Sunday, December 1, 2013

Vietnamese-Style Shaking Beef with Basmati Rice

Basmati rice is a variety of long grain rice traditionally cultivated in South East Asia. Although it is comparable to other white rice, Basmati has a special aroma caused by a chemical called 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline. In this recipe, I would say that any rice substitution (white long grain, brown rice, etc) would be completely acceptable.

The star of this dinner is definitely the flavorful beef, accented by the bright and spicy herb salad atop the plate. I would not recommend making this dish without the greens. So here is how I did it.


My Plated dinner for two came with the following:

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Sockeye Salmon with Farrotto and Butternut Squash


We eat Salmon once a week in our home, usually on a Monday night. So regularly on Monday that it's become a joke around the house and with co-workers who know our routine. It started because grocery shopping is usually done on the weekend, and I prefer to eat purchased fish sooner rather than later in the week.

My preferred way of preparing Salmon is for Jim to grill it. I put a heavy sprinkling of Baron's Hot Habanero and Green Chili seasoning on top and then leave the rest to my hubby. Jim has developed the perfect timing for grilling the fish so that it has perfect cross hatch grill marks and crispy skin.

I'm perfectly happy with our salmon rut routine, but was open to trying the Plated version of Sockeye Salmon with Farrotto and Butternut Squash. It was delicious and filling!

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Harper's First Halloween



Harper was a Shrimp Sushi Roll for her first Halloween. I made the costume using a white onsie and several pieces of felt. Everything was attached using heat seal and bond. It came together pretty quickly.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Skirt Steak with Creamy Quinoa and Maple Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts were never a favorite vegetable of Jim, until I made him these with bacon. Mmmm... everything is better with Bacon. But is it? This Plated dinner with maple brussels sprouts were both simple and delicious... and you know what else? They lacked bacon and were MUCH healthier than what I usually prepare.
 
This is what came in my Plated box for the Skirt Steak with Creamy Quinoa and Maple Brussels Sprouts.
1 pound Brussels sprouts
1 Tablespoon maple syrup
1/3 cup quinoa
1/2 yellow onion
1 packet butter
1/4 teaspoon chicken base
10 ounces skirt steak
1/4 cup ricotta
 
Because I didn't cook this dinner until five days after receiving my Plated shipment, the ricotta wasn't as fresh so I replaced it with cottage cheese in this recipe.
 
 

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Pork Chops with Cider Gravy and Roasted Fennel-Apple Salad

 
On my last post, I left a teaser for Plated and now I'm ready to show you what I was talking about. I was just ecstatic to receive our first Plated shipment last Wednesday. This food delivery service is different than others I have heard about. It's not prepackaged foods, this is affordable gourmet ingredients shipped fresh to my doorstep along with detailed recipe cards.
 
 
The smart design of this insulated box kept all the ingredients cold and fresh.

This is what my Plated shipment looked like when I unpacked everything. Meats are all sealed in airtight packaging, ingredients are grouped by recipe and everything was clearly labeled.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Soups On!

 
It's a roundup of my most favorite soup recipes. Whether you slurp it, sip it or spoon it - SOUP can be a wonderful first course or made into a meal.
 
Speaking of a one pot meals, this warm and spicy Moroccan Chicken Soup is full of veggies and flavor. Spiced with cumin, curry and paprika, the onions, celery and carrots are simmered along with shredded chicken, chickpeas and chopped zucchini. This Moroccan soup is more likely to be served as a light supper rather than as a first course. These will be leftovers the family will ask for! Reheat and serve over rice, quinoa or couscous.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Zombie

I’m a Zombie.


Have you seen the new zombie Sprint commercial? A zombie stands in front of a friendly red haired Sprint rep, screeching. The Sprint saleswoman greets him with a smile “Can I help you?” The zombie coughs and immediately starts talking like a normal human being “Excuse me, hi. Uh, I wanted to find out about the unlimited for life guarantee.” The Sprint employee replies “Sure, Sprint is guaranteeing unlimited talk, text, and data for life.”

