Hey Giggles!!
Just a quickie (wink wink). I'm not feeling the greatest today. We cancelled game night so that Hubs could go to the city and visit his grandpa (of sorts) in the hospital. Since I was suddenly sans smelly boys (sorry guys!!) and not feeling so good (and watching what I am eating) I decided to make cabbage and carrot soup. Nice and simple!!
I simply (and I mean simply) pulled out a bag of beef stock that I had frozen. It was about a half a quart freezer bag left over from the last soup that I made. I tossed it and a couple of cups of water into a pot. Then I grabbed the bag of baby carrots that I had hid in the crisper (Hubs like to eat them) and tossed the whole bag in too!! Next I chopped the head of cabbage (about 3/4 of a normal size that was left over from my salads the day before) into chunks and plopped it all into the pot. Added some minced, dry onion (about quarter of a cup or so) and dumped some pepper (I like ALOT of pepper but to each their own) into the mix. Next came the lid and high heat. I let it heat up an boil while I did a sink full of dishes and threw on a load of clothes. After the laundry was tended to, I turned the heat down low and let it simmer until the carrots were tender. I spooned it out and sprinkled with a bit of salt and enjoyed...YUMMY!!!
This is a quick, thrown together soup that is comforting when one is not feeling so hot. Add potatoes or corn (or green beans!) and enjoy. I just wanted something simple. Have a good night!! I'm going to curl up with a cup of peppermint tea. YUM!!!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
Salisbury Steak...with mushrooms...lots and lots of mushrooms...
Howdy Giggles!!
So, it's been what seems like a really long day, but I feel as if I accomplished very little. Huberino and I went shopping earlier and got the fixings required to make a favorite of ours, Salisbury Steak. Ok, so we really only needed to get some hamburger, but hey, an adventure is an adventure.
Anyway, I'm going to share with you how I make Salisbury Steak. I've tweaked this recipe over the years from a variation of my Mom's. I like alot more mushrooms (see the title!) and onions than she does. It's a good thing I have a husband who will kiss me no matter what! I'm a good cook, but I don't always have recipes. When asked for my chili recipe, I told one of my hubby's friends that it depends on what is in the cupboard (and o boy is that true-I can swing edible from just about anything).
First you start off with some ground beef (turkey burger is also good but I didn't like the options the store had today). A pound and a half is enough to make 6 decent sized burgers. Figure about one half pound precooked weight. (Keep in mind that one burger is about 2 servings of hamburger for those of us counting such things) Put it in a bowl and add in one packet of Lipton (or off brand since they are really all the same!) Soup Mix. I prefer the Onion Mushroom. Add in one 6oz can (or handful of diced fresh) drained mushrooms (or two or three....I REALLY like mushrooms). In this case I only added one. Add onions if you like. Fresh are good, but honestly I prefer the minced, dried kind. They just seem to add more flavor, plus regular onions come into play in a few. After you have all of this in the bowl hand mix it until it is good and mixed.
Next turn the oven on to about 325ish (see...no recipe really plus my oven is temperamental). Take the pan that you will be baking in ( I suggest going on the large side) and spray it with a non stick oil or spray. Measure out a cup of dry white or brown rice. Add 2 cups of water. Next take 2 packets of brown gravy mix (any brand is fine and the cheap stuff works GREAT!!) and add to the rice and water. You may be asking 2!? You can choose to use 1 if you want, but I like a richer, deeper flavor, hence 2. As I said, I've adapted this to our tastes. After the gravy is all dissolved and mixed in (or if you have an awesome husband like I do and he did this part) go back to the hamburger. I like to use a burger press for mine and stuff fresh onion and a few mushrooms inside, but that's personal preference. Once you have the patties formed, toss them in a frying pan. Browning them gets a lot of the grease out so you're not eating grease gravy.
Once they burgers are browned (but still squishy and pink inside) add them to your rice/gravy mixture.
now, more mushrooms and onions (Oh my!!). I like to leave my onions in rings (they are just more fun to eat that way). Add as little or as many onions and mushrooms as you chose (I added 2 more cans here!), just be sure to mix them into the gravy mixture or they may dry out. After you have sufficiently shroomed and onioned it up cover it and place the yummy concoction in the oven. Let it bake covered for about a half hourish (again my oven hates me and I have to wing it). Uncover it and check your rice. I like my rice nice and soft, plump with the gravy and shroomy goodness. Some people like theirs a bit more tough and undone. To each their own.
