Angel Hair pasta topped with Eggplant and Tomatoes

Thursday's Treat!

I just walked in from work, it is very cold and windy. I love my NYC but I am out growing the Winter.

I have actually started to Google warmest places in the USA, not to happy with the results think time to expand the mind.

So I am in the mood for something easy and I want to use my Eggplants before they bruise.

I decided on using pasta with my Eggplant. It should be an easy 30 minutes total.

Ingredients:

-angel hair pasta

-1 med eggplant

-plum tomatoes

-olive oil

-shredded cheese

-garlic cloves 

-salt

-pepper

-basil leaves

I peeled and cubed my Eggplant, set aside. I used half a carton of plum tomatoes cut in halves.

I peeled and chopped 4 garlic cloves.

While my pasta is boiling I am heating 1/4 cup of olive oil in medium skillet on medium heat. I may add a little more oil later when I add the Eggplant cubes.

Ok so oil is hot, let's add the garlic cloves let it cook for few minutes, let's add the Eggplant and let cook for 10 minutes or so. My pasta is about done, setting it aside.

I'm adding my tomatoes letting it cook and release its juices. Just added my pasta, a little more oil, sprinkled some salt and pepper.

Another 10 minutes have passed I just sprinkled my basil leaves and I'm ready to serve.

Sprinkle my shredded cheese I am using Asiago and when I serve my plate I will break out bottle of water I am done!

Tasty! I am eating as I edit the pics to add to this post. My cheese melted which is an added bonus.

I cleaned as I cooked so now I just have to wash my dish. I will set aside the remainder for my daughter if she comes home from school hungry or for her lunch tomorrow. 

Either way, easy peasy plenty of time for me to answer emails, have a nice shower and cozy myself in my lounge chair to catch up on my CBS shows on demand. Criminal Minds & NCIS see you soon.

Have a Good Night everyone, hope you enjoy!

Always stress free xo.

Glazed Tilapia & Mushrooms

Thursday's treat!

Well it's officially Fall/Autumn, my Summer clothes are put away, my tall boots are lying in waiting.
I had a terrific September, full plate indeed. A lot of reflection and tweaking, look forward to seeing how these changes unfold.

One thing remains the same I love to eat and I love to be in and out the kitchen fast.

Today's share includes a first for me. I was a bit iffy on how it would turn out but I went for it.

Ingredients: 
-Tilapia
-mushrooms
-honey
-roasted garlic & herb seasoning

I love mushrooms, I eat them in soups, sandwiches and just about any dish that calls for them but I have never cooked them myself.
I pass the packs in the grocery store look at them, pick them up then put them back down.
These little suckers caused me to second guess my skills in the kitchen lol.
So last Monday my coworker was in the office and since she is always in the kitchen I asked her If she used mushrooms in her cooking and if so, how.
She rattled on several dishes and I was like oh great not as bad as I thought.
I picked some up on Saturday and this is what I did.

Marinated 2 pieces of Tilapia with roasted garlic & herb seasoning and honey. Amount is to your taste buds liking. I let it sit for about 10 minutes. I took a paper towel wet it and wiped the dirt off the mushrooms, I was instructed not to run under faucet or it would soak up too much water and be soggy when it cooked.

I cut off the stub parts slightly then chopped the mushrooms into slices. I used Portobello kind, they were on sale.
I drizzled lightly some olive oil in the pan just enough so my mushrooms wouldn't burn when they started to cook.
I cooked them for about 5 minutes then removed them from pan, took the Tilapia pieces put them to cook and dropped the mushrooms into the glaze and had them there for a few seconds then added them to pan so they can finishing cooking with the fish.
Mushrooms done in 10 minutes total, fish about 6 minutes each side since stove top made not baked.

Done! The blend of honey with roasted garlic & herb was just enough sweet and kick to make my evening and I added some tomatoes on the side for color splash.
The mushrooms were so tasty and not soggy! Thanks Maria (my coworker) for the heads up.
In and out the kitchen total time about 45minutes with cleanup.
Got to finally sit down and watch Oblivion, yes I know I am so late on that one. Loved it!

Always stress free xo

Stuffed Baked Potatoes

I love coming home thinking about what I am going to cook as I walk through the door.

I especially enjoy when my meal takes as little effort, time and ingredients as possible.

Stress free and healthy...how can you beat that!

So today I am sharing a meal I prepared the other night that took me just 25 minutes start to finish.

Ingredients for two people 
-2 potatoes (nice size for stuffing)
-cheese (whichever you favor)
-salt
-pepper
-olive oil
-sour cream
-broccoli

I started by washing my potatoes, poking them several times with a fork and then rubbing them with oil, salt and pepper.
I placed them on a dish and set aside.
I then took handful of broccoli and added them to my pot boiled water light salt till tender to the bite not to hard not to soft. That was about 10 minutes.
During last few minutes of cooking my veggie, I placed potatoes in microwave 5 minutes each side.
Remove them carefully, sliced in the middle added my sour cream and choice of cheese. Placed back in microwave for about 30 seconds enough to melt the cheese.
When done added the broccoli and served.

My daughter added avocado to her dish you can add what you wish or just leave as is. It is an amazing filling dish and healthy.

I am trying to add more greens in my life and stay away from foods that take long prep time. I will share some of that journey with you, wish me luck.

Happy Wednesday!

Make sure to come back on Sunday. I am working on something that touches Single parenting. 

Stress free xoxo