Been There

Posted on February 6, 2011 by Jilian Murphy

Baked Green Rice.

Been there. Done that.

I know, I know – I’ve done a post (or more…) before on this recipe that my mom has for Baked Green Rice. You know what though? I never did it justice…I don’t think I even ever posted the actual recipe for it.

Today changes that.

I came to my mom’s this weekend with one thing in mind: I wasn’t leaving until baked green rice was made and devoured.

Both these things were (easily and eagerly) accomplished.

This rice casserole is one of the easiest things ever – plus, not to mention that it’s full of room for add-ins and tweaks – like different veggies, meats or cheeses. Plus, the leftovers are spectacular…and that’s the important thing for a “party of one” like myself!

This recipe was handed to my mom from a friend who had seen it published, at some point in the Boston Globe. It says that it serves 6…but honestly, for me, it’s more like 12. They would be six HUGE servings.

Ingredients:

4.25 Cups of Water
Salt, to taste
2 Cups – long grain rice, rinsed (I’d love to do this with all sorts of grains)
2 eggs
2 cups milk (I use fat free)
1 box of frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and drained thoroughly
1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped (I love onion so I kept the pieces bigger)
1 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
1 cup part-skim mozzarella (this is my mother’s addition)
Black pepper, to taste (our addition)
Red pepper flakes, to taste (our addition)

1. Set oven to 325 degrees. Oil an 8×12 inch baking dish.

2. In saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add salt, to taste. Cook rice for about 40 minutes or until tender.

3. In a large boil, beat together eggs and milk; add spinach, onion, garlic (for the record, we precooked the onion and garlic in this recipe) mozzarella, half of the Parmesan and the rice. Season to desired level.

4. Spread evenly into the baking dish, sprinkle the top with the remaining mozzarella and sprinkle black pepper and red pepper flakes over the top.

5. Bake the dish 45-60 minutes until custard is set and the top is brown.

Dig. In.

One thing you have to know about me is that I absolutely love food. Obsessed might be the better word for it. I love it so much that I blog about it on regular, often daily, basis. Whether it’s a Michelin-rated restaurant or a taco truck, I want to try it. I love talking about food, blogging about food and photographing food. It’s a passion of mine that has translated into new opportunities, skills and relationships.

Quick Curry

Posted on November 17, 2010 by Jilian Murphy

Evenin’ loves – how’s everyone doing? TGIWed? haha I can’t believe that in a week family will be arriving to celebrate Thanksgiving!! I feel like it crept up out of nowhere!! Anyone else?

I was finally able to get in some errands. Purchased some 2011 calendars – I find that I have a tendency to put it off, and then by the time I realize that it’s 2011…I should get a calendar…all the good ones are gone! You’re left with really awkward, reject calendars. Nooo thanks. haha

I also got in a trip to Trader Joe’s. Hadn’t been in forever!! I went in search of their refrigerated margarita mix (I’d heard it’s really good), but alas they didn’t have it. ..does anyone know of a really great, not too sweet margarita mix?

However, I did manage to pick up a bunch of stuff that I didn’t know I needed. I managed to dive into this purchase before settling down to actual lunch.

Love the fact that it’s pre-portioned and 70% dark. Plus, the packaging just called to me while I waited in line. Impulse purchase #103921.

Lunch was a package of Cedar’s Chickpea Salad. I need to figure out a recipe for duplicating this … it is delicious!

The afternoon was spent catching up on e-mails and cleaning. Oh, and munching on pudding & chia seeds – seemingly unlikely duo, but it just adds a little crunch (and nutrition).

Anyway – let’s get right to dinner. After dining out on Saturday and enjoying amazing Indian food, I have just been craving curry like nobody’s business. Alert – new food obsession.

Again – Trader Joe’s to the rescue. After studying the various curry options, I decided on their Simmering Curry Sauce. I combined the curry sauce with frozen spinach, and let it chill over medium heat for a while. I piled the curried greens on top of a bowl of brown rice and VOILA.

Simple, delicious and seriously satisfying.

Once the jar is gone, I will attempt my own curry. I know Jenna has some great recipes. However, it’s nice to find those reliable little pantry items; plus it’s always awesome finding something new and delicious in the grocery store.

What’re you all loving these days? Any new foods or products??

