Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Chicken Bruschetta Bake

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There are three things I look for normally in a  recipe. 

1. Easy
2. Quick
3. Tasty

This recipe checks off all of these items on my list.  Mix all the ingredients up and dump it in a pan.  Not much prep and you don't even have to cook the chicken first.  I have never tried a real bruschetta, but this must taste pretty close.  Brushettas are basically bread, tomatoes and other seasonings.   Enjoy!


CHICKEN BRUSCHETTA BAKE


1 can (14-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained 
1 pkg. (6 oz.) Stove Top Stuffing Mix for Chicken 
1/2 cup water 
2 cloves garlic, minced 
1-1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces 
1 tsp. dried basil leaves 
1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese 

Heat oven to 400º F. Mix tomatoes, stuffing mix, water and garlic just until stuffing mix is moistened. Layer chicken, basil and cheese in 3-qt. casserole or 13x9- inch baking dish. Top with stuffing. Bake 30 min. or until chicken is done. 

Makes Six - 1 cup servings, 300 calories per cup
Recipe Adapted from Kraft Foods

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Protein Powered Breakfast


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Recently I finally met my weight loss goal and lost 30 pounds!  I have been a yo yo dieter/exerciser for many years.  Over a year ago I was really packing on the pounds and I felt like I was losing control and I hated it.  So I decided to take back my life and make a change for good!  Now I am just trying to maintain what I have lost and get stronger and hopefully lose some more weight.  I have read a few articles and adding protein to your diet can aide in losing weight. I thought I would share a few protein packed recipes.  

Boiled eggs is one of my favorites!  I will eat a boiled egg with something with Vitamin C (like a clementine or pineapple).  When you eat protein with Vitamin C it helps you absorb protein better.  But I hate it when the boiled egg won't peel!  I have tried all the tricks, last year I finally found a proven method that has worked every time. 
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Hard Boiled Eggs

Bring water to a boil in a large pot.  Carefully lower eggs (slotted spoon helps) into pot and continue to boil for 30 seconds. Cover tightly, reduce heat to low (water should maintain a bare simmer), and continue cooking for 11 minutes.  Serve immediately if serving hot.  If serving cold, immediately place eggs in a bowl of ice water and allow to cool for at least 15 minutes.

 On Pinterest a few years ago I found a fun way to dye eggs with Kool-Aid.  Just add a packet of Kool-Aid to 2/3 cup of water.  It smells so good and you don't need any vinegar.  Some flavors do work better than others.

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My husband loves pancakes.  I think he would have pancakes every morning if he could.  I like pancakes also but since I have been thinking about more what I put in my body, pancakes have fallen lower on the list.  I found this recipe and it sounded really interesting and I had to give it a try.  This is a high protein, lower carb recipe.  I put fresh strawberries on mine and it tasted more like a crepe than a pancake.  I love crepes so it tasted really good to me.  My little boy who is very picky, ate two of them!  We all seemed to enjoy them.   

Cottage Cheese Pancakes

INGREDIENTS
  1. 6 eggs
  2. 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
  3. 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt*
  4. 1/2 cup flour 
  5. 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Beat eggs until light. Mash cottage cheese (I threw all the ingredients in my blender). Add to eggs along with the remaining ingredients. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a lightly-greased griddle and cook over medium heat until browned on both sides and cooked through. Top with maple syrup or fresh fruit, as desired.
  2. Makes 12 regular sized pancakes.  
  3. Only 50 calories per pancake
  4. Recipe adapted from The Fountain Avenue Kitchen
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Since they were "crepe" like.  My oldest stuffed hers with Nutella and Strawberries and topped it with cream.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

DIY Silhouettes

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I have been wanting to make some kind of silhouettes of my children for a while now.  The time right now with my kids (even our dog) is so great and fun that I want to remember it always.  I went on Pinterest and found a few inspirations for this project. 

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Step 1:  I took profile pictures of my children.  I cropped them to make sure they filled a regular piece of paper.  I then printed them out on regular, white, printer paper.  I then cut them out and exaggerated the girls eye lashes.
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 Step 2:  I purchased some wood plaques from Wood Connection.  There is a store in my town but you can also purchase online.  Their plaques are unpainted so I painted them with two coats of craft paint.
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 Step 3:  Next I taped the printed out profile into a card board lid I had.  I spray painted it with black, satin spray paint.  I did a few coats, drying in between.
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 Wait until dry and then carefully peel off silhouette and remove tape.
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 Step 4:  Mod Podge back of profile and place on painted wood plaque.  Press all the bubbles out.
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 Step 5:  Then Mod Podge all over the profile, let dry and then apply a second coat.  I Mod Podged over the entire plaque, the sides and all the grooves.
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Monday, August 17, 2015

