Southwest-Style Beef Wraps with Avocado, Tomato and Corn Salsa

I like to try new things!  My family, not so much.  They don't mind different ideas, but they like the same ingredients.  So to add cheddar cheese, tomatoes, black beans and taco meat to an omelet is acceptable.  Pre-marinated beef is not.  

  A lot of this project is just me trying to use up those new things that I have in my pantry or my freezer.  Well guess what?  The beef is used and I don't think I'll be buying it again...even though I thought it was very enjoyable.

I was trying to use up a peppercorn marinated beef shoulder.  What better way to do that than in a burrito shell?  Disguised as tacos, it was the perfect thing to do!

Marcus has been very sick, so he didn't even try it, but Josh was immediately disappointed.  It looked great, it smelled great...he just wasn't a fan of the marinade.  I disagree...I loved it.  Plus when you add the salsa right onto the wrap...how can it be bad?

Comment below and I will send the recipe over to you. 

"No matter how long the winter is, spring is sure to follow."  I keep telling myself that!

Chicken and Vegetable Mu-Shu

Three out of four times when Josh orders lunch at work it is Chinese food.  Shrimp Mu-shu to be exact.  I like chinese food, but maybe once or twice a year.  I am just not sure how they can eat it so often. 

I happened to be in the mood for Chinese, so I bought a Mu-shu Hoisin Sauce at the supermarket.  I figured it couldn't be that hard to create, and I was right.   Although I had shrimp, we had just had it last night, so I made this dish with chicken instead.  I used up a few veggies I had left in the fridge and just stir-fried everything together.  Served over rice.  Simple, quick and easy...which works out well when you have a sick kiddo at home. :-(  Poor Marcus...he has a stomach virus.   

Josh liked it though, so I'm glad I tried it!


"Have a good day and a nice forever!"

Seafood Fra Diavolo

This recipe all started with a jarred sauce that I purchased that I wanted to get out of my cupboard!  I think I have said before...I don't like jarred sauce.  Why did I buy it then?  Who knows!   I am so glad I used it though, it turned out to be really tasty.

Back to the Wegmans website...punch it in and it comes up with some great recipes!  This is the one I decided on.  We tend to have more chicken and beef than seafood, even though I try to sneak it in as much as I can. 

Marcus LOVES mussels.  I know right???  Shocking.  It all started at Carrabba's when he was about 18 months old.  The kid ate an entire portion of their mussels steamed in white wine, basil and lemon butter.  He goes crazy for them EVERY time he sees mussels now.  Weird!

Not this time though.  This dish was a little spicy for him, and I don't blame him.  It was a little spicy to me too...and I love hot stuff!!

This called for calamari, which I LOVE!  But I have never actually made myself.  I am always scared of it...thinking I will over cook it, but I didn't!  It was just perfect!

Josh loved it and so did I.  Even the lunch leftovers were fantastic!

Just leave me a message and I'll send the recipe!  It's so delicious!!!!!

""Families are like fudge...mostly sweet with a few nuts!"

Saturday Off...

Marcus had a birthday party to attend on Saturday and I was planning either take-out or left-overs for dinner.

SURPRISE!  Josh made dinner. 

His exact words were...."Add this to your blog!  Hmmpf.  Presentation is everything."  I think he showed me.  LOL

I told you they'd have withdrawl this week...



"Mistakes are life's way of teaching you how to succeed."

Slow-Cooker Beef Brisket with Beer

AH-ha-ha-ha...last fall Josh had sent me to the store to get some beer.  What he asked for was Miller High Life, the champagne of beers.  What did I buy?  MGD.  Evidently there is a BIG difference!  In all fairness, we had just moved and I wasn't as familiar with our "new" Wilson Farms and Miller had just changed the packaging of the High Life.  I know, excuses...excuses.  But I am not a beer drinker, so I deserve a break.

Needless to say the MGD was still in the basement fridge waiting for the perfect opportunity to be opened.  Either desperation or cooking would be my guess.  Cooking it is!

As I've said before...I love the slow cooker!  However, as I planned my meals this week I must not have been thinking when I decided Friday would be a great day for this meal.  Not only was it Friday during lent (luckily we are not Catholic)...but Thursday started parent teacher conferences and I made a pot of chili for the teacher dinner, which I delivered in my  CROCK POT!  Ugh.  So Friday morning I was hoping as I drove to my conference that my crock pot would be cleaned out and I could bring it home and put it together in time so we could eat before 8pm.  SUCCESS!  Just enough time to eat by 6:30.

I had never used parsnips before, but they are the white looking carrots usually found by the root vegetables.  You peel and slice them the same way you would a carrot.  I served this meal with a fresh garden salad because my guys are not huge fans of mashed potatoes and we had had enough rice this week.
I hope you enjoy!

"The older I get, the better I was."
 

