It's a veggie kind of week

So I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, ours was filled with lots of celebrating and fun, but ended with my three year old falling face first from a zip-line. (Def. not my idea) OUCH! So she is a bit cut up and bruised but luckily she barely missed all of the rocks below. She fell 8 feet or so. Just grateful we didn't end up in the ER. Yay! for us. Anyways, enjoy.

Monday- Coconut Chicken or Coconut chicken salad (depending on your mood)

Tuesday- Big Italian Salad and Soup

Wednesday- Broiled Top Sirloin with Garlic Balsamic Asparagus

Thursday- Chicken Fajitas

Friday- Homemade Mac N Cheese

Coconut Chicken

So when I remembered this recipe, I forgot that it was actually the topping to a salad. Anyways, not sure if I am going to do a salad too, or just do the chicken and serve it with sides. Either way, it sure looks yummy. (Picture and recipe from Skinny Taste)

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/03/coconut-chicken-salad-with-warm-honey.html

Big Italian Salad

I made this SUPER yummy salad for our family gathering this week and it was a huge hit. The dressing is very easy to make. I also added garbanzo beans to it as well. For dinner, I figure you can either add chicken or serve with Soup. Picture and recipe from Once Upon a Chef

http://www.onceuponachef.com/2010/03/big-italian-salad.html

Broiled Top Sirloin with Garlic Balsamic Asparagus

If you aren't accustomed to broiling things, it is really easy and a super fast way to cook fish and steak. Line your broiling pan with foil and non-stick spray. Season your steak with your favorite steak rub. From what I have read, try not to use too much salt when broiling as it tends to dry it out. Then just broil each side for a few minutes. The timing will depend on the thickness and how well you like your steak cooked. If you tend to overcook veggies when steaming them (ME), then roasting them is a great option. These asparagus usually get rave reviews, even from people who don't usually love asparagus. Picture and asparagus recipe from Our Best Bites.

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/06/garlic-balsamic-asparagus/

Chicken Fajitas

(A yummy healthy version) Picture and recipe from the Food Network

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/chicken-fajitas-recipe/index.html
Homemade Mac N Cheese

I actually consider mac n cheese a food group, so thus you can eat it for a meal. At least I do. Recipe and picture from food.com

http://www.food.com/recipe/fannie-farmers-classic-baked-macaroni-and-cheese-135350

Week of January 22nd

So I think we are finally on the mend around here. After two trips to the Dr.'s, two different medications and a sick call, I think we are finally getting better. I did particularly enjoy the enchiladas and apple salsa chicken last week, I hope some of you gave them a try. This week is kind of a hodge podge of things so hopefully at least one of them will spark your interest.

Monday- Honey-Ginger glazed tilapia

Tuesday- Grilled Chicken with lemon basil pasta

Wednesday- Pot Roast and Rosemary potatoes

Thursday- Pot Roast Tacos or Taquitos (Left-over night)

Friday- Primavera Tortellini en Brodo (AKA tortellini soup)

Honey-Ginger glazed Tilapia

So this is a very easy fish to make and oh so tasty. The recipe does call for a white dipping sauce to serve with it, but my husband and I both thought it overpowered the fish itself. The fish is plenty tasty without it. If you are not a "fish" person, this is not a "fishy" fish. My daughter even ate it and liked it. Also, I know I post a lot of recipes from this website, but I really like everything on it, can you tell? Picture and Recipe from Our Best Bites.

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2012/01/honey-ginger-glazed-tilapia/

Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta

I know that this recipe contains a cream sauce, but I thought that it sounded oh so delicious and was worth a "once in a while" try. Warning: this chicken needs to marinate for 24 hours! Hence, the reason I assume it will be so yummy. Picture and recipe from The Pioneer Woman Cooks.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/07/grilled-chicken-with-lemon-basil-pasta/

Crock Pot- Pot Roast with Rosemary Potatoes

(Picture from All Recipes)

So for pot roast I actually use the Trader Joes pre-marinated Caberinet Beef Pot Roast. It is very tasty, but it is quite pricey, but don't worry if you choose to buy it I get two meals out of it so it makes it much more economical. If you don't shop at Trader Joes or you want a cheaper alternative here is a link to an easy one. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/awesome-slow-cooker-pot-roast/. Save 1/3 of the pot roast for another recipe. You can do the potatoes a couple of different ways with this. If you really want an easy way, just cut up some red potatoes and baby carrots and throw them in the slow cooker about 2 hours prior to the pot roast being done. Here's the way I like them better:

Rosemary Potatoes:

1 small bag of Red Potatoes (cut into quarters)

Olive oil

1/2 tsp. Dried Rosemary

1/2 tsp. Garlic powder or garlic salt

• Preheat oven at 350
• Toss all of the ingredients into a bowl until potatoes are coated
• Place on a baking sheet spread apart and bake until soft (approx. 20 minutes)

Left over night (Pot roast taquitos or tacos)

(picture from lifeambrosia.com)

Left over pot roast

Corn Tortillas

Jack or Pepper Jack Cheese (shredded)

Salsa and Guacamole for dipping

Kosher Salt

• Preheat oven at 375
• Warm tortillas in microwave between two wet paper towel (approx 1 min)
• Fill tortillas with pot roast and top with cheese.
• Roll tortillas as tight as possible with seam side down
• You can spray the tortillas with non stick spray if you wish
• Sprinkle with Salt
• Bake until crispy (approx. 20 minutes)
• Serve with salsa and guacamole
• If you prefer tacos, then just make tacos instead, either way they are tasty.

Primavera Tortellini en Brodo (Tortellini Soup)

( Recipe from Meal Time Express)

3-4 cans (14 ounces) of chicken broth

1 package of refrigerated fresh tortellini (cheese, chicken or sausage)

green beans

broccoli

red bell pepper

onion

1 t. dried basil

dash of hot pepper sauce (or more if you like)

2 t. corn starch

Romano or Parmesan to top

• Bring broth to a boil
• Add veggies (to your liking) and boil for a few minutes
• Add tortellini and cook until al dente (according to package)
• in a separate bowl add corn starch and 1 T. water and mix
• Add cornstarch mixture to soup and cook for few min. until thick
• Top with cheese

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