What's Cooking

Where have I been or better yet how is it going to be March on Thursday?   I have absolutely no clue.  Things have literally been insane around these parts lately.  We did the birthday thing (surprised guest included), I went to White Plains, NY for a week for work, recovered from WP, and then went out of town this weekend.

It's left little to no time for cooking, which has surprisingly suited me fine because I've had little motivation or creativity. I'm in a serious cooking rut.  Got anything fun I should try?  Preferably healthy because all of this eating out has not been good on the waistline....

These pictures probably comprise all of my cooking in the past 2-3 weeks.

Salmon with Sweet Chili Glaze and Coconut Rice

This Bon Appetit salmon recipe has a small number of ingredients, yet complex, deep flavors.  It is simple, light, and literally perfect for a week night.

Quail with Fig Preserves and Balsamic with Red Wine Risotto and Roasted Asparagus

This was our Valentine's meal, and it was delicious! The quail is really good, a nice update from this version I've been making a lot in the past.  I would not recommend making it on a week night though, unless you have plenty of time.  (It requires basting every 10 minutes.)  I had never made risotto with red wine before, but I was using it in the quail, and didn't see why it wouldn't work.  It worked perfectly!

Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Quinoa

Thanks Christina for this recipe! I love beets, goat cheese, and quinoa so this literally screams my name.  So grateful EatLiveRun put them altogether in one recipe.

Asian Meatballs with Stir Fried Veggies

My picture make these things look terrrrrrrrible, but they were too bad.  I like hoisin sauce but these had a little too much for my preferences.    Might make again but will probably try something else.

What's been cooking in your kitchen lately?

why i am not ready for motherhood (yet)

Our puppy loves following us up the stairs in our apartment, but she does not love going down. Every time she follows us upstairs, we try to coax her into taking the steps a few at a time but she pitches a fit and we ultimately end up carrying her down.  This is no big deal now because she is 16 lbs, but when she gets better, we will have to work through this.

Tonight, after a long and busy day at the office, I took my glass of red wine upstairs to put on my jammies and our adorable little shadow followed.  I was rushing to head down the stairs to watch a recorded episode RHOC (still behind a week) and hurriedly grabbed the pup in one hand and my glass of red in the other.

Two seconds later, all we have is the crime scene.

Lash, studying in the room next door, came out to my scream and saw the "blood" and immediately rushed to my attention, thinking the worst. 

All I remember is that the pup moved, I overcompsenated, missed a step (and then five), landed square on my tailbone, and glass of wine spewed all over our white walls. 

Thankfully I'm fine, and so is Collins- she took off as soon as we landed and started licking the wine- but I just burst into tears.   Maybe its one of those things that just scares you because you know it could be a lot worse, but that was enough for me to throw in the towel today.  I'm off to bed.  

25 surprise!

After our fun date night celebrating 25 and the end of test week, I was expecting just to have a low key weekend at home with no big plans.  Lash brought up the idea of going out to lunch Saturday to celebrate my birthday one more time (as if we needed more food after Friday night), but I figured why not.

We went to Taco Spot in West Ashley, which is a total hole in the wall, but I swear has the best fish tacos in town.  When we got home, I walked into the living room to a surprise visit from Concetta, Will, Anna, and Chett!  I was literally speechless!  It made my weekend so special to have them here and a champagne toast at 3pm was in order!

Thanks Anna for the pic!

We spent the afternoon relaxing and playing with the pups before roasting some oysters and playing cranium.  This was the night that is was crazy cold and windy in Charleston so I was more than happy to have a night at home catching up with my best friends. 

That Sunday we tried to go to Triangle for brunch ...

but an hour long wait had us moving on to the Early Bird Diner on Highway 17.  I had been before, but every since Guy Fueri and Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives went there, Lash was dying to go.  Let me tell you, it did not disappoint.  You need to go and get the chicken and waffles.  There's a reason why triple D went here!

