I had an awesome weekend. If you follow me on twitter or facebook, you already know what Friday night consisted of… HARRY POTTER! Hubbs and I made it a full on date night by going to the Epicenter in uptown. It has a fancy theater that allows your to buy food and drinks for the theater, including selections from the bar. Hubbs took advantage of the whiskey… I grabbed some ice and Sour Patch Kids. 🙂 I feel lucky to have such a fabulous husband that was willing to throw on 3d glasses and watch the final Harry Potter with his uber-prego wife!
Baby D’s first flick… cheers!
BTW- I loved the final movie!
We had a surprise visit on Saturday from Hubbs’ brother, wife and 4 sweet kiddos. They came up from Atlanta to spend some time with us and we had a blast fishing, swimming, boating and just hanging out. I wish we all lived closer so we could do it more often.
Hanging out with my adorable nieces and nephews has me excited for Baby D to be here. I really, like really, love kids.
By Sunday afternoon, it was back to just being Hubbs, Koda, me… and my Indian food craving. But luckily for me, on Friday I had made a trip to the new Indian Food and Spice market in Mooresville.
I was a little nervous walking in because I don’t actually know anything about Indian cuisine except that I like it. Luckily, the owner was extremely friendly and gave me a guided tour through the aisles.
Spices and rice(s) galore!
I was most fascinated with their produce section, which contained all sorts of things I have never seen before.
And though most of their food is authentic and by brands I have never heard of, I did spot one familiar name brand. Who knew Pillsbury was so diverse?
I explained my lack of experience in cooking Indian dishes and my need to start small and easy. I promised to come back as I got more comfortable and adventurous.
My item of choice?
Does it get any easier than a jar of perfectly-mixed spices?
I followed the directions on the back of the bottle and within minutes whipped up a super simple shrimp vindaloo.
The flavor was spot-on and the amount of heat in the dish was perfect. I was incredibly impressed and excited that I could make such an authentic tasting dish at home… and so easily!
I’ll be making this again, for sure! Next time I plan on baking my own naan, too, but this made for a delicious, quick, healthy Sunday night dinner!
Are you comfortable cooking ethnic foods at home?
What is your favorite ethnic cuisine?
At the moment, mine is obviously Indian… YUM!
Jen says
You look so cute with your nieces and nephews! You can tell you’re going to be a great mom 🙂
You’re so brave for making Indian food at home. I’m so glad it turned out well! We’ve tried to do sushi at home a bunch of times, but it never tastes the same.
Erin @ The Grass Skirt says
I love that movie theater! We’ve only been there once though since it is pretty far from our house. I love making Chinese food at home- and of course, Italian. One of these days, I’d like to try making homemade sushi too.
Katie H says
I saw HP this weekend and I loved it!! I chickened out of the 3D option- it sounds dumb but I was afraid it would make me nauseous, haha. Love the photos of you with your niece and nephews- it’s so cute that she has her hand on your bump!
I can’t get enough Mexican food lately!
Brooke @ Veggie Table says
The Indian food looks delicious! Actually, Forrest and I found an awesome Indian / Greek restaurant in lower Alabama over the weekend – it’s officially my favorite (at the moment…but I still love some Mexican food too!)
Liz @ IHeartVegetables says
What a fun weekend! The kids are adorable! I want to be an aunt but my brother and his wife don’t have any kids yet!
Hahaha thats so funny that Pillsbury makes Naan! I’ve made indian food at home once, but my indian friend was there, haha so he knew what to do!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
mmm…I love Indian food! I actually do make it at home a lot because Eating Right seems to have a few recipes each month in their magazine. I’ve never been to an Indian food store though.
Ahhh! I think I am the last person to see HP! I gotta go next weekend!
Michelle @ The Cooking Life says
yay, you got to see HP! we have a dinner movie theater in town too and it is my favorite. and I LOVE ethnic food – it’s mine and my hubby’s favorite, from Thai to Filipino (representin’!) to Mexican to Mediterranean. Oddly enough I use the same jarred spice company you used, but for chicken curry. Love Indian food!
Kristin @ eat healthy. be happy. live well says
Sounds like a fab weekend!! I am not a really ethnically-diverse eater, but I do love me some Mexican-inspired dishes 🙂
Suzanne says
I saw HP on Friday too! I LOVE LOVE LOVED it! I also decided that HP + Hormones = DISASTER! I couldn’t stop crying even though I knew what was happening and what was going to happen and then I felt fully ridiculous! Have a good day 🙂
Lauren says
My HP plans fell through 🙁 Glad to hear it’s good though. I seriously wish I knew how to cook myself up some Indian or Thai food! I guess I’m just intimidated by all the spices and such. But there’s still time to learn!
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
I’m glad you liked the movie! We have a nicer theater like that near here and I love getting food and watching the movie. Plus the seats there are so comfy.
I love that picture of you reading with the kids!
Jen says
i love making ethnic food at home! my faves are thai, mexican, indian and anything middle eastern. yum!
i think i say this in every single comment but you look great. love the kiddo pics!
Michele says
My favorite ethnic cuisine is by far Indian! and lucky for us charlotte has some amaaazing indian places! I am in heaven 🙂
i was on the lake on saturday, too! some friends rented out a lake house for a birthday and it was a huge celebration/party. how fun!
Corey @ the runner's cookie says
You are so cute with those kids – you are going to be an amazing mom! So glad you had a fun HP date with your husband. Those glasses are adorable on you! I’ve never been a big Indian food person, but sometimes the spices sound really appealing. Good for you for making it yourself – looks perfect!
Belinda says
I saw HP on Saturday and I loved it too! I cried so much! Can’t believe there are no more movies 🙁
That picture of you and the kids is so magical – it looks like you were made to be a mother 🙂
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
1. I am incredibly jealous of your HP outing. I cannot WAIT to finally see it! 🙂
2. Those photos of you and the kids are amazingly adorable.
3. I am now desiring Indian food, and want to search every ethnic market in town for that Pillsbury naan.
Roz says
Love the pics of you and your neices and nephews (and Koda on the couch with you!) What a great looking Indian market, and how fun that the owner walked you through the aisles! Indian food is SOOOOO good!!!!
ashley@piesandpushups says
Oh man! That looks delicious!! I would have to say Thai food is my favorite ethnic dish!
blackhuff says
I am so happy to hear that you have enjoyed the final movie. I’m sure you would agree that the last movie was really cool with the 3D.
Natalie says
I have been curious about that little Indian store – glad to hear it’s worth the visit! I’m adding to my lunch errands today…