Coconut Curry Jasmine Rice

This is amazing. I double it because I could probably eat the whole pot by myself. Seriously. It's that good.


2 T. butter
1 small onion, chopped
2 t. curry powder
1 C. jasmine rice
1/3 C. golden raisins
1 C. coconut milk
1/2 C. vegetable broth
1/2 C. water
1/2 t. salt
1 bay leaf

Melt butter in med. saucepan. Add onion and saute until tender. Add curry powder and rice; cook 2 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove bay leaf. 

Basil Balsamic Roasted Chicken with Tomatoes and Goat Cheese

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts.
olive oil
salt and pepper
1 lb. plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise
4 T. balsamic vinegar
4 garlic cloves, chopped
10 oz. whole-wheat spaghetti
6 oz. goat cheese, crumbled
6 T. chopped fresh basil

Preheat oven to 350 F. Drizzle chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat an ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat and brown chicken 2-3 minutes on each side; remove from heat. Add tomatoes to skillet, and drizzle tomatoes and chicken with 1 T olive oil and vinegar. Sprinkle with chopped garlic, salt and pepper. Transfer skillet to oven and cook 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is done. Cook pasta according to package instructions, drain, and keep warm. When chicken is done, remove skillet from oven. Remove chicken breasts to a cutting board and cut into bite-size pieces. Toss hot pasta with tomatoes and chicken. Top with goat cheese and fresh basil, and drizzle with pan juices from skillet.

Banana Muffins

3-4 overripe bananas
1/2 C. sugar
1/3 C. melted butter
1 egg
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
1 1/4 C. whole wheat flour
1/2 C. rolled oats
1/3 C. pecans or walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350

Mash bananas in a large bowl. Add sugar, melted butter and egg until combined. Mix in cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, flour, oats and nuts until moistened. Pour mixture into greased muffin tins. Bake 20-25 min or until toothpick comes out clean. 
Makes 12 regular size muffins or 36 mini.

Kale Chips

So, these are super weird, but also kind of delicious. If you love kale as much as I do, this is a crunchy way to eat it.

1 bunch fresh kale, chopped into 1" pieces
olive oil
salt and pepper

Heat oven to 400 F. Toss kale with olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread onto a baking sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until crisp.

Cream Cheese Pinwheels

My friend, Angel, made these for a super bowl party a few years ago and I fell in love. I don't have the exact measurements of the ingredients, so just mix the amounts you want to the flavor you want.

Flour Tortillas
Cream Cheese
Craisins
Green Onions

Soften Cream cheese to room temperature. Dice green onions and cut craisins up a little bit. Mix them together with the cream cheese. Spread on tortilla. Roll it up. Cut it into little pinwheels. Serve chilled.

Spicy Arugula and Red Pepper Pizza

1/2 lb. arugula
2 cloves garlic, sliced
8 oz. whole wheat pizza dough (or a Boboli crust)
2 T. roasted red pepper pesto (or regular basil pesto)
1 t. dried chili flakes
2 oz. goat cheese

Heat oven to 450 F. Heat olive oil in skillet. Add garlic and cook until slightly browned. Add arugula and continue to saute for an additional 5 minutes. Roll pizza dough onto a floured surface. Spread pesto onto dough. Top with arugula, chili flakes, salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and top with goat cheese. Bake on a pizza stone or bottom oven rack for 12-15 minutes.

Coconut Chicken Curry

2 T. oil
4 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 Med. potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 med onion, sliced 1 (14 oz) can coconut milk
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
1 1/2 t. curry powder (or to taste)
1 C. chicken broth
1 (10 oz) pkg. frozen peas
coconut
Heat oil in fry pan. Add chicken, browning on both sides. Put potatoes and onions in crock pot, put chicken on top. Combine all other ingredients- Except peas. Add to pot. Cover, cook on low 6-8 hrs.
A half hour before serving, add the peas. Sprinkle with coconut and serve over rice or pasta. 

