July 29

185. Texas Chicken Quesadilla

There are these raw tortillas at Costco. You can find them with the cheese and you cook them in a skillet on both sides. My sister in law told me about them. So if you are a member of Costco, run out now and buy them. If you are not a member of Costco, why not? Join and buy these! If you dont live near a Costco, I am sorry!

*2 TBSP veggie oil
*1 onion, sliced into rings
*1 TBSP honey
*2 skinless, boneless chicken breast cut into strips
*1/2 cup BBQ sauce
*1/2 cup sharp cheddar, shredded
*1/2 cup Monterey Jack, shredded
*8 Tortillas (Trust me, the ones at Costco rock!!)

In a large Skillet, heat 1 TBSP oil over medium high heat
Slowly cook and stir onion until translucnet
Stir in honey and stir until golden
Remove from Skillet and set aside
Place remaining oil and chicken in the skillet and cook until no longer pink
Stir in BBQ sauce
Layer chicken, onions and cheeses
Fold over and cook until cheeses are melted
I put them in the oven to keep them warm while I made the others!

184. Pork with Mustard sauce

So this was really good. We both really enjoyed it

*1 TBSP olive oil
*2 pork tenderloins
*1/4 cup whole-grain mustard
*2 TBSP Dijon mustard
*2 TBSP sour cream (I used about 3 TBSP)

Heat olive oil in a skillet, over high heat
Season pork with salt and pepper
Add pork to skillet and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes
Reduce heat to Med-low
Cover and cook for 20-25 minutes
Let rest 10 minutes
To the skillet add the sour cream and mustards
Whisk until heated, but do not boil
Pour over sliced pork!

July 27

183. Shrimp, tomato & Basil Pasta

We all loved the shrimp. The kids were not that crazy about the pasta. Dave also said that he likes the sauce thicker. I would have to agree.

*1 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
*6 tsp olive oil
*2 cloves garlic, minced
*1 can diced tomatoes, in juice
*1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
*1/2 lb linguine
*1 1/2 cup fresh basil, torn ingot small pieces

Season shrimp with salt and pepper
In a large skillet heat 4 tsp oil over high heat
Add shrimp, cook until opaque, turning occasionally (about 3 minutes)
Transfer to bowl
Make the sauce, to the skillet add 2 tsp olive oil  and garlic
Cook about 30 seconds
Add canned tomatoes with juice and 2 cups water and cook until boiling, over medium high heat
Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes
Remove sauce from heat and stir in cherry tomatoes
Meanwhile cook pasta in salted water
Drain and return to the pot
Add sauce and shrimp and basil
Toss

July 26

182. Salsa Chicken

The kids did not eat with us, so I thought that this was better for just us. The kids dont seem to like Salsa. Plus its been a LONG day and I wanted something easy. I also did not feel like fighting the kids and make them fish sticks and sweet potato fries. (Which they complained about!)

*2 skinless chicken breast
*2 TBSP taco seasoning
*1/2 cup salsa
*1/2 cup cheddar cheese
*2 TBSP sour cream

Preheat oven to 375
Coat chicken with taco seasoning
pour salsa over the chicken
Bake for 25-30 minutes
Place cheese on top and cook until melted
serve with sour cream

July 25, part 2

179. Sesame Parmesan Zucchini

This was so good. Now I will say that not a huge hit with the kids but its not always an easy sell with green veggies! My family really liked it.

*1 medium zucchini, quartered and cut into 1/2 in. slices
*2 TBSP olive oil
*1/4 sesame oil
*2 tsp sesame seeds
*2 TBSP Parm cheese
*1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
*1/2 tsp garlic salt

Preheat over to 400
In a large bowl toss the zucchini with olive oil, sesame oil, sesame seeds, Parm cheese, cayenne and garlic
Spread onto a baking sheet
Cook 20 minutes or until lightly browned!

180. Flank Steak

This was good. make sure that you like Lime. It had a real taste of lime to the meat. I love lime so I really liked it.

*1 1/2 lb flank steak
*1/2 cup fresh lime juice
*2 TBSP ginger
*2 TBSP soy sauce
*1/2 tsp read pepper flakes

Place in a large bag and marinate for at least 30 minutes (I did much longer!)
Grill over medium high heat
Let rest and slice

181. Parmesan Steak fries

These were ok. Not the best but they were good and Eli liked them. Elise is not really a potato child. I know strange!

*3 egg whites
*salt and pepper
*3 baking potatoes
*1 1/4 cup grated parm cheese

Preheat the oven to 425
Whisk the egg whites with salt until frothy
Cut each potato into 6 long strips
add potatoes to the egg whites and then dip into the cheese
place on baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes

july 25, part 1

177. White Chocolate Bread

When I was on vacation last week the resort had this wonderful bread. I am now trying to make it. we have not tried it yet but I will let you know. It smells great.

