The Week of January 16th

I hope everyone had a great week last week. I have two sick kids, one with a double ear infection, so this week we are looking forward to healthy kids! I have had a lot of people telling me they love the blog, but that they haven't tried much yet. If you have tried things, let me know what you love and why. Enjoy this weeks recipes.

Monday- Chicken and Apple Salsa with black beans and rice

Tuesday- Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas (Made with greek yogurt)

Wednesday- Chinese Chicken Salad

Thursday- Lasagna with zucchini

Friday- Pineapple teriyaki meatballs

Chicken and Apple Salsa with Black beans and Rice

So this looks so yummy and I have been waiting to try it. It looks sweet, hearty and healthy.

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2012/01/black-beans-rice-with-chicken-and-apple-salsa/

Picture and recipe from Our Best Bites

Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas

So this is the first time I will be making something with Greek Yogurt, but I have heard nothing but rave reviews about these enchiladas. A much healthier version and they look tasty too.

http://frugalfoodiefamily.com/2011/06/23/green-chile-chicken-enchiladas/

Picture and recipe from Frugal Foodie Family

Easy Lasagna with Zucchini (picture from All recipes)

One box no bake lasagna noodles

1 pound lean hamburger meat

1 jar organic tomato basil marinara (or your favorite)

2 cloves of garlic

2 zucchini spears chopped into small pieces

1 tomato chopped into small pieces

1 container of ricotta

fresh Parmesan

1 egg

1/2 onion- chopped

1 cup of mozzarella

• Preheat oven to 375
• Saute chopped onion in a little olive oil for a few minutes, add garlic
• Add zucchini and cook until slightly soft
• Add hamburger and cook thoroughly, add salt and pepper
• Add marinara sauce and tomato and warm
• Saute until bubbly on low to medium heat.
• In a separate bowl mix ricotta, egg, a handful of fresh Parmesan, and mozzarella together.
• Spray 9X13 pan with non cooking spray.
• Take the no bake noodles and soak them in some marinara sauce so they don't dry out during baking
• Take 3/4 of the meat mixture and line the bottom of the pan
• Take the noodles and layer on top of the meat
• Add the ricotta mixture on top of the noodles
• Repeat the layering of the noodles
• Pour the remaining Sauce on top of the noodles (just a thin layer)
• Sprinkle with fresh Parmesan cheese
• Bake covered for approx 40-45 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking until the cheese is melted.

Chinese Chicken Salad

1 head Romain Lettuce (sliced)

1 cup Broccoli Slaw (optional, but gives it that crunch)

1 Can mandarin oranges

1/4 cup of slivered almonds

2-3 green onions (sliced)

1/4 cup wonton noodles

Diced chicken breast

Dressing

Soy Sauce

Honey

1 T. Rice Vinegar

Pepper

• Combine chicken, lettuce, broccoli slaw, mandarin oranges, almonds, green onions, wonton noodles in a bowl.
• In a separate bowl combine equal parts soy sauce and honey and mix until honey is dissolved
• Then add rice vinegar and pepper
• Toss with salad

Terriyaki Pinapple Meatballs

1 package frozen of turkey meatballs (or make your own)

Soy Vay Teriyaki Sauce (or your favorite teriyaki sauce) enough to cover your meatballs but not float them in it.

1 cup Pineapple diced

1 red pepper (diced)

3 T. brown sugar

3 T. Soy Sauce

Brown Rice to serve with

• In a crock pot combine the above ingredients (except rice) and cook on low for 4 hours
• Serve over brown rice and with steamed green beans

It is a soup, salad, sandwich kind of week

So my husband helped me some up with some ideas this week, hence the soup, salad, sandwich menu. Well I started to work three days a week now, so like this week, most of these meals are going to be fast and easy.

Monday- Taco Soup

Tuesday- Chicken salad sandwiches on croissants

Wednesday-Southwestern Cobb Salad

Thursday- Chicken Parmesan

Friday- Mini Thanksgiving with Turkey Breast Cutlets

Taco Soup

So this is a recipe that most of you may have in some variation or another. This is the one I have always used and it always comes out tasty. And in under 20 minutes to cook, you can't beat it.

