One Dud and Two Wins!

Well as the title suggests one recipe was a total flop this week while two were hands down delicious!  I have to say that we have had some pretty good turn outs with recipes!  

Lets lets refresh, this weeks menu looked something like this!

Monday: Stacked Roasted Vegetable Enchilada From Perry's Plate-Win

Tuesday: Cleaning Eating's Lean Tofu Pad Thai- Dud

Thursday:Cooking Light's Beans and Rice with Chicken and Chorizo-Win

Lets take a look at this Stacked Roasted Vegetable Enchilada a little closer!  I know a lot of you were curious as to how this would turn out!  And let me tell you this dish is delicious, if you have this recipe pinned you need to make it.  I know it takes some time to roast veggies, but in the end the extra time is worth it.  I loved the sweet note that the sweet potatoes played in the dish, and well I am always down for a recipe that is loaded (I mean loaded) with veggies!  Add some black beans and chicken for a little extra protein!  I served this with a side salad, yes even more vegetables.  I actually cut the amount of cheese down to 3/4 cup instead of the 2 cups called for, and instead of putting cheese between every layer I just topped the dish with the cheese.  And I used 7 tortillas.  

Not the best picture, but still it was delicious!

Clean Eating's Lean Tofu Pad Thai:

Why was it a dud you ask? The tofu had zero flavor I mean none!  This dish was rather bland and nothing like an authentic pad thai.  I read the review for this dish and made some modifications but in the end it just wasn't good!  Sorry Clean Eating I am going to stick with this recipe!

Source: cleaneatingmag.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

And lets end on a win this fine Friday morning!
 Cooking Lights Beans and Rice with Chicken and Chorizo!
Delicious.  I subbed in Vegetarian sausage for the Chorizo and was extremly happy with the outcome!
The recipe only called for salt and pepper but I added garlic, paprika and cumin.  I thought the additional spices added a nice kick!  I could use more go to recipes like this.  Recipes that are delicious, healthy and take no time to prepare!

Are there any recipes you have tried lately that you were excited about and they ended up being a total flop?  Tell me about it!

And before I leave I am going to link up with Sarah of Simply Sarah for Inspiration Friday.



One goal I had for 2012 was to live more in the now verses worrying about things that are happening in the future our out of my control.  This week I had to look at this quote several times, because I noticed myself getting anxious (you know the feeling) about things that are simply out of my control!

Source: spirituallythinking.blogspot.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

No point in worrying about things that are out of our control, or over planning the future!  Focus on the now, don't let it pass you by!
Happy Friday Everyone!

Time

I ran out of time this week to make all the delicious recipes from last weeks 5!  But I did succeeded (or my dad succeeded) in making 3 of them!

Quinoa  Avocado Salad:  

Source: wegmans.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

Another fabulous way to use the super grain of quinoa!  I used a Newman's Own Light ime Vinaigrette instead of the lemon one called for!  Serve with simple pan seared chicken, tofu or fish for a complete meal!

Skinny Taste Thai Chicken and Pineapple Stir Fry: 

A sweeter version of stir fry!  If you love pineapple this stir fry is for you.  I was not a fan of the fish sauce, if I make this again I will sub in say sauce instead!  I also think I would have liked some onions thrown in the stir fry mix!  This however was a nice change of pace from your typical stir fry.  

and finally 

Better Homes and Gardens Baked Pasta with Spinach:

The original recipe called for prosciutto which I left out (not a huge cured ham fan)!  The pasta had a rich texture, and I loved how spinach packed the dish was.  Warning this makes a lot, my family still has leftovers!  That being said I took this pasa the next day for lunch and it reheated very nicely!

And while I am confessing that I ran out of time to make all five recipes I should also

admit that instead of trying a new recipe Saturday night I made this quiche again!

What I cannot help that it was delicious, and a huge success!  You really should make this quiche if you haven't already (yes I am being serious)!  

See you all tomorrow with a new line up of recipes from the pin board!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

A Festive Red Velvet

Are you ever stumped on what to make for dessert?  Especially dessert for say an important dinner or a holiday?  If you answered yes to both questions then you are like me!  Christmas eve my mom looked at me and goes "So what are we going to have for dessert tonight... anything?" I just looked back at her with a blank (probably half asleep) expression.  I hadn't given any thought as to what we would have for dessert, to be honest I thought we would eat cookies!  Christmas Eve dinner in the Wolfe household is kind of a no brainer.  We always have that wonderful Chicken Wild Rice soup I shared with your here.  But dessert, there is no set dessert for Christmas eve.  So the question of what are we having for dessert sent me straight to the cupboard of cookbooks!  I am not sure how many cookbooks I looked through.  I looked through everything from William Sonoma, to the Mayo Clinic and even The Barefoot Contessa, but nothing stuck out to me.  To me I like things simple on Christmas Eve, however simple doesn't mean lack of flavor!

