La La La La Lasagna

I checked #4 off my 30 Before 30 List "Make a Lasagna" today. This was one of the first things that was put onto the list. I have not liked lasagna since I can remember, probably since I was 6 or 7. I didn't try it for probably over ten years, and then once at UMass, I tried it again and again did not like it. I recently tried it again after another 5 or 6 years and again did not like it. I was always under the assumption it was the ricotta cheese that I did not like, so I found a recipe that does not use ricotta but mozzarella and parmesan cheese instead. Instead of jarred sauce, I made a batch of my Papa Tony's sauce. In theory, I should have liked the lasagna - the sauce was amazing, the meat mixture was great, the cheese was awesome and I thought I liked all kind of pasta. After spending four hours making the lasagna between making the sauce from scratch, cooking the noodles, preparing the meat mixture and assembling the lasagna, I still didn't like it. I think maybe it's the texture of the noodles or something because I liked the taste of everything separately, but put together, I was not a fan. On the other hand, Rob said it was a success and he has his share of lasagna in his lifetime so I take his word for it. I guess I'm just destined to not like lasagna. You would think with a maiden name of Govoni, I would have to like lasagna...but I fear it will never happen. I don't regret making it, because I wanted to try it and Rob did like it and I have to work two nights this week, so now he has dinner :)

Lasagna - 9/18/11

Today's blog title is from Weird Al. 

I'll Ride the Wave Where It Takes Me

First new recipe post!!

bocconi di salmone con broccoletti
(salmon with broccoli)

I found this recipe in la cucina italiana a couple of weeks ago and although my husband does generally like seafood, he said he would be up for being brave and trying it out. Salmon was on sale last week, so I decided to try it. It was a quick and healthy weeknight dinner. It came out pretty good for my first time cooking salmon. Next time, I will add some lemon to make it more flavorful. I changed the recipe a little, here is my version:

• 1/4 cup parsley
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 pounds broccoli crowns
• 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 pounds skinless salmon fillet, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• Black pepper

Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. While water is boiling, combine parsley and garlic.

Separate broccoli crowns into florets. Cook broccoli in the boiling water until tender, about 5 minutes, then, using a slotted spoon, transfer to a colander to drain; reserve 1/2 cup of the broccoli cooking liquid.

In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. In a single layer, add salmon pieces; cook, turning once halfway through and removing thinner pieces as they are done, until pieces are cooked through but slightly pink in the center, 3 to 5 minutes, depending on thickness.

 

Return skillet to medium-high heat. Add remaining 4 tablespoons oil and heat until hot but not smoking. Add broccoli, parsley mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes. Add reserved cooking liquid, increase heat to high, and cook until broccoli is very tender and water has mostly evaporated, about 2 minutes more. 

 

salmon with broccoli - 9/8/11

 

Today's post title comes from Pearl Jam's Release. Since salmon comes from the sea, and it's the first song on the PJ20 soundtrack that I'm listening to, I thought it was appropriate :)

 

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?

Today marks the 10th Anniversary of September 11, 2001. Obviously it's a very emotional day each year and ten years later, I still remember sitting in my dorm room two weeks after I had moved into UMass and calling my mom to tell her to put the TV on. I remember sitting in the lounge glued to the tv with the other G5ers and watching President Bush's address on the couch in 511 with Rob and Eppy. I am thankful that I did not know anyone directly who was in a tower or on a plane and my thoughts are always with the families who did lose a loved one.

I was very happy to have my mom and my Aunt Carol visit this weekend. Being in New York and away from family on this day always makes me feel homesick and it was so nice having them here. I missed my dad and sister and other family members, but I am thankful for all my family and friends who are home safe with their families today.

In honor of the 10th anniversary, myself, my mom and Rob ran a 5K Run to Remember yesterday. It was the first annual event at a high school about an hour east of us and the proceeds are going to create a memorial to honor those lost in the Sachem community. The event raised close to $2,400 towards the memorial in sponsorships and race registrations. It was nice to contribute to such a great cause. Mom and I also each won a raffle prize of a gift certificate to a running store on Long Island and Mom generously gave hers to me so I can buy new running shoes with the combined certificates.

The run was held on the school's cross country course, which we found out (during one of the many hills on the course) is the hardest course on Long Island. Of the three of us, Rob finished first, Mom finished second, and I brought up the rear. Mom and Rob met me towards the finish line and ran the last leg with me, which I appreciated very much. Considering that none of us routinely run on trails, we all lost some training time due to Hurricanes, and I had strep throat last week, I am proud of all of us for completing the race. Again, it felt so great to support the cause and it was fantastic to share the day with my husband, my son, my mom and my aunt.

