Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Turkey and rice casserole (AKA thanksgiving leftovers casserole)

This was a great way to use up some of random leftovers from thanksgiving! It was yummy too!

What you need:
  • 1 box herb ricearoni 
  • 1.5 cups chopped up turkey
  • 1 can or 1 cup of corn (I used leftover loaded corn)
  • 1/2 cup mushrooms stems diced up
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 T greek yogurt 
  • 3 T cheese whiz
  • 2 large handfuls chopped fresh spinach
  • palmful chopped onion
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup monterey jack cheese

What you do:
  1. Prepare ricearoni through mixing in seasoning. Dont cook the 10-15 minutes after that point.
  2. Preheat oven to 350
  3. In large bowl mix together rice, turkey, corn, and mushroom stems.
  4. Mix in sour cream and greek yogurt.
  5. Mix in cheese whiz. Make sure you slowly spread it throughout or it will clump up.
  6. Carefully mix in spinach. Using a folding technique keeps from crushing it.
  7. Season with chopped onion, salt and pepper.
  8. Cook for 20 minutes.
  9. Top with cheese.
  10. Cook for 5 minutes longer.
Tips and tricks
Dont be afraid to substitute things for whatever you have in the fridge, 
If you dont have greek yogurt use extra sour cream.
If you dont have sour cream or greek yogurt try a cream of mushroom soup.
Any yellow cheese would be good on this if you dont have monterey jack.
I used leftover loaded corn that we ate on thanksgiving.  You can use anything you have.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Healthy Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo

This isnt your typical alfredo and it definitely has some different flavors. But it is so good! I definitely will be making this again. Even my 2 year old was eating this!

What you need:
  • 1 lb chicken
  • 1 small bag frozen broccoli cuts
  • 8 oz fettuccine
  • 2 T extra virgin olive oil (evoo)
  •  2 t chopped garlic
  • 2 T flour
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 6 oz greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 t white pepper
  • 1 pinch nutmeg
  • 3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • garlic powder
  • season salt

What you do: 
  1. Chunk chicken and season with garlic powder and season salt. cook.
  2. Heat broccoli
  3. Boil a pot of water. 
  4. Break fettuccine in half and drop in water.
  5. Cook 6 minutes. Should still have a little bit of a crunch.
  6. In a sauce pan heat EVOO.
  7. Add chopped garlic and heat through. 1-2 minutes.
  8. Whisk in flour until smooth.
  9. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, greek yogurt, milk, pepper, and nutmeg.
  10. Bring to a low boil, stirring often.
  11. Bring down to a simmer. Let thicken. About 3 minutes. 
  12. Add in pasta.
  13. Cook  for 3-4 minutes.
  14. Mix in parmesan, chicken, and broccoli. 
  15. Toss and serve.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Cheesy Honey Mustard Chicken

This recipe is definitely different then most I have tried but it has tons of flavor! Its pretty quick to make too!

What you need:
  • 4 BL SL chicken breasts
  • 3/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup yellow mustard 
  • 1 t Lime juice
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • lemon pepper
  • 4 T bacon bits
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella

What you do:
  1. Preheat oven to 375
  2. Rub chicken with lemon pepper.
  3. Spray baking dish with pam and place chicken inside
  4. whisk together honey, both mustards, lime juice, and paprika.
  5. Pour evenly over chicken. 
  6. Bake 20 minutes
  7. Mix together bacon and mozzerella cheese.
  8. Place directly on top of each chicken breast.
  9. Bake another 10-15 minutes. Until everything is melted and slightly browned.
  10. Serve hot.

Tips:
  • Great with mashed potatoes!
  • You can substitute lemon juice for the lime juice.
  • You can use all dijon instead of half yellow mustard.
  • If chicken is thick pound it out first. 
  • Can substitute smoked provolone for the mozzerella.
  •  To turn into a casserole cut up 2 cups of chicken, flavor with lemon pepper, and cook. Put over 4 cups of rice in a 9x13 baking dish. Pour sauce over the top and continue with step 6.

Garlic Pam Chicken

So simple and way yummy! It is great for an easy to make dinner!

