It's not always easy to cook a meal for just one. I don't know about y'all, but when I make a regular recipe, I always end up with a ton of leftovers that just go to waste. I forget about things and they get fuzzy in the back of the fridge. Bleack! That's a waste of money and, worse, of food itself.
If an effort to get back on track and make my lap band work as well for me as it should, I'm trying to cook and eat healthier meals. I can eat a lot of veggies if they're tender, and that's not such a bad thing! Today I decided to make my favorite glazed carrots and some spinach with a slightly Asian twist. Everything turned out fabulous!
Glazed Carrots
1 cup carrots
1 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
1 tablespoon orange juice.
Cook the carrots in boiling water (or in the microwave if you have one) until just tender. Drain and set aside.
In the same saucepan, melt the butter and gently cook the garlic for a couple of minutes. Add the ginger and cook another minute. Keep the heat low so the garlic doesn't burn. Add the orange juice and brown sugar.Add the carrots and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Sesame Spinach
1 cup frozen spinach
1 teaspoon minced garlic
couple splashes of soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon olive oil
Cook the spinach and drain. Set aside. Put the olive oil in a pan and gently fry the garlic for 2-3 minutes. Add the spinach. Season with soy sauce and sesame oil.
This would be excellent with bok choy too, I think.
The carrots have about 110 calories and around 4.5 grams of fat per serving. The spinach has about 81 calories and 7 grams of fat. You could probably reduce the fat by using nonstick cooking spray instead of oil, but things like Pam aren't available to me here in Turkey.
Recipes were analyzed on http://caloriecount.about.com. It's free and you can utilize their food log and activity log as well. Great site!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Chewy Chocolate Cherry Cookies -sinfully delicious
2.5 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
pinch or two of salt
1 cup butter, divided
2 eggs
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tsp vanilla
6-8 ounces dark chocolate (semi-sweet or unsweetened, so the cookies aren't too sweet)
1 cup chocolate chips (the darker the better)
1 cup dried cherries, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Melt half the butter with the dark chocolate. Put the rest of the butter and sugar into a mixing bowl. Add the melted chocolate. Mix until well combined. Beat in two eggs. Add vanilla. Stir in the dry ingredients, then mix in the chocolate chips and dried cherries and the nuts if you're using them. I would use pecans, almonds or hazelnuts. Walnuts might be too overpowering. The cherry flavor is quite delicate.
Grab about a tablespoonful at a time, roll into a ball, and place onto a greased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly. Place the cookies 1 1/2-2 inches apart. Bake at about 350-375 for 6-8 minutes per tray. I like to remove them when they're still just a teeny bit soft and just let them finish firming up as they cool. Melting the butter helps make them really chewy. I made about 2 1/2 dozen small cookies. I calculated the information for 24 servings.
For 24 servings:
1 tsp. baking powder
pinch or two of salt
1 cup butter, divided
2 eggs
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tsp vanilla
6-8 ounces dark chocolate (semi-sweet or unsweetened, so the cookies aren't too sweet)
1 cup chocolate chips (the darker the better)
1 cup dried cherries, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Melt half the butter with the dark chocolate. Put the rest of the butter and sugar into a mixing bowl. Add the melted chocolate. Mix until well combined. Beat in two eggs. Add vanilla. Stir in the dry ingredients, then mix in the chocolate chips and dried cherries and the nuts if you're using them. I would use pecans, almonds or hazelnuts. Walnuts might be too overpowering. The cherry flavor is quite delicate.
Grab about a tablespoonful at a time, roll into a ball, and place onto a greased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly. Place the cookies 1 1/2-2 inches apart. Bake at about 350-375 for 6-8 minutes per tray. I like to remove them when they're still just a teeny bit soft and just let them finish firming up as they cool. Melting the butter helps make them really chewy. I made about 2 1/2 dozen small cookies. I calculated the information for 24 servings.
