Sweet Chili Chicken and Veggies

I am so stoked to have a Trader Joe's near me again. Back on the west side that was the only place I shopped for groceries and if I wanted to go to one here it would take two hours to get there and back. I just don't have the time. But they finally opened a location that is half the distance. People always say they don't shop here because it's too expensive but my husband and I find we're getting better quality food for a cheaper ticket and if you stay away from all the glorious snack foods the bill is actually super cheap for all the nummy goodies you get. So I went all Trader's on this recipe and hope you have one near you!

Ingredients:

• Chicken tenders (about 6)
• 4-5 tbsp of Sweet Chili Sauce
• Trader Joe's mixed chopped veggie bowl
• 1/2 cup feta

In lieu of another horrible act of violence and another death toll to add to the list of why we should take a serious look at our gun laws, my heart goes out to the families and people who were wronged so deeply by someone so full of hate that it lead him to take the lives of innocent LGBTQ members. No one should live in fear just because they are who they are. Keep strong and this one's for you:

Directions:

1. In a large skillet cook your chicken until browned on both sides, turn down your heat and add your sauce. Cover, and let sit for a minute.
2. In bowls add a cup and a half of the veggie mix, place two tenders on top then sprinkle with feta.
3. Serve!

Falafel Waffle with Dill Sauce

Thunder and lightening, it's the most soothing of the weather conditions. I've been out and I've done all that I want to do today, like listening to Lemonade or Rihanna or making fun of friends as they play frisbee golf and I abstain from participation, now I loaf. I have a stack of romance movies, a glass of wine and something delicious on the menu for tonight. This is how weekends are meant to be spent. Let's get on with the food shall we?!

Ingredients for Waffles:

• olive oil cooking spray
• 2 cans of garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 large egg whites
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 3/4 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

For Sauce (not an exact science, I'm a taste until I like it type):

• 1/2 cup greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup tahini sauce
• juice from one lemon
• 1 tbsp dill

I absolutely love Rihanna's newest album, Work is great, but this one has been my favorite the past couple of weeks. She has really been evolving away from the crap like Umbrella and I am on board with it. Get it girl. 

Directions:

1. Preheat the waffle iron and spray with your cooking spray.
2. In a blender or food processor combine all ingredients except for cooking spray.
3. Form 3-4 inch sized patties with the falafel mixture. Then one at a time cook them in your iron until they are browned or crispy.
4. For the sauce: Combine your ingredients, and whisk with a fork. 
5. Top your waffles with a dollop of the sauce.
6. Serve!

Happy Eatings Everyone!

Spinach and Pancetta Naan Flatbread

It's been five months since I got a Monday to just work around the house, no errands, appointments or class to study for, I get to relish in a break from school for two weeks and I am not wasting a minute of this break that I get to myself. Like it's eleven and I already went on a half mile walk, vacuuming is done, the bathroom is clean, garbage is taken out, dishes are done and laundry is going, now it's lunch and I'm enjoying some Friends. I really do love days where I am productive, stuff get's done and then I get to just relax for a bit.

Ingredients:

• 4 Naan flatbreads
• 1/2 tbsp garlic
• 2 1/2 cup of fresh spinach
• 8 pieces of freshly sliced mozzarella 
• 1/8 cup chopped green onions
• 6 oz sautéed pancetta
• 1 avocado diced
• balsamic vinaigrette

Dear Chance the Rapper,

This song is too catchy. Stop it. I haven't been able to get it out of my head for days, anyone around me does not appreciate it...

Directions:

1. Spread spinach evenly over the flat breads, then do the same with the garlic and green onion. 
2. Place 2 pieces of mozzarella on top of the veggies for each flatbread.
3. Evenly sprinkle the pancetta on top of the cheese.
4. Broil for 4-5 minutes, or until cheese in melted and naan is browned.
5. Top with your diced avocado, then drizzle 1 tbsp of vinaigrette onto each flatbread.
6. Cut and serve!

Happy Eatings Everyone!

Homemade Corn Salsa

My yearly spring purge is done! Every time this year I go through my closet and get rid of non-savable or unworn clothes. Since everything for my kitchen is in storage right now I can't purge that area until we move. Something about getting rid of junk just feels liberating, if it doesn't have a home or a purpose then there's no need for it. When we finally get a house I don't want to move in only to have clutter and crap everywhere, it leads me to  feeling stressed and anxious. I am glad I've made my piles and tomorrow they will be sent elsewhere, out of our lives to a place that it may have a better use. Happy spring everyone!

Ingredients:

• 2 ear of corn, shucked, cooked and corn removed.
• 1/2 red onion diced
• 3 roma tomatoes diced
• 1/4 cup chopped, fresh cilantro
• juice from 1 1/2 limes
• salt and pepper to taste

In honor of our dear Prince passing last week, and him being in my top 5 artists of all time, and me still not being over it, and this movie being as great as it is, here is a lovely video for you to enjoy:

Directions:

1. In a medium sized bowl mix together all ingredients, starting off with only a little salt and pepper then working toward the amount you prefer.
2. Serve!