I hated to say good bye to our guest but am so thankful that they made the long trek to Charleston from Tennessee and Raleigh for the night.  It was such a great visit and I'm already counting down until the next one for Anna's big day!!

Lately and 25

I've inadvertently taken a two week hiatus... but things have busy around here ever since we brought our baby home from the hospital ... ok just kidding... picked up our puppy!

Though Collins has been definitely been a lot of work and a lifestyle change, we are totally smitten with our new addition.  She has brought so much joy into our hearts and home.

Immediately after she came home, Lash entered into hell week (aka test week) so I had my first taste of a hyperbolic single motherhood.  Life was literally wake up- dog- go to work- dog- eat - dog- sleep- dog.    I passed test week as best I could being consumed with the dog, and also with cooking all the things that aren't Lash's favorite like salmon, quinoa, and beets....

But despite my best attempts at culinary and doggy distractions, I found myself counting down the minutes until that blessed Friday afternoon was over.  I was looking forward to not only getting my husband back but also to sharing some of the canine responsibilities (and 3am potty trips)!

That Friday also marked my 25th birthday, and I was greeted with a hysterical bouquet of flowers from "Collins"(thanks Luci and mom!) at work.

Afterwards, I rushed home to greet Lash back to the land of the living, and got ready for our date night.  If turning a quarter of a century old isn't a good enough reason to wear sequins, then I don't know what is!

We started the night at Cypress with their signature lavender martini (wow!), 

and I had the crisp wasabi tuna, which is one of my favorite dishes, with edamame, shiitake mushrooms, with a ginger-garlic glaze.  It is amazing!

We capped off the night with one more cocktail and dessert at Blossom.  I've been thinking about their red velvet bread pudding ever since.

After a rough and honestly emotional week, it was so refreshing to have a relaxing and wonderful date night and catch up with my husband.  Test week is miserable to both parties involved!  

I'm so glad to have this guy around this house a little bit more :)

Cheers to 25 and what all it has to offer!

Weekly Menu

Collins' debut has me a little behind posting the weekly menu, but nevertheless here's what been cooking lately.

Cooking Light Spicy Thai Coconut Soup

A nice, light meal that is very flavorful and quick to make if you use a rotisserie chicken (I did).  I followed the recipe exactly with the exception of the lemongrass stalks, I used the minced kind you get from the produce section in the tube. I enjoyed it and will make again. 

Giada's Snapper Picatta with Whole Wheat Linguine and Roasted Greenbeans and Mushrooms

Giada's recipe on the Food Network website has 971 ratings of 5 stars, so its safe to say this has been tested tried and true.  Plus, any recipe with a reduction sauce is always a winner to me.  I split the chicken broth portion to half wine, half broth, and it was simple and delicious.  This makes me wish our entire freezer was full of snapper! 

Butternut Squash Risotto and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

I love to sip on a glass of wine and stir, stir, stir while making risotto.  I find it such a way to unwind and relax after a long day.  I changed the recipe from the original one I posted here, and I have to say I like the original better.  This go- round I omitted the thyme and used a whole lemon instead.  It was still good, but not out of this world.

Plain Chicken Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Chili

Yum!  This was super delicious considering the minimal work to cook it.  You literally dump everything in the crockpot, set it, and forget it.  Lash declared this one of his favorites.  It would be great especially on cooler evenings, though this winter we definitely have not had that yet!  I don't think you need all of the cream cheese called for in the original recipe.  I used 6 oz, and I'm wondering if you could get by with only 4. 

What's been cooking in your kitchen?

She is here!

Collins is home and I could not be more excited! She is currently snoring in my lap as I type this and I am completely content... (sans missing my husband who is starting test week).  This bundle of joy is a wild, crazy thing and 100% puppy.  While I must admit to feeling a little overwhelmed, I am so engrossed in puppy love (and breath) that it almost doesn't matter.

Any one have any puppy tips or suggestions?  I am a little nervous about night one, but hope we'll get a little shut eye or a least some good cuddle time :)