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Turkey Enchilada Casserole…..

Posted by on January 27, 2012

You’ve got to try this.  I have made many versions of enchilada casserole.  I normally use corn tortillas but this time I used whole wheat flour tortillas.  I love how nicely the casserole sliced and stayed together when I served it.   Use the Twenty Minute Turkey Taco meat recipe I posted this week.    Enjoy with my black bean and corn salad.    Perfect, simple, comfort food.

Turkey Enchilada Casserole

1 1/4 lb. taco seasoned turkey meat
4-6 8″ whole wheat flour tortillas
14 oz. mild red enchilada sauce
14 oz. tomato sauce
6 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

1)  Preheat oven to 375′.  Coat a 2 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
2)  In a small bowl, mix the enchilada and tomato sauces together, set aside.
3)  Cover the bottom of the baking dish with the tortilla.  Cut them to fit if you have to.
4)  Ladle just enough sauce to cover the tortilla.  Add a layer of the prepared turkey meat.  Repeat so that you have 3 layers, end with the remaining meat and sauce.   Top with cheese.  Bake for 45-50 minutes.  Serves 4.

When you make a batch of the turkey taco meat, reserve half of it for this casserole or for another taco night.  This casserole freezes beautifully.  You can also make it ahead and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to bake.

I cut the enchilada sauce with tomato sauce because even the mild sauce full strength can be a bit strong tasting.

Have a great evening!

Angie

Filed Under: Poultry, Quick Weeknight Dinners | Tagged:

Twenty Minute Turkey Tacos….

Posted by on January 24, 2012

Can an old favorite be improved upon?  Of course!  Forget those little sodium packed seasoning mixes and follow this recipe instead.  Use this seasoned meat in taco or enchilada casseroles, taco salads and burritos.  I make extra for the freezer for an even easier meal down the road.  Feel free to use ground beef as well.

Turkey Tacos

1 tablespoon canola oil
1 large onion, finely chopped, or 2 teaspoons granulated onion
4 cloves fresh garlic, minced, or 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
2 1/2 lbs. ground 93% lean turkey
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup water

1)  Heat  a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the canola oil.  Add the onion and cook for 5-7  minutes.  Add the garlic and cook another minute.
2)  Add the meat and cook through.  Break up the meat with a spatula while cooking.  Add the chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper.   Stir to combine and add the water.  Allow to simmer for about 5 minutes or until most of the water has evaporated.  Serve with warmed soft or crunchy shells and your favorite toppings.

Enjoy with your happy family!

Angie

 

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Veggie Grilled Cheese or Panini…..

Posted by on January 11, 2012

Here’s a quick and really tasty way to use up your zucchini bake.  Warm a slice of zucchini bake large enough to cover a slice of sourdough bread and warm it in the microwave until very hot.  Heat a skillet over medium heat.  Brush the two pieces of sourdough bread lightly with olive oil.  Make a sandwich using your favorite cheese, I used gruyere swiss, then the warmed zucchini bake.  Toast until the bread is nicely browned.  Walla, a quick and easy lunch or dinner.  Enjoy with Tomato Basil Soup, delish!

I think some roasted red pepper would be a pretty fabulous addition to this sandwich as well.  It’s the perfect opportunity to get creative.  That’s why I love to cook, the possibilities are endless!

Have a great evening!

Angie

Filed Under: Quick Weeknight Dinners, Vegetarian | Tagged: Tagged With: , , ,

Twenty Minute Homemade Sloppy Joes…..

Posted by on December 2, 2011

It is that time of year when there just isn’t loads of extra time to spend in the kitchen.  I do not make this meal often enough for my people as they go nuts when I make them!  So simple.   I make my Sloppy Joes with ground turkey and a few basic ingredients.  Since your family will love this, double or triple the recipe and freeze it for a couple of other quick weeknight meals.  You’ll be so happy you did!

If you REALLY want to drive ’em crazy make these.  My Oven French Fries  are sure to please and they actually taste like a real potato…imagine that!  They take a bit more effort than opening a bag (which I am certainly not above!) but will be well worth it!

Homemade Sloppy Joes

1 1/2 lbs. ground turkey*
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely diced
4 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon chili powder, or more to your taste
1 6 ounce can of tomato paste
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cups water
8 hamburger buns

1)  Heat a large heavy skillet over medium heat.  Add the oil.  Add the ground meat to to the hot skillet and add the onion garlic and salt and pepper.  Cook until the meat is cooked through.
2)   Add the chili powder, tomato paste and the brown sugar.  Stir the mixture to incorporate the ingredients into the meat.  Add the water all at once.  Simmer for about 10 minutes or until you’ve achieved the right consistency for the saucy meat to to onto a bun.  Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.  Makes 8 happy, smiley, and very much appreciated servings.

