There are definitely some things that need work, but we are up to the challenge. I can't wait to show off our new kitchen!Hope to be back in a week or two!
The Bubs
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Bubs are Moving!
Please forgive the lack of posts over the next few weeks. We are officially moving! We are moving from a rented condo into our very own three bedroom house. We could not be more excited right now.
There are definitely some things that need work, but we are up to the challenge. I can't wait to show off our new kitchen!
Hope to be back in a week or two!
The Bubs
There are definitely some things that need work, but we are up to the challenge. I can't wait to show off our new kitchen!Hope to be back in a week or two!
The Bubs
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Brussel Sprouts and Bacon
Recently, a couple of friends and I got to talking about how one either loves a brussel sprout or hates them. I have to say that The Bubs love us some brussel sprouts and bacon. One of the ladies said that she was willing to try eating brussel sprouts again if she had a good recipe.
So, this week I made it a point to have us put brussels sprouts and bacon on our menu. We've been cooking this dish for years but never had a formal recipe.
Cut the tip of the brussel sprout steam off, and then peel the loose dark green leaves. Usually 3 to 4 leaves will fall off or will need to be taken off.
Next cut each brussel sprout in half. By leaving a little bit of the steam on this will keep the sprouts in tact.
In a non stick pan boil some water. This will be the pan you use to saute the brussel sprouts in. Once the water comes to a boil, add the brussel sprouts and boil for 4 minutes. Once the time is up rinse the vegetables with cold water to stop the cooking and set aside.
While the brussel sprouts are cooking I typically cut the bacon into small pieces. Then when the vegetables are cooling, cook the bacon on a medium heat and render the fat. Once the bacon is crisp pull the pieces out of the fat and set it aside.
Heat the bacon fat on a medium high heat and put the brussel sprouts in. (If you are feeling adventurous try adding a little shallot or finely chopped red onion for a little flair.) Salt and pepper to taste. Cook the vegetables at this heat for about 10 minutes. You want to cook them until they brown a bit.
Once the are browned to your liking then put them on a plate and sprinkle with the bacon that had been set aside. Enjoy.
So, this week I made it a point to have us put brussels sprouts and bacon on our menu. We've been cooking this dish for years but never had a formal recipe.
Brussel Sprouts and Bacon
Ingredients:- A little over 1 pound of Brussel Sprouts
- 2 pieces of slab bacon
- salt and pepper
Cut the tip of the brussel sprout steam off, and then peel the loose dark green leaves. Usually 3 to 4 leaves will fall off or will need to be taken off.
Next cut each brussel sprout in half. By leaving a little bit of the steam on this will keep the sprouts in tact.
In a non stick pan boil some water. This will be the pan you use to saute the brussel sprouts in. Once the water comes to a boil, add the brussel sprouts and boil for 4 minutes. Once the time is up rinse the vegetables with cold water to stop the cooking and set aside.
While the brussel sprouts are cooking I typically cut the bacon into small pieces. Then when the vegetables are cooling, cook the bacon on a medium heat and render the fat. Once the bacon is crisp pull the pieces out of the fat and set it aside.
Heat the bacon fat on a medium high heat and put the brussel sprouts in. (If you are feeling adventurous try adding a little shallot or finely chopped red onion for a little flair.) Salt and pepper to taste. Cook the vegetables at this heat for about 10 minutes. You want to cook them until they brown a bit.Once the are browned to your liking then put them on a plate and sprinkle with the bacon that had been set aside. Enjoy.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Homecooking
This past weekend I made a trip up to Modesto, California to see my parents (Mario stayed at home). My dad's birthday was the 19th so I thought it'd be a great surprise! I baked up some splenda oatmeal cookies (that were actually pretty tasty) for my dad. Well I showed up and he wasn't there.
So, since he was not there Mom and I had some time together. My mom when she found out I was coming up whipped up some "Monkey Bread". I had never had it and it was so yummmy! And look how beautiful it is!
She also treated me with a good ol' home cooked meal on Sunday night. I've been begging her to make me gizzards for over a year now. Well my wish/demands finally came true.
My mom lightly breaded the gizzards and tossed them in the pan. She then added chicken stock and let them cook for almost 2 hours. At the end of the cooking she tossed in some dumplings *drools*. So my mom, aunt and I sat down to a lovely Sunday dinner. Thanks Mom!
