Carbs

I really don't know how people can restrict carbs on purpose.

Especially if they look like this...

This recipe came from my sister Rachel and let me just say this:

AWESOME!

I make in my Le Crueset and it is out of this world.

I also needed to make something to go along with this crusty artisan bread so with the leftovers from a roasted chicken I made a chicken potpie, homemade crust and all.

I know, right?!

I {heart} carbs!
tla
bff

Le Crueset-ing

For Christmas, Todd bought me a 5-piece Le Crueset set of cookware. I've been wanting to get a dutch oven to cook with but left it up to Todd since Christmas was coming but I didn't anticipate the nearly $500 set. It was just waaaay too much and I really only needed the one pot.

Luckily, I like to shop at Marshall's and on occasion, they have Le Crueset seconds.
I found a 9 qt. pot that was listed as a second for $159 (yes, still super expensive but about 50% off the price of a new one). I called Le Crueset to ask about the warranty for a "seconds" quality and it is intact so I opted to keep it.

My first recipe was Pioneer Woman's pot roast

I've made roasts in the crock pot before but they never really were tender and it took like 12 hours so I was really excited to give this one a try.

This is after I had seared the meat and sauteed the veggies and right before putting it in the oven.



This recipe was really good & only took about 3 1/2 hours in the oven.

Magic.

On Sunday, I made my second recipe: Chicken Caccaiatore

It was a bit of a long process but turned out really good.

Frying the chicken

Sauteed veggies

Adding chicken to the pot

Dinner is served

I am really liking the one pot recipes. Saves on having to wash all those dishes.

Lunch & Dinner

Just a couple of my favs...


Avocado with sprouts on toast

This is one meal where I usually have the ingredients on hand and it is easy to make and delish!

Corn Cakes with Black Beans

1 can black beans
1/2 c. corn (frozen or canned)
2 tsp. chili powder, divided
2/3 c. corn meal
2 Tbl. flour
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
pepper, to taste
1 egg
3 Tbl. melted butter
1 c. buttermilk
sour cream
salsa
cilantro

Slightly drain can of black beans, retaining some liquid. Add 1 tsp. chili pepper. Heat.

In bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, soda, salt, pepper to taste & 1 tsp. chili powder.
In another bowl, whisk together the butter, buttermilk & egg. Mix the liquid into the dry ingredients until just blended. Fold in corn.

Fry up just like a pancake. Top with black beans, sour cream, salsa & cilantro.

Delish!

Divine Recipe

You know when you try something that is so different and delicious and then you can't remember what was in it and you don't have a recipe? That was me. Todd & I went on an Alaskan cruise in the summer of 2007 and they served this amazing cold oatmeal stuff for breakfast. It was so good. Since then, I've never found a recipe that was similar to it so I've just been left wanting....until now.

My cute cousin Annie posted this recipe on her blog and it sounded oh so familiar so I gave it a try and it is truly divine. Thanks so much Annie! Hope you don't mind that I am sharing it.

Alpine Muesli




1 c. milk

1 c. orange juice

1 small carton yogurt

honey, just squish some in

Combine the ingredients

add 1 1/2 c. oats

like this

all stirred up

Next add fresh fruit. I used fresh strawberries,

blackberries,

and grated apple (you can dice it if you want to).
Annie suggests not to use banana
watermelon or grapes,
they are too soft but you can add them on top when
this is served.
.

Next, add some chopped nuts, maybe 1/2 c. I used pecans because that's
what I had. Annie used hazelnuts.

Put fruit & nuts into oatmeal mixture

mix it up and refrigerate overnight or for however long you can wait.

It looks like this the next morning. VERY thick!

Spoon some into a pretty glass bowl and ENJOY! It is divine!

Thank you Annie!