My daughter says we "speed date" food because I love playing with ingredients and am constantly creating new recipes. My family becomes attached to certain recipes and wants me to make the same things over and over and over again. My daughter says that asking for spaghetti twice in one month is not asking for the same thing over and over again. :) It feels like it to me though, … [Read more...]
Lemon Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli
I wanted a fast and easy recipe for Sunday dinner because the eclipse was going to occur right about the time we usually eat dinner. However, I only took into account the timing of the full eclipse and forgot that it would start 20 minutes before that time and last for quite awhile afterwards. Family kept wandering in and out of the house as they took turns looking at the … [Read more...]
Chicken and Brown Rice Casserole
This casserole is a nice way to add more fresh vegetables, and some whole grain rice, to the dinner menu. I used celery and broccoli since this was what we had available. You can substitute this for your favorite fresh vegetables, or whatever you have on hand. I also used a can of cream corn, to bring an added fun flavor, and a little creaminess. My teenage sons loved … [Read more...]
Asian Chicken Skillet
My family loves stir-frys. And I really appreciate how quickly they come together. However, some days I feel like using one pan for rice and another pan for the stir-fry is one pan too many when it comes time to clean up. It's not because I am lazy... oh who am I kidding? It's totally because I am lazy! This recipe combines our favorite Asian flavors in one easy … [Read more...]
Easy Broccoli and Beef
This recipe is featured in our 20 Meals from Costco for $150 Meal Plan #1. I love how fast stir-frys come together. Broccoli and Beef is one of my favorite dishes, but I avoided making it for years because I thought the recipe involved too many steps for an easy stir-fry dinner. The recipe I was given by a friend involved cooking the meat in oil, steaming the veggies, … [Read more...]
Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Extra curricular activities are the scourge of my existence. They are leaving me weary and interfere with my dinner plans. I have fewer helpers and less time to prepare dinner for my increasingly hungry crowd. Food allergies prevent me from indulging in my occasional desire to pick up fast food. Food allergies also make prepackaged … [Read more...]
Smothered Pork Chops Recipe
Smothered Pork Chops. Oh yes. We'll be making you again!!! And as you can see, we have yet again another sorta vague recipe. It leaves me wondering...How many chops?! Based on the fact that I doubled the celery and onion it called for and that was plenty for the 9 chops I had...I'm going with 4 chops for the original recipe. Place the flour with a little salt and … [Read more...]
Grilled Marinara Chicken
I loved the Grilled Salsa Chicken so much. I had to try something similar with marinara and fresh Italian herbs. It's a toss up. They are both just so yum-ilicious! Grilled Marinara Chicken 1 package chicken thighs ($2.26) Manager's Special :)Fresh basil, oregano, thyme (from the garden)1 jar favorite marinara or spaghetti sauce ($.99) … [Read more...]
Bacon, Broccoli and Tomato Pasta Salad
Pictured above: the mixins. This is a quick and easy pasta salad. And quite refreshing too. (Too bad, it's cool and wet outside today!) Bacon, Broccoli and Tomato Pasta Salad 2 cups elbows or penne pasta noodles ($.50) Almost out of my $.50 boxes of pasta!6 strips of bacon or turkey bacon ($.50) (Try cooking bacon in the oven.)2 heads broccoli, cut into … [Read more...]
Buffalo Chicken Wings
Half of the family has finished their dinner. The other half was sidetracked by the gorgeous weather, and the desire to use every moment of sunlight to work on "opening up the garden." (Nevermind that it might snow next week. I've GOT to get my seeds for the spinach and lettuces, or is it LETTUCI?!, into the dirt.) So open the garden up we … [Read more...]