Chocolate Cream Banana Pie

Today was a lovely rainy/snowy day. The perfect kind of day to spend at home and stay in bed cuddling. It's best to have the lights off, the shades drawn in and the TV on low. Low enough to hear the occasional taps of rain on the window and high enough to follow along in the show. If only.

This pie was made the Friday night and refrigerated for Saturday Night, to allow it plenty of time to set. I only had a problem trying to find the trans-free spread. I didn't know what it was. When I goggled it, images of butter was what came up. This definitely needs to be remade and hopefully not forget next time.

Books: Doña Barbara by Romulo Gallegos. I have no idea why I haven't read this. Laziness I guess.

iTunes: Tegan & Sara - I Bet it Stung

Pandora: OutKast - Hey Ya!

Quote: Be at peace with your own soul, then Heaven and Earth will be at peace with you. - St. Jerome

Ingredients:

1. 1/2 cup all-fiber cereal, very finely crushed
2. 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
3. 1 1/2 Tbsp trans-free spread
4. 1/4 cup brown sugar
5. 2 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
6. 1 egg
7. 2 cups fat-free milk
8. 2 oz of bittersweet chocolate, chopped
9. 1 tsp Vanilla extract
10. 1 ripe but firm banana
11. 8 Tbsp whipped cream

Servings: 8
Per Serving: 144 Cal, 4g pro, 20g carb, 3g fiber, 7g fat, 3g sat fat, 67mg sodium

Directions:

1. Coat 9" pie with cooking spray. Mix cereal crumbs and cinnamon in small bowl with fork. Cut in spread until well blended. Transfer to prepared pan. Tilt pan to coat sides with crumbs. Press remaining crumbs with knuckles to flatten evenly. Freeze crust 30 minutes.

• I used the blender to crush the fiber cereal and forgot to add the trans-free spread. While it froze I went to shower.
2. Whisk sugar and cornstarch in saucepan. Beat egg with fork in medium bowl. Add milk and stir to blend. Add to saucepan, whisking constantly over medium-low heat until blended. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat about 5 minutes, or until thickened.

• After a while my hand was hurting and so my mom took over. 
3. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and vanilla extract. Stir until chocolate melts. Cover pudding with plastic wrap and let cool 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent skin from forming.

• I don't think I added enough chocolate. How many cups is one oz?
4. Slice banana thinly. Arrange slices on bottom and sides of reserved crust. Dollop cooled pudding on top of banana slices and smooth. Refrigerate at least 5 hours, or until set. Top pie with whipped cream and garnish with chocolate shavings, if desired.

• We didn't have a proper bowl but we worked with what we had.
• Saturday night, I took a piece, placed whip cream on top and took a bite. The crust just stayed on the pan because I didn't add the butter to it, but the rest was delicious. Will be made again though to taste the crust.

Better Beef Lasagna

The social hiatus I am thinking of imposing on myself is going to be a tough one. I dislike being home and I fear I may break it, just so I can sit in someones house and get a break from home issues. Maybe that is what I can do. Seek refuge only when home life becomes too much. Just have to keep reminding myself to go out only when I can no longer contain it. Sounds tough but I hope I can do this so that I can think about the direction my life is heading in. Also, I'm thinking of switching it up a bit. I think I talk too much about myself here.

I had no problem locating the ingredients. Well obviously. The only ingredient not used was mushrooms. No one in my family eats that. Also, I worry about whether or not it would be fresh or if I am buying the right kind. I don't want to make my family sick. I was a bit skeptical about the spinach. Not a huge fan, but I remember eating a lasagna with spinach, a decade ago to be more precise. I remember it being delicious and so was this. You barely notice the taste of the spinach and when you do it is not that bad. Well maybe my taste buds have changed. Gasp! Is this a sign of getting old?

Book: Doña Barbara by Romulo Gallegos. I really, really have to force myself to read this.

iTunes: Fix your Face 4 - TRV$ DJ-AM. It's from their collaboration.

Pandora: Lost Heaven - L'Arc En Ciel

Quote: Please all, and you will please none. - Aesop

Ingredients:

1. 12oz whole grain lasagna noodles (15 noodles)
2. 8oz lean ground beef (at least 90% lean)
3. 2 tsp olive oil
4. 8oz portobello mushrooms, chopped
5. 4c low sodium marinara
6. 1 container (15oz) part-skim ricotta
7. 1pkg (10oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained well
8. 1 lg egg, lightly beaten
9. pinch of ground nutmeg
10. 2/3 c grated part-skim mozzarella (3oz)
11. 1/4 c grated Parmesan

Serves: 6
11g fiber, 7g sat fat, 1,000mg sodium, 550 Calories

Directions:

1. Cook noodles al dente per package directions. Drain well, then lay out on wax paper to prevent sticking.

• This was cooked second. For I believe that the meat takes longer to cook. Once the water was boiling I added salt. Also if left too long cooking, the pasta doesn't taste as good.
2. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook until no longer pink, breaking up lumps, 3 minutes. Transfer to plate, discarding any fat remaining in skillet.

