We dare not trust our wit for making our house pleasant to our friends, so we buy ice cream --Ralph Waldo Emerson
Friday, December 19, 2014
Roasted Vegetable Enchiladas
Monday, September 26, 2011
Pizza- even better
6 Tbsp warm water
3/4 tsp active dry yeast
1/2 tsp honey
2 Tbsp white wine
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 C all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1.5 C warm water
1 Tbsp yeast
2 tsp honey
½ C white wine
¼ C olive oil
6 C all-purpose flour
4 tsp salt
Directions:
1. Dissolve yeast and honey in warm (100*) water. Let sit till frothy.
2. Measure out flour into large bowl and stir in salt. (I substituted one cup of white whole wheat flour in mine to no ill effect)
3. Add wine and olive oil to water. Add liquids to flour.
4. Use a spatula to stir it all up until it's clumpy, then use your hands to mash it all into a ball, making sure to incorporate all the floury bits.
5. Knead on a lightly floured counter/pizza peel until smooth and mostly uniform in consistency. (This shouldn't take long)
6. Oil the bowl your dough was in, roll the dough in it, and cover with plastic wrap.
7. Let rise until doubled, 1-2 hours.
8. Lightly press the air out of the dough and let it sit for 15 minutes or so while you prep your ingredients. Preheat your oven to 500* with the pizza stone inside it.
9. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface/pizza peel. Fold one side over and sprinkle the surface with cornmeal, then do the other side.
10. Add your toppings, and bake 10 minutes or until everything's browned and bubbly.
Here are some of my favorite topping combos:
For a traditional, tomato sauce pizza, I like to herb my crust. First, I lightly rub it with olive oil. Then I sprinkle on garlic powder, oregano, thyme, and sometimes rosemary. Then, I just use jarred spaghetti sauce and sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top of that rather than making or buying special pizza sauce.
Tomato sauce pizzas:
Fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, tomato slices, and bacon.
Fresh mozzarella, shredded sharp cheddar, bell peppers, red onions, olives, and pepperoni.
1/2 red sauce, half pesto, mozzarella, and italian meats.
White pizzas:
Alfredo, chicken, brocolli, or zucchini
olive oil, goat cheese, pear, caramelized onion. once you cook that, add fresh arugula, and candied pecans.
equal parts ricotta and sour cream, seasoned with salt and pepper, topped with bacon and caramelized onions
Other pizzas:
sour cream and salsa, topped with sharp cheddar cheese, grilled chicken, red onion, and grilled corn. once you cook that, add fresh cilantro and avocado slices
peanut satay sauce topped with mozzarella, grilled chicken, carrots, and onion. top with fresh cilantro.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Greek Chicken Wrap with Tzatziki Herb Yogurt Sauce
2 cups fat-free plain yogurt
1 cup peeled, seeded and diced cucumber
2 tbs chopped fresh dill (we used dried)
1 tbs lemon juice
1 tbs white vinegar
2 tsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp salt (optional)
In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients until blended. Sauce may be made up to 2 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
Wrap:
1 (6 oz) boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 ts light Italian dressing
4 (6 inch) whole wheat pitas
2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 medium tomato, chopped
1/2 cup sliced red onion
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
4 kalamata or black olives,pitted and sliced
Place chicken breast in a plastic bag and add Italian dressing. Let the chicken marinate for 15 minutes; pound using a meat pounder or mallet or the bottom of a skillet, and flatten to about 1/2 inch thickness; and remove chicken.
In a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, cook chicken about 5 minutes per side or until nicely browned and cooked through. Slice chicken thinly against the grain. Set aside. Assemble all other ingredients to your liking.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Roasted Pork Loin with Pearl Onions
from Martha Stewart
Serves 4
- 1 boneless center-cut pork loin roast, (2 pounds)
- Coarse salt and ground pepper
- 3 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 tablespoons plain breadcrumbs
- 1 pound frozen pearl onions, thawed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions
- 1 Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Rub pork with salt, pepper, and 2 teaspoons mustard. On a plate, season breadcrumbs with salt and pepper. Coat top and sides of roast with breadcrumbs, leaving ends uncoated.
- 2 In a 9-by-13-inch roasting pan, toss onions with the oil; season with salt and pepper. Place pork in center of pan; roast 15 minutes. Turn onions; cook 10 minutes. Add 1/4 cup water; stir onions to coat.Continue cooking until onions are caramelized, pork juices run clear, and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of meat registers 140 degrees. 10 to 15 minutes more. Remove pork and onions from pan; let meat rest 20 minutes before slicing.
