Resolution Revolution

Hello, 2011! It's been awhile ( I think I begin all of my posts this way now..)

this morning, as I was typing out my ideas for dinner in an email to my dear husband, i had a revolution. why don't I keep track of what I make for dinner?  I mean..It usually isn't anything spectacular, but sometimes I do surprise myself.

There are occasions where I actually crack open a cookbook or search for a recipe online..I must admit..but usually, dinner is my own creation, or a collaborative effort between me and the husband.  So often as we are enjoying our creations, we say "we have to try this again!" and then, of course, it never happens. why? because other than those sketchy emails we send back and forth throughout the day, those dinner ideas are lost in space. yes, I just said that.


So. This is the beginning of my new years resolution revolution (it's just fun to type...sorry)  Starting with last nights dinner, which...sadly, wasn't great- but it didn't suck either! yes!!


Holder Dinner January 3, 2011


Mixed green salad with "grilled' Chicken and zucchini  *

- I wasn't SUPER happy with this, just because of the mix of the zucchini in the salad. it was a bit..too different. The zucchini tasted great! but i Think it would have been better on the side, not on the salad. other than that, it was a fairly fun way to eat salad- which we're trying to do most every night now.

• 1 chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
• 1/2 zuchinni, cut longways into matchsticks
• mixed greens, or any type of lettuce (next time i think i'll just try spinach)
• Toasted almonds
• Romano Cheese
• Olive Oil (for dressing)
• parsley garlic butter (2 tbsp butter, handful of finely chopped parsley, 2 cloves garlic, minced)

-melt the butter in the microwave for 15 seconds, or until it's soft. mix in parsley and garlic. add cut up chicken and "marinate" for a few minutes so that the chicken can soak up..all that good stuff

 -to cook the chicken (and zucchini), I used a nonstick grill pan (thanks Mammaw!) really, just for fun... but it worked pretty well I think! 

-Then....add the chicken and zucchini and chicken to the lettuce, top with almonds, Romano cheese, and olive oil.

...that's it!



Parmesean Garlic Grits( fine..polenta) ***

these were AMAZING! Definitely on our "do it again" list.  I had been looking at various grits..polenta recipes throughout the day, and finally decided to just wing it. Its pretty simple, but I was proud of myself.

• 2 cups chicken broth
• 6 tbsp quick grits
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/4-ish cup parsley
• 3 tbsp butter

-bring chicken broth to a boil
-quickly stir in grits, and lower heat to med/low-
-add garlic and cover - cook for 5-6 minutes
-add butter -after butter is melted, stir in Parmesan and parsley
-season w/ salt and pepper
- eat!




So what's on the menu tonight? well..so far, Ahi tuna with cilantro lime sauce, roasted yellow potatoes and salad. we'll see how it goes-the sauce will probably end up on the potatoes too....also possibly the salad..


Happy New Year!!


..and Merry (late) Christmas!

[ I was attempting to take a photo for a Christmas card..clearly it didn't work out, but it's still cute ;)]