Hello Folks,
It has been a hectic week and it shows no sign of slowing down any time soon. This week uses a lot of sale items and cheap pantry items to make dinner quick and easy. I hope you enjoy this week’s meals. I have two recipes with buttermilk and two with cherry tomatoes. Both are super cheap and good for you. Ok, maybe the benefits of buttermilk get lost in my Granny’s chocolate cake but it is so worth it.
I was surprised by this week’s poll results. We are so excited to see our new baby and find out if it is a boy or girl. You guys think it’s a boy. Vasek’s mom wants a boy too. Our house is now ready for the new arrival. I’m not sure if we’re ready but it will happen regardless. And thanks to the great shower that Jessica and Susan gave us, we are truly ready for anything!
Day 1 – Crock Pot Pot Roast
This great recipe will give you an excuse to open a bottle of wine. It cooks while you’re at work and can be finished with some instant mashed potatoes and a frozen vegetable. You can’t ask for an easier meal.
http://www.recipezaar.com/Red-Wine-Crock-Pot-Roast-64811
Day 2 – Hamburger and Grape Tomato Pizza
You have got to try this recipe. You actually put the ground meat on uncooked and it cooks on the pizza. I use store made pizza crust. It’s a keeper.
http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/hamburger-and-grape-tomato-pizza?backto=true
Day 3 – Instant Potato Soup
This will make any rainy evening a night to remember. I love potato soup but I don’t always have time to make it from scratch. This uses some fresh vegetables and instant potatoes to make it an "any night" supper.
INSTANT POTATO SOUP
4 slices bacon, diced
• 1 medium onion, chopped fine
• 1 carrot, sliced fine
• 2 ribs celery, chopped fine
• 1 (10 ½-ounce) can chicken broth
• 2 ½ cups milk (or equal parts milk and cream)
• 1 ½ cups instant mashed potato flakes
• Salt and pepper
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced (optional)
Place the bacon in a 2-quart Dutch oven or saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add onions, carrots and celery; cook over low heat until vegetables are soft, stirring occasionally.
Add chicken broth to the pot and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add milk. Gradually stir in instant potatoes, blending smoothly. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Gently heat soup to desired temperature; do not boil. Add more milk if soup seems too thick, more flakes if too thin. Serve topped with green onion and reserved bacon. Makes 6 servings.
Day 4 – Penne with Salami, Cherry Tomatoes, Olives and Capers
This is a remake of a Tyler Florence dish that is a little cheaper and has ingredients that are easier to find.
1 pint cherry tomatoes
½ lb. hard salami, halved and sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup white wine
¼ cup black olives, sliced
¼ cup capers
½ lb. whole wheat penne
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bring large pot of water to a boil. In a small baking dish, combine tomatoes with 2 teaspoons olive oil, sprinkle of salt and pepper. Roast tomatoes for 10 minutes, until the skins begin to split open. Salt boiling water and add pasta.
In a large skillet, heat 3 teaspoons olive oil and salami. Cook over med-hi heat for 2-3 minutes, to heat salami. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate. Add garlic to skillet and cook for 1 minute. Add tomatoes and wine. Cook until liquid is reduced by half. Add olives, capers, salami, pasta and ½ cup pasta cooking water. Stir to combine.
Day 5 – Buttermilk Baked Chicken
Try this recipe with chicken breast cut into strips for a kid friendly meal. Serve with your favorite vegetable.
http://erinlovesmarc.blogspot.com/2007/04/super-crispy-buttermilk-baked-chicken.html
Day 6 – Granny Pruett’s Chocolate Cake
I know that cake is not technically a dinner food but several of you have asked for this recipe so here it is.
1 stick butter
½ cup Crisco shortening
1 cup water
¼ cup cocoa
2 cups self-rising flour
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
½ cup buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
Heat first four ingredients to boiling.
Mix flour and sugar to remove lumps.
Add hot mixture to dry mixture and mix well.
Beat eggs in buttermilk and vanilla. Add to batter.
Pour into 13 x 9 baking pan. Bake for 20-35 minutes at 350 degrees. Longer if using a glass dish. It is done when a toothpick comes out clean.
Icing
½ stick butter
Splash of milk
2-3 T. cocoa
½ box confectioner’s sugar, sifted
Heat butter, milk, and cocoa until creamy and smooth.
Add mixture to sugar and blend until smooth.
Poke holes in hot cake and pour icing over cake. It must be hot for the icing to sink into cake.
Day 7 – Leftovers
Pull out all the leftovers and have a leftover buffet!!! It will save you money and time. This is a great Friday night dinner.
Have a great week and eat well. I know we will. I’m looking for some quick and easy recipes for the first couple of weeks after the baby arrives. Send me your family favorites and I’ll share with the rest of the class.
With love and mashed potatoes with gravy on top,
Brooke
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