Weekend Chef

I am trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle, which includes eating healthier, no-nitrate, no-hormones kinda meats, and going organic whenever I can. The local main organic supermart is Whole Foods (which is adoringly known otherwise as *Whole Paycheck* $$$). I will go there and buy as much as my skinny arms can carry home, and also I love the way they pack/wrap freshly ordered meats into brown recyclable paper which fills up the awkward spaces in between the freezer.

I can only have the luxury of cooking on weekends. You don't understand. Cooking needs a lot of planning. Especially since I don't have a fully equipped kitchen. If I wanna venture soemthing new, I need to go buy those fancy seasoning or herbs that I'll prolly use only once. So I have to set a dayor two to go food shopping and then schedule the special cooking day on the weekend.

This past weekend I tried two recipes from 2 different magazines. They both claim that they're easy cooking recipes. First is the Roast chicken tenders with Lemons + portobello mushrooms(my own decision).



Being really Asian, I had to pair it with rice. And the ease of letting it do its magic int he oven, instead of slogging/stirring at the stove is much much easier! I cut, season, put all in the pan, put it in the pre-heated oven and Voila! I go do other stuff meanwhile. I am a bona fide housewife as I multi-task.

RESULTS? Yummys!
I think it is a tad too salty but all's well. I am glad I added the lemon only at the end coz it was ZESTY! And there was only 3 slices.

The very next morning, I set out to make the Gingerly Shrimps with Snow Peas(which I sub for Zucchinis) and couscous! For those of you who don't know what Couscous are, they are tiny tiny beads of pasta. They are the size of Tobiko (sushi toppings). You boil some water, butter and salt then turn off the fire and dump the couscous in and stir - all seperate from the main dish.

I have rarely cooked gingerly stuff and thought this would be a good idea. I even had to ask my mom how to say ginger in chinese coz I have completely forgotten.

This dish is stir-fried, so it took a little more time. Plus, it has more ingredients than the previous dish. There was the garlic, onions, ginger,salt and pepper for seasoning. I felt that it was a lot and I was right. the whole dish was an overhwhelming rollercoaster spin of spices for my tastebuds. Too much. I will tone it down at the next try I guess. I would suggest less one of those garlic and you will be fine~ Maybe less salt too.

But it was fun. I found some pork chops from the previous trip to Whole Paycheck. So I am going to make Pork Chops with this *just-add-water* packet of organic Turkey sauce next time I cook. But my weekend is already packed with so many fun-filled activities!

Thursday(yes It can begin on thursdays) - bird day party @ the Mars Bar for Lotus, my beloved ex-instructor and cool role-model of life.

Friday - Possible dinner with the friends. If not, DVD night with me, myself and I.

Saturday - Back to Stumasa for one gig. Time to catch up with Maybelle, the new goodies in the store and her wacky stories. Possible gathering with some friends for farewell drinks.

Sunday - Mini sweets & tea party at Danielle's to try out her new pastries for possible new business ventures~~~ exciting! clap clap clap!!!

Monday - Dear sweet Sunshine's birthday! I got her a Little Miss Sunshine tee to thank her for making working hours more bearable with her presence. Shawn's gonna make some cupcakes! yeah!

Sounds pretty preoccupied huh? But I could still find some time to sulk in my moodiness/depression. feeling kinda lousy, but NO! Not because of men(why do ppl always assume that?), but because of career. sigh~

what to do....what to do.......