Meats & Fish

Creamy Barley with Spring Vegetables and Sauteed Shrimp

As you all probably know by now I am not a “health nut”. But, if I can find a food that is good for you and tastes good I am all in.  I love to cook with barley! I put it in soups, salads and as a side dish. Whole grain barley is a great source of fiber, potassium, folate and B6. And… if you mix it with a ton of vegetables you have a healthy side dish or snack.

This recipe I served for dinner with sauted shrimp. The whole family loved it-even the most picky one!!! Trust me that is huge considering the kid would eat steak for EVERY meal. Occasionally he will ask for fish (which is even stranger), but every single day he asks for steak for dinner. Since he is my third boy I am kinda like, screw it, eat steak-its not worth the fight. I mean we put all our effort into the first two lets just experiment and see how the third one […]

2022-01-25T20:53:08+00:00March 29th, 2017|Meats & Fish, Sides|0 Comments

Compound Butter

It’s Spring!  YAY!  The weather is warmer, the sun is shining and the bugs are out:). Yes, I got my first mosquito bite of the year on Saturday night.  Very sad, but it didn’t stop me from grilling out and enjoying the evening.  

I love using the grill! We have a gas grill and a green egg.  They are both fabulous for different reasons.  The gas grill takes about 10 minutes to heat up and I can control the temperature.  And the green egg or charcoal grill is fabulous because you get the wonderful wood-fired taste.  
Because we live in Texas we use our grill almost year round. It makes cooking so much easier and there is very little clean up-my favorite part!  If you don’t have a grill-go get one!  You can get a Weber charcoal grill for about $90.  It will change your life.  But, if you can’t have a grill because you live in an apartment or the tundra then go get yourself a cast iron stove-top grill pan. You can grab a Lodge grill pan for about $50.  You […]
2018-02-15T21:28:15+00:00March 20th, 2017|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

Calzones

Having three boys means we go through a lot of food in my house.  They have never eaten a ton in one sitting, but they eat all day!  It is funny though, my oldest son who is 6’1″ eats the least and my middle son who hates everything eats the most.  I have learned over the years to have food accessible all the time. I try to have fruit or some frozen snack heated when they get home from school.  When have time I will make a big snack or the “meal” before dinner.  This recipe is one of those snacks I will make, but it is a great dinner as well.  Just serve a salad and you have a great, easy weeknight meal.

If you buy frozen pizza dough you need to think ahead and let it thaw in the fridge for about 6 hours.  If you are wanting to make this tonight then buy the pizza dough that comes in the pop can that is over by the pie crusts in the grocery store. There are no exact measurements or correct ingredients. […]
2021-01-04T21:28:29+00:00January 25th, 2017|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

Teriyaki Salmon

There is something about sweet and salty that everyone loves.  I think that is why my kids LOVE to go to Benihana. They are drawn to the salty fried rice and the teriyaki chicken and frankly so am I. So how do you recreate that taste at home without all the salt and calories? You make your own teriyaki sauce! I know that sounds very chefy, but it’s very easy and a whole lot less sodium. You can use this sauce to marinate chicken, shrimp, vegetables…. I use it to marinate salmon which has a very strong flavor and can hold up to the teriyaki.  

This recipe takes about 15 minutes from start to finish.  I serve it with steamed rice and either bok choy or green beans. 

 

Serves 4

4 (3-6oz) skinless salmon filets
Olive oil
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ginger, minced
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 Tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon corn starch
In a small combine water, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, soy sauce and vinegar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
In […]
2018-02-15T21:28:16+00:00January 19th, 2017|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

Oven Baked Ribs

The spring semester is in full swing and that means that our schedule is crazy!  During the weekdays starting at 3pm I am in the car until about 9pm.  And on the weekends we have games or practices or some event that we have to drive our kids to the ends of the earth to attend. I know I am not alone and if you are in my shoes then you know how hard it is to drive and cook. So, if I can find a way to put dinner in the oven in the morning or afternoon and have it ready at dinner time then I am one happy mom. 

