Okay, can I just say that my blog post title basically kicks ass! š
I decided to get a gag gift for Tony’s birthday last week. We had seen an infomercial for T-Pain’s microphone – you can sing into it, get beat box rhythms – here is what the microphone can do.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8d0HJEO6JBg]
So Tony has been sending me love songs at work and leaving them on my voice mail. Here is the latest one on a day when I told him I was really busy.
I just saved it on my voicemail and it makes me laugh every time I hear it – thanks Tony! š
It’s still overcast/rainy/crappy outside, so I decided I wanted oatmeal. Now I know why I don’t eat this too often, I added a teaspoon of agave nectar, with 1 chopped apple, 1 tablespoon of raisins and a small packet of McDonald’s granola – it was just way too sweet. I missed my cheese. š Although I will say that it was filling and only 6 WW points for the whole bowl. I think I got the McDonald’s granola packets from my Mom that she got at the food pantry she volunteers at – if they don’t have enough for everybody, they can’t hand it out.
And since I am still working out of my pantry/fridge/freezer, I give you Irish Potato Soup with Honey Beer Bread. It’s rare if I don’t have chicken broth, potato and carrots on hand.
Irish Potato Soup (makes 4 servings, 246 calories, 12 fat, 25 carbs, 4 fiber and 9 protein = 6 WW points per serving = about 1.5 cups)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 pound Idaho potatoes, scrubbed and diced
- 2 large carrots, shredded (mine came to a generous cup)
- 32 ounce chicken broth (Dollar Tree sells 32 ounce boxes of chicken broth and beef broth for $1 – nice!)
- 1 teaspoon salt (I used bacon salt)
- 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
Melt butter in stock pot. Add carrots and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Add in flour and cook for 1 minute. Add remaining ingredients and cook over medium-low heat for 25 minutes or until the vegetables are cooked through.
I used my potato masher because I wanted a chunkier soup – feel free to stick blend for a smooth soup.
Honey Beer Bread (makes 12 servings, 146 calories, 2.2 fat, 26 carbs, 1.2 fiber and 3.3 protein = 4 WW points).
- 3 cups flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 bottle of light beer
- 2 tablespoons of melted butter (may leave this out next time)
Mix the dry ingredients together. Add beer and honey and mix just until the mixture is combined. Pour 1 tablespoon of butter in the bottom of your bread dish, and then add bread dough, then finish off with the remaining butter. Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes (I used a glass dish, so it may take longer in a different pan).
I actually liked the extra texture of leaving the potato skins on. This one will be a repeat for sure, and the bread is super quick. š
I never worked out at lunch, it was pouring rain pretty much all day and when I thought it would let up, it would start up again. š
When I went to TJ’s over the weekend, I picked up this small oven roaster – love both the size and the price!
Before work I added sliced lemons, sea salt with rosemary and cracked pepper and wrapped it up. I asked Tony to heat the oven around 4:45 to 475 – bake it for 30 minutes, then reduce the heat to 375 and then I’d take over when I got home from work. It was cooked perfectly – starting out the first 30 minutes at a high temperature seals the skin and ensures that you will get a crispy skin (I gave my skin to the dog). š But keep an eye on it – you may have to cover it with foil half way through so the skin doesn’t burn. Um, and please ignore the random shit on my counter. Thanks.
On the side I had smashed potatoes and sauteed zucchini – again, another comforting dinner that doesn’t break the WW points bank. This plate comes in at 9 points.
Loved reading about who inspires you to cook on yesterday’s post! Thanks for sharing your memories with me!
Stats for Tuesday
- 29]points (I added 4 points of tasting my soup I made after dinner last night)
- no exercise
- average blood sugar 151 (thanks carby breakfast!) š
Tonight is hanging with Hannah – we are going to go see My Idiot Brother. š Make it a great day!
Come back tomorrow with Mexican Chicken Noodle Soup using the leftover noodles from the beef stroganoff, chicken from the roast last night and leftover marinara sauce – sounds weird, but this just might be my new favorite soup. š
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That message from Tony is the best! That is so funny! And I love beer bread! (how could I not?!)
If you don’t like sweet oatmeal, maybe don’t add the agave? Or choose to cook/serve it with berries like raspberries which aren’t as sweet as say, raisins or apples. Or make carrot cake or zucchini bread inspired oats!
My favorite part of the post: a;lsdjfal;skdj
And I wonder if Cher is jealous of T-Pain? He gets all the credit for autotuning when she’s the one that used it first.
I always have to type asldjfasldjfaow because for some reason, if I upload a picture and don’t have any type below, I can’t get my cursor there. That’s how computer literate I am! š So I will leave it.
I will 2nd the covering of the chicken. I bought a fresh and organic chicken at the farmers market and cooked a whole chicken for the first time…and yeah it was black. The meat was awesome but it was black and a little dry. There’s a first for everything.
I can’t stop cracking up over Tony’s message – Love him!
Soup looks amazing!!!
I played that tpain bit for my son and now he wants one! So funny! Tony is a blast. I will be in Chicago in 2 weeks, so I would love to get out and see you, even if it is for only a little time. I’ll email you and see if we can pull this off.
That would be awesome! Off to send you an email! š
I haven’t made beer bread since last year…need to do this again stat!
I saw that microphone in the store a few weeks ago, and tried to talk my nephew into wanting it! haha I thought it was hilarious! he didn’t bite though! š How funny you got it for Tony! lol
You totally inspired me to make beer bread to go with my veggie soup for tonight’s dinner…I think you would approve, as I added jalapenos and cheddar…I used an old recipe I had…but it is very similar to yours!
Holla on the jalapenos! š If I made that loaf of bread in my house, I would be the only one eating it. š