I had the intention of updating our current reads, recipes, and thoughts as the months go by, but I didn't anticipate the months to go so fast!
As you may know, we (or at least I) have had the unexpected task of planning a wedding which seems to consume most of my time. And by most of my time, I mean the few minutes a week that I force myself to attend to life maintenance. Rob and I have been slammed at work, which means we often come home and resign to the TV and take off on the weekends for skiing/hiking/playing. The few minutes I reserve to wedding planning usually consists of surfing pinterest.com, making spreadsheets, and having mini-anxiety attacks on how/when any of this will get done. I do ask that anyone who makes it to the wedding and/or reception enjoy the scenery, company, and booze, as that may be the extent of my execution.
All of this, of course, leaves little time for updating a blog. But here we are.
My favorite recipes as of late:
Cumin Carrot Soup:
This is a random recipe I found in our local spice shop which calls for a Zanzibar Curry Powder, although I think any good yellow curry powder would work. It turned out fantastic, although Rob does point out the resemblance to baby food:
12 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 T ground cumin
4 tsp Zanzibar curry powder
2 tsp ground white pepper
1 tsp salt
1 qt chicken broth or water
2 T honey
1 T soy sauce
1/4 cup heavy cream
In Dutch oven, boil the carrots in water until tender (30 min). Drain and set aside. Return Dutch oven to medium heat and saute onions until translucent, 4-6 min. Add garlic, cumin, curry powder, and stir until fragrant. Add remaining ingredient except for cream. Simmer for 20 minutes. Puree until smooth (or leave partially chunky to feel more adult-appropriate). Add cream and serve.
Asian-Glazed Salmon with Asparagus:
You can't fail with an Ina Garten recipe. I have been craving fish lately, and this one definitely delivers:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/asian-grilled-salmon-recipe/index.html
We made it in a cast-iron pan instead of grilling and served with asparagus roasted with lemon, olive oil, and shallot. Yes, it was amazing.
Veggie Wraps:
This has been my go-to lunch the past couple of months. Although it sounds boring and healthy (well, yes, it is that), it's easy, tasty, and perfect for homemade lunches.
I have been using Safeway brand hummus, lining a tortilla, then adding spinach, cucumber, red onion, avocado, and tomato. Just give it a shot! Even Rob likes them.
Vegetable and Chickpea Curry:
I finally splurged and bought myself a crockpot. I like to say "set it and forget it" to myself when I put the lid on. Then I panic when we leave the house because, surely, the house is going to catch on fire. So my motto should really be "set it and freak out about it all day". Either way, this one is a good vegetarian meal and pretty fantastic:
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/vegetable-chickpea-curry-10000000701091/
Stir Fry:
While my new kitchen toy is the crockpot, Rob got himself a wok. We have a book of stir fry recipes that we choose from and will have some sort of Rob-concoction once a week.
This is one of our favorites, we use fresh red pepper, broccoli, and snap peas (or whatever else we have on hand - Rob is known to throw weird things in):
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/quick-chicken-stir-fry-recipe/index.html
Jessica's Book/TV Review:
I have been slacking on reading lately, partly because of our schedules, partly because we have been stuck in a Netflix extravaganza. So here are two of my reviews:
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
Recommended to me by Sharn. I had the intention of reading this during the snowy months so that I could really emphasize with the harsh climate and unforgiving surroundings. Turns out we only got 4 days of snow this year so I ended up reading this during our freak spring.
Quick synopsis: Older couple moves to Alaska for a new life; they have tense relationship due to inability to have children. Their loneliness, depression all replaced by hope when a girl appears on their land during the winter months. Her origin is mysterious and adds a new dimension to their life.
I won't say how it ends, but I thought it was a good story - magical, suspenseful, endearing (my mom thought it was sad). A fairly quick read - I'd give it 4 stars.
Downton Abbey
Hello, unhealthy obsession. I really thought I'd hate this show: talk about stuffy, aristocratic brats. But Rob and I had to go to the blockbuster in between Netflix deliveries to keep up our habit. If you've ever seen the Portlandia episode where they watch Battlestar Galactica, that was us. You can't help but hate the bad people, love the good people, and yell at the TV when it doesn't go as you planned. Damn you Cousin Matthew!! But in the end, nothing goes better with a cup of tea and biscuit than 4 hours of Downton Abbey.
Rob - do you have something you'd like to add?
