I find it ironic that I was telling someone earlier today that normally I am creative in the kitchen and that I love to cook, but lately I’ve been in a culinary rut. I really do not like this rut. I am trying to get out of it. But I know why I am in the rut – because a lot (if not most) of my free time has been spent training. After running I am sometimes sort of tired, and I get home late, and I need to eat something relatively quickly and I just don’t know what else to tell you.

So, I found it funny that tonight I had a very good dinner. But it was my mom’s inspiration, not mine. (I’ll take it anyway!) Tonight’s dinner was Seared Scallops with Warm Tuscan Beans. We have had this a couple of times, and tonight it was just as good as it always is.

I diced onions and minced garlic. I opened some cans, and a bottle of wine. That was about my contribution to dinner!
Here is the recipe, from Cooking Light:

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1 1/2 pounds sea scallops

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped onion

1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 cup dry white wine

1 cup fat free, low sodium chicken broth

1 19 ounce can of cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1 six ounce package of fresh baby spinach

2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil

Instructions: heat 1 TBS oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. SPrinkle scallops evenly with salt. Add scallops to pan; cook two minutes on each side or until done. Remove scallops from pan; keep warm.

Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil and onion to pan; sauté 2 minutes. Add pepper and garlic; cook 20 seconds, stirring constantly. Stir in wine, cook one minute or until most of liquid evaporates. Stir in broth and beans; cook two minutes. Add spinach; cook 1 minute or until spinach wilts.

Remove from heat, stir in basil.

Yield: 4 servings. Approximately 314 calories, 8 grams of fat, 33 grams of protein; 24 grams of carbs, 6 grams of fiber.

I ate my dinner with one piece of bread and roasted asparagus:

Dinner was so good!

After my half marathon on Sunday I have taken a couple of days off from serious exercise. I’m hoping to get back into exercise tomorrow with some quality time on the elliptical machine after work 🙂

See you tomorrow!