After work today, I was feeling particularly snacky.
I was really excited to try my hand at a recipe for roasted pork chops and peaches from Real Simple, but found myself searching for something to eat to power me through the food preparation.
Orville Redenbacher’s natural buttery salt and cracked pepper popcorn did the trick!
I actually have a bad habit of snacking my way through the entire process of making dinner, so that by the time dinner is actually ready, I’m not really hungry. I’m trying to be more conscious of this little habit because I want to thoroughly enjoy my meals and digging into a delicious dinner when I’m already feeling full isn’t half as fun.
I limited myself to half of the bag of popcorn and my stomach was ready for more food by the time dinner was ready. Success!
While snacking on the popcorn, I sliced up a red onion and two nectarines and got to work creating a yummy dinner thanks to Real Simple’s recipe gurus.
I followed the recipe almost exactly, only I used dried basil in place of fresh.
Ryan had to work late tonight and he walked in the door just as I was placing dinner on the table. We both dug in, anxious to see how all of the different flavors meshed together.
This recipe was great! We both agreed that it’s one we hope to make again soon.
Off to grab a piece or two of dark chocolate before hopping into bed. I’m hoping to start The Art of Racing in the Rain tonight!
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That recipe looks fantastic Julie! I always snack way to much! Its hard not too! haha.
Do you usually go to bed right after dinner?
we usually eat around 7pm and try to be in bed by 9:30 – 10pm.
Those are some good looking snacks! You have an adorable blog, glad I found you!
thanks, shyla! i’m glad you found me, too!
yummm. I need to make something with fruit in it like this. Im thinking tilapia tacos with peach and mango salsa?
and my snackage is out of control. Either that I eat a monsterous dinner with a box of crackers, 3 pieces of bread, and caramel out of the jar for dessert. Not that that happened tonight or anything
I ALWAYS snack while making food!! Sometimes ill have to put the food I prepared aside because all the snacking will fill me up. What can I say, Im impatient 🙂
Interesting combo! Definitely looks yummy though.
I hear ya about the snacking. Today has been ridiculous for me, I just can’t stop! And now I feel that grossness feeling settling in…
Have a good night! 🙂
That recipe sounds awesome!
I snack all day long. I usually eat small meals to make up for it. Yay for snacks!
I’m such a cooking snacker. Whenever I make meals for others, I end up snacking the whole time- on the meal itself AND on other random tidbits. It’s hard not to when you’re hanging out in the kitchen for awhile!
This recipe looks awesome- I love Real Simple recipes because they really are…. real simple!
i’m glad i’m not the only one who snacks while cooking! i shovel in handfuls of cereal or dried fruit…its bad. i ran today after my classes/work was over and got home around 4:30…and literally took a bath until my husband got home at 5:30ish so i wouldn’t snack my way til he got home because i’ve been so snacky lately and have not been hungry for meals! Lol 🙂
I try n prep for my snackiness by bnringing apple slices to work or leaving out bowls of nuts, etc – sometimes though its just me elbow deep in a box of cereal. Snackings the best :p
Yum! I love adding fruit to main dishes – it adds a great freshness. Enjoy your evening! 🙂
Peach and pork sounds yummy!
That sounds amazing! I LOVE sweet/savory together!
Whoa that sounds like a fab recipe- I too am going to try that out 🙂 Have a good read, Julie
I hope you enjoy The Art of Racing in the Rain as much as I did. I couldn’t put it down. It’s an excellent read. Especially for dog lovers. :). All I could think about is my lab, Uma.
Love Real Simple, it’s simply the best! 😉
I totally snack the whole way through prepping a meal 😉 That recipe looks great!
Sounds delicious! I love adding fruit to my meals and lately have been putting it in cold grain salads with quinoa or wheat berries with a bunch of veggies. YUM! Hope you enjoy your read tonight Julie!
I think you will LOVE The Art of Racing in the Rain – especially being a dog lover! It was one of my favorite books.. it’s SO emotional and well written! Enjoy!! 🙂
I am the exact same way when it comes to snacking while preparing meals!!!! And you’re right.. by the time dinner is ready to be served… it’s not as *special* because my appetite isn’t as strong. I’ve actually been working on this, two! Esp. before going out to restaurants. I always eat something to hold me over through the wait, but often times that makes me not as hungry for my meal. (But eating the table bread maaaaay have something to do with that… hehe)
Oooh that bread basket gets me every time!
love the art of racing in the rain!
Julie-
I looove PB Fingers! Been following your posts for a while and just started my own healthy living blog! Thanks for always being an inspiration to improve my eats, workouts and overall healthy lifestyle (of course.. with a few treats in between! haha)
Being snacktastic usually hits as soon as i get home from work/gym…some undocumented “snacks” are definitely consumed!! Need to work on that! 🙂
The Art of Racing in the Rain is really interesting. It’s also a bit depressing too, but it’s told from the perspective of a dog which I REALLY like (and I’m sure you will too cause you can relate it to Sadie). I also loved it cause it took place in Seattle and that’s where I’m from originally.
I’m the worse snacker. My meals are so small because I’m not too hungry when “meal time” comes around!
I just started that book too- you are going to bawl your eyes out!!
cracked pepper is the FLAVOR? I have to find this. oh yes.
p.s. I loved this ABC’s from earlier. I’m 5’5.5”, and I usually say 5’6”. I’m an even bigger cheater than you…
I always snack while making food. Even if it’s just a bite before I go and eat the real thing, I just can’t wait 😀
i love that flavor combo!.. I HAVEN’t had POPCORN in agess– WHY is this!?
I snack throughout the day too!!!!
Those pork chops look delicious!!! =D
Every time I’m near the popcorn I look at that one and contemplate buying it…I tired the lime one. It’s interesting. It sort of tastes like fruit loops to me for some reason. How ‘peppery’ is it exactly?
It’s pretty peppery. I like it a lot but I would prefer less pepp!
Healthier bagged popcorn alternative: ever tried popping plain kernels (SO cheap at the grocery store or as bulk) in a paper bag in the microwave? You can choose to add a little oil if you want or pop it dry. I use about 1/4 cup popcorn kernels in a paper lunch bag, fold the top twice and pop for 2 minutes (depends on your microwave). Add the toppings of your choice- my fave is chili powder & celery salt and voila!
Had no idea that salt and pepper popcorn existed! I have to search for this, because I loveee salt and pepper potato chips =p (and popcorn is definitely a much healthier alternative to the chips!)
That does look good!!
Tell me again, is this the magazine that has the really simple, few and common ingredients recipes or was that Clean Eatting?
I can’t get to the recipe – it keeps popping up with the popcorn 😉 email it to me 🙂
woops! i fixed the link. sorry, ash! here it is, just in case: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/roasted-pork-chops-peaches-00000000037839/index.html
Have you ever tried chewing gum while cooking? I always see that as a tip in magazines.
Personally, I don’t ever snack while cooking because I always start to cook before I’m hungry so that it’s ready by the time I’m actually read to eat.
peach and basil is a delicious combo – I make peach, banana and fresh basil smoothies – so good!
This recipe may be a shoe in to win Kimberly’s giveaway at:
http://healthystrides.blogspot.com/2011/02/trimming-pork.html
It looks really yummy!!! I’m going to have to try it 🙂