Mustard Roasted Potatoes

These potatoes are amazing!  Another Ina inspired recipe.  So simple and the mustards tanginess is fantastic.  I loved these potatoes so much I add the mustard sauce to carrots, broccolli and cauliflower mixure and roasted them as well.  They were just as delicious as the potatoes.

Goat Cheese and Basil Chicken

I found a good chicken recipe, Goat Cheese and Basil Chicken, from one of Ina's older cookbooks called "Barefoot Contessa at home".  I thought it sounded different with the garlic and herbed goat cheese cooked under the skin instead of stuffing it in the chicken!  Also I had to seek out boneless chicken breasts with the skin on and found it at a store called Whole Foods.  If you do not have one of those stores in your area, just ask your butcher to prepare them for you.  The skin is important as it helps keep the moisture in the breasts and prevents the cheese from oozing out everywhere. It was very simple to prepare and was very delicious!

Jambalaya with Turkey Sausage

This is a great recipe for a quick and hearty meal.  Is so full of flavor your family will be requesting you make this more often.  The use of turkey sausage reduces the amount of fat in the recipe. Instead of white rice I choose to use a quick cooking, multi-grain/wild rice medley for added fiber and taste.  I hope you will add this to your menu soon as I have mine!

Crispy Oven Fried Pickles

Do you like fried pickles?  These oven fried pickles are fantastic!  Less fat, more flavor and super crunchy! I like dipping mine in my homemade low fat buttermilk ranch dressing.  Next time your having a craving for fried pickles, whip up a batch of these babies.  You wont be sorry!

Split Pea and Ham Soup

It's been cold all weekend here in Atlanta.  It was even spitting a little snow earlier.  Cold days are the best days to make a really comforting kind of soup.    I've never made this soup before today but I did use to eat it all the time in Amsterdam.  Mine turned out fantastic! I know it's kind-of green and the carrots are showing, but the taste is phenomenal.  The smokiness from those ham hocks really makes this soup.    Some people like to puree their finished product but I liked mine a little chunky!   And yes, I made my own croutons!

Italian Dressing Mix

Do you ever wonder what are really in those handy mixes at the grocery store?  You would have to have a chemistry degree to know all the real ingredients!  Why not make your own mixes.  I make my own taco seasoning mix and this mix as well.  It tastes great and you know what is in there!!  Be sure to store in an air tight container.  I also cut out the recipe and tape to a ziplock bag and store the jar inside so I don't have to look up the directions to mix the dressing!

Turkey Meat Sauce for Spaghetti

Zucchini Fritters

Zucchini fritters are a great side dish for any spicy meat main course you might be preparing for dinner.  It's a good way to get your veggies and they taste delicious!

Easy Chicken, Green Beans and Potato Bake

I found this recipe on my pinterest page the other day and I thought it looked simple.  I changed it up a bit to suit my taste by adding peppers and carrots to the mix and lowering the amount of butter and adding olive oil instead. The original recipe used 1/2 cup of butter and a package of Italian dressing mix.  I do not like to use package mixes as we don't really know what they are putting in those things so I made my own mix.  It turned out great and we were so hungry that I forgot to take a photo of the final product.  I promise when I make this next time I will take that photo and put it on this post!  Easy for you soccer moms, it can even be made in the crockpot.  Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours.  It might not have the cool presentation but will taste the same. Go for it, make it soon, sure is a time saver!

Dijon Mustard Marinated Flank Steak with Bearnaise Sauce

I am really enjoying Ina Garten's newest cookbook, "Foolproof" .  She is an awesome cook and this so delicious.  It is a real winner and will be in my favorite recipes from now on!  I did not type her recipe verbatim as I like to describe things in my own way!  So hear it goes...

Winter Minestrone and Garlic Bruschetta from Ina Garten's "Foolproof" Recipes You can Trust

This recipe was from Ina Garten's latest cookbook "Foolproof" Recipes You Can Trust.  It is her Winter Minestrone and Garlic Bruschetta.  The first time I made this I followed her directions completely.  It was a winner for sure.  The second time I made this, I made a few modifications to the recipe to suit my taste and how I like to cook.  This is still a wonderful recipe and thank you to Ina for inspiring me to get back in the kitchen and start cooking again!  P.S.  I love Ina Garten's recipes and all her cookbooks!  She's the greatest!

Guacamole

What can you say about guacamole?  You eith love it or hate it.  Me, I love the stuff!  Simple to make and be sure to leave the pit in the middle, it helps keep it from turning brown!  Fresh, limey and very tasty!  Made a big bowl with some pita chips or tortilla chip for up coming Supper Bowl!  Your friends and family will love it!

That is some green deliciousness there my friends!  Eat it up!


The Recipe!

Guacamole

2 medium avocados

½ lime juiced

¼ cup chopped tomatoes, drained

1 green onion minced, white and green parts

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon salt

Mash avocados, squeeze ½ lime over the top.  Add in the tomatoes, onion, garlic powder and salt.  Taste and adjust season as desired. 

Guacamole and Bacon Stuffed Chicken

I was contemplating what to make for dinner tonight, we had already had beef and pork this week so it had to be chicken of some sort.  I came up with this recipe, Guacamole and Bacon Stuffed Chicken!  If your like everyone I know and trying to watch what you eat this might be the recipe for you.  It's like a California Club Sandwich without all that bread!  The chicken was so moist and tender, the bacon and guacamole just gave this such a great flavor.  And on top of that the cracker crumbs on the outside were so crunchy and delicious! All in all this was a great new recipe and would definely made it again very soon!

Chile Rellenos with Ranchero Sauce

Yesterday I posted a recipe for ranchero sauce.  Today's recipe is for the chile rellenos!  They are simple and delicious.  Needless to say a little more low carb friendly than most without no crust on them.  They are simply stuffed, sauced, a sprinkle of jack cheese and baked for 20 minutes.

Ranchero Sauce

Ranchero sauce is a spicy but light tomato sauce used in Tex-Mex cooking.  I was making this sauce the other night to go over the top of my Chile Rellenos.  My newest recipe for Chile Rellenos has no batter on them.  They are low or no carb friendly if you should be following a South Beach to Low Carb diet.  This sauce is very simple to make and is so flavorful, I just could eat enough of it!

Here are the Chile Rellenos with the sauce over the top but it could be used for a lot of other things such as enchiladas or huevos Rancheros!

 

Black Eyed Peas, Collard Greens and Apple, Dijon Pork Chop

Happy New Year Everyone!

I thought I would give you a little history as to why black eyed peas are thought to bring good luck by eating on New Year's Day.  According to Wikipedia,  the traditional meal features black eyed peas, collard, turnip or mustard greens and pork.  The peas, since they swell when cooked, symbolize prosperity and good luck; the greens symbolize money; the pork, because pigs root forward when foraging, represents positive motion.  

To be within the tradition of New Year's Day I have made Black Eyed Peas, Collard Greens and Apple Dijon Pork Chops.

I hope that you have had a safe celebration of the New Year and lots of black eyed peas for good luck!