Night in the Kitchen

I made the best smoothie for a snack today!

IMG_9412

I had some spinach in the fridge that I need to make sure we use before this weekend. Extra spinach = green smoothie!

The mix today was:

  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 3 cups spinach
  • 1/2 cup frozen cherries
  • 1 Tbsp chocolate syrup

The secret ingredient?

IMG_9408

I bought this Ah!Laska a month or so ago for us to try. We both love having Hershey’s Syrup in the house, but I wanted something that was a bit healthier.

This chocolate syrup is awesome! It’s thick, just like Hershey’s Syrup, but has a great list of ingredients.

IMG_9409

While it’s not the healthiest food, I’d much rather have something that’s just organic sugar, water, cocoa, xanthan gum, vanilla, and citric acid. Definitely okay as a “sometimes food”, as Cookie Monster would say ;)

As soon as work was over, I baked Nick’s birthday cake! I think it turned out awesome, and I’m excited to try it. I also made the chocolate frosting and got it ready tonight, PLUS I put together something for a fun, special birthday breakfast tomorrow morning :) I’ve been busy! And I’ve basically been in the kitchen since 5 pm, except for our time at the chiropractor.

But sometimes, I don’t mind this much time in the kitchen. It’s all for fun things, and I’m always excited to be in there cooking when I’m trying out new recipes and making up new ones of my own.

There will definitely be some new recipes coming soon!

Dinner tonight was a variation of one of my favorite couscous dishes.

IMG_9414

The couscous was a mix of Israeli Couscous, cannelini beans, oregano, salt, and some rainbow chard that I sauteed with some garlic, salt, and crushed red pepper.

IMG_9416

And I got some awesome tomatoes (some of those local hydroponics again!) and made a basil, tomato, salt/pepper, olive oil, and balsamic salad.

Perfect summer meal :)

 

I’ve got to finish getting stuff ready for the birthday breakfast tomorrow! I’m excited to make it for Nick AND to try it myself.

 

14 comments

  1. The couscous looks so beautiful and delicious! I also love spending hours in the kitchen doing fun things and creating new recipes. Happy birthday to Nick! :)

  2. That couscous looks like a perfect summer dish! Happy Birthday to Nick, hope you enjoy the celebration too!!

  3. I made pita bread tonight for the first time! Thanks for the recipe and for making it sound easy and not intimidating–they’re delicious!

  4. Wow your dinner is beautiful! I love how simple yet delicious tomato + basil salads are. And I have been meaning to make a chocolate/cherry smoothie! Yumm :)

  5. i bet the cake will be amazing! homemade cakes are the best. they definitely make the day special. can’t wait to read about the birthday breakfast!

  6. That smoothie does look like the best smoothie ever. Thanks for sharing your smoothie perfection ;)

  7. Sounds like a great time in the kitchen! I love israeli couscous and that sounds like a winning combo…I can’t wait for local tomatoes.

    I am sure tomorrow will be great, so excited to see how everything pans out!

  8. That looks like a great quick dish! I love quick and easy food.

  9. i need to find Israeli Couscous to make that, except i’d use basil because i have a ton of it fresh from the market!

  10. Chocolately smoothie…perfect for this summer weather, while our bodies are exhausted from the heat. I should make one myself!

  11. The list of ingredients are very impressive for chocolate syrup! I would definitely have that over ice cream on occasion.

  12. Dinner looks so fresh and summery! I adore cous cous. At first, I thought those tomatoes were watermelon! Looks soo good! :)

  13. I love that cous cous dish! So light and summery!

    Don’t you just love nights in the kitchen like that? :)

Comments are closed.