My sister-in-law made this one night at her house and I LOVED it, so of course I stole her recipe. This is a great recipe for this time of year!
Butternut squash (at stop and shop you can find it already cut up)
2 large apples (any kind work well)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter (softened)
1 TBSP flour
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
Cut up squash and apples and put into a large baking dish. Crumble dry ingredients in a bowl with the butter and pour over the apples and squash. Bake at 450 degrees until the apples and squash are soft. (this should take about 30 min but keep checking)
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Penne ala Vodka
It took me a LONG time to find a good ala vodka recipe. I happen to really like this one.
1 pound penne
1/2 stick butter
garlic (chopped)
oregano
basil
1 cup heavy cream
1 oz vodka
1/4 cup parmesean cheese
8 oz can tomato sauce
salt
pepper
Melt butter in pan; add 3 cloves garlic and make sure your garlic does not burn. Add salt, pepper, dry oregano, dry basil to taste. Turn up heat and add 1 oz vodka letting the alcohol burn off. Add cream and bring to a boil. Add in parm cheese and tomato sauce. Let simmer and serve.
I like to add in chicken or shrimp to make the meal have a little protein.
1 pound penne
1/2 stick butter
garlic (chopped)
oregano
basil
1 cup heavy cream
1 oz vodka
1/4 cup parmesean cheese
8 oz can tomato sauce
salt
pepper
Melt butter in pan; add 3 cloves garlic and make sure your garlic does not burn. Add salt, pepper, dry oregano, dry basil to taste. Turn up heat and add 1 oz vodka letting the alcohol burn off. Add cream and bring to a boil. Add in parm cheese and tomato sauce. Let simmer and serve.
I like to add in chicken or shrimp to make the meal have a little protein.
Stir Fry
I LOVE to make stir fry and my son loves to eat it, which is great cause it is filled with veggies.
You can make it with tofu, chicken, or beef. (I prefer tofu, but if you use tofu make sure you get the extra firm, you don't want to make the same mistake I did once)
The great thing about stir fry is you can use pretty much any veggies you have on hand, here is a list of some veggies I have used:
broccoli
celery
carrots
baby corn
bok choy
water chestnuts
snow peas
bamboo shoots
Cook protein with a little oil, garlic (chopped), grated ginger, and soy sauce. Once protein is mostly cooked take it out and add in veggies. Add more ginger, soy sauce, and garlic and cook until veggies are soft. Add protein back in to finish cooking it, and serve over rice. YUM!
You can make it with tofu, chicken, or beef. (I prefer tofu, but if you use tofu make sure you get the extra firm, you don't want to make the same mistake I did once)
The great thing about stir fry is you can use pretty much any veggies you have on hand, here is a list of some veggies I have used:
broccoli
celery
carrots
baby corn
bok choy
water chestnuts
snow peas
bamboo shoots
Cook protein with a little oil, garlic (chopped), grated ginger, and soy sauce. Once protein is mostly cooked take it out and add in veggies. Add more ginger, soy sauce, and garlic and cook until veggies are soft. Add protein back in to finish cooking it, and serve over rice. YUM!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Guacamole
I like to serve my quesadillas with fresh guac.
2-3 avacados
1 small onion (chopped)
1 small tomato (chopped)
juice of 1 lime
1/2 tsp. cumin
dash of salt
handful of chopped fresh cilantro
Mash the avacados, and add all other ingredients and VOILA!
Helpful hint: to keep your guac from browning you can keep the avacado pit in your guac until you serve it.
2-3 avacados
1 small onion (chopped)
1 small tomato (chopped)
juice of 1 lime
1/2 tsp. cumin
dash of salt
handful of chopped fresh cilantro
Mash the avacados, and add all other ingredients and VOILA!
Helpful hint: to keep your guac from browning you can keep the avacado pit in your guac until you serve it.
Quesadillas!
A great quick meal are cheese quesadillas! You can add any protein you like or just leave them plain. Tonight we used leftover rotisserie chicken and shrimp.
Tortillas
Cheese (I buy the mexican blend that is already shredded since it is quicker)
Chicken, shrimp, beef, etc.
On a grill pan (or a regular skillet) heat one side of the tortilla. Add cheese and any other filling you like, then fold and turn over. Serve when cheese is fully melted.
Tortillas
Cheese (I buy the mexican blend that is already shredded since it is quicker)
Chicken, shrimp, beef, etc.
On a grill pan (or a regular skillet) heat one side of the tortilla. Add cheese and any other filling you like, then fold and turn over. Serve when cheese is fully melted.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Jasmine Rice
I LOVE jasmine rice, and I found the BEST jasmine rice at Trader Joe's. Trader Joe's sells frozen organic jasmine rice. It comes in a box with three packets in it, and only takes three minutes in the microwave.
