Friday, April 18, 2008
Zoo Day
Larry and I watched Ryan last weekend so Tanja and Eric could go to Vegas. Larry had the brilliant idea to take the kids to the zoo, and Brian and Zoey decided to join us. It was actually a lot of fun, but it was soooo hot! Most of the animals were just lying in the shade, trying to stay cool!
It was a good time, though. Next time we'll just make sure the weather is cooler.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Recipe Review: Moroccan Shrimp
On Sunday night I made Moroccan shrimp. I really liked this one. I tend to like dishes that combine the sweet and the savory, and this dish did that nicely with the golden raisins (which are way yummier than normal raisins). Larry's only complaint was that the dish needed more shrimp. The recipe calls for couscous, but I made it with quinoa instead.
MOROCCAN SHRIMP
1 10-ounce box couscous
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 red bell pepper, diced
3/4 cup golden raisins
1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes, drained and roughly chopped
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 lemon, halved
Prepare the couscous according to the package directions; set aside.
In a large skillet, over medium-low heat, heat the oil. Add the onion, salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of the black pepper. Cover and cook until the onion is softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the bell pepper and raisins and cook for 4 minutes more. Add the tomatoes and heat for 3 minutes.
Meanwhile, place the shrimp in a medium bowl and sprinkle with the cumin, cinnamon, and the remaining black pepper. Squeeze the lemon over the shrimp and toss to combine. Add the shrimp (but not the liquid) to the tomato mixture in the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are pink and cooked through, about 3 minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork, divide it among individual plates, and spoon the shrimp over the top.
Tip: Add flavor and color by stirring about 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley, cilantro, or scallions into the couscous just before serving.
Yield: Makes 4 servings
NUTRITION PER SERVING
CALORIES 580.46(10% from fat); FAT 6.42g (sat 0.97g); PROTEIN 35.32mg; CHOLESTEROL 172.36mg; CALCIUM 179.62mg; SODIUM 580.55mg; CARBOHYDRATE 94.46g; IRON 7.06mg
Source: Real Simple, November 2005
MOROCCAN SHRIMP
1 10-ounce box couscous
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 red bell pepper, diced
3/4 cup golden raisins
1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes, drained and roughly chopped
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 lemon, halved
Prepare the couscous according to the package directions; set aside.
In a large skillet, over medium-low heat, heat the oil. Add the onion, salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of the black pepper. Cover and cook until the onion is softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the bell pepper and raisins and cook for 4 minutes more. Add the tomatoes and heat for 3 minutes.
Meanwhile, place the shrimp in a medium bowl and sprinkle with the cumin, cinnamon, and the remaining black pepper. Squeeze the lemon over the shrimp and toss to combine. Add the shrimp (but not the liquid) to the tomato mixture in the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are pink and cooked through, about 3 minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork, divide it among individual plates, and spoon the shrimp over the top.
Tip: Add flavor and color by stirring about 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley, cilantro, or scallions into the couscous just before serving.
Yield: Makes 4 servings
NUTRITION PER SERVING
CALORIES 580.46(10% from fat); FAT 6.42g (sat 0.97g); PROTEIN 35.32mg; CHOLESTEROL 172.36mg; CALCIUM 179.62mg; SODIUM 580.55mg; CARBOHYDRATE 94.46g; IRON 7.06mg
Source: Real Simple, November 2005
Thursday, April 10, 2008
A Day of Firsts
On Tuesday my friend Janee came over and we took her son Blake and Sara out for a little walk. We went to the local park.
Sara experienced a *real* swing for the first time!
She was definitely very curious about it all.
She has also been practicing sitting upright, and Tuesday evening she was doing quite a good job under her daddy's watchful eye!
Okay, forgive me for this especially sentimental moment, but parenthood is such an amazing experience. Little things like trips to the park just take on this new poignancy and importance. I'm amazed by how connected I feel to other parents, to this shared experience of watching someone new wake up to the world. Wow.
Sara experienced a *real* swing for the first time!
She was definitely very curious about it all.
She has also been practicing sitting upright, and Tuesday evening she was doing quite a good job under her daddy's watchful eye!
Okay, forgive me for this especially sentimental moment, but parenthood is such an amazing experience. Little things like trips to the park just take on this new poignancy and importance. I'm amazed by how connected I feel to other parents, to this shared experience of watching someone new wake up to the world. Wow.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Movie and recipe reviews
Larry and I watched Disturbia the other day. I think that actor (Shia Lebeauf or something like that) has a very likable presence. as for the movie itself, I kind of enjoyed it, but it sure did take its sweet time getting to where it was going. I spent most of the movie not really knowing what it was about or whether it was a thriller. The most exciting part for me was seeing him on the front lawn of his house and recognizing the house as one here in Uptown!
This week's recipe is actually for pizza sauce. See, I have gotten *very* into my bread machine in recent weeks. I don't think I have bought a loaf of bread in over two months. Anyway, I wanted to try making pizza dough in the machine and then baking homemade pizzas in the oven. The pizza sauce was actually pretty good. It still wasn't Round Table Pizza good, but I would definitely make it again. My pizza crust came out a little too crispy for my taste, though, so I might try a shorter baking time next time. Oh, and I reduced the honey to make the sauce spicier.
Exquisite Pizza Sauce
INGREDIENTS
* 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
* 6 fluid ounces warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
* 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
* 1 teaspoon minced garlic
* 2 tablespoons honey
* 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
* 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
* 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
* 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
* 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
* 1/8 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
* salt to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. In a small bowl, combine tomato paste, water, Parmesan cheese, garlic, honey, anchovy paste, onion powder, oregano, marjoram, basil, ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes and salt; mix together, breaking up any clumps of cheese.
