Chicken, Spinach, and Potato Hash

This is found on page 68 in Martha Stewart's Light Cookbook.

This was a hardy dish. I recommend this on those snowy days when all you want to do is snuggle up in a warm blanket. It definitely warms the stomach!

This was one of my favorites. I am a huge fan of anything with spinach in it. I'm also a huge fan of anything where the veggies are included so I don't have instill a veggie being made on the side. Who else has problems like, "What veggie would be best suited for tonight's dinner?"

This chicken is the simplest chicken I've ever made! It reminds me of my mother saying, "Less is always more!" Get this... 2 chicken breasts, olive oil, salt and pepper, fresh thyme. No really, that's it. I'm a meat eater that hasn't admitted yet that she should be a vegetarian. I won't touch any bones, I won't buy meat with skin on it, I have to cut off every ounce of fat before preparing, I have to have my meat flavored heavily or else I can't eat it (I think I hate the taste of meat), and 9 times out of 10--if I prepare the meat I most likely won't eat it! Yes, I know... I seem picky, but my reasoning is, I can't think of where the meat is coming from. I know it's crazy!

Back to this recipe though... The thyme seasons this so well. In fact, I ended up making chicken breasts on their own prepared the same way for dinner.

Let's face it, any meal that can have all ingredients thrown together and served in one scoop is nothing far from a great success! It reminded me of inventions my dad would create when we were growing up. He never had a name for them, just threw it together for a glorious dish! This is that but from someone famous. Definitely a win.

P.S. This must be served immediately, as stated in the recipe, due to the potatoes. They are cut in cubes and everyone knows potatoes are the hardest to keep warm!


*My next recipe will be Chicken Cutlets with Herb Butter*

Couscous Salad with Roasted Vegetables and Chickpeas

My apologies for the delay in these posts. I've been making dishes however I have just been delayed in posting.

This recipe is found on page 39 in Martha Stewart's Light Cookbook.

I made this two weeks ago. This seemed to be my husband's favorite. He loves couscous and with the roasted vegetables (carrots and cauliflower), lemon zest, and chickpeas this was a sure win!

This called for 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice which, at the time, seemed like quite a bit. The couscous absorbs most of it and doesn't make it watery. It does make it very fresh and not a heavy flavor.

Which leads me to my next thing. This was in the "Winter" section of her book where I thought this was more of a spring/summer meal. You serve this chilled and we found this to be light and seasonal. It's definitely not just a winter meal.

This also calls for baby arugla which I still have in my fridge. I wimped out at the end. I am not a fan of arugla however I will have to make this again to use it. My promise to this challenge was to follow through with the entire recipe. However, I think I would have preferred if she said to use baby spinach. I'm going to trust you though, Martha!

Needless to say- this was a win and will be made again. Super simple and delightful!

My next meal made was... Chicken, Spinach, and Potato Hash. Check out my next blog!

Curried Carrot Soup

My second recipe can be found in Martha Stewart's "Great Food Fast" cookbook on page 267.

If you do not like carrots then I wouldn't try this recipe. If you're on the fence if you like carrots, then yes, I would try this. You will definitely have your daily dose of vegetables as this calls for 2 pounds of carrots! My mother would be so proud!

I think the best part of this meal is the guilt free pleasure after it! There is no cream in this soup and yet it is so rich and smooth! It calls for a blender with a puree cycle and that does the trick!

It's also rich in flavor and pulls from the curry, onion, and chicken* broth very nicely. Adding the lemon and cilantro at the end definitely tops off the flavors and builds to the aroma! I asked my husband if he thought it needed any additional spices. His response was appreciated, "Nope, that's what gets me. I don't know why it doesn't need anything further, but it doesn't!"

This recipe would be fine to serve on its own or served along with a light sandwich. We served this next to a vegetarian panini.

This is definitely something we will be enjoying again! I recommend serving this around your dining room table! I'd love to hear your thoughts if this is something you'll be trying!


*I believe that the chicken broth can be substituted for vegetarian broth for any vegans of vegetarian fans.


My next recipe will be Couscous Salad with Roasted Vegetables and Chickpeas!

An Update:
I will be upping my antics and making 1 recipe every week as opposed to 1 recipe every 2 weeks!

Lighter Eggplant Parmesan

This was quite possibly the easiest Eggplant Parmesan I've ever made! Prep time was very quick. I liked that you only added cheese to the top to lower calories, fat, etc.

The cream sauce that you made and put in between layers of eggplant was heavenly! You added fat free milk to your marinara sauce so it wasn't too high in calories! Definitely was my favorite part because it added a different flavor than just plain marinara sauce.

While we were eating, I looked at my husband and asked him what he thought. The answer I got was, "I'm getting seconds!" In this house, that means, "Add it to the list of meals to have again!" We are! I have invited my sister and her fiance over for dinner and games. Eggplant Parm is on the menu! So excited to hear their opinions as well!

Will post soon what our next recipe is... For now, this one is a must try!

First Week!

Our first recipe of the year will be the "Lighter Eggplant Parmesan" from
Martha Stewart's Everyday Food: Light on page 298.

Excited to try!
I'm a huge fan of eggplant so I'm thinking this will be right up my alley!

My husband, Dan is also very excited!
I think he's most excited because he gets to try new foods and well, he doesn't have to cook! :)

We'll keep you posted on our thoughts!

Welcome!

My name is Lydia and my friend Christie and I have an amazing New Year's Resolution for 2012!

Every week - two weeks we will be making a recipe from different cookbooks we have. Then, we will share with you what we thought! Sounds pretty awesome right?

I'm very excited to start experimenting with new meals. I'm also excited to expand my cooking utensils! My favorite place in my home is my kitchen so this is one resolution I'm sure to keep!

I hope you all will enjoy reading our posts every two weeks! It'll be fun to look back next year at what we've done so far!

For now... See you next year!!