Mandy and Jace

Last month we decided we needed a vacation before we strangle each other or some other poor unsuspecting citizen. So, on Friday we loaded up the Cadi and headed to Dallas since the Bahamas was out of the question. Bummer, I know! We can never figure out why, but there is just something about Dallas that makes us really happy so, that is where we always head when we need a vacation.

As we pulled into town we stopped by Papasitos, one of my favorite places to eat in Dallas. I could live a very happy and large life on their white wine butter sauce alone. To our surprise and glee our wonderful waitress packed us up some extra food to take to our hotel and munch on.

Saturday we shopped until we dropped. We went to the mall first then Jace talked me to going to Fry’s Electronic Store. My first thought as we walked in was “what did I get myself into? We may never leave here”. This is like the mothership! Jace’s eyes immediately glazed over and we were off. I have to say though, it wasn’t that bad and we didn’t spend too terribly much.

Sunday we managed to find ourselves downtown. We found this AMAZING BBQ place called Sonny Bryans Smokehouse. That was the best meal we had all weekend. The BBQ sauce is so good!
We then had time to kill and the weather was beautiful so we walked around the west end area. We saw where JFK was shot, the old courthouse and I got tons of great photos. We then went and saw Avatar at the 3D IMAX. We arrived, got our tickets that we pre-bought, and stood in line. After being in line for about thirty minutes I realized I bought the tickets for 12:00 and it was 3:30. Crap. I went and begged the little girl behind the counter to please let us in and she thankfully squeezed us in. Literally. Every seat was taken. I really liked the movie but I HATED the stupid glasses you have to wear to see the movie. They don’t fit my little face, so I had to kind of set them on my head. Hour one, they hurt. Hour two, they hurt worse and I was getting agitated. Hour three, I was done, done. The guy beside me was sitting in his seat as well as mine and my head hurt. GET. ME. OUT.! Whoever invents the 3D movie that you don’t have to wear glasses to will be my hero.

All in all we had an amazing weekend. Here are some of my photos and you can see more here.

We are back from our much needed mini-vacation to Dallas. My crazy level was about to go off the charts last week waiting on it to get here. I’m not sure why but weeks always slow down when you are anticipating something fun on the weekend. I am convinced that we are doing the public a service by taking vacations. You’re welcome, friends! You don’t have to see us in that terrible state of “GET ME OUT OF MIDLAND, NOW!” syndrome. We are now over our cabin fever and ready to face the world again.

Here’s this weeks menu.
Tonight: chicken rotini with spicy cream sauce
Tomorrow: Jace is working so probably take out
Wednesday: I’m thinking mini burgers and fries but that may change
Thursday: steak au poivre with lemon rice and green beans
Friday: date night!

Happy eating!

This recipe that I got from Food Network exceeded all of my expectations. I made it thinking that there is no way it can live up to our normal chili with meat in it, but we were very pleasantly surprised when we ate it. It was great over a baked potato but there are so many other ways to use it. Sorry, I didn’t get a photo. It’s a quick moving recipe and I was also very hungry by the time I was done. If you don’t like your chili too hot you may want to use only one Serrano because they pack a lot of heat. Also, remember to wash you hands after you handle them because they will burn whatever they come in contact with. I leaned that lesson the hard way!

Vegetarian chili
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onions
1 cup chopped red bell peppers
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 to 3 serrano peppers, stemmed, seeded and minced
1 medium zucchini, stem ends trimmed and cut into small dice
2 cups corn kernels
5 large portobello mushrooms, stemmed, wiped clean and cubed
2 tablespoons chili powder (here’s the link to make your own)
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
4 large tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
3 cups cooked or canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 cup vegetable stock or water
optional for garnish
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
cooked brown rice
sour cream
diced avocado
green onions

In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, bell peppers, garlic, and serrano peppers and cook for about 3 minutes or until soft, stirring occasionally. Add the zucchini, corn and mushrooms and cook for about 6 minutes or until the veggies soften. Add the chili powder, cumin, salt and cayenne and cook for about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and stir well. Add the beans, tomato sauce, and vegetable stock, stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes. Garnish and serve.

This week is a little strange because I am still on the Daniel fast until Wednesday evening. So the first part of the week is fast appropriate and the last part will be everything that I haven’t had in ten days.

I am so excited for Friday because Jace and I are taking a mini-vacation to Dallas. I always love our little get-a-ways. We are going to sleep in and shop. We are also going to go to the farmers market before we head back home on Sunday and get lots of very fresh fruits, veggies and meat. We started doing this last year when we went to Dallas and it is so fun to walk around outside in the cool morning air and fill our bags with goodies.

Here is this week’s meal plan.

Tonight: baked potatoes with vegetarian chili
Tuesday: white bean bisque and salad
Wednesday: end of Daniel fast feast!!!!
Thursday: Fried chicken and mashed potatoes
Friday: leaving for Dallas!

I am a sucker for pizza. I love everything about it so I had to find a way to have it even when I am on the Daniel fast. This dough has no sugar or white flour but is still very tasty. I came accross this recipe on a food blog called bread and honey.

First, whisk the flour, wheat gluten and salt in a bowl.

Wheat gluten gives it the doughy texture you want in pizza dough.

In another bowl, combine a cup of warm water, honey, yeast and olive oil.

Let it sit for about 10 minutes until it gets foamy.

Dump the yeast mixture into the dry mixture and stir until it is easy to handle.

Knead for 5-10 minutes.

Spray a bowl with nonstick spray

Put the dough in the greased bowl, cover with a damp towel and let it sit for 1 hour.

The dough will have doubled in size. Punch down the dough.

Knead into a ball, let it sit for 10 minutes and roll out to the desired pizza size.

Whole wheat pizza dough
adapted from bread & honey
1 cup water
3 cups whole wheat flour
2 tbs. vital wheat gluten
1 1/2 tbs honey
1 tsp salt
1 packet instant yeast
2 tbs olive oil

Whisk together the flour, wheat gluten and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, combine 1 cup of warm water, honey, yeast and olive oil. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until it gets foamy. Dump the yeast mixture into the dry ingredients and stir to combine. When it comes together to form a ball dump the dough onto a floured surface. Knead for 5-10 minutes. Spray a bowl with nonstick spray and put the dough in it. Cover it with a damp towel and let it sit for 1 hour. After an hour (it should have doubled in size) punch the dough down and knead it back into a ball. Let it sit for 10 minutes and roll out into your desired pizza thickness.