Week of Sept 25, 2016

Sliders

Sun Sliders
Mon Swedish Meatballs
Tue Three Bean Chili
Wed Chicken Pot Pie
Thur Pork Milanese
Fri Chili Dogs

Slow Cooker Sweedish MeatballsPre-made Meatballs (16 oz) 
1 can condensed low sodium mushroom soup
2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 tsp each onion salt, garlic powder, salt and pepper

1 can (mushroom soup can) full milk
1 cup sour cream
3 cups whole grain egg noodles
2 tbsp butter and 2 tbsp flour combined, to thicken gravy/sauce
In the slow cooker, mix mushroom soup with milk until combined. Add Worcestershire sauce and seasonings, mix. Place meatballs in soup mix.

Cook on low 8 hours, or high 4-5 hours. 

Cook noodles, according to package. Drain. Stir noodles with 2 tbsp butter until coated. Add in sour cream. Serve meatballs and sauce over noodles. Serve immediately. Serve with a green salad or a veggie. (We like seasoned green beans with this).

Three Bean Chili

1 lb ground beef

1 can 16 oz re-fried or pinto beans
1 can 15.5 oz Black Beans

1 15.5 oz can Kidney beans

1 14 oz cans diced tomatoes with juice (use ones with chilis, for hotter chili)

1 tbsp tomato paste

1/2 onion, diced

2 small cloves garlic

1 green and/or red bell pepper

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tbsp cummin

1/2 tsp chili powder

2 tsp onion powder

1 tbsp oil

In a large skillet, brown beef, drain. Remove. Sauté onions and bell peppers in oil on medium until onions are translucent. Add garlic, cook until fragrant. Add beef, beans, tomatoes with the juice, paste, and seasoning to the skillet. Bring to a boil. Serve with shredded cheddar cheese and/or fresh chopped onions on top, if desired.

Chicken Pot Pie

Pot Pie

1 cup cooked, diced chicken

1 can cream of chicken soup (or cup of chicken gravy)

1 small bag of frozen mixed veggies or peas and carrots

1 cup cooked, diced potatoes

1 tsp each salt and pepper

2 pie crust rounds (recipe below, or use ready made Pillsbury Pie Crust)

Egg wash: 1 egg and 1 tbsp water beaten together

Preheat oven to 350F. Place 1 pie crust in a 9 inch pan. In a large bowl combine chicken, soup, veggies, potatoes and salt and pepper. When well mixed, spoon into crust. Top with other pie crust round. Cut slits in top crust for venting. Brush top crust with egg wash. Cook for 30 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Pork Milanese

Pork Milanese
2 lbs boneless thin sliced pork loin or chops
3/4 plus 1/4 cup  milk
1 egg
Oil to coat the bottom of the pan (veg or canola)
1 lemon (zest and juice)
flour coating:
1 cup AP flour
1 tbsp seasoning salt (such as Johnny's)
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic salt
breading coating
1 cup bread crumbs (I use Progresso Italian)
1/4 cup Kraft Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp lemon zest
.
To bread the meat you will need: 2 bowls, 2 paper plates, 1 non-stick cooling rack covered with parchment paper, a fork. Set up the assembly line: bowl with  milk, paper plate with flour coating, bowl with 1 egg and 1/4 cup milk beaten together, paper plate with crumb coating, and last the cooling rack. One piece at a time, dip in milk, place on the flour and coat. Dip in the egg mix. the place on the crumb mix and coat. Lay on the cooling rack until all chops are breaded.
To cook the chops, heat the oil in a large skillet on med-high heat. Add peices one at a time, being careful not to splatter yourself. Cover, and cook for 5-10 minutes or until the bottom side is golden brown and top is starting to turn from pink to white. Turn and cook until done. Middle of meat should reach 160F. Let rest 5 minutes on the cooling rack (without parchment) to drain oil. Squeeze fresh lemon juice on top when serving.
Serving with Spaghetti with olive oil (prepared according to box, dressed with olive oil after draining).

Chili Dogs

I will be using left over chili for this, and all beef hot dogs.

