I'm still cooking! Just haven't posted...

In 3 years....shame on me.  I have many pictures on Instagram, maybe I should post them.

Maybe....

Just Sad!

No longer do I have the luxury of picture taking and posting.  I am currently in an awful position where I don't like the kitchen I am stuck with at the moment.  Yet, still I manage to cook and try new things.

So, a few months ago I changed my diet.  I was always health conscious and rarely did I purchased pre-packaged foods.  I cooked for my family almost nightly.  Fried foods were minimal and veggies had to always be on the plate.  So, it was not a big step/change for me to downgrade to an almost vegan/vegetarian diet.

Because of health reasons, I cut out dairy, sugar, red meats/pork (I do eat my bacon tho uncured and vegetarian fed) and gluten/flour.  I also limited my alcohol intake also.  Sometimes I cheat, but rarely do I feel the need to.  I've revamped many recipes and because of my job with a young woman who has gut issues I have to cook for her and the combinations of veggies that I cook are great ways for me to try it before I do it at home.  If she likes it, it's a keeper. ;D  lol (without the seasonings, so imagine if I added seasonings!)

Mashed Root Vegetables instead of Mashed potatoes

Collars/Kale, Sweet Potatoes, and Quinoa

Cannelli Beans and Uncured Bacon and Jasmine Rice

The list goes on and on.  Not only has this benefited myself, but my youngest son who has severe allergies and Asthmatic when it gets very bad.  This has helped greatly in clearing up the symptoms for both of us. So since I found this blog again, I am committing to posting and picture taking my nutrition/diet changes.  Hopefully I can keep up with it and 2 years do not pass again! lol

Til Next Time....

Anything to Use an Avocado in....

Picture coming soon!

It's been awhile, but, yes, I've been cooking. Just not taking pictures and posting them. My computer crashed, unfortunately I can't do anything about it right now. Sadly.

The great thing about not having the computer tho, is my need to try new things only gets stronger. Just recently, very recently, I looked on my counter and witnessed a very ripe avocado that needed to get used pronto! So, what better reason to make some Spanish style rice to eat it with. Checking my fridge, I pulled out all my veggies, meat, and after chopping and dicing. Added some Sofrito and Chorizo to make a tasty rice dish with a mild Spanish flair.

Ingredients are quick and easy, instead of arroz, I used Jasmine rice to add to the flavors. A boullion cube came in handy since I ran out of Chicken stock. Cut slices of avocado and had a late night meal. I'm sure it will taste even better after all the flavors have settled overnight.

IT'S FALL/WINTER TIME!

Yes!

I adore cooking this time of year, not for Thanksgiving either! I love it because so many vegetables are in season and even the ones in the summertime can be used in the wintertime to add flavor and texture. I love, love, love, soups and my one pot dishes are a blast during this time. Chilie's, Chicken Noodle Soup, you name it, I will probably be trying to make it.

This year, fall/winter, I plan on adding more vegetables to my nearly vegetarian diet. I have found a few recipes on the WholeFoods site. A Kenyan dish with tomatoes and Kale, a savory brunch recipe to make and eat quickly, and a new Zucchini Bread recipe that is more savory than sweet. I can't wait to try these out.

Although I love trying a lot of East Asian dishes, which use a nice amount of fresh veggies, I have found other countries that are very much vegetable driven...

I can't wait!

Happy Fall!

Hamburg Steak...Mmmm

My boys loved this, so it is now on the menu, altho I need to make my steaks a bit more flatter...lol Looks like a mini meatloaf.

Onions, panko, garlic, egg, pork/beef ground mixture, and a soy sauce gravy. The Hamburg steak was very flavorful by itself. The gravy added flavor, but I enjoyed it more over my potatoes than the meat. Thanks to another successful Cooking With Dog recipe! ;D

Agedashi Tofu! Mmmmm!

So, I've already wrote about my Japanese cooking show, called Cooking With Dog on Youtube...lol I've tried one dish, the Oyakodon, but I doubt my soy sauce was good quality so it didn't taste as well as it could have. I nixed it and decided to try my favorite Izakaya dish...Agedashi Tofu. I forwent the daikon radish and other side accompaniments because I was too impatient to bother it. I used cornstatch instead of potato starch (same concept tho). Agedashi came out tasty and the tofu was crispy on the outside and nice, soft, and hot on the inside. It was so good, even my boys loved it and they are not into much of the dishes that I cook. The cornstarch held up great and didn't get goopey after sitting in the broth.

Next time I'll grate the daikon and all that good stuff....another winner! woohooo where's my Sapporo!?

OYAKODON!!! Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl..

I love...love...love rice...Especially basmati and short-grain (East Asian style) rices.

So, besides plain rice for breakfast I wanted something much more filling. I am cooking my rice now. Next, I'm going to prepare my chicken and onions tomorrow. Can't wait to taste...

In the meantime, I found a set of great Japanese cooking videos on youtube Cooking with Dog. This is the best ever, but the dog sitting there is a health hazard...lol

;D