Now, I only wish I could get Mario to eat a gizzard!
So, since he was not there Mom and I had some time together. My mom when she found out I was coming up whipped up some "Monkey Bread". I had never had it and it was so yummmy! And look how beautiful it is!
She also treated me with a good ol' home cooked meal on Sunday night. I've been begging her to make me gizzards for over a year now. Well my wish/demands finally came true.My mom lightly breaded the gizzards and tossed them in the pan. She then added chicken stock and let them cook for almost 2 hours. At the end of the cooking she tossed in some dumplings *drools*. So my mom, aunt and I sat down to a lovely Sunday dinner. Thanks Mom!
Now, I only wish I could get Mario to eat a gizzard!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Quick Meal: Pan Fried Chicken, Grilled Veggies and Black Beans
Tonight we decided it was time we introduced the world to Mario's dinner he created which we refer to as "Grill". When I was going to college, Mario developed the meal. I'd be at a night class and then come home to a tasty plate waiting for me.
This meal is great for weeknights, we make this at least once a month. The key to this dish is getting the vegetables on the stove as quick as possible. These veggies will take the majority of the time to cooking. We tend to use our two burner non stick griddle. I'm sure that any non-stick pan will do.
Ingredients:
Cut vegetables on the bias and put into a bowl. Then add in oil and a generous amount of Cajun spice, depending on your preference. Mix everything together and put onto griddle on a medium high setting.
Mince garlic and set in a bowl. Dump out excess liquid from black beans. Mix black beans and garlic together and set in the microwave till needed.
Spray non-stick pan with cooking spray. Then pan fry chicken breasts. To make your chicken go further, cut the chicken in half horizontally then pound the chicken thin with a mallet.
When the chicken is almost done, zap the beans in the microwave. And there you go, serve it up and enjoy this yummy quick meal!
Total Cooking Time: 31 minutes and 18 seconds
This meal is great for weeknights, we make this at least once a month. The key to this dish is getting the vegetables on the stove as quick as possible. These veggies will take the majority of the time to cooking. We tend to use our two burner non stick griddle. I'm sure that any non-stick pan will do.Ingredients:
- 4 carrots
- 4 zucchinis
- 1 large red onion
- 1 tbsp. canola oil
- Cajun spice
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 can of black beans
- 1 lb. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
- Non fat cooking spray
Cut vegetables on the bias and put into a bowl. Then add in oil and a generous amount of Cajun spice, depending on your preference. Mix everything together and put onto griddle on a medium high setting.
Mince garlic and set in a bowl. Dump out excess liquid from black beans. Mix black beans and garlic together and set in the microwave till needed.
Spray non-stick pan with cooking spray. Then pan fry chicken breasts. To make your chicken go further, cut the chicken in half horizontally then pound the chicken thin with a mallet.
When the chicken is almost done, zap the beans in the microwave. And there you go, serve it up and enjoy this yummy quick meal!
Total Cooking Time: 31 minutes and 18 seconds
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Baked Tortilla Chips
It is official The Bubs, like so many others are back on the weight loss train in the new year. Our history of weight loss goes several years deep and several pounds lost and gained back. We are no strangers to the the programs out there and the tools used for weight loss. We decided that this year we had a new motto "A new year, a new house, a new attitude."
Over the years we have learned a lot about ourselves and our bodies. We know that the keys to weight loss for us are to:
1. Not feel deprived, keep the food interesting
2. Keep Moving
3. Measure what we eat
These may seem like simple guidelines, but these are what have worked for us in the past. We as a couple are aware of our downfalls and aware of our strengths. We tend to spend many hikes and walks talking about how we want to be healthier. We know that as a couple we can do anything we set our minds to. Mario is a great motivator and helps to keep us active. I am the voice of reason and help insure that our meals and snacks are on target. Together this is a combination for success. But like anything in this world weigh loss takes dedication
and hard work.
Since snacks are limited at times we have found that one of our favorite low fat and low calories snacks is baked tortilla chips. They are super easy to make and are just as tasty as anything you can find in the store.
1 pkg of 12 corn tortillas non fat butter flavored cooking spray salt
Instructions:
Pre Heat your oven to 375 degrees.
Instructions:
Take four tortillas and cut them into triangles. The smaller you cut them the more there are.
