When I got home from work yesterday, Tony asked me to guess what he had for lunch. He said it was something we had in the house – it’s such a fun game we play (feel free to gag at this point if you wish!). Anywho, he told me he had some of my schiacciata bread with thinly sliced proscuitto. I instantly knew I wanted to make a breakfast sandwich with that bread, adding some fresh basil for more Italian flavor. And then the Irish in me added two slices of corned beef! š
- 2 ounces of schiacciata, toasted
- 1 Pam fried egg
- 1/2 ounce cheddar cheese
- 2 slices corned beef
- 2 slices fresh basil
Delicious!! I also thought that roasted red pepper would be a good addition next time. š
So in order to combat my 1.6 weight gain last week, I decided to challenge myself at my lunch workout. I got on the Expresso bike, I skipped past basic and moderate, and landed on “challenging.” I should have known how hard my workout was going to be when the 8 mile route I took was called “Wicked Workout.”
Holy shit. This about kicked my ass, and I literally contemplated getting off a few times and doing something else. At three separate parts in the 8 mile ride, there were hill climbs that ended up at 43% incline – I brought my gears down to 8 mph just so I could keep pedaling. All the while, a little old man is on the bike next to me. He keeps burping. Very out loud. And after each burp he says “excuuuuuuze me.”
Part of me wanted to laugh, but the other part of me was like, really? Can’t you see I am dying on this run and you keep burping? It took me 34:45 to finish the 8 mile ride and I spent the next 15 minutes just lightly pedaling to cool down. I am so happy I didn’t quit!
So I borrowed the America’s Test Kitchen Healthy Family cookbook from the library. They had their take on Tortilla Soup. I adjusted it a bit, because of course you know I left out the onions, but I also didn’t fry up tortilla strips or use cheese or avocado for garnish – I just used zero point cilantro and lime wedges. š
Chicken Tortilla Soup (adapted from America’s Test Kitchen)
- Makes 4, 2 1/4 cup servings for 6 PointsPlus
Ingredients:
- 2 bone-in, chicken breasts (skin removed) or about 1 1/4 pounds (my chicken breasts were smaller, so I used 3)
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 4 medium garlic cloves, peeled
- 8 sprigs of cilantro
- 6 roma tomatoes, cored and quartered (any tomato will do, but roma tomatoes were on sale – 2 large regular tomatoes will do)
- 1/4 jalapeno pepper
- 1 teaspoon adobo sauce
- 1 cup frozen corn
- lime wedges
- fresh cilantro
Directions:
- Bring broth, 2 garlic cloves, cilantro and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to boil over medium-high heat in a Dutch oven or large pan. Reduce the heat to low, add chicken, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, just until the chicken is cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a large plate. Strain the broth, discard the solids. When cool enough to handle, shred the chicken off of the bones.
- Puree tomatoes, 2 remaining garlic cloves, jalapeno, adobo sauce in a food processor until smooth. Heat same Dutch oven over high heat and add tomato mixture with additional 1/8 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Stir broth mixture into tomato mixture and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add shredded chicken and corn and simmer until heated through, about 5-8 minutes.
- To serve, place soup in bowl, crumble 1/2 ounce of tortilla chips (add 2 points), fresh cilantro and a squeeze of 1/4 of a lime.
My co-workers always tell me if a dish makes their Top 5 Biz dishes – it doesn’t matter that they have about 20 favorite things š When I got back from my workout, here is the note I found on my desk:
I sometimes have to remind myself that I normally cook dinner for just myself and Tony. But fresh turkey breasts were on sale, and I couldn’t help myself. Here is how you cook perfect grilled turkey.
- Marinate in 1/2 cup Paul Newman’s light balsamic dressing all day.
- Heat your gas grill to 350 degrees.
- Put your turkey on a cookie rack on top of a cast iron skillet. The skillet will collect any drippings so you don’t have any flare-ups.
- Listen to your husband when you suggest cooking the turkey skin sound down on the grill grate first, and he tells you that the skin will crisp up nicely if you just set it and forget it. (Thanks Tony!)
- Put a meat thermometer in and remove the turkey when it hits 160 degrees.
- Let rest at least 15 minutes before slicing.
Serve with mashed potatoes, packaged brown gravy (1 point for 1/4 cup!) and green beans – then enjoy!