Slow-Cooker Beef Brisket with Beer
12 servings       Prep time: 15minutes

1 3lb. beef brisket, trimmed
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper
Cooking spray
1/4 cup water
2 cups sliced onion
1/2 cups chopped parsnips (about 2)
1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 bay leaf
1 bottle of light beer

Rub brisket with salt and pepper.  Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Coat the pan with cooking spray.  Add brisket to pan and brown on all sides.  Remove brisket from pan.  Add 1/4 cup of water to the pan, stirring to loosen browned bits.  Add onion and parsnip; saute until tender.

Place onion mixture, vinegar, bay leaf and beer in the slow cooker.  Place brisket on top of mixture.  Cover and cook on low 8 hours.  Discard bay leaf.  Cut brisket diagonally across the grain into thin slices.  Serve with sauce.

Mahi Mahi Al Forno with Soy and Scallions

I had purchased some Mahi Mahi thinking I was going to use it to make fish tacos, the texture of the fish works real well with that recipe.  I never made them.  I still needed to use the fish and I saw this recipe in the Wegmans MENU magazine.  Fairly simple to make, I was nervous about it because I figured the boys wouldn't like it...
I had all the ingredients needed and figured a nice garden salad and some rice would be the perfect accompaniments.

Josh's exact words?  "You're really on a roll with these dinners you've been making!  That was delicious!"  I couldn't even believe what I had heard.  I think he likes this experiment!  P.S...Please just don't remind them that they haven't had tacos this week! 

Mahi Mahi Al Forno with Soy and Scallions
Serves: 4 
Approximate time to prepare and cook: 25 minutes

4 mahi mahi filets (6oz each)
2 Tbsp basting oil
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs (I used whole wheat panko bread crumbs)
2 green onions, thinly sliced
2 Tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce
Bosari original seasoned salt

Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

1. Spray baking sheet with nonstick spray; place fish on sheet.
    
2. Combine basting oil, panko, and green onions in a small bowl. Drizzle each piece of fish with 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce. Lightly season with Borsari; top each with 1/4 of the panko mixture.
    
3. Bake about 14 min, or until internal temp reaches 130 degrees. Check by inserting thermometer halfway into thickest part of fish. Remove from oven; let rest 2 min.

Enjoy!!

"Until you make peace with who you are, you'll never be content with what you have."

Chicken Pot Pie

What comes to my mind when I think of comfort food?  That's right...Chicken Pot Pie!  Josh asked me to make this years ago, and it has taken me this long to get it right.  Remember?  He doesn't love the heavy cream...

I searched and searched the internet and cookbooks for a "less rich" version of this dish and finally I found one with NO heavy cream!  After playing with the recipe over the last few years, I have finally got it right where I want it (or where Josh wants it, I should say).  This was the first time I actually made one large pie instead of individual ramekins..(.also for Josh who like less crust).   Who doesn't want the crust?  It's the best part...aside from the peas!
Marcus ate this two nights in a row!  Josh loved it and his only request was next time to just make the filing and serve it over bisquits.  What a great idea!
For the complete recipe, just leave me a comment below. 
Thanks and enjoy the snow.  UGH!

"As long as there are memories, no one ever dies."

One of my staples...

Saturday and Sunday I just didn't cook.  And I didn't care if anyone ate or not...I know it sounds terrible as a mom, but I didn't. 
Monday, I finally got back on track.  I did my shopping and felt a little (not much) better, but I had to start cooking again, for my family.
It was probably about 2 1/2 years ago when a friend of mine (who's name I won't mention, who is in the restaurant business) looked at me and asked me if I had ever had Asiago cheese.  I mean really?  Do you not know me at all?  My ex-husband (also not worth mentioning...lol) was a chef.  I love to cook.  Or...do I not know YOU at all???  OF COURSE I've had asiago cheese!!  So, she continues to go on about how she had made these chicken roll-ups with chicken cutlets, spinach and asiago cheese. 

I thought about that recipe all day, but I had to do the "one up!"  She didn't have a sauce of any kind and it sounded a little dry and boring.  When I finally tried it, I used up some Top Round Beef cutlets that I had in the freezer, sauteed some mushrooms and added those along with the spinach and asiago cheese and topped it with a Mushroom Marsala Sauce.  Mmmmm!!!!
Serve with some delicious wild rice and...get ready for this...my family LIKES it!!!  Again!  And this is one of the staples I like to make.  Easy and delicious.  What more could you ask for?

"The walls we build around us to keep the sadness out also keep out the joy."

Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup

Time to play catch up.  I 've been cooking but not updating...so here goes.

My weekend STUNK.  I won't bore you with the details, but it all started Thursday and I just wanted to crawl under the covers and hide.  Basically I did. 

Friday, I was in such a funk that I was glad this is what was planned for dinner because I made it early (right up to just before you add the cream) and I left.  I had to take a ride...or do something.  When it was dinner time, I just heated it and added the cream and garnishes.

