I now have approximately 1 and a 1/2 pages of my paper typed. This stuff really interests me (macroeconomic issues always do - though I must admit that I am much more partial to micro issues) but for some reason my brain just does not want to type. I made myself a cup of earl grey and finally got to use my tea ball. Tea ball. Ha. What a terrible way to describe it. It was yummy. But I figured something else might do me better, so I am now having a glass of wine. Red wine to be exact. Georges DeBeouf to be even more exact. It's fruity yet spicy, which is good since I prefer spicy and earthy to fruity. But this fruitiness is just spicy enough to be good. It's also dryer than I expected (though not to dry). Also good considering I love love love dry red wine.
Also, my husband picked me up a Mars Bar. The great thing about living in Boston is that it's relatively easily to get food from other countries, and we are fortunate to have an Irish grocer down the street that sells food from Ireland and Great Britain (not surprising, considering we live in Brighton, which is the new Southie).
But I digress, and must return to my paper.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
For the most part, still HFCS free
Why is it that when I actually sit down to do my homework, I can't actually do it? I'll be thinking about it all day (for instance, I have an article analysis due tomorrow, so I thought about what type of article to analyze and how to go about analyzing it - also, note that I am a procrastinator when it comes to homework) but when I start to do my work, my brain just shuts off and I can't think of anything. So why don't I get to work when I am thinking about what I need to do? Well, usually because I am doing something else. Today was loads of laundry plus cleaning and a bit of cooking. I guess it's safe to assume that by the time everything else is done, I am just way too tired to study. Which is pretty much the case now. It's 6.15 and I am zonked!
So to get my mind working, I will think about all of the yummy cooking and baking and eating I have done over the past week. I am still quite serious about cutting down on high fructose corn syrup - this isn't just a "thing" that will fizzle out soon. I haven't been perfect this week (my husband and I had yet another funeral to attend this week so there were times when corners needed to be cut) but I am trying to be very conscious of what I eat and I have been doing a pretty good job.
I bought some snacks (trail mix, walnuts) that don't have HFCS in them to munch on while I am at work. I made a loaf of bread and actually used it for peanut butter sandwiches (mmm mmm good) and toast. **Note - I have a tendency to make things and then not eat all of it; I guess that is what happens with just two people in the house **. On the days that I didn't bring my lunch to work, I stuck to sandwiches and soup. I'm glad that the cafeteria at my new job is small. It means there are fewer tempting items to eat.
Now, as for what I actually cooked. On Friday I was planning to make lasagna. There was a snowstorm so I was stuck shopping at the little stores in my neighborhood rather than going all the way to the big grocery store (actually, my husband was stuck with this. Just giving credit where credit is due). Not a single place had cottage cheese or ricotta. Cottage cheese in a lasagna, you ask? I am skeptical too, but I got the recipe from The Pioneer Woman Cooks and the reviews are fantastic, so I decided to give it a shot. Well, too bad, I'll have to wait until next time, since I was SOL on the cheese. Instead I whipped up a meat sauce (following the directions for the meat part of the lasagna on the aforementioned website) and mixed spaghetti in to it. The meat sauce came out quite well. The last time I made a meat sauce (I don't even remember when that was, in all honesty) came out not-so-good, but this was a million times better. It could have used an additional spice, which I can't quite put my finger on. Something to give it more oomph. I totally forgot to add veggies to our plate. Oops. I really need to work harder on eating more vegetables!
After dinner I had an urge to bake, so I followed the Pioneer Woman's recipe for the best chocolate sheet cake ever. Holy moley. It is so freaking good. I made it in to a round cake and it was awesome. By far though, the frosting is the best part. I am thinking about it now and how yummy it is. I already had two pieces today though! It's that good.
Saturday night was also a spur of the moment dinner. I took some chicken breasts and threw them in a baking dish with rosemary, bay leaves, garlic cloves, and shallots. Olive oil too. Popped it in the oven at 350 for about 35 mins and we were good to go. I also made a basic parmesan risotto which was decent. It's such an easy dish, and I had just a bit or arborio left, so I decided, what the hell. I followed the basic Joy of Cooking recipe and sauteed some onions in olive oil, added the rice and sauteed for about 3 mins, added about 1/3 cup of white cooking wine and let the liquid burn off. Then I started in on the chicken broth. I added probably 2 and 1/2 cups total (I was winging the whole time, so I really have no idea how much chicken broth I added) and once the rice was tender enough, I grated some parmesan cheese in. Frozen peas were heated up for the veggie part of the meal. At least frozen peas are better than no veggies!
