Inspired to cook

As with all housewives, mothers... actually anyone who needs to eat, what's for dinner in always on our mind. I have become inspired to cook for many reasons, I love to eat, I love to create, I don't have a lot of hobbies but I do like to cook when I know what I am making. I hate making supper when there is nothing in the house to cook with and when I am out of ideas. I hoping this blog does two things 1. I hope it inspires others to cook 2. I hope it helps me with some idea of what's for dinner, what I have made so I don't fall into a rut.

We all fall into ruts of pasta and sauce etc. because it is quick and easy. I am not the sort of person to spend several hours in the kitchen, my daughter likes to go to bed around 6:30, when I work I get home around 5:20 therefore I have just over an hour to get her fed and in bed before the melt down begins. Now for all you parents out there who say my kid is picky eater be warned my daughter eats what we give her, I strongly believe children will not starve themselves. If my daughter does not like what is for supper she says "I am full" in which I respond "that's okay we will save this for lunch tomorrow" she then eats more or has it for lunch the next day... Back to what I make for dinner, my husband and I made a choice about a year ago to eat less meat, the meat I do eat is ethically raised and/ or organic therefore expensive and forces us to eat less.

I hope the majority of my meals are vegetarian, I also promise the majority of them will be quick, edible and healthy. I must forewarn we really like ethnic food.

So here it goes I challenge myself to be creative in the kitchen not to make the same meal in a two week period and never make a dish more than twice a month.

Tonight's dinner Broccoli and Stew Tofu with Indonesian Ketjup and rice. Indonesian Ketjup is one of my stables you can buy this at the dutch import store or sometimes Asian markets. I used to make this with ground beef instead of Tofu however ever since I discovered StewTofu I don't mind using it as a substitute. I was alway a little afraid of Tofu however this has a totally different texture less like eggs and more like chicken. This recipe takes about 20 minutes including rice.

1 Large head of broccoli cut into bite sized pieces

1-2 cups of Stewed Tofu or 1/2 pound of ground beef.

1/3 cup of Indonesian Ketjup

Stir-fry broccoli in a small amount of olive oil, keep 1/4 cup of water on side incase it sticks, cook for 5-10 minutes I like mine a little crunchy, add tofu stir-fry until heated as 1/3 cup or Ketcup heat another 2 minutes and serve over rice.

Enjoy!