Week of Sept 18, 2016

speghetti all carbonara with a poached egg

Sun - spaghetti alla carbonara

Mon - Greek Pitas
Tue - Chicken Enchiladas
Wed - Chicken con Broccoli
Thur Beef Yakisoba
Fri - Salisbury "steak"

spaghetti alla carbonara -
Food Netwoor Recipe.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/spaghetti-alla-carbonara-recipe.html
No pancheta? Use thick sliced bacon.
We like to top with a soft poached egg




Greek "Gyros"

For meat:

1 lb lean ground ground turkey

1 cup bread crumbs

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 tbsp finely chopped garlic, about 4 cloves
1/2 tsp each salt and pepper

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp Greek or Italian herb seasoning mix

1/2 medium yellow onion, shredded
1 tbsp olive oil

Mix together thoroughly.

Place in a loaf pan. Bake at 350F for 1 hour or until temp reaches 160F in center. Allow to stand 5-10 minutes before slicing.

For gyro sandwiches: 4-6 pita beard, 1 sliced cucumber, 1 sliced tomato, tzatziki 

Enchiladas

2+ cups cooked diced or shredded Pork (left over pork loin)

 12-16 corn tortillas (taco size)

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 large can (around 7 oz) of diced green chilies 

1 cup of sour cream

1/4 cup Salsa Verde 

1 tsp salt and pepper (each)

Shredded Colby jack cheese

Mix soup, chili's, sasla, and sour cream in a bowl, and set aside. Warm the tortillas in the microwave for 30-60 seconds until flexible.

Spray a 9x13 rectangular baking pan with oil. To assemble the enchiladas, place tortilla in the pan, fill with a spoonful of chicken, cream mixture, and a sprinkling of cheese. Roll the tortilla up with the open side down. Repeat until pan is full. I usually do 12 total - 8 down lengthwise, an two sets of two on the side of the pan. Spread the rest of the cream mix over the top. Sprinkle with cheese. Heat in 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes until hot.

NON-OVEN RECIPE: You can also do this recipe with out using an oven in a casserole form: instead of rolling the enchiladas, layer the ingredients in a microwave safe casserole dish with a lid. Layer tortillas, cream mix, meat, cheese, repeat 4x. On the top layer omit the chicken. Microwave on high, covered, for 20 minutes, or until center is hot. Let stand, covered, 10 minutes before serving.

Chicken Con Broccoli
1 (15 oz) jar of Alfredo Sauce (I like Classico Creamy Alfredo)
4-6 oz (about 2-3 cups) orecchiette or shell pasta
1 lb chicken breast, cubed
2 tbsp roasted garlic, pressed or smashed
2 tbsp Herb Rub (such as Pampered Chef, or Mrs. Dash)
Salt and Pepper


2 tbsp Olive Oil
12 oz bag steamable frozen broccoli florets
Sprinkle chicken with rub, salt, and pepper. In a large non-stick skillet or grill pan, heat oil on medium heat. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink. Keep warm. Meanwhile, cook pasta and broccoli according to package directions. 
Add garlic and pasta sauce to skillet, return chicken. Stir to combine. When pasta and broccoli are done, drain, and add to skillet and stir until coated. Serve immediately.

Beef Yakisoba
1 lb  beef sliced thin (chicken, pork, whole shrimp, beef, etc)
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 lime, juice and zest
1 tbsp honey
2 tsp oil for cooking meat

 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
1 (16 oz) package Soba noodles (or ramen noodles) - discard any seasoning packets

Mix Seasoning, soy, hosin, lime, and honey togother in a small bowl.
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 until tender as package directs, drain.
Add seasoning mix and noodles to meat/veggies. Stir and heat through. Serve.