Raspberry/Rhubarb Crisp and Raspberry Lemon Muffins

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I love raspberries, they are one of my most favorite fruits.  When we bought our home 2 years ago, there were already some established raspberry bushes so it was a dream come true.  Now I can make my own raspberry jam and I like to freeze them and throw them in smoothies and bake up other yummy stuff.  Last year we planted a rhubarb plant and it has grown like crazy.  Combine rhubarb with raspberries and it is just plain delicious.  I made this dessert yesterday and I wasn't thinking straight and added double the amounted butter, oops!  Oh well, you never can go wrong with too much butter.  It really tasted quite good, but I will just have to make it again with the right amount of butter next time. ;)

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Rhubarb Raspberry Crisp

 
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup finely chopped walnuts (optional)
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ⅛ tsp. salt
  • ½ cup (1/4 lb.) cold butter, cut into chunks
  • 12 ounces rhubarb (about 3 stalks)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 4 cups raspberries, rinsed and drained
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, mix oats, flour, walnuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. With your fingers or a pastry blender, rub or cut butter into oat mixture until coarse crumbs form. Cover and chill.
  2. Rinse rhubarb; trim off and discard green parts of stalks. Cut red parts into ½-inch-thick slices; you need 2 cups. In a large bowl, combine granulated sugar, cornstarch, raspberries, and rhubarb and mix gently to coat. Pour into a 8x8 baking dish or shallow 2- to 3-quart baking dish and sprinkle evenly with topping.
  3. Bake in a 375° regular or convection oven until topping is golden brown and fruit is bubbling, about 40 -45 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Recipe adapted from Just Get Off Your Butt and Bake
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I have made these Lemon Raspberry Muffins numerous times.  I use up my frozen raspberries and they always turn out wonderful!   

Lemon Raspberry Muffins

Yields 15-18 muffins 

Ingredients: 
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup milk
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp grated lemon zest
1/2 cup canola oil
1 heaping cup raspberries (fresh or frozen)
For the glaze:
1 cup confectioners sugar
2-3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
 
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a measuring cup mix together milk and lemon juice. In a sperate large bowl combine dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. 
In another bowl, mix eggs, oil, lemon zest, and the milk/lemon mixture. Stir the wet ingredients into the flour mixture, stirring just until moistened. Fold in the raspberries. 
Fill 15-18 muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 400 degrees F for 18-20 minutes. 
For the glaze:
In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners sugar and 2 Tbsp lemon juice. (if you want the glaze even thinner, add an extra tablespoon of lemon juice). Dunk the tops of the warm muffins in the glaze and place on rack over cookie sheet to cool.
 
Recipe adapted from Tastes Better From Scratch


Saturday, August 1, 2015

Happy Birthday Harry! Butterbeer and Scones


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My oldest daughter, Aria is obsessed with anything Harry Potter.  When she first learned to read she couldn't wait to start reading the Harry Potter books.  She is 11 now and has recently finished all the books and has reread some of them also.  In February we went to Orlando, Florida and we defiantly had to visit Universal Studios.  We had a blast! While there we tried Butterbeer.  We tried the carbonated version and the frozen/slushy version.  They both were delicious, but I think most of us liked the frozen version.  Universal Studios did not disappoint and we will remember our visit forever!  
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Since coming back from our trip she even has more Harry Potter on the brain.  She wanted to recreate some food from the books.  She found this Butterbeer recipe that was supposed to be close to the Universal Studios theme park version.

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Verdict:  It was pretty tasty.  Aria said it was close to the park version, truthfully I can't remember.  This recipe is super sweet though.  I would add less of the cooked sugar mixture to our glasses next time.

Butterbeer

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup light or dark brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 6 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cider vinegar
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon rum extract
  • Four 12-ounce bottles cream soda (I purchased a 2 liter bottle)

Directions:

  1. In a small saucepan over medium, combine the brown sugar and water. Bring to a gentle boil and cook, stirring often, until the mixture reads 240 F on a candy thermometer.
  2. Stir in the butter, salt, vinegar and 1/4 heavy cream. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
  3. Once the mixture has cooled, stir in the rum extract.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar mixture and the remaining 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Use an electric mixer to beat until just thickened, but not completely whipped, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  5. To serve, divide the brown sugar mixture between 4 tall glasses (about 1/4 cup for each glass). Add 1/4 cup of cream soda to each glass, then stir to combine. Fill each glass nearly to the top with additional cream soda, then spoon the whipped topping over each.
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Since we are about everything Harry Potter today.  Did you know that his Birthday was yesterday July 31st?  And did you also know that it was JK Rowling's Birthday also?  Also my middle daughter is obsessed with Beanie Boos and it was her pet owl, named Spells' Birthday was yesterday also, coincidence?  I think not!  