This morning I decided to make Baked Brown Sugar Pancakes using the recipe I found on the Serious Eats website. It was a little buttery but it tasted pretty good. I have a feeling I did something wrong (maybe putting it in many small dishes to bake instead of a large dutch oven would have been better) but all in all, it wasn't bad. It rose nicely like a Dutch baby. The side was definitely the best part. I heated up some maple syrup to drizzle on top and that was awesome. I definitely want to improve upon this recipe, so I will make it again.
So what is the moral of the story here? By making more of my own food I am cutting down on the HFCS food that I eat. I already feel better (less tired and I have lost some weight) which might or might not be because of eating less HFCS. That being said, so far I don't miss anything with HFCS in it. And that's a wonderful thing.
So to get my mind working, I will think about all of the yummy cooking and baking and eating I have done over the past week. I am still quite serious about cutting down on high fructose corn syrup - this isn't just a "thing" that will fizzle out soon. I haven't been perfect this week (my husband and I had yet another funeral to attend this week so there were times when corners needed to be cut) but I am trying to be very conscious of what I eat and I have been doing a pretty good job.
I bought some snacks (trail mix, walnuts) that don't have HFCS in them to munch on while I am at work. I made a loaf of bread and actually used it for peanut butter sandwiches (mmm mmm good) and toast. **Note - I have a tendency to make things and then not eat all of it; I guess that is what happens with just two people in the house **. On the days that I didn't bring my lunch to work, I stuck to sandwiches and soup. I'm glad that the cafeteria at my new job is small. It means there are fewer tempting items to eat.
Now, as for what I actually cooked. On Friday I was planning to make lasagna. There was a snowstorm so I was stuck shopping at the little stores in my neighborhood rather than going all the way to the big grocery store (actually, my husband was stuck with this. Just giving credit where credit is due). Not a single place had cottage cheese or ricotta. Cottage cheese in a lasagna, you ask? I am skeptical too, but I got the recipe from The Pioneer Woman Cooks and the reviews are fantastic, so I decided to give it a shot. Well, too bad, I'll have to wait until next time, since I was SOL on the cheese. Instead I whipped up a meat sauce (following the directions for the meat part of the lasagna on the aforementioned website) and mixed spaghetti in to it. The meat sauce came out quite well. The last time I made a meat sauce (I don't even remember when that was, in all honesty) came out not-so-good, but this was a million times better. It could have used an additional spice, which I can't quite put my finger on. Something to give it more oomph. I totally forgot to add veggies to our plate. Oops. I really need to work harder on eating more vegetables!
After dinner I had an urge to bake, so I followed the Pioneer Woman's recipe for the best chocolate sheet cake ever. Holy moley. It is so freaking good. I made it in to a round cake and it was awesome. By far though, the frosting is the best part. I am thinking about it now and how yummy it is. I already had two pieces today though! It's that good.
Saturday night was also a spur of the moment dinner. I took some chicken breasts and threw them in a baking dish with rosemary, bay leaves, garlic cloves, and shallots. Olive oil too. Popped it in the oven at 350 for about 35 mins and we were good to go. I also made a basic parmesan risotto which was decent. It's such an easy dish, and I had just a bit or arborio left, so I decided, what the hell. I followed the basic Joy of Cooking recipe and sauteed some onions in olive oil, added the rice and sauteed for about 3 mins, added about 1/3 cup of white cooking wine and let the liquid burn off. Then I started in on the chicken broth. I added probably 2 and 1/2 cups total (I was winging the whole time, so I really have no idea how much chicken broth I added) and once the rice was tender enough, I grated some parmesan cheese in. Frozen peas were heated up for the veggie part of the meal. At least frozen peas are better than no veggies!
This morning I decided to make Baked Brown Sugar Pancakes using the recipe I found on the Serious Eats website. It was a little buttery but it tasted pretty good. I have a feeling I did something wrong (maybe putting it in many small dishes to bake instead of a large dutch oven would have been better) but all in all, it wasn't bad. It rose nicely like a Dutch baby. The side was definitely the best part. I heated up some maple syrup to drizzle on top and that was awesome. I definitely want to improve upon this recipe, so I will make it again.
So what is the moral of the story here? By making more of my own food I am cutting down on the HFCS food that I eat. I already feel better (less tired and I have lost some weight) which might or might not be because of eating less HFCS. That being said, so far I don't miss anything with HFCS in it. And that's a wonderful thing.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
High Fructose Corn Syrup
I have decided to remove high fructose corn syrup from my diet. It's a nasty thing that is not good for the body, plus it makes things taste "different". Yeah sure things have a longer shelf life, but they don't always taste that great. In short, processed food pretty much sucks. That being said, there are some things I like. The occasional coca cola. Kraft Mac & Cheese (total weakness of mine!). But I want those things to be few and far between.