For 24 servings:
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Imbolc Recipe: Goat Cheese Cheeseball
Since Imbolc/Imbolg means "in the belly" and occurs around the time the pregnant ewes start lactating, sheep's milk is appropriate. Sheep's milk or goat's milk cheese (chevre) is a lovely, soft, slightly tangy cheese. Serve this cheese spread with some poppy seed or sesame seed crackers, as foods with those seeds are also appropriate for the Sabbat.
I love to make cheese spreads and it's fun to experiment with additions. This recipe was inspired by a Williams-Sonoma recipe for a fig and goat cheese tart.
Ingredients
8 ounces goat cheese, at room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup finely chopped dried figs (or figs and dates)
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
1 cup toasted, chopped walnuts or pecans
salt and pepper to taste
optional: 1 tablespoon honey
Directions
Combine the softened cheeses in a bowl and blend together with a hand mixer (easy) or wood spoon. Add the honey to lightly sweeten, if desired. Blend in the thyme, salt and pepper and dried fruit.
Lightly moisten your hands and form the mixture into a ball, oval shape, or log. Roll it in the chopped nuts, wrap in plastic wrap, and park it in the fridge for 2-3 hours before serving.
**You can substitute other dried fruits for the figs if you wish. If you choose to use something else, such as cranberries or cherries, omit the thyme.
Serves 12. Per serving:
I love to make cheese spreads and it's fun to experiment with additions. This recipe was inspired by a Williams-Sonoma recipe for a fig and goat cheese tart.
Ingredients
8 ounces goat cheese, at room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup finely chopped dried figs (or figs and dates)
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
1 cup toasted, chopped walnuts or pecans
salt and pepper to taste
optional: 1 tablespoon honey
Directions
Combine the softened cheeses in a bowl and blend together with a hand mixer (easy) or wood spoon. Add the honey to lightly sweeten, if desired. Blend in the thyme, salt and pepper and dried fruit.
Lightly moisten your hands and form the mixture into a ball, oval shape, or log. Roll it in the chopped nuts, wrap in plastic wrap, and park it in the fridge for 2-3 hours before serving.
**You can substitute other dried fruits for the figs if you wish. If you choose to use something else, such as cranberries or cherries, omit the thyme.
Serves 12. Per serving:
Saturday, January 23, 2010
No Meat? No Problem!
If you do not eat meat or just don't eat pork, you can still make the lovely spinach salad described in the previous post. If you eat meat but do not care for pork, you can use turkey bacon, or just use the substitution listed below.
Substitutions:
3 Tablespoons imitation bacon bits, hydrated in 1- 1 1/2 tablespoons hot water - this will make the texture "meatier", and draining off any extra water will get rid of some of the sodium
Cook the onions and garlic in 1-2 tablespoons of olive, vegetable or Canola oil instead
Substitutions:
3 Tablespoons imitation bacon bits, hydrated in 1- 1 1/2 tablespoons hot water - this will make the texture "meatier", and draining off any extra water will get rid of some of the sodium
Cook the onions and garlic in 1-2 tablespoons of olive, vegetable or Canola oil instead
Imbolc Recipe: Warm Spinach Salad
Wilted spinach salad with warm dressing is a dish I remember fondly from my childhood. Being far from home, I sometimes feel the need to recreate family recipes. I never recreate them exactly, however. Thanks to my mom and a package of real bacon crumbles, I was able to put this salad together tonight for supper.
I guess it really isn't a salad in the traditional sense, as it is served warm. That's one of the things that makes it great for Imbolc and Ostara, though. A chilly plate of crisp greens isn't what most of us are craving during the winter months.
Warm Spinach Salad
Note: I used frozen spinach. If you wish to use fresh baby spinach, please feel free to do so. You will need to allow it time to wilt in the skillet and you may need to add a tablespoon or two of water to help it along.
Ingredients
1 pound frozen spinach, thawed, excess moisture squeezed out
1/4 cup sweet onion, minced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
4-6 thick slices bacon, diced
salt and pepper to taste
Dressing
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crisp.
Remove and drain all but about 2 teaspoons of the fat.
