Anniversary Brunch

(This tastes a whole lot better than it looks)


It's been 3 years since the little Asian woman announced us married by haiku in downtown Seattle. We're flying to Chicago in two weeks to really get down and celebrate the occasion, but opted to have a comfortable fall day at home this October 14th. First meal of the day is Vegetarian Biscuits & Gravy on Whole Wheat English Muffins with Cheesy Potato Casserole and some Jackson's in our french press. Although this isn't the most healthy of choices, the meal was fucking wonderful. Now I'm sitting here, completely satisfied with life and love and I blog.



Cheesy Potato CasseroleIngredients:
I bag of shredded potatoes
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
3/4 cup organic sour cream
1/2 yellow onion (diced)
1/2 stick unsalted, organic butter (melted)
1-2tbsp. cracked black pepper
8 oz. shredded organic cheddar

Directions: Preheat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Put mixture in a casserole dish and back 45min-hour.




Vegetarian Biscuits & GravyIngredients:
1 cup green lentils
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 of yellow onion (diced)
1 small red bell pepper (diced)
1/4 cup carrot (diced, but shredded works too)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1/4 heaping cup of unbleached all purpose flour
1 -2 tbsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp ground yellow mustard seed
1+ tsp red pepper flakes
1/8 tsp dried sage (crumbled)
2 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup ranch dressing (I use my extra ranch from Puccinis when we order take out, use whatever)
3-5 tbsp. sriracha (depending on your love for the hotness)

2 whole wheat english muffins (or you can do the whole biscuit thing, but my way is healthier)

Directions:
Bring lentils and 3 cups water to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer just until tender (30 min). Drain, and set aside.
Heat oil over medium in large skillet. Add onion and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add bell pepper, carrot, and garlic, and cook 5 to 8 more minutes. Whisk in flour, black pepper, paprika, mustard, red pepper flakes, and sage. Stir constantly for about a minute. Add half the milk. Stir until it is well combined (2-3 min). Add the rest of the milk and do the same. Stir constantly until gravy comes to a gentle boil. Remove from heat. Stir in ranch dressing, sriracha and drained lentils.

Split and toast the whole wheat english muffins. I prefer to spoon the gravy on top, but you can pile it and eat it like regular ol' b&g if you want.

Custard Inspired Lasagna

And By Custard, I mean Shannon (previously known as Heller) Custard. Yes Mrs. Jaymi Tharp, your previous staff members are still soul sisters.




When Shan, Matt, Sammy and Gracie came to stay over Christmas, they left me inspired! Not only was I completely awed by the tens of pounds they have shed (Gracie and Sammy not included in this feat) and their avid training for the spring triathalon, but Shannon baked a delicious and healthy lasagna just for us to mow on for the holidays.

Side note: I have quite a few friends who have chosen to prioritize their physical well-being in the past year. I applaud all of you. Not only have I seen complete body reformations, but your energy seems to be flowing out from you and into the lives of others. I thank all of you for being such great inspirations and motivators. Keep up the positivity. I am truly thankful to have such great friends.



Okay, back to lasagna. This was my attempt at a healthy lasagna. Whole wheat noodles, spinach, home made (vegetable intense) red sauce and then I went downhill. Unfortunately, I puts tons of low fat, organic ricotta and low fat mozzarella on this baby. Something was screaming inside of me (maybe that damn baby in there) for more cheese.
Anyhow, it was delicious and moderately healthy?

Egg Strada and The Bread Fairy

So, we have a bread fairy ! She strikes about two times a week and leaves us wonderful Levains, Cereals, Puglieses, Baguettes and more. So with all this wonderfuI Blue Dog Bakery bread laying around, I make strada a lot. It is super simple and it is a good use of leftover bread. Basically, strada is a savory bread pudding. I usually put whatever is in my fridge in this breakfast delight. I think my favorite combo is grape tomatoes, red pepper, green onion, sweet corn, jalepeno jack, monterey jack and cilantro (seen below).



Before Oven Insertion.


After 3/4 is eaten.

Eggplant Parmesan

So, Alicia and I love to cook together. We would surely open a busniess together if we could settle on an idea/won the lottery. But until that happens (cause it will), we will cook and bake and drink wine while dreaming about it.

This is the second time we have labored at Eggplant Parmesan. It's a pain in the ass to make and the recipe is a pain in the ass to recreate. So, here is what was left of our lovely dinner. It was delicious.


We all love making these eggplant chips.




And dipping the chips in our tasty sauce. Yum.