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| Wednesday, February 21, 2007 |
You had me at "10 packs for a dollar"
I grew up on a steady diet of ramen noodles. After I moved out on my own, I turned on those cheap little noodles. Lately, though, they've been working to lure me back in. Back in October they were in cahoots with Rachael Ray. Her Thai Shrimp Noodle Pouches were quite tasty, but not delicious enough to renew my love for the ramen.
But as of tonight, the ramen noodles have me. From here on out, I will actively seek ramen-based meals. And of all the crazy things, it's because of a recipe from a Weight Watchers cookbook. Easy Asian Beef and Noodles
1 (8-ounce) rib-eye steak
1 teaspoon dark sesame oil, divided
1 cup (1-inch) sliced green onions
2 cups packaged cabbage-and-carrot coleslaw
2 (2.8-ounce) packages beef-flavored ramen noodles
1 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon low-salt soy sauce
Trim fat from steak; cut steak diagonally across grain into thin slices. Heat 1/2 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak and green onions; stir-fry 1 minute. Remove steak mixture from skillet; keep warm. Heat remaining 1/2 teaspoon oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Add slaw; stir-fry 30 seconds. Remove slaw from skillet; keep warm.
Remove noodles from packages; reserve one seasoning packet for another use. Add water and remaining seasoning packet to skillet; bring to a boil. Break noodles in half; add noodles to water mixture. Cook noodles until most of the liquid is absorbed, stirring frequently. Stir in steak mixture, slaw and soy sauce; cook until thoroughly heated.
Serves two.
10 Points I would recommend that you do not add the entire bag of coleslaw, because that might mean that you would have to scoop out 5 cups of overslaw. This is a shockingly easy and delicious dish. We're going to try it again soon with either chicken or shrimp, substituting the appropriate flavor of ramen, of course.
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Please click here to join Nichole's Oscar pool. If that doesn't work, go to http://defectiveyeti.com/oscars/ and enter poll ID 24724. You could win an as-yet-to-be-determined something! Labels: eating
posted by Nichole @ 7:12 PM
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| Monday, February 05, 2007 |
Back to WW
I was under on my Points count yesterday, but it far from being a stellar day. I got wrapped up in our comings and goings and forgot to eat lunch, so I was starving by the time my Weight Watchers meeting rolled around. I'd started dinner in the Crockpot, though, so we didn't have the option of going out to eat. So that was good, at least.
Breakfast ... 1
1/2 a Nutrigrain bar ... 1
Snack ... 9
apple chips, a truffle and some peanut butter pretzels ... 9
Dinner ... 12
Sweet & Tangy Chicken ... 8
1 cup brown rice ... 4
over/under
2 under
. . . . . the end . . . . .
Please click here to join Nichole's Oscar pool. If that doesn't work, go to http://defectiveyeti.com/oscars/ and enter poll ID 24724. You could win an as-yet-to-be-determined something! Labels: bite it write it, eating, weight
posted by Nichole @ 1:19 PM
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| Thursday, February 01, 2007 |
Almost out of Flex Points
Breakfast ... 3.5
Bran flakes with strawberries ... 3.5
Lunch ... 7.5
Amy's Southwestern burrito ... 6
2 tbl sour cream ... 1.5
Snack ... 3
Dole frozen slushie thing ... 3
Dinner ... 14
1/2 skillet queso ... 7
1/2 fajita pita ... 7
Dessert ... 1
strawberries ... 1
over/under
5 over
. . . . . the end . . . . .Labels: bite it write it, eating, weight
posted by Nichole @ 1:25 PM
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| Wednesday, January 31, 2007 |
I ate a banana. Ugh.
Things were going swimmingly until dinnertime, and then we ate out rather than having our omelets as scheduled. I still had some Flex Points left, though, so all is well. So far.
Breakfast ... 2
Banana ... 2
Lunch ... 7.5
Amy's Southwestern burrito ... 6
2 tbl sour cream ... 1.5
Snack ... 3
10 chocolate animal cookies ... 3
Dinner ... 16
cheeseburger ... 11
10 French fries ... 5
over/under
4.5 Points over
. . . . . the end . . . . .Labels: bite it write it, eating, weight
posted by Nichole @ 3:23 PM
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| Tuesday, January 30, 2007 |
On the right track
I didn't get a chance to finish my orange this morning, and I was starving by the time lunch rolled around. Overall, though, it was a much better day than yesterday. I haven't actually had dessert yet, but I'm going to! By golly!
Rachael Ray's Vegetable Red Curry was good, easy and filling, but it was hot. I'll make it again, but I'll cut down on the red curry paste next time.
