A Spicy Little Weekend...Ole!

I have successfully not turned on the TV at all this evening. I was tempted to have it on in the background while I cooked, but based on all the ridiculous Facebook comments...I think it's better that I'm just listening to music. Speaking of music, I forgot to clarify the album from my last post: it was the new Kings of Leon. On the play list this evening: Brandi Carlile and Mumford & Sons!

This weekend was great. I spend a very relaxing few days at Brian's in NY. I took up a little of the granola for them to taste...had some for breakfast...and snacks. Needless to say, I am making another batch for this week. This round I'm forgoing the fruit because I have fresh berries. I'm also using pecans rather than walnuts and almonds. It's smelling good!

Saturday night Brian and I decided to make some dinner based on whatever was in the kitchen. It had snowed overnight, then iced for most of the day. We didn't really feel like venturing out...so this was the only alternative. The result of our findings:

We made a little vegetable risotto. It was pretty darn tasty...especially since we were so limited to what was in the kitchen. We added a bit too much white pepper...so it was super spicy! Here's the details:

1T olive oil
1 small red onion
1 small yam
1/2C celery
1/2C carrot
1/2C sun dried tomatoes
1C Arborio rice
4C vegetable stock
1t dried rosemary
1/8t white pepper (not what we used...but the amount that should be used! ha!)

Saute onions in olive oil until softened. Add yams, celery, carrot and cook for a few minutes. Add tomatoes and rice, cook for 1-2 minutes. Begin adding hot vegetable stock one cup at a time until completely gone and rice is nice and creamy. Enjoy!
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As I was brainstorming for this weeks menu, I was really wishing I knew how to make tortillas. So...there was my challenge. Not entirely sure how happy I am with the results...but will say the last batch turned out MUCH better than the first. I ended up making two batches of whole wheat and one of corn. The corn was a disaster. I don't even know how to fix what I did. ;) The whole wheat was a bit chewy and bland...but would definitely suffice is I was really craving a tortilla. I'm pretty sure they must use some type of shortening when they are mass producing them?

The last picture is my progress from start to finish. HA! The bottom is my first shot at the whole wheat. The corn was my only attempt...and the top is the second round of whole wheat. I used a combination of whole wheat flour, water, canola oil and salt. I'll have to experiment more later on to see if I can't get closer to the real deal.

For tonight's dinner (and the next few days) I went for a little south of the border feel. I made some Mexican cornbread and what I am calling Mexican Loaded Potatoes. First, the cornbread:

This turned out pretty good. It is slightly dry, but has great corn flavor and great surprises when you bite into a piece of the peppers. Here's what I did:

2C cornmeal
1 1/4 C almond milk
1t apple cider vinegar
2t baking powder
1t salt
1/2t black pepper
1/4C canola oil
1/2 canned corn (no sodium added)
1/4C jalapeno (I used pablano because they were out of jalapenos)

Mix milk and vinegar together and set aside. Mix all other ingredients, then combine with milk/vinegar mixture. Mix until combined, the pour into desired baking dish.

For muffins, bake for 25 minutes at 350.
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For the main course...Mexican Loaded Potatoes! It's a baked sweet potato topped with black beans, fresh salsa and avocado. Mmmmm...so good!

The black beans:

1lb dry black beans
7-8C water (depends on how tender you want your beans)
1t salt
1/2t black pepper
1t chili powder
2t cumin powder
2 cloves garlic

Boil beans until they are soft to the bite. Add spices and garlic. Stir and let sit until ready to use.

The salsa (original recipe courtesy of Brian):

3 tomatoes, chopped
1/2 large red onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2C jalapenos
juice of 1 lime
1t salt
1T white wine vinegar
1/4C cilantro

Mix all together and let sit. Best if you can let it sit over night.
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You must try this. The ingredients are simple...but such a good combination.

I am almost a week into the start and I'm still feeling good about it all. It is taking up a lot of time (a lot!), so I guess it's a good thing that I really enjoy cooking. It has been forcing me to think outside the box and venture into what could possibly be a total disaster. It's teaching me to take more risks.

Friday was a hard day...food wise. I guess Friday's in a weird way correlates to eating out or having a snack if I've been good all week. Although it was a hard day, I made it and didn't break any of my rules. It feels really good to be back into eating fresh and vegan. It's always a little shock to the system when you make such a change...but it's amazing how great you feel. I have more energy and I feel "clean". That may be weird...but it's the best word I can think of at the moment.

My friend Naomi asked (and I think it's appropriate) if I thought I would loose any weight. I think I will? Not entirely sure...but I did weigh myself the morning of day 1...so I'll keep you updated on that too!

Well, that's all for now. Wishing everyone a great week!