Moshi, Moshi!
That's Japanese for "Hello," by the way. I guess. I'm going off of what I've heard from other people and read on the internet while researching the language for my trip to Japan. But you can't trust everything you read on the internet (with this blog being the exception).
So I realize that there has been a lack of posts lately. Well, I actually have a valid explanation for those of you who are completely distraught with the absence of said posts.
The explanation is this: I simply haven't had time. I know, I know. It's the lame, overused, overrated, cliche, go-to excuse for when you really don't have an excuse. But surprisingly true in this case. What with packing for a journey to Japan, packing for a move, work, class, life, time just hasn't been overly abundant in my life as of late. So cooking/baking/writing has gone to the back-burner (excuse the cooking-related pun) for the last few weeks.

But I can't simply leave for two weeks without at least mentioning something about food. So I'm going to praise something that I've absolutely fallen in love with lately. An awesome cookbook full of easy recipes that anyone can try. Healthy recipes. Low calorie recipes. Not to mention delicious.
Hungry Girl.
That's right. I'm sure you've heard of her and her two books, 200 Under 200 and the original Hungry Girl cookbook. And if you haven't gotten a chance to get those books, at least go out to your Borders/Barnes and Noble/Whatever bookstore you use and at least look through the copies they have there. Don't have time to go to the bookstore? Well, you're at the computer now, so go to www.hungry-girl.com. She's got recipes all over the place on the site and I have yet to be disappointed by a single one.

Here are some of my favorite recipes she has:
Rockin' Shrimp Pad Thai
Spinach Dip (like the fat-laden spinach and artichoke dip you get at restaurants, but healthier and just as amazing)
Lava Cakes

So till I get back from my vacation, take a look at those. They'll hold you over, I guarantee. And also, begin anticipating all of the exciting foods I'm going to try while in a foreign country that places great emphasis on food and experimentation with food. Seriously. Have you seen some of the stuff they eat? Crazy stuff. . . and I'm going to eat it. So until then. . .

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Posted By: Jill 2 - Category: Let's Talk Food!, Random Stuff

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The Mood Booster

July 28th 2009 03:54

You ever have one of those days?
You know, the kind when you just want to lcurl up in bed or on the couch, change into your pajamas, turn the tv to your favorite show (or in my case, the no-fail cheer-up movie, "The Last Unicorn"), and stare blankly at the screen as you try to forget what kind of day you're having. . . yeah, that kind.
The kind that inevitably leads to minus one pint of chocolate ice cream in your freezer. Or, if you're someone after my own heart, minus one jar of peanut butter.
I'm pretty sure you've had one of those days.
Everyone has.
They're unavoidable. Inescapable. In other words, part of life.
But the clogged arteries and extra couple of pounds don't have to be. Because what's a better mood booster than a warm, soft, fudgy brownie that you can enjoy for only 40 calories per brownie? I can only think of a few things, including a trip to Disneyland. But these brownies are a lot cheaper than a trip to Disneyland, so I guess they win in that respect. . .
I'm not going to get into the whole scientific aspect of how chocolate affects the mood, because frankly, I'm having exactly one of those days I was talking about before and explaining science does not have the same effect as these brownies. So just take my word. . . next time you're having a bad day, give these a try. What can it hurt? It's only forty calories. . .

Guilt-Free, Mood-Boosting, Fudgy Brownies
2 tablespoons Smart Balance Light Buttery Spread, melted
½ cup cocoa powder
½ cup Splenda
1 egg or ¼ cup egg beaters
¾ cup unsweetened applesauce
2 teaspoons vanilla
½ cup flour (use whole-wheat flour for extra points)
¼ cup baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
¼ cup walnuts (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Spray an 8 inch square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Dust with cocoa, shaking out excess.

3. Stir together melted butter, cocoa, Splenda, egg, applesauce and vanilla, beating until smooth.

4. Gently stir in flour, baking soda and salt until well combined.

5. If adding mix-ins, gently fold in now.

6. Pour into prepared pan and bake 25 to 30 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean. Cut into 16 brownies.

Now let me say, I don't really expect you to look forward to "one of those days" or anything, but these would definitely make you dread them much less. Top with a little bit of non-fat frozen yogurt if you're having an especially rough day. Trust me. Your day and mood will improve marginally with the first bite.

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Posted By: Jill 2 - Category: Desserts, Brownies, Snacks

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Tengo Una Cita Con Quesadilla!

