Friday, February 20, 2009

Chicken Bok Choy Black Bean Sauce

It was awesome. Katy was very happy yesterday - she had her favorite meal - Chicken and Bok Choy and she learned that we are going on vacation to Puerta Plata in April. I literally spent all of yesterday looking at hotels and flights. We need to do this trip on the cheap - that's cheap,cheap,cheap. I found a hotel called the gran ventana for $1288 - all inclusive for three of us. That's $429 each for 8 days, seven nights. And it is beautiful and received rave reviews. We used miles 70,000 each - so I had to borrow from Amex on future purchases. Now, have to come up with way of getting the money. Of course, there will be a couple of excursions that Katy and Col with go on. Not sure if I will be able to do anything besides snorkeling. We are starting new challenge of selling stuff on craigslist. Going to take pics now.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Burned Grapeleaves - learned tip from Col!

I had a few grapeleaves left so I decided to make them using the chickpea mixture. Did a great job on rolling them (have it down now Dad) and then started cooking them. Well, got involved with the computer (of course) and the water totally burned down to nothing and the grapeleaves were burnt badly as well. Wasn't worried about the grapeleaves but I thought my new pot was ruined. I had always put in dishwashing detergent with water and cooked it - but Col said to put a dishwasher tablet in the pan. I boiled it for about half hour and it cleaned the pot perfectly. The good thing about it is that it didn't boil over.

Katy had a swim meet last night and got a bad cramp - seems like she is not eating properly. I have plenty of food still to cook - shrimp, beef stew, crabcakes, chicken so I can easily make the challenge. But I have to put her first and buy food that she likes. Have to buy lots of fruit and veggies as well as more chicken,juices and gatorade. So I am going to put the challenge behind me. But it was fun.

What's important is that I learned new things - like making my own black bean veggie burgers and how to make lentil flour from lentils. Also learned how to make new dishes from things that didn't work - greek beef and pasta casserole from lousy beef stew and grapeleaves from channa masala (indian food). And with this economy - it's something we all need to do. Be less wasteful, not eat out as much and repurpose our food where we can. Thanks to all for your comments.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Col's birthday week is finally over!







Made shrimp parm (don't like) and shrimp diablo, pasta, caesar salad. Dinner was good.

Actually made the grapeleaves from the channa masala and they were great. Of course, Col and I picked on them. I am going to use up the rest of the grapeleaves and make more. Not going to cook today except for that. Cleaning ladies are coming. They always love my stove - even they can't get it clean.
We did have leftover shrimp parm - that is until Jeter decided he was still hungry. He ate them all!



Sunday, February 15, 2009

Channa Masala becoming grapeleaves

The Indian Channa Masala is going to be part of the filling for grapeleaves - vegetarian. The Masala is really good and spicy but can't see eating more than a couple of tablespoons. This way I will use up at least some of the grapeleaves and make it into a dinner. Tonight is Col's bday dinner so that should be nice. Making caesar salad (had to buy the romaine) but had the anchovies (last can) parmesan cheese, evoo, dijon and worchestire.

Girls ate Chinese food - order 4 large entries and the 4 of them ate all but 1/2 of one. Where do they put it!

The unfortunate thing about grapeleaves is that they are so easy to eat that you just pick them up, they never make it to dinner...

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Channa Masala, Falafel, Hummus

Had one big can of chickpeas and Katy is having friends over later since she is grounded. Don't ask!! I opened up the chickpeas to make hummus and will make Channa Masa which is chickpeas,onions, tomatoes and lots of spices and with the leftover chickpeas will make falafel. Two meals and an app. not bad for one can chickpeas.

Col trying to sabotage and may be winning

Col wanted a birthday lunch and to cancel her birthday dinner (after I went shopping). So I picked up the stuff for dinner and some juice, salad stuff and apples. Now the rest of the 30 days is no more shopping for any meat,chicken,pasta or anything else foodwise. M we have the shrimp parmigiana (I'm keeping an open mind). Katy is having friends over and I will probably ordering pizza for them. They are not going to want to eat rice and beans or beef stew which we hopefully will have. Col wants buttermilk pancakes for breakfast tomorrow - so will make those. More later...have to clean before the friends arrive.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Glad yesterday is over!

