Installing A New Stove - Goodbye Ole Whitey

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We have now officially been in this house for a week, and the tweaks have already begun.

At first, we thought we may be able to hack it with the old white stove for a little while. The rest of the appliances are stainless steel, so despite wanting a new stove to match that, we weren't sure we could justify buying a new one for purely cosmetic reasons when there are other, bigger projects calling us (I'm preparing to go at the bathroom with a freaking hammer).



But, there's always a contingency clause, and for us, keeping Ole Whitey was contingent upon cleanliness and functioning. Unfortunately (or fortunately?), Ole Whitey ended up with a few issues...

First, the clock didn't work. We tried setting it a few times and it would seem to work but then the next morning it would be back to flashing --:--. <--what's up with that?

Second, it was missing a rack inside (it had only one), meaning we could only cook one thing at a time. I need a high functioning oven because I like to cook ALL THE THINGS. We could probably have bought some new racks, but it felt like 'polishing a turd' to do that. You can fancy it up all you want, but it's still a stinking turd.

I can't believe I am referencing turds on my blog.

Third, it's an old stove, so it was DIRRRRRTY inside (see above). Could we have cleaned it? Yes. Did we want to clean the heck out of a stove with problems #1 and 2? Nope.

After a while, my husband managed to convince me we needed to just buy a new stove. I was on the fence about it for a while, but he kept reminding me that I use the stove at least once a day (usually twice, but who's counting?!), so it would not only be a good investment for the kitchen, but also a good investment into my daily experience.

The fact that I resisted for a while still amazes me. You want to buy me a new stove? Twist my arm already!

We ended up ordering a new one from Best Buy. We wanted something stainless, gas-run, and with burners that have varying intensities. There is not a lot of space for the stove in this kitchen, so we replaced it with the same size we had before, which is 30 inches.

Our dishwasher is GE, and we ended up getting the same brand for the stove, but it was somewhat unintentional.

Why did we go with Best Buy? They had the best deal on the stove we wanted, they offered free delivery, and they were willing to recycle the old stove.

They delivered the stove a few days later, but it was up to us to actually hook it up. We turned off the gas and got to work, and it ended up being pretty simple: Just attach the gas to the new stove (it screws in; ours had an adapter we removed from the old stove and kept), seal it, and plug the stove in to the wall (aka get power). Then, all you have to do is scoot it into place without scratching your floor.

Now that it is in place, I am in love with it. It really did make a huge difference both visually and functionally, and I think it helps the kitchen look a bit more "grown up" and cohesive.

The design of the stove also helps hide a design oddity of our kitchen. Because the top of the new stove is curved/domed instead of flat, it doesn't make it as obvious that the stove, itself, is actually overlapping somewhat with the doorway trim. We have considered doing a renovation to shave off some of the counter/cabinet space in order to get rid of this overlap, but at this point, it seems like a lot of cost for a somewhat minor issue, so this was a nice tweak for the meantime.

There is also a neat feature on this stove that will allow me to very efficiently heat my huge pots - such as my large oval le creuset. In the center, there is a tall, oval burner that will be perfect for those kind of crockpot-like shapes.

 And there you have it. So far, so good. Now, let me get back to cooking...

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

• Do you think it is a big improvement?
• Have you ever replaced a stove?
• What "changes" do you think go the farthest in updating a kitchen?

Mozzarella Naan with Basil and Balsamic Glaze (And My Hump Day Resolution)

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Before I share the recipe, I've got to share these First World Problems I've Had Today:

• Instagram Filters... Don't you hate it when you just can't decide which Instagram filter looks best? Should I go with Walden or Valencia? Or Amaro? I need a second opinion! What a dork... Does this happen to other people?
• Silly Pinky... My work computer is a PC. My personal computer is a Mac. My fingers are all confused. The short keys for copying and pasting are different and require my left pinky to hit Ctrl on the PC but Command on the Mac and THEY ARE IN DIFFERENT PLACES! This leads me to endless frustration as I go from one to the other. Why isn't my stuff pasting? Is my computer broken? No, silly, your brain just can't figure out how to make the change from PC to Mac to PC to Mac... 
• Clumpy Caffeine... I just stirred a Starbucks Refresher powder pack into my water. It's clumpy. No me gusta.
• Dark Photos... The photos for this recipe were shot at night in my mom's kitchen. That means they are D-A-R-K, D-A-R-K, DARK DARK DARK! Darker than the ocean, darker than the sea... Dark. Which makes me sad. Because dark photos are sad. Right?

We all have these silly issues that drive us nuts, right? Well, here's my Hump Day Resolution. I will laugh at myself. Laugh at my indecision over Instagram filters, my poor little pinky that is permanently confused, and the odd powder clumps in my drink. Because you know what? It's a wonderful day, I had a great workout, and, gosh darnit, I'm writing a book that kicks ass. Oh, and I've got something delicious to share. That pretty much takes the cake naan.

This is my new favorite thing. Yuhhhm. It's pretty much a fancier, yet easier version of homemade pizza. Credit to my lovely mother, who came home one fine day with a few pieces of Naan from Costco and a hunk of delicious Mozzarella. Add to that some fresh Basil from the yard and some delicious Balsamic Glaze and VOILA! You've got Heaven on Naan. Sounds like a movie title.

