A Week in Their Kitchen 5: Day-glo Mushroom Helper
What kind of wine does one pair with day-glo powdered cheese? WHAT, THERE’S NO WINE IN MY HAMPER? I didn’t think of that.
Ah well, it’s a working weekend for me anyway. Best to just hunker down with my Oreos and forget that it’s Friday night. And it’s sunny out. Let’s not talk about that.
Dinner tonight was not as thrilling as last night’s. Mike actually got into the mission and came up with the idea to use sauteed mushrooms, which are meaty-like, in the generic Hamburger Helper. W stuck to Cheerios.
As I sat glumly eating my salty orange mushroom pasta it occurred to me that PEOPLE ACTUALLY BUY THIS STUFF. It’s imported by Wal-Mart. They sell it in their stores. It isn’t exclusively for people who have no choice – many folks out there actually go shopping and spend their own dollars on this.
Maybe they’re all eighteen? I remember when Mike and I first moved out I lived for a good couple years on Pop Tarts, Eggo Waffles and Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni – all the stuff we weren’t allowed to have growing up. So then I started to grow out.
And yes, it’s cheap. So are beans. And rice. And barley. And a thousand or so other real meals I can price out in my head in the same ballpark as Hamburger Helper. But I don’t much feel like going off on another tangent tonight. I’m crashing down from my Oreo high.
It seems I let last Free Stuff Friday pass with nary a free thing, overwhelmed by a book manuscript deadline that’s still looming (silly me, I thought I’d be celebrating this weekend! Have I met me? Clearly not) and I do have a few things. But what I’m really dying to do when this week is over is bake. And reduce the ridiculous amount of food in my kitchen. Perhaps that should be the freebie du jour – a box of miscellaneous yogurt containers from my freezer and bags of unlabelled grains from my cupboard.
But I completely forgot that I bought a bowl at the Empty Bowls Benefit a month or so ago with the intention to give it away here, filled with cookies or something. And since I need an excuse to bake cookies, I’ll use FSF as such. A handmade bowl filled with homemade chocolate chip cookies (yes, I already chose) doesn’t sound too bad, does it? And if you’ll take a look at that detail, someone stamped MMMMMMM around the entire bowl. Appropriate, no?
So you know the drill – leave a comment, let us know what you had for dinner last night (or the night before, or what you’re planning for tonight) or tell us something else if you want. I’ll take anything, really. I’ll be reading them all tomorrow as the ultimate procrastination aid.
June 04 2010 07:53 pm | leftovers
natalie (ga) on 04 Jun 2010 at 8:00 pm #
Gorgeous bowl…
I am constantly trying to get beans into the kids. (love the bean pancakes! I put in a 15 oz can by accident and it still was great) So last night it was tuna with black beans mixed in! Kids wolfed it down – yeah….
Donna on 04 Jun 2010 at 8:25 pm #
Last night and tonight we had Greek Lasagna – a recipe from Healthy Choices – a diabetic cookbook, mixed beans and carrots and carrot cake with cream cheese icing- a recipe from the mid 1970′s. ( the icing was from Julie’s Starting Out cookbook). This weekend I need to defrost my big deep freeze in prep for 1/2 beef (locally grown).I’ve already made 3 batches of raspberry jelly – I need to use up more. Anyone have any suggestions for relatively healthy raspberry recipes?
Cathy on 04 Jun 2010 at 8:48 pm #
Last night had wild rice, chicken and artichoke casserole from A Year Of The Best – The Best of Bridge Girls are always an 80′s standby…..for all of you of that generation, for which I am one.
I have the tattered cookbooks from days of yore.
Also a lovely angel hair cole slaw, made up with sliced radishes, grated carrots – yummy.
Cancels out the Meyer lemon and vanilla marmalade I made today from Epicurious. My friends are loving me!!
Has anyone found the Meyer lemons anywhere??? Would love to make more.
Amber on 04 Jun 2010 at 8:50 pm #
Tonight I had no idea what I wanted for supper…
so first I made some brown rice with a chicken flavoured organic bouillon cube…will freeze some for lunches.
then threw some romaine and spinach leaves in a bowl, added some herbed, cubed goat feta, a 1/4 cup of raw walnuts, a sprinkle of real bacon bits, a splash of EVO and lemon juice.
lastly decided to throw 3/4 cup of the brown rice, still warm, in too. It was suprisingly tasty!
Had a So Delicious Mini Ice Cream sandwich made with coconut milk for dessert…yum.
Hoping you can ship chocolate chip cookies and the bowl all the way to BC – guess I’ll find out if I win!
stacey snacks on 04 Jun 2010 at 8:50 pm #
We had pasta w/ chickpeas last nt for dinner, really easy and good and CHEAP.
I dislike Walmart and I have never even been in one!
Tonight we had buratta cheese w/ cherry tomatoes and cherry coffee cake, made by me! (oh, and some martinis!).
Rebecca on 04 Jun 2010 at 9:07 pm #
Dinner tonight was one of my favs (and pretty quick too!) BBQ’d teriyaki pork tenderloin, baby potatoes from Second to None, diced yams, and some frozen corn (ran out of real veg). SO good! Am happy to have discovered the joys of using a meat thermometer to make sure that my pork is nice and tender
Have been thinking alot about your food waste question. I’m pretty good but I bet that I still throw out about 15-25% of what I buy. I had seen something once about visualizing that wasted food as dollar bills – makes you feel much less ok about throwing the food away…
Jennifer on 04 Jun 2010 at 9:07 pm #
At least my packaged pasta wasn’t day-glo! I treated my son to his favorite bunny pasta (that organic stuff with actual cheese), Spolombos chicken-apple sausage and fresh green beans (sauteed with garlic & olive oil, parmesan & lemon juice a la Jamie Oliver). Of course being 2 he primarily ate the bunny pasta. Oh well, more beans for me! Speaking of wine, now that my son is in bed, I think there’s a glass calling me.
Janjet on 04 Jun 2010 at 9:08 pm #
Julie, you never cease to amaze me! Your support for good causes, your optimism and creativeness, are always an inspiration
For dinner we had barbecued chicken that was marinated with olive oil, lemon (slices and juice) and fresh rosemary. On the other side of the BBQ I grilled some parboiled yam wedges and baby potatoes (first time for grilled yams at our house). To accompany it all we had a greek salad and a bottle of shiraz (sorry I don’t mean to rub it in!)
Thanks for your blog – I love it.
Erin M on 04 Jun 2010 at 9:17 pm #
mmmmmm…dayglo orange…kidding yuck!
Well dinner last night was homemade pasta with pesto, sundried tomatoes, mushrooms, chicken, pinenuts and asiago cheese sprinkled on top. Tonight was the leftovers…come to think of it so was lunch. Really yummy not good for my diet but did I mention… really yummy.
Love the bowl and the thought of delicious cookies made by you
ladyloo on 04 Jun 2010 at 9:27 pm #
Last night was chicken enchiladas, with a green sauce (technical term). Made with corn tortillas. Maybe I just didn’t see them, but I don’t ever recall seeing the giant bags of corn tortillas (no, I don’t make my own) in grocery stores in Calgary. I would definitely miss them if I moved back.
Cheryl on 04 Jun 2010 at 9:29 pm #
I guess your next series is indeed on easy, cheap, and real food. Oh wait, that is mostly what you do!
Dinner tonight was roasted asparagus and potatoes with chicken thighs. Not bad for 4 days in of single parenting. Oh, and macarons froms Yann’s for dessert. (Sorry to tease you like that.)
Brigitte on 04 Jun 2010 at 9:30 pm #
I had to work late, so dinner was someflatbread with tomato sauce, fresh basil leaves and mozzarella.
Yes! Pizzas. I made them earlier in the day. They only had to bake them in the oven. My daughter also made a greek salad to go with the pizzas!
It is easy, fast and pretty good too!
Kathleen on 04 Jun 2010 at 9:32 pm #
Last night (while we were discussing why I can’t even look at Kraft Dinner with out getting the cold sweats) we ate Chicken Noodle stir-fry. Stir fried chicken (first marinated in garlic, ginger, soy and sesame oil) then I added broccoli, cauliflower and baby corn. Then we toss the whole thing on top of oriental noodles and add a dash of hoisin sauce to convince the picky eater that it’s really a treat.
