So, even though I haven't posted in a few weeks, I certainly have been thinking about some "blog worthy" things such as how do you deal with rude stares (I have been noticing this more and more), how do you talk to your kids about adoption and their story, and I recently read a great post about the importance including yourself in photos with your kids! But, those posts will have to wait for right now.
In the meantime, I have really been into cooking lately and trying new recipes (if you haven't noticed already!). My newest thing? Meal planning. I am not much of a planner so this is a new venture for me and it is working out pretty well. Of course, my "plan" is a very flexible one but that is what works for me! I am finding that I have the motivation to cook more if I know what's on the menu! I generally plan about 3 meals per week since we usually have leftovers and we have a standing weekly dinner date with my parents.
So, tonight's menu included homemade Italian Breadsticks and Chicken Pesto and Couscous. Both recipes are from one of my new favorite blogs to stalk: Cooking During Stolen Moments.
I have already made several of her recipes! Now, I still make adjustments to "lighten" up some of her recipes, but every recipe has been a hit so far!
Here are the Italian Breadsticks. I have never, ever made bread from scratch before so I was a little intimated by the whole yeast, dough thing. WOW! It was so EASY!!! These breadsticks were so yummy and, I swear, they were about 1.5" thick! I made these after I got home from work and we were still sitting down at the table to eat by 6pm. Check out the recipe here. I will definitely be making these again.
We ate the breadsticks with a side of Chicken Pesto and Couscous. :) If you have never had couscous, give it a try! It cooks in 5 minutes and you can generally substitute it for rice in various dishes (though it is not as "hardy" as rice). We love the whole wheat couscous from Trader Joe's. I made this with chicken, tomatoes from our garden, zucchini from a friend's garden, and of course my garden fresh pesto! Check out the recipe here. She served this recipe cold, but we ate it straight from the skillet. Either way is delish!
Okay, next post I hope to tackle one of the topics I mentioned above!
Steph, everything looks so yummy! I will have to check out the blog. Looking forward to seeing some new pictures of Eli as well. You are asking the same questions that I am starting to think about as well.
ReplyDeleteMmmmm, you can come cook for me anytime! I tired couscous for the first time this summer and really liked it!
ReplyDeleteI think rude stares come in all forms and are never welcomed! I get a lot of stares because my oldest overreacts and blows his top a lot. I get rude stares from people who probably believe that I need to control my son! Well, it's a work in progress with a very strong willed young man!! I also have a neighbor who does not stare at Gillian rudely, she just won't give her the time of day! Nice, huh! This same woman also calls all the construction workers in our neighborhood, "Mexicans" even though they are from Honduras! As a parent who loves all my children, I am not sure how to handle these situations! :(
You should apply for a job at one of the foodie magazines with your pictures!! They are perfect!! I have some content posts in mind too, just been too lazy to pump them out. Good to have you back!!! I always forget about the strares until I leave my nice, liberal, open minded section of the state. Then I get slammed with it in my face and am taken back.
ReplyDeleteHi Stephanie.
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking of you, Jason and Eli today. I was wondering how you were doing and looking forward to more food posts! I will have to give the coucous a try - I stay away from pasta in the summer because it heats up the whole house. It's 80 or so today - too hot!
I love you photos and I try to do the me in the picture thing too - but I don't really like photos of myself, that's my deal. Anyway, more recipes please!