1/2 onion chopped

1 pound lean hamburger meat

1 can corn

1 can stewed tomatoes (diced)

1 can pinto beans

1 pkg. powder ranch drg. mix

1 pkg. taco seasoning

1/2 can water

Toppings:

Avocado

Cheese

Sour Cream

Chips

• Grill onion until slightly brown then add hamburger meat and cook thoroughly
• In a separate pot combine the above ingredients and heat until warm. Add the juice from the cans as well, no need to drain. Top with whatever toppings you like. Enjoy. Picture from tasteofhome.com

Chicken Salad Sandwiches on Croissants

Cooked Chicken breast diced

Mayo (just a few T., as desired)

1 T. sugar or Sugar substitute

1-2 stocks of celery

dried cranberries (about 1/8th of a cup or more if you like)

Croissants

• Combine the ingredients in a bowl and stir. Serve with lettuce if desired. I serve this with fruit and sometimes a salad. Picture from All recipes

Southwestern Cobb Salad

This one is fairly healthy. http://www.ourbestbites.com/2010/08/southwestern-cobb-salad/

Picture and recipe Our Best bites
Baked Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Breast

Bread Crumbs (1/2 cup)

Egg (scrambled)

Oregano (1 t.)

Cappelini Noodles

Spaghetti Sauce

Salt and Pepper

Mozzarella (optional)

• Preheat oven at 350 degrees
• Combine Bread Crumbs oregano, salt and pepper in a bowl (for more flavor you can add some dry ranch dressing mix instead)
• Dip chicken breast in egg and toss in bread crumb mixture
• Line 8 x 8 baking pan with marinara sauce and place chicken on top
• You can either bake like that or top with more marinara and mozzarella if you wish.
• Bake for aprrox. 20-30 minutes based on the thickness of the chicken until chicken is cooked
• Serve with noodles and a veggie

Picture from Spark RecipesMini Thanksgiving

So this one is at my husbands request. I know most of you won't want this, but I can eat this a few times a year.

Turkey breast cutlets

Gravy

Mashed Potatoes (I am making mine homemade)

Cranberries/cranberry sauce

Green beans

I just grill the turkey for a few minutes each side, it cooks really fast. Add salt and pepper. Serve with your sides. Picture from La Briute Meals.com

Happy 2012!

I hope everyone had as blessed as a Christmas as I did. We spent lots of time with family and did lots of eating. Last week I made all easy things and it was a nice break from cooking. This week I am back and hopefully you are too, getting back into the routine of life without tons of food and dessert everywhere. Well enough talking and more cooking.

Monday- Panko crusted pork loin, apple sauce and green beans

Tuesday- Turkey artichoke panini's, baked beans

Wednesday- Pot stickers, brown rice and broccoli

Thursday- BBQ chicken pizza, salad

Friday- Asparagus goat cheese and lemon pasta

Panko Crusted Pork Loin

panko (Japanese Style) breadcrumbs

pork tenderloins (pounded thinly)

canola oil

egg (scrambled)

flour

• Rinse pork and drudge in flour and egg
• Dredge in panko bread crumbs
• Fry in a little canola oil until cooked thoroughly
• You can add some seasonings (thyme, parsley etc) if you wish, but you really don't need it these guys are tasty without it.
• Serve with applesauce and green beans (picture from Whole Foods.com)

Artichoke turkey Panini's

Sourdough bread

turkey breast slices

Artichoke antipasto (Trader joe's-in a jar)

Havarti Cheese slices

Tomato

butter

• heat a panini press or skillet until warm and add a little bit of butter or non-stick spray
• On the bread spread a layer of the artichoke antipasto
• layer with turkey, cheese, and tomato
• grill until cheese is melted and bread is a little crispy
• Serve with whatever you wish, I am doing baked beans (picture from Betty Crocker)

Pot Stickers

So this is one of those meals that I can't actually give you a recipe for because I cheat and just buy the frozen kind. I know they are WAY better if you make your own, but sorry I don't have time for that especially because I work the night before :) If you are feeling adventurous, let me know how it goes and if it is easy. I just buy trader joes chicken pot stickers, & Shu Mai and pan fry/stream them according to the directions and serve with brown rice and steamed broccoli.