Salisbury Steak
1 lb ground beef
2 eggs
3/4 cup bread crumbs
1 tsp woreshestershire sauce

1 tsp each Salt and Pepper
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp onion salt
4 tbsp butter
3-4 tbsp AP flour
1 (14 oz) can beef broth

1 pint sliced mushrooms (optional)
Mix beef, eggs, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, garlic, onion, worshister sauce together. Form into patties ("steaks"). Brown on each side on high heat in 2 tbsp butter - no need to cook through yet. About 2 minutes each side. Remove set on plate. 
 Add drippings remaining butter to a pan. On high heat, using a whisk, add the flour to the pan. Stir until incorporated, then turn down the heat to low and stir for 1-2 minutes or until it smells nutty. Turn the heat back up to high and slowly add the broth constantly whisking until completely incorperated. Turn heat down to low, add the patties back to the pan. Add mushrooms. Cover and simmer until the patties are cooked through and the gravy is thickened, about 20 minutes.

Week of Sept 11 2016

Sun - Waffles and Sausage Links
Mon - Marsala Chicken (slow cooker)

Pan Pizza

Tue - Ground Beef Tostadas

Wed - Mac and Cheese 
Thur - Pizza
Fri - Corn Dogs

Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken
1 Campbell's Skillet Sauce, Chicken Marsala, 9 Oz
1 (8 oz) package sliced mushrooms

Place chicken, skillet sauce, broth, and mushrooms in slow cooker on low for 8 hours, or high for 4 hours. Serve with Roasted Veggies or Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Ground Beef Tosadas

12 corn tostada shells

1 (30 oz) can refried beans

1 lb Ground Beef (80/20 is best)

1 package taco seasoning

1 cup lettuce or cabbage

3 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped

Handful cilantro leaves, chopped

2 cups each shredded Monterey Jack and sharp Cheddar cheese

Optional toppings: Salsa, Pico de Gallo, sour cream, sliced pitted black olives, chopped yellow onion, lime juice

Sprinkle meat with taco seasoning. Brown meat, crumble and drian off fat. Warm beans as package directs.

Warm tostada shells. Top with beans, then meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, cilantro and any additional toppings as desired.

3 Cheese Mac n' Cheese

2 1/2 cups dry elbow macaroni

3 tbsp butter

3 tbsp flour

3 cups milk

1 cup EACH sharp cheddar, provolone, and gouda, shredded 

4 oz cream cheese

1/4 tsp fresh grated nutmeg

Salt and Pepper to taste

Fresh black pepper

Topping (optional): 3 tbsp butter,1 cup bread crumbs. if you desire a crispy topping. Melt the butter in a saute pan and toss the bread crumbs to coat.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Boil the pasta to al dente, according to package. 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 on a med-high heat. Whisk in the flour, turn down the heat to low, and keep it moving for about 2-5 minutes, until it smells nutty. Make sure it's free of lumps. Turn the heat back up to high and stir in the milk, simmer, stirring constantly, until it starts to bubble. Turn down heat to medium. Stir in cream cheese, until incorporated  Stir in 1/3 of the cheese at a time, waiting for each patch to melt. Season with salt and pepper and nutmeg. Fold the macaroni into the mix. Taste, add more salt and pepper if needed. May serve now

OR  if desired, bake to get a crispy crust: pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. top with extra cheese and/or topping. Bake for 10-30 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving. (baked option showed above).

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 above)- 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.

Week of Sept 5th 2016

Mon Spaghetti and Sausages

Tue - Arroz con Pollo Casserole

Wed - Meatloaf
Thur - Zuppa Tuscana
Fri - Bacon Linguine Toss
Sat - Crispy Chicken Sandwiches

Arroz con Pollo (Mexican Chicken and Rice) Casserole
1 carrot, diced
1 celery stalk, diced
1/2 yellow onion, 1/4 diced, 1/4 sliced
1/2 each red, green bell pepper, 1/4 diced, 1/4 sliced
1 (8 oz) can corn, drianed
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed

4 skinless, boneless breast filet
2 cups salsa
2 cups of chicken broth
2 cups dry Long Grain White Minute Rice
2 tsp Salt
taco seasoning mix packet
Grease a 9x13 pan with oil. Sprinkle Chicken Beasts with taco seasoning- both sides. Mix rice, salt, salsa, broth, corn, beans, and diced veggies in the pan. Evenly spread out rice. Place chicken and sliced veggies on top. Cover with foil. Bake in 350F oven for 40-60  minutes, or until rice is done and chicken is no longer pink and liquid is adsorbed. Serve with tortillas and shredded cheese if desired.