Katy was sick and vomiting at school but wanted to stay because she was swimming in 3 events. Went to her meet and she was sitting on the bench, vomitting. Then would swim and they had garbage can for her to vomit in - not pretty to watch. Came home and Col even put the tandoori chicken in the oven without burning herself. Michael came over for dinner and Brandon wanted food too! Made brown jasmine rice and dinner was a success. Then the fun - Jeter decided to pee in my livingroom. Jeter is a 80 lb dog who pees for 10-15 minutes. So, I caught him after 1 minute and the damage was already done. Not a big deal! He went out with my dogs and they were running around and Jeter ran over Duke (12 lbs). Duke started yelping and is walking on 3 legs. His back leg is hurt but not broken. And then Col decides it is too expensive to go out for her birthday dinner so she wants shrimp parmigiana with spaghetti and salad. This throws a wrench about me not going food shopping but I am only going to buy what I need for this dinner and some oj for Katy who hasn't had any in a week. Michael and his girlfriend Fran are coming over and well as Col's sons Matt and Brandon. It also needs I have to clean!! It would have much easier to go out - but it's Col's birthday. And on top of that she wants brownies...Believe me, wait until it's my birthday. I'll get even...No Benihana this time!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Day 10 - The revolts are starting

My daughter, Katy, is protesting saying she didn't sign up for this challenge and my sister is agreeing with her. Think that's because Col wants out of it too. But we are still going strong. Tonight is chicken tandoori with brown basmati rice. May make some frozen string beans - have lots of those. But we are almost totally out of any veggies/fruits - one zucchini that I am going to make into pancakes. Have 1 rotting apple and 1 pear that I most likely will toss out to the deer. And have either 3 or 4 onions left. I had stuffed cabbage for breakfast and it was delicious. Lunch will be tuna again with taboule. The parsley except for the stems is officially gone now. Will use stems to make stock. Cut up whole chicken for tandoori and now boiling it to get the last chicken off the bones for the dogs.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

No, Dukey, No

First Jeter with the zucchini bread and now Duke has eaten my battery charger cord, so no new pics today. See if I can find my old camera. Duke has also eaten my dining room chair - almost half the seat is eaten as well as the wood on the chairs/table. Hopefully he will grow out of this habit soon.
Yesterday did make some grapeleaves with the leftover meat from the stuffed cabbage. Had to use lime juice instead of lemon but they were still very good. Also made tuna salad today. Col had a birthday lunch and she said it felt really good to be eating real food and not beans/lentils. My brother Michael came over last night and had the rest of the pea soup - must love him very much to give that one soup to him. Also, gave him some black bean chili, veggie burgers and some lentil soup. Matt didn't like the lentil soup made with sundried tomatoes and potatoes and brought it home from work. I'll try to make the very basic lentil soup he likes but only have 4 baby carrots left. My nephew Brandon wanted chicken parmigiana tonight and Col said we couldn't make because we didn't have the ingredients for sauce. I told her I had a can of tomatoes and she's like - what are you holding out on me!! Katy loves Chicken Parm, so we will be having that again tonight.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

No cooking today!!

We have to go through all the stuff I have made so far. There are lots of leftovers and stuffed cabbage for dinner. Just going to make coleslaw with the leftover small cabbage leaves. Have to figure out what soups/chili I can freeze. Col and Matt both liked the greek beef with orzo dinner. Have learned not to toss but to recreate. Sometimes will be more successful than others.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Col figured it out but no verdict yet







Col figured out that I had washed the beef "in purified water I hope". Sure, Col. We'll have for dinner tonight. It's only been one week and I had to use the rest of the sprouting potatoes and made shepherd's pie. I'm going to freeze it. Have a lot of food for us to eat in the fridge already. Had cabbage for at least three weeks so used that today to make stuffed cabbage - didn't get many good leaves but enough for at least three of us. I know Katy won't eat it. Made more lentil soup using sun dried tomatoes and one of the few remaining potatoes. Have four baby carrots left and about 5 onions. Also, have some lemongrass (yes lemongrass), and ginger. May be able to make a lemongrass soup with coconut milk.

