Lunch

I'm sorry I haven't blogged in awhile. Truth is I got a new job and it's made me a busy working girl. It's funny because when life gets hectic, eating becomes a second priority... and I'd personally like to thank Kneaders for feeding me for the past month or so.

But I'm excited that the sun is coming out and it's lighter longer... for some reason it makes me want to eat right and be healthy. So time to repent, bid Kneaders a fond adieu, and start taking time to cook fresh and in correct portions.

Until I have some fresh new ideas, I thought I'd share how I've been handling lunch. I usually have a "working lunch"... which is a PC term for not really getting a lunch. So I decided that I needed to have "grab-and-go" items ready in the morning, and sitting on my desk to eat as soon as my stomach starts making a fuss. That said... the following are items that I've had on my grab and go list:

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

1. 100 calorie packs- In the cracker isle, you'll see pretzels, cheez-its, etc all in 100 calorie packs. These are great grab-and-go items.
2. Yoplait Light Yogurt (120 calories)- This gets tricky because most people think it needs to be refridgerated but if it sits on your desk right after you pull it out of the fridge it can stay cool just long enough to make it to lunch.
3. Gogurt (70 calories)- The cool thing here is if you freeze them and have them dethaw on your desk, it stays cool most of the day... and it's kind of like having a dessert.
4. Orange (70-90 calories)- Outside of the hand washing after peeling, this is a good healthy treat.
5. Apples (70-90 calories)- Another healthy option.
6. Grapes (70 calories)- a snack sized ziplock baggie full is just right.
7. Smoothie Drink (about 300 calories)- While this is more calories, it fills you up and helps you last longer. I usually get "Naked" brand, but there are others to choose from.
8. Nutri-Grain Bars (140 calories)- These are healthy and already in packaged containers.
9. PowerBars (240 calories)- This makes me feel like I'm training for a race or something and help me remember to work out when the work day is done. :) 

Okay, so this is just the tip of the iceberg. The point here is taking time on the weekend after you purchase the items to put it in the ziploc baggies and get the food all prepared so that all you have to do is grab it on your way out the door. I've listed a few of my favorites, but really it's about what will not spoil, what packages nicely, and what is healthy.

I usually grab about four items and eat them throughout the day. I'd love to hear your ideas as well. I'm sure there are several of you single working guys and girls that have some of their favorites... I'd love to hear them. :)

Studio 5 TV Appearance... take two

I was asked to reappear on KSL's morning show Studio 5. I was much less nervous this time. Take a look for some more dessert ideas for one.

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Asparagus

Today, I'm going to post a recipe from my book that features asparagus. I always seem to be in the need for good recipes for side-dishes that fit one and a favorite of mine is asparagus. I have three recipes in my book, but I'll post my favorite. If you're interested in the others I refer you to the book. My favorite is Asparagus with Lemon Butter because I'm a huge fan of lemon as a seasoning. Enjoy.

Asparagus with Lemon Butter

• 5–8 asparagus stems, trimmed
• 1 Tbsp. butter, melted
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• 1⁄4 tsp. grated lemon zest
• 1⁄4 tsp. lemon pepper 
• dash of coarse salt

1. Fill medium saucepan half full of water. Bring to a boil. Add trimmed asparagus and cook for 6–8 minutes, until tender.
2. In a small bowl, combine butter, lemon juice and zest, lemon pepper, and salt to make lemon butter.
3. Drain asparagus and return to pan. Add lemon butter and toss. Serve immediately and drizzle remaining lemon butter over asparagus.

Studio 5 TV Appearance- Moist Chocolate Deluxe

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Simple Christmas Gifts

If you're like me, you like to give Christmas gifts that are cheap and meaningful. When you cook for someone it shows that you care (at least that's how I feel). An easy and inexpensive way to give friends and co-workers a "sweet" gift is to make chocolate dipped pretzels and wrap them in cute see through baggies and tied with a darling bow. Simple. Meaningful. Here's the recipe... if you are making it for several people, don't forget to double (triple, etc.) the recipe.

Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

• 1 oz. white chocolate chips
• 2 oz. milk chocolate chips
• 3–5 pretzel rods

1. Separate white and brown chocolate into two separate bowls. Microwave each bowl
   on high for about 1 minute. Remove from microwave and stir. Continue to heat in 15-
   second increments if chocolate is not completely melted.
2. Submerge pretzel rod in milk chocolate until half of pretzel rod is covered. Set on a
   baking sheet lined with wax paper. Drizzle white chocolate on top. Place in refrigerator
   for about 10 minutes to set.