This recipe for Oven Baked Ribs is a favorite of my family and I can make this way ahead of time if I need to.  I used St. Louis Style ribs this time, but you can use Baby Back Ribs as well.

A little trivia about the difference between St. Louis and Baby Back…. St. Louis ribs are the meatier cut of ribs that are taken from closer to the breastbone.  Baby Back […]

2018-02-15T21:28:16+00:00January 19th, 2017|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

Cedar Wrapped Salmon

Cedar Wrapped Salmon

The winter blues have definitely set in! Or maybe its the spring blues or fall blues?  The weather can’t seem to decide what season it is so I am going to quit trying to cook for the season.  I am just going to cook what the little people will eat.  And, surprisingly, two out of my three boys will eat salmon-the third will just have to forage for himself:) Just kidding l feed him also.  I normally just bake a chicken breast for the kid that HATES fish.  I wish he would eat it, because it is so good for you and it balances out all the cheese-its, ice cream and Girl Scout Cookies, but I am going to pick my battles!

Cooking fish used to scare me, but once I started experimenting I found out it is really easy and always quick.  I was at the grocery store the other day and had the thought of grilling salmon on a cedar board, but then I realized it was 40 degrees and raining and maybe grilling […]
2020-01-09T00:07:12+00:00January 19th, 2017|Meats & Fish|1 Comment

Beef Tenderloin

It’s here!!!  I hope all your shopping is done, because it is a zoo out on the roads and in the stores.  People have forgotten how to drive, how to be nice and are generally acting like morons out there. So, if you are like me (pat, pat, pat on the back:) and you are done with all the shopping then you can stay at home and enjoy your moody teenagers. Or your moody toddlers-there really is not much difference.

I am in my kitchen preparing for the big dinner tomorrow night.  We have a big Christmas Eve dinner.  We go to church, open our white elephant gifts, while drinking festive holiday drinks and then eat a fabulous dinner.
I normally make a standing rib roast, but this year I decided to make a tenderloin. Both are pretty pricy cuts of beef, especially at this time of year, but hey it’s the holidays and aren’t you supposed to go in debt? You might as well add on to that debt with a delicious meal! I do try and buy my rib roast at Costco […]
2020-12-17T16:37:03+00:00December 23rd, 2016|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

Flank Steak with Bearnaise Sauce

Flank with Bearnaise 2

The holidays are definitely here because I have come down with the cold from HELL! This is the worst time of year to be in bed and when I say in bed, I mean IN BED! I have gotten nothing done-no shopping, no cards, no tree up, no cocktails:( But, I am on the upswing and finally feeling better. Thank the lord!  But, as you all know, Mom doesn’t get much time to lay in bed.  We still have to get the kids to school, fight over homework, feed the dog, feed the kids….

The other night the kids were hungry for dinner (they seem to be hungry every night) and I had not been to the grocery store in about a week so it was slim pickins.  I opened the freezer and fridge doors and waited for inspiration to hit me. And, it did!  I had a frozen flank steak, frozen french fries, half a bottle of white wine, eggs and some left over tarragon from Thanksgiving.  Keep in mind, this was at 5pm […]
2020-04-29T21:54:15+00:00December 6th, 2016|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

Roasted Turkey

Turkey! The star of the show, kinda.  I love the big beautiful golden turkey at Thanksgiving, but for me the star of the show is the sides.  But, we are talking about turkey.  It is really not that hard-it just looks hard and takes some time. A couple things to remember is to put your frozen turkey in the fridge to thaw on MONDAY. Yes, it takes that long to thaw.  Then the next thing to remember is to let your turkey come to room temperature before you put it in the oven.  Put in on your counter about 2 HOURS prior to putting it in the oven.  If you follow those two tips you are way ahead of the game and the chances of your turkey coming out of that oven perfect are pretty high!
A couple other side notes…. keep an eye on the bottom of the roasting pan. You want liquid in the pan at all times, but you don’t want it overflowing or you will steam your turkey instead of roasting. And you also want to make sure […]
2020-11-24T18:58:33+00:00November 9th, 2016|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