BBQ Chicken Pizza

So I haven't made this but I was recommended this by my friend Sarah. It looks really easy and so good. If you don't feel like messing with your own dough, you can buy some from Trader Joe's already made for you. Picture and recipe from The Pioneer woman. Enjoy.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/03/cpks-bbq-chicken-pizza/

Asparagus Goat Cheese Lemon Pasta

Here is a yummy vegetarian dish and would work great with whole wheat pasta as well. Recipe and picture from Frugal Foodie Family.

http://frugalfoodiefamily.com/2011/07/02/asparagus-goat-cheese-and-lemon-pasta/

Shopping List

Asparagus

crumbled goat cheese

yeast

chicken breast

bbq sauce

Fresh Mozzarella (A cube to slice)

Red onion

Cilantro

Spiral pasta

Pot stickers

Shu Mai

Turkey breast

baked beans

Sourdough bread

Artichoke Antipasto

Pork Lion

Apple Sauce

Green Beans

Panko bread crumbs

tomato

Vacation week

So I am burnt out from Christmas and have decided to take a week off from blogging. I am sure that most people feel the same and I think will not cook this week anyway. Merry Christmas to all. Be back next week!

Christmas Week...my favorite of the year.

Merry Christmas everyone! I know this week might be filled with lots of parties, baking, and loved ones; but I still have to cook, how about you? Needless to say, I have a crazy week and so I needed some easy meals, so here they are.

Monday- Spinach Mandarin Salad

Tuesday- Baked Pesto Chicken with Angel hair and herbs

Wednesday- Stir fry (chicken, beef or vegetable)

Thursday- Sweet and Salty Wraps

Friday- Chipotle style burritos

Spinach and Mandarin Salad

So I made this for my mom's group a few weeks ago and they loved it. I thought it would be appropriate for dinner as well. You can pair it with some yummy rolls as well. I make the dressing in the recipe, but if you are in a pinch you could buy your own. I never use the rest of the dressing, so I save it and make the Sweet and Salty Wraps later in the week. Recipe and picture from Our best bites.

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2010/01/spinach-mandarin-poppy-seed-salad/
Baked Pesto Chicken with Angel Hair and Herbs

I haven't made this one before but I have been wanting a new pesto recipe. I make my own pesto: http://www.marthastewart.com/314321/basic-basil-pesto. It is not hard, so don't be scared. The rest of the recipe seems very simple. Recipe from Momswhothink.com

Chicken breast

1/2 cup basil pesto

2 plum tomatoes

Shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cover cookie sheet with foil.

2. Put pesto and chicken in bowl. Toss until chicken is covered.

3. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

4. Place slices of tomato on top of chicken and sprinkle with cheese.

5. Bake another 3-5 minutes.

6. Serve with a box of angel hair pasta and herbs and French bread.

Stir Fry

Chicken/beef whatever you feel up for

Olive Oil

Onion

broccoli

carrots

Red pepper

Green Beans

Whatever veggies you have on hand or like

Rice

Soy Vay Teryiaki or your favorite teriyaki sauce

• Heat some vegetable oil in a pan until warm
• Add onion and stir fry for a few minutes
• Add remainder of veggies and stir fry for a few more minutes
• Add meat and cook thoroughly
• Add teriyaki sauce and cook for a minute or until warm
• Serve over white/brown rice

Sweet and Salty Wraps

Here's where you use the leftover Poppy Seed dressing! These are super easy and yummy. I have even used chicken nuggets in here when I ran out of chicken. So tasty. I serve this with a fruit salad and even some baked beans. Recipe and picture of course from Our best bites.

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2010/07/quick-fix-sweet-salty-salad-wrap/
Chipotle Style Burritos

So I am not sure if you all like Chipotle, but I do. I wanted to try and recreate the burrito and I think this tastes pretty close (at least to me).

