Yes, if there is a Tea Heaven, I want to go there...

Maybe I am there already!

I just recieved a new electric kettle, Ingenuitea brewer, cup and a bunch of TeaSource tea!  I am obsessed with all of them, the kettle is beautiful, the brewer is so user friendly and the tea is, as always, devine!

Here are links to the things I bought:

Aroma Electric Kettle

Ingenuitea Brewing System

Glass Mug

Teasource Online Store

Happy Ash Wednesday

This year I have possibly bit off more than I can chew, I gave up all junk food for Lent.  Usually I just give up chips, but lately I have been eating a lot of sweets too so I was in desperate need of a Lenten intervention.
As I sit here on day one I feel good about my decision, I would feel better eating a mint Oreo, but that is beside the point!

Things I will not be eating:
Candy and baked sweets
Chips and crackers
French fries and most other fried "crap".
Fast food

Things I will be eating more of:
Hummus
Raw veggies
100% whole grain bread & pasta and baked potatoes
Fresh fruit
Berries, greek yogurt and granola (one of my fave healthy treats)

Dang, a mint Oreo sounds good!

Fish Sticks

Cut tilapia fillet(s) as shown above.

Toss fish sticks with:
Salt
Pepper
Flour

Dip floured and seasoned fish into:
1 egg-beaten

Coat with:
Seasoned bread crumbs

Pan/deep fry or place on a parchment lined baking sheet, spray with cooking spray and bake at 425 for about 15 minutes or until browned.

Best Breading for ANYTHING!

2 pieces of bread, any kind, dry and crusty works best
1/3 cup Parmesan-Grated
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Parsley-Dried

Put all ingredients into a food processor and pulse until it looks like breadcrumbs.

This can be used to bread things like fish or chicken sticks, and onion rings (just dip in flour, then beaten eggs and then the breading).  You can also use it as a topping for baked mac and cheese, or mixed into meatballs or meatloaf.

Jalapeno Poppers

These are obviously delicious made with full fat dairy cheeses, but low or no-fat also works, as does non-dairy alternatives!


10 Jalapenos-cut in half-seeds removed


Filling:
1 pkg cream cheese-softened
1/3 cup grated cheddar cheese
Stir to combine then scoop about a tablespoon into the hollow part of each pepper.


Breading:
1/3 cup Panko bread crumbs
1/3 cup Parmesan-grated
1 tsp garlic powder
3 tbsp melted butter
Stir breading ingredients together to evenly distribute the butter.  Roll the cheese mixture half of the pepper in the breading.  Place on a parchment lined baking sheet, breading side up.  Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or until brown and bubbly!

Roasted veggies

I love to roast vegetables.  It brings out their natural sweetness and a depth of flavor that you just can't get with any other style of cooking...and it is easy!
Lately I have been roasting of tomatoes, red peppers, sweet onions and garlic...I puree it with a cup or two of veggie broth, add some fresh basil and then I have the most amazing homemade soup!  You can even throw in some cooked lentels to add protein and make it even more healthy!

Quarter tomatoes (about 4 medium)
One red pepper (seeds/stem removed) and cut into 4-5 pieces
One medium to large onion cut into eight wedges
4 cloves garlic-paper removed but do not peel

Lay veggies on a baking sheet in one layer, drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper.
Bake at 275 for 2 hours.  The smell will make you want to take them out early, but try to resist!

Other veggies that would be delish: zucchini and squash, any potato, beets, parsnips, eggplant, peppers, turnips, carrots...you get the idea.

Also, less dense vegetables like asparagus and broccoli need to be quick roasted 450 for about 10 minutes, or else they get mushy.

Pita Chips

I started eating these when I gave up chips (mainly potato and tortilla) for lent, and now, wouldn't you know it, I might have to give THESE up for lent because I love them so much!

Cut 3 whole pitas into wedges (8 per pita)


Lay them in a single layer on a cookie sheet

drizzle with olive oil

Sprinkle with salt or any spice you like. I usually just do garlic powder.

Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes

Shut off the heat but leave the chips in the oven for 10-15 more minutes to allow the chips to crisp up.



Enjoy with pesto, sundried tomatoes, salsa, hummus, balsamic vinegarette or whatever you like to dip chips in!

Lunch today, Homemade roasted tomato and red pepper soup, cukes and pita chips.