Roasted Asparagus

Roasted Asparagus
(File Photo)

Today, fresh asparagus was purchased in our grocery store to enjoy as a veggie at dinner tonight.  O.K., to be honest enough asparagus was purchased so we could enjoy it again tomorrow night.  It is a great treat to have at dinner.  It's also very easy to prepare.  After cutting off the tough ends from the bottoms of the stalks (about 1"- 1 and 1/2") , the veggie is rinsed in cool water.  Then, the pieces are coated with Olive Oil and herbs and placed on a large cookie sheet to be roasted in the oven.  Now, that is really easy!

Asparagus ready to be roasted!
(File Photo)

When I was growing up Asparagus was a veggie that my family always enjoyed in the Spring.  My mom would boil it, but I prefer to roast it.  I really like the flavor when it is roasted!    

Click here for my complete instructions on preparing Roasted Asparagus.  So delicious!  It is a great veggie to add to your dinner table.

Enjoy!
Yummy!

      

Grilled Chicken- Part 2

Grilled Chicken- Part 2

To some people the word leftovers is not appreciated much.  However, to me leftovers can be the beginning of another entree to be enjoyed at dinner.  For example, a few days ago grilled chicken tasted great!  I had a box of Kraft Mac & Cheese in the pantry and it paired so well with the chicken.  We enjoyed a vegetable, too.  Needless to say we had leftovers.

That brought another easy to prepare entree 2 nights later.  Two Zucchinis were cut into slices, then cut in half and sauteed.  Mushrooms were also cut into slices and you guessed- sauteed. (***Yes, I did rinse them under/ in cold water/ drained before slicing.)  The chicken was cut into small chunks and added to the large sautee pan along with the Mac & Cheese- to heat everything.  Then, I added about 2 ounces of water and stirred everything together.  Without the water it may have been a bit dry.    A quick trip to my spice rack for the Oregano and Basil.  Two shakes of each went into my sautee pan.  Then, a little more stirring.  Before I knew it we were eating dinner! 

This was one delicious dinner!! Two of the ingredients were leftovers!  Who would know??  

Now, this is a recipe that needs no specific written instructions.  It's a "use what you have", sautee some veggies, add water, Oregano and Basil.  Dinner was so good!!

Try it!
We enjoyed it!
Yummy!

Roasted Asparagus

Roasted Asparagus
(File Photo)

Roasted Asparagus is delicious! Growing up my family always (and I do mean always) enjoyed Asparagus at dinnertime in the Spring.  It only made an appearance on our dinner table when the fresh local veggie was available at the road side stands in nearby Hadley, MA. My mom always boiled/ drained the cut strips and we would drizzle melted butter over them.  As much as I always liked that method of preparing Asparagus, that is now a Memory!

Now, after preparing the stalks I roast them in a 425°F oven for 12- 13 Minutes.  Oh yes, Olive Oil, dried Basil and dried Oregano and maybe powdered Garlic are in the mix, too before the cookie sheet containing the Asparagus is placed in the oven.  What a great method of preparing this green vegetable!

Ready to be placed in my oven!
(File Photo)

 
For the complete recipe that I have posted in the past click here for Roasted Asparagus!    

It is so delicious!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Grilled Zucchini

Grilled Zucchini

Warm grilled Zucchini halves always taste so delicious!  In the warmer months- like in the summer- this is a great side dish at dinnertime!  It is placed on our grill after being coated with Olive Oil, Basil and Oregano.  Sometimes, I add garlic powder, too.  It is so easy to prepare, grills quickly and tastes so yummy!  Any extra pieces are refrigerated.  The next night they are cut into smaller pieces and added to a veggie salad.   

If you have not enjoyed this very easy delicious side dish, add Zucchini to your grocery list or Farmers' Market list this week and try it.  The recipe is below: 

Recipe for Grilled Zucchini!     

Enjoy!
Yummy!           

~Roasted Asparagus~

Roasted and ready to enjoy!

