Sunday, July 17, 2011

red as a beet

The theme of today's post is the color red. I made two Weight Watchers recipes, both quite red, and a barley recipe from my new favorite foodie blogger (Oh She Glows). Plus, see below for more red surprises.

Dessert first, as always. (This isn't how I eat, by the way. Well, not most of the time. It's just that I prefer this course!) Mahogany velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, WW style. I was very intrigued by this recipe because the red didn't come from red food coloring as in traditional red velvet cakes, but from beets!

WW Mahogany Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting


I love the idea of using a natural colorant and adding some nutritional value at the same time.

WW Mahogany Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting


Don't think for a minute that I was fooled into thinking that these are healthy, though.

WW Mahogany Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
WW Mahogany Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting


Two disappointments: the cupcakes weren't very red (perhaps why the name is "mahogany" and not "red") and the cream cheese frosting wasn't very good. Fat-free cream cheese = no good.

WW Mahogany Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
WW Mahogany Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting


Christmas cupcake liners were all I had. Must add to shopping list.

WW Mahogany Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting


WW Mahogany Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting


I never eat beets. I believe this is the fault of one of my school cafeterias - probably a school in France. Those suckers are really bitter - no wonder I didn't like them as a kid. Not sure I like them as an adult yet. Except in red velvet cupcakes, that is. ;-)

WW Mahogany Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting


~~~

The other Weight Watchers recipe was skillet chicken paprika. I wish I could share the recipe, but that is probably against copyright rules. Therefore, I'll just give you the ingredients: chicken, paprika, flour, onion, garlic, red pepper, olive oil, sour cream (I used Greek yogurt instead), and a can of diced tomatoes.

Weight Watchers Skillet Chicken Paprika


You cook the chicken and set aside. Then soften the onion and red pepper.

Weight Watchers Skillet Chicken Paprika


Then you add the flour and paprika. It quickly becomes a gorgeous red mixture that is very fragrant.

Weight Watchers Skillet Chicken Paprika
Weight Watchers Skillet Chicken Paprika


The final result is delicious. Yum!

Weight Watchers Skillet Chicken Paprika


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Another recipe I made this week (twice!) is Easy Creamy Tomato Barley Risotto from Oh She Glows. Have I mentioned that I love her blog? She makes vegan so easy, delicious, and attainable!

First you add the barley, oil, oregano, and basil.

Easy Creamy Tomato Barley Risotto


Then you add the rest of the ingredients, including miso and nutritional yeast - two new ingredients for me, and let it simmer for about 30 minutes.

Easy Creamy Tomato Barley Risotto


It's super easy and really tasty. I can't wait to eat this for lunch this week!

Easy Creamy Tomato Barley Risotto


~~~

My American breakfast this morning. Yum. Added some strong mustard to the eggs and it was spectacular. Hey...red strawberries!

omelet with Maille mustard


Very similar to a lunch the other day. Nothing red here, sorry! Actually, there is paprika in the omelet, but you can't really see it.

yummy omelet


And a delicious red drink. Mango rum, mango vodka, grenadine, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice, with a splash of Sprite.

grenadine


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Speaking of red, my camera (which is red for those of you who haven't seen it) is still being fixed!! I'm lost without a camera. Thank goodness I have an iPhone!

~~~

On the running front, so far so good. I completed the first week of training and all went well. I have done the first workout of the second week and I am proud to say that I was able to run every time I was supposed to. One uphill run was quite a struggle, but I made it and recovered. I'm on my way to 5K!! :-) Stay tuned!

New sneakers!
running


Very sweaty!
running


~~~

The highlight of the week has to be winning the PSSC Spring 2011 Volleyball Championship. YEAH!! (Red shirts!)

PSSC Spring 2011 Volleyball Champions!


I wish you a great week!

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