Ballpark Food

Well, once again it's been well over 90 today. Let me tell you what this does to me. It makes me cranky. It makes me tired. It makes me cranky. So. Here is how our day goes : wake up, shower, eat, play, shop, snack, shop, eat lunch, take a nap, shop, go swimming/workout, eat, shower, d's bedtime, ari sits on the computer :) 

With the weather being so disgusting, I've been craving really simple meals that don't require turning on a 400 degree oven. Today's activities just simply reminded me of hot summer days at the little league ballpark watching my dad coach and my brother play. We almost always got a FRITO PIE! MMMMM! I usually make these in the winter with my homemade chili, but today, it was popping open a can of veggie chili. 

Recipe :

Big ol' bowl of chili cheese fritos

big ol' scoop of veggie chili

big ol' handful of shredded cheese (some like velveeta)

big ol scoop of sour cream

Pile first three ingredients in a bowl, throw it in the microwave until desire hotness, slap on some sour cream, mix it all up and chow down! oooh... puppy chow sounds good.

Summa Time...!

It's officially summer, with temps hitting almost to 100! RIDICULOUS! Though we don't have a grill, I was craving something "summery" and thought "BURGERS!" yeah, well. I improvised. 

Black Bean Burgers

1 15oz can black beans

1 C bread crumbs

1 egg

1 pinch cayenne pepper

1 t garlic

1 t cumin

1/2 onion

1/2 red pepper

This is my own recipe and it's delicious! Except when you put in way to much cayenne pepper. I use a food processor to chop my onion and red pepper to avoid the teary eyed syndrome. I mush up my black beans with a fork, add the onion, red pepper and remainng ingredients and mix well. Form them into patties and bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Flip half way if desired :) In the last 5-10 minutes I throw on a slice of thick extra sharp wisconsin cheddar to make it extra delicious! Toast your buns and top with favorite hamburger dressings. 

To go along with this, I make homemade french fries. Simply because I HATE not knowing how my food is made. So .... I make little potato wedges with my handy dandy knife and coat them with an olive oil, cracked pepper and garlic mix and bake until golden brown and sizzly at 350! 

and to top it all of 

because it is SUMMER TIME! ...

Caramelized Banana Ice Cream

If you don't have an ice cream maker. Make it a priority. OMG. Best gift ever! (Thanks mom and dad!)

4-5 medium overripe bananas, sliced into 1" pieces

1 t cinnamon

1/4 c brown sugar

1 T melted butter

2 C heavy cream

1 C whole milk

1/2 C sugar 

2 t vanilla

Bananas: coat bananas with a mixture of butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Bake at 400 for 15 minutes. Let cool completely. Blend until smooth. 

Ice cream: whisk together milk, cream, sugar and vanilla until sugar is dissolved. Add in cooled banana mixture. Chill. Follow your ice cream maker's directions to finish - YUMMMMM!

Back to Basics

At the end of this ridiculous week, I just didn't have much left in me. I have to give myself some serious kudos, though. Danika HATES vegetables. I know from my mom, my own experience, my own education that despite this fact, it's still important to offer them to her daily. I have to admit ... I'm not so good at that. Partially because Nate won't eat them, either, and so what's the point of taking time to cook veggies when I'm the only one eating them? 

Well. This week, so far, out of 6 days, Danika has had vegetables on her dinner plate 4 days! Yay me! Of course she didn't eat them, but this was a big step for me! 

The last few days ... dinner has consisted of ...

Friday: french bread pizza / caramelized apples and sweet potatoes

Saturday: Spaghetti / french bread / apple slices

At the moment? I'm enjoying a fresh cup of hot peppermint tea as I sit in a comfy chair at Barnes and Noble. There are just some very simple and enjoyable moments in life and this happens to be one of them...

A Big Problem!

So ... there's a problem with cooking all these new dishes. I can't stop eating! Yes, MOST of it is relatively healthy, but good heavens! I sure hope I can control myself when I'm not pregnant anymore. Although, I've only gained 1 pound in the last 3 weeks, so ... ugh ... guess it's not much of a problem. 

I have another new favorite dish. It's sitting in a bowl next to me right now. I don't have a lot of room in my tummy, so I'm trying to spread it out a bit so I can enjoy a lot more! What is this magical dish? ...

