No More Chinese Take Out

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I don't know about you, but we used to LOVE chinese take out.  Until I started cooking some healthier, homemade Asian dishes.  I will never go back.  Nothing is as good as homemade, and its so much better for you!

Southeast Asian Fried Rice (Thai-style)

Since I was such a simple eater in my past my favorite take out meal was Chicken Fried rice.  After finding this recipe, nothing tastes as good.  With brown rice, less fish sauce/soy sauce,  broccoli, and red pepper this version is tasty and healthy. (well atleest healthier than take out ;))

One ingredient that I changed was the chicken.  I just used all boneless chicken breast, no thighs.  So hopefully that cut out a little bit more fat.

here is the link to the full recipe from Cooking light.....

http://www.cookinglight.com/eating-smart/recipe-makeovers/healthy-fried-rice-recipes-00400000063076/

TIP:

Chop and prep all vegatables before attempting to start cooking.  Cut up chicken after the vegetables.  Then prep the two seperate sauces.  I also started cooking the rice about an hour before wanting to start dinner. 

Having everything prepped before starting will give you a more smooth and faster cooking experience.

HAPPY DINNER TIME:)

* due to having to take a long hard look at my priorities and what I need to put first in my life, I have come to the conclusion that I will have to stop the blog.  I know I just started this but I am glad that I came to this realization sooner than later.  Even though cooking/baking is a passion of mine and I absolutely love sharing with you, it takes time.  Time away from some of my first priorities, my children, home, and family.  Maybe once some time opens up I will start one up again.  I thank my 2 followers and the support and the lovely comments that I have recieved.  Muah!

Vegetarian Dish

Quick White Bean, Asparagus, and Mushroom Cassoulet

Got this delicious recipe from Cooking Light! 

Every once in a while I try to sneak in a meatless dish but could not get this one past the hubby.  He is a meat eater, so we had to have meat:)  I used Italian Sausage but you could use chicken too.  Or do can do the recipe as is.  

 I also used bella mushrooms and oregano in my dish.  And then skipped step one as well, I just added Asparagus to step 2. and simmered it with the rest of ingredients. 

here is the link to full recipe.....

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/quick-white-bean-asparagus-50400000111138/

My biggest critic (my husband), said this is one of his new favorites!  And my son ate all of his!!

HAPPY DINNER TIME:)


* due to having to take a long hard look at my priorities and what I need to put first in my life, I have come to the conclusion that I will have to stop the blog.  I know I just started this but I am glad that I came to this realization sooner than later.  Even though cooking/baking is a passion of mine and I absolutely love sharing with you, it takes time.  Time away from some of my first priorities, my children, home, and family.  Maybe once some time opens up I will start one up again.  I thank my 2 followers and the support and the lovely comments that I have recieved.  Muah!

Due Delizioso Italian Style Dinners

Pasta is a favorite in our home.  These two dishes are a couple of my new found favorites.  I found both of them on Pinterest.  Pinterest Love! 

Stuffed Shells with Sausage and Spinach

This is a simple and minimal ingredient dish.  A couple differences that I did.  For one this recipe says 16-18 jumbo shells but I was able to fill almost 24!!  So I used a 12x9 baking dish.   I used your basic italian sausage but you could use turkey italian sausage or even chicken italian sausage. (which i will attempt next time.)  And since my hubby is a sauce/gravy freak, I poured Organic tomato sauce (from a jar) on top of the stuffed shells before putting the cheese on. 

Here is the link to full recipe.....

http://www.inspiredtaste.net/8712/stuffed-shells-with-sausage-and-spinach-recipe/

We love this dish.  Can't get enough since discovering it, I probably make it every 2 weeks!

Balsamic Bruchetta Chicken

With whole wheat spaghetti

So I am a little obssessed with Balsamic vinegar.  Ever since my first recipe where I used it, I can't stop finding recipe's with it in it.  Adds so much flavor and depth!  So this recipe combine's two of my favorite things, Blasamic vinegar and Chicken:)  I paired it with some pasta on the side with a little of organic sauce.  (You really don't need a side though.)

um ya, totally forgot to top with basil and parsley this time:/ 

Here is the link to the full recipe.....

http://www.icancookthat.org/2011/09/balsamic-bruchetta-chicken.html#more

I hope you find these recipe's as DELIZIOSO as my family did! 

HAPPY DINNER TIME:)

Grillin time in full swing

                                               
  

Well if your like me then you might have a husband (or boyfriend) who has an urge to grill EVERYTHING as soon as the nice weather starts.  Finally we had some beautiful spring weather AND he had the weekend off.  So the challenge was what oh what to grill for dinner?  This is one of his favs, so this it was;)

Grilled Balsamic Skirt Steak

with Sauteed Baby Spinach and Tomato-Vidalia-Blue Cheese Salad

Where did I get this recipe?  You guessed it, Cooking Light!  See I told you I loved them ;)  This was actually the first time I made it with the spinach.  Actually its probably my first time as an adult eating spinach:/ Ya, I used to be a very picky and simple eater.  I also replaced the Blue Cheese for Feta Cheese.(still tastes delicious)

Super yummy, healthy, and it filled me up! I was stuffed :O

here is the link to the recipe....
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/grilled-balsamic-skirt-steak-10000001981731/


HAPPY SPRING GRILLIN TIME!

Catching up Part Deux!

Ok here we go again! This round I will provide 3 meals:  Chicken Rollitini, Baked Cheesy Chicken Penne, and a Southwest Black Bean Casserole.  I will keep it short and provide pics of finished dish and link to recipe's.

Chicken Rollitini

MMM chicken! My favorite:)  This recipe is from Skinnytaste but I did do a couple things differently.  Really you can do alot of different combinations with this dish.  For one I used Broccoli not Zucchini.  I also just took two, pretty good sized, chicken breast and pounded them to a 1/4 inch thick.  It helps for a wider area to spread filling and easier to roll.

I paired it with rice and some corn (which my son picked out:))

here is the link to the recipe.....
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/08/chicken-rollatini-stuffed-with-zucchini.html

Baked Cheesy Chicken Penne

 Love love love this meal for a many reasons:)  First I love this recipe because with it you get two dinners.  And it's freezable! 

I love participating in Take the Meal through my church.  It is a program that offers dinners to family's of sickness, new moms, disability, or maybe just someone in need of some help.  I have done it a couple times now and I secretly love to use this recipe;)  Everyone has loved it so far!

You can do it too! You don't need to be a part of a church....but do you have a friend or neighbor that could use some help?  Did they just have a baby?  Are they sick and still taking care of their 3 kids?  Maybe you know someone who just needs a hand reached out to them and you don't know what you can do!  I challenge you to do what I did.  Provide a family with a meal:)  And you still have one for yours!  I am positive they will love and appreciate it.

here is the link to the recipe......

http://realmomkitchen.com/1505/baked-cheesy-chicken-penne/

Another couple swicthes I made.  I used whole wheat pasta, organic sundried tomatoes, bella mushrooms, and low fat milk. (still taste great!)

Southwest Black Bean Casserole

Ha! Just noticed the site on which I got this recipe, they adapted from Cooking Light! No wonder I love this dish.  This dish is so yummy you really don't even need toppings on it! Of course though, they do give you options;)

fyi: I did not have green onion to top:(

here is the link to the recipe.....

http://pinchofyum.com/southwest-black-bean-casserole

We topped it with some sour cream but super delicous without.

ENJOY!