Asparagus Risotto

I tried this tonight, and was extremely happy with it. I had to modify the recipe, because for some reason they didn't have any herbs or spices in it... there wasn't even salt or pepper. So here goes.

Asparagus Risotto

1 T.     Olive oil
1/2 c.   Chopped onion
1 c.      Sliced fresh mushrooms

1 1/2 c. Arborio rice, uncooked (I used basmati  and it worked fine, I just had to add more liquid)
2 t.       Grated lemon peel

2 1/4 c. Condensed chicken broth (I used Presidents Choice Organics Chicken Broth)
1 1/2 c. Water
1/2 c.    White wine (I didn't have any, and therefore used more water)
3 c.       Cut fresh asparagus, 2 inch (2.5 cm) pieces

1/3 c.    Water
1 t.        Salt
1 t.        Pepper
1 t.        Basil leaves
1 t.        Greek seasoning
1/2 t.     Garlic powder
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Heat oil in large non-stick skillet or wok. Saute onion and mushrooms for 5 minutes until mushroom liquid is evaporated.

Stir in rice and lemon peel.

Combine chicken broth with first amount of water and wine. Add 1/2 cup broth mixture to rice. Cook, stirring constantly, until broth is absorbed. Add another 2 1/2 cups broth mixture, 1/2 cup at a time. Add asparagus. Add remaining 1 1/4 cups broth mixture, in 2 additions. Cook, stirring constantly, until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender and creamy. Ensure that the asparagus is tender. If it isn't, continue stirring on heat until they are.

Add second amount of water. Add the salt, pepper, basil leaves, greek seasoning, and garlic powder; stir. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve immediately. Makes 5 cups.

Cookin' up a storm,
Not-So-Princess Lizzy

Turkey Apple Burgers

Alrighty everyone, I have a new recipe, something I tried tonight and I just have to share it. They are really good! Turkey Apple Burgers. It kinda seems a little strange, but they are so good.

Turkey Apple Burgers

1 lb.    Lean ground turkey

1        Large egg, beaten
1 c.     Finely crushed soda crackers (I used 3/4 c. PaneRiso Rice Bread Crumbs)
1        Finely chopped onion (I recommend using a food processor)
1        Garlic clove, crushed
1        Red apple, with peel, finely diced (I recommend using a food processor for this as well)
1 T.      Chopped fresh parsley
3/4 t.   Salt
1/2 t.   Pepper

Combine all 9 ingredients in large bowl. Form into 6 patties. Broil 4 inches (10 cm) from heat for 10 minutes per side, or grill over medium heat on barbecue. (I pan fried them on medium - high heat for about 4 minutes per side).

I added some stuff to the meal of course. I didn't have any buns, but you can definitely eat these burgers as an actual hamburger patty. I made some Herbed Baby Potatoes. Check out the link to find the recipe.

I also made some tomato salad. This is something my mom used to always make. Super easy. You take a couple tomatoes (depending on how much salad you want), cut them up like you were making Greek salad. Then take some parsley, Italian seasoning, a  Tablespoon of Olive oil (or grape seed oil) per tomato  Then add some salt and pepper and stir it up. You can add more seasoning or herbs if you would like, but that is pretty much it. So delicious.

You guys have a great day, and perhaps enjoy these delicious meal ideas.

Cookin' Up A Storm,
Not-So-Princess Lizzy

Herbed Baby Potatoes

This is a recipe that you can use all the time and takes no prep time. Tastes delicious and is really easy to do.

Herbed Baby Potatoes

2 lbs.  Red (or white) baby potatoes (about 40), unpeeled
2        Small onions, cut lengthwise into wedges
1 T.    Hard margarine/butter (I use Earth Balance Soy Free)
1 T.    Olive oil (I used Grape Seed Oil)
1 T.    Lemon juice
1 T.    Italian seasoning
1/2 t.   Salt

Cut any larger potatoes in half to make all uniform in size. Place in greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Add onion.

Melt the margarine in small saucepan on medium-low. Add next 4 ingredients. Stir. Pour over potato mixture. Toss until potato mixture is evenly coated with herbs. Cover tightly with foil. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove foil. Stir. Bake, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender and golden.

