Don't hate me for starting this post. If you hate me for it, you must be jealous. (That's my hope at least ) Since January 2nd, my wife and I have started on the path to weight loss. 6 years ago I finished Body for Life and had this super cheesy picture taken of me: Click to view attachment Hey, I'm no body builder, I didn't know how to stand! Give me a break! I was just stoked that I lost 25 pounds and had the makings of a six pack for the first time in my life. That same year my wife gave birth to our now oldest son and since then I've let me body go. To my horror I went to the doctor and found I'd gained 52 lbs.!!!! What in the world?!?!?! Thank God I'm 6'6"! So we've started eating right which finally brings me to my point. 2006 didn't see me cooking much more than Danish Aebleskiver which is one of the more fattening breakfast foods, see my post under Christmas Pictures .

So here's the deal. Is there anyone else out there that's trying to eat right and loves to cook that is willing to photograph their meals, and tell us what's in the dish? (Boy, this could be a lonely thread, but I hope not). I'm going to start with the dinner I ran home and fixed.

Spicy Marinated Chicken and Vegetables
Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment
This was a grossly easy dish to make and somewhat unusual for me.

4 - 5 Chicken Breasts, boneless, skinless
McCormick Grill Mates Montreal Steak seasoning
Durkee Grill Creations Chicken and Rib Rub (Sam's Club)
BBQ Sauce

Lightly sprinkle seasonings over chicken breasts
Heat large non-stick pan over high heat with 1 T grapeseed oil and add chicken
When chicken is in the pan, add some BBQ Sauce
Turn after about 2-3 minutes
Add more BBQ sauce to exposed side, reduce heat to low and cover
Should be about done in 8 minutes

Vegetables were just julieanned and tossed in a pan with 1 T grape seed oil, dash of Kosher Salt and ground black pepper.

So that took me about 15 minutes and it was yummmmmmmmy! Who's next?

- Mark

I need to eat better and loose a few pounds. Trying to now.

I'm a vegetarian but that looks really good. Good luck with the weight loss. It feels good when you do it but it's hard to stick to it. But you seem motivated so I'm sure you will.

Sorry, no food photos to post.

yup, love to cook when i have time. my usual rule of thumb: stir fry everything in a wok, add onto rice and voila. quick and easy. here's an easy/tasty/healthy(?) recipe:

Coconut Lemon Shrimp Stir Fry

Empty 1 pkg of frozen zipperback jumbo shrimp into non-stick wok. Add 1 tsp of oil, 1T butter, 1 chopped up garlic clove, 1 tsp ginger, 1Tbs sugar, 1Tbs chicken stock powder, 0.5tsp chilli flakes, 2Tbs soy sauce, 1/4C coconut milk, juice of 1 lemon, and salt & pepper to taste. Chop 1 sprig green onion, slice some colored peppers & broccoli and add to mixture. Cook & stir until shrimp turns pink. Serve over cooked rice.


_{pic courtesy of gortons.com}

Fantastic post Mark - give me a little time and I'll post something up here.

I love to cook! I will be posting sometime also!....

I'm a health food nut that loves to eat!

Check out this meal. It's my favorite to make!

Good luck on the weight loss....work out with the healthy food and you'll get there!

Great thread! I love to cook and will be posting something soon!

-janelle :-)

Dude, one of my favorite channels is FoodTV. I think I'm in love with Giada De Laurentiis. I don't think I pay any attention to what she cooks...I just stare at her. HAWTNESS!

Anyways, one of my favorite recipies isn't from Giada, it's from George Duran - Ham on the Street (the scoop on the poop that keeps you in the loop....I love that line). It's for microwave chicken curry. Yeah I know what you're thinking....gross microwave chicken!!! But seriously you slow cook it in coconut milk and it's the moistest tenderest chicken you'll ever taste. Best of all it's super quick, super easy (DJ could prolly pull it off) and it tastes great. Try it out...you won't be disappointed.

2 tablespoons Indian curry paste
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
1/2 bunch basil, leaves chopped
1/2 bunch cilantro, leaves chopped
2 (13.5-ounce) cans coconut milk
2 tablespoons soy sauce
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Steamed rice, to serve
Paprika, for garnish
1 scallion, thinly sliced, for garnish

In a large microwave safe pot with a lid, mix together the curry paste and oil. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Add the chicken to the pot and stir. Cover with the lid and microwave on medium for 8 minutes.
Add the basil, cilantro, coconut milk, and soy sauce and season with salt and pepper. Give it a good stir, cover it, and microwave on medium for 4 minutes. Stir it again, cover, and let it rest for 3 or 4 minutes. Serve over steamed rice, garnished with paprika and scallions.