Mozzarella Naan with Basil and Balsamic Glaze

Ingredients:

• 1 piece prepared Naan
• Fresh cubed Mozzerella
• 3 leaves Basil, ripped into smaller pieces
• Balsamic Glaze (or Balsamic Vinegar), for drizzling

Directions:

1. Set a toaster oven to 350 (or regular oven).
2. Sprinkle Basil on the Naan bread.
3. Cut up Mozzarella into 1/4x1/4inch squares and spread on Naan, about 1/2 inch apart, on top of the Basil.
4. Bake/toast for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and just begins to brown.
5. Remove from heat and drizzle Balsamic Glaze or Balsamic Vinegar on top.
6. Devour :)

Cinnamon Almond Banana Chips

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Crunchy round chips that have the sweetness of bananas and almond extract, with just a bit of cinnamon kick. Swap these with chips for a healthy, sweet-tasting snack!

You know what? Sometimes, you just deserve chips. Here's a news bulletin for you, though: chips are bad for you. They're filled with fat, trans fat, carbs, and carcinogens... none of which will keep you healthy (or, quite honestly, happy).

Yet, you deserve to have a little crunch in your life. That's where these delicious banana chips come in!

There's something very special about making your own chips. You always end up with less than you thought you'd yield (meaning that there's less in front of you to chow on). Second, when you make something yourself, you'll cherish every bite - because YOU brought those babies onto this earth (good job!)!

In the end, you're subbing these health-packed banana chips for health-destroying regular ones, you're eating less of them, and yet you're cherishing every bite. Sounds like a win-win-win to me. What could be better?

Cinnamon Almond Banana Chips

Servings: 2
Calories: 57
Bake Time: 60-90min

Ingredients:

• 1 Banana
• 1/2 Lemon, juiced
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 tsp Almond Extract

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 215 degrees.
2. Peel banana and cut into 1/8" slices
3. Combine lemon juice, cinnamon, and almond extract in a small, shallow bowl. Dip each banana slice into the mixture, then set on a greased cookie sheet.
4. Bake for ~60 Minutes. Depending on the consistency of your slices, you may want to check on them periodically (perhaps every 15 minutes), starting at about 45 minutes. For thinner chips, they may be ready around this time. If your slices are thicker, you may need to wait 15-30 minutes longer.

Looking for other healthy recipes? Try these!

• Kale Chips
• Chocolate Mousse Filled Cupcakes
• Chickpea Choco Chip Cookies
• Protein Chocolate Banana Pancakes

Recipe | Grapefruit Brulee

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A month or so ago, I came across a recipe for Grapefruit Brulee with Yogurt and Blueberry Sauce over at Ambitious Kitchen. Not only did it look delicious, but it also incorporated grapefruit, which is a fruit I often crave but haven't got creative with yet.

One morning, I was determined to get creative with grapefruit... but didn't have the ingredients necessary for the recipe I'd seen.

Thus began my typical method for cooking. It goes kind of like this...

"I don't have that thing the recipe says I need... what other crap do I have lying around that I can use instead?"

And that's where the fun starts. That's how I end up with 60 calorie sparkling water cupcakes, 100 calorie cake balls, and Skinny Monkey (the Chunky Monkey Substitute).

Check it out...

*From CalorieCount

Recipe | Oven Baked Sweet Banana Oatmeal

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There's something about bananas that are, at the same time, both delicious and fresh but also filling. I've used them in Skinny Monkey Pudding (Chunky Monkey Ice Cream's skinnier cousin), Banana Nut Muffins with Peanut Butter Whip Frosting (peanut butter and bananas should really start making children), and Low-Fat Frozen Banana Ice Cream, just to name a few.

But those are all desserts. What about breakfast? After experimenting with Healthy Breakfast Coffee Cake, I realized how amazing it is to create a breakfast dish that doesn't require hours of morning prep time (after all, that's when you're still hooked up to the caffeine IV, right?!).  Inspired by this delicious banana oatmeal breakfast, I came up with a much tastier, much heartier, and much longer lasting recipe. By making a casserole-dish full of oven-baked oatmeal, you can serve it immediately or heat it up the next morning... In my house, we stretched it out for 3 or 4 days. And we ate every last bite! This recipe for oven-baked sweet banana oatmeal will impress everyone from your health-conscious sister to your sugar-craving kid.

Ingredients:

...for oatmeal:

• 2 ½ cups oats
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 2-3 bananas, sliced

...for topping:

• 2 tablespoons oats
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon whole wheat
• 2 tablespoons softened butter 

...serving additions:

• Skim milk (to taste)
• Whipped cream (to taste) 
• Honey (to taste) 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Combine first 5 ingredients (listed as "Ingredients for oatmeal") in a large casserole dish (food will be cooked and served from this dish).
   
3. Slice bananas and add to oatmeal.
   
4. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, combine remaining ingredients other than butter (first three ingredients listed under "Ingredients for topping") and mix well.
6. Using your fingers, add softened butter. Mix until you have created a crumbly mixture.
7. Remove oatmeal from the oven and add this mixture across the top. Then, return to oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes or until topping begins to brown.
   
8. If serving immediately: Put a square of oatmeal in serving dish and pour skim milk over top, then add whipped cream to taste.
   If serving following morning: Refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve, preheat the oven to 325 and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until it has reached a desirable temperature. Put a square of oatmeal in serving dish and pour skim milk over top, then add whipped cream to taste and lightly drizzle honey on top.
   

Additional photos: