Shrimp noodle curry

This delicious dish is crazy easy and so good.  Steam as much brocolli and shrimp as you desire and boil some rice noodles add some curry paste and 1/2 can coconut milk and serve.

500-800g rice noodles

2 tbsp curry paste

1/2 can coconut milk

1 cup mini shrimp

2 stalks brocolli.  

Boil noodles

Steam brocolli and shrimp 

Drain noodles then mix coconut milk and paste together along with noodles, shrimp and the brocolli.

Sweet & Sour Meatballs

Ok these are delicious you are going to love them.  I double the meatball recipe and make a ton to freeze and use in spaghetti sauce.

Meatballs

1-11/2 lbs ground beef

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

3/4 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup chopped onion or 

1 tbsp  onion powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Combine all ingredients mix well then form into balls.  Place on a sprayed cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 for 30 min if making sweet and sour meatballs cook another 20 min with sauce.  If you are just making meatballs you are done.

Sauce

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp mustard

1 can pineapple tidbits with juice

1/4 cup vinegar

1 green pepper chopped (optional)

1/2 cup ketchup

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Combine in a bowl and pour over meatballs after they have been cooked for 30 minutes then cook the combination another 20 min.  At 350 degrees.

Banana Bran Muffins

Banana bran muffins

Set oven to 350

Cook 20 min for regular muffins

15 min for mini muffins

30 min for lg muffins

1/2 cup butter or margarine 

1/2 cup brown sugar

3 bananas

1/4 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

1 1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup bran

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

Mix all ingredients.  Make sure to spray your muffin tins and enjoy!

Sausage Corn Chowder

2 farmers sausage ( Italian sausage works well too) chopped

2 cups frozen corn

5 large potatoes cubed

4 cups low sodium chicken broth

1/3 cup flour 

1 cup milk

2 tbsp parsley 

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

2 tbsp onion powder (1 onion minced)

1 tsp garlic powder

1 pepper chopped optional

Mix milk with flour the pour in crockpot with chicken broth.  Chop ingredients.  Put them all in the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hrs

Toffee chocolate chip cookies

I made these cookies yesterday with my 2 little girls and everyone loved them!  They were all gone when I woke up which means grandpa and uncle j must have really enjoyed them!

Toffee chocolate chip cookies

Preheat oven for 325

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup butter

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

Mix those ingredients together then add:

1 tsp salt

3/4 cup oatmeal

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

2 cups flour

1 cup toffee chips

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Mix together then place on a sprayed baking sheet in tbsp sized balls and bake 10-12 minutes.  Enjoy!  These are so good!

Momma's stew

I need to apologize for the lack of posts recently.  We are doing a massive Reno at our house and are living with my parents for 2 months it's a gong show!

This is such a delicious stew that is super easy to make at anytime.  I utilized the crockpot while my baby had his morning nap.

8 small potatoes

2 lg hand fills baby carrots or 4 carrots peeled and cut up

1 lb stew meat

2 tbsp beef boyan

2 tbsp flour

1 tsp salt

2 tsp pepper

1 tbsp onion powder

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 cup water

Shake together last 7 ingredients and pour in crockpot.  Cut up meat and potatoes in cubes and toss in crockpot.  Toss in carrots.  Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.  I serve this with baking powder biscuits also found on my blog.  Enjoy!

BBQ chicken pizza

BBQ chicken pizza
6 pitas
6 tbsp bulls eye BBQ sauce
1 can pineapple tidbits
1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
1 lg chicken breast

Spread 1 tbsp BBQ sauce on each pita then place pineapple tidbits on them along with cooked chicken. Grate cheese on top and bake at 350 for 5 minutes. Delicious!

Naan bread

Nan bread is essential with curry at our house and this is our favorite recipe. Enjoy.

Naan Bread
1 tsp yeast
1 tsp sugar
2/3 cup warm water
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garam masala (optional)

Put sugar and yeast and water in your bowl first and let dissolve. Then add remaining ingredients and mix. Allow to rise 1 hour. Make into round balls and roll flat. Brush with butter and tandoori seasoning ( opp) then broil 3 minutes flip and brush other side with mixture and sprinkle with poppyseeds

Beef madras curry stew

The Mr is a huge fan of curry! Seriously it's his favorite food. I made this curry the other day in my crockpot and brought some to my sister who just had a baby. It's super mild but if you love heat just triple the red chilis.