This soup calls for a smoked ham hock, which I have never used before.  It also says if you can't find one that you can just leave it out.  Surprise...didn't they have them at Wegmans!  Although, I wish I would have left it out.  The smoky flavor was just too powerful and it took over the whole soup.  I love smoked foods too, so I was surprised I thought that.

Here is the recipe for you...

1Tbsp Olive Oil
7 slices of applewood smoked bacon, thinly sliced crosswise
1 lb. buttom mushrooms, stems trimmed and cleaned
1 large onion, diced
3 ribs of celery, diced
1 large carrot, diced
1/2 cup wild rice
6 cups chicken broth
1 smoked ham hock (optional)
15 sprigs fresh thyme, 10 sprigs fresh parsley, 6 sprigs fresh sage, 1 bay leaf  tied together with kitchen twine
5 Tbsp. butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Salt and pepper
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup sliced chives for garnish
1/2 cup slivered almonds for garnish

Heat the oil in a heavy soup pot over med-high heat.  Add the bacon and cook until crisp.  Add the mushrooms, stirring well to coat in the bacon fat, and spread into an even layer.  Brown the mushrooms.  Stir in the onion, celery and carrot; let cook until the onions are soft.  Add the rice, stirring to coat.  Stir in the chicken broth, ham hock (if using), and herb bundle.  Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to bring to a gentle simmer.  Cook uncovered until the rice is tender, 30-40 minutes. 
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.  Add the flour and whish constantly until the mixture darkens to a caramel color.  (This is called a roux.)
When the rice is cooked discard the herbs. If you've used the ham hock, fish it out and if you'd like take off the meat, shred it and return it to the soup.  Return the soup to a boil and whish in a little of the roux at a time, it should thicken the soup perfectly.  You can adjust this to your taste, but keep in mind that the cream you will add later will thin it out later.  Season with salt and pepper.
When you are ready to serve, heat the soup and then add the cream.  Garnish with almonds or chives if you wish.

I hope you enjoy!

“Nobody deserves your tears, but whoever deserves them will not make you cry.”

Does anyone have any suggestions for a meal? I'm at a loss..

Bad day.  Bad few days.  I need some recommendations.  My inspiration is lost...temporarily...

Banana-Rum-Coconut Cookies

I do not bake.  It is a known fact.  But Josh's mom does...and she's just amazing at it.  I'm sure, like cooking...it takes practice and a lot of experimenting, but I just don't even like sweets, so why waste my time?  And baking is so exact.  I like to add ingredients, remove some, or replace with other things.  Baking isn't something you can do that with.
Josh has asked me repeatedly to ask his mom for some of her recipes and just try it.  So finally, I asked her!  Only because I was promised diamonds (which I didn't get).  I started with Peanut butter cookies (aka: Toby Cookies)...they were "Good, but not my moms cookies!"
Sometimes the boys just want burgers for dinner...so instead of trying something fancy or different...I just let them have their same old burgers.  Breakfast and lunch are usually a routine also because of our tight schedule (unless it is a weekend).  So I made a different kind of cookies.
I had some bananas that were just perfect for this recipe, which is why I chose it. 
If I had to pick my favorite cookie, it would probably be Oatmeal Raisin and this seemed like a lower-fat version.  They actually turned out Awesome!!!
Today I am going to give you the recipe, because I am just in the mood.  Tough night last night and I really have nothing more to say. 

2/3 C packed brown sugar
1/2 C ripe mashed banana
1/2 C reduced fat mayonnaise
1 tsp rum
3/4 C all-purpose flour
1 C quick-cooking oats
1/2 C flaked sweetened coconut
1/2 C golden raisins
1/2 C chopped walnuts
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
Dash of ground ginger

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Place first four ingredients in a large bowl and mix with a mixer until blended.
Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cup and level with knife.  Combine flower and remaining ingredients, stirring with a whisk. 
Stir flour mixture into banana mixture.
Drop dough by 2 tablespoonfuls onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
Bake at 350 for 19 minutes or until lightly browned. 
Remove from pan; cool completely on a wire rack.
Yield: 20 cookies

I was out of parchment paper...so I just cooked them exactly the same on plain cookie sheets...if you are going to do this...I suggest just greasing the sheet first. 
:-)
"Making a home is a form of creativity open to everyone."

Chicken, Black Bean, and Goat Cheese Tostadas and Avocado Salsa

Tostadas...a Mexican salad served atop a crispy fried tortilla...diet fare?  I think not.  But here, I lightly fried the corn tortillas in vegetable oil rather than the traditional lard; and the beans and chicken toppings are cooked with only a few tablespoons full of olive oil.  A little bit of goat cheese has a big flavor effect on each serving.
I suppose I just figured I couldn't go wrong with this dish.  Essentially a taco "ish" meal, fully including the black beans and avocado.  YAY!  SCORE!  I win again.  Josh, Marcus and even Cakes loved it! 

