What I ate Wednesday 28

Hello! Wow the days in September just go buy so quickly I hardly have time to make a blog post.  These days I find myself writing something over the course of a day or some posts over the period of 2-3 days.  We all have 24 hours, but wow the day passes so quickly.  Big disappointment of the week was my 1/2 marathon was canceled due to thunderstorms.  This was a huge disappointment for me as I have been training for months.  I'm going to try to run it on Saturday, but we'll see.   However, on to what I ate yesterday.

Breakfast: Ezekiel Cereal with berries

In general I like a warm breakfast, however during the summer months I found there were days that I just wanted some cereal. Yesterday I topped the cereal with the last of the local berries (sad), a scoop of Smucker's all natural peanut butter, hemp and flax seeds and almond milk.  I really love this combination, and it keeps me full until lunch time.

Lunch: Veggie curry on cauliflower rice.

I've made this veggie curry from Cookie and Kate before.  It just so happened that last weekend I was looking through my fridge to see what to have for lunch and I had every ingredient.  Even the coconut milk.  What I made on Sunday lasted for 3 lunches. Yippee!

Dinner: Cranberry beans, sausage and rice.  

I cooked the beans and sausage using my Instant Pot. I bought local cranberry beans and the end of the winter last year and finally found a use for them. They really need to cook for at least 30 minutes, if not 40. I did not do that. I made some rice for us in the oven and at the same time roasted some brussel sprouts. I also happened to have some leftover Zinfandel from the night before.  What a cozy dinner. 

I actually was quite full after this meal so I didn't have dessert. I know this is a very rare thing.

I hope you've had a good week or two creating memories and delicious meals in your kitchen.

Bon Appétit!

And as always with love from the Midwest,

Beth 

What I ate Wednesday 27

Hello! Well the weeks are just speeding by especially with school starting. I have several classes to prepare for which has been keeping my life after school very busy.  However I know it will calm down when I get more into the groove.  However I'm still always trying to make interesting and delicious meals for myself and my family.  Here's what I/we ate yesterday.

Breakfast: Softboiled egg, cracked wheat bread with peanut butter, melon, blueberries and of course coffee.

I've been trying to make different types of eggs during the school day this year. I must say it really doesn't take that much time to make a 3 minute egg.  I just make sure I start it first thing.  The peanut butter is Smucker's Natural; I really love it on my morning toast.  This way I know I'm not adding a lot of sugar in the morning. I love this breakfast because everything in the picture is local - okay maybe not the coffee or the peanut butter.  

Lunch: Kale Salad 

If you've read other weekly posts you know I love my kale salads.  I really can't get enough.  I can make a big salad and then have enough for several days of lunch.  Yesterday I added leftover shrimp, tomatoes, roasted peppers and broccoli and blueberries yet again. 

Dinner: Breaded chicken breasts, fresh corn and buttered tomatoes.

Breaded chicken breast is a family favorite. I always pound it evenly and thin, dredge it in egg and bread crumbs and saute it in olive oil.  I cook it about 3-4 minutes per side and serve with a lemon wedge.  Yesterday we also had some corn from the market and of course tomatoes at this time of year.  Please try this recipe it is delicious. The leftovers keep really well and are great of eggs and savory oatmeal.

I hope you are inspired to have fun in the kitchen. Bon Appétit!

And as always with love from the Midwest,

Beth 

What I ate Wednesday 26

Hello! Well I'm back at school and with that a busy September.  It always takes a few weeks to get back in the groove of things. The hardest thing is remembering to make my lunch. I always make it the night before along with my coffee in the coffee maker and a plan for breakfast the next day. It sounds silly but it works for me. 

Breakfast: Avocado toast, local sunny side up egg and local melon.  Of course there is coffee.  I still try to keep mostly local, but I had an avocado in my fridge so why not use it.  It always makes a great breakfast.

Lunch: Zucchini fritters topped with ratatouille.

