WIAW: Meal time

Okay this week is dragging.  Maybe it’s because one week from today will mark the last day before maternity leave.  Wheeeeeee  

And if you haven’t already, I highly encourage you to check out the giveaway for the glass pendant necklace.  If not for you, then as a gift for your fave fab friend for Christmas

Oh and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your sweet comments on yesterday’s maternity shoot post.  If you’re interested I’m happy to post more, just let me know. 

Today, is of course, What I Ate Wednesday (see here to join the party) and my focus is on meals – sounds obvious huh, but I’m much more a snacker than a meal person so here are a few ‘meals’ I’ve been snarfin’ down.

Tis the season of the spaghetti squash – one of my favorite gourds to eat.  I tend to go with a marinara sauce or even a Mexi salsa mixture, but this time around, I went with pesto, and baked tofu (smothered in garlic powder and ground black peppa)

Seeing how I’m still trying to eat as much protein as possible, I do make an effort to actually eat some meat now and then.  We made this dish up on Sunday night: hickory smoked pork tenderloin, purple & green asparagus, and sweet potato.  Not too shabby eh?

Okay okay this may not constitute a meal per se, but while the hubby is away, I go for convenience: blueberry chobani, 1 scoop protein powder, spash of skim milk, and 1/3 cup Raisin Bran Crunch.  Oh and you see that popcorn on the side..yeah that came later

And not to be left  out: PIZZA!  I’m obsessed with pizza lately.   We’ve ordered from Pizza Hut twice in two weeks and are in love with the pan crust and extra sauce.  So freakin’ good.  I think Zach is loving my pregnant food habits. 

Are you more of a snacker or a meal person?

What’s your favorite pizza delivery place?

Italian Tofu – Manga!

Keep those shoe entries coming in!  Click here.  I’ll keep it open until 5p Pacific tomorrow

Though I’m a “recovering vegetarian” (14 years) and have been for about 6 years now, my go-to foods are still in large part vegetarian.  Maybe it’s because I hate touching naked meat (ugh, slimy chicken breasts), or maybe it’s because I’m not savvy with the master meat cooker (the grill), or maybe the chewy taste still freaks me out every now and then.

For all those reasons and more, I’ve become a lover of tofu.  But not just any kind — it’s got to be Xtra Firm.  (TWSS)  I recently found a brand of tofu that has blown away the competition.  I seriously could eat this, err, raw.  Does that make sense even?

Orzo, garlic and tofu

I’ve actually started to create meals around this tofu — it’s that good!  Though apparently my hubby thinks it’s disgusting.  One step forward, two steps back…dangit.

Cut up tofu and 3 ginormous cloves of chopped garlic

I heated about 1+ tbsp EVOO in a large non-stick skillet — medium/high heat.  After adding the garlic and stirring for about a minute, I added the tofu.  The high heat sears the tofu and gives it a nice golden brown color.  I then reduced the heat and loosely added a lid to ‘steam’ the tofu through.  (By this time, the oven fan had to go in since I went a wee bit heavy on the garlic — you really wouldn’t want to smell my breath today )

Meanwhile, I simply followed the directions on the back of the Trader Joe’s orzo and heated water to a boil, etc, etc.  I won’t bore you with the cooking pasta details.

While the pasta was cooking though, I added a simple marinara to my tofu/garlic mixture in the large skillet.  A hefty dose of red pepper flakes and cracked ground peppa, and the flavors were ready to simmaahhh!

Pair with a nice Pinot and wa-la, dinner is done!

My plate

I admittedly had another helping of the tofu and sauce.  I told ya I’m in love with this brand!

Have you made tofu Italian-style?  If so, how?

All-time favorite Italian dish? Pizza aside, I’m a sucker for good ravioli or manicotti.

Those wild Friday nights

I’m old.

More than anything I just wanted to watch my DVRed shows…hello Jersey Shore and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.  i think I may have actually felt a bit of sympathy for Camille the last episode.  But then that went away

Though I was not at all in the mood to cook, I knew I’d feel better if I ate something healthy.  Prowling around the fridge and pantry lead me to these items:

Household staples

I cut of the tofu and let it marinate in TJ’s low-sodium soy sauce and crushed lemon pepper for about an hour and a half before cooking.  I sautéed all ingredients in a large non-stick skillet for about 30 minutes on medium-low starting with the onions and celery and finally adding the broccoli slaw.  Top with some Siracha and you have dinner!

Yum x2

And though this filled me up, I decided to have a little dessert:

TJ's never disappoints

Mini souffles for him and her

I have to say these were pretty good.  I under cooked them slightly which was a bummer, but at 110 calories for pumpkin deliciousness, you really can’t go wrong. 

My Friday evening may have also been accompanied by 2 glasses of Pinot Noir

And wouldn’t you know I’m back at work, not enjoying the 60 deg sunny day.  In the words of Snooki ”Waaaahhhhh”!

Tell me one fun thing you’re doing or have done this weekend?  It’s okay, make me jealous