Very easy to prepare, you can make the beans ahead, cover and refrigerate.  The chicken can be cooked with simply adding some chili powder and ground cumin.  Then prepare the salad and salsa...and you are all set to go.  
As you probably already know, we typically garnish all of our Mexican meals with a generous dollop of guacamole.  Since I was trying to change things up a bit, I diced the avocado and tossed it with some tomatoes, onions, and a quarter of a jalapeno.  The only thing that was missing was the other avocado I had planned to use.  Marcus and Eva saw it as I was dicing it up and stole it right out from under my knife.  They ate it plain...nothing on it.  Just avocado.  I love that they love one of my favorite foods, so I wasn't terribly upset and the salsa turned out just fine!
If you happen to be wondering why I never add any Cilantro to these dishes, let me assure you, it is not because I don't LOVE cilantro.  I do.  I really, really....really do!  I think it is refreshing...and compliments anything from a peach/mango salad to guacamole to curry dishes.  Josh, however, he is a cilantro HATER.  You really can't get much worse than him.  I have researched it...why people hate it so much (after hearing it is gene related), and to be honest...there are A LOT of people who do not like this herb.  Evidently there are even facebook pages about it (cilantro isn't edible) and web pages (IHateCilantro.com).  Whatever the case...if I buy it, I have to hide it in the basement fridge because G-d forbid it is even in the house.  What do you guys think?  Are you lovers or haters?
Happy Day to you!
"Enjoy the little things, because one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."

Steak au Poivre

Our friends, John and Amy, did the South Beach diet about a year ago and it prompted Josh to do the same...because he eats lunch with John every day at work.  UGH.  Fine.  I was out shopping at the Christmas Tree Shop and saw a South Beach Cookbook that was $4.99.  Can't really go wrong with that one!  So I bought it and we have had quite a few enjoyable recipes out of it.
Needless to say, we are NOT on South Beach right now, but I do like to pull out that cookbook every so often when we need a little break from a carb loaded diet. 
Back to trying to use up things from my freezer...before buying more.  I found some steaks...very nice steaks.  Perfect portion tenderloins from Wegmans.  Great for this recipe I was looking so forward to.

Not exactly the traditional "Steak au Poivre"...this is the healthier version!  Traditionally, I have heard, this means "pepper steak."  You are to prepare a steak covered with peppercorns, which provide a pungent but complementary counterpoint to the rich flavor of the beef, and serve with a whole lot of buttery sauces... again, not something I would make if it was the "traditional" recipe.  Steak au poivre is often accompanied by a pan sauce consisting of reduced cognac, heavy cream, and the fond from the bottom of the pan, often including other ingredients such as butter, shallots, and/or Dijon mustard.  Well...then again, maybe I would.
This steak was served over some lightly sauteed peppers and a very light sauce (part of the South Beach plan).  Add some steamed broccoli on the side and MMmmmm..MMmm GOOD!  And no, I don't think I'm Mr. Food.  LOL.
Have fun today! 

"Your worries are temporary; your strengths are forever."

Pasta with Scallops/Shrimp and Lemon-Mustard Butter Sauce

UGH!  Sometimes Josh is just too picky!  Well, I knew he wouldn't like this project, and I definitely knew he wouldn't like every single thing I made....so why am I surprised?  I'm not sure.  You would think he'd like this recipe though.  He loves scallops and loves pasta.  It may have been the sauce he hated.  Oh well.  I thought it was DELICIOUS!!!

According to what I had planned for the week, I was supposed to make this on Sunday night, but we had company and it just didn't work out that way.  Then on Monday, when I was supposed to do my shopping...something else came up.  So I had all the ingredients, including a left over baguette bread that someone had brought Sunday night...perfect for garlic bread!   I was actually really excited about this meal because I knew Josh loved scallops.  I figured I'd add some shrimp for Marcus (now knowing about his new found love of it), and it just sounded light and satisfying.
Any kind of pasta and seafood dish is appealing to me.  I will always try it.  Obviously, I try not to eat pasta too often as I get older, but I still love it.  By the way, I have found the perfect new pasta!  White pasta is supposed to be bad for you right?  But wheat pasta stinks!  No matter what brand I try, we always dislike it.  Barilla makes a whole grain pasta that is 51% whole wheat.  It is the perfect mix!  Half and half.  Not good for you, not terrible for you.  Try it...it's great.
The velvety consistency is what I loved about this sauce.  I actually par cooked the scallops and shrimp in a white wine lemon peel mixture...then after I cooked down the liquid, I whisked in the butter and mustard...
Very easy and fairly quick...I loved this dinner!

What do you guys think of me just posting the recipes?  Would you enjoy that more?  Let me know your opinions...you should be able to leave any comments you want now...
Sunshine is happiness!  Have a good day!

"Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead."  B. Franklin

Turkey Chili with White Beans

Another favorite in our house is chili.  I have also come to perfect this (with a special added ingredient my friend Gary told me about).  I can make chicken chili, beef chili, turkey chili...Josh and Marcus always like it.
I saw this recipe in one of my cook books and decided to try a little something different.  It was Saturday and I had to go to work for the whole day, so I thought if I just make this and leave it for the boys...they wouldn't have to worry about making their own dinner.  They were happy about this until they tasted it. 
First of all, I left the beans on the side and told them to add them in about 10 minutes before they were going to eat. When I got home they also put in two additional cans of red beans (obviously they didn't read the title of the recipe), but they probably thought it was my regular chili anyways.
A lot more spices were called for in this recipe, including the cinnamon and cocoa powder...which I left out AGAIN!  Heh...no one ever let me know if they have added these or not...I'm interested to know if it makes a big difference.  Or if you like it...dislike it...etc.
Remember I had said that I found a great can of crushed tomatoes that I loved the taste of?  Well, they are Tuttorosso Crushed tomatoes...great taste!  The diced tomatoes by Tuttorosso are just as good.  I can only find my "special added ingredient" at Tops.  I haven't been there in awhile, so I was out and also did not add that.  It all explains why they didn't LOVE the chili this time. 
I know I will be making chili again, probably sooner than not, but I'm going to have to go back to my own recipe. 
By the way, I tasted it too, when I got home from work.  They were right...just not the same!
Smile today!

"Give yourself something to look forward to today"

Turkey and Corn Quesadillas with Guacamole

I have heard at least 3 times in the past month about this fabulous "Jenny-O" turkey breast.   It's really easy to make, it tastes delicious and it is good for you.  Well, of course I had to try it.
Friday, Josh asked me what was for dinner.  I told him and he seemed...well...less than thrilled.  "I don't think I'll like that!"  were his exact words.  He has told me before that he doesn't like just the turkey breast when you can cook it...he likes the whole turkey.  Maybe next time. 
I actually had thought to myself...'How can I go wrong with this?'  It's like a form of taco.  And I wanted to use the turkey.
Of course I made my guacamole to go with it...I also made a salad with asparagus, jicama. corn, and red pepper.  Don't let anything go to waste around here...I had to use up that jicama and the rest of the corn from the quesadillas.
Pepper Jack cheese was the perfect cheese to use with these...a little spice, but not so much that Marcus wouldn't eat them.  These were so easy to make that I actually re-used the recipe as an appetizer on Sunday when we had company.
Would I buy the "Jenny O" turkey breast again?  Probably not.  Josh may be right about the whole turkey (as much of a pain as it is), but I'm glad I tried it!
I hope you all had a great weekend.
I am going to try and fix this so you can all comment...if anyone can offer advice, please let me know.

"If we had nothing but bliss, we would never be thankful to the extent we should"  --as heard from a friend...

Meatball Hero Sandwiches

Do I know my guys or do I know my guys...How the heck can you go wrong with a meatball sandwich??  You can't!  Not in this house.
Although these sandwiches are also known as hoagies, po'boys, subs and grinders, I found out a funny little fact about the name hero.  Because of the size, it was always an accomplishment to finish...making those who did "heroes."  Just a fun little fact for you.
I have my own meatball recipe that I always follow, but for this dinner I tried something new.  You'll never believe it, but I added crushed cornflakes to the meatballs.  I didn't admit that to the boys until after they actually ate them and agreed they were some of the best meatballs they've ever had.  My regular meatballs are plain...I add some sauteed onions, stale bread soaked in milk, salt and pepper...very plain jane.  Besides the cornflakes, I added a few other things this time too.  But as you probably already know you have to be a follower of the blog to get them...
Josh always believed in jarred sauce before we started dating.  I don't.  I have found a certain brand of crushed tomatoes that I love the taste of, and in about 15 minutes can have an amazing "quick sauce." Which was of course perfect for our heros. 
Some nice fresh rolls and a garden salad completed our nice easy dinner.
I have no picture for this post because before I remembered, the four of us had eaten 30 meatballs.  OMG!!
Have a happy day...
"There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day."

One of Josh's Staples...

We were supposed to have a dinner guest last night who recently told us he liked Thai food.  I, also love Thai food, but my family...not so much.  I tried to make Red Curry Shrimp with Vegetables once and Josh very politely told me I didn't need to try this recipe again. 
When Josh also suggested I make something Thai for our guest, I thought about it until I realized he would never eat it and nixed the idea entirely.  But since we actually conceptualized it first and had a shrimp/noodle (pad thai)creation in mind...I asked him what he thought of making "that light pasta dish" he had made me one time.  He was in! 
Let me just tell you...Josh knows how to cook.  He will lie through his teeth and pretend he doesn't, but he definitely made me quite a few delicious dishes during the "courting phase."  This being one of them.  Man, I miss those times...lol.
We were at my house (when we lived separately) and had no idea what to make for dinner.  There was also only one child at the time...I worked a lot of hours...and wasn't the planner of meals as I am now.  So, as I've said before I have always had a stocked kitchen...and he asked if I had some ingredients...
Spinach...yes
Artichokes...yes
White beans...yes
Chicken broth....yes
Shrimp...yes
about 16 other things...yes
And in about 25 minutes we had a fantastic meal...that Josh prepared! 
That was then.
Back to last night...our dinner guest wasn't able to make it, but obviously we had the same meal...just as easy...just as quick...just as light (for a pasta dish anyways).  And who the heck knew Marcus LOVED shrimp???  He asked for more.  TWICE!
So it is a staple for us, just when there is no plan, because I know it's easy and I know I'll always have the ingredients.  Be a follower of my blog and I'll send you any recipe you'd like. 

