penne and spinach alfredo

well, it's been quite a while since i've had anything to share here, but now that i do, i can't wait to get it out there! a little background: i've recently decided i'm fed up with my body's year-long plateau in the baby weight loss department, and to kick start myself, i decided to do 2 weeks of clean eating. i'm halfway through, and while i haven't been perfect about it, i can see and feel the difference! this whole past week, i had this idea rolling around in my head for a pasta dish, and i finally decided to make it for dinner tonight. it turned out fantastically! so without further adieu, here it is!

penne & spinach alfredo

2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken

1 teaspoon morton's nature's seasons

1/2 c light cream

1 tablespoon flour (ideally whole wheat, but all i had on hand was white)

1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper

1/4 c parmesan

handful baby spinach, torn

8 oz. (half a box) whole wheat penne rigate, cooked and drained

shredded asiago for garnish

preheat oven to 350. sprinkle chicken pieces with morton's nature's seasons and place in greased pan. bake for 10-15 minutes till juices run clear. cut into bite-sized pieces. set aside.

over medium heat, whisk together cream, flour, salt, and pepper. continue whisking until mixture thickens slightly. add parmesan and combine. remove from heat and add chicken, baby spinach, and pasta. sprinkle with asiago to serve. serves 3.

the best part about this dish? it's only 494 calories per serving!

and ok, yes, it's a little high in fat and low in protein, but you could always add more meat and use milk instead of cream. but when i made this, i'd just gotten through a 4 hour rehearsal for the nutcracker, and i was STARVING. i needed to get quick calories, so i opted for this version. and you know what? it was delicious. i will definitely make this again, though i'll tweak the recipe a bit (and update here when i do).

bbq sauce 2 ways

do you ever get tired of the same old grocery store bbq sauces? i knew i could do WAY better, so i gave it a whirl and tried not one, but TWO different bbq sauces. i did a sweet and tangy carolina bbq sauce and a super spicy traditional sauce. here's what i did:

carolina bbq sauce

*note: this is NOT exactly the proportions i used when i made it. mine turned out WAY more mustard-y than i wanted, so i've adjusted my recipe after the fact w/out testing it. in the original trial, i used a whole 14 oz, bottle of french's yellow mustard.

1 c yellow mustard
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/4 c worchestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder (you can also use 1 clove fresh minced garlic)
2 tablespoons dry onion (or about 1/4 to 1/2 fresh chopped onion)
2 tablespoons honey
5 drops liquid smoke (i used mesquite flavor)
1/4 c brown sugar

mix everything together w/ a whisk or fork and reduce over low heat 30-60 minutes to desired thickness.

"pants on fire" bbq sauce

1 c ketchup
1/4 c brown sugar
1/4 c worchestershire sauce
5 drops liquid smoke (i used hickory flavor)
2 tablespoons (yes, you read that right) cayenne pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1/8 teaspoon dry mustard

mix everything together w/ a whisk or fork. reduce over low heat for 30-45 minutes to desired thickness.

both of these recipes make about 1 cup of sauce each. i used them to baste a half rack of baby back ribs each and had JUST enough. next time i have ribs, i'm planning to double each recipe so there's enough for more frequent basting, as well as dipping sauce.

* these can be frozen if you want to make a bunch ahead of time to use later.

fiesta ranch bacon cheeseburgers

these have just a little bit of kick to them, which makes them so yummy!

2 lbs. ground beef

1 egg

1 packet hidden valley fiesta ranch mix

1/2 c bread crumbs

garlic powder and pepper, to taste

combine all in large bowl

form into patties (i do 4 oz. patties, so this recipe made 8)

heat up the grill or a frying pan and cook

melt cheese on top and finish w/ bacon and a bun. i like to put kroger's 3 cheese ranch dressing in place of ketchup/mayo/mustard for these. garnish w/ lettuce, tomato, and onions, if desired. enjoy!

smoky mac & cheese

i came up w/ this on a whim, and i have to say, it turned out perfectly! i hope you all enjoy it as much as we did!

1 lb. box pasta, cooked and drained
1 c milk
2 tablespoons butter/margarine
1/4 c flour
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 c parmesan
1 c shredded cheddar
1/2 tablespoon worchestershire sauce

heat milk and butter over medium heat until melted. whisk in flour, mustard, salt, and pepper. keep stirring until slightly thickened. add cheeses and stir constantly till melted and smooth. whisk in worchestershire sauce last. pour over pasta and toss to coat. serves 6.