Cook the onion in the bacon fat for 3-4 minutes over medium/medium-low heat.
Add the garlic and stir for 2-3 minutes.
Add the spinach and allow it to heat through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine all the dressing ingredients except for the oil in either a small saucepan or microwave-safe container. Heat until the sugar is dissolved, then whisk in the olive oil. You can also make this dressing at room temperature; the sugar will still dissolve with enough mixing.
Add the bacon back to the spinach and turn out onto a serving platter. Pour the dressing over and serve.
**You can also use fresh baby spinach and just wilt it with the warm dressing. In this case, you may also leave the onions raw. I suggest rings of red onion. The garlic can be omitted, or just added to the dressing. Mushrooms are also a lovely addition to this salad if you wish to eat it raw.
I guess it really isn't a salad in the traditional sense, as it is served warm. That's one of the things that makes it great for Imbolc and Ostara, though. A chilly plate of crisp greens isn't what most of us are craving during the winter months.
Warm Spinach Salad
Note: I used frozen spinach. If you wish to use fresh baby spinach, please feel free to do so. You will need to allow it time to wilt in the skillet and you may need to add a tablespoon or two of water to help it along.
Ingredients
1 pound frozen spinach, thawed, excess moisture squeezed out
1/4 cup sweet onion, minced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
4-6 thick slices bacon, diced
salt and pepper to taste
Dressing
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crisp.
Remove and drain all but about 2 teaspoons of the fat.
Cook the onion in the bacon fat for 3-4 minutes over medium/medium-low heat.
Add the garlic and stir for 2-3 minutes.
Add the spinach and allow it to heat through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine all the dressing ingredients except for the oil in either a small saucepan or microwave-safe container. Heat until the sugar is dissolved, then whisk in the olive oil. You can also make this dressing at room temperature; the sugar will still dissolve with enough mixing.
Add the bacon back to the spinach and turn out onto a serving platter. Pour the dressing over and serve.
**You can also use fresh baby spinach and just wilt it with the warm dressing. In this case, you may also leave the onions raw. I suggest rings of red onion. The garlic can be omitted, or just added to the dressing. Mushrooms are also a lovely addition to this salad if you wish to eat it raw.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Muttar Pulao (Indian Rice and Peas)
The pea is a symbol of love. Rice is a symbol of not only love, but also protection, fertility and prosperity. Since this recipe also includes other protective ingredients, I would recommend the dish for protection, if you wish to use it for any magical purpose.
Of course, you can just make it, eat it and enjoy it for Imbolc or Ostara, or any time of year. Frozen peas make it possible to enjoy any time, but using fresh peas would be great for Ostara or Beltane. Spicy dishes are appropriate for Imbolc.
I had this for dinner last night simply because it sounded good and I had frozen peas to use. Here is how I did it.
Muttar Pulao
1 cup of rice (Basmati is my preference, but use whatever you have)
1 teaspoon ginger, grated
6 cloves garlic
1 large-ish chile, minced
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup frozen peas
3-4 whole cloves
3-4 whole cardamom pods
1 teaspoon cumin (ground or seeds)
1 small cinnamon stick
1 bay leaf
salt to taste
water
optional: pinch of turmeric or a few saffron threads bloomed in water
Heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a pot. Add the cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon stick (break it in half first) and cumin seeds. (If you're using the ground cumin, add it later.) Let these sputter in the hot oil for a minute. Stir things about so they don't burn.
Add the onions and chile and soften for about 5 minutes. Next, add the garlic and ginger and cook for 2-3 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Add your washed, drained rice and stir to coat with the oil and spices. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
Add the peas, bay leaf, ground cumin*, and turmeric, if using. Stir in two cups of water, some salt to taste, and the bay leaf. Cover and cook until the water has been absorbed by the rice. Let it sit uncovered for 5-10 minutes.
Garnish this with slivered almonds or chopped cashews, if desired.
Serves 4. Per serving:
Of course, you can just make it, eat it and enjoy it for Imbolc or Ostara, or any time of year. Frozen peas make it possible to enjoy any time, but using fresh peas would be great for Ostara or Beltane. Spicy dishes are appropriate for Imbolc.