So, it's been what seems like a really long day, but I feel as if I accomplished very little. Huberino and I went shopping earlier and got the fixings required to make a favorite of ours, Salisbury Steak. Ok, so we really only needed to get some hamburger, but hey, an adventure is an adventure.
Anyway, I'm going to share with you how I make Salisbury Steak. I've tweaked this recipe over the years from a variation of my Mom's. I like alot more mushrooms (see the title!) and onions than she does. It's a good thing I have a husband who will kiss me no matter what! I'm a good cook, but I don't always have recipes. When asked for my chili recipe, I told one of my hubby's friends that it depends on what is in the cupboard (and o boy is that true-I can swing edible from just about anything).
First you start off with some ground beef (turkey burger is also good but I didn't like the options the store had today). A pound and a half is enough to make 6 decent sized burgers. Figure about one half pound precooked weight. (Keep in mind that one burger is about 2 servings of hamburger for those of us counting such things) Put it in a bowl and add in one packet of Lipton (or off brand since they are really all the same!) Soup Mix. I prefer the Onion Mushroom. Add in one 6oz can (or handful of diced fresh) drained mushrooms (or two or three....I REALLY like mushrooms). In this case I only added one. Add onions if you like. Fresh are good, but honestly I prefer the minced, dried kind. They just seem to add more flavor, plus regular onions come into play in a few. After you have all of this in the bowl hand mix it until it is good and mixed.
Next turn the oven on to about 325ish (see...no recipe really plus my oven is temperamental). Take the pan that you will be baking in ( I suggest going on the large side) and spray it with a non stick oil or spray. Measure out a cup of dry white or brown rice. Add 2 cups of water. Next take 2 packets of brown gravy mix (any brand is fine and the cheap stuff works GREAT!!) and add to the rice and water. You may be asking 2!? You can choose to use 1 if you want, but I like a richer, deeper flavor, hence 2. As I said, I've adapted this to our tastes. After the gravy is all dissolved and mixed in (or if you have an awesome husband like I do and he did this part) go back to the hamburger. I like to use a burger press for mine and stuff fresh onion and a few mushrooms inside, but that's personal preference. Once you have the patties formed, toss them in a frying pan. Browning them gets a lot of the grease out so you're not eating grease gravy.
Once they burgers are browned (but still squishy and pink inside) add them to your rice/gravy mixture.
now, more mushrooms and onions (Oh my!!). I like to leave my onions in rings (they are just more fun to eat that way). Add as little or as many onions and mushrooms as you chose (I added 2 more cans here!), just be sure to mix them into the gravy mixture or they may dry out. After you have sufficiently shroomed and onioned it up cover it and place the yummy concoction in the oven. Let it bake covered for about a half hourish (again my oven hates me and I have to wing it). Uncover it and check your rice. I like my rice nice and soft, plump with the gravy and shroomy goodness. Some people like theirs a bit more tough and undone. To each their own.
And this (!!) is the final product!
(Oopps...gotta add the picture!!)
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Journey to Healthier Jessi.....
Hello Giggles!!
So hubby and I thought we were pregnant a week or so ago (YAY !! Right?) I was over a month and a half late and we were hopeful, squeezing with our fingers crossed. I had peed on so many sticks with mixed results we were about to go to Planned Parenthood. Finally Aunt Flo (ick I hate that name come to think of it-you know what, I'm going to call it as I see it)...Finally my period arrived. It was a sad day, but that's the thing with sad days, if you never had them, you would never be realize how awesome good and great days really are.
In my research to conceive, I found that weight plays a larger factor than I thought. I kinda just shook my head, I've known lots of fat women who got pregnant, multiple times even, so why couldn't I? After a day or so of sulking and having a mental pity party, I decided to deal with it. In addition to my party for one, last week I went to fill out hubby's insurance enrollment and found that as a part time associate he can not cover his spouse. So...WTF?! Here I thought I had been covered since I left Wal-Mart in June, but that was not the case. So, here I am with no insurance and wanting to add to our family. So, how hard could it be to get insurance right? Well, hard and expensive. I'm too fat.
