I've gotten so used to eating rather light foods that days and days of holiday feasts were weighing heavily on me...and my butt. I couldn't take it anymore. I dug out (from my internet archives) a few recipes that I have been saving and wanting to try. Ellie Krieger is my new hero, although every time I watch her show I just look at the kitchen and how beautiful it is. That's pretty much standard for me and any cooking show.

My mom and step-dad were over and I thought of them as perfect guinea pigs (insert evil laugh here). I needed a good clearing out and while they had a plane to catch the next day, I figured they had plenty of time to use my facilities. Who knew their plane would be delayed? oops. We first tried the Emerald Stir Fry with Beef. I couldn't find all of the ingredients so I made due with what I could find fresh, a few frozen versions and some small substitutions. My mom and I made a great team! But really it would have been midnight if she weren't there to help. It was a great meal and even better, we chopped up a few extra veggies, prepped the meat and threw it together (wrapped separately) in the freezer for another night.

The next day Mom and I made Chocolate and Strawberry Stuffed French Toast. Seriously, seriously, seriously good. But I'm usually game for anything that has the word "stuffed" in it. I was just wishing I had that electric griddle (with warming tray) I had asked Santa for. Ahhh well...

Last night I tried out the Four Cheese Baked Penne. Again, anything with "four cheese" in the title can't be half bad. And it was both comfort and health food wrapped into one--all the love without the guilt! yahoo! Lots of extras so we will be having it another night in the near future. Probably tonight.

I'm no expert in the kitchen and I can't say that I've ever loved it, but I do enjoy cooking healthy meals and baking for my family. I just don't always have the time, all the ingredients and the sanity of mind to do everything I want to do. Pretty much the story of my life. It's nice to have some time off to do those things and feel like I might be getting back on track.

I did ask Santa for quite a few things for my kitchen, and while he didn't come through on Christmas day (however, I loved all my gifts!! I will take clothes any day!) he did slip a few dollars in my pocket to spend as I wish. That and an anniversary check from my mom--thanks for the griddle, Mom! Just what I wanted--howdidyouknow?! Now I can make mini pancakes til the cows come home. Through a couple returns, an "owed" Christmas present from Kyle and a few dollars from our "house" budget we also picked up a couple Henckels knives (woa, baby!), bamboo cooking utensils, cutting boards, and the mother of all stock pot/ strainer/steamer thingys. That thing rocks my world. I had the time of my life cooking dinner last night and breakfast this morning--now I know why people enjoy cooking. When you actually have the right--and worthy--untensils it is kinda fun.