THANKSgiving

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for finally having a working kitchen! My new appliances were delivered this morning -- just in time for turkey day!

When I started the process of renovating my kitchen (pics coming soon), I just didn't realize how hard it would be to live without a kitchen. Fortunately, the old fridge was in the laundry room and I had a cozy little "kitchen" set up in the dining room. Granted this set up consisted of corner of the dining room table (which I tried in vain to keep clear of sawdust) and a microwave/ coffee maker sitting on the floor (don't judge) behind the dining room table. Yep, that's been my kitchen for the last month. If I never eat a frozen dinner again its too soon!

During this whole process I realized how much I appreciate the little things -- like not having to put on shoes to get something out of the fridge, not having to wash dishes in the bathroom sink, brewed (as opposed to instant) coffee, being able to do laundry at home, and coming home to a working kitchen sink and water!

I think my next renovation is a ways down the road!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

CEIMB: Pumpkin Pie Muffins

This was a fabulous "fall" recipe which was very easy to make. Plus, the muffins turned out fabulous (even though I left the pumpkin seeds off the top). I thought the muffins were very "gingerbready." In the future I will definitely add more cloves and nutmeg to bring out the pumpkin pie flavor.

CEIMB - Catch up picture post

So, still crazy at work but here is at least proof that I have been cooking! These were all great recipes that I will definitely be making again.

Chicken BBQ Sandwiches

Mexican Pizza with guacamole

Sweet and Spicy Grilled Cheese

Chicken BBQ and Mexican Pizzas

Hello all. Just a quick update. Work has been so busy that I have not had time to post. I made the Chicken BBQ last week and the Mexican Pizzas this week. I even took pictures that are on my iPhone somewhere! I promise I will post more soon. Hope everyone out there in the food blogging world is well.

These recipes were great! Try them!

Chicken Sate with spicy peanut dipping sauce

The recipe this week was chosen by Cathy of The Tortfeasor. Check out her blog and not only will you see that she may be the wittiest person you will ever meet, like me, you may just believe she is superwoman! You see, Cathy's office is 2 doors down from mine (read, she has a very demanding job and isn't just one of those ladies who lunch (if you know what I mean!)) Cathy also has three of the cutest children ever. Plus, she is a member of at least 12 different blogging groups -- even going so far to make HOMEMADE bread! The closest thing to homemade bread I have ever made is (1) "whop-um" cinnamon rolls (you know the can ones that you have to whop against the counter to open) and (2) pizza dough. Neither of which are remotely close to the tedious knead, rise, punch down, rest, watch, wait 5 hours, rest, wait, rest, bake, etc. process of homemade bread.

So, all of this combined could mean only one thing -- this week's recipe of Chicken Sate with spicy peanut dipping sauce had to be super easy to throw together!! How else would Cathy have time to make it (ignoring the fact that I believe she has figured out how to have about 40 hours in each day!).

I changed up the recipe a little bit - mostly just leaving the coconut milk out of the marinade and I added more soy sauce to the dipping sauce than called for because I thought the sauce was a bit too thick (and peanutty for my taste). Also, I used ground ginger in place of the fresh ginger in both the marinade and the sauce. I marinated the chicken for about 4 hours then grilled on an indoor grill pan. I served the chicken sate with brown rice and some spicy sauteed broccoli.

Overall, I thought this dish was fabulous. It was very flavorful and relatively easy to throw together (despite the daunting list of ingredients). Plus, the sauce was so good with the brown rice.

Thanks Cathy for a great pick! I will definitely be making this again!

CEIMB: Grilled Thai Beed Salad

The recipe this week was chosen by none other than myself! Yay for my recipe pick week! I was really excited about this salad and diligently put the steak in the marinade Sunday afternoon so that I could put the salad together quickly on Monday night. Well little did I know how crazy my Monday would be. By the time I got home after an extremely long day 12+ hour day at the office and a 2 hour meeting after work, I had one thing in mind -- eat as quickly as possible so I could go to sleep! Afterall, it was quickly approaching 9pm!

Luckily this salad was quick to put together (although washing and drying lettuce isn't my idea of a good time). I really liked the mix of the lettuce, cilantro and basil in the salad dressing. I didn't love the steak -- because even though it marinated for a good 30 hours - it still really did not have any flavor. I think the salad needed something - maybe a fruit or a nut or maybe some toasted ramen noodles??? What do y'all think?

I will definitely be making this salad again. I absolutely loved the dressing. I think it would be very tasty on noodles too!

Thanks for cooking with me this week everyone!

CEIMB: Stuffed Turkey Burgers

Well after a few week hiatus I am so happy to be back in a routine of cooking somewhat healthy meals instead of eating out constantly! Plus, I was so excited to make the stuffed turkey burgers this week because the recipe was chosen by my dear friend Peggy of Pantry Revisited. Peggy is about to set off on a trip to Italy and I am so jealous! I hope you have a blast Peggy and drink lots of wine for me! I can't wait to hear all about your trip when you get back!

As for the turkey burgers, I thought they were really good. Typically I find ground turkey to be very bland, so I added a dash of Worcestershire sauce, some garlic powder, a shallot and a dash of red pepper flakes, along with the called for salt and pepper to the ground turkey mixture. I stuffed the burgers with sliced red peppers and mozzarella cheese and grilled the burgers. I served the turkey burger on a baked french bread roll with some tomatoes and arugula. These burgers were so very moist and flavorful. I will definitely be making them again. Thanks for picking a great recipe this week Peggy!