week of Nov 12 2018

Mon - Tortellini with Lemon Chicken
Tue - Ground Beef Tostada
Wed - Chicken and Rice Casserole
Thur - Pasta fagioli soup
Fri - Breakfast

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.

Pasta e Fagioli
1 lb Italian Sausage (hot or mild)
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 small carrot, finely chopped
1 rib celery, finely chopped

1 tsp dry Italain Seasoning Mix
4 large cloves garlic, chopped
Salt and pepper, as needed

Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, as desired for extra heat (optional)
1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained
1 (16 oz) can red kidney beans, drained
1 large (18 oz) crushed tomatoes with liquid
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregeno
1 can (1 1/2 cups) of stock
1 1/2 cups dry ditalini pasta
Grated Parmigiano or Romano, for topping
DIRECTIONS
Heat a deep pot over medium-high heat cook and chop up sausage. Then add the chopped vegetables, and garlic. Season vegetables with salt and pepper. Add beans, tomatoes with liquid, seasoning, and stock to pot and raise heat to high. Bring soup to a rapid boil and add pasta. Reduce heat to medium and cook soup, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes or until pasta is cooked al dente. Serve with grated cheese and parsley, if desired.

Chicken and Rice Casserole
4 skinless, boneless breast filet
1 can cream of mushroom soup (I perfer Campbell's Healthy Choice)
1 1/2 cans of water
2 cups dry Long Grain White Minute Rice
2 tsp Salt
Salt and Pepper to taste
Grease a 9x13 pan with butter. Sprinkle Chicken Beasts with salt and pepper - both sides. Mix rice, salt, soup and water in the pan. Evenly spread out rice. Place chicken 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.

Blue Berry Pancakes 

Ingredients
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup milk, plus more if needed
1 cup sour cream
1 stick butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
Directions
Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a large mixing bowl. In a separate large bowl, lightly whisk the eggs. Add the milk, sour cream, half the melted butter and the vanilla, whisking to blend. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour the egg mixture into it. Whisk the ingredients together just until blended. Fold the blueberries and lemon zest into the batter.
Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and coat with some of the remaining melted butter. For each pancake, pour about 1/4 cup of the batter into the hot skillet. Cook 3 or 4 pancakes at a time, depending on the size of the skillet. If the batter seems too thick, thin it with 1 to 2 tablespoons milk. When bubbles begin to form and "pop" on the pancake's surface, after about 1 minute, and the outer edge looks done, flip it over and cook briefly for about 30 seconds on the other side.

week of Oct 28 2018

Mummy Dogs

Sun - Goulash
Mon - Scalloped Potatoes (Slow Cooker)

Tue - Chicken Fajitas

Wed - (Halloween) - Mummy Hot Dogs 

Thur - Ham Pie

Fri - Pork Malinese

American Goulash (or Beefaroni)

1 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.

Chicken Fajitas

3 lbs skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips

3 tablespoons lime juice

Zest of 1 lime

1 garlic clove, minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 red bell pepper, sliced

1 green bell pepper, sliced

1 medium onion, sliced

2 garlic cloves, pressed

Salt and pepper

6-8 Fajita size Flour tortillas

Toppings if desired: sour cream, guacamole, cheese, Pico De Gallo, extra lime juice

Sprinkle meat with cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp veggie oil over medium-high heat. Cook meat, peppers, onion, and garlic until chicken is cooked through. Add lime juice and zest. Serve with warmed tortillas and toppings.

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.

M

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).

Week of March 18 2018

Sat - St. Patrick Day - Shepherds Pie

Sun - Grilled Cheese
Mon - Pizza
Tue - Carnitas

Wed - Pork Tamales
Thur- Baked Potato Soup
Fri - Chicken Noodle Casserole

Shepard's Pie

1 lb ground beef or 2 lb stew meat

1 box (32 oz) beef broth

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup each chopped onion, carrot, celery

1/2 frozen peas

2 lb AP flour

    Topping:

4 medium potatoes, cubed

1/4 cup cream

2 tbsp butter

Brown meat onion, carrot, and celery in a saute pan on meduim heat, just until brown, drain. add 2 tbsp butter and AP flour, mix until combined. Add beef broth and mix until it thickens. pour all into 2 quart casserole dish.