Just as I was feeling a bit desperate to find a recipe I remembered my latest issue of Cooking Light!

  The December issue was stocked full of delicious desserts, desserts that looked both simple, elegant and adorable (think cupcakes and mini bundt cakes)!  Flipping through the magazine again made my mouth water (cooking light has amazing pictures)! I finally decided on a very festive looking Red Velvet Cupcake (yes red velvet is my favorite, but hey red is festive for Christmas)! 

You can find the recipe I used here (there is also a chocolate and vanilla cupcake recipe from the issue).  I followed it to a T.  I was very happy with the way these little gems turned out.  They are probably the best red velvet cupcakes I have made.  And the cream cheese frosting isn't to shabby!  I swirled in a bit of red food coloring like the recipe called for, and I ended up with a swirly almost candy cane like effect!

  I will warn you these cupcakes can seem a bit involved, but I thought the end result was worth it.  I ended up having extra cream cheese frosting so I am looking for an excuse to use it!  Suggestions are welcome!      Now go put those aprons on and get to baking! 

What do you all make for a holiday dessert?

Healthy Baking, and Cooking Substitutions

Hello Everyone!  We are officially at the middle of the week, can you believe it?  And while my days are all pretty much monotone I still enjoy knowing that the weekend is a few short days away.  I mentioned this yesterday but today is my mom's birthday, she is still in Omaha with my sister but is returning to Minnesota this afternoon.  We will definetly be celebrating tonight!  And right about now Mark is in his interview, I cannot wait to hear how it goes!

Since I had the same typical oatmeal breakfast (you know the massive amounts of peanut butter, banana, and oats) I decided to blog a bit about healthy baking/cooking!  I have not done a lot of baking for the blog but what little I have done I always try to make healthy substitutions.  Same goes for normal cooking, I try to make a recipe as healthy as possible with out sacrificing taste!  Check out these recipes where I use healthy Substitutions! My  Sugar Top Muffins
Tuna Salad with Pasta,

and my Tzatziki CousCous Salad!

Here is a great resource I found.  This substitution guide comes to you from Anna of fANNEtastic Food!
Click Here!
What I love about this substitution guide is that the guide is easy to read.  Plus she gives you a few substitution suggestions for each item.  Take butter for example, she gives you three different substitution options to follow!  Go check it out when you have some free time!
Here is a list of substitutions and ideas I regularly use in cooking/baking!
1-When I am baking I almost always substitute oil for unsweetened apple sauce.
I also find when I bake with applesauce that I can reduce the amount of sugar, since applesauce lends some sweetness in a natural form!  (Try to use organic if you can!)
2-When making a salad that is usually loaded with Mayo I always sub in greek yogurt!  Partly because I do not like the smell of Mayo (I never have).  But greek yogurt is lower in fat and calories, and you won't lose out on that tang or creaminess that Mayo provides!

3-When making a pasta dish that is loaded with toppings I usually cut the pasta portion in half.  I will make less pasta and make up for the difference in added veggies.  I add more veggies for many reasons, not only are you adding vitamins/minerals to your dish but your getting an array of texture, color and flavor (and I am obsessed with veggies)!

4-Use fresh herbs whenever possible!  Fresh herbs and spices are one of my favorite things to add to a dish.  You can add a punch of flavor without harming the nutrition of your dish!  Some of my favorite fresh herbs and spices to use are Cilantro, Basil, Sage, Garlic, and Cayenne Pepper.  I am like my mother and often do not cook with salt, I let my guest add the salt to their individual plates if they so desire.

5- And finally don't be scared to experiment with flavors!  I do this all the time in the kitchen, I enjoy seeing what flavor combinations work and which ones I cannot stand!  Don't be scared to try new things!  You will never know if a substitution will work in a recipe till you try it!  And if you mess up its ok, you learn from your mistakes and try again!!

I hope you find these little tips helpful!  Now go start experimenting in your kitchen!  Have a wonderful day, I will see you this afternoon but until then remember to live Happily Ever Healthy!

PS is anyone else on Blogger having trouble uploading pictures this morning?  I promise to add pictures as soon as I can upload them!