Healthy Dinner in a Flash!

Today was a great day! I had my kiddos watch Jamie Oliver’s new show on ABC called Food Revolution. They all seemed really interested and intrigued by the material especially since most of them eat lunches that are provided by the school everyday. My other class is working on an international foods project that I cannot wait to see!

After work with my prepared shopping list that I made the night before for the whole week (I know! Planning ahead who would of thought?). On the menu for the week: vegetarian tacos, pork chops with homemade applesauce and shrimp and mango kabobs. Once I finally got home my roommate Sara Jane and I walked 2 of the dogs since it was so nice outside. After getting back from our brisk walk I started to prepare dinner. The recipe to start off the week with was from my new Real Simple magazine (which I wait for patiently every month). I decided to make vegetarian tacos first. The recipe uses tofu, which is used in place of meat and still contains high amounts of protein. This recipe was so fast and easy and required only 1 skillet (which I love since that requires less work on my end). Since I prepared this so fast I only remembered to take a couple photos while I was cooking.

Vegetarian Tacos

Recipe adapted from Real Simple

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 14-ounce package extra-firm tofu—drained, patted dry, and crumbled
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 1 10-ounce package frozen corn (2 cups), thawed
• 1 5-ounce package baby spinach (about 6 loosely packed cups)
• 8 small flour tortillas, warmed
• 3/4 cup crumbled fresh goat cheese (3 ounces)
• 3/4 cup store-bought refrigerated salsa (I am in looooove with a mango salsa in the produce isle at my grocery store)
  

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu, chili powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Cook, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes.
2. Add the corn and cook, tossing, until heated through, about 2 minutes. Add the spinach and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper and toss until wilted.
3. Fill the tortillas with the tofu mixture, cheese, and salsa.

*I used feta cheese in place of goat cheese. Diced peppers and black beans would also be a great addition to the recipe.

I promise that there will be pictures of my next meal! This might be kind of bad but sometimes I pick out recipes on how they look in a picture. I guess I just like visuals sometimes.

Talk to you soon!

Brunch Makes Everything Better

For the weekend Graham and I drove to St. Louis. It just so happened to be one of the nicest weekends we have had in a very long time. We started the weekend off by taking the touristy trip to the St. Louis Arch. First off we sat on the steps overlooking the Missouri river, since it was such a beautiful day out and watched all of the horse drawn carriages. Although we did not take the tour up into the arch we did walk around the great historical museum there and I bought some pecan infused maple syrup. I have been waiting for the perfect chance to make some whole-wheat pancakes to top off with my new maple syrup, but that is for another time and another blog entry…

Well any way’s after soaking up the sun for a couple hours under the arch we decided to walk around Laclede’s Landing and grab a burger, was not to impressed with the burger but was with the great architecture. We ended up grabbing a pizza later that night in the Delmar Loop at Pi Pizzeria (which I am obsessed with and think about frequently) and listening to a great New Orleans style band at the Grahamophone.

To end a great weekend off we rode Graham’s motorcycle over to the original Sashia’s Wine Bar in Clayton for brunch where Graham’s friend D.J works. Sashia’s is an extremely cute little restaurant and wine bar with great outdoor seating with flowers on each table. The ceiling is made from wine boxes and one of the doors is covered completely in corks which is a little quirky but i love it. It sits across from the Concordia Seminary which is extremely beautiful anytime of the year, even if there were no leaves on the trees…This was my second time to Sashia’s and I had to get the same thing as I had before, a savory green apple and Brie crepe that just melts in your mouth. The tanginess from the apples and the creaminess from the Brie is a great combination. I have started an obsession with crepes and this is at the top of my list! To top my meal off I had a mini can of Sophia Blanc de Blanc which is a sparkling wine that you can either pour into a glass or use the expandable straw that came with it, which I choose to do. Graham chose a delicious eggs St. Louis Benedict that came with grapes, oranges, and bacon. I am glad that he is able to eat a lot most of the time, so I can steal a bite. Overall it was a great morning/afternoon that started to get me excited for spring! The picture on the bottom is from the lawn of the seminary of springs first blooms that are still covered with falls leaves.

I will have to say that anytime I go to brunch that it always seems to make my day better!

bloom ahoy!

Hello out there!

In Bloom is the blog of two friends that love food, reckless thrifting, and trying to sew. While this blog is intended to be primarily food based, neither want to be restricted on content. Topics such as amazing deals, recent craft successes (and failures), and pets will inevitably pop up. In the future expect to see an exorbitant amount of butter, chocolate, and dirty dishes.

Let's get a little more personal!

(L. Maggie, R. Stephanie)

Maggie has a penchant for smashed faced animals, clearance sales, and fatty recipes. Her favorite flower is the Chrysanthemum and favorite food to make is a vamped up chicken piccata. She keeps flat leaf parsley and basil in her garden and intends on expanding into tomatoes and vibrant flowers. She has amassed a collection of patterns (unsewn) and shoes (unworn). Her idol is Ina Garten and she strives to conquer the art of barbecue and yeast!

Stephanie loves bunnies, vintage clothing, and her Schwinn bicycle. Her favorite flower is the daffodil. She likes making chic crafts, wearing scarves in her hair, and high waisted skirts. She enjoys drinking wine in the evening and having honey in her breakfast. She prefers warm weather and likes going barefoot in grass.