So, I'm losing weight, but not on a crash diet or with hokey pokey miracle cures. I'm changing the way I eat (sad panda face...I LOVE junk food). I started researching for programs to help me. I wanted something that I could stick with, something I could use at home or out on the run. This meant it had to have an app for my Droid. I also wanted something that would keep me honest and that I would strive to be the best. I found Lose It. So far I LOVE it!! I use the free version, even though there is a paid program. I weigh every morning after I've done the potty dance and plan my meals and snacks out the best I can. It shows me what I've had and what I've lost (I'm a girl who LOVES her some graphs and charts!!!) including weight, calories and BMI...so it's great. It also has an extensive food library and the ability to make customized foods. So, I'm giving it 4 out of 5 stars for right now. I'm going to continue to use it and we shall see. If you want to check it out here's the link ----> Lose It !!!
So far I have been using Lose It for about 2 weeks. I'm down 11 pounds, although it took a day or two to figure out my new scale. I'm really looking forward to a healthier me. I want to have a baby and be healthy (plus being able to be insured is a HUGE bonus). I'm doing this for me and no one else...although part of me want to slim down and get a kick ass pair of jeans with heels and a nice (super cute) top and allow my husband to show me off around town.
So hubby and I thought we were pregnant a week or so ago (YAY !! Right?) I was over a month and a half late and we were hopeful, squeezing with our fingers crossed. I had peed on so many sticks with mixed results we were about to go to Planned Parenthood. Finally Aunt Flo (ick I hate that name come to think of it-you know what, I'm going to call it as I see it)...Finally my period arrived. It was a sad day, but that's the thing with sad days, if you never had them, you would never be realize how awesome good and great days really are.
In my research to conceive, I found that weight plays a larger factor than I thought. I kinda just shook my head, I've known lots of fat women who got pregnant, multiple times even, so why couldn't I? After a day or so of sulking and having a mental pity party, I decided to deal with it. In addition to my party for one, last week I went to fill out hubby's insurance enrollment and found that as a part time associate he can not cover his spouse. So...WTF?! Here I thought I had been covered since I left Wal-Mart in June, but that was not the case. So, here I am with no insurance and wanting to add to our family. So, how hard could it be to get insurance right? Well, hard and expensive. I'm too fat.
So, I'm losing weight, but not on a crash diet or with hokey pokey miracle cures. I'm changing the way I eat (sad panda face...I LOVE junk food). I started researching for programs to help me. I wanted something that I could stick with, something I could use at home or out on the run. This meant it had to have an app for my Droid. I also wanted something that would keep me honest and that I would strive to be the best. I found Lose It. So far I LOVE it!! I use the free version, even though there is a paid program. I weigh every morning after I've done the potty dance and plan my meals and snacks out the best I can. It shows me what I've had and what I've lost (I'm a girl who LOVES her some graphs and charts!!!) including weight, calories and BMI...so it's great. It also has an extensive food library and the ability to make customized foods. So, I'm giving it 4 out of 5 stars for right now. I'm going to continue to use it and we shall see. If you want to check it out here's the link ----> Lose It !!!
So far I have been using Lose It for about 2 weeks. I'm down 11 pounds, although it took a day or two to figure out my new scale. I'm really looking forward to a healthier me. I want to have a baby and be healthy (plus being able to be insured is a HUGE bonus). I'm doing this for me and no one else...although part of me want to slim down and get a kick ass pair of jeans with heels and a nice (super cute) top and allow my husband to show me off around town.
What's Going On ???
So, today was a busy day (although I did get a teeny tiny 10 minute nap in-yay for naps !!)
I'll post more on what I've cooked today as most of them are repeat recipes that I will be remaking later this week. I made 2 loaves of bread as well as cut another loaf in half and froze the dough for later use. I also cut up the first of three pumpkins that I will be using to make pies and bread later this week and month. I'll be seeing how well pumpkin freezes. I also found a great recipe for a homemade crust that I'm itching to try. It requires Crisco, which I do not have!! NO!!! Now I'm going to have to go to the store...damn. I kept the seeds and separated them from the guts. I then made caramelized pumpkin seeds. OMG!! Yummy!! I also finally got around to trying to make some yonana (this will get its own post too because it was AMAZING-I even saved some for hubby!) So now onto my weight loss post!! I'll post more on the food tomorrow!!
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