Cranberries are not Just for Sauce

In fact, I have been using them all over the place (see here.) Since it is no longer cranberry season and you can't find the bright, tart little joys in the produce department anymore, I thought I would write about a meal I made my family back during winter break, right before I had my wisdom teeth removed, as a final "hurrah!" before having to give up chewing and solid food in general for a few days. 

For those of you who have had the procedure done, I hope you had as much luck as I did - I slept through the whole thing and was never in pain. I, of course, have my wonderful parents to thank for that, as they took good care of me while I was reduced to a less than independent state to say the least. My mom was reminiscing I'm sure while feeding me mushy foods during the first 12 hours after the operation as I drifted in and out of a euphoric sleep. I remember very little, but according to my sister, who is always looking for an opporunity to get my goat, disappointedly reported that I did nothing of interest.

This mean was a way to also use some leftovers in the fridge, including a forgotten half bag of cranberries from Christmas. I made a quick pan sauce with them, containing strawberries and fresh thyme, and deglazed the pan with a splash of white wine and chicken stock to round out the flavor after searing my pork chops in the skillet.

I served these panko crusted and roasted pork chops with herbed quinoa which, if you have never worked with it, is really a miracle grain. Just as versatile as pasta or rice but so incredibly healthy. I chopped up a lot of left over fresh herbs to dress this ancient grain, including tarragon, thyme, and rosemary, and then drizzled in sunflower oil and lemon juice.

I threw these last two photos in here an encouraging image to all home cooks out there. I am probably one of the messiest cooks you will ever find, and most of the time when I am at home I have to tell my mom not to come in the kitchen less she freak out at the monstrous mess I have made. The good thing about these messes, which sets them apart from most obnoxious sties, is that they are edible.

Studying for Finals has Officially Begun!

Well, as of last night I started studying. I have unintentionally taken over the living room that I am supposed to be sharing with my two roommates in order to start the laborious process that is studying for my cumulative Corporate Finance final. Doesn't even sound fun does it? makes me grimace just thinking about it. And that is completely ignoring my Business Law final - thank goodness these are the only two I am really worried about. But regardless, this is what my poor roommates, bless their patient souls, have to come home to today...

At least we have our Christmas tree up and lit! Hopefully that will distract them from the increasingly horrifying finance mess on the other side of the room.

But today is not a lost cause by any means. Actually, this time next week I will be footloose and finance free, so here's to looking on the bright side. It is a beautiful sunny day, the first all week, and it's not even that cold outside so I could indulge in a lunch that was not piping hot in order to ward off the cold today, (not that I am shunning my wonderful soups in the fridge, how I love you so, but a girl needs some variety!) And the very fact that I have the time to eat lunch today is Christmas miracle - it will be the first time all week! I must stop scheduling meetings through my lunch break... note to self for next semester. Anyway, I made a Christmas inspired salad! 'Tis the season afterall.

Notice the colors! GREEN spinach, RED apples, cranberries, and pomegranate vinaigrette,  and then orange segments and toasted walnuts just because I like them.

Getting ready to segment my orange using Mommaw's technique.

Why yes, I did take advantage of the sunlight streaming through my window to get at least a decent picture of this gorgeous salad! Don't judge, it's called resourcefulness. I enjoyed this salad with a toasted slice of my yeasted pumpkin bread - teaser! More of this wholesome loaf later.