Lentils and Rice

So this meal idea is 98% safe for a Candida-free diet. I can't be perfect! I say this because there is a tiny bit of cream in the Madras Lentils, but it is so low that it shouldn't effect the diet too much. These little guys are amazing! My aunt gave them to me as part of a birthday present (along with a beautiful lunch tote for work). It tastes like Chili and can be used in a number of ways: as chili, in tacos, as a soup, on rice etc. Tasty Bite website here. You can purchase them at Costco.

And guess what? They are REALLY good for you. Not only do the below things apply, but for those of you watching your calories...the whole container is about 300 calories and fills you up! (That's 6 weight watchers points).

Whats even better? You throw it in the microwave for 90 seconds. Pair that with some 90 seconds rice....

And voila! A quick lunch that will sooth your healthy soul. I topped my meal off with some Greek yogurt (an excellent substitute for sourcream)

My only worry... packaging. I realize this is a lot of packaging. The rice bowl is BPA free and recyclable...but that doesn't make it perfect. To reduce waste, make this meal only when you are really strapped for time and stick to the bulk food section for other meals.

Guest Recipes!

Chili-Lime Meatballs - Penny (prepared at a Pampered Chef Party)


Cinnamon Crisps - Penny (prepared for a Pampered Chef Party)


Hot Fudge - Jenny


Bannana Cake - Jenny


Lasagna - Jenny (I had two large helpings!)


Quinoa, Blackbean, Cilantro Mix - Jennifer Tree (talk about healthy)


Tandori Spiced Tofu Wrap with Cilantro Yogurt (SPICY!)


Red Velvet Cake - Made by Debbie and Bob (favorite birthday dessert of Jenny)


Sante Fe Chicken - Bob and Debbie


Baked Mac and Cheese with Truffle Oil and Nutmeg - My beautiful cheese creation!


Turkey Wrap - Penny (it was too easy of a recipe for me to screw up and write about)


Oyster Crackers - 'J' Family recipe, made this day by Josh


Tequila Sunrise

Chili Rellanos, Tofu Tacos with Pico, Spanish Rice, Rice Bowls, Huevos rancheros

Chili Rellanos, Tofu Tacos with Pico, Spanish Rice, Rice Bowls, Huevos rancheros

Mexican food night! Jennifer promised me she would come over sometime and show me how to make the recipes she gave me. I decided to make a dinner of it and invite over some friends; Jennifer, Kori, Amanda, Jeff, Kevin and Craig (we missed you Mike!). I set out some appetizers; fruit, chips, and chocolate covered peanut butter pretzels (awesome I know). Jennifer and I got to cooking! Jennifer made the chili rellanos while I watched and took mental notes for next time. Kori assisted beautifully in stirring the eggs for Jennifer as well as helping me with the tofu. Jeff chopped up the ingredients for the pico de gallo. It was almost a crisis when I told him to ‘blend’ the ingredients. I meant stir it up, but he got out the blender and was about to turn it on. I said “what are you doing! No! It is supposed to be chunky” he said, “You said blend! So I am blending!” I explained what I meant and the Pico was saved just in the nick of time. I cooked up the Spanish rice, beans, and tofu; with help and guidance from Jennifer. Amanda kept us company in the kitchen, as there really wasn’t room for one more person cooking and the boys played Mario on the Wii. Amanda, Kori and Kevin brought some wine to share, thanks! It was such a beautiful sight! It felt like how cooking should be. A group of friends or a family all bumping around each other in the kitchen. All four burners going, taste tests, smells drifting through the air, problems, solutions, burns, and most importantly laughs. The food came out in courses as it was difficult to have it all ready at once. Once a dish was completed we put it on the kitchen table and gave out a ‘come and get it’ announcement. The girls ate at the dining room table and chatted as girls do. The boys ate on the couch in between taking turns trying to beat Bowzer.
The chili rellanos were the highlight of the evening. When the plate had only 2 left sitting on it, you could tell people were on edge to see who would eat them. The Tofu Tacos were really good, the pico de gallo was extremely fresh. The Spanish rice was difficult to make but was well worth it. The Rice bowls were a mixture of the rice, black beans, cheese, tortilla chips, lettuce, salsa and sour cream. It is a simple dish that pretty much covers all your food groups. The huevos rancheros were easier than I thought they would be to make. The only downfall was an undercooked egg that Kori got. Sorry about that!
As the night wound down, Jeff did all the dishes for me. I am so lucky! Thank you friends for a wonderful night!