I have some leftovers for lunch.
Kathy on 04 Jun 2010 at 9:35 pm #
We’re cleaning out the fridge instead of ordering in. Tonight was chili, tossed salad, toast and berry crumble.
Kris on 04 Jun 2010 at 9:36 pm #
Dinner was spaghetti, meatballs and tomato sauce and casar salad. Not all that imaginative but it’s Friday after a long week and something that everyone in our family will actually eat.
I will guiltily admit that I am one of those people that occassionally buys Hamburger Helper. I think it is disgusting but I have an incredibly picky son who i struggle to find things to send for his school lunches. I will occassionally cook up a batch on Sunday and send it for his school lunches for the week. Not a point of parenting pride but I can convince myself that it is better than the pizza pops and KD cups that he would prefer to buy at the school canteen.
Laur on 04 Jun 2010 at 9:38 pm #
tonight was clean-out-the-fridge night: leftover, rice, veggies, and home made fish stick all stir fried together with some random asian condiments sprinkled on top. Yum! It would go nicely in that pretty bowl too, after I eat the cookies!
Margaret L on 04 Jun 2010 at 9:47 pm #
Friday is “dung out the fridge” soup day. Chicken chunks, spaghetti sauce, broccoli ends a little water and spices, and voila! I love the bowl and it would look great in my kitchen.
Lisa on 04 Jun 2010 at 9:55 pm #
Count me in the “clean out the fridge” group. I made a caprese salad and had it with garlic toast made from the end of a loaf to sop up the yummy juices. End of the week isn’t always a bad thing…
Lindsey on 04 Jun 2010 at 9:57 pm #
Tonight was steak, mushroom and pea risotto, and edamame for ourselves and family who’s visiting. Tomorrow is tandoori chicken, pullao, and samosas (all from my WW cookbook) and naan from here
Wish me luck!
lauren on 04 Jun 2010 at 10:10 pm #
that bowl is so beautiful Last night I had southwest lentil cakes on a salad with creamy lime dressing. Tonight was mongolian bbq at the chinese buffet (noodles, beef lots of veggies, brown sauce)
Theresa on 04 Jun 2010 at 10:12 pm #
Dinner tonight was pretty simple: two pieces of toast and bowl of really garlicky coleslaw. Last night was more interesting: I sauteed up some veggie bits and pieces, added a tomato sauce and had it with rice. Simple and good!
Lori on 04 Jun 2010 at 10:24 pm #
I went to Crush for dinner tonight on 12 Av and we had pizza. It was a blind date with a great guy who brought roses! Anyway-the pizza was fantastic and I really hope I win the bowl and the cookies.
Angela on 04 Jun 2010 at 10:30 pm #
The bowl is super cute!!
I’ve been living for most of the week on quinoa salad- black beans, corn, English cucumber, olive oil and a fresh squeezed lemon. Yumm and full of good protein. And I made a big batch of lazy man casserole ( ground beef, rice, cabbage and a cannof tomato soup). And organic apples and liberte yogurt for dessert
Happy Wknd!
Haruko on 04 Jun 2010 at 10:45 pm #
Tonight we had a mix of grilled cheese and green rice. It is a new recipe I tried and quite liked. You process a bunch of spinach, cilantro and parsley in the blender with stock and then add it to your fried rice and then cook some more with additional stock. The rice is very green, tasty and very versatile to use up leftover greens you have lurking in the fridge.
danzy on 04 Jun 2010 at 10:48 pm #
tomorrow night we’re having a wiener roast (with all beef or bison smokies) followed by s’mores made with raincoast crackers, wine gums, marshmallows and chocolate for our niece’s 6th birthday! she’s super excited and so are we! banana pancakes for the next morning-yum!
thepinkpeppercorn on 04 Jun 2010 at 10:53 pm #
Yep, people actually BUY that stuff… glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t even think it counts as food!!
margo on 04 Jun 2010 at 11:18 pm #
Here are this week’s meal Highs and Lows: High was the homemade chicken soup my husband cooked for me (even homemade broth!! How cool is that?) to nourish me back to health. How could I not get better? I caught a nasty flu bug that’s goin’ around. But bless my husband (it’ll be 25 years on Tuesday), he took care of me and even pureed some sweet potato into it. Delish and comforting. The low moment was tonight when two of my kids and I went out for fast food and I opted for chili from an un-named very famous doughnut shop… I thought I was treating myself as I love chili but it was soooooo salty, I could hardly eat it. I knew it was high in sodium but whoa baby. Could probably rival that stuff you were eating with the lovely orange hue. : ) Makes us appreciate the Good Stuff, hey?!