The unfortunate (or fortunate, depending on your perspective), is that HFCS is in EVERYTHING. This means that most things will have to be home-made. I lack the time to make lots of stuff all the time. But I am determined to try to remove HFCS as much as possible.
So, day 1 of no HFCS. So far I have had scrambled eggs for breakfast and coffee that I made myself (so I know no HFCS went in there). I skipped lunch (ack!) but made muffins - two types. I used a basic muffin batter with 1 cup all purpose flour and 1 cup wheat flour (so at least it's somewhat healthy). Half of the muffins I added molasses and flax meal to. The other half I turned in to coffee cake muffins. For dinner I plan on doing something with the eggplant I have.
I'll report back soon with my progress!
The unfortunate (or fortunate, depending on your perspective), is that HFCS is in EVERYTHING. This means that most things will have to be home-made. I lack the time to make lots of stuff all the time. But I am determined to try to remove HFCS as much as possible.
So, day 1 of no HFCS. So far I have had scrambled eggs for breakfast and coffee that I made myself (so I know no HFCS went in there). I skipped lunch (ack!) but made muffins - two types. I used a basic muffin batter with 1 cup all purpose flour and 1 cup wheat flour (so at least it's somewhat healthy). Half of the muffins I added molasses and flax meal to. The other half I turned in to coffee cake muffins. For dinner I plan on doing something with the eggplant I have.
I'll report back soon with my progress!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Long Time No Post!
I just realized that it has seriously been forever and a day since my last post. Whoops. Life has been crazy, so that's what I'll attribute my lack of posting to.
The other day a friend thought up a recipe for me on the spot. It is one of those fantastic recipes that just keeps on giving and giving (because I made too much so I have leftovers). Basically, satuee onions and garlic till the onions are soft, add about a can of chicken stock (or any stock and of course you can vary th amount) and then throw in about 1/2 a cup to 3/4 cup of daal. I used channa daal - the insides of chickpeas. Let that simmer. While that's simmering make some basmati rice. I added a little lemon zest to the basmati. After the daal has soaked up all the stock, add any spices you want. I did some curry powder (store bought, not homemade) and a little cinammon, then I served the daal over the rice. Voila, instant protein loaded dinner. When I put it in the fridge I put it all in one container, so when I reheated I had to reheat it all together. The rice turned yellow but everything still tasted great. I didn't put it in the microwave, I sauteed with some water and added in a little more curry powder. I still have more left which I'll have for dinner tomorrow. Just thinking about it is making my mouth water!
My husband and I ventured out to Russo's yesterday. Going on a Saturday afternoon, especially the day before the Super Bowl, wasn't the best idea. The place was PACKED. I was impressed to see the vast array of produce, especially the hard to find stuff like sugar cane and lemongrass stalk. The cheese selection was decent, but it didn't seem too much different from the one at Whole Foods. I also felt that the charcuterie and bakery were a bit lacking. I will go again, but will aim for a Wednesday night or something!
I'm really lucky that Johnny D's is right across the street. It has some of the best produce around, and Johnny, the owner, is so nice and helpful. He'll gladly let you sample something and he'll bring stuff out of the back for you.
The other day a friend thought up a recipe for me on the spot. It is one of those fantastic recipes that just keeps on giving and giving (because I made too much so I have leftovers). Basically, satuee onions and garlic till the onions are soft, add about a can of chicken stock (or any stock and of course you can vary th amount) and then throw in about 1/2 a cup to 3/4 cup of daal. I used channa daal - the insides of chickpeas. Let that simmer. While that's simmering make some basmati rice. I added a little lemon zest to the basmati. After the daal has soaked up all the stock, add any spices you want. I did some curry powder (store bought, not homemade) and a little cinammon, then I served the daal over the rice. Voila, instant protein loaded dinner. When I put it in the fridge I put it all in one container, so when I reheated I had to reheat it all together. The rice turned yellow but everything still tasted great. I didn't put it in the microwave, I sauteed with some water and added in a little more curry powder. I still have more left which I'll have for dinner tomorrow. Just thinking about it is making my mouth water!
My husband and I ventured out to Russo's yesterday. Going on a Saturday afternoon, especially the day before the Super Bowl, wasn't the best idea. The place was PACKED. I was impressed to see the vast array of produce, especially the hard to find stuff like sugar cane and lemongrass stalk. The cheese selection was decent, but it didn't seem too much different from the one at Whole Foods. I also felt that the charcuterie and bakery were a bit lacking. I will go again, but will aim for a Wednesday night or something!