Beef Madras Curry Stew
1/2 tsp dried red chilis
2 tsp gd coriander
2 tsp gd turmeric
1 tsp gd pepper
1/2 tsp ginger
4 tbsp coconut
1 can coconut milk
2 onions processed or 3 tbsp onion pow
3 lg garlic cloves minced
1 lb ground beef
1 cup beef broth
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp salt
5 lg potatoes (cubed)
4 lg carrots ( cut in bite sized pieces)

Cook in crockpot on low for 4-5 hours serve on rice.

Chocolate brownie pudding

I made this 2 days in a row it was such a hit at my house. It was super easy and really satisfied the Mr's sugar cravings.

1 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat your oven to 350. Mix above ingredients and pour in your greased 8 by 8 pan.

Then mix:
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 3/4 cup hot water

Then pour it over the stuff already in the pan. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Eat as is or serve with vanilla ice cream

Pork tenderloin

This is an awesome crockpot meal and the left overs were awesome!

Pork tenderloin
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
3 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp parsley
2 tsp mustard
1 tsp pepper
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 1-2 lb pork tenderloin

Mix ingredients in a bowl then pour over the tenderloin once placed in the crockpot cook on low for 5 hours.

Spiced Apple Muffins

I am snack mom for my little pumpkins preschool class tomorrow so my girls helped me make these mini muffins.

Spiced Apple Muffins
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1 cup peeled, chopped apple
1/3 cup butter
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Mix wet ingredients then mix dry ones in as well. Fill muffin tins 3/4 of the way then bake at 375 for 18 min for mini muffins and 22 min for regular muffins

Salmon pizza

This is a delicious easy recipe that can be adapted in many ways. First make your pizza crust. This can be done with any pizza dough recipe but here is what I used.

Pizza dough
1 cup hot water
3 tsp yeast
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsps sugar or 3 drops stevia
2-3 cups flour

Dissolve yeast in water and sugar once it is dissolved mix all other ingredients. Allow to rise for 20 minutes then roll out on a sprayed pizza pan

Salmon pizza topping
1 can salmon 215g
3/4 cup cream cheese
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp liquid smoke
1/4 tsp salt

Mix ingredients together then grate 1/2 cup cheese ( I used marble) and sprinkle on top. On top of cheese sprinkle dill.

Bake at 425 for 20 minutes

Yorkshire pudding

I grew up with this dish almost every Sunday of my life and I absolutely love it. My hubby, who once lived in England, is appalled that my whole family eats it with a little sugar sprinkled on top! He prefers his with gravy.

So here it is Yorkshire pudding.
1 cup white flour
1 cup hot milk
2 warm eggs
1 tbsp butter
1/4 tsp salt

First preheat your oven to 375 then place your 8x8 pan in the oven with the butter in it until the butter melts. Meanwhile warm 1 cup of milk in the microwave for 2 minutes then place your eggs in the milk to allow them to warm. Then mix all the ingredients together with a wisk and pour into the pan. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes.

Authentic Italian spinach pasta

Here is another super easy recipe. If you have the time and know how it is delicious with homemade noodles. The first time I had this dish was in Palermo, Italy and it was so amazing! Italian food is the best! I love being Italian!

1 box catelli spinach noodles about 250g I like the fettuccini noodles
15 grape tomatoes sliced in half
2 chicken breasts
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 minced cloves of garlic
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Grill or fry up your chicken breasts until cooked while boiling the noodles til tinder. Once the chicken is cooked add your olive oil, seasonings, garlic and tomatoes and fry for 1-2 minutes. Drain your noodles and then mix everything all together.

This dinner is a family favourite at our house. Enjoy your little taste of Italy.

Rice Krispie Peanut Butter Balls

I saw this recipe on the back of the Rice Krispie box today and thought to myself I have all the ingredients I think my family would enjoy these. I enlisted the help of my 6 year old and got to work.

First I lined a cookie sheet in wax paper then I mixed the icing sugar, on, coconut and butter in a large bowl then I carefully folded in the Rice Krispies. Then I sprayed my 6 year olds hands with Pam and let her roll the mixture into balls and place them on a cookie sheet. I put the cookie sheet I the freezer and melted the chocolate chips and the butter in my fondue pot but any pot set on low will do just remember to stir. Once it's melted and the balls are cool dip them in the chocolate and place on the pan to cool.

