Week of Jan 24, 2016

Sun Chicken Teriyaki Bowl (Kikkoman Recipe) 
Mon American Goulash ("beefaroni")
Tue Tamale Pie 
Wed Kielbasa and Peirogies (Johnsonville Recipe)
Thur Bacon Fried Rice
Fri Mac n' Cheese

American Goulash or Beefaroni1 lb ditalini or  macaroni
1 lb ground beef, sprinkled with seasoning salt
15 oz tomato sauce
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp brown sugar
salt and pepper to taste
Sprinkle ground beef with seasoning salt. Brown over medium heat. Drain. If pan is very greasy, use paper towel to clean out. Return meat to pan.  Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package. Drain, keep warm. Mix tomato sauce, sugar and seasonings together. Stir sauce with meat in pan over medium heat. Stir in pasta. Mix until all pasta is covered and sauce is warm. Taste, add salt and pepper as needed.

Tamale Pie
(6 - 9 Servings)
1 pkg. "JIFFY" Corn Muffin Mix
1/3 cup milk
1 egg
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix (divided)
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 can (14-3/4 oz.) cream style corn
1 can (4 oz.) green chilies, drained
1 can (10 oz.) enchilada sauce
2 cups chicken or pork, cooked and shredded (I will using leftover beef roast)
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease an 11” x 7” pan.
Combine muffin mix, milk, egg, 1-1/2 tablespoons of taco seasoning, pepper, corn and green chilies. Pour into pan. Bake 30 - 35 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes. Combine chicken or pork and remaining taco seasoning. Pierce top of cornbread with fork several times. Spread chicken or pork mixture on top. Spread enchilada sauce over meat. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake an additional 20 - 25 minutes.

Bacon Fried Rice

Fried Rice without extra veggies

1 lb Bacon, diced and browned
3 cups cooked white rice
1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
1/2 cup peas and carrots frozen mix
2 eggs
3 scallons
Scramble eggs, cook. Dice and brown bacon, drain. Warm up carrots and peas. In a non-stick skillet heat oil, vinegar and soy sauce on med-high. Add in rice. Stir until incorporated. Stir in eggs, bacon, and veggies. top with chopped scallons. Serve.

Mac'n Cheese
Ingredients
1/2 lb elbow macaroni
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour3 cups milk
12 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded
salt and pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Boil the pasta to al dente. The water, like all pasta water, should be salted before hand until it tastes like salt water.
While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and keep it moving for about five minutes. Make sure it's free of lumps. Stir in the milk, simmer, stirring constantly, until it starts to bubble. Turn down heat to medium. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.
Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving.

Week of Jan 17, 2916

Sun Pepperoni Pizza
Mon Mushroom Risotto 

Mushroom Risotto with Peas

Tue Dirty Rice with Sausage
Wed Swiss Steak
Thur Stir Fry noodles
Fri Potato Hash with Sausage
Sat Chicken Cacciatore

Homemade Pepperoni Pizza
dough (for 2 pizzas):
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tbsp salt2 tbsp olive oil plus 2 tsp to bush on crust
3/4 warm (about 100-110F) water
1 tsp (about 1/4 oz or 1 packet) dry active yeast
2 cups AP flour (or 1 cup AP and 1 cup Whole Wheat)
corn meal for dusting pan


toppings (for 2 pizzas):
2 cups pizza or pasta sauce
2 cup pepperoni slices
3-4 cups shredded mozzerella cheese
2-4 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

Place yeast, sugar and warm water in a small bowl. Stir. Allow the yeast to work, let stand 5 minutes or until a foam forms on top. (NOTE: If this does not happen after 10 min, the yeast may have been bad, or the water may have been to hot so the yeast may be dead, or if water is too cold it doesn't activate.) 
.Place flour and salt in a bowl of a mixer. Stir together Using the paddle attachment. Add the oil to the yeast mixture., Start the mixer on low and mix until the dough just comes together, forming a ball. Lube the hook attachment with cooking spray. Attach the hook to the mixer and knead for 15 minutes on medium speed. Take out of  bowl. Roll into a ball. Grease a large, clean, mixing bow. Place the dough in the greased bowl, cover, and allow to rest and rise for an hour.

