BBQ Chicken Pizza

BBQ Chicken pizza is something that's been around a while, but I've never been a huge fan. But with Pizza Night once a week, we're always trying something different. This pizza was a big [surprise] hit for us. It was delicious!

BBQ Chicken Pizza

Ingredients:

• 1 boneless and skinless Chicken Breast
• 1/3 cup BBQ Sauce
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• Rotisserie Chicken, meat pulled off
• ½ of a Red Onion, sliced thinly
• ¼ cup Cilantro leaves, chopped
• ¼ cup shredded Parmesan Cheese (Optional) 
• Pizza Crust (recipe below)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven according to pizza crust directions. 
2. Spread/squeeze BBQ sauce over pizza crust to taste. We opted for not a lot.
3. Cover pizza with cheese to your liking.
4. Add shredded rotisserie chicken, then onion slices over cheese.
5. Bake according to pizza crust instructions.
6. After pizza is baked, pull out and add cilantro and parmesan to taste.

Pizza Crust (makes 2)

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups warm (105-115 degrees) water
• 1 tablespoon instant or active dry yeast (active will take longer to rise)\
• 1 tablespoon. sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
• Olive oil/nonstick cooking spray
• Garlic salt
• cornmeal

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer (preferred), stir in water, sugar and yeast. Let sit 5-10 minutes or until the yeast is foamy and dissolved. Add olive oil, salt, and 1 ½ cups flour and mix until combined with your hook attachment (or with a wooden spoon if not using a mixer). Gradually mix in 2 more cups of flour until dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. If your dough is too wet, add 1 more tablespoon of flour at a time (up to 1/4 cup) until dough barely sticks to your fingers. Once dough has pulled away from the bowl, knead in mixer on medium-low speed or by hand for 5 minutes.
2. Shape the dough into a ball and place back into your large mixing bowl that has been coated lightly with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray. Turn dough over to coat all sides. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and allow to rise until doubled in size, 1-2 hours.
3. Guestimating 15 minutes before your dough is ready, preheat your pizza stone or baking sheet in middle rack of your oven for 30-60 minutes at 475 degrees F.
4. After dough has doubled, remove from bowl and knead a couple times. Divide dough into two equal balls and cover with a towel for 15 minutes. You can freeze one of the balls at this point if desired.*
5. Carefully remove your pizza stone/baking pan and GENEROUSLY grease the entire surface with olive oil or with nonstick cooking spray. Sprinkle with cornmeal.
6. After dough has been resting 15 minutes, roll each dough ball out onto a lightly floured surface or parchment paper into a 12-inch round circle. Transfer pizza dough to your baking sheet or pizza stone then pinch edges to create a rimmed crust (if you have trouble transferring, you can place your entire piece of parchment paper on your stone/baking sheet and bake directly on your parchment paper). Lightly brush the top of the crust with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic salt. Using a fork, prick several holes in the crust.
7. Bake for 12 minutes at 475F degrees with favorite toppings then broil for 2 minutes or until cheese is golden.

Teriyaki Tacos

It's Taco Night here at the Powers' house, and tonight we had Chicken Teriyaki Tacos inspired by this recipe from Carlsbad Cravings. Aaron says this is one of his favorite tacos that we've ever made.

• INGREDIENTS
• 
  
• 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 12 tortillas (we prefer HEB's Mixla tortillas)

1 Recipe Chicken Marinade

1/2 cup Bragg's Liquid Aminos (or low sodium soy sauce)

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 T. rice vinegar

Splash of pineapple juice (optional)

1 Recipe Grilled Pineapple Pear Salsa

Pineapple Lime Crema

• 1 5.3 oz. pineapple yogurt
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1/2 tablespoon lime juice (or more to taste)

