Bean Dip (sigh)

Today I give you - Bean Dip. Yep, I said it. Bean Dip. Now, I know what you're thinking, but let me tell you - it is AMAZING!!! TO DIE FOR!!

I visited Phoenix to see my sister and she took me to this little place called Serrano's in Mesa. It didn't look all that impressive. I believe my exact words were "looks like a Denny's with Mexican decorations". Well, I ate my words - quite literally.

I mean, it doesn't look like much:


but it was amazing. We had a bowl and a half and then couldn't hardly finish dinner. It was like re-fried beans, with maybe a little salsa in it and definitely had onions mixed it. Creamy and onion-y goodness. I have googled the hell out of this to find the recipe with no success... So for now, it lives on in my memory...

Jambalaya with Cajun Rice

So, my work a few years back had some healthy recipes they gave us - kind us like an eDiets.com thing, but for free. Some were good, some were gross. I took them and modified them to taste a little better. They helped me lose weight last year, so they are healthy, if you watch the snacking. :) That's my personal downfall.

The one I'm currently hooked on is Jambalaya with Cajun Rice. Now, don't get me wrong - this ain't authentic Cajun food here. But it's good, and it's healthy.



Jambalaya with Cajun Rice
Serving Size: 1
1/2 cup medium shrimp - raw
2 oz. Italian style reduced fat turkey sausage, sliced thin
1/2 cup chopped bell peppers, mixed colors
1 tbsp chopped onions - vidalia or maybe 2 pearl onions
1-2 tsp chopped jalapenos if you like a little spiciness
1 tsp olive oil
1 cup cooked brown rice
1/2 tsp Old Bay Seasoning - or Cajun Seasoning if you don't have Old Bay

Thaw the Shrimp, if it's frozen. Cook the rice, set aside.

Stir fry the olive oil, shrimp, sausage, peppers & jalapenos, and onions. The goal is to see some browning on the sausage and cook the shrimp through. As the shrimp gets close to being done, add the rice and seasoning.

The key to keeping this healthy is to keep the shrimp, sausage & rice at steady amounts and play with the veggies - so add some jalapenos or onions, or cut something out if you don't like it.

Serve hot & enjoy!

Lindt Chocolates

My first post just HAS to be about chocolate - how could it not be?!? I received a FANTASTIC box of chocolates for Valentine's Day, and I just cannot get enough of them... Lindt Lindor truffle balls, or whatever their official names are. The red ones are the best. They are all quite good, but I find that the key to eating them is to not fix & match. You MUST eat them by color (i.e. flavor) or it completely diminishes their goodness. So everyday since the magical Valentine's Day, when I come home, I pick a color and eat - so, today is pink day, yesterday was green, etc.

They are MAGICAL in their goodness.

The other important item to note is the blue Stracciatella. Now, I had bought a bag a Christmas time. I didn't really like them back them. They have completely grown on me now - I am transfixed on their creamy white chocolate-y goodness this time around. They really do keep me wanting more. I can't quite put my finger on it, but these babies have me hooked. Go pick yourself up a bag today!