Stuffed tomatoes anyone?! I found a French recipe for stuffed tomatoes and quinoa, aka tomates farcies. How exciting! It is a traditionally summer dish, but is served warm and is really more received to be a comfort food dish. On this gray drizzily day, comfort food sounds lovely.
Tomates farcies are also not vegetarian...not traditionally at least, and are stuffed with sausage. This isn't a problem for us resourceful vegetarians...we just substitute. But what is a girl to do when she is gluten free, AND doesn't feel like going to the grocery store after her workout? What about chickpeas? I know those are in the pantry...and I love them. It appears that I will mix diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, cilantro (or some kind of seasoning...Herbs de Provence?!) and Swiss cheese to stuff in the tomatoes. Since I wont be adding sausage...I think I will stuff them with the quinoa as well.
The author said that some people use breadcrubs as a binder, but she never does. I wont be either.
Here is the original recipe:
- 1 or 2 tomatoes per person: you want medium-size or big tomatoes, not plum-size. I like sto use Beefsteak tomatoes
- Hot or mild Italian sausages; about 1/4 - 1/2 per tomato
- Fresh cilantro or fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped
- Tomato Sauce ( I generally use about 1.5 cups for 8 medium tomatoes)
- Grated Swiss cheese (I generally use 1/2 cup for 8 medium tomatoes)
- Salt and Black pepper to taste
Pre-heat oven to 375F (180C)
Slice the top of the tomatoes and keep them (we call them chapeau (or hat)).
Carve the tomatoes, trying not to cut through the skin. Reserve everything you get out (la chair)
Place carved tomatoes in a baking dish. They have to be tight so that they don't fall apart when they bake.
Take the skin of the sausages out and put the meat in a large bowl
Cut the chair a tomates in small dices, discard the extra juice and mix in the dices into the sausages
Add cilantro (or Italian parsley), Swiss Cheese
Pour tomato sauce and mix well,
Add salt and black pepper to taste
Stuff the tomatoes and cover them with their chapeau.
Cook in the oven for 40 minutes.
My Personal Comments:
I use pork, chicken or turkey sausages depending on what's available at the supermarket that day.
The tomatoes will release a lot of juice as they cook. I use it to cook the Quinoa or to pour over it.
You can reheat the tomates farcies; you can therefore make them in advance. Just cover them with foil so that they don't dry too much when you reheat them.
http://whatareyoufeedingyourkidsthesedays.blogspot.com/2010/02/stuffed-tomatoes-with-quinoa.html
We shall see how this goes! =)
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Slacking Off
Wow...it is evident I have been slacking off a bit. I had dinner cooked for me two nights in a row by my chef of a mother. I have nothing to report except for the fact that I still have much to learn.
So I believe waiting in our pantry is quinoa and a box of tomatoes (I asked you, SM, last week when we were at Costco what ON EARTH we were going to do with a giant flat of tomatoes...and you said eat them. Yeah...we haven't touched them yet.) Dear lord what on earth should I make!? I am just going to add to the pressure with the thought that my mom would have an idea and be able to whip it up in no time.
So I believe waiting in our pantry is quinoa and a box of tomatoes (I asked you, SM, last week when we were at Costco what ON EARTH we were going to do with a giant flat of tomatoes...and you said eat them. Yeah...we haven't touched them yet.) Dear lord what on earth should I make!? I am just going to add to the pressure with the thought that my mom would have an idea and be able to whip it up in no time.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Leftovers
Friday night was a relaxing evening. After working out, I came home to heat up leftovers from the past two nights.
Afterwards, we went down to The Landing to meet my parents at the wine bar for a glass of wine. We concluded the night by falling asleep on the couch watching an episode of Dexter.
This entire weekend was really pretty lazy. I cooked dinner Sunday night, which was simply sauted bell peppers and mushrooms with garlic in a pre-made butternut Squash pasta sauce on top of quinoa. Pretty tasty, and quick. I think I needed a weekend off.