Roasting is definitely my favorite way to prepare Asparagus!  I've enjoyed this veggie for literally decades.  Growing up next door to the town of Hadley in MA, Asparagus was always served at least 3 times a week in the Spring while the local Hadley crop was sold at the road side stands.

As time has moved on, I no longer boil the fresh stalks and serve with drizzled butter.  That was how it was prepared before being placed on the dinner table- so many years ago.  My "go to" method these days is roasting it.  My Spice Rack comes in handy here!

The stalks are cut in half and combined with Olive Oil, Garlic Powder, Basil and Oregano before placing them on a cookie sheet.  Roast 12- 13 minutes in a 425°F oven.  It's that quick!  It's so yummy!

Ready for my oven!

Roasted Asparagus
Oven Temperature:  425°F            Time:  12- 13 Minutes


Ingredients:
1 Bunch- about 1 Lb. fresh Asparagus
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil for baking & sauteing
2- 3 Shakes each of Garlic Powder, Basil and Oregano (dried)
 
Method:

1. Cut off tough ends (about 1 and 1/2") and toss from bottom end of Asparagus stalks.
2. Cut each stalk in half.
3. Double rinse in cold water and drain.
4. Toss Asparagus with Olive Oil, Garlic Powder, Basil and Oregano.
5. Place each piece on foil lined cookie pan in a single layer.
6. Roast in a preheated 425°F oven for 12- 13 Minutes. 

An easy tasty veggie that is quick to prepare for dinner!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

 

Turkey Veggie Soup

Turkey Veggie Soup
2 portion sizes in covered containers
are in our freezer.

When it's chilly and we're wearing hats & gloves whenever we're outside, a large bowl of hearty soup is so yummy at dinnertime.  Making a batch of soup is easy and I always enjoy the fact that I freeze the extra portions for other meals.  On another night taking a container of soup out of the freezer for dinner is even easier!

That night was Saturday night!  Earlier last week it was 63°F outdoors!  I did write 63°F!  What a change from cold with wind chill weather.  Saturday the wind chill made it just outright frigid.  Brrr!  Bring out a bowl of hearty tasty soup.  

Turkey Veggie Soup is one of our faves!  There are many spices to flavor the browned ground Turkey while this soup is really making itself on the stove.

Last week while putting the ingredients together, I found there was no chopped Spinach in our freezer.  Chopped Broccoli was a great substitute!

We were really hungry at dinnertime, so there was no photo op of hot hearty steaming soup in bowls.  The photo above shows the portions in freezer containers- getting ready to be placed in our freezer.

When reheating it for dinner, I add about 2/3 of another can of Chicken Broth to the pot.  Rice always absorbs the extra liquid, so more broth is needed when reheating.

If you've never enjoyed this soup, make a batch.  It is so good! 

Turkey Veggie Soup

Ingredients:
1 lb. Ground Turkey, browned
4 cans (14.5 ounces each) College Inn Light & Fat Free Chicken Broth
1 can (14- 20 ounces) Diced or Whole Tomatoes (cut into pieces), drained
1 box (8- 10 ounces) chopped frozen Broccoli (or Spinach), thawed
1 Cup White Rice, uncooked
1 lb. Baby Carrots (rinsed)
1 pkg. (10- 14 ounces) defrosted Green Beans- optional
1/4 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
3/4 teaspoon Paprika
1/4 teaspoon Basil
1/4 Teaspoon Oregano
1 Tablespoon dried Parsley

Method:

1. Brown Ground Turkey and drain. 
2. Place in large pot or Dutch Oven.
3. Add remaining ingredients to pot, stir.
4. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer.
5. Simmer about 45- 60 Minutes- until Rice and Carrots are cooked.
6. Stir occasionally while simmering.

Serve with a slice of  Rye or homemade bread!  A bowl of hot soup on a winter evening is so good!

My freezer containers are always ready to pack away the extra portions.

Enjoy!
Yummy!

        

Hearty Turkey Veggie Soup

Hearty Turkey Veggie Soup
Portions ready for the freezer!

