Fast Friday: Smashed avocado and chick pea wrap

(looks around nervously) I'm hesitant to even mention this in fear of jinxing things, but I must -- how about this weather, East Coast people?!

I cannot believe how lucky we've been over the past few weeks.  With the exception of a quick shower here and there, it's been absolutely incredible outside.  Look in the dictionary next to "perfect summer weather" and you'll see our forecast.  Low 80s and sunny with a gentle breeze.  Unreal dot com!

No A/C needed since it's been so pleasant with the windows open.  And, no A/C needed because this girl has managed to avoid turning on the oven.  That surely won't last because I've got a baking itch, but the accidental ban it has resulted in some pretty spectacular dishes so far.

Fast Friday: Cool oats with yogurt with fresh fruit

We're friends, right?  And friends can ask favors of their friends.  So, I have a teeny tiny favor to ask of you today: Give yourself a gold star.

(In a pinch, a pat on the back will do, but there's something about a shiny little sticker that's so uplifting, don't you agree?)

If you are one of those insufferable people who ask "why?" and need a reason to reward yourself (cough yours truly cough), here are a few.  Feel free to use any/all:

-Shiny things make you happy
-You totally rocked that thing at work this week
-You only hit snooze once today
-You crossed off a major item on your to-do list
-It's Friday!

I'm giving myself a gold star on behalf of my husband because I came up with a new favorite summer dish that doesn't use the oven.  It's a tasty Fast Friday miracle!

Goat cheese and basil stuffed chicken

I'm so excited to finally be writing this post because it means I get to share with you a project near and dear to Matt's heart (and our stomachs): an edible garden!

For the past two months, he's been growing, nurturing, and downright babying a few herbs and vegetables.  The cherry tomato seedlings and lettuce plant have been moved outside to the roof to benefit from the 10+ hours of sun that side of the building receives daily.  Meanwhile, the herbs, which he will proudly tell you he started from seed, still have an indoor home on the window sill that overlooks said outdoor plants.

Like an animal stalking its prey, I've been watching the dill, chives, and basil like a  hawk, waiting for the day when I could pluck some fresh green herbs to chop up and use.  Seemed like for-ev-er!

Fast Friday: Sesame garlic green beans

Blink and you might have missed most of this week.  It's been a busy one and yet seemed to draaaaaaag onnnnn foreverrrrrrr.  On top of that, I had day-later syndrome -- bad -- and couldn't shake it.  All of that said, I'm so thankful it's Friday because there is big stuff on my agenda this weekend that I've been looking forward to for what seems like years.  Two of my very best friends are getting hitched!  #juliebryanwedding  Get it trending, people of Pittsburgh. ;o)

Festivities begin tonight with the rehearsal and dinner at Sonoma Grille.  I've heard great things about that place for ages but never visited, so Matt and I are stoked.  The wedding is Saturday (and the weather forecast is very promising!), and there is a brunch on Sunday morning.  In other words, we'll be eating, drinking, and celebrating like royalty for nearly 48 hours.  My bridesmaid dress and shoes are ready, and I could not be more excited.  Pictures to come on Monday!

Since it's been a busy week, dinners have been quick and easy fixes.  Set it and forget it wild rice and bean casserole, grilled chicken salads, Mexican night out, and dill salmon with green beans.  But, not just any green beans...

Penne with roasted vegetables and sausage

First, s'more cupcakes.  And now this -- pasta with roasted summer vegetables and sausage.  Summer is almost, sorta, kinda, ok not technically yet but who cares basically here!  At least according to my appetite, anyway.

Yes, I realize spring has barely begun, but I'm no fan of spring.  I love certain things that occur during the spring months like Easter, the introduction of oodles of new cute dresses in stores, and the NHL playoffs.  But I do not like the weather of spring.  30 degrees in the morning and 60 by day's end?  No, thank you.

Roasted kale, tomatoes, and potatoes with chicken

For the most part, I've become a fairly disciplined cook when it comes to dinner.  It's only taken me a few years to learn that, if you sample the food nonstop while cooking it, you don't have much of an appetite when the final dish is plated.  Makes perfect sense, right?

I mean, as much as I love staring into Matt's dreamy eyes without distraction, sitting across the table as he dives into a plate of delicious food isn't much fun when I'm already full and sipping on water.

