Well, this blog originally was to blog about my daily recipes, well... as you've probably noticed, I don't do that much anymore... Mostly because its hard for me to take pictures, upload them, and get them into this blog.... and I really want the pictures to show in the blogs that I write. (I'm just crazy that way!!!) ... That being said, I really want to blog!!!!! so I'm still going to blog about my recipes, but I've decided to start blogging about......................................... whatever comes to mind...... whenever it comes to mind.... of course I'm still going to be sharing my recipes.... but I'll also be sharing more of my thoughts and daily "things" that happen, and my new crushes on certain fruits and veggies.... soooo starting today, look forward to more blogs about whats going on with us and the food we are eating.......
Something I've been wanting to share for a while now, is tips for sneakin in veggies, in every meal!!! Lately I've been trying to eat more and more vegetables, so I've been trying to get them into everything! One thing that I've been doing is using a lot is Frozen Spinach! I get a bag of frozen spinach at Fresh and Easy. Today I made a chicken quesadilla and when I sauteed the chicken, I added in about 1/4 cup of frozen spinach, I sauteed it up with the chicken, along with a little taco seasoning, and water to help it all combine, and then added into the tortilla with cheese (of course!).
Another thing that I've been doing is making a lot of Ground Turkey meals. I have been LOVING turkey tacos and turkey lettuce wraps lately!!!! they are sooo easy, and sooooo healthy, its hard not to get addicted to them! I add in LOTS of different veggies that get sauteed with the meat. I start by grating and onion, chopping in a bell pepper (I actually use a pair of kitchen scissors and cut the bell pepper into tiny strips, and then into a tiny dice rite over the pan!), and I'll also add in green onions, carrot and zucchini if I have it. I saute everything together with a little bit of salt and taco seasoning, and water to help bring it all together. Once its browned and softened, I add in the turkey (I only add in 1/2 lb of meat for me and kel, so I can use the other 1/2 pound for dinner another night) and then... and then...... I add in 1/2 cup of frozen spinach! it adds in extra moisture, and a nice green color, and its not overpowering!!!! I think you'll find this is very addicting, and you will love it!!!! You can also add in different meats, such as chicken, pork, or beef! This technique is very versatile!!!
Other things you can add spinach in:
Spaghetti sauce
hamburger helper box mixes
meat loafs
meat balls
eggs
stuff spinach inside chicken breasts or turkey breasts
I hope these ideas inspire you to add spinach to anything that you're cooking!!!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Chicken Fajita Lettece Wraps
This was a super easy, fresh dinner to make! I wanted to make something light, yet filling, that wouldn't require a lot of cooking since its so hot, so I decided to make Fajita Lettuce Wraps, with Avocado Lime Sour Cream! Now you can use steak or chicken, but i prefer chicken. Here's what you'll need:
1 Chicken Breast
1 Bell pepper
1 red onion
1/2 tea spoon of cumin
1 lime
1-2 tablespoons of olive oil
1-2 stalks of Romain lettuce
sour cream
1 avocado
Lets start with the chicken:
1) Cube up the chicken in to small small pieces, this way the chicken will go farther when you're eating it. also slice and dice up the onion and bell pepper into small pieces. You'll want to make sure that everything is about the same size!
2) Add all chicken, bell pepper and onions into a bowl, add in 1/2 of the lime juice, olive oil, and cumin. Mix all ingredients up and set aside to let them marinate for 5-10 mins.
***Time to make the Avocado Lime Sour Cream! this MAKES the dish! It adds soooo much flavor, and isn't going to make you feel guilty. Here's what you'll do:
Take 1/2 of the avocado and put it into a small dish (you can use the whole avocado too depending on how many people you are feeding, i was just feeding me and kelvin, so no need for a whole avocado!)
you'll want to get out a whisk, and whisk up the avocado to make it nice and creamy, and at that point, you'll also want to add in some lime juice. Add in only a bit of the other half of the lime, and taste it to see how its coming along, you won't want it to be TOO Limey... once the lime is in, mix that up with the whisk, and then add in a few spoon fulls of LITE sour cream! its a little looser, and not as fattening, so use it! whisk it all up, and let it sit in the fridge until you're ready for dinner.