Oh, it is a bit chillier in the AM these days!  It happens every October, but I'm never prepared for the sudden need to wear a jacket when taking the daily walk.  My Marigold & Zinnia seeds are stored away to plant next spring, so it's probably time to take out more of the long sleeved jerseys.  Thinking of those long sleeves brings the thought of a hearty soup at dinner time!  A soup that contains a few colorful veggies like tomatoes, spinach & carrots with rice.

Two years ago my large Dutch Oven would contain a yummy Sausage Soup.  Alas, that was 2 years ago.  Now, I'm keeping cholesterol in mind even more than before.  I've learned that my yummy Sausage Soup tastes mighty good when I substitute browned/ drained Ground Turkey for the browned/ drained Sausage!  Add more spices into the pot when this soup is simmering and it's oh so good!!!  So good, that yesterday I was searching for it in our freezer.  Well, that quick JG Take Out Meal was not to be seen on any freezer shelf.  Looks like Ground Turkey needs to be added to my grocery list!

Hearty Turkey Veggie Soup

Ingredients:

1 lb. Ground Turkey
4 cans (14.5 ounces each) College Inn Light & Fat Free Chicken Broth
1 can (14- 20 ounces) Dice or Whole Tomatoes, drained
1 box (8- 10 ounces) chopped frozen Spinach, thawed
1 Cup White Rice, uncooked
1 lb. Baby Carrots (rinsed)
1 pkg. (10- 14 ounces) defrosted Green Beans- optional
1/4 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
3/4 teaspoon Paprika
1/4 teaspoon Basil
1/4 Teaspoon Oregano
1 Tablespoon dried Parsley

Method:

1. Brown Ground Turkey & drain.
2. Place in large pot or Dutch Oven.
3. Add remaining ingredients to pot.
4. Bring to a boil & reduce heat to simmer.
5. Simmer about 45- 60 minutes- until Rice has cooked.

Could this be any easier?  No!  Serve with a slice of Rye Bread.

After enjoying a bowl of this hearty soup at dinner, you'll notice there is a quantity left in the pot.  No problem here!  This soup freezes very well.  After the soup cools, I place 2 portions in freezer containers, date/ label.  Into the freezer they go.

There is nothing like searching for a quick dinner in my freezer on a cold day & finding this hearty soup.

***The Rice absorbs the liquid when the soup is cooling, so I add Chicken Broth when reheating to enjoy again.

***When reheating for 2 Servings-  I add almost 1 can (14- 20 ounces) of Chicken Broth into the sauce pot along with the soup.  It's yummy!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

    

Grilled Zucchini

Grilled Zucchini

Warm weather & grilling time!  Woohoo!  I've been waiting for this- wearing short sleeved shirts, shorts & sandals.  And there's that added perk of prepping dinner to cook outdoors.  The teasing aroma from the grill each time that its lid is opened while food is cooking signals warm weather.  Grilled seafood, chicken & beef have been enjoyed this past week.  

On Saturday I "spied" Zucchini in the produce dept. of our grocery store.  Four smaller sized firm veggies were chosen.  It didn't take long to decide Grilled Zucchini would be the veggie that evening for dinner.  Yum!  Grilling Zucchini is easy & it tastes soo goood!

Basil, Oregano & Garlic Powder from my Spice Rack were combined along with Olive Oil for sauteing & baking to coat the Zucchini halves.  Then, they were grilled.

An extra Zucchini was grilled, too- it makes a great addition to a cold veggie dinner salad!  Cut in small chunks & add in.  Yum!

Grilled Zucchini

3- 4 small Zucchini
3- 4 Tablespoons Olive Oil for sauteing & baking
1/8 teaspoon Basil
1/8 teaspoon Oregano
less than 1/8 teaspoon Garlic Powder

Method:

1. Combine Olive Oil, Basil, Oregano & Garlic Powder in baking dish or plastic bag.
2. Rinse Zucchini under cool running water & dry.
3. Cut 1/2" off each end (blossom end & stem).
4. Then, cut each Zucchini in half- blossom end to stem end.
5. Place each 1/2 Zucchini in Olive Oil combination.
6. Coat each side of vegetable.
7. Using tongs, place on heated grill, cut side down.
8. Turn over to cook other side.
9. Grill until soft- as desired.
10. Grilling Time depends on heat of grill & distance from heat.  On our grill Zucchini is grilled in 15-17 minutes.

