I've missed blogging. I've really been into the food blogs lately with all the beautiful pictures, etc. So, though I'm not quite ready for that, nor do I have the time, I thought I would blog a bit about my recent cooking adventures. I've been cooking lots of new things lately and trying to incorporate LOTS of variety into our diets. Thank God for Pinterest and Food Network online and Allrecipes and the Pioneer Woman (LOVE HER!)...well, and google, since I often just google recipes. We RARELY eat out...I mean, really RARE...an occasional lunch out, dinner out maybe once a month. We order in maybe 2-3 times a month tops (pizza, chinese), for those super busy nights when I'm too tired to cook. But for the most part, we eat at home all the time. I think that's pretty rare these days. I'm fortunate to be able to work from home, so I can usually fit starting dinner into my work day. I know how lucky I am.
I've been on a cooking spree lately...trying out so many new recipes. Some have been successful, some not so much. The most disappointing was Ina's Lobster Mac & Cheese. I think there were a couple of reasons I was so disappointed:
1. The cost of the meal. At $30 for 1 lb of lobster meat, two expensive and really good cheeses, whole milk, butter, etc. it was pricey.
2. It was TOO rich! Sean and I agreed that it would make a decent side to a steak, but was way too heavy as an entree. When you are spending that kind of money on a home-made meal, you want to be able to enjoy it as an entree, but not this one.
3. Sean actually felt sick afterward, from the heaviness of it.
4. I love Ina and almost all of our recipes are some of my favorites, so I was disappointed in this one.
5. The great reviews - I'm a big advocate of reading reviews to know what I'm really getting myself into on a new recipe and this one had AWESOME reviews, but alas, it just wasn't for us.
Needless to say, I won't be making that one again.
Aside from that, we've had some really yummy stuff: Spicy Peach Glazed Chicken Breasts with Grilled Peaches, Delicious Crab Cakes with homemade Aioli, Grilled Pork Chops with Arugula and Grape Salad, Mango Rice Salad with Curry Shrimp, Pizza with Lamb and Tzaztiki Sauce...I could go on. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
I'm so proud of myself using my Cozi app to plan our meals for the week and immediately set up my Cozi shopping list. Cozi is a lifesaver! I LOVE IT! We save money by utilizing ingredients in multiple ways and have way less waste. And we're eating more nutrient-rich and yummy foods. This week I even tried out something new with my shopping. I headed to Sprouts for all of my produce and saved BIG! It always blows my mind how much money I save when I drive the extra 3 minutes to Sprouts. I have to remember this.
This week's dinner menu is:
Monday: Pepper jack Chicken with Succotash and Cantaloupe
Tuesday: Marinated Salmon Smoked on Cedar, Wild Rice, Brussel Sprouts
Wednesday: Grilled Pork Tenderloin a la Rodriguez with Apricot Glaze and Orange-Habanero Mojo, Strachan Mac & Cheese, Peas
Thursday: Roasted Stuffed Jalapenos & Sweet Peppers on the Grill with Chorizo
Friday: Wingless Buffalo Chicken Pizza
I'm going to whip up some tuna salad and citrus infused apples for lunches for Sean & I. I also plan on making some healthy Zucchini Muffins and Peanut Butter/Oatmeal Bars for breakfast for the kids (and myself). I have to get Connor out of only wanting frozen waffles/french toast or pop tarts for breakfast. That kid needs some variety in his diet.
It's also time to add some variety to Ian's diet. Grant it, the kid will eat ANYTHING you put in front of him, but his school meals are pretty boring because I always send what is easiest. This week, gonna steam some broccoli and carrots, send some of the aforementioned muffins and bars, etc. I really want my children to appreciate good, nutritious food. Connor is FAR from that right now, so I'm currently looking into ways to sneak more veggies into his meals.
So, that's my food post for the week. What's on your menu for the week?
