Meatless Monday - Nacho' Ordinary Quesadillas
Quesadillas are like the Mexican grilled cheese sandwich. They are so easy to jazz up that the possibilities are endless. This is my take on a nacho grilled cheese. I keep almost all of this on hand so this could be your go to meal on nights when the drive-thru is calling your name.
Whole wheat tortillas (I like the small ones.)
shredded cheese, Mexican blend
can of refried beans, low fat
can of black beans, rinsed and drained
salsa
sour cream, for dipping
butter
Make your "grilled cheese" with cheese, refried beans, salsa, and black beans placed inside 2 whole wheat tortillas. Heat large skillet or griddle pan. Melt a pat of butter in pan and place quesadilla in pan. Brown on one side, then flip and brown on the other. Take out of pan and cut into wedges. Serve with more salsa and sour cream for dipping. You can let each person make their own. Wonderful!
Day 2 - Thai Shrimp Soup
I know that you may not normal buy these things but if you learn to make this soup, you will eat less take-out. It's so easy; if you can boil water, you can make this soup. It's also pretty healthy. It's a win-win combination. You can find all this in your regular grocery store in the asian food section. This serves 4-6 and can easily be halved.
1 (6 oz.) package of rice noodles
2 can light coconut milk (you can use regular but it will triple the calories)
2 cups chicken stock
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons thai red curry paste
1-2 lbs. peeled, deveined shrimp
2-3 cups of snow peas, washed and trimmed
salt and pepper to taste
cilantro, chopped
lime wedges
Cook noodles according to package directions and set aside. In a soup pot, bring coconut milk, stock, soy sauce, and curry paste to a low boil. Add shrimp and cook one minute. Add peas and cook 3-5 minutes until shrimp is pink and peas are tender crisp. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Add noodles to serving bowl and top with curry shrimp soup. Top with cilantro and a squeeze of lime.
Day 3 - Chicken, Veggies, and Rice
This meal came together out of necessity. We are trying to empty our cupboards before we begin the renovation. This is what I created. The kids loved it and it is also asian, sort of. Enjoy.
2 cups brown rice, cooked according to directions
1-2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
1 can of peas and carrots, drained
1 can corn, drained
3 tablespoons soy sauce
Cook rice according to directions; mine was about 45-60 minutes. The last 10 minutes, throw in everything else. Let cook until all the water is absorbed. If you like it a little on the stir-fried side, just add a little oil and crank the heat up. Stir constantly to keep the rice from burning.
Day 4 - Crockpot Chicken Parmesan
This is for the day you want Italian but don't want to put on real clothes. It won't take all day unless your chicken is frozen so plan to make it on a day that you'll be home in 6-7 hours.
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, more for passing at the table
1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 egg, beaten
1 ball sliced mozzarella cheese
Jar of marinara sauce
small bag of baby spinach
1 box of whole wheat pasta, cooked according to package directions
Spread the 1 T of olive oil into the bottom of your crockpot stoneware insert. Beat the egg in a bowl. Combine the bread crumbs with the seasonings and Parmesan cheese in another separate shallow bowl or plate. Dip the chicken into the egg, then into the bread crumb mixture, coating both sides with crumb mixture. Place the chicken breast pieces in the bottom of the crock. Layer 2-3 slices of mozzarella cheese on top. Top with spinach and cover with entire jar of marinara sauce. Cook on low 6-7 hours or high for 3-4. Make pasta right before serving. Serve with pasta and I put parmesan on the table if people want to sprinkle more on top.
Day 5 - BBQ Pizza at Home
Ok, this is pretty close to take out since everything that you use is premade. This is not the healthiest of my meals but when you're craving a specialty pizza, this will satisfy you in a pinch. I'm also pretty sure this is at least half the fat and calories of the one that you get at the pizza place.
1 Boboli whole wheat pizza crust
1 package of shredded barbecue chicken (It's in the refrigerated section of the grocery store.)
1 package of shredded mozzarella cheese
jar of barbecue sauce
Pickles
Top crust with a thin layer of barbecue sauce, chicken, and cheese. Bake according to package directions. Serve with pickles on the side. It's so good.
Day 6 - Peanut Butter Cup Rice Crispy Treats
Ok, So this is not a meal, at least it shouldn't be. This is however a redone recipe that far exceeds the original. I love the combination of peanut butter and chocolate. Add coconut oil and something crispy to the mix and it's bliss. This will take 5 minutes, yep, that's it.
3 tablespoons coconut oil, plus a tad to grease the pan
10 oz. bag of small marshmallows
6 cups rice crispy cereal
1/2 cup Reese's peanut butter chips
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Grease 9 x 12 dish with coconut oil. Place 3 tablespoons of coconut oil and marshmallows in a large plastic or glass bowl. It will need to be really big. Heat in the microwave for 2 minutes. Take out and mix the marshmallows, oil, and rice cereal together. Add chips until well blended. Dump into greased dish and spread evenly. Let cool to room temperature. Cut into squares and enjoy.
Leftover remix -
You could call this international night and pull all the leftovers out on the counter. Let the family mix and match their favorites. Who know, you may find an awesome new creation.
With great food in the belly and more money in the wallet,
Brooke
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