New dish, no name

This is the problem I encounter when creating new dishes out of the hat. No clue what to call them! Maybe I will starting calling them Goulash #1, Goulash #2 and so forth. Nah, that would be too dull. I am anything but dull!!

I have a confession to share with all of you folks first. About to commit the ultimate sin in my kitchen. For those of you that have forgotten, didn't care or are new to my blog. I have a very bare bones kitchen. Take great pride in not having the typical tools used in a proper kitchen. Was rebellious as a child, that trait has not outgrown with age. No microwave, no toaster, blender, measuring cups and the like. Cannot tell you how many people the years have tried to give me...almost DEMAND I take a microwave. Who the hell has more than one microwave?!

What was I talking about?

Oh yeah! The ultimate sin! I am also easily distracted, even in the middle of my own ramblings. It is rather embarrassing when I have to stop myself in the middle of a conversation and hope the listener was indeed listening then get me back on track.

Ready to slap me yet?

After years of coveting a fancy smancy blender, I am going to buy one! Spent the last few days looking at every freaking youtube video, reviews, stories on all the major brands. Will soon be a owner of a Vitamix! Hopefully, my kitchen won't rebel, maybe yet, they will rejoice that I will be in there less.

Ready for the mysterious new dish? It has an Indian flare...tried a new spice blend. Talk about a change in taste and texture but amazing. Nothing more fun watching the family try and identify what is in their food, looking at me for confirmation that I have not lost my marbles and decided to poison them. Can't understand why they did not believe me and demanded I take the first bite.

The new spice blend is called Panch Phora: fenugreek, brown mustard seed, nigella, cumin seed, fennel seed. They can be soaked in oil, ground or cooked in oil whole.


Aren't they gorgeous?!

1 pound of ground meat (pork or turkey work great)

1 onion sliced

1 can diced tomatoes drained (freeze juice for future recipes!)

2 cups broccoli sliced

2 heaping tablespoons Panch Phora spice blend

4 tablespoon plain yogurt

In a tablespoon olive oil, cook Panch Phora on medium high heat, when the seeds start to pop, turn heat down to medium. Add ground meat. Cook until barely pink, add onions. Allow to cook for approx. 10 minutes until onions are translucent, add broccoli. Cook for 15 more minutes. Add drained dice tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes.

Top with a tablespoon of plain yogurt. Wonderful served with a side of rice or as pictured, quinoa.

Tex Mex revisited

Made this a week or so ago and decided to make it again. Here is the original recipe. Tex Mex Surprise

Did not have all the original ingredients so used a different variations in the vegetables. Instead of kale, I used corn, garlic was a no go this round. Did not serve it with rice either. Thought it would be a good opportunity to kick the spice temperature up a bit. The boy handled it like a champ!

See? Still beautiful!

Also, wanted to report that I am still climbing the stairs each morning! 

Tortilla de España

I credit growing up in Spain to opening my palate to a wide range of flavors. We had a nanny, Maria, that cooked the most delicious foods. Since I was older, I was able to help and watch how she created these tasty meals for us children on a daily basis. This is one of them, Tortilla de España.

My mother carried the tradition when we returned to the U.S. and dubbed it my brothers favorite dish. Little does he know, it was all of our favorite. While I love my mother and turned out to be a wonderful cook, she did not make it the same way as our Spanish nanny. I prefer Maria's method. Not dramatically different, but I can taste the difference in preparation. Sorry, Mom.

There is some prep work involved, make sure you give yourself enough time. Because of the time involved, I do not make this dish very often. This dish involves *flipping* so I strongly urge you to use a smaller frying pan, not the large version.

2 potatoes, cubed small
2 clove garlic, diced
1/2 onion sliced
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon basil
1 cup veggies
   -This various to what you have on hand or prefer. Popular to add peas, but I often use colored peppers, broccoli and spinach. Experiment! :)

7 eggs

Scramble eggs in a large bowl and set aside. (tip: do not add milk!)

Cook potatoes in olive oil until tender. Add spices, garlic and onions, cook for additional 5 minutes. Toss in veggies. Stir for 5 more minutes.

This process happens quickly. Add potato mixture to the eggs, mix well. Pour evenly back ton the pan. Cover and cook for approx 10 minutes on medium heat. Using a plate, cover the pan and flip. Don't second guess yourself, just do it...flip it! Make sure you have enough oil left in the pan, may need to add a teaspoon more.

Ready for this? Slide the plate back into the pan so the other side cooks. Allow to cook for 10 more minutes.

This may be served hot or cold.

Been six months since I weighed...

Even though my family has been working on a healthier lifestyle for a couple of years, six months ago, we became even more fierce in our eating/exercise regime. I have not stepped on the scale in six months until now.

It has been very visibly obvious in my husband that he has been losing weight....nearly drastically. His own mother was shocked and this was a couple of months ago. My husband started at size 44 pants. He is now wearing 36 and they are falling off of him. He weighed at the doctors office 4 weeks ago at 210. This morning he weighed 188. (the bastard! LOL) Even he was shocked!

Truly cannot be more proud. It is also proof to me that the way I have been cooking and enforcing exercise IS working. Just not for me...yet.

I've neglected my thyroid issues. In six months, I've barely managed to lose 20 pounds (I have dropped a size, almost two). I know men lose faster and all that jazz. But I also know from past experience when I was on thyroid meds, I lost weight appropriately to my eating lifestyle. Without meds, I have not.

Fret not my friends, I'm not upset. It is a lesson in what I need to do. A doctor appointment is in order to get me back on thyroid meds. It is good I weighed and not further delay the obvious. *smiles*

Also, I shudder at the thought of how much I would have gained had I not made the changes I have.

Looking forward to the continuing journey to a healthier lifestyle. I have many supporters to thank. Every encouragement and suggestions have been not gone unnoticed. Now know that I am NOT alone in the everyday struggle called life.