Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Living Gluten Free

Gluten does not agree with my waistline and my insides, but sometimes (especially with an appetite and love for food like I have) desire over comes brains and I give in.  All week I've been prepping myself for the pain that will surely ensue after I indulge in glutenous Thanksgiving delights.  Unless, I come prepped with some options that will keep my belly happy and my tastebuds satisfied?  Refinery29 featured some yumm-o GF options (especially the one i've posted below).  Looks colorful, fresh, and right up my alley!  I'll definately be cooking this stuffing up tomorrow!

The Gluten-Free Alternative: Quinoa & Lentil Stuffing


Ingredients:
2 cups quinoa
2 cups lentils
Olive oil
4 oz white wine
4 quarts of gluten-free vegetable stock (substitute water for low-sodium alternative)
1 bunch kale, chopped into bite-size pieces
1 yellow onion, diced
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 small butternut squash, cubed
1 bunch sage, chopped
salt and pepper
2 oz Humboldt Fog soft goat cheese (optional)

Steps:

1. Roast Squash: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cut squash into 1” cubes; place on a baking sheet. Toss with olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Roast until tender and golden, about 25 minutes.

2. Make Quinoa: Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small pot over high heat. Heat oil; add quinoa and toast, stirring constantly. When the quinoa starts to brown, pour in 4 cups stock; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to a simmer and cover, 15 minutes. Set aside.

3: Cook Lentils: Place 2 cups of lentils and 4 ½ cups of vegetable stock (or water) in a small pot. Bring to a boil over high heat; turn down heat and simmer covered, 15 minutes. Stir occasionally, every 5 minutes, so lentils don’t burn. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.

4. Layer Flavors: In a large sauté pan over high heat, sauté onions until translucent. Season with salt and pepper. Add kale, season again, and sauté until wilted. Add garlic and sauté for about 20 seconds; pour in white wine. Cook until kale is tender, about 8 minutes. Set aside.

5. Toss and Bake: Combine all above items. Stir in a little stock, olive oil, and sage. Season. Top with cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.



Bon Appetite!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Kellans 1st Christmas

Mr. Kellan's 1st Christmas included the following:


Daddy & Nana competing for best dressed


All-You-Can Eat wrapping & tissue paper buffet


The cutest picture Mama has ever seen
 

A new lawn mower from Grandpa


Wide-Eyed at Bedtime


Family Photos


Momma and her boys

We had a wonderful Christmas this year.  Kellan favorites were the lights on the Christmas Trees and stuffing his mouth full of tissue and wrapping paper.  He's learning to love the big bouncey saucer that took mommy a few hours to build on Christmas eve.  We spent the holiday visiting all the family in town, it was pretty hectic going from one place to another.  Kellan was a trooper through it all, and it felt really great to share our time with everyone.  Family is so important, and we are so blessed to be surrounded by so much LOVE.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Winter Wonderland and Stuff

Snow is one of the reasons I LOVE Reno.  We got absolutely dumped on this past Sunday/Monday.  Most of the town got a Snow Day, it was a lovely quiet white day. 

Monday Morning


Tuesday's Drive to Work



I threw Maceo in the snow on Monday.  When he landed the snow went "poof"!  It was too cute.  He actually didnt seem to mind.  I think he was distracted by all the birds in the tree!

We also put up our tree this weekend.  We had wanted to go chop our own down (mainly because its only $10 versus the $70 we usual spend) but we ran out of time.  I became VERY emotional when I started to think about all the poor trees that don't get picked every year.  So sad.  Well, we did our part and saved a lovely Silver Tip Pine from an un-happy  holiday.  We decorated it in Matt's favorite style...colored lights and non-matchy bulbs (some things just are not worth a battle). Amazingly enough, I talked him out of tinsel this year.  There is a God!


Meester Mew also got into the Holiday Spirit, well he really didnt have a choice.  Just look at our little chat...is he not fantastic!?






This last pic is my favorite, thats why I made it Extra-Large.  Look at the little spittle on  his lips.  Goo, he melts my heart...little fat cat.