2. Sauce should sit for 30 minutes to blend flavors; spread over pizza dough and prepare pizza as desired.
Source: Allrecipes.com
This week's recipe is actually for pizza sauce. See, I have gotten *very* into my bread machine in recent weeks. I don't think I have bought a loaf of bread in over two months. Anyway, I wanted to try making pizza dough in the machine and then baking homemade pizzas in the oven. The pizza sauce was actually pretty good. It still wasn't Round Table Pizza good, but I would definitely make it again. My pizza crust came out a little too crispy for my taste, though, so I might try a shorter baking time next time. Oh, and I reduced the honey to make the sauce spicier.
Exquisite Pizza Sauce
INGREDIENTS
* 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
* 6 fluid ounces warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
* 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
* 1 teaspoon minced garlic
* 2 tablespoons honey
* 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
* 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
* 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
* 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
* 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
* 1/8 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
* salt to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. In a small bowl, combine tomato paste, water, Parmesan cheese, garlic, honey, anchovy paste, onion powder, oregano, marjoram, basil, ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes and salt; mix together, breaking up any clumps of cheese.
2. Sauce should sit for 30 minutes to blend flavors; spread over pizza dough and prepare pizza as desired.
Source: Allrecipes.com
Friday, April 4, 2008
Five months old
Well, Sara's first year is flying by just as quickly as everyone said it would. I cannot believe that next month she will be half a year old!
This month, Sara became much more skilled with grabbing things with those hands of hers. Her hands also spent more and more time in her mouth, but there are no signs of any teeth yet. She's also "talking" more and more. She continues to hate tummy time, but now she tries to get her knees underneath her and gets mad when she fails. Yes, pre-crawling behavior has begun.
Our sleepyhead continues to do pretty well at night, though she often wakes up twice now instead of just once. As for days, she continues to be a catnapper. She became a GROUCHY catnapper during her fifth month, so I've been working to put her on a schedule. She still catnaps, but her mood seems better overall.
Here's a slideshow from Sara's fifth month. You can click on it if you want to view a larger version.
Oh! And just yesterday we started a Mommy & Me-type class. I enjoyed learning about age-appropriate exercises and games and letting Baby Girl try out all the toys. The craft was fun, too, though obviously at this age it's completely for the parent. ;)
This month, Sara became much more skilled with grabbing things with those hands of hers. Her hands also spent more and more time in her mouth, but there are no signs of any teeth yet. She's also "talking" more and more. She continues to hate tummy time, but now she tries to get her knees underneath her and gets mad when she fails. Yes, pre-crawling behavior has begun.
Our sleepyhead continues to do pretty well at night, though she often wakes up twice now instead of just once. As for days, she continues to be a catnapper. She became a GROUCHY catnapper during her fifth month, so I've been working to put her on a schedule. She still catnaps, but her mood seems better overall.
Here's a slideshow from Sara's fifth month. You can click on it if you want to view a larger version.
Oh! And just yesterday we started a Mommy & Me-type class. I enjoyed learning about age-appropriate exercises and games and letting Baby Girl try out all the toys. The craft was fun, too, though obviously at this age it's completely for the parent. ;)
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Books
Last night I finished reading Ain't She Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I hadn't read a good ol' romance in a long time, but I enjoyed it! Like Susi told me when she passed it on, it's not Literature, but it's an entertaining read.
Next I'm going to read The Namesake. This is the book the city of Whittier has selected for Whittier Reads.
Next I'm going to read The Namesake. This is the book the city of Whittier has selected for Whittier Reads.
Tagged!
Stacey tagged me.
I am supposed to list 7 random facts about myself...
Here's how it works:
1. Link to the person that tagged you and leave a comment on their blog, so that their readers can visit yours.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share 7 Random facts about yourself on your blog.
4. Tag 7 random people at the bottom of your post, linking to their blog. Let each person know by leaving a comment on their blog.
7 random things you probably don't really care to know but I'm telling you anyway.
1. When I was little, I imagined that I would have a daughter someday, and her name would be Mary Lou (1984 Olympics, anyone?) or Hillary (from All My Children--blame my sisters).
2. I have very rarely, if ever, understood what people mean when they say a food is "too rich."
3. Lately I have been in love with my Real Simple magazines.
4. I don't like sour stuff as much as I did before and during pregnancy.
5. I loved season one of Dexter and can't wait for season two to come out on DVD.
6. I love cute, comfortable pajamas.
7. Larry told me this morning that last night I kept kicking him in my sleep.
I tag April, Melissa, Jen, and Dawn!
I am supposed to list 7 random facts about myself...
Here's how it works:
1. Link to the person that tagged you and leave a comment on their blog, so that their readers can visit yours.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share 7 Random facts about yourself on your blog.
4. Tag 7 random people at the bottom of your post, linking to their blog. Let each person know by leaving a comment on their blog.
7 random things you probably don't really care to know but I'm telling you anyway.
1. When I was little, I imagined that I would have a daughter someday, and her name would be Mary Lou (1984 Olympics, anyone?) or Hillary (from All My Children--blame my sisters).
2. I have very rarely, if ever, understood what people mean when they say a food is "too rich."
3. Lately I have been in love with my Real Simple magazines.
4. I don't like sour stuff as much as I did before and during pregnancy.
5. I loved season one of Dexter and can't wait for season two to come out on DVD.
6. I love cute, comfortable pajamas.
7. Larry told me this morning that last night I kept kicking him in my sleep.
I tag April, Melissa, Jen, and Dawn!
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