Sunset Runs and Pizza

Esther had a last minute birthday party tonight after guitar practice so I had time to get a late afternoon run in before dark. Dinner was really lazy tonight, California Pizza Kitchen frozen pizzas (the white one with spinach and the uncured pepperoni) but both were really good :). Off to write recipes for class tomorrow and maybe read a little before hitting the hay :)

Dinner and Dessert

Tonight's dinner wasn't anything crazy exciting, but it's something my mom used to make that always comes out good, and it's simple which was especially nice tonight because I was babysitting our friends 3 year old twins :). So I took some red skin potatoes, cut them into fours and threw them into boiling water along with some baby carrots for about 30 minutes. Whole those guys were cooking I pre-heated the oven to 350 and cut a package of chicken breast into chunks and sliced a package of kielbasa. I put the meat into a dish and poured Italian dressing over, strained the carrots and potatoes, covered with aluminum foil and baked for about 40 minutes. Just like that, dinner was done :). Super simple, but always yummy. For dessert I enjoyed some Greek yogurt, really love the Fage brand with honey, just the perfect amount of sweetness without over indulging :)

Elephant Bar Appetizers

On Wednesday for Esther's actual birthday we went out for dinner and to the movies with some friends. We saw Hugo, which was really cute, but I think we were all surprised to find it really wasn't a good movie for younger kids. We ate at a restraunt called Elephant Bar, which was really good. Last night I tried to recreate one of their appetizers that they called bruschetta. It consisted of sliced fresh mozzarella, with basil and balsamic vinegar, sliced avocado, and then diced tomato and red onion, served with large tortilla chips. So.. that's what we had for dinner last night with some veggie sushi, it came out pretty well :)

Thanksgiving Dinner and Christmas Decorating

Thanksgiving dinner was a success :). Turkey with cajun seasoning, carmelized onions, bell peppers and shallots, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry, cheesy cornbread with jalapenos.... just to name a few things :). After stuffing myself full on all the food I was definitely in need of a run today, so I went with a friend, although it turned into more of a walk it was still good to exercise. Then we took the kids over to target and did a little shopping. Esther used a giftcard she got from my mom for her birthday to pick out a dress and matching purse from the new harajuku mini line, which are both super cute. Then we headed to the Christmas section. All the brightly colored ornaments inspired me to do something different this year with the tree. We picked up a few multicolored balls and jewel looking things and got a little 4 ft white tree to mix things up a bit. E was tickled to decorate it, and loves the ornaments she helped pick out :). Time for some thanksgiving leftovers, I think they taste so much better simply because you don't have to cook again :)

Cupcakes and Sushi

So last night we had Esther's bday party (her actual birthday is Wednesday, but with Thanksgiving it was getting hard for some of the kiddos to make it). After months of various and random ideas for a party, she finally decided she wanted to have her friends over to make sushi :) (veggie of course, I wasn't going to risk preparing raw fish with little ones). So, we went to the local Asian market and picked up nori sheets, mats and PINK chop sticks. Then she had a few girls over, made sushi, decorated paper lanterns and enjoyed Esther's and my favorite- red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing :)

Tortas, Rick Bayless Style

So Rick Bayless Mexico One Plate at a Time is one of my favorite cooking shows on PBS. Everything he makes always looks super amazing. Last night I was in a Mexican mood so I made these delicious tortas I saw him make once on the show. First you take a can of black beans (I always go for no salt added) and add them, strained, to a pot in which you've sauteed some diced garlic in olive oil. Let the beans cook until you can smash them up real good like refried beans. Scramble some eggs in a seperate pan. Slice some bolillos in half and throw them in the oven just long enough to get them nice and toasted. Spread the black beans, add the egg on top and then your choice of toppings. I did cheese, sliced avocado, salsa and spread sour cream on the top slice. Tomatos and spinach though are other nutrient rich toppings that could easily be added. Such a great,  quick meal :).