September 20, 2012

Curried Chicken with Coconut Rice

Mom guilt. It’s pretty crazy, right? You with me, moms?

I had to go out to dinner the other night for work and I was feeling mom guilt because I wasn’t able to pick Cooper up from school and see how his day went. I also wasn’t there to eat dinner with him or read him a story before bed. But! I was able to make sure there was something left for dinner for my boys and this was it.

When I made it home 10 minutes after Cooper was tucked in for bed, I popped into his room to say goodnight and he greeted me with “Mama, I’m so happy to see you! I ate all my yellow rice and chicken!” Hehe. Yellow rice. Kid knows just the right words to make me happy. Guilt? What guilt?

If you’re in need of a hearty/easy dish, THIS IS IT. The only difficulty I had was taking pictures along the way (my hands got messy!). The rice is so flavorful & fluffy while the chicken is super tender. I had enough leftovers to feed me and three of my coworkers for lunch the yesterday. I love a one pot meal, don’t you?

recipes, Uncategorized

September 18, 2012

Fig & Olive Oil Cake

There’s this unspoken thing at work right now. Everyone is bringing in random treats.

Last week it was two different kinds of foccacia. Then there was a sinful birthday cake….

Aaaaaaand this always happens on the day I set out to eat “healthier.”

It’s just as frustrating as it is awesome. It’s frawesome.

So, on the days when I want to indulge, you best believe I make my coworkers ~~suffer~~ happy.

This cake is not only perfumed with a good amount of citrus but it’s moist (sorry) as heck thanks to the olive oil. One minute you’re enjoying a honey glazed fig and the next you’re in almond meal citrus crumb-town. Every bite is absolutely satisfying.

Wouldn’t you like to be coworkers? I’m putting in my request for these & WHEN are MY neon Post-Its arriving??

my everyday life, Photography

September 15, 2012

My Everyday Life: Week 37

Here’s what this past week looked like:

Abandoned smoothie.

Uncategorized

September 14, 2012

I love lists, Friday!

Remember the movie Sandlot? We watched it a lot as kids. Where are they now? AHHH.
These Apple Chips are on the TO DO list for this fall.
I’m stalking this website currently. There’s so many good things to look at!
MUST make myself a Serendipity Kit. There’s a farm table in my future. I know it.
I’m looking for a talisman in my friend Jen’s amazing new shop, Cisthene. It’s hard to choose.
This tumblr is a mental vacation. Whew!
This tote has my name all over it.
Best Milkshake You’ll Ever Have? Sign me up. Extra points for coconut.
I consider being crapped on by a bird as lucky. What about you?
I’m smitten with this website & I think this post about packing for 2 weeks in a carry-on is FANTASTIC.
Little Ivy is so lucky to have such a talented mama! What a cool carnival birthday party!
These Halloween Crates are adorable.
How to see if your images are being used on another site. Thank you for this.
For the bead collection collecting dust in my office… A cute earring DIY I can manage!
Ummmm. Can I come over, Jessica? You had me at this…and then THIS. Dang.
Bonus! This might brighten your day. Also. We should all eat ice cream sandwiches today. Thanks.

Need some advice? We’ve got plenty of it on the latest Joy the Baker Podcast!

How do I keep track of the recipes I want to make? I show you on the latest High Straightenence!

My Bites Around the Net

Goal Getter Gurl adapted my Baked Pumpkin Pecan Doughnuts & made them healthier!

Stephanie from Oven of Happiness made my Dark Chocolate Cake Doughnuts.

Not Quite Gourmet adapted my Gin Toddy recipe.

recipes

September 12, 2012

Baked Pumpkin Pecan Doughnuts

Since we’re all getting excited about pumpkin and stuff, let’s just dive right into something pumpkiny.

Cool?

You could say I’m on a baked doughnut kick lately. I wish I was on a juicing kick.

We can save that for next month. Wait. Uggh. That’s Halloween time. That’s mini Take 5 season.

I’m screwed; my kid cleaned up last year!

Can I tell you something?

I only baked these doughnuts so I could feel better about glazing them with browned butter icing.

Calorie balance achieved! Pumpkin season has officially BEGUN in the Benjamin household.

recipes, Uncategorized

September 10, 2012

Grilled Zucchini Roll-Ups

Every once in awhile I need to be reminded that vegetables exist.

And sometimes I have to remind myself that zucchini is not just for zucchini bread.

Most of the time I forget that you can grill zucchini.

It’s stupid to forget how good grilled zucchini tastes.

What makes grilled zucchini even better is stuffing grilled strips with a little herbed goat cheese and rolling them up with basil & spinach tucked in. These would be perfect to serve at a party as an appetizer, or on top of a plate of greens.

Or you could be like me and eat all of them off the plate by yourself over a span an afternoon. That’s what happens when I’m left home alone without anyone to feed.

I ate 4 zucchini so don’t look at me like that. Geeeeeeez.