Wednesday, August 24, 2011

What's for dinner, Wednesday?

Even my kids that don't particularly like veggies, like this - Cauliflower Au Gratin.  This is a most-requested recipe and one that you don't even mind eating for breakfast!


AND ONCE AGAIN - a BAD photo for such deliciousness!

Because I'm eating vegan 80% of the time, I veganized half of this recipe.  The right side is the original and the left is the vegan attempt - it didn't turn out too bad, actually!

Cauliflower Au Gratin - original recipe


Remove leaves from the base of the cauliflower and place it whole in a large saucepan with a small amount of water.  Steam, covered, for 10 - 15 minutes or til tender.  Place in a baking dish.


Toss 1/2 c. fresh bread crumbs with 1/4 c. melted butter.  Add 1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese and salt and pepper.  Spread over the cauliflower


Bake at 400 degrees for 10 - 15 minutes, or until golden brown.  Serve in wedges.




For the vegan version:


Same instructions but I used Earth Balance for the butter and approximately 2-3 T. nutritional yeast in place of the cheese.


Original recipe from "Always in Season" cookbook
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Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Anthropologie-inspired shower curtain


I really like this:

                     And I love this:


                              But the price - not so much!  So I made up my own version:




I had planned to do ruffles all the way up the curtain, but decided I liked the look with just 5 rows.  And I loved the price difference! 
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Friday, August 19, 2011

My Yin and Yang



I have been eating veganish for 18 months now and I love the flavors and the challenge of eating more healthy.  I read the book "The China Study" and was impressed by the research and results of the author.  I also have had a great time trying new recipes that are minus animal products.  HOWEVER - I do love my diet Mtn. Dew.  There are no animal products in it - ha!  And although I don't eat meat or dairy products most of the time - for the main meal - I loosen up my diet habits when it comes to desserts.  So, my justification is that MOST of my food is "good for you" food.  That is where the "ish" comes in.  Someday I may give up soda pop, but we all need a little yang in our life.
                                                                        
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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

What's For Dinner, Wednesday?

FINALLY! Tomatoes from the garden - nothing beats the flavor of fresh, homegrown tomatoes (except chocolate).  I also have basil coming up like crazy, so the natural order of things points me to bruschetta for dinner.  Sure, it's a great appetizer, but give me a bowl and I can down it without any evidence left behind.  It's also a great side dish to Corn Flakes for breakfast. 

                                                        From this:


                                                                  To this:




Pure deliciousness!  Notice my cute white ceramic knife in the picture?  I LOVE this knife.  It makes cutting veggies, fruit and anything else so easy - no juice squishing out.

Bruschetta

about 1 1/2 c. chopped tomatoes
2 T. diced onion
1 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
2 T. chopped fresh basil
2 T. olive oil
1/2 - 1 tsp. red wine vinegar
1/4 tsp. salt
dash pepper

Combine all ingredients.  Let sit for a bit for flavors to blend.  Serve with toasted (with ooil) baguettes.
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Monday, August 15, 2011

Affordable Art


I saw this idea for a wall in a newspaper about a year ago and fell in love with it - so I got online and found some printable photos of flowers in bloom and printed them on photographic paper.  Of course the dollar store had perfect frames that were spray painted and I love the look!  I just need to do something about those chairs now!
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Friday, August 12, 2011

MORE ADOPTION HAPPINESS

Spencer, our oldest son, married a wonderful girl that he grew up with in Las Vegas.  We love Jennie, and their oldest - Cosie -.


We are also lucky to have Dallas in our family.  He and Anne have been married for 3 years.



AND the two cutest grandkids ever! - Alexa and Paxton - with #3 on the way in December...

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Wednesday, August 10, 2011

What's for dinner Wednesday?


PLUS
                                               
                                                    EQUALS


EXCEPT THAT THIS IS A REALLY BAD PICTURE FOR SOMETHING SO DELICIOUS!!!!

I found the recipe from the blog "How Sweet It Is" and it was easy and sooo good!  I'll work on my photography skills.


Crispy Honey Lime Tilapia


4 fresh or thawed tilapia filets
2 T. olive oil
2 T. honey
2 T. lime juice
1 tsp. lime zest
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/3 c. flour
2 T. olive oil for frying
additional honey plus lime zest mixed for drizzling.


