Turkey Cutlets = Quick Dinner Fix!

How often do you pick up something at the grocery store not knowing when you are going to use, what to do with it, or maybe even with the intentions of popping it in the freezer for a last minute dinner?? Well, if so, POP these in your cart next time you are out.... Turkey Cutlets. They make a great last minute, simple, and error-proof meal!

This is more of an idea to spur on your brain and help you in your last minute quandary.... Soooooo- wash your cutlets, season them with s & p and garlic powder. Add a expeller pressed coconut oil to a skillet and brown them on both sides for a few minutes (maybe 5ish) until they are fully cooked and golden brown. They are thin so they cook quickly and they are tasty so they are loved by adults and kids alike. Perfect right??? Serve them with a quick veggie like asparagus or squash and some harvest grain (from Trader Joe's). That's a 20 minute meal tops--- healthy, quick AND delicious!

Joe's Special

Looking for something simple and fast??? Here's an easy & quick recipe that's packed with protein and fresh greens- you can serve it anytime a day... breakfast, lunch or dinner... and it's easy to embellish if you want to add your favorites to it!

Ingredients:

1.5 lbs of ground turkey

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 onion, finely chopped

4 cups fresh spinach

4-5 crimini mushrooms, chopped

4-6 eggs, scrambled

s & p

drizzle of grape seed oil or olive oil

Directions:

Drizzle some oil in your large skillet, add your onion, mushrooms and garlic and let it saute for a moment, then add your ground turkey and break it up and season it with s & p. Let it brown on one side, then turn it over and let it cook another 3 minutes. Then add your spinach and let it cook for 3-4 minutes until it starts to wilt. Next, scramble your eggs in a separate bowl and pour it over the mixture, stirring it well until the egg cooks thoroughly (like a scrambled egg). You're done! Serve it as a breakfast dish, or reheat it for lunch, or choose it for dinner with some sliced french bread. Enjoy!

Beef Chili with Baked Potatoes

Here's another recipe for chili, this one is different than the turkey chili that I also make- it's got a totally different thing goin' on here. This has a little more kick to it, it's the kinda chili you pour over a baked potato and enjoy on a cool day. And best of all, I made it in the crock pot, so, it pretty much made itself!

Ingredients

2 lbs. ground beef

1 yellow onion, finely chopped

3 cloves of garlic, minced

28 oz. diced tomatoes

1 cup water

1 can pinto beans, drained & rinsed

1 can kidney beans, drained & rinsed

8 oz. can tomato paste

2 TSBP chili powder

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp salt

Directions

Break up your beef into chunks, dump it in along with everything else. Stir it all up. Cook on low heat for 8 hours (if I am home, I stir it a few more times during the day). Serve as a soup with french bread or even better, over a warm Baked Potato!!!

Marinated Pork Tenderloin

ingredients...

marinating

... finished product...

Ingredients:

1.5 lbs tenderloin (usually the size of one tenderloin)

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/8 cup sesame oil

1/8 cup rice vinegar or red wine vinegar

2 tsp ginger or 1-2 inch piece of fresh ginger sliced

1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped

1 TBSP minced garlic

1 TBSP brown sugar

1/4 cup water

Directions:

I throw my pork tenderloin in a big Ziplock bag and then mix all the ingredients in a bowl and pour it over the top. You can let it sit on the counter to marinate for 2 hours, or put it back in the fridge to marinate for 12 hours. When cooking it, BBQ it over a hot fire and continually baste it with the left over marinate for about 10-15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees. Slice it and serve!

100th POST + Giveaway!!!

That's right folks, can you believe this is my 100th post!!! So, in honor of that, I thought it would be fun to do a little giveaway (my sister's grand idea!)- and since I am not a "real deal blog" just a little fish, I don't even know for certain what my giveaway will be, maybe because I don't even know for certain if anyone will even respond- HA! But I thought it sounded fun, so away we go!!!!

GIVEAWAY- Leave a comment with your favorite recipe FROM THIS BLOG (if you've tried it or wanting to try it) and I will choose- I don't know 3-5 winners at random for a prize. If you live local, you'll probably get a home-cooked treat or something crafty, and if you live far away (mom, sisters, Sara, anyone else?) you will find yourself a fun little something in the mail (so leave your email address so I can get details!) How about a week- so do it by next Friday, Sept. 18th... no later, we don't want it to drag on forever- leave your comment. OK??? FUN!!!

