Kharabhath and Hominy, Cajun Crab Mac n Cheese

Today, at EMW, we're having a two for one special!

Two "recipes" in one blog.

Gawd, you people are so lucky, I can hardly stand it!

The unfortunate part of the is all the food came from a box or a can. Sigh... It's like when I got married the first time... I bought my dress my a dress shop that gave away a "free honeymoon" if you bought your dress with them. You got to pick three different locations from a list and they "surprised" you at the end. We got our first choice: Asheville, NC, but the hotel ended up being Motel 6. We switched to a nearby Ramada or something after two days. You get what you pay for, folks. Except... really... this stuff actually tastes good, so I guess that was a bad analogy. Oh well. Whatever. :p

So, anywho, my lunch came out of a box, but holy yum, it was amazing. Here's the box:

Ready to eat Indian food? Sign me up. Best of all, this was only like $1. Awesome!

Here's the description:

Basically, "savory" cream of wheat. I was a little scared at first.

I decided that it probably wasn't a good idea to eat all of it, considering that added up to 450 cals, so I served it over some yellow hominy. Basically, I was cleaning out my cabinets of all the things my hubby wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole. Indian food, check. Hominy, check check.

So, the box suggested serving my Kharabhath with "chutney."

Let's get real. Who has chutney on hand?!? Okay, actually, I'll be honest. I don't actually know what chutney is. In fact, the only thing I've heard of is mango chutney, which seems like it would be sweet. So, I improvised.

Another item my hubby won't touch because he thinks it might be remotely healthy and therefore tasteless.

Ta da!

I took this picture outside on our little work-in-progress.

We're getting there with our little yard. :)

So, after lunch, I wrote three freelance articles. By the time I was done, hubby was home. I had planned to make crab cakes and macaroni and cheese (Yes, I know. I'm such a gourmet.), but after I opened the first can, I realized I was out of eggs, thanks to my poached egg lunch yesterday.

I had an open can of pink crab and no eggs. Hm... And, a new recipe was born.

Cajun Crab Mac n Cheese

Start with crab (which I found at the 99 Cent Store). I only used one can.

and a box of mac n cheese

Boil your pasta yada yada. Drain.

Then, time for the fun. Start with some butta and the crab meat. Like so.

Next, you will need garlic powder, red pepper flakes, ground red pepper, cumin, and some other spices.

Or, you can just use this:

BAM!

Add the cheese stuff and milk. I don't measure. I just add enough milk so that it "looks right." Obviously, this isn't very scientific. In fact, it's more like magic. Yeah. That's it.

Add in your noodles, and voila!

Quite good. Quite good, my friends.

I hope you have taken away two things from these recipes: 

1. It's possible to make a decent meal from a box or a can (because sometimes life requires such quickeries).
2. I am obviously an awesome cook. Obviously.

Now, I'm about to write some more, and then I plan to make my way over to our miniscule gym to elliptical-ize this slightly chubby body o' mine. My sister-friend-soulmate, Charlene, may be coming to visit soon. Did I mention she's a model? Like, a real one? No pressure, or anything. :p

**Silly Survey**

Do you have any can/box dinners that taste pretty good to you?

What's your favorite short-cut tip for cooking?

Do you know what the heck chutney is?

Tootles,

How to Make the Perfect Omelet

For lunch today, I made my very favorite kind of egg white omelet: Parmesan Broccoli and Corn. This combination of flavors is divine!!! Trust me.

I wanted to give you some tips on how to make a great omelet.

First, I highly recommend using liquid egg whites. So much simpler.

These cost about $3.75. Significantly more than a dozen eggs, but they save so much time. Worth it.

I use frozen veggies, so I give them a quick nuke in the microwave to thaw.

Meanwhile, Get a medium pan, 6-8 inches(ish) across at the bottom. Spray with non-stick cooking spray and throw in your veggies.

