Keeping Up with Resolutions

Simply remembering a New Year’s Resolution over a month later is a feat in itself for most people, so I’m not going to hide how impressed I am with myself that I am still resolving to learn how to cook and it's February 16th.

  

Every weekend I pick out a new recipe to try, from which I will make a grocery list with ingredients outside of my typical shopping list.  So far I’ve perfected a healthy chicken and bean chili, I have learned the proper way to tenderize chicken breasts, I have surprised myself by making a truly delectable Chicken Marsala, and most exciting to me, is that I tried my very first eggplant parmesean, and absolutely loved it. 

I researched how to choose a good eggplant from the store, how to slice it, how to salt it, and then I half followed, half created a recipe to make a delicious eggplant dish. 

Preparation is a little lengthy, but simple! I highly recommend this creative recipe for anyone that has the time (the eggplant has to sit for a half an hour before it bakes for an hour) for a simple, tasty dish. 

Also, eggplants are big.  One of these babies is going to feed my roommate and I for at least three days. College-student score!

You will need:

1 medium sized eggplant

salt

6 ounces fresh mozzarella

8 ounces tomato sauce (I took the easy way out- Prego!)

1 large red pepper, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

3 tablespoons olive oil, separated

3 eggs

¾ cup bread crumbs

½ teaspoon black pepper

½ tablespoon garlic salt

SO here’s what I did:

-Cut the stem off and slice the eggplant into ¼ inch slices (our knives stink over here in the apartment, so my slices were less than uniform – but it didn’t make a difference.)

-        - Put the slices in a colander and set the colander on a plate.  Sprinkle salt all over the eggplant, toss, and let sit for a half an hour

-     Crack 3 eggs into a shallow bowl, whip

-          Combine breadcrumbs, garlic salt, and pepper into a different shallow bowl

-          Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large frying pan

-      -  Dip eggplant in egg batter, and then breadcrumbs

-       - Fry each piece for 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown

-       - Place fried eggplant into a 13x9 inch baking dish (College Apartment living limited me again; I only had a square casserole dish and a small baking dish so I distributed across two dishes – still worked just fine!)

-      -  Cook pepper and onion in the same frying pan for about 5 minutes

-      -  Place peppers and onions over the eggplant, and then pour the sauce in the baking dish and bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees

-       - After 25 minutes, take the dish out of the oven and place sliced mozzarella on top.

-      -  Bake another 25-30 minutes.

-       - Cut, and Enjoy!!!!

Yum-O.

I barely followed the original recipe for the eggplant parm bake that I found, so I was quite nervous with how my concoction would come out.  Much to my surprise, it was awesome. And therefore, I share.

I don’t like mushrooms, but my roommate suggested mushrooms might be really good in the bake as well.  Go wild!

Feel free to share with me any of your creative/simple recipes because as you know, I really am trying to learn how to cook! I’m hoping this resolution has me on my way to domesticity in no time ;) 

Resolutions

Last year I claimed to make some resolutions which, sadly enough,  I never actually resolved.  I was very serious about the goals I set out for myself in 2011, but time slipped by too quickly as it always does, and I find myself another year without new goals.  Maybe it's the procrastinator in me?

I even took the time to write a very serious blog post about my resolutions for 2011 which can be read here if you would like a refresher ;)

My first resolution was to write more. In any form, whether it be blog, story, poem, etc.  I think I picked up my blogging game slightly, but there is where it ended.  This year, I resolve to start a journal where I can put more personal thoughts down. I also vow to write more things that reflect me in my blog. I am not going to say that I want to blog more frequently, because I find when I set myself to blog a certain amount, I end up blogging about things that don't matter all that much to me, things that are somewhat superficial and borderline meaningless.  I started this blog as a reflection of me, to outline my accomplishments and trials, and to have an outlet for the little creativity I do possess.  In 2012 I will try to sincerely write about what means the most to me, not just words to fill up the page.

My second resolution was to run more.  I hoped to run my first 10k and begin training for a half marathon.  Although these thoughts remained in my mind throughout the year (I even came close to hitting "submit" on an online registration for a race in DC,) ultimately neither of my goals were accomplished. HOWEVER, I did take a leap and applied to become Les Mills Body Pump certified, which I have proudly completed.  I do feel satisfied that I at least made one major change for my fitness, however I am still disappointed I did not meet my running goals. Therefore, 2012 WILL see at least one 10k. I think I'll sign up this week.  Any suggestions for good first races on the East Coast??

Lastly, I resolved to "find my something interesting." This my friends, is a work in progress.  I'm getting there. And through this blog I hope I can discover and share with you this process.

Wow. Looking back, 2011 was moderately unproductive, huh?
This year, I hope to keep the resolutions of 2011 in mind, but also accomplish one other concrete goal.  In 2012, I have decided to learn how to cook.  Sure I cook for myself now, but the menu is typically limited to grilled chicken, pasta, scrambled eggs, and stir-fry.  I need to expand my cooking horizons.  I want to be able to cook for my friends, and make it enjoyable.

On NYE I decided I would practice my future trophy wife skills and cook C a lovely homemade dinner. The side dishes were delicious, but the pork chops I made were barely edible. C said he liked it and even ate the whole thing, but I think he was just being polite.  He was probably just happy that I was cooking in my 5 inch pumps and my pretty Vera Bradley apron. ;)  If it didn't taste good, at least I looked good. Fake it 'til ya make it, I always say.

Wish me luck in my cooking endeavors for the new year (at least for Loverboy's sake.)

January 13th

It's been a full week since my last post publicizing my personal resolutions for 2011. Although it may seem that I have slipped on at least one thanks to my week-long-hiatus from blogging, I propose a post to the surprisingly successful week in resolution efforts. 

First of all, although I have not written much for my fellow bloggers to follow, I have certainly put pen to paper this week by composing a narrative to help a family member earn a well-deserved honor for his military efforts. Hopefully  my Aunt Kathy and Uncle Donny's extensive research and my small contribution in written form will help to earn Pop Nowitzke his Bronze Star this upcoming Memorial Day! On a side note, I feel honored not only to be able to do this good deed but also to be considered by my aunt and uncle who obviously have more confidence in my writing than I probably deserve...

Secondly, I must admit I have not really picked up my running game.  The snow has limited my outdoor trail access and quite honestly, I'm enjoying being utterly lazy way too much this winter break to get back in running shape.  Oops.  HOWEVER, I have successfully sat on my butt and researched possible races in which to participate -- anyone up for joining me in composing a marathon relay team?!! As for discovering my something "interesting," I think it will take some more time for searching.  However, I am being very conscientious about my spending so that when the right opportunity comes along ... I have the funds! For example, the other day I went to the most fabulous accessory store in Freehold Mall, "Charming Charlie" because my generous Aunt gave me a $50 gift card! More sparkle than you can imagine was dripping from every inch of the deceivingly large store, color-coded!  My mom wanted to kill me after the the first hour I spent drooling over cheap rhinestones - but instead of buyingeverything I wanted, I limited myself to the $50 on the card.  Now if that's not progress...I don't know what is ....


Here's a fun electronic bank my mom gave to me to help with my saving:[Image]
It reads the coin you put in the jar and digitally tells you how much you have saved in the jar! Perfect for a "rainy day" when I want to do something really interesting ;)