Hello to everybody!
Sorry that I have been silent on here for the past few days. Honestly, when Craig is out of town cooking comes to a complete halt. But yippee-Craig will be home this afternoon. I knew that I had a ton of stuff today(laundry, dusting, floors-you get the point) so when I planned out my grocery shopping yesterday I took that into account!
So tonight dinner is in the crock-pot! It's already in there!!! Tonight is Chicken Cacciatore! Here's the low down on this super simple meal!!!
BTW-I am still cranking the tunes cause along with not be able to cook without music, I also cannot clean without some beats!
I've dragged out my iPod-so the selection is ALL over the place!!
Anywho, here is what you are really here for(I know you!)
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
Ingredients:
1/4 cup zesty italian dressing
1lb chicken breast
1/2 lb fresh mushrooms-sliced makes about 2 cups
1 medium onon-coarsely chopped
1/2 each. red & green bell pepper sliced
1/4 tbsp garlic minced
1 can(14.5) ozs crushed tomatoes
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried thyme leaves
3 cups instant rice
Directions:
Put the igredients listed above into the slow-cooker on low-6-8 hours or high for 5 hours.
Once the chicken is cooked through, cooked rice as directed on the package. Serve the chicken mixture over the rice.
SEE I TOLD YOU-SUPER SIMPLE!!!!
Hints: Becuase I know I will be making pepper steak tomorrow night while I was cutting the pepper up for this dinner, I cut the other halves of the peppers and put them into baggies for tomorrow night!
Also, I used the already minced jar of garlic that you can find in the produce section of your grocery store!
Off to get chores done, and all the while I will be able to smell this yummy dinner cooking in the slow cooker!
Enjoy & of course CHEERS!!!!
Erica
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
It's Friday!!! Hip!Hip!Hooray!!!!
It's Friday-need I say anymore??? Well I guess I should since this is a blog and that would be a really short read!
Sorry for the "silent" treatment the last few days. I haven't made anything earth shattering the last few days. Sadly, this is the norm when Craig is out of town. I will be glad when Chloe can start eating what we eat, then I can cook for the 2 of us when Craig is gone!
Last night's dinner was pizza delievered to my door! I love delivery-my lazy self loves living close to places that deliver. Now I just need to find a chinese food restaturant that delivers. On second thought it's probably better that I don't!!!
In the next few weeks my menu choices will be changing, not that I cook a lot of fatty foods, but I need to lose more weight, and some of my choices in food aren't helping the situation!
If it's helps I might even give you the calorie count on the meal that I prepare! I found a really great book that has yummy receipes in them, but are lowers in calories. In fact some of the recipes that I've made recently came out of this book! More on that later!
Well gotta run-too much to do and not enough hours in the day!
Cheers!
Erica
Sorry for the "silent" treatment the last few days. I haven't made anything earth shattering the last few days. Sadly, this is the norm when Craig is out of town. I will be glad when Chloe can start eating what we eat, then I can cook for the 2 of us when Craig is gone!
Last night's dinner was pizza delievered to my door! I love delivery-my lazy self loves living close to places that deliver. Now I just need to find a chinese food restaturant that delivers. On second thought it's probably better that I don't!!!
In the next few weeks my menu choices will be changing, not that I cook a lot of fatty foods, but I need to lose more weight, and some of my choices in food aren't helping the situation!
If it's helps I might even give you the calorie count on the meal that I prepare! I found a really great book that has yummy receipes in them, but are lowers in calories. In fact some of the recipes that I've made recently came out of this book! More on that later!
Well gotta run-too much to do and not enough hours in the day!
Cheers!
Erica
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Reheat Tuesday night!
Hellooooo Tuesday night! So today was almost identical to yesterday! Only difference, I'm not cooking tonight. Nope, you can't make me do it!!! LOL!
Craig is out of town for work, so I figured I made enough last night to just re-heat and eat tonight! I know, smart girl :-)
I knew I wasn't go to feel like cooking tonight. Whenever Craig is out of town, I have a hard time cooking. It's just not as enjoybale to cook for 1!!!
So sadly tonight I do not have a recipe to share with you fine folks out there! But fear not-I still have a glass of wine.
Tonight the wine of choice is...(DRUMROLL PLEAASE!!!)....Cararra Semillion Chardonnay...yummy!
Well party people off I go to enjoy my night with my little monkey!
Craig is out of town for work, so I figured I made enough last night to just re-heat and eat tonight! I know, smart girl :-)
I knew I wasn't go to feel like cooking tonight. Whenever Craig is out of town, I have a hard time cooking. It's just not as enjoybale to cook for 1!!!
So sadly tonight I do not have a recipe to share with you fine folks out there! But fear not-I still have a glass of wine.
Tonight the wine of choice is...(DRUMROLL PLEAASE!!!)....Cararra Semillion Chardonnay...yummy!