- 3 While meat is resting, add 1/2 cup water and remaining teaspoon mustard to pan. Cook over medium heat, scraping up browned bits. Stir until sauce is fully blended, 3 to 5 minutes; serve with pork and onions.
Read more at Marthastewart.com: Roasted Pork Loin With Pearl Onions - Martha Stewart Recipes
Monday, December 27, 2010
Seafood Paella
One of the best things we've eaten in weeks. Easy to prepare and different from our usual fare.
I would recommend this in the slow cooker. It was really flavorful that way and I don't think it would be as flavorful with a shorter cooking time.
Also, note that it is 5 TOTAL hours of cooking time, not 4.
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6 servings
Nonstick cooking spray
3/4 cup chopped assorted colored sweet peppers (I used about twice this much)
1/2 cup chopped onion
(I also added some diced carrots)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2-1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup uncooked regular brown rice
1/2 tsp. dried thyme, crushed
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
1/4 tsp. ground turmeric
12 oz. fresh or frozen shrimp in shells, thawed, peeled, deveined, and halved lengthwise
12 oz. tilapia fillets, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1 cup frozen peas
Directions
1. Coat a 3-1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray; add peppers, onion, and garlic and set aside. In a large microwave-safe bowl combine the broth, rice, thyme, crushed red pepper, and turmeric. Microwave on 100% power (high) for 4 minutes or until just boiling. Pour over vegetables in cooker.
2. Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 4 hours. Stir in shrimp, tilapia, and peas. Cover; cook 45 minutes more, stirring once. Remove cooker from liner; let stand, covered, for 10 minutes (fish should flake, shrimp should be opaque, and rice should be tender). Makes 6 servings.
Stovetop Method: In a large skillet heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add sweet peppers, onion, and garlic. Cook and stir for 4 minutes or until tender. Stir in crushed red pepper, turmeric and rice. Cook and stir for 1 minute. Add chicken broth and thyme; bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and cook for 30 minutes. Add shrimp, tilapia, and peas. Cover and cook for 10 minutes more or until rice is tender, shrimp are opaque, and fish flakes. Remove from heat and let stand 10 minutes.
Cheese Burgers
Adapted from Michael David, Comme Ça, Los Angeles
Time: 20 minutes, plus 1 to 2 hours’ chilling
2 pounds ground beef chuck, 80 percent lean
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 tablespoon ketchup
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Pinch of chili powder
1 cup finely shredded iceberg lettuce
4 light brioche buns (see recipe) or other large hamburger buns, split
1/4 pound thinly sliced medium-sharp Cheddar cheese
4 thin onion slices.
1. Lightly shape meat into 4 4-by-1-inch patties, and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours.
2. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a hot fire on a grill, or heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle each burger all over with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and season generously with black pepper. Sear burgers on grill or in skillet for 2 minutes on each side. Transfer burgers to a broiler pan and bake for 4 minutes for medium-rare. Remove pan from oven. Position an oven rack closest to broiler element, and heat broiler to high.
3. In a bowl, whisk mayonnaise with ketchup, cayenne and chili powder, and season with salt and black pepper. Add lettuce and stir to coat. Toast buns. Top burgers with Cheddar and broil until cheese melts, about 30 seconds. Set burgers on bottom buns and top with lettuce and onion slices. Cover with top bun and serve, whole or cut in half.
Yield: 4 to 8 servings.