Breakfast ... 0.5
Half an orange ... 0.5
Lunch ... 7.5
Amy's Southwestern burrito ... 6
2 tbl sour cream ... 1.5
Snack ... 2.5
2 tbl peanuts ... 2.5
Dinner ... 7
Vegetable Red Curry ... 4
3/4 cup brown rice ... 3
Dessert ... 4.5
1/2 cup vanilla frozen yogurt ... 4
1 cup strawberries ... 0.5
over/under
2 Points to spare!
. . . . . the end . . . . .Labels: bite it write it, eating, weight
posted by Nichole @ 4:29 PM
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Resolve
Awhile back I said I was trying to lose some weight. Since then I've lost a grand total of half a pound. Not stellar work on my part.
I've been doing Weight Watchers via their online program. I should say I've been paying for the WW online program, because I certainly haven't been following it. So I've decided I'm going to start going to their meetings again, and I'm going to make more of an effort to post on here about the whole weight-loss scene. Because I know it's just a terrifically interesting subject.
Anyway.
Amy and I talked this weekend about emailing each other our food journals everyday. I'm going to take it a step further. I'm posting them here.
I was traveling yesterday, so I'm cutting myself a little slack for it being such a wretched day, Points-wise.
Monday, Jan. 29, 2006
Breakfast
Slim Fast chocolate-chip granola bar ... 4
Lunch
Chicken Philly from Charley's steakery ... 14
Dinner
Crab wonton ... 13 (d'oh!)
Cantonese scallops ... 9.5
brown rice ... 7.5
over/under
+24 (ouch.)
. . . . . the end . . . . .Labels: bite it write it, eating, weight
posted by Nichole @ 4:08 PM
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Amy says, "Nichole, I was so bad yesterday that I felt sick at the end of the day. Two meals out plus junk at the movies! Yikes." (4:52 PM, January 30, 2007)
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| Sunday, January 21, 2007 |
Spicy Sunday
I've had a "Cook's Illustrated" recipe for Kung Pao Shrimp in my to-try file for almost a year now. I've become a bit of a P.F. Chang's addict in the last several months, so I thought it would be a good time to give it a try.
I'm happy to say that it was delicious. It had a nice heat without being fiery, and the flavor was almost spot-on with what I expect Kung Pao to be. I think it might have been perfect if I hadn't forgotten to get ginger today; I mixed ginger powder in with the cornstarch, but I don't think it was an adequate fix. I didn't have any dried chiles, either, but I'm not sure that they would add all that much to the dish. They would be nice for aesthetics, though.
Kung Pao Shrimp
from Cook's Illustrated
Serves 4
1 pound extra-large shrimp (21 to 25 count), peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon dry sherry or rice wine
2 teaspoons soy sauce
3 medium cloves garlic , pressed through garlic press or minced
(about 1 tablespoon)
1/2-inch piece fresh ginger , peeled and minced (about 2 teaspoons)
3 tablespoons peanut oil or vegetable oil
1/2 cup roasted unsalted peanuts
6 small whole dried red chiles (each about 1 3/4 to 2 inches long), 3
chiles roughly crumbled, or 1 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 teaspoons black rice vinegar or plain rice vinegar
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 medium red bell pepper , cut into 1/2-inch dice
3 medium scallions , sliced thin
1. Toss shrimp with sherry and soy sauce in medium bowl; marinate until shrimp have absorbed flavors, about 10 minutes. Mix garlic, ginger, and 1 tablespoon oil in small bowl; set aside. Combine peanuts and chiles in small bowl; set aside. Mix chicken broth, vinegar, sesame oil, oyster-flavored sauce, hoisin sauce, and cornstarch in small bowl or measuring cup; set aside.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch skillet over high heat until just beginning to smoke. Add shrimp and cook, stirring about once every 10 seconds, until barely opaque, 30 to 40 seconds; add peanuts and
chiles, stir into shrimp, and continue cooking until shrimp are almost completely opaque and peanuts have darkened slightly, 30 to 40 seconds longer. Transfer shrimp, peanuts, and chiles to bowl; set
aside. Return skillet to burner and reheat briefly, 15 to 30 seconds. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil, swirl to coat pan, and add red bell pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 45
seconds. Clear center of pan, add garlic-ginger mixture, mash into pan with spoon or spatula, and cook until fragrant, 10 to 15 seconds; stir into peppers until combined. Stir broth mixture to recombine, then add to skillet along with reserved shrimp, peanuts, and chiles; cook, stirring and scraping up browned bits on bottom of pan, until sauce has thickened to syrupy consistency, about 45 seconds. Stir in scallions; transfer to serving plate and serve immediately.