Chicken and Vegetable Peanut Noodles

1/2 bag Quorn chicken tenders

1/2 C smooth peanut butter

2 T soy sauce

2 t chile - garlic paste

2 t chopped garlic cloves

1 t ground ginger root

8 oz  noodles of choice 

12 oz chopped vegetables

Cook chicken according to package directions. Cook noodles according to package directions, less 1 minute. I used organic whole wheat soba noodles. YUM! While chicken and noodles are cooking, cook vegetables of choice (I used baby carrots and broccoli for some delicious color!)  in a method of your choice ... I chose to use my babycook to steam them. 

While noodles, chicken and veggies are cooking, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, chile paste, ground ginger, and garlic. It will be thick - no worries! 

When noodles have 1 minute left to cook, add in vegetables and continue to boil for one minute. Save 1 cup of cooking water, and continue to drain the noodles and veggies. Run under cold water to refresh the noodles and veggies. Remember that 1 C of cooking water? Mix it into the peanut butter sauce! I know ... it sounds odd, and I was skeptical. But the hot water dissolves and blends all the yummy flavors together and massively thins it out to a perfect consistency. Once mixed well, add the peanut sauce, noodles, chicken and veggies together and toss. Serve hot or cold. 

Thoughts: 

Him: At a bible study - has his mouth watering in anticipation! 

Her: This is DELICIOUS! One of my new favorites, for sure. It's a BIT spicy so next time I'll back off the spices or chile paste a tad, but it has such a wonderful flavor. It's a great way to sneak in some vegetables without them being in your face and having to force them down. The sauce mixture tastes delicious on it all! 

D : Nummy nummy nummy (noodles) yuck (carrots). She couldn't get enough of the noodles! It might as well have been mac and cheese for all she was concerned ... they were going in faster than I could have ever imagined. However, when she got a carrot slice, she spit it out. I know she loved carrot puree as a baby, I guess maybe she's just not a fan of the texture ... not to self- find recipes to include veggie purees. 

Overall - MORE PLEASE! 

Dessert - I had a handful of fresh raspberries and am on my way to make my first batch of ice cream for the summer ... banana! 

Always Hungry!

Seriously. I am so tired of eating every stinking hour. The food I make is delicious but good heavens, it'd be nice to stop shoving my face full. 

Tonight's adventure? Red Curry Tofu with Brown Rice and Vegetables

1 pound sweet potatoes, 1" cubed

1 pack extra firm tofu, 1" cubed

4 T canola oil

1/2 C veggie broth

2 t red curry paste

1 T brown sugar

1 14 oz can lite coconut milk

2 T lime juice

2 C instant brown rice

In a small pan, heat oil and cook tofu in 2 T oil until browned. As it's cooking, heat 2 T oil and cook sweet potato about 5 minutes. Add coconut milk, veggie broth, and curry paste. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 5-10 minutes (at this point I added in frozen cauliflower, carrots and snap peas). Add in brown sugar and tofu and let simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Cook instant brown rice (um, or non instant if you have time and patience) and mix into delicious curry sauce! 

Thoughts: 

Him ...(from her) Um. I didn't bother asking :) I went to prenatal yoga and left him to eat on his own, as I didn't want to hear complaints about tofu! 

Her: Eh. I've had better. It was an easy recipe to follow, but maybe my taste buds were just not having it tonight. It wasn't very heavy, which I'm feeling the need for these days. It could have had added some spiceness, maybe, but the sweet potato in it was PHENOMENAL. Yum! 

D: She ate a few sweet potatoes before feeling the need to dip them in her milk, which led her to eat no more. She wrinkled her nose when she touched the tofu and I knew THAT was out. But she ate quite a few spoonfuls of the rice/curry sauce mixture, so I can call it somewhat of a success.

Verdict ... great idea, need a new recipe. this was not a winner for the Hall family. 

MMM HMMM!

I had a daycare kiddo for 13 hours today, so I was WHOOPED by dinner time ... I resorted to a very basic yet oh so delicious dinner ...

Veggie Head Fajitas

1/2 bag Quorn Chicken Tenders

1 orange bell pepper

1 yellow bell pepper

1 T chopped garlic

1 large tomato, chopped

sour cream, salsa, guacamole (optional)

flour tortillas

MMMMMMMMMMM.

And to top it all off? A mint chocolate chip ice cream sandwich. MMMMMMMMMM.