Erica B. on 04 Jun 2010 at 11:28 pm #
Tonight’s dinner was leftover roast chicken with steamed carrots and roasted prosciutto wrapped Edgar Farms asparagus. Dessert was popcorn in front of ‘Hoodwinked’ with the kids.
We made it out to the Asparagus festival last weekend despite the weather and picked up a bunch of asparagus and rhubarb. Love love love what Edgar Farms is doing. I am however a bit of a rhubarb novice – fave uses anyone?
@ladyloo: I don’t think you can find fresh corn tortillas in chain groceries but you can get them at Salsita, Tres Marias and a few other latin specialty stores. I’d love some tried & true enchilada recipes if you care to share
Lelu on 04 Jun 2010 at 11:33 pm #
Thanks Julie for all your great ideas I enjoy reading your blog. For tonight we had easy pork chop pockets. All I do is place a couple of pork chops with some evo, sliced sweet potato, sliced apple and generous amount of cinnamon spice in a tinfoil pocket and grill. Always turns out well, easy and healthy. We ate it with a steamed green beans.
Enjoy your oreos.
Steph Rostermundt on 05 Jun 2010 at 12:17 am #
Dinner tonight will be in South Dakota. I live in Iowa, so I’ll be dining out…of state! One of my very best friends found herself a farmer and moved to the country!! They are hosting a BBQ and cooking their farm raised, organically fed, steroid free chicken, pork, and beef! Oh yummm! And Sunday morning the ladies will round up some fresh eggs! I’m suprising them with all the ingredients to make Eggs Benefict! Nothing like a poached egg poached!
barbara on 05 Jun 2010 at 1:24 am #
Riffed on Leonard’s lentil soup (due to pantry deficiencies!) using chorizo, zucchini instead of celery, navy beans instead of lentils, onions, garlic, barley, s & p and beef stock instead of chicken – very delish!! very nice bowl!
Denise on 05 Jun 2010 at 4:45 am #
Last night’s supper was panko crusted haddock (fresh and so yummy!) with spinach and butternut squash. Earlier in the week I used your method for chicken and lentils in the slow cooker–that recipe is definitely a keeper and absolutely delish! Thanks so much!
Denise on 05 Jun 2010 at 4:48 am #
I’m picking up my first farm share box today so I in order to make some room in the fridge I made potato hash with a some leftover chicken and spinach. I love to read your ideas, you have inspired me on a couple of nights when I just couldn’t think.
Julia on 05 Jun 2010 at 6:37 am #
It was late when I got home last night so thank goodness I had pizza dough already made up in the fridge. My son and I whipped that pizza up in no time with all the leftover meats, pineapple, tomato and of course, cheese from the fridge! Sometimes those are the best dinners.
Jen on 05 Jun 2010 at 6:38 am #
Last night for dinner we had cheese quesadillas and swiss chard bundles. For the swiss chard bundles I wrapped a slice of tomato and a slice of mozzarella cheese in one cooked red swiss chard leaf and then browned in a bit of butter. Delicious! ..and dinner really satisfied my hankering for cheese. Great website by the way – I’m glad I came across it!
Anne on 05 Jun 2010 at 7:18 am #
Last night was a stir fry, and dumplings (that I will never buy again they were horrible)
Erica on 05 Jun 2010 at 7:18 am #
The plan for last night’s dinner was to have my husband barbecue some chicken while I figured out what to serve as our side dishes besides cauliflower. Then I fell fast asleep, put the defrosted chicken back in the fridge, and sent my husband out to get pizza.
Meh. Some days are like that.
Tomorrow’s lunch will be your eggs in pipérade!