Success!! Able to recreate meal from botched stew


That moroccan tagine was a big disappointment and looked much too heavy for Col or my taste. Rinsed off the beef and tossed the potatoes and carrots and searched for a recipe for beef and orzo. Found this great recipe on about.com for moshari yiouvetsi - a Greek beef and pasta casserole. I just cooked it and that extra hour in the oven with the tomatoes/jalapeno can and the liquid transformed the beef from tough to incredibly tender. It also looks much lighter and I can truly say delicious. So don't tell Col and I want to see her respone. Also found that I can freeze the beef stew with the potatoes (didn't think you could freeze potatoes) but they do with french fries, etc. We'll get two good meals out of the stew. I have to use up the cabbage before it goes bad - will make stuffed cabbage.

Beans and more beans











Some pics of the food - Saturday night dessert - last of the apples, thrown in with brown sugar and butter in a peasant pie crust. Black bean/roasted corn veggie burgers and chili. Chicken parmesan for 7 with leftovers. We're not eating bad yet are we!

Day 7 - Beef stew,beans and more beans

Used up some almost rotten potatoes and made potato patties. Cooked about 3 lbs. of black beans, made veggie burgers with roasted corn and a black bean chili. Matt came over for dinner with Margo for chicken parm and eggplant parm, rigatoni (end of marinara sauce) and then Col said remember the loaves and the fishes - well Bran and his friend need dinner too! But we had plenty and still have leftover pasta and parm. Katy had a 3 month old frozen pizza for lunch and we had veggie burgers - pretty good. Just have to get used to the texture. Cooked the others longer so that they will be harder. Think we are going to have to toss the leftover ratatouille out or to the deer - don't know if they are allergic to onions like dogs. Have to make pastry dough for beef stew. Col doesn't really like beef, so this is a problem! But if we don't eat the beef - probably won't make another week. This week it will chicken enchiladas, stuffed cabbage, shepherd's pie, pasta with livornese sauce. Thankfully, it is Col's birthday on Friday and we get to go out - yes this one time. We haven't ordered in or gone out since this challenge started, not even to get a coffee!!

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Day 6 - chicken parm/pasta tonight

Have 11 frozen cutlet breasts from Costco. Not very big but will be making 5 - Matt and Margo may be eating here. Have enough parmesan and mozzarella. Made marinara sauce so we are set for today. Still have to figure out what to do with that beef stew - maybe just wash all the beef and make beef and orzo soup. Don't think I have any barley left. Carrots are running out too and we are only in week one! Why did I ever accept this challenge - really doubting that we will make it. Just have to remember what my dad said - they ate soup every day. We have been eating just fine all this time. The one good thing is that Col has peanut butter and pasta. Great for sesame noodles - much better than pb on cracker.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

No, Jeter, No!!!

We did have 4 mini zuchini loaves - that is until Jeter grabbed one and devoured half of it. The other dogs joined in. Since we had so much linguine left over, Col and I decided to throw in our last can of clams and eat that tonight. Katy also had leftover pasta/meatballs. Got great reviews from Col on the pea soup and Katy finished the last of the lentil soup. Making more tomorrow. Have one zucchini, parsley, onions, potatoes (which are sprouting) and the frozen veggies. Need to find recipes for roasted corn, peas, string beans...

Curried Pea Soup, Zucchini Bread and one dirty range
















I have been making pea soup this morning and it was missing something - so I threw some curry into it and it came out really good. Had 2 zucchinis and made zucchini bread with one. Looks like they came out moist. I am going to make a peasant pie with apples that have seen better days. We are almost at the end of the fruit and veggies.

Some pics







Don't know how to add pics to the old posts, but here are some of the pics of the food I made

Day 5 - Wouldn't eat the beef - neither would Col

I don't really know what went wrong with the beef tagine but I think I needed to cook the meat so long as the potatoes and carrots pretty much turned to mush. It was very very thick even after I added water. So I ate leftover fatoush salad and Col had the leftover sesame noodles. Tonight we are having the eggplant parmigiana and I'll probably make some chicken parmesan for Katy and then we can eat the leftovers on Monday. I made two stews yesterday - the other one was made with stout and that one turned out fine. Will make a nice pastry top for it. I just saw how you can add pictures - been looking for that and it's right in front of my eyes. Told Col that I think we will probably only make two weeks and she said that we could eat peanut butter at night. Not unless it is sesame noodles! More later.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Day 4- Moroccan Beef Tagine/Stout beef stew

Just finished making the moroccan beef tagine - had to use roasted peppers again (thanks, Col) and used canned onion soup instead of beef broth (didn't have any). Used cinnamon because I didn't have the honey. Katy has a swim-a-thon tonight and they are having a pizza party. Glad because I don't think she will like the tagine but she surprised me last night. Also made an eggplant parmigiana from the frozen eggplant I had. Going to look for a roasted corn soup recipe - have lots of frozen corn from TJs.