Well party people off I go to enjoy my night with my little monkey!
Monday, January 17, 2011
MMMM! Monday night!! Chicken Penne Pasta!
Evening all!!! So it's that dreaded day of the week-MONDAY! But I will say for a Monday, my day wasn't all that bad. It was long, but I had plenty to do-so Yay! for that.
Craig is going out of town tomorrow for work, and has been stuck at the airport all day working on the camera install for the plane they have to use for the job. Needless to say, he is worn out and is looking forward to dinner! He said to call him when it's almost ready-so no can chili for him!!! Tonight's menu is Chicken Penne Pasta-it has become one of our favorites, and it's ready in 30 minutes!
Music: A little of the hard stuff tonight-some old skool tunes GNR(Guns N Roses!)-welcome to the our jungle indeed!!!
Wine: I haven't even gotten that far-WTH??!! I will come back to that one!
So here it is-the main event.....
Chicken Penne Pasta
Ingredients:
8 ounces uncooked penne pasta
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into 1/2 in. pieces
1 small green pepper chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove minced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup fresh sliced mushrooms
1 8oz jar marinara sauce
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/3 cup shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
Directions:
Cook pasta according to the package directions, drain. In a large non-stick skillet stir-fry the chicken, pepper, onion and garlic in the oil until the chicken is no longer pink. Add the pasta, mushrooms, sauce and italian seasoning. Heat through about 10 minutes on medium. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with cheese-let stand until the cheeses is melted! MMMM!!!
This has become a favorite of mine-it's quick and easy. You can cut down on the cutting by buying pre-sliced mushrooms, and the jar of minced garlic that you can find in the produce section!
Recommended accompainments:
Garlic Bread.
We are also have in a small slice of key lime pie after cause it's Monday and I say why the heack not!!!!
CHEERS!!!!
Erica
Craig is going out of town tomorrow for work, and has been stuck at the airport all day working on the camera install for the plane they have to use for the job. Needless to say, he is worn out and is looking forward to dinner! He said to call him when it's almost ready-so no can chili for him!!! Tonight's menu is Chicken Penne Pasta-it has become one of our favorites, and it's ready in 30 minutes!
Music: A little of the hard stuff tonight-some old skool tunes GNR(Guns N Roses!)-welcome to the our jungle indeed!!!
Wine: I haven't even gotten that far-WTH??!! I will come back to that one!
So here it is-the main event.....
Chicken Penne Pasta
Ingredients:
8 ounces uncooked penne pasta
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into 1/2 in. pieces
1 small green pepper chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove minced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup fresh sliced mushrooms
1 8oz jar marinara sauce
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/3 cup shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
Directions:
Cook pasta according to the package directions, drain. In a large non-stick skillet stir-fry the chicken, pepper, onion and garlic in the oil until the chicken is no longer pink. Add the pasta, mushrooms, sauce and italian seasoning. Heat through about 10 minutes on medium. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with cheese-let stand until the cheeses is melted! MMMM!!!
This has become a favorite of mine-it's quick and easy. You can cut down on the cutting by buying pre-sliced mushrooms, and the jar of minced garlic that you can find in the produce section!
Recommended accompainments:
Garlic Bread.
We are also have in a small slice of key lime pie after cause it's Monday and I say why the heack not!!!!
Erica
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sunday night dinner!!! Sweitzer style!
Okay first of all I don't know how to define Sweitzer style-I guess if I had to define it would be easy??? So let's just go with that shall we??
Anywho, Sunday night dinner in my house is always a little bit more involved but still quick and easy. I prefer to use Sunday to slow cook, or let something cook in the oven, These are things I tend to stay away from during the week for obvious reasons. But if you are new to this blog, then the reasons are as follows:
1. I just don't want to be chained to my stove after working all day.
2. I have a 10 month old-enough said!
3. Sometimes Craig travels for work, and I am not interested in making a big involved meal if he isn't going to be here to enjoy it!
So there you go!
So where was I, oh yes dinner for tonight!
I am going old school with Meatloaf and Potatoes but with a little twist!
My meatloaf is far from dry-it's moist and full of flavor! As for the potatoes-well I try to stay away from mashed potatoes, not because I don't like them. 2 reasons they aren't at the top of my list-well I cooked them a lot before Craig, and I don't have a proper masher to make them true mashed potatoes. So I make something a little bit different, but still yummy!
Music: Tonight is a compliation of music that I put on CD's. 80's music and anything to get my toes tapping!
Wine: I haven't opened the wine for tonight just yet. But since we are having beef, something a little bit heartier was in order. Tonight's will be Woodbridge Shiraz!
So without further ado-I give you Sunday night dinner-Sweitzer Style!!
