Pasta Primavera

I know this is a horrible photo.  I forgot to take one when I made this dish so I tried to use the one off the website.  Apparently, though, they used a VERY low quality photo.  But I figure a bad photo is better than no photo (in most cases).  Once I make this meal again, I'll take my own photo & replace it but until then, you get the idea.

Pasta Primavera

Servings 6

Total Calories: 198   Total Fat: 5g   Total carbs: 35g   Protein: 5g

• 2c farfalla (bowtie) pasta
• 1-1/2T olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3/4c broccoli florets, chopped
• 1/2c zucchini, sliced thin
• 3/4c carrots, sliced thin
• 1/2c green beans
• 1/4c peas
• 2c ripe tomatoes, chopped
• 2t parsley
• 1T fresh basil, chopped
• 1t thyme
• 1t oregano
• 1/4c reduced-fat parmesan cheese, grated
• salt, black pepper, & red pepper flakes to taste

In a large pot, bring a quart of water to a rolling boil & add a few drops of olive oil into the water (to keep the pasta from sticking).  

Add pasta & cook for about 8-10 mins, or until al dente.  

Meanwhile, heat remaining oil in a large skillet; add in the garlic and let cook for no longer than 1 minute.

Add broccoli, zucchini, carrots, green beans, & peas, stirring often, allowing them to becometender but crispy (about 3mins).  Add tomatoes, parsley, basil, thyme, & oregano.

Simmer for 2 mionutes, until tomatoes become tender but still somewhat firm.  

When the pasta is ready, drain in a colander and set aside in a large bowl. 

Add sauce to the pasta & sprinkle with Parmesan (adding salt, black pepper & red pepper flakes). 

Toss & serve immediately.

Recipe from Extremely-Fit

Cajun Seasoning Mix

I've tried making a few of my own seasoning blends & am loving it.  I usually have everything in my spice cupboard & it's A LOT cheaper than buying it from the store.  I also am able to control the sodium which I love.   This Cajun blend was really tasty but a little too hot for the kids & I think my husband would have preferred it a little milder.  Next time I make it, I think I'll cut the Cayenne Pepper down to 1 teaspoon instead of 1 Tablespoon.

• 3T Salt
• 1T Paprika
• 1T Onion Powder
• 1T Garlic Powder
• 1T Cayenne Pepper
• 1/2t White Pepper
• 1 1/2t dried Thyme Leaves
• 3/4t Black Pepper
• 1/2t dried Oregano Leaves

Combine dry spices in a ziploc bag or a jar.  Seal & shake to combine.  Pour into a spice jar or bottle.

This can also make a really nice gift.

Recipe from Budget 101

Crockpot Honey Bourbon Chicken

I love to hear my kids say "I Love This Dinner!"  This chicken really was good & simple to make.  My 2 year old even had 3 helpings.

Honey Bourbon Chicken

• 1lb boneless chicken breasts
• 1t salt
• 1t pepper
• 1c honey
• 1/2c low sodium soy sauce
• 1/4c ketchup
• 2T canola oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2c diced onion
• 1/4t red pepper flakes
• 2t cornstarch
• 6t water
• sesame seeds, for garnish (I forgot these in the photo)

Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot & sprinkle with salt & pepper on both sides.

In a medium bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, oil, garlic, onion, & red pepper flakes.  Stir to combine well.  Pour over the chicken in the crockpot.  

Cook on low for 3-4 hours or high for 1 1/2 - 2 1/2hours.

When done, remove chicken from the pot & shred into large chunks.  

Prior to putting the chicken back into the crockpot, combine some cornstarch in water and whisk it into the crockpot to thicken up the sauce a bit.  

Throw the chicken back into the pot & stir around to recoat the chicken in the sauce.

Serve hot over a bed of white rice and sprinkle some sesame seeds on top.

Recipe adapted from The Tasty Kitchen

Veggie Omelet

I LOVE this omelet.  It's light & healthy but still full of flavor.  When I was making it, I was worried that it would be dry since there wasn't any sauce on it but it turns out that it really doesn't need anything added to it.

Veggie Omelet

• cooking spray
• portabello mushroom, slices (I was able to use 1 large mushroom for 3 omelets)
• asparagus spears
• 1 whole egg
• 2 egg whites
• 1T feta cheese crumbles

Spray a large non-stick skillet with cooking spray & heat on medium-high.  

Add the mushrooms & asparagus to the pan.  Cook 3-5 minutes or until slightly soft, then transfer to a plate.

In a bowl or mug, whisk the egg & egg whites, and season with salt & pepper.

Spray the skillet again.

Pour the eggs into the pan & swirl to make a circle.  Arrange the mushrooms, asparagus, & cheese on one half of the eggs.  When the eggs set, use a rubber spatula to carefully fold them over.  Serve.

Recipe from TheFitCook.net

Greek Salsa Chicken

Wow, is all I can say.  This recipe was so easy to make & was wonderful.  I definitely will be making this again, soon.

