Hoppy Easter!!!

Welcome back,

Those of you who went to prom know the teachers had as good a time as the students. I was happy to see Beth back with us again. I’ve missed my dancing buddy. And all of you will be glad to know that labor didn’t start because of the Cha-Cha slide.

I am trying to branch out a little this week. I’ve got different meat sources as well as fun new recipes to get you excited about cooking. One word of caution, I am using shrimp, bacon, and fish. These are all items that I have found on sale. I wouldn’t recommend purchasing these at full price unless you’re cutting costs elsewhere. I always use frozen shrimp here in Georgia to insure that it is the freshest I can find.

I am also including a great squash casserole for you to take to any Easter gatherings you may have planned. Squash is readily available now at a pretty good price.

Day 1 – Creamy Shrimp with Corn and Bacon (Real Simple)
I can’t find this on the website so I’m retyping it. This is a restaurant quality meal that you can make in 30 minutes.

1 cup rice cooked to package directions
4 slices bacon
1 T. olive oil
1 onion, chopped
½ cup dry white wine
¼ cup heavy cream
1 ¼ lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 (10 oz.) package frozen corn
Salt and pepper

In a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp and put on paper towel. Wipe out skillet and heat oil. Add onion and cook 4-6 minutes until soft. Add wine, cook until reduced by half, 2-3 minutes. Add cream and bring to a boil. Stir in shrimp, corn, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer until shrimp is cooked, 4-6 minutes. Stir in crumbled bacon and serve over rice.

Day 2 – BLT
Since we opened the bacon last night, let’s finish it with an all-time favorite. I would use a really great whole wheat bread, the traditional lettuce, tomato and bacon, and if you can find a ripe avocado, slice it and put it on top. You can also add sliced boiled egg or sliced turkey to bump up the healthy protein.

Day 3 – Crock pot Chicken with Leeks and Tarragon

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/chicken-tarragon-leeks-00000000011463/index.html

Day 4 – Fish Sticks with Beans and Apple Sauce
This is inspired my childhood daycare. They loved the frozen fish sticks and so did we. Make it a quick and easy dinner by opening a can of your favorite beans, BBQ, and apple sauce. Most men also love this, though I’m not exactly sure why.

Day 5 – Breakfast for Dinner – Revamped
You all know how much I love breakfast foods. This is a twist, Italian style, using a jarred marinara sauce. Serve with crusty bread, toasted with butter and parmesan.

Simmer 2 cups marinara sauce in skillet. Crack in 4 eggs and cover with lid. Cook until the whites are set and top with pepper and grated parmesan cheese.

Day 6 – Pizza Night!!!
I just received my new pizza stone and have been dying to test it out. This is one of my all time favorite pizza recipes that I borrowed from a long closed pizza place in Tampa.

White Pizza
Store bought pizza dough
Minced garlic, 3 cloves (more if you’re a garlic-holic like me)
½ cup ricotta cheese
1 tomato thinly sliced
½ cup parmesan
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Put pizza dough on heated pizza stone. Rub garlic on dough. Top with remaining ingredients. Cook pizza at 450 for about 20 minutes.

Day 7 – Squash Casserole
This is super easy recipe that you can whip up for any potluck. You may want to use reduced fat and sodium soup to lighten it a little. I hope you enjoy.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Squash-Casserole-II-2/Detail.aspx

Have a happy Easter and great cold snap. All these meals will keep you warm and full to survive this last clip of winter.

With Easter eggs in purgatory,
Brooke