slow cooking without the cooker

My Nanny (my mom's mother) used to call hot summer days "a cooker." I can still hear her Long Island accent saying, "it's a cook-uh." It reminds me of days taking the ten minute drive from her brown-shingled house on Wildflower Lane to Jones Beach, where we would toss old bread to the sea gulls, hurry over the hot sand, and play in the surf.

Anyway, it's the sort of day in which one does NOT want to use the oven, even with the luxury of central air. I'm also having a sort of "day off" from housework, as I'm dealing with mastitis, yet again. It seems I'm more prone to that when I'm stressed and busy, which I was this weekend.

All that to say, I'm officially Not Allowed to do housework and I simply must rest every time the baby does. I think blogging probably falls under the resting category, yes?

Tonight's menu is slow-cooked, pulled BBQ chicken...without getting the whole big slow cooker dirty. (Besides, it's in the attic, and I'm not going up there. Not in the heat.)

Be amazed.

I took out one chicken breast for the hubby and myself, and I sliced it into rounds about a half inch thick. I then heated about 2T canola oil in a skillet, and added the chicken. I cooked it until it was no longer pink, and then squirted my favorite barbecue sauce on top of each round. I added a bit of water, turned the heat to low, covered the skillet, and left it.

Three hours later, the chicken is sooo tender, deliciously seasoned, and ready for dinner! Hooray!

Citrus vinaigrette

I've been avoiding dairy products for almost two weeks now! So far, I can't say I've seen much improvement in baby Josh, but I have "cheated" for a slice of pizza and a spoonful of my mom's delicious chocolate buttercream. I bought almond milk last week, and I'm trying almond-coconut milk this week, I've tried rice cheese, and I'm mostly doing ok. I bought spinach salad to be sure I'm getting enough calcium, too. I do really miss yogurt and I'm wishing for ice cream, but it's ok. Mostly, I've been so surprised at how many prepared foods have milk or whey in them! I was shocked that my favorite crackers, salt and vinegar chips, and even spaghetti sauce have milk products in them.

Speaking of that spinach, though - I almost poured buttermilk ranch dressing all over it! I reached for the Italian instead, and realized I'd purchased the kind with Parmesan cheese in it - oops. So, what to do? Make dressing, of course! I did a quick search for easy vinaigrette recipes and settled on this one.

I gathered my ingredients, pleased that I actually had most of the in the house. I've been packing for our move this weekend, so many of our kitchen items are in boxes somewhere in the apartment.

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 lemon, zested (skipped this)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon honey (I couldn't get the jar open, so I used white sugar instead)
• 1/8 cup chopped fresh basil (I already packed the spices, so I left this out)
• 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar (I used apple cider vinegar)

I guessed on measurements, because my measuring cups and spoons are packed. Surprisingly enough, it turned out deliciously!

I've been eating it on salads all week now. It's especially yummy with grilled chicken and dried berries. Hooray!

Now, back to packing boxes. Well, after I finish snuggling with baby Joshua as he naps :)

soup

It has been a week full of soup!

Poor Bradley came home from work with a head cold on Tuesday night. Commence operation soup week.

On Tuesday night, I doctored up a can of condensed chicken noodle soup - that meant boiling chopped carrots, onions and garlic, adding chunks of cooked basil pesto chicken, and tossing in some broccoli with the contents of the can. I even made some fresh bread in the bread maker. Poor hubby was impressed, but wasn't even able to finish one bowl. That's when I knew he was really really sick!

Wednesday, he felt even worse, but still went in to work. His coworkers were quick to tell him that he better take his plague-infected self out of the game before anyone else at work caught what he had, so he was home by mid-morning. I was happy to have him home so he could rest - he spent the rest of the day in hour-long naps and snuggling under blankets on the couch before sleeping 12+ hours at night. Lunch was a portion of a can of turkey noodle soup, with fresh bread and just-made banana muffins. But dinner? That was a from-scratch masterpiece soup that I'd like to repeat! Well, I may make some changes. But this was a pretty great start.

My mouth is already watering. Here's what I did:

Vegetable Beef Soup

2 T. butter
1/2 c. onion, finely chopped
1 c. carrot, finely chopped (about 2 large carrots)
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 beef bouillon cube
4 c. water
2 c. white or russet potatoes, peeled and chopped (about 3-4 medium)
2 c. chopped broccoli
1 c. (or more) chopped, cooked roast beef
rosemary
basil
salt
pepper
shredded cheddar or mozzarella, for garnish

Melt the butter over low heat, and then add the onion and carrot. Raise heat to medium, and cook until the veggies are almost tender. Add garlic and cook another two minutes or so.

Add the water and bouillon cube, and bring to a boil. Add the potatoes and cook for a few minutes. Test for tenderness.Then, add the chopped broccoli and cook until almost tender. Add the beef and heat through.

