Piperade Pie

I just have to share with y'all this delicious egg pie- not quite a quiche, but perhaps a handsome Basque cousin of a quiche.  A friend brought this to us post baby, and it was devoured immediately.  I had it for dinner, then breakfast, then lunch.  Now that glorious tomato season is upon us, I cannot wait to make it again with fresh Grainger county tomatoes, or some out of my dear neighbor's bountiful vegetable garden.  I used store bought whole wheat pie crust, which I overcooked a bit.  This did not harm the flavor, but I would swath the crust with an aluminum foil shield.  I doubled the recipe and made two pies, one of which went into the freezer.

• Ingredients:
• 4 1/2 Tbsp. Olive oil
• 1 1/4  heaping cup coarsely chopped red bell peppers
• 3/4  heaping cup coarsely chopped onions
• 8 Tbsp. Chopped green onions
• 1 Tbsp. Minced garlic
• 3 cups drained peeled tomatoes chopped
• 2 tsp. Dried basil, or 2 tbsp. Fresh basil
• 1 Tbsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 6 dashes tobacco
• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 6 eggs lightly beaten
• 1 pie crust

• 
  
  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• 
  
  To make the filling, in a large skillet over medium heat, sauté peppers and onions in live oil until wilted. Stir in garlic. Add tomatoes, basil salt pepper and Tabasco. Slowly simmer cook to reduce the liquid (abut 10 mins). Stir in butter, and then mix in the eggs. Pour mixture into pie shell and Bake until set, about 30 minutes. Allow to rest before serving.

It's perfect for a ladies luncheon or a light dinner served with a green salad, or an ideal brunch dish with fruit.  Packed with veggies, Piperade Pie is a great way to celebrate my favorite season.  Can y'all tell that I really love this dish?  Unsurprising, considering egg dishes seem to be my main form of subsistence these days, much to Hubs' chagrin.  He is under the impression that they aren't substantial enough for dinner.  However, this dish made him a believer.

Hostess With the Mostess and Grocery Store Feet

Miss Priss hosted her first pool party Saturday.  It was rather hysterical.  The triplets and Caitlin attended.

Caitlin was very relaxed.

Miss Priss was especially pleased that a cute older boy attended her party.

Since no meltdowns had occurred, the guys ran to get barbecue and baby food, and we had dinner by the pool.

I'm glad that she had her first party before the current onset of grumpy behavior began on Sunday afternoon.  I'm afraid the next step for her reflux/GERD is seeing a specialist.  We are seeing her doctor tomorrow morning to check things out.  Has anyone been to a pediatric gastroenterologist?  Please give me some information if so!

I made stuffed shells times three this weekend- two new babies to admire, and my mama had surgery on Tuesday, so I wanted to have some for my family as well.

Good thing I have her kitchen, as mine currently looks like this-

Floors are in and cabinets are being painted! (River Gorge Gray by Benjamin Moore, in case you are curious).  I am too tickled.

Finally, my primary indicators of summer have arrived.  I have white trash legs (mosquito bit, bruised, and scratched up) and grocery store feet.  I am a professional lady!  I wear suits and high heels.  How is it the minute the weather heats up, I manage to look like a 4th grader hanging out at the ball park eating hot dogs?  It's a mystery for the ages.

The 5-7 Diet (Eat More to Stay Slim!)

This is me a year ago.  This is the size I would like to be now.  I'm just 5-7 pounds away, but my body is different post baby.  After Dell Harper threw here first pool party this weekend (more to come on that adorable baby-fest), I realized that swimsuit season is here to stay.  Time to get serious!

Now I am loathe to diet in general, but especially while nursing.  I need plenty of fat and calories to pass along to Miss Priss.  However, the easiest way for me to lose weight involves nary a counted calorie or point.  All I do is make sure I get 5-7 (preferably 7+) servings of fruits and vegetables a day.  As long as I get those veggies and fruit in, I can eat whatever I want!  I think your body fills up so much on all those nutrients, that you can't overindulge too terribly in food that isn't as healthy.

So, I'm upping my apples and cutting back on the desserts.  Here's a typical day on my 5-7 plan (keep in mind I'm nursing so eating more than normal):

Breakfast: 3 Mini Freezer Fritattas (2 vegetable servings)
Snack: Apple and string cheese (1 Fruit)
Lunch: Quinoa Salad with veggies, brownie (2 veggie servings)
Snack: cherry tomatoes, turkey, triscuits and hummus (1 veggie serving)
Dinner: Stuffed shells, garlic bread and salad. (3 veggie servings)

Right now after dinner there is a Klondike Bar (they have these Heath Bar ones now, that are to die for!).  Due to the bathing suit issue, that Klondike bar is hitting the road.  Also hitting the road?  Miss Priss and I in her stroller. My goal is the hilly 2 mile walking path at least 5 times a week.  That, combined with Jazzercise on Saturdays should be a good start.

Are y'all with me?  Bikini confidence by the end of the summer!