For dinner we made scones, which are very English, and kinda like Rock Cakes that Hagrid makes and eats.

Happy Birthday Harry, JK and Spells!

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Strawberry & Chocolate Chip Scones
Makes 4

Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/4” pieces
- 1 whole egg
- 3 ounces milk
- 1/4 cup fresh strawberries, cut into 1/4” pieces
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips (or mini chocolate chips)
- 1-1 1/2 teaspoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375F. Line a cookie sheet with nonstick foil, a Silpat, or parchment paper, set aside.
2. In a medium bowl stir together the flour, sugars, baking powder, and salt. Cut the butter into the flour mixture using a pastry blender, two forks, or your fingers, until the mixture is the size of small peas.
3. Stir in the egg and milk until blended, but do not overmix. Stir in the strawberry pieces and chocolate chips until combined.  
4. Turn out the mixture onto the prepared cookie sheet and form into a circle about 1/2” thick. Score the dough into four pieces. Brush the dough with milk and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 19-21 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on the pan several minutes, then remove to a cooling rack or serve warm cut into four pieces.

Recipe adapted from Searching for Dessert

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Sunday, July 26, 2015

Peach-Kissed Turkey Burgers and Baked Zucchini Fries

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Corn on the Cob is available so that means Summer is finally here!

We like to buy our corn from a local farmer that sells it out of the back of his truck on the side of the road.  We love their corn so much that we will buy some at least once a week until we are sick of it, but you can't really get sick of corn on the cob.  At one point we will purchase 5 dozen ears of corn or more and remove the delicious kernels from the cob and freeze them to enjoy them all year round.

The very first visit of the season to buy corn they also had zucchini for purchase.  We bought some zucchini and some corn and put together this wonderful summer meal.

I love, love this turkey burger recipe!  Turkey can sometimes dry out and not have much flavor.  But these burgers do not disappoint in either area!

Peach-Kissed Turkey Burgers
recipe adapted from Savoring the Seasons Cookbook/Our Best Bites 

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup minced onion
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
20 ounces ground turkey breast
2 tablespoons fresh minced parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup peach jam
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
4-6 buns or rolls
lettuce
onion slices
tomatoes

1.Heat oil in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat.  Add onion and garlic and saute, stirring frequently to prevent burning, for 2-3 minutes or until onion is tender and garlic is fragrant.  Remove pan from heat and set aside.

2. Place ground turkey in a mixing bowl and break up with a fork.  Add parsley, salt, pepper, peach jam , mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.  Add the sauteed onion and garlic and all oil left in pan.  Important note: Do not discard the olive oil.  Adding it to the meat improves the burgers' texture and keeps them moist.  Use a fork to gently toss the meat to distribute ingredients evenly.  To keep meat tender, do not overwork.

3. Divide meat into 4 large patties or 6 smaller patties, forming evenly sized balls and then gently shaping into patties.  Burgers can be made up to this point and then frozen or stored in the refrigerator up to 24 hours before cooking.  For best results, chill patties at least 1 hour before cooking.

4. Preheat indoor grill pan, skillet on the stove top, or outdoor grill to medium-high heat.  Brush hot cooking surface with vegetable oil.  Place patties on cooking surface and cook 5-7 minutes on each side (flip only once), or until internal temp reaches 165 degrees.

5. Spread toasted buns with mayo, lettuce, onion, and tomatoes.

Tip: Because most ground turkey is so lean, it has a tendency to shrink while cooking.  After you form the patties make a 1/2 inch deep indentation with your thumb and your burgers will stay patty-shaped.



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I do not much care for zucchini in savory form, but I love these fries! 