I made a big batch of both of these for the week.  I figured the ratatouille is so good on a lot of things and fritters I finished up with this lunch. It may not look super pretty but it did taste good and reheated well; of course it was all local. 

Dinner: Homemade pasta, sausage, shishito peppers and chanterelles. (local veggies of course) (Wine not pictured)

My husband had  some extra time to make homemade pasta.  This dish is really just sauteing all the sausage and veggies together adding some herbs and garlic and about 3/4 cup chicken broth.  I then toss the past a in and add fresh grated cheese.  So easy!

No dessert- after the pasta I actually wasn't hungry.  

Bon Appétit!

And as always with love from the Midwest,

Beth 

What I ate Wednesday 25

Hello! Well this is really the last week of summer for me; school starts next week.  That means the last week of having both breakfast and lunch outside.  This is really something I enjoy in the summer.  When I sit outside the meal is never rushed and I can just stare out into my yard and enjoy the scenery.  We have a lot of lush trees, a garden and bird feeders. I can only see two other houses, even though more are next door.  It's a little Eden, which is what I've always wanted.  

Breakfast: Waffle, topped with Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter and maple syrup, cantaloupe, blackberries, blueberries and cherry juice shooter and coffee of course.

I love waffles and generally I make them for my son and me, but he wasn't around today.  So I made 1/2 recipe and froze the rest.  I went on a 4.5 mile run so I did need some protein, the added peanut butter.  The fruit was all local -yeah!

Lunch: Tomato with tuna salad

I really wanted a tuna salad, but I hate mayo!  So I shredded some zucchini, chopped some black olives and sliced up some shishito peppers and added herbs de provence salt.  I topped the whole thing with Meyer lemon olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  It was almost like a mock salad nicoise.

Dinner: Burger bowls and corn on the cob.

This is probably one of my favorite summer dinners and it's so simple.  I make hamburger patties, just with salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce.  Then in a large bowl I put local salad greens, tomatoes, cucumbers or pickles, avocado and top it with a ketchup/ranch sauce. You really could put anything in this bowl.  Of course it is local corn season so we had to have that on the side. Of course I had wine to drink.

Dessert: Chocolate chip cookies

My eldest daughter needs to eat grain free and the super sweet chef at her work made her these coconut flour chocolate chip cookies.  Who doesn't love a chocolate chip cookie? 

I hope this post inspires you to cook a little more and enjoy some meals outside while the summer lasts.

Bon Appétit!

And as always with love from the Midwest,

Beth 

Chicago

"My kind of town, Chicago is.." to quote the great Frank Sinatra.  That's just how I feel about the city.  I grew up in the northern suburbs of Chicago and my parents are still there.  I really prefer to live in Northeastern WI, however it is always fun to go into the city.  My middle daughter and I just went the other day for a quick overnight. This is a little tradition I started with my girls when they turned 16.  We drive into the city and arrive for lunch.  After a lovely lunch, of their choice, we spend the rest of the day however they want.  Usually we leave the city by 4-4:30 head back to my parents for cocktails and dinner and stay there overnight.  We're back by early afternoon the next day.  

This trip was no different except for what we did. My daughter planned everything.  We started with a lunch at Cafecito.  We shared yucca fries and I had a pressed tuna sandwich with a glass of wine.  We always choose a place where we can sit outside and people watch. Honestly that's half the fun of the trip. 

After lunch we walked a few blocks over to the Museum of Contemporary Art. When we got there we found this cute little farmers' market.  We could have had lunch here, but we didn't know it was taking place.

The museum was really interesting, if you have an open mind about what is "art."  If you only like the classics and impressionists skip this museum and head over to the Art Institute (which is fantastic). But, I found this a nice departure from the normal. 

Out in their courtyard they offer evening jazz on Tuesdays.  It would have been fun; if we were staying down later. 

