Organizing Cloth Napkins

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Ever since the first of the year I have been on a real disorganized organization tear. What I mean by this is that I am determined to get as many areas of the house as organized as possible, but instead of focusing on one at a time, I flit from one, to the next, to the next, to the next, because I am easily distracted (like a lovable puppy). The late Mr. O-P used to refer to me as “The Bee” because I would fly from one thing to the other. That is probably the most apt description with which I have ever been labeled.

Today I am popping in to tell you about one of my favorites. In the same way in which I organized my fabric, I have also organized my cloth napkins. Previously I had them in drawers, boxes, baskets, you name it, all over the house. Using this method, I could not be happier. Having them all lined up in a file drawer is a great way to store them all so that I can see what I have, and easily match them to whatever dinnerware I have chosen to use. I have a lot of cloth napkins, so I will be starting on my second drawer this afternoon.

If you’d like to do the same, clear out a file drawer, and grab yourself a handful of those hanging file folders. Line the file folders up in the drawer, and drape collections of napkins over them. Now get cracking!

Chicken Burrito Bowls from Damn Delicious Meal Prep

If you are familiar with Chungah Rhee’s blog Damn Delicious, then you are well aware that this woman knows her food. Her first cookbook of the same name is one of the most used on my shelf. Her latest book, Damn Delicious Meal Prep, 115 Easy Recipes for Low-Calorie, High-Energy Living is just as good.

I have always liked the idea of meal prep, but never knew exactly how to get started. Oh sure, I’ve dabbled, but I didn’t have enough recipes to really go at it seriously. Now, I do. This book is the Bible of meal prep. An ample introduction will familiarize you with the process, a comprehensive shopping list will guide you as to exactly what to get, and then you will be off and running. Once you try this, it will change your life.

Every recipe that I have tried has been easy to prepare, satisfying, and delicious. The bonus is that meals are on hand when I want them, and good for me as well. Talk about a win, win!

The recipes run the gamut from snacks to smoothies, lunches and dinners, breakfasts, and even desserts.

My favorites have been the Thai Basil Chicken Balls, Vegetable Potstickers, Freezer Breakfast Croissant Sandwiches, Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice Casserole, and the recipe that I am sharing with you today for Chicken Burrito Bowls. So grab your prep bowls and let’s go!

This was my first experience with ground chicken and it will not be my last. I couldn’t believe how good it was. There is something about the texture of the chicken, combined with the seasonings, that really makes you feel as if you are eating a decadent burrito. I replaced the plain rice for my Cilantro Lime Rice, and instead of making Pico de Gallo I used some salsa that I had in the fridge. I am so happy to have so many delicious meals this week, all of which are low in calories. This recipe provides you with an incredibly delicious meal for a mere 488 calories. Plus it is low in fat, and high in protein. Wow!

Each recipe in this book, most of which are accompanied by luscious photos, features an into by Rhee, provides prep time, cook time, total time, and number of servings, plus includes nutritional facts at the bottom. I think you will be surprised at how delicious relatively few calories can be.

I cannot say enough about this wonderful book. Next I’m going to try the Mason Jar Lasagna. After that the Fried Chicken TV Dinner. The excitement never ends!

I don’t think I have ever had as much fun making a week's worth of dinners as I have making these. If you don’t have this book buy it!

Chicken Burrito Bowls
From Damn Delicious Meal Prep

Chipotle Cream Sauce

1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice

2/3 cup brown rice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground chicken
½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon paprika
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1¾ cups corn kernels (Frozen, canned, or roasted)
½ cup pico de gallo (homemade our store-but)
¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
1 lime, cut into wedges (optional) optional

For the Chipotle Cream Sauce

Whisk together the yogurt, chipotle pepper, garlic, and lime juice. Cover and refrigerate for up to three days.

Cook the rice according to package instructions in a large saucepan with 2 cups of water; set aside (I made my Cilantro Lime Rice instead.)

Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, onion powder, and paprika; season with salt and pepper. Cook until the chicken has browned, 3 to 5 minutes, making sure to crumble the chicken as it cooks; drain excess fat.

Divide rice into four meal prep containers. Top with ground chicken mixture, black beans, corn, and pico de gallo. It will keep covered in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Drizzle with Chipotle Cream Sauce.  Garnish with cilantro and lime wedge, if desired, and serve. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.