Greek Salsa Chicken

 Salsa:

• 4oz crumbled feta cheese
• 1c halved grape or cherry tomatoes
• 1/4c pitted kalamata olives
• 1/4c minced fresh parsley
• 1/4c lemon juice
• 1/4c olive oil
• 1T freshly chopped oregano

Chicken:

• 6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (7oz each)
• pepper to taste
• 2T olive oil
• 2 lemons, cut into wedges

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450'

In a large bowl, combine feta, tomatoes, olives, parsley, lemon juice, 1/4c olive oil and oregano.  Cover & chill in refrigerator.

Heat 2T olive oil in a large roasting pan over medium-high heat.  Season chicken  with kosher salt & pepper.  Sear chicken, about 1-2 minutes each side; remove from heat.

Squeeze lemon wedges over the chicken to coat.  Place the squeezed lemon wedges around the chicken breasts.  Roast until chicken is cooked through, about 25-30mins.  Transfer chicken & lemons to a large platter.  Top with Salsa.

Note:  I served the salsa on the side so that those who didn't want to try it (aka the kids) wouldn't have to.

Recipe from Sweet Pea's kitchen

Laundry dyed & melted crayon fix

So last night I was doing a load of dark laundry.  Mostly my husbands shirts.  One of his shirts was a navy blue & white striped shirt.  I also, accidentally included one of his white garment tops.  When I pulled the load out of the washing machine, I realized that I had included my red sweater.  Normally, I wouldn't worry about putting red in with a load of darks but this is one of those sweaters that will bleed no matter how many times I wash it. Consequently, my husbands shirt & garment top were now a bright shade of pink.  After the "oh crap" moment passed, I called my mom.  Her advice was to bleach the garment top but no idea how to fix the blue & white shirt (maybe vinegar?).  I searched online & found a lot of advice for when the dyed top is solid white, using Rit, but nothing for white/colored.  

I figured that all was lost but decided to try the one awesome laundry "recipe" I had.  It's something I got from my friend, last year, when my daughter left a purple crayon in her pocket.  I was shocked when I was able to get all the crayon out of an entire load of laundry.  Although my hopes weren't high, maybe it'd work for dyed clothing, too.

This morning I pulled my husbands clothes out of the washing machine & was amazed that all of the pink had come out.  This "recipe" has saved me tons of money so I figured it was high time I share it with everyone else.  The amounts aren't exact, I usually just use A LOT of each ingredient.

• Regular scoop of your laundry detergent
• 2 Scoops Borax (I usually just shake the box directly into the machine & not worry about the scoop)
• white vinegar (I usually use 1/2 of a plastic jug but I don't think you need that much.  1 bottle would probably work fine)
• 1/2 large bottle Resolve Spray n' wash.

Put all ingredients into your washing machine.  Fill the washing machine with the hottest water possible.  Add the dyed or crayon ruined clothes.  Run the agitation cycle but don't let the machine drain.  (I usually run it only half way through the cycle so that I have some agitation left at the end.)  Let the clothes soak for many hours or overnight.  (When I washed the dyed clothes, I let them soak for 4hours.  The crayon I soaked over night.)  When they are done soaking, finish running the washing machine using the hardest agitation setting you can.  Once done, if all the color's not out, you can repeat this process.

*NOTE:  This will only work if you haven't put your dyed clothes into the dryer.  If you've dried them, the heat will set in the color & I don't think there's any way to get that out.

My clothes with crayon on them had gone through the dryer and all of the color came out.

  

New York Cheesecake

We try not to "cheat" during the year but I believe that on your birthday, you should be able to have a piece of your favorite cake.  For my husband, cheesecake is favorite.  There is absolutely NOTHING even remotely healthy about a baked cheesecake but I did stick within our rules of no HFCS or PHO.  You probably could lighten this recipe up a little by switching the Heavy Cream for Light Cream or Half & Half but Cheesecakes are very finicky & I didn't want it to not turn out, since I was planning on serving to 50 family members.  It is delicious & creamy & extremely rich.  We topped it with Sugar Free pie filling but it is delicious plain.

New York Cheesecake

Crust:

• 1/3c white sugar
• 1/2c butter, softened
• 1 1/2c flour
• 1 egg, beaten

Filling:

• 1 3/4c white sugar
• 2 1/2lbs cream cheese (5 boxes), softened
• 3T flour
• 1/2c heavy whipping cream
• 2 egg yolks
• 5 eggs

Preheat oven to 400'.  Lightly coat a 10" springform pan with cooking spray.

Combine 1/3c sugar, 1 1/2c flour & 1/2c butter & 1 egg.  Spread evenly on the bottom & sides of the pan.  Prick all over with a fork, then bake 15 mins at 400'.  Allow to cool completely.

Raise oven temperature to 475'.  In a large bowl, combine 1 3/4c sugar, cream cheese, 5 eggs, 3T flour & the egg yolks.  Mix thoroughly.

Add cream & mix just enough to blend.

Pour filling into the crust & bake for 10 mins at 475'.  Reduce temperature to 200' & continue baking for 1hr.

Turn the oven off but leave the cheesecake in for an additional hour.  It will be golden brown but not completely firm.

Chill overnight.