Aug 29, 2013

Mama's Italian Chicken Skillet


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Cook's Note: So, this is a family recipe of my mother's -one she created and has made for years. Our family loves it so much that they used to always ask her to make it over and over again. As a matter of fact, its my husband's very favorite dish. I am finally sharing this secret recipe with all of you... please try it yourself, delicious, easy and yum for the whole family! My mother would be so proud!


What You Will Need:

3 med. boneless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
1 red onion, diced
2 cans of tomato sauce or 1 jar Maranara sauce, your choice
1 green pepper, chunked
1 red pepper, chunked
1 Yellow pepper, chunked
Mushroons, small box, whole (optional)
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 Tbsp. Italian Seasoning
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
2 Tbsp. olive oil
Angel Hair Pasta (prepare at the end)


Directions:

Heat olive oil in a skillet and add chicken pieces and onion.  Stir, and cover for about 10 minutes. Add all seasonings and stir. Add peppers, and let cook about 10 minutes. Next add mushrooms (optional), stir well.
Add tomato sauce, stir and let cook about 15 more minutes. Pour over the angel hair pasta. Serve with texas toast or garlic bread!
This "Pinspiration" comes from My Dear Mama

Aug 22, 2013

Spinach Lasagna Rolls


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Cook's Note: I saw this on Pinterest earlier this year and decided to make it and I have now made this several times since and it is a HIT! 
You can vary the recipe to add ground turkey breast for another yummy variation. Even my toddler loves this recipe and it only takes about 10 minutes to prep and 40 minutes to bake. Trust me, you will be making this recipe over and over!


What You Will Need: 

8-9 lasagna noodles, cooked
10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and completely drained
15 oz low fat ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
1 egg
sea salt and fresh pepper to taste
32 oz tomato sauce ( like Rinaldi Tomato and Basil - it has a great taste!)
Optional: You can add 1 lb of ground turkey breast, cooked and it makes it very yummy as well!

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350°. Combine spinach, (ground turkey breast, if added), ricotta, garlic, Italian seasoning, Parmesan, egg, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Ladle about 1 cup sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 12 baking dish.
Place a piece of wax paper or paper towel on the counter and lay out lasagna noodles. Make sure noodles are dry ( I blot dry with a paper towel). Take about 2 spoons full of ricotta mixture and spread evenly over noodle. (see picture for example).


Roll carefully and place seam side down onto the baking dish. Repeat with each remaining noodle.
Pour tomato sauce over the noodles in the baking dish. Please foil over baking dish and bake for 40 minutes. Serve with garlic bread for a yummy meal!

This "Pinspiration" Comes from Skinny Taste

Aug 18, 2013

Whole Wheat Couscous with Pico and Feta

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Cooks Note: This is not a Pinterest recipe, this is a Nichole recipe, and I don't even know if you can call it that, but I have eaten this (mostly for lunch) for years and I never get sick of it. I have an unhealthy obsession with Feta and Goat Cheese, so I incorporate them as often as I can into whatever I am eating, hence, this concoction was born. This is a really healthy lunch, fills you up, but doesn't weigh you down. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 Box Whole Wheat Couscous (I use the Garlic and Olive Oil flavor)
Pico de Gallo or Chopped, fresh Roma Tomatoes (to taste,approx. 1/2 Cup)
Low-Fat Crumbled Feta (to taste, approx. 1/4 Cup)

Directions:

Prepare Couscous according to package directions
Put approximately 1/2 of prepared couscous in your bowl and top with Pico or tomatoes and feta


Aug 15, 2013

Healthy Strawberry Spinach Yogurt Smoothie

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Cooks Note: It is beverage week! So here is a healthy, yummy smoothie to help kick off your day. This is a simple recipe, using mainly what I have in my house. Enjoy!
 
 
Ingredients:
 
1 100 Calorie Vanilla Greek yogurt
1 small handful of pre-washed spinach
1 Tablespoon honey
3 Medium sized strawberries (cut in half)
3-4 ice cubes
1/2 Cup of Milk (more if smoothie comes out too thick)

Directions:

Combine all ingredients and blend. Add milk if too thick, add ice if too watery.
 


Aug 13, 2013

Dr. Oz's Energy Boost Smoothie

               It's BEVERAGE WEEK at Suburban Epicurean!

This week we will be spotlighting all kinds of different beverages such as smoothies, milkshakes, and just fun yummy drinks for you all to try! We focus on quick and easy so you can make them at home too! Please keep checking back this week!