***back to the chicken
3) in a grill or saute pan, add in all the meat and veggies and get them cooking. you'll want to saute them up until the chicken is golden, and the vegetables are soft. once all the lime evaporates you'll want to add in some water to help de-glaze the pan and add all those flavors back into the food. Doing this will also help add more flavor with not adding any calories!
4) get the lettuce ready, you'll want to just tear off the leaves from the Romain head, wash them, and pat them dry. get them back into the fridge if you're not going to use them right away so they will stay nice and crisp.
once the chicken is ready, put it into a bowl and serve it up. Use the lettuce like a tortilla, use the natural "bowl" shape as an opening for the filling, and then add a spoon full of the avocado lime sour cream! and ENJOY!!!!!
(for all you WW people out there, this is about a 5 point dinner!!!!)
1 Chicken Breast
1 Bell pepper
1 red onion
1/2 tea spoon of cumin
1 lime
1-2 tablespoons of olive oil
1-2 stalks of Romain lettuce
sour cream
1 avocado
Lets start with the chicken:
1) Cube up the chicken in to small small pieces, this way the chicken will go farther when you're eating it. also slice and dice up the onion and bell pepper into small pieces. You'll want to make sure that everything is about the same size!
2) Add all chicken, bell pepper and onions into a bowl, add in 1/2 of the lime juice, olive oil, and cumin. Mix all ingredients up and set aside to let them marinate for 5-10 mins.
***Time to make the Avocado Lime Sour Cream! this MAKES the dish! It adds soooo much flavor, and isn't going to make you feel guilty. Here's what you'll do:
Take 1/2 of the avocado and put it into a small dish (you can use the whole avocado too depending on how many people you are feeding, i was just feeding me and kelvin, so no need for a whole avocado!)
you'll want to get out a whisk, and whisk up the avocado to make it nice and creamy, and at that point, you'll also want to add in some lime juice. Add in only a bit of the other half of the lime, and taste it to see how its coming along, you won't want it to be TOO Limey... once the lime is in, mix that up with the whisk, and then add in a few spoon fulls of LITE sour cream! its a little looser, and not as fattening, so use it! whisk it all up, and let it sit in the fridge until you're ready for dinner.
***back to the chicken
3) in a grill or saute pan, add in all the meat and veggies and get them cooking. you'll want to saute them up until the chicken is golden, and the vegetables are soft. once all the lime evaporates you'll want to add in some water to help de-glaze the pan and add all those flavors back into the food. Doing this will also help add more flavor with not adding any calories!
4) get the lettuce ready, you'll want to just tear off the leaves from the Romain head, wash them, and pat them dry. get them back into the fridge if you're not going to use them right away so they will stay nice and crisp.
once the chicken is ready, put it into a bowl and serve it up. Use the lettuce like a tortilla, use the natural "bowl" shape as an opening for the filling, and then add a spoon full of the avocado lime sour cream! and ENJOY!!!!!
(for all you WW people out there, this is about a 5 point dinner!!!!)
Friday, April 10, 2009
Philly Cheese Steak Sandwhiches...
Okay I know I say this every time, but this recipe is a winner! the best so far! I wanna eat it every day!!!! this is a cross between a french dip, and a Philly cheese steak sandwich... its so good, you won't care what its called! lol.
