Orzo

This little pasta was the easiest to cook. What could I do with it? Maybe my options were too vast and my brain could not pin point the best option. So, I checked out our pantry and fridge for ingredients. I had a partial head of cauliflower, broccoli, and decided on a can of tuna. 

I put the orzo in water and got that boiling. While the temp was building up I broke apart the cauliflower. Then added that and the broccoli to the cooking orzo. 

Next, when the pot started boiling again, I turn OFF the heat and let it finish cooking and start cooling that way. When it's cooled to a manageable temperature, I dump out the rest of the water. Salt and butter in the pot. Drain the tuna, mix it in. Then shredded some cheddar cheese and threw that in too. 

This took about twenty minutes total. Easy peasy. Great for something quick right after work! 

Tada! As my soon-to-be two year old nephew would say! 

Cauliflower instead of fries?

Now I like potatoes as much as any fast food lover out there. But sometimes I like to feel good about myself and the choices I make about what I eat. 

Could this recipe I saw online be true? That roasted cauliflower be just as tasty as French fries! I had to find out. I've done the mashed, no puréed, version of cauliflower. It was okay, nothing amazing, and slightly lacking it the texture of mashed potato department. With a few modifications I bet it'll be perfect. 

Back to the roasted cauliflower. Go ahead and chop those little bitty albino trees to its itty bitty pieces. Bite size pieces is what to aim for. Toss them in olive or whatever oil you have on hand and salt. To be a little flavorful I tossed in garlic powder and Parmesan. Next, bake them till they are golden brown.  I did 375 for about an hour. 

Sorry for the not great photo. These were yummy! The crispier they get, the more they're like fries! 

Do you need to cook the lasagna noodles first?

The answer is no! All you need to do is add extra water! 

The noodles cooked perfectly! You do need to bake the lasagna longer but it's well worth... The less work. I used a jar of tomato sauce, then filled up the same jar with water. Shook it to get all the remaining sauce out. Foiled the glass lasagna pan with all the fixins and baked it at 375F for an hour. 

Tada, done! 

Indiana Snowpocalypse Day 4

On day 3, cabin fever has struck. Today I'm bent on getting into work. Though, I found out the pipes were frozen. Hubby and I had to team up and dig and mulch out his Jetta. Thank goodness I have a 4-wheel drive SUV. 

The delivery of the dog backpacks are delayed due to unsafe roads. Dogs are reluctant to go outside. Our igloo remains but our attempts at a fire were squished. :/ Charley, who is now 2 as of yesterday, decided to graffiti the igloo with yellow. 

We also had a flock of birds visit yesterday. Desperate for food. Luckily we had some grass poking through.

Some of the birds pictured below. 

After my 2nd cup of coffee I'll attempt to head into Plainfield. Looking toward the weekend weather, things will get interesting. Forecasted for rain. With all this snow we got dumped with and the upcoming rain, things will be a hot mess. 

What a way to spend the first days of being 25 and 2 years old! 

Sunday Funday 1.5.2014

Thanks Mother Nature for sending us so much snow on my 25th birthday! It's been snowing for 8+ hours. Crazy! 

Naturally, us adults, must stay indoor or keep up with the snow and shovel. Nay says the husband and soon to be 2 year old Chocolate lab. The two of them are currently constructing a snow fort or igloo. Neighborhood kids be jealous! The dog may just follow the man or eat the snow that's being rolled; I guess he's more of a manager of operations. 

After a couple of hours of work. I did bring out hot cocoa and a treat for Charlie. 

Enjoying today because tomorrow is gonna be freezing! High of -11. :P