Culinary Queen

I love to cook. But ever since I started this job I have found myself eating out more than eating in. I decided I needed to put a stop to that and get back into cooking. The hardest part about it is the fact that I cook for one ESPECIALLY because I like to cook new, different recipes. I do alright, but most of the time I end up throwing away the leftovers. I decided that starting this week I have not only limited myself to only eating out twice a week, but that I will prepare my weekly menu over the weekend and shop accordingly. I've wasted I don't know how much money on food going to waste and it's about time I stop doing that! Below I have included a few of the new dishes I have tried thus far. But before that, I would like to just one more time point out the fact that I finally made a batch of cookies from scratch- something I have been trying to do forever! Ta-daaaa...


Last night I tried a new meatball recipe. I've made a version of Florentine Meatballs before, but since I have converted to using ground turkey for nearly everything, I wanted to try a new recipe. It was a really great, different dinner and I will definitely keep the recipe in my book. The ones I made were pretty big; I would recommend making more, smaller ones so you can freeze them and have them another day. Below is a picture and the recipe website in case you want to try them.

http://www.rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=891

Tonight I tried something really different for me. The recipe is titled "roasted potatoes, green beans and chicken" and sounds harmless. However, the medley is marinated in a dijon/thyme mixture that was surprisingly good. I have had this recipe for a while so I wanted to see if it was worth keeping. It was good. Not great, but good. I'm not a big dijon fan so that's where I got hung up. I'm not sure where the recipe came from, so if you want it let me know- it's in my recipe book (I probably got it out of a magazine.) Nonetheless, here's a picture of the dish...



Lastly, this weekend in the kitchen was rounded out with me preparing tabouleh for my lunches this week. Tabouleh is a Mediterranean dish that is DELICIOUS! I love it! Minus the tomatoes because I can't eat them (yes, you'll see them in the dish, but I pick around them) tabouleh is one of my favorite appetizers and even meals. It's very light and the way you eat it is by putting it on some pita or in a pita pocket. So, so good! I have included the recipe I used below so you can dabble if you wish (I highly recommend trying it!!!) So good, so healthy. the end.


http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/kathleen-daelemans/tabouleh-recipe/index.html Note: I did not follow this recipe exactly (I usually don't) but it gives you a general idea of what should go in it and you can add/subtract amounts from there.

I hope I have inspired you to at least consider exploring the chef in you. Cooking is so therapeutic and it definitely helps you stay on track if you are trying to watch what you eat.

Here's to a great start to a healthy week...Cheers!