Chicken

Taco Seasoning

Fresh Salsa

Black or Pinto Beans

White or Brown Rice

Avocado (if you like it)

Tortillas

Mozzarella cheese

• Grill diced Chicken until cooked
• Add taco seasoning according to package directions
• Cook rice
• Place chicken to tortilla and top with toppings

Shopping list

Spinach

Avocado

red onion

mozzarella cheese

broccoli

green beans

Fresh basil

Toasted pine nuts

chicken

pinto/black beans

fresh salsa

tortillas

taco seasoning

dried cranberries

feta cheese

bacon

carrots

red pepper

plum tomatoes

mandarin oranges

green onions

balsamic vinegar

The Week of December 12-16

So, I really need to recover from my comfort food week last week. Sorry about that, I have been having a bit of stress in my life and I think I was trying to compensate with creamy, cheesy foods. Oops. Oh well, time to get back on track. I hope everyone is getting into the Christmas season with decorating and celebrating with loved ones. Enjoy this weeks choices.

Monday- Fish tacos with Mango Quinoa Salad

Tuesday- Chicken Roll-Ups with Goat Cheese; Risotto and Butternut squash

Wednesday- Asian Noodle Salad with Chicken and Cashews

Thursday- Tri-tip with Veggies and Macaroni Salad

Friday- Fresh Tomato Rigatoni with Goat cheese

So hopefully you aren't thinking these are too complicated because if you are you don't know me too well. I do work and have two kids, which of course leaves little time for drawn out meals. So give them a try and see how easy and yummy they are.

Fish Tacos and Mango Quinoa Salad (Recipe for quinoa below)

Fresh or frozen Talapia (enough to feed your family)

Corn tortillas

Cilantro

Lemon/lime juice

Lemon pepper

Olive oil/butter

• Preheat oven to broil
• Line broiling pan with foil and non-stick spray
• Place talapia on foil and either brush with olive oil or a little butter
• Sprinkle fish with lemon pepper
• Broil for 6-8 minutes (dep. on the thickness) mine took 7 min
• Place fish in tortillas and sprinkle with lemon or lime, and cilantro

Here is the link to the quinoa. If you have never tried this before it is a grain and really tasty. You can find it near the rice in most stores and cook it similar to rice as well. I use chicken broth instead of water to give it a better flavor. The quinoa needs to be cool prior to mixing this so you could even prepare it the night before and mix it up right before serving.

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2011/05/mango-quinoa-salad/

Chicken Roll-ups with Goat cheese; Risotto with butternut squash

So this is one of those recipes that I was unsure about trying but loved it and have been making it for years now. It is actually very easy. I following recipe except I do not pan fry them first. I just roll them and then brush with a bit of olive oil and course salt and pop them in the oven and cook until opaque throughout. I buy the mushroom risotto box from Trader Joe's and add extra chicken broth or water and throw in some cubed butternut squash in the risotto as it cooks. Yum! Recipe and picture from Martha Stewart.com

Chicken cutlets

arugula

Goat cheese

course salt

olive oil

boxed risotto

cubed butternut squash

http://www.marthastewart.com/318947/chicken-roll-ups-with-goat-cheese-and-ar

Asian Noodle Salad with chicken and Cashews

So this is like Chinese Chicken Salad but with noodles instead of lettuce, yummy. Recipe and picture from For the Love of cooking.

http://fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com/2009/05/asian-noodle-salad-with-chicken-and.html

Tri-tip with Macaroni Salad

So we are having our neighborhood Christmas party this week and we are having a potluck, hence this meal. I am making the macaroni salad but not the tri-tip. I am not very good at cooking steak, but if you are Trader Joe's or Costco both have really yummy pre-marinated ones. Here is the link to the macaroni salad I use. I doctor it up and add diced ham or salami and montery jack cheese, cubed. I like this recipe because I usually have most of the ingredients.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/macaroni-salad-recipe/index.html

Fresh Tomato pasta with goat cheese

This recipe is from Everyday Food Magazine, picture is from Martha Stewart.com

Use your left over goat cheese from the roll-ups to sprinkle on top of this pasta to give it a different taste than your typical pasta.