Any remaining slices can be refrigerated & added to a cold salad.

Enjoy!
Yummy!

                    

Beefy Asparagus

Beefy Asparagus

There was a definite chill in the air yesterday.  Opening the fridge door before dinner suddenly I saw a container of cooked rice & asparagus.  Now, these could very easily be labelled leftovers from tasty dinners earlier in the week.  To me, they were the beginning of preparing last night's dinner. 

Asparagus is a treat at this time of year & we always enjoy it when it is available.  Rice is plain delicious!  Add in Plum Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce, browned ground beef & suddenly I was heading to my Spice Rack.  While preparing this colorful dish, it smelled so good!  The grains of Rice became nestled between pieces of Asparagus & Tomatoes.  Before I knew it dinner was ready.  Beefy Asparagus tasted so good!

Beefy Asparagus

Ingredients:

3/4 lb. Ground Beef or Ground Turkey - browned
about 1 and 3/4 cups cooked Rice
6- 7 cooked Asparagus stalks, cut into pieces
(1) can (15- 20 ounces) Plum Tomatoes, drained- cut into quarters.
(1) can (15 ounces) Tomato Sauce
1/4 teaspoon Oregano
1/4 teaspoon Basil
1/8 teaspoon Garlic Powder

Method:

1. Brown Ground Beef or Ground Turkey.  Drain.
2. In Dutch Oven or large pot combine all ingredients.
3. Heat about 25- 30 minutes, stirring often.
4. Enjoy!

Serve with Feta Cheese sprinkled on top!

What looked like leftovers in my fridge suddenly became a delicious dinner- served along with a fruit salad!  Try it, you'll like it- if you like Asparagus!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

   

Roasted Zucchini/ Summer Squash

Where's the photo?!?

Sometimes there's just not a photo!  Those are the times when we are either famished or I just forget to take out the camera or the iPhone.  Last night was one of those times.

It was a very quick dinner.  Those frozen Crabcakes do come in handy!  Crabcakes with tartar sauce are always so good on a sesame seed bun.  You know the ole' combo- 1 Tablespoon Sweet Relish with about 1/2 teaspoon Mayonnaise & stir.  Making the Tartar Sauce was easy, but we also needed a veggie.  No, not French Fries.  Opening the fridge & looking down to the veggie bin, 2 Zucchini + 1 Summer Squash popped into view!  Roasted veggies are always so yummy, so I had my answer.  Roast the sliced veggies in the same cookie pan & at the same temperature as the Crabcakes while they were baking!  Now that our temps are a lot cooler, heating the oven & kitchen actually feels great!  During the HHH summer months I really do not do much baking!  

Roasted Zucchini + Summer Squash
     2 - 3 servings

2 Zucchini
1 Summer Squash

or 1 Zucchini + 2 Summer Squash

Method:

1. Wash veggies under cool running water, dry.
2. Cut into 1/2" slices.
3. Using a container or Ziploc Bag, combine 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil + 1/8 teaspoon Oregano & 1/8 teaspoon Garlic Powder.
4. Add veggie slices to bag & coat.
5. Place coated veggies on cookie pan.  I placed them surrounding the Crabcakes. 
6. Roast 20 Minutes at 450°F.

Zucchini & Summer Squash were added to my list to purchase at the roadside stand today.  I'll definitely be roasting these again as long as our local veggies are available!   :)  Try it!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

 

Super Bowl Chili

Super Bowl Chili

Super Bowl Sunday!  The time to get comfy and watch the commercials on t.v.!  Oh, definitely, also focus on the game!  We all have our fave team.  Even years before attending my first Boston College Football game, watching football was a weekend fave activity.  My sons were SuperFans watching their BC Eagles in Alumni Stadium during home games.  Parent Weekends were great!  The tradition lives on, attending games and also following the careers of former BC football players in the Pros!