1 hour before cooking, season tilapia filets with salt and pepper, then lay in baking dish or in large ziplock bag.  In a bowl combine olive oil, honey, lime juice and zest, and garlic.  Whisk til combined.  Pour over tilapia and marinate for one hour.  Add flour (and a bit more salt, pepper, and lime zest) to a bowl and set aside.


Heat a cast iron skillet or non-stick one over medium high heat and add olive oil.  Dredge each piece of fish through the flour til you have a very light coating.  Making sure the pan is hot, add fish to the oil and cook until flakey and crispy on each side - about 3-4 minutes per side.  Remove tilapia from pan and let drain on paper towel for a few minutes.  Serve with an additional drizzle of lime and honey, then cover in blueberry lime salsa.


Blueberry Lime Salsa


1 c. fresh blueberries
5 medium strawberries
1/4 red onion
1 tsp. lime zest
juice of two limes
1/3 c. fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 avocado, chopped
salt and pepper to taste


Combine everything but the avocado in a food processor and pulse about 5 - 6 times, depending on how chunky you like it.  Season with salt and pepper and fold in avocado.  Serve with fish, chicken, chips or eat with a spoon.
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Friday, August 5, 2011

Five blessings of adoption

Although our family didn't come together in the traditional way, we have appreciated the unique story that comes with each child. We didn't go the international route, but we count three different states as birth places - Utah, Nevada, and Illinois. The personalities of each child are as vast as the ocean, but we have a good time together, sharing memories and laughing a lot. Our first two came to us through LDS social services, a private church-owned agency. Our middle child was a private, open adoption and the last two were fostered to us by the state, which turned into an adoption. Even though everything hasn't been "rosy" - it has been good.

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Wednesday, August 3, 2011

What's for dinner Wednesday?

This is the BEST grilled chicken ever! Cook's Illustrated magazine cooks up specific dishes and prepares them every way possible and comes up with the optimum recipe. This is the result of grilled chicken breasts, and it is SO moist and delicious!

Grilled Lemon-Parsley Chicken Breasts
serves 4

1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 T. lemon juice
3 T. olive oil
1 T. fresh parsley leaves, minced
1/4 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Whisk together in small bowl and set aside.

Marinade:

1 T. lemon juice
3 T. olive oil
1 tsp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
2 T. water

Place in gallon size ziploc bag with chicken and toss to coat. Squeeze out air and refrigerate 30 minutes, flipping after 15 minutes.

On gas grill, turn all burners to high and heat with lid down until very hot, about 15 minutes. Be sure to scrape the grates and dip a wad of paper towel in oil. Holding wad with tongs, wipe each grate. Leave primary burner on and turn off other burners.

Remove chicken from bag and place breasts on cooler side of grill smooth side down. Cover with disposable pan and cook until bottom of chicken begins to develop light grill marks, about 6 - 9 minutes. Flip and rotate chicken and cover with pan. Insert meat thermometer in thickest part of chicken and grill until 140 degrees. Move chicken to hot side of grill and continue to grill, uncovered, until dark grill marks appear, about 1-2 minutes longer. The thermometer should be 160 degrees. Transfer to cutting board. LET REST for 5 - 10 minutes before slicing. Slice on bias and drizzle the sauce over. Be prepared to hand out the recipe.
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Monday, August 1, 2011

Designer Textiles


I LOVE interior design and changing things up in my home.  Good thing my husband isn't blind... (well, not all the way blind).  AND even better if I can find a cheaper way to get the look I want.  In my bedroom, I wanted a bold geometric print for my drapes that hang on either side of my bed.  After pricing the fabric, I decided I could get the same feel for pennies.  I already had the white drapes - purchased at JCPenney's a couple of years ago.  I took dark brown fabric and tore it into half-inch strips and sewed them on horizontally and vertically.  At the top, I found big brown buttons and sewed them on.

I did the same thing for my daughter's room. I was inspired by Isabella & Max Rooms, so I used the color combination and recreated it here with the same process for the curtains.
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Listen to this playlist: Mynotsorosecoloredlife's Playlist


Get a playlist! Standalone player Get Ringtones
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