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Cook's Note: I saw this on the Dr. Oz show and thought it looked yummy and healthy and who doesn't need an Energy Boost?! Well, not only is it EASY to make but it also tastes like a Reese's Cup... I modified the recipe slightly to add Almond Milk - otherwise the recipe was not easy to blend and was way too thick! ENJOY!! Please be sure to visit the Dr Oz website for more yummy and healthy recipes. I personally love Dr. Oz and wish he was my own doctor!

What You Will Need:


2 tbsp.  pure cocoa powder
2 tbsp creamy natural peanut butter (I used Jiff)
1 medium ripe banana
8 oz non-fat vanilla Greek yogurt
1/2 cup Almond Milk
4 to 6 ice cubes
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions:


Pour peanut butter, cocoa powder, Greek yogurt. Almond Milk and ice cubes into blender and mix at high speed.
Slice banana, add into mixture, and re-blend until smooth and creamy.
Pour smoothie into two cups and serve. You can sprinkle an additional dash of cinnamon on top for extra flavor.
Nutrition Facts
245 calories per serving
16 g protein
This PINSPIRATION comes from Sari Greaves, RD from the Dr. OZ website

Aug 12, 2013

Buttery Crockpot Turkey Breast



Cooks Note: I recognize this is not a great picture, but how pretty is turkey unless you pull it out of the oven on Thanksgiving all golden and glorious? And this is done in the crockpot, so it is yummy and tender, but not beautiful. I did not use a recipe for this, I was wingin' it with what I had on hand. But, I served it with stuffing and corn, like Thanksgiving in August and everyone loved it. Enjoy!



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Ingredients:


(1)  3 to 4 lb. boneless turkey breast (I used Purdue)

(1) Packet French Onion Soup mix
Enough water to cover the bottom of the crockpot
(1) Melted stick of butter
A Dash of Salt and Pepper

Directions:

  • Place frozen turkey breast in crockpot
  • Cover with onion soup packet and Salt and Pepper and water
  • Pour butter over the top of the turkey
  • Cook on High for 5-6 hours (depends on your pot)
  • Switch to low for an hour and then to warm till ready to serve

Aug 3, 2013

Lemon Theme Party by Suburban Epicurean

Lemon Themed Party by Suburban Epicurean!
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 Sticking with our Lemon theme this week, I wanted to share pictures of my Lemon Themed Party that I had, just for ideas for your own parties and because it was just so cute!!

My friend sells Thirty One products, so I did a party for her and I wanted it to have a cute theme for the party, rather than just sitting out a veggie tray and dip! Make it FUN - that is what I say!

Here is my table with Mason Jars filled with Pink Lemonade, adorable straws that I ordered from The Tom Kat Studio (seriously, check out their site - the cutest stuff ever!). You can also sometimes find these sorts of straws at Michaels or Joann Fabric, but its hit or miss. I served Pink Lemonade with a lemon wedge on the side!

 


You've already seen my Lemon Chicken Pasta Salad.... but I am putting the picture here again, so you can see everything I served!


I also served Strawberry Cucumber Tea Sandwiches, which were a big HIT! Let me tell... Just soooo good and I will only ever make Cucumber sandwiches this way again!



Next were the Pink Lemonade Muddy Buddies! Check out the post for the recipe - these were really cute, simple and yummy!  Kids love these too!





Now for the Lemon Cupcakes..you cant go wrong with these!!

Okay okay.... truth be told, I bought these cupcakes at my local grocery bakery because I was in a rush, I have a toddler and didn't have time to make them from scratch .... but aren't they pretty?  Just put them on a tiered platter and voila! :)


So, my advice is next time you throw a small get together, why not think out of the box and try a theme? Give this cute  lemon theme a whirl in the spring or Summer, so fun and everyone enjoyed it!


Aug 2, 2013

Strawberry Cucumber Tea Sandwiches




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Cooks Note: I have to say that these are the best tea sandwiches I have EVER HAD! Thank you Southern Living!  I will only ever make Cucumber sandwiches this way again! Simple and Scrumptious!

What You Will Need:

1   (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup  peeled, seeded, and finely chopped cucumber
 1/3 cup  mayonnaise
1/4 cup  minced red onion
 3 tablespoons  finely chopped fresh basil 
1/2 teaspoon  freshly ground pepper 
1/4 teaspoon  salt 

 Directions:

 
In a food processor, combine softened cream cheese, cucumber, mayonnaise, red onion, basil, freshly ground pepper, and salt. This will make a spread and its smooth and creamy!
Spread on: white bread, cut the crusts off, cut into triangles; top the spread with diced fresh strawberries. ENJOY!
This "Pinspiration" comes from Southern Living