We then decided to do some walking along Michigan Ave to the river and then up to Oak Street Beach.  Honestly I'd never been there before so that was a fun experience. Again I just love the energy the city gives off, and it was a beautiful day.  

We ended our day with this iconic view of the Hancock Building, the Drake and other Gold Coast buildings.  Just beautiful.  

If you haven't recently I highly recommend taking an overnight to this great city, especially if it is only a few hours away.  

As always with love from the Midwest,

Beth 

What I ate Wednesday 24 (a little late)

Hello! I know this post is a little late for Wednesday's eats, but we had family staying with us and I like to spend time with them.  It's already August. Wow! I'm starting to think about back to school for myself and my kids, kind of sad.  Also the food at the farmers' markets is starting to turn to midsummer goodness for sure. I love seeing the seasonal changes.  So onto the eats.

Breakfast: Spinach and scrambled eggs, peaches, blueberries and black raspberries, sauerkraut, sourdough bread with cashew butter and apricot jelly, blue juice and coffee.

This was a great way to start the day.  Again all local fruits and veggies except for the very seasonal peaches.  If you haven't tried sauerkraut and eggs I really recommend it.  The mixture of tanginess and cream is delicious. 

Lunch: Salad Nicoise and a festive glass of wine (not pictured) 

My parents drove up and stayed overnight with us.  They love a large composed salad as much as I do.  I knew I had everything I needed on hand and local, except for the tuna.  A salad nicoise is really blanched green beans, boiled potatoes, hard boiled eggs, lettuce, tomatoes and tuna. The dressing is just a simple vinaigrette.  

Dinner: Dijon lemon baked salmon, peach chutney, quick ratatouille, and mashed potatoes.

I'm growing these Turkish orange eggplants in the garden this year and I finally had more than 2 in my fridge. I also had tomatoes, zucchini, onion and herbs so of course I needed to make a quick ratatouille by sauteing everything in a skillet.  I made the peach chutney earlier in the day to can and had some leftovers.  The recipe is in Marissa McClelans' Food in Jars Kitchen.  Wow is it good!

Dessert: Anzac cookie with a bit of vanilla ice cream. 

These are one of my son's favorite cookies.  I was in the mood to make dessert and they are quick and easy.  We both love coconut so it's a win. 

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I hope you have been enjoying local eats and time in your kitchen cooking up something delicious.

Bon Appétit!

And as always with love from the Midwest,

Beth

Recent Reads

Hello!  I've been reading a lot this summer, as I usually do.  There's nothing better in my mind to sit outside on a summer afternoon and read a book or to start my day off by reading a chapter or two.  I've read so many good books so I thought I'd share the titles and a very brief synopsis.  

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton - A classic, this book is set in 1870's New York City.  My book club decided to read a classic for the summer.  This book took a little bit to get into, but it is a witty worthwhile read. 

The Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin -  Two friends since medical school and a secret that comes out later in their lives. A simple summer/beach read.

Farewell, My Subaru by Doug Fine - I always like a local eating read. While this book was not all about eating local, Doug Fine does do that it is more about trying to create an off the grid life.

The Book of Summer by Michelle Gable - A mother and daughter conflict set in Nantucket and trying to save a family home.  Again another beach/summer read.

Becoming by Michelle Obama - I thought this book would be political and it was refreshingly not.  My college age daughter could identify with a college aged Michelle and I could definitely identify with the working mom. I would say all women should read this. 

The Lake House by Kate Morton - a murder took place 70 years ago and finally gets solved. I don't usually read mysteries but I really enjoyed this book.

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate - This book is based on real life of  illegal adoption during the 1930s and also takes place present day. It was well written and interesting to learn about a  history I did not know. 

South of Paradise by Kristy Woodson Harvey - This book is the final in the Peach Tree Bluff series.  As always this was a charming read while I was sitting on the Florida beach.  

I hope you find a few interesting reads from this list.

As always with love from the Midwest,

Beth