Meanwhile, make mashed potatoes.
when potatoes are done, spoon over the mixture in the casserole dish. bake 375F until top is golden brown.

Grilled Cheese and Soup8 slices of bread
16 slices of cheese (I like cheddar or american)Grilled Cheese and Soup8 slices of bread
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.
3 tablespoons butter
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 box stock (chicken or veggie), heated
4 large baker potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 cups milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup sour cream
3 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup minced chives
grated Cheddar Cheese
1/2 lb bacon, cooked crispy and broken up to chunks
Directions
In a large saucepot, over high heat melt the butter add the garlic. Cook over medium heat until fragrant. Add the hot stock and whisk to combine. Add potatoes. Add enough hot water to just cover potatoes. Stir in salt and pepper. Boil until potatoes are tender. Meanwhile, cook bacon. DO NOT DRAIN potato water.
When potatoes are ready, mash in water with a masher. Leaving some lumps depending on how chunky you like your soup. Stir in the milk, cream, sour cream, and 1/2 the chopped bacon. Heat through, boil until desired thickness is reached. Serve in bowls with chives, cheese, bacon pieces and extra sour cream if desired. 

Pork Carnitas - slow cooker
Place the fresh 3 lb shoulder pork roast and 2 cans (7 oz) Mild Diced Green Chilies with liquid and 1 chopped yellow onion into the slow cooker. Cook in slow cooker 8 hours on low. Shred. Serve on warmed tortillas with taco fixings - such as cheese, lettuce or cabbage, onions, cilantro, lime juice.




Baked Potato Soup
3 tablespoons butter
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 box stock (chicken or veggie), heated
4 large baker potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 cups milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup sour cream
3 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup minced chives
grated Cheddar Cheese
1/2 lb bacon, cooked crispy and broken up to chunks
Directions
In a large saucepot, over high heat melt the butter and garlic. 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. Meanwhile, cook bacon. DO NOT DRAIN potato water.
When potatoes are ready, mash in water with a masher. Leaving some lumps depending on how chunky you like your soup. Stir in the milk, cream, sour cream, and 1/2 the chopped bacon. Heat through. Serve in bowls with chives, cheese, bacon pieces and extra sour cream if desired.

Chicken Noodle Casserole

1 cup cooked, diced chicken or turkey

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 small bag of frozen mixed veggies or peas and carrots

2 cups dry, egg noodles

1 tsp each salt and pepper

Cook egg noodles according to package, drain. Place chicken, soup, 1 cup water, veggies, in a 9x13 pan. Add noodles when cooked. When well mixed  place in oven at 350F. Cook for 30 minutes or until warm.

week of Feb 18th 2018

Sun - Tostadas

Mickey Pancakes

Mon Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
Tue Baked Chicken
Wed - Sliders
Thur Pancakes and Sausage (Amelia's Birthday)
Fri - Pot Roast

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 according to package. Top with beans, then meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, cilantro and any additional toppings as desired.

Spaghetti and Meat Sauce

1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 garlic cloves, pressed

1/4 chopped onion
1/2 cup loosely packed, fresh basil

1 tsp Italian Seasoning
1 lb Italian Sausage or Ground Beef
1 lb spaghetti pasta
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper

Shredded Parmesan cheese (optional)

Brown meat in large skillet. Remove when done. add olive if needed for total of 2 tbsp fat in pan. saute onions in pan until translucent. Add garlic,cook until fragrant. Add in crushed tomatoes - juice and all into pan. Stir in seasoning and basil. Return meat and mix in. Allow to simmer for at least 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Cook pasta according to package. 

Mix suace with pasta. Sprinkle with shredded cheese enjoy.