OK, how is it that as of 3:00 on day one I have had 74 visitors to the blog and only ONE comment, come on people- just leave a comment- simple.... "I like ...." that's all there is to it! Don't be a party pooper! And if you don't want the prize, I'll eat or enjoy it for you- no hurt feelers on this end!!!!

Now, for my 100th recipe post.... drum roll please.... inspired by the [darling] movie Julie & Julia..... a simplified and more nutritious version of .....

Beef Bourguignon original recipe by Julia Child,

adapted recipe by Andrea Haddon :)

Ingredients:

3 lbs. stew meat, cubed

4 ribs celery, chopped

3 carrots, peeled & chopped

1 sweet onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic (or 2 large cloves)

8 oz. mushrooms, chopped or sliced

2 cups potatoes, chopped

2 cups red wine

1/2 cup beef broth

1/2 cup flour (for dipping the beef cubes)

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

Directions:

I made this recipe in the crock pot- in the movie and in the original recipe, she bakes it for 3 hours (and burns it!) and I didn't feel up for that amount of time, but I was so intrigued and wanted to give it a whirl, so I busted out the crock pot, and it turned out fabulous!

I wanted to do like Julia and "pat my beef dry with a paper towel" and then dip it in flour, and then brown it on the stove- and she's right, it does brown much better that way! You could probably for-go this step to shorten the prep- but if you do decide to do it, you put 1/2 cup flour on a plate, pat your beef cubes dry with a paper towel, dip the cubes in flour and then add them to a pan with a drizzle of oil and a TBSP of butter (for flavor says Julia... she uses way more butter by the way!!!) Remove the beef cubes and then saute the onions and garlic in the same pan with the left over beef juices (I had to add a smidge more oil to my pan). Then add that to the crock pot with the beef cubes. Wash and chop all the veggies and add them, plus the wine, broth, and seasoning (you can also add a bay leaf if you enjoy that flavor) and cook on low for 8 hours. I served it solo as a stew, but you could possibly serve it over a bed of noodles or with some french bread. It was delicious!!!! "Bon Appetite!"

*** Feel free to pass this blog and/or recipes on to family & friends! The more the merrier!***

French Dip Sandwiches

Here's a recipe I haven't made in a long time, I mean probably 4-5 years, so let's dust it off and give her a go- eh??

3-4 lbs. of boneless, chuck roast

1/2 cup soy sauce

1 cup beef broth (or one bullion cube + 1 cup water)

1 tsp garlic powder 

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried, crushed rosemary (or a sprig of fresh if you don't have dried)

3-4 whole peppercorns *optional

Directions: Remove fat from roast, place in crock pot. Combine soy sauce, beef broth, and spices and pour over the roast. Add additional water to the crock pot to almost cover the roast (this will become your Au Jus). Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours.  Remove the meat from the crock pot, shred on a separate plate, and then serve on rolls. Use the remaining juice in the crock pot for your Au Jus dipping pleasure! (*if you added fresh rosemary, remember to remove it and throw it way before serving!)

Fiesta Fajitas from Scratch

You can make these yummy fajitas with chicken or beef- your choice- they are quick and easy and a real crowd pleaser! This recipe was borrowed from my sis- Danika Stokes! I love this recipe because you will most likely have all the spices in your cupboard already- so no seasoning packet is need!

Ingredients:

2 lbs. chicken or beef, cut into long, thin strips

1 red bell pepper, cut into long, thing strips

1 green bell pepper, cut into long, thin strips

1 red onion, thinly sliced

1/2 cup water

1/2 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. cumin

2 TBSP salsa

2 cloves garlic

salt & pepper to taste 

tortillas

**Optional toppings: grated cheese, sour cream, guacamole, cilantro...

Directions:

 Heat up your frying pan with a little olive oil, then add your meat (chicken or beef) until browned. Set the meat aside on an extra plate while you heat up a little more olive oil and cook your bell peppers and onions, adding your seasoning, garlic, and water and salsa. Mix it around, add your meat back to soak up the flavors. Let simmer for 5 minutes uncovered. Warm up your tortillas, dish some fajita yummies onto the tortilla, add your toppings and enjoy!

