Stuffed Peppers

As you may already know, I try and make meals that don't have too much prep or take too much time. After coming home from work and picking up the kids, I usually only have about 30 minutes or so to get dinner on the table while I have a two year old hanging off my leg and a four year old making demands I play with him.  So I have created my own shortcuts when I can.  For this recipe I use jarred sauce and also microwavable rice.  I absolutely LOVE having this rice in my freezer for nights when I just don't have much time and it comes out so nice and fluffy.

Ingredients:
4 small-medium green bell peppers
1 lb ground beef or ground turkey (I usually use turkey)
1 jar sauce (any type you like)
1 cup cooked rice
parmasean cheese for sprinkling

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.  Cook rice, you can do this in the microwave or use leftover rice that you have on hand.  Cook ground meat in a skillet and drain off the fat.  Mix in the cooked rice and jar of sauce.  Cut the tops off the peppers and take out the membranes and seeds.  Put peppers in an oven-safe casserole dish and fill with the meat mixture. Sprinkle with cheese and bake at 375 until brown and the peppers are soft, about 30-45 minutes.

Two Cheese Corn Gratin (courtesy of Good Housekeeping)

I made this for a BBQ and it was sooo yummy!  I will definitely be making this as a side dish again!

• 1 pound(s) yellow squash, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 1 pound(s) ripe tomatoes, halved, seeded, cut into 1/3-inch-thick slices
• 2 tablespoon(s) olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• 2 tablespoon(s) chopped basil
• 1 1/2 cup(s) whole milk
• 2 tablespoon(s) cornstarch
• 3 large eggs
• 1/4 cup(s) snipped fresh chives
• 5 ear(s) corn
• 3/4 cup(s) panko (Japanese-style bread crumbs)
• 3/4 cup(s) shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup(s) shredded mozzarella cheese

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Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In greased shallow 3-quart. baking dish, arrange squash and half of tomatoes in single layer, overlapping. Drizzle with half of oil; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and half of basil. Roast 25 minutes or until slightly dry.
3. Meanwhile, in large bowl, whisk milk, cornstarch, and 1/8 teaspoon each salt and pepper until cornstarch dissolves. Whisk in eggs and half of chives.
4. Cut corn kernels from cobs. In bowl, combine panko, 1/4 cup Cheddar, 1/8 teaspoon each salt and pepper, and remaining basil, chives, and oil.
5. Sprinkle remaining cheeses evenly over roasted vegetables. Top with corn; pour milk mixture over all. Place raw tomatoes around edge, slightly overlapping. Sprinkle panko mixture evenly over top.
6. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until browned and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes. 

Sweet potato with apples and maple syrup

I was going to make my butternut squash and apple side dish the other night but my squash was pretty sorry looking so I had to think quick and realized I had a sweet potato sitting on the counter and I improvised. I also thought that maple syrup might be nice to use instead of the brown sugar I use with the squash, and I am so glad I tried it this was delish and the kids really loved it!

1-2 apples skinned and chopped
1-2 sweet potatoes skinned and chopped
2 Tbsp maple syrup
2 Tbsp butter

In a baking dish mix together all ingredients and bake at 400 degrees until tender.

Squash and Apple Side Dish

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)

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.

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!