Salmon from Scratch

On the menu today was salmon, but when I got home I really wanted garlicky something. All the recipes I found for salmon were lemon garlic or some glazed salmon as ive made before. After searching forever I said screw it, Im martha junior I can whip something up!! So I knew I wanted garlic and ive been wanting to use the rest of my ricota cheese so thats where it started!!! Im calling it.....

Ricota salmon with garlic butter

I mixed two heaping spoonfuls of ricota with salt, pepper, garlic powder, parsley, oregano, 1t lemon juice and paremsan cheese. I then spread it on top of the salmon and sprayed with a little cooking spray. Broiled for 10-12 minutes. I then poured some garlic butter over it and laid it on some arugala/spinanch salad!! Very very yummy and satisfied my garlic craving!!! Chris didnt eat it so no input from him. I brought him home a iced hot chocolate from tim hortons and he said he was full LOL!! And he had a bagel earlier soooo my input I would definitely make again!!! Hope everyone is having a great week!! Its almost Friday!!

Asian braised pork & Honey Banana Bread

What a crappy day outside today!! And of course I decided to do a little grocery shopping. I had to go because Kroger's last day to double coupons is the 30th!! I will now have to go to Giant Eagle if I want any doubled coupons. I got some great deals today too, not just with my coupons, but found a lot of "close out" items that were marked wayyy down!! I love getting a deal regardless of the weather and if I'm soaked!! I went to Kohl's last week and when checking out I saw a cook book. It was one of the five dollar items at the front. It's titled "Easy Everyday Dinners" (Women's Day). I opened it to start reading through the recipes, and I think I like every single item!!! I originally was not going to make this today but they had pork roast on sale buy one get one free so I went with Asian Braised Pork. I did not make the cucumber side that they suggest with the recipe but did a little something else. I will give you the cucumber side as well.

Asian Braised Pork

1/4c soy sauce
1/2t ground allspice
1/4 to 1/2t red pepper flakes
1/4c plus 1T brown sugar
Fresh ginger thinly sliced (I didnt have any so used 1/2t ground ginger)
Pork roast, shoulder, etc.

Mix all the ingredients together and pour over pork in crock pot. Cook on low 7 to 8 hours or high 5 to 6 hours. For the cucumber part take 1/4c rice vinegar, salt and pepper, 1T brown sugar, a little ginger, sweet onion thinly sliced, and cucumber sliced half moons.  Mixed it all up and toss with onion and cucumber. Serve over rice.  I actually made my own friend rice and served it with this. All you need to do is cook your rice, add frozen carrots and peas, two eggs, 1/4c soy sauce.

My baking agenda today was banana bread, but I wanted to spice it up or try something different. I found a recipe that seemed to suit what I was looking for.

Honey Banana Bread

2c flour
1t baking soda
1/4t salt
1/2c apple sauce
3/4c honey
2 eggs beaten
3 bananas mashed

350 bake 60 minutes.

Maple glazed salmon & BBQ!!!

What a lovely day/weekend! For lunch today after the gym I decided to of course make my roasted veggies and then had maple glazed salmon.

Maple-glazed salmon

1/4c orange juice
1/4c maple syrup
2garlic cloves
3T balsamic vinegar
1T olive oil
Salt pepper

Line pan with foil. Season salmon with salt and pepper. Mix all but oil in kettle and bring to boil. Cook 5-6 minutes. Take off heat add oil. Brush you salmon with mixture. Broil 10 minutes basting throughout cooking. I put mine on a mix of arugula, spinach, strawberries, and feta! Drizzle with leftover sauce! Yummm this was soo satisfying and yumm! Hit the spot!

For dinner on this beautiful day I decided to heat up the grill. Kroger always has the chicken quarters on sale and they season them with bbq seasonings. So all I did was brush some extra bbq sauce on as they cooked and YUM!!