Place on a baking sheet. We use a pizza pan with holes in it. It gives a nice crisp on all sides.
Spray tortillas with cooking spray then salt.
Bake in the oven for 11-12 minutes.
These chips are great with a fresh homemade pico de gallo (which is low in calories and super good for you)!
Over the years we have learned a lot about ourselves and our bodies. We know that the keys to weight loss for us are to:
1. Not feel deprived, keep the food interesting
2. Keep Moving
3. Measure what we eat
These may seem like simple guidelines, but these are what have worked for us in the past. We as a couple are aware of our downfalls and aware of our strengths. We tend to spend many hikes and walks talking about how we want to be healthier. We know that as a couple we can do anything we set our minds to. Mario is a great motivator and helps to keep us active. I am the voice of reason and help insure that our meals and snacks are on target. Together this is a combination for success. But like anything in this world weigh loss takes dedication
and hard work.
Since snacks are limited at times we have found that one of our favorite low fat and low calories snacks is baked tortilla chips. They are super easy to make and are just as tasty as anything you can find in the store.
The Bubs Baked Tortilla Chips
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Pre Heat your oven to 375 degrees.
Instructions:
Take four tortillas and cut them into triangles. The smaller you cut them the more there are.
Place on a baking sheet. We use a pizza pan with holes in it. It gives a nice crisp on all sides.
Spray tortillas with cooking spray then salt.
Bake in the oven for 11-12 minutes.
These chips are great with a fresh homemade pico de gallo (which is low in calories and super good for you)!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Happy New Year!
We may be six days behind but better late then never! Here's wishing that 2009 is truley a year of change and new beginings!
Now, lets talk food! For New Years this year (like many years before) we brought back our tradition of fondue. We are not a couple who tends to go out and get crazy on New Years Eve. Our New Years style tends to be grabbing a couple drinks and sitting down to a pot of molten cheese and some tasty broth! This year we were lucky to have our friend Liz over to share the experience.
Our first course was steamed broccoli and oven baked potatoes dipped in a mix of Gruyere and Swiss Cheese combined with toasted almond yummy goodness! 
The second course was a bit more involved and extravagant. This round of fondue consisted of a vegetable broth that was cooked for about three hours. We also had out table top Japanese grill available for some grilling pleasure. We had an array of meats to choose from we had pork, buffalo, shrimp, rib eye, chicken, and a little lobster in the middle. I'd say half the dips we made up and the other half came from various cookbooks.
Once we cooked our meat of choice in the method of choice THEN there was a choice of dip. Our fondue set has five bowls so we made five dips. Each dip had a different flavor. We had a curry yogurt dip, Asian style, Homemade BBQ sauce, Roasted garlic aioli, and a Cajun swamp sauce.
Unfortunately, we did not make it to the chocolate course. By the time we were done with the first two rounds of food we were full and it was midnight. Even though we didn't get this course the night consisted of good people, good eats and full tummies. What better way to bring in a new year?
Now, lets talk food! For New Years this year (like many years before) we brought back our tradition of fondue. We are not a couple who tends to go out and get crazy on New Years Eve. Our New Years style tends to be grabbing a couple drinks and sitting down to a pot of molten cheese and some tasty broth! This year we were lucky to have our friend Liz over to share the experience.
Our first course was steamed broccoli and oven baked potatoes dipped in a mix of Gruyere and Swiss Cheese combined with toasted almond yummy goodness! 
The second course was a bit more involved and extravagant. This round of fondue consisted of a vegetable broth that was cooked for about three hours. We also had out table top Japanese grill available for some grilling pleasure. We had an array of meats to choose from we had pork, buffalo, shrimp, rib eye, chicken, and a little lobster in the middle. I'd say half the dips we made up and the other half came from various cookbooks.Once we cooked our meat of choice in the method of choice THEN there was a choice of dip. Our fondue set has five bowls so we made five dips. Each dip had a different flavor. We had a curry yogurt dip, Asian style, Homemade BBQ sauce, Roasted garlic aioli, and a Cajun swamp sauce.
Unfortunately, we did not make it to the chocolate course. By the time we were done with the first two rounds of food we were full and it was midnight. Even though we didn't get this course the night consisted of good people, good eats and full tummies. What better way to bring in a new year?
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