This Sunday we'll be enjoying the big game.  My West Bend Slow Cooker will be put to work... Chili is on the menu.  Yummy!  Placing the ingredients in the Slow Cooker's pot, adding the cover, setting the temperature to High later reducing to Medium...dinner will be so tasty & it will cook itself!   

(Usually, I place one veggie in the Slow Cooker's pot and then add the meat/chicken.  The pot has a nonstick surface, but I use this precaution, so the browned Ground Beef, in this case, will not become crispy on the bottom.  Green Pepper chunks that have been defrosted from my freezer stash are placed on the bottom.)

Cut into chunks before adding to the pot.

Super Bowl Chili is bursting with flavor.  We enjoy it topped with a dollop of Fat Free Sour Cream.  The creamy mild sour cream is a great contrast to the spicy tomato sauce in the Chili ...Yummy!  There will be extra portions...these will be placed in the fridge...reheated & enjoyed on Tuesday.  :) 

Super Bowl Chili  see:  recipe posted 1/17/12

Ingredients:
1 to 1¼  lbs. Ground Beef
1 small Green Pepper, cut into small chunks
(1) 14.5 oz. can Diced Tomatoes, drained
(2) cans Red Kidney Beans (about 19 oz. each)
Chopped Onions (I use 1 Tablespoon dehydrated Onions.)
Chopped Parsley (I use 1 Tablespoon dehydrated Parsley.)
2- 3 teaspoons Chili Powder
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon Oregano
(2) cans Tomato Sauce (15 oz. each)
≈  ≈  ≈  ≈  ≈  ≈
Fat Free Sour Cream - add when serving
Rye Bread - for dunking

Method:

1. Spray nonstick cooking pot of Slow Cooker with PAM.
2. Brown Ground Beef in a frying pan.
3. Place Green Pepper chunks in cooking pot.
4. Add browned Ground Beef.
5. Add drained Diced Tomatoes.
6. Drain Kidney Beans.  Rinse in cold water.  Drain again.
7. Place on top of Tomatoes.
8. Sprinkle on desired amount of chopped Onions & chopped Parsley.
9. Then, sprinkle Chili Powder, Garlic Powder & Oregano on top.
10. Pour Tomato Sauce over top & spread.
11. Place lid on top.
12. Set temperature to High for 2 and 1/2 hours.  Then, reduce to Medium for 1/2 hour.
13. Stir before serving into bowls. 

A bowl of Chili served with a dollop of Fat Free Sour Cream on top...add in a slice of Rye Bread for dunking...Yummy!

Are you getting ready for Super Bowl Sunday???

Go 49ers!!!

   

Baked Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Carrots

Roasted Carrots

So often in the evening while the oven is preheating for that 20 minutes, everything is prepped.  Just before the "NBC Nightly News" starts, the oven door is opened and our dinner is placed inside.  Definitely a fave during the colder months is Baked Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Carrots.  The meat is placed in the center of a large foil lined (sprayed with PAM) cookie pan.  Then, Olive Oil/Herb coated Carrots are placed around the Pork Tenderloin.  They are baked/roasted together!  Easy + Yummy!   

When my local grocery store Big Y has a Pork Tenderloin special of "Buy 1 Get 1 Free", this is always  one dinner we enjoy.  While baking, the Pork Tenderloin rests on 2-3 Bay Leaves and is covered with a sprinkling of Oregano + Rosemary Leaves.  Delicious!  Couple that with Roasted Carrots and the aromas from our kitchen beckon us to dinner after we learn the news of the day.

Roasted Carrots

1. Line a large cookie pan with foil.
2. Spray with PAM.
3. Rinse Carrots in cold water.
4. Place Carrots in a Gallon sized Ziploc Freezer bag that contains 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil, 1/4 teaspoon each of Basil, Oregano, Garlic Powder and also Black Pepper and coat.
5. Place coated Carrots on outer sides of foil lined cookie pan. Tongs work well to place coated Carrots on pan.  No sticky fingers.