Skirt Steak
I LOVE skirt steak and I love it even more in this marinade. This has to be my favorite summer grilled dinner.
Marinate the steak for at least 30 min. I am not going to give you measurements cause I don't measure but I will give you an approximation.
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
Tbsp grated ginger
Tbsp minced garlic
I usually serve this with rice and a veggie. Tonight I made a tomato salad with chopped tomatoes, basil, parsley, olive oil, white wine vinegar, salt and pepper. I also made some steamed carrots with butter and jasmine rice.
Marinate the steak for at least 30 min. I am not going to give you measurements cause I don't measure but I will give you an approximation.
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
Tbsp grated ginger
Tbsp minced garlic
I usually serve this with rice and a veggie. Tonight I made a tomato salad with chopped tomatoes, basil, parsley, olive oil, white wine vinegar, salt and pepper. I also made some steamed carrots with butter and jasmine rice.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Zucchini Parm Pasta
This was a side dish I made up in Vermont because I didn't have many ingredients to use and we needed something to go with our ribs and I thought it came out fantastic! Everyone loved it.
1-2 zucchini cut into rounds and then cut in half (I used 2 small ones but if you have 1 large zucchini that is all you need)
Rotini Pasta
Parmasean Cheese (use good Parm cheese not the kraft kind)
Butter
Salt
Pepper
Boil water for Rotini. While the water is coming to a boil, put a good amount of butter in a hot pan, about 1 tablespoon. Add Zucchini and salt and pepper. I like to use a generous amount of pepper. Cook until zucchini is browned and soft. In a bowl mix pasta and zucchini and add parmasean cheese. Use as much or as little parm as you like. Eat and enjoy. I think I might make this again this week as a main course and just add some grilled chicken to it.
1-2 zucchini cut into rounds and then cut in half (I used 2 small ones but if you have 1 large zucchini that is all you need)
Rotini Pasta
Parmasean Cheese (use good Parm cheese not the kraft kind)
Butter
Salt
Pepper
Boil water for Rotini. While the water is coming to a boil, put a good amount of butter in a hot pan, about 1 tablespoon. Add Zucchini and salt and pepper. I like to use a generous amount of pepper. Cook until zucchini is browned and soft. In a bowl mix pasta and zucchini and add parmasean cheese. Use as much or as little parm as you like. Eat and enjoy. I think I might make this again this week as a main course and just add some grilled chicken to it.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Veggie Side Dishes
I often serve my veggies lightly steamed with some seasoned salt or lemon juice or both on them. I have a great steamer that you can put right in the microwave and steam your veggies for about 2-3 min. I prefer my veggies still slightly crisp and not soggy. I do this with green beans, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots.
A great recipe for carrots are to cut them in rounds and saute them in a little butter and honey. They are sooo sweet and yummy!
A great recipe for carrots are to cut them in rounds and saute them in a little butter and honey. They are sooo sweet and yummy!
Crispy Fish with Tomato and Leek Saute (courtesy of Real Simple Magazine)
I LOVE this fish dish and so does my mother-in-law, she makes it about once a week since I made it for her a few months ago.
1 cup bread crumbs
1 t chopped fresh rosemary, or 1/4 t dried
2 T olive oil
4 6 oz pieces tilapia or any other white fish you prefer
1 T dijon mustard
2 leeks (white and light green parts) cut into half moons
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
salt and pepper
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix together bread crumbs, rosemary, and olive oil. Place fish on baking sheet and spread mustard on top and sprinkle with the bread crumbs. Bake until fish is
opaque. Meanwhile heat the remaining oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the leaks, garlic and 1/2 cup water. Cook until tender and the liquid has mostly evaporated. Stir in the tomates, 1/2 t salt, and 1/4 t pepper. Serve with fish.
I like to also make rice with this dish. I prefer pilaf, but brown would be very good too.
1 cup bread crumbs
1 t chopped fresh rosemary, or 1/4 t dried
2 T olive oil
4 6 oz pieces tilapia or any other white fish you prefer
1 T dijon mustard
2 leeks (white and light green parts) cut into half moons
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
salt and pepper
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix together bread crumbs, rosemary, and olive oil. Place fish on baking sheet and spread mustard on top and sprinkle with the bread crumbs. Bake until fish is
opaque. Meanwhile heat the remaining oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the leaks, garlic and 1/2 cup water. Cook until tender and the liquid has mostly evaporated. Stir in the tomates, 1/2 t salt, and 1/4 t pepper. Serve with fish.
I like to also make rice with this dish. I prefer pilaf, but brown would be very good too.
Grilled Beer Chicken (courtesy of Rachael Ray)
I got his recipe from Rachael Ray's Magazine and it is really good and easy! I use chicken thighs because that is what I prefer to eat grilled, but you can use any cut of chicken.