Labels: eating
posted by Nichole @ 8:20 PM
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ccap says, "Well that certainly LOOKS delicious. I may have to give it a shot myself one of these days." (6:16 PM, January 22, 2007)
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| Saturday, January 06, 2007 |
A whole lotta food
When Alex and I were newlyweds, my dinnertime culinary repertoire consisted of the following:- Many thrilling varieties of Chicken Voila
- Grilled chicken (George Foreman style)
- An exciting array of Rice-a-Roni rices
- Macaroni and cheese sometimes with frozen broccoli
I'm sure it was a shocking blow to Alex. His mother is a terrific cook, and he grew up eating a fresh, home-cooked meal almost every night. He really shouldn't have been too surprised, though, considering the first meal I made for him. It was a chicken and broccoli disaster. He and my brother did their best to pretend it was edible, but I knew better. Because I have tastebuds, too.
I think my cooking skills have improved. At the very least, I no longer rely exclusively on boxed or frozen goods when it's time for dinner. I like to cook. And I generally have plenty of time to cook, too. But it's nice sometimes just to pull something out of the freezer and, Voila!, it's dinner.
A few months before Piper was born, I decided to try a once-a-month-cooking plan. The idea, as the name suggests, is that you cook once and then have meals in your freezer for quick, easy and delicious dinners all month long.
So I bought tons of ground beef and chicken and seasonings and onions (oh, so many onions), and I followed one of the plans outlined in a popular book that shall remain nameless. And I did fill the freezer with homemade meals, but it would be a stretch to call them "delicious." Most of them were, at least, edible. But it put me off the OAMC movement.
It was nice to have ready-to-go food in the freezer, though.
This is all to say that I've tried it again. Sort of. I don't have the freezer space now that I had then, so I couldn't do the OAMC thing, gross recipes or not. But then I found the "Once-a-Week Cooking Plan " cookbook. Alex took Piper out for a few hours this morning, and now, in the freezer, we have:- 1 Cheesehead Chipotle Frittata
- 4 Chicken Papaya Quesadillas
- 2 pieces of Macadamia-Crusted Chicken
- 1 Mexican Chicken Lasagna
- and the makings for 1 Pesto Pepper Chicken Pizza
The only trouble I had with this more manageable plan was the "quick cooling." I was able to use the sink (filled with ice water) to quick-cool some of the meals, but the frittata wouldn't fit in the sink. Good thing Alex was back by then. It never would have occurred to me to cool the dishes in the bathtub.
. . . . . the end . . . . .Labels: eating
posted by Nichole @ 2:42 PM
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| Tuesday, November 07, 2006 |
Lowcountry Shrimp Pilaf
We had Lowcountry Shrimp Pilaf for dinner last night. It's one of Cooking Light's quick dinners in the November 2006 issue. It was very easy, very quick and very tasty. And it was only 7 Points for a cup and a half! The magazine suggests serving it with crusty bread and a salad. I didn't do the salad, but the whole-wheat garlic bread I had in the freezer went very well with it.
The only thing I didn't enjoy about the dish was peeling the shrimp. Ugh.
Lowcountry Shrimp Pilaf
1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
1 1/2 cups prechopped green bell pepper
1 cup prechopped onion
1 tablespoon bottled minced garlic
2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
1 pound peeled and deveined large shrimp
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 (8-ounce) bottle clam juice
1 1/2 cups instant white rice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme, divided
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with jalapenos, undrained
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper and onion to pan; saute 2 minutes. Add garlic and Old Bay seasoning to pan; saute 1 minute. Add shrimp, wine, and clam juice; bring to a boil. Stir in rice; cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
Place pan over medium-high heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon thyme and tomatoes; cook 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon thyme.
Cooking Light, Nov. 2006
Labels: eating
posted by Nichole @ 10:23 AM
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says, "too funny, Nichole...
I too posted a blog with a recipe in it, before I had seen yours today. I'm not trying to be like you, promise.
ok, who am I kidding... yes I am. ;)" (11:11 AM, November 07, 2006)
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| Tuesday, October 17, 2006 |
Deep-fried mystery
That was suspenseful, wasn't it?
My brother-in-law saw a "news" report about all of the crazy, fried stuff at the fair, and Coke was on the list. There was much conjecture this weekend on the topic. How does one fry Coke? Is it frozen first? It has to be. Right?
Apparently not.
It was a bit of a let-down. It's just funnel cake batter made with Coke. It does taste a little like Coke, but it wasn't exactly a mind-blowing experience.
The fried Snickers bar, on the other hand, was pretty darn good. I think it was funnel cake batter again, but it was chocolatey and gooey inside. Not something I'd want to eat every day, but it might just be my fair food of choice.
Labels: eating
posted by Nichole @ 10:55 AM
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karrie says, "There is a resturant here in boston the serves deep-fried Twinkies with some kind of raspberr coulis. I cannot decide if they sound intriguing or nauseating." (2:02 PM, October 17, 2006)
Rach says, "At Art in the Park, I once had fried cheesecake. It was like cheesecake wrapped in an elephant ear. It was yummy! Elephant ears happen to be my favorite fair food though." (8:03 PM, October 17, 2006)
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