We have stopped actively looking for houses for a little while. It seems that a lot of homeowners are master photographers. What looked like quaint in a photograph looks downright shabby in person. A lot of homeowners do not want to wait a month for a mortgage payment (not that I blame them), so we are looking a bit early for a July 1st move in date. We are looking at a place tomorrow...it does seem that they would rent to us...if they HAD to...they would rather rent sooner. We shall see.
So, I am feeling rather lazy. I am not sure if it has to do with just momentum from the weekend, being overwhelmed or just rather feeling like stale leftovers. I have only 22 working days left. I am attempting to strike a delicate balance between caring and realizing that I am on my way out. While I do not want to be a burden on my office, nor do I want to lose the three paychecks I have owing to me, I also feel an undeniable urge to turn off this computer and run out the door.
It is especially bad today because my boss is at his son's college graduation. I am stuck here in the office, with nothing to do, knowing that I can take time off if needed. However, I fear looking like a slacker.
So here I sit and blog about how I don't want to be at work and look up new and exciting recipes to try out.
Afterwards, we went down to The Landing to meet my parents at the wine bar for a glass of wine. We concluded the night by falling asleep on the couch watching an episode of Dexter.
This entire weekend was really pretty lazy. I cooked dinner Sunday night, which was simply sauted bell peppers and mushrooms with garlic in a pre-made butternut Squash pasta sauce on top of quinoa. Pretty tasty, and quick. I think I needed a weekend off.
We have stopped actively looking for houses for a little while. It seems that a lot of homeowners are master photographers. What looked like quaint in a photograph looks downright shabby in person. A lot of homeowners do not want to wait a month for a mortgage payment (not that I blame them), so we are looking a bit early for a July 1st move in date. We are looking at a place tomorrow...it does seem that they would rent to us...if they HAD to...they would rather rent sooner. We shall see.
So, I am feeling rather lazy. I am not sure if it has to do with just momentum from the weekend, being overwhelmed or just rather feeling like stale leftovers. I have only 22 working days left. I am attempting to strike a delicate balance between caring and realizing that I am on my way out. While I do not want to be a burden on my office, nor do I want to lose the three paychecks I have owing to me, I also feel an undeniable urge to turn off this computer and run out the door.
It is especially bad today because my boss is at his son's college graduation. I am stuck here in the office, with nothing to do, knowing that I can take time off if needed. However, I fear looking like a slacker.
So here I sit and blog about how I don't want to be at work and look up new and exciting recipes to try out.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Spice Market Sweet Potato and Lentil Packets
Last night my boss came to me at 4:15 with dictation that he wanted out by the end of the day. My boss doesn't just dictate something, sign it and send it out. Rather dictation is always a work in progress. He changes sentences, moves things around, rephrases whole paragraphs so the letter says what he really meant. I could have strangled him...
...the only thing redeeming him was the fact that he is out today.
Anyways, all I could think about was he was going to make me late to the gym, which would mean I would get home even later to make dinner with fH. I ended up getting out of the office at 5 on the dot...I am such a rockstar...minus the leather pants.
I managed to get my workout done and was home by 7:30. Not bad if I might say so myself. A few days ago when I went grocery shopping, without really thinking, I ended up purchasing a bag of lentils rather than a can of lentils. Lentils require some amount of cooking. Luckily it takes about 20 minutes and fH is fully capable of following instructions. By the time I got home I had freshly cooked lentils on the stove and a nice and hot oven waiting for me. What a lucky girl I am. I chopped up the sweet potatoes and orange bell pepper and put them in a bowl with the sesame oil. I didn't use green beans because they were all floppy at the grocery store...yuck! In a separate bowl I whisked together the ginger (I didn't mince it finely enough...next time I will grate it), garlic, and curry powder (you really cant overdo it with curry powder...I would add more next time) with veggie broth.
Putting together the packets is quite simple. I used a slightly different technique then the recipe called for. I laid out a length of aluminum foil and put a fourth of the potato mixture on it, and scooped a 3/4 cup amount of lentils on top of the potatoes, I then folded the aluminum foil over on top of the mixture (folded it in half essentially) and rolled up the sides, making a sort of bag. I then poured a 1/4 of the liquid in through the top and rolled the top up. The recipe makes 4 packets. They cook for about 25 minutes.
