Seven Things on a Saturday

1. I. HATE. WINTER. And this week has FELT like winter. Most unusual for the first week of September in the south!

2. It finally feels like fall again. I don't really like fall either. I mean, it's OK. Pumpkin, cloves, apples, football, cinnamon, helping out with Trunk-or-treat at church, ginger, Pumpkin Spice Frappucinos, nutmeg, hot cocoa, oh and Thanksgiving. But I am still more of a spring/summer person.

3. Speaking of Pumpkin Spice Frappucinos, I drank one yesterday and now my lactose intolerant stomach is punishing me. But i can't give them up. It's like an abusive relationship.

4. I wore a white shirt yesterday, and I added white shoes to go to the football game. What. A. Rebel.

5. The reason i wore white shoes to the game was that my silver flats broke for the millionth time and I had to reglue them for the millionth time. #ineverlearn.

5. I want a pair of furry boots this winter. And a pair of cowboy boots, if I can find some that look feminine.

6. If you're still reading this, I love you. In a non creepy way. 

7. I woke up this morning and was greeted by this:

Pumpkin Chip Muffins

( slightly adapted from Taste of Home)

2 1/2 c self-rising flour

2 c sugar

1/2 c whole wheat flour

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1 egg

3/4 c egg white

1 can (15 oz) solid-pack pumpkin

1/2 c unsweetened applesauce

1/4 c canola oil

1 c semisweet chocolate chips

Combine flours, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In another bowl, combine egg, egg white, pumpkin, applesauce, and oil, stir into dry ingredients till just moistened. Stir in chips. Coat muffin cups with cooking spray, fill 2/3 full with batter. Bake at 400 for 18-22 minutes. Yield: 2 doz.

Happy Weekend!

Mellie

Fruit Salsa

Guess what? It's been exactly 1 month since I last posted a recipe. Can you believe that? Summer flies by!

I've been too busy having summer romances with:

1.Agatha Christie novels.

2.Sundresses, especially ones from Kohl's.

3.Actually, I'm in love with all Kohl's dresses.

4.Eggplant, especially the eggplant rice bowl at Doc Chey's.

5.Flourless Torte.

6.And fruit salsa. 

There's really nothing not to love about fruit salsa. It's fresh and flavorful, pretty, and ridiculously simple. And just bursting with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. I feel kind of cheated that in all my years of eating and cooking and enjoying food, I'd never had it.

Uuntil I made this recipe. And it was love at first bite. And my whole family felt it too. Then my mom mom found this one. It was not quite as awesome, but it was awesome. And then I made up another one. Oh no! I forgot the measurements. But I remember what it had in it:

Mango-peach berry salsa:

Mangoes

Peaches

Bell Pepper (<--red would be prettiest)

White Onion

Fresh cilantro (<--one of my current obsessions)

Blueberries

Pita or Tortilla chips, for serving

Then finely chop everything, saute the onion in cooking spray, and mix everything together. Serve with chips.

See? A child could do it. 

I made another one, and this time I remembered the measurements:

Watermelon Salsa

5 c watermelon, coarsely chopped

1 c blueberries, coarsely chopped

1/2 white onion, finely chopped

1 bell pepper, finely chopped (I used 1/2 orange and 1/2 yellow)

A few springs fresh cilantro, chopped

1 jalapeno, finely chopped

Saute the onion in cooking spray, then combine everything. Serve with tortilla or pita chips. 

Yum.

I'm not sure what my next recipe should be. I've been cooking a lot recently! How about you pick? I like to do things my way, though, so don't expect this to become a regular feature. OK, here's the list:

1. low country boil

2. cornbread

3. a muffin or quick bread

4. a fruity dessert

5. pancakes or waffles

wow, I just realized that all those contain an unhealthy form of carbs. Oh well. 

 Good night!

  Love, 

Mellie

Taco Rice

Woohoo! Only half a day left of school! And all my hard exams are done! I'm soo ready to be done with school, I know some of y'all have a month left, but I have NEVER been to school this late before! It's like all my body, mind, and soul just shuts down on May 19 or 20 and refuses to do school things, and it's taking all of my physical and mental energy just to get up in the morning. (Oh, wait. That's how it's always been.) Snow is stupid!

On to more positive things. Like cooking. Cooking, I think, is good for your mind. You have to concentrate on several things at once and you don't have time to worry. I don't eat for comfort, but I think cooking and baking are kind of comforting.

And today, that comfort comes in the form of taco rice!

I love Mexican food! There are a few Mexican restaurants in my town, but the two I've been to are absolutely disgusting. But it's OK, because I think my mom makes just as good Mexican food as a restaurant. And this dish is one of the best we make.

I also like to think it is somewhat healthy, because it contains three vegetables and brown rice. Some of you are thinking, "How dare you call anything with red meat healthy!" But, the beef I used was pretty lean to begin with, and I drained it thoroughly. But if that's still not healthy enough for you, then chicken or no meat would be good too.
Some people are thinking, "I would never eat brown rice! Ugh!" But, although I'm not much of a health freak, I've never seen what was so great about white rice and pasta. It's not only unhealthy, it has absolutely NO flavor. I don't think people really like it, they just use it because it's cheaper, or maybe because they're scared of healthy food. But whole grains aren't scary, I promise! they are worth the money!
And now, I will (finally) shut up and post the recipe.

