Happy birthday

Shrimp Kebab

Grill shrimp on kebabs, and season heavily with Ruthy's chicken and fish seasoning.  Remove shrimp from kebabs.  Serve with brusselsprouts fried in bacon on top of risotto.  Garnish with fresh tomato wedges, lemon slices, and jalapenos.

Fairy garden

Roasted vegetable pasta

2 small zucchini
1 small group asparagus
28 oz can diced tomatoes
1/2 C. basil
Forward seasoning
garlic

Saute zucchini and asparagus and season heavily. Add diced tomatoes and basil to pan and cook long enough to warm. Add garlic and extra seasoning, stir to combine. Serve over linguini.

Soba Udon Soup

Soba noodles
Udon noodles (can you see we used all the miscellaneous noodles in the pantry because I didn't have enough of one kind!)
Instant miso soup

Boil noodles. Drain them, reserve the 2 C. boiling water needed to reconstitute your instant soup.  Prepare soup accourding to package, top with cooked noodles.  Serve with fried wonton wrapper. 

Tomatoes

Harvested our first tomatoes of the season. Without a little sunshine they might be our only tomatoes this year!

Grilled Chicken and Lime Rice

2 C. long grain white rice, rinsed
3 C. water
1 bay leaf
1/3 C. chopped cilantro
kosher salt
2 1/2 tsp. lime juice
1 Tbs. vegetable oil/coconut oil

Saute the rice in oil until almost translucent (as if you are making a risotto). Add water, bring to a boil, add the bay leaf, then turn the heat down low. Simmer, covered for 15-20 minutes, or until all water is absorbed.  As soon as the rice is done cooking fluff with a fork and allow the rice to sit for 5 to 7 minutes before proceeding. Move the rice from the pot to a mixing bowl. Add the cilantro first and mix to prevent it from clumping with the other ingredients. Add the salt and juice, give it a good mix and taste.

2 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tbsp ground chipotle powder(I used 1 tsp. red pepper)
1/2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp salt
1 tsp each black pepper and paprika
2 tsp white vinegar
1 tsp lime juice

Combine everything but the chicken in your mortar, pound until smooth.  Use marinade to coat the chicken, and allow to cure for a few hours in the refrigerator.  Cook chicken on the grill and then chop into bite sized chunks.

This is a great meal for larger family or so you have leftovers this week.

Marinated Shrimp

1/2 lb shrimp
1/2 lime, cut into wedges
1 slice red onion
few sprigs cilantro

Combine in a small bowl and allow to marinade. Cook over grill. Serve with corn salsa and quinoa.

Polar Bears

Zoo

The Zoological Society of Cincinnati was founded in 1873 and officially opened its doors in 1875, making the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden the second oldest Zoo in the United States.  Rated by peer zoological parks as one of the best zoos in the nation, the Cincinnati Zoo continues to set the standard for conservation, education and preservation of wild animals and wild spaces. Over 1.2 million people visit the Zoo annually. The Zoo features more than 500 animal and 3,000 plant species, making it one of the largest Zoo collections in the country.

Caturday

Mini Pinatas

I was looking thru the web, looking for ways to recycle Kleenex boxes, when I came across this DIY Mini Pinata page. TOO CUTE!

Raspberry Pound Cake

Your super simple recipe of the week is Jazzy Pound Cake
1 box store brand pound cake (2 eggs 1/2 C. water)
3 Tbs your favorite Jam (raspberry all the way!)

Prepare pound cake and pour 3/4 of the mix into your loaf pan.  Distribute your jam in thee equal blobs in the pan.  Cover with remaining cake mix.  Use a butter knife or spatula and drag the jam thru the batter, creating swirls in the loaf.  Bake according to package directions. (50 minutes at 325*)

Frost with powdered sugar and milk.