Rainy, rainy day!

Well! It's been a bit whacky here in the Northeast. Today I woke up, thought about going to the pool because it was already hot, but knew it was going to rain. And boy, did it rain!

The rain made it's own pool at our complex!

Makeshift bird bath!

Where's all the seed? What's this nonsense?

Alright, enough with bird photos.

I had a bit of a whacky night in the kitchen, honestly! I decided to make these potato cakes earlier in the week since our potato supply needs to be used up. I had looked at a few different recipes, and came up with one that worked for me.
And, surprisingly, I was in the mood for a "meat and potatoes" meal. As many of you already know I rarely eat red meat so this came as a surprise! So I grabbed a can of green beans, the potatoes, and made myself a delicious meal!

Potato Cakes
4-6 baby red potatoes, mashed (Already cooked them with skins on, added 2tbsp butter, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic salt and almond milk, mashed em up and let them cool)
1/2 C Italian bread crumbs
1/2 C Chipotle panko bread crumbs
1/4 C chicken broth
2 tbsp chopped onions
Salt, pepper, garlic salt to taste
2tbsp oil for frying

Mix all the ingredients together and form them into patties. Fry them until golden brown and let them cool on a cooling rack placed over paper towels.
Also:
Add brown gravy to make them even more delicious!
Makes about 8-9 patties
When flipping them over, pat them lightly back into shape by poking them with your spatula.


---
Honestly, I was so sad when I made my first batch. I used WAY too much oil and they fell apart in the pan. So I decided, eh, whatever I'll just try it again. I loathe making such stupid kitchen mistakes. But sometimes, all you can do is throw it in the disposal, wipe your hands on your apron and go again.

And they came out DELICIOUS!

See the mini bell peppers at the top? ANOTHER kitchen mistake! I have an electric stove, and ended up heating up my cast iron griddle instead of the pot I needed for the gravy and figured hell, if it's already hot I might as well throw something on it.
Protip: I love the sound the seeds make as they pop inside the peppers! It makes me smile for some reason.

Anyway, boyfriend had to work tonight so I decided to throw together a bento for him!

He has: Carrot sticks, wheat thins, pepperoni, potato cakes, green beans, kiwi and strawberry.
These potato cakes are so delicious I might be going from referring him as Boyfriend to Husband. He'd marry me for these cakes. And now ladies, you too can make your man want to marry you with potatoes!

After all these kitchen mishaps and very silly wedding thoughts I wanted to treat myself. I've found that I'm in love with Pinkberry - but am poor on a budget, so I had to make do with what was at home!

Raspberry sorbet with kiwi chunks, chocolate chips and whipped cream! YUM!

I hope your evening wasn't rained out and that delicious food came from your kitchen!
Take care!

Sunday Dinners, Weight Watchers and 2012!

Whew! I better blow the dust off my blog!

So 2012 has started off pretty well. I have a wonderful boyfriend, a job I like and life is just nice in general. It's so different being in Connecticut rather than Brooklyn, but I must say I'm pretty pleased with how things are here.

The only downside to moving to Connecticut is that my walking has been almost all cut out. Aside from the running around I do at work on a daily basis, I don't do the same walking that I had time for in NYC. An hour lunch break makes a huge difference when you're trying to eat and be active during your only free time.

So I've gained a lot of weight in a small amount of time! Last week I decided to join Weight Watchers, and tomorrow is my first weight in! I'm a bit nervous but I think I've stayed the same if not lost a little bit. I hope I haven't gained.

I've found that my bento are barely ANY points! I finally found quail eggs here and that's 0 points (compared to 2 points for a hard boiled egg), plus all the fruits and most of the veggies are 0 points as well. I haven't thought to take a picture but I'll snap one of my lunch on Wednesday.

I did snap a photo of what I made tonight, though! Tex Mex Chicken with Zucchini. YUM!

Omnomnomnom.

Boyfriend has been working Sundays lately, and it kinda sucks to be frank. We work opposite shifts so the rare occasion we can eat dinner together is always special. I've decided that Sunday dinners are especially important.

While boyfriend works I make dinner (Weight Watchers meals now!) and have it ready and hot when he gets home. It's nice to play housewife sometimes ;) We sit at the kitchen table (which never gets used except for Sunday dinner and Dungeons and Dragons) and discuss the week and watch some television. It's a nice time and it's important family time that we need together.

So enough gush about this stuff. I hope to start posting my bentos again this coming week and that I get great news when I weight myself tomorrow!