Mark, I haven't watched FoodTV in a long time. I did a quick search on Giada....... Dude, you're right! She's beautiful. Anyway, I'm running late tonight and will be at my shop till about 10 so my dinner tonight will be Clif Bars. I printed out that recipe and will try it.

Can't wait to see what other people create. I may be lame, but if I don't see a picture of it in a cookbook or see it made on TV, I usually don't make it, that's the sole selfish reason I asked people to photo their dishes. It also forces our creativity in plating beautiful food for our spouses, family or friends.

Let's get cookin'!

- Mark

I love to cook! I'm not particularly good at it though. I burn, spill, drop, things all over the kitchen. But it's fun and I love it.

I watch FoodNetwork all the time, too. Love me some Iron Chef. I'll try and post some of my creations later on.

Last night I told my wife why I was taking pictures of the dinner I made, and she rolled her eyes and smiled in that "Oh honey" way. You know the one. To help her along, my wife is using the Weight Watchers point stuff which is way to complicated for me. But after reading through the Nutrition Facts on food labels and comparing them to the WW chart it sort of woke me up some. So that brings me to todays snack I'm having. This isn't the romantic dinner creations I've been looking for but I'm posting it for those of us looking for lowfat, healthy options to keep us from eating crap during the day.
Click to view attachment I'm sure the owners of Laughing Cow cheese went crazy when they found out that the South Beach Diet book endorsed their product. But those little guys, wrapped in some turkey or ham are great. Also, watch out for juice. Valeria, my wife who is a doctor of physical therapy, looked at the Nutrition Facts on a bottle of grape juice and it had more sugar in it than a can of root beer. I couldn't believe it. So I found this company FUZE that is 5 Cal. per bottle 0g of fat! One more thing that keeps me going between meals is Clif Bars. Apparently they're ok for me 'cause I'm 6'6" and a generally bigger guy. My wife said "no way" for her cause they'd eat up too many of her WW points. So pay attention to the Nutrition Facts as you're working on your meals.

Have a great weekend and cook up a storm!

- Mark

Ok...Here's my kitchen creation from tonight.

Netties Crabcakes

1 package of stovetop stuffing
3/4 cup of water
1/3 cup of mayo
2 cans of lump or shredded crabmeat( fresh if in season)
3tbsp. of tartar sauce
1/2 cup finely chopped celery

mix all together and refrigerate for 10 min.
spray large skillet with cooking spray and cook until golden brown on both sides.

Ok, awesome, I' totally going to try that!

Here's another little meal I whipped up quick the other night.

No fancy name though.
4 Breasts of chicken grilled then slow pan fried with spices
Red potatoes quartered, pot boiled then pan fried with Kosher salt and garlic
Squash, yellow pepper, tomatoe, cilantro and spices to make a healthy salsa

Put it all together all fancy looking on a plate. If anyone wants more eaxct measurement and spice details, I'll type it up better, just let me know.
Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment

Enjoy!

Such a fun topic!!

I actually bought Katie a couple of cookbooks for Christmas and I've used 'em more than her!! LOL!

Here's a few of my dishes....not TOO unhealthy!




Pan Roasted Steak Sirloin

Grab a 14 ounce steak sirloin and cut it in two right down the middle so you have two even pieces of meat
Pat dry with paper towels and season with kosher salt and black pepper
Preheat pan with medium heat with a bit of oil. Olive oil works fine.
Put the meat in and brown it about 3 mins on the first side (the oil should sizzle not sputter), flip it and cook for about another 3 mins.
Flip it again and baste by putting two tablespoons of butter in the man along with two pieces of fresh herbs. (Rosemary or Thyme works great)
Keep flipping it to cook it evenly, about 13-15 mins for medium rare
Let the meat rest for like 5 mins or so after you're done cooking.
Season with coarse sea salt.

I had some wild rice on the bottom (healthy!)
And then I bought some chicken shish kabobs with some peppers and onions and took 'em off the stick and just threw 'em into the pot and stir fried 'em and then put the pieces on top of the rice and around the steak. It was GREAT!




This is almost the same reciepe except with salmon (any fish will work though).
Obviously cook it a little less cause it's fish. I think like 6-7 mins is about right, but you'll know when it's done.

chris, that looks unbelievably delish

Thanks. It really was quite easy.