Leap day!

This is a day that we get to enjoy but once every 4 years. This is an occasion. An occasion not to go unnoticed. And so here I am, noticing it.

February has been a good month. It seems like it was over in a flash. Bring on March (and spring!)

• I am loving my new budget plan. It’s working! I’m tweaking it as I go to better suit my purposes. Most important: I’m sticking to it.
• I made a chocolate cake out of black beans. I attempted another gluten free dessert, but it was something of a flop. And edible flop. But still not blog worthy.
• I finished my taxes! Oh happy day! Done and done for 2011.
• I made pasta sauce. So easy.
• Whittle My Middle. Total fail.
• I crossed 6 recipes off my 101 list. Not bad for a month’s work.
• I’m getting back into running. I found a kick butt class at a local gym that I plan on going to for the foreseeable future. Love it!

February was a pretty good month, but I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I’m a more than a bit excited about spring. Even though we haven’t really had winter here, I’m ready for it to be done. Normally winter looks like this:

It’s pretty. I can go snowshoeing. And skiing. That helps make winter tolerable.

This year, not so much. It’s been quite drab and not snowy at all. Bring on spring! This month, I will:

• Whittle My Middle. 5 days a week. For the 4 full weeks of March.
• More new recipes. Ideas: chicken cacciatore, meatballs, chana masala, kale chips, teriyaki chicken, tomato soup, white chicken chili. We’ll see what actually gets made.
• Finish off my couch to 5k plan, and run a full 3.1 miles. After I finish 3 miles I intend to keep going, with the ultimate goal of 3 miles being a normal weekday run, and 6 miles being doable on the weekends.
• Sign up for a triathlon for the summer.
• Travel! I have plans for a weekend in Iowa and a long weekend in Washington, DC.

I wanna know: What was your favorite part of February? What are you looking forward to in March?

Strawberry and Banana Stuffed Crepes

Tags

Betty Crocker, Breakfast, Crêpe, Dessert, vegetarian, Whipped cream

My mom used to make crepes almost every Saturday mornings. I didn’t fully appreciate what a treat they were. Thanks, Mom!

When I was home, I decided to take a stab at it. It took me a few tries, but I got it eventually! First attempt:

Total fail. Lesson learned–make sure your pan is hot enough.

I used the Betty Crocker recipe for the batter. Check out all those dough and batter stains. That’s how you know that a cookbook is well loved.

By the third crepe (or so), they weren’t looking too awful.

Then Baby Sister showed me up. Apparently my burner still wasn’t hot enough. Well done, Baby Sister!

Without further ado, here you go!

Crepes

From Betty Crocker Cookbook

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 Tbs. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 2 cups milk
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 2 Tbs. butter, melted

1. Mix all dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients.
2. Use a whisk to make the batter smooth.
3. Pour 1/4 cup batter into hot, greased pan.
4. Swirl the pan immediately to spread out the batter.
5. When the batter is almost cooked through, use a large spatula to flip.

For a great video how to, check out this clip.

Now, once your crepes are done, keep them toasty in a warm oven, and make your filling. Simply chop strawberries and bananas and warm them in a skillet.

Fill each crepe with the warm strawberry/banana goodness and whipped cream. Roll them up! Top with more creme and fruit, if you so desire.

Happy breakfasting!

I wanna know: Did you have a favorite breakfast when you were a kid? Is it still a favorite?

Freezer Meal: Stuffed Pasta

Tags

Marinara sauce, Pasta, Shells

I have a confession to make: I love hands on food. Anything that involves assembly, I’m all over it. So, when I saw these heavenly things on Iowa Girl Eats last Friday, I knew that I had to make them. Stat. I had never seen (noticed) such huge pasta shells before, and I immediately fell in love. Love, I tell you. Giant pasta love.

The gist of it is this:

1. Cook your pasta.
2. Cook your meat.
3. Stuff your pasta. (After this step, you could put them in a freezer safe container and save them for up to a month. When you want to eat them, take the container out of the freezer, leave it in the fridge to thaw, and then continue with step 4.)
4. Pour marinara sauce all over the stuffed shells, and grate more cheese on top of it all.
5. Bake!

Easy peasy. And oh-so-tasty.

Friday night dinner, anyone?

I wanna know: Do you have weekend dinner traditions?

I remember when I was younger, we would get take out pizza and a movie every other week on pay day. No matter what.