Hello All,
With trick or treat just around the corner, my mind drifts toward comfort foods. I have taken some pointers from a couple of my friends to bring you comfort from different families.
Have some fun this week. Dress up. Take a kid trick or treating.
Day 1 – Toasted Pastina
If you’ve never tried this tiny star-shaped pasta before, you are in for a treat. This is for meatless Monday so if you want to make it completely animal friendly, use vegetable stock instead of chicken.
2 carrots, finely chopped
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
1 bell pepper, finely chopped
1 stick of butter
1 12 oz. box of pastina, uncooked
4 cups chicken stock
¼ tsp. salt and pepper
½ tsp. thyme
In a large pot, cook veggies in butter until tender but not browned. Add pasta and cook until lightly browned. Stir in remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook 5 minutes.
Day 2 – Ellie’s Pimento Cheese Sandwich
This is as much as I could get out of Ellie. She never measures so all of this is an estimate. Serve it on bagel chips or in a sandwich with arugula on top.
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 tsp. mustard
3 T. mayo (or more to taste)
1 small jar pimentos, juice and all
1 tsp. garlic salt
¼ tsp. Tabasco sauce, a couple of shakes
In a food processor, combine all ingredients. Blend until well mixed paste forms.
Day 3 – Heather’s Onion and Pepper Pierogies
My friend Heather brought this dish to the fall clothing swap. It was the hit of the night. I’ve recreated it the best I could. I hope you love it as much as we do. You’ll find the pierogies in the freezer section.
1 package of pierogies cooked to package directions
2 onions, thinly sliced
2-3 bell peppers, thinly sliced
Olive oil, about ½ cup
Salt and pepper to taste
In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add onions and peppers. Sauté until cooked through but still crisp. Salt and pepper them to taste. Serve over cooked pierogies.
Day 4 – Egg Salad
This is a comfort food for me. Boil your eggs as usual or use the link below for beautiful eggs.
8 hard boiled eggs
2-3 T. mayo
1 tsp. mustard
1 T. dill relish
1 T. dill relish juice
Salt and pepper
Mash eggs with a fork or pastry blender until eggs are fine crumbles. Add all other ingredients until combined. Serve as a sandwich, on crackers, or on a salad.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2047398_boil-perfect-hard-boiled-egg.html
Day 5 –Quick and Easy BBQ Chicken Pizza
This is one of the quickest dinners you can make. I use whatever chicken I have on hand, rotisserie or canned.
1 pizza crust cooked to package directions
1 ½ cup chicken, chopped or shredded
¾ cup BBQ sauce
2 cups shredded cheese, cheddar or mozzarella
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
Top crust with all ingredients. Bake per package directions until golden brown and cheese is melted.
Day 6 – Baked Chicken in Marinara and Polenta
1 ½ lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
½-1 jar marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella
Salt and pepper
1 ½ cup chicken stock
1 ½ cup milk
1 cup corn meal
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Salt and pepper chicken breast. Place in a baking dish with marinara sauce and cover with cheese. Cook for 30-40 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
While chicken is baking, bring the chicken stock and milk to a boil. Whisk in corn meal and keep whisking until it begins to clump together. Turn off heat. Whisk in parmesan cheese.
Cut baked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Serve chicken and sauce over polenta. Enjoy!
Day 7 – Leftovers
Take a break from being the mom that can do it all and let the family fend for themselves. I usually curl up in front of the DVR and eat cheese on crackers. I love cheese and crackers to the point I could probably eat them everyday. I’ll eat a handful of broccoli to make myself feel a little better about it.
Dessert of the Week – Scary Ghost Treats
These are great and the little ones can help.
http://cookingclub.com/Projects/Project.aspx?id=128848
Drink of the Week – Witch’s Brew
This will serve a whole coven of witches. And can’t we all be a little witchy?
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/witchs-brew-recipe/index.html
With candy and costumes,
Brooke
Monday, October 26, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
It went from fall to winter in one fell swoop.
Hello All,
The weather has been in full swing this week. It’s made me think more about my favorite winter meals than my fall ones. I am excited for you to try some of my new favorite comfort foods as well as those that are tried and true.
Our house has been blessed with some great news this week. Lydie began her new preschool and my book is finally close to publication. I’ll get out more details and dates as they develop. Please keep me in your prayers through this process. Many of you know that it has been a long time in the making.
Keep a look out for great deals on veggies this week. This is the last round for most summer vegetables which means great deals for you. I learned this week that you can freeze bell peppers and onions super fast. Just cut them to the size you normally use; I like diced. Spread them out on a baking sheet and freeze overnight. When they’re frozen all the way through, put them in freezer bags and label them. They’ll stay good for at least six months. No need to defrost them before cooking; they won’t need to.
