Sunday night updates...

Such a busy week, I haven't had time to upload any of my pictures or recipes! We've got another busy one coming up, so maybe I will just do one or two at a time until I catch up. I have been cooking, though, and I am beginning to look forward to it again in the evenings. After work, it really is so relaxing to come home and cook a nice meal for me and my hubby! I even made a cake this week...the first one in a long time that I actually got to enjoy! (instead of sending it off to a birthday party or shower)

Tonight, I'm going to back up a little bit to last Wednesday night, when I made Beef Bourguignonne in my Le Creuset. It was a Real Simple recipe. Not Julia's, but still good! It was my first time to make this and it turned out so good. I would recommend serving it with mashed potatoes or roasted new potatoes. I really missed the potatoes that this southern gal usually sees in my Mama's beef stew! Anyway, here's the recipe and a photo:
Beef Bourguignonne | Real Simple Recipes

It didn't really photograph well, but it was yummy! I can't wait to try the real thing...Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignonne!

Also, this week, the Chicken with 40 cloves of garlic made an encore appearance at our house. I love this recipe so much! If you haven't tried it yet...please, please, please do! Don't be afraid of the garlic! It cooks down and becomes a soft buttery delicious spread for the baguette. Make it tonight! Search for the recipe in my handy dandy search bar!

Happy Birthday to me!

Another year older today! But, it's going to be an amazing year, so no worries! I didn't cook today...it's my birthday! Justin took me out for a late breakfast at Primo's. My favorite breakfast destination. Their cheese grits are so good, it is just wrong! Tonight, we went to Newk's to get a slice of caramel cake. (My all time favorite birthday cake.)Last night, I was sick with a sore throat and achy all over. So, my sweet, precious husband made me dinner! He made this cheesy baked pasta with spinach and artichokes from this month's Real Simple. He is the best!

8 ounces mezzi rigatoni or some other short pasta (1/2 box)
1 14-ounce can artichoke hearts, rinsed and quartered
1 9-ounce package frozen creamed spinach, thawed
1/4 cup grated Parmesan (1 ounce)
2 cups grated mozzarella (8 ounces)
black pepper

Cook the pasta according to the package directions, drain, and return it to the pot. Heat broiler.
Add the artichoke hearts, spinach, Parmesan, half the mozzarella, and ¼ teaspoon pepper to the pasta and toss to combine.
Transfer the mixture to a shallow 2-quart (or 8-inch square) broilerproof baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella. Broil until the cheese is browned in spots, 2 to 3 minutes.

MMM.. Love you honey!

Friday eve....

So...let's see where I left off. Oh, Tuesday night I made turkey meatloaf and mashed potatoes from Real Simple. I didn't do a blog post because I have no picture beacause my camera battery was dead. (boo) But it was pretty good. I tried the recipe because it was easy and healthy, but honestly I am not a huge fan of meatloaf. My Mom made it ONCE, in the shape of a teddy bear...you would have to be there...Anyway, meatloaf just isn't my favorite. But check out the recipe if you are interested.

Last night, we had leftovers. For dessert, Justin wanted tea cakes. I have a recipe his mom gave me for tea cakes that I have tweaked just a tad. This recipe makes a different cookie than what I know as a traditional tea cake (dense, crisp, crunchy). These are light and chewy with crispy edges..yummy.

Tea Cakes

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 and 1/4 cup sugar (brown sugar is delish, too)
3 eggs
2 and 1/2 cups self rising flour
1 tsp vanilla flavoring

Preaheat oven to 350. Cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time. Add vanilla. Add flour 1/2 cup at a time until well blended. Scoop onto cookie sheet with small cookie scoop. Place about 1 inch apart. Bake 12 minutes or until golden brown.


Justin's favorite way to eat these cookies is to make a "sandwich" with two cookies and a smear of the cookie dough. I have to say, this is dreamy! That is, if you aren't afraid of eating raw eggs. Try it.





Now, for tonight! PASTA NIGHT! The best night of the week. Unless, of course, we go out for sushi. I made Real Simple's Ravioli with peas and crispy bacon. It was heavenly. This is from the same collection of ravioli recipes that the sweet potato one I did a while back was from. I can't wait to try the others!

Thursday night is pasta night!

This recipe has inspired me to start a new Thursday night tradition...PASTA! In the same edition of Real Simple that last night's salmon came from, I found this little beauty:
Ravioli With Sweet Potatoes and Thyme Recipe | Real Simple Recipes

First of all, I could eat goat cheese at every meal on every day of the week, so this was right up my alley. And, who doesn't love sweet potatoes? They are an unexpected little surprise in this savory dish. MMM! There were TWO whole pages of these ravioli recipes in this magazine...I had such a hard time deciding! We'll see what next Thursday brings. If it's half as good as this one, I'll be a happy girl!

The fastest and most delicious healthy recipe EVER!

I picked up the latest issue of Real Simple in the airport a couple of weeks ago. This one had a bunch of 400 calorie dinner recipes, which is awesome since I have been trying to "be good" lately! So, tonight I made the honey glazed salmon. You can find the recipe here: Honey-Soy Glazed Salmon With Spinach and Peppers | Real Simple Recipes

It was super easy and soo fast. It literally took less than 30 minutes. Take that Rachel Ray! I'm not usually much of a cooked spinach fan, but the ginger and soy sauce was soo good. Yay for easy, healthy suppers!