Yesterday I was running around town all day and as evening approached the idea of prepping, cooking and especially cleaning up dinner just didn't appeal to me. So I cashed in a restaurant gift certificate to Red Lobster (Christmas gift.) It was pretty darn close to my original plan which I really did feel like eating (was gonna BBQ shrimp skewers and zucchini) but without the work. Woot.
My order was the Build Your Own Meal. I chose Shrimp Scampi and Snow Crab Legs and Broccoli as the side dish. It comes with a Garden Salad (I ask for no croutons and dressing on the side.) It also comes with those Cheddar Bay Biscuits. I used to devour those by the basketful pre-op, in fact, I dare say 1/4 of my pre-op ass could be attributed to my love of those suckers. Those I push aside, they are not an option for me (my choice.) My Mum who has the metabolism of a 14-year-old boy eats them or takes them home. If I'm alone they never come to the table.
I know my capacity pretty well now so I remove and box 1/2 my dinner and all of the broccoli (it's never cooked enough) right away. I ask for a box when I order, they look at you weird but I just say, "I'm not terribly hungry and I know I will need a box so can you just bring it with the food."
I brought the leftovers home and turned them into lunch and dinner today.
My lunch...
Shelly's Broccoli Beef Bites
5 eggs, beaten
1 Yellow Onion, diced
1/3 lb. Ground Sirloin
1 cup leftover Cooked Broccoli, chopped fine
1 1/2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
1/2 teaspoon Garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon Ginger, minced
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
a few twists of Black Pepper
Preheat oven to 350. Whiz the leftover broccoli in a mini food processor till finely chopped and set aside. Saute onion till golden. Add sirloin and saute till no pink is seen. Breaking it up into bite size pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Add ginger, garlic, soy sauce and seasonings and cook 1 minute more. Set aside to cool. When cool mix all ingredients together. Spoon into lightly greased (Pam works great) mini muffin tins.
Bake for 30 minutes at 350. Makes 24.
Other Eggface Bites (crustless quiches)
and this is tonight's delicious dinner...
Shelly's Seafood Brodetto
1 Yellow Onion, diced
2 Zucchini, sliced
1/2 teaspoon Garlic, minced
1 cup Marinara Sauce (I used Rao's, jarred)
1/4 cup Roasted Red Peppers, (about 2 peppers, pureed)
1 cup of leftover Shrimp, Crab, Scallops, Fish (whatever you have)
1/2 teaspoon Oregano
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
a few twists of Black Pepper
Whiz the roasted peppers in a mini food processor till pureed. Mix into sauce. Set aside. Saute onion and zucchini till golden. Add garlic, sauce, seasonings and leftover seafood. Cook till warmed through.
To think prior to having weight loss surgery and changing my lifestyle I would have eaten my entire dinner order, at least 2 or 3 (sadly... maybe more) biscuits, appetizers, several drinks, and then gone out for dessert.
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