Separate the dough into 2 halves. If not baking the remaining pizza immediately, spray the inside of a ziptop bag with cooking spray and place the dough ball into the bag. Refrigerate for up to 6 days. Knead the dough for 5-15 minutes, or until it is stretchy and does not break easy.

Preheat oven to 475F. Roll out the dough, either by stretching it with your hands, or if your not that brave, use a rolling pin. Roll/stretch the dough until it is thin as you like. Lay on parchment paper. Dress and bake the pizza immediately for a crisp crust or rest the dough for 30 minutes if you want a chewy, bread-like texture.

Brush the rim of the pizza with olive oil. Spread the pizza sauce evenly onto the pizza. Put on toppings. Slide the pizza onto the pizza stone or pan, bake for 7 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown. 

PAN PIZZA (pic to left)- push the dough into a greased 9 inch pie plate. Sauce, top, and bake as above, except bake for 20 minutes or until crust on sides are golden brown. Serve in pan or pull out of pan and cut.

"Dirty Rice" with Sausage
2 cups Minute Rice
1 can spicy chili with beans (your favorite brand, or 1 cup homemade 3 bean chili)
1 package (14 oz) andouille sausage
1 3/4 cup chicken broth

Cook sausage according to package directions,
Meanwhile, combine broth and chili in stock pot with lid. Bring to boil on high, then add in rice. Bring back to boil then place on lid. Turn off heat. Let sit for 10 minutes.
Slice sausage and add to rice. Serve.

Easy "Swiss Steak"

4 steaks (cheap ones are fine, high quality steak - is NOT necessary for this recipe)

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 pkt onion soup mix (OR mushroom gravy powdered mix)

1 1/2 can water 

Thickener (if needed) 2 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp flour mixed together.

Mix soups and water together in a 9x13 pan, put in steaks. Make sure to cover the steaks with the liquid.

Cover pan with foil, bake 350F for 3 hours. Checking liquid level (make sure all the water didn't evaporate) every hour.

If the baking liquid is lumpy stir to combine. Stir in thickener if needed. Taste gravy, add salt and pepper as necessary. Serve liquid as gravy over steaks and mashed potatoes. We like seasoned green beans as a side.

Stir Fry Noodles
1 lb of your favorite stir fry meat sliced thin (chicken, pork, whole shrimp, beef, etc)
2 tbsp of Asian seasoning OR 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tsp hoisin sauce (found in Asian isle at grocery store)
1 tbsp honey
2 tsp oil for cooking meat

Beef Stir Fry Noodles

1 tbsp fresh ground ginger

 1 bell pepper, sliced
1/2 medium onion, sliced
1/2 lb snow peas
1 can water chesnuts, drained
2 carrots,sliced
2 (3 oz) packages Ramen noodles - discard seasoning packets

Add oil into large skillet or wok. Add veggies and cook until almost done on medium heat, add meat and raise heat to medium-high, cook until cooked through.
Meanwhile, cook noodles in boiling water from 3 mintues, drain.
Add seasoning and noodles to meat/veggies. Stir and heat through. Serve.

3 Potato Hash with Basil Pesto

Potato Hash
Ingredients
1/2 stick unsalted butter
1/2 small onion, diced 
1 bell pepper, small diced
Salt and Freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled, small diced 
Directions. In a large skillet (I like cast iron), over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the onions, peppers, and potatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Saute until golden, and potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.  Serve with toast and cooked sausage links or a poached egg (optional).

Chicken Cacciatore

Ingredients

4 chicken breast halves or thighs (about 2-3 lbs)

1 tsp each salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 medium onion, thinly sliced

1 bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 tbsp capers

2 carrots, sliced

1/2 pound white mushrooms, thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves, pressed

1/2 cup dry red wine

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes in juice

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes or more to taste

Directions

Rinse the chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Brown chicken in 2 tbsp oil in an oven safe pot. Remove chicken after skin is browned. Add veggies to pot and cook until onions are soft. Place chicken back and add other ingredients. Bring to boil then set in a 350F oven for 2 hours, or until chicken is fork tender. Serve with pasta or rice.

