Woodland Creatures

Posted on by
Reply

Every year about this time, our home undergoes the typical festive transition. We dust off the customary holiday tinsel and festoon the living room.

A couple of years ago, we discovered these miniature woodland creature ornaments which have quickly become one of the most favored parts of our holiday season. We’re working on creating the ultimate woodland infestation by picking up a few new creatures each year.

Here’s a few shots of our current cache… hopefully we can procure some new ones over the next few weeks.

These little guys are the perfect accompaniment to our traditional South Park themed pagan holiday ritual because every time I look at that them, I can only think one thing…

Hail Satan!

The Perfected Mizithra Pasta

Posted on by
Reply

Mizithra, pasta and browned butter, an Old Spaghetti Factory famous dish, is a perfect quick weeknight family meal. Everyone, including kids, love this dish. The key ingredient is the Mizithra cheese. Mizithra cheese is an “unpasteurized fresh cheese made with milk and whey from sheep and/or goats”:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mizithra . It can be difficult to find, but a Kroger Marketplace or a gourmet cheese store should have it in stock.

Between the garlic browned butter and the salty cheese, you have an irresistible pasta dish.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 to 1 lb Mizithra Cheese (grated or shredded)
  • 1/2 stick butter
  • 8 cloves of garlic, 4 sliced, 4 diced
  • Parsley (optional)
  • Basil (dried and fresh-I recommend only using dried if your on a budget)
  • 1 can diced tomatos, italian flavor
  • 1 red onion
  • 1 box spaghetti
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Italian Seasoning (optional)

Instructions

Cook pasta according to instructions on package. In a medium to large pan, heat oil on medium-high heat. Add diced onions and 4 diced garlic cloves, mix with salt, pepper, italian seasoning, dried basil. Cook until onions are translucent then add can of tomatos (you can then add fresh basil). In small pan heat butter and 4 sliced garlic cloves on medium high heat. Once butter begins to brown, turn down to low. Its important to not burn the butter.
Once pasta is cooked, toss with browned butter and parsley (optional). Top with half sauce and half cheese. Then it is ready to serve.
*I usually serve with additional mizithra on the side. The more the yummier!

If your wondering about calories- well just don’t think about it with this dish! This is not the healthiest, but also not the worse. Portion control is key.

Citrus Chicken Taco’s, Healthy Style

Posted on by
Reply

My father enjoyed cooking so I had many yummy home cooked meals growing up, but after my parents divorce home cooking was a rare thing. My mom had only a few recipes; no bake cookies, battered round steak, caesar salad, turkey soft tacos, roast beef burritos, true Mexican enchiladas and her “famous” chicken tacos. The chicken tacos are incredible. Ask anyone who has eaten one! But they are also not the most healthy meal. The corn tortillas are fried in oil, the chicken is cooked in olive oil and lots of cheese is a must. So you can imagine how the calories and fat add up. This recipe is a great alternative with less calories.

After reading some other chicken taco recipes and looking into corn tortilla preparation methods, I came up with the following recipe.

Ingredients

Corn Tortillas (8)
Rotisserie Chicken (dice/torn)
1 White Onion Diced (halved)
Diced Cilantro
Limes quartered
Salsa
1 Clove of Garlic, minced
EVOO
Cotija Cheese

Instructions

Heat EVOO in medium pan. Add onion and garlic and sauté until the onion becomes translucent. Add Rotisserie Chicken with 1/2 cup of salsa. Let simmer together for 10 minutes. While waiting, heat up large frying pan. Add corn tortillas until browned on both sides and somewhat crispy. I usually set the oven to 200 degrees and keep the tortillas warm in the oven until you are ready to serve the meal. Make the tacos by using one tortilla and filling it with the Rotisserie Chicken mixture and then topping with white uncooked onions, cilantro, and Cotija Cheese. Garnish with lime.

With less than 170 calories per taco, I thought it would be nice to have a side. I made a coconut and black bean side dish. It wasn’t bad considering it was comprised of items that I already had in my pantry.

Ingredients

1 Can Black Beans
1/4 Cup Coconut
1 Red Onion
2 Tbsp of Half & Half
1 Tbsp Margarine
Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

Heat Margarine and add red pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes and then add coconut and half & half. After coconut blends with margarine and red peppers, add the beans (undrained). Simmer for 10 to 20 minutes.

My First Banana Muffins

Posted on by
Reply

I never bake things from scratch. My theory is that box stuff is always better than anything I can make, especially since I don’t have the proper kitchen tools, like a flour sifter. That is not to mention that baking takes forever and I rarely have the time. However, convenience comes with a price… lots of calories.  So I decided to give this baking concept a try and I have to say, I am very happy with the results.  These muffins came out very well and only pack 170 calories a pop. Once you take into account the fiber and other natural benefits that come from the oats and fruits, you have a perfect start to your day.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup quick-cooking oat
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 cups bananas, mashed
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F In medium bowl, stir together the flour, oatmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. In a separate bowl, combine the mashed bananas, eggs, vanilla and butter. Add the banana mixture to the flour mixture, stirring just until the dry ingredients are moistened.

Spoon batter into greased muffin cups. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes (start watching around 12 minutes; oven temperatures vary) or until toothpick inserted into center muffin comes out clean. Let cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove muffins from pan and let cool on wire rack.

If you insist on butter, I recommend the spray butter to control your calorie intake.