This quote I feel is quite appropriate...
"We are all given the ingredients of happiness, but the mixing is left to ourselves."

ENJOY YOUR DAY!

Sesame Garlic Beef Stir Fry

What would we do without Wegmans?  Right?  We have all heard it before, I mean...even Alec Baldwin has said it, we have the best supermarket in the country.  His mom won't move closer to him because she won't leave Wegmans! 
I also love to support local businesses, but I think the only better thing would be if they sold wine at the supermarket.  I would just like the convenience.  (Sorry Louis!...my local wine store owner)
Anyways, I love to grocery shop...and could Wegmans possibly make it any easier for you?  Meals under $6...Make it or Take it...Cleaned and cut veggies of all sorts...etc.  I am usually one who will buy my own stuff and clean and cut it myself, but on occasion, those stir-fry vegetables or already cut up slaws are just too easy to pass up.  AND...have you been to their website?  I went to my freezer on Sunday and said to myself, "I have to use some of this stuff up!"  So I took out two items (to make separately) and you plug them into Wegmans website and they pop out a recipe (or ten) for you to make with your ingredient.  I had a sirloin steak and couldn't remember what I had in mind when I bought it, so I typed it in and this was one of the recipes that popped up.  Not that we haven't had stir fry before, but I also knew I had the Sesame Garlic Sauce.
It took me all of ten minutes to prep and prepare because of course, I bought the Cleaned and Cut Stir Fry Veggies.  Broccoli, snow peas, carrots and bok choy...no slicing or chopping required.  And if you know you won't use the rest of a head of broccoli or bag of carrots...how can you go wrong?  10 more minutes in a wok...
(Side story...I have been looking at woks for about a year and wouldn't buy one because they were too expensive.  Well, remember when my sis took me to all her favorite Asian stores?  I got one for $10.  $10!  I still can't believe it!  I love it!) 

...and we were ready to eat.  The only suggestion from Josh was to add the "heat" to the cooking process next time rather than add it afterwards.  I fully agree...but as you can see in the pic...that's Josh's thumbs up approval!  LOL
"Today, look at the gifts in your life and be thankful.  You are far richer than your eyes can see."

Parmesan-Crusted Chicken with Escarole and Beans

This recipe was in the MENU magazine a couple of years ago.  I made it then and I keep re-using the recipe because, I mean, who doesn't love chicken cutlets? 
At one of my staple restaurants (the ones we frequent the most) I ALWAYS order chicken cutlets.  I look at the menu with all intentions of ordering something different, but I still always order the chicken cutlets.  It has become a running joke with our favorite bartender, Amanda.  She has asked me numerous times why I even look at the menu.
So, not exactly chicken cutlets, but kind of similar...these cutlets are drizzled with basting oil and crusted with a mix of pecorino-romano cheese and panko bread crumbs.  I do have wheat panko bread crumbs, but I used up what I had left of the regular ones last night.  (You can find the wheat ones in Nature's Market at Wegmans)  To bake or to fry???  Of course Josh would insist on baking them, but I pan fried them.  And in order to get a really crispy crust, you don't want to overcroud the pan...so I only cook two at a time. 
With the Escarole, I blanched it lightly and added the beans with a secret ingredient...to find out what, just follow the blog and comment below.  I'll send the recipe right over.
Have a positive day!

"Life is a special gift from God. Take time to relax and enjoy it."

Soft Chicken Tacos with Homemade Guacamole

Every few weeks I buy one of those roasted chickens at the supermarket.  They are great for chicken soup, chicken salad, and chicken enchilladas.  My favorite part of the whole "taco situation" is the guacamole.  I have perfected it!
I love avocados.  Always have.  I love the ceremony of eating an avocado.  The peeling, taking out the pit.  I don't know why, I just do.  Maybe because it was always one of my jobs as a kid.  I can hear Carole now, saying, "Danielle, peel the avocados!"  We used to just eat them with a pinch of salt on them.  We also used to try to grow an avocado tree by putting the pit in water.  My sister has been the only one who has kind of succeeded in doing this.  She actually planted hers once and it grew about two feet tall...
So anyways...back to the chicken tacos.  It may seem a little crazy, but we have never tried chicken tacos.  We've had turkey tacos, fish tacos, obviously beef tacos...but never chicken tacos.  Weird right? 
In all of the cook books that I have, the mexican recipes have cocoa powder or cinammon in them.  It doesn't really sound appealing to me.  Has anyone tried it?  I'm curious to know if it tastes good.  I usually leave it out.
I like to let the boys assemble their own tacos...that way if they don't like something they can leave it out.  Or if they do like something, like I like the guacamole, they can have a little more.  Marcus would use an entire container of sour cream if we let him.  I had a can of chipotles en adobo sauce in the pantry, so I brought that out.  I had some red cabbage in the fridge, I brought that out too.  Use your imagination...or if you just want my recipe...follow the blog and leave a comment below.  I'll send it over. 
I think we will try chicken tacos again, but I will make my own fresh chicken next time.
Have a good week!

