Short and Sweet Tip
for...
A JUICY Turkey Burger!
Usually, turkey burgers can be very dry because there is a lack of fat in the meat. I have discovered a great trick that does not add a distinct flavor, in case you have a certain recipe in mind.
*For 4 servings of ground turkey, add about 3 Tbs of soy sauce. Also add a clove of garlic. This makes the burger really juicy and delicious!! :o)
Tonight we added for toppings:
-carmelized onions and roasted red peppers
-slice of provolgne cheese that we placed on top of the patties when they were almost done
Think and be in the Pink. In other words: Be healthy. Create. Create your space and environment for a healthy mind and body. Create recipes, paintings, drawings, books...
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Vegetarian Friday
Cooking dinner on a Friday night is rare for me. Oh but when it happens, it feels great. I think I really prefer cooking to eating out, unless it's a very unique restaurant.
-use half of a polenta log package for 1 whole portobello mushroom
-artichoke marinara sauce (find at most grocery stores)
-couple slices of provolone cheese
-grated parmesan cheese
First, place 1/2 inch thick slices of polenta in a pan with olive oil. Sauté a couple of minutes on each side. Place polenta circles in a baking dish. (Preheat to 400). Then, sauté slices of portobello mushrooms in olive oil until tender - add salt and garlic & herb seasoning to taste. Layer slices on top of the polenta. Layer provolone slices on top of the mushrooms, and then spread artichoke marinara sauce in a thin layer. Last step - be generous with the top layer of parmesan cheese. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, and then broil (550) for 2-3 minutes.
We also had a side of sauteed spinach with some olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
And some good whole grain bread from Costco, toasted with butter.
Dinner last night:
Sauteed polenta circles, topped with portobello mushroom slices and provolone cheese, artichoke marina sauce, and grated parmesan. -use half of a polenta log package for 1 whole portobello mushroom
-artichoke marinara sauce (find at most grocery stores)
-couple slices of provolone cheese
-grated parmesan cheese
First, place 1/2 inch thick slices of polenta in a pan with olive oil. Sauté a couple of minutes on each side. Place polenta circles in a baking dish. (Preheat to 400). Then, sauté slices of portobello mushrooms in olive oil until tender - add salt and garlic & herb seasoning to taste. Layer slices on top of the polenta. Layer provolone slices on top of the mushrooms, and then spread artichoke marinara sauce in a thin layer. Last step - be generous with the top layer of parmesan cheese. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, and then broil (550) for 2-3 minutes.
We also had a side of sauteed spinach with some olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
And some good whole grain bread from Costco, toasted with butter.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Cheesecake snack & cabbage pasta dinner
Snack for the kids today:
-one graham cracker-spread cream cheese on top
-top cream cheese with strawberry jelly (or any kind of jelly/jam. lemon curd is close 2nd)
They LOVE this snack. It tastes like cheesecake :)
I first tried this while studying abroad in Spain on top of these really good "digestive crackers". It sounds weird, but these crackers are scrumptious.
Dinner:
Spaghetti with Cabbage
I found this recipe on delish.com. It was pretty easy and really good. In order to make it my own, I added a little ricotta cheese on top.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Valentine's Day brunch & dinner
We decided it would be better to go out for brunch at our favorite breakfast place: Tower Cafe in Sacramento, and then later cook our own dinner at home.
The Tower Cafe is so unique and the menu is great. The outside eating area is lush and great for people watching: exotic plants, flowers, fountains, and colorful waiters/waitresses. If you choose to sit indoors (or if weather makes that choice for you), the colorful decorations and art on the walls are equally interesting and different. Here are some photos from their website:
Our Valentine's day dinner
-one medium tomato, chopped
-half of a white onion, chopped
-half of an Aneheim pepper, chopped and take out the seeds if you don't like too much heat
-3/4 cup kidney beans or black beans
-handful of cilantro
-salt to taste
Serve this over some baked salmon! Mmmmm......