Slow cooker directions: Place ingredients in Slow Cooker. Cook on High for 6 hours, stirring occasionally and checking fluid level. If the liquid gets too low, add more broth.

Week of Jan 10, 2016

Beef Tips

Sun - Beef Tips
Mon - Ham and Beans
Tue - Chicken Tacos
Wed - Ham Pie
Thur - Parmesan Chicken Strips
Fri - One Pot Puttanesca with Grilled Chicken Breast

Beef Tips over White Rice
2 lbs of beef stew meat
1 can beef broth
1 tsp EACH salt, pepper, garlic salt 
1 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce 
1 tsp browning sauce
3 tbsp AP flour mixed with 3 tbsp water.
Mix ingredients in crock pot. Cook covered on high for 6 hours.Follow directions on package for rice (Minute Rice is fine). Serve over white rice and beside a veggie or salad. Makes 8 servings.

Shredded Chicken Tacos

2 lb of boneless, skinless chick thigh or breast

2 (4  oz) cans of diced green chili's

1/2 medium onion, diced

1 tbsp lime zest

1 tbsp chopped cilantro

corn tortillas

*optional garnishes:

lime quarters

shredded cheese

sour cream

shredded cabbage/lettuce

SLOW COOKER VERSION To cook meat: Place chicken, chili's, onion, in the slow cooker. Cover and cook for 4-5 hours on high or until meat is falling apart tender. When done take out meat and shred with forks. Put sauce in a blender or food processor until blended. Mix with meat. Serve with tortillas, garnishes, canned re-fried beans and boxed Mexican rice.

HAM AND BEANS

1 ham bone

1 pound navy beans, rinsed, picked over, soaked overnight and drained

2 32 oz boxes of stock (veggie, pork or chicken)

2 carrots, diced fine

1 celery, diced fine

1/2 onion, diced fine

4 cloves garlic, pressed

1 tbsp olive oil

1 bay leaf

salt and pepper to taste

In a large stock pot, on medium heat saute onion, carrot, garlic and celery in oil until fragrant. Add stock, heat to a boil (high heat). Add ham bone and bay leaf. Simmer for at least 3 hours on medium-low heat, stirring and checking liquid leave often. Add pepper and salt to taste when ready to serve.

If desired, you can put all ingredients in a slow-cooker for 8 hours on high instead of on the stove.
NOTE: I saved this ham bone with a bunch of the ham meat from a dinner a while ago with the plan of this week. I will cut off the needed ham for ham pie as well.

Ham Pie

Crust:
NOTE: this is for 1 top and 1 bottom crust. I will be doubling to make 2, for quech and berry pie.
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
8 tbsp butter
8 tbsp Crisco shortening
1 tsp white vinegar
2 tbsp - 1/4 cup water

Filling
2 cup diced ham
1 can condensed cream mushroom soup
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
4 pats of butter
1 cup canned whole corn kernels

To make crust: using a fork or a pastry blender, mix butter, shortening, salt, and flour together until it looks like small beads. Add vinegar and 2 tbsp water and mix until dough forms. If it is too dry to mix add water, a tbsp at a time until it comes together. Roll into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and let rest 20 minutes (can be refrigerated for up to 3 days). After resting, roll out into 2 circles for your pie.
To make pie: Put 1 circle of crust in the bottom of the pan. Add 1/2 the ham to the bottom, then 1/2 the cheese and 1/2 of the corn. Spread 1/2 the soup on top. Repeat 1 more time. Put the butter on, then the top crust on. Make sure to slit a few hole on top for venting. Brush with egg wash. Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until crust is golden brown.