I'm really lucky that Johnny D's is right across the street. It has some of the best produce around, and Johnny, the owner, is so nice and helpful. He'll gladly let you sample something and he'll bring stuff out of the back for you.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Ghost Hunting!
The cable is finally fixed, just in time for tonight's episodes of Ghost Hunters! As soon as the new season started, last fall, the cable broke, and it took this long to get fixed. Needless to say, I am in heaven!
On the downside, I have had absolutely no time to cook lately. I've just been making pasta pretty much every night. I did make chocolate cupcakes and dark chocolate ganache using a recipe I found on BakeSpace. They came out quite well, especially considering I had to use milk-from-a-box since what was in the fridge had soured. Other than that, it's been pretty boring in the kitchen.
In other news, I started my Russian class. So far it is fun, and very complicated. I definitely have to make flash cards though. Funny since I don't think I have ever really made flash cards. My Bentley classes start next week. Everything is going to get very busy soon.
Back to Ghost Hunters!
On the downside, I have had absolutely no time to cook lately. I've just been making pasta pretty much every night. I did make chocolate cupcakes and dark chocolate ganache using a recipe I found on BakeSpace. They came out quite well, especially considering I had to use milk-from-a-box since what was in the fridge had soured. Other than that, it's been pretty boring in the kitchen.
In other news, I started my Russian class. So far it is fun, and very complicated. I definitely have to make flash cards though. Funny since I don't think I have ever really made flash cards. My Bentley classes start next week. Everything is going to get very busy soon.
Back to Ghost Hunters!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Comfort Foods
Nothing like tuna noodle casserole and Pillsbury crescent rolls to warm the heart. And my tummy. I can't stand mushrooms, so when my mom made tuna noodle for me when I was younger, she made her own cream sauce, and I copy the same recipe (butter, milk, flour, 2 slices of american cheese, some celery seed, tuna, noodles, bread crumbs on top). It's simple and easy and yummy. Combine that with crescent rolls and I'm good to go. Oh....my mom used to put hard boiled eggs in the tuna noodle, but my husband doesn't really like eggs, so I omit it. Back to the crescent rolls....they now have mini things of them - only 4 instead of 8. Means I eat a LOT less crescent rolls, which is good. Too many carbs does not make for a happy Mrs. P. As you can plainly see, there were no veggies for dinner tonight. Oh well. Can't all be perfect. I got anxious and way too hungry, so I only baked it in the oven for like 5 minutes, meaning it did not have a chance to thicken. I think we were both so hungry that we didn't care.
So comfort foods....they are a wonderful thing. I think my all-time comfort food is applesauce. I can eat it all the time. I love it. I also like cottage cheese. A Lot. I can also eat that all of the time. Though I can't remember the last time I had either. I wonder what it is about comfort foods that brings us such comfort. Is it the memories of childhood? Is it knowing that it will taste good, no matter what? I know that applesauce and cottage cheese are going to taste the same no matter the day. I guess that's comforting. As for the childhood part....sure it's possible. Though I think tomato soup is a comfort food, and I hated that as a kid. I don't really know what makes comfort foods comforting, but we all have them. And even though mine aren't the healthiest or the most exotic, I'll keep eating them for the rest of my life.
So comfort foods....they are a wonderful thing. I think my all-time comfort food is applesauce. I can eat it all the time. I love it. I also like cottage cheese. A Lot. I can also eat that all of the time. Though I can't remember the last time I had either. I wonder what it is about comfort foods that brings us such comfort. Is it the memories of childhood? Is it knowing that it will taste good, no matter what? I know that applesauce and cottage cheese are going to taste the same no matter the day. I guess that's comforting. As for the childhood part....sure it's possible. Though I think tomato soup is a comfort food, and I hated that as a kid. I don't really know what makes comfort foods comforting, but we all have them. And even though mine aren't the healthiest or the most exotic, I'll keep eating them for the rest of my life.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Musings of a Sunday Night
I have a stomach ache. Just thought I'd share.
I made chicken curry a few days ago and re-heated it again tonight. The potatoes are being a pain and don't want to cook through. But otherwise I was satisfied. I put in dahl which provided a nice crunch. I made naan and basmati rice as accompaniments. Gotta love naan. It would have been great if I had a mango lassi to go with it, but alas, mangoes are not in season right now.