• Into the beef, went 2 garlic cloves, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, 1/2 caldo de pollo and keep removing the fat at the end.
3. Add oil to skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring, until liquid is evaporated and mushrooms begins to brown, 5 minutes. Stir meat, 1/2 tsp salt, and 2 cups marinara sauce.

• No mushrooms were added. But once the meat was cooked we added the marinara sauce.
4. Combine ricotta, spinach, egg, nutmeg and 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper in bowl.

• No problem there, though the spinach took a bit to defrost.
5. Spread 1 cup of the remaining marinara in 13"x9" baking dish. Top with a layer of lasagna noodles, touching but not overlapping. Spread half of ricotta mixture on top. Add another layer of noodles and half of beef mixture. Repeat with another layer of noodles, then remaining cheese mixture, more noodles, remaining beef mixture, and finally 1 more layer of noodles and half of beef mixture. Repeat with another layer of noodles, then remaining cheese mixture, more noodles, remaining beef mixture, and finally 1 more layer of noodles. Top with remaining 1 cup marinara. Sprinkle with the grated cheeses.
• No problem but our pan was not deep enough.
6. Cover loosely with foil, and bake in a 375F oven for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake 15 minutes longer.
• Was not covered with foil and it didn't take as long to cook.

Chicken Tacos With Salsa

"There are just so many things that I want to do. I truly am my own worse enemy. Maybe if I make a list of the things I need to do I will actually get them done. I just can't  seem to understand why I am holding myself back. Maybe creating a schedule will help. Let's hope I manage to overcome this."

I wrote this a week and a half ago. I was supposed to have already put this post up but damn this laziness. It has gotten really bad. I'm surprised I make it to work and dance classes. I must truly put my foot down and work to lessen it. On a more personal note, I think I am putting my foot in mouth, excessively so. I really need to go on a social hiatus and see what I want, what I need and who I want to stand beside me. We don't need no labels as long as we have each other. I would just like someone by my side.

Book: Doña Barbara by Romulo Gallegos. I have stopped reading. I need to force myself to pick it up and try to get through this book. I know I can do it. Just have to stop letting the laziness win.

iTunes: Kelly Clarkson - Addicted. Ironic that this song plays. I am holding on to too many things that I should just let go. Friends, love interests, booze and etc...

Pandora: Slipknot - Before I Forget. This is the live version. Not bad. They sound pretty good. I might want to try to see them live. Well I don't want to be killed by the mosh pit or injured.

I find it interesting that these two songs were picked at random. One considering an addiction to something or someone and the other is letting one know that you should be true to yourself and not forgetting where you come from. I must remember who I am and despite the chaos I might be stepping in, I have to remember that I can only make the choices that would be best for me. Hopefully I make the correct choices.

Quote: It's not that we need new ideas, but we need to stop having old ones. - Edwin Land

Ingredients:

1. 3 Lines
2. 1/4 cup orange juice
3. 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
4. 3 cloves garlic, minced
5. 1/2 tsp ground cumin
6. 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, pounded to 1/2" thickness
7. 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
8. 6 whole wheat flour tortillas (8" diameter)
9. 2 cups fresh salsa
10. 3/4 cup fat-free sour cream
11. 2 cups finely shredded leaf lettuce

Servings: 6
Per Serving:
305 Cal, 23g pro, 44g carb, 5g fiber, 4g fat,1g sat fat, 724mg sodium

Directions:

1. Grate zest from lines into a large bowl. Cute limes in half and squeeze juice into same bowl. Discard limes. Stir in orange juice, cilantro, garlic, and cumin. Add chicken and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours, turning at least once while marinating.
• I left this overnight. Also I made small holes in the chicken so that it would be absorbed some more.
2. Heat large skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat. Remove chicken from marinade. Discard marinade. Add chicken and onion to skillet and cook 3 minutes per side, or until thermometer inserted in thickest portion register 160F and juices run clear and onion are softened. Cut chicken into 1" slices.

• This was a bit tricky for the skillet I used was too big so only the chicken in the center was fully cooking. For the next, I think I will use a smaller skillet and pour half of the onion and cook half of the meat and then, once the chicken is cooked with the onions, cook the other half.
3. Wrap tortillas in plastic wrap and microwave on high power 1 minute. Divide chicken mixture among tortillas. Top with Salsa, sour cream and lettuce. Roll to enclose the filling. Slice each taco in half.
• I cut my chicken into pieces and heated the tortillas in the microwave. I put lettuce, chicken, salsa and sour cream on top.
• The chicken tasted a bit off by itself. This was because the recipe did not call for salt. though when the chicken was mixed with the salsa it tasted delicious. So I recommend that you lather the chicken in the sauce with sour cream and it will taste quite delicious.

Brownie Bites

I have been feeling a bit down lately. Also procrastinating horribly. There are some things I keep putting off. Things that I have to take care of, bank stuff. I don't know why I am putting this off. It's important. I have to also make a doctor's appointment for a general check up and flu shot. Then one for the dentist, but I fear going to the dentist. At least I know that it is the reason why I am putting this off. It seems that I need to light a fire under my feet or something. What can I do to combat myself and this laziness I have let overpower me?