A little herby,
Not-So-Princess Lizzy

Moving Out, and Moving On

Alright, so I originally named this blog A Girl's Step Up because I wanted to move on from the past. Take the few steps needed to get out of the the garbage dump that had become my life. That was when I went to school... and after college I moved back home, I, for the sole purpose of assisting others, willingly jumped back into the mire. I felt God call me to be at home, and it was a learning process that I in turn was blessed by. The time came though, when my dad was released from prison into a halfway house an hour from where I lived with my mom and brother, that I knew it was time to move out and move on.

So what does that mean? Move out and move on. Sounds so final. So unforgiving. It wasn't that at all. I love my family, and even though they put me through hell, and have scarred me for life with issues that I will have to work through, I would move mountains for them.

In reality, all I mean by that statement is leaving the past in the past. Not allowing it to decide our future. My situation could have a double meaning as I did move out of my parents house, and am now living on my own, which I recommend for everyone to do before they decide to get married. I am also moving out of the mind set of accepting my life for what it was, and not actively pursuing a change. I had no idea the amount of damage I had hidden in my heart until I was forced to confront it. A really important person in my life pulled me aside and told me that they had to actively restrain themselves from getting mad at those in my family for the way they treat each other and me. I had no idea there was a better option. I didn't know my family could have tackled life differently.

I had grown up with the thought that people showed love through their love language (whatever that may be) and that they couldn't really change that. This person kindly, but forcefully showed me that I wasn't being met, I wasn't being filled because no one in my family was giving love to me in my love language. They were too caught up in accepting the love that they received to notice that they weren't returning the favor of stepping out of their comfort zone, and perhaps showing love in a way that was different for them.

The transition between Spring & Summer - reminding me that
when we move on, we get to see more beauty. Spring
is more than just cleaning, it is also a glimpse at the beauty
to come. 

This wasn't an easy process, and it can't say that my eyes stayed dry, or have been completely dry for weeks now. I decided to get a counselor, which has been so helpful! I have never been so challenged spiritually, emotionally, & relationally, as I have been the last few weeks working through issues that have plagued me my whole life.

I have been learning all over again that I really do need to give everything to God, and trust in Him. I need to find my encouragement in Him and to do that I need to work through the past and look to the future. As I am working through these issues, such as boundaries and abandonment, I am discovering more of who I am as a person, and what I want my future to look like. This verse really impacted me earlier when I read it, and I just wanted to share it with you guys.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints." - Ephesians 6:10-18

Satan will constantly strive to bring us down, to not let us MOVE ON, but we can't let him. We have to stand strong in God, and to do that we need to be prepared. So everyone, drop your past, your sins, your weights that are holding you back. See a counselor or someone that you can truly confide in if you need to, but you got to get rid of that extra baggage if you are going to be able to fight to the end, to finish the race strong.

Feelin' rejuvenated,
Not-So-Princess Lizzy

Zucchini Patties

Hey everyone!

I just discovered an amazing recipe and I had to share! They are so good, even though they look quite weird and a little bit disgusting to be honest with you. I had a friend tell me they looked like moldy pancakes. Tehe. These are to die for, especially if you have a chutney sauce. I used a mango chutney sauce my mom made last year, and I am going to have to get that recipe from her because it just made these amazing. So here goes.

Zucchini Patties

3 c.       Grated zucchini, with peel

1/4 c.    Finely chopped onion
2           Egg whites, fork-beaten
2/3 c.    Dry fine bread crumbs (I used 1/2 c. PaneRiso Rice Bread Crumbs - less because rice crumbs becomes really crumbly when there is too much)
1 tsp.    Low-fat salad dressing (I used mayonnaise)
2 tsp.    Whole wheat flour (I used Jeanne's Gluten Free Flour Mix)
1           Garlic clove, minced
1/8 tsp.  Dried oregano (I used Italian Seasoning
1/8 tsp.  Dried sweet basil (I used Greek Seasoning)
1/2 tsp.  Salt
1/8 tsp.  Pepper

Combine all 12 ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well to moisten bread crumbs. Form into patties, using 1/4 c. for each. Heat lightly greased frying pan or skillet until hot (medium-high heat). Cook patties for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until crisp and golden. Makes 12 patties.

Gettin' Healthy,
Not-So-Princess Lizzy