Cheesy Eggplant Parmesan

Cheesy Eggplant Parmesan
ready to be placed in our oven
(File Photo)

It's great to find that local Eggplant is now available to purchase at Farmers' Markets and at roadside stands. For me it is the time to bake Eggplant Parmesan. It is a delicious dinner and I also freeze the extra portions to enjoy when our weather gets colder. It will get colder outside before we know it. At this time of year buying local vegetables is great. 

No longer do I eat fried foods, so baking the Eggplant Parmesan works so well. It is a 2 step process, but it is easy to prep. 

A few years ago I shared the directions, so I am giving that link to my post here and below: 

Cheesy Eggplant Parmesan     

This is a great dinner! For me it is especially tasty, because it is not fried. We enjoy it served with spaghetti or penne. 

Enjoy!
Yummy!

~Hearty Minestrone~

Hearty Minestrone
(File Photo)

On a chilly day a bowl of hearty hot soup is always enjoyed at dinner. Hearty Minestrone is a great choice. It is filled with colorful nutritious vegetables, too. Spinach, kidney beans, green beans and carrot slices are some of the veggies that can be found in each yummy spoonful.

Click here for my easy recipe for Hearty Minestrone. 

When I prepare a pot of this soup there are always extra portions left after dinner. Those extra portions are placed in single serve plastic freezer containers. After labeling/ dating they will find a place in our freezer. They will make easy dinners on other nights.

Do you make soup and freeze the extra portions? They do come in handy!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Turkey a la King!

Turkey a la King
(File Photo)

On the day after or two days after enjoying a delicious Thanksgiving Day Dinner, Turkey a la King is on the menu! Chunks of roasted Turkey surrounded by veggies in a creamy sauce that are served over toasted bread. So good!! Did I mention so easy?? 

There is no need to roll out a pie crust to prep a Turkey Pot Pie nor purchase a commercial crust to use. Toasted bread works so well.

Turkey a la King will be on our dinner table tonight. This is when my foodie blog comes in very handy for me. I pull up my recipe to use.

Click here so you may also view and use my recipe.  

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Chicken Thighs with Orange Veggies

Chicken Thighs with Orange Veggies
prepped in my Slow Cooker (Crock Pot)

It probably comes as no surprise- I cook off my blog. The recipes are readily available with ingredients and complete instructions. There always are a few recipes that I need to add to my collection. As a matter of fact we enjoyed one of those recipes at dinner last night. Sometime last year I read an interesting recipe in the newspaper. No, I did not save it. I just remember the basic ingredients. The basic ingredients were Chicken Thighs, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Paprika, Black Pepper, Orange Juice and Honey. Everything was baked. 

After thinking about that recipe last week and considering the heat wave that we are now experiencing, it was an invitation for me to place these ingredients in my Slow Cooker and let dinner prepare itself. Who wants to cook on a hot humid day??? I sure do not!! Long story short-  dinner was delicious last night! There were 4 portions, so the extra 2 portions are now in our fridge and will be enjoyed tomorrow night. 

I used boneless skinless Chicken Thighs. Just a few shakes of Paprika for us. Paprika is always located in my spice rack.  

****Note: My Slow Cooker has a non- stick interior, so I place the cut Carrots on the bottom. If I place chicken or meat directly on the bottom it gets crusty. 

Chicken Thighs with Orange Veggies

Ingredients:
4 boneless skinless Chicken Thighs
1 pkg. Baby Carrots
2 Yams or 2 Sweet Potatoes
1/2 teaspoon Parsley
Paprika-  a few shakes from canister
Black Pepper- a few shakes from canister
1/4 Cup Honey
1/2 Cup Orange Juice

Method:

1. Rinse Baby Carrots under cold water, drain.
2. Cut Carrots in half and place in bottom of Slow Cooker/ Crock Pot.
3. Rinse Yams/ Sweet Potatoes under cold water. 
4. Cut into 1" slices.
5. Cut each slice in half.
6. Place in a bowl.
7. Remove fat from Chicken Thighs.
8. Place on top of Carrots in Slow Cooker/ Crock Pot.
9. Sprinkle Parsley on top. 
10. Sprinkle Paprika and Black Pepper on top of Chicken Thighs.
11. Place cut Yams/ Sweet Potatoes on Chicken Thighs.
12. Drizzle Honey over top. 
13. Then pour Orange Juice over all.
14. Place Slow Cooker/ Crock Pot lid on top.
15. Cook on High for 3 Hours. Reduce to Medium for 1/2 Hours.