You’ll notice a ground meat theme. It was really not done on purpose but there was a good sale on it this week. It’s usually pretty cheap, so why not?
Day 1 – Meatless Monday Aglio Olio with Broccoli
This is a classic Italian dish with broccoli added so that I could reduce the carbs. It’s the perfect dish for cold nights.
½ box of thin spaghetti
6 cloves garlic, minced
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
5 anchovies
Black pepper
Parmesan cheese
1 bag broccoli florets
Cook pasta and broccoli in large pot of boiling water, about 7 minutes. Drain and reserve. Heat large skillet over medium heat with the oil. Add garlic and red pepper and cook until garlic sizzles and smells yummy. Add the anchovies and cook until they dissolve into the oil. Mash them with a wooden spoon to quicken the process. Add black pepper to taste. Mix the oil with the pasta and broccoli. Top with parmesan cheese.
Day 2 – Hamburger Pizza
I modified this recipe from a Martha Stewart one. It cuts the time almost in half but keeps all the great flavor. Don’t worry about putting the hamburger on raw. It cooks all the way through and gets crispy. It is wonderful. You may want to make two.
1 Boboli pizza crust
½ cup marinara sauce
1 tomato, thinly sliced
½ red onion, thinly sliced
1 bag of mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/3 pound ground beef
Red pepper flakes, if you like
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. I also heat my pizza stone. Top crust with sauce, tomato, onion, and cheese. Scatter the ground beef on top. Add salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Cook for 20-25 minutes until beef is completely cooked and cheese is melted and golden.
Day 3 – Chili Meatball Bites with Cheese Dip
These make the perfect football food or tailgate app. I recommend not rolling them in the chips; it’s messy and not very tasty. The dip is great. Keep the recipe for a great cheese dip for the chips.
http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/chili-meatball-bites-cheesy-dipper
Day 4 – Chicken Meatball Soup
This recipe takes about 15 minutes and is really great. It’s also supper healthy and low in carbohydrates. Make the meatballs with a tablespoon. The recommended size is huge. No one wants to cut their soup.
http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/chili-meatball-bites-cheesy-dipper/
Day 5 – My Bloomin’ Awesome Chicken Sandwich
I created this recipe after craving one of the fried onions from the major chain restaurants. It satisfied my craving but then made me want another sandwich. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
4 chicken breast cutlets
1 cup flour
2 T. seasoning salt
¼ tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. black pepper
1 cup butter milk
Sandwich buns cut in half and toasted
½ cup olive or canola oil
Mix flour, garlic, salt, and pepper on a large plate. Dip chicken in butter milk then dredge in flour mixture. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry cutlets in oil until golden brown and cooked through. Place on buns and top with sauce below.
1/2 C. Sour Cream or mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. Catsup
1/2 tsp. McCormick Seasoned Salt
1/8 tsp. Cayenne pepper
1 1/2 tsp. Creamy Horseradish
1/4 tsp. Paprika
Mix all together and serve on the bun. Garnish with lettuce and tomato if desired.
Day 6 – Sloppy Joe Night
Relive your youth with a night of nostalgia. Get a can of Manwich or a packet of Sloppy Joe mix and make your own. Serve with chips, celery, carrots, and dip.
Day 7 – Left Over Night
Enjoy a buffet with your extras. Try to mix them in new ways or serve over a salad.
Drink of the Week – Shiraz with Sprite
Before you lecture me on the true way to drink wine, just try this drink. It has been described as an easy sangria or an upscale wine cooler. This is what to drink if you want to hang with the girls or have a drink with your favorite sitcom.
Fill a tall glass with ice. Fill half full with Shiraz. Top it off with Sprite Zero. Enjoy!
Dessert of the Week – Ice Cream with Liquor
Last week I had a drink with Kahlua. If you have some just sitting around, get some good quality vanilla or coffee ice cream. Drizzle the liquor over the top. It is so easy but so good. You could also use Frangelico or Godiva.
With wishes of a full stomach and full glass,
Brooke
The weather has been in full swing this week. It’s made me think more about my favorite winter meals than my fall ones. I am excited for you to try some of my new favorite comfort foods as well as those that are tried and true.
Our house has been blessed with some great news this week. Lydie began her new preschool and my book is finally close to publication. I’ll get out more details and dates as they develop. Please keep me in your prayers through this process. Many of you know that it has been a long time in the making.