The trick to a good flip is using a verrrrry thin layer of egg whites. Just enough to keep your veggies sticking together. It doesn't need to cover them entirely.

Sprinkle a bit of parmesan in for flavor.

Make sure you have your pan at just over medium heat. You don't want the eggs to cook too fast. They will burn!

You'll know your omelet is ready to fold when you start to see bubbles appear all over the omelet. If there's excess egg white still floating on the top, slide your spatula under one side and let the liquid flow beneath it.

The most important thing to remember about making the perfect fold is that it doesn't have to be perfect!

Slide your spatula under one side. I like to scoot the whole omelet to that edge, so that I can tip the pan toward the fold. Then, just... fold!

After the flip, turn your heat down to low, so the inside of the omelet can continue to cook without fear of the whole thing burning.

Not so perfect, but tasty is perfect enough for me.

**Silly Survey**

How do you take your eggs?
Do you eat the yolks?
Have you jumped on the whole egg whites in your oatmeal bandwagon?

Hidden Sources of MSG

Hey guys... How was your Monday?

Mine was actually pretty good, considering I didn't sleep much last night. My accupuncturist (who I see every Monday morning) adjusted my treatment to address this recurring insomnia, so hopefully it'll be a thing of the past soon enough. Cross your fingers and toes for me!

Last night, Ryan fired up the grill again. He threw down, per usual.

Have I mentioned what an amazing meal Soy Salmon and Grilled Corn on the Cob is? If I haven't, I have now. Oh, and can we get a woop-woop for no pots and pans to wash on a Sunday night? I love life.

Today, after my accupuncture, JGago and I met up at the Living Room Cafe in La Jolla to work. I love having a mobile office, especially when it includes an ocean view and a giant bowl of fruit. Heart.

That's an ocean through that window. Sigh....

If you ever visit San Diego, please go to La Jolla. It's beautiful.

Tonight, though I was exhausted like none other, I really wanted to cook something tasty. It feels like I'm always having to rush through meals. To be truthful, I mostly "fake it" as a cook. You've heard of Semi-Homemade. My show would be called Barely Homemade. I like to think of myself as the ambassador for all those 30-minute meal'ers out there.

This meal used some chicken breasts, EVOO, chopped garlic, fresh mushrooms, chicken stock, and a box of Uncle Ben's long grain and wild rice.

I wanted the chicken to have a nice carmel color and some char, so I used a litle EVOO and some chopped garlic in the pan.

Once the chicken was brown, I added in some chicken stock and mushrooms to the pan. First, of course, I had to clean the mushrooms. This is an example of how you're NOT supposed to clean mushrooms.

Yes pajamas. Don't judge. And no, I wasn't drinking while I cooked. Doesn't everyone keep a beer bottle beside the soap dish? Geez.

See, if you rinse your mushrooms (as I'm doing there), you run the risk of them getting waterlogged. But, then, I like to live dangerously.

Into the pan they go.

A word on chicken stock and MSG.

Many of the chicken stocks you buy will proudly display the words NO MSG, since so many people are sensitive to MSG and the public has become increasingly aware of its harmful affects.

Unfortunately, there is a gap in the system, which allows manufacturers to use other alternative substances that contain MSG. These companies do not have to disclose that MSG does actually appear in these products.Therefore, if you are MSG-sensitive or are just trying to avoid it (wise), you should look for the words "autolyzed yeast extract" or hydrolyzed vegetable protein," among others. Both are hidden sources of MSG.

My stock actually does contain one of these. Eep! Obviously, I won't be buying this brand again. To learn more about hydrolyzed vegetable protein, a food filler found in MANY vegetarian foods, read my recent article here. Oh, and I don't get money for hits. I'm just passing along info. Promise. :)

I brought the shrooms to a boil and then added in my boxed seasoning and rice.

While that stuff was working its magic, I made us a couple quick salads using romaine, persian cucumbers, and the most perfect little sweet cherry tomatoes.

By this time, the shrooms and rice had done their business, and I added the chicken back in just to warm up.

