Braised zucchini and mushrooms....

This is kinda boring, but I'm running out of things to blog about. Robin's diet is really putting a cramp in my blogging because I havent baked ANYTHING in 2 weeks. I do plan on rectifiying that today since we're somewhat snowed in( not really, but its so cold out and we live in Podunk where there is nothing to do but grocery shop). So a few weeks ago, Robin bought me this huge box of dried shiitake mushrooms. I decided to do a stir fry/braise with them using zucchini as a filler. I soaked the shrooms and drained the soaking liquid( veg stock and a bit of soy). I added 1 tsp of cornstarch. I sauteed the zucchini and then added back the mushrooms and liquid. It looked great.... Robin didnt care for this at all, I think her exact words were " This is gross". Not really, she actually said I find this way too strong. Ok, so into the trash it went. Hey Christine, do you want a box of dried shiitakes???

Fish Taco Salad......

I don't want this to turn into a South Beach Diet blog because there are already wonderful examples out there. However, since Robin is chugging along on phase 1 ( and she's already lost 6lbs), I've been cooking all the meals South Beach style. I'm pretty proud of this meal and my ability to South Beach it for Robbie. I had a craving for Fish Tacos. Fish Tacos are one of the foods I miss the most from S. Cal. I usually always have corn tortillas in the freezer( I buy them in MI) and a couple weeks ago I scored on Tilapia. Our grocery store had fresh tilapia for 2.99lb. I promptly asked the gal behind the fish counter a million questions. How fresh is it? When did it come in? Please let me smell it. She held a piece over the counter and I took a big whiff. No fishy smell which is a good thing. I asked her to wrap me up 4lbs in separate vac packaging. I pulled out a package this morning to defrost.

I dusted it with smoked paprika, cumin, sea salt and chili powder. I added a touch of flour to mine. I pan sauteed them in EVOO and finished with a bit of white wine. I made an avocado cream with sour cream, half a mashed avocado, frozen cubes of cilantro, red wine vinegar, meyer lemon juice, salt and mayo. I laid Robin's fish on a bed of romaine, coleslaw mix, radishes, and cukes. I dressed her greens lightly with taco sauce and ranch. The creama went on top of the fish. I had my fish wrapped in pan toasted corn tortillas, yummy!!

Spooning.....

I have no food for you today. I baked some chicken breasts for dinner and mashed some cauliflower so Robin would be fooled into thinking she was eating mashed potatoes. I also served Green Giant simply steam french cut green beans w/ almonds. For a frozen veg, its not too bad. Of course, Robin has to pick the dead of winter to start South Beach when fresh veg/salad stuff is very expensive. I picked up some frozen veggie blends when I went to MI the other day. The variety in the states is just so much better than here. I'm not following South Beach because I find it too restrictive. Instead, I'm counting points on Weight Watchers and using Sparkpeople to log my food.

I leave you with a picture of my two angels. Robin took this picture today( this morning). They have their own ikea bed in our room, but after Robin gets up( at 6:30am), the boys go out for a poop and potty and come in the bed with their momma.