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.

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.

 

 

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.

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.

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.”

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



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...