Tried this recipe from my last meal plan tonight. So good. I'll give the the recipe exactly as called for, then tell you what I did. This will never be a recipe that I can "just make". It requires way too many ingredients that I don't keep stocked. And because of the shrimp =) The only thing that I would like to improve upon was the freshness of the shrimp. I grocery shopped Monday night and didn't get to make this until tonight (Wed.) The shrimp was still good (Leta liked it), but it could've been better.
Shrimp & Tortellini in Tomato Cream
1 pkg. (9oz) refrigerated cheese tortellini
1lb uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined.
1 T olive oil, divided.
2 tsp grated lemon peel
1/4 tsp pepper, divided
dash of red pepper flakes
2 shallots, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans no salt added petite diced tomatoes
1 bottle (8oz) clam juice
1/2 c white wine
2 T balsamic vinegar
4 sprigs fresh thyme
1/4 c parmesan
1/4 c half and half
10 fresh basil leaved, thinly sliced
2 T minced chives
Cook tortellini according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a nonstick skillet, cook shrimp in 2 tsp oil until shrimp are pink. Stir in lemon peel, 1/8 tsp pepper and red pepper. Remove and keep warm.
In the same skillet, cook shallots in remaining oil on low, 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until brown.
Add garlic, and cook 1 minute longer.
Add tomatoes, clam juice, wine, vinegar and thyme. Boil about 10 minutes or until broth is desired consistency. Remove from heat and add remaining ingredients, including shrimp and tortellini. Top with more Parmesan.
What I did: I did not have lemon peel, so I just skipped it. I also did not have the wine so I used 1/2 cup water with a little chicken bouillon base. I also pureed my tomatoes (I thought it would be a consistency I would prefer...I'm not a fresh tomato person, so no chunks is good for me). I used a sprinkle of ground thyme and I shook basil in until I thought it looked like 10 leaves worth. I added both dried spices before the boiling to get their flavors developed. I also used heavy cream since that's what I had on hand already.
I really liked the whole thing, but especially the tomato soup base. I think I'll make that portion of the recipe again sometime, doubled and do grilled cheese and tomato soup. Yum!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Dentist
Saturday Kyle's grandma Pat had her family Christmas. It started with lunch in Stillwater at 12:30 at Texas Roadhouse and then to her house for dessert, presents and a game of Dirty Santa for the adults.
We left Saturday morning right after Leta's morning nap. We arrived at Texas Roadhouse about 15 minutes late and has some rolls, peanuts and ordered. Then Luke said his belly hurt. So Kyle took him to the restroom, where Luke threw up everywhere. So, 10 minutes after arriving, the kids and I left and headed home for naps.
Kyle's dad and his Uncle Rodney brought him home around 6:00 and we opened the Christmas presents he brought. We all got some nice things. Leta thinks her talking baby is hilarious and Luke loves his hot wheels race track.
We all skipped church on Sunday. Luke was feeling better but he hadn't been "throw up free" for 24 hours and Kyle's stomach was feeling funny (but he never got sick). So we just had a nice at home day where I made some progress on the laundry I'd started the Tuesday before. (I finished it today. Just in time for my normal Tuesday laundry day!!)
This morning Luke and I went to the dentist. I go to Dr. Kesa McConnell on NW Expressway at Signature Dental. It's a bit of a drive, but I began going to her when we lived at our old house and I love her, so we'll drive to go to her! If any of you are looking for a great dentist in the area...2 thumbs up for her!!! Our teeth both look good. Luke was scared and intimidated! He asked to bring his snuggle bear with him, something he's never done before, and I let him. He was very brave and did a great job opening his mouth so they could count his teeth (20) and brush and floss him. Only after mentioning that Luke was a thumb sucker could Dr. McConnell detect that from looking at his teeth. So, we are to discourage it during the day, but she doesn't care if we do anything about it at night. We'll start that project soon. Since Luke did so well at the dentist, I surprised him with a trip through the drive thru at "Old McDonald's".
We left Saturday morning right after Leta's morning nap. We arrived at Texas Roadhouse about 15 minutes late and has some rolls, peanuts and ordered. Then Luke said his belly hurt. So Kyle took him to the restroom, where Luke threw up everywhere. So, 10 minutes after arriving, the kids and I left and headed home for naps.
Kyle's dad and his Uncle Rodney brought him home around 6:00 and we opened the Christmas presents he brought. We all got some nice things. Leta thinks her talking baby is hilarious and Luke loves his hot wheels race track.
We all skipped church on Sunday. Luke was feeling better but he hadn't been "throw up free" for 24 hours and Kyle's stomach was feeling funny (but he never got sick). So we just had a nice at home day where I made some progress on the laundry I'd started the Tuesday before. (I finished it today. Just in time for my normal Tuesday laundry day!!)
This morning Luke and I went to the dentist. I go to Dr. Kesa McConnell on NW Expressway at Signature Dental. It's a bit of a drive, but I began going to her when we lived at our old house and I love her, so we'll drive to go to her! If any of you are looking for a great dentist in the area...2 thumbs up for her!!! Our teeth both look good. Luke was scared and intimidated! He asked to bring his snuggle bear with him, something he's never done before, and I let him. He was very brave and did a great job opening his mouth so they could count his teeth (20) and brush and floss him. Only after mentioning that Luke was a thumb sucker could Dr. McConnell detect that from looking at his teeth. So, we are to discourage it during the day, but she doesn't care if we do anything about it at night. We'll start that project soon. Since Luke did so well at the dentist, I surprised him with a trip through the drive thru at "Old McDonald's".
Luke and Leta taking their first bath together.
