Recipe Organization

With the number of recipes we go through, there has to be a method to the organization madness, right?  If the recipe doesn't reside in one of my Martha Stewart Everyday Food publications, my iPad Epicurious app, or Rachael Ray's 2, 4, 6, 8 Meals for Crowds book...

....you will find them in my custom-made ($10) recipe binder.

If we like a recipe enough to call it "a repeat," the proper protocol is to stick a copy in The Binder, complete with tab dividers and sheet protectors that help recipes stay clean.  The binder also includes recipes handed down from family and friends that were initially written on scrap pieces of paper, but have now been typed and printed.  You may even find a few emailed recipes directly from Mom, complete with her comments. :)

One thing's for sure:  I will never use another recipe box again!

My "beef" with recipe boxes:
1)  No one wants to take the time to write on the little lined notecards that are supplied with the recipe card box set. 
2)  The box isn't large enough to house multiple online recipes printed on sheets of paper that are folded into four and stuffed in.
3)  Flipping through all of the cards or folded pieces of paper that you then have to unfold is not an easy way to browse recipes and their ingredients.

To be more earth-friendly, I've thought about browsing for an iPad app for recipe organization, but in all reality, I don't find it as practical.  Not only does the screen get all dirty from my hands, the iPad case also starts smelling like food (not joking!)  The stench makes client meetings during the week interesting....wondering whether or not they can smell my dinner from the night prior on my iPad case while I take notes. :/ 

Organizing our recipes and putting The Binder together did take some time, but it's completely worth it in the end.

Do you have a sufficient way to organize your recipes?

I Heart Grocery Shopping!

Grocery shopping is one of my favorite activities each week (surprise, surprise!).  In order to be health- conscious and cost-conscious, putting together the perfect grocery list takes quite awhile to perfect. 
At this point, Colin and I have been living together for almost 4 years now.  We generally cook every night, Sunday through Wednesday.  Thursday through Saturday, we'll either pick something up at the store on the fly, or dine out.  My grocery list starts with a notecard and my favorite recipe books and/or websites pulled up on my spiffy iPad.  On one side, I write down our menu for the week, taking into consideration any after work time-consuming activities that will limit the amount of time we have to cook.  And the other, the actual grocery list. (This process, for me, averages 30-45 mins). Working an 8am-5/6/7pm job, the last thing I want to do is come home and think "what should we have for dinner tonight?"  Situations like these frequently end up in quick, not-so-healthy, and (quite frankly) boring meals.  Plus, I get to plan everything ahead of time (yes, planning...another one of my addictions).

This planning activity also allows me to scope out the fresh ingredients I can reuse.  If I find a recipe with a fresh ingredient that's not normally on the list (as are yellow onions, bell peppers, garlic and CLEMENTINES!), I'm able to get the most bang for my buck by finding more than one recipe (oh how fun!) 

EXAMPLE:  Arugula

Arugula has a rich, peppery taste, and has an exceptionally strong flavor for a leafy green. It is generally used in salads, often mixed with other greens in a mesclun, but is also cooked as a vegetable or used raw with pasta or meats in northern Italy and in coastal Slovenia where it is added to the cheese burek. In Italy, it's often used in pizzas, added just before the baking period ends or immediately afterwards, so that it will not wilt in the heat. Thanks for the info Wikipedia!   

*Generally $4ish/box, found by the baby spinach.

Here's how I used it for two dinners this last week (and we STILL have some left!)

Meal #1:  Chicken Milanese with Arugula Salad <--click!
Meal #2: Grilled BBQ Salmon w/Red Smashed Potatoes and Arugula Greens w/Italian Dressing
Because this meal is rather self-explanatory, here are a few tips....
   1) We prefer Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce (or any other sweet BBQ sauce) for this dish.
   2) Boil New Red Potatoes for 20 mins, smash with a bit of milk and butter, salt & pepper your liking.
   3) We prefer Good Seasons Italian Dressing.  Toss with Arugula and serve along side of potatoes and salmon - all on the same plate!  The best bites are the ones with a little bit
of everything!  Mmmmm......

Both are courtesy of Martha Stewart Food.  A reference you will see I use for 90% of our creations. 

Hope my post has inspired you to plan your meals for the week, try a new recipe or two, and maybe even one with Arugula!

Stay happy my friends, it's the weekend! <3

PS...Working on my food photography skills so I can provide our own meal pics. :)

Live to Eat, or Eat to Live?

The one thing in life that a person cannot survive without is food - so why not make each meal as delicious as possible?  Life is too short for subpar meals.  My husband and I cook more nights out of the week than not.  Cooking is my "outlet" when I get home from work.  It's relaxing, then indulgent.  Not only is it (usually) cheaper than eating out, it's comforting knowing the ingredients in your food, and incredibly exciting to prepare something new to taste each day.

If I could, I would prepare the most delicious meals for my family and friends everyday.  Entertaining is a drug to me.  (Yes, a little extreme, I know).  But there's nothing better than having a cocktail, chopping vegetables, throwing a bunch of fresh ingredients together, and seeing guests smile when they take their first bite. I often hear, "this is so good, Jess!" and I generally reply with, "I KNOW!"  Not that I'm trying to boast or anything - but I agree!  I choose recipes and follow them.  It's that easy.  I can't take all the credit.

At this point in my life, I have no idea what I want to do with my foodiness.  (A newly-created word you may frequently hear me use as I journey through blog-creation).  Maybe this blog will help me get there?  Since I logistically and financially can't share every meal with all those I love, I'm hoping this will be a way for you to enjoy and learn about the delicious food in our life until the next time you and I can enjoy a meal together.


Stay hungry my friends. <3