This was super good, and honestly, no one would ever know that the rice was from a mix. Great weeknight supper!

Okay, I'm going to go soak in the tub and try to get myself sleepy. If that doesn't work, I'm throwing in the towel, declaring Insomnia the victor, and taking a Nyquil. Sometimes, it's required. This writer requires sleep.

**Silly Survey**

Do you avoid MSG?

What other foods/additives/things do you avoid in food?

Do you buy "organic" items like produce and milk?

Tootles,

How Does 8PM Happen So Fast?

So, it's already 8 o'clock on a Friday night. Where does the day go?!?

I may Chop Suey, except I used sausage instead of ground turkey.

Honestly, I have no idea why I call this Chop Suey. I've had multiple people look at me and say, "Chop Suey?... But, I thought Chop Suey was..." and then they trail off because nobody seems to know what Chop Suey really is. So, in that case, this is it. Go make it, it's awesome. Here's the recipe.

Jasmine's Chop Suey

1 Big Can Tomato Soup

1 Can of Tomatoes (I usually use whole, but not today)

1 lb ground meat (I used sausage tonight)

1 box whole wheat penne

1 bell pepper (totally optional)

Directions

Boil your pasta.

Brown the meat and the optional peppers.

Pour in the mater soup and the maters.

Stir. Throw in your boiled pasta.

Enjoy.

Before chow time, we went for a run. It was glorious. We're doing it again in the morning. Beautiful day. In fact, I took my editing to an outdoor cafe today. It was wonderful. I love California. :)

Now, I'm about to settle in with a cup of Joe (aka decaf) and do some more editing while peeking at the Lakers game. Life is good. :)

Tootles!

"Spend Out" Success!

Today was a day of failure and victory. I will start with the failure.

Well, actually, I will start with breakfast.

Remember that Quaker pancake mix I picked up the other day?

I broke it out today.

I hate syrup, so it's basically butter and peanut butter for me.

Yes, that's a 50% off sticker on there. You guys know I love a bargain.

I realized after I snapped that first pic that my eyes were bigger than my stomach, so I downgraded to one pancake.

So, after breakfast, things went downhill. We ordered pizza last night and there was half of it left this morning. Let's just say that it was all gone by 1pm. Then, I finished off two snack bars, a can of green beans, two persian cucumbers, and... I think that's it... Sigh... Oh, E.D., why do you hate me?... Telling you guys all about that is my way of being accountable. boo.

However, things looked up after Ryan came home. I got my new Lunarfly Nikes in the mail today. Oh, be still my beating heart.

Immediately, I fell in love. I've never had running shoes this cute. EVER! I got a chance to work on this week's "moral," Spend Out. The first thing I thought when I saw these shoes was: I don't want to get them dirty on our running path!

Then, I got my Health magazine in the mail. Again, I was like, "Oh, I don't want to read that yet." I always want to "save" it, since I won't get another mag for a whole month.

THEN, I realized I was on my last "running" bandaid and wanted to save it.

I realized... WHAT AM I SAVING FOR?!?

So, I reminded myself that I need to SPEND OUT. Quit saving everything for later. Enjoy the moment!

I opened up my mag.

Put on my running bandaid (it's covering a blister).

And, I tied up my laces and went out for a run with my hubby! He pushed me SO hard, too.

SUCCESS!!!!

I felt so bad after my binge today, but my run completely turned that frown upside down. :D

For dinner, I made chicken and rice with brussels sprouts.

Ryan's plate:

Mine:

After dinner, JGago came over for some after-dinner coffee.

I mixed a bit of this with some instant decaf. Yum!

See? Everyday can be a success. You just have to take the time to something good for YOURSELF, and remember to spend out your goodness. :)

**Silly Survey**

Do you put off things that make you happy so you don't "use them up"?

What are some of the little joys in your life?

What do you do to turn around a bad day?

Have a great night/day everyone!

Tootles,