*1/4 cup warm water
*1cup warm milk
*1 egg
*1/4 cup butter, softened
*3 cups bread flour
*2 TBSP brown sugar
*2 TBSP white sugar
*1 tsp salt
*1 tsp cinnamon
*2 tsp dry yeast
*1 cup white chocolate chips

Place in bread machine
Makes 2 lb loaf
start

178. Yogurt Waffles

These were really good and much better for you than normal waffles. We all really liked them and they are very filling

*3/4 cup flour
*1/2 cup whole wheat flour
*1/2 cup rolled oats
*3/4 tsp salt
*2 tsp baking powder
*1 tsp baking soda
*1/4 cup brown sugar
*3 TBSP melted butter
*3 eggs
*1 1/2 cup plain yogurt

Mix the flours, oats, salt, baking powder and soda together
In a small bowl mix the brown sugar, butter, eggs and yogurt together
Mix together and let stand 15 minutes
Make with waffle iron

July 24

174. Caesar dressing

Ok...I have to tell you something. Its no better than the stuff you  buy in the bottle. I remember when Dave and I went to Italy and I thought that the pasta was going to be awesome. Don't get me wrong it was good but you can buy pasta as good at your local grocery store. Same with this. It was not good enough to go through the trouble to make it yourself

*1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
*1/4 cup reduced fat mayo
*1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
*2 anchovy, chopped
*1 small garlic cloved

Mix in a blender until smooth

175. Croutons

Now these on the other hand were really good and way cheaper to make than buying them at the store. Plus it was easy

*4 ounces Italian bread, cut in 1/4 inch cubes
*2 TBSP olive oil
*salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 375
Place bread on cookie sheet and drizzle with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper
Toss and bake for 12-15 minutes

176. Pistachio Ice Cream

I will tell you that this is my favorite flavor. I love the Ben and Jerrys! This was so darn good. Even the kids liked it.

*2 cups heavy cream
*1 cup whole milk
*1 cup chopped pistachios
*1 cup sugar
*1/2 tsp vanilla

Mix and place in an ice cream machine.
turn on for 20-25 minutes

July 22

171. Lime Sorbet

Yummy. Its nice and refreshing on a hot summer night. Plus any reason to use the ice cream maker

*3 cups whole milk
*1 cup limeaid concentrate, thawed
*3 TBSP sugar

Mix and place in ice cream maker
Mix in Ice cream maker for 25-30 minutes

172. Roasted Pork

This had a kick to it. I gave the end pieces to the kids so it was not too spicy for them. this was ok. It was nothing to really knock your socks off.

*1-1/2 LB pork tenderloin
*salt and pepper
*1 TBP paprika
*1 tsp thyme
*1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
*1 TBSP veg. oil

Preheat oven to 450
Combine the spices in a small bowl
Coat pork with the veg. oil and sprinkle with the spices
Place pork on a baking sheet and cook for 20 minutes

173. Black-eyed pea salad

This was really good. It was not a huge hit with the kids but I would have been more shocked if they liked it. They did eat a couple bites a piece!

*1 tsp Dijon mustard
*2 TBSP cider vinegar
*2 TBSP veg oil
*1 can black eyed peas, rinsed and drained
*1 package frozen corn, thawed
*1 red bell pepper, finely diced
*2 scallions, thinly sliced
*salt and pepper

Whisk mustard, oil and vinegar together
Add all the veggies and toss
Season with salt and pepper.

July 21

170. Pork Quesadilla


I have been on vacation for a week. my friend and I went to a resort and they cooked and cleaned for us. I did not know what to do with myself with the cooking.
These were to DIE for! We loved loved loved them! Dave and I loved them. It was a struggle for the kids. I would make them again with the spicy mustard.

*6-8 tortillas
*3/4 - 1 lb pork tenderloin
*salt and pepper
*1 TBSP garlic
*8 onces swiss cheese (grated)
*Spicy brown mustard
*thinly sliced ham
*thinly sliced pickles

Season the pork with salt and pepper
Roll in come olive oil and garlic
Grill the pork on the grill over a medium heat
When its cooked through about 15 minutes on our grill, let it stand for 5 minutes and slice thin
Place the tortillas flat and spread the mustard on the tortillas
Place cheese, ham, pickle and pork and fold in half
Grill about 4 minutes and cook 4-6 minutes

SO YUMMY!!

July 12

169. Mexican Pasta Skillet

The kids and I are leaving tomorrow morning for a week in Florida. So while we are basking by the pool, Dave will be working and I wanted to make something that was enough for him to eat on for a couple days. It was really easy to make and really good!

*1 lb lean ground beef
*1 jar mild salsa
*1 cup Tomato sauce
*1 1/2 cup water
*2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
*1 cup frozen corn
*1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

In a skillet cook beef until browned
Stir in salsa, tomato sauce and water
Heat to boil
Stir in Macaroni and corn
Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender
Sprinkle with cheese
Cover and let cheese melt

July 10

168. Zucchini pasta with ricotta


Our kids have discovered that they both love zucchini. Eli told me that it likes it crispy better...well who doesnt like something fried better. We would eat about anything fried!
This was ok. I would make it again but leave out the ricotta. It really added nothing to the dish. we thought!

