Pasta with chicken, red pepper and goat cheese

 

My sister keeps a running list of foods I despise and those I adore obsess over.

The former includes such things as:

Rosemary

Raisins

Olives

Rye bread with caraway seeds

(Most) Mushrooms

Any kind of melon

Lemon Pits in my Diet Coke.   Seriously.  I have a really difficult time drinking a Diet Coke if there is an errant lemon pit swimming around in there.

The latter includes most of the things in the title of this post. 

Last night I walked home from work and made a detour to Trader Joe’s because in NYC there is no place else that you can get Dubliner cheese, goat cheese, a dozen eggs, a pack of English muffins, a bag of frozen mixed veggies, baby spinach, a bag of potatoes, an onion, a quart of milk and a tub of sour cream plus a Valentine’s surprise for a little over $20.00.

Things you will need to make this:

1/4 cup diced roasted chicken (you could definitely use rotisserie chicken for this)

1 tablespoon of olive oil

1/4 cup sliced red bell pepper

1/4 cup sliced sweet onion

1 cup fresh baby spinach

a pinch of crushed red pepper

1 oz goat cheese (you could use about 2 tablespoons of crumbles if you have them)

1 cup cooked whole wheat pasta (I used TJ’s whole wheat penne) cooked to package directions – reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water

S&P to taste

Upon arriving home I put a chicken breast in the oven to roast.

This is a skin on, bone in chicken breast.  I drizzled it with olive oil salt and lemon pepper and some sliced onions and garlic.  I roasted it for nearly an hour (covered in foil) at 375, turning up the heat to closer to 400 for the last 15 min.   I used about a quarter of this breast in the pasta.

 I added a little olive oil to a pan and sauteed some onion and peppers.  This was tossed in the pasta with the baby spinach and goat cheese.My cute ceramic nesting measuring cups from Anthropologie include a measure for a pinch.  I guess you could say I used about a quarter of a pinch here.

Sidenote:  It doesn’t look like they have them anymore :(  Here is what they look like.

                                                                  

Sidenote #2:  Going to the website was a mistake.  Now I am obsessed with having these…and one of these…and maybe these too.  And STOP IT with this apron.

I drained the pasta, put it back in the empty pot and added the veggies, spice and about 3/4 of the goat cheese over very low heat to get things all melty.  I added the reserved pasta water to thin the sauce out a little.   I crumbled the remaining goat cheese on top and added a crank or two of pepper.

The result was a simple, filling, slightly tangy, mildly spicy, creamy dish.  I wish I had some left over.

Sun and Snow

Man, it’s chillllllllly here.   The snow is not going to melt any time soon they say as the temperature is only just above freezing for the next few days

Gotta tell you - I’m in a bit of a funk.   I can’t explain why exactly (except the first holiday without my dad/losing my doggie thing).  I was so tired of living out of a suitcase I haven’t been to NJ since Monday.  I have barely left my apartment since then.

This is why I can not work from home exclusively.  I totally become a recluse.

I dragged myself out to the gym yesterday – watched Top Chef while incline walking.    It always makes me want to cook.  As a result I have bread dough rising in the kitchen.  

I really need to mop that floor.  It’s now not even an option to wait.

I am all over the place today – forgive me.

I still have the minimal Christmas decorations up and packing them away is on my agenda this morning.  I’m going to work a webcast from home (it starts in about 20 min) and then head to the office to the studio for the rest of the afternoon.   I think it’s time I change out of pajamas, sweats and/or gym clothes.

I’m meeting the girls for a drink this evening.  I’m hoping to walk to/from work and that’ll cover my exercise for the day.

I was Snacky McSnackerson all day yesterday.  I can’t explain exactly why (again other than the obvious) but I kept walking back and forth to my kitchen.

Living in a studio apartment is dangerous.  I can’t just go upstairs or into another room.  My kitchen is RIGHT THERE all the time.  

It’s a little bit of a problem.

I had some cheddar cheese, a hot pretzel, a handful or four of peanuts and ended with two TJ Mint Mini Mouthfuls for dessert.

Last night – after the gym I threw together a semi homemade feast. 

Not semi homemade like a Kwanzaa cake.

I mean – I have no words for that thing but I can tell you from personal experience that Sandra Lee is a perfectly lovely person who has had a tough road to Angel Food Cake/Apple Pie Filling stardom.  Jen and I met her at the NYC Wine and Food Festival 2 years ago and she could not have been more gracious.

Anyway this has nothing to do with my dinner last night which was TJ’s Asparagus Risotto + 4 shrimp + tomatoes, basil and garlic and a little parmesan cheese.

That’s the closest you’ll ever see me get to eating something that looks like oatmeal.   I’m on a rice kick lately.   I still have at least 1 possibly 2 servings of my Mexican Rice thing to take to work for lunch.  I ate it for lunch yesterday too.

I don’t have much else to say today as I said I feel really blah.    Hopefully getting out in the sunshine and amongst other people will improve my mood.

