What's for Dinner: Week 2

Continuing my resolution, we cooked at home 4 nights last week (with one minor hiccup), wahoo! Although, I would say the first week was more successful from the *taste* standpoint [I think Alex would agree ;)], but hey you win some and you loose some, right?  

(my actual photos, hence them not looking as perfect as some you'll see on the sites linked below!)

[Sunday]  Fontina, Caramelized-Onion, and Pancetta Pizza
Review: I'm normally a huge homemade pizza fan, and this recipe was pretty good, but not my favorite. I think we might have skimped on the amount of Pancetta, which caused the onion to overpower! It was good,  but I think next time I would try prosciutto (my favorite!) or ham.
Recipe: Here
Ranking (out of 5): 3/5


[Monday] Tortelleni Soup 
Review: This is not a new recipe in our home...it's a favorite! We originally had it at my Sister-in-law's a year or so ago, and from that day we have fallen in love. It's super easy and delicious, and make's for great leftovers.
Recipe: You can find tons of different recipes on line, but Marina's is my favorite and I haven't found it online, so if you're curious-

Ingredients: two packages of tortellini (in the aisle with the cheese at the grocery), mushrooms, garlic, yellow or white onion, two stocks of baby bok choy, tortellini and a box of chicken broth (we use 2 boxes because we like a lot of leftovers).

1. Sautee mushrooms and onion, add garlic after a few minutes

2. Put chicken broth in a big pot bring to light boil, add tortellini (cooks in Broth)

3. Once tortellini is almost done add the washed baby bok choy.

4. Optional: Add parmesan cheese & red pepper chili flakes to finished product

Ranking (out of 5): 5/5 (always...thanks Marina!)

[Tuesday] Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore
Review: I'm a HUGE fan of the crock pot ever since I purchased it a few months ago-especially with working. I was a little nervous leaving it on while I went to work the first time, but all worked out as planned! Anyways, this was a very yummy recipe, but I think next time I would follow the recipe just as stated (I tried to make it a little healthier and omit the cheese and some other things, but I think it would have made it better).
Recipe: Here
Ranking (out of 5): 4.5/5 

[Thursday] Cilantro-Lime Chicken Wings Store Bought Rotisserie Chicken
Review:  Well, well, I had all intentions of grilling Cilantro-Lime Chicken Wings (which we've also cooked many of times and we love), but sadly when I went to prepare the chicken I realized it had gone bad (guess I missed the date when picking that one out at the store), EW! So, I had to throw it out and run to Albertson's and get a Rotisserie chicken and throw some Pillsbury rolls in the oven and Rice Pilaf on the stove. It was a good save, but small disappointment!
Recipe: I'll have to check with the Albertson's chef and get back to ya!
Ranking (out of 5): 1/5 (my score for having the rolls and rice pilaf on hand!)

What's for Dinner: Week 1

As I mentioned, it is my (ambitious) goal to cook healthy meals at home 4 nights a week this year. I'm happy to say that I was successful last week--we cooked at home 3 nights, then at my Sister's one night mostly credited to my Mom's expertise (still at home, despite not being my home)! When searching for yummy recipes, I start at Cooking Light usually, but have found some keepers on other sites, too.

Note: These are professional photos, which can be found on the recipe sites below...but mine looked close :)

[Tuesday] Curried Chicken & Rice Soup
Review: Delicious and perfect for this time of year. It was really easy to make, and made for great leftovers. Only complaint would be that the Curry spice was a bit expensive for my budget, but now we have it and can find other recipes with Curry in it. Definitely a keeper-Alex has already requested it again!
Recipe: Already shared the recipe, but it can be found here.
Ranking (out of 5): 5/5

[Wednesday] Lettuce Wraps
Review: These were a little more involved, and again called for some ingredients that I did not have on hand; partly this is because I'm still building my pantry from moving in and becoming an aspiring cook ;) The finished product was pretty good, but nothing to write home about. I used ground turkey instead of chicken in effort to be more healthy, and also couldn't find butter lettuce so had to use iceberg, which doesn't make for too good of a "wrap". This recipe was decent and pretty healthy, but I think next time I'll try an alternative.
Recipe: Here
Ranking (out of 5): 2/5

[Friday] Grilled Chicken with Rustic Mustard Cream
Review: This recipe surprised me, as I was a little weary and thought it might be too boring. I don't know what I was thinking, though, because it was so yummy. I had planned to do the prep and have Alex get his grill on, but traffic had other plans for him, and we were going to miss our movie, so I put my grillin' cap on and BBQed the chicken myself...a first for me on our grill, so I was proud. Anyways, it came out great! I made it with the roasted tomatoes  (just the red grape tomatoes) and the flavors were delish.
Recipe: Here
Ranking (out of 5): 5/5

[Saturday] Roast Pork with Peach Glaze
Review: Admittedly, my mother was the hands behind this dish, I mostly took part in the eating of it. But, I will say that I was extremely skeptical when she called me and asked me to pick up peaches from the store- I said "oh, so we're having a peach dessert", and she says "no its for the Pork". I was a little weary but I am a sucker for sweet & salty things, so I gave it a shot! And boy, thank goodness I did. It was yummy, and the pork was cooked to perfection (of course my mom has a little more practice than me, so probably a good thing she did this one). Now that I know about this recipe, I'll definitely try it one day soon, but it is a bit more difficult and pricey-probably on a weekend when I have some more time. We served this with corn bread, salad and corn on the cob.
Recipe: Came from my mom's Cooks Illustrated book, but here is a copy cat recipe
Ranking (out of 5): 4/5

A Spoonful o' Resolution

As (one of my) New Years resolutions, I've decided to cook at home at least 4 nights a week. I know it does not sound that difficult, but somehow it has seemed nearly impossible for me ever since I started working--call me crazy! Although I have multiple reasons for wanting to do this, one of the most important ones is to try and eat healthier (I know, cliche, cliche!). Luckily, Santa apparently forecasted this resolution as I opened up these AMAZING cooking and baking supplies on Christmas morning!

Conversion Dish Towel (Crate&Barrel), Milk Bottle Measuring Cups (Anthropologie)
& Serving Set (Anthropologie)

I mean, how can you not want to get in the kitchen and cook/bake with these awesome "tools"! I know it motivates me. Now I just need to find some yummy (and healthy) recipes...it is challenging but I know they're out there. Last night I made Curried Chicken and Rice Soup (found here) and it came out great, it was really tasteful, healthy and even Alex loved it! Perfect for the cold nights we've been having. I think I will be cooking it again soon. 

If anyone has some yummy & healthy fun recipes, bring 'em on!