The Good, the Bad and the Pretty . . .

Ah Monday. It comes around every week right after Sunday and after the weekend. Just no stopping it. Some folks don't really like Mondays. I happen to be okay with this day of the week. It may begin a little rough in the mornings, but once my feet hit the ground it's always busy. I work pretty non-stop on Mondays and am always surrounded by such amazing and interesting people in my classes and training that I can't find a thing to complain about.

Since I don't have much time to hit the grocery store on Mondays I usually have a meal planned or "shop" from what's on hand. Today was a "shop" from home day. This morning, between teaching classes I used what we had and whipped up a huge pot of this:

I actually had some for lunch and again for dinner. Since I'm a sharer, here's the recipe:

VEGETABLE-BEAN SOUP

1 Can Kidney Beans (rinsed and drained)
1 Can Chili Beans (rinsed and drained)
2 cans Rotel Tomatoes
2 T Olive Oil
1 Onion, diced
1 Cup Celery, diced
1 Cup Carrots, diced
1 Clove Garlic, minced
3 Medium Zuchinni, chopped
6 Cups, low sodium Vegetable Broth
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp cumin
pepper to taste
parmesan cheese, grated, for topping

Heat oil in large pot over medium high heat. Add onion, cook, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, carrot, celery, zucchini and cook 3 minutes or so.

Stir in broth, beans, tomatoes, paprika, cumin and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cover, cooking for about 20 minutes.
Garnish with parmesan cheese, if desired.

This is definitely The Good.

And, because it's Monday AND because I am the Greatest Mom in the World, I thawed two packages of chicken wings, and made The Bad. (That my boys thought were OOOOHHHH SOOO GOOD!)

Yep. Hot Wings on a Monday night. The excitement in my kitchen was just earth shattering. Really. If you don't know me, I will tell you that frying up stuff is not what I typically do. I know these are not the healthiest option out there. However, sometimes, it's all in moderation and if my boys think I love them even more when I cook these, then so be it . . .

Here's what I did:

SEMI-HOMEADE SPICY WINGS

Ingredients

2 pounds (to 3 Pounds) Chicken Wings (I didn't have the energy to split these, but normally I would split them so there would just be little Drummettes)
Canola Oil
1 stick Butter
1 bottle Carolina's Tangy Gold Barbecue Sauce (because that's what I had on hand)
Tabasco Sauce, To Taste

In a deep skillet pour about 1 inch to 1 ½ inches of Canola oil. Begin heating the oil over medium/medium high heat. Meanwhile, put the chicken wings into a strainer and give them a good rinse.

When the oil is good and hot and "poppy" put the wings into the skillet. Keep moving them around with tongs so they don't stick to the bottom of the pan.

While the chicken is cooking melt 1 stick of butter (1cup) in a medium-sized saucepan. When it is melted add 3/4 of the bottle of the Carolina's Tangy Gold Barbecue Sauce. Stir and swirl it until it is all mixed. Next, add Tabasco sauce just like you like it. I added several big shakes to give it a kick and add to the sweet of the Carolina's sauce. to your preferred temperature.

When the chicken has cooked for about 25 minutes, and is nice and brown, take out with tongs and drain on a rack. I worked in small batches and placed half of the cooked wings in the sauce turning to coat. I left the other wings out to serve without sauce. (However, the boys ended up putting most of the "unsauced" wings in the sauce.) I placed them back on the rack to drain before serving.

Can you say Queen of the Kitchen?

That's a lot of chicken! And not one left over . . .

What a combination! The Good and The Bad!

I know it seems like a strange combination for dinner, but everyone was happy. We had something really healthy and nutritious and then something the boys thought was delicious, a treat, even though not my first choice as the healthiest side dish, it all evened out in my book.

Now to The Pretty . . .

I have never shopped on EBay, but I recently made this purchase and I love it! It's just so darn pretty! I have some old Le Creuset pieces my mom no longer wanted and I love them. They are a pale yellow and I use them often. However, I wanted a good sized pot and the blue is so perfect in my kitchen.
I'm all over EBay now!

How's your Monday? How do you feel about Mondays? Love them or Hate them? What about Spicy Wings? Love or Hate? Consider them Good or Bad? Have you bought and sold on EBay?

Here's to Monday and having a fun week!