The One Where I Talk About Food

Although I wouldn’t quite say I’ve hit that second-trimester energy surge (I’m usually asleep by 8 o’clock still), I am finding that I’m feeling much more “normal” during the day. And thankfully that also means I’m getting my cooking mojo back. For the past couple months, my poor family has suffered, but made the best of it.

Last night I decided to try this chicken curry recipe at Hooked on Heat. I did not have any garlic-ginger paste so I minced two cloves of garlic and shredded a one-inch piece of fresh ginger. I added them at the same time I added the onions and chile peppers. Oh my goodness, it was soooo goood. I really wish I had made a double batch to have leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch. I also made some kheer, which is a soupy rice pudding flavored with coconut milk, a bit of sugar, golden raisins, and cardamom. I had no cardamom, so I substituted a blend of coconut, nutmeg, and ground ginger. It also turned out really well and was very comforting! I’ve had the dessert in an Indian restaurant, but apparently it is a Pakistani dish. Either way, it is super yummy warm or cold. With the spice blend I think it would make a nice holiday dessert if you’re looking for something different.

This morning I put together beef stew in the Crock Pot. Drew’s mom and aunt will be watching the boys while we are at Jake’s parent-teacher conference this afternon. I’m not sure if they plan on staying for dinner, but I wanted to have something just in case. If not, I will just send them home with some. Not quite sure why I made it. Honestly it is not sounding too good to me right now, but I guess I just had all the ingredients so… Sadly, it will not be the delicious chicken curry that’s for sure.

I’m also trying to figure out what to serve on Christmas Day. We’re having a very small gathering this year, so I don’t want a ton of food (which will just mean a ton of leftovers). Spiral ham would be easiest but they are so freaking big, and I’m not that crazy about ham in general (except deli ham on a sandwich). Brunch-type items would be easy but I feel like everyone is bored with that since I do it every year. Maybe a roast beef? That requires minimal work and is a lot smaller than the ham. I need to get this figured out!

4 comments

  1. Christina says:

    I made a standing rib roast for Christmas one year. My father-in-law is still raving about it. I like to pretend that I slaved for hours over it, but it was the easiest thing to make!

  2. jesser says:

    Ain’t it nice to have (at least some of) the energy back? I’m marveling at what I can now accomplish compared to a month ago! I’ve been cleaning out all these corner that I neglected in Sept & Oct & Nov ….

    As for Christmas day, I do know that Honeybaked Hams come in a lot of sizes so that might still be an option … but I don’t know how small or big or whatever. The roast beef does sound good. In my family we do a huge Christmas Brunch every year that is compulsory and have fewer people around at dinner and change that up … antelope stew, goose, roast beef, lasagna, etc. It’s fun. 🙂

  3. Ani says:

    I was the same way when I was pregnant with Olivia. I was so tired and nauseas. But then got my appetite back sometime during my second trimester.

    Mmm I love Indian food. Looks like a good site.

    Good luck figuring out Christmas Day’s meal!

  4. Shannon says:

    how small of a gathering? Because you could fancy up a roasted chicken… and if you do have left overs… they will make yummy ones… but I would kill for some good roast beef right now… yum!

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