chili

After being frustrated by my limited lens range when we were in Ohio, I decided to finally order the default zoom lens (18-55mm — f/3.5-5.6 IS) for my Canon Rebel xsi that I didn’t think I needed when Dustin originally ordered the camera for Christmas. I tried to buy it in a store first, but I couldn’t find it anywhere. So I ordered it on Amazon and it was delivered a few days later. Couldn’t resist a visit to Mother Earth’s while we were in Kingston, though!

I picked up a few of my usual items and some new ones. Like this adorable tulip shaped pasta:

So cute! Can’t wait to make a pasta salad with these. Any suggestions??

I ordered a bottle of AlsoSalt on their web site months ago, but it was back ordered and was finally delivered the other day! Then I spotted a box of it in Mother Earth’s!! lol I wonder if they got their shipment the same time that I did?!

Heinz no salt added ketchup uses this and it truly does taste just like salt, so I’m wondering if this is the winning salt substitute? I haven’t tried it yet, but it would be awesome if it tastes like salt without the metallic aftertaste.

I spotted Udi’s gluten-free bread at Mother Earth’s and just had to try a loaf of it.

The general consensus in the celiac/gluten-intolerant community is that Udi’s gluten-free breads are the BEST tasting gluten-free bread on the market. After tasting it, I tend to agree!! Back in 2007 when we lived in Atlanta, I became very interested in gluten-free products after visiting my gastroenterologist who encouraged me to try a gluten-free diet, even though my celiac blood tests came back negative. So, you know me, give me any excuse to shop and I will, I went crazy with buying loads of gluten-free products, just to taste them. Most of the breads were intolerable, not even remotely close to the real deal. I never gave up gluten completely for more than a day or 2, but there are some gluten-free products that I still enjoy, and there’s more and more on the market everyday as the US becomes more aware of the gluten allergy and intolerance. I was pleasantly surprised when I tasted Udi’s gluten-free white bread. Well, actually, I was blown away by its similarity to regular wheat white bread! It tastes JUST like it. It’s soft, chewy, and perfectly crusty on the outside. Almost like fresh Italian or French bread, but the texture also reminded me of angel food cake. Amazing. So if a doctor ever tells me that I absolutely have to give up gluten or I’ll die, I’m ready! Udi’s, I implore you to make more forms of this, please! Hot dog and sandwich rolls would be fantastic. You’ll have a huge market for it, I guarantee it. Mainly because I’ll buy them all. lol

I also got my Kashi sample bar in the mail the other day. I’ve been waiting for this for awhile, too! It came right after my lens was delivered, so I used it as my guinea pig. My first pictures taken with it:

See? Now I’m able to zoom out without standing back 100 yard.

Being able to zoom in and out is awesome, BUT I missed my macro lens almost immediately. Karla, you are SO right! There is a huge difference. Karla’s pictures always look awesome, so I wasn’t sure why she wanted my lens, but now I get it. The 50mm f/1.8 lens works much better for food pictures, or any closeup pictures. I’m not a photographer by any means, so I was getting frustrated by the focusing issues when I didn’t use the flash. I gave it a try for a few days, but then I switched back to my macro lens. I’ll have other uses for the zooms lens, so I’ll just pop it on and off when needed. I’m definitely sticking with the 50mm f/1.8 lens as my default, though!

We had a heatwave last week, so I we were inspired to eat summery things. My mom made a huge bowl of macaroni salad, which we enjoyed throughout the week. I bought a package of Tofurky vegan kielbasa at Mother Earth’s awhile ago, so I decided to pair them with the macaroni salad.

I loved being able to take a shot from this angle again without having to drag out my Reebok Step Board LOL.

This lens reminds me of my Nikon D40, it’s almost identical. So I imagine if I got a macro lens for my D40, it will be a lot like my Rebel. I’m going to buy it and compare. I’ve learned that good pictures are all in the lighting and lens, so I’m experimenting with all the possibilities.

Lots of delicious, crunchy veggies in the macaroni salad.

I cut up the Tofurky kielbasa, then added it to a nonstick pan with EVOO, a sliced onion, and about half a bag of Trader Joe’s tri-color bell pepper strips.