DIRECTIONS

1. Chicken Marinade: Mix ingredients for marinade. Pound chicken to an even thickness and poke several times on each side with a fork. Add chicken to a large freezer bag or shallow dish and add Teriyaki Marinade; toss to evenly coat chicken. Marinate 30 minutes at room temperature or up to overnight in the refrigerator.
2. Grilled Pineapple Pear Salsa: Meanwhile prepare Salsa according to directions. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use. (I did not have time to skewer and grill everything, so I diced up the pears, pineapple, onion, and bell pepper and sautéed it. Then I let it cool before adding cilantro, lime juice, and seasonings.)
3. Pineapple Lime Crema: Meanwhile, whisk all of the Pineapple Lime Crema ingredients together in a small bowl. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
4. Chicken Grilling Directions: If chicken has been refrigerated, let sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes (time permitting). Meanwhile, grease and preheat grill to medium heat, 375-450°F.
5. Grill chicken undisturbed for for 6-7 minutes per side, or until chicken is cooked through. (An inserted thermometer should read 155 degrees F.) Remove chicken from grill and let rest 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
6. Chicken Stovetop Directions: If chicken has been refrigerated, let sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes (time permitting).
7. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Once very hot, add chicken and cook, undisturbed for 3-5 minutes, or until nicely browned (or blackened if you prefer) on one side. Turn chicken over, cover, and reduce heat to medium. Cook for approximately 5-7 more minutes (depending on thickness of chicken), or until chicken is cooked through.
8. Remove chicken and let rest 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
9. Assemble!

Burger Night [Caprese Burger]

Caprese Burger

• 1.25 lb. Ground Beef (feeds 4)
• Salt & Pepper
• Fresh mozzarella
• 2 tomatoes
• 12 Basil leaves
• Balsamic Vinegar
• Green Onions (optional)
• 4 Buns

Preheat grill. Slice tomatoes and marinate in balsamic vinegar. (This can be done a couple of hours ahead of time if you like.) Season ground beef with salt & pepper. Grill burgers until nearly done and then add sliced mozzarella on top. Toast buns and assemble burgers, adding tomatoes, basil leaves, green onions, and some extra balsamic (also a small amount of mayo is an option). Eat up!

Crock Pot Ribs

With baseball practice, church, and miscellaneous events, life is busy these days. So any time I can throw something in the crock pot and not have to worry about it too much is a win. I've made these ribs from Mmm... is for Mommy a couple times, and tonight I'm making them again. Aaron and the kids are big ribs fans, and they all loved these. They're easy, and they have a nice glaze/crust on the outside and they're fall-right-off-the-bone tender.

INGREDIENTS

• 1.5 tbsp sweet paprika
• 1 tbsp light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• S&P to taste (about 1 tsp each is what I used)
• 2 lbs pork baby back ribs (leave the membrane on the ribs to help hold them together)
• 1 cup barbecue sauce

DIRECTIONS

In a small bowl, mix together paprika, brown sugar, cayenne and S&P.  Rub this mixture all over both sides of your ribs well.  Arrange ribs in the slow cooker by standing them up against the wall of the stoneware pot, thicker side down and meaty side against the pot. Pour barbecue sauce over the ribs, cover and cook for 6-8 hours on low (I did 7 hours and they were perfect).

Once the initial slow cooking is done, very carefully (as they are tennnnderrrrr) remove the ribs to a baking pan which you have lined with foil and put a rack on, bone side up and set aside. Skim any fat that has risen to the top and strain all of the remaining juices from the slow cooker through a mesh strainer into a small saucepan. Bring to boil and allow to simmer and reduce by about a third, approximately 15 minutes.  Put your oven’s broiler on to preheat and make sure that there is an oven rack about 10 inches below the broiler element.  Once the broiler is preheated, brush the ribs with sauce and broil for 3 or 4 minutes. Take them out and very carefully flip them over, brush with sauce and broil again, meat side up, for approximately 9 minutes, taking them out once or twice to baste with more sauce. Serve any remaining sauce on the side with the ribs.

Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

• I had my concerns about making a "light" version of chicken and broccoli casserole because I love it so much. I fully anticipated that this recipe from Cooking Light would be tasteless and dry. But it wasn't. It was delicious and the whole family loved it and none of us could tell it was healthier. Win-win!
• 
  
• INGREDIENTS
• 1 (12-ounce) package steam-in-bag broccoli florets
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 cup prechopped onion
• 2 (8-ounce) packages presliced mushrooms
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups fat-free milk
• 12 ounces chopped skinless, boneless rotisserie chicken breast (about 3 cups)
• 1/2 cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup canola mayonnaise
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1/2 cup)
• 1 ounce Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/4 cup)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat broiler
2. Prepare broccoli in microwave according to directions
3. Heat large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion and mushrooms; cook 12 minutes or until mushrooms brown and liquid evaporates, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle mushroom mixture with flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in milk. Bring to a boil; cook 3 minutes or until thick and bubbly. Stir in broccoli and chicken; cook 1 minute. Remove pan from heat. Stir in yogurt, mayonnaise, pepper, and salt. Top evenly with cheeses; broil 2 minutes.

