Recipes and Funny Student Writings

This healthy living thing sure is yummy!  In the past two days, I've made two recipes that are deeelicious!  The first was a Turkey, Bean and Vegetable Chili that we had last night and this morning was an asparagus, bacon and cheese strata (shown at right).  I was a little nervous at making this because A) I didn't know if my cast iron skillet would come through for me and B) I didn't know if it would turn out right.  On both counts, I need not have worried.  And for those well-versed in weight watchers (which I'm not doing but I've been using their recipes) it's 5 points.  Here's the recipe for those interested.  I will be taking this for breakfast for the next couple days since there were 8 servings. 

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp olive oil, or vegetable oil
• 4 slice(s) uncooked turkey bacon, diced
• 1/2 cup(s) (chopped) uncooked onion(s), diced
• 2 cup(s) uncooked asparagus, fresh, or frozen and thawed, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 spray(s) cooking spray
• 6 slice(s) reduced-calorie whole wheat bread
• 4 large egg(s)
• 5 large egg white(s)
• 3/4 cup(s) fat-free skim milk
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp table salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 cup(s) low-fat shredded Cheddar cheese, about 4 oz

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add bacon and cook, stirring, until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Add onion and asparagus; sauté until vegetable are soft, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove vegetables from pan and set aside.
2. Preheat broiler.
3. Off heat, coat same skillet with cooking spray. Arrange bread slices tightly in bottom of skillet.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, egg whites, milk, mustard, salt and pepper; pour over bread and allow milk mixture to soak in entirely (like when you make French toast). Sprinkle bread with 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese.
5. Place skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Cook, shaking pan frequently to promote even cooking, until almost cooked through to the top, about 4 or 5 minutes.
6. Place skillet under broiler to set eggs, about 2 minutes. Remove skillet from broiler; top with bacon-vegetable mixture, cheddar cheese and remaining tablespoon of Parmesan cheese. Place skillet under broiler again until cheese melts, about 1 to 2 minutes.

And now for some Stupid Funny Student Writings.  As I discussed several weeks ago, I assigned the kids a writing assignment.  They were to write a letter of apology to someone that they had hurt.  Now this was somewhat of a disaster.  Why?  Well, some of the kids obviously don't understand what an apology is because the majority of the letters went something like this:  "Dear so-and-so, I'm sorry I was mean to you for doing whatever it was your were doing but you were annoying me and basically it's your fault.  Next time, in order to avoid having to apologize I will ignore you and walk away."  Super!  But the best, the absolute BEST letter was the one below:

"This is a letter to ______________. I lost my tempure and then said somethings I should not have just becuse she brake my heart and I was so angery I called her a no good low down cheting lier and then I called her a ho and a hooker and a backstambing little and a hore."

Um, I'm not really seeing where the apology is in that letter. I think I need to explain to my student that admitting to calling someone a "ho" and "hore" is not the same as apologizing for it. Oh, and by the way - I kept the misspellings in to give you a sense of the deciphering I have to deal with every day. This one is pretty good though. Oh, and this student is a senior. Awesome!

K - well, that's all I have for now. I'm making a Weight Watchers Chicken Pot Pie for dinner tonight. Should be delicious. I'll let you know. Later!