Easter Lamb

Remember Thanksgiving and Jamie Oliver's lamb my dad and I made? We decided to try Rachel Ray's version for Easter (it just seemed right to eat lamb after seeing all the cartoon lambs all over the place...haha). And, I can't believe I'm saying this, but Rachel's lamb was better than Jamie's. A LOT better. Like... "holy crap you need to make this for your next family par-tay" better.

herb-crusted leg o' lamb

It was soooo easy! Check out the recipe here. The coolest part? You wrap the whole thing in parchment paper, marinate it, and bake it for 3 hours - which creates the most moist, succulent, and flavorful lamb ever. Period.

While the lamb was marinating in it's little pouch (and the lemon, EVOO, and fresh herbs were permeating the meat), we all went out on Dad's boat for a little jaunt on Houston Lake. It was the perfect day to go - it was sunny, not sweltering, and no one was out!

The parents! :)

Rollin' down the River
(or lake, rather...)

Lily pads!

Soaking up some rays

Moi

Enough of the beautiful outdoors, right? Back to the meal...

After we baked it for 3 hours...

It's like opening an Easter present!

Ohhhh yeah...

I forgot to mention we did eat things other than lamb on Easter (lol): Mom's homemade tabbouli, sweet peas with sauteed shitake mushrooms, and fresh baked sourdough bread. Also- Rachel's recipe had a minty shallot sauce that one would serve with the lamb. I think I could have bathed in it. No joke.

I can't take this picture. I must look away.

I had to end on this picture. I'm literally laughing out loud right now at my father's face. :) I think it sums up the whole occasion! Happy eating, everyone!

~ Mari

BLTA (Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato and Avocado Salad)

The BLT is arguably one of the best sandwiches ever. Let's face it: bacon is arguably one of the best things ever. So, I decided to make them for dinner last night. Then I started thinking... how could I make a healthy version of the classic sandwich? Now, I certainly can't take the fat out of the bacon, but I used low sodium bacon. Then I thought about creating a salad version of the tastiest of sandwiches. The majority of the meal is fresh and tasty boston lettuce and arugula and instead of two huge pieces of bread, I made croutons!

BLTA Salad

1 small head boston lettuce
A few handfuls of arugula
1 tomato
1 avocado
4 pieces low sodium bacon
3 slices bread (I used homemade sourdough, but any good stale bread will work)
1-2 Tbsp. EVOO
Salt & pepper
spices to taste
dressing of choice (I made a homemade honey mustard vinaigrette)

Put the bacon in a cold pan and turn up to medium-high heat. Once they are crispy and browned, remove them from the pan and place on a paper towel to cool and crisp-up. Wash, tear, and dry the lettuce. Dice the bread slices, tomato and avocado. Take the bread and toss it with EVOO, salt, pepper, and spices (I used dried italian herbs). Saute them in a pan or pop them in the oven (on 400) for about 10 minutes - until crispy. Now, assemble the salad! Toss everything together and add the dressing!

There it be! :) Enjoy this sandwich-turned-salad guilt-free!

~ Mari