Monday, March 31, 2014

Lazy Blogger -- Sassy Pants!

Sorry I've been a lazy blogger! Between beautiful weather, yard work, new technology at school, a school play, an etsy shop, and my new work out routine, I've put the blog on the back burner! 

I made these for some of my favorite sassy girls! 

We had a great day for a fried chicken picnic, kite flyin, cake eatin' 
birthday party! 




Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Haute Dog

My friend Megan has a dachshund that she is pretty obsessed with. She found a shirt that she wanted and asked me to make it. I think it turned out pretty cute!

Monday, March 17, 2014

To-Do Spring Break

My Spring Break officially started today. I am not going on a vacation. I am having a to-do list staycation! 

My to-do list is long, but I hope to do things that I enjoy!
-gardening
-crafting
-watching basketball
-visiting with friends
-a few house projects
-explore my new i technology 
-read a book
-work out

I hope that with this inspiration I will be able to get back to regular blogging soon! 

Monday, March 10, 2014

Mu Shu Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Do you need a quick 15 minute healthy dinner? This was super easy and quick! The extra hoisin sauce really makes it!


Ingredients:
2 T. low-sodium soy sauce
1 T. dry sherry
1 T. hoisin sauce (plus more for serving)
1 t. rice vinegar
1 T dark sesame oil
1 T minced garlic
1 T minced fresh ginger
2 cups packaged coleslaw
1 1/2 shredded rotisserie chicken
1/2 cup sliced green onions, divided
12 iceberg or bibb lettuce leaves
1/4 c. chopped cashews


Directions: 
Combine first 4 ingredients in a small bowl, stir
Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sesame oil to pan, swirl to coat. Add garlic and ginger to pan.
Saute for 30 seconds.  Add soy sauce mixture and coleslaw and cook for 1 minute.
Add chicken and 1/4 cup onions and cook until coleslaw just begins to wilt.
Spoon hoisin sauce on top of lettuce, and divide chicken mixture evenly among lettuce leaves.
Top with cashews and remaining onions.

adapted from: Cooking Light


This little plate is great for mincing/grating ginger! It is a ceramic dish with little teeth!




Thursday, March 6, 2014

Rock Chalk

 Rock Chalk!
I'm ready for March!!
















Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Thai Steak Tacos with Mango & Cucumber Salsa

Lately, I have been planning my meals based on my Door to Door Organics fruits and veggies.  I had a mango and cucumber to use up. I went to my handy dandy Pinterest and searched "Mango Cucumber" and came up with this! 
Ingredients - Sauce (this sauce is very similar to this, and can be substituted)
½ cup sugar
4 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup fish sauce
2 T Lime juice
Sriracha, to taste
1 1/2 cups water

Ingredients – Tacos
1 1/2 lbs stir fry steak.
1/2 cup sauce 
Tortiallas

Ingredients- Salsa
1/4 cup Shallots ,minced
1/2 Cucumber diced
1 Mango diced
1/4 cup Cilantro
dash of salt


Directions
Sauce
Combine 1½ cups water and sugar into a small saucepan and bring to a boil. 
Simmer until reduced by about half, about 15 minutes. 
Stir in garlic, lime, fish sauce, and siracha. 

Steak 
Combine steak with ½ cup of nuoc nam in  Ziploc bag. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Heat a grill pan over medium heat. Sear for about 3 to 4 minutes each side. Set aside and let rest for about 5 to 10 minutes.

Salsa
Toss mango, cucumber, and shallots, and cilantro with ¼ cup of sauce and some salt. Cover and refrigerate.


Heat up tortillas according to package instructions.
Assemble own tacos with steak and cucumber and mango salsa.

Adapted from: Cook Smarts

Monday, March 3, 2014

Sesame-Soy Kale Chips

I know I'm a few years behind on this Kale Chips trend, but I tried them once and was not impressed. However, this time, I used soy sauce to season them. I ate the whole thing in 1 day! All 3 bags that I made!

Kale has many benefits! It is low in calories, it is good for your heart, and has tons of vitamins!


Ingredients:
1 bunch "dinosaur" Lacinato kale, washed and dried
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds


 Chop up kale in large pieces. 
In a zip lock combine olive oil, soy sauce, and sesame seeds. Add kale and shake up! Massage the kale to allow even more flavors in.

Bake on parchment paper at 300* for 30 minutes. DO NOT LET IT BURN!


Store in zip-lock baggies, or in my case, it it all!