HO3-- WEEK 18

T's view for the game!

This week..

-- we were lucky enough to have one of T's cousins come visit for the weekend! The spent Saturday in Lincoln with other family and at the Husker Football game. Too bad we lost in overtime - but they said it was a beautiful day to be outdoors!

-- is a new month so a new rotation! This month I am doing inpatient pediatrics. I've spent most of my time in our NICU but I've also seen any patients admitted to the pediatrics floor. We don't have a high volume of kids in the hospital each day (good for the community! but not great for training!) so I spend any downtime seeing kids in clinic too. 

-- we also thoroughly enjoyed daylight savings time. Even better? We met as a region for church today so instead of a 10 o'clock meeting we met at 11 o'clock leaving even more time for a lazy morning. I feel like this needs documented as my facebook and instagram are full of mom's reporting how early their kids woke them up this morning. We also ate some epic sloppy joes. I cannot remember the last time either of us had one - but this recipe with paprika, chili powder, and liquid smoke was right on. 

xo,

Krista

Sweet Potato Casserole

recipe found here

ingredients
- 3lb sweet potatoes, cooked
- 1/2 c. room temperature butter
- 1/4 c. sugar
- 1/4 c. milk
- 1 egg
- 1/2 t. vanilla
- 1/4 t. salt

topping
- 1 1/4 c. cornflakes, crushed
- 1/3 c. chopped pecans
- 1 T. brown sugar
- 1 T. butter, melted
- 1 c. miniature marshmallows

directions
1. Heat oven to 350F and prepare pie pan or other baking dish with non-stick spray
2. Combine potato ingredients and beat for 1-2 minutes on medium-high
3. Add sweet potato mixture to baking dish
4. Combine topping ingredients (except marshmallows) and sprinkle on edges of potato mixture
5. Bake for 20 minutes until topping is golden
6. Add marshmallows to center of dish and bake another 5 minutes or broil until marshmallows are caramelized
7. Serve immediately (unfortunately, as you can imagine, the topping does not reheat well for leftovers)

PASTA E FAGIOLI

recipe found here

ingredients
- 3 slices bacon (or 3oz pancetta!)
- 1/2# ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 1 celery, chopped
- 4 cloves garlice, minced
- 1 t. dried oregano
- 1/4 t. red pepper flakes
- 1 T. anchovy paste
- 1 parmesan rind (or 2-3 oz parmesan)
- 30oz cannellini beans, rinsed

- 28oz dived tomatoes
- 4 c. chicken broth
- 2 c. water
- 1 c. elbow pasta
- salt, pepper, and fresh parmesan cheese to taste

directions
- brown bacon and beef in dutch oven until cooked
- add onion, carrots, and celery until softened
- add garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, and anchovy paste until fragrant
- add tomatoes, parmesan rind, and beans
- boil then simmer 10 minutes
- add chicken broth, water, and salt
- boil pasta until al dente
- discard parmesan rind
- season with salt and pepper
- enjoy!

Elote (Mexican Street Corn) Dip

recipe found here

ingredients

- 2 T butter

- 5 ears corn-on-the-cob

- 1 jalepeno, diced

- 3 T mayonaise

- 2 T cotija cheese

- 2 T cilantro, chopped

- 1 t. chili powder

- 1 clove garlic

- 1 lime, juiced

directions

- grill corn-on-the-cob, remove kernels

- add butter and jalepeno to skillet until cooked

- mix remaining ingredients in skillet

- serve hot with corn chips

Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers

Recipe Inspiration Here

ingredients

4 bell peppers

1 box of Steak-umm

12 slices of provolone cheese

1 medium yellow onion, sliced

directions

-- preheat oven to 400F

-- fry onions and beef in skillet until steak is cooked and onions are translucent

-- slice tops off peppers and scoop out seeds

-- assemble peppers with 1 slice cheese, some meat/onions, 2nd slice of cheese, more meat/onions, and top with 3rd slice of cheese

-- bake until cheese is melted and peppers begin to soften (we did 400F for about 20 minutes)

-- enjoy!