So, I've managed to curtail my snacking as dinner roasts, simmers, or sautes right before my eyes.  Instead, I only poke my head into the kitchen as soon as I get home from the gym to gulp a glass or two of water and occasionally nibble a handful of cheese balls. 

(And yes, they are amazing.  You can pick up a giant tub of them for around $6 at Sam's Club.  One serving is something like 32 balls and only 140 calories.  There's just something about that salty cheesy crunch of puffed air that's addictive and hits the spot after a sweat session!  No judging.)

Cheeseburger pizza

Life, so I'm told, is full of highs and lows.  It's the latter that make some of us wish we could take a mulligan. A real-time do-over.  At 27, I'll readily admit that I don't have a big list of do-overs.  Maybe not wearing these giant glasses in 6th grade or tucking T-shirts into my mom jeans...

Or wearing a denim jumper at the age of 15.  Yikes, 15.  Thank you to anyone who was my friend at that unfortunate time.

But none of those things are truly regrets worthy of a do-over.  They are part of who I was and who I've become today.  The same could be said for the cheeseburger pie.  But, before I get to the ingredients, let me back up just a little.

You see, one summer in college, I shared a house with a good friend, Nick.  (Hi, Nick!)  Being the first time I'd lived out of my parents' house and college dorms, I had no kitchen goods or know-how.  Upon learning that I'd be on my own that summer, my sweet mother promptly took me out to buy pots, pans, and even a few cookbooks so I wouldn't starve or rely on pizza every night.

News flash: We ate pizza.  A lot.  Like, three times a week.  In our defense, it was a really hot summer and the house wasn't air-conditioned, so turning on the oven was simply not an option.  So, we'd come home from our student worker jobs, one of us with a pizza, and steal away to the basement where we'd feast and play Mario Kart on Gamecube for hours.  True story.  Sorry, Mom :)

Penne with butternut squash and goat cheese

I've had this recipe waiting for a while.  Why the delay?  I wish I had a better reason than "I got married" but that's it.  I've already let myself go.  (Sorry, Matt.)

But really, it's a funny story.  Working ahead and writing up posts to share with you while I'm at sea, I saw this, and thought, "Whoh!  I remember that!  I thought I'd posted that already.  Oops, guess not.  Huh... I could go for that again."  So, I indulged my id and made it again, without photography this time.  

You'll have to forgive me for the Thanksgiving napkin that snuck its way into the picture.  Along with myself, I've apparently let my napkins go, too.

Tsk tsk.

Anyway, I give you penne with butternut squash, goat cheese, and walnuts.  Loaded with flava!

The best zucchini bread

One Tuesday night, my friend, Pat, showed up at beer club with a paper bag full of goodies.  What kinds of goodies?  Gorgeous homegrown produce from his garden in Lawrenceville... and he was going to share it with all of us!  Our very own harvest Santa Claus.  "A pepper for you, a zucchini for you..."  It's safe to say that Pat was easily the favorite that night.  :)

Here's the thing with seasonal ingredients -- they are so bright and appealing, begging to be used as soon as possible.  I'm talking zucchinis as bright as my once favorite green Crayola crayon!  And then, all hopped up on some zucchini-induced high, I went fishing for recipes and found one that I absolutely must make and share with you immediately.  Sounds good, right?

I pride myself on having a mind like a steel trap, so I don't usually check to make sure that I haven't already written about a similar recipe.  I really should, but the simple fact is that I don't.  Instead, I go about cooking and baking with my pretty produce, snapping pictures along the way, occasionally jumping up on chairs to get a better angle, and enthusiastically typing up the entire story when it's all finished.

Well, um, what if I told you that I've written a zucchini bread post before?  Gulp.  You caught me.  I have.

Bacon-wrapped potato wedges

Because the plethora of bacon-centric recipes (just added a new "bacon" tag!) isn't enough for me, I'm totally psyched to show you what I made for dinner recently: bacon-wrapped potato wedges!  

Besides, there can never be too much bacon.  Sorry, kosher friends!

Oh no, that's not a T.G.I.Friday's plate you're seeing.  It's way better, friends.  This is my improved homemade response to the legendary T.G.I.Friday's loaded potato skins appetizer.  Everyone knows it, and most would move mountains for it.  But this version can be made in minutes in your own kitchen, and it's infinitely better for you and your waistline -- hey, summer isn't quite over yet!

In other words, consumption of this deliciousness won't be followed by that unmistakeable wave of nausea.  Instead, a napkin-crumpling, stomach-patting (because it's not overfilled) feeling of satisfaction. Win win, right?

