I'm back

My oven has been out of commission for almost a month. When I noticed it was a definite fire hazard I stopped using it and called my landlord right away. He is usually very quick to fix any issues for me but 3 1/2 freaking weeks later I have my oven back. But its not my oven, its a new oven. Not a new new oven, I'm not that spoiled. But its new to me and clean and shiny and I can't wait to use it....



The question is... what do I bake first?

pumpkin oatmeal cookies?

risotto and roasted asparagus?

enchiladas?

sweet potato fries?

Infinite possibilities!!!

secret pleasure with dill

I don't know if anyone else would enjoy this sandwich type thing but I absolutely drool over it. Something about the dill and cream cheese combined with the refreshing crisp crunch of the cucumber just makes my mouth water.

What you need (for one serving. use common sense for more than one serving):

2 slices wheat bread of your choice, TOASTED

2 Tbsp tofutti better than cream cheese

1 heaping Tbsp fresh chopped dill or a good tsp. dried dill

1/2 cucumber sliced thin

salt to taste

What you do:

Toast bread

In small bowl combine cream cheese and dill and salt to taste.

Spread mixture on toasted bread. Top with sliced cucumber. Voila!

Easy as 123 and you'll be satisfied I assure you.

Red Lentil Delight

Every Sunday I drive out to my parents house to spend time with them. I try to use the time wisely for laundry and homework but most the time I end up eating and napping with Grandma. I have learned that unless I come prepared with something from my own pantry, my dinner wont be as satisfying. Not to say that my parents don't cook well, quite the opposite actually. They're the best cooks I know! Always whipping up tamales and Chile verde or a big pan of enchiladas. (we are way too gringo to eat this much Mexican food) The meals aren't exactly meatless though so I know I have to bring something for myself to compliment whatever they've got going on. Anyway, I brought red lentils. I wanted soup. It's still pretty chilly outside and I think rainy March weather is perfect for good hearty soups. I knew my mom would have everything else I needed so I got to work.


Red Lentil Soup

What you'll need:
1 T. olive oil
1/2 onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped (I used about 10 baby carrots)
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 1/2 C red lentils
4 cups vegetable broth
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. thyme leaves
1 tsp. chili garlic sauce (optional)
1 tsp. "poultry" seasoning (I found this amazing seasoning at smiths and its basically just rubbed sage, thyme, rosemary)
salt and pepper to taste

What you'll do:

Heat olive oil in a good sized pot on medium high heat and add onion, carrot, and celery. Saute for about 5 minutes. I'm a firm believer that 90% of good soups should start this way. (mirepoix)


Add the rest of the ingredients. Lentils, broth, bay leaf, thyme, chili garlic sauce if using, "poultry" seasoning, salt and pepper.



Stir everything together, turn heat down to medium, cover with a lid and let it cook for about 30 minutes, stirring every 10 or so minutes. Taste and season as you wish with more salt or pepper or any spices you see fit.

It magically turns into a creamy lentil delight. It is filling and good for you! It isn't the most attractive looking soup though...

Sorta looks like baby food?

Aren't my parents cute? Making gravy for their mashed potatoes. My dad is a gravy genius.

Tofu Scramble: My version

A recipe for this isn't really necessary. These are more like guidelines. I've been enjoying tofu scramble for a few years, long before I gave up eggs. It is a high protein, low fat, low cholesterol meal that you can pack full of veggies. Basically cook it up just like you would your scrambled eggs.

What you need:

1 tsp olive oil

1 package firm tofu, crumbled

1 clove garlic, diced
1 jalapeno, chopped
1 carrot, chopped

1 tsp turmeric (this turns it yellow like scrambled eggs)

soy sauce- few good squirts

salt and pepper to taste

Thats my friend bok choy hiding back there. I like to add a green to mine but its optional.

What you do:

Heat oil in good size skillet over medium heat.
Add garlic, jalapeno, carrot and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Add crumbled tofu.
Add turmeric, salt and pepper and stir to combine everything.
Add soy sauce and let it all cook for about 5 minutes stirring here and there. This is the step where i'd also add any optional fast cooking veggies like mushrooms and spinach or bok choy or tomatoes.

The whole thing should take about 10 minutes from start to finish.

Pretty purple flowers from Lisa.

I enjoy mine on wheat toast usually with a few slices of avocado and tomato on top. A good hot sauce always spices things up too.

things I love

In no particular order:

Little Cheeto and his mother

Quinn, Meg, and I at the Gabba Gabba show!

My beautiful mother

Say McAnderson

My father and his brothers.

Lisa Lobes Lynn

My family.

These furry beasts.

My ladies.

This boy.

Lizzy

my Kate

to be continued

also

Did I mention that Sarah came home for a visit too? She is here for some family stuff so I am just taking every opportunity I get to visit with her even if its just for a bowl of spaghetti.

soup or bowl

Rather than bore you with why I havent blogged i'll just dive right in to what i'm up to.

Camille has been in town for almost a month and she's staying for another couple weeks. It is so wonderful to have her and her kids here. Olivia is the sweetest little girl I ever met. Sam is so amazing. He is perfect. The miracle of baby making will never cease to blow my mind. He is so miniature it scares me sometimes. Holding a baby might seem like fun to most of you but its a huge responsibility to me. Ok ok its fun too. I love to feed him and rock him and smell his baby smell. I have successfully avoided changing his diapers too. I've seen him crap or pee on everyone but me. He must love me. Kellen and Camille are really good parents and you can see it in Olivia every time she says please and thank you and sits quietly and eats her broccoli. Sam will be just as good I have no doubt.

School is going really well. I'm only taking two classes again this semester. I don't know how people work full time jobs and go to school and balance everything else in their lives. I'll figure it out. Can anyone suggest a career path that does not require any math classes other than 1010? Let me know.

Grandma came to live with us (when I say us I mean my mom but hey I live there too sorta not really but you know what I mean) and its been very up and down. On the upside I get to see my Grandma every day. Sometimes I feel like because we lived so far away from them growing up that I didnt get to spend a ton of time with my moms parents. I have a lot of incredible memories of Grandma reading stories to me and Grandpa and his stilts and how I was never brave enough to play on the rope swing in the backyard. We're making many more memories now that she is with us too. Just yesterday I got to explain to her what I burrito is. Something that I eat once or twice a week and she had never even heard of it. On the downside I also have to watch my mom take care of her mom and I know it isn't easy. My mom is the bravest most patient person that I have ever known. Its safe to say that the ugly elephant in the room is that my Grandma is really old and slowly deteriorating and she probably wont live for that much longer. It scares me and it makes me uncomfortable and its real and raw but its life and eventually we all meet our end. I'm happy we can provide her with good company and little things in life that mean a lot to her. She thinks we have all the luxuries. We can flush our toilet paper!!

Life is good and i'm just trying to live it fully.

He isnt great at keeping his eyes open for the camera but I looooove him.

Olivia and I

Megan and Camille thinking they're funny.

Silly face with Ryder.