-2 small zuchini or 1 large, sliced
- sliced mushrooms after 2 minutes
-season with salt, pepper, and some garlic
Start with the onions and some garlic seasoning, sautee them on high heat to carmelize and then bring down to medium when you add the zuchinni. Add mushrooms after about a minute. Salt and pepper. (We added about 1/2 cup of some wild rice when we added the mushrooms - this rice cooks in 2 minutes)
-While cooking veggies, cook half a bag of Trader Joe's harvest grains, cooked in chicken broth with 1 Tbs butter
-Combine vegeables with harvest grains. Quite tasty :)
The finished product~
The Tower Cafe is so unique and the menu is great. The outside eating area is lush and great for people watching: exotic plants, flowers, fountains, and colorful waiters/waitresses. If you choose to sit indoors (or if weather makes that choice for you), the colorful decorations and art on the walls are equally interesting and different. Here are some photos from their website:
This is what I had for brunch: crepes filled with sweetened cream cheese, topped with almonds, whipped cream, and a huge array of fruit on the side.
Our Valentine's day dinner
Last week, my mom and I had developed a recipe for a good mango salsa, so I decided we could make that with some salmon.
The mango salsa:
-one mango-one medium tomato, chopped
-half of a white onion, chopped
-half of an Aneheim pepper, chopped and take out the seeds if you don't like too much heat
-3/4 cup kidney beans or black beans
-handful of cilantro
-salt to taste
Serve this over some baked salmon! Mmmmm......
Our side dish:
-1/2 onion-2 small zuchini or 1 large, sliced
- sliced mushrooms after 2 minutes
-season with salt, pepper, and some garlic
Start with the onions and some garlic seasoning, sautee them on high heat to carmelize and then bring down to medium when you add the zuchinni. Add mushrooms after about a minute. Salt and pepper. (We added about 1/2 cup of some wild rice when we added the mushrooms - this rice cooks in 2 minutes)
-While cooking veggies, cook half a bag of Trader Joe's harvest grains, cooked in chicken broth with 1 Tbs butter
-Combine vegeables with harvest grains. Quite tasty :)
The finished product~
Eating out vs Staying in
It is easy to eat healthy when you are on your own, but when you are with your boyfriend... it may be a little more difficult to compromise. Most of the time, we eat out because he has absolutely nothing in his refrigerator. He works out in the field a lot, so why stock up? I think he has butter and some month old apple sauce.
On Friday night we ordered a Papa Murphy's take and bake pizza. This is not usually something we do, but the decision is halfway between going out and cooking our own dinner. He wants to eat better, so he gladly chose the vegetarian pizza. It was pretty tasty. You really have to love pizza, in general. Bread, cheese, and virtually any toppings you want. It can be really bad for you: loads of meat, too much cheese, and 2 inch thick bread, but if you make it yourself or choose wisely, it can be balanced, and even more - a deliciously satisfying pick. Something we might try - ordering a plain cheese and then adding our own toppings: artichokes, scallops, spinach, tomatoes.....
Saturday = flashback to the early days of our relationship. It is easy to forget to eat when you are first dating someone. You have no appetite. Well, that is also true when you are not getting along with someone. My boyfriend and I did not eat until 4:00 pm. that day, after only having coffee in the morning.
What was for lunch/dinner?
If you are familiar with the restaurant Pluto's, that's what. Pluto's is a great place in Northern California where you can create your own delicious salads. You choose from about 15 different toppings, including meat, and it comes with freshly baked bread. If you don't want a salad (and most people do), you can choose a sandwich special, or some carved meat, and add a side of mac and cheese, soup, or some veggies.
-kidney beans
-beets
-mushrooms
-blue cheese or parmesan
-broccoli, tomatoes, or a substitute veggie.
...to some mixed greens with balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
On Friday night we ordered a Papa Murphy's take and bake pizza. This is not usually something we do, but the decision is halfway between going out and cooking our own dinner. He wants to eat better, so he gladly chose the vegetarian pizza. It was pretty tasty. You really have to love pizza, in general. Bread, cheese, and virtually any toppings you want. It can be really bad for you: loads of meat, too much cheese, and 2 inch thick bread, but if you make it yourself or choose wisely, it can be balanced, and even more - a deliciously satisfying pick. Something we might try - ordering a plain cheese and then adding our own toppings: artichokes, scallops, spinach, tomatoes.....