Stuffed Bell Peppers

I hear all the time, “I wish I could cook like you do, but I just don’t have the time”.  My response is always the same, “I am not a gourmet cook and the things I cook for my family are EASY and healthy, I promise!”.  This week is crazy busy with football games, lacrosse practices, carpools, tutoring, husband out of town, broken drain the in front yard, two bat shit crazy dogs, dentist appointment, haircuts for the boys, a stupid pumpkin project due for history (really??), trying to get some sort of workout in….. a normal week, right? So, trust me when I say I get it that it is HARD to get a homemade dinner on the table. So, if you are new the cooking task then start small.  Plan on cooking ONE night this week.  Try a recipe on my blog that you think sounds good and give it a try.  I promise, promise none of my recipes are complicated, unless I state that on the recipe.  But, seriously I am a very lazy cook so not many […]

2022-01-04T22:34:31+00:00October 26th, 2016|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

Baked Chimichangas

Sunday nights I ask my kids what they want me to cook for the week and I get the same answer every time. One of those requests is Baked Chimichangas. They are really good, but honestly my husband is not a huge fan.  Not because they don’t taste fabulous, but because they aren’t really a “meal” in his book.  So, I make these when he is out of town and I need a quick dinner. I had a very busy night last night so I made these about 3:30 in the afternoon.  I kept them warm in the oven until 3:45!  That is when they walked in the door starving and inhaled 2 each.  I explained that the chimichangas were for dinner and that I was not making a second meal.  They shrugged their shoulders and dispersed to do homework. And about 6pm they ate the rest.  I hope they had a glass of milk to round it out, but I can’t be certain. We obviously did not make it to the table for a family dinner-the dogs were very sad that […]

2023-12-18T23:59:16+00:00October 12th, 2016|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

Beef Stroganoff

If I can find a dinner that I can make in advance and that still tastes good I get excited!  Dinner comes at the WORST time of day for moms with kids that can’t drive.  You are trying to get everyone everywhere, at the same time, and help with homework and get dinner on the table.  Then if you throw in a few extra surprises like, feeding the dog, buying a poster board for a project that is due tomorrow, answering the door (why does FedEx and UPS always deliver at 6pm?) it makes getting family dinner ready next to impossible. 

This is a family favorite that I can make when I have time and either keep on the stove or if it is really early I can keep it in the fridge until dinnertime.  
The recipe calls for Sirloin, but use the most tender cut of beef you can find or afford.  And if you can only find Sirloin then cut it as thin as possible and against the grain to make it less tough.  

 

Makes 4-6 […]

2018-02-15T21:28:19+00:00September 19th, 2016|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

Chipotle Raspberry Pork Tenderloin

Yesterday was my youngest son’s birthday and we went out for a big family dinner, so no cooking at my house.  Because it was his birthday he begged me to let him stay up a little bit later than usual.  Being the best mom in the whole world, I let him.  I don’t know about other parents out there, but do you ever think about what they will remember when they are older?  Will they remember the night I let them stay up and watch that movie, on a school night.  Or… will they remember that time I chased them around the house with “Mr. Spoon” because they were throwing the football in the house and broke a window? I always wonder and then feel guilty and let them get away with some things that I know in my heart of hearts I should shut down.  Well, last night was one of those nights.  He stayed up late and the DEVIL woke up this morning! The devil also woke up in the other boy as well.  Needless to say it was […]

2018-02-15T21:28:20+00:00September 13th, 2016|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

Enchilada Casserole

You would think that I would have my act together since school has only been in session for about 3 weeks, but I can’t seem to get into a rhythm in the afternoons.  The other day I picked my son up from practice at 5:30pm and the first thing out of his mouth was, “what’s for dinner”? Uh……I said.  I had NO idea what was for dinner.  I know, I know I needed my weekly calendar, but that weekend had been crazy busy and I did not have time to plan ahead.  

As I was driving home from practice I swung by the grocery store and ran around like a chicken with my head off cut buying the ingredients for this recipe, Enchilada Casserole.  It was really good and my kids ate it all.  Home run in my book!