Serve with: I serve these fajitas solo sometimes, they are really filling and it makes a lot. You could serve them with some black beans, spanish rice, or a side salad if you're an over-achiever.

The "WORKS!!!" Hamburgers

So with the 4th of July coming up, I was thinking what can I serve to a group of people that's fun, festive, and easy enough for me to enjoy the day as well??? Now, because this is a special holiday, I can't claim that this is exactly "healthy", but it's not double fried!

The "WORKS" Burgers:

Ingredients:

Your choice of patties, beef, turkey, or veggie

Buns, whole wheat or white

Typical toppings (ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles)

Guacamole

Platter of Different Cheeses

Bacon (I love Trader Joe's Apple Smoked Bacon)

Sauted mushrooms

Grilled Onions

Directions:

Guacamole: 2-3 avocados, 1 large clove of garlic minced (or 1/8 tsp garlic powder), S & P to taste, 1/2 tsp lemon or lime juice. Throw in some chopped tomatoes or onions if you have them. Chopped Cilantro??? why not! Mash it all up and chill it in the fridge with a pit in the bowl to keep it from turning brown.

Bacon: cook it in your non-stick frying pan (you don't need any oil or butter, the bacon has enough fat!) remove and set on a plate lined with a paper towel to cool.

Sauted Mushrooms: Slice 4 cups mushrooms, heat 1-2 TBSP butter in a frying pan, add mushrooms, 1 TBSP white wine, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, and 1 large clove of garlic, minced.

Grilled Onions: Use a sweet onion slice it thinly in rings, coat it lightly with olive oil so it doesn't stick to the grill, and put it on when you grill up the burgers. Grill it to your liking.

Serve this with: corn on the cob, watermelon or fruit salad (maybe a pasta or potato salad if it's a big crowd) and finish it up with a Rootbeer float for dessert! It's the 4th of July for Pete's sake!

Roasted Turkey Breast..

This is not really a recipe, more of an idea- but a great one at that. It serves as a great break from chicken and beef, and brings a little of that good ol' Thanksgiving tastes to your table without cooking the whole bird! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

Turkey Breasts (these are sold in the refrigerated section, I got mine at Trader Joe's- it has bones and skin)

Olive Oil

Salt

Pepper

Garlic Powder

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Wash your bird breasts off, pat them dry, brush them with olive oil, sprinkle generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Then place them on a roasting pan ( I put foil over my broiling pan for easy clean up). Pop those guys in the oven for 45 minutes (may need more time if your bird breasts are a little on the large side!) I use my thermometer and wait to see it say 170 degrees- then I know they are done! The skin will be a golden brown and the juices will run clear.

Serve with:

Red Mashed Potatoes (see recipe), green salad, asparagus or artichokes.  

Marinated Flank Steak...

OK, this is a fabulous way to serve a large steak to a group (anywhere from 4-12). It's a family favorite of the Zaballos' and we often have it for special occasions. It's very simple- marinate and BBQ! The longer you marinate it, the more flavor it will have. Minimal marinating: 2 hours on the counter top or 8 hours in the fridge- BUT for the most flavor- I marinate it overnight in the fridge for at least a day, but up to 3 days!!!! It's soooooo good!

Ingredients:

2-3 lb flank steak (I buy mine at Costco, great prices- use one, freeze the other) 

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup soy sauce

1 tsp. fresh ground ginger (the kind in the jar)

1 clove garlic

1/2 cup pineapple juice (I keep a 6 pack of little pineapple juice cans in the pantry!)

Directions:

Pour all these ingredients into a bowl and whisk them together. Pull out your flank steak, I like to cut mine into steaks (about 4-5 peices from each flank) and then put them into a ziplock bag. Pour the marinate over the steaks, seal it up, and pop it in the fridge. (seem time range above), I like to marinate mine over night. Every few hours, I open the fridge and turn the steaks over and shake up the bag. When you are ready, BBQ it over medium heat, let it cool for about 5 minutes, then slice it into 1 inch stripes. Enjoy!