Another GOAL....

Would you believe that I've managed to read FIVE of the 31 books on my list since the start of January?!?!  I finished the entire Twilight Saga (roughly 2000 pages!) in addition to The Atonement Child.  Nothing like reading to take you to places you'd never before imagined.  I read the Twilight Saga at the urging of many friends, and particularly my sister.  While I admit that they DEFINITELY held my attention and I am glad I read them (and it's good to know what all the hype is about!), I am also eager and excited to head in a different direction.  Next up to read is Sarah's Key.  I've heard amazing things about this novel and can't wait to dive in.

In addition to my reading goal, I decided to set a goal in regards to cooking.  I LOVE to cook.  It came as quite a surprise to most of my family, I think, when I took such an interest in cooking.  But few things are as gratifying to me as preparing meals for family and watching them enjoy their food, in addition to knowing that my hands used all of the elements God provided to create the nourishment and sustenance they need.

So having said ALL of that, my cooking goal this year is to try a least 1 new recipe each week.  I like to experiment and try new things anyway, but it is often admittedly easier to stick with what I know we'll like (especially when you can make that meal without thought).  This week's meal was Beef-Broccoli Lo Mein, as found at Cooking Light (the picture below is from their website).

Matt and I both LOVED this recipe, even though I left out the ginger and substituted canola oil for peanut oil.  The kids, however, found it to leave a bit too much of a spicy afterbite.  I think this could be remedied by either cutting the chili paste with garlic out completely, or by cutting it in half.  If you'd like to try it out for yourself, take a peek.

Beef-Broccoli Lo Mein

Cooking Light

Ingredients

• 4  cups  hot cooked spaghetti (about 8 ounces uncooked pasta)
• 1  teaspoon  dark sesame oil
• 1  tablespoon  peanut oil
• 1  tablespoon  minced peeled fresh ginger
• 4  garlic cloves, minced
• 3  cups  chopped broccoli
• 1 1/2  cups  vertically sliced onion
• 1  (1-pound) flank steak, trimmed and cut across the grain into long, thin strips
• 3  tablespoons  low-sodium soy sauce
• 2  tablespoons  brown sugar
• 1  tablespoon  oyster sauce
• 1  tablespoon  chile paste with garlic

Preparation

Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain. Combine pasta and sesame oil, tossing well to coat.

While pasta cooks, heat peanut oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ginger and garlic; sauté 30 seconds. Add broccoli and onion; sauté 3 minutes. Add steak, and sauté 5 minutes or until done. Add pasta mixture, soy sauce, and remaining ingredients; cook 1 minute or until lo mein is thoroughly heated, stirring constantly.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

327 (26% from fat)

Fat:

9.3g (sat 3g,mono 3.6g,poly 1.6g)

Protein:

21.7g

Carbohydrate:

39.1g

Fiber:

2.9g

Cholesterol:

36mg

Iron:

3.6mg

Sodium:

382mg

Calcium:

47mg