Empty the fridge weekend

This has been a tough couple of weeks at work. Exhaustion does not even describe how I have felt. My way of distressing has been feeling like added stress lately. Chop this, peel that, clean this-and not just the dishes. But I had to make something. All my groceries purchased last weekend had to be used or lost. 

Enter Quinoa Mushroom Pot Stickers and Meyer Lemon Pound Cake Trifle.

For the Pot Stickers just cook quinoa according to package directions. While quinoa cooks, saute diced mushrooms and scallions in olive oil, add 1 star of Anise and 1 clove of garlic minced, pinch of red pepper flakes and 1 tbsp of low sodium soy sauce, toss in 2 handfuls of arugula. Use water to seal the wonton skins.    

Heat 2 tbsp frying oil on medium high heat. Fry wontons, as soon as they begin to brown and blister add 1/4 cup of water and cover immediately (to catch all the steam and to not burn yourself from the violently popping oil.

Soy dipping sauce: Simmer 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 tsp oyster sauce, thin slice of ginger for 2 min.

For the trifle:

Preheat oven to 350. Prep a loaf pan with cooking spray and line with parchment. Beat 2 sticks of butter, 1 cup of sugar, 1 tbsp of zest until creamy, add 2 eggs 1 at a time until well mixed, light yellow and fluffy. Scrape down bowl with a spatula. Meanwhile sift together 1 cup of flour, 1 tsp of baking powder 1/4 tsp salt, 3 times.

Mix together 1/2 cup milk, 1 tbsp of sour cream, 1 tbsp of meyer lemon juice, set aside. Add the dry ingredients and the milk mixture to butter, starting with dry and ending with dry i.e, dry, milk, dry, milk, dry. Gently fold in 1 cup blueberries. 

Scrape into prepared pan and level with a spatula. Knock pan on counter to release air bubbles. Bake for 1 hour 30 min or until toothpick comes out clean. Awesome hint from one of my favorite cook book authors, Sherry Yard, blend your zest and sugar in a food processor and soak your pound cake with flavored simple syrup

Dice up pound cake and layer in dish with Vanilla whipped cream. Enjoy. I hope your weekend was a good one.