I don't recall eating Indian food when I was younger, but I have quite the penchant for it. In fact, I love it. All of it. I have yet to find an Indian dish I do not like (most are kosher too, which is awesome). I love the flavors and how to different spices make everything taste awesome. For the curry, I didn't use curry powder, but instead mixed together a bunch of spices. I didn't have fenugreek though, and my husband likes his food spicy, so in the end I put in some curry powder. That's not the point though. The point is - well, I just love all the spices! I don't recall really ever thinking about spices until recently. For my wedding my aunt got me a big box full of fancy spices, and it was seriously one of the best presents we got. I have been putting spices in everything, including my coffee. I am starting to wonder, how did I ever live without spices before? I can see why Europeans were so eager to get their hands on spices in the Middle Ages.
Anyways. I got take out from Le's (formerly known as Pho Pasteur) today. Got the chicken pad thai. SO GOOD. Not too much egg. Just the right amount of peanuts. Tons of noodles and chicken and veggies. I ordered and within five minutes my lunch was in my hands, ready to take back to the house and enjoy. I just wish there were more snap peas in there, because I love those. I can't believe I've lived here for so long and never gone there (I went to the one in Allston). I think it's because for a long, long time I just was not adventurous (like pad thai is really that adventurous....) so I stuck to what I knew.
I bought a cookbook that revolves around chocolate, but I keep leaving it in the car. I'll be psyched once I bring it in the house and actually make something from it. It seemed a little more adventurous when I was flipping through it than your average chocolate chip cookies & chocolate cakes cookbooks (I bought it at Crow's in Burlington VT - a used book store on the promenade). I'll report back when I finally make something.
Have a good week!
I made chicken curry a few days ago and re-heated it again tonight. The potatoes are being a pain and don't want to cook through. But otherwise I was satisfied. I put in dahl which provided a nice crunch. I made naan and basmati rice as accompaniments. Gotta love naan. It would have been great if I had a mango lassi to go with it, but alas, mangoes are not in season right now.
I don't recall eating Indian food when I was younger, but I have quite the penchant for it. In fact, I love it. All of it. I have yet to find an Indian dish I do not like (most are kosher too, which is awesome). I love the flavors and how to different spices make everything taste awesome. For the curry, I didn't use curry powder, but instead mixed together a bunch of spices. I didn't have fenugreek though, and my husband likes his food spicy, so in the end I put in some curry powder. That's not the point though. The point is - well, I just love all the spices! I don't recall really ever thinking about spices until recently. For my wedding my aunt got me a big box full of fancy spices, and it was seriously one of the best presents we got. I have been putting spices in everything, including my coffee. I am starting to wonder, how did I ever live without spices before? I can see why Europeans were so eager to get their hands on spices in the Middle Ages.
Anyways. I got take out from Le's (formerly known as Pho Pasteur) today. Got the chicken pad thai. SO GOOD. Not too much egg. Just the right amount of peanuts. Tons of noodles and chicken and veggies. I ordered and within five minutes my lunch was in my hands, ready to take back to the house and enjoy. I just wish there were more snap peas in there, because I love those. I can't believe I've lived here for so long and never gone there (I went to the one in Allston). I think it's because for a long, long time I just was not adventurous (like pad thai is really that adventurous....) so I stuck to what I knew.
I bought a cookbook that revolves around chocolate, but I keep leaving it in the car. I'll be psyched once I bring it in the house and actually make something from it. It seemed a little more adventurous when I was flipping through it than your average chocolate chip cookies & chocolate cakes cookbooks (I bought it at Crow's in Burlington VT - a used book store on the promenade). I'll report back when I finally make something.
Have a good week!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy New Year
2008 is here. And I have a cold. Lovely. But I finally got around to uploading some pictures of my recent baking forays. I might try some more bread later today - we'll see how I feel.
I made goat cheese and chocolate truffles the other day. I liked them. No one else wanted to try them. I just mixed goat cheese, confectioner's sugar, and dark chocolate ganache; chilled the mixture for 30 minutes, then rolled in to balls and coated in cocoa powder.
For the holidays, I made a Scandinavian spice cake with applesauce filling and a brandy & molasses whipped cream frosting. I was surprised how well it came out. Cakes are something I am still learning, but this one didn't fall or spill over. I only cut it in to two layers instead of three because one of my cats wouldn't leave me alone and I just gave up. The end product didn't look amazing but it tasted very good.
I bought a cook book that focuses on chocolate and I am psyched to try it out. I also got a new All Clad saucier on sale up in Burlington VT. I have some loose earl grey tea so I think I am going to make some earl grey chocolate truffles. I also want to try to infuse chocolate with wine and see what I can come up with.
This winter is going to be very busy (3 classes - one of which starts a week from today) but I am determined to cook and bake as much as possible.
Have a good new year!