February 5, 2015

Super Quick Garbanzo Bean Salad

Fun Fact: I have a can of garbanzo beans in my filing cabinet at work because you never know when you’re gonna need some protein in the afternoon or in your lunch salad! I also happen to have a small jar of red wine vinegar and olive oil. Oh! And of course I have a can opener…Always! If you mix the garbanzo beans (I try to rinse them in a bowl at work!) with a little bit of vinegar, oil, salt & pepper (here I added chopped parsley!), you can make yourself a very satisfying protein packed/gluten free/vegan snack in the afternoon. Maybe next time I’ll bring a lemon to work…and a jar of marinated artichokes…

To see more of my Thursday Snack Ideas, follow my Pinterest Board!

recipes

February 4, 2015

Bittersweet Chocolate Malted Milkshakes

New recipe alert! Bittersweet Chocolate Malted Milkshakes

After being with my husband for almost 16 years, (married for 9 this March!) the one thing I’ve learned above all else is that it’s so important to you / your relationship to make time for each other. When there are ebbs, the only thing that will make things flow again is open communication and making your relationship your #1 priority.

A few years ago, my friend Ashley and her husband Gabe of Not Without Salt started a series online called Dating My Husband where they made a meal + cocktail for a date night at home together after putting their kids to bed. Chances are you’ve already seen their inspirational posts but now they’ve turned their concept into a book— Date Night In: More than 120 Recipes to Nourish Your Relationship. I think it’s FABULOUS. Every chapter gives you the blueprints for an entire dinner, dessert and cocktail!!! After reading this book, you’ll be reminded that dating your spouse/loved one at home is such a healthy/ helpful way to celebrate the relationship you have and grow it into something more. It’s also extra special if you have children because you’re creating a space and time together where you can have open dialogue without constant interruptions. Those interruptions can make things so dang complicated!

Every Valentine’s Day, we opt to have dinner at home. It’s an easier, much more intimate experience, not to mention it costs us way less and we’re in charge of our own time. I usually come up with some type of grilled meat situation and potatoes while dessert is always something chocolatey. This malted milkshake from the Date Night In cookbook is phenomenal and would be such a great way to end a dinner of Chicken Parmesan and Creamed Spinach. In the book, Ashley pairs it with her special burger and baked onion rings (yum!).

The malted shake rich and creamy and so indulgently decadent. The shot of espresso (I didn’t have espresso powder) adds a nice richness and depth to the chocolate ganache. Oh! There’s malt powder up in the mix and I smashed a few Whoppers and added them to the top because more is MORE!

Milkshakes are definitely my husband’s love language. Garlic bread is mine 🙂

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February 2, 2015

Baked Chicken Parmesan

Happy Monday! I’m currently writing this as my husband is shouting at the TV in the other room (Super Bowl*). This is what we had for dinner tonight with a side of garlic bread & a big ole salad. I think it’d go well with creamed spinach too but I didn’t have the time. Casey is too nervous to eat dinner…I on the other hand enjoyed it and my son freaked out because I put marinara sauce on his chicken.. So, it was a typical Sunday night….. How awesome was that surprise performance from Missy Elliot at halftime? I swear that MADE MY YEAR.

*Updated PATS WON so he stopped shouting.

This recipe comes from a new cookbook I’m obsessed with the– Sheet Pan Suppers Cookbook, by Molly Gilbert. It’s a whole cookbook for hands-off meals straight from the oven. Umm SCHYEAH!! Let all the oven do the work so you don’t have to! This is exactly what we need to start the week with.

Panko crusted Chicken Parm….and it’s BAKED and it was so easy! I have two servings leftover that I’ll probably sandwich between some grilled buttery/garlic focaccia this week. But, who am I kidding?? It’s Monday and I’m probably going to come home from work and eat it cold… standing over the kitchen counter with a fork while I fix something for my family for dinner.