8.09.2011

Preparation. Step One.

My semester is over!  I am looking forward to taking the next few months off.  There are two reasons for the break:
1.  I have to take a placement test for math.  I have to take it at the testing center which is located in Utah, so we will do that on our home leave.
2.  I am starting to prepare for our move to Sri Lanka.

There is a long list of items on my to-do list.  My own "honey-do" list if you will.  The top item on my list:  Cooking.

Yes, cooking.  I like to cook, but it does not come naturally to me.  What comes naturally to me is using pre-made items and calling it my own.  I particularly like Costco and just add water style cooking to help me make dinner every night.  However, when we move to Sri Lanka, the luxury of pre-made dinners will not be there.  I will need to feed my family, so I am currently dusting off the cookbooks, google-ing all sorts of ingredients I have never heard of, and making dinner.

Last week was the first week of my experimenting.  I made dinner EVERY night.  Okay, I make dinner every night anyway, but this week, everything was homemade, or nearly homemade.
Here is what we had last week:  (Each food item is linked to the recipe)

Meatloaf
This was really good meat loaf.  Ben did not like the way it looked, but said it was the best tasting meat loaf I have ever made.  (I don't know if that is really saying much.)

Crockpot Chicken and Biscuits (yes, I made the homemade biscuits)
This is our new favorite.

Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes
I really love this, Ben just likes it.  I love that it is simple, but so flavorful.

Homemade Hot Pockets
These were so amazing!  I loved the flavor and that it was simple to make.  Next time, we will make some sort of sauce to make it more like a pot pie.

Chicken and Quinoa Burritos
These were good, but a little bland.  The next day I used the leftovers for lunch, and it was a perfect meal.

Then we had leftovers one night and we went out to celebrate the end of the semester.
I felt so accomplished.  This week I am trying to come up with some more recipes.  Suggestions?

Chicken and Biscuits

Homemade Hot Pockets.


Next on my list: Finding make-up that doesn't melt in humidity.  Any ideas?

That reminds me, I am turning the comments back on.  It's time.

10 comments:

Camille said...

First things first here. Eyeliner that won't melt away? Here it is:
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P133707&om_mmc=esv103203-GG&om_kwpur=104612608&ppc_crid=6395716937&sbanner=us_search&esvcid=S1312910459_ADOGOB_AGI1092124_CRE6395716937_TID104612608_RFDd3d3Lmdvb2dsZS5jb20%3d

Also, are you on pinterest? You need to be. It perfect for keeping track of dinner ideas and recipes that you want to try and such... :)

Anne said...

Yay for comments and cooking! I have discovered that I am completely useless in the kitchen when I don't have easy access to an american grocery store. (I'm more of a buy the ingredients I need for one meal kind of cook as opposed to a make a weekly meal plan and shop accordingly one.) I think your new adventure (especially the planning part) will help you once you get to Sri Lanka.

Here are some of my favorites:

http://www.rookie-cookie.com/2009/03/chicken-breasts-with-balsamic-garlic.html

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/06/summer-stir-fry/

http://frecklefacedgirl.blogspot.com/2010/07/chicken-salad.html

http://frecklefacedgirl.blogspot.com/2010/03/two-bean-burrito-enchiladas.html

http://frecklefacedgirl.blogspot.com/2010/03/greek-chicken-barley-salad-yummo.html

Also, the easiest, and one of my favorite, things to make is parchment roasted (steamed?) veggies over quinoa. I put tomatoes, zucchini, garlic, salt and lemon in parchment paper; wrap it up really tightly and throw it into a 375 degree oven for 20 minutes or so (until the zucchini is tender). While that's cooking, make the quinoa (I use chicken stock instead of water). When the veggies are done, pour it over the quinoa, juice and all. Oh, and sometimes if I'm feeling fancy I'll add some goat cheese crumbles. It's so amazing.

Have fun!!

Kolena locksa said...

I'm so glad you turned your comments back on! :)
I use tasteofhome.com for a lot of recipes.
Pioneer Woman also has some great ones. I have her cookbook and LOVE it!
My husband uses foodnetwork.com when he looks for recipes

Marisa said...

Yummy! It all looks and sounds so good. we will have to try the hot pockets. I made burritos last night....let's just say the rice was crunchy.

Becky said...

Congrats on finishing the semester. That's an awesome accomplishment. Best of luck with move prep!

Anja said...

check my recipe blog, we have lots of good, simple dinners just go to my blog and look at the list on the side, there is a link! Good job on all the cooking@@

Sanz said...

What?! Sri Lanka! I must be out of the loop! How exciting.

The Teeples Times said...

Amazing looking food - can I have your hotpockets recipe? It looks SO yummy!! Sri Lanka - now I am going to sound like an idiot -where is that?! About your earlier post - I am sorry you had to go through that! I want you to know that I get post-partum depression and DO take medication and it helps alot. Some days I just feel blah too. I hope you're doing well - I will pray for you!! When do you leave?

Just US said...

Hahaha - I can leave comments now!!! WOOHOO!!! Can you see me dancing at my computer screen as I sit here typing you a message? :)

I love that you are trying to cook more for your family. The meals you have made sound and look super yummy! I am coming to your house for dinner!

jasonandjodie said...

You're amazing. Way to go in finishing you semester and from what I hear, you did awesome! Your meals look awesome too. I definitely need to try them.

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