Robin on 05 Jun 2010 at 7:25 am #
Meatloaf on the grill (One of your ideas). It was delicious! Also had potatoes and asparagus cooked on the grill and a salad with arugula, tomatoes, blue cheese and onion. Tasty!
Mary Ann on 05 Jun 2010 at 7:56 am #
I was home alone last night and when I stopped at the grocery store on the way home I picked up a tuna steak. The intention was to saute some peppers and onions and make a mesclun salad on the side but I ended up seasoning the tuna with some tamari sauce, searing it for 3 miuntes a side and eating it all by itself- covered in toated sesame seeds. Washed down with a glass of red while watcing season three of Mad Men.
Kathy on 05 Jun 2010 at 8:09 am #
We are knee deep in painting and other renos around here and a good friend was helping hubby all day w/ painting yesterday. I cooked and cleaned and de-cluttered. Our good friend’s wife joined us around 5 pm after she was done work, and for supper we had pina coladas (no mix, I used light coconut milk, pineapple juice, sugar and Malibu Rum). Oh and chili and those ciabatta buns from Costco. Dessert was cookies I’d bought from Cookies to Go (fundraiser – $1 each) and home made ice cream (we have an electric ice cream maker.) And wonderful conversation.
Cathy N on 05 Jun 2010 at 8:14 am #
Yesterday I christened my new Kitchen Aid mixer (Artisan silver) at our cottage on Quadra Island. I decided to make bread as I have always kneaded by hand and wanted to see the results of bread kneaded by machine. The results were wonderful so had freshly baked bread with barbequed hamburgers…mmmm (see, I need that bowl)…nummy!
Erin B on 05 Jun 2010 at 8:22 am #
Last night I made Chicken Dumpling and Noodle Stoup (Rachel Ray, a stoup is a runny stew or thick soup). I used fresh herbs and zested a lemon. But then A (who’s two) and a sliver in his foot. So he screamed and ate cookies for dinner while I performed surgery at the table.
Tonight with be another RR recipe….Chicken Caesar burgers – cross fingers it’s a better meal.
Hannah V. on 05 Jun 2010 at 8:29 am #
Last night I had a roasted chicken sandwich with avocado. The bowl is beautiful! Thanks for the chance to win!
mar on 05 Jun 2010 at 8:35 am #
I’ve read all the replies. Most are so innovative. It was after 7 PM when I thought of eating so didn’t bother having anything. I collect pottery though.
Anonymous on 05 Jun 2010 at 9:00 am #
Last night we ate at Harbour City restaurant in Calgary’s Chinatown. We had a tofu and whitefish hotpot, crispy roast chicken (so good!) and gai lan with scallops. Tonight – BBQed steaks, corn on the cob, and salad.
Happy procrastinating! (And good luck with your deadline).
Anonymous on 05 Jun 2010 at 9:04 am #
No need to enter me in the draw, as I’ve won before. But that bowl is indeed beautiful. I was home alone last night so dinner was guilty pleasures: sourdough-Saskatoon pancakes nuked from a ziploc in the freezer, while half-watching Say Yes to the Dress which is sort of like hamburger helper for the brain. Then I made a double batch of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies from OSC to give to a few friends who have way too much sadness in their lives this week. So, a little dough, a finished cookie, a little dough, a finished cookie. What a lovely evening.
mmac on 05 Jun 2010 at 9:06 am #
oops. That was mmac eating and watching so poorly. And I also fed my sourdough starter which is still going over a year later.
Jill on 05 Jun 2010 at 9:20 am #
Hi Julie,
It’s been really interesting reading your blog this week and thinking about what a priviledge it is to have the time to prepare good food from raw ingredients. I think doing the week in their kitchen exercise is such a great way to get people thinking about the politics of access to food.
For dinner last night I had a series of odd snacks- cereal, some pickles, rice pudding and some tortellini over the course of a few hours when I took breaks from finally planting my tomato plants in the garden.
Elaine on 05 Jun 2010 at 9:33 am #
We just moved into a new apartment with working kitchen appliances, so I celebrated by baking boneless chicken thighs that I’d marinated in sriracha and rice vinegar, then coated with panko. We had them on wraps with arugula and Greek yogurt that I threw some herbs in.