Sweet and Tangy Pasta Salad

I LOVE pasta salad. This is one of my all time favorite recipes.

16 oz. Penne pasta: cooked, drained, and chilled
1 med. red onion: diced
1 cucumber: diced
1 tomato: diced
2 Tbsp. fresh parsley
1 green pepper: diced
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 tsp. ground mustard
1 tsp. garlic salt
2 Tbsp. oil

Heat vinegar and sugar over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Add remaining dry ingredients, whisk together. Allow to cool. Toss over chilled pasta and chopped vegetables. Chill until ready to serve.

Sun-dried Tomato Goat Cheese Spread

1/3 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
2 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
1 Tbls minced fresh basil
1 Tbls minced fresh parsley
8 oz fresh goat cheese, cubed

Drain tomatoes, reserving 2 tsp oil. In food processor, combine garlic, basil, and parsley and process until blended. Add goat cheese and reserved oil and tomatoes. Process until smooth and chill. Serve with crackers.

German Pancakes

We eat these probably twice a week. I like to justify this by thinking about what a great source of protein they are. They are so simple that it's probably silly of me to even be posting this. Cait tells me her german pancakes have 3 times the amount of butter as these, so those might be better.

Ingredients:
2 T. butter
6 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
1 t. salt
1 (generous) t. vanilla
some cinnamon-sugar, if you like things that are delicious

Instructions:
Heat oven to 400 F. Place butter in baking dish; melt in the oven. Meanwhile, whip the other ingredients together until smooth. Pour into dish. Bake 20 minutes.

Chili-Lime Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

• Chili-Lime Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

• 
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• 1 butternut squash (about 2 pounds), peeled, halved, seeded, and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch slices
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper
• 3 tablespoons lime juice (from 2 limes)
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 3/4 teaspoon honey
• 2 hearts romaine lettuce, leaves separated, larger leaves torn
• 1/4 cup toasted pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds)
• 3/4 cup crumbled Cotija cheese (3 ounces)   {I used gorgonzola and it was yummy}

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss squash with 1 tablespoon oil and arrange in a single layer. Sprinkle with chili powder and season with salt and pepper. Bake until soft and lightly golden, 20 to 25 minutes.
2. Whisk together lime juice, cilantro, honey, and remaining 3 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper. Arrange romaine on a platter, then top with squash, pepitas, and Cotija; drizzle with dressing.
   
   
   Source:  http://www.marthastewart.com/952447/chili-lime-roasted-butternut-salad

Carmelized Onion and Garlic Pasta

1/4 cup butter
2 large sweet onions, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/8 tsp salt
8 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups grape tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
16 oz angel hair pasta
9 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
2/3 cup shredded fresh parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp pepper
fresh basil leaves, optional

In a large skillet over med-high heat, melt butter. Add onions, pepper flakes, and salt; saute until onions are tender. Stir in garlic. Reduce heat to med-low; cook, stirring occasionally, for 30-40 minutes or until onions are deep golden brown.

Add tomatoes, vinegar, and 2 Tbls oil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and toss with onion mixture.  Drizzle with remaining oil. Sprinkle with bacon, cheese, and pepper, and heat through. Garnish with basil.

Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Sauce, and Wilted Spinach with Red Pepper

This is a new recipe to us and I'm still fiddling with the sauce (as well as trying to figure out the cooking of meat; normally I just turn it over to David). But anyway, it's dang yummy and I think healthy, too?

Ingredients for Pork and Sauce:
1 1/2 lb. pork tenderloin
olive oil
1/2 c. balsamic vinegar
1/2 c. orange juice
3 T. butter
salt and pepper

Instructions:
Heat oven to 375 F. Season pork with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Brown pork for 2 minutes per side. Place in oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. In a small saucepan, cook balsamic vinegar over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add orange juice; stir until combined. Stir in butter and season with salt and pepper.