Dogs are driving me crazy - tore up a whole roll of TP and spread it out over the house. I just saw that they ate my chair cover - have a 12 x 2 inch piece of material missing. I can't afford to buy new furniture but they are already destroying my new leather sectional. Dog Whisperer where are you?

Moroccan Beef Tagine and more leftovers

Running out of lots of stuff. Col brought over the little vegetable oil she had- it was a half gallon container and only had 1/3 cup. I laughed at her because I thought she just wanted to me recycle the big bottle. But then my daughter Katy needed veg oil for brownies. Well, it turned out fine after all. Today, it will be soup or salad for breakfast and then leftover linguine for lunch. Today will be making Moroccan Beef and mushroom tagine - supposed to be eggplant but don't have any. Will also not have the honey (maybe Col does). But it should work. Divided the roast in half and will be making beef stew with stout, carrots, potatoes, small onions enclosed in a pastry crust. Will have to make pastry since don't have any store bought.

Trying to cut down on utility costs and my house is under 60 degrees. My coffee goes cold in no time flat but time now to refresh it. My fingers are pretty blue - better put my jacket on. But gloves in the house would really look ridiculous. I know Mike, I owe you a $.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Fatoush, Sesame Noodles and what about the deer?

Had 2 English cucumbers that were going bad - so used them to make Fatoush - a Mediterranean bread salad. Didn't have some ingredients - tomatoes, green peppers so used roasted red peppers instead. Also didn't have fresh mint -used dried. Throw in pita bread, scallions (end of them) parsley, cilantro (out now) and a few other things. Very refreshing. Got original recipe from Williams-Sonoma. I was afraid the marinated chicken tonight was going to be boring so made some sesame noodles. Started using a recipe but I didn't have half the ingredients - so I punted. Added lime juice, peanut butter, spicy noodle sauce and some other stuff. Wasn't sure how they were going to turn out. Picked up my daughter from swimming, and I threw out the garbage when I came home. When I went into the house my daughter was eating the noodles and she said they were "banging" which I assume meant good. She actually said they were great and she is my worst food critic.

And then there are the deer - I don't know what to do except maybe buy some deer food. I would throw them out vegetables but at this point I can't spare anything. I am really running out of the basics and once I run out of onions or hot sauce - won't know if I can finish the challenge. But I am going to try.

Day 3 - eating leftovers and chicken tonight

Spinach soup for breakfast again, lunch will be ratatouille and dinner will be chicken breast marinated in kaffir lime thai sauce with brown basmati rice. Yesterday, I broke down and bought a couple loaves of bread since we were having company over. Stopped at this Spanish bakery in Morristown and boy did some of their food look good - empanadas, chorizo, and some things I didn't know what they were but looked good. I didn't succumb. I would have tried to make bread but found out very late that we were having company. Don't even know if I have yeast and if I do probably expired. Found a jar of strawberry preserves from TJ's that expired 10/01/06 - had to toss!

Get a JOB!

Everyone who has seen my blog - laughs about it and says I should do that too! Or after you finish your 30 days, can you come over and cook from my 2 full freezers. But then they say - you need to get a job. I had a job - a very good job. I have worked for 40 years. And then I am diagnosed with breast cancer. Then there were complications, blood clot, peripheral neuropathy...But I still thought I had a job. Then I am told that when I come off long term disability - there is no job for me. I had worked for ATKearney for 10 years and I am treated this way. My whole life was turned upside down. I had just finished putting a 1200 sq.ft. addition on my house so that my partner at the time and his 2 adult sons would have enough room. But then I find out he is cheating on me and I throw him out. So, now I am here with a 3500 sq ft house with an inground pool, poolhouse and it's only my daughter, Katy and myself. So I moved to Western Springs. Bought a house but it never felt like home to me. We lived there for less than a year and now live by family in Morris Plains. It's great to be close to family again but I am still hurt by what happened to me. I know I need to move on and to let go of the past...but it's easier said than do. So, don't tell me to get a job.

