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Too Easy-Homemade Croutons

May 26, 2011 by

homemade-croutonsThis weekend I bought all the ingredients for big healthy salads; except for one thing, croutons.  I hate buying croutons. they are expensive and usually really salty.  I decided to make my own. I happened to also buy a baguette and had half of it left.  Here is my experiment.

1/2 baguette, sliced 1 inch think then quartered

1 heaping TBSP finely chopped garlic

1/2 tsp sea alt

several cracks of fresh pepper

3 tsp melted butter

1 tsp olive oil

2 tsp grated Parmesan cheese

Place cubed bread in a large bowl along with garlic, salt and pepper.  Pour melted butter and oil over bread and vigorously shake/stir ingredients so bread is completely coated.  Spread bread on shallow baking pan in single layer and bake at 325-350 degrees for 15-18 minutes till golden brown.  Turning halfway through may be necessary.

Remove from oven, immediately empty into a bowl, add grated Parmesan and stir until completely coated. They are ready to eat still warm.

I impressed myself. These were tasty.  Next time I’m adding fresh parsley along with the grated Parmesan cheese and lots more pepper.  I’m eating them like chips, they might not make it to the salad.

 

 

I Disclose




Smores without the Fire-Recipe

July 19, 2010 by

We camp, not tent camp but air-conditioned, running water, olympic sized pool included camper camping. Aside from the water park our favorite part about camping is a glowing fire with S’mores!  Since camping only comes around a couple times a year I had to figure out a way to bring s’mores to the table more often.

Grilled S’mores! That’s right, Grilled S’mores. Here’s what you’ll need.

graham crackers
marshmallows
chocolate bars
bbq grill (or oven)

heat up grill or oven to a low temperature (around 225), I turn the gas on a little bit and just turn on the burner in the back.  this makes the inside warm but not HOT

Break graham crackers in half (2 squares each) and place on grill or cookie sheet. Top half of the crackers with marshmallows, close cover or place in oven until marshmallow is soft.  Check the marshmallow progress after 3-4 minutes.  Once the marshmallows have puffed it’s time to remove from heat and assemble.  The heat from the marshmallow and graham cracker is enough to soften the chocolate. While you don’t get that real campfire char on the marshmallows these are a great alternative when a roaring fire is nowhere to be found.

This isn’t an exact recipe just a guideline, amounts,timing, temperatures and textures may vary.




Pantry/Freezer Meals

March 27, 2009 by

This is something we really try to do. Our grocery list is virtually the same each week with a couple additions for specific meals during the week. As long as you have a good variety of ingredients in the house you won’t be tempted to order in or go out to eat. One thing I always mean to do is take out a couple packages of meat so that the next day when I forget (because I always do) there is already something thawed. Use my list below as a guideline. Add fresh produce and baked breads and special cuts of meats or seafood. Add staples that you know you will eat, if you hate black beans don’t buy them but if you love potstickers stock up when there is a sale.

Of course you need to start with a stocked pantry and freezer. These are the staples we keep in the house.

Low sodium chicken broth
Beans of all varieties (kidney, cannellini, black, pigeon peas, refried)
Tomatoes of all varieties (diced, stewed, puree, sauce, paste)
Pasta of different shapes (ziti, penne, ditalini, egg noodles)
Stuffing
Rice, white and brown
Onions
Potatoes (russet and sweet)
Garlic (minced in the fridge)
Tortilla shells (burrito and soft taco size)
Flavored Vinegars (rice wine, balsamic, red wine, garlic herb white, thyme red wine)
Sauces, Condiments and Marinades (General Tsao’s, Bbq, Teriyaki, Herb & Garlic, mustards, Salsas) or make your own with herbs, oil, vinegar, citrus juice
Herbs and Spices
Chicken breasts individually frozen
Pork Roasts
Ground Turkey Breast
Turkey Meatballs
Potstickers, raviolis, tortellini, pierogies
Cheese (pizza blend, mozzarella, American, grated parmesan)
Frozen Veggies (peas, corn, broccoli, edamame, green beans, diced peppers, spinach)
Here are a couple quick and healthy recipes using what is on the above list. Add or remove for your personal taste, it’s not rocket science, it’s food
Chicken and Black Bean Tortilla Stack
4 Burrito size Tortillas
1 can refried beans
1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained
3-4 chicken breasts, diced and cooked, seasoned with Cumin, oregano, salt and pepper, garlic powder
1 cup shredded cheese (pizza blend is what we use) plus ½ cup additional cheese for topping
1 cup salsa
on a baking sheet lined with foil place 1 tortilla, spread 1/3 of refried beans then 1/3 black beans then 1/3 chicken then 1/3 cheese then 1/3 salsa all over to edges.
Repeat until all ingredients have been used and you end with a plain tortilla
Sprinkle additional cheese on top, Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until HOT
Garnish with sour cream, green onions, side of rice or ice cold margaritas LOL
Turkey Dinner Patties
1 ½ ground turkey breast
1 package stuffing mix, any flavor
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried rosemary
½ cup broth (if needed)
Mix ground meat and herbs and stuffing till well blended, add broth if mixture seems very dry
Form into 6 patties, think meatloaf slices
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Serve with steamed broccoli and green beans with lemon juice and garlic.

General Tsao’s Chicken
3-4 Chicken Breasts cut into bite size pieces
½ lb carrots cut into strips
1 medium onion, cut into thin strips
1 cup General Tsao’s sauce (trader joe’s is yummy)
1 tsp ground ginger (fresh is better if you have it)
½ cup broth
In large skillet on medium heat cook carrots and onions in drizzle of oil for 5 minutes then add broth, continue to cook for 10 minutes. Crank up heat and add chicken, stir around for 5 minutes till almost cooked, add sauce and ginger and lots of black pepper. Turn down to simmer and let cook for 10 minutes.
Serve with Rice. Cook Rice with broth instead of water, when done add 1 cup frozen peas, put lid back on and let sit for 5 minutes. Add couple shakes of Rice Wine Vinegar and ¼ tsp of ground ginger, Fluff with fork and serve with General Tsao’s Chicken.




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