Wild Rice Pilaf with Apple, Cranberry, & Pecan

FOUND HERE

ingredients
-- 1 1/2 c. low-sodium chicken broth
-- 1 1/2 c. apple juice
-- 1 T. Dijon mustard
-- 3 T. butter, divided
-- 1/2 t. salt
-- 1/4 t. pepper
-- 1/2 t. dried parsley
-- 1/4 t. dried oregano
-- 1/4 t. dried thyme
-- 1 bay leaf
-- 1 c. wild rice, rinsed & drained
-- 1/2 large onion, diced
-- 1 Fuji or honeycrisp apple, chopped
-- 3 garlic cloves, minced
-- 2 t. apple cider vinegar
-- 1/2 c. dried cranberries
-- 1/2 c. chopped pecans, toasted

directions
-- combine broth, apple juice, dijon, 1 T. butter, salt, pepper, dried thyme, oregano, parsley and bay leaf to a boil
-- add rice, cover and reduce heat to low 
-- simmer 45-60 minutes or until rice is tender and almost all of the liquid has been absorbed
-- drain rice and leave in fine hole strainer
-- melt 2 T. butter over medium heat in previous pan
-- increase heat to medium high and sauce onions and apples for 5-7 minutes
-- add garlic and saute for 30 more seconds
-- return rice to skillet along with cranberries, pecans and apple cider vinegar
-- season with additional salt and pepper to taste

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

(original recipe found here)

ingredients

-- 1 c. orange juice

-- 1/4 c. brown sugar
-- 1/4 c. regular sugar 
-- 1/4 c. orange marmalade
-- 1/2 t. cinnamon
-- 1/4 t. ginger
-- 1/4 t. allspice
-- 1 bag (12 oz) fresh cranberries

directions
-- combine the ingredients over medium heat
-- bring to a boil
-- reduce to a gentle boil for 10 minutes, stir frequently
-- let cool and enjoy!

Strawberry Poppyseed Salad

this recipe makes enough for a crowd!

ingredients

salad

Romaine lettuce

Crumbled bacon

Sliced strawberries

Cubed pears

Feta cheese

Sugared walnuts/almonds

Dried cherries

dressing

1 c. sugar

1 t. salt

1 T. grated red onion

1 t. dry mustard

3/4 c. vegetable oil

1/2 c. red wine vinegar

1/2 t. poppy seeds

directions

- blend together dressing ingredients

- toss together salad ingredients

- enjoy!

GRILLED STEAK ROLL UPS

Based off this recipe

INGREDIENTS

3 carrots

1/2 zucchini

handfull green beans

1 1/2 # sirloin

1/2 c. soy sauce

1/4 c. brown sugar

3 cloves minced garlic

1 T. fresh ginger

1 T. sesame oil

INSTRUCTIONS

-- combine soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, & sesame oil 

-- slice sirloin into thin, even rectangles (we made 8) & place meat in marinade

-- pan fry vegetables in olive oil until crisp-tender and season with salt & pepper

-- assemble rolls with vegetables in the middle and secure with a toothpick

-- grill until done to your liking!

BERRY CALFOUTIS

Recipe found here

INGREDIENTS

1 ¼ c. milk
½ c. sugar
3 eggs
½ c. flour
¼t salt
1T vanilla
1/8t cinnamon
2 c. berries
heaving whipping cream for topping

INSTRUCTIONS

-- Preheat oven to 350°

-- Blend milk, 1/3 c. of the sugar, eggs, vanilla, salt, cinnamon and flour

-- Pour a ¼ inch layer of the batter in a buttered baking dish and bake until batter begins to firm (a film will set). 

-- Remove from heat and place the berries over the batter. 

-- Sprinkle with remaining sugar and top with remaining batter.

-- Bake at 350° for about 45-60 minutes. Until browned and center is set.

-- Serve warm or room temperature topped with homemade whipped cream (heavy cream + sugar + vanilla beaten until stiff).