Ingredients for Spinach:
2 T. olive oil
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
12 oz. fresh baby spinach
salt and pepper
juice of 1/2 a lemon

Instructions:
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-highheat. Add bell pepper and saute 6-7 minutes, or until soft. Add garlic and saute for 1 minute. Add spinach and cook until wilted (you may need to add extra olive oil at this point.) Add salt and pepper to taste. Finish by squeezing lemon juice over top.

Serve pork on a bed of spinach. Top with balsamic sauce.

Roasted Asparagus

ROASTED ASPARAGUS

2 bunches asparagus
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground pepper
1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

Preheat oven to 475. Snap off ends of asparagus. Toss with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss well. Arrange in an even layer in a shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and bake until asparagus is crisp-tender and cheese is browned (about 10 minutes). Sprinkle with lemon juice. Serve hot or warm.

Tofu Peanut Sauce Pasta

This is so good. Super easy and really yummy cold for packing in lunches, too. If you are not a tofu fan, you could easily add another protein.

1 C. broth
1/2 C. peanut butter
1/2 C. soy sauce
6 T. brown sugar
4 T. rice vinegar
3 t. grated, peeled fresh ginger
2 t. chili paste with garlic (or to taste)
6 garlic cloves, minced
16 oz. fettuccine or angel hair pasta
2 lbs. firm tofu, drained and cubed
2 C. shredded carrots
1 1/2 C. sliced green onions

Combine first 8 ingredients in saucepan. Cook over med heat and stir often until smooth, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
Cook pasta in water 8 minutes, add tofu, carrots and onion into boiling water, drain. place pasta mix in bowl and toss with peanut sauce.

Sauteed Spinach with Basil

There really isn't a wrong way to eat spinach - it's the best veg out there - but this is especially tasty!

2 tsp olive oil

4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1/3 cup (2 oz) pine nuts

10 oz fresh spinach leaves

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

2 cups fresh basil leaves

Heat the oil in a large skillet over med-low heat. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add nuts and cook until lightly golden, about 3 minutes. Increase heat to medium and add the spinach, salt, pepper, and 2 Tbls water. Cover and cook, tossing occasionally with tongs, until spiinach wilts, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Add basil and toss until it wilts. Serve immediately.

Vegetarian Enchiladas

Ingredients:

8 flour tortillas
1 c. brown rice, cooked
1 med. zucchini, grated
2 carrots, grated
1/2 cup. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup. plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
1/2 t. salt
1 t. olive oil
1/2 onion, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
2 T. butter
2 T. flour
1 c. milk
2/3 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Cook rice according to package directions. Combine zucchini, carrot, Monterey Jack cheese, cooked rice, yogurt (or sour cream) and salt. In a skillet, heat oil; add onion and jalapeno; cook for 5 minutes. Add to rice mixture. Fill tortillas evenly with rice mixture. Roll up and place in a greased 9" x 13" baking dish. Melt butter in a small saucepan. Add flour and stir to make a roux. Add milk and stir constantly over low heat until sauce forms. Add cheddar cheese and stir until melted. Pour sauce over enchiladas. If you're into tomatoes, you can top this with a chopped tomato (but, gross). Cook enchiladas for 10 - 15 minutes, or until heated through.

NOTES: This recipe involves making two different parts at the same time (the filling and the sauce), so if you have help, this is a good one to double team.

Peachy Short Ribs

This is my Sister-in-Law, Gretchen's, recipe. It is one of Tom's favorite Sunday meals served with Mashed Potatoes.

PEACHY SHORT RIBS



4 lbs. beef short ribs
1 T. oil
1 29 oz. can cling peach halves
3/4 c. syrup from peaches
1/3 c. soy sauce
1/4 c ketchup
1 clove garlic minced - more to taste

Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.

Brown ribs slowly in Dutch Oven, when golden brown on all sides remove from heat.
Sauce - drain peaches (save). In mixing bowl combine peach syrup, soy sauce, ketchup, and garlic. Mix well and pour over browned ribs. Cover with lid and bake at 350 for 1 hour or until tender. Add peaches and return to oven 10 minutes.

