Apricot Chicken

This has always been a favorite in our house.

The portions work out great. You buy these ingredients and there is enough to make it twice.

Mix together:
1 C or half the jar of Apricot preserves
1 C or a little less than half the bottle of French, Russian or Catalina dressing. They are all pretty much the same.
1 Packet of Onion Soup Mix

Pour it over four chicken breasts.
Bake at 350 for about an hour.
Serve with rice.

A good friend of mine (Jen Dipko, some of you might know her from the 5th ward) puts this in the crock pot and her family loves it that way too.

A little info...

Seeing as I have no room for a garden I've been doing some research into other alternatives.

Local Harvest-
You pay for shares and every week you get fresh produce (meat, eggs, honey, etc)

Utah Food Co-op-
Offers select grocery staples at up to 50% below retail. They do this through group buying, low over-head, and volunteers. Every month you order from their list, spend some time volunteering and get discounted food.

Do you have any good ideas?

German Pancakes*Dutch Boys*Dough Boys

Whatever you want to call them, they are just plain good. They have always been dough boys to me so I tend to call them that. There are so many varying recipes to them but here is how I make them.

3 T Butter or margarine
3 Eggs
1 C Flour
1 C Milk

Or do equal parts of eggs, flour and milk. But I usually just put one less egg than I would need to make it equal.

Turn you oven to 400 and put butter in a 9X9 pan. Put it in the oven until it melts. While it is melting mix your eggs, milk and butter. When the butter is melted pour your mixture in with the butter and put it back in the oven for about 30 minutes. They should look like this.

They will settle down after being out of the oven for a few minutes.

Top them with what ever you like. I am a powdered sugar and cinnamon, and Jon is a syrup. Other topping could be:
jam
fruit
honey
lemon juice

Sauteed Garlic Asparagus

This week Smiths has asparagus on sale for $1.49/lb. (or Costco sells 2.5lbs for $4.50) so I went surching for a recipe. I've recently discovered allrecipes.com and would recommend it!

Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS
3 tablespoons butter or margarine (I used a lot less)
1 bunch fresh asparagus
3 cloves garlic, chopped

DIRECTIONS
Melt the butter or margarine in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and asparagus spears; cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until asparagus is tender. If you like your asparagus well done, reduce heat and cook an additional 10 minutes.

** I cooked mine too long/high and it basically turns to mush in your mouth, so beware**

My new favorite thing to cook with

It is ground turkey. I found it at Walmart. It is about $1.90 a lb. for the 93/7 and $1.40 for the 85/15. I am replacing it in a lot of recipes because it is healthier than beef or pork and cheaper than chicken. I have used it in Elon's won tons and her corn chowder.

WINNER!!!

You all were beginning to think I was lying when I said I had prizes. I always have, I have just been waiting for someone to do the secret things to win them. And the winner is..................

Marianne- for publishing the 100th post.


I want to say a job well done to you all. This has been a very busy month of our blog. I am loving it. Keep up the good work, who knows I just may have more prizes up my sleeve.

Sweet and Sour Meatball Sauce

These babies are so so so good. Our sweet neighbor brought us this for dinner when we had Jordynn and then a few weeks later someone else had us over for dinner and served the exact same thing. We loved it! They both say it is such an easy recipe. I like easy!

1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. vinegar
2 tsp. mustard or dash of mustard powder
1/2 c. BBQ sauce
2 T. worcestershire sause

mix sauce and meatballs (they just used the frozen meatballs from Costco) and cook in crock pot or oven until completely heated through.

Lime Soup with Tortilla Strips and Chicken

I got this reicpe off of Studio 5. We had it tonight and I really liked it.

Ingredients:
• 1 cup plus 2 Tbl olive oil
• 1 6-inch corn tortillas cut into strips
• 6 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
• 2 Tbl minced fresh cilantro
• 1 Tbl minced fresh oregano
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• 1-2 Tbl fresh lime juice
• 1 skinless boneless chicken breast half, thinly sliced crosswise
• ½ cup chopped seeded tomato
• ½ cup chopped green bell pepper
• ½ cup chopped white onion
• 6 limes

Method:

1. Heat 1 cup oil in medium skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, add tortilla strips; fry until golden, about 2 minutes. Transfer to paper towels; drain.
2. Mix broth and next 4 ingredients in large saucepan; bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer 15 minutes. Add lime juice; season with salt and pepper.
3. Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 Tbl oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken to skillet; sauté 3 minutes. Add tomato, bell pepper and onion. Saute until chicken is cooked through, about 2 minutes longer.
4. Place 1 lime slice in each of 6 bowls. Ladle soup over. Mound tortilla strips and chicken mixture in center of each.


[ To make Recipe a little healthier ]

Note from Laura: I do not fry my corn tortillas. I let everyone rip there own fresh tortilla into their bowl - I love the flavor! I also like to add 1 (14-ounce) can drained and rinsed black beans to soup; and I leave out the tomatoes. Plus I reverse the order of instructions. I start with sautéing the chicken, peppers (I use red or green) and onion, and then I add the broth and seasonings right into the same pot. Then I ladle all of the ingredients into the each bowl and serve with the lime slice and tortillas on the side. Delicious!