Baked Zucchini Fries
Recipe adapted by Our Best Bites 

About 1 lb. zucchini
1/2 c. Italian-seasoned panko bread crumbs*
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese (the crumbly stuff, not shreds)
2 eggs
Preheat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
Combine bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Set aside.
Whisk 2 eggs together in a shallow pie plate and set aside.
Cut the ends off the zucchini and then cut the zucchini in half so you have two short, stubby pieces. Set one piece on its end and cut it in half lengthwise. Cut that half in half, making 2 planks. Repeat with the remaining halves (so you’ll get 16 planks per zucchini).
Stack 2 planks on top of each other and cut into strips. Thicker strips will yield “meatier” fries with more zucchini flavor while thin strips will be crispy and taste virtually nothing like zucchini. When all the fries are cut, blot the pieces with a paper towel.
Working with a small handful at a time, dip the zucchini sticks in the egg, shake them to remove any excess, and then roll them in about 2-3 tablespoons of bread crumbs at a time, adding more as needed; you just don’t want to work with all the bread crumbs at once because they’ll soak up moisture from the egg and won’t stick to the zucchini. Place the coated strips on the prepared baking sheet and repeat until all the zucchini strips have been coated.
Bake for 10-12 minutes in the prepared oven then remove from oven, flip the fries, and bake for another 10-12 minutes or until the zucchini is not soggy and the coating is crisp and golden brown. Serve immediately with Pizza Sauce or Ranch Dressing Serves 6-8 as a side dish.

*If you don't have or can't find any Italian-Style Panko Bread Crumbs, just add 1/2 tablespoon of Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, and 1/4 tsp onion powder to 1/2 cups plain panko bread crumbs.  


Monday, July 13, 2015

Overnight Oats


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I am a yo yo dieter, exerciser.  I can be really good and lose the weight but I don't change my eating habits and I end up right back where I was.  After Christmas last year I think I gained 10 pounds in one month!  I was so upset that I let myself go like that.  I needed to be focused and get back on track and stay on it! After my last baby I was able to lose the baby weight and I kept it off pretty good.  I lost the weight by following this "Get Healthy" plan.  It really works for me because it is about setting good habits.  So in March I started this "Get Healthy" challenge with my husband.  At the end of the 8 weeks I had lost 10 pounds and was feeling great!  We took a break in May and I could feel myself slowly going back to my old ways again with food.  So in June I started the challenge again and I have recently lost 7 more pounds.  I have made some great progress in that I can say no to sweets.  I have less upset stomachs, more energy and I just feel so much better not stuffing my face with junk.  Don't get me wrong I still love a sweet now and then.  I allow myself to have one and then move on!  It is hard and it will always be a constant struggle.  This is just something I will always have to mindful of.  I am tired of starting over and over again.  

I am so grateful pinterest that I can find great recipes to try to keep me on track.  Some resent ones I have found is overnight oats.  When I was little I would not eat oatmeal, heck when I am an adult I don't eat oatmeal.  Believe me I have tried and tried and do not like it (I have texture issues)!  But I found these recipes and I thought I would give oatmeal another try.  I actually liked it!  Still not my favorite breakfast food, but it is so filling and healthier than other options.  


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Cocoa Banana Overnight Oats
INGREDIENTS
  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 1.5 cups milk (cows, almond, hazelnut)
  • ½ cup yogurt
  • 1 banana (mashed, chopped or sliced, whichever you prefer)
  • 1-2 tbsp cocoa
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • toppings of your choice
  •  (I sprinkled mine with mini chocolate chips and almonds)
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl or jar and place in the fridge, preferably overnight or for at least 1 hour.
  2. When you are ready to tuck in, remove from the fridge and top with toppings of your choice. The oats can be eaten cold or heated in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. They will also keep in the fridge covered for 2-3 days.

Recipe adapted from My Fussy Eater

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Strawberry Shortcake overnight oats
INGREDIENTS
  • 12 strawberries (fresh or frozen)
  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 1.5 cups milk
  • 0.5 cups greek or plain yogurt
  • 1 tbsp strawberry jam
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract

  • optional toppings: chopped fresh strawberries and dessicated coconut
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Chop the strawberries into small pieces. If you are using frozen strawberries defrost them quickly by placing them in a bowl of boiling water for 2 minutes.
  2. Place the chopped strawberries in a bowl and mix in all the other ingredients. Stir well, cover the bowl and place in the fridge for a minimum of one hour.
  3. When you are ready to eat them, simply remove from the fridge and decorate with your choice of toppings. The oats can be eaten cold or else heated in the microwave for 30-60 seconds.
NOTES
The oats will keep in the fridge covered for 2-3 days.

Recipe adapted from My Fussy Eater



Overnight Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

Ingredients:
½ cup rolled oats
¼ cup canned pumpkin
2- 3 tsp. Brown sugar
½ cup milk
½ tsp. Vanilla
½ tsp. Cinnamon
½ tsp. Nutmeg
½ tsp. Ginger
pinch of salt

Directions:
Stir all ingredients together until well combined.
Scoop into a small mason jar.
Place lid and ring on top, close.
Pop in the fridge overnight, will remain good for about 1 to 3 days.
To vary the recipe a bit you can also stir in some- chocolate chips, walnuts, pecans, peanut butter, sunflower seeds, or raisins.
Recipe adapted from Homeketeers
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