Book: Doña Barbara by Romulo Gallegos. Very slowly getting through this book. Still in the beginning where place and characters are being slowly established. I will not give this up though. I must get through this novel and improve my Spanish.

iTunes: Lady Gaga - Paparazzi.

Pandora: Portishead - Revenge of the Number. It would be interesting if someone could mix these two songs together. Somehow. Actually, not sure how they would mesh. Hence why I am not a dj.

Quote: Lend yourself to others, but give yourself to yourself. - Michel de Montaigne

Ingredients:

1. 2/3 cup flour
2. 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3. 2 tablespoons cornstarch
4. 1 teaspoon baking powder
5. 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
6. 1/4 teaspoon salt
7. 1 cup packed light brown sugar
8. 1/4 cup prune butter
9. 2 tablespoons plain fat free yogurt
10. 2 tablespoons extra light olive oil
11. 2 large egg whites
12. 3 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips
13. 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray an 8 inch square baking powder, baking soda, and salt in medium bowl. Set aside.
• I actually turn on the oven on for last, so as not to waste gas.
2. Stir together flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in medium bowl. Stir in flour mixture just until combined.

• No problems, just worried it wont taste good. Considering that the last desert was a bust. I still blame the unsweetened cocoa powder for the failed chocolate angel food cake.
3. Beat together brown sugar, prune butter, yogurt, oil, and egg whites in large bowl with electric mixer. Stir in flour mixture just until combined.
• We did not use prune butter. If it had been bought it would have gone to waste. Though, now that I think about it, I have a feeling my mom would have used it, since she eats prunes every now and then.
• I forgot to take a picture of this step.
4. Pour batter into pan. Scatter chocolate chips and walnuts on top of batter. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with some crumbs sticking to it, and sides of brownie begin to pull away from pan. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into 16 small brownies.
• I did not buy walnuts. I was hoping to use almonds left over but my mom had thrown them out. So only chocolate chips were used.

It tasted great. Surprisingly sweet, though I think that was because of the amount of sugar used. It doesn't taste as great as regular brownies but it is still good. Great for if you want a chocolate snack and are watching what you are eating, but don't eat the entire pan, because then it's not helping. Unless you had a bad day and it has to be a really bad day. Till next time.

Marinated Tomato & Mozzarella Pasta

Now we are in the month of October. It is one of my favorite months. One gets to wear sweaters, especially hoodies, I love hoodies. I wish to own a red one. A particularly bright red one, so that I may look more like Little Red Riding Hood. In addition, to the hoodie I would wear red lipstick. Then I would only be missing my big bad wolf. Ah, to dream.

Another reason I love this month is because of Halloween. I love costumes and dressing up. I wish I was as creative as some of the people out there but I enjoy what I buy. If only every Friday of the month of October would Halloween and we could dress up more. What a shame it's only for one day.

Book: Doña Barbara by Romulos Gallegos. A Spanish novel this time. It's going to take me a while because reading in Spanish for me is a slow process but I'm hoping to improve my own Spanish. So far it's been interesting the novel.

iTunes: Juan Luis Guerra & 4.40 - La Bilirrubina. It's about that feeling you get when you see your crush but they don't see you.

Pandora: The Rolling Stones - Everyone Needs Somebody to Love. So true. Both songs deal with a crush or love. Everyone does need someone to love.

Quote: For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love. - Carl Sagan

Ingredients:

1. 1 lb grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
2. 4 oz bocconcini (about 12sm mozzarella balls), halved
3. 1/2 C torn fresh basil
4. 1/4 C red Wine Vinegar
5. 1 1/2 Tbsp extra virgin Olive Oil
6. 1/2 lb rigatoni, preferably whole wheat
7. 1 c shredded cooked chicken breast

Servings: 6
Nutrition (per Serving): 282 cal, 16g pro, 31g carb, 4g fiber, 9.5g fat, 3.5g sat fat, 86mg sodium

Directions:

1. Mix together tomatoes, bocconcini, basil, vinegar, and oil in serving bowl. Let stand 10 minutes.

• Did not have basil leaves so I used ground basil. I did not measure it so you are going to have to eyeball it. Also I used Rotini because they did not have rigatoni.
2. Cook Pasta per package directions until al dente while tomatoes stand. Drain. Add hot pasta and chicken to tomato mixture, stirring to coat well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with Fresh basil leaves, if desired.


• No issues with the pasta, just added salt before boiling.
• The chicken was cooked with 2 garlic cloves, 1/4 teaspoons of pepper and salt, 1/4 teaspoon of caldo de pollo and 1 tablespoon of water.
• After the pasta was drained the chicken was mixed with a giant spoon. I mixed and coated it with some salt and pepper but again very little and I eyeballed it again. I wish we could have topped it with fresh basil leaves but couldn't find any in the local supermarket.

This tasted amazing. Well the wheat pasta tasted a bit ugh only because I don't like wheat pasta but the cherry tomatoes with the vinegar and everything was just great. This is definately something that will be remade. It was light and refreshing. Next time will be Brownie Bites.