They're Sprouting!

A couple weeks ago I planted my first ever herbs.  I actually started with seeds which is ambitious for me since I am notorious for killing every plant I've ever had.  BUT Mom and I were out shopping at Do-It Center and I saw the little packets and decided this was going to be the year for me to grow something.  I have grand ambitions to grow a vegetable garden next year but I should start little so I know I can do it.  Well guess what folks?  My seeds have sprouted!  Yes...I am actually growing something.  I am quite proud of my tiny little parsley, oregano, and basil sprouts.

Luke's 8th Birthday!

I can hardly believe my baby boy is 8!  Time just seems to fly by.  I swear when he woke up on Sunday he even looked older. 

We are taking Luke and Ivy for a surprise trip to Magic Mountain this Saturday to celebrate so we just had a quiet family day on Sunday.  We went to lunch then it was off to Skatelab for a new deck.  Luke had been saving for 3 months to be able to contribute to it and I was proud of his patience.  He was so excited that the board he had picked out last month was still there.  The guy behind the counter was super nice and even gave Luke some free stickers since it was his birthday.  We are seriously lucky to live in the same city as Skatelab. 

Then it was off to meet up with Tiff and the girls to get Slurpees and play a little at the park.  It was a little chilly but what kid would turn down friends and a sugar rush. 

Ok so we broke the rules and let Luke skate without his helmet BUT how could I deny him on his birthday?

About this time Ben stole the camera to get some awesome shots of the park and of course cute kid pics.

Strike a pose!

After the park we went home so I could make Luke's Birthday Dinner.  He chose Creamy Chicken which is an easy recipe that I promise to post someday.  Then to end the day we had birthday cream puffs! 

Make a wish!

It was such a nice, quiet day.  We were so happy that Ben just happened to have the day off so we could all be together.  We are really looking forward to Saturday at Magic Mountain though.  The kids have been trying to guess where we're going for months now and they still haven't gotten it right.  Hopefully we'll be able to take a few pics with Ben's old camera...I'm definitely NOT taking mine.

30 Minute Teriyaki Chicken Bowls

30 minutes from start to finish.  My favorite recipes are fast recipes.  I am a notorious procrastinator and dinner is no exception.  I will wait until the last minute to start cooking and I often get my timing wrong.  I'm still learning how to multitask different dishes and I often end up with one thing done way before or way after everything else.  This one I have down though.  I found the sauce recipe on Food.com and tweaked it to fit our preferences.  I love it because I always have the ingredients in the house so I never realy have to plan ahead.  Plus it saves money.  Tastes like take-out but a quarter of the cost.

Ingredients

1 cup rice

broccoli

carrots

1 tbls vegetable oil

1 lb chicken cut in strips

1 cup teriyaki sauce

4 tbls light soy sauce

2 tsp rice vinegar

2 tbls cornstarch

 

Step 1:  Start the rice.  I use a rice cooker.  It's super easy and seeing as how I can't seem to ever get it right on the stove I stick with the rice cooker.  I think I paid about $15 for it 5 years ago and it's still going strong.  I use 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water and it comes out great.

Step 2:  Steam carrots and broccoli.  I use a vegetable steamer.  Like I mentioned in my last recipe post, my kitchen gets really hot when I cook so this is another lifesaver.  The veggies take 20 min in my steamer.  I've actually had this one for over 10 years!

Step 3:  Heat oil in skillet over medium heat.  While it's heating cut your chicken in strips.  Add to skillet and cook about 8 minutes until no longer pink.

 

Step 4:  While chicken is cooking mix together teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, and rice vinegar an large measuring cup.  I use regular soy sauce, not light, but it is definitely saltier than the light or reduced sodium kind.  I have regular because Ben hates the light stuff.  Also my favorite teriyaki is the SoyYaki Very Very Teriyaki.  This stuff is fantastic and I but it in a huge bottle at Costco.  Saves me a ton.

Step 5:  Mix cornstarch with equal parts water in a seprate cup.  Add cornstarch mixture to teriyaki mixture and stir well.  If you didn't know, cornstarch should always be added to water and mixed before adding to another liquid or sauce to avoid clumping.

 Step 6:  When chicken is no longer pink, add the sauce mixture and cook, stirring, until heated through and sauce has thickened.

Step 7:  By now your rice and veggies should be done.  Serve all together and eat up!

My Quick, Easy Pasta Sauce

This is one of my favorite things to make and the one of the family's favorite things to eat. Simple, easy, and delicious. I threw this together last summer when it was hot and I was out of ideas and it was an instant hit. As I am rarely one to not use a set recipe, I was pleasantly surprised that I could actually make something on my own.

Ingredients
Italian Sausage (as much as you think you need to feed everyone)
1 red bell pepper
1/2 yellow onion
minced garlic
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
spices (you'll probably already have them all)
baking soda

Step 1: Cut italian sausage into 1/2 inch-1 inch coin pieces. Brown in skillet over medium heat.

Step 2: Dice red bell pepper and onion.
I use my Vidalia Chop Wizard for this. I actually use it to dice almost everything, tomatoes, cucumber, potatoes, etc. I literally use this thing every day and cant imagine life without it.

Step 3: Add to sausage and saute 3-5 min until veggies start to get soft

Step 4: Add minced garlic and saute 1 min longer
I use the organic minced garlic that I buy in a huge jar at Costco. I use garlic in almost everything and not having to peel and mince my own saves me tons of time.

Step 5: Add both cans of tomato
I also buy these in bulk at Costco. Organic, cheap, and a great tomato sauce base.

Step 6: Add spices to taste. I add italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and sugar. I never measure any of these out, just use what looks good. Don't forget the sugar (about 1/2 tsp or so) as it cuts the bitterness of the tomatoes.

Step 7: Simmer for 10 min or longer, it's really up to you. I don't have a magic number...it really depends on what time it is.

Step 8: About 5 min before you want to serve sauce add about 1tsp baking soda and stir. You will see it start to bubble and turn an orange color.


The baking soda will cut down on the acidity of the sauce and help prevent heartburn. Simmer until all the bubbling stops.

You are now ready to serve over your pasta of choice. Our favorite is angel hair.

I use a microwave pasta cooker and I love it. Angel hair only takes 14 min. My kitchen has the tendency to get really, really hat when cooking, especially in the summer, and this little thing has saved me. It not only cooks pasta but lots of other things, including potatoes. Being able to get rid of the boiling pot of water on my stove has made all the difference.

Last night I served it with raw broccoli and ranch dressing to dip.


Yummy!