Another go to dinner...

Needed quick and easy and  use up stuff from the frig...Riviera Maya bound in the morning!  We always freeze the extra grilled steak and chicken, my "meat bag"...and one of the quickest easiest meals to make is tostadas.  Some refried beans, chopped meat, usually some grilled onions that were in with the steak, shredded cheese...topped with what I need to use up in the frig- lettuce, tomatoes and avocadoes.  On the side, a salad with more lettuce, tomato, and avocadoes (for me there cannot be too many avocadoes!).  It is one of those nights where four kids has turned into none, but two will eventually return...hello SpongeBob Mac for veggie boy!  Oh, and the other perfect side dish?  A Flying Dog Garde Dog beer!  If you haven't discovered this Maryland microbrew you need to!

Dinner in 20...

My recent fascination with brick oven pizza had me cooking tonight...had the pleasure of getting some things at Trader Joes this weekend, including a flat bread pizza crust ($2.99 each); made one with cheese and sauce for the kids, then the grown ups had sliced tomatoes, basil, and sliced mozzarella (I love all things caprese!)...and I grilled them, which made all the difference in the world in taste!  Also did Smart Balance and some Italian seasoning on some bread from TJ's, then salad- my go to salad- lettuce, goat cheese, toasted (in the toaster oven) pecans, and today strawberries; sometimes use Granny Smith apples instead, or even Clementines or mandarin oranges.  Also threw in some Craisins; Costco usually has a cranberry crusted goat cheese which is heavenly in this salad, but last time I went they were out...hope it was a temporary thing!  For dressing I just used the Kraft Light Raspberry Vinaigrette, but Balsamic Vinaigrette also works well.  I don't generally love salads, but would eat this one every day!  Start to finish dinner in 20!

Tired Friday Nights

Ever have the kind of Friday that just won't end, that is the end of a week you thought would never end?  That was yesterday...sometimes work is just too much!  Very grateful to have a good job, but some weeks one can only do so much before mentally being done!  That is when the allrecipes app on the Iphone comes in handy!  Found a <20 minute meal to make for dinner- Shrimp Fettucine- I read some of the reviews and took the basic recipe and went with white wine vs. chicken broth (had just enough left in a bottle), and sauteed four garlic cloves, slightly smashed, in the Smart Balance (vs butter) to start....also threw in mushrooms, and used dried parsley....and a whole lemon's worth of juice.  I know, some people say why post comments on something you have changed so much, but for me that is how I have learned just how easy it is to swap things out and make it yours and use what I have, vs. buying ingredients just for a recipe.  With my staple of the bag of frozen shrimp from Costco, and some thin spaghetti, this was perfect.  Added a salad (lettuce, tomato, croutons and fresh mozzarella- the yummy kind from the big ball!) and we had a fast, light Friday dinner.  Part of a perfect quiet date night of dinner on the deck, sangria (admittedly pre-made with some extra fruit- it was that kind of week!), and a movie.  Now after a great night's sleep am ready for some 5 de mayo fun, Maryland style! Le deseamos la paz, el amor, y se ríe de este fin de semana! (go go google translator!)

Just Another Manic Monday...

Dinner prepped before work (thank goodness for homemade chili in the freezer!)- a cold rainy day where I work late...perfect evening for a chili/cheese/tortilla casserole (before imploding the boys' room after dinner...on the hunt for the poster the 13 year old says he made last Thursday but didn't make it to class on Friday and he has no idea what happened to it???)!  Easy as it sounds...flour tortillas...chili...cheese...repeat...heat...and EAT!  Definitely falls into the "not date food" category...that is messy and gloopy and meant to be eaten with those closest to you. Also just made my first fried plantains...a little oil with some Smart Balance in the cast iron skillet; sliced some ripe plantains and fried until carmelized and pretty dark, then put a little salt on them...yum! Next time will cook a little longer so they are crispier, but you know that fine line between carmelization and burnt... I can't believe I didn't discover them until my almost mid 40s, but had them at El Meson de Pepe  in Key West a few weeks ago and fell in love (now if they only came with the incredible service, sangria, entertainment and sunset they offer...but sitting on the couch watching reruns of "King of Queens" is a close second haha); next up is to master making Cuban Potato Balls a la those I had in Miami , but need to do a little more research before I take that on!