Here's what you'll need:
some sort of beef or steak, i used sirloin tip steak that i got on sale and had been in the freezer and wanted to use it before it went bad.
onions
onion soup mix
cheese (mozzarella or provolone)
and french rolls
slice up the mean into strips, slice up the onions into strips, add them into a crock pot with the onion soup mix and about 2 cups of water. You'll want to make sure the ingredients are floating, but just a little. Let the crock pot do all the work for you while you enjoy your day!!!!
when you are ready to eat them there is a little bit of work to be done....
take the meat out of the crock pot (make sure u get the onions too!) and put everything into a fying pan, you won't want much of the broth, just leave it behind for now (you can dip your sandwich in it if you want)
Start to fry up the meat, and add in the cheese, do half at first, and then half at the end. mix up the meat until its all covered in cheese, and the broth has all evaporated, it also tastes great if you add in a little cream or milk, it makes the meat very tender, and a little sweet, its very good.
once the meat is almost done, open up the french rolls, and put them on top of the meat so the bread can steam, absorb the juice from the meat, and get all nice and good!!!!
once the bread is ready, just put the meat on top, add a little extra cheese, and grub it up!!!!
here are some options that you could do:
add mushrooms
add more (extra) grilled onions (I like to grill them up, and then add a touch of cream to them at the end... it makes them TO DIE FOR!)
bell peppers
any other item you like!
trust me, this one is easy, good, affordable, reliable and did i say GOOD!!!! try it! you'll love it!
Here's what you'll need:
some sort of beef or steak, i used sirloin tip steak that i got on sale and had been in the freezer and wanted to use it before it went bad.
onions
onion soup mix
cheese (mozzarella or provolone)
and french rolls
slice up the mean into strips, slice up the onions into strips, add them into a crock pot with the onion soup mix and about 2 cups of water. You'll want to make sure the ingredients are floating, but just a little. Let the crock pot do all the work for you while you enjoy your day!!!!
when you are ready to eat them there is a little bit of work to be done....
take the meat out of the crock pot (make sure u get the onions too!) and put everything into a fying pan, you won't want much of the broth, just leave it behind for now (you can dip your sandwich in it if you want)
Start to fry up the meat, and add in the cheese, do half at first, and then half at the end. mix up the meat until its all covered in cheese, and the broth has all evaporated, it also tastes great if you add in a little cream or milk, it makes the meat very tender, and a little sweet, its very good.
once the meat is almost done, open up the french rolls, and put them on top of the meat so the bread can steam, absorb the juice from the meat, and get all nice and good!!!!
once the bread is ready, just put the meat on top, add a little extra cheese, and grub it up!!!!
here are some options that you could do:
add mushrooms
add more (extra) grilled onions (I like to grill them up, and then add a touch of cream to them at the end... it makes them TO DIE FOR!)
bell peppers
any other item you like!
trust me, this one is easy, good, affordable, reliable and did i say GOOD!!!! try it! you'll love it!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
G-ma's chicken and rice bake
We used to buy a frozen dinner called "Grandma's Chicken and Rice Bake" it was sooo good!!! but sooooo much sodium, and was usually $14 or more dollars... Making this at home with left overs and staples you already have will save you lots of money, and calories!!! This is a good one!!! especially if your in a time crunch!!! you can make this ahead of time, or right before, it always turns out good... here's what you'll need:
1 b0x of rice-a-roni
vegetables
chicken (i use 1 breast, and 1 leg/thigh from leftovers)
milk (1 can measure by pouring into the soup can)
cheese (about 1/2 cup, or more if you like
1 can of cream of chicken soup
***use low sodium rice and soup if you can, it doesn't make much of a taste difference, but really does lower the sodium intake!
I use left over chicken, and that makes it even easier!!!
make the rice-a-roni according to package directions
cut up the chicken
get a loaf pan!!! it works really well in a loaf, or casserole dish...
put the veggies, chicken, rice, cheese, cream of chicken soup, and milk in the dish, mix it up, bake it @ 350, for about 30-40 mins, or longer if you have raw veggies, just cook until the top is golden brown, and the veggies are tender. make sure the chicken is cooked before you add it to the casserole!
this is a really good, dish for people who are busy and don't have time to stand at the stove for more than 10 mins! :) and remember, you can make this anyway you like!!!! Use your favorite flavors, and meats to make it your home made dish!