Rigatoni noodles

5-6 whole Roma tomatoes

Fresh Basil

Garlic

Olive oil

Goat cheese

• Preheat oven to 375
• Spray small loaf pan with non-stick spray
• place tomatoes in pan side by side
• Place fresh basil and garlic next to and on top on the tomatoes
• Coat the tomatoes and basil with some olive oil
• Bake until the tomatoes and very soft (usually 20-30 minutes)
• Once soft, take out of the oven and smash the tomatoes with a wooden spoon or masher (this is a chunkier sauce, but is still saucy).
• pour over cooked noodles and sprinkle with goat cheese

Shopping list

Snow peas

Shredded carrots

red/orange pepper

Cashews

Spaghetti

Sesame oil

Talapia

Corn Tortillas

Mango

Black Beans

Cilantro

Chicken cutlets

Goat Cheese

Arugula

Rigatoni

Roma Tomatoes

Mandarin Oranges

Green onions

Risotto

Butternut Squash

Chicken broth

Sorry....but it is comfort food week

So when I was making my weekly grocery list I guess I may have been a bit cold. We are eating a little less healthy this week, so I apologize for that, but hopefully they will all be tasty. So I have been getting great feedback that people are enjoying the website!! I am so glad that people seem to actually be using it. Please keep up the comments and especially let me know how you liked the food and if you have any suggestions for menu ideas.

Monday- Bandera's Macho Salad

Tuesday- Baked Potato Soup

Wednesday- Crock Pot BBQ Chicken

Thursday- Honey Lime Enchiladas

Friday- Meatball Sandwiches

Bandera's Macho Salad

Picture and Recipe from Frugal Foodie Family. So even though this salad is NOT lowfat, it looks so yummy. I figured with the rest of the recipes this week, I def. needed some greens too. This recipe calls for dates, but I think I am going to use raisins instead (I just couldn't bring myself to buy dates) :) PREMAKE Corn bread for this recipe.

http://frugalfoodiefamily.com/2011/07/12/banderas-macho-salad/

Baked Potato Soup

I have always wanted to make baked potato soup and I have to admit, I never have. I thought this recipe sounded good (Of course because it is from Our Best Bites). I hope it turns out tasty for everyone. Picture also from Our Best Bites. Serve with remaining corn bread from last night.

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2010/10/baked-potato-soup/

Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

(Picture from Tasty Recipes.com)

Chicken Drumsticks (however many will feed your family)

a bottle of BBQ sauce (whatever your favorite is)

You can serve this with rice and a veggie or whatever you like

• Place drumsticks in crock pot
• Pour BBQ sauce over the top
• Cook on low for 4 hours

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

(Recipe courtesy of my friend Amy, picture from All Recipes)

4-6 TBS honey
5 TBS lime juice
1TBS chili powder (sprinkle on chicken)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 lb. chicken cooked and shredded( about 3 breasts)
8-10 flour tortillas
1 lb. Monterey jack cheese, shredded
16 oz. green enchilada sauce
1 cup heavy cream

• Mix the first four ingredients and toss with shredded chicken
• MARINATE for at least 30 minutes
• Preheat oven at 350 degrees
• Pour 1/2 cup enchilada sauce in a 9 x 13 greased pan
• Fill tortillas with chicken and cheese (reserve sauce from chicken)
• Mix the remainder of the enchilada sauce with cream, and marinade and pour on top of enchiladas
• Sprinkle with remainder of cheese
• Bake for 20- 30 minutes until brown on top

Meatball Sandwiches

So I am cheating this week an getting the frozen turkey meatballs from TJ's, but if you are up for making your own this week, here is a link to some. I serve this with a salad and a few potato chips. Picture from All Recipes.

Frozen turkey meatballs

Rolls

Mozzarella

Marinara Sauce

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/meatball-sandwich/detail.aspx

Shopping List

Avocado

goat cheese

Roma tomatoes

Roasted Almonds

Corn

Dates or Raisins

Corn Bread mix

Chicken Drumsticks

Chicken Broth

Baked Potatoes

Sour Cream

Bacon

Green Onions

Cheddar and Monterey Jack Cheese

Rolls

Chips

Lettuce

Limes

flour Tortillas

Heavy Cream

Chicken

BBQ sauce

Green Enchilada sauce