Pork Tenderloin - about 1 and 1/4 lbs.

1. Place 2-3 Bay Leaves in center of cookie pan where Tenderloin will be placed.
2. Rinse Tenderloin in cold water.
3. Place Tenderloin on Bay Leaves.
4. Drizzle about 1-2 teaspoons Olive Oil on top of Tenderloin.
5. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon Oregano on Tenderloin.
6. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon Rosemary Leaves on Tenderloin.

Bake the Pork Tenderloin + the Carrots in 425°F oven for 40 minutes. 

After removing from oven, cover with foil and let sit/rest for 5 minutes.  Then, remove Pork Tenderloin and cut into slices.  The roasted colorful Carrots are a delicious veggie bursting with flavor.

Sometimes, Easy Cheesy Noodles round out this yummy colorful dinner! Mmmmm!  I also enjoy a little Mustard as a dipping sauce for pieces of sliced Pork Tenderloin!  Do you like mustard?

Enjoy!
Yummy!

       

A Chili Weekend

Go team!

It was a great weekend and also cold!  Not ideal for taking a walk, but there were other things on our agenda!   We are always up for watching the Boston College Eagles Men's Basketball team and Saturday afternoon's ACC game brought a W!  That quickly led to the NFL Divisional Playoffs!  Sunday afternoon, again, we watched the Playoffs.  Who had time to think about making dinner???  Sure "take out" could work, but my West Bend Slow Cooker is a great little appliance.  Chili made in the Slow Cooker is so good!  Did I mention so easy?

On Saturday evening during the Saints/49ers game we dined on the delicious hearty Chili that had basically cooked itself, with little help from me.  Then came the game we in MA were waiting for - Tom vs. Tim!  :)  Sunday afternoon we were once again glued to our t.v. screen and also enjoying watching former BC Football players in the Divisional Playoffs.  It's unusual for us to be just glued to the t.v. screen, but the Giants/Packers game took our attention.  Dinner time rolled around - again.  I was planning on a dish with chicken, but time just disappeared.  Ah, fortunately in our fridge just waiting to be reheated for dinner - there it was - the extra delicious Chili! 

This is a great meal to prep in a Slow Cooker or Crock Pot.  My Slow Cooker has a nonstick surface, yet I do spray it lightly with PAM.  I also brown the Ground Beef before placing it in the cooker's pot to reduce the fat content. 

(Usually I place one veggie on the pot's bottom and then add the meat/chicken I am using.)

After watching all of the games and enjoying ALL of our Chili, there are no photos to share.  I can share that Chili tastes wonderful on a frigid day and it's very easy to prep this family fave!   

Slow Cooker Chili

Ingredients:
1 to 1 and 1/4 lbs. Ground Beef
1 small Green Pepper, cut into small chunks
(1) 14.5 oz. can Diced Tomatoes, drained
(2) cans Red Kidney Beans (about 19 oz. each)
Chopped Onions (I use 1 Tablespoon dehydrated Onions.)
Chopped Parsley (I use 1 Tablespoon dehydrated Parsley.)
2 teaspoons Chili Powder, more if desired
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon Oregano
(2) cans Tomato Sauce (15 oz. each)

Method:

1. Spray nonstick cooking pot of Slow Cooker with PAM.
2. Brown Ground Beef in a frying pan.
3. Place Green Pepper chunks in cooking pot.
4. Add browned Ground Beef.
5. Add drained Diced Tomatoes.
6. Drain Kidney Beans and rinse in cold water.  Drain again.
7. Place on top of Tomatoes.
8. Sprinkle on desired amount of chopped Onions & chopped Parsley.
9. Then, sprinkle Chili Powder, Garlic Powder & Oregano on top.
10. Pour Tomato Sauce over top & spread.
11. Place lid on top.
12. Set temperature to High for 2 and 1/2 hours.  Then, reduce to Medium for 1/2 hour.
13. Stir before serving into bowls. 

We enjoy our Chili with a dollop of Fat Free Sour Cream on top.  Rye Bread is great for dunking!

Do you Enjoy Chili?
Yummy!