Trudi on 05 Jun 2010 at 10:03 am #
What a beautiful bowl! We had egg tomato and cheese toasted sandwiches last night…our quick type meal when we are running late and starving!
charm on 05 Jun 2010 at 10:24 am #
Had a big salad last night… spinach, red pepper, tomatoes, snap peas, green beans, broccoli slaw, goat cheese, avocado, egg and some leftover roasted veggies. It was delicious!
Oli on 05 Jun 2010 at 12:14 pm #
What a beautiful bow! We are going to BBQ with some friends tonight! Duck breast, chicken wings, king mushroom, corn, and guacamole are on the menu!
jennifer on 05 Jun 2010 at 12:33 pm #
I went to T and T market and bought stuff…. sticky rice in banana leaves, garlic sauce, lemongrass marinade, imerial rolls, beans, chicken and cooked it all up and had our own take in version of some of our favouirte take outs!!!
Kiera on 05 Jun 2010 at 12:38 pm #
I love the look of that bowl! tonight is black bean burgers on homemade buns with salad. already looking forward to it.
ps I think your food bank initiative is great – truly eye-opening. I know you’re looking forward to using some fresh produce again! good luck with the rest of the week.
Carmen on 05 Jun 2010 at 12:49 pm #
We had your beef bourguignon recipe – I made it a while ago and froze half the meat portion so last night I just had to saute up some mushrooms and pearl onions, stir it together and viola – a brand new meal. If I recall I made it with moose meat (probably not what Julia Child had in mind!). We had indian food this week too, I used your Samosa filling recipe and due to lack of time, I wrapped the filling in mini whole wheat tortillas and toasted them in the panini press – they were surprisingly samosa like – crispy on the outside. We sprinkled more lemon juice on the outside and they were really good (and a lot healthier than deep fried!)
Cassie on 05 Jun 2010 at 12:53 pm #
I made a delicious recipe out of Jamie Oliver’s new book, “Jamie’s America”. Chicken pea stew with a nice lemony chicken
Cassie on 05 Jun 2010 at 12:53 pm #
Oops, meant Chickpea stew (Not chicken pea stew) lol.
miss v on 05 Jun 2010 at 1:13 pm #
out for anniversary indian food last night… nursing a wicked cold, better than any decongestant… no kingfisher… but plenty of mango lassi… just had the leftovers for brunch!
Barb on 05 Jun 2010 at 2:03 pm #
Bbq’d ribs, boiled baby potatoes, tossed salad, raspberries with ice cream. Mmmmmmm.
Sue (London, ON) on 05 Jun 2010 at 2:15 pm #
What a pretty bowl and only prettier when filled with home baked cookies I would imagine!!
I was going to have a couple friends over last night. Was excited all day. My patio is so pretty right now. I was going to make pizza on the BBQ ala Julie because it was such a huge success last year. But my yeast must’ve been old (it did foam but maybe not enough). My dough didn’t rise and I had to toss it out. So my friends & I went out for dinner instead! I had a huge, delicious greek salad with a skewer of grilled shrimp… and TWO beer! So fun.
Jenn F on 05 Jun 2010 at 3:27 pm #
We had pizza, because it was an end-of-school family pizza supper and dance. My son is in kindergarten and it was so much fun watching the little kids dance right along with the older kids.
Sandi on 05 Jun 2010 at 4:49 pm #
Off to a partay tonight. Its been ever so long, actually years since my husband and I have been out. Its going to be a real treat.Hubby says that my cooking is the best and is always disappointed with meals we have out.But being as its his boss’s retirement …. off we go. woohoo for me.. Going to be going to calgary next week so maybe see some farmers markets and other sites that have been mentioned by you Julie…..
Supposed to be prime rib,salmon, and chicken. lots of salads and desserts….yummy
Meshelle on 05 Jun 2010 at 5:07 pm #
I love that bowl!
Dinner tonight is going to be my favorite veggie lasagna with spinach, mushrooms, and lots of ricotta and onion.
Jill on 05 Jun 2010 at 6:09 pm #
What a beautiful bowl….I love the mmmmmm stamped around it.
Last night was tasty and simple pita pizzas with lots of herbs. Tonight is a spicy tofu and (Edgar Farms) asparagus stirfry.
