Monthly Archives: August 2010

August 17, 2010 · 10:53 pm

Layered Black Bean and Chicken Enchiladas

Ingredients:
2 cups diced chicken breast
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
2 T chopped fresh cilantro
15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
4.5 oz can diced green chile peppers, drained
10 oz can red OR green enchilada sauce
8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
8 oz sour cream

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and spray with cooking spray. Saute chicken with cumin and coriander until chicken is cooked through. Transfer to a medium bowl and stir in cilantro, black beans and chiles.

Spread half of the enchilada sauce in the bottom of a 11 x 7-inch casserole dish. Place four tortillas over the sauce, layering if necessary. Spoon half of the chicken mixture over the tortillas and sprinkle half of the cheese over the chicken. Spread half of the sour cream on top of the cheese.

Spoon the remaining enchilada sauce over the sour cream. Make another layer of tortillas. Add the remaining chicken. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Remove the cover. Sprinkle with cheese and dollop remaining sour cream over top. Continue cooking uncovered four about 5 minutes or until cheese melts. Remove from oven and let set for ten minuted before serving.

Did I change anything? No, but I think if I made it again I would add a little chopped onion.

What did the family think? Hubby and I really liked it. Our oldest ate it without too much complaint although he said it was too spicy, but to him anything that has more flavor that mac and cheese is considered spicy. Our youngest ate it after much duress.

from AllRecipes

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Filed under Chicken, Definitely Making it Again, Mexican

August 16, 2010 · 10:38 pm

Mexican Stroganoff

I love it when I make a meal that everyone likes…it’s a pretty big deal.

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef, turkey or chicken
1 package taco seasoning
1 cup salsa
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1/2 carrot, chopped
8 oz. egg noodles
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 tomato, chopped

Instructions:
In a Dutch oven, cook and crumble the meat until cooked through; drain excess fat. Add taco seasoning, water and salsa and simmer on medium for about 5-10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a separate pot, cook pasta per directions on the packaging. Drain.

Add green peppers, onion and carrots to the meat mixture, stir and continue to simmer for about five minutes.

Stir in noodles and cream cheese. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese, remove pan from heat and cover until cheese melts.

Sprinkle with tomatoes and serve.

Did I change anything? I added the taco seasoning to the recipe to give it more flavor and the carrots to give it some more veggies. I also served it with a couple slices of avocado on the side.

What did the family think? Everyone ate it and NO ONE complained. NO ONE. Hubby ate all of his, went back for seconds and then helped our youngest with his leftovers. I think he liked it. What do you think? 🙂

from allrecipes.com

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Filed under Definitely Making it Again, Everybody Ate It, Mexican

August 15, 2010 · 11:20 pm

Breakfast Casserole

Super yummy, should have just waited to make it on a cooler day or when we have air conditioning though…no we don’t have AC, but we are getting it this week. Yipppeeee!!!!

Ingredients:
8 eggs, beaten
2 1/2 cups cheddar cheese
6 slices of bread, ripped into cube-like pieces
2 cups milk
2 Italian sausage links, casings removed, cooked and crumbled
1 cup fresh spinach, chopped

Instructions:
Preheat oven 350 degrees.

Beat the eggs in a large bowl. Stir in the milk and cheese. Add the bread and stir it in carefully so it doesn’t disintegrate. Add cooked sausage and spinach. Stir again. Butter a 13 x 9-inch casserole dish. Pour mix into casserole dish.

Bake for 50-60 minutes. Watch it those last ten minutes so that it doesn’t get too done on top.

Let cool for ten minutes before serving.

We had this with a simple salad and a baguette. (Yes, we eat a lot of baguettes around here.) 🙂

Did I change anything? I used leftover hamburger buns instead of bread. This is a great dish to add whatever you happen to have on hand. I could have added broccoli or corn or bacon or onions…The dish not only tasted great, but it was kind of pretty with the green spinach sprinkled in there.

What did the family think? Everyone loved it. Hubby and I had seconds. Oink! 🙂

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Filed under Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Easy, Everybody Ate It, Six Ingredients or Less

August 14, 2010 · 8:42 am

Parmesan-Crumb Broccoli

In an attempt to get my children to eat broccoli…

Ingredients:
1 bunch broccoli (about 1 lb.), cut into small pieces
1 slice whole wheat bread, ground in food processor (about 1 cup)
2 T butter
1 T fresh thyme leaves
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Instructions:
Cook the broccoli in lightly salted boiling water until crisp-tender, about 2-4 minutes. Drain.

Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the crumbs and thyme. Toast until golden and then remove from heat.

Put the broccoli in a serving bowl. Toss in the breadcrumb mixture. Let cool for a couple of minutes or so and then toss in Parmesan.

Did I change anything? Yes, I changed the instructions a little bit. The original instructions had me tossing the Parmesan in while everything else was still really hot, it melted and we ended up with big glops of breading that weren’t coating the broccoli at all. Hopefully by letting things cool down a bit first, that won’t happen.

What did the family think? Thumbs up from everyone but the youngest. Surprised? 🙂

from Real Simple

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Filed under Side Dish, Six Ingredients or Less, Vegetarian

August 13, 2010 · 4:35 pm

Lunch Box Ideas

Okay, I know this isn’t technically a recipe, but I am posting it anyways. My oldest asked for more variety in his sack lunches this year. So, I created this list of choices. The kids choose one from each category and then they can help put it together.