I also decided to make some side dishes! I went with Asparagus, cucumber salad, and corn bread! Lets start with the asparagus since this was easy. All i did was make a foil pocket, drizzle with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Threw it on the grill for 10 minutes and done! This was the best asparagus I have ever made!!!  Next the cucumber salad stuff. All I did was slice the cucumbers, then in a separate bowl I mixed 1/4t red pepper flakes, 2 garlic cloves minced, 3T lime juice, 1/2t salt and pepper, jalapeno diced if you want (i didn't have any), fresh minced cilantro, 3T olive oil. Whisk it all up and pour over your cucumbers and refrigerate until your ready to eat! Corn bread was next! I made it home made and it was delicious, I couldn't stop eating it! All you do is take a 9in pie pan and spray with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 400. Mix 1c cornmeal, 1c flour, 3-1/2t baking powder, 1/2c sugar and 1-2T honey, 1t salt, 1 egg, 1c milk, 1/3cup oil. Pour in pie dish and cook 25 minutes!! All of these dishes were good! The cucumbers did not really go with the dinner so we will eat these later, but they were very yummy and light!

 

Twisted Taco

Today I wanted to make something I know Chris would love! I wanted to use my ground meat so tacos came to mind since I know he loves tacos but wanted to spice it up. It turned out yummy and simple just how I like it!

Twisted taco

Ground meat
1pkg taco seasoning
1 pkg cream cheese
1c or more shredded cheese

Cook your meat. Mix all other ingredients.  Fold in meat. Place in tortilla and fold up. Preheat 400. Spray tops with pam. Cook 10-15 minutes. You can top with sour cream, lettuce, salsa, whatever you wish. I feel kids would live this too!

Ranch Talapia

Tonight I struggled with what to do with the talapia. I looked last night and found a few recipes, but when I went to pick one today neither appealed to me. As I sat eating my roasted veggies at the stove looking in my spice cabinet I saw the dry ranch mix package. Yes I was eating them at the stove while I was thinking!! Sooi this is what I did and man was it good! 2 for 2 with talapia now! Chris thought it was so good he asked for seconds ( which I didnt make but still). 

Ranch Talapia

Foil your pan then spray with pam. Preheat 400. I then sprinkled my fish with a small amount of the dry ranch mix on both sides. I then spread actual ranch dressing on both sides. I then sprinkled with bacon bits and topped with parmesan cheese. Bake 15 minutes and waaallla! VERY very good!!! Enjoy

Make your own Chipotle

I hope everyone enjoyed the Easter holiday! I sure did! I got to bake with my momma which is the best thing in the world! We made yummy sweet rolls and Italian Egg baskets of course the tradition ones! I did not jot down the recipes from my mom before I left, but here are the lovely pictures and will share the recipes when I attempt to make them on my own!!!

I did my meal planning last night and made my shopping list. Got all my shopping done this morning and had time to  prep for dinner and make a healthy sweet treat before the gym! Of course I had to pick up some more veggies to have my roasted veggie fix.  I actually tried a variation that my cousin Sara suggested that I try.  All I did differently was that I added feta cheese and Olive Garden's Italian dressing. OMG sooo yummy!!!  Thanks Sara!!!!

For dinner I had to marinate my chicken for make your own Chipotle! I have only ate at Chipotle I believe twice but I enjoyed it so decided to make my own!! Even if you dont want to make the full recipe the marinade for the chicken is awesome!!

Chipotle's Chicken Burrito Bowl

Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
2 -3 garlic cloves minced
1/4 cup olive oil
1t ground chipotle powder ( I looked everywhere and couldn't find it so I used 1t of my Tabasco Chipotle Pepper Sauce and two shakes of chili powder)
1/2t dried oregano
2t salt
1t black pepper
1t paprika
2t white vinegar
1t lime juice

Mix all of these ingredients up and add your chicken. Marinade overnight ideally, but I did four-five hours.

For the Rice:

2c rice cooked. (I used brown/wholegrain)
2t olive oil
4t lime juice
1t lemon juice
1/2t salt
2T cilantro

Mix it all up!!

Grill your chicken on the grill. Let sit 5 minutes before you cut it up. Chop it up and pick it in with your rice. You can add then whatever else you want. I used lettuce and cheese. The sour cream mix is as followed: 2T sour cream to 1t heavy cream. Yummmmmm! I could eat this every day with variations to it!

