Chicken Cacciatore

about 30 minutes prep and cook time.

1 package frozen fat-free breaded chicken breast patties, partially thawed
1 medium green bell pepper
4 ounces mushrooms, sliced (about 1 cup)
1 small onion, chopped (about 3/4 cup)
8 ounces uncooked linguine, or thin spaghetti
2 cans (14 1/2 ounces each) Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
1 garlic clove, pressed
Parmesan cheese

1. to partially thaw chicken patties follow package microwave heating instructions except microwave on high for 1 minute. Cut patties into 3/4 inch strips

2. chop onion, mushrooms and bell pepper

3. cook linguine, keep warm

4. in a medium skillet over med-high heat lightly spray with olive oil and add chicken patty strips; cook 5 minutes, turning frequently

5. add tomatoes, bell pepper, mushrooms, onion, garlic. Bring to a boil; cover. Reduce heat simmer 8-10 minutes or until veggies are tender.

6. Serve over hot linguine and sprinkle with Parm cheese.

Yummy.

Meal Plan Monday

OK so last week went well, even without my meals all planned out. I cooked a little, we ate leftovers and worked on eating food in the pantry, sometimes it's nice to eat the pantry and freezer empty.

My garden is producing broccoli so we are eating lots of it!!

Now this week:

day 1: Sweet and Sour Meatballs with fresh broccoli and rice
day 2: Pecan-Coated Chicken, carrots and spinach*
day 3: Pork Chops Steve Style with french fries and corn
day4: Taco bake- lots of kids will be here and this meal feeds a ton!
day 5: Broiled Tilapia Parmesan, brown rice and ??*
day 6: pizza- take-out! most likely Pizza Hut large any topping $10
day 7: leftovers


b-fast: blueberry muffins, oatmeal, cereal, mandarin oranges
lunch: leftovers, grilled cheese, salad with croutons/chicken and ranch dressing
snacks: pepperoni and crackers, homemade beef jerky, granola bars, pecan pie muffins

*new meals for us this week!

Organizing junkie has more Meal Plan Monday!

Happy Eats!

Meal Plan Monday

Ugh. I do not feel like eating or cooking this week.
But I will.
I am just not posting it here cause I don't know what I'll throw together and after a weekend with 17 teenagers my brain is not working properly.

May you eat well and smile.

Spicy Beef Stir-Fry

1/4 cup light soy sauce
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 boneless beef tip sirloin steak (1 1/4 pounds), trimmed
3 cups broccoli flowerets
1 medium onion
1 med red bell pepper
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 teaspoon peeled fresh ginger root, finely chopped (I use a dash or three of ginger when i don't have root)
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup beef broth


Cooking instructions:
Whisk together soy sauce, cornstarch, 1 tablespoon oil.


Cut steak into 1/4 inch strips. Add to beef to soy sauce, cover and let sit 15 minutes.


Cut broccoli into flowerets and onion into thin wedges, bell pepper into strips set vegetables aside. Press garlic and chop ginger root.


Heat oil in skillet over med-high heat and cook half of the beef, 1 garlic clove and half of the ginger and red pepper flakes.

Stir-fry 1-2 minutes until outside of beef is no longer pink (do not overcook)

Remove from skillet and keep warm.


Cook the remaining beef the same way. Remove from skillet and combine with other beef, keep warm.


Heat 1 teaspoon oil in skillet and cook veggies 3-4 minutes or until they are crisp-tender. Return beef to stir-fry, add broth and bring to a boil. Boil 1 min, stirring gently, until sauce is thickened.

Parmesan Baked Fish

A recipe from my friend Sharon.

4 (4 oz) fish fillets (cod, salmon or orange roughy are good)
1/3 c. mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
2 Tablespoons snipped fresh chives or sliced green onions
1/2 teaspoon white wine Worcestershire sauce

-Rinse fish and pat dry with paper towels, place in a 10x6 baking dish coated with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
-In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, parmesan cheese, chives or green onions and Worcestershire sauce.
-Spread mixture over fish fillets.
-Bake uncovered at 450 degrees for 12-15minutes or until fish flakes easily with fork.
Serves 4.

I served with some garlic noodles and broccoli. Very yummy.
I used salmon- on sale- and mixed one part white wine and 1 part regular Worcestershire sauce to substitute for the white wine Worcestershire sauce.
I can't wait to eat this again.

Very tasty a hit with 3 of the 4 of us!

Meal Plan Monday

Meal Plan Monday hosted over here.

day 1: Parmesan Baked Fish
day 2: Touch of Chicken from this Cooking With Pat post
day 3: Spicy Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry served over hot cooked rice
day 4: Chicken Divine with rice
day 5: Pizza
day 6: Turkey burgers
day 7: Yoyo Night

breakfast: cereal, mandarine oranges, pancakes
lunch: chicken on a green salad, tuna, leftovers, mac-n-cheese
snacks: pecan pie muffins, blueberry muffins, Doritos, grapes, crakers and cheese

2 Recipe Links

So I have stepped back from the computer lately but now, I am back, at least here in the kitchen.
I have been faithful in my weekly meal planning and am trying to eat healthier. I'm not a big fan of cooking but I am learning to enjoy it, especially when I have all the right tools.

This weeks menu consisted of a new meal that was a big hit- not healthy.
And the comeback of a very yummy salmon recipe from a neat Lewis and Clark Cookbook I have.

First...
the Yummy, Not So Healthly, But Oh So Yummy
Taco Pie

and

Grilled Maple-Glazed Salmon

Grilled Maple-Glazed Salmon

Upon arriving at the Columbus River, Lewis and Clark relished the abundant salmon after years of venison, bear, and other game. In some places at certain seasons the salmon were reputed to be running so densely they could be walked upon, or so it has been reported.

1/4 cup maple syrup, use the real deal and I like to buy Maple grove Farms from Vermont, USA
2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 (2-pound) salmon fillet, skinned and small bones removed (or a salmon steak)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

In a bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, brown sugar and melted butter. Season salmon fillet with salt and pepper.

*Prepare hot charcoal fire. Spread half of the maple syrup mixture on top of the salmon and let stand at room temp for 30 minutes. Transfer the salmon to the grill and cook until fish just flakes. Brush salon with the remaining maple syrup glaze during cooking.

*I have cooked this on the grill using a piece of tin foil to contain the juices, and half also cooked in the oven at 350. Either way i cook it until the salmon flakes.

Yummy and a great breakfast, reheated!!
One of my favorites!

Taco Pie

from my friend Susan

2- (14oz) boxes Kraft Deluxe Mac-n-Cheese Dinner
2lbs ground beef (or turkey to make it healthier)
2 pkgs. taco seasoning mix
1 1/2 c. water
1 1/2 c (12oz) sour cream
3 c. (12oz) shredded cheddar cheese, divided (could use any cheese so try your fav)
2 c. salsa- I used a pineapple flavor, yummy!

Prepare mac-n-cheese.
In large skillet brown hamburg; drain off grease.
Add taco seasoning and water; simmer 5 min.
Stir sour cream into prepared mac-n-cheese.
Spoon half of mac-n-cheese into bottom of a 13x9 baking dish.
Top with all of meat mixture.
Layer with 2 c. cheese.
Cover and bake 400 degrees.
*Remove from oven and top with salsa and remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered 5 min or until cheese is melted. Serves 8. Recipe is easily cut in half.

* I did not do this step because not everyone likes salsa around here we topped it individually- yummy

I made this last night for Steve and I, the boys, and 2 girls; yes I said girls-long story.