5 cans of clams instead of 3

Since we ended up having company, I used more clams than I was expecting. I was hoping to have linguine/clam sauce for 2 dinners. Now I will just make some manhattan clam chowder. Very little linguine left over - good for maybe 1 lunch. Matt has even been taking the soups to work - so they are going very far. When my father was dying, he told my brother Tim that since his family was so poor - they ate soup everyday. I can see where that is true. I make my soups so thick, they are more like a stew but very filling. Matt said he didn't even need a sandwich because he was full. I make great soups even in the summer - like gazpacho and vichyoisse (cold). I will have learned from our little challenge how to make our food dollar go further. We don't throw out leftovers and if we are not going to eat them - we feed what we can to the dogs. They are always appreciate of things like meatballs and pasta (hold the clams please!).

Today on to tackle the freezers. Looked yesterday and there are some things that I can't really identify. Have to do a better job of labeling the contents and the date. Since I have only been in NJ for 7 months - know the food can't be older than that.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Well dinner plans changed again

Matt and his girlfriend, Margo came over for dinner. We made linguine with clam sauce and a salad. Michael, my brother, bought lettuce over the other day with mozzarella. Col had some roasted peppers and brought them over. So we made salad with red leaf lettuce, roasted peppers and mozzarella with roasted pepper, balsamic, evoo dressing.

Katy had some lentil/pasta soup.

Soup for breakfast

Well, I had spinach soup for breakfast (wanted to save the eggs) and lentil soup for lunch. Dinner still needs to be decided - I'll talk to Col about it. Came up with about 20 meals so far for dinner with the food I have on hand. Going to need to get more creative.

Livornese Sauce - great idea Col

My sister Colleen came up with a great suggestion for all the olives - livornese sauce. We have had it over red snapper but don't have any. So, we will just have it over pasta. Have lots of pasta. My daughter swims and I always make 3-4 pounds of pasta for the team. Last week, made Mac and Cheese, so needed elbows. Bought from Costco but the 6 pack only had 2 elbows, so ended up buying 12 and used 4. Making marinara sauce now and will use to make chicken and eggplant parm. Had some frozen fried eggplant in the freezer.

Matt decided to go out for dinner with his girlfriend. We can't go out for the month, but we should do fine.

Olives, Olives, Olives

Well, I am in the midst of cleaning out my kitchen cabinets to see what hidden goodies there may be. But what did I find 6 cans black olives, 3 large jars of green and kalamata olives. This is on top of the 2 large jars of olives I have in my fridge. So, I have 2 cans tuna, 6 cans clams, black beans, red beans, lentils, rice and pasta. Few cans of manwich but no meat or buns, Spaghetti O's (Katy's of course) and enough coffee to last the month! Also, have some canned soups, tomatoes. But no real surprises. Now to make a marinara sauce that can be used for chicken parm, spaghetti, pizza (will have to learn how to make the dough). Going to make some flour tortillas - have cheese and will make quesadillas. Happy Meals!

Already a challenge

My sister's son Matt is having his girlfriend over for dinner tonight. I am going to have to find something nice to cook for her. We have some shrimp, few scallops and chicken. But we have to be able to manage the food we have to last for the 30 days. Yesterday I cleaned out the fridge, today will be the cabinets. Maybe something good is lurking back in the deep corners. Found 1/2 tomato - that will have to be used soon. Tuna sandwich anyone?

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Day 1 Meals Made

So far, I made lentils and pasta soup with mint (Middle Eastern version) just like my dad made, ratatouille without the peppers - didn't have any, and acini di pepe pasta with spinach soup. Going to clean out my refrigerator so that I can store all the stuff I made so far.

Day 1 - No food to be bought for 30 days

Well, this all started out very unimaginatively. My sister, Colleen, who lives next door to me in Morris Plains asked if we had enough food to last for 2 days through the snow storm (if it gets really heavy). I told her we had enough food for 30 if I cooked creatively. Well - guess what! She challenged me to it. We are not allowed to buy any food for 30 days! We are both unemployed and this will help us pay our bills too!

We weren't planning on doing anything like this so we haven't even stocked up on everything. Already know we are going to need olive oil. Will be eating lots of beans, soup, pasta!