For my healthy treat today I found this muffin recipe that caught my eye because it was CHOCOLATE! Who doesn't love chocolate, and even more when they say "healthy 100 cal!" They turned out great too!! I am going to eat one with my free Silk Almond Milk Protein + Fiber. I got a free coupon to try this if I participate in a "campaign."  You get invited to different campaigns and they send you free coupons you just have to rate the product!! It's called BzzAgent if anyone is interested!  This is my first one so I will keep you all posted on any other products I get to try. I am hesitant about the almond milk but it is soooooo much healthier for you!! Okay okay Chocolate recipe below.

Double Fudge Banana Muffins

1egg

1/4c brown sugar

1/3c applesauce (I used unsweetened)

1t vanilla

1c mashed bananas (about 2)

1c oat flour (I used all purpose flour)

1/2t baking soda

1/2t baking powder

1/2t salt

1/4 cocoa powder (you can use the dark chocolate one if you want too :)

Chocolate Chips (optional)

Preheat 350. Grease muffin tin. Whisk together the egg, sugar, applesauce, vanilla, and bananas. Mix in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder. Mix just until blended. Don't over mix it. 

I did mini ones baked for 13 minutes, and large ones 18-20 minutes. Yummmy! This is definitely a keeper!

 

Happy Happy Parmesan Talapi!!

Today I was just reflecting on how happy I am. I have a job I love, family that is always there, supportive, loving...I could go on!! I have a man who respects me, loves me, appreciates me...again I could go on! I also have Faboulos friends and a funny doggie!! Thanks everyone and thank you God for blessing me with such happiness!!  For the menu today I wanted of course my roasted veggies and something fishy! (Jes think of u every time I make fish!) I had a great work out today and needed that protein.  I bought talapia for the first time. I always make salmon so this was a first for me. I am also on a parmesan-garlic kick this week so this appealed to me and was quick and easy! 

Parmesan-garlic Talapia

Spray baking sheet with cooking spray. Salt and pepper your talapia. Heat oven to 400. Cook 10-12 minutes. While cooking mix 1/4c Parmesan cheese, 1/4t Oregon, 3T butter at room temperature, and 1 garlic clove minced...I usef 2 large ones!! After its done cooking put the oven on broil. Spread your mix on the fish and broil 1-2 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown! Soooo yyumm-O!! Another must try!!

Pineapple Stir fry

Today was an ekkie day, cold, snowie, just ekkk!! I did get off work early which allowed for me to hit the gym, so definitely a plus!!! I recently subscribe to Simple & Delicious on my phone and checked to see if a new one came out and there it was! There was a stir fry recipe with pineapple, which I have a lot of so that was it!

Pineapple Pork Stir Fry

1 8oz can pineapple
2T plus 1t corn starch
1/4 ground ginger
1-1/2c chicken broth
3T brown sugar
1T soy sauce
1T molasses (didnt have any used soy sauce)
1/2c flour
1/4t garlic salt
1/4t paprika
1/8 pepper
Veggies of your choice
Carrots, asparagus, onion was my choice. Green pepper would be good too!

Drain pineapple juice in bowl. Add corn starch, and ginger.  Mix until smooth. Add chicken broth, brown sugar, soy sauce, and molasses. Set aside. Mix flour, paprika, garlic salt, and pepper in bag. Toss chicke or pork in this mix and stir fry in oil until cooked. Set in bowl. Add more oil and stir fry veggies.  Add sauce and stir til thick. Add chicken/pork. Cook 1-2 minutes.  Add pineapple. Serve over rice. Yummmy!! Was very simple amd delicious!!!

Cupcakes, No Bakes, Parmesan Garlic and BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Busy busy busy day today. Lots of yummy treats today and what a great day to cook/bake since it rained almost all day! Although now it is getting hot in here, but well worth it. Lets start with my sweet treats today. Since it is Easter this weekend I thought I would make carrot cake cupcakes. These cupcakes have the frosting inside the cupcake so wanted to give it a try and they are very yummy!

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

8oz cream cheese
1/4c sugar
2-1/4 c flour
1/2c sugar
1/4c baking soda
3/4t ginger
1/4c brown sugar
1-1/2t baking powder
3/4t salt
2 eggs
3/4c water
1/3c oil
1c grated carrots

Okay so here are your steps.
1. Heat cream cheese in microwave for 40 seconds. Then add 1/4c sugar and mix. Set aside.
2. Whisk together flour, 1/2c sugar, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, brown sugar, and salt.
3. In a measuring cup or small bowl beat your eggs. Add the water and oil.
4. Pour your oil mixture into the dry mix slowly. Once blended stir in grated carrots.