Season with spices to your taste and top with shredded cheese. Enjoy!

P. S. Hubby took another sick day on Thursday to continue his recovery, and now he's feeling so much better! Thankful.

fresh tomatoes

The other day, my mom and my sister-in-law came to visit, which was wonderful. I love hugs, shopping time, and spending the day with people who love and understand me. Miss them already.

When they came, they brought me a bunch of material things:

1. African violet food. It's still here - I'll bring it to you when I see you at the baby shower, Mom!
2. Such cute little baby clothes!
3. Freshly picked roses and other lovely flowers for my bedside bouquet. Why bedside? Because that's the only room where the kitties are not allowed to be. And they would destroy a bouquet if it was out in the open and I wasn't looking.
4. Chocolate chip cookies. Hooray!!
5. Two large baskets of tomatoes and cucumbers from my brother and sister-in-law's garden! Hooray, hooray!

And then we spent the day shopping and thrifting. Two of my favorite things. :o)

When they went home after dinner, there were the tomatoes again, looking at me. How in the world can I eat that many tomatoes?

Salad? Yes, I like salad.

Um...mozzarella and tomato salad?

Cucumber tomato salad?

Tomato...SAUCE!!!

This, I have never attempted before. So I googled a recipe, and Smitten Kitchen's recipe came up first. She makes so many delicious-looking things, and it really was high time that I actually tried one of her recipes.

Now, I scored and blanched and peeled and seeded and chopped and mirepoix-ed just as suggested (minus the celery and onion and with the addition of another garlic clove). I simmered and squished and stirred.

And an hour later, there was sauce! Yay!

We ate it over spaghetti, with shredded parmesan (thanks, Mom!) and chicken. Delicious!

However, this was possibly the most time-consuming and tedious job ever, next to making grape pie. I would have to be highly motivated to do it again... we'll see!

burger buns

Well, friends, sometimes being short on pennies brings on wonderful things.

I know, you're probably thinking I'm a little off my rocker. I might be. But hang on.

It means that I can only purchase basics, and I have to make do with what I have. It means I have to be more creative and more careful.

And tonight, that meant that I made hamburger buns rather than buying them.

Success!!

I used this recipe, and believe it or not, I didn't change any of the ingredients. I did let them rise (raise? Where are the grammar police when I need them?) for 30 minutes instead of 10, though.

My tummy was making the strangest sounds, so I had to eat one to make sure they were okay for dinner consumption. The verdict?

So delicious. Soft, nice texture, not too done on the bottom, and oh! delicious with honey. Yes, I slathered honey on one.

And Brad loved them! He said they looked and tasted a lot like the ones he was used to his mom buying - score. In fact, his words as he walked in the kitchen were something to the effect of "Where did you get those rolls? They look like the ones my mom buys." Oh, that made me smile.

ah, sweet success

...in the form of tomato soup, that is.

Last week, we all laughed as I saved some of the fail muffins from certain doom. This week, let's celebrate a victory!!!

I found a recipe via Pinterest a long while back for a delicious-looking tomato soup. Creamy, full of veggies, and it could be made in the Crock Pot! Win.

So, I bought all the stuffs and put it all together. I pulled out the Crock Pot and the bread maker, and mere hours later, the house was full of delicious smells.

And hubby loved it.


Ah, sweet success.

P. S. You may now congratulate me: I didn't change the recipe! Well, except for using skim milk instead of half-and-half.

little things

Remembering to be grateful, and taking note of the little things:

1. Hearing Baby's heartbeat for the first time!
2. Safe travel for Hubby and me (and baby). And Hubby is coming home tonight!
3. Time with my brother and his wife to just relax and be goofy
4. Robins "bathing" in the huge mud puddle next to our new apartment's driveway and little goldfinches landing on the tall grasses
5. Freshly sparkling clean windows - Windex never smelled so good
6. My Oscar-cat knows his name and will look - even come to you - when you call. Special kitty.
7. It's a gorgeous, sunny, warm, summery day!
8. The grass is still long, so there are wildflowers everywhere. I plan to pick some before the in-laws arrive with their mower and string trimmer in tow. Nothing like a vase of flowers by the bed!
9. There's jello in the fridge! Yay!
10. I made a quiche tonight - should be yummy. Love using leftovers.

Many many blessings! Thankful.

Crispy Caesar Chicken

Tonight was the first night this week that I actually had time to cook. Well, besides Sunday night. I guess I only skipped Monday, but it felt like a long time!

I tried something new tonight and I made up a baked chicken dish I wanted to share with you. The chicken came out wonderfully tender and moist - mmm!

I had mine with a fresh green salad and whole wheat toast with plum jam. Delicious!