July 18th 2009 03:56

Hola amigos!
Sorry. Couldn't resist starting a post about Mexican food with some Spanish. I'm going to be pulling out all that I remember from one year of the language in high school (which I left soon after to pursue Latin instead, something far less useful, but far more interesting). Lucky for you, all I remember is Hola amigos and "Tengo Una Cita Con Anita" which translates to "I have a date with Anita," something that has never been useful to me and probably never will, as I never intend to have a date with Anita (no offense to you Anitas out there, I just tend to not have dates with all members of the female gender, regardless of name). So now that I've exhausted all remaining knowledge of one whole year in Spanish class, I'll move on to what is really the only and most important part of this post. Food.
So you know that quesadilla that's just calling your name at Taco Bell? The temptation's so strong that you decide to go ahead and put on your shoes and head to the drive-through at 11 pm. You can't help it. You see the commercials and just HAVE to have that cheesy, melty, spicy quesadilla. And without a second thought, you've arrived at the fast food joint, shelling out the how-many-ever bucks for a meal filled with fat and calories.
Yep. That quesadilla. So how about this? Instead of paying someone to help clog your arteries or add to your waistline, take a little time out of your day to make your own quesadilla. Not only is it far healthier than the fast-food joint version, but it tastes better too. And you can make it to fit your own taste buds by adding whatever vegetables/meat combos you want. It's completely customizable. Sound good? Awesome. Then get to cooking with this recipe!

Chicken Quesadillas
1 bonless skinless Smart Chicken breast, cooked and sliced
2 tortillas (I use La Tortilla Low-Carb, Low-Fat Whole Wheat tortillas)
¼ cup shredded fat free cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons fat free sour cream
1/2 teaspoons taco seasoning
2 slices Kraft 2% Swiss cheese slices
1 large green bell pepper, sliced
1 large white onion, sliced

In a small bowl, combine shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and taco seasoning. Microwave for about 30 seconds, or until cheese is melted. Set aside for now.

In a frying pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, saute sliced peppers and onions over medium-high heat until tender. Remove from heat.

Spray pan once more with nonstick spray. Place tortilla in the bottom of the pan and spread half the sour cream and cheese mixture over half the tortilla. Place half sauteed veggies and chicken over sauce. Top with Swiss cheese slices, torn into smaller pieces and spread out. Let cook for about 1 minute. Fold the other half of the tortilla over the toppings. Allow to cook until cheese has melted. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Remove from heat and cut into four pieces. Serve with salsa and fat free sour cream. Serves two.

This was just the combination of meats and veggies I used. Feel free to switch out ground beef, shrimp, steak, or ground turkey for the chicken, any combination of vegetables your heart desires, and your favorite cheeses (pepperjack is a good choice, too). Mix and match to come up with different flavorings.
So next time you're craving Mexican food, instead of getting into your car and indulging in a quesadilla laden with fat, carbs, calories, and God knows what else, why not give this a shot? You can eat the same size quesadilla for about 1/3 the calories and 1/8 the fat. Seriously? Seriously. How can you even consider the alternative after hearing that?

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Posted By: Jill 2 - Category: Main Dishes, Chicken, Misc. Main Dishes, Sandwiches, A Look at Some Restaurants, Let's Talk Food!

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New Owner and Your Next Dinner!

July 11th 2009 02:03

Hello all!

So. . . my first official time blogging on my own domain. . . exciting stuff! Yep. . . the ownership of this domain has switched hands. To avoid having to make another set of introductions and explanations, I'll just redirect anyone who wants to be informed as to who exactly has commandeered this domain here
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Posted By: Jill 2 - Category: Main Dishes, Chicken, Let's Talk Food!

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The Sweating Burger

July 6th 2009 02:15

Well. . . Happy Belated Fourth of July!
I hoped to get this post in before the Fourth of July, but between work, classes, having a life (yes, I do indeed have a life), and the unbearable heat that prevents me from wanting to have a hot laptop on my legs for the length of time it takes to write a post, I simply didn't get around to it. But today was my day off, with no classes, and no plans. And the heat has been remedied by my wonderful new fan that is at this very moment blowing the refreshing cool air directly on me in an attempt to battle off the wretched heat. And so I finally get to the post I've been meaning to write.
The reason I wanted to get this particular post out before Fourth of July is because this is a burger recipe. But not simply a burger. This burger isn't for the weak of heart (literally. . . I've seen people get serious heartburn when they eat spicy foods, and this could send them to the hospital. . . at least if you make it with as much heat as I do). But if you're feeling brave and don't mind a reddening face with some moisture accumulating on your forehead with ever succulent bite, then read on

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Posted By: Jill 2 - Category: Main Dishes, Beef

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The Aloha Omelet

July 1st 2009 01:40

Happy Tuesday!