What you need:
  • 1 sleeve ritz crackers
  • 3/4 cup grated parm
  • 3 or 4 cloves garlic (leave in larger pieces)
  • butter
  • 6 BL SL chicken breasts
  • a few dasges of garlic powder
  • salt and pepper

What you do:
  1. Preheat oven to 350
  2. Cruch ritz crackers (I crush them while still in sleeve to make less of a mess) and pour into a pie pan
  3. mix in parm,garlic powder, salt, and pepper
  4. melt 1/2 cup butter on stove (you may need more)
  5. Before it fully melts stir in garlic cloves 
  6. Let simmer for a few minutes
  7. Pound chicken to around 1/2 inch (I cover mine in plastic wrap first)
  8.  Pour butter into second pie pan, take out large garlic pieces.
  9. Dip chicken into butter then into crumb mixture.
  10. Dip into butter one more time and back into crumb mixture.
  11.  Place in glass baking dish sprayed with PAM
  12. Bake for 30 minutes

Tips:
I always double bread or crust everything for more of a crunch.
Make sure the butter doesnt start to darken too much or it might taste burnt.
If you let the chicken come to room temperature before cooking it will cook more evenly.
You can bread lots of things with this technique! I have tried pork and elk. Both were yummy!

Monday, April 21, 2014

Loaded Potato and Chicken Casserole

This recipe definitely has a bite but I liked it that way. If you don't like too much spice use less Tabasco.

What you need:
  • 1 lbs chicken
  • 8 potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 1/2 t salt
  • 1 T pepper
  • 1 T smoked paprika
  • 2 T garlic salt
  • 3 t Tabasco
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzerella cheese
  • 1 cup bacon bits
  • 1 cup green onion diced 
What you do:
  1. Preheat oven to 450
  2. Mix together olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic salt, and Tabasco.
  3. Add potatoes and mix.
  4. Spray 9x13 dish with Pam.
  5. Add potatoes but don't pour in! Leave extra sauce in bowl.
  6. Bake for 45 minutes but stir every 15 minutes.
  7. Dice up chicken and marinate in extra sauce while potatoes bake.
  8. In separate bowl mix cheese, bacon & green onion.
  9. Once potatoes are done mix in chicken.
  10. Layer toppings over the top.
  11. Bake for another 15 minutes or until chicken is done and cheese is melted.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Cheesy Rice, Spinach, and Sausage One Pot Casserole!

This is a great fast meal with easy clean up! Everything is done in one pot. It is definitely doing into my family regular rotation!What you need:
  • 1 T minced garlic
  • 2 T olive oil
  • sausage, either sliced or removed from the case(I used 2 regular sized and removed the casing)
  • 1/2 onion diced (I dont like big pieces so we put it in the food processor and shred it)
  • 1 can condensed cheese soup
  • 1 cup rice
  • 2 cups water
  • spinach
  • salt
  • pepper
What you do:
  1.  In a skillet, heat oil.
  2. Add onions, garlic and sausage. cook until the onions are tender. about 5-6 minutes.
  3. Add rice, water, soup, salt and pepper.
  4. Mix well.
  5. Bring to boil. Cover and simmer.
  6. 15-20 minutes. Until rice is tender.(this depends on the rice you use. Check what the directions for the rice says and base it off of that.)
  7. Remove from heat. Stir in a couple handfuls of spinach.
  8. Serve hot.
It is really yummy! Hope you like it!

Monday, March 3, 2014

Amazing Homemade Mac and Cheese

This is such an easy recipe that is so good. It is great for both kids and adults. Much better then the boxed stuff.

What you need:
  •  3 cups dry pasta
  • 4 T butter
  • 4 T flour
  • 1 t salt
  • 1/2 t pepper
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups shredded mild cheese
What you do:
  1. Cook pasta. Drain and set aside. 
  2. Melt butter in sauce pan
  3. Whisk in flour, salt and pepper. Cook 3-4 minutes.
  4. Whisk in milk and stir until it starts to thicken(2-3 minutes)
  5. Reduce heat to simmer. stir in cheese.
  6. Mix in pasta.  
  7. Serve warm.
This is a thicker sauce. If you want it thinner after you mix in pasta just slowly add in milk until it is the texture you like.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Quinoa with Corn and Scallions

I have to admit I thought this recipe would be just okay but it was something I will definitely be making again. It had great flavor.

