Cooking for Two

So, I'm still getting used to cooking for another person a big person who eats a ton!  When I lived alone, I would always halve recipes so that I didn't have a lot of leftovers (because they're gross).  I've started making whole recipes but it's still not enough.  Eric's always asking if there's more and usually there's only a little.  Then he doesn't have anything easy for lunch the next day (or his second breakfast, afternoon snack, pre-dinner meal, etc).

Here's another example... I made three chicken breasts thinking we'd each have one and then he could have the third the next day.  Right as we sat down he stabbed 2 pieces and there they went.  He wanted more but obviously I hadn't made any.  Ugh... here's to working out issues for the newly married...

Regardless, this was a delicious meal!!!  It's Barefoot Contessa's Tequila Lime Chicken.  I served this with a mango salsa and quinoa.  (Eric also recently discovered what quinoa was and has decided he's a fan... Go figure...).

Gram and Papa Come to Houston

Hey Ya'll!

We had a great celebratory weekend! Not only did Gram and Papa come visit, but we also celebrated me getting a job! Whoo hoo!! I'll be an RN at Memorial Hermann Children's Hospital at the Texas Medical Center.  Check it out here.

Gram and Pops got here Friday night and we went to Goode Seafood Co for dinner.  Gram loves pecan pie and they have a 'world famous' pecan pie, so I knew we needed to check it out.  Gram did try the pie and said it was very good, so I'd say that's the stamp of approval.

Saturday we woke up and headed straight for NASA.  It was such a great tour!  I can't wait for Maddie and JJ to visit because their kids activities are awesome.








After NASA we went to Galveston for lunch.  People had warned us that it wasn't a pretty beach and they were absolutely correct.  I didn't get a picture but the water is brown and the beaches are small.  Regardless, it was a quick drive and we enjoyed our lunch!

Sunday we had a delicious brunch at this super cool restaurant called Backstreet Cafe.  Their menu made us all salivate and we had such a hard time deciding what to get because it all sounded fantastic!  After brunch we checked out an art museum by our house which is known for its gardens.  It was really neat, but so hot outside that we didn't spend much time admiring the gardens.  Finally, Sunday night we went to a Brazilian steakhouse, Americas.

Basically, we spent the whole weekend eating and then recovering before the next meal.  True to Sharp form...

Texas in Pictures: Installment 2

Cheese! We explored Central Market over the weekend it is AMAZING!! It's the coolest grocery/cooking store I've ever been to.  The cheese section is as big as the bottom floor of our house! And the bread... oh, the bread.  They've got tons of choices and let you try whatever you want to!  Oh heaven!
p.s. a quarter wedge of one of these authentic parmesan wheels is almost $200!!
p.p.s. I did not buy one.  :(

Texas, in pictures: Installment 1

Becoming Texan Transformation: Part 1

Hey Ya'll!  We're on week 3 of married life and living together and it's starting to feel normal!

We had a great week and an even better weekend.  On Saturday, we saw Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney in concert at Reliant Stadium.  It was an amazing show! Even Eric said he'd go see either of them in a heartbeat.  They put on such an exciting and entertaining show! We loved it!

And totally random, we ran into a girl that I went to grade school with in Portland! She's just  moved to Houston and only lives a few minutes away.  We're already planning a happy hour to catch up!

Here's our new boots!  

Tim McGraw performing!  We had great seats on the first level almost directly back from the stage.

Tim!

Do we look like we could be 'real' Texans?

Kenny!!!!!

Crafty Projects

Been working on some decor for the house.  I found these on Pinterest and have been wanting to make them for a while.  My hiatus from work has allowed me all kinds of time!

Sharing some delicious dinners!

Hi All,

Of course I have to share some recipes.  We've been eating really well (and somewhat healthy) around here.  With not much to do during the day, it's fun (for me) to plan menus, read my favorite cooking blogs and whip things up!  Here's a bit of what we've been chowing down on...

Spicy Smoky Salmon with Black Beans and Corn from here.  It only took 30 minutes too!

Barefoot Contessa's Pappa al Pomidoro (tomato soup with bread). I made a few changes (celery instead of fennel, didn't roast the basil, and halved it), but it was absolutely divine! You can find the recipe here.

Summer Vegetable Pancakes with Basil Chive Sour Cream.  Really good and light side dish to the tomato soup.  Eric said he wouldn't order them out but they were good.  The Basil Chive sauce is fantastic! I put a dollop in my soup for lunch the next day.  Go here to find this one.

Strawberries Romanoff.  My sister ordered this at a restaurant the other day and it was really good.  I wanted to  make it and home and was shocked that it's only 3 ingredients, which you probably have in your fridge right now! Great treat after dinner and almost guilt free.  I used this recipe but others call for Cointreau or an orange liqueur.  Still good without it though!