Meatloaf with Potatoes w/ Green Beans, and Creamy Garlic Pasta
Meatloaf
Ingredients:
1 Envelope of Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion Soup Mix
2 Lbs. extra lean Ground Beef(I prefer a 96/4)
3/4 cup plain bread crumbs
2 eggs
3/4 cup water
1/3 cup ketchup
Directions:
Preheat over to 350. Combine all of the above ingredients in a large bowl.
Shape into a loaf and put into a 13x9 in. baking or roasting pan
Bake uncovered 1 hour or until done.
Let stand 10 minutes before serving
Potatoes w/Green Beans
Ingredients:
1 16oz can of cut green beans
1/3 cup water
6 potatoes cut into wedges(use whatever type of potatoe your prefer)
1 tbsp onion powder
1/2 cup fat-free Italian salad dressing
Directions:
Place the potatoes in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 5-7 minutes or until tender. Open the can of green beans place in a microwaveable bowl with the water and heat for 5 minutes in the microwave. Drain the potatoes and green beans and place in a bowl. Add the onion powder and dressing; toss to coat! Serve and enjoy!
Lastly, the Creamy Garlic Pasta-this one comes courtesy of the Lipton people! I am all about making something good, and taking a short cut here and there. This is one of them. This is a pouch of Lipton's Creamy Garlic Pasta. You can find these in the noodles aisle of your local grocery store.
So there you go-easy, peasy!!!
Cheers!
Anywho, Sunday night dinner in my house is always a little bit more involved but still quick and easy. I prefer to use Sunday to slow cook, or let something cook in the oven, These are things I tend to stay away from during the week for obvious reasons. But if you are new to this blog, then the reasons are as follows:
1. I just don't want to be chained to my stove after working all day.
2. I have a 10 month old-enough said!
3. Sometimes Craig travels for work, and I am not interested in making a big involved meal if he isn't going to be here to enjoy it!
So there you go!
So where was I, oh yes dinner for tonight!
I am going old school with Meatloaf and Potatoes but with a little twist!
My meatloaf is far from dry-it's moist and full of flavor! As for the potatoes-well I try to stay away from mashed potatoes, not because I don't like them. 2 reasons they aren't at the top of my list-well I cooked them a lot before Craig, and I don't have a proper masher to make them true mashed potatoes. So I make something a little bit different, but still yummy!
Music: Tonight is a compliation of music that I put on CD's. 80's music and anything to get my toes tapping!
Wine: I haven't opened the wine for tonight just yet. But since we are having beef, something a little bit heartier was in order. Tonight's will be Woodbridge Shiraz!
So without further ado-I give you Sunday night dinner-Sweitzer Style!!
Meatloaf with Potatoes w/ Green Beans, and Creamy Garlic Pasta
Meatloaf
Ingredients:
1 Envelope of Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion Soup Mix
2 Lbs. extra lean Ground Beef(I prefer a 96/4)
3/4 cup plain bread crumbs
2 eggs
3/4 cup water
1/3 cup ketchup
Directions:
Preheat over to 350. Combine all of the above ingredients in a large bowl.
Shape into a loaf and put into a 13x9 in. baking or roasting pan
Bake uncovered 1 hour or until done.
Let stand 10 minutes before serving
Potatoes w/Green Beans
Ingredients:
1 16oz can of cut green beans
1/3 cup water
6 potatoes cut into wedges(use whatever type of potatoe your prefer)
1 tbsp onion powder
1/2 cup fat-free Italian salad dressing
Directions:
Place the potatoes in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 5-7 minutes or until tender. Open the can of green beans place in a microwaveable bowl with the water and heat for 5 minutes in the microwave. Drain the potatoes and green beans and place in a bowl. Add the onion powder and dressing; toss to coat! Serve and enjoy!
Lastly, the Creamy Garlic Pasta-this one comes courtesy of the Lipton people! I am all about making something good, and taking a short cut here and there. This is one of them. This is a pouch of Lipton's Creamy Garlic Pasta. You can find these in the noodles aisle of your local grocery store.A great accompainment for this one would be some French bread!!
So there you go-easy, peasy!!!
Cheers!
So what Sunday!!!
This is what I'm saying so what to today!
- So what if I don't feel like doing the laundry today-I'm still gonna do it because I'm almost out of clean underwear-but I'm not gonna like doing it!
- So what if I look forward to what I'm going to be cooking for dinner later! Goals people-gotta have a goal! Mine is to have something yummy to eat!
- So what if I'm also looking forward to a respectable time when I can start having my adult beverages! It's 5 o'clock somewhere right??!! CHEERS!
- So what if I kinda sorta look forward to work-it's not that bad of a job and it keeps me busy!
It's Sunday-lazy day so what about you????
Saturday Night is alright!!! CHICKEN PICATTA!
So here it is!! My first recipe post!!
Saturday night in my house is slightly more relaxed, so dinner tends to be more relaxed as well!!!
Let me breakdown preparations and dinner as a whole!