1 b0x of rice-a-roni
vegetables
chicken (i use 1 breast, and 1 leg/thigh from leftovers)
milk (1 can measure by pouring into the soup can)
cheese (about 1/2 cup, or more if you like
1 can of cream of chicken soup
***use low sodium rice and soup if you can, it doesn't make much of a taste difference, but really does lower the sodium intake!
I use left over chicken, and that makes it even easier!!!
make the rice-a-roni according to package directions
cut up the chicken
get a loaf pan!!! it works really well in a loaf, or casserole dish...
put the veggies, chicken, rice, cheese, cream of chicken soup, and milk in the dish, mix it up, bake it @ 350, for about 30-40 mins, or longer if you have raw veggies, just cook until the top is golden brown, and the veggies are tender. make sure the chicken is cooked before you add it to the casserole!
this is a really good, dish for people who are busy and don't have time to stand at the stove for more than 10 mins! :) and remember, you can make this anyway you like!!!! Use your favorite flavors, and meats to make it your home made dish!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Chicken Pot Pie... or TURKEY!!!!
I like chicken pot pie, but not a fan of the boxed/frozen type! I don't enjoy eating peas! so its a pain for me to eat the boxed version. I created my own version, and its soooo easy!!!
What you'll need:
Can of cream of chicken soup, or any other kind you enjoy
2 cans of milk (just measure from the soup can)
can of croissants
Cooked chicken or turkey, you could use left overs from thanksgiving dinner, or just dinner from the night before. You could just cook up a few chicken breasts, or thighs, and shred them up, and add them in.
The veggies you like, here's what I use:
Potatoes
Carrots
Green Beans
Onions
Celery
*** you could use others too, broccoli, spinach, peas, cauliflower... ANYTHING!!!!
******* a side tip!!! use frozen veggies, and canned veggies to help the process along! Canned potatoes an carrots work great in this dish because you won't have to wait for them to be cooked, and this will make cooking time much shorter!!!!!
Add everything but the croissants into a bowl, mix up, add in some seasonings you like, parsley, Italian seasonings, or what ever you like!!!! make sure its all mixed up really really good.
Put it into a casserole pan and bake at 375 for about 30 mins, or until bubbling, or until veggies are tender if you are using fresh veggies. Take the dish out of the oven, and lay the croissants on top, make sure you cover the top completely and then bake until they are golden brown.
This makes a great "make ahead meal" you can mix it all up together, have it in the fridge, and when you get home from work, just pop it in the oven while you do other things you need to do!
I hope you like this one!!!
What you'll need:
Can of cream of chicken soup, or any other kind you enjoy
2 cans of milk (just measure from the soup can)
can of croissants
Cooked chicken or turkey, you could use left overs from thanksgiving dinner, or just dinner from the night before. You could just cook up a few chicken breasts, or thighs, and shred them up, and add them in.
The veggies you like, here's what I use:
Potatoes
Carrots
Green Beans
Onions
Celery
*** you could use others too, broccoli, spinach, peas, cauliflower... ANYTHING!!!!
******* a side tip!!! use frozen veggies, and canned veggies to help the process along! Canned potatoes an carrots work great in this dish because you won't have to wait for them to be cooked, and this will make cooking time much shorter!!!!!
Add everything but the croissants into a bowl, mix up, add in some seasonings you like, parsley, Italian seasonings, or what ever you like!!!! make sure its all mixed up really really good.
Put it into a casserole pan and bake at 375 for about 30 mins, or until bubbling, or until veggies are tender if you are using fresh veggies. Take the dish out of the oven, and lay the croissants on top, make sure you cover the top completely and then bake until they are golden brown.
This makes a great "make ahead meal" you can mix it all up together, have it in the fridge, and when you get home from work, just pop it in the oven while you do other things you need to do!
I hope you like this one!!!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Potato side dish
This is sort of Like a gratin, but better!!!! Its nice and crispy on the top and sides, but very soft and creamy on the inside! here's what you need:
3-4 Potatoes, Sliced thin
Butter, (about 1 stick)
Salt, Pepper
The spices you like! Oregano, parsley, chives, basil... WHATEVER!!! it doesn't matter! just mix and match!