I’m really looking forward to the weekend.   My tentative schedule is as follows:

Friday – with Dave either in NYC or in NJ where we will go to karaoke and I can finally prove to him I can actually sing as he doesn’t quite believe me even though when we first met I invited him to hear me perform at Carnegie Hall.

Sheesh.  I mean do I need to perform in Madison Square Garden before he gets it?? :)

Saturday – Zumba, Museums and/or movies in the big city.

Sunday – Brunch with Mom, Jen and Dave.

And with that – I’m off.   Have a great day.

Mexican Rice (for lack of a better description) with Pace Picante Sauce. Also: sing it Gwyneth!

In an effort to make myself feel a bit better I ventured out to take in a movie last evening.  I was trying to decide what to see and settled on Country Strong.  It might not have been the best choice but I loved the music.

I have 2 songs by Gwyneth on my iTunes from the movie Duets.  A movie I never saw but I gotta admit – I really like the tone of her voice.  And I’m really digging this song.

I wasn’t cheered up by the movie but spending 2 hours with my new boyfriends Garrett and Tim wasn’t torture either.

I promised to show you my leftover creation the other day didn’t I?  Well – here it is.

I had leftover chicken and wanted something – well – just not Italian was my only thought.  I had planned on chili earlier in the week but changed my mind.

Mexican sounded good.

I put together a spice mix of cumin, chili powder, cayenne, garlic powder, a pinch of cinnamon and some fresh ground pepper.   I tossed some leftover chicken with the spice mix.

I grilled some orange bell pepper and onions and then added the chicken.

Plus 1 can of black beans and 1 bottle of Pace Picante Sauce that I remembered I had from the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program.  I had planned to use a can of TJ’s Fire Roasted Tomatoes w/Green Chiles but this sounded like a better idea.

I also added a bag of TJ’s frozen brown rice, tossed it together and topped it with cheddar and light sour cream.

   I had a mug full of leftovers for lunch yesterday.In other news - I’m loving eggs lately for some reason.  The other day I made myself a little breakfast sandwich and today made myself a little casserole with an EM on the side.   

Today I’m going to get some sort of workout in and enjoy the snowy scenery.   Hope you’re staying warm where you are!

This is what eating right looks like.

 

I’m really not sure why I ever stopped.

Two posts today!  What’s the world coming to?

Another good day.  I worked a full day – did 2 loads of laundry – took the stairs even though my thighs were screaming at me – ate a healthy lunch and dinner – popped a handful of vitamins to get rid of this stupid cold – and even though I feel icky went to the gym and inclined walked for 40 minutes.

I watched The Millionaire Matchmaker while I walked.  I have come to the conclusion that if you have that much money you should stay off reality TV.

I’m finding that motivation again I think.  Don’t quote me yet – it’s still early in the week but I feel different than I did a few weeks ago when I tried to get back on track.  I’m going to head to M’s soon.  I know how much I’ve gained – I don’t really want to have to pay to have someone confirm it.  I’d like to get a head start and then go back for the accountability factor.  It’s an important part of all of this I know but I sort of need to prove to myself I can do it on my own.

Tonight is a new season of The Biggest Loser but right now I’m busy watching Stacy and Clinton on What Not To Wear. 

Does anyone else remember that weird guy who was the co-host when it first came on the air?  He wore chambray shirts and had long stringy curly hair.  I think he was a stylist.

I don’t know about you but I’d like my stylist to look like (s)he actually had style.

Anyway I’m hopeful that this is a turning point for me and I can stop this train before it runs off the rails.  I’m being a tad melodramatic, I know what to do and how to do it.

And eating meals like the above is not actually a hardship.

The last few days…

I’ve had work stuff to take care of…specifically reapplying for the job I basically already have.

Don’t ask.

I have dragged my feet but finally got myself to the gym.  I’m finding it really difficult to get back on track.

I ate the following things.

I mixed Mac & Cheese with chicken and spinach.  The leftovers are lunch tomorrow.

As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program I received two loaves of Nature’s Pride bread.

Please don’t mind the peeling paint on my windowsill btw.

I made myself a sandwich for lunch yesterday.  Ovengold turkey, Laughing Cow Light Garlic and Herb, spinach, shredded carrots and hummus.

The Honey Wheat is not too sweet.   I really liked it.  I’m a big fan of doughier type breads – I’m not so much a seeds and nutty bread type of girl.  I’m looking forward to the other loaf waiting for me – Oatmeal.  Yum.

I made two boneless pork chops on Monday.  I ate one in a more traditional way.  Breaded with panko with roasted asparagus, creamed corn and a baked potato with light sour cream.

The other I dipped in teriyaki and baked.  I then chopped it up and tossed it with a bunch of veggies in some brown rice.   I sauteed onion, zucchini, yellow squash and yellow bell pepper with the pork and some teriyaki glaze.

In the end I added some steamed broccoli and black beans (yeah I know but it was good!) some sweet chili sauce and a dash of spicy chili sauce. 

It was pretty freaking good.

I’m fighting a cold as well as the clutter monster which is threatening to take over my apartment again.  I’m bound and determined to tame them both tomorrow.

