. salt-free all-purpose seasoning (we used Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb)
1 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. cayenne
1/2 c. grated cheddar cheese
3 or 4 medium green onions, thinly sliced
Heat a heavy stockpot over med-high heat. Pour oil into pot and swirl to coat bottom. Cook the onions, pepper, and garlic for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
Stir in the broth, beer, 1 1/4 cups water, lentils, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, all-purpose seasoning, sugar, and cayenne. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered for 35-40 minutes, or until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally. Add water as necessary.
Ladle into bowls. Sprinkle with cheddar and green onions (and a dollop of light sour cream, if you’re me).
This was surprisingly, fantastically yummy. Even Husband, who doesn’t care for beans or lentils, liked it.
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And now, I am very, very fat. :)
Sunday Sunshine 11.30.08 November 30, 2008
Leftover turkey? Try this! Or this…
For your Christmas baking:
A yummy breakfast – Swedish Cinnamon Buns
Peppermint Bark
Because I’m still loving The Pumpkin – Pumpkin Spice Cake
For your Christmas making:
Cute baby quilts with great patterns (hat tip to Randi at ihavetosay) – http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17441482
For your Christmas giving:
Beachy coasters
Sweet Decal
For your Christmas decorating:
Adorable advent calendar
Wornaments
Sunday Sunshine 11.23.08 November 23, 2008
Strength. This is a great post and a hard teaching…a combination healthful for all of us.
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What I’ve heard around the blogosphere since the election is “Well, even if he won, God is still sovereign.” Which is true. But it doesn’t make me want Obama & Co. to play Robin Hood with people’s wages any more than before he got elected. Here’s a long but very good letter written by a Texan to the incumbent President. Please take time to read it.
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Here’s a little feature I hope to do each Sunday until Christmas…something to help us get ready for the holidays. Inspiration all around!
For your holiday baking:
Pumpkin Pie cake – http://cupcakesandcrinoline.com/?p=488
Sour Cream apple pie – http://asouthernfairytale.blogspot.com/2008/11/mouthwatering-monday-apple-piegasm.html
For your holiday shopping:
Red Ruby Rose – http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5429379
For your holiday decorating:
http://abeachcottage.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/11/the-auction-lamp-christmas-decs.html
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2008/11/welcome-to-trim-tree-thursday.html
http://kariandkijsa.blogspot.com/2008/11/ultimate-pumpkin-recycling.html
http://southernhospitality-rhoda.blogspot.com/2008/11/christmas-open-house-inspiration.html
http://blissfullydomestic.com/blissful-home/decorating/decorating-naturally/
http://theinspiredroom.net/2008/11/17/ideas-for-holiday-mantels-display/