PRINT RECIPE

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Meal Plan Monday #16 - International Week

This may come as a surprise to you, but I find making international dishes both quick and easy. This week, like most weeks, like most of your weeks I’m sure, I have a lot on my plate. I’m also in a spicy mood, so I want good food, with little expenditure of time. International food seemed the answer, so I am representing four different countries this week. Here is what I’m planning:

Monday - Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala, rice

Tuesday – Sushi via GrubHub

Wednesday - Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup, crusty rolls

Thursday - Chinese Walnut Chicken over Thai noodles

Friday – Ordering in good old-fashioned American BBQ

Saturday - Indian Shrimp Curry, Turmeric rice, melon salad

Sunday – Quiche Lorraine

Have a DELICIOUS week!

Meal Plan Monday - Cooking from the Books

As a part of Abrams Dinner Party, I am periodically sent books prior to publication in order to read and review. I received four last week, so this week, I’m cooking from the books! I will be preparing one recipe from each book to enjoy as my meal, or as an accompaniment. Stay tuned!

Monday - Cheeseburger Soup, Bonilla Vanilla Cake (from The Power of Sprinkles, a Cake Book, by Amiyah Kassem)

Tuesday - Breakfast for dinner : Ham and Cheese Omelet, Malt Loaf with Prunes and Black Tea (from The Modern Cook’s Year by Anna Jones)

Wednesday - Taco Meatloaf, Fiesta Veggie Rice (from Pescan, a Feel Good Cookbook by Abbie Cornish and Jacqueline King Schiller), Pico de Gallo

Thursday - Dinner out

Friday - Sakara “Louie” (from Eat Clean Play Dirty by Danielle Dubois and Whitney Tingle), fruit

Saturday - Crockpot Mongolian Beef, Coconut Rice

Sunday – Leftovers

This week I’ll be dining at this exotic looking table.

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Come See the Hutch

When I first gave you a glimpse of my hutch (that you can see here), someone asked me if I was ever going to be showing the entire thing.

I had planned to do that long before this, but the light comes streaming in through the windows so brightly that it is quite difficult to photograph. I managed to capture a couple of good ones today, and thought I would share them with you.

This is the Tucker Wall Unit from Pottery Barn. It may not be for everyone, but it is just perfect for me.

All of my fun little goodies are in the hutch, and it pleases me to look at them.

I like to change it up with the seasons, and this year I am giving some thought to Chinese New Year. It really played right into my hands with 2019 being the year of the pig.

I have no idea why I have as many piggy things that I do, I never gave any thought to collecting pigs, just somehow accumulated them. (I didn’t realize until after I wrote this post that I had failed to photograph a number of my pig casserole dishes, but that will have to be for another time.) And I think I’m going to be needing these.

Because I’m showing you the hutch, I thought I would also take this opportunity to show you the chandelier that number two son gave me (and installed) for Christmas. The existing one was pretty awful, and it always bothered me. My son knew that, so he asked me last Christmas if I would like a chandelier for over the dining table. When I responded in the affirmative, he asked me what I had in mind. He knows me well, so I told him this: “You pick it out, but keep in mind, the weirder the better.” This is what he came up with and I love it. Steampunk to the max! 

 I hope you enjoyed this little tour. By the time you read this post I will have probably changed things up again! :-)

Shared with Tablescape Thursday

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Meal Plan Monday #8 - It's Aldi Week!

It’s Aldi week! If you read my post about my recent shopping trip to Aldi (That you can find here.), then you know that I got a little bit carried away. I thought that I would use one (or more) of their products in everything I made this week. So here’s what’s happening.

 Monday- Hearts of Palm and Spinach Quiche with Gruyere cheese

Tuesday- Sirloin Burgers with Pimiento Cheese 

Wednesday- Mandarin Orange Salad and Soup du Jour

Thursday - Dinner out, huzzah!

Friday - Cream of Tomato Soup with Brussels Sprout Ricotta Toasts

Saturday - Sole Meunière, baked potato, peas

Sunday - Butter Cauliflower Bowls with Cilantro Lime Rice

What are you cooking?

This week’s place setting; to see more of this table, click here.

Meal Plan Monday #5

My plan is to be home all week working on my office/studio. Currently it is just not working for me, so I need a new perspective. I plan to clean it up, flip flop the furniture from one side of the room to the other, to see if finally, FINALLY, it appeals. That’s the plan. We’ll see. 

Because I plan to be home all week, I will be doing some cooking. On the days that I do cook, I’ll be trying new recipes from my new favorite cookbook (review coming), The Southern Living Party Cookbook. Here’s the plan:

Sunday — Crustless Quiche, Green Salad, Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies (To enjoy all week, naturally)

Monday — Chicken Salad in Pastry Shells, fruit

 
Tuesday — Charcuterie appetizer, Cobb Salad

Wednesday — Fried Pork Chops, Rice pilaf, Broccoli

Thursday — Pecan Chicken Tenders, crudités, apple dumpling

Friday — Something from the freezer

Saturday — Pancakes and Bacon

Breakfast for dinner is a long-time favorite. How about you? Do you enjoy breakfast for dinner? What do you serve?

