Over the weekend, I picked up Delicae Gourmet Big Easy Jambalaya Slow Cooker Dinner in some store. I figured that it could be the bulk of my meals for the week. It required some other things to be picked up from the grocery store, so I bought some andouille sausages, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth to add to the mix.

The first time I made it, I invited Barry over to have some, and it turned out really well. The sausage was so tender...I think I'm never going to pan cook ever again! Although a lot of the "vegetables" were dehydrated in the mix, it didn't really taste too terribly. I took a crappy cell phone picture (but will soon get a new and better cell phone in a couple days, yay!!) on Monday, and today I made it again (because I realized that the mix was for a 4-5qt slow cooker and not a 2qt like I had) and took much better pictures.

The second time I included some shrimp 15 minutes before eating it

The second time was also more...liquidy (it probably wasn't split very evenly)

I'm really enjoying slow cooking my meals...too bad I'm moving back home and probably won't be cooking for myself for a while.

Federal Jack's Lobster Roll

This past weekend, I went to Kennebunk with Lauren, Nicky, Sara, and Jeff and Jeff insisted that we eat at Federal Jack's. Jeff suggested the clam chowder (but L, N, and I shared a special seafood chowder instead which was still very delicious) and I ordered the Fresh Maine Lobster Roll. You know me, I love my lobster!

The meat was kinda cold...which I was disappointed about, but other than that, it was delicious. The entree costed $16.99 (their current market price) which was decent for the size. The fries were really crispy and I traded some sweet potato fries with Jeff too.

I also ordered a beautiful watermelon-esque martini drink thing. Don't remember what it was called anymore, but it was very yummy.

Beef and Chipotle Burritos

I decided that today was a good day to try cooking with a slow cooker since I had time in the morning/early afternoon. I followed the recipe by the title name at SlowandSimple.com.

Although Nicky's slow cooker was only a 2qt, I was able to put everything in. I bought a 1lb boneless beef round steak and didn't include onions...and apparently I also forgot to add cheese in at the end. Sitting at home smelling the slow cooker's goodness was too enticing for me to add cheese I guess!

After 4 hours on high, I pulled out the beef and began to shred it

Some shredded, some still in chunks

So tender and spicy!

The chipotle peppers in adobo sauce really added the main flavor of the beef. It was so deliciously spicy!!

I included some of Lauren's leftover peppers and onions from her fajita last night, somewhat homemade guac (I used a mix), and sour cream for my burrito. Today also marks the first day I wrapped a decent (although slim) burrito roll!

I definitely plan on trying to cook more using the slow cooker in the future. Too bad I don't have many days left in Boston...maybe my mom has a slow cooker I can use!

Update
I realized, when talking to my mom on the phone, that I totally forgot to add rice (and cheese) to my burrito. Guess I truly was excited to eat that I forgot a lot of what goes in a burrito!

SED Counseling Potluck

 On Sunday June 12, Lauren and I hosted the end-of-the-year SED Counseling program (minus the sports psych jocks) potluck! The potluck was in a "Top Chef" style, where we unveiled the secret ingredient(s) to be LEMON and LIME! It turned out really well, and I took some pictures of the lovely future counselors (and guests) with their creations.

Some of the counselors huddled around the appetizer table

Raspberry Lemonade Cocktail, made by Lauren and I.

Fresh raspberries really did the trick, it was such a pretty shade of pink!

Erin's frothy lemon fruit dip

Fruit dip up close

Lauren's pounds of shrimp

Prior to putting MORE shrimp on top

Roommate Nicky's salmon dip with crackers

My southwestern cavatappi pasta (don't know why the lighting sucks for my picture)

Jack's spinach salad with chipotle-lime dressing. Love the face!

Jack's salad up close

*uncovers* FAJITAAA!!!!

Andrea's fajitas 

Ziggy brought some beer and classic lemonade!

Chelsea's dill potatoes. She also made lemon squares but I didn't get a picture of that

Caitlyn's homemade guac with hint of lime chips

Ali's grilled veggies salad

Meagan's lemon chicken

Jenny's key lime pie with homemade crust

Me & Erin

Appetizer/Salads table!!

After we had our fill, we "voted" for best appetizer, main dish, dessert, and drinks.

Best Appetizer: Jack's salad

Best Main Dish: Andrea's fajitas

Best Dessert: Jenny's key lime pie

Best Drink: My & Lauren's raspberry lemonade cocktail

After eating, we played charades and apples-to-apples. I am so fortunate to have met these people because they are so awesome. I'm sad that I'll be moving back home to Maryland and won't see them again for a while :'[

Spanky's Lazy Man's Lobster Dinner

Ok, so not exactly a cheap dinner ($24.99, not including tip and tax) but I thought I'd blog a bit about it.

I went to Cape Cod with Lauren, Andrea, and Erin to spend a weekend at the beach (only ended up lounging on the beach on Friday because Saturday was rainy and cold) and we had dinner at Spanky's Clam Shack and Seaside Saloon at the pier on Friday. I debated between a lobster roll (which I have been craving since Brett's birthday when Barry posted a picture of a lobster roll) and the Lazy Man's Lobster Dinner. I decided to go with the lobster dinner because I figured that I could get cheaper lobster rolls in Boston.

The lobster chunks were kinda dry...and not as plump and luscious as I imagined, which was disappointing. The corn and potato was good though...as much as corn and potato usually are.

Unfortunately I was not very impressed with my meal, but Erin's blue pina colada and Lauren & Erin's lobster bisque looked and tasted delicious.