Hello All,
I am almost through no spend January. It feels like it’s been three months, not one. Luckily, tax returns are just around the corner. This week’s recipes are so good you may want to do a no spend February so you can keep using them and eat in.
Enjoy yourselves this week. I’m trying to keep a cherry outlook despite the horrific devastation that’s all over the news. I’m praying daily for the Haitian people and their government that change will come and rebuilding will begin. This is such an extreme example of how truly lucky we are to be in America, recession and all.
Day 1 – Chopped Salad - HIIIYAA!
I had some good friends in Tampa introduce me to the chopped salad. If you’ve never had one it takes some getting used to but its well worth it. All you do is chop all the veggies about the same size, think marble size. You top it with your favorite dressing. I use my better than crack dressing and a little strong cheese like feta or bleu.
2 zucchini
2 squash
2 tomatoes
1 small onion
2 bell peppers
1 large cucumber
Chop and combine in a large bowl. In a jar combine 2 parts olive oil and balsamic vinegar and 1 part honey and Dijon mustard. Shake well and pour over salad. Top with cheese if desired.
Day 2 – Black and Bleu Pizza
I am in love with the black and bleu burgers. This is my attempt at making it into a pizza. It is wonderful and you can control how much spice you put on. I only “blackened” one half of the pizza so the girls could also enjoy it.
1 refrigerated pizza dough, prepared to package directions
3-4 T. steak sauce (I used A-1.)
½ sweet or red onion, thinly sliced
1/3 lb. ground chuck or sirloin
2 T. blackened seasoning or Old Bay
4 oz. crumbled bleu cheese
Brush dough with steak sauce, scatter onions, and sprinkle ground meat on top. Sprinkle Old Bay over meat and crumble cheese all over pizza. Bake as directed on dough. I had to add 5 minutes to make the bleu cheese well melted and slightly brown.
Day 3 – Baked “Grilled” Cheese with Soup
I love tomato soup with grilled cheese but don’t love all the fat in the butter and enriched flour in the bread. This method cuts out a lot of that but adds in a ton of crunch. I use the new tomato soup in a box.
Whole wheat bread
Sliced extra sharp cheddar
Mayonnaise
Make sandwich as usual. Set oven to broil. Line baking sheet with tin foil and place sandwiches on top. Broil until top is brown and flip sandwiches. Broil other side. Enjoy with soup.
Day 4 – Taco Salad
This is a go to meal made popular in these parts by Wendy’s. I don’t even think they make it anymore but I still crave it. Its simplicity is the secret.
1 lb. ground meat browned, taco seasoning packet added
1 bag shredded lettuce
1 tomato, diced
1 bag shredded cheddar cheese
1 (8 oz.) container sour cream
1 canned red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 bag tortilla chips, crushed
Line plate with crushed chips and top with meat and cheese. Top with beans, lettuce, tomato and sour cream.
Day 5 – Teriyaki Chicken Legs
If you have been trying to watch your spending and eating in, this recipe will make you think you are in the fanciest restaurant. Even if you’ve never really thought you were a great cook, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/teriyaki-chicken-legs/
Day 6 – Party Pockets!!!
I was looking for a fun appetizer for the girls for New Year’s Eve. I came across this idea and had to share it. It is so easy and you can use almost anything. This would also be a great thing to make for watching the big playoff games coming up. This is more of a process than an actual recipe. Change it up any way you like.
1 refrigerated pie crust, rolled out 2 inches larger
¾ lb. ground beef, browned and drained
1 egg, beaten
Any kind of sauce that you like
1 cup cheese, shredded
Sour cream, ranch, or salsa for dipping
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out pie crust super thin. Cut 2-4 inch circles using a cookie cutter or glass. Put parchment paper on a cookie sheet to eliminate sticking and clean up. Brush egg around pie crust rounds. Place a teaspoon of ground beef in center of circle, top with salsa, marinara, soy sauce, or really anything you would eat with meat. Sprinkle a pinch of cheese on top. Fold circles in half and pinch closed. Brush with egg wash. You could sprinkle on sesame seeds or sea salt for a pretty look. Bake until golden brown. Serve with sour cream, ranch, salsa or soy sauce for dipping.
Day 7 – Day of Rest
Make a leftover buffet and let your family make their own plates. This is your day to chill. You may want to make the drink below as your special treat.
Drink of the Week – Tiramisu, the drink
If you love tiramisu cake, you’ll love this drink.
1 shot Frangelico
1 shot Bailey’s
1 shot cream
½ tsp. instant coffee granules
1/3-1/2 cup hot water
In a large mug, combine all ingredients. Enjoy responsibly!
Dessert of the Week – Fake-out Tiramisu
This is a Rachael Ray no cook recipe. It is really impressive and delicious.
http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/five-minute-tiramisu-fake-out/
With gourmet food and a shoestring budget,
Brooke
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