Mushroom Baked Chicken
2 lb (4-6 peices) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can condensed mushroom soup
1 package dry onion soup mix

1 can full milk
1 tsp each salt and pepper
water as needed
2 tbsp butter and 2 tbsp flour combined, to thicken gravy/sauce
Preheat oven to 350f. In a 9x13 oven safe pan, mix mushroom soup, onion soup, with milk and 1/2 can full of water until combined. Add salt and pepper, mix. Place chicken in soup mix, making sure not to overlap. Spoon sauce over top to coat. Bake, covered with foil, for 2-3 hours until fork tender. Keep liquid level up to just below covering meat. Add more HOT water as needed. 
When chicken is done, take out to thicken sauce if necessary. To thicken sauce, combine 2 tbsp each butter and flour (do not use margarine). Whisk in sauce and boil until it reaches desired thickness. Replace in sauce. Serve immediately. Serve with mashed potatoes and a veggie. (We like seasoned green beans with this).

week of Feb 11 2018

Sun - Roast Chicken
Mon - Sausage Raviolis (Michael's Birthday)
Tue - Enchiliadas
Wed Sausage Noodle Noodle Bake
Thur - Chicken Curry

week of feb 4th 2018

Sun - Pizza
Mon - Mac and Cheese
Tue - Chili
Wed - Paella
Thur - Mushroom Pork Chops
Fri - Chicken Cordon Blu

Homemade Pepperoni Pizza
dough (for 2 pizzas)
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tbsp salt
2 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

Sun Dried Pesto Pizza

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/strech 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.

Three Bean Chili

1 lb ground beef

1 can 16 oz refried or pinto beans
1 can 15.5 oz Black Beans

1 15.5 oz can Kidney beans

1 14 oz cans diced tomatoes with jiuce (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.

Mushroom Pork Chops
2 lb (4-6 peices) bone in, thin cut pork chops
1 can condensed mushroom soup
2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 tsp each salt and pepper
water as needed
2 tbsp butter and 2 tbsp flour combined, to thicken gravy/sauce
Preheat oven to 350f. In a 9x13 oven safe pan, mix mushroom soup with 1 1/2 cans full of water until combined. Add Worcestershire sauce and salt and pepper, mix. Place chops in soup mix, making sure not to overlap. Spoon sauce over top to coat. Bake, covered with foil, for 2-3 hours until fork tender. Keep liquid level up to just below covering chops. Add more HOT water as needed. 
When chops are done, take out to thicken sauce if necessary. To thicken sauce, combine 2 tbsp each butter and flour (do not use margarine). Whisk in sauce and boil until it reaches desired thickness. Replace chops in sauce. Serve immediately. 
SLOWCOOKER RECIPE:  this recipe can be done in the crockpot as well. Simmer in crockpot for 6 hours on high. Add the thickening mix in the beginning of the last hour.

mushroom chops

Serve with mashed potatoes and a veggie. (We like seasoned green beans with this).
Cream of Mushroom Gravy homemade: 
2 cups sliced mushrooms
4 tbsp butter
2 tbsp AP flour
1 cup beef broth
1 1/2 cup milk
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp browning sauce
4 roasted garlic cloves, smashed
1 shallot, finely diced
salt and pepper
Saute mushrooms and shallots in butter, stirring frequently, until tender. Sprinkle on flour, stir until flour is incorporated. Stir in broth, milk, sauces, and garlic. Simmer on medium until thickened, about 10-15 minutes. Taste, add salt and pepper as necessary.

Inside-Out Cordon Blu

4-6 (about 2 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

3/4 + 1/4 cup  milk

1 egg

3/4 cup bread crumbs (I use Progresso Italian)

Oil to coat the bottom of the pan (veg or canola)

flour coating:

1/2 cup AP flour

1 tbsp seasoning salt (such as Johnny's)

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp garlic salt

To bread the chops you will need: 2 bowls, 2 paper plates, 1 non-stick cooling rack, a fork. Set up the assembly line: bowl with 3/4 cup of milk, paper plate with flour coating, bowl with 1 egg and 1/4 cup milk beaten together, paper plate with bread crumbs, and last the cooling rack. Put all the chicken in the 1 st bowl. One at a time, place on the flour and coat with the coating. Dip in the egg mix. the place on the bread crumbs and coat the meat. Lay on the cooling rack covered in parchment until all pieces are breaded.

Inside-Out Cordon Blu before melting cheese

To cook the chicken, heat the oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Add chicken one at a time, being careful not to splatter yourself. 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 piece should reach 160F. Let rest 5 minutes on the cooling rack (without parchment) to drain oil. 

Place on cookie sheet with a slice of ham and a slice of cheese. Place sheet in oven, on broil, for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Keep watch, do not allow to burn! Enjoy!