Leta in her Christmas present from mom/dad/Santa
Chillin'
Tomorrow is a big day for us. I got a babysitter for Leta for the day and Luke and I (along with our friend Shanna and her little boy Karter) are going to Seminole to visit the Jasman Moran Children's Museum. It's about a 1 1/2 hour drive there. We're leaving at 9am and I plan on being home by 5. I'm willingly letting Luke skip a nap. This is HUGE for me people!
The Last Meal Plan of 2010
I found a lot of new recipes to try in my latest issue of Taste of Home. However, they must have had some "ham" theme going because ham is about all we're going to be eating for the next month! We'll probably end up cured before it's all over with!
Roast
Leftover Roast Stew (my favorite!! And the best part of this is...don't be grossed out here...1 crockpot, two meals and only 1 washing!!)
Chinese
Creamy Pasta Shells with Broccoli and ham
Ranch Ham and Cheese Pasta
Asparagus Ham Dinner
Shrimp and Tortellini Soup in tomato cream
Chicken Swiss Bundles
Fontina Ham Stromboli
French Toast
Slow Cooker BBQ Turkey Meatballs.
Maybe with all my new recipes I'm trying I'll have some good ones to post for you all.
Roast
Leftover Roast Stew (my favorite!! And the best part of this is...don't be grossed out here...1 crockpot, two meals and only 1 washing!!)
Chinese
Creamy Pasta Shells with Broccoli and ham
Ranch Ham and Cheese Pasta
Asparagus Ham Dinner
Shrimp and Tortellini Soup in tomato cream
Chicken Swiss Bundles
Fontina Ham Stromboli
French Toast
Slow Cooker BBQ Turkey Meatballs.
Maybe with all my new recipes I'm trying I'll have some good ones to post for you all.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Seen and Heard
Yesterday, before I left the house Leta was crying. She can sense these things.
Luke: Leta's sad when you leave, Mommy. But not me. I like it.
Hmmm. I might have been offended, except his behavior lately is lending itself to my attitude mirroring his =)
Luke: Leta's sad when you leave, Mommy. But not me. I like it.
Hmmm. I might have been offended, except his behavior lately is lending itself to my attitude mirroring his =)
Monday, December 6, 2010
Thanksgiving
This year we went to Nebraska for Thanksgiving. We left home and Leta was fussy before we got to I-35. Needless to say it took some effort to keep her happy on the drive up. Luke had videos so he was perfect. Michael, Audra, Solomon and Amelia also came for the TG weekend. We arrived just in time for supper and some wild play by the boys before bed. We all shared one room. And everyone would have slept very well if it weren't for Leta, who did NOT sleep well, thus, none of the rest of us did either. At 4 a.m. after 2 hours of trying to get her down in her bed, I gave up and held her in the rocking chair until morning.
Thursday morning was spent watching kids, barely helping mom in the kitchen etc. My Grandma and Grandpa Olson came for Thanksgiving lunch and were able to stay for the afternoon. It was good to get to spend time with them (which I did, after a little nap on the couch). Leta did not sleep well again this night. But Luke was so exhausted from the previous night he slept through all her crying, which was nice.
Friday morning the boys spent a good deal of time outside "helping" Grandpa. Luke loves to drive the tractor and see the horses and cows etc. They were also deemed "big" enough to play on the big round bales this trip and enjoyed that and did very well. Friday afternoon Audra mentioned that she thought a Bloomin' Onion sounded good...which eventually morphed into Michael, Audra, Kyle and I driving into Vermillion and eating at Red's, a very nice steak house and leaving the 4 grandkids with grandma and grandpa.
Saturday was mom's birthday so we celebrated with pumpkin pie and presents during lunch. Leta approved of the pumpkin filling and Amelia LOVED the stuff. She almost ate an entire piece of pie herself! The girls and boys took baths together that afternoon and Leta and Amelia wore their matching dresses and we all drove back into Vermillion for Italian at Little Italy. The kids did well and we had an enjoyable meal. After we got there. The "girls" car had just left when I realized I had no food for Leta, so we had to head back and fix that situation!! We let Luke ride with Solomon in his car, which he thought was great. After returning that evening, we exchanged Christmas gifts between the cousins and they had fun opening their gifts.
Sunday morning came bright and early and we headed home. Usually the trip home isn't as "happy" of a journey, but Leta did better this drive, so that was nice. Not that she slept more than usual, but she was happier.
Thursday morning was spent watching kids, barely helping mom in the kitchen etc. My Grandma and Grandpa Olson came for Thanksgiving lunch and were able to stay for the afternoon. It was good to get to spend time with them (which I did, after a little nap on the couch). Leta did not sleep well again this night. But Luke was so exhausted from the previous night he slept through all her crying, which was nice.
Friday morning the boys spent a good deal of time outside "helping" Grandpa. Luke loves to drive the tractor and see the horses and cows etc. They were also deemed "big" enough to play on the big round bales this trip and enjoyed that and did very well. Friday afternoon Audra mentioned that she thought a Bloomin' Onion sounded good...which eventually morphed into Michael, Audra, Kyle and I driving into Vermillion and eating at Red's, a very nice steak house and leaving the 4 grandkids with grandma and grandpa.
Saturday was mom's birthday so we celebrated with pumpkin pie and presents during lunch. Leta approved of the pumpkin filling and Amelia LOVED the stuff. She almost ate an entire piece of pie herself! The girls and boys took baths together that afternoon and Leta and Amelia wore their matching dresses and we all drove back into Vermillion for Italian at Little Italy. The kids did well and we had an enjoyable meal. After we got there. The "girls" car had just left when I realized I had no food for Leta, so we had to head back and fix that situation!! We let Luke ride with Solomon in his car, which he thought was great. After returning that evening, we exchanged Christmas gifts between the cousins and they had fun opening their gifts.
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