SERVINGS 6

Serving 1 1/2 cups | Calories 277 | Fat 11.9g | Protein 29.1g | Carbohydrates 15.2g

Pork Scaloppine with Mustard Pan Sauce

Cooking Light has done it again with another tasty, healthy, and easy dish!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound baby carrots, halved lengthwise $
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
• 1 (1-pound) pork tenderloin, trimmed, cut crosswise into 12 pieces, and pounded to 1/4-inch thickness
• 1 tablespoon canola oil, divided
• 1/4 cup minced shallots
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic
• 1/2 cup unsalted chicken stock (such as Swanson)
• 2 tablespoons whole-grain Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream $
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

DIRECTIONS

1. 1. Sprinkle pork evenly with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon canola oil; swirl to coat. Add 6 cutlets; cook 2 minutes on each side or until done. Remove from pan; keep warm. Repeat procedure with 1 teaspoon canola oil and remaining pork.
2. 
   

2. Return skillet to medium-high heat. Add remaining 1 teaspoon canola oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add shallots and garlic to pan; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add stock and mustard; cook 1 minute, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Stir in sour cream; cook 1 minute. Serve pork with sauce. Sprinkle with parsley.

SERVINGS 4
Serving 3 oz. pork and 2 T. sauce | Calories 261 | Fat 10.9g | Protein 25.8g | Carbohydrates 13.9g

Pork Carnitas Tacos

This pork carnitas from 100 Days of Real Food is delicious and (even better) easy! Aaron also discovered (and highly recommends) that the leftover pork makes delicious nachos the next day!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 to 2 ½ lbs pork shoulder or Boston butt roast, cut into 5 or 6 small pieces
• 3 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 onion, cut into 6 or 8 chunks
• 3 garlic cloves, whole
• 1 recipe tomatillo salsa
• Corn tortillas
• 2 avocados, sliced
• Fresh cilantro

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix together oregano, pepper, salt, and cumin and rub on outside of pork pieces in bottom of slow cooker.
2. Throw onion and garlic on top of pork.
3. Slow cook on low for 6 – 8 hours or until meat is falling apart.
4. When finished discard the onion and garlic. Drain meat and shred with a fork.
5. Serve warm with tortillas, tomatillo salsa, avocados and cilantro.

Grilled Shrimp with Triple Lemon Butter

BUTTER
6 lemons (limes may also be substituted)
8 T. butter (1 stick), slightly softened
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. coarsely ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Set one lemon aside for step 2. Squeeze the juice from the remaining lemons until you have 1 cup. Place the lemon juice in small saucepan and boil until syrupy and reduced. Let cool.
2. Grate the zest from the reserved lemon and set zest aside. Using a small knife, cut off all the white pith to expose the yellow flesh of the lemon. Chop the lemon flesh, discarding the pits and the membranes.
3. Combine butter, lemon zest, chopped lemon, cooled lemon syrup, and salt and pepper in food processor and process until smooth.

Butter can be made in advance, covered, and kept refrigerated for a few days or frozen for a week. Bring to room temp before serving.

SHRIMP

20 extra large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

2 T. finely chopped fresh chives

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat grill to high.
2. Brush shrimp with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the shrimp until pink and opaque, and just cooked through. 1 1/2 to 2 minutes on each side. Remove the shrimp to platter and brush hot shrimp with lemon butter. Sprinkle with chives and serve immediately.

Serves 4.