The zombie seems pleased but has more questions “Cool, cool cool cool cool, and uh what if say technically you were not alive. Like, maybe you were, undead?” The Sprint saleswoman replies “Like a zombie.” The zombie somewhat offended, or at least pretending to be, suggests “Woooooaaahhhh, let’s not go putting labels on people.” Immediately after the zombie stops talking, his ear falls off of his head and lands on the floor. After a second the zombie confesses “… I’m a zombie.”


Watch commercial here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDuZ69V50-0

I die. Every time I see this commercial, I can’t help but laugh.

In honor of the commercial that makes me hit PLAY on my DRV, I’m naming my Fantasy Football Team, “I’m a Zombie.”

Friday, August 9, 2013

Growing Harper

 Our little baby is growing up so fast and what a joy it is to be her mommy!

Four Months Old

 Five Months Old
 Six Months Old


 Seven Months Old





Sunday, February 17, 2013

Cheater Beef Stroganoff - Crockpot Cooking



I was inspired by a pinterest recipe described as, "melt in your mouth crockpot cube steak." My interest was peaked because cube steak is a cheaper cut of beef and now that I have a littel one, crockpot cooking is helpful on days that I don't have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen.

The original recipe, posted by The Jilly Bean claims to be a favorite among her family. Although her husband comments that it looks like dog food, she says that it is full of flavor. I took her recipe and made it my own. Here we go...

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Harper: Two Months


You have made huge strides in your second month of life and will lock eyes and follow us as we move across the room. It may seem little, but this is a milestone for you! The best part is that you are grinning at us and I can't even put into words how that makes my heart sing. Your first social smile was on January 14, 2013. I grab your big toes and count down from 5 as I wiggle each one and then squeal when I get to your tiny pinky toes. You think it's hilarious. When I make a motor boat sound with my mouth you have this look on your face like, "What? Where is that sound coming from?" It makes me laugh every time, and I can't help but do it at least once a day.


Your Dad puffs out his cheeks and makes big eyes at you which also makes you smile. I absolutely love watching you with your Daddy!


Monday, February 4, 2013

Hamachi Shooters

Last Saturday we had some dear friends over for dinner. It's so fun to get together with Anthony and Tara because like us, they enjoy and appreciate good food and great wine. The four of us always have such a fun time together. Jim and I prepared a simple burger bar for our dinner while Anthony and Tara wowed us with an amazing appetizer of Hamachi Shooters. 

After begging for the recipe (not really), they graciously agreed to allow me to share this on HWM.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Massaged Kale Salad

I knew that Kale was a superfood, but until now I had only made kale chips with the green leaf. Like it's cousins, broccoli and cauliflower, kale is a descendant of the wild cabbage and is a nutritional powerhouse that deserves to be on every Top Ten list.


My good friend Paulina (a health food junkie with an affinity to processed cheese) introduced me to this delicious massaged kale salad soon after I gave birth to Harper. Knowing the health benefits I thought I would "choke down" the salad she provided. After all, I would do anything for my Harper. Well surprise surprise, this is so yummy. An even bigger surprise was how simple it is to make. Calling this a "recipe" is a little of an overstatement. This post has everything going for it. Yummy, Easy, Fast, Healthy, Filling, Few Ingredients. I call that WINNING!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken


I have spent the last six weeks learning how to be a mom to Miss Harper with little time left for cooking. We have been blessed by sweet friends who have stepped up to provide meals for Jim and I during these first two months. I can't express how thankful I am for the break I've been given to simply focus on our new little family. On a few occasions when I've had some free time while Harper napped, I've jumped at the chance to whip up dinner for Jim and I. They have to be easy and quick recipes, and have mostly been meals that I've already blogged about here on HWM.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Harper: One Month


Harper, I can't believe you are one month old. On one hand it feels like I was just telling Jim that we were pregnant. On the other hand, it feels like you have been a part of this family forever.


Week one was a tough one for this mommy. I had all these plans and ideas in place and quickly realized that you can't plan unpredictable. I didn't want to give you a pacifier until breastfeeding was well established. Your Nana gave you one after being left alone with you for only five minutes. There went that plan. Nana stayed over on nights one and three with us. She slept on an air mattress in your nursery and comforted you when you cried, and brought you to me when you were hungry. I'm so thankful for those hours I got to rest during week one, knowing you were taken care of allowed me to sleep soundly.