Crispy Caesar Chicken - a Linnea original

2 chicken breasts, butterflied into 3/4" thick pieces and cut into portions
1/3 c. Marie's Creamy Caesar dressing
1/2 c. Italian seasoned breadcrumbs

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil, and spray with cooking spray.

Pour dressing into a shallow bowl, and pour breadcrumbs onto a plate. Coat each piece of chicken in dressing first, and then in breadcrumbs. Place each piece of chicken on the baking sheet.

Bake for 12 minutes, turn each piece of chicken over, and then bake for about 14 minutes more.

Enjoy!!

weeknight potato soup

Tonight I made potato soup for the hubby and me! It turned out well, so I'm sharing. The recipe, that is. :o) This is a Linnea original.

Quick Potato Soup
Serves 2-4

3-4 medium red potatoes, or 2-3 peeled russet potatoes
1 large carrot
5-6 strips thick bacon
1 can cream of chicken soup
skim milk
1 clove garlic
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
freshly ground pepper
paprika
chives

1. Cut the potatoes into 1/4" cubes, leaving the skin on.
2. Peel the carrot and quarter it lengthwise, and then cut thin slices.
3. Combine the carrot and potatoes in a medium saucepan. Add the cream of chicken soup. Use the soup can to measure 1.5 cans of skim milk into the pan. Find the garlic press and squish the clove of garlic into the pan. Stir to combine.
4. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer - keep it uncovered to avoid a mess. Meanwhile, cook the bacon. I used the microwave to keep the smell contained. Trim the fat from the bacon, cut into bite-size pieces, and add to the soup.
5. Add black pepper, paprika, and chives to taste. I didn't add any salt because the bacon is salty enough.
6. When potatoes and carrots are tender, add 1/4 c. Parmesan cheese, stirring until it melts.
7. Serve!

Optional:
8. Rake in the compliments from hubby
9. Blog about it
10. Take the leftovers to school and eat it for lunch!

summer pasta salad

Tonight was one of those "what will I make for dinner? I have nothing in the house!" sort of nights. This wouldn't happen if I bothered to do weekly meal plans, but... that's one area of my life I have yet to schedule. Perhaps I'll try it soon. I do see how it could be beneficial to both our budget and my sanity.

However, this spur-of-the-moment supper planning makes for some creative meals!

Here's my made-up recipe for a summery pasta salad (serving about 4 people):

1 cooked chicken breast
3/4 c. tri-color penne pasta (tri-color pasta is absolutely required, says the hubby)
1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese (or Parmesan cheese)
1 c. frozen peas, uncooked
1 whole carrot, sliced into thin discs

Optional ingredients:
10 black olives, sliced
1/4 c. red onion
1/2 c. chopped green peppers
1/4 c. sun-dried tomatoes
1/4 c. walnuts
1/4 c. raisins
mix it up, friends! Add what you like. The dinner is your oyster. Oooo! add shrimp!

Italian dressing to taste (or basil pesto - that would be good. or any other dressing you like. Or just some olive oil and spices - maybe some red pepper? curry?)

1. Bake/boil/fry/otherwise cook the chicken, or use left overs. This is how I roll. Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces.
2. Cook pasta according to the package directions, adding 1/2 tsp. salt to the water.
3. Meanwhile, slice the carrot. Find a large serving bowl, and dump the carrot in.
4. Root through the freezer for the peas. Measure 1 cup of them, and dump them in the bowl with the carrots.
5. Add 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar to the serving bowl.
6. Slice whole black olives and add those to the mix.
7. Test the pasta for doneness, and then put it in a colander. Rinse with cold water until the pasta is no longer warm.
8. Add the pasta and chicken to the serving bowl. Stir to combine.
9. Add Italian dressing - about 2 T, or as much/little as you'd like to the pasta combo.
10. EAT!

This is the after-we-ate-all-we-wanted shot. Lots left over! Yay!

homemade mac n' cheese

I needed a side dish to take to our friends' house last night for dinner, and I was totally stumped... until I remembered this deliciousness. I didn't have enough potatoes, though, so I swapped in elbow macaroni. I also had onion this time, so I added that, and topped it with bread crumbs and paprika after it was finished baking. And I used my new vintage Pyrex dish. Love.


There's the ready-to-go dish in my picnic basket!
It was a big hit - I'm surprised we have even a spoonful left!

...and pizza, too

My previously loved pizza crust recipe, which requires the use of the bread machine for rising and mixing and such (not a bad thing, just a time consuming operation), may be replaced by good old Betty Crocker's.

Hers involves the dissolving of one packet of yeast in a cup of warm water, to which is added 2.5 cups of flour, 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and sugar, and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Mix for only 20 strokes or so. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then spread the very sticky dough out on two generously olive-oiled baking sheets with olive-oiled hands. Add toppings.

Put it in a 400 degrees F oven for about 20 minutes, and it's golden. And crispy...and delicious... and...

gone.