January Meals

Here we go, the first month in a new year – at least that’s when this post was suppose to go out, but time got away from me and while January seemed long, I’m not exactly sure where February and the start of March went.

I’m not doing the usual let’s go on a diet, let’s change everything and make it tipsy turvy to only get overwhelmed and throw in the towel shortly afterwards. Instead, I’m aiming to be mindful of what I eat. I’m weighing and tracking everything that passes my lips, whether it be good or bad. This is not only helping me keep on track with my calorie intake, it encourages me to keep going, but it also shows me where my slip ups are and what may not be so good for me to consume. I’ve definitely been cooking more, following along with some recipes and then creating my own home made dishes. 

So without further adieu, here’s some meals that I cooked in January:

Breakfasts

Breakfast Salad

At first I wasn’t so sure about this, after all its base was quinoa, but I gave it a go and I was pleasantly surprised. Quinoa, kale, feta cheese, grape tomatoes and some seasoning, topped with two poached eggs. 

Lunches

Chicken Wrap

Never underestimate the power of a chicken wrap. Spinach, chicken, cucumber, grape tomatoes, red onion, and to top it all off (and what actually made the wrap so good) tzatziki.

Black Bean, Tomato + Cheese Quesadilla 

I was hesitant with this one. Black beans? I would have usually said no thank you. I’m also not a fan of tomatoes and can only do them in really small quantities. I used a sandwich press to cook it, and aside from the clean up of juices oozing out, it was really good. A simple list of ingredients to make – tortilla wrap, black beans, tomato, and grated cheese.

Moroccon Salad with Chicken

Again with the quinoa, but apparently I didn’t have enough with trying it in my breakfast salad. Chicken breast, red + green pepper, chickpeas, quinoa, along with some herbs and spices – cayenne pepper, cinnamon, cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic, cilantro + lemon juice. 

Alternatively it can be made with rice instead of quinoa, I made the same dish for two people but just made rice for my boyfriend instead. It got the boyfriend seal of approval.

Dinners

Burger + Fries

Homemade patty, cheese, bacon, pickles, tomato, onions, ketchup, mustard, mayo, and the game changer BBQ sauce. I know, I thought the same thing when my boyfriend mentioned the BBQ sauce but it was honestly so good. Instead of the usual burger bun I opted for a Kaiser bun, which I think I much prefer. Homemade fries on the side. Cut and slice your potato in to fry like pieces. Parboil for a few mins, usually about 5, then toss them in the oven on a baking sheet. Spraying them with spray oil is optional. I coated the fries in an italian seasoning and baked for 30-35 mins at 375. Of course, an added salad on the side, because, you know, balance. Beverage of choice was a Club Rock Shandy from an Irish store in Langley (ice cold, and drool worthy).

Pizza

I think this was the first time I have made a pizza at home that wasn’t a tortilla base. Making the dough was a lot of fun. We attempted to make them on a pizza machine but it didn’t work out so well, so after some changing things we popped them in the oven. The smell, the taste, it was one of the best pizzas I’ve had. Cheese, pepperoni, ham, mozzarella, spinach. It was a pretty loaded pizza. It even held up well for leftovers the next day.

Meatloaf

I can’t take any credit for this one – this one was a man’s job. I watch and observe and he creates. It’s not a dish I would make for myself, but it is definitely one we go back to every now and then. I’m not even 100% what goes in to it, he tends to have his own secret concoctions for his creations, but I can say that it is delicious, and great for leftovers. 

Chili Shrimp with Brown Rice + Greens

I attempted the prawns with so many ingredients and fresh cut chillies but the taste just wasn’t as strong as I wanted. I will be attempting this again, but I’ll probably soak the prawns in sweet chilli sauce instead and see if it gives me the taste I wanted. Sprinkled with some sesame seeds, and cilantro. Served with a side of brown rice, and a bowl of greens – bok choy and green beans.

Grilled Chicken with Slaw

So I know this doesn’t look the most appealing, or presentable, or Instagram worthy, but I can assure you that the taste makes up for it. Chicken breast, carrots, red + green cabbage, red pepper, some cilantro, with lime juice, sesame oil, soy sauce, honey, ginger, some spring onion, all served on a bed of vermicelli noodles.

Greek Style Baked Fish

I love fish, and I certainly don’t eat it enough. I think it’s because it can be so hit and miss when cooking it. However this dish turned out so good. I used salmon for it, but white fish is a good substitute too. Potato, red onion, garlic, oregano, olive oil, salt, pepper and grape tomatoes in the baking dish with the salmon in the middle. Once it was cooked, I topped it with some parsley and feta cheese for serving.

Lasagna

Not a dish that my hands had the full pleasure of making. My boyfriend found this recipe online. I was a little sceptical at first, it requested for spicy sausage to be added in for the meat sauce, but I have to say from both of us, that we agreed with the blog we found it on, it was one of the best lasagnas we’ve ever had.

Pulled Pork Slider with Slaw

I wanted to make this from just pork myself, and then cook it in all its sauce glory but I couldn’t find what I wanted so I bought the BBQ pulled pork in a pack. It was really good, as it always is. I added in some slaw for it, made up myself, but I’ve also had this since and used broccoli slaw for convenience also, both work well with the slider. I had the pork on a Kaiser bun, I think I prefer Kaiser buns for anything that isn’t a burger, but even burger’s are good on them.

Fish Tacos

Never have I made fish tacos at home, but boy oh boy this is something I will be doing a lot more. It was super quick, and so easy. I used a white fish cod fillet as my fish, it just seemed like the perfect fish to use. A tortilla wrap, some slaw, mayonnaise, and the fish fillet cooked and seasoned with salt and pepper.

Extras

Banana Bread + Soda Bread

Who doesn’t love banana bread? I mean, I never used to, but now I do and I can’t get enough of it. However, the one thing I can’t do is get the bananas out of the skin when they’ve become mush, it is just something that grosses me out. 

Soda Bread – just like home. I got the Odlums Brown Soda Bread Mix front he Irish Store and made some at home. I used it for sandwiches but I’m now wanting to make another batch since it’s got a little cold again to have on the side, warmed up with melted butter, with my soup.

Snacks

Baked Chips with Hummus

So simple, yet tasty. It helped curb my cravings of the crunch that I look for with potato chips. 

Tortilla wrap cut into triangles, I used half a tortilla wrap so I cut it into quarters. Baked in the oven for about 3-5 mins each side, and I used Hummus as my side dip.

What was your favorite dish to cook in January?