What you need:
  • 1 cup frozen corn (can substitute canned corn)
  • 2 T lemon juice.
  • 1/4 cup butter melted
  • 1 T honey
  • 1/2 t salt
  • 1/4 t pepper
  • 2 cups uncooked quinoa
  • 4 scallions
 What you do:
  1. cook frozen corn as directed. (if using canned leave cold)
  2. Whisk together lemon juice, butter, honey, salt, and pepper in small bowl.
  3. Rinse quinoa with cold water until water is clear.
  4. Cook quinoa as directed on package.
  5. Mix quinoa, corn and scallions.
  6. Drizzle with dressing and toss until coated.
  7. Serve warm

Cheesy Grub Sandwiches

I know the name of these is kind of a deterrent to try them but they are really good. They are definitely not the healthiest meal option out there but we all have those days where we just need something covered in cheese.
The original recipe can be found here .I just did some minor tweaking to make it less heavy. 
Apparently these sandwiches are really popular in Chicago. Before I found the recipe I had never heard of them. The best way I can think of to describe them is they are like a sloppy joe but instead of the red sauce it has a cheese sauce.
What you need:
  • 1 lb hamburger (I tried elk burger and that was good too)
  • 2 t Montreal steak or Famous Daves Steak Seasoning
  • 1 t worchestershire sauce
  • 3 T butter
  • 2 T flour
  • 1/2 yellow onion
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • salt and pepper
  • lettuce
  • hoagies
What you do:
  1. Brown meat in skillet. Season with steak seasoning and worchestershire sauce.
  2. Drain off fat and set meat aside.
  3. Melt butter in pan.
  4. Add in diced onion.
  5. Cook until it begins to soften.
  6. Mix in flour.
  7. Cook 3-4 minutes longer.
  8. Whisk in milk and bring to a boil.
  9. Mix until it smooths out.
  10. Once it begins to thicken remove from heat and stir in cheese and meat.
  11. Salt and pepper to taste.
  12. Serve in hoagies with lettuce.
Definitely a family pleaser! 
Make sure you use sharp cheddar cheese it makes a ton of difference! 

Steak Marinade

Found this awesome marinade on pinterest. It has amazing flavor and I had all of the stuff laying around my house!

What you need:
  •  1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 1/2 T garlic powder
  • 3 T basil
  • 1 1/2 T Parsley
  • 1 t white pepper
  • 1/8 t cayenne
  • 1 t minced garlic
What you do:
  1. Mix all ingredients.
  2. Pour over steak.
  3. Cover and refrigerate for a couple hours.
  4. Drain juice off.
  5. Cook meat as desired. 

Friday, January 24, 2014

Salisbury Steak

I used this recipe to use up leftover hamburgers we had in the fridge. This is the perfect solution for after BBQs when you made too much food. With this recipe you can turn it into a whole new meal!

What you need:
  • 4 leftover hamburgers
  • 3 T flour
  • 2 T butter
  • 1 cup beef broth 
  • 1 onion
  • 2 cans sliced mushrooms
  • 1 T worcestershire sauce
What you do:
  1. Melt butter in pan.
  2. Add in chopped onion and let cook until the soften.
  3. Add in flour and cook 3 minutes.
  4. Mix in broth, mushrooms and worcestershire sauce. 
  5. Place hamburger patties in the gravy.
  6. Cook on med-low until everything is combined.
 

Yeast Rolls

Just like mom made them! Who doesn't love homemade bread? It never stays long in my house. This was a great recipe.

What you need:
  • 2 cups warm water
  • 1/2 cup and 1 t sugar
  • 2 1/4 t yeast (1 package)
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 t salt
  • abour 6 cups flour
  • butter
What you do:
  1. In a small bowl mix 1 cup warm water, 1 t sugar and yeast. Wait for it to bubble.
  2. In a large bowl mix 1 cup warm water, 1/2 cup sugar, vegetable oil, and salt.
  3. Once yeast mixture is bubbling combine with oil mixture.
  4. Add flour 1 cup at a time. Mix well between adding more. (I ended up using a little over 6 cups in the mixture.)
  5. Knead well and place in a large greased bowl.
  6. Cover and let rise until doubles in size. (About 2-3 hours)
  7. Knead again and form into 20 rolls.
  8. Place in greased 9x13 pan. 
  9. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
  10. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes
  11. Brush the top with butter.
Don't expect these to last very long! Great as a dessert with a little honey!

Jalapeno poppers!

These are great for an appetizers or as an entree! We had them for dinner with some pasta and a salad and it was perfect!  If you host game day parties these would be a huge hit!