One 12- ounce can or bottle of beer, at room temperature
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1 T chili powder
1 T brown sugar
2 t salt
Put all ingredients in a ziplock and add your chicken. Marinate for about 30 min or so. Grill chicken until juices run clear.
I had this last night with some grilled baby eggplant. I really love grilled veggies in the summer. I grill zucchini, summer squash, and eggplant all summer. I just toss them with some olive oil and salt and pepper.
One 12- ounce can or bottle of beer, at room temperature
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1 T chili powder
1 T brown sugar
2 t salt
Put all ingredients in a ziplock and add your chicken. Marinate for about 30 min or so. Grill chicken until juices run clear.
I had this last night with some grilled baby eggplant. I really love grilled veggies in the summer. I grill zucchini, summer squash, and eggplant all summer. I just toss them with some olive oil and salt and pepper.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Beef Stroganoff
I make a version of beef stroganoff that is very easy and very yummy!
1 package of wide egg noodles
1-2 packages of beef for stew (the kind that is already cut up in cubes)
1 package of mushrooms (I get the ones that are already cut so it is less prep time)
1 small container of sour cream (8 oz)
1 small to medium sized yellow onion sliced
oil
Bring up a pot of water to boil to cook noodles. Coat a large pan (with sides) with oil and brown the beef on both sides. Once beef is brown take it out of the pan and add the onion and let carmelize. Once onions are nice and golden brown add in mushrooms. Cook mushrooms down and add in container of sour cream and salt and pepper. Add beef back in and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for about 10-15 min or until the noodles are ready. If the sauce is not thick enough for your liking you can add a little cornstarch to thicken it up. Serve over noodles and enjoy!
1 package of wide egg noodles
1-2 packages of beef for stew (the kind that is already cut up in cubes)
1 package of mushrooms (I get the ones that are already cut so it is less prep time)
1 small container of sour cream (8 oz)
1 small to medium sized yellow onion sliced
oil
Bring up a pot of water to boil to cook noodles. Coat a large pan (with sides) with oil and brown the beef on both sides. Once beef is brown take it out of the pan and add the onion and let carmelize. Once onions are nice and golden brown add in mushrooms. Cook mushrooms down and add in container of sour cream and salt and pepper. Add beef back in and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for about 10-15 min or until the noodles are ready. If the sauce is not thick enough for your liking you can add a little cornstarch to thicken it up. Serve over noodles and enjoy!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Lemon wine chicken
Owen LOVES this chicken dish and it is pretty quick and easy to make with very few ingredients.
4-6 chicken thighs
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion sliced
1 lemon
1 cup white wine
Heat olive oil in skillet and sear both sides of the chicken. Remove chicken from pan and add onions. Cook onions until translucent. Add wine at a high heat and let it cook some of the alcohol out. Add the juice of the lemon, season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the chicken back in and simmer until chicken is cooked through. Serve over rice and with a veggie. Tonight I had it with steamed green beans. YUM!
4-6 chicken thighs
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion sliced
1 lemon
1 cup white wine
Heat olive oil in skillet and sear both sides of the chicken. Remove chicken from pan and add onions. Cook onions until translucent. Add wine at a high heat and let it cook some of the alcohol out. Add the juice of the lemon, season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the chicken back in and simmer until chicken is cooked through. Serve over rice and with a veggie. Tonight I had it with steamed green beans. YUM!
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Homemade Pizza/ Grilled Pizza
Making pizza is a great way to get your kids into the kitchen! Let the kids help you roll out the dough, spread the sauce, and top it with the cheese.
Pizza dough (I like to get it from the pizza place down the street, but sometimes I use pillsbury)
sauce (any kind you like)
mozzarella cheese
Whatever toppings you like
During the winter I bake the pizza in the oven. Usually around 350 for about 15 min.
During the summer we grill the pizza. Surprisingly the dough does not fall through the grates like you think it will.
On a hot grill you want to spread the dough on the grate (I usually put a light coat of oil on the dough first so it doesn't stick) Watch the dough closely so it doesn't burn. Once it has gotten brown on the bottom, flip the dough over and add the toppings. I like to top it with fresh mozz, sliced tomatoes, and at the end fresh basil. This is a much lighter version for the summer. YUMMM!
Pizza dough (I like to get it from the pizza place down the street, but sometimes I use pillsbury)
sauce (any kind you like)
mozzarella cheese
Whatever toppings you like
During the winter I bake the pizza in the oven. Usually around 350 for about 15 min.
During the summer we grill the pizza. Surprisingly the dough does not fall through the grates like you think it will.
On a hot grill you want to spread the dough on the grate (I usually put a light coat of oil on the dough first so it doesn't stick) Watch the dough closely so it doesn't burn. Once it has gotten brown on the bottom, flip the dough over and add the toppings. I like to top it with fresh mozz, sliced tomatoes, and at the end fresh basil. This is a much lighter version for the summer. YUMMM!