"Start today with a positive thought."                                                                                                                                        

Hot OR Cold Roast Beef Appetizers

I am so mad right now.  I have typed this post about 3 times and everytime I get ready to push the publish button...Cakes somehow erases it.  UGH.
Well, here we go again.  Hopefully I am just perfecting what it is I want to say.  LOL
I tend to like appetizers that have protein in them rather than those that don't.  For instance, shrimp cocktail, bean salads, calamari, crab cakes...etc.
I went to a party (so long ago, I don't remember where or when) where these bite sized appetizers were being served and I went crazy for them.  I have been making them ever since when we have guests or go to parties and such.  They seem to be a hit!  My favorite part is that they can be served hot or cold.  Perfect for a summer get together or a winter holiday party.
With just six simple ingredients, they are super easy to put together.  Deli roast beef, baguette bread, and of course horseradish, are just three of them.  If you'd like the other three, just follow the blog and comment below.  I'll send them right over. 
Have a happy day!
Oh...and one more thing.  I was going through some old books and ran across a quote book my mom started.  I have been adding to it over the past nine years...so I think in addition to my recipes, I will leave you with a quote everyday.
"Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it."

Cuban Black Beans and Rice

Ok...I admit.  This was a planned "I don't want have to think about dinner" kind of dinner.  I have made it before and the boys just love it!  So does Eva...after we have realized she has a great love for black beans.  LOL.
Slow cooker recipe.  I love these!  Buy ingredients...Put them all in a pot...walk away for 6-8 hours...come back and dinner is ready.  Ahhhh.  So easy!  Sometimes I don't love slow cooker recipes, and this is another "not my favorite dish", but when Marcus and Josh will eat these beans in 6 different forms over the course of the next two days...I am HAPPY!!!  Mainly because it cost $3 to make.
Friday afternoon I threw all of my ingredients into a pot, left Josh to watch Eva and went to a wake.  Dinner was all ready for him, whenever he felt like eating.  Eva too. Marcus was at his dads. This night, the beans were served over rice with some shredded cheddar and hot sauce.  If I were home, I would have crumbled some hard boiled eggs over them...YUMMY! 
Day number two...lunch.  Toast a whole wheat tortilla with some shredded cheese on it...add salsa and shredded lettuce.  Amazing bean and cheese burrito/taco.  (HELLO!!!  Don't you remember the Muskat/Fabrizio obsession with tacos????)
Day number three...breakfast.  Scrambled eggs with black beans and fresh sliced tomatoes.  (Side story...a few years ago, Josh took a sailing trip for 10 days with his dad and brother and this is what they ate for breakfast.  EVERY DAY.  ON A BOAT.  IN THE CARIBBEAN.  No, I'm not jealous...not at all(big.fat.lie.).   He told me about this delicious breakfast and I have been making it ever since, but with plain black beans.  These may be better!)  So anyways...yes...perfect breakfast!  Although Marcus can't eat this quite yet...due to an allergy to eggs...hopefully one day he can enjoy the breakfast with "awesome beans".  Until then, if I let him, he may put them on his shredded wheat.  haha.
So, although I skipped my Saturday and Sunday recipe...I'll just let you know...they are coming.  I made chicken tacos/enchiladas for dinner on Sunday...and Josh finished these beans as a side with his dinner. 
So if you're family is obsessed with black beans and/or Mexican food...you need this recipe.  Comment below and I'll send it over. 
Smile cause it's sunny!
D

Grilled Chicken, Mango and Jicama Salad with Tequila-Lime Vinaigrette

I AM SO FAR BEHIND WITH THIS!  Sorry! 
Busy Busy Busy Weekend.  Funerals, surprise parties, shopping for a new car seat for Cakes, and to be honest...one day of much needed cuddling with my family.  No time for typing! 
Any who...I made this for dinner on Thursday of last week.  Not such a big hit with the family.  I guess it wasn't my "favorite" dish either...but it was dinner.  It is more of a summer "sitting on the deck" kind of light lunch rather than what I needed, which was a "comfort food dinner."  Maybe we will try this again in the summer...
If you've never used jicama, I highly suggest trying it!  It's really good.  Found in the supermarket by the root vegetables, it has a thin brown skin,  and juicy white flesh that is really mild in flavor...almost the cross between a pear and a water chestnut.  I have used it a few times before in recipes that called for it, but I've grown to like it, so now I experiment with it.   You start by removing the skin with a veggie peeler and  then cut the flesh into cubes or strips, depending on the recipe.  For this, I cut match like strips.  Because it doesn't brown or become soggy after cutting, you can use it in salads and veggie platters.  I have also added it to spring rolls for crunch, or stir fries, because the quick-cooking lets it stay crisp. 
This recipe has a few steps, but all in all, didn't really take that long to prep. 
1. Marinate the chicken
2. Make the vinaigrette
3. Bake the tortilla strips
4. Make the salad
5. Grill the chicken
6. Assemble and eat
Many of these steps you can do ahead of time and set aside...
If you might like to try this recipe, just leave me a comment...and I'll send it over.