In a double boiler (a pan of boiling water, with a glass heat proof bowl on top) Place butter, Salt, Pepper, spices and sliced potatoes, Steam for 30 mins to an hour, place a sheet of foil on top to help keep the steam in. Stir every few mins to make sure all potatoes are covered in butter and spices.
Pour out potatoes in a pan or tray (use the foil that you used to keep the steam in to help with clean up) You'll want to do this so they can be spread out and cool a little so you can touch them. You'll want to place the potatoes in single layers in a gratin dish, or loaf pan. bake @ 400 degrees for about 30-45 mins. make sure the top is nice and golden brown.
Here are few things you can do, but not needed... to make a little more rich, you can pour about 1/4 cup of cream over the top and let it ooze down into the potatoes. You can also add cheese and/or french fried onions to the top to make a cheesy dish.... You could even add cheese to the inside of the potatoes if you REALLY Wanted!!! Enjoy!
3-4 Potatoes, Sliced thin
Butter, (about 1 stick)
Salt, Pepper
The spices you like! Oregano, parsley, chives, basil... WHATEVER!!! it doesn't matter! just mix and match!
In a double boiler (a pan of boiling water, with a glass heat proof bowl on top) Place butter, Salt, Pepper, spices and sliced potatoes, Steam for 30 mins to an hour, place a sheet of foil on top to help keep the steam in. Stir every few mins to make sure all potatoes are covered in butter and spices.
Pour out potatoes in a pan or tray (use the foil that you used to keep the steam in to help with clean up) You'll want to do this so they can be spread out and cool a little so you can touch them. You'll want to place the potatoes in single layers in a gratin dish, or loaf pan. bake @ 400 degrees for about 30-45 mins. make sure the top is nice and golden brown.
Here are few things you can do, but not needed... to make a little more rich, you can pour about 1/4 cup of cream over the top and let it ooze down into the potatoes. You can also add cheese and/or french fried onions to the top to make a cheesy dish.... You could even add cheese to the inside of the potatoes if you REALLY Wanted!!! Enjoy!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Sweet potato frys!
I am NOT a fan of sweet potato! I like... correction HAVE A CRAZY LOVE for potato, but not the sweet kind! Recently i tried a sweet potato fry, and kinda sorta loved it!!! i wanted to make my own, a little healthier... SOOOOO I DID!!!! Here's what you'll need:
Sweet Potato (i used 2)
Salt (1/4 teaspoon)
Pepper (to taste)
Paprika (1/2 teaspoon)
Cinnamon (1/4 teaspoon)
Rosemary (i used a pinch because I'm not a huge fan, make sure you crush them up in your fingers before adding to the potato
Olive Oil (1/4 cup... or less if you wish!)
Zip Lock bag
Preheat Oven to 425
Cut up potato's into fry like shapes
Add them and everything else into a Ziploc bag
Close, and SHAKE!!!!
Place them on a baking sheet in a single layer
Bake for 30 mins, turning every 10 mins
You'll want to eat these up all by yourself before your family finds out you've made them!!! they are THAT GOOD!!!!!!
Sweet Potato (i used 2)
Salt (1/4 teaspoon)
Pepper (to taste)
Paprika (1/2 teaspoon)
Cinnamon (1/4 teaspoon)
Rosemary (i used a pinch because I'm not a huge fan, make sure you crush them up in your fingers before adding to the potato
Olive Oil (1/4 cup... or less if you wish!)
Zip Lock bag
Preheat Oven to 425
Cut up potato's into fry like shapes
Add them and everything else into a Ziploc bag
Close, and SHAKE!!!!
Place them on a baking sheet in a single layer
Bake for 30 mins, turning every 10 mins
You'll want to eat these up all by yourself before your family finds out you've made them!!! they are THAT GOOD!!!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
