Indian Madras Pie...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

Indian Madras Pie

This recipe makes about 6 servings. It takes about 20 minutes to prep.

 Ingredients:

2 1/2 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces.
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 package of lean ground turkey
1 1/2 cup baby carrots, sliced
3 medium parsnips, peeled and sliced
2 tsp ground ginger
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup frozen peas or frozen vegetables
2/3 cup milk
2 tbsp unsalted butter
Pinch cayenne pepper

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat; cook, boiling, for 12 minutes. Drain and return to pot.

2. Meanwhile heat oil in a large lidded 3 to 4 quart flameproof dish over medium, high heat. Crumble in turkey and cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, for 4 minutes. Stir in carrots, parsnips, ginger, 3/4 tsp of the salt, the cumin, coriander, cinnamon, turmeric, cayenne and 1/2 cup water. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring once or twice, for 17 minutes adding more water if necessary. Uncover and stir in peas or frozen vegetables. Cook for 2 minutes, then remove from heat. 

3. Mash potatoes in pot with milk, butter and remaining salt. Spread potatoes over turkey mixture in dish and sprinkle with cayenne pepper, if desired. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

I made this dish last week and it was good but not nearly as good as my shepherds pie. I think I should change the amount of cinnamon in this recipe.

Where my Garden Grows...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

I was walking among my garden earlier this morning and enjoying all the things I currently have growing there. I found some batteries for my boyfriends camera and started to take photos of nature at its best.

I found this little guy exploring my marigold flowers. I thought he was pretty cool and got some great photos of him. I was really surprised at the quality of the photos considering this is my first time I using the camera. I think they the photos turned out really good.




Is that caterpillar just the cutest? I don't know if he is good or bad for my flowers but I thought he's pretty cool.

I just love this picture of my tomato plants. I love taking the time to enjoy nature.




 I also harvested some produce while clearing out the garden for spring. I planted some bulbs that hopefully will come back every year. I also currently have two other flower plants that are growing that will also come back as well. I'm so excited for the spring season.


I also started my herb garden indoors. I currently have some seeds sprouting. I love watching my plants grow. Its really fascinating and a lovely wholesome experience.

Gardening Season is Coming to a Close...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

I started Gardening earlier this Spring. I was sadly a late bloomer in this new found hobby of mine and now winter fast approaches. I'm so sad to see the gardening season go away so soon. I have a boat load of things I must do to prepare my garden for the coming spring. I also want to start composting to build better soil for my garden bed. I planted some herb seeds for my indoor herb garden a few days ago to keep the harvest going.

I grew my very own pumpkin patch in one of my raised garden beds. Something has been eating one of my pumpkins. I'm so disappointed. I wanted to use these pumpkin for carving for Halloween but they have yet to change color. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong or if that's just normal. I think next year I'm gonna skip the pumpkin patch.

It's so sad. My garden is decaying as the fall season rolls in. It makes me sad to see all my produce start to die. The only thing that keeps me going is knowing that next season I have more experience and have a better plan of what I want to grow and what I want to try to grow. I can't wait to get started but first I need to draw out my garden bed. I must make plans on what I'm growing and what I'm not.

Thankfully cooking and baking will be able to fill the void until the Spring.

Sweet and Sour Sesame Seed Chicken...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

Sweet and Sour Sesame Seed Chicken

Ingredients:

3-4 Boneless chicken breasts
Salt and Pepper
1 cup cornstarch
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 - 1/2 cup canola oil

Sweet and Sour Sauce:

3/4 cup sugar
4 tbsp ketcup
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp garlic salt
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Sesame Seeds are Optional

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

1. Trim and cut the chicken into cubes. Season with salt and pepper. Place the cornstarch into a gallon - size plastic bag and add all of your chicken cubes into it. Seal and shake to coat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken to a large dish. Pour beaten egg over the chicken and stir gently to coat.

2. Heat the oil in a large skillet and pan fry the chicken over medium high heat on both sides until slightly brown. Place chicken into greased baking dish.

3. Mix all of your sweet and sour ingredients in a bowl with a fork. Pour or drizzle evenly over the chicken, save some as a dipping sauce. Bake the chicken for 45 minutes at 325 degrees. During this process, stir chicken a few times. Add the sesame seeds. Increase the oven to 375. Bake for 15 more minutes. Watch the chicken to make sure it doesn't burn.

I thought I wouldn't really enjoy this meal but as it turns out. I loved it. I can't wait to make it again. I encourage you all to do the same. I promise you won't regret it.

Sugar is my Addiction...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

First off, I want to apologize for not posting everyday like I wanted. I am having a hard time downloading photos of all the amazing food I have made this past few weeks. I think I might ask for a camera this Christmas. That would be nice. Then I wouldn't have to take photos on my phone. Or I could just use the one my boyfriend got last year or two years ago, not sure which at our Christmas Raffle at work. That would work as well. I might ask for a memory card for it. Then I can use it as my main source for photos.

Second, I have a sugar addiction. I am seriously addicted to anything sugary and sweet. Its such a terrible mix fr me because I adore baking. But I need to find ways to make these foods better for me. I need to work on giving up sugary foods that are bad for me. Like I love chocolate, especially those Halloween Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins. They are so delicious and the goodness factors seriously spike with that food. I need better options. If you anyone has some advice on how to do such things, please leave a comment.

I'm having a hard time keeping up with my calorie counter on my phone. I try and then I just stop using it. I need to use it because it might help me loose weight. I really need to loose weight. I'm not fat per say. I just need to loose a few pounds.

The Salty Saloon - Salt is the Enemy #1...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

Salt can be a wonderful thing. It help bring out the flavor in foods that sometimes taste bland. It also enhances the foods natural flavor. Salt however can also be a very bad thing. Too much of it and it can cause some serious increase of your bodies natural salt intake. Most foods already have salt built in, so the need to add more isn't necessary. But I am one who likes to sprinkle some  on food, especially mashed potatoes. I think mashed potatoes taste better with salt. I need to break this habit I really do. I am currently working on revamping myself to be a better me for a better tomorrow. I'm slowly working in making it less of a thing for myself. I encourage others to do the same. It will be hard but it will be worth it in the end.

I think it would be helpful to season food well. That way there is enough flavor from the spices that salt doesn't make a play on food. Then the consumer won't have to worry if they are eating too much salt or not. I believe in a healthier you for tomorrow. My theory is that once salt is cut from the diet, you will be able to move on and cut other things as well. Some of the things I need to cut are junk food like ice cream and chocolate. I am particular to anything sweet. I have a major sweet tooth. I always have, ever since I was young. I think that cutting those things from my diet will help me loose weight and feel better about my body, my health, and myself.

Food Is Life...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

I have been so busy lately. I try to juggle life the best way I can. I make dinner two nights a week. I cook more than I have ever cooked before. Whats really funny about that is that I love every moment that I spend cooking. I enjoy finding new recipes and making them my own. I love eating my creations and realizing that I can actually make something that tastes great, even amazing. I'm so proud of myself. My family has started to take notice of my new skill as well. I think they might be a little jealous because I never cooked for them.

I have found so many new recipes that I can't wait to try. First I need to find them and get the recipe. I hope to share more of my food adventures with you soon. Keep checking back for more recipes.