Chipotle steak salad with homemade dressing

Happy Friday to you!  I hope you're doing well, swell even.  Rather than a list, I've got a question for you: have you heard of the the Pioneer Woman?  I kinda have a major girl crush on her.

Isn't she lovely?  She's kind of a big deal, too, and rightfully so.  I mean, the woman is the hip midwest theoretical love child of Oprah and Martha Stewart.  She does it all!  But, no offense to Ree, I've only got eyes for one thing: her cooking.

Ohhhhhh, her cooking!

You may remember the cinnamon roll craze of spring of 2011.  Dear Lord, those cinnamon rolls.  If I had to choose between my right hand and those cinnamon rolls, well, I can't say I'd be calling myself an ambidextrous individual anytime after that.  (Yes, the cinnamon rolls are that good.  Do yourself a favor -- and prove me right -- and make them immediately.)

Greek lamb burgers with arugula, tomatoes & feta cheese

...but I made it!  The party being fabulous Greek cuisine made at home.  First there were the chicken yee-rows gyros.  I loved 'em the night I had them, and loved them the next day when I polished them off for lunch.  I couldn't stop thinking about the flavors and -- oh my gosh -- the feta cheese.  Yum!

Good thing I had another Greek dish on the menu for later in the week: lamb burgers!

If you've been around here for a hot minute or two, you know that I've had a real thing for burgers this summer.  Of any shape and kind.  Chicken.  Turkey.  Stuffed.  From the sea. 

So maybe it's more than a thing.  Maybe it's closer to an obsession.  Puppy love, perhaps?  Or lamb love.

What, too much?

Back to this lamb burger.  It's exotic and different without being weird or unobtainable... does that make sense?  And it's flipping delicious.  And will knock your socks off.  That's really all you need to know, frankly.

Chicken gyros

Okay, maybe my phonetic spelling leaves a little to be desired, but it should have at least provided a tiny clue as to what I made for dinner last night: gyros!  Chicken gyros, to be exact. 

Greek food?  In Katy's kitchen?  Made by said petite cook?  I'm just as shocked as you are!  Say it with me: "Opa!"

But seriously, I'm trying to venture outside my pasta, cheese, and broccoli-lined box with regards to this week's dinners.  It all started when I spotted a recipe for chicken, not lamb, gyros over on the blog Annie's Eats.  "Huh, chicken gyros... that's unique."  Admittedly, I've never been a gyro fanatic, at least the traditional kind made with seasoned thinly-sliced lamb.  It's not that I don't love lamb (because I do, oh do I ever), but it's that, well... let me explain.

Tomato & corn pie

Remember that song and dance I gave you yesterday about turning off your oven?

Well, uh, scratch that momentarily, but only if you have a functioning air conditioner in your residence.  I'm not trying to give anyone a heat stroke.  Besides, if you were too sick, you wouldn't be able to properly enjoy this mind numbingly-delicious tomato and corn pie.

(Can you tell I was trying to keep the apartment as cool as possible by closing the shades?  Oven on, shades closed.  A fair trade-off in my book.)

This time of year, my tastes have shifted from stews and meatloaves to anything littered with fresh fruits and vegetables.  I've even been known to forego cake and ice cream in favor of diced strawberries with a little whipped cream. The heat makes people do strange things, I tell you.

Quick chicken & green onion stir fry

First, let me begin by saying thank you to everyone for the sweet and thoughtful birthday wishes and gifts!  It has been a 4 day birthday extravaganza, and I don't want it to end.

A special thank you to my coworkers, who surprised me with this adorable "cake" yesterday morning:

I say "cake" because it's actually a round layer cake decorated to look like a cupcake!!!  Uh-door-uh-bull! :)  And incredibly delicious.  That icing is my very favorite kind of icing and, guess what, it hails from a local grocery store chain!  Take that, overpriced underflavored trendy cupcake shops.  Although I can be a total baking snob, I try to keep an open mind and this is one of my rewards.

Paired with some fresh strawberries and blueberries, I had a giant slice around 9:00 and another (after a lunch of carrots and a turkey sandwich) around 1:00.  By 2:00 I could feel blood icing coursing through my veins and knew I had to act quickly because a) I planned to go to the gym after work, and b) I had an ice cream date in the works for later that evening.

So, what should you do if you've had a delicious but verrrrrrrry sweet day like I had?

