Roasted Asparagus Parmigiano

Recipe Courtesy of:  What's Cooking America

Ingredients:

*2 pounds asparagus stalks, washed and trimmed
*1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
*1 Tbsp white wine
*1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
*3 garlic cloves, finely minced
*1/4 teas ground herbs
*Coarse salt or sea salt
*Ground black pepper
*1/4 cup or more grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Directions:

*Snap or cut off the tough ends of the asparagus.  Arrange asparagus in layer in a shallow baking pan.
*Make marinade by combining olive oil, white wine, balsamic vinegar, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper.  Pour marinade over asparagus, turning to coat.  Let marinade a couple of hours (2-3).  (I didn't have enough time to marinade, so I didn't and it was just as good!)
*Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  When ready to bake, sprinkle cheese over the top of the asparagus.  Bake approximately 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the asparagus.) 

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Recipe Courteys of:  Weight Watchers Magazine, Quick & Easy Menus Edition, 1999

Ingredients:

*4 1/2 cups peeled, cubed baking potatoes
*4 garlic cloves
*1 bay leaf
*3/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt
*1/2 cup skim milk
*1/4 teas salt

Directions:

*Place potatoes, garlic, and bay leaf in a saucepan, and cover with water; bring to a boil.  Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until tender.
*Drain mixture, and discard bay leaf.  Return potatoes and garlic to pan, and beat at medium speed of a mixer until mashed.  Add yogurt, milk, and salt; beat just until blended.

Yield: 4 Servings; serving size 1 cup
Weight Watchers: 2 pts

Blue Cheese-Crusted Filet Mignon

Recipe Courtesy of:  Chef at Home (Food Network Canada)
Chef:  Michael Smith

Ingredients:

*(4) 6oz filet mignons
*Salt & Pepper
*Olive oil
*8oz blue cheese
*2 slices of whole grain bread, cubed
*1/2 stick butter (I use unsalted so I can control the salt content)
*Fresh ground pepper
*2 sprigs fresh rosemary

Directions:

*Preheat oven to 400 degrees
*Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat
*Season the filets with salt and pepper and rub with olive oil.  Place in the hot pan and sear for 1 minute on both sides.
*Place on a cooling rack fitted over a baking sheet, reserve the skillet.
*Puree the blue cheese, bread, butter, rosemary and pepper in a food processor until smooth.
*Pack blue cheese mixture onto the tops of the filets and bake in oven until meat is medium-rare, about 8-10 minutes, longer if you prefer your meat medium, etc.

*The meat and crust may be prepared in advance, refrigerated, then baked just before serving, if you choose to do this make sure you add more baking time.

Jey's Birthday

Tomorrow is technically, my dear hubby's birthday but today we celebrated since he will be at work tomorrow.  I have to say it was a very uneventful day.  It's funny how when it's either my or his birthday the only request from each other is not to change any diapers, cook, clean or have any major responsibilities with the kids.  So that's exactly what he received.  He sat around and watched T.V. all day, well just football (which is normal on a Sunday anyways) and I had to endure all the kid stuff along with making him his requested dinner and cake.

When I asked him what he wanted for dinner, he of course had to pick the most time consuming meal and cake!  He said "oh just whip up a Boston Cream Pie.  Yesterday, while he worked and I had both kids for the 6th day in a row without him being home, I just "whipped up" a Boston Cream Pie.  Two and a half hours later with both kids screaming at my feet it was finally finished.  Take a look:    

The recipe I used added a chocolate layer of cake between the two yellow cakes.  It was a very nice addition.  Then I used a vanilla and rum custard instead of vanilla pudding for the filling. 

For his dinner, I made his favorite blue cheese encrusted filet mignon, garlic mashed potatoes and Parmesan roasted asparagus.  Even through all the complaining and stressful feelings while making his birthday dinner, I wouldn't have had it any other way.  He deserves so much more than just me slaving for hours and hours in the kitchen for his birthday dinner request.

Daddy Duck and his lil' ducklings

Weight Watchers, Week 3

"Wendy's Weekly Challenge" was not met by me, of course.  I lost another pound, but definitely not two!  Wendy on the other hand met her challenge and lost two pounds!!  Whoo Hooo, you go girl! 

I did buy a exercise video at my WW meeting today, and will start working out with that tomorrow.  There are five different exercises from toning to cardio, so I'm going to try a different one each day this week along with walking in the morning with June-Bug.