From: http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/spice-market-sweet-potato-and-lentil-packets-424902
Meanwhile, I noticed that the recipe suggested pairing this with quinoa. fH took that task upon himself, and just following the directions on the Costco sized bag of quinoa with veggie broth, it turned out so good! We had never made quinoa before.
*What is quinoa you might ask? Apparently is isn't really a grain...it is a seed, and is related to spinach, beets, and Swiss chard. It is usually substituted for any grain, however. It is rich in protein, iron, potassium and other vitamins and minerals and is a good source of fiber.*
Because I was missing the green from the green beans, I threw some brussel spouts...mmm I love brussel sprouts...
...tossed in olive oil and salt and pepper in the oven. They remarkably were done about the same time as the packets. Everything came out wonderful. The sweet potatoes were perfectly cooked. Sometimes I surprise even myself.
Here is what the finished meal looked like:
Anyways, tonight is left over night. Spice Market Packets again. I love leftovers...it makes life just a little easier, I think.
...the only thing redeeming him was the fact that he is out today.
Anyways, all I could think about was he was going to make me late to the gym, which would mean I would get home even later to make dinner with fH. I ended up getting out of the office at 5 on the dot...I am such a rockstar...minus the leather pants.
I managed to get my workout done and was home by 7:30. Not bad if I might say so myself. A few days ago when I went grocery shopping, without really thinking, I ended up purchasing a bag of lentils rather than a can of lentils. Lentils require some amount of cooking. Luckily it takes about 20 minutes and fH is fully capable of following instructions. By the time I got home I had freshly cooked lentils on the stove and a nice and hot oven waiting for me. What a lucky girl I am. I chopped up the sweet potatoes and orange bell pepper and put them in a bowl with the sesame oil. I didn't use green beans because they were all floppy at the grocery store...yuck! In a separate bowl I whisked together the ginger (I didn't mince it finely enough...next time I will grate it), garlic, and curry powder (you really cant overdo it with curry powder...I would add more next time) with veggie broth.
Putting together the packets is quite simple. I used a slightly different technique then the recipe called for. I laid out a length of aluminum foil and put a fourth of the potato mixture on it, and scooped a 3/4 cup amount of lentils on top of the potatoes, I then folded the aluminum foil over on top of the mixture (folded it in half essentially) and rolled up the sides, making a sort of bag. I then poured a 1/4 of the liquid in through the top and rolled the top up. The recipe makes 4 packets. They cook for about 25 minutes.
From: http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/spice-market-sweet-potato-and-lentil-packets-424902
Meanwhile, I noticed that the recipe suggested pairing this with quinoa. fH took that task upon himself, and just following the directions on the Costco sized bag of quinoa with veggie broth, it turned out so good! We had never made quinoa before.
*What is quinoa you might ask? Apparently is isn't really a grain...it is a seed, and is related to spinach, beets, and Swiss chard. It is usually substituted for any grain, however. It is rich in protein, iron, potassium and other vitamins and minerals and is a good source of fiber.*
Because I was missing the green from the green beans, I threw some brussel spouts...mmm I love brussel sprouts...
...tossed in olive oil and salt and pepper in the oven. They remarkably were done about the same time as the packets. Everything came out wonderful. The sweet potatoes were perfectly cooked. Sometimes I surprise even myself.
Here is what the finished meal looked like:
Anyways, tonight is left over night. Spice Market Packets again. I love leftovers...it makes life just a little easier, I think.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Hawaiian Style Sweet and Sour Roasted Pineapple and Red Bell Pepper
Last night I made Hawaiian Roasted Pineapple and Red Bell Pepper. Considering that I was at my fiance's house, I didn't have the typical baking sheet. Instead they only have 1/2 size sheets! Really? Why do they even make those?! How on earth could you possibly use 1/2 size cookie sheets? I mean...if you bake cookies...you would need to use at least four if not six sheets to do what two or three normal sized sheets would do! UGH!! Okay rant over...