Chicken Enchiladas
Chicken Enchiladas
8-10 Flour Tortillas
2 (9oz) cans of Enchilada sauce
1/2 lb. Cheddar Cheese grated
1/2 lb. Monterey Jack grated
1/3 cup Green Onions chopped
1/3 cup Black Olives
1/4 cup Cilantro finely chopped
4 Chicken Breasts cooked and shredded
1 large spoonful of Sour cream
Mix cheeses, olives, green onions, cilantro, chicken, sour cream and some of enchilada sauce together in a large bowl. In a shallow dish (pie plate) pour the remaining enchilada sauce and dip tortillas in sauce and fill with filling; wrap up. Place enchiladas in 9x13 pan, top with any remaining sauce and cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Southwest Pasta Salad
I put *asterisks* around ingredients I usually leave out and {brackets} around ingredients I like to add
SOUTHWEST PASTA SALAD
Cook 1 pound tricolor pasta until al dente; do not overcook
In a large bowl, combine the pasta with
½ cup finely chopped red onions
*½ green pepper, finely chopped*
1 cup frozen or canned corn(I just use a whole can of corn)
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 small can chopped green chili peppers (sometimes I leave these out and it's still good)
1 15 oz. can kidney beans, or black beans rinsed and drained (I still use the whole can, even when I half the recipe)
4 ounces cubed or shredded cheese (cheddar, taco mix, or colby jack works well)
{half to a whole avocado}
{one or two tomatoes, or some salsa}
{one or two whole green onions}
{chopped black olives}
{some chicken that I stir fried in garlic powder, chili powder, and oregano)
Whisk together these sauce ingredients in small bowl and then pour over those in the large bowl
3 Tbsp olive oil
3 Tbsp chicken or vegetable broth
5 Tbsp white-wine vinegar
3 Tbsp tomato sauce (or spaghetti sauce)
2 cloves minced garlic
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried oregano
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Slow Cooker Zesty Barbeque Chicken
1 (12 0z) barbeque sauce
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tbs Worcestershire sauce
Place chicken in slow cooker. In a bowl, mix barbeque sauce, salad dressing, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour over chicken. Cover and cook on high 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
We added a bit of corn starch to the sauce after it was cooked. It was a bit running for our taste. The sauce is really good on baked potatoes also.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Layered Chicken and Black Bean Enchilada Casserole

Photo and recipe originally from The Sisters Cafe
I usually have another layered bean casserole I make, but I liked this one a lot more.
8 (6 inch) corn tortillas
2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and spray with vegetable cooking spray.
3. Sauté chicken with cumin and coriander until chicken is cooked through. Transfer to a medium bowl.
4. Stir in the cilantro, black beans, and green chili peppers.
7. Layer the remaining chicken mixture over the tortillas.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Bruschetta 'n Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Shrimp, Avocado, and Mango Salsa Quesadillas
1 small, ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp fresh lime juice
1/2 lb large shrimp (about 12) peeled and deveined
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 small ripe mango, peeled, pitted, and cut into 1/4" dice [We use a whole small mango]
2 scallions (white and light green parts), finely chopped
1 1/2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
2 All-Purpose flatbreads (page 22 of his book) or 8-inch flour tortillas [We use 6 inch tortillas and with those this recipe makes 4-5 quesadillas]
2 oz Monterey Jack cheese, grated (about 3/4 C)
- Heat a panini or sandwich press according to instructions [We only have a small George Foreman grill and that works fine for these or other paninis]
- Place avocado in a small bowl and sprinkle with 1 tsp lime juice. Set aside.
- Place shrimp in a bowl and add olive oil and salt. Toss to coat. Arrange them on the press and cook until pink and just cooked through (2-3 min)
- Carefully remove them and set aside. When cool enough to handle, cut into 1-inch pieces
- Place mango, scallions, cilantro, pepper flakes, and remaining 1 Tbsp lime juice into a bowl and toss to combine.
- Arrange the avocado in one half of each flatbread. Arrange the shrimp on top of the avocado. Spoon the mango salsa on top of the shrimp. Sprinkle with grated cheese. Fold the flatbreads over.
- Put the sandwiches on the press, pull the top down and cook until browned and crisp, 3 to 6 min. Remove from press and serve immediately.
Pad Thai-- Gluten Free

I found this recipe at my friend Marci's dinner blog: On My Menu. She got it from Kill.The.Gluten blog and tweaked it. I like her additions (in italics) and have added my own (*starred*). The ease and deliciousness of this dinner have made it a regular at our house. The photo is from Marci who takes excellent pictures of all her dinners.
Ingredients:
1 box Original Pad Thai
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced thin---season with 1/2 t. each pepper, garlic salt, onion salt and 1 t. curry---*We have used either 1 lb shrimp or a mixture of shrimp and chicken. The shrimp makes it oh so rich.*
3 Tbsp oil, divided---I use 1/2 sesame oil, 1/2 canola or veggie oil---*I used peanut oil*
1 egg, scrambled (we like 2)
2 green onions, sliced
2 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
1 lime...optional (I forgot tonight and it still tasted great)
2 Tbsp peanuts, coarsely chopped
1/2 c. shredded carrots

Directions:
- Boil 4 cups water. Add the noodles and remove from heat. Let the noodles soak for about 5-8 minutes, then drain and run under cold water.