And also pretend that even though the sunset is gorgeous and you wish it were 70 degrees, realize that you should have worn your winter coat because you were grilling in 30 degree weather. š
- 33 points (including wine)
- 33 flex points remaining, 18 activity points earned
- 35 minute 8 mile wicked bike ride, 15 minute cool down
- average blood sugar 112
Come back tomorrow for turkey enchiladas (turns out I have a lot of leftover turkey!) for the BSI this week – Salsa! š
I am impressed with all the cooking you do!
Oh, and burpy man is just gross.
(Funny comment from Mr. Biz!)
I’ll tell you what drives me crazy: working out next to someone who has had garlic pickles or something similar the night before. I swear, when they sweat I can smell it! Burping is right up there…you were determined to hang in there. Lots of smells at the gym. š
Both the soup and the turkey recipe are winners!
And thanks for the top about freezing falafel balls before cooking. That chef says you can refrigerate up to 3 days, so one wonders if his are really cold and that’s why he has no problems.
Maybe that man is a fan of my blog, hey? lol!!!! I’m sorry you had to endure that…but I couldn’t help laughing my ass off. Don’t worry, biz, I usually don’t burp in the gym…bc I don’t go to the gym. :-p
I love poblano peppers! My dad roasted them once and I ate them with beans and oh my goshhhh, they were so good.
Ok that burping man story is soooo funny. I had an old man with a huge beer belly running next to me once at the gym. But he kept spitting down the front of his shirt. Yup, would pull out the collar of his shirt and spit down it. I was gagging to the point I almost flew off the back of the treadmill. Then when he was done running/spitting he asked me if he could get me some water! I really needed a bucket!
Congrats on the article! woo hoo! that is awesome!
Nice workout! Be proud of yourself!!! Especially since you had that nasty guy next to you. I would have gagged.
Just wondering if you actually weigh your food….is this a key to weight loss? I am just wondering if I should start this procedure. ie: 2 oz Sciattia (sp?)bread…did you weigh it or eyeball it?
Thanks for the ideas and recipes. This is GREAT!
your grilling looks amazing! I LOVE grilled anything..but unlike you, I am too wussy to go and stand out in 30 degree weather to get my fix…lol hence, my cast iron grill pan to the rescue! lol Still….nothing beats outdoor grill flavor.
Awesome job on your work out! What’s up with the burping man? I guess maybe he is starved for attention!
A turkey breast on the grill sounds perfect. I like that it keeps the mess outdoors.
OMG, Tony!!! Hilarious comment!!!!! I wish I was your co-worker Biz!!! I hope they know what a lucky gang they are! BTW…thought disgusting, I’m thinking a burping gym guy is better than a farting one. Sort of….
Have a great day Biz AND Tony!!! (so funny you called yourself a little flower – on the RARE occasions that I burp š , my husband sarcastically calls me his “delicate little petal”. )
I tried to grill last night, unsuccessfully. It was freezing so I thought that was the problem. Later when J was cleaning up the grill, he let me know that I never opened that bottom vent thingy – so basically I snuffed out my own fire. Oops.
That’s too bad Christina!! I have a hard time with the Weber too – which is where Tony steps in to help me! š
Soup and turkey both look good š
I just ate lunch and you are making me hungry!!
LOVE that cookbook; I just used a Borders 40% coupon and got for my library, err bookshelf. Right now I have two hours a week to hang out at Borders and jot down ideas/recipes and such while TB the Tween daughter is tutored so I’m having lots of fun. If only I hadn’t given up coffee for lent! š
I guess it could have been worse sweetie – the little old guy next to you could have had flatulence! Eeeeeuuuuu…..
LOVE the little games you and Tony still play even after all these years. Your posts always make me smile!
Love the sunset picture!
*drool* seriously! I’ve come back 3 times to look at this soup =)
yummy!!
I would have fallen off the bike laughing at the burping man – once or twice, ok, but continually? Come on! Nice work on the wicked ride – your legs must be like steel!
YUM. I love tortilla soup. Might have to make this one (and add in the onions, of course). Adobo sauce? I will have to look for that.
I love that you will grill a turkey breast on a weekday. In the dead of spring. š What is UP with these chilly temps? It’s even gotten cool here.