Rice Krispies Peanut Butter Balls
1/2 cup icing sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/8 cup melted butter
2 cups Rice Krispies

Melt
1 cup chocolate chips and 1/4 cup butter

Chicken Dijon salad

This meal is so light, healthy and easy. You can eat the chicken salad plain, serve it in a bun or in a pita.

If you choose to grill your chicken rub it with extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper and grill 5 minutes per side. I like to cook extra chicken at a previous meal and utilize the leftovers. If you just grilled your chicken allow it to cool then cut it into bite sized cubes.

In a large mixing bowl combine 6 tbsps plain yogurt and 2-3 tbsps Dijon mustard. Add your cut up celery, grapes, apple and chicken. Stir up and serve.

Chicken Dijon salad
2 chicken breasts ( cubed )
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
6 tbsps plain yogurt
2-3 tbsps Dijon mustard
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup grapes cut in half
1 apple chopped

Makes 6 servings
175 calories per serving

Adapted from the biggest loser family cookbook

Soft & chewy chocolate chip cookies

These are my favourite cookies. This recipe makes about 5 dozen cookies.

1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups margarine
2 tsp vanilla
3 eggs
5 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes

Moose

Crockpot moose roast is so delicious. Using a sharp knife poke 6 holes in the top of the roast. Push full cloves of garlic in those holes. Sprinkle the top of the roast with thyme, salt, pepper and onion powder. Then place 4 pieces of bacon on top of the roast. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours.

Ricotta pasta

This recipe is one of my go to quick recipes! Boil 500 g noodles and about 30 small shrimp and spinach or broccoli ( I buy frozen). Once the noodles are cooked drain it all and dump in 300ml ricotta cheese 2 tbsp dried mint and 4 tbsp lemon juice. Salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Chicken fried rice

I was born in Hong Kong! I love Chinese food! I don't think these 2 facts are a coincidence. Here is my chicken fired rice recipe, I swear it is as good as any Chinese food place.

2 cups cooked white rice
1 cooked chicken breast cut in small pieces
2 eggs scrambled
1 cup frozen peas
1/4 cup soy sauce

Last night I had nothing precooked so I boiled the rice while I cooked a chicken breast in a small frying pan. When the chicken was cooked I put it and the rice in a medium skillet on med-high heat and added the peas and soy sauce. Make sure to keep stirring the mixture so nothing burns. I fried 2 eggs in the pan I cooked the chicken in and scrambled them up real well then mixed them with everything else. Total cook time for the pan with everything in there was 5 minutes. I love making this with leftovers it is so easy and so yummy. I served it with potstickers from Costco that I cooked up real quick.

Baking powder biscuits

These are so good and have no trans fats!

2 cups flour
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup milk or water
1/2 cup shredded cheese
1 tbsp chives ( optional)

Mix it all together then use a tbsp to place on a sprayed baking sheet. Bake at 400 for 11-12 minutes

Cranberry coconut oatmeal cookies

3/4 cup margarine ( I used 1/4 cup marg and 1/2 cup apple sauce)
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup rolled oats
1 1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup coconut
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Bake at 350 for 10 min

Creamy Shrimp Alfredo-low calorie but high on taste

This is one of my families favorite recipes.  I adapted it from a kraft recipe we got a long time ago.

500g noodles I used speghetti noodles today but you can use any kind
1 lb uncooked shrimp
3 cloves minced garlic or 2 tsp garlic powder
3/4 cup cream cheese (I use low cal but this recipe is low calorie either way)
250 ml chicken broth
1/4 cup parmasean cheese
1 tbsp parsley

I bring a pot of water to a boil on high.  Then I add the noodles and whatever veggie I decide to use today it was peas sometimes I add brocolli or califlower.

In a pan on medium heat I add the chicken broth and shrimp then when the shrimp is cooked I add the cream cheese, parmasean cheese and parsley.  Once everything is cooked I drain the noodles and veggies then pour the sauce in.  Super easy, super yummy and super low cal.

The best Chocolate Chip Cookies

 I hate cookie dough!  There I've admitted it.  I know that is a really strange thing as I have never met anyone that hasn't enjoyed cookie dough.  I took a tiny taste of this dough today at the encouragement of my little pumpkin (age 2) and it was good!  Like really good, for a second there I forgot there was raw egg in it.

Anyways these cookies are so delicious especially when right out of the oven.  So here we go.  Preheat your oven to 375.

Recipe:
Pour the first 5 ingredients in your kitchen aid and mix.
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup melted margarine
1 tsp real vanilla
1 egg

Add the next 4 ingredients while mixer is on.
2 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk chocolate chips

Once it is all mixed up roll into balls and put on a baking sheet.
Bake at 375 for 10 minutes then enjoy.

