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!