The weather has cooled down fairly suddenly, and while it was faster than I was expecting, I'm glad of the cooler days! All those days in the mid 90's were making the poor cat and me wilt! Cooler days are also nice because then I'm more willing to spend time cooking over the stove or in the oven, instead of relying on the crock pot or fast meals.
Sunday: Korean-style turkey stir fry
Monday: chicken fajitas with peach-mango salsa
Tuesday: leftovers
Wednesday: dinner with friends
Thursday: White Cheddar Corn Chowder
Friday: pasta with mushroom alfredo
Saturday: leftovers
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Recipe Review: Peach Margherita Pizza
For a while now, I've been posting my weekly meal plans (inconsistently, I know) and when I'm using a recipe I've found online I link to the recipe. When I meal plan, I often try to include at least one new recipe per week and if it's a hit I'll use it again. I make some notes on my Pinterest pins (when I remember to) but I thought it would be nice to start reviewing some of the online recipes I've been trying lately. This way I can keep my thoughts in one place, and hopefully it will be helpful for you as well!
The first one I'll share is the Peach Margherita Pizza from Bright Bold and Beautiful.
We tried this recipe a couple weeks ago. It's a great, easy, light pizza that uses store-bought pitas instead of pizza crust. I liked this twist because then I had pitas for lunches later! The flavor was great, perfectly seasonal.
Sean did feel that a single pita pizza was a little light of a meal for dinner, so he found some leftover veggies that he heated up that night in addition to the peach pizza. I'm typically a lighter eater, but I did have some of the extra veggies too. I think the peach pizza may work better as a lunch, or alongside a salad -- something with a bit more fiber to keep you feeling full longer than an hour.
All in all, while we decided that the peach pizza wasn't enough on its own to be a full meal, we really enjoyed it and I think we would be happy to make it again!
The first one I'll share is the Peach Margherita Pizza from Bright Bold and Beautiful.
We tried this recipe a couple weeks ago. It's a great, easy, light pizza that uses store-bought pitas instead of pizza crust. I liked this twist because then I had pitas for lunches later! The flavor was great, perfectly seasonal.
Sean did feel that a single pita pizza was a little light of a meal for dinner, so he found some leftover veggies that he heated up that night in addition to the peach pizza. I'm typically a lighter eater, but I did have some of the extra veggies too. I think the peach pizza may work better as a lunch, or alongside a salad -- something with a bit more fiber to keep you feeling full longer than an hour.
All in all, while we decided that the peach pizza wasn't enough on its own to be a full meal, we really enjoyed it and I think we would be happy to make it again!
Sunday, August 23, 2015
Weekly Meal Plan 8.23.15
It's been a busy few weeks, with friends visiting from out of state and game nights with other friends. As I often end up doing when life is busy, I let the meal planning slip by. But I'm back to make a plan and stick to it!
Here's what we'll be eating this week:
Sunday: leftovers
Monday: Tomato and Tarragon Bread Soup
Tuesday: chicken and Corn Salad with Cheddar and Tomatoes
Wednesday: leftovers
Thursday: Baked Penne with Chicken and Sundried Tomatoes
Friday: fish and salad (I'll have to see what kind of fish looks good at the store this week)
Saturday: leftovers
I'll also be making these Ham Cheddar and Chive Scones for some breakfasts this week!
Here's what we'll be eating this week:
Sunday: leftovers
Monday: Tomato and Tarragon Bread Soup
Tuesday: chicken and Corn Salad with Cheddar and Tomatoes
Wednesday: leftovers
Thursday: Baked Penne with Chicken and Sundried Tomatoes
Friday: fish and salad (I'll have to see what kind of fish looks good at the store this week)
Saturday: leftovers
I'll also be making these Ham Cheddar and Chive Scones for some breakfasts this week!
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
August Garden Progress
After a fairly rainy July, it's been hot and dry so far this August. In addition to using the drip sprinklers, I've been going out with the hose in the evenings to make sure the veggies get enough water -- and a chance to cool down after the very hot days!
I wouldn't say this is the most productive garden I've had, since our balcony container gardens were always extremely productive per square foot. But I've had a steep learning curve with gardening in CO, plus far more inconsistent weather patterns! We have had some gorgeous tomatoes though, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else is a success in the garden this year.
Melons on the outside of the breakfast nook. We've had lots of little flowers, but I can't tell if any melons are actually growing yet.
Corn and pumpkins growing along the back fence. I tried beans too, but so far they've all fried in the hot afternoon sun.
Baby pumpkin!
One set of potted tomatoes and marigolds. The marigolds help attract pollinators and make it pretty!
I had a bunch of volunteer sunflowers in one corner of the yard.
Our row of marigolds, tomatoes, peppers and eggplants along the side fence.
Black tomatoes
The eggplants had a very slow start, but suddenly they're growing and some have these little purple flowers. Maybe I'll have some successful eggplants after all?
I don't know what this perennial bush is, but it attracts a lot of bees so I like it!
We had some volunteer plants in the sandbox, and it turns out they're tomatillos! Since my current plan is to turn the sandbox into a raised bed anyway, I'm letting them grow where they are. We'll see if they're any good.
That's where we are with our garden. If you garden, what's growing well for you? And if any readers have advice for gardening on the Front Range I'd love to hear it!
I wouldn't say this is the most productive garden I've had, since our balcony container gardens were always extremely productive per square foot. But I've had a steep learning curve with gardening in CO, plus far more inconsistent weather patterns! We have had some gorgeous tomatoes though, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else is a success in the garden this year.
Melons on the outside of the breakfast nook. We've had lots of little flowers, but I can't tell if any melons are actually growing yet.
Corn and pumpkins growing along the back fence. I tried beans too, but so far they've all fried in the hot afternoon sun.
Baby pumpkin!
One set of potted tomatoes and marigolds. The marigolds help attract pollinators and make it pretty!
I had a bunch of volunteer sunflowers in one corner of the yard.
Our row of marigolds, tomatoes, peppers and eggplants along the side fence.
Black tomatoes
The eggplants had a very slow start, but suddenly they're growing and some have these little purple flowers. Maybe I'll have some successful eggplants after all?
I don't know what this perennial bush is, but it attracts a lot of bees so I like it!
We had some volunteer plants in the sandbox, and it turns out they're tomatillos! Since my current plan is to turn the sandbox into a raised bed anyway, I'm letting them grow where they are. We'll see if they're any good.
That's where we are with our garden. If you garden, what's growing well for you? And if any readers have advice for gardening on the Front Range I'd love to hear it!