We're Eating REAL Food!

That's right people - we're no longer surviving on mac and cheese every other night. I know you all want pictures of our house and neighborhood, but I'm waiting til we get our couch next week to take pictures. Until then, you get to listen to my new rave recipes! Yay!

Last night, I made an amazing marinade for a flank steak. It's asian, and so so delicious. Slightly spicy from the pepper but a great after-taste from the garlic and ginger.

Sesame Pepper Flank Steak

Prep: 10 minutes + Marinating

Grill: 15 minutes

Yield: 8 servings

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup soy sauce

4 green onions, slices

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 Tbsp. sesame seeds

1 Tbsp. minced fresh gingerroot

1 Tbsp. sesame oil

2 tsp. pepper

1 beef flank steak (2 lbs.)

In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the first eight ingredients. Score the surface of the beef with shallow diagonal cuts, making diamond shapes; place in bag. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

Drain and discard marinade. Using long-handled tongs, dip a paper towel in cooking oil and lightly coat the grill rack. Grill beef, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 inches from heat for 6-8 minutes on each side or until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a meat thermometer should read 145; medium, 160; well-done, 170).

Let stand for 5 minutes; thinly slice across the grain.

Ok, and then tonight I made some real chicken! Not plain with seasoned salt! Hallelujah for a kitchen in my house!!! haha :) This is for all the Italian lovers out there, namely Lindsey!

Caprese Chicken with Bacon

Prep: 20 minutes

Bake: 20 minutes

Yield: 4 servings (but I halved it and still had enough leftovers for 2 people)

8 bacon strips

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 oz. each)

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

2 plum tomatoes, sliced

6 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced

4 slices part-skim mozzarella cheese

Place bacon in an ungreased baking pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until partially cooked but not crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain.

Place chicken in an ungreased baking pan; brush with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with tomatoes and basil. Wrap each in two bacon strips, arranging bacon in a crisscross.

Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 170. Top with cheese; bake 1 minute longer or until melted.

Jordan is enjoying eating real food, and so am I. I think I'm going to have to join a gym lol - all this delicious food!