Guess what I got????

And...I love it.  My dear friend Melissa got me this cookbook as a gift for helping out with her wedding.
You will see many post on dinners from this book.  Can't wait!!!

A twist on Chicken fried rice

The other day my friend Rachel posted this new recipe and I figured we had to try it. I started counting calories again, I stopped when I was 5 pounds away from my goal so it's time to get those 5 pounds off. Last night, I made a delicious meal that was only 200 calories (well, it's 200 calories depending on your serving size).

How was it only 200 calories when there is rice in the mix, you ask??? The rice is replaced with cauliflower and you can't even tell a difference, really, I promise.

Check out Rachel's instructions here


Here are the ingredients I used:

1 head of cauliflower, chopped
1 chicken breast, cubed
3 large eggs
3 cloves of garlic
olive oil
soy sauce
1/2 cup green onions
1 cup frozen peas
1 can water chestnuts

Chop the cauliflower into tiny pieces and set aside. Place oil, garlic and chicken in skillet on medium heat until chicken in no longer pink, then set chicken aside. Using the same skillet, scramble eggs with splashes of soy sauce, then set aside with chicken. Add a little more oil and garlic to the skillet and pour in cauliflower, onions, peas, chestnuts and more soy sauce. Cover and cook on medium for about 7 mins. Then add the chicken and eggs, turn up the heat and cook for another 3-5 minutes.
Serves: 6
1 serving = about 200 calories

Sourdough lovin'

My first attempt at homemade bread was a success! I made a simple sourdough bread...the hardest part was the 10 minute kneading process. However, I just counted it as my workout for the day. My arms are sore...seriously.
We ate this delicious bread with a big bowl of homemade chili. Look how domestic I am. :)

2 pkgs. active dry yeast
1 1/2 c. warm water
1 c. plain yogurt (I used Greek yogurt)
3 tsp. salt
5 to 6 c. all-purpose flour

In large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water; blend in yogurt and salt. Add 2 1/2 cups flour. Blend at low speed until moistened; beat 3 minutes at medium speed. By hand, stir in 2 to 2 1/2 cups flour to form a stiff dough. On floured surface, knead in up to 1 cup flour until dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 to 8 minutes. Place dough in greased bowl; cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise in warm place until light and doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Punch down dough. Divide dough into 2 parts; shape into balls. Place on greased cookie sheets. Cover; let rise again until doubled in size.

Heat oven to 400 degrees. With a sharp knife, cut 3 slashes in top of each loaf. Brush loaves with water. Bake 35 to 45 minutes, brushing with water every 15 minutes, until loaves sound hollow when lightly tapped. Remove from pan immediately and let cool on a rack.

My mornings just got a little brighter...

For the past week or so I've discovered my new favorite thing for breakfast...crock pot oatmeal. I've made it in the crock pot and on the stove, it works both ways. I've never tried to make oatmeal from scratch, I just thought it would take too long.  However, it really is simple, easy and way better than instant oatmeal.
This still doesn't make me a morning person, oh how I wish I were. However, it does make me happy so there's a start. :)

Crock Pot Oatmeal
1 cup oats
2 cups milk
1/4 cup brown sugar (I use a little less)
2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon melted butter
1/2 cup dried fruit (I've been using craisins)

I have also thrown in other fruits like chopped apples or bananas and if you like nuts throw some in as well!
Spray your pot with cooking spray, add all ingredients then set your crock pot on low for 5-7 hours.  Hint: The longer you leave your crock pot on, the more liquid you will need.

Blackberries, Quinoa and more blackberries

Okay, another cooking post... This time, it's stuff we totally made up. We are headed out tomorrow for vacation, so we were trying to eat up all our fresh fruits and veggies because Melissa (our friend who is house-sitting for us) doesn't like anything...really, nothing. She says, "I like bread, sugar and dairy." Ha. If we left her stuff, she wouldn't eat it.
We had 2 eggplants, zucchini, onions, tomatoes and a bunch of blackberries. I had bought some quinoa at Momma Jeans because I wanted to taste and see what all the hype is about. I cooked the quinoa and threw it in with my veggies. Jarrod and I were in love, therefore, quinoa will defiantly be in more of my dishes.
Our blackberry bush is thriving this year...we've had many handfuls hit our kitchen. I made some lemon/blueberry/blackberry muffins for the trip tomorrow and while I was baking, Jarrod decided to use the rest of my lemon concentrate to make us some blackberry drinks. He used, lemons, sugar, blackberries, ice and wine. It was yummy...almost too yummy. Well, I'm off to continue to clean the house. Sorry, Melissa...don't look too close.