Now for the filling instructions:

Preheat 400
Put a small amount in your cupcake liner to cover bottom, then add a little bit of the cream cheese mix, then add more of the cupcake batter on top of this. Your cupcake liner will be almost full. Bake for 20 minutes. I would say 15-20. They are sooo yummy warm!

Next I wanted a quick and easy treat, and love no bake cookies and this was a nice twist on them! You know me, I love apples, so this I couldn't pass up!

Apple Crisp No Bake Cookies

4T butter
1/2c sugar
2 apples shredded
1/2t cinnamon
1/4t vanilla
1/4t brown sugar
1-1/2c quick oats
salt

Melt butter in skillet. Add sugar, apple, cinnamon, vanilla, and brown sugar. bring to a simmer and add oats. Simmer 1 minute. Let cool and roll into balls. Sprinkle with salt. (I also sprinkle with wheat germ). These are my new favorite I think!! Sooooo yummy!

I was planning to make chicken drumsticks yesterday, so I decided to do it today since it takes a little longer to cook. Chris wanted BBQ or he mentioned he did yesterday so I wanted to make him bbq drumsticks, but I wanted to try this Parmesan garlic recipe so I did both. 

Parmesan Garlic Drumsticks

1t dried oregano

1t dried rosemary (I used tarragon)

1/2t cumin

1t salt

3T olive oil

2T fresh basil (i used 2t dried)

2 garlic cloves minced (I used 4 :))

1/4c Parmesan Cheese

1/2t seasoning salt of your choice (I used some chicken seasoning mom got me from the Amish)

400

Mix first four ingredients. Line pan with foil and season drumsticks. It says to cook for 35-45. I altered the recipe. Mix the rest of the ingredients together. It says to add this after they are done cooking, but I cooked 20 minutes then added the this mix and cooked 20 more. I then also put some on after they were done cooking! This is a MUST TRY! Who needs BW3's anymore this is amazing!! Chris even said this was "definitely" a keeper!

BBQ chicken Drumsticks

Mix: 1T garlic powder, 1/2t salt, 1t pepper, 1t chili powder (optional, I used it), 1T olive oil.

Rub this mix on and then I added the BBQ sauce after 20 minutes of baking then cooked another 20. They were sooo yummy too!!

Breakfast Pizza

Anothee great day!! I wasnt going to share anything today because we took Lauren to Melt, which was delicious, I had a garlic mushroom, onion, arugala and provolone melt with an arugala Cesar salad!! So we were not hungry for dinner but just healthy snacks....no not roasted veggies but garlic hummus and cucumbers. I totally forgot about breakfast and everyone loves this recipe so thought id share some story's of Breakfast pizza! It began from my momma. Everytime I would have sleep overs she would make this or every time we had company stay over night. Everyone always asks for the recipe. In my adult life I have also made it when we have over night guests, and in the past I made it for the guys at the group home I worked at. They always wanted me to make it all the time!! This recipe is sooo easy too and you can change it to your liking.

Breakfast Pizza

1 tube crescent roll
6-8 eggs (or more depending on your pizza pan)
Shredded cheese
Sausage or bacon or ham
Salt pepper to taste

Grease a pizza pan. Preheat oven 375. Press your crescent roll in pizza pan until covered. Beat your eggs, add meat and cheese, salt and pepper. If I had my way I would add some spinanch onion mushroom peppers...you get the idea, but for Chris and Lauren I went with bacon and cheese!! Bake until golden brown 10-12 minutes. Enjoy!! Thanks momma for this great recipe!!

Fun in the Sun and Apples

Today was a fabulous day outside!! We decided to take Buddy to the park and let him swim in the creek!! Then we had ice cream and came home and Lauren and I sat outside and soaked up some rays!! I got FRIED on my arms!!! For a pre-dinner appetizer Lauren and I whipped out some Apple Fritters!!!  They were very yummy!!