Delaine on 05 Jun 2010 at 7:50 pm #
What an awsome bowl!
Last nights dinner was Chocolate Oatmeal Banana pancakes with scrambled eggs!
Jan (Family Bites) on 05 Jun 2010 at 7:57 pm #
That bowl is stunning! Tonight for dinner my hubby made us a picnic…salad, cheese, bread and wine which we took to the lake while my kids were out with my mom. It was easy and really lovely.
Elizabeth L. on 05 Jun 2010 at 8:27 pm #
Tagliatelle with sauteed Italian sausage, mushrooms and red peppers–thickened with the pasta water,so still reasonably healthy.
I am reminded today how blessed we all are that we have such bounty from which to choose on a daily basis.
Denese on 05 Jun 2010 at 9:08 pm #
Tonight was grilled chicken breasts with guacamole and salad. Had to use the last avocadoes before the next batch gets ready to use, and finish the salad fixings before they become eligible for the compost.
Saw avocado oil advertised. Anyone got experience with it?
Angela on 05 Jun 2010 at 9:22 pm #
Love, love the bowl…and would love the cookies! Tonight we hosted a brbq – I made baked beans, coleslaw, burgers and fudge to finish off the night.
Laurelie on 05 Jun 2010 at 10:08 pm #
I’ve been enjoying your blog all week and wishing Edmonton had a similar program to promote the food bank.
Last night we had szechaun noodles (from Barefoot Contessa) with grilled chicken on top.
Cheryl on 05 Jun 2010 at 10:56 pm #
Simple chicken stir-fry with brown rice. Lots of veg. Don’t know how you did it this week without fresh ingredients. How do we get more of that into the food banks?
JulieVR on 05 Jun 2010 at 11:05 pm #
Cheryl – great question! One I’ve pondered all week. Perhaps one possible solution – during the summer months, at least, is to grow a community garden exclusively for the food bank – send some of their volunteers over to tend and harvest.. plenty of existing community gardens donate a percentage of their crop, but there certainly is enough space and sunlight in Calgary to make it happen.
glenda on 05 Jun 2010 at 11:08 pm #
It’s been eating out, thanks to friends and family; sweet potato fries and teriyaki wrap last night, and some yummy sushi and sashimi at The Lighthouse – a mothers’ day gift! Thanks guys!
kimberley on 06 Jun 2010 at 2:03 am #
HI Julie: for dinner: sockeye salmon fillets from FAS here in Victoria – grilled after marinating in lemon/olive oil/rosemary. Grilled asparagus. Quinoa , made using Confetti Quinoa recipe from Laurel’s Kitchen, an old standby. Fruit crisp using frozen apple slices from last year and this year’s rhubarb.
Jennifer Jo on 06 Jun 2010 at 4:10 am #
Last night (Saturday night) was salad at 4 pm and whole wheat rolls, hot from the oven and slathered in butter and jelly.
Gelfling on 06 Jun 2010 at 4:19 am #
Last night we had kale, asparagus, button mushrooms and spring onions sauteed in olive oil with garlic, ginger, and a splash of soy sauce. Served with basmati rice and a big glass of homemade concord wine. Nomnom!
Linda on 06 Jun 2010 at 12:17 pm #
Dinner tonight will be bbq ribs, new BC potatoes and beets from the farmers market and fressh strawberries
Anonymous on 06 Jun 2010 at 12:26 pm #
Last night (Saturday) my sister, her three kids and my two kids, and I arrived home from a spontaneous trip to Upper Canada Village. John had picked up chicken bbq from the United Church annual event, which came with homemade baked beans, coleslaw and buns. He boiled up some red potatoes with the skins on and it was on the table when we pulled in! A beer for the grown-ups rounded things off beautifully! Dessert was raspberry sorbet in sugar cones. YUM.
I LOVE this bowl. GORGEOUS.
Lana on 06 Jun 2010 at 12:27 pm #
That anonymous above is actually me!..not sure why my name etc didn’t pop up autmatically as usual!
Kerstin on 06 Jun 2010 at 2:15 pm #
Last night’s dinner was cheese fondue. I cheated and used the “kit”, but it has the right cheeses, kirsch and seasonings, and was very tasty. We lightly toasted cubed french bread in the oven and also served green peppers, broccoli, apples, mushrooms and cooked seasoned potato wedges as dippers. Minimal effort, great result. That bowl is sooo pretty! I also love the one you got for yourself!