This dinner cooks itself and is so delicious! It will be a dinner to enjoy any time of the year. A Slow Cooker/ Crock Pot comes in very handy! That small kitchen appliance is great to use on a hot summer day!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

  

Cheesy Broccoli Tortellini

Cheesy Broccoli Tortellini

Sometimes you just need a VERY quick and easy dinner! Sure, you can order "take- out" or take a previously prepared dinner out of your freezer to reheat in your microwave. Another option is to prepare Broccoli Tortellini or Broccoli Tortelloni. For that reason I always try to keep a package of fresh cheese filled tortellini in our fridge. In our freezer a package of frozen broccoli florets can be found quickly. Shredded cheese is in the fridge, too. These are the main 3 ingredients to prepare this dinner.

The directions are very easy.

Cheesy Broccoli Tortellini 

Ingredients:

1 pkg. Cheese filled Tortellini ( can be Tortelloni)
1 pkg. frozen Broccoli florets
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil-  for frying/ cooking
Dried Basil- to sprinkle on top
1/4 Cup Shredded Cheese

1- 2 extra teaspoon(s) Olive Oil- if needed when stirring ingredients together  

Directions:

1. Prepare Cheese filled Tortellini according to package directions.
2. Microwave Broccoli following package directions.
3. After microwaved, cut Broccoli into bite sized pieces.
4. Heat 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil in a large frying pan that has a cover.
5. Add the cut Broccoli to the pan.
6. Sprinkle dried Basil on top- maybe 1/4 teaspoon 
   
7. Drain cooked Tortellini and add to pan.
8. Carefully stir all ingredients to combine.
9. Add additional Olive Oil if dry.
10. Combine all and heat.
    
11. Turn off heat and add 1/4 cup Shredded Cheese on top.
12. Cover the pan so cheese melts.
    
13. The melted cheese gives this dinner a great taste.

It is quick. It is easy. It tastes so good!
Will you be preparing this soon?

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Tomato Basil White Bean Soup- with Couscous

Tomato Basil White Bean Soup- with Couscous
(file photo)

The word is out! Here in New England snow is in our future for this weekend!  Looks like snowblowers, snow plows and snow shovels will be put to very good use on Sunday.  Any time the word snow is mentioned I think of a bowl of hearty hot soup.  One that is easy to prep is always a bonus.  Tomato Basil White Bean Soup fits that description.  

You probably have the ingredients in your kitchen ready to use.  Chicken Broth, tomato sauce, canned tomatoes, dried basil and kidney beans are quite often staples for many of us.  There are a few more ingredients, too.  I also add Couscous to the soup, but it is not necessary.  If I do not have white kidney beans, I use red kidney beans instead.  It takes little time to prepare and it is so delicious!

Click here for my Tomato Basil White Bean Soup recipe.  If you do not prepare a batch this weekend, save the recipe for next weekend!  Our chilly weather is here.

Enjoy!
Yummy!

         

Turkey a la King

On the next two days after the Thanksgiving holiday it is very easy to decide what to prepare for dinner!  There are choices.  Hot Turkey Sandwiches are usually enjoyed on the first day after we have feasted on roasted turkey.  If there is a bit of stuffing saved in the fridge, that is also reheated and enjoyed very quickly along with a salad.  

Turkey a la King
(File Photo)

There is another quick and easy dinner that does not require too much effort and is just plain delicious- Turkey a la King!  Picture small pieces of the roasted turkey in a creamy sauce that are mixed with vegetables and served over toasted bread.  It is so good!  

You probably see Turkey or Chicken Pot Pies on menus at restaurants.  However, that very tasty combination of small turkey pieces and cooked veggies served over toast is so much easier than rolling out a pie crust or even remembering to purchase unbaked pie crusts at the grocery store.  Turkey a la King is easy and  delicious!

A package of frozen mixed vegetables containing peas, carrots and corn work very well here.  Usually, I prepare a double batch and freeze portions to enjoy again at dinner in the next few weeks.  

***If you also freeze portions, adding a little milk when reheating works very well. 

My recipe for Turkey a la King is the same that I use for Chicken a la King, but I substitute the Turkey for the Chicken.

Click here for my recipe for Turkey a la King.   

Just remember to serve Cranberry Sauce, too!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

~Happy Thanksgiving!~

Have a Happy
and
a Safe Thanksgiving!!!

 Enjoy the day!

Veggie Sauce

Veggie Sauce
(File Photo)

It's the time of year to use my slow cooker (crock pot) to prepare Veggie Sauce!  It contains chunks of local Eggplant and local Zucchini and local Green Peppers along with canned tomato sauce and tomato paste.  After a quick walk to my spice rack the dried Basil and dried Oregano are added to the slow cooker's pot.  Dried Parsley is a great addition, too! Now, is when the local veggies are available at the roadside stands, farmers' markets and grocery stores.  It is good to "buy local" and support our local farmers!  The fresh veggies are so delicious, too! 

**When preparing this sauce if I have ground beef in the fridge, it is browned in a skillet, drained and also added.  I have learned over the years that with my slow cooker's "non stick" coating it is still always best to spray it with PAM, first.  Then, I add the Green Pepper Chunks.  If ground beef is used it is added to the pot second.  

