Thursday, December 10, 2009

Beef & Broccoli

Hope you all are having a nice Thursday. I disappeared for a few days and apologize for my absence. After discussing the hectic-ness that has been these last few weeks with Josh, I have decided to slow down my blogging a bit and spend more time enjoying life. I know you all understand! Instead of daily dinner posts, you will start seeing more sporadic postings a time or two a week with recipes or just fun info about what is going on with us. I hope you will continue to read.

Workouts this week have been fabulous thus far:

  • Monday: Taught Body Pump, ran 2 miles
  • Tuesday: Taught Body Attack
  • Wednesday: Ran 2 miles, 45 minute Spin
  • Thursday (to be): Teach 45 minute Body Step, 45 minute Body Pump
  • Friday (to be): Short run or off
  • Saturday (to be): Teach Body Step
  • Sunday (to be): Off

I also got my new releases for Pump, Step and Attack! Very exciting, but overwhelming to know how much choreography I need to learn:

I have made and posted about this recipe before (based on this cooks.com recipe), but it really is a great home version of takeout and Josh LOVES it, so figured it was worth a second post. This can be placed on top of rice (or any of your other favorite grains).

Beef and Broccoli

Ingredients:
Quick Brown Rice (or other favorite grain, Josh requested none this time around)
1 tbsp. cornstarch
2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 lb. thin beef
Olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced (or desired amount of jarred garlic)
1/4 tsp. red pepper, crushed, dried
2 c. chopped broccoli
1/2 c. beef broth

Directions:
In a bowl, combine cornstarch and soy sauce with a whisk. Coat thin beef with sauce, cover and refrigerate for 2-4 hours (or overnight). Drain, Reserve marinade (important!!). Cut beef into thin, bite sized strips.

Cook rice (or other grain) according to package directions.

Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to electric skillet or skillet on cook top on medium-low (250 degrees). Add garlic and red pepper. Cook for 2 minutes and remove- place in same bowl as reserved marinade. Add 1 tablespoon oil and broccoli, cook 2 minutes and remove to separate bowl. Add 1 tablespoon oil and beef and cook 3 minutes or until lightly browned. Add beef broth, reserved marinade and garlic/red pepper, bring to boil, stirring constantly, cook for 1 minute. Add broccoli and cook 2-3 minutes or until broccoli is at desired tenderness (make sure you don't burn the sauce). Serve with rice.

Do you have a favorite take out at home recipe?

58 comments:

Abby (Abbys Vegan Eats) said...

Ill def continue to read!!! Post when you want.. enjoy life ;) :)

Jessica said...

That looks so good! We make homemade pizza, but that is about the only thing we replicate!

Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) said...

Of course I'll still read! :)

Andy would totally love that dish!

Lauren said...

l definitely keep reading! Blogging every day does get to be a lot sometimes and starts to feel like a chore. I hope you get to enjoy life a little more!

Tasha - The Clean Eating Mama said...

It is VERY hard to blog full time while living and working full time. Good for you for prioritizing to your own families needs.

Veggies, Cake & Cocktails said...

Of course I will continue to read your blog. You have great posts.

I think this dish is something both my husband and I would like.

Unknown said...

can i come visit so we can do body pump together???

Sarah @ The Foodie Diaries said...

I loooove homemade cold sesame noodles--so much better than most take out versions!

vanillasugarblog said...

girl this is my go-to meal on so many nights. I love adding in water chesnuts.
I don't know how you can post once a day, that would be hard for me.

Pam said...

Good for you girlee! I will miss you every day, but completely understand. I too have been re-vamping my blogging time also...it can be too addictive.

Btw, very nice dinner!

Enjoy!

vanillasugarblog said...

oh, and I'll only keep reading IF Frankster is in there somewhere.
:-P

Anonymous said...

O Erica i am with you on the slow down when life gets crazy!! Take your sweet time :) So i've been taking body combat lately at my new gym! I don't quiiite know how I feel about it...it's almost a little slow for my liking, and a little too martial arts based i think for me?? I heard body pump is awesome so that's next on my list :D

Holly said...