Anyways...I had to use a pan...which means a thicker layer of pineapple/red onion/red bell pepper meaning no carmelization. The flavor was pretty good...it would have been better with carmelization, but it was good. The pineapple makes its own sauce...so it was very good just with rice. Nothing else really needs to be added. I used the entire pineapple, rather than just 2 cups...we love pineapple. But I measured out the oils and used my judgment for the brown sugar, salt and pepper. In the future the only thing I would change though would be using a regular baking sheet (the cookie sheet with the sides).
Here are the pictures from last night...we nearly finished the pan off, before I realized I didn't take a picture!
.jpg)
Action shot:
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Tonight I will be making Spice Market Sweet Potato and Lentil Packets from the May/June 2010 edition of Vegetarian Times. Sounds interesting?
The recipe calls for:
2-cups finely diced sweet potato
1-large bell pepper diced (1-1/2 cups)
1-cup fresh green beans -- the beans at the market looked terrible...I am thinking of substituting another green veggie... Brussel sprouts perhaps?
1/4 - cup golden raisins
2 - tbsp hot sesame oil
1 - cup low sodium vegetable broth
2 - tbsp minced fresh ginger
2 - fresh garlic cloves minced (2 tbsp)
1 - tsp curry powder -- I will have to rant about curry powder one of these days...in the meantime check out Alton Brown's rant about the stuff.
1-1/2 - cups cooked lentils, rinsed and drained OR 1 (15 oz) can of lentils, rinsed and drained
4 - tbsp mango chutney.
Anyways...I had to use a pan...which means a thicker layer of pineapple/red onion/red bell pepper meaning no carmelization. The flavor was pretty good...it would have been better with carmelization, but it was good. The pineapple makes its own sauce...so it was very good just with rice. Nothing else really needs to be added. I used the entire pineapple, rather than just 2 cups...we love pineapple. But I measured out the oils and used my judgment for the brown sugar, salt and pepper. In the future the only thing I would change though would be using a regular baking sheet (the cookie sheet with the sides).
Here are the pictures from last night...we nearly finished the pan off, before I realized I didn't take a picture!
.jpg)
Action shot:
.jpg)
Tonight I will be making Spice Market Sweet Potato and Lentil Packets from the May/June 2010 edition of Vegetarian Times. Sounds interesting?
The recipe calls for:
2-cups finely diced sweet potato
1-large bell pepper diced (1-1/2 cups)
1-cup fresh green beans -- the beans at the market looked terrible...I am thinking of substituting another green veggie... Brussel sprouts perhaps?
1/4 - cup golden raisins
2 - tbsp hot sesame oil
1 - cup low sodium vegetable broth
2 - tbsp minced fresh ginger
2 - fresh garlic cloves minced (2 tbsp)
1 - tsp curry powder -- I will have to rant about curry powder one of these days...in the meantime check out Alton Brown's rant about the stuff.
1-1/2 - cups cooked lentils, rinsed and drained OR 1 (15 oz) can of lentils, rinsed and drained
4 - tbsp mango chutney.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The House Hunt Continues
We have some criteria for our house hunt:
1) It has to be in an area where fH feels comfortable about me walking Bella by myself.
2) It has to have a dishwasher and garbage disposal.
3) It has to have a washer and a drier.
4) It has to be a one family residence with a fenced in back yard for Bella.
5) It would preferably be a three bedroom, a two bedroom would be fine however.
6) It would preferably have two closets in the master bedroom.
7) It has to have at least 1 and a half bathrooms.
8) It has to be in an area both convenient to fH's job as well as my future job working with my dad.
9) It has to fit in our budget.
The house we went to see last night that I was so excited about was a complete letdown. While the house itself was really cute, it was not in an area fH would want me walking alone. Since it didn't fit one of our "NEEDS," and was toeing the line on our budget, we didn't bother even looking at it. Unfortunately, since transplanting the house is not an option available to us, we must go back to the beginning.