* tip: the longer you let the sauce cook, the thicker it'll be. if you like it runny, turn the heat off immediately after adding the cheese - it'll still be warm enough to melt it completely. i let mine cook for about 5 minutes and it ended up a little thicker than i liked, so i added a little water.

loaded baked potato soup

this is a great meal on a cold day. it'll fill you up while it warms you up!

4 large potatoes, baked, skinned, and cut into chunks
2/3 c butter
2/3 c flour
6 c milk
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
4 green onions, chopped
12 slices bacon, crumbled
1 1/2 c shredded cheddar
8 oz. sour cream

make a white sauce of butter, flour, milk, salt, and pepper. add green onions, bacon, cheddar, and sour cream. crumble in potatoes. heat and eat.

easy beef stew

1/2 lb. stewing beef, thawed
veggies, your choice (i like potatoes, carrots, and celery)
3 cans cream of potato soup
1 packet onion soup mix
1 c water
pepper, to taste

place meat and veggies in crock pot and top w/ soup and soup mix. pour water over all and sprinkle w/ pepper. cook on low 8-12 hours. serves 2-3.

mushroom chicken (or turkey)

this is a rich, creamy favorite.

chicken or turkey pieces
1 family size can cream of mushroom soup
3 cloves garlic, minced
veggies, your choice (i like to use broccoli or carrots)

place meat, soup, and garlic in crock pot. cover and cook on high 3 hours. add veggies and continue to cook 1-2 hours. serve over rice.

taco chicken

i love this variation on chicken tacos. it's quick and easy and fun to eat!

chicken pieces
chicken broth (or 1 c water per chicken bouillon cube)
taco seasoning
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped

place all in crock pot, cover, and cook on high 4-6 hours. serve w/ rice, cheese, veggies, sour cream, salsa, tortillas/chips, beans, or whatever other toppings you prefer.

italian pork chops

yummy breaded, baked pork chops

1/2 c italian bread crumbs
2 tablespoons parmesan
1/2 teaspoon italian seasoning
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 c green onions, chopped
butter
pork chops

mix bread crumbs, cheese, seasoning, and garlic in a small bowl. dip chops in water, then dredge in bread crumb mixture. repeat as desired. place in baking dish and top w/ green onions. dot w/ butter. bake at 400 for 30 minutes till done.

italian meatloaf

this is the only meat loaf i make, but i love it!

1 can meat spaghetti sauce
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 c bread crumbs
1/2 c chopped onions
1/2 c green pepper, chopped
3 eggs, beaten
parmesan

mix all but 1/2 jar of sauce w/ hands and press into loaf pan. bake at 400 for 45 minutes. pour remaining sauce over top and sprinkle w/ parmesan. bake an additional 15 minutes. serves 6.

*i use 2 lbs. of ground beef and split the meat mixture between 2 loaf pans. i also omit the green pepper.

creamy chicken

this is a recipe from one of my college roommates. it quickly became a family favorite.

chicken pieces
1/2 c water
butter
1 packet italian dressing mix
1 family size can cream of chicken soup
4 oz. cream cheese, cubed

place chicken in crock pot. sprinkle w/ dressing mix and cream cheese. pour soup and water over all. dot w/ butter and cover. cook on low 6-8 hours. serve over rice.

* when i make this, i omit the butter. it doesn't make much difference in anything other than calories and saturated fat.

dad's meatballs

these aren't your typical meatballs. instead of the little 1 1/2 inch meatballs you put in spaghetti sauce, these are meant to be a stand-alone meat as part of your dinner.

2 lbs. ground beef (or half ground beef and half sausage)
1 1/2 c bread crumbs
2 eggs
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 c butter or margarine

mix all except butter and form into 3 inch balls. melt butter in frying pan and brown meatballs on all sides. cover and simmer on led-low heat 30-45 minutes. remove meat and whisk i flour to make gravy. serve over rice or potatoes.

