First World Problems

I love to eat lots of veggies and would consider myself pretty open to a wide variety of flavors. My husband and boys on the other hand....they are picky as picky gets.

Mr Medic has never been one to complain. He's a true champion when it comes to eating things he doesn't like, but I can totally tell when he's choking dinner down and doing a bang up job of controlling his gag reflex (picture something like this)

We have been enforcing the "this-is-all-that-we're-having-for-dinner" rule with the boys for quite a while after I wasted time and food being their short order cook. If they don't like what I've made, they don't eat. We do a lot of talking-it-up too. We tell the boys that eating their dinner makes them strong and gives them big muscles, to which we then have to go around the table feeling everyone's "tough bones"

Anyway, I've been really looking forward to tonights meal, but the odds were against me from the get go. While I was prepping for it yesterday I took a licking from the kitchen mandolin and ended up with 4 stitches.

I went for another go at it today and just as I put it in the oven the power went out. I checked the breaker in the bog basement to no avail. The boys and I waited for an hour in the fading evening light as I grew increasingly annoyed that dinner would never be ready in time. WHY?!?!? This meal was just not meant to be!

I was determined to eat it though, so after Mr Medic fixed the breaker (I swear I'm not dumb, just freaked out with all the jerry rigging going on with the electrical stuff downstairs) we sat down to dinner just before the boys' bedtime. 

And here it is in all its glory!  It was so good! 

Zucchini Lasagna (the zucchini is the noodle, folks!) Recipe found here

I died and went straight to food heaven at first bite, but then I looked at Mr Medic who was doing a Jim Carey (just in case you didn't click the first time) Normally it's no big thang and I can totally ignore it, but man, I just wish there was at least one other person in this house that semi-enjoyed eating food that I whole heartily love. 

So, my life dilemma at the moment...Do I make food that is just so-so to me so I can feel satisfied that my family enjoys it? Or, do I make what I love and not give a hoot if anyone else likes it?

You tell me cause this momma just doesn't have a clue.

Twisted Tortilla Soup

Sometimes I cook by looking at a recipe and then doing pretty much my own thing.  Does that make me seem more Betty-Homemaker?  I think so!

Here's one of those times-

Ingredients:

1-2 Tbs Olive Oil
1 T Minced Garlic
1/4-1/2 onion diced
1/2 packet of taco seasoning
Cumin, Salt, Pepper, and Hot Sauce of choice to taste
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 bag frozen corn, or 1 can drained
1 large can all white chicken drained, or you can cook and shred some (I'm just lazy trying to give the most undivided attention to my children possible)
1 can diced tomatoes (I like the kind with cilantro in it, but was fresh out and had to settle for the reg)
2-3 Cups warm water-dissolve one chicken bullion cube per cup of water.  (I find this cheaper than buying chicken stock, but it probably isn't as healthy.  If I do "splurge" and buy the stock or find it on sale, I make sure to get the low sodium one)
3/4 C Quinoa

Directions:

1.  In large saucepan sauté garlic and onion in oil oil until onions are translucent
2.  Add taco seasoning, cumin, salt, pepper, and hot sauce
3.  Stir in chicken stock
4.  Combine beans, corn, chicken, tomatoes and bring to a boil
5.  Add in Quinoa and continue to to boil on medium heat for approximately 14 minutes or follow time suggestions for Quinoa packaging.
6.  Season to taste once more if needed with any or all ingredients in #2

Serve with cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips

Quinoa isn't usually found in Tortilla Soup, so that's where the twist came in.  I found it to be quite good and I was really satisfied with the way it turned out.  Grammy always likes what I cook, so its no surprise she called with compliments, but even Mr Medic and Twodles ate it right up.  I wasn't even able to snap a picture before it was all gone so I guess I'll just have to make it again and add one later.

I am totally in to soups right now, so please share your favorite recipes in the comments below for everyone to enjoy.