 What you need:
  • 4 jalapenos
  •  8 bacon slices
  • 2 raw sausages
  • 1/2 cup cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated pepper jack
  • 1/4 cup grated cheddar
  • 1/2 t smoked paprika
  • 2 green onions, chopped

What you do:
  1. Preheat oven to 425
  2. Cut tops off jalapenos, then slice lengthwise. Remove seeds and membranes.
  3. Mix cream cheese, chedder, pepper jack, paprika, and green onions.
  4. Stuff jalapenos with cheese mixture.
  5. Cut sausage lengthwise and then in half.
  6. Place a piece of sausage on top of jalapeno.
  7. Wrap sausage and jalapeno with a slice of bacon.
  8. Cook for 30 minutes.

Tips:
If you have precooked sausage just chunk it up and mix it in with cream cheese mixture.
For a healthier option use half cream cheese and half greek yogurt. Dont use all greek yogurt or it will be too runny.
For less heat rinse Jalapenos out after taking out seeds;
 

Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after handling the jalapenos. (I may have made the mistake of itching my nose....)
Hope you enjoy!

Friday, January 17, 2014

Apple Pear Cranberry Crisp

This is a great breakfast recipe. You could even add some cool whip and serve it as a yummy dessert! There were no leftovers for us!
What you need:
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 1/2 cups pears (cored, peeled, and cubed)
  • 1 1/2 cups apples (cored, peeled and cubed)
  • 2 T honey
  • 1 1/2 T lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup & 1 T flour
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 cup butter
What you do:
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  2. Mix apples, pears, cranberries, honey, lemon juice, and 1 T flour. 
  3. Pour into a greased 9x9 baking dish
  4. In separate dish mix brown sugar, oats, walnuts, butter, and 1/2 cup flour until everything combines.
  5. Sprinkle with your hands into baking dish.
  6. Bake 40 minutes.

 

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Ham Fried Rice

This is as good as Take out! Really easy to make too!

What you need: 
  • 4 cups cold cooked rice (you can use white or brown) 
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked ham, diced
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil 
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil 
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 1 cup asian slaw   
  • 1/2 cup white onion, chopped 
  • 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 eggs 
  • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce 
  • 2 Tablespoon teriyaki sauce
What you do:
  1. Heat vegetable and sesame oil in large pan.
  2. Add onion, garlic, peas and asian slaw.
  3. Cook until tender. Around 5 minutes
  4. Add eggs. Mix and cook through.
  5. Add rice and ham. Heat through. This only takes a few minutes
  6. Add soy sauce and Teriyaki sauce.
  7.  Serve Immediatly.

I add extra soy sauce to mine but I let everyone do that at the table. There is so many ways to mix up this recipe. And its a great way to use up leftovers!

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Chipotle style Cilantro-Lime Rice

This is a great basic rice recipe. I use it to make burrito bowls.

What you need:
  • 1 cup long grain rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 chicken boullian cube
  • 2 T lime juice
  • 2 T cilantro
  • salt
What you do:
  1. Bring rice, water, and chicken bouillon to a boil.
  2. Reduce heat and cover
  3. simmer until tender, about 20-25 minutes
  4. Remove from hear
  5. Mix in lime juice and cilantro
  6. Fluff and serve
Tastes just like Chipotle's rice.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

This is a way yummy recipe. Taste just like the real thing with less work! Only needed slight tweaking to enhance the flavor.



What you need:
  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • 3 cups cooked chicken (make sure you season with salt and pepper when you cook it, I also added a little green onions)
  • 2 cups ham
  • 8 slices swiss cheese
  • 2 cans cream of chicken
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 roll ritz crackers
  • 1/2 t smoked paprika
  • 1/4 t garlic powder
  • 1/2 t parsley

What you do:
  1. preheat oven to 350
  2. mix cream of chicken soups, milk and sour cream in a bowl and place to the side
  3. crush ritz crackers and mix with spices and set aside.
  4. Layer ingredients in a 9x13 baking dish.
    1. rice
    2. chicken
    3. swiss cheese
    4. ham
    5. sauce mixture
    6. cracker topping
  5. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes

We used this recipe to use up christmas ham and it was a great mix up to our usual recipes. I hope your family likes it as much as we did. It is a little heavy so I would definitely serve with a salad. Let me know what you think!