Predictable

Every few months or so, B has an epiphany. It's usually one of two things. 1: I'm going to give up meat for xx months. 2: I'm going to go to the gym four times a week (Or some other physical statement). This weekended he added a third: 3: I'm not watching TV for the month of June. He actually gave me all three situations for the month of June. I'm used to this. He does this quite often. I support him and all of his somewhat ridiculous statements (not that these are ridiculous). I'll change my menu plan to avoid all meat and fried foods. I'll think of activities to do instead of watching tv and so on. This will last up to a week. Seriously. It usually starts with me making a salad for a meal and he'll stop and get a burger. Why? Because he's busy/coming down with something/tired/or whatever and "needs" protein. Forget the fact that the salad I've made has garbanzo beans or whatever. Then he'll "forget" that he said no TV and will watch something. Before the week is through, it's back to the same ole' B.

So according to him, starting June 1 B will not be eating meat or fried foods and will not watch any TV. Of course, he made it clear that does not include any DVD's he may have at home.

I'll keep you posted as to how long this lasts. My bet is one week...max.

Budget Bust

OMG! I spent so much money this holiday weekend!!! Mostly it was just on eating out and buying gifts for birthdays that fall this week. I'll be back on track in June, and although I didn't charge anything, it still hurt adding up all my receipts!

Menu Plan 05/30 - 06/04

As you can see from next week's menu plan, I am cooking more and more Indian food. I'm actually quite surprised how much it smells like my mom's kitchen! B is enjoying it and I am happy that he is happy. I'll post the recipes to some of the Indian recipes I've made soon.

Monday:
Dinner: Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches with potato salad

Tuesday:
Dinner: Pav Vada (Spiced potato patties served on a buttered toasted roll)

Wednesday:
Dinner: Potato Bhaji (Spiced curred potatoes) and naan

Thursday:
Dinner: Taquitos

Friday:
Dinner: Utthapum (Savory crepe with onions and chilies)

Saturday:
Dinner: Aloo Mattar (Potato and Pea Curry) with rice

Kindle

I used to be an amazing reader. I would pick up a book and not be able to put it down until it was finished. For the past many years, I've virtually stopped reading for various reasons. One being I didn't make the time to read and second, I didn't want to buy books and then have to store them somewhere. I dislike clutter. B is a voracious reader. He always tried me to start that hobby again and I never really did. Last week, he surprised me with the Kindle. He said that this way I won't have the clutter I was worried about. OMG. I love it! Now instead of searching the internet for beauty products, I'm searching for books. Although most Kindle books are around $10, the $10 here and there add up fast! I am watching it, though and for right now I am so happy that I'm reading again. I didn't really realize how much I've missed getting engrossed in someone else's life!

Bomb!

I watch Glee. I LOVE Glee. On Tuesdays, I try to make something quick and easy so I'll be all done in the kitchen in time for me to watch my show. Yesterday, I decided to do a short cut of teriyaki chicken. I have made my own sauce and although it is very easy, I thought I'd take the even easier route and use the store bought bottle variety. BOMB! Whenever I use store bought foods, I always doctor it up a little. So yesterday, I added fresh garlic and ginger, a drizzle of honey, and a little cornstarch to thicken it up and sesame seeds and scallions on top. It looked great! B took a bite and said it tasted just like the restaurant kind. I was elated. He took another bite and winced. He said it was too salty. Now, this is the guy that will put extra salt on just about everything. He likes his food salty, so when he said that this was too salty, I couldn't believe it. I tasted it (about 20 minutes after I cooked it) and I puckered! OMG! It tasted like brine!

It proves sometimes a short cut is not always the best idea. As a result, I had to buy lunch out today. Lesson learned.

Pasta with Tuna, Basil, and Tomatoes

The thought of tuna and pasta together used to make me want to hurl. This dish is so different! I used to make this all the time years ago and then it just fell out of my rotation. I'm officially bring it back! It is so quick and tasty!! Who would have thought that tuna and pasta would go together??

3/4 lb of pasta (I used farfalle)
2 cans of albacore tuna (drained well)
2 tomatoes (seeded and chopped)
3 Tbs olive oil
a handful of fresh basil minced
2 garlic cloves minced
Red pepper flakes
Salt and Pepper
Parmesan cheese
Reserved Pasta Water

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the tuna and garlic. Cook for approximately five minutes. Add the tomatoes and continue to cook. In the meantime, cook your pasta according to packaged directions. Before draining, reserve about a cup of the cooking water. In the skillet, add the basil, salt and pepper, red pepper flakes. Stir in a bit of the pasta water. Stir it in until it develops a bit of a sauce. Stir in some Parmesan cheese. The pasta water and cheese will create a bit of a creamy consistency. Add the cooked pasta and stir until well combined. Serve!

I know this may sound weird, but it is really very very good!

Menu Plan 05/23 - 05/28

Last week, I cooked only a handful of times. We ate out on some days and other days we ate leftovers. Yesterday, I cooked for the first time in what seemed like weeks. In reality it was only like 5 days. This week, I am back on track.

Monday:
Dinner: Spaghetti and meatballs

Tuesday:
Dinner: Teriyaki chicken

Wednesday:
Dinner: Date night out!

Thursday:
Dinner: Vada sambar

Friday:
Dinner: Pizza

Saturday:
Dinner: Utthapam