Chocolate Drop Cookies

 This is your classic no bake cookie recipe with a few tweaks.  I based this one of a recipe from the Mr's childhood.  First melt 1/2 cup butter or margarine.  Do this in a medium size pot on med-high heat.  Make sure to stir it and don't let it burn.

 Add 2 cups sugar, 2/3 cup milk and 2 tbsps cocoa and keep stirring until it boils.

 When it boils pull it off the heat for about 5 minutes and then pour in 1 cup coconut and 4 cups rolled oats.  Then lay out some wax paper and put the mix on the wax paper with a tbsp.  The Mr likes to eat these before they cool in a bowl with milk.  The kiddies and I enjoy them the next day in cookie form.  You can freeze these really well.

Mmmmm cookies.

Crunchy Honey Garlic Chicken

 This recipe turned out so delicious!  I found it on pinterest at www.nlrockrecipes.com.  I adapted it for my family and I will definitely be making it again. First I put the following ingredients in a pie plate:
1 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 tbsp ground ginger
1 tbsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground thyme
1 tsp ground sage
1 tbsp paprika
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Then I mixed them all together with a fork.

 In a second pie plate I mixed:

1 egg and 5 tbsp water

 I sliced 2 chicken breasts each in half through the middle so I had 2, half inch thick pieces then I put the breasts one at a time into the flour mixture and covered them completely.  Then I dipped the breast in the egg mixture then again in the flour mixture.  Cook the chicken breasts on medium heat in about an 1/4 inch of canola oil.  Cook each side for 4 minutes.

 Meanwhile make a sauce in a pot on med-low heat of 1/8 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup honey and 1 tbsp garlic powder.  Also get a pot of water boiling for your noodles.

 This is my chicken frying.

 And here it is done.

 Once your water is boiling throw in some rice noodles.  I get these at the ethnic food isle of the grocery store.  I mixed my sauce with the noodles after they were strained and served the chicken on top.  Next time I think I will boil some snow peas up with the noodles or even brocolli it would be really yummy.

 My entire family loved this dinner!

3 Cheese chicken pasta bake

 This is one of the Mr's favorite meals.  It takes a little prep work to get it done.  First cook up some cubed chicken.  If you plan it right you could cook up extra at a different meal and save a bit of time with this one.  I used 2 chicken breasts that I cubed and fried.  I also seasoned the chicken breasts with about a tsp of onion powder and garlic powder.

 When I was just about done cooking the chicken breasts I added 1 tsp each of basil and oregano.  If you want you can add about 1/2 tsp salt. In this family I rarely cook with salt and then people can just add what they like.

 Meanwhile while cooking your chicken bring a pot of water to a boil then add 500g of the noodles of your choice ( they can be white or whole wheat).  I only buy whole wheat.  Boil for 8 minutes.

 At minute 5 of your boil add some cut up fresh spinach leaves.  You can also use frozen spinach if that's what you have.  I used 2 cups fresh if I use frozen I use 1 cup.

 Preheat your oven to 375

 Spray a 9x13 pan

 Drain your noodles and spinach and put it back in the pot.  Then add 1/4 cup of cream cheese. I use low fat but use whatever you'd like.

 Then pour in 1 16 oz can of tomato sauce.  If I have made pasta sauce recently I save enough to do this meal too but in this case I just poured in a can of regular old tomato sauce.

 Then add your chicken and stir it all together.

 Pour it all into your 9x13 pan.

 Add 2 tbsp parmasean cheese on top.

 Then 1/2 cup the cheese of your choice.  I used cheddar today but mozzarella is also really good and so is swiss.

Bake at 375 for 20 minutes then serve.

Recipe:
500g penne noodles or any other noodle
2 cups fresh chopped spinach leaves or 1 cup frozen
1 lb chicken cubed (I used 2 chicken breasts)
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
16 oz tomato sauce
1/4 cup cream cheese
1 cup grated cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or swiss)
2 tbsp parmasean cheese

Cook chicken with spices until cooked through.  Boil your noodles.  Add the spinach to the noodles to boil.  Drain noodle, spinach mix.  Pour your cream cheese, tomato sauce and spiced chicken into the pot and stir up.  Grease a 9x13 pan and pour that all in then add your cheeses on top.  Bake at 375 for 20 minutes.

Serves 6