So I meant to write this post earlier, but I think I have a valid excuse for not doing so. It was hot. Very hot. And even hotter when you're in a room in a house in which air conditioning isn't used. And when it's 100 degrees outside, no air conditioning means an almost equivalent temperature in the room. And having a laptop sitting on your lap, motor running, heat emanating from the bottom and making its scorching way through your legs, it's very uncomfortable

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Posted By: Jill 2 - Category: Main Dishes, Misc. Main Dishes, Breakfasts, Eggs, Fruit Dishes

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Leggo that Eggo!

June 27th 2009 03:25

Good morning/afternoon/evening all!
Well, it's Friday. You know what that means? That's right. . . the weekend. The glorious, relaxing, strictly for killing time, weekend. Two mornings of waking up late, lounging around in your pajamas till noon (or all day if you're like me), and having the time to make a decent, amazing breakfast. And this weekend, your breakfast is the staple of all breakfast foods.
That's right. A hot, fresh off the griddle, steaming stack of pancakes. What's better than that? Besides maybe a hot, fresh off the griddle, steaming stack of white chocolate macadamia-nut pancakes. Oh yeah. I did the inconceivable (does that word make everyone else think of The Princess Bride every time they hear it?). I took one of the greatest cookies ever created and put it into a pancake. But that's not the inconceivable part. It's the fact that you can eat two of these large, fluffy pancakes and only take in 150 calories. How? Well, read on to find out

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Posted By: Jill 2 - Category: Main Dishes, Misc. Main Dishes, Breakfasts, Pancakes, Desserts

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Eat Your Vegetables. . . in Cake!

June 20th 2009 02:39

Hello, all!
I'm going to start this post by apologizing. I apologize because I said in my last post that this one would contain a recipe for a Twinkie Cake. I am sorry to say that this will not, in fact, be happening. Simply because I tried and something went wrong with the cake. I am still working on the recipe and would not wish to present you with anything that I would not recommend trying. So instead, I give you a different kind of cake. My personal favorite, and with a bit of your daily vegetables: carrot cake.
Again, I regret to inform you that there will be no pictures as of yet, due to the fact that I am still avidly searching for the card reader, apparently the most elusive of objects. But even if I had found the card reader by this point, I think I would have avoided taking a picture of this cake. Not that it didn't turn out fantastic. Because it was. It truly was. But because the whole point of making a cake was to make one that appeared to be baked by someone who has no clue how to make a cake. Let me just say my heart broke with every piece I took out of that cake, purposefully destroying what could have been a beautiful cake

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Posted By: Jill 2 - Category: Desserts, Cakes

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Hot, Sizzling, Skinny. . .Peppers

June 15th 2009 00:38

Well, we've moved on past the awkward introductions part. Whew. Glad that's over. Now let's assume we've covered the small talk, such as the current weather patterns and the happenings of Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton (isn't that what everyone's small talk consists of?), and move on to what this blog is really supposed to be about: food!
Before I jump into this recipe I recently tried/modified, I'm going to explain where I originally had something similar to this. I had the intense pleasure of having this dish at a restaurant called Abuelo's. It's not a huge chain, but they're out there a few places. Texas and Kansas are the two places I know they're at for sure. If you ever fly into KCI airport and have some time, take the five mile trip down to Zona Rosa and go to the Abuelo's there. Trust me, it'll be worth it. Not exactly health food, but hey, I figure you have to splurge every once in awhile.
Anyway, the first time I was there, I ordered the Chile Manzanillo, which is a poblano pepper, roasted and stuffed with imperial crab, shrimp, scallops, and a lobster sauce. Delicious. Words simply cannot describe the levels of magnificence this dish brings to my taste buds. So I won't even try. Just know, it's good. I was instantly hooked and have never ordered anything BUT this while I am there

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Posted By: Jill 2 - Category: Main Dishes, Seafood, Misc. Main Dishes, A Look at Some Restaurants

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Awkward Introductions

June 10th 2009 01:46

I feel that seeing as this is my first blog, I should begin with introductions. I suppose all of you reading this would like to know who is typing this fascinating and intriguing sequence of words that is keeping your eyes glued to the screen, on the edge of your seat, heart racing in anticipation of what will be next said. So let's begin at that. Introductions.

Hi, I'm Jill. (Insert group chorus of "Hi Jill" here) And I'm a Foodie. Pure, raw, organic foodie. I'm the type of person who watches The Food Network when I'm home. The type who sits at dinner, discussing what recipes I've tried lately and what I look forward to trying in the future. Who goes shopping at grocery stores for a mother/daughter day and doesn't even step foot in a clothes store. Who goes to bed at night thinking about what I'm going to have for breakfast in the morning

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Posted By: Jill 2 - Category: Let's Talk Food!, Random Stuff

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August 2009

1 Posts

July 2009

5 Posts

June 2009