Meatloaf2 lb lean ground beef (or ground turkey for low fat)
1 1/4 cup bread crumbs
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp garlic powder
(1 tbsp olive oil, for turkey only)
Topping: 1/2 cup ketchup, 1 tsp BBQ sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar. Mix in a bowl.
Mix ingredients together until incorporated, do not over mix. Place in a loaf pan, best to use a meatloaf pan that has a way to drain fat off bottom. Bake at 350F for 1 hour or until temp reaches 160F in center. Add topping sauce 20 minutes before done, if desired. Allow to stand 5-10 minutes before slicing.
DCB option: place in DCB. Microwave covered on high for 17-20 minutes, or until reaches temp of 150F. Top with sauce, if desired, microwave covered for another 2-3 minutes, or until temp reaches 160F. Allow to stand 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Zuppa Toscana

• 2 cups chopped kale

• 1 lb hot italian sausage

• 1 tbsp olive oil (if needed)

• 2 garlic cloves, pressed

• 1 box stock (chicken or veggie), heated

• 3 lb potatoes, sliced

• 1 cups milk

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 3 tsp salt

• 1 tsp freshly ground pepper

In a large saucepot, over medium heat cook sausage, chop into chunks. When no longer pink, remove meat but leave oil in pan.  Add garlic, and oil if there is less then 2 tbsp of fat in the pan. Cook over medium heat until fragrant. Add the hot stock and whisk to combine. Add potatoes. Add enough hot water to cover potatoes. Stir in salt and pepper. Boil until potatoes are tender. DO NOT DRAIN potato water.
When potatoes are almost done, add the kale and cook until kale and potatoes are tender. Stir in the milk and cream. Return sausage. Heat through. Serve immediately. (If left to simmer the potatoes will begin to turn into mush and disappear in the liquid.)

(BLT Pasta) Bacon, Linguini & Tomato Toss
Recipe
 12 slices bacon, divided
 4 cups (1 L) chicken broth
 2 cans (14.5 oz each)  Italian-style diced tomatoes (3½ cups/875 mL)
 1 medium onion  4 garlic cloves, pressed
 1/2 tsp (2 mL) crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
 12 oz (350 g) uncooked linguini pasta
 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
 1 cup (250 mL) loosely packed fresh parsley, divided
 4 oz (125 g) cream cheese
 1 oz (30 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
Halved grape tomatoes (optional)
1.         Slice bacon crosswise into 1/4-in. (6-mm) strips using Santoku Knife. Place into (12-in./30-cm) Skillet; cook over medium-high heat 8-9 minutes or until crisp. Remove bacon from Skillet; drain on paper towels. Drain Skillet, leaving 1 tbsp (15 mL) drippings in Skillet.
2.         Meanwhile, place broth and diced tomatoes in Large Micro-Cooker®. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 6-8 minutes or until hot; carefully remove from microwave. On clean Cutting Board, finely chop onion usingFood Chopper. Return Skillet to heat; add garlic pressed with Garlic Press and pepper flakes, if desired. Cook 10-20 seconds or until fragrant. Add onion; cook 2-3 minutes or until onion is tender. Carefully add broth mixture, pasta, half of the bacon and salt. Simmer, covered, 9-10 minutes or until pasta is almost cooked but still firm, stirring occasionally.
3.        Finely chop parsley using Chef's Knife; reserve 1 tbsp (15 mL) for garnish. Cut cream cheese into cubes. Grate Parmesan cheese using Rotary Grater. Cut grape tomatoes in half, if using. Remove Skillet from heat. Stir in remaining parsley, cream cheese and grape tomatoes, if desired. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes or until pasta is tender and sauce is thickened. Serve with remaining bacon, Parmesan cheese and reserved parsley.
Yield: 6 servings Nutrients per serving: Calories 450, Total Fat 18 g, Saturated Fat 8 g, Cholesterol 45 mg, Carbohydrate 49 g, Protein 18 g, Sodium 1500 mg, Fiber 3 g