-- Refrigerate leftovers

Sesame Chicken Salad

original recipe here

ingredients

2 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed

2 T sesame seeds

1 can mandarin oranges

1/2 red onion, sliced thinly

salad greens

dressing:

2/3 c. olive oil

1/4 c. soy sauce

1/4 c. rice wine vinegar

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 T fresh ginger, minced

2 T brown sugar

pinch red pepper flakes

directions

- Blend together dressing ingredients (we used our NutriBullet)

- Pour 1/3 of dressing over cooked chicken then sprinkle with sesame seeds

- Serve chicken, oranges, and red onion over salad greens

This is super simple and delicious! The only ingredients I had to purchase at the store was salad greens, a red onion, and fresh ginger. I love recipes with simple shopping lists!

Honey Lime Fruit Salad

ingredients
1 (20oz) can of pineapple chunks, drained (fresh is even better!)
1 (15oz) mandarin oranges
3 kiwi peeled and sliced into half-moons
1 c. green grapes, halved
1 c. strawberries, quartered
Zest from 1 lime
2 T honey
1 t. poppy seeds

directions
Combine all ingredients and enjoy!
Recipe: Mel's Kitchen Cafe


This is one of those recipes that is basically just fresh fruit - but the lime + honey + poppy seeds adds just the spunk you need to serve it a party. This recipe is just a loose suggestion.. use whatever fruit you have on hand then drizzle it with honey and poppy seeds. Done. It's that simple!

SI -- WEEK FOUR

T and I had another good week - no complaints here! Today I stayed extra busy with church so this post will be a short (but sweet!) recap of the week...

+ I am now certified to help babies, kids, pregnant ladies, and adults who are "trying to die". In other words, I am now ACLS, ALSO, NRP, and PALS certified. As one of my coworkers posted on Facebook, "I dare someone to try and die in front of me!". I'm just enough superstitious to not dare say that out-loud.. but it did make me chuckle.

An example of one of the algorithms we were tested on

+ The favorite recipe of the week was these enchiladas. So delicious and so not healthy! I'll probably post them again as a separate post so that I can make a link to them from our "Recipes" page:

+ The girls of my neighborhood started an official monthly "girls night". This month we met at Delice in Midtown and then took a quick stroll through Jazz on the Green. Here's a quick shot of most of this month's gang:

+ The most exciting news of the week is that T and I put a down-payment on a vacation to celebrate my graduation next May! We've struggled with whether we can afford another big vacation -- but we finally decided that this will likely be the only time for many many years that we can both take an extended leave from work (I get the entire month of May off!). So we are going to snatch that time and cross the Atlantic Ocean together. More details to come..

Hope you have a fabulous upcoming week! T just told me the weather is supposed to be gorgeous - so I hope you have a chance to enjoy it! Love you all!

xo,

Krista

CREPES

I have another recipe to add to the blog for easy access - crepes! My dad would make these for us growing up and I fondly remember all sitting at the kitchen island as he passed them out as quick as he could make them! These are a perfect quick-after-church-lunch on Sundays :)

This is a boring picture because it is pre-filling..
but I was preoccupied once they were ready to eat..
you understand.. right?

ingredients

- 2 eggs

- 3/4 c. milk

- 1/2 c. water

- 1 c. flour

- 3 T. melted butter (+ extra for pan)

- [variation: add 2.5 T sugar and 1 t. vanilla]

directions

- combine ingredients

- preheat a small, non-stick skillet over medium with some butter

- add a small amount of batter to center of skillet and get your swirl on!

- cook 45 seconds then flip! (the edges will begin to curl)

- cook another 20 seconds or so

- top/fill with whatever sounds delicious!

For us, this makes about 8 crepes. I filled mine with muenster cheese & ham and another with blueberry preserves. T ate his with raspberry syrup.. the possibilities are endless! My mom's favorite when we were growing up was ham+cheese topped with apricot preserves :)

recipe source

SIMPLE QUICHE

We have a new favorite "throw-together" dinner -- QUICHE! It's not a quick fix, but it is so easy and the ingredients are easy to keep around. It also reheats well for lunches! This is one of those loose recipes that you can change up with whatever you have on hand..

ingredients

1 deep dish pie crust (we buy them frozen in disposable pans for convenience)

6 eggs

1 c. milk (you can add 1/2 c. cream if you have it on hand)