That is completely understandable...you are one busy girl!! We'll always be here to read. :-)

I have an asian stirfry that I make that's similar to what I get at a Chinese restaurant here...so good and EASY.

Janetha @ meals + moves said...

your workout schedules are always so impressive. love that! that version of b&b looks yummy~my boyfriend would love it, he always gets beef & broccoli! thanks~xoxo

Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather said...

I'll definately keep up with ya! Life comes first and you've got to do what's best for yourself girl.

K from ksgoodeats said...

No way! You MUST post every single day so I can get my Itzy's Kitchen fix ;)

Kidding!! Post when you want - I'll still be reading! Real life ALWAYS comes before the blog (especially when it includes watching Housewives)!

homecookedem said...

I had to do the same thing back in October - up until then I was posting pretty much daily, but realized I was missing out on a lot of relaxation time with Andrew b/c of putting all my time and energy into posts everyday. Good for you for stepping back a little if you feel you need it! :) We'll still be here and reading, of course!! :)

That beef and broccoli sure does look yummy!! :)

Krista said...

Beef and broccoli is one of the best!

You bet I'll stuill be reading!!!!

Anonymous said...

Do think that this would work with chicken and chicken broth? I think my fiance would love it but I don't eat beef.

I have a hard time blogging everyday too. No worries!

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

Girl I completely totally and fully understand the blogging situation. I often times wonder what I am doing?!?!! I spend more time at my screen than with my child some times and that's just not right. I commend you for stepping back. This world will always be here; in the meantime, enjoy your REAL life :)

We're off for a trip. In like 4 hrs. If I am not as good with my commenting the next few weeks, please forgive :) You know Im reading and loving you..always!

I was going to tell you that with or without your opening line, but yeah, I know you understand :)

Maria said...

I don't know how people post multiple times a day or even every day. I am glad you are taking it slow-enjoy your life:) You can't get rid of me:) We don't eat out much and I dont like how fast food or take out tastes sooo I don't know what to share:) We make a really good whole wheat veggie pizza: http://twopeasandtheirpod.com/recipe-for-whole-wheat-veggie-pizza/
The dough is SO easy and SO good!

Julie said...

i'm pretttty sure you should open up your own chinese restaurant and call it "itzy's kitchen" hahaha i would for sure order from there. i just hope theres free delivery to ny..

girl you do you! we'll still be here ;)

Dawn Dishes It Out said...

Enjoy life absolutely!! The beef & broc looked yummy.

Nicci said...

Beef and Broccoli sounds so good! Enjoy some for me!

Ashley Lauren said...

I've stepped back a bit myself, so I totally understand! I hope you're not too overwhelmed and all is going well! :)

~M~ said...

I like making coconut curry :)

Blog when you want + don't when you are busy!

The Purple Carrot said...

We will all still ready, of course!! (At least I know I will ; ) And I'll look forward to each post, whenever they might be!

Enjoy the enjoying of life!! :D

Tracy said...

I could never post every day! Enjoy life!

Stephanie @ cookinfanatic said...

You know I'll keep reading girl!!! :) The stir fry looks great - beef and broc holds kind of a special & fun place in my heart bc it was my lil sister's fave meal when she was little and she alwayyyyysssss asked for it haha, reminds me of those years!

Naomi(Onefitfoodie) said...

awesome workout week, Erica! you are rockin in with this les mills stuff!

beef and brocolli sounds delish! I love making stirfry with peanut sauce I guess you could call that thai?

xo

Holly said...

i am TOTALLY with you on stepping back girl - especially with the holidays around the corner, we need to enjoy every little bit of fun, food and family. obv i will read my dear - love ya!

Anonymous said...

great workout girl! and that looks SO GOOD! i will read no matta what :)

Trying To Heal said...

woooo! I have had this beef and broccoli at a vegan restaurant and it's my favorite...omg i love it. but i've never been able to get the sauce right! i totally want to try how you did it!!!

