Pinterest Inspires Again

Pinterest helped me with one of my monthly goals this week.  (Oh what I didn't post my October monthly goals?!  Oops, my bad.  I had every intention.  Well, actually I had every intention to post a lot of things this month and it just didn't happen.  November is a new month right?!?)  Meal planning this week was easy thanks to all the pins on my "Let's Eat" board. 

Monday night I made chili.  I think the recipe was pretty good.  Nice subtle heat on the back.  One change I would make in the future - I wouldn't use any sugar and I'd probably use a beer instead of the wine.  But overall, I could use the recipe again.

Source: myrecipes.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Wednesday night we planned to have tuna and sauteed spinach.  I thought we needed a little something to go with it.  I found this recipe by Pioneer Woman.  I modified a little but it was still great.  Only thing to change for the future is more chili for heat.  (My modification was to use garlic chili paste, but I guess I didn't use enough.)

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Last night we tried two recipes.  Balsamic Flank Steak and Jalapeno Mac and Cheese.  Both were very yummy!  The flank steak had a nice flavor.  I did not modify the recipe at all.  However, in the future I would probably not use the brown sugar (what is it with the sugar being added to these recipes) and might add some olive oil.  The Mac and Cheese was great!!  I only had one jalapeno so I added a serrano chili.  Um, yeah, lots of heat.  But it was good.  Modification in the future, maybe a little less flour. 

Source: None via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: food.com via Jessica on Pinterest

And last week I tried this salad for lunch.  It was really good.  I changed the dressing ratio, but otherwise made it as is.  I've had it twice.  Nice alternative to a traditional green salad.

Source: espressoandcream.com via Jessica on Pinterest

So tell me.....any recipe pins out there I need to repin? 

Run, Don't Walk

And buy the ingredients to make this.....

Pasta with Pesto Cream Sauce by The Pioneer Woman. 

The picture is from her post as well.  I was hungry because it was late when I was eating.  Hubby was traveling and I had bedtime duty (full duty actually) and ate after JW went to sleep.  This is what we usually do, but I was especially hungry today.  This was so yummy.  The tomato is just the right touch of additional flavor.  All the flavors go well together.  Very summery and fresh dish.  I could have eaten all that I made.  But I refrained.  The rest will be lunch tomorrow.  YUMMY!

Yes - I used my own basil!!  I may have a green thumb afterall!

Favorite Pregnancy Meal - Chicken Tikka Masala

This has been one of my favorite meals during the pregnancy - we eat it about every other week. Not sure if it is the spice or the comfort feel of it, but I love it! Sorry I don't have a picture! ENJOY!  (sorry about the way it posted - its a pdf and I can't figure out how to paste the text only - if you click on it you can make it bigger).  This is from the Williams - Sonoma Cookbook series: Foods of the World - London

Yummy Pizza

A friend of mine was talking about home made pizzas about 4 months ago (yes, I know, I've been meaning to write this for awhile now and even had to check the archives to see if I had posted this before.  I couldn't find it, but that doesn't mean its not there...so if this is a repeat...sorry).  Anyway, she told me she bought fresh dough at Publix and then created their own toppings.  So, being the pizza lover I am, I decided to try it.  And I was pleasantly surprised!!  YUM!  We've done it several times since  then, including during my parents visit (what I didn't tell you about that???).  It depends on our mood, but it usually includes mushrooms, onions and some other protein.  Now, I read PW and I know she makes her own crust and I hear (read) that it is easy to do....but this crust is really good.  And to justify, I do make homemade sauce....so that helps, right!  Just another yummy easy dinner to make!  So if you have a Publix nearby, look in the bakery section, and grab a ball of dough....I'm sure you'll make a yummy pizza, too!

(we made this for dinner last night - which is what triggered me remembering to post this.  Toppings were spicy chicken sausage, sauteed onions and mushrooms...very tasty.  Just had a slice for lunch!)