Since shopping is not the most available activity to do on the island, I take it where I can get it. Someone I know was having a Pampered Chef party online, so I decided to look around. A few years back, I actually hosted one of these party's and there were a few things I wanted, but I never bought. This is one of them:
So, now I have a cookie press and I hope I put it to good use. After the cake baking this past weekend, I think cookies should be a great baking activity next. I also once went to a Southern Living party and bought a cookie cookbook (yes, I am a sucker and I always find things I like at those parties). I am hoping to FINALLY get a chance to use this cookbook, which I purchased back in 2004 and just rediscovered it in a box.
Next on my list, I had to buy this spreader. While we are all aware that a knife works just fine, I think this is much more fun, and with my new found love for PB, this will come in handy, although it will be great for cream cheese and condiments for sandwiches too.
This one is hard to see, but I swear it is a cheese knife. With all the cheese on this island, it sounded like the perfect gadget to have around. I can;t wait to start using these.
Speaking of things I can't wait to start using, look what I checked out at the library. I also use the Rosetta Stone method, but I was looking for something more portable as a supplement. The benefit to this would that it is the European version, and the Rosetta Stone is Brazillian, which is apparently the more popular version. Yes, there are differences between the two.
Ok, mocing on to some of my eats for the week. I just finished a full 5 days of subbing, and while at work, the easiest thing is to pack lunch...and it is the healthier option too. This was my favorite lunch this week, so I made it twice. I had a light pinapple yogurt, which had chuncks of pineapple in it, I had a kiwi, and then I made a sandwich with the pita, laughing cow and the "canned" salmon. It is not exactly the canned kind, but it is the kind in the bag, which comes drained already, and that is one reason I prefer this product.
I mixed the Laughing Cow cheese into the salmon, almost as if it were tuna and mayo, and the combo reminds me of cream cheese and smoked salmon. Then I stuffed it in this 1/2 whole wheat pita, which I warmed in the microwave. This half pita came pre-cut, only has 80 calories, about the same as a slice of bread (and if you carb count, it was 1 carb choice or about 15 grams), and since it is whole grain, there are 4 grams of fiber in this tiny thing. It was the perfect size for my sandwich and it really kept me full.
Here is my latest and greatest leftover creation. This is one of the left over chapatis (made from whole wheat), which I decided to use as a tortilla. Then I spread some cream cheese on there, topped it with some heated up left over black beans, and then topped it with some surimi because, well, I am on a surimi kick right now. This "burrito" was AMAZING! Oh, and I did try to put too much inside, and yes, it did make a mess, but it was a good mess.
Now for some exciting news. When I made those beans the other day, I was prepping and experiementing for my guest chef appearance on Friday. Check it out on this calendar, which I spotted at the base gym.
I do plan to try and take some pictures and I will let everyone know how this goes. In keeping with the National Nutrition Month theme of "from the ground up", we thought a vegetarian meal would be most appropriate, and I also think Lent is still going on, so vegetarian is good for that reason too. Even my dessert for this meal will include fruit, so the participants will be well on their way to 5 servings of fruits and veggies for Friday. My goal is to show them how easy it is to be healthy and eat good tasting vegetables.
QUESTIONS: What is your favorite vegetarian meal? What is your favorite way to use fruit for a dessert, other than by itself? Do you own anything from the Pampered Chef?
16 comments:
Cookie presses are SO cool! My mom has one, and I remember thinking it was magical when I was a kid... :-)
Your salmon salad sounds super yummy! I'm definitely going to fix this soon! Thank you for the great idea!!
I can't wait to hear more about your cooking class! Hmmmm, I love baked apples - so classic, but so delicious, healthful, and comforting! My favorite meal of all time, which is also vegetarian, is Peanut Stew! :-)
I had a cookie press once, but I couldn't figure out how to use it. Perhaps you can give us a tutorial!
I love veggie burgers! i have been eating the Boca burgers the 'flame grilled' ones and they are really good! I love mashing them up in my wraps, you know I love my wraps!!
cant wait to hear about the cooking class!
I don't have one particular favorite vegetarian meal but I do have a favorite product and its the Morningstar "buffalo" wings! Those are soooo good!
I don't know if it's the change of weather but everyone seems to be on a Mexican food kick!
Love all the gagdets you picked up. I have this neat salad dressing mixer. It even has recipes on the sides. Very handy.
Hmm...my favorite vegetarian dish. That is tough. I love veggie burritos! All those yummy veggies wrapped up are so tasty. I also love tomato and mozzarella paninis!
I don't have anything from the Pampered Chef, but I like your gadgets! :)
I love a warm berry sauce (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) over ice cream... :) I also like apple crisps. Or berry crisps. Now I want dessert!
There are so many veggie recipes I love - mainly tacos, soups, salads and pasta dishes!...oh yeah and basically anything Indian :)
I always stuff too much inside pitas/tortillas...that's the best way! Getting a little messy never hurts when food is involved. Happy St. Patty's Day!
I love baked fruit crisps with oats...mm! Delicious and healthy - high in fiber :)
I own nothing from PC and I am jealous of your cookie press and cheese knife. I would get good use out of both of those gadgets!
Favorite veg dish? Stir fry with tofu! I'm boring, I know!!!!
Happy St. Patty's Day, Melinda!
I'm going to try that laughing cow cheese and salmon combo, thanks!
How exciting!! You are the second RD that has been a "guest chef" (Angie of Angie's Appetite for Life was also one lately). I am so jealous! How fun would that be?! I think your idea of a vegetarian meal sounds fabulous, and yes, Lent is still going on.
I like your salmon salad pitas. I don't ever buy canned (or pouched) salmon, and I'm not sure why. Actually I do know why, it's the small bones. I don't like them! Even thought they are packed full of vitamin D, they make me gag. Not a fan.
Good luck tomorrow!! I can't wait to see your bean creation.
My favorite vegetarian meal right now is spaghetti squash mixed with salmon, spinach, tomato, and Laughing Cow. I have it at least once a week! I love Laughing cow mixed with canned fish.
So cool that you're doing a guest chef appearance! And it's awesome that you're showing tough military types that vegetarian food can be hearty and filling and satisfy all your nutrition needs (plus it's kinder to the planet!). I love all vegetarian foods (I'm vegetarian for so much of the year!) but if you're cooking on base you should go hearty: black bean chili, curry, quesadillas, bean/veggie enchiladas, black bean burgers (wow clearly I love beans!).
Hi Melinda! Thanks for the comment. About the pressure cooker, it is actually my roommates. She is introducing me to it, and I really like it! The first time we used it, I was quite startled by the loud pop, but it's actually very useful. I would recommend it, although I'm a newbie also. : )
Actually, a lot of my meals and unintentionally vegetarian...though, most of the time dairy like cheese is involved, so it is never vegan. My favorite "vegetarian meal" is really the most boring one: oats! :-)
I have that gadget! ...uh, somewhere. I need to dig it up in my house.
Sounds like a fun experience and very cool. Good luck!
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