*2 TBSP olive oil
*2 lb zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise
*coarse salt and pepper
*1 lb linguine
*lemon zest
*1/2 cup ricotta
I added some grilled chicken in with it and it was really good and a whole meal

Preheat the oven to 450
Arrange zucchini on cookie sheet and brush with olive oil; season with salt and pepper
Roast for 25-30 minutes, rotate sheet half way through
Meanwhile cook pasta in salted water
Drain and return to pot
Add oil and zest, then add zucchini; toss to combine
Top with Ricotta

165. Marinated Flat Iron Steak




*3 TBSP honey
*3 TBSP balsamic vinegar (which I can not tell you enough how much I love)
*3 TBSP olive oil
*1 tsp fresh lemon juice
*1 tsp Worchestershire sauce
*1/2 tsp tarragon
*1/2 tsp rosemary
*1/2 tsp garlic powder
*1/2 tsp white pepper (I did not have that and just used pepper)
*1 pinch salt
*1 1/2 lb flat iron steak

Whisk together the honey, vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, tarragon, rosemary, garlic, salt and pepper
Pour into a bag and place steak in bag.
Seal and marinate for 6 hours
Preheat grill to medium high heat
Cook until med. rare

166. Mashed Potato Pancakes


*2 cups mashed potatoes
*1 large egg
*1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
*salt and pepper

In a large bowl stir the above together
In a large non-stick skillet heat a tsp veg. oil over medium high heat
In batched drop a heaping spoonful in the skillet and flatten with a spatula
Cook until brown on the bottom, about 3 minutes
Flip and cook about 3 minutes on other side

167. Fried Zucchini


My sister in law gave us the HUGE zucchini out of her garden. So this what Dave wanted to do with it. Ok! He got home early from work and we had a nice nice afternoon watching the much needed rain!!!


*olive oil for frying
*1 3/4 cups grated parmesan
*1 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
*1 tsp salt
*2 eggs
*3 medium zucchini, cut into 3-inches long by 1/2 inch wide strips

Pour enough oil into a large frying pan to reach 2 inches
Heat the oil over medium heat
Stir the cheese, breadcrumbs and salt into a medium bowl and blend
Whisk the eggs in another bowl to blend
Dip zucchini in eggs to coat and then dip in breadcrumb mixture
When oil is hot, fry the zucchini until golden brown, about 3 minutes
Transfer to paper towels to drain

July 6

163. Brownies/cheescake


We have not tasted these yet. I was told that they are better at room temp and so we are waiting for them to cool. This is a recipe my friend Amanda told me about. They smell wonderful

Crust
*1 box cake (I used white)
*1 stick butter melted
*1 egg
Mix together and pat firmly into the bottom of a 9x13 pan.


topping
*8 on cream cheese, softened
*1 box powdered sugar
*2 eggs

Mix the above, with a mixer and pour over crust
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes
It will et in 30 minutes.
Eat at room temp.


164. Beef stir fry

I can not even tell you how wonderful and EASY this was. we have had a busy weekend having a child with a fourth of July birthday. So Today I needed to make something easy.

*1 TBSP soy sauce
*1 tsp rice vinegar
*1 tsp sugar
*3/4 lb New York Strip (I used more like a 1 lb) Thinly sliced
*1 TBSP vegetable oil
*1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2 inch lengths
*6 ounces snap peas
*1 clove garlic, minced
*1 TBSP ginger
*cooked rice

In a small bowl combine soy sauce, vinegar and sugar
Season steak with salt and pepper
In a large skillet heat the oil over high heat
Cook steak, undisturbed, for about 2 minutes
Flip and cook for about 30 seconds
Transfer to bowl
Add asparagus, snap peas, garlic and ginger to skillet
Cook, stirring constantly, until veggies are crisp tender about 4 minutes
Add soy mixture and cook until fragrant, about 10 seconds
Remove skillet from heat and stir in beef
Serve over rice.

July1

162. Sauteed Chicken in Mustard Cream sauce

This was easy and so good. It will become something that we go to because of its ease!

*4 chicken breast
*Salt and pepper
*2 TBSP olive oil
*1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
*1/2 cup heavy cream
*2 TBSP Dijon mustard
*1 tsp tarragon

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat
Season with chicken with salt and pepper
Add the chicken to pan and cook for about 10-12 minutes or until cooked through
Transfer to a plate and keep warm
Pour the wine or broth into the hot skillet and cook until reduced by half about 1 minute
Whisk in cream, mustard and tarragon
Cook whisking, until thickened about 2 minutes
Drizzle over chicken and serve.

For those who tell me that they cant cook. This was super easy and looks really nice and fancy!