- In a large skillet, heat 1 Tbsp oil. Add egg(s) and cook until done. Remove the egg, chop, and set aside.
- Add the other 2 Tbsp oil and heat. Add the chicken (and carrots) to the skillet, cooking until just done, about 3-5 minutes. *If you're using shrimp, stir fry it 2-3 min on each side until it's done, then remove until the end. If you over cook them, they'll be rubbery*
-Add the noodles and the sauce packet. Stir fry for a few minutes, or until the noodles are done, adding water if necessary to keep them from sticking to the skillet.
- Add the egg, green onions, cilantro, and squeeze the juice from the lime over the top. Stir for 1 minute and remove from heat.
- Garnish with peanuts. (and some soy sauce if desired)
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Curried Shrimp
½ cup White Flour (skip the flour or use corn starch for GFCF)
2 C uncooked Rice : 4 cups of water : 1 tsp salt
1 large Onion, diced
1 large Green pepper, coarsely chopped up
2-3 cans Tomato Soup
Curry Powder (Red Hot Chili Powder is optional: add this to the tomato soup if you want the curry to be spicy)
1-2 T Sugar
4-6 T Butter
Start the rice cooking first.
Melt the butter in a large frying pan. I use one with a non-stick coating. Add onions and cook just until golden. Meanwhile, dredge the shrimp in flour and then LIGHTLY fry in the butter with the onions. Sprinkle the shrimp liberally with curry powder and lightly with sugar. Fry a bit more, turn over and sprinkle second side with the curry powder and sugar. Add the green peppers just before you add the cans of tomato soup so they are not overcooked. Add water as needed to keep the sauce saucy. Taste the sauce and add more curry and hot sauce if wanted. Cook only until the sauce is all hot and bubbling. Serve over the rice.
You can make this more of a curry by serving it with small dishes containing finely chopped fresh green pepper, raisins, coconut, chunk pineapple, etc.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Mom's Orange (Lemon) Thyme Chicken and Rice
Serves: 2-6 (depending on how much rice you make and how big the people are who eat it)
Chicken: 1 to 1.5 lb boneless or 2-3 lb w/ bones
Flour for dredging chicken: 3-4 Tbs for boneless or more for boned
1 medium onion, diced
5 long sprigs of lemon thyme. Pull off all the leaves to get about 1 Tbs of fresh thyme (use 1 to 2 tsp if it's dried). Set aside 1/2 tsp of it (1/4 tsp if dried) for the rice.
1 c. rice for every two hungry adults you want to serve
1 tsp of orange peel zest (optional)
1 cup of milk (optional)
Start the rice cooking. Use a 2 to 1 ratio of water to rice BUT substitute 2-3 Tbs of orange juice concentrate for 2-3 Tbs of the water. Mix in the reserved 1/2 tsp of thyme leaves.
Sautee the diced onion in about 1 Tbs. of butter or oil.
Dredge chicken in flour mixture (consisting of the flour, the majority of the thyme and the optional orange zest). If you want it to stick well, dip the chicken in milk first.
Add the dredged chicken to the sauteed onions and brown the chicken on all sides (but don't cook it all the way through). Add about 4-6 oz. of concentrated orange juice (from a can of frozen juice) and a cup or two of water (depending on how much gravy you want at the end). Simmer chicken until it's tender and cooked through (about 20 min. for boneless, 5 minutes longer for boned). Put a lid on it if you want more gravy when you're done.
You can make this recipe substituting concentrated lemonade and lemon rind if you prefer, and it will come out much more sour and bitter. But you may like it!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Zucchini "Pasta"
If you miss pasta, because you don’t eat wheat or you’re on a low-carbohydrate diet, this dish makes a nice stand-in for fettuccine. Be careful not to overcook — it will be al dente with a few minutes of cooking, after which it will quickly fall apart. When made just right, it’s silky and wonderful. You can serve as is, or toss it with a fresh tomato sauce. Use a vegetable peeler or mandolin to make the thin zucchini strips.
2 pounds zucchini (or a combination of yellow and green zucchini)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
3/4 cup fresh tomato sauce (optional)
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, for serving (more to taste)
1. Using a vegetable peeler, cut the zucchini into lengthwise ribbons. Peel off several from one side, then turn the zucchini and peel off more. Continue to turn and peel away ribbons until you get to the seeds at the core of the zucchini. Discard the core. You can also do this on a mandolin, adjusted to a very thin slice.
