Shastya Baby Foodie: Carrot Puree

Perhaps my baby eats more gourmet than me! Today she had carrot puree for lunch. I had to remind myself to save the carrot puree for baby Shastya after I sampled some to make sure it was good. I had boiled four chopped carrots on the stove. I then pureed the cooked carrots in a blender with 1/4 cup of water and a couple dashes of ginger. I think I could've eaten the whole container. I'll have to make carrot puree some time for Anthony and I with a fancy dinner. 

 

Shrimp Scampi Pizza

This evening I wanted to use shrimp and spinach on a pizza, and I wanted to achieve the optimal results for doing so. I also thought it might be fun to try adding honey to my pizza crust. I googled "honey pizza crust" to make sure it was okay to use honey in pizza dough. Food.Com's "The World's Best Bread Machine Pizza Dough Recipe" came up. I noted quickly that the recipe included both honey and sugar. I also included both in my own pizza dough recipe. I thought maybe if I added only honey the yeast might not do right since the yeast usually eats the sugar. Anthony, Shastya, and I went for a walk while the dough was being taken care of in the bread machine. When we returned, I threw together some shrimp, olive oil, lemon juice, black pepper, salt, and onion in a skillet to saute them. I added fresh chopped spinach at the last minute. Then I just did the usual dough, sauce, cheese, topping thing. The flavor of our pizza was reminiscent of shrimp scampi.

3D Printed Tablet Stand

So my husband came up with this awesome idea of making me a 3D printed tablet stand so I can take better pics for my blog. The tablet stand turned out awesome. Anthony did such a good job with it! We both agree that PLA, the type of plastic he used to print the stand, has a smoother surface and is much easier to work with than ABS plastic.

 

 

Creamy Shrimp & Grits Pasta With Spinach

I gave Anthony some options for dinner, and he chose shrimp and pasta. I had it in the back of my mind to put Chobani yogurt in my sauce. I made sure I waited to the last minute to add the yogurt to my dish to make sure that it did not curdle. Supper made it to the table without a glitch. 

Ingredients:

8 oz. Rotini

1 TB Olive Oil

1 Cup Mini Shrimp

1 Cup Fresh Spinach

2 TB Grits

2 TB Parmesan Cheese

Salt & Pepper

2/3 Cup Chobani Yogurt

Spiced Banana Pecan Cake

Anthony asked if I would make a banana nut cake. I agreed to make one since there is going to be a church potluck dinner tomorrow. I needed a dish to take. I got out my Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook, and found a banana cake recipe. I went with the 9 x 13 version because it would be quicker. I got most of my ingredients out only to discover that I was out of baking powder. To make up for it, I used half self-rising flour, and half all-purpose flour. I also cut the salt and baking soda in half. I wondered at the "lack of " spices called for in the recipe I was using, I mean "nonexistent" spices. I mustered up my own spices including: ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon! I also added pecans to the recipe. I think that about explains the extent of my banana cake customizations for the evening. The cake turned out heavenly.

"Garlandorf Salad"

We were in need of a midnight snack. I put the rest of our Chobani yogurt in a bowl. I sprinkled granola on top. I added dried date pieces, chopped McIntosh apple, green grapes, honey, and dry roasted and salted peanuts. After mixing it all up, we ate it. Anthony said our snack reminded him of an Apple Walnut/ Waldorf Salad that his Mom and Grandma have made. Since ours was a little different from the typical Waldorf Salad, I named it "Garlandorf Salad."

"Garlandorf Salad"

1 Cup Chobani Yogurt

1/4 Cup Granola

1/4 Cup Dried Date Pieces

1 Chopped McIntosh Apple

1 Cup of Green Grapes

Honey

1/4 Cup Dry Roasted & Salted Peanuts

Curried Steak & Potato Soup Without The Steak

I thought I would make some potato corn chowder, but then I didn't want to use the last little bit of milk. I wanted to save some milk for coffee in the morning. I came up with a fresh savory combination for potatoes and corn!

Curried Steak & Potato Soup Without The Steak:

1 TB Ghee

1 Tsp Cumin

1/2 Tsp. Chili Powder

1 Tsp Tumeric

1 Tsp Curry Powder

1 Bay Leaf

3-4 Garlic Cloves

1/4 Massive Onion

1 Can Corn

2 Potatoes

3-4 Cups Water

1. Saute spices in ghee.

2. Add garlic and onion.

3. Add can of corn w/ liquid.

4. Add chopped potatoes.

5. Cover. Cook until done.

large microwave mug cake: spicy

Daddy decided to make a family snack. He came up with his own microwave spice cake. For icing he used thawed leftover papaya frosting I had made on Valentine's Day.