Keep a look out for great deals on veggies this week. This is the last round for most summer vegetables which means great deals for you. I learned this week that you can freeze bell peppers and onions super fast. Just cut them to the size you normally use; I like diced. Spread them out on a baking sheet and freeze overnight. When they’re frozen all the way through, put them in freezer bags and label them. They’ll stay good for at least six months. No need to defrost them before cooking; they won’t need to.
You’ll notice a ground meat theme. It was really not done on purpose but there was a good sale on it this week. It’s usually pretty cheap, so why not?
Day 1 – Meatless Monday Aglio Olio with Broccoli
This is a classic Italian dish with broccoli added so that I could reduce the carbs. It’s the perfect dish for cold nights.
½ box of thin spaghetti
6 cloves garlic, minced
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
5 anchovies
Black pepper
Parmesan cheese
1 bag broccoli florets
Cook pasta and broccoli in large pot of boiling water, about 7 minutes. Drain and reserve. Heat large skillet over medium heat with the oil. Add garlic and red pepper and cook until garlic sizzles and smells yummy. Add the anchovies and cook until they dissolve into the oil. Mash them with a wooden spoon to quicken the process. Add black pepper to taste. Mix the oil with the pasta and broccoli. Top with parmesan cheese.
Day 2 – Hamburger Pizza
I modified this recipe from a Martha Stewart one. It cuts the time almost in half but keeps all the great flavor. Don’t worry about putting the hamburger on raw. It cooks all the way through and gets crispy. It is wonderful. You may want to make two.
1 Boboli pizza crust
½ cup marinara sauce
1 tomato, thinly sliced
½ red onion, thinly sliced
1 bag of mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/3 pound ground beef
Red pepper flakes, if you like
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. I also heat my pizza stone. Top crust with sauce, tomato, onion, and cheese. Scatter the ground beef on top. Add salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Cook for 20-25 minutes until beef is completely cooked and cheese is melted and golden.
Day 3 – Chili Meatball Bites with Cheese Dip
These make the perfect football food or tailgate app. I recommend not rolling them in the chips; it’s messy and not very tasty. The dip is great. Keep the recipe for a great cheese dip for the chips.
http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/chili-meatball-bites-cheesy-dipper
Day 4 – Chicken Meatball Soup
This recipe takes about 15 minutes and is really great. It’s also supper healthy and low in carbohydrates. Make the meatballs with a tablespoon. The recommended size is huge. No one wants to cut their soup.
http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/chili-meatball-bites-cheesy-dipper/
Day 5 – My Bloomin’ Awesome Chicken Sandwich
I created this recipe after craving one of the fried onions from the major chain restaurants. It satisfied my craving but then made me want another sandwich. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
4 chicken breast cutlets
1 cup flour
2 T. seasoning salt
¼ tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. black pepper
1 cup butter milk
Sandwich buns cut in half and toasted
½ cup olive or canola oil
Mix flour, garlic, salt, and pepper on a large plate. Dip chicken in butter milk then dredge in flour mixture. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry cutlets in oil until golden brown and cooked through. Place on buns and top with sauce below.
1/2 C. Sour Cream or mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. Catsup
1/2 tsp. McCormick Seasoned Salt
1/8 tsp. Cayenne pepper
1 1/2 tsp. Creamy Horseradish
1/4 tsp. Paprika
Mix all together and serve on the bun. Garnish with lettuce and tomato if desired.
Day 6 – Sloppy Joe Night
Relive your youth with a night of nostalgia. Get a can of Manwich or a packet of Sloppy Joe mix and make your own. Serve with chips, celery, carrots, and dip.
Day 7 – Left Over Night
Enjoy a buffet with your extras. Try to mix them in new ways or serve over a salad.
Drink of the Week – Shiraz with Sprite
Before you lecture me on the true way to drink wine, just try this drink. It has been described as an easy sangria or an upscale wine cooler. This is what to drink if you want to hang with the girls or have a drink with your favorite sitcom.
Fill a tall glass with ice. Fill half full with Shiraz. Top it off with Sprite Zero. Enjoy!
Dessert of the Week – Ice Cream with Liquor
Last week I had a drink with Kahlua. If you have some just sitting around, get some good quality vanilla or coffee ice cream. Drizzle the liquor over the top. It is so easy but so good. You could also use Frangelico or Godiva.
With wishes of a full stomach and full glass,
Brooke
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Fall break is finally here!!!
Hello All,
It is fall break and it couldn't get here soon enough. Life has been insanely crazy this week and it'll take a whole week to recover. I have no big plans except to lunch with the ladies on afternoon. With that said, I hope you're not expecting some elaborate meal plans.