With only losing a total of 3.2lbs so far, I can tell I am losing inches.  I didn't take measurements before I started solely because it's so hard to make sure I'm going to re-measure the same spots each month, so I don't think it's very accurate for me.  My clothes are fitting much nicer and I even bought my first pair of Skinny Jeans!!  I can't believe I actually liked them on.  I will post a pic when I wear them again!

Garlic-Lover's Shrimp

Recipe from "Weight Watchers Magazine, Cream of the Crop" 1999 edition

Ingredients:

*1 Tbsp olive oil
*1/4 teas crushed red pepper (Omitted due to the kids)
*8 Garlic cloves, minced
*1 Bay leaf
*1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, deveined and peeled
*1/4 teas salt
*1/2 cup dry white wine
*2 Tbsp minced parsley, fresh
*1/4 teas thyme, dried

Directions:

*Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add pepper, garlic, and bay leaf; saute 30 seconds.  Add shrimp and salt; saute 3 minutes.  Remove shrimp from skillet; set aside.  Add wine, parsley, and thyme to skillet; bring to a boil, and cook until reduced to 1/4 cup (about 1 minute).  Return shrimp to skillet; toss to coat.
*Discard bay leaf

Weight Watchers: 4 pts
Yield: 4 Servings

Publix, Under $1

Here are some of the best deals right now at Publix that are under $1.  My local Publix does not accept Target as a competitor coupon so I didn't add those to the list of usable coupons.  Remember that Publix doubles all coupons $.50 and lower, making for even better savings!!

*For complete match-ups of the entire weekly ad, visit Southern Savers where you can create your own grocery list with the the match-ups listed.


Green Giant Frozen Vegetables - 10/$10 *STOCK-UP!
     Use printable
     or .60/3 from 9/12 GM
Total: FREE

Pledge Grab It Dry Disposable Cloths (16 ct-B1G1 @ $3.99)
     Use $2/2 Publix Coupon from Publix Family Favorites Booklet
     plus $2/2 from 9/26 SS
Total: FREE

Barilla Pasta (B1G1 @ $1.27) *STOCK-UP!
     Use .55/1 or $1/2 from 8/29 SS 
Total: $0.09

Shedd’s Spread Country Crock (B1G1 @ $1.89)
     Use printable
     or .40/1 from from Aug All You
     or .30/1 from 9/26 RP
Total: $0.15

Old El Paso Refried Beans or Taco Shells or Tortillas, Taco, or Enchilada Sauce or Heat & Serve Beans or Rice (4/$5)
     Use printable (Thanks Couponing to Disney)
     or .50/2 from 9/12 GM
Total: $0.25

Dannon Yogurt Cup (20/$8)
     Use .40/6 from 9/19 SS
Total: $0.27

Old El Paso Dinner Kit (B1G1 @ $2.95)
     Use printable (Thanks Couponing to Disney)
     or .50/2 from 9/12 GM
Total: $0.47

Fuze Beverages, 18.5 oz bottle (10/$10)
     Use $1/2 from Oct All You
     or $1/3 from 9/19 RP
Total: $0.50

Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper or Chicken or Tuna Helper (B1G1 @ $1.59)
     Use .75/3 printable
Total: $0.55

Progresso Soup (B1G1 @ $2.29)
     Use .50/2 from 8/8 GM
Total: $0.65

Knorr Sides (B1G1 @ $1.29)
*No coupons out right now*
Total: $0.65

Kraft Barbecue Sauce (B1G1 @ $1.48)
*No coupons out right now*
Total: $0.74

Breakstone’s Sour Cream (B1G1 @ $1.50)
*No coupons out right now*
Total: $0.75


Nestle Fun Size Bars (B1G1 @ $3.59) *STOCK-UP FOR TRICK OR TREATERS!
     Use .50/1 from 8/1 RP
Total: $0.79


Hunt’s Tomato Ketchup (B1G1 @ $1.65)
*No coupons out right now*
Total: $0.83

Halls Cough Drops (B1G1 @ $1.69)
*No coupons out right now*
Total: $0.85

Pillsbury Rolls or Cinnamon Squares, Breadsticks or Pizza Crust (3/$5)
     Use .35/1 from 9/12 GM
Total: $0.97

Pace Chunky Salsa or Pace Picante Sauce (B1G1 @ $2.79)
     Use .40/2 from 8/29 SS
Total: $0.99

Kraft Singles, Chunk cheese, Shredded, Cracker Cuts or Cubes ($2)
     Use $5/5 printable
Total: $1.00

Glaceau Smartwater, 1L bottle (10/$10)
*No coupons out right now*
Total: $1.00