White Chili and 7 Layer Bars

White Chili and 7 Layer Bars

I cooked up White Chili (from Aunt Debbie) and 7 layer bars (from Gretchen). I went to Safeway instead of my normal trip to Kings and was utterly confused. Everything was in a different place and they didn’t have tortilla strips! Tragic, I know. Once home, I cut up the chicken. I am getting close to being a professional chicken cutter, touching the chicken even! The chili is amazing and easy to make! The Seven Layer Bars were easy as well. The recipe starts with a stick of butter, which makes me happy any day. I tossed on some crushed graham cracker, chocolate chips, butter scotch chips, coconut flakes, a can of condensed milk and nuts. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6……and the butter counts at 7. I brought the chili in my crock pot and the bars to a Pot Luck for my boss’ birthday party at work. Both the White Chili and 7 layer bars were a huge hit! But all that eating led to a very lethargic afternoon. I was tempted to leave a note on my desk with a bell saying, ‘sleeping under desk, ring if you need me’.

The Chili Picture

The Chili was really good! Just spicy enough but not burning my taste buds.

Chili

The first recipe, my mom’s savory chili recipe. A crowd favorite at Estes Park. I wrote down my ingredients and headed out into the windy day to shop. I start in the canned food section and find the cans I need easily, only problem is my mom’s recipe. She has been making the chili forever and the recipe is not directed to a beginner cook. She refers to the cans as ‘large can kidney beans”. Words like large are, let just say, relative. I call her to check if large means the biggest one, or the one just below the biggest one that is still bigger than the little one….do you see my confusion? So we sort out all the can sizes and I say goodbye. Okay….where is the taco seasoning? I call my mom back, she says by the gravy or spices. I stare at the gravy for a while and decide it is not there, so I move on to the spices….success! Bye mom thanks! So now spicy ground pork. I stare at the meat section like I am shopping for a Valentines card on February 13th. Pork sausage, Italian sausage….dang it! Dialing again. She directs me to the lunchmeat/breakfast meat sections…who knew there are 3 places for pork at King Soopers. I then have a near panic attack by the jalapenos; does everybody have to be shopping for the jalapenos right now too? I think I might be ready to leave the store!
The hard thing about groceries when you’re young and poor, is living on a third floor apartment. I grab all my groceries, which I can barely carry and take to the street, through the wind and up the stairs. I walk in my apartment and good thing Max is the only one home. My hair looks like I was just on a rollercoaster and I plop the bags down like I had just run a marathon. Perhaps some exercise is in store for the next week? I turn the TV towards the kitchen, put on CSI (Las Vegas of course) and get choppin! I wore gloves for the peppers….remember to do this, or you will regret it! Kitten Max was trying to be helpful. He tried some jalapeño…didn’t like that. But he cleaned up the onion pieces I left behind….cats like onions, really? I called my mom to check to see if I cover the chili while it cooks (you do) and she asks if I remembered to put in the garlic and onion. Onion yes, garlic…not on the recipe. I scramble to chop some garlic, good thing I have it on hand. I stare into the vast pot I have just assembled…this recipe could feed a small army! Put portions in the freezer to enjoy another time. This recipe will make food for a lot of people, or a lot of servings for two people, and only cost around $20 for all the ingredients!
So the chili is cooking…Max is sleeping…and I am sipping some victory scotch. It only took 3 times as long as it should have, a near panic attack and 6 calls to my mother. Bon appetite!