 

Makes about 6 servings

1 lb. ground beef
1 small can green chilies
1 packet taco seasoning
1/2 cup water
1 (16oz) can refried beans
18 corn tortillas
1 (12oz) can enchilada sauce
2 cups shredded cheese (Mexican blend or cheddar)
Preheat oven to 350°
In a large skillet, over […]
2018-02-15T21:28:20+00:00September 12th, 2016|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

Chicken Picatta

Sauces used to scare me, but they are NO big deal and they make bland things like chicken and pork come to life. One of the best dishes in the world is chicken or veal picatta. I mean how could you not like lemon, wine and butter?? I think I could drink it, with a loaf of bread to round out the meal, but still I think I could drink the stuff.  There are a few tricks to making sauces and once you learn these tips you can play with ingredients.

First thing to remember when making a sauce is to start off with equal amounts of flour and fat (oil, butter, bacon fat, sausage fat…). Place equal amounts of flour and fat (typically 2-3 Tablespoons) into a pan or skillet and let the fat incorporate into the flour. The mixture will become a golden brown.  This is also known as roux. Once you have your roux made that is where the creativity comes into play. You can add wine or chicken stock or beef stock or cream…..
Second thing to remember when making a […]
2018-02-15T21:28:20+00:00September 7th, 2016|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

Tequila Lime Shrimp with Jalapeno Corn Cakes

Texans love their Mexican food, or should I say Tex-Mex food. We don’t like a lot of sauces like Cal-Mex. In Texas we eat tons of fajitas, nachos and grilled chicken.  And when I say a lot, I mean a lot!  You can ask anyone from Texas what is the first thing they eat when they get back into town from a vacation and their response will be Mexican food! It is just home, Texas home.  

Well, I cannot compete with the restaurants in Texas when it comes to fajitas or enchiladas, but I can make my own Tex-Mex dishes that are just as delicious.  This recipe is one of those. It sounds complicated and difficult, but it is really easy and looks very “restauant-ish” when it is served.

 

Makes 4 Servings

Tequila Lime Shrimp
1 lb. peeled and deveined shrimp
1/2 teaspoon cumin
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Juice from one lime (about 2 Tablespoons)
2 Tablespoons Tequila
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and let sit for 30 minutes to an […]
2018-02-15T21:28:21+00:00September 2nd, 2016|Meats & Fish|2 Comments

Oven Roasted Texas Brisket

I have to be honest about my cooking style.  I am LAZY when it comes to cooking, seriously!  I love to cook, but I hate to stand in the kitchen all day making one recipe.  I mean if I work for 6 hours and the monsters eat for 10 minutes where is the joy in that?  I guess it would be different if I was cooking for people that sat and savored every bite, but let’s face it, my family just wants to eat and move on to their phones, eh em, I mean their homework and books. Even though I love to cook I really don’t love standing around all day making an intensely complicated dish. So, with that said, all my recipes are EASY, I promise! And, if you can find a short cut with the same results then by all means let me in on the secret. 

Texas smoked brisket is one of life’s great pleasures. There really is nothing better than a perfectly mesquite smoked, spicy brisket. But, to achieve that beautiful smoke ring you have to put in the time. […]
2018-02-15T21:28:21+00:00August 25th, 2016|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

The word casserole brings visions of tuna mixed with cornflakes or chicken spaghetti. Ick! I understand that casseroles are easy and feed a lot, but who really likes them? Needless to say, no one in my family likes casseroles and I am no exception. So, this dish is not really a casserole-it is just a easier version of the classic French dish, Chicken Cordon Bleu, which takes much more time and effort than I have. 