They’re [Tofurky kielbasa] really high in sodium (660mg) and calories (240 calories each link), but they’re tasty! They actually taste just like a hot dog and have the same texture. I liked them. I dipped them in a little ketchup and mustard. Yum! I love meat alternatives, scoff if you want, but they’re awesome.

I picked up this box of Arrowhead Mills gluten-free cupcake mix at Hannaford last week. The picture just looked so tempting. I got bit by the baking bug on Friday night when it cooled off outside, so I baked them. It called for 1/3 cup oil, but I used melted butter instead. Butter > oil

Moose helped me make them.

It said to bake for 20-25 minutes, so I went in between with 22 minutes, but they still overcooked a little.

I tried one hot out of the oven, and my first thought was that they tasted like a really sweet cornbread muffin, not so much like a vanilla cupcake. I didn’t bother frosting them because they were overdone, but I ate the tops off of a couple of them. I don’t think I’d buy this again, unless I wanted them for cornbread.

Friday night, Dustin and I went out shopping and then to Eveready Diner in Hyde Park. I grew up just a few miles from there on the other side of the river, so I know that area like the back of my hand. When I saw the diner featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives last year, I couldn’t wait to go. We’ve been there a few times when I didn’t have my camera, but I made it a point to bring it this time. We started with the seafood antipasto:

It was phenomenal!! It had a bed of spring mix, topped with: squid, shrimp, scallops, kalamata olives, tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, parmesan slices on the side and their famous tomato vinaigrette. LOVED it! Our waitress probably thought we were stoners ordering a lot of food late at night; look how red Dustin’s eyes were:

Or a hungry vampire lol

Dustin’s eyes get really red and irritated, usually at the end of the day, and it’s always when he doesn’t have any saline solution. It happens in public places a lot, his eyes are very sensitive to cleansers and florescent lights. He went to the eye doctor the other day, and his eyes have actually gotten better. We’re happy about that! He had a lot of body maintenance this week; first the eye doc, then he went to his regular MD yesterday. Next: The dentist! MAWHAHAHA

Anyway, I ordered a tuna melt after our antipasto, but it wasn’t picture-worthy, so I skipped it. I was full anyway and ended up taking most of it home.

I’ve been craving Mexican food like crazy lately, probably ever since I had Chipotle. Can’t get enough of it! So our Sunday dinner was a little unconventional and outside of our Italian comfort zone.

Grilled pork loin with fresh salsa, potato and roasted brussels sprouts

Small Yukon gold boiled potato topped with reduced fat/sodium cheddar cheese and Fage Total 0% plain Greek yogurt

I made fresh salsa with diced tomato, red onion, and fresh jalapeno pepper with a little squirt of lime juice

I originally planned to have grilled asparagus, but discovered it went bad when I went to make it. Ah well, roasted brussels were there in a pinch.

Mmmm, the pork was so tender and delicious. I marinaded it in EVOO, lime juice, garlic salt, pepper, and stuffed pieces of garlic right into the meat. Yummy!

I planned to make chili the day before, but the beans weren’t cooked enough. I put them in my crock pot, but they were taking forrrrrrrever. So, they were finally done on Sunday, but I had other plans by then, so I made finally it yesterday in the crock pot.

Black Bean Beef Chili

• 1.25 lb 93% lean ground beef
• 2 cups cooked black beans
• 2 cans no salt added diced tomatoes
• 1 small can tomato paste
• 2 diced onions
• Garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper to taste

Throw it all in a crock pot, or in a large covered pot to cook on low heat for 6-8 hours. This isn’t a spicy chili, I save the spice for the condiments!

I had mine with a side of Food Should Taste Good cheddar chips. These are soooo good!!

(I switched back to my macro lens after taking the pic of the chips)

On my chili: reduced fat/sodium cheddar cheese and Fage Total 0% plain Greek yogurt. I topped each chip with some chili, then a few drops of Tabasco — YUMMMMMM! With every teary eyed bite, I thought of you, Biz!!! Love spicy stuff! Sooo good! I drank 3 glasses of water with this LOL. Deeeeeeelish

Ok, it’s a lovely day out and I’m going to enjoy what’s left of the daylight.

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Tagged as: AlsoSalt, Canon lens, chili, Eveready Diner, Food Should Taste Good chips, gluten-free cupcakes, grilled pork, seafood antipasto, Tofurky kielbasa, Udi's gluten-free bread

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