So, July was kind of a dud month in terms of goals. How was August? Well, you might have a clue given that it is now almost October and I am just posting this.
Sigh.
Here’s a quick summary:
Shrimp Pad Thai – I feel like this is a quick, not-fully-authentic version of Pad Thai, but it was a delicious and fast weeknight dinner. I found it via the Houston Chronicle, but apparently the recipe originated from Cooking Light (May 2002), so I feel a little better about my cheaty Thai food!
Salmon Pesto Pasta – I read about this on a number of different food blogs and finally got around to making it. So good! This is NOT diet food at all, but very yummy. Love me some salmon! For someone who didn’t like pesto until a few years ago, I’m slowly coming around…
Peanut Butterscotch Chocolate Krispie Bars – HUGE hit!
Zucchini Parmesan – OK, but watery. The zucchini never browns, just gets really tender. Should salt and drain the zucchini first before roasting? This was much better on the second day as pasta sauce – just cut the zucchini up before you warm up the sauce, ad add some parm at the end to finish.
Wok-Flashed Salt and Pepper Shrimp with Lemony Rice and Peas – Quick and nicely spiced weeknight dinner. (I did end up reducing the salt and pepper a little bit using a scant 1 tsp. of salt and reducing the 1/2 tablespoon (!) of pepper to 1/2 tsp.) I really liked the rice too.
Spicy Thai Coconut Shrimp – One of the favorite things I’ve made in a while. Mild flavor – I added some red pepper flakes – but really delicious. Some of the reviews of this recipe said it was too watery, but I didn’t find that to be the case. I ate the leftovers for lunch the next day and think you could substitute tofu and/or red beans. (Not sure why I think red beans would work here, but I’ll try it next time to see…)
Miss F turned 11 (!!!!!) September first, so we had a family dinner at our house the weekend before. I made lots of tried-and-true dishes, but also tried a couple of new ones. Including Swiss Onion Dip that was the biggest hit of the night (besides the Mint Chip Brownie Ice Cream Squares that Miss F wanted for her birthday “cake”). I had one bite, burned the roof of my mouth, and the dish was cleaned out before I could have any more. Super easy and cheesy and I will definitely be making again so I can try it!!
Blue Cheese Dip – Also for Miss F’s dinner party. I was told that the blue cheese was really subtle, but everyone seemed to enjoy it. I added chopped green onions because I had some left over from something else and served with chopped veggies and snap peas.
Penne with Ricotta and Greens – Healthy, “creamy,” and a snap to throw together when you don’t feel like cooking (like the day after you cook all day for a little girls 11th birthday dinner…). 🙂
Nine cards to file away. NOT great, but it does bring the grand total to 106 – so I cracked triple digits. Little victories, K, little victories.
Girl, you are on fire!