Chicken with Gingered Brown Rice

I made this chicken with gingered brown rice for dinner last night. While my husband didn't like it as much as the tomato soup from Monday, he thought it was pretty good. I REALLY enjoyed the rice. It was my first time using crystallized ginger and I thought it added a nice flavor. Be aware that this is a sweeter meal due to the orange marmalade and ginger. I got this recipe from the Betty Crocker Whole Grains cookbook. I would make it again, but perhaps just cut the chicken into smaller pieces.

Ingredients:

1 cup uncooked long-grain brown rice
2 1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons orange juice (I used a little more than that)
1 small onion, finely choppen (1/4 cup)
3 tablespoons finely chopped crystallized ginger
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
3/4 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 tablespoons orange marmalade (use a low-sugar version)
1 tablespoon canola oil (I used olive oil)

1. Cook brown rice in water as directed on package

2. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 8-inch square (2 quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In 2-quart saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon orange juice to boiling over medium heat. Cook onion in orange juice 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until crisp-tender. Stil in cooked rice, ginger, parsley, thyme and remaining 1 tablespoon orange juice.

3. Spoon rice mixture into baking dish. Place chicken breasts on rice mixture. In small bowl, mix marmalade and oil; brush over chicken.

4. Cover baking dish with foil; bake 25 minutes. Remove cover; bake 10 to 15 minutes longer or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (170 degrees).

Question: In which recipes do you use ginger? I have some left over now and don't want to waste it if possible. Leave a comment if you have any ideas!

PS- I'm posting this recipe on the Kitchen Stewardship blog as a part of her October Fest Carnival of Super Foods. Check it out!

Fresh Tomato Soup

Last night when I asked Ryan if he had any requests for dinner this week, he said he wanted grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. Normally, we use Campbell's tomato soup made with milk instead of water. I admit, I do really like that version of the soup. However, I wanted to try making a tomato soup on my own. I found this recipe for Fresh Tomato Soup in the Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book.

Ryan rated this soup at a 7-8 out of 10...his only complaint was that it wasn't exactly like the Campbell's. I LOVED it! I'd definitely make this again. I did alter the recipe a bit, which I will indicate in red.

Fresh Tomato Soup

Ingredients:
3 medium tomatoes, peeled and quartered (I used 5 tomatoes)
1 1/2 cups water (I used Swanson low-sodium organic chicken broth)
1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
1/2 cup chopped celery (1 stalk)
1/2 of a 6-ounce can tomato paste
2 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro
2 teaspoons instant chicken bouillon granules (Swanson broth)
1 teaspoon sugar
few dashes bottled hot pepper sauce

1. In a large saucepan combine tomato, broth, onion, celery, tomato paste, cilantro, sugar and hot pepper sauce. Bring to boiling, reduce heat. Simmer, covered, about 20 minutes or until celery and onion are tender. Remove from heat; cool for 10 minutes.

2. Place half of tomato mixture in a blender or food processor (I used the Magic Bullet). Cover and blend or process until smooth. Repeat wiht the remaining mixture. Return all to the saucepan; heat through. If desired, garnish with additional cilantro.

Menu Plan Monday: 1st Time!

I've been planning out our dinners for the last month or so and am really enjoying the process. It helps me in several ways. I waste less time each day wondering what we should have for dinner. I save money because I know exactly what I need to buy at the grocery store and I also cut down the number of trips I need to take to pick up groceries.

This is the first time I've actually participated in Menu Plan Monday though. No, I didn't think of this idea on my own. Check out Laura's blog at I'm an Organizing Junkie for all the details and tons of other recipes for Menu Plan Monday.


So, here is what I have planned for this week. I'm trying to gradually increase the number of homemade meals we have, because in the past we ate mainly packaged meals or ate out at restaurants. I realize that we still do this, but we're taking babysteps toward healthy meals!

Monday: Fresh Tomato Soup, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Tuesday: YOYO (You're on your own) because I have water aerobics class that evening.

Wednesday: Chicken with Gingered Brown Rice

Thursday: Bag Meal

Friday: Tuna Sandwiches- for me only as Ryan will be going out with friends

Saturday: Prime Rib Dinner at my Grandma Carol's house

Sunday: Leftovers or eating at my mom's

How do you plan out your meals each week? Do you go day-by-day or are you super organized and have them planned out far in advance? Leave a comment if you have an extra minute :)

Our New Family Room

We recently had our basement painted and carpeted so that we could use the space as a play room. The four of us (Frank included) have really been enjoying the time we have spent in our new space. Nolan has lots of space to play without fear of him hitting his head or teeth on the wood floor. Frank has more area to run and has been chasing stuffed animals all over the room. I have some workout equipment set up so that I can do workout videos a few times per weeks. We don't have a whole lot of furniture in here yet and there is more work to do to organize it and have it "looking" like a family room. In the mean time though, we sure do love it!


Today we also picked up a kid-sized table from a Craigslist add. It is the perfect height for Nolan and has edges all around for him to play with legos, trains, tractors, trucks, puzzles and whatever else he might use it for in the future.


Here are a couple of pictures of Nolie-Bear enjoying this space. Nevermind the mess in the background, just focus on the cute kid :)

This one was taken in the family room too. I especially love his chubby cheek and little golden curl.

Now that we had the stairs carpeted as well, Nolan loves to climb them!

Pumpkin!

Fall is here and Nolan is loving every minute of it so far! We went to the Apple Farm a few weekends back and Ryan picked out this pumpkin for future carving. I introduced it to Nolan thinking he might like looking at it because it was so bright. It was sitting on our kitchen table at first, but then we needed the space and I set it on the kitchen floor. Not too long afterward Nolan made his merry way over to the bright orange object...now he is fascinated by it! He pats it, uses it to stand, rolls it around and if you clap and make a beat for him, he will push off it and practice standing. He's gotten so that he balances for about 10 seconds before plopping down or lowering himself. If he gets bored, all we have to do is ask, "Nolan, where is the pumpkin?" Nolie-Bear then makes his way over to it and points it out. I never imagined it would be so entertaining, but he sure does love it!

Fun Pictures

I suppose I'm way past due to post some new pictures of the little man. We're just having too much fun with him these days to spend a whole lot of time on the computer!! Here are a couple of my faves:

I'm 10 Months Old!

Hanging out with Cousin Chayton

Ryan and Nolan at the Fair


First time at the playground

Hmm, I'm not sure I like the taste of this stick

Experience Life Magazine: Skimming the Truth

I know, I haven't blogged in a REALLY long time. Sorry! And this post is a little different from what I usually write. I just read this really interesting article in Experience Life magazine (which is put out by Lifetime Fitness). It's about dairy products and they refute the common assumption that skim milk and low or non-fat dairy is better for you. I had not heard this before, so let me know what you think!

Experience Life Magazine: Skimming the Truth

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