Hello Old Friend

How have you been? It's been a while. I'm very happily adjusting to married life.  Strangely, according to those I've talked with recently, M and I still aren't cohabitating.  Anyway, on to way more important and interesting things.  I've decided to make a few goals for 2013.

I want to make one new "challenge" meal a month. I'm in the process of compiling my  list of dishes.  I'm hoping this gets me out of my cooking/eating rut and also helps me learn a bit more skill in the kitchen.  I created a board on Pinterest and hope to have 12 recipes collected by December 31, 2012.

In searching through the interwebs and more specifically Pinterest, to find these challenge recipes I stumbled across a really cool website - They Draw & Cook.  It has beautifully illustrated recipes.  I'm dying to try the Pumpkin Mousse.   I would also sort of love to have some of these as prints in my kitchen...someday when I have a kitchen.

Another good thing about this self-imposed challenge is that I'm trying out some recipes that I pinned - the simpler ones that are not challenge worthy.  Tonight's dinner was porkchops marinated in soy sauce, garlic and honey.  

Source: healthy-snack-recipe.blogspot.com via Alicia on Pinterest

The Pinterest link highlighted one of my many frustrations with Pinterest - it linked to little more than a picture.  To be fair, this one at least went to a website, but beyond saying what ingredients were used it wasn't very helpful - there were no measurements listed.  I took a guess on how much of the garlic (two heapng teasspoonfuls of the minced garlic), honey (about a teaspoon), and soy sauce (probably about 1/3-1/2 cup of the low sodium).  Marinade all day and yum!

Mine looked nothing like the pin, but it tasted wonderful.  I had cheesy broccoli as a side and froze the leftover chop.  Simple, yummy, filling and leftovers for a dinner yet this week.  See, there is a bonus to not living with your spouse - I get the leftovers.  :)

Addictions

I'm officially a Pinterest addict.  It's been especially helpful in thinking of wedding ideas...but also in organizing craft projects, knitting ideas, organization (which I will someday achieve) and new recipes to try.

Now that I'm so good at pinning I've set a goal of actually doing/making what I pin.

Yesterday was cooking up the Carmelized Creamy-Onion Soup that I tried at a friend's home a few weeks back.  She has a board for her soup nights and I eagerly stole the recipe.  Unfortunately I failed to take photos, as it was supposed to be Michael and my belated Valentine's dinner - so taking pictures would have sort of wrecked the couples cooking. However, if I did this right there should be a picture/pin below:

Source: marthastewart.com via Alicia on Pinterest

Yeah!  I think it worked

Anyway, things I learned from this awesome soup:

1: Leeks are in the onion family.  Common sense to most, Michael tells me, but I was surprised how much my eyes watered.
2: This recipe does not cheap out on the onions.  7 large shallots, 2 large vidalias, 4 leeks...two days later and my apartment still smells like onions.  It was so strong that even Michael, in the living room, was complaining about his eyes being irritated.
3: It takes a lot longer than I anticipated.  I figured an hour, maybe an hour and a half when in reality it took almost three.  It took forever for the onion/shallot/garlic/leek mixture to brown.  I ended up turning up the heat to just above medium.

Otherwise, it's not a complicated recipe and it is soooo good.  Pair with some crusty bread and I'm in heaven.

For the love of Fall...

My love of fall has expanded all because of Peach Muffins.

This summer I bought a 25 pound box of peaches thinking that I would try my hand at canning.  Turns out that 15 pounds (yep, Michael and I managed to eat about 10 pounds of peaches) isn't really enough to make getting canning supplies worthwhile - and my apartment kitchen is not really set up to can anyway.  So I frozen them.  After much discussion with my mom and sister it was decided that the best method would be whole, with the skin on, to prevent browning.  I cleaned them, then put then on a cookie tray, not touching, and let them freeze overnight.  The next morning they could be put in freezer bags without them freezing together (as much).

But they took up a lot of space in my small freezer, so I was looking for a way to use them up and cobbler just wasn't working for me.  Then I found this recipe.  It is all things yummy in a cobbler without as much mess - with the added bonus that it gave me an excuse to use my Kitchenaid.  I love my Kitchenaid.

I found that peeling the peaches was actually much easier when they were partially frozen, verses when they are fresh.  I put a few in a bowl and left them at room temperature for about 15 minutes.  Then the potato peeler slide right along without making the peaches mushy.  Also, partially frozen peaches chop up nicely.  Why did I never do this before?

