Friday, November 28, 2014

Arkansas Green Beans

recipe image

Ingredients:
5 (15 ounce) cans green beans, drained
7 slices bacon
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
7 teaspoons soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

Instructions:
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F. Place the drained green beans in a 9x13 inch baking pan.
Cook bacon in a microwave on microwave-safe plate for 2 minutes until slightly cooked. Lay the bacon on top of the green beans.

Combine the brown sugar, melted butter, soy sauce, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Pour the butter mixture over the green beans and bacon. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 40 minutes.

Sweet Carrots and Rice


Ingredients: 
1 1/2 pounds baby carrots
1 (14-ounce) can chicken broth
1/3 cup apricot preserves
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger

Instructions:
Combine 1 1/2 pounds baby carrots and 1 (14-ounce) can chicken broth in a skillet over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil; cook, stirring often, 12 to 15 minutes or until carrots are crisp- tender and broth is reduced to about 1/4 cup. Stir in 1/3 cup apricot preserves, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger, and pepper to taste; cook, stirring constantly, 10 minutes or until mixture thickens and carrots are glazed. Serve over boil-in-bag or microwave-ready rice.

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Fruit Turkey Display

I made this turkey for my office's Thanksgiving food day on Friday. It really wasn't very difficult, just a little time consuming. I was very happy with the results. 



Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Healthy Taco Casserole


We've been trying to eat a little healthier lately, with the holidays coming up and everything. I found this recipe on our company's wellness website.  Everyone in the family loved this recipe.  It's a take on classic Mexican food, in a healthy quick form.  I was planning on Brian and I both taking leftovers to work for lunch the next day, but we only had enough for one person!

Preheat the oven to 350.  Brown one pound of beef in a skillet. 
Drain the meat and add the beans, salsa and water. 
Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. 
Place the broken chips in the bottom of the casserole dish.  Top with beef mixture.  Sprinkle onions, tomatoes and cheese. 


Baked uncovered for 20-30 minutes or until hot an bubbly.




Ingredients:
1 lb extra-lean 99% fat free ground turkey
1can (15 to 16 oz) reduced-sodium spicy chili beans in sauce, undrained
1/2 c chunky salsa
1/2 c water
1 c broken (not crushed) baked tortilla chips (plain or baked nacho flavored)
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 medium tomatoes, chopped (1 1/2 cups) or 1 can chopped tomatoes drained
1/2 c shredded 2% part skim sharp Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
Shredded lettuce as needed
Additional chunky-style salsa as needed
Fat free or light sour cream if desired

Instructions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. In skillet, cook beef over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until brown; drain. Stir in beans, 1/2 cup salsa and water. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.
2. In ungreased 2-quart casserole, place broken tortilla chips. Top with beef mixture. Sprinkle with optional onions, tomatoes and cheese.
3. Bake uncovered 20 to 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Arrange tortilla chips around edge of casserole after completely cooked. Serve with lettuce and additional salsa if desired.

Pepperoni Pizza Soup



Ingredients:
1 pound of ground beef
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
a pinch of ground fennel (optional)
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 (6 oz) can of tomato paste
1 (28 oz) can of crushed tomatoes (I use San Marzano Tomatoes)
2 cups sliced pepperoni
1 1/2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Basil to garnish
1 can of biscuits (I used Grands)
1 cup of Parmesan cheese, grated

Slow cooker directions: 
First brown up your ground beef and then add the next six ingredients in the slow cooker.  Cook on low 6 to 8 hours or on high 3 to 4 hours.  When you're ready to serve, stir in your pepperoni and then garnish with Mozzarella and basil.  Serve with a biscuit (method below).

Stove top directions:
In a large pot, brown your ground beef over medium-high heat until browned and crumbly.  Stir in your seasonings, onion and bell pepper.  Saute a few minutes.  Stir in tomato paste and crushed

tomatoes.  Reduce heat to low and simmer about 10 minutes.  Break up the crushed tomatoes with a wooden spoon as you occasionally stir.  Add in the pepperoni slices.  

Ladle soup into bowls and serve with Mozzarella cheese on top and garnish with basil.  Top with one or two cheesy biscuits.

To make your biscuits, just follow the baking directions on your can of biscuits but before you place them in the oven, brush the tops with a little butter or olive oil and sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.  Bake according to package directions and serve.


Sunday, November 16, 2014

What's for Dinner

Monday- On Your Own
Tuesday- Pizza
Wednesday- Healthy Taco Casserole
Thursday- Pizza Soup and Cheese Biscuits
Friday- Chicken Strips
Saturday- Ham and Cheese Crackers
Sunday- Leftovers

Sunday, November 9, 2014

What's for Dinner

Monday- Roast, potatoes, carrots and rolls
Tuesday- Veteran's Day
Wednesday- Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Thursday- Taco Soup
Friday- Chili Dogs
Saturday- Leftovers
Sunday- Meatloaf, twice baked potato casserole, corn and cornbread