chicken rigatoni

sautee...
1 lb chicken,sliced 
1/2 onion
1 c frozen peppers
1 T garlic in oil
1 T oil or butter
salt and pepper

add pieces of cooked bacon and cooked green beans (or peas!)
boil...
penne or rigatoni per box times, drain and stir in sauteed mix


sprinkle in fresh parmesan and crushed red pepper (can do this as a paste/sauce by sauteeing butter and these ingredients)

easy bbq chicken dinner

-chicken breasts
-season with a bbq rub lightly (we make our own, many variations are out there!)
-grill til done and brush with a bbq sauce (we did a famous dave's variety)

Serve with green beans and steamed broccoli and carrots and potatoes
potatoes were cut in wedges this time instead of slices...

Our younger one likes her chicken without the sauce...


another way to do the green beans...
frozen green beans laid out in lg piece of aluminum foil
sprinkle with salt, pepper, onion and garlic powders (not salt)
drizzle with honey 
seal aluminum foil and bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes

easiest mexican dish...

This is so versatile, so easy, and delicious!  Place a beef roast (or chicken breasts, or a pork loin, etc) in a crock pot, cover with a cup of broth (chicken can take 1 1/2 c) place chopped onion on top and a package of taco seasoning (or use your own seasoning!) put crock pot on low and let cook all day til dinner.  If starting midday, then put temp on high...

Meat will fall apart when you place a fork in, shred it.  Place in taco shells or on salad or chips to make nachos!

kinda like key lime pie!

key lime pie is VERY difficult to do egg and dairy free and was a favorite!  Dad came up with this and it does have the flavor!
2 "white" oreo cookies crumbled, in bowl
2 scoops almond or soy vanilla ice cream
lime wedge squeezed (generously!) over dessert and placed on top!

chicken pot pie on biscuit

recipe here...

just another way to do this easy dinner!  Serve on open biscuit! I made these dairy and egg free and they were actually good!
biscuit recipe:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 T baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 T sugar
1/4 cup butter (can do veg based)
3/4 cup unsweetened soy or almond milk(can use milk)
mix dry ingredients and cut in butter til looks like coarse meal..slowly add milk mix to form ball of dough
knead and let rest a few minutes...turn out on floured surface and cut biscuits to desired size but 1/2 inch thick.  Cook on ungreased pan in 425 oven for 12-15 minutes

healthy pizza!

everything bagel thin (open)
fresh mozzarella slices
asparagus spears
fresh tomato slices
fresh basil sprigs
sprinkle with crushed red pepper and oregano
bake on pan at 350 until cheese bubbles, about 5 minutes...
(note: can put turkey pepperoni or salami slice under cheese!)

spaghetti squash

I have always wanted to try this and now wish I would have years ago...my kids even like it!  It is a good substitute...not as heavy as a noodle and really easy to do!
step one (by far the only hard part!)
carefully slice the squash in half
step two...
clean out seeds and strings with a spoon
step three...
place upside down in a casserole dish and fill half way up with water
step four...
place in microwave for 8 minutes, check and start heating again every 4 minutes until the outer part is soft to touch (pushes in)
step five...
remove and drain water...turn halves over
step six...
with a fork, pull out "spaghetti"

healthy snack!

a variation on one that I have seen in a few places!

1/2 c peanut butter

1/3 c honey

1 c oats (toast in oven on pan at 350 for 8-10 minutes)

1 T flax seed

1 T coconut

1/2c crushed nuts

1 T sesame seeds ( I did more, 2 T)

1/4 c sunflower seeds (no shells)

2 tsp almond extract

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 c dried blueberries (or craisins, or raisins...)

1/4 c semi sweet chocolate chips 

veggie bread!

healthy (?) and delicious, for breakfast or snack or dessert!

2 cups shredded (or pureed) zucchini and carrot
(I used 2 peeled carrots and 2 zucchini)
3 eggs (or replacer)
1 t vanilla
1 cup melted butter
1 T cinnamon
1t baking soda
1/4 t baking powder
2 cups wheat flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 t salt
1 cup crushed pecans
mix well and pour in 2 greased bread pans...bake at 350 for one hour

cooking 101...how to boil an egg!

my boys love eating hard boiled eggs for breakfast and I am so pleased that they now can prepare them all on their own!
Step 1...
carefully place eggs in a pot of water.  Water should be about an inch above eggs.
Step 2...
Bring to a boil.

Step 3...
Remove from heat and cover
Step 4...
Set timer for 15 minutes, leaving eggs alone!
Step 5...
Drain water and replace with cold water and a few ice cubes
Step 6...

peel off shell and eat!!!

a quick way to do corn!

We just learned this technique from friends and have changed it a little and are so happy to have a new way to do this little side!

We pull down the husks most of the way to clean and remove silks...then put husks back up and use a small piece to tie closed.  Place in microwave (can put multiple ears in at a time) and cook 5-6 minutes an ear.  We have also done it where we season with a little sat and pepper, and butter before closing the husks and cooking.  Delicious!
(above served with grilled fish and black beans/rice, and generously buttered by one of my boys!)

sloppy joes

great on a cold evening or a busy night of games and homework!
2 lbs beef or bison
1 onion, chopped
1 pepper, chopped
Sautee the above 3 ingredients, salt and pepper added.  Cook until meat is done.  Add...
6 oz tomato paste
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp basil
1 c. beef broth (can add more later if you like a thinner mixture)
dash worcestershire sauce
dash red chili powder
1 tsp paprika
1/2 T. garlic in oil
1/2 T. molasses
Simmer.

Serve on buns or rolls!
Served above with spinach, steamed broccoli and carrots and potatoes.

winter snack...

quick and easy and fun on a cold snowy day!
Popcorn (air or whirly pop with no seasoning) 10-11 cups
In big pot melt 3 tbs butter (med heat)
add 1 bag lg marshmallows and stir til melted
Remove from heat and add popcorn, stirring to coat
let cool and make into balls with hands and sit on wax paper

Build into snowman and decorate!