what we eat.
Since I've had so much time (ahem, no job.) I have been trying lots of new recipes.
Now, I used to think that I was a good cook. My freshman year, I would throw chicken on the foreman and then microwave a steamable bag of veggies with a dinner roll from the bag on the side. I ate well- but very easy and very simple. Which is fine for a single 18 year old.
As I grew up and moved to different apartments, I started experimenting. One time I made a squash and pumpkin soup in a pumpkin. I tried lava cake in the slow cooker.
Most of this stuff failed.
When we got married, I kept up the spirit of trying new recipes and becoming a cultivated cooker. I read food blogs and I had a stint as a vegetarian, so I feel pretty well versed in the world of food- I just don't have the knack. You know.
However, the best thing has started happening. I am coming into my own! After the last few years of trying and failing, I'm starting to learn what works and what ends up being thrown out. My husband firmly believed I was a bad cook until about two weeks ago.
(Lets not forget the failure of a birthday dinner I made. Don't grill chicken that is going into enchiladas. Booooiiiil.)
I have had an epiphany. I need to be a mostly home-made cook in order to succeed. For example, last night I made creamy garlic rice with broccoli and chicken. The rice was packaged, so the seasoning and herbs were perfect and easy. All I did was add in diced chicken and broccoli, some of my own spices and parmesan cheese. On the side we had a green salad.
Today was indian food. I had a curry mix- that was the unhomemade part. I could make my own curry sauce, but that would be a lot of spices, boiling, tasting, etc. It would probably not end up working- reminds me of the time I tried to make roasted vegetable soup and ended up throwing away the entire pot because it tasted like baby food/poop.
So I threw chicken, diced red and sweet potatoes and peas in to some chicken broth and then added the curry spices. Once it was all tender, added plain yogurt (with a pinch of flour to prevent curdling) and wah-la! Probably the best dish I've made yet. We had more salad with veggies and fresh tomatoes and vanilla shakes. Next time, I'm going to pick up some naan and make jasmine rice to go with it.
Some other little things that have really helped me are to buy pre-chopped and washed assorted veggies. For about 1.50 a bag I get veggies with no fuss that last a week or so in different meals. I have also found stir fry mixes that I just throw in the pan with some chicken, sesame oil and spices and throw over rice. Super easy.
I love to add salad supreme seasoning on top of any old green salad with ranch to add some oomph- We can eat the whole bag if we add it! Makes it easy to get the veggies in.
For dessert, we have been trying to be healthier, so we've been doing lots of smoothies/shakes with lowfat icecream or yogurt, frozen berries and stevia. Or we'll do bananas with chocolate. Yummy and still getting the fruit in.
For quick stuff, I keep whole grain bread, cheese, deli meat, lettuce and tomatoes on hand. We love sandwiches. We still eat whatever cereal we want- we can't let go of our fruity pebbles. But we also love toast with my grandpas homemade jam, or poached eggs with spinach and tomatoes cooked in.
I'm planning on making fish tacos this weekend- we have corn taco shells, frozen tilapia, limes, black beans, rice, tomatoes and guacamole. Super easy, super healthy! I might add a can of refried beans on the side, they have low fat versions and they're so yummy.
I am loving learning how to cook- especially with my hubby. It's so fun to be together in the kitchen, chopping up veggies and singing together. Then we get to sit down and eat what we just made and it's so satisfying.
Now, I used to think that I was a good cook. My freshman year, I would throw chicken on the foreman and then microwave a steamable bag of veggies with a dinner roll from the bag on the side. I ate well- but very easy and very simple. Which is fine for a single 18 year old.
As I grew up and moved to different apartments, I started experimenting. One time I made a squash and pumpkin soup in a pumpkin. I tried lava cake in the slow cooker.
Most of this stuff failed.
When we got married, I kept up the spirit of trying new recipes and becoming a cultivated cooker. I read food blogs and I had a stint as a vegetarian, so I feel pretty well versed in the world of food- I just don't have the knack. You know.
However, the best thing has started happening. I am coming into my own! After the last few years of trying and failing, I'm starting to learn what works and what ends up being thrown out. My husband firmly believed I was a bad cook until about two weeks ago.
(Lets not forget the failure of a birthday dinner I made. Don't grill chicken that is going into enchiladas. Booooiiiil.)
I have had an epiphany. I need to be a mostly home-made cook in order to succeed. For example, last night I made creamy garlic rice with broccoli and chicken. The rice was packaged, so the seasoning and herbs were perfect and easy. All I did was add in diced chicken and broccoli, some of my own spices and parmesan cheese. On the side we had a green salad.
Today was indian food. I had a curry mix- that was the unhomemade part. I could make my own curry sauce, but that would be a lot of spices, boiling, tasting, etc. It would probably not end up working- reminds me of the time I tried to make roasted vegetable soup and ended up throwing away the entire pot because it tasted like baby food/poop.
So I threw chicken, diced red and sweet potatoes and peas in to some chicken broth and then added the curry spices. Once it was all tender, added plain yogurt (with a pinch of flour to prevent curdling) and wah-la! Probably the best dish I've made yet. We had more salad with veggies and fresh tomatoes and vanilla shakes. Next time, I'm going to pick up some naan and make jasmine rice to go with it.
Some other little things that have really helped me are to buy pre-chopped and washed assorted veggies. For about 1.50 a bag I get veggies with no fuss that last a week or so in different meals. I have also found stir fry mixes that I just throw in the pan with some chicken, sesame oil and spices and throw over rice. Super easy.
I love to add salad supreme seasoning on top of any old green salad with ranch to add some oomph- We can eat the whole bag if we add it! Makes it easy to get the veggies in.
For dessert, we have been trying to be healthier, so we've been doing lots of smoothies/shakes with lowfat icecream or yogurt, frozen berries and stevia. Or we'll do bananas with chocolate. Yummy and still getting the fruit in.
For quick stuff, I keep whole grain bread, cheese, deli meat, lettuce and tomatoes on hand. We love sandwiches. We still eat whatever cereal we want- we can't let go of our fruity pebbles. But we also love toast with my grandpas homemade jam, or poached eggs with spinach and tomatoes cooked in.
I'm planning on making fish tacos this weekend- we have corn taco shells, frozen tilapia, limes, black beans, rice, tomatoes and guacamole. Super easy, super healthy! I might add a can of refried beans on the side, they have low fat versions and they're so yummy.
I am loving learning how to cook- especially with my hubby. It's so fun to be together in the kitchen, chopping up veggies and singing together. Then we get to sit down and eat what we just made and it's so satisfying.
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