This week’s place setting. To see more of this table, click here.

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Meal Plan Monday Week #3

Do I have a meal plan for this very busy week? Yes I do! This morning, as you’re reading this, I am on my way over to do my dad's taking a sizable brunch. The rest of the week may involve ordering in (I just downloaded the Grubhub app and received a $10 off coupon on my first order of $15, so hooray for that), eating leftovers, and pretty much taking it easy. Still, I have a plan. 

Here is what I’m eating this week.

Monday - Brunch at Dad’s: Ham, Cheese Peta, Blueberry French Toast, Eggsquisite Egg Casserole, French Country Potato Bake

Tuesday - Open-Faced Ham Sandwiches (using leftover ham)

Wednesday - Number 1 son and family deliver food to their old mom

Thursday - Dinner out with friends

Friday - Split Pea Soup using ham bone from above

Saturday - Creamy Beef and Shells

Sunday - Frito Pie Casserole

Here is my place setting of the week. To see more of this table, click here.

 Merry Christmas Eve!

Meal Plan Monday Week #2

​I am as pleased as punch* at how well I was able to stick to my meal plan last week. I tend to over buy food, finding recipe after recipe that I want to try, and then when push comes to shove, I think to myself, “I’m too tired to cook, I’ll just thaw something.” So, my hope is that this not only benefits me in my continuing effort to reign in the food funds and get organized, but also helps you in planning your weekly meals.

Here is what I’m eating this week.

Monday - Lunch out with friends

Tuesday - Mexican Cobb Salad and Corn Bread 

Wednesday - Coca-Cola Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, roasted broccoli

Thursday - Stroll Historic Main Street and Lunch Out

Friday - Meat Loaf sandwiches (Using leftovers from Wednesday), cup of soup

Saturday - Oriental Beef Casserole (share with dad)

Sunday - Spaghetti and Meatballs (share with dad)

Are you cooking this week, or eating on the run? I am ALWAYS looking for ideas!

My place setting of the week. To see more of this table, click here.

* “As pleased as Punch” derives from the puppet character Mr. Punch. Punch's name itself derives from Polichinello, a puppet used in 16^th-century Italian comedy.

Meal Plan Monday

​Fellow blogger, Gina, of The Cannary Family blog has long done something that I admire, and that is to make a meal plan each week. Because I’m nosy and always looking for ideas, every Monday I pop over to see what she’ll be fixing for the week. Week after week I tell myself that I’m going to do the same, but generally I’m too scattered to plan that far ahead. Well, not this week. This week I decided to, for once, be organized and plan a week of meals. So, my friends, here is what I’m having. (Click on the highlighted name to get the recipe.)

Monday - Creamy Ham Towers (Dad has had a craving, so he inspired this), Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

Tuesday - Pizza night with the grandkids

Wednesday - Ham Steak with Red-Eye Gravy (Using leftover ham from Monday), mashed potatoes, green beans

Thursday - Neighborhood Christmas Luncheon, day off!

Friday - Roast Chicken, Autumn Rice Pilaf (because, technically, it’s not winter yet), Roasted Carrots

Saturday - Prosperity Sandwich (Another idea from dad when he mentioned how my mother used to make the recipe from the old St. Louis Mayfair Hotel,) Cup of Soup (from my freezer stash)

Sunday - Taco Casserole (because I’m feeling spicy)

What are you all having this week? I am ALWAYS looking for ideas! By the way, I am asking Santa for one of these.

My place setting of the week. To see more of this table, click here.

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I'm revolting!

There is a new AT&T commercial with Beck Bennett (on whom I have a not-so-secret crush) and the darling group of precocious little kids. In this one a little boy talks about making New Year's “revolutions.”  If you haven’t seen it, click the arrow above.

I really like the idea of a “revolution” versus a “resolution” because I feel that it is time that I revolt.  So I am declaring a war on clutter, disarray, and lack of organization. One MAJOR step I have taken is to declare, amongst family and friends, my establishment of daily office hours between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.  I need this time, alone and without interruption, to not only preserve my sanity physically organize my office area, but my thoughts as well, and to plan new blog posts (hopefully more, and varied, this year), but also expand the inventory in my shops on Etsy, and perhaps add a new one of culinary antiques.

What are your “revolutions” for 2014?  Share them in a comment.

 

This post is linked to: 

Seasonal Sundays

Metamorphosis Monday