When I made this recipe today it literally took me 9 minutes to assemble and I was not rushing. It is just that easy and my family really does love it.  Another side note is that I use cream of mushroom soup in this recipe. As you can expect, I am not a fan of condensed soups, double ick! But, by using a can of it in this recipe it cuts down on time and it does not taste like a canned sauce, I promise!  
If you have kids going back to school and your evenings are turning into a barrage of carpools, homework, meetings, nagging, pleading… […]
2018-02-15T21:28:21+00:00August 18th, 2016|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

Cashew Chicken

What is it with Asian food and kids?  They love it!  I guess its the salty, umami flavors.  My kids are no exception-they beg for broccoli beef, sesame chicken and cashew chicken all the time! The good thing about these dinners is that they are super easy to make and you know exactly what is going into the dish. Sometime I will tell you my Hong Kong dinner story:) Yep, I don’t think I am going back to Hong Kong anytime soon, if you know what I mean.

So, back to my point about knowing exactly what is in your food.  When you make Asian food at home there is no MSG or sugar or tons of cornstarch.  It’s actually kinda healthy, especially if you can sneak a ton of veggies into the recipe.
This recipe for Cashew Chicken takes me literally 15-20 minutes, depending on how many times I get interrupted by dogs, homework questions, breaking up fights, kids falling down the stairs, lamps breaking…  Yes, my house is a ZOO and I only have 3 boys.
I use chicken breasts or chicken thighs […]
2022-07-06T17:36:23+00:00August 17th, 2016|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger

Who doesn’t love BBQ and who doesn’t love hamburgers? If you raised your hand then we must talk privately!  But, for the majority that love both of those food groups this is the burger for you. The BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger! And, yes tastes as good as it sounds, I promise! 

This is the perfect American dish. It has bacon, hamburger, cheese, BBQ sauce…I  mean come on how much more American can you get? Ok, well if you are eating a hot dog at a baseball game, maybe, but this burger says “Its July 4th and I am an American!”
The BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger! Do you hear angels singing??

 

Makes 4 Burgers

8 slices bacon, cooked
1lb. ground beef (80%/20% or 90%/10%)
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup BBQ sauce (use your favorite, but I like Stubbs)
1 teaspoon Montreal Seasoning
4 Slices of cheddar cheese
4 hamburger buns
Chop 4 of the 8 pieces of bacon.
In a bowl, combine beef, chopped bacon, shredded cheese, 1/4 cup BBQ sauce and Montreal Seasoning.  Mix well without over mixing. Over mixing creates tough burgers. 
Divide the mixture into 4 patties.  Make […]
2018-02-15T21:28:22+00:00June 27th, 2016|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

Pesto Chicken

I think someone told me it was summer, but I have not had 5 minutes of being lazy and drinking my summer margarita.  These kids are so much work!! Why didn’t someone tell me that…like 15 years ago??! Anyway, yesterday afternoon I looked up from ironing on labels for camp and realized that everyone was hungry and I needed to feed them.  So, I looked in my fridge and found chicken and half a bag of mozzarella.  Hot damn-dinner! Then I thought I could make this dinner look really fancy if I used some of that basil taking over the back yard and I made some pesto.  

Now, this dish, Pesto Chicken, is nothing new, but it is so easy! And, I guess if you wanted to save a few calories you could leave off the cheese, but who hell would do that?  If you use low fat, skim mozzarella it is not that many calories and it makes this dish so decadent even though it is chicken.

 

Serves 4-6

4 boneless chicken breasts
1 cup basil pesto (store bought-I love […]
2018-02-15T21:28:22+00:00June 14th, 2016|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

Basil Pesto

I mentioned earlier that I had planted a few herbs in a pot about a month ago.  Well, once I moved the pot out of reach from the precious little devil puppy the herbs really started to grow.  And grow, and grow!  I have so much basil that if I were a cupcake mom I would blanch it, strain it, freeze it in little ice cube trays and place it ever so pretty in my spacious organized freezer.  Yeah, well that is never going to happen so I am just going to enjoy the beautiful smell of basil on my porch and make as many dishes as I can before the plant either dies from heat, lack of watering or it just gives up.

