Hot Potato!

I will never offer to make potato salad again because I felt like a pirate wench cutting potatoes in the hull of the ship on our way to Blackbeard's treasure.  But for my first time, I make damn good potato salad.  Just sayin'.

I heard of using yogurt in potato salad as a lighter, healthier, and tastier option.  So here it goes.....

Ingredients:
5lbs COOKED potatoes (preferably red, skin on)
2 cups light mayonnaise that has been made with extra virgin olive oil
2 cups plain greek yogurt
1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
salt and pepper, to taste
paprika, for color
*CAUTION: Safety goggles may be needed while chopping shallot.  I cried a lot.

Smell dill.  I love it.
Whisk mayo and yogurt in large bowl, set in fridge.
Combine dill, shallot and garlic in small bowl.
Dice COOKED potatoes into bite sized pieces, place all in serving dish.
Add dill mix into mayo/yogurt dressing.
Dress potatoes with about 3/4 of the mix.  Add salt and pepper to taste, mix well.
Taste test, add more dressing if needed, and stir until all of the potatoes are dressed in this light, creamy goodness.
Sprinkle with paprika.
Share!

Speedy Semi-Sangria

I like to drink wine.  But sometimes it's too warm for wine.  Especially in Philadelphia after a heatwave.  So, I figured out this tasty little treat...instead of ice cubes, which could possibly ruin a glass of red, toss in a few frozen strawberries.  Mmmhmm.

Thats all.

Tiny Gardens

These are the cutest little plantings and provide a relaxing craft on a rainy day.

  Terrariums are indoor container gardens that when planted in a pretty glass vase make great decor and with a little artistic ability, can be very aesthetically pleasing.

Materials:

• various sizes of glass jars or vases with wide openings
• small house plants (be sure to find those that require low to medium light)
• rocks or marbles (this acts as drainage for excess water)
• moss
• activated carbon (available at pet stores, this keeps away unwanted odor and mold from growing in your plants' glass house)
• potting soil
• spray bottle

Layer materials in your planter starting at the bottom with moss, followed by 2 inches of rocks, 1 teaspoon of activated carbon, more moss, and finally about 3 inches of soil as the top layer.  Using your fingers dig a small hole in the soil for your plant(s).  

Pull apart the plant from the soil it came packaged in, this way you can pick and choose small portions of the plant to use.  Also, trim excess roots away to stunt the plant's growth, this is ideal for terrarium planting.

Be creative here with the spacing, size, and color of plants you use.  Plant 2-3 plants depending on the size of your container.

Mist your tiny gardens with a water bottle whenever the soil seems dry.  Be sure not to over water.

Inspiration: my new favorite website Apartment Therapy

Cheers to...Spring Break Terrariums!

Best Banana Bread

A friend directed me towards the site home of everyone's favorite bananas.  Adding this potassium rich fruit to  a quick bread mix makes a super moist and filling brunch staple.  I tweaked the recipe the tiniest bit and the coconut really steps this banana bread up to the head of the table.

Cut me a thick piece and put some tea on, its time for nanner bread.

Ingredients:

• 1 large egg plus one egg yolk
• 3 very ripe bananas, (peels should have brown spots), mashed
• 1/3 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup oats
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• Secret ingredient: 1/4 cup coconut

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease and flour a loaf pan or line with non-stick foil.

In a large mixing bowl beat together the egg, egg yolk, bananas, yogurt and oil.  Beat in the sugars until well combined.

In a medium mixing bowl combine the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.  Add the dry ingredients into the banana mixture and stir until all the dry ingredients are well moistened. Stir in the coconut.  Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 40 to 50 minutes.  Loaf is done when a toothpick inserted in the middle of the loaf comes out clean.  Cool before slicing.  You may think the bread is not finished, but really the bananas make it very moist.  Just be sure you are not overcooking it because it doesn't look done, thats just the nanners.

Inspiration: my counter was empty, and I like to always have something baked to look at.

Cheers...a 3 day work week!  

Pineapple Phone Sleeve

New phones are fun but always feel so fragile!  Create a simple phone sleeve to protect your baby from boo boos.

Materials needed:

• Felt
• Thread and needle
• Scissors
• Fabric or craft glue
• Button
• Optional: Penguins in office.

     Start by tracing your phone on a piece of felt, add 1 inch to each side and 2 inches to the top.  Cut out two pieces of felt in this shape.  Sew around the edges, except for the top of course.  Next, trace and cut out the decorative piece for the front of the sleeve, I made a pineapple because they are a beautiful and delicious fruit.  I added detail with thread to make the cross stitching.  Glue the pineapple to the front of the sleeve.  Slide your phone in the top and go!
Additional: You can't see it here but I added a button on the back for a secure closure.

Now I feel free to throw my phone in my bag without risking any scratches!

Inspiration:  2 cracked phone screens. Oops.

Cheers to...4 day weekends.  They make great before/after 4 day work weeks.

Tofu Egg-less Salad

This recipe may be a little out there for you carnivores but you have to trust me.  It tastes exactly like egg salad.

I love egg salad but my stomach does not.  I searched for egg alternatives and found this great article that provides ideas for egg substitutes through almost anything.  With a few minor changes,

I made a delicious egg salad sandwich.

Ingredients:

• 1 block super firm tofu, cubed
• 1 stalk of celery diced
• 2 tablespoons Vegenaise (a vegan form of mayo, its delicious, and not gross, like mayo.)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

Mix all ingredients together and pile between two slices of bread with tomato and lettuce.
Yum!  Egg salad!  Finally!

Inspiration:  eating egg salad out of the bowl with my BFF.

Cheers...to running outside weather!

Super Easy Super Chili

Stock Photo.
Because the picture I took, didn't look like chili.

The forecast called for the Blizzard of 2011.

We got rain.  I made chili.

This chili is great because it is super easy and packed with protein and fiber.  The salsa provides the onions, peppers, and tomatoes without the hassle of slicing and dicing.  Plus, you'll have a giant pot of chili for about ten dollars.  What's up economy?

Ingredients:
1 can of kidney beans (do not drain)
1 can of black beans (do not drain)
1 jar of chunky salsa
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground or flaked red pepper
Optional: 1 cup vegetarian "meat" crumbles, found in the frozen section, next to the veggie burgers, vegetarian "meat" is made out of soy and vegetable proteins.  It looks and tastes exactly like ground meat and will take on the spices of whatever you cook it in.


Combine all ingredients in a large sauce pan.  Cook over high heat until it lightly starts to boil.  Turn heat down to a simmer and stir occasionally for about 2 hours.  Top with your favorites such as avocado, cilantro, cheese, or tortilla chips and enjoy for a cozy dinner!

Cheers...to Mr. Groundhog!  Spring, here we come!