Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Every Day Stir Fry

I eat this for lunch almost every day.  Can't get enough!!  I make a huge pan of it and eat it for a few days.  I think it tastes better the next day.

Onion
Garlic
Carrots (steam for a few minutes first, to soften)
Broccoli
Zucchini
Peas (frozen is fine)
Cabbage
Kale
Swiss chard
Brussels Sprouts, thinly sliced
Pretty much any veggies you like!  Spinach, red cabbage, celery, asparagus, sugar snap peas...it's all good!!!

Saute over med heat in some olive oil until everything is tender.  Sprinkle with desired seasoning (I like chicken seasoning) and s&p.  Serve over basmati or brown rice or over the toasted millet/quinoa.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Simple White Gravy

1 cup milk
1 TB butter

Bring to a slow boil.

Whisk in about 3 TB flour, until desired thickness.

Add s&p and serve immediately.

***
My friend Staci gave me this recipe.  The best way to serve this is to toast a piece of whole wheat bread (recipe below) and place a fried or poached egg on top.  Pour gravy over top and a small pat of butter.  YUM, best breakfast ever!

Simple Whole Wheat Bread

2 1/2 cups warm water
3 tsp yeast
3 TB sugar

Combine in mixing bowl and let sit for several minutes.  Then add:

3 tsp salt
3 TB melted butter

Turn on mixer and slowly add 6 cups whole wheat flour.  Dough should pull completely away from the bowl by the end.  Let the mixer knead (or do it by hand) for about 8 minutes.

Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let rise for about an hour.  Punch down dough, divide into two loaves.  Place into greased bread pans and let rise again.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

***
This is my new go-to bread recipe.  It is simple, quick and delicious!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Meaty Spaghetti Sauce

1 lb beef
1/2 onion, diced
2 cans tomato sauce (8 oz each)
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp thyme
Black pepper
1/2 tsp basil

Cook beef and onion.  Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 20-30 min.  Serve over pasta.

Secret Enchiladas

INGREDIENTS:

Nonstick cooking spray
1 Tbl olive oil
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cubed (about 3/4 lb)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp pepper
3/4 cup carrot puree OR sweet potato puree
1/4 cup fat-free sour cream
1 cup shredded, reduced fat (2%) cheddar cheese or part-skim mozarella, divided
6-10 whole wheat flour tortillas
1/2 cup spinach puree (I used fresh spinach...it wilts down in the oven anyway)
1/2 cup mild tomato salsa

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350
Coat 9 by 13 inch pan in nonstick cooking spray
Warm the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat
Sprinkle the chicken pieces with garlic powder and pepper
Cook the chicken in the pan 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is cooked through and no longer pink in the middle
Take the pan off the heat and mix in the carrot OR sweet potato puree, sour cream, and HALF the cheese in the skillet
Fill each tortilla with the chicken mixture and roll up
Place seam side down in baking dish
Dot the tops of each enchilada with the spinach puree (or sprinkle the middle with fresh spinach like I did)
Spoon the salsa over the spinach and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese
Cover with foil and bake for about 30-40 minutes or until the cheese melts and the filling is hot.

***
My friend Natalie gave me this recipe.  To make the carrot puree, steam some carrots until soft, then puree in a blender with some of the steaming water.  These tasted really good!  No need for enchilada sauce, which was great because Cam doesn't like it.  My kids gobbled them up!  The "secret" carrots were never detected!  I want to try the sweet potato next.