Esi said...

I completely understand! I had to slow waaay down as well. Of course I will keep coming back always to see what you're up to :)

VENNILLA said...

Hi friend this is vennilla here.. ur doing a really good job.. can we exchange links..

Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete said...

Good for you for wanting to enjoy your life!! I don't work (since we are out of the country for a while), but I go to school full time and volunteer teaching spin all the time, and volunteer for about 4 things more on top of that. Blogging everyday can add more stress to one's life even if you love doing it! Plus, my husband starts to feel neglected!

Lauren said...

I 1000% support your decision to back off a bit from blogging! TOtally understandable, especially during such a crazy time of year. I've had so much time on my hands this past week from being off from work, but I know that it's about to change really soon. Blogging will probably have to take a back seat in my life too. ;)

Enjoy your weekend darling.

lauren said...

I totally understand you wanting to back off blogging a little bit! I have done the same and feel like I write now when I feel like it. Not because I feel like I have too. Makes it more enjoyable.

Your weekly teaching schedule is impressive!

teresa said...

mmm, we're big beef adn broccoli fans, this looks wonderful! i know what you mean about the blogging thing. i've had to back off several times for the same reasons. we'll always be here for you though!

CaSaundraLeigh said...

Blogging does take up a lot of time and I think it's definitely necessary to take some time "off", especially during the holidays when everything else is hectic as well.

Broccoli/beef is one of my dad's favs as well--must be a man thing!

Anonymous said...

Pump 72 isn't bad. SOme good music too. YAY Kelly Clarkson. lol

Diana @ frontyardfoodie said...

Looks exactly like what I used to order from Chinese restaurants......You're good.

Anonymous said...

LOVE the beef and broccoli combo!! do you run the bridge a lot in charleston? i would so love to do that if i lived there!

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

This is a great quick meal! I love tour TJ's post...one of my favorite grocery stores!

Anonymous said...

Go enjoy life, girl! I'll still be reading!

theemptynutjar said...

I always read Erica. If you don't post I just move on, but I just check :) You should post whenever you want, there is no obligation to do it every day or any time frame. Your readers like your personality, they will check even if you only blog once a week.

Janna (Just Flourishing) said...

I've always wanted to be a fitness instructor but I'm terrified of all the choreography!

Yum Yucky said...

Why is another woman's head pasted onto my body on that DVD cover?

Isn't that against the laws of nature?

Angelalovesfood said...

Of course I'll read! take that time off and enjoy time with your love. He is right, but that only means more adventure to fill us in in one jam packed blog! haha

Have a great weekend

Anonymous said...

Do you find it difficult to cook meat since you don't eat meat?

Anonymous said...

Mmmmm.... Thanks for sharing. My husband will LOVE this I think! Enjoy your free time...I will definitely keep reading when you do post!

The Blonde Duck said...

I bet Ben would love this. I shall try it!

Kerstin said...

Mmmm, your beef with broccoli looks perfect! I need to learn how to make empress chicken at home because that's what I always order!

Anonymous said...

I think it's really important that you do what is best for you - with you working and teaching classes, I'm amazed you're able to get everything done AND blog every day. Life goes by way too fast to not take time to spend it with people you love. :)

Anna said...

Good luck on everything! And yes, I will totally keep reading :D

on the takeout at home front, my mom and I make a mad pizza (usually two.. one with red onions and pepperoni and one with spinach and artichoke)

Anonymous said...

We'll be here when you post - totally understand! :D

Erica said...

Anon- How are you? No, I do not find it difficult to cook meat since I don't eat it. My husband is a big meat eater and just loves it. I just figure everyone has their foods of choice and have no problem making them, whatever they may be :)

Katie said...

I need to take a queue from you and make Ari meat... I just don't know how to tell if it's done or OVERdone.

Still reading :-)

For some reason I haven't been able to comment with my regular username, but it's Katie from Lilveggiepatch :-(