First Day

Posted on June 7, 2010 by Jilian Murphy

Evening everyone!! I hope you all are doing well! I am definitely tired, but I had a really great first day at work. My day was filled with learning the ins and outs of my department – though I can’t speak on much of it due to confidentiality … it’s not blog stuff anyway. haha

I was up bright and early (and before my alarm). I had precoffee-m-set my aker so coffee was waiting for me when I got my butt out of bed.

I packed up my lunch for the day – some of Mom’s soup, some cheese and some dried fruit. Deeelish. I had a very pleasant lunch on the 13th floor this afternoon.

I got dressed for the occasion – and not really knowing the strength of their AC (you never know some places can be freeezing) I opted for pants and a button up for the first day. Plus, it’s always nice to play it safe until you see what other people where and what is really deemed appropriate business attire.

My hip/waist blends with the comforter. hah.

Once out the door – I enjoyed a lovely walk to work and then a lovely day. I learned too many names for me to possibly remember – but I do remember a few. haha

I will admit – I needed some caffeine halfway through the day. Thank you, Starbucks. It also doesn’t hurt that there is a lovely park near my work to enjoy said Starbucks.

I got home and went out to get a few essentials and snacky items. My bro is visiting for a couple days before he goes on a little vacay.

Oh, by the way…Honey Sesame Almonds from Trader Joe’s? Amazing.

Dinner ended up being the brown rice, cranberry balsamic vinaigrette, and cranberrry/orange goat cheese combo that I had discovered last week. Mmm…I love how the goat cheese just softens slightly with the warmth of the rice.

Ahh – so now I’m off! Lots to do tonight before I officially crash (and oh, I will).

The Late Show

Posted on June 3, 2010 by Jilian Murphy

Evening bloggies!! Oh my – it was a long one tonight. Osmosis lab. Over and hour of pretty much doing nothing but waiting for water to move. Exciting, I know. haha The actual activities in the rest of my day were probably just as exciting so I will spare you the boring little details.

My morning started out with a little excitement…

Woopsy. haha It has been super warm and humid…so I’ve been obsessed with water and fresh lemon lately. It makes sense considering I have about 15 lemons just chillin’ in my house.

Lunch was simple – but super delicious. I warmed up leftover brown rice with a cranberry balsamic vinaigrette and tossed in some of that awesome local cranberry/orange goat cheese. Phenomenal.

Of course – I packed up (and bought) some Lara Bars…seriously, I think they my motivation to go to class…go to class get Lara Bar. A reward if you will. Genius. and delicious.

I’d never had a Steaz beverage before…I don’t know if it gave me energy or not, but it was good. Kind of reminiscent of Red Bull but without the chemically “flavor”. I’m glad I had two bars…it was a long night.

Finally, I got to go home and make dinner – which I assembled rapidly and randomly…and it was delicious!! Red kale + tempeh + barbecue sauce + garlic and onion power = awesome! I paired it with some cold baked beans. Mmm fabulous and fast meal.

The lighting is terrible but it was fabulous!

I hope all of you are doing well!!!

Edited: Revelation (not so much)

Posted on May 25, 2010 by Jilian Murphy

Hello, hello!!

I knew today was going to be hot when I woke up… well, the weather forecast was helpful, too..but it was almost 80 degrees when I rolled out bed this morning. Okay, that’s a lie…I didn’t roll..more like SPRANG out of bed because some construction company decided it would be best to break out the circular saw during the weeee hours (and by wee hours I mean 8:30 – so I’m being a little overly dramatic here. haha).

Even though it was hot out I was feelin’ pretty B.A. Can you feel B.A. in a sundress? Okay, I’ve decided…yes.you.can.

Don't mind my recycling...

My morning starting off with great eats and with a surprising revelation. Let’s go with the eats first…chocolaty (VERY) POM overnight oats. Pretty much added a banana and some unsweetened cocoa to the mixture (minus the jam) I had yesterday (though obviously I overnighted them instead of stove-topped). These were seriously delectable and so easy.

*Spiel (and yes, I totally looked the spelling up because – personally I’ve always pronounced it “schpeel”…ahh yiddish, I love you) removed after the other revelation: that there was confusion between the website and my bottle on serving size *

Okay…now my realization has become confusion…because well – now my creamer and the website say two different things on the nutrition label. My creamer saying the serving is a tablespoon (apparently I was seeing things earlier)…and the site saying it’s a teaspoon. I’m assuming the site is the typo considering 15 mL is a lot more than a teaspoon. I tweeted them. haha

The rest of the day was splendid even though it was toasty out. I decided to venture out for a Starbucks iced tea. Plus, the people watching is always good on a day like today.