The batter is THICK!  The slightly frozen peaches keep it moist, but do cause it to take longer to bake.  I turned the oven down to 350 to prevent the top from burning and cooked it for about 40 minutes.  They turned out fantastic.  I may cut the oil a bit next time but oh the cinnamon-sugary goodness!  Also, I used liners - which did not work out well.  Maybe liners are only for cupcakes? No matter though, I took them to CDA and all the ladies asked to take one home to their husbands. I was a proud baker!

I've made them for breakfast twice now - so simple, so good, so yum!

Progress on all fronts

In knitting news - I have both sleeves done for William the Weed jacket for my nephew.  I'll be starting on the body this weekend.  I'm so excited to try steeking...and so scared at the same time.

Also, I apologize in advance for future posts but suddenly it seems my life has become completely encompassed by wedding planning.  When did I lose my mind?  I never really thought much about wedding related stuff and suddenly it's all that comes to mind.

We have a date - note the new ticker/countdown.  We have the church reserved and now a reception site with caterer.  I'm getting to start thinking about wedding crafts, which is really what I'm looking forward to the most.  I don't want anything excessive but I'm hoping to complete shawls for each bridesmaid (two) and the groomsmaid (one) as well as myself.  If I find the time, I'm going to knit something for the mothers as well but that will be for later.

Also, I'm so stoked for our centerpieces.  The idea is still evolving but Michael thought of the greatest thing that is totally us.  A stack of antique looking books with vines "growing" around them.  We figure we'll start scouring thrift stores, yard sales, and ebay for some deals.

I'm just trying to not get stressed about it all.  This is supposed to be fun right?

Also - progress on the mini goals:

Step 1 - Drink at least 12 cups of water a day - Success

Step 2 - Complete one round of Power 90 - Today was Day 58.  I've been sporadic, but sticking with it.

Step 3 - Each small meals every 2-3 hours (at least 10g protein, no more than 40g carbs) - I'm not sure this is practical for me right now, but I'm trying

Step 4 - Don't eat within 2 hours of going to bed - Success

Step 5 - No more processed grains - So far, so good

Step 6 - At least one fruit or veggie with each meal - Two out of three meals. Progress

Step 7 - Get a minimum of 7 hours sleep. - Working on it still.

Things are happening in my little world.  So far I'm moving in the right direction!

The Blahs

I have been in a slump.  No time to knit, workout, or cook real meals.  I needed a change.  But let's be honest, change is really hard when your in a slump.  So three weeks ago I decided to make a plan to change in baby steps.  My goal is to get healthy and back into pre-law school shape.  So here's the plan:

Step 1 - Drink at least 12 cups of water a day 

Step 2 - Complete one round of Power 90 (90 days total - start in week 2)

Step 3 - Each small meals every 2-3 hours (at least 10g protein, no more than 40g carbs)

Step 4 - Don't eat within 2 hours of going to bed

Step 5 - No more processed grains

Step 6 - At least one fruit or veggie with each meal

Step 7 - Get a minimum of 7 hours sleep.

I'm hoping that with mini goals I can get the feeling of success to keep me motivated and start making them habits.  Each step is given one week to be completed.  I'm already on week three and I think I'm doing pretty good.

Wish me luck!

What's for dinner?

Okay, this will be a quick post but I have to share my love affair with my Crock Pot. I don't usually get home until 6pm or later, usually closer to 7pm. So I try to use the crock as often as possible.

Chicken and Dumplings is one of my favorite recipes. It's mostly a dump it all in the pot, set on low, and enjoy the wondrous smell when you come home. Plus, this is surprisingly healthy, so try to ignore the somewhat unappetizing look. Here's all you'll need (for a meal for 2 or 3 people)

1 can - cream of chicken soup (I go for the "healthy" option)
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 cups chicken broth (I go organic for less sodium)
1 onion - minced
2 cloves garlic - minced
bunch of veggies of your choice. (I used frozen beans here, but I'll go carrots, green beans, or anything else I have in the fridge or freezer)
1 tube biscuit dough.

Basically you throw everything except the biscuits into the crock pot on low and leave cooking along for the day. Then about 30 minutes before you actually eat, tear up the biscuits and mix into the pot. The biscuits will help thicken up the sauce. It's hearty and easy and just plain yummy.

Please excuse the messy counter - my camera has less than 30 seconds of battery, straight off the charger, so I was trying to be quick.

I'm currently shopping for a new camera - my budget will have a lot to do with when this is picked up.