Taco Rice
 (serves about 5)

1 lb lean ground beef
half an onion, chopped
handful of mushrooms
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes with green chiles
2-3 tsps cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1-2 tsps dried oregano
a few sprigs fresh cilantro
salt and pepper to taste
2 1/2 c rice
Lettuce

In large skillet, brown the beef, onions, and mushrooms. Remove from heat, add tomatoes and spices. Cook rice according to package directions. Stir into meat mixture. Top with lettuce and salsa or cheese or sour cream.

Unfortunately, I can't take credit for this lovely photo-it's my mom's.


Have a good afternoon!
Mellie

Hummus

Until yesterday, I had never had hummus. I know. You're probably thinking, how can i call myself a foodie? But on Friday, I found a can of chickpeas, and so I knew what my weekend cooking project would be. 

Now, up until this point, I'd never had ANY middle eastern food before. Is all middle eastern food as yummy as hummus? If so I should make it!

The hummus recipe adapted from about.com. The original recipe call for tahini, which I didn't have. And I added the pepper and fresh herbs. And, you're supposed to make it in a blender, which I don't have, so I mashed the chickpeas with a potato masher and then finished with a mixer. The end result was chunky, is it supposed to be that way or should it be creamy? But anyway it was delicious! And so much lower in fat than cream-based spreads or nut butters.

Here's the recipe:

16 oz can chickpeas

1/4 c liquid from the chickpeas

3 tbsp lemon juice.

1 1/2 cloves garlic

1/2 tsp salt

2 tbsp olive oil

Then blend till it reaches the right consistency.

I can't wait to experiment with other flavors! I'm thinking a Mexican-flavored hummus would be really good. Or maybe a Greek one with cooked spinach, feta cheese, and fresh basil? The possibilities are endless!

I just have four more days of school! And I only have to go in the mornings. I feel like we should be done...and we would be if it wasn't for the snow. :( But I can't complain to much because some people have a month left. Still, I'm really ready for summer! 

Questions of the day: Have you ever had middle eastern food?

What's you're favorite type of ethnic food?

Have a good week?

Mellie

Today

Hello! It's been awhile since I posted, I have many things to share!

First, this morning I made chocolate sauce from a Teenage Gourmet.  I put it in my coffee and added skim milk and a bit of extra sugar for a delicious mocha!

I enjoyed it with a really good book  on the porch, basking in the sunshine. I don't know about y'all, but I'm having more and more visions of myself, looking tan and lovely, lying on the beach in my new sunglasses, sipping lemonade or sweet tea or maybe some sparkling grape juice. I don't know, I haven't given it that much (cough) thought. 

Except I'll never be tan and lovely, just pale and freckly. Whatever.

Lunch was a salad:

Swiss Chard and Romaine Lettuce, chopped

3 strawberries, sliced

1 tbsp walnuts

1 tbsp almonds

1/2 tbsp feta 

1/2 tbsp parmesan

1 tbsp dried cranberries

freshly ground black pepper (I just recently discovered how good it is on salads!)

balsamic vinegar (I'm normally not a dressing girl but this was good)

 Jenna @ eat live run posted something similar the other day. I'm not a spinach lover, though.

Then I made some banana bread from Jan Karon's Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader:

1/3 c vegetable oil

1 1/4 c granulated sugar

2 large eggs, beaten 

3 large very ripe bananas, mashed

1 1/2 c self-rising flour (the original recipe calls for 1 1/2 c all purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp salt)

1/3 c buttermilk

3/4 c chocolate chips (My own addition)

Preheat oven to 350. Cream oil & sugar till light and creamy.  Beat in eggs. Add bananas, mix well. Add 1 c flour and mix well, then add half the buttermilk and mix well. Add remaining flour, then add remaining buttermilk till just blended.  Pour batter into greased 9x5 in loaf pan, bake 45 min.

To spread on the bread, I made peanut butter cream cheese from teenage taste. Sooo creamy and delicious!

Oh, I also did a Pilates workout today. Who do you think I am?

Overall, it's been a delicious day. Thank you to Jenna, Erika, Sami, and Jan Karon for the recipes!

Have a good rest of the weekend!

Love,

Mellie

PS I know colored words are a poor substitute for pictures; it's not my fault the computer won't read the memory card!

Granola

At last, a healthy recipe!

I love this recipe for granola. It is not really sweet or dry like boxed granola. It is a great little breakfast or snack, and it has lots of protein, fiber, and healthy fats.  And it's really easy to make!

This is the basic recipe, but it's also good with different kinds of nuts (I love cashews) or dried fruits. (I like cranberries or dates best.) Or you could add more honey and make granola bars!! Just do whatever... no ingredients are unwelcome.

4 c. old fashioned oats

1 c dried coconut

2/3 c each walnuts, pecans, almonds, pumpkin/sunflowers seeds

1/2 t salt

1/2 t cinnamon 

1/2 c canola oil

1/3 c honey

1/2 t vanilla

Mix dry ingredients in a big roasting pan.  Stir in wet ingredients.  Bake at 325 for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.  Let cool, stir often while cooling.

     Love,

    Mellie