Broccoli and Rice to the Rescue!

What did you make?

This dish uses brocolli, garlic, rice, and yogurt. My roommate had made some rice and orzo using chicken broth and butter and I was too lazy to make anything complicated to eat with this dish. I had no easy-to-cook protein with the brocolli so this is a rather vegetarian dish but there is additional protein from the European style plain yogurt that I added to my rice. The tang of the yogurt offsets the flavored rice nicely.

I usually boil water and drop in the brocolli for a few minutes so that it is mostly cooked before I stir-fry it in oil and garlic.

If you look carefully, there is one stray piece of baby bok choy in the dish because I wanted to taste test it. I bought a lot of fresh produce in Chinatown this morning so I wanted to make sure the pound of bok choy I bought tasted good---luckily, it did!

How long did it take?

The brocolli part of the dish took around 15 minutes. I just had to wait for the brocolli to be mostly cooked in the boiling water.

How did it taste?

It was very tasty. I liked to add extra garlic so that it permeates the brocolli. The only thing is that I miss having maybe chicken with this dish so I rate it a 7.8.

Grilled, Microwaved, and Breaded

What did you make?

I made this sandwich in the morning before work for my lunch. I microwaved 2 pieces of breaded chicken tenders and placed them on a slice of whole wheat bread. The other slice of bread had slices of Monterey Jack Cheese, 3 cheese tomato sauce, and some lettuce from a salad mix. Then I used my George Foreman grill as a sandwich press to create my own version of a panini.

How long did it take?

This took around 10 minutes because it took 3 minutes for the chicken tenders in the microwave and another 4 -5 minutes for the ingredients to be added before being put on the grill.

How did it taste? Would you make it again?

It was very good! As you can see I mainly steer away from sandwiches for lunch but I needed something quick and I enjoy sandwiches that have been toasted. I would rate this an 8 and I would make this again if I decide to buy more breaded chicken tenders.

Oatmeal- Version 1, 2, and 3

What did you make?
This is oatmeal with raisins. I used 1 cup oats and 2 cups water and as many raisins as I wanted. This is the plainest oatmeal I eat and as you will see, I later added yogurt and apples and honey.

How long did it take?
I usually mix the ingredients in overnight and just turn on the heat in the morning. It takes around 5 minutes to cook.

How did it taste? Would you make it again?
I would give it a 7 for being satisfying and filling. I think yogurt actually doesn't really belong in the yogurt but I do like the sweetness of the apples. I would definitely make it again.

Birthday in Grinnell, Iowa

A new post from Rex in Grinnell, Iowa!

What did you make?
We grilled some Iowa top round sirloin on a coal fire outside in 30 degree weather. Alongside the steaks are bacon-wrapped asparagus and vegetable kebabs (potatoes, eggplant, red and green bell peppers, onions)

How long did it take?
The steaks were pretty large and took a couple of hours to grill (we bought a total of 10). Prep time was roughly half an hour for all of them, brushing them with a rub of worcestershire sauce, pepper, garlic powder, and a bunch of other random spices found in the cabinet. The vegetables took about 15-20 minutes to cook on a dying fire.

How did it taste? Would you make it again?
Tasted pretty good of course, everyone likes grilled meats! Steaks were very tender, but a little tough because of the cut (ribeyes have more fat and might be better for grilling). Vegetables were a little burnt at the edges, but otherwise good. Was a bit of an expensive meal that consumed a lot of time, so it would only be made again for special occasions.

Italian Lentil Soup (from Germany)

Our first post from outside the States! Nina from Germany made this Italian Lentil Soup!



What did you make?

It's called Minestra di lenticchie, lentil soup. You wash brown lentils (250 grams) in a sieve and put them into lots of water so they can soak over night (which makes preparation time a bit longer...). you cut an onion into rings, and a celery (from a bush/shrub) into half. Then you boil the lentils in the water that they soaked in, together with the onion and the celery-half and let it simmer for about 2 hours. Then you chop garlic, parsley and some speck (bacon) and also some onion and the other half of the celery into pieces. Peel and chop tomatoes (about 4). Fry the chopped up vegetables with olive oil, spices, salt, pepper, then put the tomatoes into that mix and let it stew. Put that mix into the water with lentils, maybe add some water and salt/pepper. When lentils are done, take the half of the celery out of the soup and put some small soup-pasta into it, if you want. Some pecorino cheese on top adds a nice flavour!

How did it taste? Would you make it again?

I love it, and give it a 8-9, depending on how well the flavour turned out (it always depends on the spices and changes from cooking to cooking). I can always eat this, it's a winter-comfort-soup, delicious and healthy!

BlueberryLemonLimeade

What is this?

Sorry about the unrotated photos but I'm eager to just post my super post-workout drink. I add frozen blueberries, a slice of lime, a slice of lemon, and then water and juice. You can choose what proportions you enjoy but I love the color of this drink and you could also you sparkling water. I have added a little honey to this as well and I am considering adding a little bit of cinnamon next time. Let me know if you try it.

How long does it take?

It takes 2 minutes or less depending on how fast you slice the lemon and lime.

How did it taste? Would you make it again?

I would give it an 8. I could have added more juice to make it a just a bit sweeter but I make this maybe once a week as a treat after a workout.

13 minutes!

What did you make?

This was my lunch. I started by sauteeing some green onions and then throwing in some frozen corn, peas, spinach, edaname, and string beans. Meanwhile I also microwaved some chicken tenders. When the vegetables warmed up I tossed in an egg and then finally rice and soy sauce and black pepper. I cut up the chicken tenders and added this to my completed dish. I let it cool on a plate before packing it up for lunch. I was pressed for time so I saw that I started at 8:03am and was done by 8:16am.

How did it taste? Would you make it again?

I would give it an 8. I like how there are a lot of vegetables but the egg and chicken add some oomph to the combination. I would make it again. I enjoy adding eggs to vegetables.