I do just have to throw this in for my own little giggle...there is only two Tbsp. of tequila in the vinaigrette, so you're not gonna get any type of drunk from it (pops!)...lol.  Enjoy!       

Baked eggs with artichokes and Parmesan

I think I am just not in the mood to eat today. 
We've had a few days here that haven't been so fun.  A death of a close friends family member and another of a very dear, long time friend.  Food is really the last thing I want to think about, but we have to eat right?   Right.
We are watching my friends two little boys tonight and I figured they'd be happy with burgers, so I made a breakfast recipe today. 
Super fast to make, and even faster if you assemble the night before so they are ready to bake in the morning...these eggs had great taste.  I served them with toasted sliced baguette left from our soup last night.
This is going to be a recipe I have to try again, because today, like I said, I'm just not in the mood to eat.

Escarole and orzo soup with Parmesan Meatballs

Soup...one of my favorite meals!
It's essentially like a slow-cooker.  An easy meal in one pot, less dishes, and I think you can hardly ever go wrong.
Almost all of the ingredients in this soup are staples you probably have on hand.  I did.  Chicken broth, breadcrumbs. ground turkey, parmesan cheese...
I had a really rough day yesterday, so it seemed like the best day to pull out the heavy pot, throw in my ingredients and not think about it again.  The only mistake I really made was putting the orzo in too soon, I should have waited a little longer, because it cooked for too long and blew up like big balloons, taking a lot of the broth away.  Oh well, I know for next time right?  I DID know this time, but like I said...had a rough day. 
So this soup, similar to Italian wedding...turned out really really well.  The taste was perfect, the prep was easy and the family...They LOVED IT! 
Message me for the recipe if you'd like. 
See you tomorrow...

Asparagus with balsamic-shallot butter sauce

I bought a new cook book the other day.  I am very excited about it!  It is called  "Cooking through the Seasons".  It's easy to get excited about cooking with the seasons, tasting the freshest flavors available! Mmmm, just thinking about the farmer's market makes my mouth water a little...plus all of the colors and textures are so inspiring.
So, my only question has always been...how do you best prepare these vegetables to enhance their natural qualities?  Sometimes I look at a recipe and it turns out a win, other times I feel as though I have ruined the taste and it is a big fat LOSE. 
I feel as though I have been saying that I just use s&p a lot to season our food.  Is that boring?  Obviously I don't think so...it works for us.  I find you really get the taste of the food.
We all love asparagus, and I always have it on hand, whether it is "in season" or not.  In this recipe, the balsamic vinegar and shallots are boiled together until reduced to a syrupy glaze.  The asparagus are cooked in butter and just enough water to lightly steam them. The glaze is then poured over the asparagus to make for a delicious side to our grilled chicken and rice. 
Did I love it?  NOPE! Not even a little.  I felt like the glaze was to rich and potent for the asparagus.  I missed the taste of the vegetable we love the most.  Try it though, see what YOU think.  Let me know.  I'd love someone elses opinion.  Message me for the recipe if you'd like...
Happy Day! 

Egg Salad Sandwiches

Have you ever tried adding different ingredients to egg salad?  Yeah, me either.  I LOVE egg salad!  Always have!  But I have always like it just plain eggs, salt, pepper and lite mayo.  This time I tried something different.  Bacon and pimento stuffed olives, a little celery and one other key ingredient.  YUMMY! 
Josh laughed and said he wanted his just plain, but got curious about the bacon.  Bacon (turkey bacon of course) is good on anything!  Why would egg sald be different?  He loved it!  Shocking!
I also feel like white bread, even though we NEVER eat it, is the only acceptable bread for an egg salad sandwich.  Anything more flavorful competes with the delicate flavor of egg salad.  However, like I said we never eat it, so we actually had ours in a whole wheat pita.
A few friends I have talked to say they always have trouble making hard bolied eggs...saying they are too difficult to peel afterwards.  I have heard a fool proof method is to bring the eggs to room temperature before boiling.  However, I have never tried that.  I find 9 minutes in boiling water is the perfect amount of time, followed by draining them and letting them sit in freezing cold water for another 5-10 minutes.  I have never had trouble with peeling my eggs.
I'm a few days behind, so although this recipe is from Sunday and it is now Wednesday...I hope you have a great week!