These really should break some sort of chocolate rules. They really should. So we went to Steve's company picnic recently and we were slated to bring dessert. I had every intention of making triple layer mint brownies. Also known as Grasshopper Brownies. But I got lazy. In truth, I ran out of time! I made the brownies part in the early morning. (Nothing like baking … [Read more...]
Rigatoni with Italian Sausage and Red Peppers
Super Simple Supper! This is a one dish dinner. (That brings up an important question...when you hear one dish dinner, do you think of it being a dinner that is SERVED in one dish, or COOKED in one dish?!) So this is technically a one dish served dinner...as the whole meal is in one bowl. But it was cooked in 2 pots...a pot for the pasta, and a skillet for the sausage, … [Read more...]
Grocery Budget Makeover – The “Brand Loyal” Edition
Linda writes...and I think this is something we can all relate to... I spend $200-$300 a week on food, paper products, cleaning supplies, office, & drug store items. We eat fresh veggies, whole grain products, eggs, meat/chicken/pork or fish daily. 3 meals a day for 2 at home. We're very health & weight conscious. Fresh food is important. We can't have a … [Read more...]
Chicken Spaghetti
I'd like to take a second and introduce you to Connie from Smockity Frocks! Every 2 weeks, she'll be sharing how she feeds her family of 10 on a budget! First up... This Chicken Spaghetti is a real crowd pleaser! When I make this meal, I cook and debone a whole chicken. This provides me with plenty of meat to make 2 huge casseroles, so I can make one to eat and one in a … [Read more...]
Green Pepper Chili
Simple. Take your basic chili...and add 2 green peppers. Diced, of course! (I made this on the Dayton Fox News morning show this week! So if you've been looking for the recipe, here it is!) Remember those crazy wicked cheap green peppers I scored!?! That's what inspired the green pepper addition. I think I'll be adding green peppers to everything from now until … [Read more...]
Chicken Wraps with Balsamic Red Onions
I made up a new word. I think. I haven't googled it. And I don't plan on it. I'm going to play ignorant on this one and just revel in my new word. Balsam-melized. Onions. Caramelized. In balsamic vinegar. Balsam-melized. Add said onions with some grilled chicken, lettuce (and Swiss cheese if you're not dairy free) in a tortilla...and you've got yourself some … [Read more...]
Roasted Garden Ratatouille
So this meal involves a little vegetable chopping. Okay, Fine. A LOT of chopping. But it is worth every second. I promise. We all loved this...including the boys. Roasted Garden Ratatouille All the veggie chopping is so worth it! 1 small green bell pepper 1 medium eggplant1 medium yellow squash1 medium zucchini2 cups 2 cups cherry or grape … [Read more...]
How to Blanch Green Beans
So for the past several weeks we have been eating green beans for what seems like breakfast, lunch and dinner. Well, maybe not breakfast. (But chopped and baked into a frittata with some bacon...ooohhh...) I haven't really done anything exciting with our garden green beans. So I thought I'd share some old posts and some ideas for jazzing up these delicious garden … [Read more...]
Mediterranean Mini-Meatballs
I've had this hankering for olives lately. While I haven't set out to eat an entire jar of green olives, I have no doubt that I could do it...as long as I had a huge glass of water and something sweet nearby. As I was perusing the cupboards when making my meal plan over the weekend, my eye fell on the olive jar ($.49 from Walgreens). And as I started to tear into it and eat … [Read more...]
Chicken and Quinoa Waldorf Salad with Creamy Maple Vinaigrette
I had firsts. Then seconds. Then thirds. And *maybe* fourths. (Perhaps it's the half marathon training and the fact that my body is just CRAVING calories! Not only am I still full-time nursing, I've decided to train for the San Antonio Rock n Roll Half Marathon that will take place in November. I think I'm burning close to 3,000 calories per day. Hence *maybe* the … [Read more...]