My Afflation

Talk about being behind on writing... This was dinner - It was supposed to be the Chicken Hash  from the Whole30 Cookbook. It looked NOTHING like the picture in the book. I was worried that the taste would be off as well (more than with my substitutions). The photo has sweet potato noodles, not the type of shredded hash I got that would have been better turned into sweet potato hash browns. Now there's an idea . Sweet Potato Chicken Hash: 1lb chicken thighs, diced; 1/4 cup pecans, chopped; 1 large sweet potato, grated; 1 pink lady apple, diced; 1/4 cup apple cider; 1 -2 cups spinach; 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms; salt and pepper to taste I think it probably had a lot to do with not having the right tool for the job. I found my cheese grater, but it wasn't a box grater with variable grating sizes, it was a handheld fine grater . Very fine. The cookbook suggested using a spiralizer, but the one I have was not up to the task. It gave me funky 1/2-inch noodles that kept t...

So I'm sitting here at work, noshing on some simply delicious(ly) decorated sugar Christmas cookies when a wave of nostalgia hits me. I used to make batches and batches of Christmas cookies with the kids. One year we made a bunch of care boxes to send overseas. Another I let Josh mix and make all of the sugar crystals. His allergies to red 40 have become so severe that he can't even let it touch his skin without a reaction. No candy canes on the christmas tree for him to eat (or his sister, out of respect). We actually like the Starburst ones more ... (ok, well, my mom got cinnamon candy canes, but there's so much red on them Josh just avoids out of a sense of self-preservation). This whole year has been topsy-turvy. I don't have my own space to continue the few traditions we had. My mom mentioned that I'm sorta neutral about Christmas this year. And I am. Better than last year when I was feeling grinchy  and didn't want to do *anything* Christmas related. A...

Image by kattebelletje via Flickr In honor of all the belt-tightening going on around these days, here is a pretty tasty and filling low-cost stew. This is also a protein-rich, yet meatless, meal. (Don’t faint Rachel, there’s got to be a few vegetarian Texans by now ) . Serves 6. Ingredients 2 teaspoons vegetable or olive oil 1 cup chopped onion 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 3 cups water or broth of your choice 1 cup dried lentils, sorted and rinsed 2-3 medium carrots, chopped 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (or to taste) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained Directions 1. Sautee onions and garlic in the oil 2. Stir in remaining ingredients 3. Heat to boiling; reduce heat and simmer about 40 minutes. Serve with bread or rice.

Image via Wikipedia week #5 1. what 3 ingredients couldn't you live without? some meat that isn't pork (I'm allergic), rice, greenbeans or corn. The only vegetables that my kids eat day in and day out without complaint. And rice can be eaten three times a day, you may not want to, but it can be. Porridge anyone? 2. what food reminds you of your childhood? Sweet potatoes as a side dish, not a dessert, made with butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg 3. what was your last cooking disasters? I think I undercooked some fish 4. what makes you a foodie? I love to prepare and eat food. I love combining flavors in new ways. I'm a chocoholic. I love talking about food. I love trying out new recipes. Did I mention that I love food? 5. what is the last meal you cooked? um, I actually haven't cooked this week but I have told my mom and son what to cook for dinner and given them the recipes. How sad is it that I can't remember what I last cooked? I know I have in the last two weeks, ...

Ok, so the official start of fall was Sept. 22 but in SoCal that's still summer. And up until a few days ago the weather was definitely NOT autumnal. And it was hotter in the Valley where I work. So today, it rained in the morning and stayed cloudy and cool all day long. My son made reference to how he missed Oregon and I was finally prompted to make potato soup. And so starts Autumn in the Holland household. Josh couldn't wait to dig in. Let me know if you want the recipe. Technorati Tags: potato soup , Autumn , Fall , weather Recipe : Ingredients 1 lb. potatoes cut into 1/2" cubes 2 cups water 3 cups milk 1/4 cup butter 3/4 cup celery (about 2-3 stalks) 2-3 medium carrots 1/2 cup chopped onion (or 1/2 tsp. onion powder in a pinch) 1/4 lb. bacon, about 10-12 slices (at least that's what I use) and/or sausage -- i use turkey bacon and sausage, already cooked and fit my one pot style of cooking. 3Tbs all-purpose flour salt and pepper to taste ...