Summer squash, zucchini & bean saute

To be clear, that garden isn't mine, per se.  Instead, it's the gardens of many local Pittsburgh farmers (with a little help from Kraft and an unnamed canning company) that helped me whip up a healthy weeknight dinner with (almost) all of the colors of the rainbow -- squash and white bean saute!

I could never ever be a vegetarian, but there are some nights when a meatless meal makes me feel so incredibly healthy!  You know, especially after a day when lunch consisted of a big bowl of cookies & cream and vanilla frozen yogurt, topped with cookie dough bits and rainbow sprinkles.  Packing all of those necessary vegetables into one meal helps to dilute all of that sugar :)

Summer pasta with corn, tomatoes & bacon

T minus two days until I move into the new apartment and things are a bit... messy.

I feel a bit like I'm living in a maze!  Bobbing and weaving to get from one room to the next.  Thank goodness I'm not a sleep walker :)  The box count is up to 17 so far.  Books, movies, games, and most of my kitchen items are stowed away until they reach their new home.

Even with so many of my tools buried, I was still able to whip up a bright and balanced dinner: summery rainbow pasta!

Chock full of fresh corn, tomatoes, basil, and smokey salty bacon.  This really hit the spot after all that rolling, padding, packing, and lifting! 

Watermelon, arugula & goat cheese salad with balsamic drizzle

I'd never complain about eating rabbit food again!  I know I'm about to eat my words, but -- gulp -- I love this salad!  That's right, s-a-l-a-d!  This cool, crisp, tangy, peppery, sweet, creamy summer-on-a-plate salad. In fact, I'd order this over a steak any day of the week.  What, can't a girl change her mind? :)

After a weekend of grilling, grilling, ice cream, and more grilling, I just wanted something light, juicy, and cold.  (And that used minimal dishes because I finally started packing last night.  So far I've got nine boxes filled... with movies, books, and games.  Tonight's adventure is kitchen items!)  Thankfully, future Katy somehow got through to past Katy and made her incorporate a salad into this week's meal plan.  Well played, self!

Red, white, and delicious!

Nothing like the Friday of an extra long holiday weekend to put some jump in your step!  Some treats to fix for your holiday get-togethers this weekend.  In the tradition of a Friday list, let's see what's out there on the great interwebs

1. Classic caprese salad.  Check out The Pioneer Woman's absolutely s-t-u-n-n-i-n-g photographs -- they're practically art! -- and amusing commentary while you're at it.

2. Firecracker whoopie pies... or moon pies... or gobs, depending on your beliefs, on Annie's Eats.  

3. Refresh yourself and others with a tall glass of watermelon lemonade courtesy of Confections of a Foodie Bride.  Have you ever seen a brighter more summery looking drink?  I think not!

Party for one!

And who says planning a wedding isn't fun?  Matt and I had a great weekend, complete with a 24 hour period of rocking the heck out of our wedding plans!  On the agenda:

• 2 (cup)cake tastings and, yes, we found "the one!"
• Choosing a location for the rehearsal dinner
• Our first meeting with the minister
• Beginning our registries (its current status is "work in progress")
• Purchasing wedding shoes (a last minute sale and thus surprise buy!)

We had a great time, especially Matt with his scanner gun duties.  The sales associate who helped us was a riot and totally got our attention at the beginning when she...

Threw a plate made of bone china across the floor!  Yes, you read that correctly.  After Matt and I recovered from our collective heart attack, she explained to us that bone china is super sturdy.  Who knew it was THAT sturdy!?  We spent the next few hours identifying our kitchen and home needs and putting that scanner gun to work.

Tip to couples who will register in the future: check your registries when you get home from the store!  There were quite a few items on the list that we hadn't scanned and therefore removed immediately.  I have no idea how it happened, but I'm going to gently blame Matt for trying to scan my backside (100% true) and picking up random bar codes throughout the store. 

After planning a party for 150 people, planning dinner for one was a cinch!  I was ravenous and had no patience for the oven, so I whipped up a sampler platter for me, myself, and Irene I. 

There were turkey roll-ups, carrots, whole wheat crackers, red peppers, and celery with a big scoop of hummus for dipping.   It was just what I wanted -- no work or fuss, a grazing type of meal, and packed with nutrition but light on calories.  After 10 cupcakes in a 24 hour period, I had to cleanse my system juuuuuuuuust a bit :)