                 

Summer Chicken

Summer is great!  There is so much color in our gardens.  In our front cut-out perennials and annuals flow together.  Overnight there can be a change as blossoms appear.  This just may be the last season of our current Zinnias.  Every summer I save seeds from the current year's gorgeous blossoms.  After drying the seeds and storing them during the winter they are planted in the spring.  It was a little "iffy" as to how the Zinnias would fare this year, because this is the fourth year that seeds were saved and planted from the original purchased seeds.  But all is well!  More buds are ready to blossom.

One hot afternoon this week we had a craving for Grilled Sockeye Salmon.  Well, a reasonably priced nice piece of "wild caught" Sockeye Salmon was not in the cards.  Breaded Sauteed Chicken Tenderloins quickly found their place on our dinner table that evening.  Now, there were quite a few extra pieces of tenderloins after dinner.  Needless to say, into the fridge they went.  At this time of year there usually is a large green Pepper visible every time I open our fridge's door.  The ingredients for another quick & easy colorful delicious dinner were at hand! WooHoo!

Summer Chicken

Ingredients:

About 1 Cup cut up cooked Chicken Tenderloins/Chicken

1 large Green Pepper cut into strips

2-3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

(1) can Plum Tomatoes (1 lb., 12 oz. can)

1/8 teaspoon each dried Oregano, Sweet Basil & Garlic Powder

Method:

1. Wash Green Pepper.  Cut into strips.
2. Saute in Olive Oil in skillet about 4-5 Minutes.
3. Add drained Plum Tomatoes that have been cut in half.
4. Cut cooked Chicken Tenderloins into pieces and add to skillet.
5. Sprinkle 1/8 teaspoon Oregano, Sweet Basil & Garlic Powder over ingredients in skillet.
6. Heat about 6-8 Minutes, until hot.  Stir occasionally.

The Chicken Tenderloins I used had been coated with Bread Crumbs and sauteed.  As the juicy Plum Tomatoes heated, the Bread Crumbs on the Chicken pieces absorbed the juice.  Dinner was so yummy!    

Today we purchased the Sockeye Salmon.  I noticed the "special" in our Big Y's store flyer on Thursday.  :)

Enjoy!

Yummy!

       

Spanish Rice

Oh, this past week our household has been a whirlwind of volunteer activities!  Spring is always a very busy happy time at the 5 museum complex - the Springfield Museums - where I give tours to groups of students who are visiting on School Field Trips.  History and Art are fascinating!  The Springfield Museums is a beautiful complex with large life size bronze statues of Dr. Seuss and of Horton on the green.  Yes, Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) was born in Springfield, MA and his work is honored with these sculptures and with many more.

This past weekend our Town Green here in Longmeadow was filled with talented crafters and artists, food and local history.  Visitors enjoyed themselves while chatting with friends.  Long Meddowe Days is in May and my hubby was on the planning committee.  

Dinners have been quick, easy and nutritious.  With all of the bustle on the home front, I was so pleased one night to locate 2 Cups of the "leftover" Rice, served two days earlier, in my fridge.  It was the beginning of Spanish Rice.  Was that ever a time saver after a non-stop day! 

Spanish Rice

Ingredients:
1 lb. Ground Beef, browned
1 can (15 oz.) Tomato Sauce
1 can (15 - 20 oz.) Tomatoes - whole or pieces, drained
1 Green Pepper - cut into strips, optional
2 Cups cooked Rice

1/4 tsp. Oregano
1/4 tsp. Basil
1 Tablespoon chopped Parsley

Method:

1. Brown 1 lb. Ground Beef.
2. While browning Beef, combine Tomato Sauce, Tomatoes and cut Green Pepper in large pot and simmer.
3. Add browned Beef and stir.
4. Add in cooked Rice, Oregano, Basil and Parsley.  Stir well and simmer 30 minutes.
5. Stir occasionally while simmering.

This quick and easy meal simmered while we watched the 6:30 PM news.  After dinner was finished there was "some" remaining Spanish Rice that was placed in a small bowl.  It made a great lunch for my hubby the next day.