Running a 5K is one of the items on my "30 Before 30" list and I'm very happy that the 9-11 5K Run to Remember was my first of what I hope will be at least a few this year. Next up, the Plymouth Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day.

Today's post title is from Alan Jackson's "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)." 

                     Mom, Matthew and I

Action shot from the beginning of the race

I Just Can't Stay Inside All Day, I Gotta Get Out Get Me Some of Those Rays

To "say goodbye" to summer, the Carlsons took a trip to Eisenhower Park today on labor day. Our original plan was to go to the Bronx Zoo today, but rain was in the forecast so we decided to stay local (it didn't rain, by the way). It all worked out perfectly, we had a wonderful day at the park! It started out with a picnic and then we played on the picnic blanket. Matthew was trying to get to the grass which was pretty funny to watch. He is starting to really move around more, not quite crawling, but getting very close.

After our picnic lunch (of PJ &J sandwiches for Mommy and Daddy and a bottle for Matthew), we walked over to the playground. Matthew had been on swings before when we went camping in July, but now that he's  older, he loved them even more! The playground was pretty big, but many of things were for older kids, but we did find a plane that Matthew could sit at and drive. It was pretty fantastic. 

For dinner we (Rob and I) had turkey burgers. I ground some meat separately and crumbled it up with some pieces of american cheese for Matthew. A baby turkeyburger! It was not his favorite, but it was a new texture so we'll see how it goes next time :) 

All in all, it was a wonderful way to celebrate Labor Day and the end of summer. Can't wait to start our fall fun! 

Today's title comes from a song from the Brady Bunch movie. This could be a legit song, but when I think about it, I picture this version.

There's Nothing You Can't Do... (My 30 Before 30 List)

A few months ago, I read something about a "30 before 30 list" (a list the writer wanted to complete before they turned 30) and it got me thinking. I turn 30 on October 15, 2012 and there are some specific things I wanted to do within the next year. We have been living in New York for 3 years and tried to take advantage of the city as much as possible. I've gone to Broadway shows, seen the Rockettes, walked the Brooklyn Bridge, went to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, been to all 5 boroughs, and seen many of the other touristy things to do here...but there's still so much more! So that is where my list began and after weeks of brainstorming and thinking, I finally completed the list. I have a little less than 13 and a 1/2 months to complete it, but I'm confident I will succeed. I wanted to include a variety of categories...events/sites I want to see and do, physical goals, cooking goals, and things I personally wanted to do. I also wanted to only include things that are within my control and that I think I can realistically complete by 10/15/12.


I would like to note that although I made this list, it's just for fun. I am extremely happy with what I have accomplished and experienced in my 28 years and 10 and a 1/2 months. I had my dream wedding and married my best friend. I gave birth to the most amazing little boy. We moved away from Massachusetts to try out a new area. I received my degree, my Masters, and landed a job doing exactly what I wanted. I've been on a cruise and done some travelling around the US (and Mexico). 


So here goes....in no particular order:


Jackie's 30 Before 30 List:

1. Visit a zoo in New York
2. Run a 5K
3. Hold my son’s hand as he walks by himself
4. Make a lasagna
5. Cheer on my husband as he receives his MBA
6. Visit the Met
7. Drink a Long Island Iced Tea on Long Island
8. Take a tour of the Brooklyn brewery
9. Walk on the beach in the Hamptons
10. Create a new blog to record memories
11. Try 30 new recipes and blog about each one
12. Eat real sushi
13. Watch all the Harry Potter movies again in order
14. Complete 100 consecutive push ups
15. Watch “Casablanca” and “Gone with the Wind”
16. Ride the carousel in Central Park
17. Ride the feris wheel at Coney Island
18. Try a wine from each of the 50 states
19. Complete a crossword puzzle
20. Take a tour of Fenway Park
21. Listen to all of Pearl Jam’s studio albums in entirety
22. See at least 3 more Broadway shows
23. Complete 3 scrapbooks
24. Sample cupcakes from Sprinkles, Magnolias and Carlo’s bakeries
25. Ride on a motorcycle
26. Buy myself a pair of kickass heels
27. Try a spinning class
28. See a plastic surgeon about the age spot on my cheek
29. Go to dinner with all my siblings, just the 4 of us
30. Read/reread 3 novels from high school English class.

If you have a list or had a similar list (doesn't have to be specifically before 30) what would be on it?

The song lyric for today's post comes from "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z!

With Alicia and Mom on Thanksgiving 2009 heading in to NYC to watch the parade!