Whenever I cook I HAVE to have music playing in the background. I cannot cook in complete and total silence. Additionally, I like to have a glass of wine while I am cooking!!
So here is last night's dinner breakdown!
Music: A random shuffle of Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Def Leppard and The Little River band. I know it's a weird combination but it's keeps me hoppin while I'm choppin!!
Wine: Mondavi Pinot Grigio. This is a light, crisp wine that doesn't overpower the dish!
This one takes 15 minutes for prep, and 25 minutes of cook time!
So without further ado-Chicken Picatta!!!
Chicken Picatta
Ingredients:
1 4-pack boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and Pepper
2 Cups All purpose flour-for dredging
6 tbsp. unsalted butter
5 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup chicken stock or chicken broth
1/4 cup brined capers
1/3 cup parsley-chopped(optional)
1 package angel hair or spaghetti
Directions:
Season Chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess.
In a large 10-12in skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tbsp. butter with 3 tbsp of olive oil. Once the butter and oilve oil begin to sizzle add 2 pieces of the chicken and cook for 3 minutes. Once browned, flip over and cook for 3 minutes. Remove and transfer to a plate. Melta 2 more tbsp. of butter and another 3 tbsp of olive oil. When butter and oil being to sizzle add the other 2 pieces of chicken and brown both sides in the same manner. Remove pan from heat and add chicken to the plate.
In a large stockpot boil water with 1/4 tsp of salt. Once the water is to a rolling boil add your preferred pasta and cook until al dente.
Reduce heat to medium-low and add the lemon juice, stock and capers. Return to stove and bring to a boil scraping up bits from the pan for extra flavor. Check for seasoning. Return all the chicken to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes-check that chicken if cooked all the way through. Remove chicken to platter. Add the remaining 2 tbsp. of butter to the sauce and whisk vigorously. Plate you pasta with chicken on top and pour the sauce on top. Garnish with parsley if desired!
Some accompainments to this dish!
Light Caesar Salad
Rustic Italian bread or Garlic bread.
Enjoy this light and yummy meal!!!!
Saturday night in my house is slightly more relaxed, so dinner tends to be more relaxed as well!!!
Let me breakdown preparations and dinner as a whole!
Whenever I cook I HAVE to have music playing in the background. I cannot cook in complete and total silence. Additionally, I like to have a glass of wine while I am cooking!!
So here is last night's dinner breakdown!
Music: A random shuffle of Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Def Leppard and The Little River band. I know it's a weird combination but it's keeps me hoppin while I'm choppin!!
Wine: Mondavi Pinot Grigio. This is a light, crisp wine that doesn't overpower the dish!
This one takes 15 minutes for prep, and 25 minutes of cook time!
So without further ado-Chicken Picatta!!!
Chicken Picatta
Ingredients:
1 4-pack boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and Pepper
2 Cups All purpose flour-for dredging
6 tbsp. unsalted butter
5 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup chicken stock or chicken broth
1/4 cup brined capers
1/3 cup parsley-chopped(optional)
1 package angel hair or spaghetti
Directions:
Season Chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess.
In a large 10-12in skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tbsp. butter with 3 tbsp of olive oil. Once the butter and oilve oil begin to sizzle add 2 pieces of the chicken and cook for 3 minutes. Once browned, flip over and cook for 3 minutes. Remove and transfer to a plate. Melta 2 more tbsp. of butter and another 3 tbsp of olive oil. When butter and oil being to sizzle add the other 2 pieces of chicken and brown both sides in the same manner. Remove pan from heat and add chicken to the plate.
In a large stockpot boil water with 1/4 tsp of salt. Once the water is to a rolling boil add your preferred pasta and cook until al dente.
Reduce heat to medium-low and add the lemon juice, stock and capers. Return to stove and bring to a boil scraping up bits from the pan for extra flavor. Check for seasoning. Return all the chicken to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes-check that chicken if cooked all the way through. Remove chicken to platter. Add the remaining 2 tbsp. of butter to the sauce and whisk vigorously. Plate you pasta with chicken on top and pour the sauce on top. Garnish with parsley if desired!
Some accompainments to this dish!
Light Caesar Salad
Rustic Italian bread or Garlic bread.
Enjoy this light and yummy meal!!!!
And so it begins!
Here I am posting my first blog!!! Let me start out by saying that I am probably one of the LEAST creative people you will ever mmet, so for me to do a blog is something out of my league! BUT I have been asked by many of my friends to post the yummy and delicious recipes that I use to creat my dinners! So thus the reason for this blog!!!
Hopefully I won't screw this things up tooo much! Please be patient with me as I figure out the world of blogging, and all that it entails!
Now let the blogging begin!!!
Hopefully I won't screw this things up tooo much! Please be patient with me as I figure out the world of blogging, and all that it entails!
Now let the blogging begin!!!
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