My Contract

So the past months have been difficult.  I have slipped back into my old ways of feeling low and need to get back out.  No apparent reason for the fall, just something I need to work on.

One of the things I have been doing with my therapist which really seems to be working is making contracts with myself.  Little things just to make sure I am getting things done, and not falling behind.  The other week, it was things as simple as getting groceries by a certain day, and to start being more active.

As such, I have been trying to find something to engulf myself in to keep me busy.  Something I can make a contract with myself about.  Working out isn't going so well.  Fall is hear so my garden is basically done, especially since the critters REALLY enjoy the noms and have left none for me.

So it suddenly hit me.  What have I been spending most of my time doing every morning before work?  Cooking!  I have been obsessed lately with trying to cook outside the box.  New foods, different spices, new methods.  I have tons of cookbooks that I have, recipes I have copied out of books, magazines.  It's all just sitting there, waiting to be made.

As such, I am making a contract right here, right now that I am sharing with you guys so I have to stick with it.  Not only will I get back to blogging about the good things that happen everyday, but twice a week I am going to make meals out of my cookbooks/blogs/websites.  Not only does it give me something to talk about with you guys, but it also ensures I have good food in my fridge.

Let me begin with what I have cooked today.  Lemon Chicken Nuggets, and Apple Pie Wontons.

The Lemon Chicken Nuggets is a play on one of my favorite family dishes... with a little twist.  Let's begin with what's inside.

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 2 Tbsp fresh Rosemary
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 Egg
• Salt and pepper
• 1 Tbsp grated Parmesan

The directions, UBER simple.  Seriously... I may end up making them this way from now on, for the rest of my life.  Plus, it is like adult food put in kid form, so of course I'm loving it!  All you need to do...

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Line baking sheet with tin foil, sprayed with olive oil.
3. Place all ingredients in a blender/processor... pulse til all worked together.
   (Honestly, this looks gross, but it will taste amazing once all done)
4. Take a spoon and scoop out dollops of chicken mix onto tin foil. Lightly flatten with spoon.  When I did it, I got about 20-22 nuggets out of the amount I prepared.
5. Place in oven for about 15-20 minutes, flipping once.

That's it!  I of course will be eating these with rice as that is how we eat Lemon Chicken traditionally in our household.  Yum yum!!

Next the Apple Pie Wontons.  This is still going to need some work, but they still came out tasty.  What you'll need.

• Premade wonton wrappers
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• Pumpkin pie spice mix (to taste)
• 1 large apple
• Water

Got it?  Good.  Let's get to work then!

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line baking sheet with tin foil, sprayed with olive oil.
3. Dice apple into tiny bits.
4. In a medium bowl, mix together the sugar, honey, spice, and lemon juice.
5. Add in the diced up apple, mixing til the apple bits are all coated.
6. Grab a wonton wrapper, scoop a small amount of apple mixture into center.  To seal, dip your finger in the water and run it along the edges of the wonton wrapper.  Pinch damp sides together.
7. Repeat til wrappers are full ( I got about 20 out of mine).
8. Place filled wontons in the oven.  

Now here is the part that needs work... timing.  I had mine in for about 25 minutes and the shells came out a bit harder than I would've liked.  Still, they were very tasty, especially with some caramel ice cream.  

Coming up this week...

I am going to attempt Eggplant Parmesan Quinoa Casserole, and a Cauliflower Mushroom Bake.