Anyways, on to better things. Tonight I am cooking dinner and will be making Hawaiian-Style Sweet and Sour Roasted Pineapple and Red Bell Peppers published in the May/June 2010 edition of Vegetarian Times. It was originally published in Supermarket Vegan. The recipe calls for:
3-cups fresh cubbed pineapple
1-medium bell pepper cubbed (1-1/2 cups)
1-medium red onion cut in thin wedges (1-1/2 cups)
1-Tbs. Sesame Oil
1-Tbs. Vegetable Oil
1-Tbs. Light or dark brown sugar
1-Tbs. Sweetened coconut fakes (optional)
1-Tbs. Lime juice
The oven needs to be preset for 400 degrees. The pineapple, red bell pepper and red onion are all arranged on a baking sheet and drizzled with the sesame oil, vegetable oil and brown sugar, and seasoned with a little salt and pepper. They then roast on the center rack for about 30 minutes, turning once mid-way through. When they are finished roasting, a little lime juice is sprinkled on top of them, and the roasted pineapple and red bell pepper can be served atop some brown rice.
Per 1-cup serving:
Calories: 108
Protein: <1g
Total Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: <1g
Carbohydrates: 17g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 3mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 12g
I will post a picture later, and let you know how it is.
1) It has to be in an area where fH feels comfortable about me walking Bella by myself.
2) It has to have a dishwasher and garbage disposal.
3) It has to have a washer and a drier.
4) It has to be a one family residence with a fenced in back yard for Bella.
5) It would preferably be a three bedroom, a two bedroom would be fine however.
6) It would preferably have two closets in the master bedroom.
7) It has to have at least 1 and a half bathrooms.
8) It has to be in an area both convenient to fH's job as well as my future job working with my dad.
9) It has to fit in our budget.
The house we went to see last night that I was so excited about was a complete letdown. While the house itself was really cute, it was not in an area fH would want me walking alone. Since it didn't fit one of our "NEEDS," and was toeing the line on our budget, we didn't bother even looking at it. Unfortunately, since transplanting the house is not an option available to us, we must go back to the beginning.
Anyways, on to better things. Tonight I am cooking dinner and will be making Hawaiian-Style Sweet and Sour Roasted Pineapple and Red Bell Peppers published in the May/June 2010 edition of Vegetarian Times. It was originally published in Supermarket Vegan. The recipe calls for:
3-cups fresh cubbed pineapple
1-medium bell pepper cubbed (1-1/2 cups)
1-medium red onion cut in thin wedges (1-1/2 cups)
1-Tbs. Sesame Oil
1-Tbs. Vegetable Oil
1-Tbs. Light or dark brown sugar
1-Tbs. Sweetened coconut fakes (optional)
1-Tbs. Lime juice
The oven needs to be preset for 400 degrees. The pineapple, red bell pepper and red onion are all arranged on a baking sheet and drizzled with the sesame oil, vegetable oil and brown sugar, and seasoned with a little salt and pepper. They then roast on the center rack for about 30 minutes, turning once mid-way through. When they are finished roasting, a little lime juice is sprinkled on top of them, and the roasted pineapple and red bell pepper can be served atop some brown rice.
Per 1-cup serving:
Calories: 108
Protein: <1g
Total Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: <1g
Carbohydrates: 17g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 3mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 12g
I will post a picture later, and let you know how it is.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Dipping My Toes into the Collective Thought Ocean
Today is the first day house hunting with the future Husband as well as the first day of this blog. We are looking to move into a place the beginning of July. It is a pretty exciting time for us...well really for myself. We will be getting married in 95 days -- that is on August 21, 2010. I am quiting my shitty job as a paralegal on June 23, 2010 -- otherwise known as 25 more working days. My lovely cousin will be getting married on June 26th (our one year dating anniversary) in Helena, Montana. So in the matter of three months, give or take, I will be quiting my job, taking my future Husband to meet most if not all of my extended family for what will be for most of them the first time, moving into a new home, and settling into a life (for the time being) of voluntary unemployment.
My future Husband and I are both vegetarian. I think the one thing I am most excited for when I get my month and a half sabbatical before the wedding is all the lovely vegetarian recipes I am going to try out. Well, that and all the little DIY projects I have thought up for the wedding. I have plenty to keep me busy and happy.