Saturday = flashback to the early days of our relationship. It is easy to forget to eat when you are first dating someone. You have no appetite. Well, that is also true when you are not getting along with someone. My boyfriend and I did not eat until 4:00 pm. that day, after only having coffee in the morning.
What was for lunch/dinner?
If you are familiar with the restaurant Pluto's, that's what. Pluto's is a great place in Northern California where you can create your own delicious salads. You choose from about 15 different toppings, including meat, and it comes with freshly baked bread. If you don't want a salad (and most people do), you can choose a sandwich special, or some carved meat, and add a side of mac and cheese, soup, or some veggies.
My favorite things to add to the Pluto's salad, or any salad:
-garbanzo beans-kidney beans
-beets
-mushrooms
-blue cheese or parmesan
-broccoli, tomatoes, or a substitute veggie.
...to some mixed greens with balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
How The Party Went
The Valentine's Day party was smooth running, but it was surprisingly very low key. Most of the kids went home early because of other plans, so we (my other staff member and I) didn't have much chaos to content with.
In the early afternoon we had 10 excited kindergartners, so we played a Valentine's Day game where they all hid paper hearts around the room. Then, at 2:00, they got to watch the older children search madly for them. They had a hard time not giving away any hints, but really liked the whole activity. It was fun for them to know something that the other children did not.
At 3:00, we had our "potluck" with only about 15 kids. Parents brought in delicious but simple healthy food: a veggie tray, mixed fruit bowl, and cheese. We made homemade bread at the site with our new breadmaker...and that was it!
The kids had an array of colors (the colors of the rainbow) to choose from. They did ask about the cupcakes a parent had brought that were waiting for them behind the counter - but were fine with the answer that they would have to wait and eat this food first.
Kids have to be kids. We put on a movie a little later and served the cupcakes and they thoroughly enjoyed them. Kids have to have the goodies...but I was happy that the day didn't have to be all about candy and treats. When each kid left, I handed them a their goody bag that i had put together, and they all seemed excited to see what was inside - tools to be creative and a cuddly stuffed animal - nothing to rot their teeth :o)
In the early afternoon we had 10 excited kindergartners, so we played a Valentine's Day game where they all hid paper hearts around the room. Then, at 2:00, they got to watch the older children search madly for them. They had a hard time not giving away any hints, but really liked the whole activity. It was fun for them to know something that the other children did not.
At 3:00, we had our "potluck" with only about 15 kids. Parents brought in delicious but simple healthy food: a veggie tray, mixed fruit bowl, and cheese. We made homemade bread at the site with our new breadmaker...and that was it!
The kids had an array of colors (the colors of the rainbow) to choose from. They did ask about the cupcakes a parent had brought that were waiting for them behind the counter - but were fine with the answer that they would have to wait and eat this food first.
Kids have to be kids. We put on a movie a little later and served the cupcakes and they thoroughly enjoyed them. Kids have to have the goodies...but I was happy that the day didn't have to be all about candy and treats. When each kid left, I handed them a their goody bag that i had put together, and they all seemed excited to see what was inside - tools to be creative and a cuddly stuffed animal - nothing to rot their teeth :o)
Friday, February 12, 2010
Vday Worries
Today is our Valentine's Day party potluck. How do I teach the kids that there is more to think about than candy?
What I've done so far:
Made a sign up list that seperates veggies, bread, cheese, meats, drinks, and one spot for desserts. This way, only a couple of people can bring in sweets.
I made a goody bag for each child and it only contains non-food items: slinky, stencil, pencil, balloon, mini stamp with their initial, and mini erasers.
I'll let you know how it goes.
What I've done so far:
Made a sign up list that seperates veggies, bread, cheese, meats, drinks, and one spot for desserts. This way, only a couple of people can bring in sweets.
I made a goody bag for each child and it only contains non-food items: slinky, stencil, pencil, balloon, mini stamp with their initial, and mini erasers.
I'll let you know how it goes.
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