1-2 c. shredded cheese (we like monterey jack)

salt + pepper

3 T. flour

any mix-ins that you fancy! you really can't go wrong..

directions

- preheat oven to 375º

- if using frozen crust, allow it to thaw for a few minutes

- pour cheese into pie crust

- beat eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and flour then pour over cheese

- bake 30-40 minutes until set in the center

CHESS BARS

I was shocked last night as I went to make this recipe and realized that I have not posted it on the blog. Seriously? Of course I then promptly forgot to take any pictures.. But! You're in luck! I remembered again as I was putting the leftovers away this afternoon :) This is one of our go-to sweets to bring to parties (we like them best when they are room temperature or colder - so make them a little ahead!) (source)

ingredients
1 box of yellow cake mix
1 egg + 2 eggs
8 oz cream cheese
1 stick butter
4 c. powdered sugar

directions
+ preheat oven to 300˚ and grease 9"x13" pan
+ mix cake mix with melted butter and 1 egg
+ press into pan
+ mix powdered sugar, softened cream cheese, and 2 eggs
+ pour on top of previous layer
+ bake 40-50 minutes until golden brown

They aren't lookers.. but they are delicious! Thanks Mom for introducing us!

Buttermilk Pancakes

(source)

ingredients
1 egg
1 1/4 c. buttermilk
1/2 t. baking soda
1 1/4 c. flour
1 t. sugar
2 T melted butter
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. kosher salt

instructions
+ whisk egg until it’s light and frothy
+ add the buttermilk and whisk to combine
+ add the baking soda, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt to the egg/buttermilk
+ butter the griddle.. pour.. bake.. flip.. bake..  eat!

(recipe source)

Buttermilk Syrup

(source)

T and I first had buttermilk syrup with our friends in Utah this summer. Since then, we are totally hooked! This syrup is a new staple at my family's Christmas brunch since it's debut this year :)

ingredients
1/2 c unsalted butter
1 c sugar
1 c buttermilk
2 t vanilla
1 T Light karo syrup
1/2 t baking soda

instructions
+ bring butter, sugar, buttermilk, vanilla and karo syrup to a boil
+ remove from the heat
+ add baking soda stirring constantly (be careful it doesn't boil over!)
+ stir for 30 seconds back over heat
+ serve immediately
recipe source

CARAMEL CORN

ingredients

8 c. popcorn

3/4 c. brown sugar

1/3 c. butter

3 T light corn syrup

1/4 t. baking soda

1/2 t. vanilla

directions

- remove all kernels from popcorn

- spread popcorn on baking sheet

- combine sugar, butter, and corn syrup on stove and cook until it boils -continue until 255 degrees (hardball stage)

- remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla

- pour caramel over popcorn

- bake in 300 degree oven for 15 minutes. stir. bake 5 more minutes.

M2- WEEK THIRTY TWO

I am just loving this morning! I am awake early in my kitchen doing one of my favorite things.. baking! So, my house smells fabulous, the windows are open with fresh spring air pouring in, it sounds like Spring outside with the birds chirping away, and Pandora is playing all the right music. Today is fabulous. This afternoon we will attend church (I'm one of the speakers today) and then bring a cake (yay for trying new recipes!) over to my parent's for an Easter dinner. What are your plans?

The big fun from this week was putting the kitchen back together! The process of re-staining our cabinets was actually quite simple, but it did take some space.. and some time to dry between coats. Having our kitchen disassembled actually didn't slow down our cooking. This week we ate this soup to use up some leftover spinach, made a quick skillet lasagna, tried a new broccoli dish, and oh darn, just had to make some ice cream to use up some left-over half-n-half.

Other (not nearly as exciting happenings)...
+ I had my blood drawn so my insurance will "give me" $400 in my HSA
+ We're studying advanced cardiac life support  in school. i love it.
+ I learned how to preform a knee aspiration on a model
+ I also fake-delivered a baby with a birthing mannequin
+ T and I watched Smash (and a lot of basketball) this week
+ And I studied outside in the sun as much as possible!

Well, it's time to go get pretty and to ice this cake! Have a fabulous day!