It's Apple Time Again

Here is the first batch of caramel apples of the year. This first order included toasted coconut, mint chip, m&m, pecan and toffee.

Papa Murphy's

OMG - I found something new and exciting. Papa Murphy's! It seems I am the last to discover this place. For those of you like me who haven't yet tried this genius concept, Papa Murphy's lets you design your own pizza and makes it fresh with raw dough, fresh vegetables, cheese and meat. Then they put it on an oven safe pan, wrap it up with instructions and send it home to be baked fresh before eating. It was so fresh and delicious and didn't have any chemical or preservative taste. The dough baked up perfectly crisp on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. You would think that the cost of this gourmet delight would have been high but in fact it was much less than the local chain producing common, uninspiring, tired pies. Just look at the image below and tell me it doesn't look like a work of art. Thank you Papa Murphy for a great pie.

More Cakes

I did a couple of cakes over the last couple of months. Some were good and some.....not so much.

Yesterday we celebrated Riley's 9th Birthday. She had a bowling party and was very specific about how she wanted the cake. So here it is....A bowling ball and pin. The ball is half strawberry cake and half chocolate cake and the pin is vanilla cake. All covered in butter cream icing. Luckily the bowling ball didn't roll off on the way to the bowling alley.


One was a Sweet 16 cake.


Another was a first Birthday for a friend's Grandson. This cake makes me laugh every time I look at it. The cake was made to match the invitations which were trimmed in red bandanna with blue interior and brown text and trim. We got so tickled after this cake was finished because the brown letters of his named looked just like they were made of pieces of poop. But hey, one year old kids love poop right? (btw - I hate writing on cakes)

no carb Chinese

So I am still working the "no carb" menu. I have come up with a way to get my Chinese fix without the guilt. This is so simple. I seriously should host a 15 minute working Mother's meal show!!

Simply brown lean ground pork in sesame oil. Season with salt and pepper. Add frozen spinach, edemame beans, snap peas, yellow or red bell pepper and onions. Add soy sauce and heat until all veggies are heated but still brightly colored.

For the rest of the family, I serve this over udon noodles with an egg roll on the side. For me, it is a quick and satisfying way to tame my Chinese craving.

Tomatoe Basil Soup

1 large can crushed plain stewed tomatoes
1 large can crushed stewed tomatoes (italian seasoned)
1 cup chicken broth
2 cloves chopped garlic
salt
pepper
1 c. heavy cream
1/2 stick butter

Mix together tomatoes, chicken broth, salt, pepper and garlic. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Blend with wand mixer right in the pot or blend in a blender then return to the pot. Simmer over low heat until you have to serve it. The longer the better, but I make it quick after work during the week and it tastes great in less than 20min. Before serving, stir in the butter and cream until melted and well combined. Serve warm with garlic cheese bread or sprinkled with croutons and fresh basil. However you prefer, this is a great beginning to the winter season.

Weekend Roast Chicken

During the week, my meals take less than 30 minutes to make. Therefore, I save all my roasting for the weekends. In sticking with the no carb rules, I made onion roasted chicken with homegrown yellow squash and a fresh cold roasted leek salad.

Use your favorite bone in, skin on chicken pieces. My family prefers leg quarters. Make sure they are cleaned well. Salt and pepper both sides of chicken and place in baking dish skin side up. Top with lots of sliced onions and a few pats of cold butter. Bake for 2 hours at 350 degrees uncovered. Baste with pan juices just before serving. Skin will be brown and crispy.

Using the same bake time. Put a baking dish filled with thin sliced squash (yellow or zucchini) seasoned with salt, pepper and a little butter on bottom and top. This will bake for the same two hours next to the chicken.

Watch a movie and relax. (It's the weekend after all)

Once dinner is almost done, prepare your leek salad. Start by cleaning and slicing one large leek. Place in a hot skillet with a teaspoon of olive oil until nice and brown. Place on paper towel to cool. Mix together peeled and chopped cucumber, thinly sliced red bell pepper, fresh cilantro, salt, pepper, browned leeks and carb free miso dressing.

This meal is amazing and again carb free!

New Venture

As my friends and family already know, I am on a mission to lose 100 pounds and change my eating habits. Don't worry, I still believe in cooking delicious, decadent, and satisfying meals. I am above all a "foodie" and by no stretch of the imagination a "health nut".

I started this goal 6 weeks ago and have already lost 27 pounds. In the first week, I realized I would face an obstacle in staying on task. I was provided a very simple representation of a menu by my doctor. Knowing that my goal would take about 6 months to reach, I knew I had to get creative. There was no way I was going to eat the same thing everyday or sacrifice taste and experience for any prolonged amount of time. Any "foodie" will understand that all meals must be an event even when losing weight.

So I started comparing the nutritional value of foods which gave me options for equivalent substitutes in my menu. Once I had created a list of acceptable foods, I started developing simple and delicious meals.

NO CARB Fried Okra

As you read this description, keep in mind that I work a full time job and have an 8 year old daughter. The meals you read about on this blog take less than 30 minutes.



I apologize for the low quality photo of this plate. Take my word, it looks much more delicious than this picture shows.

Anyone from the south knows how much we like our fried okra. I just had to figure out how to get my fried okra fix without ANY CARBS. I took sliced okra (fresh or frozen) and added them to a very hot skillet with only a tablespoon of canola oil. Let them cook stirring frequently. I added thin sliced onions to enhance the flavor and cooked until everything is evenly browned. (I like them nearly black) Then remove to a paper towel to drain off any excess oil. Salt and pepper to taste and enjoy. You will be amazed how much it tastes like real southern fried okra.

