30!!!!

This was a home run hit!!

Italian Pork Chops and Pasta

29

Left overs are a dream!! Didn't "cook" but we ate at home. I am posting late but I was at Bachelorette party this night!

28

Friday-
Green Chili Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas
I don't feel like typing the instructions today so here is a photo spread of me cooking! ;-)

Days 26 &27

Wednesday
Pesto!

An easy dish I make when time is low! Basically you cook Rotini noodles as per package instructions. While that cooks chop up half an onion, half a bell pepper, 1 large clove of garlic. Drain your pasta and put back in pot. Add the veggies then add your pesto. I get the cheap kind in a jar (same aisle as pasta sauce). I used to get the fresh stuff in the refrigerator section but it is wicked expensive (like my NE speak) up here. Toss the veggies and pesto together. I usually let it sit until its warm or even serve cold from the fridge. I served it with garlic cheese bread!




Thursday-
Tonight I will be making Veggie Fried Rice! In a wok heat olive oil. Once heated add thicker veggies (those that take longer to cook) like broccoli, carrots and bell peppers. Then add your thinner/smaller things- onion, garlic, cilantro. Then add your pre-cooked (cooled) rice. Toss and get the rice coated with the olive oil. Continue tossing and add soy sauce, I also usually throw in some black pepper.
Serve hot!

Day 25

Another busy day! I deep cleaned the house today (well at least the main living area). Doing this while juggling the three kids was fun! ;-) I was mothering, doing laundry, folding, cleaning, vacuuming, or moping something from 7am until 3pm when I was finally able to shower. It feels good to sit in my clean house.

Tonight I actually cooked twice! Noah requested Chili and Chips for dinner (aka Frito Pie)
To make chili;
1lb ground beef - browned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder
1 can pinto beans
1 small can of tomato sauce
2 cups water
3 tbs Chili powder (this is a very rough estimate, I usually just use a regular spoon not a measuring spoon)
1.5 tbs Cumin (again rough)
Garlic powder

Add the tomato sauce to the meat.

Combine dry ingredients in a cup, add the two cups of water and stir. Pour mixture over meat and sauce. Stir well. Bring to a boil and let simmer. Add can of pinto beans. The longer the chili simmers the better it will taste.

Put yours chips (corn or tortilla chips work best) in a bowl. Pour the chili over the top. I usually add home made pico (chopped red and white onion, cilantro, tomato, garlic, salt, and pepper) and cheese.

This is what the family ate.

I went to a lovely friends house for a Brunch dinner :) I was planning on making a large omelet but it proved to difficult to flip so it was just a scramble. Basically it was scrambled eggs with pico (see above, duh.)

Everything tasted great. Now off to bed!

Days 23 & 24

Sunday
After I painted the twins room I made a quick salad. Both of the boys were not super happy about it but as soon as we started eating they were convinced. Yay for a healthy easy salad!

Monday-

Wow today has been busy!! I woke up with the kids at 6:30. After feeding and diapering them it was time to feed Nick and Noah. I made an omelet that I was very proud of and Noah had cinnamon and sugar toast! Nick was off to work and so was I! I got a load of clothes started, the kids settled, then I started painting a second coat in the babies room. Once I got that done it was time for the twins to nap. Finally got them down! Next lunch for Noah and I. And more clothes. Noah and I then worked on cleaning his very messy room (E woke up and entertained herself). Once it was under control, I started hanging his clothes and pulling out the things that no longer fit. Once we finished in there L woke and it was again time to feed and diaper the twins. More clothes. Nap time for Noah (Who begged me to make cookies while he was napping). Feeding and diapers, then nap time for the twins. Noah wanted cookies SOO I baked cookies. Started writing this and of course N and E woke.
Tonight for dinner I am making side dishes. I know sounds strange. Potatoes, green beans, corn, salad. Can't wait! I really want the baked potato and corn!

Failure and Redemption! AKA Days 21 and 22

Friday night I was very excited because we were having Shish Kabobs! I marinated some beef (the stew meat I purchase in bulk) and chopped onions, bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms. Turned the grill on low and threw my shish kabobs on. I asked Nick to keep and eye on them and turn them periodically while I mowed the lawn. I didn't anticipate the lawn taking as long as it did! The grass in one area was so high that the mower kept dying. Anywho, when I came up the shish kabobs were still on the grill!!! I opened the grill and sure enough they were charred beyond recognition!
"Nick! Why are these still on the grill! They are burned!!"
"Oh, I didn't think they were burned....."

I tried to eat the charred remains of my dinner but we ended up getting a pizza! So that meal was a total FAILURE! At least I cooked at home even if it was inedible!

Saturday
After Friday's failure I was determined to make something great! Pasta Primavera was my goal.
I sliced up some zucchini, yellow bell peppers, onions, and garlic. In a pan I sauteed them in olive oil. Then added the pasta (I used spagetti noodles). Once I had gotten the noodles covered in the olive oil I added the red sauce and tomatoes (home made).
Toss that around until the noodles are covered. Plate and serve with Parm or Mozz.

Everyone loved it! Redemption!

Red Sauce
-1 can Tomato sauce
-1 can Tomato paste
-1 can chopped italian tomatoes
Garlic Powder and Garlic
Basil
Oregano
(or use an Italian seasoning)
Salt

Day 20!

I made stuffed chicken breast.

In a pot combine chopped broccoli, onions, bell peppers, garlic, and olive oil. Toss and cook on medium until the peppers and broccoli are a bright green. Set aside

In the thickest part of the chicken cut a pocket. I didn't make mine deep enough so try to get as far into the chicken as possible. Salt, Pepper, and Garlic powder. In a skillet brown the chicken breast (it will not be cooked all the way through). Stuff the broccoli mix in the chicken. For some added taste add mozzarella to the stuffing.

Heat oven to 350*. Cook chicken in a covered dish for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and add more Mozzarella on top of the chicken. Cover and put back in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove, plate and enjoy! There will be some juice/broth in the dish; it taste amazing as a thin gravy.

Day 18 and 19

Another oh so good meal that we started eating before I had the presence of mind to snap a picture.

Slow cooker pork chops and gravy over rice.

Around 11am I put 3 (frozen) pork chops in my crock pot. I added a large amount of garlic, 2 cups of beef broth, 2 cups of water, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. That cooked on high until about 4pm. I checked it and turned the chops through out the day.
4pm- Heat olive oil in pan. I browned the outside of the chops. Then added the juice with a bit of flour and water to thicken. That simmered on low until it we were ready to eat at 6:30. The pork chop was so moist it fell right off the bone. I served them over rice with the gravy.


Tonight we had waffles and eggs.


Another allrecipes.com recipe
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/waffles-i/detail.aspx

Day 16 Rice and Beans!!

It sounds so easy! But I made it all from scratch!
So sorry I really don't feel like trying to figure out my recipe. Essentially I threw a lot of stuff together and made good food. It took several hours. If you are really interested email me. :-)

Rice (same as a few nights ago)
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/mexican-rice-ii/detail.aspx