Almost Pad Thai

This month has been a whirlwind of dinner parties, brunch, battles (of Sacramento), and my mom finally going back to work! (Hallelujah!) S and I have been so busy, I haven't had much time to post. I just got back from an evening walk and thought I'd share the yummy recipe I adapted tonight.

I've been CRAVING Pad Thai for months now. Of course, no-one in our precious little town sells any. Bless their little hearts. Instead, I've been eating WAY TOO MUCH Lo Mein lately, which is most definitely not on my new healthy routine. Why is when you start making head way, its so easy to get off track? Back to the daily grind of exercising and clean foods.

I found this recipe on Pinterest at here. Thanks They've gone Paleo for the inspiration!



Almost Paleo Pad Thai - adapted from They've gone Paleo

1 12oz pkg  Broccoli Slaw 
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
1/2 bag frozen edamame
4 green onions, diced
1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped

For the sauce:

1/2 cup hot water
2 T tamarind paste
1/4 cup honey
1-2 T garlic chili sauce
1/4 cup fish sauce
3 cloves garlic, grated 
1" piece of ginger, grated 

Combine sauce ingredients in a bowl and set to the side to use later. In a large skillet (or wok if you're fancy) saute the peppers and green onions in a few tbsp coconut oil. (Original recipe called for mushrooms but I despise them!) Add Broccoli Slaw for 3-4 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool in a large bowl. Next, cook chicken breasts in coconut oil until done, then dice. While chicken is cooking, throw your frozen edamame in the microwave and cook away! Add chicken and edamame to the veggie mix-- next add sauce and stir. Mix in fresh basil! I got 5 servings out of this, and added a spring roll to the side!

While this wasn't quite Pad Thai, it definitely calmed my craving! I love the use of broccoli slaw in this dish instead of rice noodles. I use Broccoli Slaw in my stir fry AND lettuce wraps. It's such a versatile ingredient!

If you can't find Tamarind Paste, you can omit making your own sauce. Kroger has a packaged sauce that is gluten free, low calorie and low fat that is an easy substitute. It's almost $4.00 for a 1 serving package, so search for Tamarind if you can!

**Another tip I recently found was to freeze my whole ginger root. It makes it super easy to grate for water or cooking. And you don't even have to peel it!

Cheers!

Derby Day Recap!

Things got pretty busy last week while cooking and prepping for Derby Day. Lots of cooking, grocery shopping and re-decorating were involved. I'm a very lucky lady though-- I had a few great people to help me with all of the last minute details!

One of these days take pictures of the entire process AND the event itself. Each year I get a few more shots in. But looking back I missed so much!

Here are just  a few of the highlights!

The Oaks Lily, Mini Derby Pies, Spiked Mint Lemonade

"Betting Booth for horses and best dressed!

My sweet husband and I -- in our Seersucker and Monograms!
 (dress by Rysa Ruth @ Etsy, Hat by Marley Lilly)

Us with our cousins and dearest friends... 

Guests voted: Best Dressed!
Winners received Bow Tie from TheTieBar
"You're the Mint to my Julep" coozie by Lauren James
also included: Fascinator and Julep Cup!

Nothing says "Derby" like a frosted Mint Julep

Mint Julep Bar

All I could think about during this weekend is how amazing my husband is to enjoy throwing parties, dressing up, and decorating as much as I do. He helped clean the house, landscaped, did laundry and so much more to make this a successful gathering.

                 I failed to take pictures of the food (oops!) but here's what you missed--

Pimento Cheese, Beer Cheese, Baby Hot Browns, Macaroni and Cheese, Fruit Kabobs,                                                  Celery and Beer Cheese, Ham and Biscuits, Boston Butt, Bourbon Chex Mix, & Corn Bread! Yum!

Cheers!

Melanie