On this plate you will also notice a skillet browned catfish fillet. Simply, season fillets with garlic salt and pepper. Place in a hot skillet with a tablespoon of olive oil and tablespoon of butter and cook until golden.

As an additional side dish for our fish, I made a cauliflower favorite. This dish takes less than 10 minutes. Take a bag of frozen cauliflower florets and put in a small baking dish. Microwave for 2 minutes. While that is heating, prepare the sauce. Mix together a Tb real mayo, Tb of brown mustard, 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Mix into cauliflower then top with grated cheddar cheese. Put back in the microwave for 4 minutes or until all cheese is melted.

This plate of food tastes like a guilty pleasure but is totally carb free.

The Grill

So I have become a griller. We grill most nights and have invented some amazing dishes. There is no truer statement than "Everything is better on the grill". Below are a few samples of our new favorites.

Steak, Asparagus and Tomato grilled and served with fresh avocado and miso dressing


Grilled portabella mushrooms and bell pepper sliced and put on a piece of Tandoori Style Naan Bread with a shmear of cream cheese and topped with Monterey Jack cheese. I then put this "pizza" back on the grill to heat through and melt the cheese. Delicious!!!!

Bul Gal Bi

Yesterday we went to Korea House in Austin and tried something new. Following a friends recommendation, we ordered Bul Gal Bi, short ribs marinated in a special Korean sauce then grilled. It came with many delicious tiny side dishes of fermented soy beans, kimchi, tofu and sprouts. We also shared a sushi roll of yellow fin and super white tuna.

Riley Makes Breakfast

My inspired 8 year old chef Riley wanted to make us breakfast on Sunday morning. I took her to the store to purchase her ingredients.

She picked out breakfast sausage patties, eggs, biscuits and cheddar cheese. She cooked everything herself and made the most delicious breakfast sandwiches.

Asian Slaw Sliders

In our house, pork sliders have become a staple. They are so easy and versatile. We experiment with different topping and seasonings to create many unique tastes.

Asian pork sliders begin with ground pork mixed with chopped green onions, salt, pepper and cilantro. Make into small patties and set aside.

Mix a quick Asian slaw with shredded cabbage, cucumbers and carrots dressed with rice wine vinegar, salt, pepper, cilantro and sesame oil.

Cook patties in a heated skillet oiled with a mixture of sesame oil and vegetable oil.

Toast several Hawaiian rolls. Place a petite patty with a spoon of slaw on each burger. Serve with pot stickers for a deliciously modern Asian meal.

Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburger

OK guys this is for you. This is a naughty, naughty burger but oh so good.

The secret is to make the patties real thin so that you can make double meat burgers without having too much meat. Remember more surface area means more flavor so two thin patties is much better than one thick one. Be sure to salt and pepper them liberally before grilling. These patties cook quickly to make sure you have everything else ready to go for the meal before firing up the grill.

First make the garlic mashed potatoes. Peel and boil potatoes until soft. Drain and set aside. He
at butter and chopped garlic in a skillet until butter sizzles and garlic cooks through. Be careful not to burn garlic pieces. Add the hot butter and garlic to the potatoes with a little milk and mash.

Keep the potatoes warm while you finish the burgers.

Make sure your fire is hot before you put the patties on. They won't take long but they need to get a good sear on each side. Make sure to put your cheddar cheese on the patties right before you take them off the grill.

Always toast the buns before assembly. Spread both sides of the bun with mayo then add two patties with cheddar, avocado slices, crisp bacon and fresh lettuce.

Serve with garlic mashers and enjoy. Ladies, this will make any man swoon.

Fish Sandwich with Spinach Mac and Cheese

This meal was very simple and includes an easy way to slip spinach into your child's diet.

For the fish sandwich

Fresh fish fillets (Catfish or Tilapia)
Salt & Pepper
2T Olive Oil & 2T Butter
Garlic
Avacado
Cabbage
Cilantro
Green Onion
Mayo
Lime Juice
French Bread Loaves

For the Spinach Macaroni

Frozen Chopped Spinach
Penne Pasta
Monterey Jack Cheese
1/4 cup Milk
Salt & Pepper

Start by preparing the Macaroni. Boil the pasta until al dente. Drain and mix in thawed spinach. Season with salt and pepper. Layer in a baking dish alternating pasta and cheese with sprinkles of milk. Start with pasta and end with a layer of cheese. Bake at 350 until all cheese is melted and the top is brown.

While pasta is baking, preheat a large skillet. Add olive oil, butter and garlic. Season fillets with Salt and Pepper. Saute in hot skillet until brown and flaky.

For spread, mix mayo, chopped green onion, cilantro and lime juice.

To assemble sandwich, split and toast French loaves. Spread each side with mayo mixture. Add grilled fish, avacado and shredded cabbage. (or lettuce)

Serve with spinach macaronni and enjoy!

Valentine's Day Treats

This year we had several requests for Valentine Treats so last night after running all over two small towns, I found enough strawberries and chocolate to fill the need. Below is a sample of what we delivered.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake for Two.
(Strawberry Cheesecake with dark chocolate ganache)

New York Cheesecake with Fresh Strawberries

Black and White Strawberries

Dark Covered Strawberries with Almonds

Teriyaki Elk Sticks

I received a new gas grill for Christmas and have had a few nice evenings to enjoy it. Last night we made Teriyaki Elk Sticks.

Soak bamboo skewers in water so they don't burn on the grill. Then load them with strips of tenderized elk steak that has been soaked in teriyaki sauce and fresh garlic. Place on a hot grill for 4-5 minutes a side and brush with remaining sauce while cooking.

My 8 year old daughter loved these! Remember - Kids will eat anything on a stick.