I Make it Rain.

Tonight is my last night on my veggie quest since Alex has to turn in her project a little sooner than expected. I have to say that it has been challenging to think of new things to make with vegetables and still keep them nice and tasty. Although challenging, it has been so great! I has made me branch out and try so many different things and to stop being lazy! My week is up, but Stephen and I plan to continue to add more vegetables to our daily diet.

Since it was our last "official" night, we decided to make it rain.... veggie style.

Jenny Peeples' husband shipped out today for 2 weeks and accompanied Stephen and I on our veggie storm (she deserves some credit).

For an appetizer, I mixed equal parts sour cream and cream cheese and stirred in some cheddar cheese. I then spread the mixture on each crescent roll and added 2 asparaguses (asparagi?). 

Jenny wasn't so sure about this, but she ended up liking it!

Although against my inner 5 year old, I told Alex that I would give brussel sprouts and artichokes a chance. I figured artichokes wouldn't be so bad, but the brussel sprouts were a sure failure from the beginning.

I cooked them according to Alex's instructions (3 minutes in the microwave) then charred them on the stove in bacon grease.

I had absolutely NO idea where to even start with the artichokes. I googled how to "start" an artichoke and this is what the after shot of that looked like:

We removed the "hairy choke" (giggles are allowed...)

We then simply steamed the artichokes since we had no idea what else to do with them.

Stephen was in charge of the meat again (such a man), and he made chicken, red and yellow peppers, mushrooms, and garlic with some sort of sauce. I was too busy to know exactly what was going on but it looked and smelled yummy.

We then made a garlic/butter dipping sauce for the artichokes.

Supper is done! 

Veggie Count: 6 (BAM!!)

The wait was over. It was time for the official brussel sprout test. Stephen and Jenny were open to trying them but were determined that they were not going to like them. 

                                                  

Unlike my previous successes, this one was unsuccessful for my diners. 

HOWEVER, I liked them! Are they my favorite? Um... no. BUT, I did eat all of them on my plate. 

I'm such a good girl.

Another however... I did not like the artichokes. I didn't really see a point. There was no "meat" on it and all I tasted was the garlic and butter (which was very tasty). I'm willing to try again with an actual recipe, but I don't think they'll be a staple...

Overall, I have greatly enjoyed my week challenge! I plan to continue my veggie-awesomeness and plan to continue to be awesome in general (nbd).

Summary of the Weekend

I'm a little behind on my posting, but I'm going to sum up my weekend veggies:

Friday: leftovers from Thursday night (gumbo)

Saturday: sauteed chicken, potatoes, and green beans with a side of asparagus.

Sunday: Stephen has been wanting to cook chicken curry for a while now, and he finally got his chance. It was nice only having to focus on my veggies! He added chicken and chopped onions to the curry sauce and a touch of love to top it off.

Stephen HATES squash and refuses to try it. However, I finally talked him into trying butternut squash since it has a totally different texture and taste. Unfortunately, I have never actually cooked it myself and found out that you have to peel off the outside layer. Because of this lack of knowledge, I cut my finger while attempting to do so (sad face). I currently have a band-aid on my right pointer finger which makes typing quite difficult...

Anyway, back to the butternut squash- I cut the squash into squares and tossed with minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. As you see in the picture, I also cooked asparagus again. This time I covered it with honey and a little soy sauce (I know that sounds gross, but trust me). I roasted the squash for about 50 minutes and the asparagus for about 10 on 400 degrees.

This is the finished product! Stephen's curry was delicious and... he liked the squash!! Success! 

Beginner's Gumbo

Well, today marks the official 2nd day of my veggie-week. I honestly thought it would be much more difficult to think of things to make, but it has made me be more creative! I know gumbo isn't very "creative", but it's definitely something that I wouldn't have thought about if I wouldn't have had a drawer FULL of veggies to choose from!

First I chopped up the red and green peppers, mushrooms, and sausage (3 veggies in one pan... it's ridiculous how great I am) 

I also sliced the squash and added some slices of onion and put into a baking dish. I added some extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and a little butter and mixed it all together.

I then sauteed the peppers, mushrooms, and sausage together with some oil, a little butter, salt, pepper, and garlic while the rice was cooking in my handy dandy rice cooker.

When it was almost done, I microwaved the squash for 2 minutes, stirred them, then cooked them again for 1 1/2 minutes (I can thank my mom for this one).

I also warmed up some kidney beans in a pot.

Viola! Beginner's Gumbo with squash and onions. 

I have to say that I was pretty surprised that it tasted as good as it did. I'll definitely have to make this one again!

WIAW (What I Ate Wednesday)

Oh the joys of blogging. 

My friend Alex Kenefic (or Keflevic as Stephen pronounces it... it's "easier"), has inspired me to start on the oh-so fabulous journey of blogging! Alex is getting her master's in nutrition and has asked for my participation on one of her upcoming projects. Naturally I accepted...

For the next week, I have set a goal (with the help of my personal nutritionist) to add a different vegetable to dinner every night. Before talking with Alex, I saw myself as an open-minded vegetable eating girl. However, as Alex began asking me about different vegetables such as brussel sprouts, radishes, artichokes, and cabbage, I felt my inner 5 year old begin to creep out.

 "Do I have to eat ALL of them??"

I took her challenge on the brussel sprouts and artichokes. I hav yet to be convinced on the others. Nevertheless, I have agreed to post my dinners on here nightly as a way to be held accountable. Here is my first WIAW:

Breakfast: Frosted Mini Wheats BITE SIZE (they aren't good any other size)

Lunch: Grilled chicken sandwich with green and red peppers, cheese, lettuce, and tomato. Oh, and french fries. Alex: didn't you say that counted as a vegetable.....?? :)

Snack: Two clementine oranges

Dinner: Chicken and potatoes in a golden mushroom sauce (thank you Campbell's) with steamed broccoli and squash with onions.