Last night I made Basil Pesto Chicken with pesto that I made from my bushel of basil.  Pesto can be used for many, many things.  Spaghetti with Pesto, Pesto Grilled Cheese, Pesto Roasted Potatoes, Omelette with Pesto….
It is so easy to make and it smells SO good and fresh! I use walnuts in my pesto because they are easier to […]
2020-08-20T17:33:31+00:00June 14th, 2016|Meats & Fish, Pasta|0 Comments

Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Celery Root Slaw

Pulled Pork is a hands off summer BBQ dish.  It is so easy and usually makes a ton so if you are one of those leftover lovers then this is a great main course to make for a summer dinner, lunch, midnight snack…

Here in Texas we like our BBQ spicy and tangy so that is what this recipes makes.  But, if you are like my Mom, and like it more on the sweet side then just use a sweeter sauce.
Also, these measurements are just approximate amounts.  Adjust the amounts depending on your taste.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Celery Root Slaw

A classic BBQ pulled pork recipe, with a bit of w twist with the celery root slaw, that can be made in the oven or slow cooker. Make a large batch and freeze half to pull out when you have a really crazy day with no time to cook.

  • 1 bone in Boston Butt (6-10lbs)
  • 2 Tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons dry […]
2020-04-08T17:43:16+00:00May 23rd, 2016|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

Apricot Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

I thought I would post something that was a little more complex than pot roast!  Not that pot roast doesn’t take all my energy on some days, but last night I made my family Apricot Stuffed Pork Tenderloin. Two things to keep in mind, first, I do not like sweet with my meat so this is not sweet!  And second, this is not that complicated.  I actually made this entire dish while on the phone helping my best friend solve a major world problem. Thank goodness we solved it! Please call with any issues you need advice on:) 

Anyway, back on track… Apricot Pork Stuffed Pork Tenderloin is such a great dish for a weeknight or a dinner party. You can do everything, except roasting it, in advance.  And the roasting takes about 35 minutes and you are done!
Go ahead and give this one a try and hell if it doesn’t work out then order pizza!

 

4-6 Servings

8 dried apricots, chopped
1 Tablespoon butter
2 shallots, minced or 1 small onion, minced
1 Tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
3 Tablespoons pine nuts
1 8oz. […]
2018-02-15T21:28:24+00:00May 12th, 2016|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

Pot Roast

I think most of the country has been dealing with Spring showers, storms, tornados, frogs falling from the sky, locusts… It just seems to be a very violent spring and we Texans have not been spared.  And to add to the fun of wet clothes, frizzy hair, ruined shoes and hail damaged cars, it is the last month of school. Do you remember when you were a kid how long May took to come to an end?  Well, my kids are there!  It is almost impossible to get them out of bed in the morning. Even my annoying singing does not do the trick.  They have lost all interest in school-not sure they had much in September, but what little they did have is GONE. 

But, thank the Lord our sports have come to an end and our nights are a bit more calm.  Translation, my teenager is asleep on the couch the minute he gets home from school.  My middle son is snap chatting and my youngest is walking around with his lacrosse stick in his hand complaining he is bored. SO with […]
2018-02-15T21:28:24+00:00May 11th, 2016|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

Rosemary Chicken Sausages

There is a lot of bacon and sausage consumed in my house, especially if one or more of the boys has a friend sleep over. I can easily go through 2 pounds of bacon and a pound of sausage on a Saturday morning.  I try to buy the uncured, reduced fat, low sodium, but still its fatty breakfast meats. And, every now and then, and I mean every now and then I will force myself to try a piece or two or three-just to make sure it’s cooked it properly. 

So, I started thinking that if I am going to have to keep trying the bacon and sausage I cook, for the kids, then I need to come up with a recipe that is a bit “healthier”.  And the logical choice is chicken, but I hate the typical chicken/apple sausage. I don’t know why, but I don’t like fruit in my savory sausage.  The reason people put apples in chicken sausage is because it gives it some moisture.  Chicken can be very dry and the apples allow you to cook the chicken through, but […]
2018-02-15T21:28:24+00:00April 29th, 2016|Meats & Fish, Breakfast & Brunch|2 Comments

Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Pot Pie 2
Even though its supposed to be skinny season everyone loves comfort food. And every now and then a good hearty dinner is just what the skinny doctor ordered.  Comfort food to me is Mexican food, a big steak with mashed potatoes or chicken pot pie.  Its just one of those dishes that seems like its good for you because of the peas and carrots, but let’s face it it not “good” for you.  It’s just GOOD.
I make my pot pie in a pie dish, hummm, crazy!  I like the crust on the bottom and top.  I mean the crust is the best part, right?  Why just have the crust on the top?  I suppose if you are trying to cut out calories you could just put one crust on the top, but then we would not be friends. If you want to cut calories then have a grilled chicken salad. Don’t worry that recipe is coming:)
To make this recipe without using a can of cream of mushroom soup you need to make a roux. […]
2020-04-23T19:06:15+00:00April 28th, 2016|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

Broccoli Beef

Mid week dinner blahs!  Its spring and spring fever has set in, at least it has at my house!  We have one month left of school, activities, homework, early mornings…. I know we can get through this.  I am always so excited to get to summer and the more relaxed days, but I guarantee you that come July15 I will be begging for the routine of school and having a clean house, during the day. There is just no pleasing me:)  

But if your family is like mine, they still want to eat and you have to feed them.  They strangely want to eat everyday! So here is a quick dinner that the family will love.  

 

Makes 5-6 servings

1- 1lb. London Broil or flank steak
3 Tablespoons soy sauce
1 1/2 Tablespoon Sherry
2 teaspoons corn starch
1 large head of broccoli or small bag of pre-cut florets.
2 garlic cloves,  minced
1/2 cup chicken broth or water
2 Tablespoons oyster sauce
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2-3 Tablespoons canola oil or grapeseed oil
Slice the beef very thinly across the grain.  It helps to pop it in […]
2018-02-15T21:28:24+00:00April 28th, 2016|Meats & Fish|2 Comments

Upside Down Pizza

Ya know those nights when you are just cooking for the kids because all you need is wine?  Well, this is the recipe for nights like that.  I have no idea where I found the recipe or how I came up with it, but I have been making it since the boys were little bitty.  This not something that I would make for my husband, not that he wouldn’t eat it, but it’s kinda kiddy.

This will take you about 15 minutes to make!

 

1 lb. ground meat (turkey, beef, turkey sausage, Italian sausage…)

1 Tablespoon olive oil
1/2 jar pasta sauce (24oz) or if you find an 12oz jar use that
1/2 medium onion, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
1/4 cup sliced pepperoni
1 can of pre-made pizza dough (Pillsbury)
1/4 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
Preheat oven to 375°
In a large skillet, sauté onion and garlic for 2 minutes.  Add meat and brown.  When meat is cooked through stir in pasta sauce.
Spray a 8×8 pyrex dish with cooking spray. Pour meat mixture in dish. Sprinkle pepperoni and mozzarella on top.
Open pizza dough and roll […]
2018-02-15T21:28:25+00:00April 18th, 2016|Meats & Fish|0 Comments

Jagerschnitzel with Buttered Noodles

German food has always been a favorite of mine.  It is so homey and hearty and just yum.  I’m not saying it is diet friendly, but for a Sunday family dinner the cuisine is perfect. 

Most German food is very heavy and takes quite awhile to prepare.  Well…you know what I am going to say- I don’t have that kind of time and I don’t want to feed my family a fat bomb if I can avoid it.  I will, however, order a big ass plate of cheese fries with loads of ranch at Snuffer’s and tell myself “it’s okay” because it has all the food groups (potatoes-carbs, cheese-dairy and protein, bacon-protein, ranch dressing-dairy and chives-vegetables).
All kidding aside, I do try and lighten up any recipe if I can without loosing the integrity of the dish.  I’m sorry, but mashed cauliflower used as a pizza crust is not the same as pizza crust.  So, without loosing the German flavor of Jagerschnitzel, but trying to cut out as many calories as I can, here is my recipe. 
One note, I would suggest using egg noodles, such as […]
2018-02-15T21:28:25+00:00April 11th, 2016|Meats & Fish|0 Comments
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