Currently, I am dividing my time between my parents as well as that of my future Husband. It is quite the feat, I must say. My parents, my future Husband, and work all rest on an even 20 mile triangle. Meaning to travel to all three locations requires 60 miles. It is difficult to divide my time evenly, however. My future Husband lives with three other grown men who really enjoy playing computer games. They are definite "gamers." It is such a turn off for me...and when my future Husband gets sucked into a game, I have to leave; it is just too unappealing to me. There is plenty I cannot stand about "his" house. The other people living there. The location (the middle of bumfuck nowhere). The fact that I can't find ANYTHING in the kitchen. The fact that there is not a SINGLE sharp knife...I mean...I can't even cut a tomato! (This is the reason I am excited to get my own kitchen.) The fact that the house has bad energy. I could go on. The only positive is my Soulmate lives there. Well, that and I have my own walk-in closet. My parents house on the other hand has all the rest of my clothes and shoes, my comfy bed, and my puppy Bella. I am also really attached to my family and actually enjoy being with them. My future Husband does as well, so this is not a problem. Oh! And my mom is a spectacular cook...so I have gourmet meals nearly every night when I'm home. It really has just been logistics. He moved into his house with his buddies about 3 weeks after we met, so he has been locked into a lease until the beginning of July.
This blog is meant to chronicle this exciting period of my life...all the ups and downs of planning a wedding, the escapades in the kitchen, DIY projects, decorating on a budget, learning to live with a future spouse, and anything else that might and will probably come up in my life.
Currently on my to do list is to create organza flower packets for my bridesmaids. I have found a great tutorial on how to make organza flowers, and one of my bridesmaid suggested that I make packets of the materials with instructions and send a packet to each bridesmaid, along with a sample.
Another thing on my list is making some recipes out of my vegetarian recipe collection. First up is Hawaiian Style Sweet and Sour Roasted Pineapple. Yum!
My future Husband and I are both vegetarian. I think the one thing I am most excited for when I get my month and a half sabbatical before the wedding is all the lovely vegetarian recipes I am going to try out. Well, that and all the little DIY projects I have thought up for the wedding. I have plenty to keep me busy and happy.
Currently, I am dividing my time between my parents as well as that of my future Husband. It is quite the feat, I must say. My parents, my future Husband, and work all rest on an even 20 mile triangle. Meaning to travel to all three locations requires 60 miles. It is difficult to divide my time evenly, however. My future Husband lives with three other grown men who really enjoy playing computer games. They are definite "gamers." It is such a turn off for me...and when my future Husband gets sucked into a game, I have to leave; it is just too unappealing to me. There is plenty I cannot stand about "his" house. The other people living there. The location (the middle of bumfuck nowhere). The fact that I can't find ANYTHING in the kitchen. The fact that there is not a SINGLE sharp knife...I mean...I can't even cut a tomato! (This is the reason I am excited to get my own kitchen.) The fact that the house has bad energy. I could go on. The only positive is my Soulmate lives there. Well, that and I have my own walk-in closet. My parents house on the other hand has all the rest of my clothes and shoes, my comfy bed, and my puppy Bella. I am also really attached to my family and actually enjoy being with them. My future Husband does as well, so this is not a problem. Oh! And my mom is a spectacular cook...so I have gourmet meals nearly every night when I'm home. It really has just been logistics. He moved into his house with his buddies about 3 weeks after we met, so he has been locked into a lease until the beginning of July.
This blog is meant to chronicle this exciting period of my life...all the ups and downs of planning a wedding, the escapades in the kitchen, DIY projects, decorating on a budget, learning to live with a future spouse, and anything else that might and will probably come up in my life.
Currently on my to do list is to create organza flower packets for my bridesmaids. I have found a great tutorial on how to make organza flowers, and one of my bridesmaid suggested that I make packets of the materials with instructions and send a packet to each bridesmaid, along with a sample.
Another thing on my list is making some recipes out of my vegetarian recipe collection. First up is Hawaiian Style Sweet and Sour Roasted Pineapple. Yum!
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