You know what? Enough of those perfect kitchens! ENOUGH of those bronzed pics of cakes on a pile of wood with fresh flowers and cutesy saying!
I am making delicious cupcakes for my little sister’s visit and THIS is what it really looks like.
I can’t compare myself anymore! Let’s celebrate a real kitchen’s mess!
( no worries, it’s cooking-related mess, not grime and ants-running-around-mess. It’ll be spotless in 5 minutes, but while I cook, it’s a tornado in there )
November 6
Let your mouth water over Jenny’s dinner. I love how she broke down the price, proving that healthy food doesn’t have to be pricey or difficult.
Every night there are several reasons not to cook a healthy, satisfying dinner. Among the excuses I use: fresh ingredients are too expensive; I don’t have the time; I’m hungry and want something big and filling; I don’t know where to buy ingredient X.
My dinner tonight was proof that all that is hooey. I made the above dinner (x2, for leftovers the next night!) for less than $7. Yes, that’s $7 for TWO dinners. And it was all done in under 30 minutes, and with absolute minimal effort.
The dinner?
Grilled Mahi-Mahi, Roasted Butternut Squash and Zucchini, and Kale ChipsGrilled Mahi Mahi
Purchased at Trader Joes (frozen) for $3I simply defrosted the fish during the day. When it came time to eat, I rubbed the fish with a mix of salt, pepper, paprika, and chili powder. Heat up a grill pan with a little bit of olive oil, and cook the fish through. Serve with a lime wedge.
Roasted Butternut Squash and Zucchini
Purchased for $2.75 totalCut up one zucchini and peeled butternut squash. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any herbs of your choice (I used dried rosemary). Roast in a 400 degree oven until done, about 30 minutes.
Nutrionista’s Kale Chips
Purchased for $.90 (!)Get a huge bunch of kale and chop off any stems. Wash the leaves, drizzle with olive oil, and add salt and pepper. Spread them out on a baking sheet and sprinkle with parmesan. Add to the oven with the squash about halfway through, and roast these for about 10-12 minutes.
November 1
Despite not looking much, these muffins had an individual strawberry inside, wrapped in a cream cheese icing
Brain with Blood Clot Cupcakes
I can say without a doubt that is definitely the grossest title for a blog update I have ever written. And these are probably the ickiest treat I have ever made (or do you think the eyeball cupcakes win?) But really, that’s the fun of Halloween! I’ve been wanting to make these since last Halloween but of course, there never seems to be an appropriate occasion for such confections… Finally Halloween is here and my opportunity has arrived!(via humblecuisine: Annie’s Eats)
October 30
Leftover Lightbulb: Pasta Roll-Ups
For dinner tonight, my sis made my Eggplant-Veggie Lasagna. She ended up making too many whole wheat lasagna noodles, and I wanted to use them up rather than throw them out. Enter the pasta roll-up. The technique:
- Scramble an egg in a shallow dish or bowl.
- Dip lasagna noodle in the egg.
- Spread with low-fat ricotta.
- Stuff with whatever you like! I used thawed Dr. Praeger’s spinach pancakes, but I would have liked to use pre-cooked chicken sausage, diced fire-roasted tomatoes, a few basil leaves, and some baby spinach. Next time, right?
- Roll up and place on non-stick baking sheet (or greased baking sheet).
- Top with a little mozzarella, salt, pepper, and some basil and oregano if you like.
Here’s what they looked like ready to go in the oven:
And here’s our lasagna with the cooked roll-ups:
Closer? YOU GOT IT:
Both dishes were… pretty delicious. And now we have food to feed a family of eight! We also made a salad to go along with our meal.
Banana Chocolate Bread250g (2 cups) plain flour
2.5 teaspoons baking powder
big pinch of salt
125g (1 cup) dark or milk chocolate, finely chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup superfine sugar
2 large eggs
4 large, ripe bananas, mashedPreheat oven to 200C (~400F). Grease and line a loaf tin and set aside. In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Stir through the chocolate. In a larger bowl, mix together the eggs, sugar, vanilla and banana. Gently combine the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and be careful not to overmix. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown and a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack, but eat it warm.
via Butter Sugar Flour
October 29
Dinner tonight: Carbonnade a la Flamande—Belgian Beef, Beer, and Onion Stew.
Thanks, America’s Test Kitchen!
I love but do not read egullet forums nearly often enough. Via metafilter, The Best Way to Cook a Thick Steak, ala Alain Ducasse - egullet forums