I like to prepare this sauce with or without the meat.  It is easy to prepare and tastes so good.
Click here for the recipe.     

In the colder months it is always a treat to take out a container of this yummy sauce to defrost/ heat and serve over pasta for dinner.  Do you prepare foods to have "on hand" in your freezer, too?  They make great "take out" meals! Just reach into your freezer and take it out!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

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!

      

Broccoli Tortelloni

Broccoli Tortelloni

A quick and easy meal to prepare for dinner works so well!  No, I am not talking about getting "take- out" or taking previously made/ frozen dinners out of our freezer to quickly microwave.  Broccoli Tortelloni is quick, easy and so delicious!  

This dinner comes together so fast.  I use Steam Fresh frozen Broccoli and cheese tortelloni.  Yes, tortellini could also be used here.  Every so often I saute mushrooms and freeze in small packages ready to use.  In this dinner it is an optional ingredient to quickly add in. 

Broccoli Tortelloni   

Ingredients:  

1 pkg. Cheese Tortelloni
Broccoli Florets-
    (I use Steam Fresh, but cooked fresh would work well, too.)
A few sauteed Mushrooms- optional
1- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil for baking and sauteing
Dried Basil
Parmesan Cheese

Method:

1. Prepare Tortelloni following package directions.
2. Prepare Broccoli Florets according to package.
3. Cut Brocolli Florets into smaller pieces.
4. Heat Olive Oil in large saute pan.
5. Carefully add drained Tortelloni and stir.
6. Add Broccoli and stir.
7. Add cooked Mushrooms. (Optional)
8. Sprinkle all with Parmesan Cheese and Basil.
9. Stir.
10. Serve.

The Tortelloni becomes a bit crispier when it is heated in the Olive Oil and it's so good!  The Parmesan Cheese and the Basil is a great addition. 

We usually have a little extra after enjoying dinner.  The small extra serving becomes a great lunch for one person after reheating in the microwave.  Try this easy and delicious dinner, soon.  Remember to add Cheese Tortelloni and Broccoli Florets to your grocery list.

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Turkey a la King

Turkey a la King
(File Photo)

Do you have a few pieces/ slices of roasted Turkey in your fridge?  Yesterday, we enjoyed Turkey a la King for dinner!  It's that very easy meal to prepare and tastes oh so good!  It is very similar to a Turkey Pot Pie.  Pieces of roasted Turkey are combined with mixed vegetables in a creamy white sauce and it is served over toasted bread.  It's that easy to prepare!

Click on this link for my recipe for Turkey a la King!  

Most years I rewrite my recipe to share, but this year the weekend is moving quickly, so I am sharing my previously posted link. 

It seems to be a tradition that the day after Thanksgiving we always enjoy Hot Turkey Sandwiches and the next day Turkey a la King is on our menu.  Tonight? We will be enjoying Turkey Soup with carrots and potatoes with the last of the remaining Turkey chunks.  Yesterday, I prepared Turkey Broth.  I used the Turkey Broth instead of canned Chicken Broth in the Turkey a la King.  Some of the broth is also packed away in our freezer, too!

Enjoy!
Yummy! 

Apple Bread

Apple Bread cooling!
(File Photo)

Apples are a favorite fruit in our household!  In autumn the fresh crops of apples are so good.  Slices of this fruit are a great snack, too.  Desserts made with apples are also favorites of ours and one of our favorite desserts is Apple Bread.  It has a very simple name, but it is packed with flavor.  Fresh chunks of Apples along with Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Orange Juice are tasted with every bite of a slice of this dessert bread. 

Slices in the serving dish!
(File Photo)

This bread is so yummy that I always bake two of them at once.  If you are baking two at the same time, just remember to stagger the bread pans in the oven while baking the breads.  After baking and they cool, one of the breads is wrapped in foil and labeled/ dated and placed in our freezer.  It is a wonderful surprise to enjoy in a month or two.  This year during Thanksgiving Day weekend, the second bread will be defrosted and shared at our dinner table.  

For the ingredients and the recipe for Apple Bread- click here. 

In the next few days I will be baking 2 of them.  You guessed it!  One we will enjoy now and the second Apple Bread will be placed in our freezer!  This is a very moist bread that has become a favorite of ours over the years! 

*****If you plan to bake one bread, cut the recipe in half- use only 1/2 of the ingredients.  

Enjoy!
Yummy!

   

Grilled Haddock

Grilling the Haddock Fillets
(File Photo)

Last night Grilled Haddock was on our menu!  It is always very easy to prepare and is also a delicious dinner.  The Haddock fillets are coated with Olive Oil, Paprika and Thyme and then placed in a grilling basket on the grill.  Before you know it, it is ready to be served along with a vegetable and a salad.  On a warm evening it comes in handy to remember grilling is an option at dinner time. 