Main Course
PB and J
Macaroni and Cheese
Meatball Marinara
Hard Boiled Eggs
Turkey and Cheese Sandwich
PB and Honey
Chicken Nuggets
Cheddar and apple slice sandwich
PB and apple slice sandwich
Cheddar and apple quesadilla
Pasta with Marinara
Bean and Cheese Burrito
Soup/Stew/Chili
Tuna Salad/Chicken Salad with Crackers
Hummus with Pita Chips
Leftovers from the night before
Peanut butter sandwiches using Ritz or Ritz-like crackers

Fruit/Veggies
Apple Slices
Applesauce
Strawberries
Blueberries
Watermelon
Cantaloupe
Carrots
Grapes
Raisins
Pineapple
Mandarin Oranges
Snap peas

Dairy
Yogurt
Cheese Stick
Babybel Cheese
Cottage Cheese

Crackers/ Chips
Pretzels
Popcorn
Chips and Salsa

Dessert
Cereal Bar
Z-Bar
Cookie
Nutella with Graham Crackers
Graham Crackers
Trail Mix-cereal, raisins, chocolate chips
Banana/Pumpkin/Zucchini Bread
Chocolate Chips
GORP
Muffin

Drink
Milk
Water
Juice

Any other ideas are MORE than welcome! 🙂

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August 10, 2010 · 10:08 pm

Cheesy Potato and Rosemary Scones

Sweet or savory…I love scones!

Ingredients:
2 cup flour
1 1/2 c. mashed potatoes
2 T chopped rosemary
1 tsp salt
1/2 c grated cheddar cheese, divided
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 garlic clove, finely minced
2 T butter, melted
Parchment paper

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees and line a baking pan with parchment paper.

In a bowl, mix together flour, salt, baking powder, rosemary, garlic and 1/2 cheese.

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Mix together egg and milk in a separate bowl and then pour into the well. Mix well. Add potatoes. Mix again.

Transfer dough to a floured board and knead (just a little) with floured hands. Flatten dough to about 1.5 cm in height and cut into about 8 triangles.

Transfer triangles to prepared baking pan, being sure to spread triangles out a bit. Brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden.

Serve warm.

We had these with a simple summer salad of chicken, greens and heirloom tomatoes and some blueberries.

Did I change anything? I didn’t add the rosemary into the batter, I just sprinkled it on top of a couple of the scones since I wasn’t sure if everyone would like the rosemary or not. Then I added the cheese on top of that. I didn’t brush the tops with melted butter, but I wish I would have and that’s why I added it to the recipe.

What did the family think? Hubby liked them, our oldest LOVED them (as I knew he would) and I thought they were just okay. I am going to make these again and add the butter; I think it will make a world of difference.

from Sunita’s World

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Filed under Bread, Definitely Making it Again, Vegetarian

August 9, 2010 · 10:05 pm

Broiled Broccoli

Super easy way to get some greens…

Ingredients:
3 cups broccoli, cut into small pieces
2 T olive oil
1 T water
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. salt

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 500 degrees.

Toss the broccoli with olive oil, water and garlic.

Roast 5 to 7 minutes, turning occasionally, until somewhat browned.

Remove from oven and toss with salt.

We had this dish with Chili-Rubbed Salmon, grapes and bread and butter.

Did I change anything? I added the garlic.

What did the family think? Hubby and I liked it, our oldest was so-so on it and our youngest probably didn’t even touch it.

from Real Simple

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Filed under Chicken, Salad, Side Dish, Six Ingredients or Less

· 9:57 pm

Chili-Rubbed Salmon

SO easy!!!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 T chili powder
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. salt
1 lb. salmon fillet
1 T olive oil

Directions:
In a bowl, combine the chili powder, oregano and salt. Pat the spices on the meat.

Heat the oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook about 8 minutes per side or until cooked through.

We had this with Broiled Broccoli, grapes and bread and butter.

What did the family think? Hubby and I both liked it. Hubby thought it would have been better with some sort of dipping sauce though. Aioli, maybe?

from Real Simple

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Filed under Easy, Fish, Lent, Six Ingredients or Less

August 8, 2010 · 11:32 pm

Nutella Brownies

You WILL eat more than one! 🙂

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 tspn. vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 cup flour
3/4 cup cocoa
1/8 tspn. salt
1/2 tspn. baking powder
1 cup Nutella
1/4 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

Melt the butter on low heat, add in sugar and vanilla while stirring to combine. Remove from the heat and cool completely. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix well to combine after you add each egg.

Add the flour mixture in, a little bit at a time, to the egg mixture until completely mixed together.

Heat the Nutella in the microwave for a little while until it gets to a runny consistency. Add the Nutella to the batter and mix well. Add the chocolate chips and add to combine.

Pour into a square baking pan and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely
before cutting.

Did I change anything? One way you can change this recipe up a little bit is to use 1/2 cup of Nutella and 1/2 cup peanut butter instead of 1 cup of Nutella. I used about 2/3 cup Nutella and 1/3 cup peanut butter.

What did the family think? They are still in the oven, but I am sure they aren’t going to be complaining. 🙂

from Noble Pig

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Filed under After School Snacks, Definitely Making it Again, Desserts, Everybody Ate It

August 6, 2010 · 10:26 pm

Fresh Lime Soda

I used to make this ALL the time when we lived in Arizona…perfect for a hot summer day.

Mix in a pitcher:
3/4 cup squeezed lime juice (about 6 limes)
3/4 cup honey syrup* (more of less to taste)
4 cups club soda or sparking mineral water

Serve chilled or over ice.

*To help honey mix with cold drinks, make the honey syrup by mixing:
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup boiling water

Stir until honey liquifies.

Did I change anything? This is a great recipe if you want to make some just for yourself or if you have a lot of people to serve; the recipe can easily be doubled or cut in half. Also, I have never made the honey syrup. I just make the drink at room temperature, add the honey and taste as I go along until I like the sweetness and then add the ice.

What does the family think? I have never made it for them. It’s a “me” drink. 🙂

from Simply Vegetarian

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Filed under Beverages, Definitely Making it Again, Six Ingredients or Less, Super Easy to Make