Parmesan Chicken Strips
2 skinless, boneless chicken breast cut into strips
1 cup Kraft Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup flour
1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
2 tbsp each salt and pepper

1 tbsp garlic powder
Milk
Soak chicken in a bowl of milk, enough milk to cover all the chicken. Put flour, salt, pepper, garlic, bread crumbs, and cheese into plastic freezer bag (gallon size) and shake to mix. Put in a few chicken strips at a time and shake until coated. Use olive oil to coat the cookie sheet. Lay coated strips on the sheet in single layer (no over lapping). Bake at 350F in the oven (or toaster oven) until done and golden brown - about 20 minutes. Turning chicken over once.
Serve with a green salad mix or spinach salad.


One Pot Puttanesca

4 cups chicken broth (can use veggie broth for vegetarian)
2 cans (14.5 oz each) Italian-style diced tomatoes
1/2 medium onion
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/2 cup sliced olives
7 oz artichoke hearts, drained
2 tbsp capers
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
12 oz (350 g) uncooked linguine or spaghetti pasta
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup loosely packed fresh parsley, divided
Parmesan cheese, grated
2 tbsp Olive Oil
1. In a large skillet, over medium heat, cook the onion in oil until translucent. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
2. Carefully add broth, tomatoes, pasta, olives, capers, and pepper flakes, if desired.. Simmer, covered, 9-10 minutes or until pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally.
3. Finely chop parsley; reserve 1 tbsp for garnish. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes or until pasta is tender and sauce is thickened. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese and reserved parsley.

Week of Jan 3, 2016

Mon - Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
Tue -  French Toast Bake
Wed - Ground Beef Tacos
Thur - Pork Milanese 
Fri - Uptown Red Beans and Rice with Turkey Sausage (Zatarain's recipe)

Grilled Cheese and Soup

8 slices of bread

16 slices of cheese (I like cheddar or american)

butter, softened OR mayo OR margarine

1 can Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup (made according to directions with water)

Goldfish crackers for soup (optional)

Lightly butter both sides of bread. Place 2 pieces of cheese on 4 of the bread slices. Top cheese with another slice of bread. move to a large non-stick skillet. Cover and cook on medium for 5-10 or until the bottom piece turns golden brown. Uncover. Turn sandwiches over and cook until golden brown on other side, about 3 minutes. Serve hot with hot soup. Serves 4.

Ground Beef Tacos

1 lb lean ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped

1/2 cup Pace Pacanta Sauce (not chunky) OR your fav salsa

1/2 tsp ground cummin

1/2 ground Cheyenne pepper

8-12 corn tortillas

Shredded Cheese

1 cup loosely packed cilantro, chopped

4 Limes

2 cups shredded cabbage OR lettuce (optional)

Chop onion. Add 1/4 of the onion and 1/4 of the cilantro and the beef to a skillet. Sprinkle on cummin and cheynne. Stiring frequently, brown beef, crumble. Drain. Return to skillet, add in sauce. Heat through.

Meanwhile,  add rest of onion and cilantro, juice of 1 lime, 1 tbsp of lime zest, and 1 tsp of salt to a bowl. Mix together. 

Heat tortillas in microwave in a paper towel for about 1 minute or until hot. (OR heat with a small amount of oil on in a pan, keep warm in a warmer) 

To assemble tacos: tortilla, beef mixture, cilantro mixture, cabbage, cheese, and a dash of fresh squeezed lime juice. 

Pork Milanese Food Network recipe http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/pork-milanese-with-creamy-caper-and-lemon-sauce-recipe.html

Uptown Red Beans and Rice with Turkey Sausage (Zatarain's recipe)

Ingredients 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 pound turkey sausage, sliced 1 package (8 ounces) ZATARAIN'S® Red Beans and Rice 3 1/4 cups water Chopped green onions (optional)

Preparation

1. Heat oil in medium saucepan on medium-high heat. Add turkey sausage; brown on both sides. 
2. Stir in Rice Mix and water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 20 to 25 minutes or until rice is tender, stirring occasionally.
3. Remove from heat. Stir in green onions. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Serves: Makes 5 (1-cup) servings.