3 Foods

I'm sure there will be time to come when I can play around on my photography again and have some fun spending hours shooting something only to use 3 photos of the 300.  But until then I am sharing a few new recipes and the so so photos.  I knew when I started to photograph that they probably wouldn't turn out.  The lighting in my kitchen is poor.  The black countertops reflect back since they have some shine. My lens is great, but not the best for multiple points of focus on a plate. I can't use the manual setting very well with the camera body I have.  Alas, I wanted to try and maybe grab a good shot here or there.  I do have one thing going for us at the Hime house...the lighting in the livingroom/dining room.  The natural lighting is perfect so much of the time.  

And for the recipes, they really are good!  I'm putting them on the rotation for awhile and a bonus is the kids and company like them too!  If you are in the mood to try something fun, check these out.  Then let me know what you think.  

Happy Cooking!

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Saturday Football Food. Delicious. 

I know this photo might not look appetizing.  Seriously, it just doesn't.  But don't let my photo fool you-photo=poor, food=awesome.  Not to mention the item in focus is the silver spoon and not the food. Boo. But you should FOCUS on the FOOD!  

Pinch of Yum is a favorite fun foodie blog that Justin and I both enjoy.  This is her Cheesy Chili Dip. And the best part of this recipe?  I learned how to make a homemade "velvetta" cheese sauce and I'm not going back to the processed stuff, ya'll!

The second photos are to encourage us to make the same old foods in different and new ways.  These are Egg Pies.  We eat a lot of eggs at our house and lately it is common to hear, "but, I don't want egggggggsss".  So Justin decided to make egg pies and it has been a fun change of pace.  If you don't have any ramekins in your cupboard they are a fun addition to your dishes!  Anything made or put into a ramekin is for sure to at least peak your children's interest.  These scrambled egg pies have salt/pepper, cheese, a few minced veggies and some almond milk.  It looks fun on the plate and our kids gobbled them up! The scone on the right is delicious.  And because I promised the chef of the recipe I'd only give the recipe out if I demonstrated it first, you'll have to somehow get a demo from me to gather the recipe. But I'd love to share with you!  They are some of my favorite. foods. ever.

 And finally. I'm not much of a fan of the crock pot. It's not that I don't like to use it, its simply that I don't have lots of recipes that I love.  I'm slowly trying to change this as it does make the dinner prep much easier when done in the morning.  

Therefore introducing to the Hime house, Crockpot Carnitas.  Delicious. Simple. Great as leftovers. 

I used this recipe for the meat. (for the slaw, I have to admit I used Trader Joes Super Sweet Frozen Corn-love that corn!)  This recipe for the enchiladas sauce recipe. And this recipe for the pickled onions. This recipe for the tortillas. And This guacsalsa recipe. Now before you think I must be amazing making everything homemade, rest assured it all just came together as one great, everything homemade, meal. I didn't plan it that way.  Really, I didn't.  One little honest thought did sneak in...  Wow, how did that happen?  Take that processed, in a can or plastic wrap, food! High five to me!

It all came about...I was out of tortillas so I used the recipe I have used twice before-hoping it turned out to be an edible tortilla.  The pickled onions I made last month which are a game changer in our home.  You can use them on ANYTHING.  They are sweet and slightly pickled.  Ooooh, love these. The guacsalsa Justin made since I had tomatillas from the produce box we get each month.  The guacsalsa is a beloved recipe learned and perfected about 4 years ago. And the enchilada sauce was a google search since I didn't want to pay $5 for an 8oz can of sauce that consists of a can of tomatoes with spices. So within seven years this is the first time I can say, all that I could make, I did make from scratch. It does floor and amaze me that a few generations ago things were either made from scratch or they didn't have them.  I could even make this recipe more homemade if I learned to can roasted chilies or rice vinegar or grow our own tomatillas. We have so many wonderful things at our fingertips these days! I don't know when it will happen again, but as easy as this one way, it should happen within the next month or so. Go try out this meal.  Make some or all of it homemade.  High five yourself and then simply enjoy it as yummy!