I also added carrot and celery slices to the soup.

Tomato & Spinach Pasta Toss

2 c. pasta (we like Whole-Wheat Penne)
1/2 lb. Hot or Mild Italian sausage (or chicken)
1 (14.5 oz) can Italian style diced tomatoes, undrained (make sure you get this kind!)
1 pkg (6 oz) spinach. (I have used frozen spinach and it works great!)
1 c. Mozzarella Cheese
2 Tblsp. Parmesan Cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions.

Meanwhile, thoroughly cook sausage (or chicken) in skillet. Add spinach & tomatoes and cook until heated through.

Drain Pasta. Put pasta & sausage mixture in a nice serving bowl. Mix. Stir in mozzarella cheese.

Sprink Parmesan Cheese on top if desired.

This is great served with rolls or a fruit bowl.

Chicken Salsa Soup

This recipe falls under crockpot(as requested)and healthy. This is seriously the easiest recipe and I just throw my chicken in frozen.

4 c. salsa
1 c. low sodium chicken broth
2 cans black beans
2 cans corn
2-3 chicken breasts

Toss in the crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Shred chicken before you serve.

Sweet and Sour Chicken (Freezer Meal)

This is a meal that you can put together in a freezer bag and eat later. Just prep everything and put them all into small individual bags and then into one big freezer bag for a meal later. Such a great idea when you are away and want your family to eat well.

Sweet & Sour Chicken

1 package frozen chicken nuggets

1 green or red pepper

2-3 stalks celery

1 large onion

2 Tbsp. Vegetable oil

1/3 c. cornstarch

1/4 c. vinegar

1/4 c. brown sugar

2 Tbsp. soy sauce

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. ground ginger

8 oz. sliced mushrooms

1 (20 oz.) can pineapple chunks w/ juice

Thaw chicken nuggets just enough for each nugget to be cut into halves or thirds. Slice pepper, celery, and onion into bite-size chunks. Saute them over high heat in oil, until tender crsip, about 3 minutes. Empty vegetables from pot and set aside. In a 1 quart measuring cup, mix cornstarch vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, ginger, pineapple juice, and waer to fill to quart line. Pour mixture into pot and add mushrooms, bringing to a boil stirring frequently. when thickened, add pineapple chunks and chicken nuggets. Continue stirring until boiling. Add vegetables and serve immediately over hot rice and/or chow meain noodles.

Chicken a l' Orange

1 t. olive oil
2 boneless chicken breasts
1 T. orange concentrate (frozen section)
2 T. low sodium soy sause
1/4 t. ginger
1 T. sliced almonds ( I use alot more )

Heat oil over med. heat, add chicken and sear for 3 minutes per side. Add orange, ginger, and soy sause. Stir. Simmer for 5 to 6 minutes. Top with almonds. Put over brown rice.

[ Recipe from The Abs Diet ]

Whole Wheat Pancakes

One of my favotive healthy breakfasts!!!

2 eggs

1 1/2 c. milk

3 T. oil ( I use olive oil )

1 1/2 c. w.w. flour ( I like to grind my flour fresh)

2 T. baking powder ( I use a little less )

3/4 T. salt ( I use a little less )

Mix and cook as normal. I top mine with pure maple syrup.

Super Quick Whole Wheat Bread

First of all, just had to say I am so glad this blog has picked back up. Keep em coming, ladies!


QUICK WHOLE WHEAT BREAD -- this is 100% homemade and seriously takes less than an hour start to finish (including grinding wheat, rising dough, etc).

In a mixing bowl combine:

1/4 c. honey
2 1/2 c. hot water
2 1/2 c. freshly ground whole wheat

Mix well and add 2 Tbsp yeast. Let sit for one minute. Then add:

2 tsp salt
1/2 c. wheat gluten
2-3 c. wheat flour (keep adding until dough pulls away from bowl)

Knead dough for 7 minutes, Form into two loaves and put in greased bread pans. Place in cold oven for 20 minutes unttil they look like fully shaped loaves. Leave in oven and turn on to 350 degrees. Bake 25 minutes until golden brown. Remove from pans and allow to cool.

GFCF Waffles

My sister and her entire family is on a very strict "GFCF" (Gluten free, Casein Free) diet. Which basically means that they don't eat any milk products or anything with wheat in it. While I am not doing their diet, I am trying to incorporate it in my own with moderation. I got this recipe from my brother-in-law, who is starting up his own business making pre-made mixes for people on the gfcf diet (he calls his company "Dr. Delicious") . The ingredients are different, and if you want to make them, you will have to go to a whole foods store to get it, but these waffles are really yummy! Dan even craves them. :0)

1 C. Garbanzo Bean Flour

1 C. Corn Starch

2 1/4 C. White Rice Flour

1 1/4 C. Tapioca Flour

4 T. Sugar

1 tsp. Salt

2 tsp. Baking Powder

4 T. Milled Flaxseed**

1 1/3 C. Rice Milk

1 C. Water

1/2 C. Oil

2-3 T. Ground Cinnamon

** You may substitute milled flaxseed for 4 eggs, OR 1 C. applesauce.

Another thing about this recipe: DO NOT taste the batter- it tastes like dirt.