For my complete Instructions, click here.

Enjoy!
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!

Super Bowl Chili

Super Bowl Chili
(File Photo)

Super Bowl Sunday is this weekend! Every year on that special Sunday we enjoy Chili for dinner! Delicious, hot, flavorful Chili!  Definitely it's served with a dollop of Sour Cream on top.  The Sour Cream is stirred in just before enjoying that first spoonful of this yummy meal.  Cannot forget a slice of Rye or Oatmeal bread for dunking into the tasty tomato sauce.  It's all part of the enjoyment of eating Chili! 

This is a very easy dinner to prep in a Slow Cooker or in a Crock Pot.  I have a Slow Cooker that comes in so handy any season during the year.  My Slow Cooker has a non stick pot, BUT I have learned that meats/ poultry can overcook/ burn on the very bottom.  For that reason I place the Green Pepper that has been cut into chunks on the pot's bottom. 

Sometimes, I prepare Chili using ground beef and at other times I use ground turkey.  I do not notice any difference in the Chili's taste when using either.  It's spicy, so either works.  Lately, I've been using the ground beef, because the date on the ground beef package (when we purchase it) is better.  Grocery shopping has definitely changed for us during this pandemic.  I plan for more than a week's meals when writing out the grocery list.      

Yesterday, I made a batch of my Chili.  It was so good!  I have also learned that Chili freezes very well!  The extra portions were placed in freezer containers and into the freezer they went.  You guessed it!  On Saturday, which is tomorrow, I will place a large container of my Chili in the fridge to begin defrosting overnight.  On Sunday it will be reheated for dinner.  It's really great to have Sunday's dinner in the freezer!  Yes, we do have the Sour Cream and Oatmeal bread, too.

For my Chili recipe click on this link for the Ingredients and the Directions that I wrote in a previous post.  Then, add the ingredients for Chili to your grocery list.  Sour Cream and Rye or Oatmeal Bread, too!   Prepare a batch of Chili for Super Bowl Sunday!

Enjoy!
Yummy! 

Top Post of 2021!

Baked Taco Pie!
(File Photo)

Tonight's dinner is baking in our oven.  It is also the top blog post that I wrote for last year- in 2021! Drum roll here,
da dum... Baked Taco Pie!

Ground Beef, corn, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and shredded cheeses layered between tortillas. Oh, there are herbs and spices in the mix, too. It's served with a dollop of sour cream. Oh Yum!

We have extra portions, so they always have a spot in our freezer for a quick and easy future dinner.

Click here for my recipe. It's that good!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Turkey a la King

Turkey a la King
(File Photo)

There are slices of roasted Turkey in our fridge. Yes!  Tonight, we will be enjoying Turkey a la King served over sliced toasted oatmeal bread.  We enjoy this dinner. Think small chunks of roasted Turkey that are surrounded by mixed veggies in a creamy white sauce- oh yum!  After Thanksgiving Day this is always a "go to" dinner for me.  The Turkey was cooked yesterday and the veggies are in our freezer.  A can of chicken broth is in our pantry.  What can be easier?

Why roll out or purchase/ use another pie crust to prepare a pot pie?  Using toasted bread is so much easier!  So much quicker too!  There is no need to bake anything in the oven.   

Take a short cut today or tomorrow.  Prepare Turkey a la King using this easy recipe! (Click here for recipe.)  Just remember the Cranberry Sauce!

Enjoy!
Yummy!             

Butternut Squash Ravioli- with Basil Craisin Topping

Butternut Squash Ravioli-
with Basil Craisin Topping

It's been so hot, so humid and so uncomfortable these past 3 days. Yup, we are in a heat wave.  Last night cheeseburgers on the grill sounded like a really great idea!  Topped with a slice of a local fresh tomato sounded even better!  Looking online at the weather I saw that our local weathermen warned us of a severe thunderstorm coming to our area.  Suddenly, the sky looked not so pleasant and there was a strong breeze.  Plans to enjoy that cheeseburger were put on hold and quickly a pot of water was placed on the stove to boil.  Luckily, I had a package of fresh Butternut Squash Ravioli in the fridge!  I boil it for 5 minutes rather than the 4 minutes that are recommended.  While suddenly the thunder and lightning was all around us, it took so little time to get dinner on the table along with a fresh fruit salad.  We sat down to eat.  Before we could take that first bite, our power went out.  About 8 hours later it was restored.

I add dried Basil, Craisins and Olive Oil for a great taste to the prepared Butternut Squash Ravioli.  Click here for recipe.   

It's always a great idea to have a package of quick to prepare Ravioli in the fridge.  You just never know when it will come to the rescue.  That cheeseburger with a slice of local fresh tomato?  Oh, it's on the menu for tonight!

We will 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!