Do you use leftover Rice in another meal?

Enjoy!
Yummy!

 
        

Sauteed Summer Veggies

Yes! The fresh, colorful, nutritious vegetables are now found at our local roadside stands. Last night the chilly rain was falling outside my kitchen window, but inside my warm kitchen the green chunks of zucchini squash smelled so good! I was sauteing them in Olive Oil. This quick and easy side dish is one that we enjoy often when the local zucchini is available.

After washing 3 – 4 small zucchini in cold water, they were cut in slices. Each slice was then cut in half. 2-3 TBS. of Olive Oil were heated in a large skillet over medium heat. While sauteing the veggies, I added a few sprinkles of dehydrated Chopped Parsley, Chopped Onion, Oregano, Sweet Basil and Garlic. Saute until tender. Ahhh!


Sometimes, I add slices of yellow Summer Squash along with sliced Green Pepper Sauteed Combo (click here). This is one of our favorite side dishes!

It tastes so Good!

Yummy!

Smells Inviting, Tastes Great!

This past Sunday was Mother’s Day and my hubby was the chef!!! Nice!!! He used our outdoor grill – even better! These days we eat many meals of fish or of chicken, so enjoying Luscious London Broil that he prepared and grilled was totally a treat!

Earlier in the day he prepared the London Broil. (Click here for my printable recipe card with the directions.)

Parsley, Chopped Onion, Garlic Powder, Pepper, Basil, Oregano and (2) Bay Leaves were placed in a Gallon sized Ziploc Bag along with Lemon Juice. After rinsing the meat in cold water, add it into the bag. Carefully, remove the air from the Ziploc Bag and zip. Then place it on a dish and refrigerate the London Broil for at least 3 hours. 5 hours is better. During this time, carefully, turn the bag over at least once and continue refrigerating.

Before dinner heat the grill and then remove the meat from the Ziploc Bag. Place the London Broil on a large plate and spread about 2 TBS. Gulden’s Mustard on top. Place this side down on the hot grill. Carefully, place and spread 2 more TBS. Gulden’s Mustard on the meat side facing up.

Grill to desired doneness. Place on a clean plate and slice on the diagonal.

Luscious London Broil served with a Salad and microwaved Baked Potato – Yummy!
How sweet!

Enjoy!

Red-Hot Chili

Do you have a Slow Cooker or a Crock Pot? Have you used it in the past few weeks? My answer to both questions is YES! Quite often I use my West Bend Slow Cooker when I am at home working on other projects. The meals prepared in this small appliance have few instructions, take little prep work/time, and taste absolutely delicious! Chili can be prepared on top of the stove, but if the ingredients are placed in the cooking pot of a Slow Cooker or Crock Pot and simmer for a few hours, the resulting dinner is very tender and full of flavor.

The instructions for Red-Hot Chili are simple. Brown about 1 lb. Ground Beef in a frying pan and then place the browned meat in the bottom of the cooking pot of the Slow Cooker/Crock Pot. Place the contents of one 14.5 oz. can of Diced Tomatoes on top of the browned beef. Drain, rinse in cold water and drain again the contents of two cans of Red Kidney Beans. Place the Kidney Beans on top of tomatoes. Sprinkle desired amount of dehydrated chopped onions and chopped parsley on top. Then, sprinkle on 2 tsp. Chili Powder (or desired amount) ½ tsp. Garlic Powder and ½ tsp. Oregano. Pour Tomato Sauce (two 15 oz. cans) evenly over top. Place lid on. Set the temperature on High for 2 and ½ hours. Then, reduce to Medium for ½ hour.

When it is ready to be served stir the scrumptious appetizing Red-Hot Chili before placing into bowls. Your family will know dinner is ready.

We enjoy a bowl of Red-Hot Chili served with a spoonful of Fat Free Sour Cream on top. Add a slice of Oatmeal Bread – Yummy!

Any extra portions can be cooled, refrigerated and reheated to enjoy again. However, there might not be any left after dinner! ;-)

Enjoy!
Yummy!