Kung Pao Chicken Tacos

INGREDIENTS
6 skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite sized pieces
3 T. low sodium soy sauce, divided
1/4 c. plus 1 1/2 t. cornstarch, divided
1/4 t. kosher salt
2 T. canola oil, divided
1 1/2 T. honey
1 T. sesame oil
2 t. rice vinegar
1 t. red curry paste
1 large garlic clove, minced
3 T. coarsely chopped honey roasted peanuts
1-2 stalks of celery, diagonally sliced
8 corn tortillas
1/3 c. green onions, sliced
1/2 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
4 lime wedges

DIRECTIONS

1. Place chicken in a large zip top plastic bag. Add 1 tablespoon soy sauce to bag; seal. Marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes. Remove chicken from bag; discard marinade. Place 1/4 cup cornstarch in dish, and toss chicken to thoroughly coat. Shake off excess corn starch.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon canola oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add half of coated chicken; saute for 6 minutes or until done, turning to brown. Remove chicken from pan; drain on paper towels. Repeat the procedure with remaining 1 tablespoon canola oil and remaining chicken.
3. Combine remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch, remaining 2 tablespoons soy sauce, honey, and next 3 ingredients (through curry paste) in a microwave safe bowl, stiring with a whisk until smooth. Microwave on high for 30 seconds or until slightly thick, stirring twice. Stir in garlic. Combine soy sauce mixture, chicken, and peanuts; toss to coat chicken.
4. Warm/toast tortillas, then serve with chicken mixture and garnishing with celery, green onion, red bell pepper, and lime.

Suggested side: Asian Chopped Salad

Serves 4.
Calories 418 | Fat 19.1 g | Protein 25.2 g

Zuppa Toscana

On a cold fall day, there's nothing better than a hearty bowl of soup. I got this recipe from Olive Garden, and it's delicious!

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground Italian sausage
• 1½ tsp crushed red peppers
• 1 large diced white onion
• 4 Tbsp bacon pieces
• 2 tsp garlic puree
• 10 cups water
• 5 cubes of chicken bouillon
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 lb sliced Russet potatoes, or about 3 large potatoes
• ¼ of a bunch of kale

Directions

1. Sauté Italian sausage and crushed red pepper in a large pot. Drain excess fat, refrigerate while you prepare other ingredients.
2. In the same pan, sauté bacon, onions and garlic over low-medium heat for approximately 15 mins. or until the onions are soft.
3. Add chicken bouillon and water to the pot and heat until it starts to boil.
4. Add the sliced potatoes and cook until soft, about half an hour.
5. Add the heavy cream and just cook until thoroughly heated.
6. Stir in the sausage and the kale, let all heat through and serve. Delicious!

Serves 6-8

Ashley's Pot Pie

My dear friend, Ashley, made this delicious Chicken Pot Pie for us one time when we visited her family in Anna. It was warm and comforting and delightful, just like her! I insisted she share her recipe and she was kind enough to send it along.

Ingredients

• 1 15 oz. refrigerated pie crust
• 1/3 c. butter or margarine
• 1/3 c. chopped onion
• 1/3 c. flour
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1/4 t. pepper
• 1 1/2 c. chicken broth
• 2/3 c. milk
• 2 1/2 to 3 c. cooked chicken (shredded/chopped)
• 2 c. frozen mixed veggies

Directions

1. Heat oven to 425. Prepare pie crust as directed on package for two crust pie using 9-inch pie pan. 
2. Melt margarine in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion. Cook 2 minutes or until tender. Add flour, salt and pepper. Stir until well blended. 
3. Gradually stir in broth and milk, cooking and stirring until bubbly and thickened. Add chicken and veggies. Mix well. 
4. Remove from heat. Spoon chicken mixture into crust-lined pan. Top with second crust. Seal edges and flute. Cut slits in several places in top crust. 
5. Bake @ 425 for 30 to 40 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Poppy's Tortilla Soup

I remember walking to my car from one of my night classes at the community college in the (literal) freezing rain. As I sat in the car shivering and waiting for the ice on the windshield to melt, I called Aaron (my then fiance) to say hello and talk about the crazy weather. As I whined about how freezing cold I was, he invited me over to his mom and dad's house to warm up and hang out for a while. When I walked in, Bill offered me a bowl of soup, and I gladly accepted. I sat down to the table and my life was changed. It was the best soup ever. Several years later (after I was sufficiently married into the family), he was kind enough to share his delicious recipe with me. 