There you go.  An easy, delicious and healthy dinner for your family that everyone will LOVE.

Have a great weekend!

Angie

*you can substitute beef for the turkey meat.  I would suggest cooking the beef all the way through and then draining off any excess fat before adding the rest of the ingredients.

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Fried Brown Rice, Only 11Points!

Posted by on September 22, 2011

I get very tired of “typical” lunches.  Sandwiches, salads, soup, etc.  Yesterday, I made a killer lunch that took me all of 10 minutes and only cost me 11 Weight Watcher’s points!  I would have taken a picture, but I was hungry…..

I often suggest making a good amount of brown rice whenever you make it so that you have some for later in the week or to put in the freezer.  I did just that this week.  Listed are the ingredients I threw into my fried rice, add whatever you like!  You can easily bulk up your portion by adding extra veggies like red peppers, purple onion, broccoli, pea pods…whatever you have would be great! 

What I had on hand…

1)  canola oil, about one teaspoon
2)  an ounce of grilled chicken or pork, or no meat at all (this would lower the point value, of course!)
3)  frozen peas, 1/4 cup
4)  fresh ginger, 1 teaspoon minced or 1/2 teaspoon dried
5)  scallions, 1/2 cup
6)  an egg, scrambled
7)  cold brown rice, 3/4 cup
8)  low sodium soy sauce, a few shakes
9)  toasted sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon for flavor

I heated a non stick skillet until very hot and added the canola oil.  Quick fried the chicken until heated through, added the peas, ginger,  and scallions, cooked for about 2 minutes.    I made an opening in the center of the pan and added the beaten egg and cooked it through, mixing and chopping up the cooked egg.  I dumped in the rice and added a drizzle of soy sauce, stirring and turning the rice to heat it through.  Finally, a small drizzle of the sesame oil. 

Healthy, delicious, hot lunch.  Ten minutes.

Always treat yourself as you would your best friend.  You’re SO worth it!

Have a great day!

Angie

Filed Under: Asian, Cooking and Budgeting Tips, Quick Weeknight Dinners | Tagged:

Caesar Salad With Garlicky Croutons…..

Posted by on July 22, 2011

It’s been so hot I haven’t had the energy to muster up much more than cool salads!  We’ve hardly spent time outside for the past week, huge bummer.  It’s absolutely beautiful looking outside but of course, it’s like an oven. 

That being said, I’d like to share one of my favorite salads with you.  Caesar salad dressing is very simple to make.  I use the blender to completely pulverize all of the yummy ingredients.  I use light mayonnaise in lieu of a raw egg yolk, and of course, a Caesar salad just wouldn’t be without anchovies.  Before you wrinkle up your nose, I will tell you that when you blend these flavorful little fillets, you will not be able to detect them in the dressing.  Just this amazingly deep and rich flavor.

Another very important component of an authentic Caesar salad is croutons.  I simply cannot use a store bought crouton in my salad.   Use leftover bread ends or baguette.  If you simply cannot turn the oven on at this point, I understand! 

Lastly,  olive oil, (first cold pressed) and nice parmigiano cheese.  If you buy a chunk of it you can grate it or put 1/2″ chunks into the blender to make perfectly crumbled cheese.  For a lovely garnish use a basic vegetable peeler to make shavings. 

This recipe is pretty straight forward.  Feel free to double or triple it as it keeps well in the refrigerator for 3 weeks.  Check out my recipe for croutons below.

Authentic Caesar Salad

2 large cloves fresh garlic, coarsely chopped
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
2 anchovy fillets
2 teaspoons worchestershire sauce
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons light or regular mayonnaise
6 tablespoons olive oil, first cold pressed is best
6 tablespoons grated parmigiano
1/2 cup garlicky croutons (recipe below)
2  heads romaine lettuce, chopped

1)  If you’ve got a chunk of cheese, cut about a two inch piece into 1/2″ pieces and put into the blender.  Process until you have an evenly grated cheese.  Add the garlic through the olive oil and give it a whirl on high until you have a nice smooth consistency.
2)  Place the lettuce into a large mixing bowl.  Add the croutons and spoon about 4 tablespoons over the lettuce and toss.  Add additional dressing to thoroughly coat the lettuce.  Reserve the rest for another time.  Toss to evenly coat.  Plate the salad and top with a couple of parmigiano shavings.  Makes four servings.

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Simplest Grilled Salmon with Fresh Cucumber Dill Sauce…..

