Steamed Veggies with Dijon Chive Butter

I love vegetables (don't worry--it was a fairly recent liking of about 5 years ago)!  However, spicing them differently can be a challenge.  I like them with just salt and pepper most of the time; Ben does not.  So we compromised to a 50/50 (I might cheat by making broccoli with salt and pepper for me then adding cheese sauce for him! LOL). 

{I am a simple woman--steak and veggies for dinner!}

However, when I saw this recipe, I thought I would give it a try because A) it was something different and B) because I had all the ingredients.  I forgot where I saw the original recipe; it was probably a magazine.

{Yes, I use frozen veggies--it's just the two of us so buying fresh in bulk is not a viable option}

{Mixing the Dijon Chive butter}

{Steamed the veggies until al dente then added Dijon chive butter and gave it a stir}

Steamed Veggies with Dijon Chive Butter

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1/3 cup chives, chopped

1 poind vegetables, your choice

1. Blend butter, mustard, lemon peel, and chives, seaoning with salt and pepper.
2. Cook veggies by steaming until al dente. Remove/drain water.
3. Add mustard mix to the vegetables stir until veggies are coated.

How do you like to spice your veggies?  I'm open to more suggestions!

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Peanut Butter Honey Truffles

I'm a grazer when I am at home (the first step is admitting you have a problem, right?) so I keep little to no snack foods, e.g. chips, candy, pretzels, etc, at home because I will eat them and gain weight (definitely not needed!).  However, I do snack on dark chocolate and cheese and peanut butter and whatever I am making for Ben for dinner (sometimes it's the dangerous pasta or mashed potatoes.... but mostly on the meat/veggies I make for him).  I also notice that I get a 'sweet' craving around that time of day.

{Delicious peanut butter honey truffles!}

I saw a recipe for peanut butter honey truffles on one of my favorite blogs, The Shiksa, and knew I had to try it as a snack.  ;o)  Luckily, it is packed with protein and hits that sweet craving right on the head in a single truffle (for me at least).  Plus they are easy to make!  Ben LOVES these; in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he is eating the rest of them right now ( he LOVES peanut butter--almost too much!).

{Ingredients in a bowl}

{Mix and then roll!}

Peanut Butter Honey Truffles

Makes 30 truffles

Ingredients

1 cup oats
12 oz jar of natural peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
1/2 tablespoon vanilla
2 cups dried shredded coconut

1. Grind the oats in a food processor until powdery like flour.
2. In a mixing bowl, mix together the oat flour, peanut butter, honey, and vanilla until thoroughly mixed.
3. Grind the coconut in a food processor until cut into smaller pieces or powdery.
4. Roll peanut butter mixture into 1 inch balls.
5. Roll each ball in dried coconut to coat.
6. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before service.

I bought coconut flakes and didn't grind them more, but I wish I did.  They are still awesome though, and I will defeinitely do it next time.

What do you like to snack on?

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Favorite Blogs

In this blog-filled world, there are soooo many to read and fall in love with but soooo little time!  I have some favorites that I want to share with my lovely readers.  SURPRISE!!!  Only TWO are food blogs!

{source}

Girl with Curves--I love fashion!  However, most of it is geared to those women who are incredibly blessed with a high metabolism and light frames....  For the rest of us, we have had to scrape by in the past.  I found this blog and fell in love!  She demonstrates how to dress for a curvy figure and make it fashionable!  Her motto: When life gives you curves, FLAUNT them!  (Amen!)

{source}

smitten kitchen--Delicious (for the most part easy!) recipes!  I have not gotten one recipe that didn't work or taste fantastic!  There are just too many and so little time!  I get a good portion of my inspiration from this lady who lives in New York City and has a kitchen tinier than mine (which mine is pretty tiny....)

{the beauty department}

the beauty department--These women are professional makeup artists and hairstylists based in LA.  They have some awesome tips, makeup tricks, and hairstyles that I have used and gotten many, many compliments.  They break down the steps and give you videos/pictures to follow along with the instructions.  When they have tips and tricks, they cover a wide range of skin tones, eye shapes, etc so they are very thorough.

{source}

The Dating Divas--Isn't the first part of a relationship so nice?  You go on dates and spend quality time together....*sigh*  Then you move in together/get married/have children, and all of a sudden the dating stops.  Life gets in the way sometimes.  These ladies have a great idea: date your spouse/significant other--plan dates and go!  They have some awesome ideas for just a couple, group dates, couples with children, and more!  They also give advice and tips on relationships and children and other such topics.  I found this website earlier this year, and I have been obsessed!  Ben and I love going on our dates from planning the date to writing the invitation to actually going.  Granted, I do most of the invitations, planning and execution, but Ben is learning to 'invite' me to dates through emails and text messages (hey--you have to start somewhere).  They have some fantastic ideas which I can't wait to try!

{source}

Shiksa in the Kitchen--This blog was a recent discovery, but everything I've made so far has been excellent (and easy!).  The blog's author and husband are Jewish who come from Israel.  I love Mediterranean food, and her blog is filled with yummy recipes for authentic Mediterranean food along with Jewish specific recipes like Matzo and other Kosher foods.  I am all about expanding my horizons!  The best part is, she is a food anthropologist so she does the history of food too!  She has another blog called The History Kitchen in which she recreates historical recipes (like the Titanic's last meal) along with their history.  Pretty awesome!

HRH Duchess Kate--This blog follows the fashion and news of Duchess Catherine.  She became one of my style icons over these last few months for her courage to recycle (shocking for such a high profile person!) her wardrobe and classic, elegant, sophisticated, lady-like style.  Thankfully, this style is coming back into mainstream fashion (somewhat).  I have always been a huge supporter of this type of style, and I strive to look (and act) lady-like at all times. 

So there you have it!  Anyone have any suggestions for others?  I'd love to expand my favorites!

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French Country Stew

If you haven't notice, my style is more rustic and country.  Don't get me wrong--I love the refined tastes of some culinary delicacies that we made in school, but honestly, I love a good rustic meal.  I love making every aspect of it using fresh ingredients; I love the heartiness of the food too.  It's authentic and comfortable--no muss or fuss. 

{Adding the spices--forgot to get a picture of the end product (I might have been hungry)}

Ben is the same way; if I fed him meat and potatoes at every meal, he would never complain.  We love the French Country Stew recipe!  It's so good with the smoked sausage and sweet tomato sauce flavor.

{Sauting}

{Getting everything ready to throw together}

{Sauting the beans and sausage for more flavor}

French Country Stew

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

1 cup carrots, chopped

1 cup celery, chopped

1/2 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound kielbasa (or any other smoked sausage), chopped

1 can tri-blend beans, drained and rinsed

1 can diced tomatoes

1 can tomato paste

1 can tomato sauce

1/2 cup beef broth

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon dried oregano or thyme

1 teaspoon black pepper

1. Saute carrots, celery, onion and garlic in a saucepan.
2. Add sausage and beans; saute for 3 minutes.
3. Add tomato products, beef broth, oregano or thyme, and pepper.
4. Simmer for 30 minutes or until thickened.
5. Serve with bread or over mashed potatoes or rice.

This recipe can be made in a crockpot and is just as good.

What is your food style?

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