Japanese crusted chicken or pork
I LOVE tonkatsu, which is a japanese breaded and fried pork. I make my own version. The only problem is finding the dipping sauce. My supermarket doesn't carry tonkatsu sauce but I did find this teriyaki sauce that is really good. I know you can find the tonkatsu sauce at a japanese supermarket but there is none around my house. This recipe is very easy and you can use either the thin cut pork chops or chicken breast.
flour
egg
panko breadcrumbs
thin cut pork chops or thin cut chicken breast
oil
Basically you cook these the same way you would if you were to make fried chicken cutlets. I use vegetable oil or canola oil to fry in. I also like to serve this with rice, and a veggie (something asian inspired, like snow peas).
flour
egg
panko breadcrumbs
thin cut pork chops or thin cut chicken breast
oil
Basically you cook these the same way you would if you were to make fried chicken cutlets. I use vegetable oil or canola oil to fry in. I also like to serve this with rice, and a veggie (something asian inspired, like snow peas).
Friday, April 30, 2010
Baked Chicken Fingers
Last night I didn't know what to cook since my grass-fed organic beef order had not come yet. So I searched in my freezer and found some frozen chicken tenderloins and decided to make some chicken fingers. I wanted to make them a little healthier than the fried version so I baked them on my pampered chef bar pan.
If you don't have a pampered chef bar pan you do not know what you are missing. This is probably one of my favorite items in my kitchen and I use it for almost everything! (Also, I do not work for pampered chef and do not get any royalties or commissions).
Chicken Fingers
1 package of chicken tenderloins
1 egg (beaten with a bit of water)
1 cup flour
1 cup bread crumbs ( I used the seasoned bread crumbs but if yours are unseasoned then you can season it with herbs of your choice)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Take chicken and dredge in the flour, dip in the egg and coat in breadcrumbs. Place chicken on baking sheet and bake for 20-30 min.
I served my chicken fingers with ketchup, baked sweet potatoes and some green beans that I lightly steamed and sprinkled with some seasoned salt and butter. YUMM!
If you don't have a pampered chef bar pan you do not know what you are missing. This is probably one of my favorite items in my kitchen and I use it for almost everything! (Also, I do not work for pampered chef and do not get any royalties or commissions).
Chicken Fingers
1 package of chicken tenderloins
1 egg (beaten with a bit of water)
1 cup flour
1 cup bread crumbs ( I used the seasoned bread crumbs but if yours are unseasoned then you can season it with herbs of your choice)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Take chicken and dredge in the flour, dip in the egg and coat in breadcrumbs. Place chicken on baking sheet and bake for 20-30 min.
I served my chicken fingers with ketchup, baked sweet potatoes and some green beans that I lightly steamed and sprinkled with some seasoned salt and butter. YUMM!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Hamburger Pie
This is a quick family friendly meal that my husband loves!
2 cans pillsbury crescent rolls (if you can find the crescent sheet it works even better)
1 lb chopped meat (use the type you like; beef, chicken or turkey all work well)
1/4 lb american cheese
Preheat oven according the directions on the can for the crescent rolls. Cook chopped meat over medium heat and season with salt and pepper. Roll out 1 can of dough and do not separate, it should be one sheet on a baking sheet. (I use my pampered chef bar pan) Spread chopped meat onto the dough but leave about 1/2 inch of the dough around the edge. Cover meat with cheese and then take the 2nd roll of dough and place it on top. Seal the edges and bake until golden brown. Serve with ketchup and some tater tots and a veggie and enjoy!
2 cans pillsbury crescent rolls (if you can find the crescent sheet it works even better)
1 lb chopped meat (use the type you like; beef, chicken or turkey all work well)
1/4 lb american cheese
Preheat oven according the directions on the can for the crescent rolls. Cook chopped meat over medium heat and season with salt and pepper. Roll out 1 can of dough and do not separate, it should be one sheet on a baking sheet. (I use my pampered chef bar pan) Spread chopped meat onto the dough but leave about 1/2 inch of the dough around the edge. Cover meat with cheese and then take the 2nd roll of dough and place it on top. Seal the edges and bake until golden brown. Serve with ketchup and some tater tots and a veggie and enjoy!
My inspiration
I decided to start this blog for my mommy friends who are often asking me what I made for dinner, and how I possibly had time to make it. So, this is to help my mommy friends cook some simple, kid-friendly, yummy dinners in a short amount of time.
Growing up my mom always cooked and made delicious dinners in a short amount of time. She is my inspiration! I hope that I can help out my fellow mommy friends by sharing my recipes and some funny stories along the way.
Growing up my mom always cooked and made delicious dinners in a short amount of time. She is my inspiration! I hope that I can help out my fellow mommy friends by sharing my recipes and some funny stories along the way.
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