Apple Fritters

1c Flour
2t baking powder
1/4c sugar
1/4t cinnamon
1/8t salt
1 egg beaten
1/2c milk
1t lemon juice
1c apples

Mix the first 5 ingredients in a bowl. Whisk in the egg and milk. Peel and dice up your apples and toss them in lemon juice. Then add to the batter. Heat oil up and fry on both sides. Top with cinnamon sugar and powder sugar! Delicious!!

For dinner we then had burgers and hot dogs, but I made one of mom's classic recipes, "Mom's Pasta Salad."  This is my all time favorite recipe for pasta salad and I compare all others to this.

Moms Pasta Salad

1pkg Rotinin Pasta cooked and drained and rinsed
1pkg sliced pepperoni or salami or both!
1c sliced black olives
1/2c red and green peppers diced
4 medium mushrooms slice(excluded in mine because of Chris)

Dressing:
2-3 garlic cloves minced
2t basil
2t salt
1/2t oregano
1/2t pepper
1c olive oil
1/3c lemon juice.
Mix your dressing in a container you can seal up and shake. Pour over the rest. You can also add cheese cubes or your choosing or shredded cheese as well! A good one to try on a nice summer day! Enjoy!

Buffalo Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Today was a crappy day at work so thank goodness it was nice outside! Erin and I stopped by the winery on our way home for a glass of wine at Rockside vineyard in Lancaster. We even sat outside, much needed.  For dinner, another ground turkey recipe for ya!!! This is a keeper! Alittle spicy with what I used but delicious!! And for me to say I like spicy is huge!!

Buffalo Turkey Lettuce Wraps

1lb ground turkey
1 small onion chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
Salt and pepper
Sliced carrots
Chopped celery
Buffalo wing sauce of your choice (mine wa a garlic spicy one)
Cheese..blue cheese crumbles, mozzarella. ..your choice

Start by heating oil in pan. Add onion and garlic and saute. Add ground turkey and brown. Add wing sauce and simmer a few minutes. I added mozzarella cheese and salt and pepper. Place in lettuce cup and top with carrot slices and celery.  I also added some more cheese and drizzled with ranch and added green onion!! Yummmmm!!

Chicken Parmesan Roll-ups

Well today was not my usual relaxing Monday because I had a training to attend and then decided to do an assessment after. On a positive note it was in the Columbus office, which is five minutes from my house! I know why don't I work in that office!! Someday maybe! Erin and I did the gym after then home to cook! While cooking I was thinking how nice it was to eat dinner at normal people time!! Eating dinner is probably my favorite time of the day for many reasons. One I love hearing from Chris how the dish is and love seeing him so happy when he eats it! Yes we eat dinner at our little coffee table, but we have the time to catch up and chat about the day! That is one thing I am very grateful for my parents instilling in me. We ALWAYS ate dinner at the table together everyday! I honestly do not remember a time when we didn't! Can't wait to some day pass this tradition on to my own family. So today was a chicken day. I had two pieces of chicken breast left, and again, I did not have a clue what to make! I usually am not a big fan of chicken Parmesan, but a chicken Parmesan roll-up interested me, and turned out to be great!!

Chicken Parmesan Roll Ups
--I did two large pieces of chicken and did not really measure anything, but I will give you the recipe I found.

1/4c olive oil
1 onion, chopped fine
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 can Italian styled diced tomato's (I used a jar of spaghetti sauce)
1/2c chopped fresh basil--- I just used some dry basil
1-1/2c shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2c Parmesan Cheese
6 thin-cut boneless skinless chicken cutlets--- I used two chicken breast, that actually were perfect for rolling. You may need to flatten yours out some. Channel your inner Martha.
salt and pepper
1/2c Italian seasoned panko bread crumbs

Preheat oven 475

Mix Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese with half of the basil. Set aside 1/2c mixture. Heat oil in skillet. Add onion and garlic and cook for a few minutes. Add tomato's or sauce and rest of basil. Heat about 5 minutes. Take your chicken and place the cheese/basil mix on and roll up. Place seam -side down. Top with the 1/2c cheese mixture you set aside. Then top with your sauce. You can also put some of the sauce down in the pan prior to adding the chicken (I did not). Mix your bread crumbs with some olive oil and top the chicken with this mix. Cover and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and cook another 5 to 10 depending on the thickness of your chicken. I did about five and it was PERFECT! Sooooooo yummy, and from someone who is not a huge fan it tasted lovely!

Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake Bars and Grilled Lemon-Pepper-Garlic Pork

What a beautiful day outside today!!! I love walking out of the gym to warmer weather it's great! Breakfast this morning I made Chris his usual, dunkers and bacon, but for myself I have been on a breakfast wrap kick.  I mixed mayo with Tabasco chipolte pepper sauce and a squirt or saracha and put this on the wrap. Then I added my spinach, scrambled eggs, a small tiny bit of cheese, and one slice of bacon crumbled! Yummy! I usually make this or the Special K's hot cereal. I have mentioned that I am not a fan of oatmeal, but the Special K's is so goood! It has nuts and dried fruit on the top that you can add in and it is an oatmeal quina mix! Delicious, I recommend buying them to try!

For lunch I of course had my roasted veggies!! Yum! My cousin suggested that I mix them with feta and olive garden dressing! I cannot wait to try this! I need to go buy some feta! Todays veggies were brussel sprouts, cauliflower, green beans and broccoli. I then made myself a steak quesadilla. I caramelized some onions first. I then put spinach, swiss cheese, the onions and steak. For the dipping sauce I made a sour cream, cucumber/garlic sauce!! Delicious!

For dinner I decided since it was so nice I wanted to grill. Soooo pork it was! I marinated it for a few hours and walla!

Grilled Lemon-pepper-garlic marinade

1/3c water
1/4c soy sauce
1/4c veggie oil
2T lemon pepper seasoning
2-3 garlic cloves minced!

I also decided to  make a treat today!! I had all the ingredients so why not!! And it was delicious!

Lemon Raspberry Cheese Cake Bars

2c flour
1/2c powdered sugar
1t lemon zest (i didn't have any so substitute 2T lemon juice for each teaspoon)
3/4c cold butter, cut into 1T pieces
Mix all ingredients in a bowl with your pastry blender. It will be dry and crumblie mix. Spray your dish and press this mixture into the pan. Bake 350 for 20 minutes or until edges are golden brownish.

Mix
2 (8oz) cream cheese at room temp
3/4c sugar
1t lemon zest
Blend together.
Add 2 eggs, one at a time and blend. Mix in 1-1/2T lemon juice.

When the crust comes out of the oven spread with preserve. I used Raspberry preserve, you can use strawberry as well. Then Top the preserve with your cream cheese mix. Bake another 25 minutes. Let cool on wire rack 20 minutes. Refrigerate 4 hours then cut into squares. I made half of the recipe because I only had one cream cheese!

Steak and Wine

What could be better than steak and wine on a friday!  Had a long day in court today for a client so steak, wine, and Chrissy are what I need. Ohhh and of course roasted veggies!! Ive been addicted to roasting cauliflower and brussel sprouts!! I add mushrooms and asparagus and will be adding broccoli here and there too!  I literally eat this everyday before dinner!! Yumm!  Okay so steak, I tried a new marinade I was too hungry to let it marinade for a long time but it was still good!!

Steak marinade

1/2c olive oil
1/4c red wine**I used dads baco
1T soy sauce
1-2 garlic cloves sliCed
Pepper to taste
1/2t Italian seasoning
1/2t sugar
1/2t worsetshire sauce

I would let marinate for a few ours then grill it up!! The wine I paired tonighy was malbec! Yummmy!!!

Parmesan Crusted Salmon

Fish day!!! After making that awesome salmon recipe Sunday, I wanted to try other recipes!!! Today was one that turned out great!! It was simple and quick too and had garlic so always a plus!

Parmesan Crusted Salmon

2 garlic cloves minced
1T Parmesan cheese
1T butter
2t lemon juice
Make a paste. My 2 pieces of salmon were large so I doubled this. 

Place 6 asparagus on a large piece of foil. You will need to trim the asparagus. Place the salmon on top the asparagus.  Spread ur paste all over the top of the salmon.  Place another piece of foil on top and seal all the edges up, you want no air to get in or out. Fold them up so you have a little pouch/pocket. Bake 375 for thirty minutes! Enjoy!