And The Oscar Goes To....

I have such original titles.

First of all, my cook book review for Rachel Ray is up and listed below. I was nervous to try her ideas. I registered for some of her cookbooks for my wedding, but had hardly used them. Rachel frightens me, but I did enjoy her recipes (for the most part).

This week I will be cooking from my ALL TIME favorite cookbook. It was the first one I started cooking with and I picked out new recipes to play with from it.

Yes you are seeing the picture clearly - it's an AUBURN cookbook! I think there was a contest for sororities to earn spirit points by submitting recipes for this cookbook - anyways, I absolutely love it. There are so many recipes and subjects to choose from. If I could still purchase it I swear I would buy it for anyone getting married or anyone in need of a cookbook.

Okay back to the title of the post. Did anyone watch the Oscars? I typically don't get into this award show - I had it on in the background while I updated the blog last night. What I do love though is the red carpet coverage. Yup, it's all about the dresses for me! So with that being said, I present to you the outfits I adore and loathe.

 I just wanted to show you how AMAZING J Hudson looks. Weight Watchers works.

ADORE:

I loved everything about this dress. I want it.

You either love it or hate it. She reminds me of a lady I would see on a stamp, but I liked it.

I think I have a thing for feathers now. I am not a Swank fan, but I liked this dress.

Mila has been killing it since Black Swan came out. The cut of the dress was almost to low, but she pulled it off.

Love the color. I am almost over Natalie because of all the Black Swan attention, but this has been my fav pregnant dress to date.

Once again I love the color. It's different.

LOATHE:

It reminded me of water. I don't know why. She has the body to wear it, but I found it boring.

I saw a comment on FB about how this looks like a bedspread and I agree 100%.

I wish she had worn more color. It falls flat for me. 

I know you all were dying for my opinion. Who am I to judge? I have lived in gym clothes for the past few weeks!

Rachel Ray: Ginger-Soy Shrimp with Basil on Shredded Lettuce

Ginger-Soy Shrimp:
3 T veg oil (I used evoo)
1.5 lbs shrimp - peeled, deveined, tails removed (you can use chicken or pork loin chops)
S & P
2 inch fresh ginger - peeled and minced
garlic
1/2 t red pepper flakes
6 scallions - chopped
1/4 tamari (dark, aged soy sauce)
3 T honey
1 head of iceberg lettuce (I used baby spinach)
1 red bell pepper - chopped
basil leaves


Heat a large skillet over high heat and add oil. Add shrimp and season with S & P. Cook for a minute and add ginger, bell pepper, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 2 more minutes. Add scallions and cook for another minute. Add tamari and honey to coat shrimp. Removed the pan from heat and add basil. Toss and serve over shredded lettuce.
 I loved this recipe! When added the red pepper flakes I went semi crazy so the recipe was HOT, but delish still. It was a hit and I will make it again. It was the first time I had cooked with ginger so it was an interesting process peeling and mincing it. I used baby spinach again because I had it in my fridge. #lifeonabudget I also served it with mashed potatoes (the recipe didn't had a side with it and I had red potatoes on hand), which helped with the spice factor.

Rachel Ray: 30 Min Chicken Under a Brick & Salad

Chicken Under A Brick:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast

 Bay Leaves

Garlic
EVOO
Mix: parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme - chopped, mixed a T of each
2 T grill seasoning
1 lemon zest

Brush chicken with garlic and bay leaves. Drizzle chicken with evoo. Mix the herbs, grill seasoning and lemon zest and coat the chicken. Place chicken in a large pan (use evoo to coat), place a smaller pan on top and weight the small pan with something heavy - like a brick or large, canned food. Cook chicken for roughly 4 minutes on each side (enough to brown). Then take the pan and place in the oven (400 degrees). Cook until done. Serves 4.
I enjoyed making this recipe. I had yet to use my zester, a gift from my wedding (yes it was finally used after almost 3.5 years of sitting in my kitchen). Regardless, I had so much fun!!! It's sad how I find joy in doing adult activities like cooking now. :) Make sure that the pan you transfer to the oven can be put in the oven. I used google to make sure my Caphalon pans can be placed in the oven and withhold high temperatures. Back to the recipe....It was good - the seasonings went very well together and I felt like it was a healthier dinner choice. Hubby J loved it as well. 

Salad:

2 romaine lettuce hearts - chopped (I used baby spinach leaves)
1 head of radicchio - shredded
1/2 C mixed fresh herbs - whatever is on hand, chopped
2 T honey
3 T EVOO
1 lemon - juiced
2 t grainy mustard
S & P

Combine ingredients, but honey and mustard. Separately, mix the mustard, honey and lemon juice from the lemon in the previous recipe. Mix in EVOO and season the dressing with S & P. Dress salad, toss and enjoy!
First, I used spicy brown mustard and used the leftover herbs from the previous recipe. Secondly, I added some shredded, cheddar cheese. I have a slight cheese obsession. I firmly believe it makes anything better - a sandwich, pretzels, soup, salads, veggies, fries.....the list goes on. I thought the salad needed something else so BAM, it was thrown in. J & I both loved the salad and especially the salad dressing. Everything went so well together. Definitely a keeper!