June 8, 2009

day 62

It’s been 62 days since I started my tomato & herb garden!! Where does the time go??
There are tons of little green tomatoes ready to ripen on the vines.
So far, I’ve used a LOT of basil and some thyme from my stash. I’ve learned that basil requires A LOT of water- especially in my area.

I’m looking forward to making some recipes that include the Thai basil I’m growing.

So far soooo good. I am super stoked to see the fruits of my labor (pun intended). I find myself just staring at every single leaf, blossom & growing tomato…watching them grow. It’s exciting to see how much they shoot up in one night.

The process has been very rewarding! I can’t wait to dig into those beauties!

recipes, Uncategorized

May 27, 2009

Dijon Potato Salad

So light.
So refreshing.
So crisp.
So tangy.
So easy.
So good.

So that’s all I have to say about it. Adding to my current Summer rotation now.

Turn this….

Into this!

Dijon Potato Salad

(recipe from Everyday Food)

-1 1/2 pounds red new potatoes, scrubbed and halved (quartered if large)
-1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
-1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
-Coarse salt and ground pepper
-2 tablespoons olive oil
-1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

1. Place a steamer basket in a saucepan filled with 1 inch water. Bring to a gentle boil. Add potatoes. Cover, and cook just until tender, 15 to 20 minutes, tossing occasionally.

2. In a serving bowl, combine vinegar and Dijon; season with salt and pepper. Add hot cooked potatoes; toss. Let cool, tossing occasionally.

3. Add oil and parsley to cooled potato mixture. Season with salt and pepper, and toss.

recipes, Uncategorized

May 21, 2009

Tomato Basil Pasta

I’m a busy bee lately! Soo much to do….Sooo little time.

Which means that I’ve stepped away from the kitchen for a bit….

But when I’ve been in there, I’ve concocted quick little breakfast sandwiches like this one:

(a whole wheat English muffin with egg, cheese & turkey bacon)

It’s worth waking up for in the mornings. I’m kinda obsessed with them.

Tonight I roasted some tomatoes (not from my garden-yet)

I picked some fresh basil from my little garden I’ve been working on-

Boiled some Whole Wheat Spaghetti…Tossed in a HUGE handful that basil.

Added:

-red pepper
-extra virgin olive oil
-those tomatoes
-a splash of red wine vinegar (It brings out the sweetness in the tomatoes and adds a nice kick)
-fresh ground pepper
-topped with a little grated parmesan…..

My hands still smell like basil, and I am totally loving that!

I’m dreaming of getting back in the kitchen (soon).

I could really use a challenge of making something fun/tasty/good.

You should see what I’ve clipped out to try….

recipes, Uncategorized

May 17, 2009

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies

I’ve seen versions of this cookie everywhere on the internet! It was this post at kitchn.com that pushed me over the edge.

I had to try them!

They don’t disappoint, folks!
Easy. SUPER Easy. Easier than cake mix!

Gluten-free Peanut Butter Cookies

(recipe from thekitchn.com)

-1 cup peanut butter (i used chunky)
-1 cup sugar
-1 egg
-1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
-1 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 375. Mix all the ingredients together. Drop cookies on baking sheet. Smoosh with fork. Bake for 10 mins. DONE. DONE!!!!

You won’t miss the flour.

around the home, Uncategorized

May 8, 2009

lately

i’ve been….

obsessed with eating Greek salads.
Chop Chop Chop & Grill some pita and I’m soo there.

There was seriously a week last month where I ate Greek Salad at least 6 times. No lie.

I made a Black Bean soup (like I’d been craving) for Cinco De Mayo. It was fantastic!

I even made my own little tortilla strips!

Problem is–I started writing down the recipe as I was going and then I started adding soo much other stuff to get the taste & thickness right– that I forgot what happened!
Next time I make it, I’ll remember to be more diligent!

I’ve also been working a lot in the backyard lately…tending to my veggie garden!

I never thought I would get soo excited about gardening!
It’s a healthy obsession! There’s soo much more I want to plant and I am really looking forward to this summer now!

It’s especially fun now that I have a little helper. He loves the cool breezes and all the green!

Cooper is 7 months old already. He has 4 teeth and crawls!

And this weekend I am celebrating my first Mother’s Day!

I have to say that things are pretty good these days!

Happy Mother’s Day to all you mommas!

xoxo

around the home, recipes, Uncategorized

May 3, 2009

Makeshift Pizza!

Before we had Cooper, I used to have a weekly girl night with two of my friends.

Those days seem sooo far away now….

One of the nights, my friend made us pizzas using this flatbread from Trader Joe’s. I fell in love. I couldn’t believe how simple it was, and how easily it all came together. I decided that this past Friday would be date-night (at home). So I threw together some pizzas…poured us some wine…and we chowed down and watched a movie. Casey loved them and I was stoked that we didn’t have to shell out $20+ for a pizza.

Here’s the flatbread- Pick some up at Trader Joe’s next time you are there!

I spread some sauce on top. Added some toppings. Threw them all in the oven on a cookie sheet. Temperature was set for 400 degrees. About 20 minutes later- TADA!

Combos included-

Sausage, Basil, Red Onion & Cheese

Pesto, Red Onion, Mushrooms & Cheese