So fresh, so yummy so good. Happy Eatings Everyone!

Feta Basil Turkey Burger

I've been trying to adjust to the inland northwest for the past two years now. My husband and I made this move to make changes, and actually make progress in our goals. We were stuck in a town that we loved, with people that we loved and absolutely no prospects career or goal wise, so we had to make a difficult decision stay or leave. Moving back to the city we attended high school in was a hit in the ole memory lane, not all of them good. But in reflecting over the past 18 months or so, as I sit on a lounge chair in the new spring warmth and I look at just how close we are to purchasing our first home and how I'm finally back in school working towards something, I can't help but think we made the right choice. Alright, enough, let's move on to the food.

Ingredients (makes 4 burgers):

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 4 tbsp freshly minced basil
• 1/2 crumbled feta
• 2 tsp worcestershire sauce
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 burger buns
• olive oil

If there's one thing that always feels like home that's a Howard Keel movie, here's a number from Kiss Me Kate, a wonderful movie with the fantastic Ann Miller. Thanks Cole Porter for a wondrous movie like this one: 

Directions:

1. In a bowl mix together turkey, basil, worcestershire sauce, and feta. Form four patties with the mixture.
2. In a large skillet fry the patties in olive oil, about 5 minutes per side. 
3. Serve on a bun with spinach and whatever condiments you prefer!

Happy Eatings Everyone!

Honey Cod with Asian Sesame Noodles

I've started making a few changes in my life. The type of changes where you actually want them to stick, you don't just keep at it for a month and then lose interest and eventually stop doing them. First, I started up yoga again. I say again but I only did it for a few months a couple years ago and I never stuck with it because I kept telling myself I couldn't do it. Not this time. Second, I actually sought out professional care with my anxiety because I refuse to allow it to ruin things I could potentially really enjoy. Third, I have been going outside more. Now, this doesn't mean I am going outside to be busy, I just have been sitting outside more. I realized that being the social media and pop culture hound that I am that I hardly go outside just to sit and enjoy this world we have. I think these are positive changes, and I don't think that I am asking too much of myself, which is how I think I fail when I set goals, I set too many too high, so this time I just want to work on myself and try to make incremental changes!

Ingredients for Cod:

• Two cod fillets
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2-3 tbsp honey
• 1tbsp coconut oil

Ingredients for Noodles:

• 12 oz spaghetti noodles cooked
• 4 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1/2 tsp chili paste (hot)
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 3-4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• green onions chopped (for garnish)

Lately I've been feeling a tad on the hippy dippy side, I think it may be that flowers are blooming and we've had out of the norm warm weather this week or maybe that I will always have a little hippy deep down in me. From a band that I can't say I've ever really listened a lot of, but I always liked this ditty:

 Directions for Cod:

1. Mix together honey and soy sauce then place cod and mixture in a ziplock bag to let marinate for 1-2 hours.
2. Next bring skillet to medium high heat and place coconut oil in it. 
3. Place your marinated fillets in skillet and cover it, cooking for 4-5 minutes on each side.
4. Remove from heat and set aside.

Directions for Noodles:

1. In a large bowl mix together your cooked spaghetti noodles and all the other ingredients except the green onion.
2. Once coated evenly top with green onions.
3. Serve with Cod!

Happy Eatings Everyone!

Easy Brussel Sprout Bake

Ok so it's been too long since my last post, but you try to juggle all the crap I've been doing...Ok so lot's of people are juggling just as much as I do, but none the less. FEEL MY PAIN (or just listen to me whine for a bit). Never mind. I know that doesn't sound appealing to you, the hungry person who isn't even reading this and just skimming down to the recipe because that's what you came here for and you're a busy human who can't be bothered by the ramblings of someone who just tried to write about the role of media in our society today for her class tomorrow. Welcome, bake, and eat, my little skimmer and I hope you enjoy it!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shaved brussel sprouts, ends removed
• 8 oz thinly cut prosciutto 
•  3 tbsp olive oil
• salt and pepper to take
• 1/2 yellow onion diced
• 1 cup crumbled Romano cheese

I'm not sure what mood I am in, so I'll place an every popular and beautiful singer here so we can all just appreciate something together. You know because that's why they it POP music... Popular, get it?

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a large bowl toss your brussel sprouts with oil, salt and pepper. 
3. Place on a greased cookie sheet with diced onion, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until fully cooked through.
4. Next top your sprouts with the prosciutto and cheese, put back in oven for 10 minutes, to warm every thing up.
5. Serve!

Happy Eatings Everyone!