Also, these are very filling! I can barely eat one square, and I am full. So I freeze the leftovers for homemade eggos.

Pork Chops and Veggies

This is probably not that healthy, and although you could cook it in a crock pot, I usually use my electric skillet. I apologize for not fitting the mold, but it's still a good meal, especially for cold winter months.

Salt and pepper 4 Pork Chops. Brown pork chops in 1/4 cup melted butter in an electric skillet. Add about 3 large potatoes, peeled and cubed, and 1 cup baby carrots. (I always eyeball the amounts. I just put as many vegetables as will fit.) In a separate bowl, mix together:
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can water
1 tsp salt
1 cup sour cream
1 Tbsp dried onion

Pour soup mixture over the top of vegetables. Turn skillet to low and cover. Stir occasionally. Cook until vegetables are tender--about 45 minutes.

Optional: add 1 can of mushrooms and/or 1 cup frozen peas.


You can also do this in the oven at 350 for 1 1/2 hours, or all day in a crock pot. Just brown the pork chops in a frying pan first, then pour the entire mixture into a baking dish (for the oven) or a crock pot.

Pumpkin Cookies

I'm sure alot of you already have this recipe, because it is so simple. I wouldn't call it healthy but it is definitely a better way to dessert.

1 Box of spice cake mix
1 Can of Pumpkin - the smaller of the two. Some stores only have the bigger one so I freeze the other half or double the batch.
1 Cup of Chocolate Chips (optional depending on how low fat you want them to be)

Mix and bake on 350. I really don't time them, I just wing it but I think it's about 15 minutes.

Mas Macho Meatballs

1 pound extra lean ground beef

1/2 cup crushed saltine crackers

1 onion

1 clove garlic, minced

1 T. ground flaxseed

1 jar (16 ounces) tomato sause

italian seasoning

4 whole wheat rolls or buns

1/2 cup reduced-fat mozzarella chees, shredded

Mix the beef, crackers, onion, garlic, and flaxseed into golf size balls. Brown in a non stick skillet over medium heat. Drain fat and add tomato sause and italian seasoning. Spoon meat balls onto buns and top with cheese.

[ Recipe from The Abs Diet ]

"Healthy" Fried Rice

Another one of my healthy favorites, since you asked ;)...

2 cups cooked brown rice (cooled)

3Tbsp EVOO

12 oz. cooked shrimp (or chicken)

1 cup frozen peas

2 beaten eggs

3 Tbps low sodium soy sauce
pepper to taste

Heat EVOO in fry pan and then add eggs. When eggs are ALMOST cooked through, add remaining ingredients and stirfry until everything is mixed well and cooked through. (Obviously, you can spice this up with whatever other veggies you like as well).

Labels

Who doesn't need more organization in life? Nichole suggested we add labels to our posts...... months ago. Sorry I am just now getting to it. It will be a great way to find what we need and search ideas faster. You can label things however you want but please always include the following.
What catagory would it be in (dinner, dessert, appetizer, ect.)
What meat is in it (if any)

If you need examples you can look back at past posts. I have gone through and labeled them all.

And one last thing. As I was going through them all I noticed we didn't have many crockpot recipes. If you have a favorite, please share. Those are some of my favorites. And of course, don't for get to label it as crockpot.

Thanks, I am really excited about this!!

Calling all "healthy" recipes

Okay so I meant to post this in January, being that we all are probably trying to eat better (or in my case lose my baby weight) with it being the new year and all. I'd love to hear what some of your favorite healthy recipes are. I've got a couple killer yummy meals up my sleeve that I will post shortly. In the mean time the recipe below is a yummy way to add more fiber to your diet...not necessarily way healthy but still not a bad choice in my opinion. Enjoy!

Fiber One Crunchy Fudge Cookies

Eat a great-tasting fudgy cookie made with brownie mix and high-fiber cereal.

1 box Betty Crocker® fudge brownie mix

2 cups Fiber One® original bran cereal

2 tablespoons miniature semisweet chocolate chips

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/3 cup water

1 tablespoon vegetable oil ( I used olive oil )

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 egg

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray cookie sheets with cooking spray.

2. In large bowl, mix all ingredients with spoon. Onto cookie sheets, drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart.

3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until set. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Cool completely. Store in tightly covered container. Freeze up to 2 months if desired.

1 Serving: Calories 70 (Calories from Fat 10); Total Fat 1g (Saturated Fat 0g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 5mg; Sodium 55mg; Total Carbohydrate 13g (Dietary Fiber 2g, Sugars 7g); Protein 1g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 0%; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 0%; Iron 4% Exchanges: 1 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Vegetable Carbohydrate Choices: 1