2. Cook the zucchini strips in two batches. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When it is hot, add the zucchini ribbons and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook, tossing and stirring the zucchini, for two to three minutes, until softened and beginning to turn translucent. Adjust salt and add freshly ground pepper to taste, and transfer to a serving dish. Repeat with the remaining olive oil and zucchini. Serve, topping with tomato sauce and freshly grated Parmesan if desired.
Yield: Serves four
Advance preparation: This dish is best served right away. But you can enjoy leftovers, which I like to eat cold, doused with lemon juice and a drop of olive oil.
from NYTimes
Chicken Parmesan Bundles
35 min
1 hr 5 min
6 servings
PREHEAT oven to 375ºF. Mix cream cheese, spinach, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese and 3 Tbsp. of the Parmesan cheese until well blended; spread evenly onto chicken breasts. Starting at one of the short ends of each breast, roll up chicken tightly. Secure with wooden toothpicks, if desired. Set aside.
BEAT egg in shallow bowl or pie plate. Mix remaining 3 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese and the cracker crumbs in separate shallow bowl or pie plate. Dip chicken bundles in egg, then roll in crumb mixture. Place, seam-sides down, in 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.
BAKE 30 min. or until chicken is cooked through (165ºF). Remove and discard toothpicks, if using. Serve topped with the spaghetti sauce and remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese.
Heather's tips: let the chicken thaw in the fridge or on the counter if you're using frozen breasts. I found they pound out nicer than if you defrost them in the microwave. I usually need more crackers than they suggest. I've never had them be done at 30 min either, so be prepared to wait a bit longer unless your oven runs a lot hotter than mine does.
from Kraft
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Cajun Turkey and Cheese Wrap

1 La Tortilla Factory Sun-dried Tomato and Basil Wrap
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Lasagna
1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 medium onion
10 oz frozen spinach drained and squeezed dry
1 glass jar of pasta sauce (I like to get the kind with lots of chunky veggies)
1/2 pkg cream cheese (or neufchatel for less fat) at room temperature
1 16 oz tub cottage cheese
1/3 C parmesan cheese
mozzerella cheese (approx 1 C)
- Boil noodles according to package and set to the side
- Brown the meat with onion
- Add 2/3 of the pasta sauce and all the spinach to the meat mixture
- Mix cream cheese, cottage cheese, and parmesan together
- In 13x9 in baking dish, layer in this order 1/3 meat sauce, 4 noodles, 1/2 cheese, 1/3 meat sauce, 4 noodles, 1/2 cheese, 1/3 meat sauce, and mozzerella
- (hint-- use enough meat sauce to cover the area of the pan. If there's not enough to cover on the top layer, use remaining 1/3 jar of pasta sauce to cover it)
- Cover with foil
- Bake at 350 for 30 min
- Remove foil for 5 more min or until cheese is bubbly
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Thai Coconut Shrimp
1 lb shrimp
1 lb zucchini, cubed
1 red pepper, cubed
1 Tbsp minced ginger
1 can unsweetened coconut milk (I checked the can I had and it's GF)
juice of 1 lime
1 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce (omit to get lose MSG)
1 1/2 tsp chili paste (add fresh chilis, use chili powder, or omit for GF)
1-2 tsp dried basil
At medium-high heat
1) Sautee the shrimp in 1 Tbsp oil until they're just pink, but not fully cooked. Set aside
2) Add zucchini, red pepper, and remaining oil to pan and cook until soft, about 4 mins.
3) Add ginger, cook for 30 seconds
4) Add coconut milk, lime juice, soy sauce, and chili paste. Stir to dissolve chili paste.
5) Turn to medium heat, add shrimp, and cook until sauce thickens.
5) Serve over jasmine rice.
* The actual recipe calls for 3 Tbsp lime juice. We've made this three times and gone from 3, to 2, to 1 Tbsp of juice. I thinks it's too acidic with more, but you could try it out.
The recipe also calls for fresh basil, but I never have on hand nor buy fresh basil, so I don't know how much the recipe calls for. What I wrote is how much dried basil I use. You could mess with that too.
We've added green pepper and onion on occasion to this recipe as well. But I like the original veggies the best.