Ingredients

• 1 16 oz. can diced tomatoes
• 1/2 c. chopped cilantro
• 1 medium onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 t. sugar
• 1 1/2 lbs. cooked chicken, chopped
• 8 c. chicken broth
• 1 chipotle in adobo sauce, diced and seeded
  (increase if you like spiciness)

Directions

1. Cook chicken, cut into chunks, and set aside.
2. Mix undrained tomatoes, onion, garlic, cilantro, and sugar. Put mixture in large pot with broth, chicken, and pepper(s). Bring to boil; cover and simmer for additional 20 minutes.
3. Serve with crunched up tortilla chips (or we prefer to bake strips of corn tortillas in the oven and make our own), shredded cheese, avocado, sour cream, and rice.

Serves: at least 8, makes great leftovers

Garlic Baked Shrimp

Tonight, I tried making a new recipe I found on LaaLoosh. I typically don't like shrimp, but this one caught my eye (it looked similar to one of my favorite restaurant dishes, Shrimp Paesano) and I decided to give it a go. Well, this dish passed the family test with flying colors! Aaron is still talking about it several hours later, and is asking if we can have it tomorrow too.

Ingredients

• 1lb fresh, raw shrimp, deveined, peeled and tails removed
• 2 tbsp light butter, melted
• Juice from ½ a lemon
• 2 tbsp parsley, finely chopped (optional)
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tbsp lemon zest
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup Special K cereal, crushed
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. In a medium sized bowl, combine shrimp, lemon juice, garlic, paprika and salt & pepper. Pour into a small baking dish.
3. In another bowl, combine Special K, butter, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest and parsley until it reaches a course, mealy consistency – just enough to evenly blend the ingredients.
4. Sprinkle Special K mixture over shrimp. Transfer to oven and bake until shrimp are pink and cooked through, about 10-12 minutes.

Preparation time: 10 minute(s)

Cooking time: 10 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 4

PER SERVING: 180 calories; 5g fat; 7g carbohydrates; 24g protein; 0g fiber

SERVE WITH: Angel Hair Pasta, Steamed Vegetables

Chicken Lime Tacos

Chicken tacos are one of my new favorite foods, and they're healthy (especially if you swap the sour cream for salsa). And letting the crock pot do most of the cooking, well... you know I love that! (Recipe from Taste of Home)

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 cup chunky salsa
• 12 whole wheat flour tortillas (6 inches), warmed
• Sour cream, shredded cheese, and shredded lettuce, optional

Directions

• Place the chicken in a 3-qt. slow cooker. Combine lime juice and chili powder; pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until chicken is tender.
• Remove chicken; cool slightly. Shred meat with two forks and return to the slow cooker; heat through. Stir in corn and salsa.
• Cover and cook on low for 30 minutes or until heated through. Serve in tortillas with sour cream, cheese and lettuce if desired.

Pot Roast + Beef and Artichoke Fettucine (2 meals)

These are both delicious and easy meals. Make the pot roast on night one, and then use the leftovers to make the Beef and Artichoke Fettucine the next night!

Pot Roast 
You can use your own recipe if you like or this is the one I used last week

Ingredients

4 lb. Chuck Roast
2 packs of brown gravy mix
1 c. water

Directions

• Place roast in crock pot. 
• Stir 1/2 cup water into each packet of gravy mix and stir. 
• Spread thick gravy mix over roast and cook on low 6-8 hours. 

Reserve 1-1.5 lbs for tomorrow's dinner.

Beef and Artichoke Fettucine

Aaron, who does not really like pot roast (something I will never understand), says this dish makes him look forward to having roast in the future for the leftovers!
Ingredients

8 oz fettucine
6 oz jar marinated artichoke hearts
1/4 c. finely chopped onion
1 c. half and half
1 c. shredded parmesan cheese
2-3 c. chopped roast beef from Meal 1

Directions

• While pasta is cooking, saute onion in 1 T of artichoke oil in large skillet. 
• Cut artichokes into fourths and discard remaining oil. 
• Add to skillet: half and half, cheese, artichoke hearts, and beef. Stir until hot. 
• Drain pasta, return to pot and pour mixture over pasta. Toss. 

Serve with: steamed broccoli and garlic bread.