I had this for dinner last night simply because it sounded good and I had frozen peas to use. Here is how I did it.
Muttar Pulao
1 cup of rice (Basmati is my preference, but use whatever you have)
1 teaspoon ginger, grated
6 cloves garlic
1 large-ish chile, minced
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup frozen peas
3-4 whole cloves
3-4 whole cardamom pods
1 teaspoon cumin (ground or seeds)
1 small cinnamon stick
1 bay leaf
salt to taste
water
optional: pinch of turmeric or a few saffron threads bloomed in water
Heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a pot. Add the cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon stick (break it in half first) and cumin seeds. (If you're using the ground cumin, add it later.) Let these sputter in the hot oil for a minute. Stir things about so they don't burn.
Add the onions and chile and soften for about 5 minutes. Next, add the garlic and ginger and cook for 2-3 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Add your washed, drained rice and stir to coat with the oil and spices. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
Add the peas, bay leaf, ground cumin*, and turmeric, if using. Stir in two cups of water, some salt to taste, and the bay leaf. Cover and cook until the water has been absorbed by the rice. Let it sit uncovered for 5-10 minutes.
Garnish this with slivered almonds or chopped cashews, if desired.
Serves 4. Per serving:
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Prosperity Shortbread
Prosperity Shortbread
This is a recipe that really works. I tried it one day when I was snowed in. I was wanting to bring some good things into my life - prosperity, a new job, etc. I was very, very unhappy in my current situation. So I took a cue from Scott Cunningham and went into the kitchen. I used a basic shortbread recipe and included some special-purpose additions.
4 ounces unsalted butter
1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/8 cup each finely chopped pecans and sesame seeds
Toast pecan pieces and sesame seeds in a dry skillet, stirring constantly. Cook them over medium to medium-low heat for a few minutes, until they smell toasted. I stirred the rune "Fehu" into the nuts and seeds as I toasted them. I put them in a bowl and charged them with my intent - a better teaching job for me (personal prosperity and job-hunting), and prosperity for anyone else who eats a cookie.
In a bowl cream together the butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt. I used the same motion when mixing those things together. I added the flour and mixed it in with my hands, then I added the nuts and seeds.
I pressed the mixture into a baking sheet, cut them into squares, and inscribed each square with Fehu. They're in the oven right now, at 325. The recipe says about 20 minutes, depending on thickness. Check them after about 12 minutes.
Oh, yeah, I got that new job . :) I ate most of the first batch of shortbread myself, and made a second batch for a potluck. Not long after, the work situation changed.
Makes 24 smallish cookies. Per serving:
This is a recipe that really works. I tried it one day when I was snowed in. I was wanting to bring some good things into my life - prosperity, a new job, etc. I was very, very unhappy in my current situation. So I took a cue from Scott Cunningham and went into the kitchen. I used a basic shortbread recipe and included some special-purpose additions.
4 ounces unsalted butter
1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/8 cup each finely chopped pecans and sesame seeds
Toast pecan pieces and sesame seeds in a dry skillet, stirring constantly. Cook them over medium to medium-low heat for a few minutes, until they smell toasted. I stirred the rune "Fehu" into the nuts and seeds as I toasted them. I put them in a bowl and charged them with my intent - a better teaching job for me (personal prosperity and job-hunting), and prosperity for anyone else who eats a cookie.
In a bowl cream together the butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt. I used the same motion when mixing those things together. I added the flour and mixed it in with my hands, then I added the nuts and seeds.
I pressed the mixture into a baking sheet, cut them into squares, and inscribed each square with Fehu. They're in the oven right now, at 325. The recipe says about 20 minutes, depending on thickness. Check them after about 12 minutes.
Oh, yeah, I got that new job . :) I ate most of the first batch of shortbread myself, and made a second batch for a potluck. Not long after, the work situation changed.
Makes 24 smallish cookies. Per serving:
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