Posted by on June 15, 2011

If you’ve never grilled salmon before, it’s time.  It cooks in a matter of minutes.  Season it very simply with olive oil, salt and pepper and serve it with a fresh cucumber dill sauce.  This creamy sauce is made with fat free greek yogurt and is incredibly delicious with the grilled salmon.  Make up to a day ahead.  Today I served it with sauteed rapini but you can serve it with most any side.  Try it with oven roasted dijon potatoes or why not with orzo pasta salad with roasted garlic vinaigrette dressing? Delish~

Simple Grilled Salmon with Fresh Cucumber Dill Sauce

For the sauce:

1 cup non fat greek yogurt
1/2 cup sweet onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup seeded and peeled cucumber, finely chopped
1 small bunch of fresh dill, chopped
2 large cloves fresh garlic, crushed
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

4-6-8 ounce skinless salmon fillets, about 1″ thick
1 tablespoon olive oil
2-3 pinches of kosher salt
1-2 pinches of coarsely ground black pepper
1 lemon cut into wedges and seeds removed for garnish
1 small bunch of fresh dill, chopped

1)  In a medium mixing bowl, combine all of the sauce ingredients, gently mix well to blend.  If too thick and you’d like a slightly looser consistency, simply add a small amount of milk.  If you’re making it ahead, give it a stir before serving.  Of course, refrigerate immediately.
2)  Rinse the salmon fillets with cold water and pat dry with a paper towel.  Place on a plate.  Drizzle the olive oil over the fish, rub with your hands to coat.  Season both sides with salt and pepper.  You’re ready for the grill.
3)  Preheat the grill for about 5 minutes.  When cooking fish, you want to only turn it one time and you do not want to turn it too soon, so be sure your grill is good and hot.  Cook the salmon over medium-high heat.  Place the fish presentation side down.  Cook it with the lid down for 4-5 minutes.  The  fish will begin to turn to a lighter pink color around the edges and about half way up the fillet.  With a grill spatula, gently turn the fish.  Allow it to cook an additional 4-5 minutes.  Serve immediatly with the dill sauce. 

*enjoy any leftover salmon cold with the cucumber sauce, so good!
*if you have fillets with skin, no worries.  Cook it the same way.  When you turn the salmon and the skin is on the grill, once it’s done it is very easy to get your spatula under the skin when removing the fish from the grill.  Some people enjoy the crispy skin.

Filed Under: Quick Weeknight Dinners, Uncategorized | Tagged:

Marinara Sauce…..

Posted by on March 29, 2011

Everyone should have a “go to” marinara recipe.  Here you go.  Love this over pasta with fresh grated parmesan cheese.  Add a simple salad and you have dinner.   If you’d like to kick it up a notch, serve it with my homemade garlic bread.  (you’ll find the recipe in breads category)  Why not double the recipe and keep a stash in your freezer for later, always a great idea!  Also makes an excellent meatless lasagna…will share that with you soon.

Here we go….

We  begin with a large heavy pot over medium heat and some nice olive oil.

And lots of onions…two cups.  Cook for about 5 minutes.

We’ll add some seasonings now.  The olive oil will absorb the flavors.  We have crushed red pepper flakes, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper.

Add the seasonings all at once….

And garlic, we need lots of garlic:-)  Cook for a couple of minutes.

Of course, we need tomatoes.  I like using crushed tomatoes for a little texture, tomato sauce, and tomato paste.  Sugar is added to reduce the acidity.

Add the tomato paste.  Cook this in the pan for a few minutes, the tomato paste will start to caramelize and all of the flavors will come together.

Add the crushed tomatoes, the tomato sauce, and a little water.

Finally, the sugar.  Simmer the sauce for about 20 minutes.  Quick and easy!

Marinara Sauce
(no meat)

 2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups chopped onion
¼ cup fresh garlic, minced (about 5 large cloves)
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt or 1 teaspoon table salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 6 ounce can tomato paste
1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 28 ounce can tomato sauce + ½ can water
1 ½ tablespoons sugar

 1)  Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat.  Add onions and cook for about 5 minutes.  Add the garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and pepper flakes, cook another couple of minutes.

2)  Add tomato paste and cook 3-4 minutes, stirring often.  Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, and sugar.  Simmer for about 20 minutes. 

*add additional water if you’d like a thinner sauce.

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Caramelized Onion Pasta with Toasted Panko and Cheese

Posted by on March 22, 2011

This pasta is incredibly flavorful and made with simple ingredients.  Serve as a delicious side dish or vegetarian main.  Add whatever you like.  I think it would be outstanding with chopped leftover chicken and petite frozen peas…YUM!

I take an additional step in the process because my guys wouldn’t appreciate identifiable onions and garlic chunks.  I give the mixture a whirl in the blender before adding it to the cooked pasta.  Skip this step if you wish.

Here we go….

We’ll start by toasting the panko.  Preheat the oven to 375′ and give the crumbs a drizzle of olive oil, mix well to coat and spread over a cookie sheet.  Bake for 5-6 minutes. 