Carol SB on 06 Jun 2010 at 7:01 pm #
Oh Erica B. Rhubarb. *sings* “if they asked me I could write a book/ about the way you walk and whisper, and look/ I could write a preface on how we met…”
I love rhubarb.
Pie. Crisp. Chutney. Jam. “Cheater’s rhubarb sauce” (dice ~4c rhubarb. Put in a pot or microwavable bowl. Stir in a package of any red jell-o. Cook/ nuke until soft. Cool and serve with ice cream. Or as part of a rhubarb trifle). Raspberry-rhubarb anything (ask Donna nicely and she might let you help defrost her freezer!). Tiny, tender rhubarb dipped in sugar and eaten out of hand. Rhubarb leaves for hats, aprons and fairy houses. Rhubarb seed heads for leading the parade. *sigh* spring is a rhapsody of rhubarb. -CSB
bari on 06 Jun 2010 at 7:42 pm #
Tonight’s dinner was pretty great…Today is farmers market day so we were able to bake amazing fresh caught flounder with a bit of lemon and butter and steamed peas in mint for the side. Yesterday we ordered a pizza, but at least it was NYC pizza!
linda on 06 Jun 2010 at 11:26 pm #
seafood in yellow curry sauce with rice noodles. Potstickers to start.
LeanneC on 07 Jun 2010 at 12:21 am #
Tonight I made an excellent soup with fresh Spolumbo’s sausage, mushrooms, tomatoes, and rotini … and lot’s of garlic, hehehe!! The kids didn’t love it (no surprise I guess) but the husband and I gobbled it up!
Natalie from Ottawa on 07 Jun 2010 at 6:46 am #
When I first left home, I survived on frozen fish sticks, cup-a-soup, and Prego with any pasta. Wow! So glad I grew up too!
Dinner last night was Chicken Fajitas. Yummy!
Kathleen on 07 Jun 2010 at 7:48 am #
Egg sandwiches with cheese.
Cathy on 07 Jun 2010 at 9:15 am #
Dinner last night was rare roast beef, skin on mashed spuds, yorkies, and asparagus!
Diana on 07 Jun 2010 at 10:43 am #
Last night we barbecued salmon. Served with brown rice and asparagus picked from my garden! Love picking asparagus from my garden!!
Melanie on 07 Jun 2010 at 9:55 pm #
As I also tend to hoard food in my house, I’m trying to use up with I already have in my freezer/fridge/cupboards. I’m mostly doing this because I have a new roommate and he needs a place to store his food….which meant that lunch was a bowl of canned pork and beans (this was the cleaning out the cupboard part of my lunch), bread from a bakery in Invermere with macadamia/cashew nut butter and homemade peach jam, and a handful of snap peas.
Mrs.M on 08 Jun 2010 at 1:45 am #
Oh, how I am laughing!
My husband is one of those people Julie. The one that buys that dayglow junk…on purpose…cause he LIKES it.
When the boys and I go out of town, my favorite husband buys and consumes Hamburger Helper and then proceeds to hide a box in the pantry as his own personal stash. You see, there are little to none in the way of processed foods in our house as we are GFCF, dye free, preservative free eating in order to keep our son healthy. So, a little dayglow cheese is heavenly for my poor deprived husband!:)
And…I’m ashamed to say that we have put this in the foodbank hamper at our local grocery store. It’s my 4yr old’s job to always pick something for the foodbank and sometimes it’s questionable….there was quite a demand for pudding one week, oreos another (he seems to gravitate to what we cannot have)and now we’ve moved onto healthy choices and meals. Thank goodness!
Thanks so much for sharing our week in their kitchen journey. It’s inspiring.
Jennie on 09 Jun 2010 at 12:51 pm #
What a great bowl!! Love it!!
Let’s see…last night it was Educator’s Night at Applebee’s-so I got my two dollar burger…
But I did make Mediterranean Mac and Cheese this week…and I’m making Mediterranean Pepper Salad for a potluck Thursday…kind of a theme…