*i use a few tablespoons of olive oil in pace of the butter when i make these.

cheesy crockpot chicken

this turned out better than i'd imagined and we'll DEFINITELY be making it again!

boneless, skinnless chicken breasts
10 oz. can cream of chicken soup
10 oz. can fiesta cheese soup

place chicken in crock pot and cover w/ soups. cover and cook on low 6-8 hours. serve over rice or noodles.

best burgers ever

2 lbs. ground beef
1/4 c bbq sauce (i like the spicy honey flavor best)
1 egg
1/8 - 1/4 c parmesan
seasoned salt, pepper, and old bay, to taste
2 cloves garlic, minced
cheese

mix all but cheese and form into 6-8 3/4 inch thick patties. grill or cook on 300 degree griddle. melt cheese over tops.

beef stroganoff

this is quite possibly my favorite meal out of all the recipes i've got. i've got somewhere around 1000, so to single this one out is a big deal.

1 lb. beef chunks
flour
2 tablespoons fat (i use butter)
1/2 c chopped onion
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 c sour cream
salt and pepper to taste

dip meat in flour and brown in hot fat. add onions, soup, sour cream, salt, and pepper. may need water (for consistency). simmer until tender (about 1 hour). serve over rice or noodles.

* i don't coat the meat in flour, i just brown it as is. it tastes the same in the long run.
* i add 2-3 cloves of minced garlic.

asian chicken

this is one of my husband's favorite meals. it makes your house stink a little, but trust me, it's worth it!

chicken pieces
2 c soy sauce
2 c white vinegar
veggies, your choice (we like california blend)

place chicken in crock pot. pour soy sauce and vinegar over top. cover and cook on high 3 hours. add veggies and continue to cook on high 1 hour. serve over rice.

twice baked potatoes

8 medium potatoes, baked
2 tablespoons butter
1 c sour cream
2 1/2 c shredded cheddar
1/4 c heavy cream
1/2 c milk
salt and pepper, to taste
4 strip bacon, crumbled
3 green onions, chopped

slice off top 1/3 of each potato lengthwise. sollow skins, leaving 1/4 inch inside. mash potato w/ butter, sour cream, 1/2 c cheese, cream, milk, salt, and pepper. stir in bacon and onions. fill skins w/ mixture and top w/ remaining cheese. bake 15 minutes. serves 8.

* for vegetarian, omit bacon or substitute soy-based bacos

impossible tuna pie

this was always a favorite of mine when i was a kid!

6 oz. can tuna, drained
1 c shredded cheddar
3 oz. cream cheese, cubed
1/4 c green onions (optional)
2 c milk
1 c bisquick
4 eggs
3/4 teaspoon salt
dash nutmeg

mix tuna and cheese and spread in greased 10-inch pie plate. beat remaining ingredients for 15 seconds in high in blender. pour over tuna mixture. bake at 400 for 35-40 minutes or till knife inserted off-center comes out clean. serves 6-8.

tetrazzini

3 lbs. chicken or turkey
6 c water
1 bay leaf
1 carrot
1 stalk celery
1 sprig parsley
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

simmer all for 45 minutes till tender. remove chicken and cool. skim off cold fat, then measure 2 c broth and 3 c boned meat.

1/4 c margarine
1/4 lb. mushrooms (optional)
1/4 c flour
1 c heavy cream
1 c milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/3 c parmesan
8 oz. thin spaghetti, cooked
3 c cooked meat from above
2 c broth from above
topping (below)

melt butter and saute mushrooms. stir in flour. combine broth w/ milk and cream, then add to pan. stir till thickened and bubbly. add salt, pepper, and parmesan. add pasta and meat and toss to coat. pour into casserole dish and sprinkle w/ topping. bake at 350 for 30 minutes (45 if frozen).

topping: mix together 1/4 c melted butter, 1 c bread crumbs, and 1/2 c parmesan.

* if you don't have heavy cream, you can substitute milk
* for vegetarian: use vegetable broth and omit chicken/turkey

spaghetti a la philly

this is from a cream cheese package, but it's really yummy!

1/2 lb. spaghetti, cooked and drained
1 lb. ground beef, browned
24 oz. jar spaghetti sauce
4 oz. cream cheese, cubed
parmesan cheese

mix meat, spaghetti sauce, and cream cheese. serve over pasta and top w/ parmesan. serves 6.

* for vegetarian, omit ground beef