They should be golden brown.  Allow to cool completely.

In a small bowl, combine the toasted panko, grated parmesan cheese, and dried parsley, mix well.  Set aside.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.  Caramelize onions until they are golden brown as seen above.  This should take about 25-30 minutes.   Add garlic and 1/2 cup each chicken broth and wine.  Cook for 4 minutes.

Omit this step if you wish.  I blend the onion/wine/broth mixture to a smooth sauce so my guys will eat it.  They love the taste of onions and garlic but don’t much appreciate visible onions or garlic chunks.

It will look like this.  Cook the pasta according to package directions.  Drain well and toss the pasta with the sauce.  Top with the panko/cheese/parsley mixture.  The sweetness of the onions and garlic combined with the sharpness of the parmesan and the crunch of the panko will cause a party in your mouth!  Enjoy!

Rotelle Pasta with Caramelized Onions and Toasted Panko

 For the Crumbs:
½ cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/3 cup coarsely grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon dried parsley

 For the Pasta:

2 ½ cups thinly sliced onions
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
½ cup dry white wine
½ cup chicken broth (or use ½ teaspoon Better Than Bouillon with ½ cup water)
½ pound cooked whole wheat curly pasta (or your favorite kind)

 1)  Preheat oven to 375’.  Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over bread crumbs and stir to evenly coat.  Spread over cookie sheet and bake 5-6 minutes.  Remove from oven and cool completely.  Once cool put into a small mixing bowl with the parmesan and the parsley, mix well.  Set aside

2)  Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.  Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring often until they turn golden brown, about 30 minutes.  Add the garlic, wine and the chicken broth, cook for about 4 minutes.

3)  You may omit this step if you wish.  I put the onion/wine/garlic mixture into the blender so that my people will eat it.  They love the taste of onions and garlic but not necessarily the stringy pieces of onion and chunks of garlic.  It’s a texture thing.

4)  Cook the pasta according to package directions in salted water.  Drain well and gently toss with the onion mixture and top with the panko/cheese/parsley mixture.  Serves 4.

*if you’d like to make this vegetarian, simply substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth.

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Simplest Garlic and Cheese Pasta…..

Posted by on February 10, 2011

This is sooooo simple!  I use a small cheat on this one.  I use Better Than Bouillon for the chicken stock.  I add it to pasta water to make the simple, flavorful sauce.   I always keep this on hand, I just love using it in quick dishes such as this.  This pasta is one of my boy’s fav’s.  I serve it with roasted pork, chicken, or grilled sausage.

Add shrimp, peas, broccoli, frozen spinach…whatever you like!  Top with fresh grated parmesan or romano cheese.

To start, choose a pasta…any kind you like….

Any of these would be excellent.  It’s a bit more fun when you use a cheese filled tortellini or mini ravioli…this time I used whole wheat spaghetti.
Pasta, olive oil, fresh garlic, dried oregano, bouillon, and fresh grated parmesan cheese….that’s it!  Put a large pot of salted water on medium high heat and cook the pasta according to package directions less two minutes.  Cook time for my spaghetti was 10 minutes, so I set the timer for eight.
When the timer goes off, carefully remove about 1 1/2 cups of water from the pot.  Drain the pasta, I let it sit in the sink until I’m ready for it. 
Into the hot pan, add olive oil, crushed garlic, and dried oregano.  Cook over heat for one minute.  (If you’d like to add raw shrimp, add the oil and cook the shrimp until pink, then add the garlic and oregano and cook an additional minute, remove cooked shrimp from the pan and cover with foil, set aside)   Red pepper flakes would be great here too:-)
Add the reserved pasta water to the pan, bring to a bubble over heat.
Add 2 teaspoons of the bouillon to the pot, stir until dissolved.  Pan should still be over heat.  (add thawed frozen peas, broccoli, or spinach here)

 

Add the pasta back to the pot.  Cook for 2 minutes.  The under cooked pasta will absorb the flavors in the broth…(add the cooked shrimp to the pot here)
Add the cheese to the hot pasta, mix well.  Enjoy!
Simplest Garlic and Cheese Pasta

½ lb. pasta, any kind, cooked according to package directions less 2 minutes. Reserve 1 ½ cups reserved pasta water before draining pasta.
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large cloves fresh garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons Better Than Bouillon
¼ cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

1) Cook pasta and reserve 1 ½ cups pasta water. Set aside.
2) Add olive oil, crushed garlic, and dried oregano to the hot pasta pot. Cook for one minute.
3) Add pasta water to pan. Add bouillon, continue to simmer. Add pasta to pot and cook for 2 minutes.
4) Remove from heat and add grated cheese and mix well. Makes about four one cup servings.

YUM!  Enjoy!
Angie

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