Mexican Style Shredded Pork

A great crock pot recipe! We had it on yummy rolls and it made a great sandwich, you could also do it with warm tortillas. I got it from the "Our Best Bites" recipe book, which I love.


4 lb. boneless pork shoulder roast
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
2 T. chili powder
1 t. onion powder
2 T. oil
2 (10 oz) cans enchilada sauce
1 C. brown sugar, divided
1/2 C. salsa
1/2 t. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 C. apple juice


Trim the visible fat from the roast and sprinkle with salt and pepper, chili powder, and onion powder. rub all over roast.
Heat oil in large skillet over med-high. Sear the roast on each side for about 1 min, until browned. While meat is searing, combine the enchilada sauce, 2/3 C. brown sugar, salsa, W sauce and apple juice in crock pot. Add the pork, cover and cook on low for 7 hours with lid on the entire time. Remove pork, shred, discarding fat. Add additional 1/3 C. brown sugar to crock pot and turn on high. Add shredded meat and turn heat to high. Simmer with lid off for 30 minutes.

Gram's Buttermilk Pancakes

Just because I am really missing this lady:

GRAM'S BUTTERMILK PANCAKES

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 egg

2 Tbls oil

2-3 cups buttermilk (add to desired 

consistency - I like ours really runny)

Spicy Shrimp Tacos and Lime Crema with Pineapple Salsa

We tried this for the first time this week and loved it!

Feeds: 6
Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients for Tacos:
12 tortillas (especially good if you get the cook-your-own ones)
1 1/2 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 t. chili powder
1/2 t. cumin
1/8 t. cayenne pepper
3/4 c. plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
juice of 1/2 a lime
3 c. shredded Romaine lettuce
1 c. shredded Monterey Jack cheese (mozzarella is good, too)

Ingredients for Pineapple Salsa:
2 c. diced fresh pineapple (or frozen)
1/2 c. chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 c. chopped red onion
1/2 of a jalepeno pepper, seeded and chopped
zest and juice of 1/2 a lime

Preheat oven to 350 F. Wrap tortillas in aluminum foil and place in oven for 5 - 10 minutes.  Combine shrimp, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne in a large bowl and toss to coat. In a small bowl, stir together yogurt (or sour cream) and lime juice. Heat 1 T. olive oil in a large, nonstick skillet over high heat. Add shrimp and saute for 3 minutes, or until done. Fill tortillas with shrimp and top with lime crema, shredded lettuce, and cheese.

For salsa:
In a large bowl, toss together pineapple, cilantro, red onion, jalapeno, lime zest, lime juice, and salt to taste. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

Creamy Baked Acorn Squash

This came out of Martha Stewart's FOOD magazine. I LOVE these. So yummy and easy.

CREAMY BAKED ACORN SQUASH

2 acorn squash (1 lb. each), halved lengthwise, seeded, and bottoms trimmed to lie flat 

salt and pepper

1/4 cup heavy cream ( I always use a bit more)

8 sprigs thyme

1/2 cup grated Parmesan 

Preheat oven to 375. Place squash halves cut side up on a rimmed baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. Divide cream and thyme among halves. Bake until squash is tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife, 35 to 40 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan and bake until cheese is melted and golden, 10 to 15 minutes more. 

Source: http://www.marthastewart.com/952446/creamy-baked-acorn-squash

Taco Soup

This is the easiest recipe ever.
And it is one that my whole family will eat.

TACO SOUP:

1 can kidney beans
1 can black beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can corn
1 packet of Taco Seasoning Mix (I like to make my own)
1 lb. hamburger cooked (optional)

Taco Seasoning:
1 Tbsp. Chili Powder
2 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp each ground cumin, garlic powder, paprika, powdered oregano, and sugar
1/2 tsp. salt


Put all ingredients together in a crock pot and cook on low for 3 hours.

Serve with Fritos, Cheddar Cheese, Sliced Avacado, and Sour Cream.