Pasta e Fagioli (soup)

I don't know how to say it, but I am enjoying eating it. 

I ended up with extra red beans left over from a weekend pot of chili, so I searched my favorite recipe site for a new soup with red beans. This one looked promising so I gave it a try. 

I'm glad I did.

Pasta e Fagioli  

I did make a few changes:

• I used Hormel nitrite free Canadian Bacon for the meat
• I omitted the tomato soup and used 1 can of diced tomatoes with juice 
• I also added a can of tomato sauce
• I used a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar instead of white distilled vinegar
• I used 1 cup of whole wheat elbow pasta & added it to the soup before it simmered for the hour
• I only used one 32oz box of organic chicken stock
• I added the amount of spices in recipe despite what the reviewers said

I also added a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to the top of my bowl.

This is a keeper!

Egg Muffins

I accidentally bought the Italian-style ground turkey and used that, and I couldn't tell a difference between that and the turkey sausage!

Egg and Sausage Muffins 

• 1 pound lean ground turkey, I used 93% lean
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Kosher or sea salt to taste

Read more at http://skinnyms.com/skinny-breakfast-sausage/#P6qXgP71DbBWICeG.99

• 1 pound lean ground turkey, I used 93% lean
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Kosher or sea salt to taste

Read more at http://skinnyms.com/skinny-breakfast-sausage/#P6qXgP71DbBWICeG.99

• 1 pound lean ground turkey, I used 93% lean
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Kosher or sea salt to taste

Read more at http://skinnyms.com/skinny-breakfast-sausage/#P6qXgP71DbBWICeG.99

Chicken Saltimbocca

The baby kid and I tried this dish at the grocery store one day when a nice lady who cooked it in the store offered some to us. We both liked it, and I thought I would try it at home. Everyone loved it, so it's a keeper!

The only thing I did differently is skip the fresh sage. It was very strong in the one I sampled in the store. I sauteed some dried sage in butter and then brushed it on mine,  and it was delicious.

I made pasta with remaining sauce for the kids, and hubs and I had roasted asparagus with ours!

Chicken Saltimbocca

Greek Salad

I am definitely on a Greek salad kick. I made a huge one to share with my sisters last night, and we nearly devoured the entire thing. Here is a list of what I included, although I must admit that I copied one of my favorite restaurants, so it's not terribly original. Just delicious. 

romaine lettuce

grape tomatoes

sliced cucumbers

red onion

black olives

feta cheese

 thinly sliced Greek peppers (these were pepperoncini but banana peppers would have been fine)

yellow, orange and red peppers, sliced thinly and sauteed in olive oil until tender

I made this Greek salad dressing to go over the salad, and if I could only have one meal the rest of my life, this would probably be it.

At least this week!

Slow Cooking Enchiladas

This recipe was such a hit with everyone. It did take a little more prep time than most slow cooker recipes, and there weren't a lot of leftovers for the next day, but it was so good that it is definitely a keeper: 

Enchiladas

I don't do canned enchilada sauce, and this sauce was really good. I'm glad to find it, because I have been looking for one for a long time. 

 

Creamy Spinach-and-Ricotta Manicotti

Spinach and Ricotta Manicotti

This was so delicious, I couldn't stop eating it. Literally. (I cleaned the kids' plates for them.) I can't wait to make it again! 

Amazing "dinner" bread

This is the best bread, and we all love it. I'm glad it makes two loaves, because as soon as it comes out of the oven, we devour one loaf. The other makes it to dinner only because of this fact.

My friend Casey shared this, and I'm so glad she did!

Daily Bread Recipe

Makes 2 loaves (one to enjoy and one to share)

1 1/4 cups warm water
1 package of dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons if you are using jarred yeast)
1t salt
1/4c melted butter
1/3c sugar
1 egg
3-3 1/2 c flour

For finishing: 1T melted butter and coarse sea salt

In a large non-metallic bowl  combine warm water and yeast. Add the sugar and stir gently three or four times with a wooden spoon. The yeast will begin to proof. In a small bowl, melt the butter. When the butter has cooled slightly, add the egg and salt. Mix until combined and pour into the yeast mixture. Add the flour and stir together gently  Do not over mix. If the flour is too wet, add flour until the dough is no longer sticky. Cover the bowl with a damp dishtowel and let the dough rise, about 1 1/2 hours. When the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and fold out onto a floured surface. Divide the dough in half and form each one into a loaf by turning it over and folding several times, adding small amounts of flour if needed. Place the loaves on a baking sheet. Let the loaves rise again until doubled in size, about an hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. When the loaves have doubled, make three cuts in the dough with a sharp knife. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden. 

Potato Casserole

I'm going to make this a side dish with fried green tomatoes. (and a few other things...)  I hope it's good enough to keep as a breakfast dish too! 

Skinny Potato Casserole

CrockPot Orange Chicken

Going to give this one a try this week! 

Orange chicken

Teriyaki Sauce/Chicken Recipes

I found a homemade teriyaki sauce recipe that is good. I am really excited for the ease and convenience of not having to buy it at the store, not to mention the lack of additives found in prepared sauces. 

teriyaki sauce

I used it in this chicken teriyaki recipe. I found "Japanese Blend" veggies in the frozen section of Publix to saute with some soy sauce to add to the chicken.

I doubled the chicken recipe so that tomorrow night we can easily have this chicken fried rice dish. 

On an additional, positive note, I have also now learned how to spell "teriyaki." Happy.