I was asked this week if I cook from scratch every night. The truthful answer is of course not. I use convenience foods when I'm too tired or lazy. This doesn't mean that I go through the drive through. That isn't an option on my current budget. I have some go-to meal helpers. As the song says, "I get by with a little help from my friends." I thought this week, I'd share these with you. These are only sugestions; feel free to change them to fit your family's needs.
Day 1 - Pizza (and meatless Monday)
If you've never tried refridgerated pizza crust, you are missing out! To make it taste more like take-out, sprinkle the pan with corn meal.
Use refridgerated pizza crust, spaghetti sauce, and cheese. Top with your family's favorite toppings and serve a side salad to make it more balanced.
Day 2 - Breakfast for Dinner, Pancakes and Eggs
This is also a favorite family meal. I just tried frozen pancakes and they were great. (I had a coupon.) You can easily make them yourself with pancake mix. I scramble up some eggs to add to the protein. To finish off the meal, pick up some cut fruit. This is sure to please everyone in the family. My husband usually offers to cook some bacon, too.
Day 3 - Old El Paso Tacos
This is so simple and tastes great. I sugest that you get some shredded lettuce and tomatoes to top these. You can always find ground beef on sale.
Day 4 - Hamburger Helper
This classic will bring back really great memories. I serve it with a frozen veggie. Pick your favorite flavor. There are even new chicken helpers that I use canned chicken with.
Day 5 - Soup and Sandwich Night
Get your favorite can of soup and heat to can directions. Make your favorite sandwich; we love grilled cheese.
Day 6 -Frozen Appetizer Night
You can find some great things in the freezer section. I love mozzarella sticks and perogis. Jalepeno poppers are also a great addition. Warm everything to directions and have a picnic dinner while watching a movie.
Day 7 - Left-over Night
Use up any left-overs tonight.
Dessert of the Week - Good Ol' Fashion Ice Cream Sandwiches
These favorites never go out of style. Teach your children the joy of chocolate cookies and vanilla ice cream.
Drink of the Week - Box O' Sangria
I found that Target has a great boxed sangria that will last virtually forever in the fridge. It makes every night a special occasion.
I hope this week gives you some well deserved down time. I know I'm looking forward to some.
With pantry items and boxed wine,
Brooke
It is fall break and it couldn't get here soon enough. Life has been insanely crazy this week and it'll take a whole week to recover. I have no big plans except to lunch with the ladies on afternoon. With that said, I hope you're not expecting some elaborate meal plans.
I was asked this week if I cook from scratch every night. The truthful answer is of course not. I use convenience foods when I'm too tired or lazy. This doesn't mean that I go through the drive through. That isn't an option on my current budget. I have some go-to meal helpers. As the song says, "I get by with a little help from my friends." I thought this week, I'd share these with you. These are only sugestions; feel free to change them to fit your family's needs.
Day 1 - Pizza (and meatless Monday)
If you've never tried refridgerated pizza crust, you are missing out! To make it taste more like take-out, sprinkle the pan with corn meal.
Use refridgerated pizza crust, spaghetti sauce, and cheese. Top with your family's favorite toppings and serve a side salad to make it more balanced.
Day 2 - Breakfast for Dinner, Pancakes and Eggs
This is also a favorite family meal. I just tried frozen pancakes and they were great. (I had a coupon.) You can easily make them yourself with pancake mix. I scramble up some eggs to add to the protein. To finish off the meal, pick up some cut fruit. This is sure to please everyone in the family. My husband usually offers to cook some bacon, too.
Day 3 - Old El Paso Tacos
This is so simple and tastes great. I sugest that you get some shredded lettuce and tomatoes to top these. You can always find ground beef on sale.
Day 4 - Hamburger Helper
This classic will bring back really great memories. I serve it with a frozen veggie. Pick your favorite flavor. There are even new chicken helpers that I use canned chicken with.
Day 5 - Soup and Sandwich Night
Get your favorite can of soup and heat to can directions. Make your favorite sandwich; we love grilled cheese.
Day 6 -Frozen Appetizer Night
You can find some great things in the freezer section. I love mozzarella sticks and perogis. Jalepeno poppers are also a great addition. Warm everything to directions and have a picnic dinner while watching a movie.
Day 7 - Left-over Night
Use up any left-overs tonight.
Dessert of the Week - Good Ol' Fashion Ice Cream Sandwiches
These favorites never go out of style. Teach your children the joy of chocolate cookies and vanilla ice cream.
Drink of the Week - Box O' Sangria
I found that Target has a great boxed sangria that will last virtually forever in the fridge. It makes every night a special occasion.
I hope this week gives you some well deserved down time. I know I'm looking forward to some.
With pantry items and boxed wine,
Brooke
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