This week's favorites

I started the week with steak & stuffed mushrooms. To make the stuffing I simply mixed rustic bread, garlic cloves, fresh basil & olive oil in a food processor. I brushed the mushrooms with olive oil & topped them with a small slice of mozzarella cheese. The homemade pizza was very fresh tasting. I topped it with fresh mozzarella & basil, tomatoes & orange bell pepper from the Farmer's Market. The warm apple cider was for the rainy night. I simmered some 100% apple juice in a pot for about 15 min. I placed whole cloves, cinnamon sticks & a piece of fresh ginger in a strainer in the pot. I added a little honey & of course a little rum!

Wine & Curry?

So I finally made my first wine cork project. It's not much, but I like it...& I found out you CAN get seriously burned by a hot glue gun. Probably shouldn't drink & craft. Anyway, next project will be better, next curry too...I won't even share the recipe because it didn't taste good. I received a large amount of curry powder as a gift, and the first try was not great. I have many more recipe ideas to go, but any tips are encouraged! I'm writing this for anyone, but sadly I know only my family is reading. So guys, what do you think of my first attempt with a glue gun? Minus the burns...

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

I don't know if the picture captured it's essence, but I promise it was delish! I used 1 chicken breast, 1/2 a carrot, 1/4 onion, 1 slice of ginger, 1 garlic clove, & 2 green onions. I used the other chicken breast for a yummy stir fry, but I will definitely double the recipe next time. So I diced all those ingredients & mixed them together, except the green onions. Then I cooked it in a large frying pan until chicken was cooked through. Then I added the green onions & sauces. The sauces I used were 2 tbs soy sauce, 3 tbs hoisin sauce, & 1 tsp sesame oil. I cooked it on med-high until all flavors were together. I served it on a bed of crispy wontons, with iceberg lettuce pieces.

Random Meals

Gazpacho for the 4th of July! Cucumber, red onion, tomato, green & yellow pepper w/olive oil, red wine vinegar, with a dash of salt & pepper! We enjoyed with pita or bagel chips!

Check out the size of this spinach! I guess I have only had "baby spinach."

Chicken & tomato pasta with onion, garlic, & olives.

Breakfast!

Veggie Fajita

Salmon w/rice veggies, for me & Charlie!

Indian style stir fry

Cooked in grapeseed oil

Usin' Them While They're Fresh!

I made salmon and veg fried rice for dinner. It was so tasty, but I managed to save a little for tomorrow. That piece of salmon was huge. I gave the other piece of salmon to Charlie, since his dad had to work unexpectedly. There was enough for three! So I tried a glaze made of soy sauce & brown sugar. So simple, yet flavorful. Of course it blackened a little because I don't know how to under cook anything! It was perfectly pink & delicious, the glaze just browned...really browned. Charlie's was lightly cooked with no sauces or spices. We also had brown rice, which I fried with veggies for me! And I made Charlie a pureed mix of spinach, egg w/shell, carrot, very little broccoli, little garlic, brewer's yeast, cottage cheese & a little apple cider vinegar. I got the ingredients from that book, Give Your Dog A Bone. I also made veggie fajitas for lunch and used that leftover cilantro pesto lime mix I made for the turkey bbq. I'm looking forward to using more fresh ingredients tomorrow, and as always I am open to ideas!

Farmer's Market Fresh!

Yep, it's Sunday again! Time for my local Farmer's Market! I have to get up early now because the last couple times I've been, my berry lady is out of berries! I told you she's becoming very popular, but the early bird gets the berries! I also got some lovely things call apriums. They're a cross between an apricot & I'm guessing a plum. They look like apricots & taste like really sweet, juicy apricots! Yum. I also got a cucumber & fresh dill, so I'm thinking salmon this week! I think I'll try some sort of fresh dill sauce or dip. I also bought garlic chives for the first time, so I'll have to figure something out for those. Any suggestions out there? I made a delicious marinade for bbq'd turkey breasts the other day. It was fresh cilantro, garlic, lime juice, olive oil, salt & pepper, & walnuts. I food processed it all together & let it sit overnight. Then we fired up the grill & brushed the turkey with the marinade, cooked & served with corn on the cob! It looked as good as it tasted, but I was so excited to eat it that I forgot to take a picture. To make up for it I took a picture of my treasures from the farmer's market. Charlie also had some plain turkey & corn. He will be enjoying some of those veggies too! That's all for now, gotta plan some recipes for us & Charlie! I would love to hear any ideas, thanks!

Givin MY Dog a Bone

Charlie had his first raw, meaty bone today! So I've been reading this book called, Give Your Dog A Bone by Dr. Ian Billinghurst, and he stresses the importance of feeding your dog raw meaty bones. He also says to mush up any vegetables in a blender or food processor so they can digest them So needless to say, Charlie's diet is in the process of a makeover. I made pork chops today with seasoned carrots & potatoes from the farmer's market. I seasoned & breaded the thin pork chops & fried them They were delicious. I cut the bone out first & after giving Charlie a few bites of raw meat, I handed him the bone & he chewed away! I'm so proud. I had to encourage him a little at first, but by the time he was done he was begging for more! I tried the same concept with chicken wings yesterday, but failed. I had to separate the meat from the bone & cook it a little so he would eat it. So, I'm not sure what new recipes lie in store, but I'll keep you updated on my progress!