Classic Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 carrots, medium-diced (1 cup)
3/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 quarts chicken stock
2 cups wide egg noodles
2-3 cups cooked shredded chicken
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions:

• In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
•  Add the carrots, salt and pepper and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
• Pour in the stock and bring to a boil over high heat. 
• Add the noodles and cook for 10 minutes, then add the chicken and parsley. 
• Continue cooking until the chicken is heated through and serve immediately.

Spaghetti & Meatballs (The Minimal Prep Version)

Here's yet another of my minimal prep, uber cheap dinners for nights when we have a lot going on, but still want to take the time to sit at the table together. Plus, its one of Abby and Carson's favorite meals. Sometimes, I do it all homemade, but I like to have these things on hand for the nights when I don't have the time to make meatballs and sauce.

Ingredients
Whole wheat pasta (I like Market Pantry at Target) ($1)
1 jar pasta sauce (I like Market Pantry at Target) ($1.32)
1/2-1 bag Fully Cooked Italian Meatballs (Beef or Turkey) from HEB ($2.98)

1 bag steamable vegetables (green beans or broccoli) or an easy salad ($2 or less)

Directions
Follow package instructions.

P.S. The above photo is from our Back to School Dinner in 2010, and annual tradition in our house, and no, my son is not drinking wine. It's sparkling grape juice!

Coconut Rice

I love rice. But unless it's the instant variety, I'm not so good at making it. I somehow always over or under cook it. I hear that a rice cooker is the way to go, but I haven't been able to justify spending the extra money. So the other day, I did some research in order to improve my skills, and I discovered that I can cook rice in the crock pot! Then I decided to get creative and see if I could do something fancy with it, and I made coconut rice. And it turned out good! (Hear the shock in my voice?) And, while it tastes fancy, between you and me, it's quite easy to make!

Ingredients

1 c. Jasmine or Basmati Rice
1 c. Lite coconut milk (or more if you want. You just need 2 cups liquid total between the coconut milk and water.)
1 c. Water
1 T. butter
Salt to taste
Cilantro (optional)

Crock Pot Directions
Rub butter on inside of crock pot. Pour rice, coconut milk, water, and salt in crock pot. Turn to high and cook 1 1/2 to 2 hours (or low for 3-4 hours). Garnish with chopped cilantro if desired. Serve and enjoy!

Stove Top Directions
Bring Coconut Milk and Water to a boil. Add salt and butter. When boiling, add rice. Lower heat and let simmer for 15 minutes. Fluff and serve!

Asian Pork Loin Dinner

Sometimes I just don't feel like cooking a whole meal from scratch, so I'm always looking for easy to prep items that can be ready in a short amount of time BUT ARE STILL HEALTHY. We all know how hard this can be, so I thought I'd share one of my favorites.

Ingredients
Artisan Fresh Sweet Thai Style Chili Pork Loin Filet
Taylor Farms Asian Chopped Salad
Crock Pot Coconut Rice

Directions

1. A couple hours before dinner, begin the coconut rice in the crock pot.
2. Cook Pork Loin. Option 1: Grill it. Option 2: Sear in cast iron skillet on all sides and then finish cooking in the oven.
3. While pork is cooking, cut bag of salad open. Dump salad in a bowl.
4. Serve.

Flank Steak Fajitas

I got this recipe from one of my favorite blogs, 100 Days of Real Food, and not only is it tasty, but it's easy too. I love being able to throw something in the crock pot mid-day and not having to worry about it.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ lbs flank steak
• 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce, preferably the low-sodium variety
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 – 5 bell peppers, any color
• 1 onion
• Other fajita fixings: Whole-wheat tortillas, grated cheese, fresh sliced avocado, cilantro, lime slices, salsa, sour cream, etc.

Directions

1. Mix together the dry spices with a fork including the chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper.
2. Rub the spice mixture over all sides of the flank steak and place it in the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle the soy sauce on top.
3. Top the flank steak with the diced jalapeno and minced garlic. Slice the bell peppers and onion and throw those on top of the steak as well.
4. Turn the slow cooker onto HIGH and cook for 5 – 6 hours or until the steak can easily be shredded with two forks.
5. Drain the meat and peppers well then serve with the recommended fajita “fixings” (listed above). Enjoy!