Wish me luck.

Recently

Recently I wore a pair of very cool suede sandals.  Then I walked 5 miles and did a little dancing.  

I got blisters and now wearing sneakers kill me and I haven’t been able to run since Saturday.

Recently I’ve been eating a tad too much pasta.  But I really like it – and it comes in such cute shapes.  And it gets me to eat more veggies.

Recently I made two panko breaded chicken breasts.  I’ve used them for salads….

…and ate one for dinner last night

…and used one for a sandwich today.

Speaking of chickens – I’ve also made some eggs.

One poached.

One baked in the oven.

Recently I’ve planned two meetings at the drop of a hat and found out I might have to travel to Atlanta in November.

I can’t remember the last time I was on a plane for work.  I think it was last December.  I’m looking forward to it.

Recently whoever it is who smokes pot in my building has been sparking up again.  I swear I live in the most expensive dorm in America.

I don’t have a picture for that.

September Showers

One of the major reasons my cluttered apartment is stressing me out happened again today.  For the second day in a row I came home to a box of flowers waiting on my doorstep.

I would give up flowers forever in a heartbeat to have my dad back – but they are quite a lovely addition to my humble abode.

I’m glad I refrained from buying a bunch of $5 daisies on Monday.

Anyway I wish my apartment was sparkling clean and that I could showcase them properly.

I thought it was appropriate that on the night that my friends from Glee were paying homage to Ms. Britney my friends from chorus sent me this lovely bouquet.

  

  And today I got these lovely lilies from Kelly, Chris, Mark and Maggie.

 

Tonight for dinner I had the last of my turkey chili.  I ate it over a baked sweet potato with some sour cream and cheddar to beat the heat.

Tomorrow I will give you the secret recipe for one of my family’s favorite dishes.  Pick up some chicken cutlets and see if you have some of this stuff around.

Oh.  And some of this wouldn’t hurt either.

Old Favorites

This post is a mess. Forgive me.

This weekend I stopped in a little store and picked up an old favorite of mine. Stonewall Kitchen Roasted Garlic and Onion Jam.

I also bought a new one that's similar. I think I should have a taste test soon and see which I like better.



Today the Stonewall version did not disappoint. I love it on turkey sandwiches, with slices of a baguette and baked brie, or on a sandwich thin with cheddar.



The vending machine didn't have any baked chips so I ended up with something else that I loved from way back when.



Yeah. It's the machine's fault.

Last night after my sort of interesting massage (I had the 60 min Relaxation Massage it was very stretchy as well as Swedish - like she sat on my back at one point and pulled at my limbs a little bit. It was good - but kind of non-traditional) at Acqua Beauty Bar it was pouring rain. Simply to get out of the rain I HAD to run to Filene's where I took a gander at their fragrance department.

I have not had much luck sticking to a scent. I used to wear Tea Rose and/or Jessica McClintock in High School. Then in college I wore a scent that I bought again yesterday (more on that in a minute), Then I wore Trueste by Tiffany (discontinued), then I wore Kate Spade (discontinued). I tried Lovely (but I think I was more interested in being Carrie Bradshaw than I was in the fragrance) then I wore Shalimar Light (also discontinued -Traditional Shalimar is what my mom wears and I love it but it's STRONG!!) and this spring/summer I wore Bobbi Brown Beach which I love but is super light and doesn't last long.

Did you follow all that?

So. The point is in a fit of 1989 nostalgia last night I bought a bottle of Design for $29.99. It's a tad too strong for me now so I wore it sparingly today but I think it's growing on me again.

I do feel like I should perm my hair and start listening to The Smiths and Depeche Mode on a continuous loop after work though. ;)

Last night for dinner I made some Parpardelle with Meat Sauce. I bought some fresh ricotta at Whole Foods as well.





It was good but I now think the meat sauce was in my freezer too long and I'll leave it at that.

Patti and I are going for a drink after work. I don't really want a drink quite frankly but nothing says I have to order wine right?

Oh who am I kidding.

See you later.

Isn't that swell??

OK. So it's not pork chops and applesauce. But it is pork chops and it was yummilicious.

(I predict Jen is going to make fun of me for that description).

I coated a boneless pork chop in TJ's BBQ sauce (no HFCS) then coated it in panko bread crumbs. I baked it in the oven at 350 for about 40 minutes. At the same time I baked a potato. I roasted some TJ's frozen asparagus (threw it in the oven at the 20 min mark) with a sprinkle of parmesan. I topped the potato with some reduced fat sour cream.



I have to be at the office at 5:45 am. I had a glass and a half of wine and my alarm is set. I'm heading right out from work at 8 am to the bus to go spend the day telecommuting with my boyfriend. :)

It seems like there might be some characters joining our team for trivia tomorrow night. Stay tuned. :)

I'm watching as much TV as I can tonight before I fall asleep (SYTYCD and Top Chef to name a few). Hopefully it won't take too long before my eyes close.

See you in the AM.

The early AM.

Blech.