Thanksgiving for One

Alright, this is the pinnacle meal that is specifically not designed for one. Well, there are a few back doors you can take to have the perfect Thanksgiving meal for one. Essential to any Thanksgiving meal is turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and apple pie. Well, I got you covered...

Turkey
Go to the deli counter of your local grocery store and ask for 4-6 ounces of cooked turkey breast.

Stuffing

• 1 cup white bread, cubed (or corn bread)
• ¼ cup chopped onion
• 2 Tbsp. chopped celery
• ½ tsp. sage
• ¼ tsp. rosemary
• dash of thyme
• 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ of a Golden delicious apple, cored and chopped
• 1 Tbsp. golden raisins
• 1 Tbsp. dried cranberries
• 1 Tbsp. walnuts
• 1 Tbsp. parsley (preferably fresh)
• 3 Tbsp. turkey (or chicken) stock

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread the white bread cubes on a large baking sheet. Bake for 5-7 minutes until evenly toasted.
2. In a large skillet, cook onions over medium heat until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the celery, sage, rosemary, and thyme. Stir for 2 minutes to blend flavors.
3. Mix in melted butter, chopped bread, apples, golden raisins, dried cranberries, walnuts, and parsley. Drizzle with turkey stock and mix lightly. Turn heat to low, cover and let cook for 30 minutes until apples are cooked through, checking every ten minutes.

 Garlic Mashed Potatoes

• 1 large red potato, or three small red potatoes
• 2 Tbsp. milk
• 1 tsp. butter
• ¼ tsp. garlic salt
• dash of ground pepper
• ½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tbsp. cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 tsp. fresh parsley, chopped

1. Fill a medium saucepan ¾ full of water. Cover pot and bring water to a boil. Cut potatoes in fourths and add to boiling water. Cook covered for 15 minutes.
2. Drain potatoes and return to hot pot. Add milk, butter, garlic salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and cheese to potatoes. Mash potatoes with a masher or mix with an electric mixer to the desired consistency. Add more milk, if desired, for a thinner consistency. Garnish with parsley.

Cranberry Sauce 
(adapted from the Ocean Spray website)

• 4 oz. Ocean Spray® Fresh or Frozen Cranberries
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup water

1. Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to boil; add cranberries, return to boil. 
2. Reduce heat and boil gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
3. Cover and cool completely at room temperature. Refrigerate until serving time. Makes about ½ cup.

Apple Pie
Pastry dough

• ¾ cup flour
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 1½ tsp. sugar
• 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temp.
• 1½ tsp. water
• 1 tsp. whisked egg

Apple mixture

• 1 apple, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1½ Tbsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. flour
• 1/8 tsp. cinnamon
• 1½ tsp. lemon juice

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine flour, salt, and sugar in a mixing bowl. Mix in
   butter, preferably in a food processor (15–20 pulses). Add ½ tsp. water and mix until
   dough is ready to knead. Put dough in refrigerator for half an hour to set.
2. Meanwhile, combine apple (of your choice), sugar, flour, cinnamon, and lemon juice in
   a small bowl.
3. Remove dough from refrigerator. Flour your surface and use a rolling pin to roll out
   the dough until it is ¼-inch thin. Use ¾ of the dough to place in bottom of a 5-inch
   ramekin.
4. Spoon in apple mixture. Cover with remaining dough and cut vents in dough cover.
   In a small bowl, combine egg and 1 tsp. water. Brush top of dough with egg yolk
   mixture.
5. Place dish on baking sheet and put in oven. Bake for 35 minutes. Let cool for 5
   minutes.

Happy Thanksgiving! :)

Split Pea Soup

I had this soup again recently, and remembered why I love the fall and I love soup. It's just good! So for all of you single chef's, enjoy!

Split Pea Soup

• ½ Tbsp. unsalted butter
• ¼ cup yellow onion, chopped
• ¼ cup carrot, chopped
• ¼ cup celery, chopped
• ½ tsp. dried oregano
• pinch of salt and pepper
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ½ cup green split peas
• 1 ham bone (and extra ham from bone)
• 1 cup water
• 1½ tsp. lemon juice

1. In a medium saucepan, heat butter over medium heat and add onions. Stir occasionally. Sauté over medium-low heat for 3–5 minutes. Add carrots, celery, and oregano, and a dash of salt and pepper. Cook 5–7 minutes, until vegetables are soft.
2. Add broth, split peas, ham bone, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook covered about 40 minutes, until peas are soft.
3. Remove ham bone from soup. Puree soup in a blender and return to pot. Add bits of ham from ham bone and simmer for 5 minutes. Add lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.