Sloppy Joe

This is my take on the sloppy joe.

1 lb. ground beef
1/2 c. onion, diced
1/2 c. green pepper, diced (opt.)
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes (petite diced would be really great!)
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
3 Tb. quick oats
1 Tb. Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
dash of cayenne pepper

Brown beef, onion, and green pepper together. Add all other ingredients and simmer for 20 -30 minutes. Serve on buns. Makes 6-8 sandwiches.

Beef and Black Bean Soup

1 lb. ground beef, browned
4 c. chicken stock
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 c. onion, diced
3 med. carrots, diced
2 celery ribs, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. chili powder
2 cans (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 c. rice

Place beef in slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients except beans and rice. Cover and cook on high 1 hour. Reduce to low and cook 4-5 hours or until vegetables are tender. Add beans and rice. Cook 1 hour longer on low or until heated through.

Lentil Tomato Stew

4 c. chicken or vegetable stock
2 cans (15 oz.) diced tomatoes
1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
1/2 c. dry red wine
3/4 tsp. dried basil
3/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
3/4 tsp. italian seasoning
1 lb. dried lentils, rinsed and drained (remove any rocks)
1 lg. onion, diced
4 med. carrots, diced
4 med. celery ribs, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. salt
fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Combine water, tomatoes (w/juice), paste, wine, basil, thyme, pepper, and italian seasoning in slow cooker. Add lentils, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and salt. Cover. Cook on low 10-12 hours or high 4-5 hours. Serve with parsly or basil sprinkled on top (if desired).

Whole Grain Waffles

I found this on allrecipes.com and thought it looked delicious and healthy!

2 eggs, beaten
1 3/4 cups skim milk
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup flax seed meal
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt


In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, oil, applesauce, and vanilla. Beat in whole wheat pastry flour, flax seed meal, wheat germ, all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt until batter is smooth.

Preheat a waffle iron, and coat with cooking spray. Pour batter into waffle iron in batches, and cook until crisp and golden brown.

Balsamic-Glazed Salmon Fillets

Courtesy of allrecipes.com

4 (5 ounce) salmon fillets
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons white wine
2 teaspoons honey
3 tablespoons and 1 3/4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
2-3/4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
salt and pepper to taste
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Coat a small saucepan with non-stick cooking spray. Over medium heat, cook and stir garlic until soft, about 3 minutes. Mix in white wine, honey, balsamic vinegar, mustard, and salt and pepper. Simmer, uncovered, for about 3 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
Arrange salmon fillets on foil-lined baking sheet. Brush fillets with balsamic glaze, and sprinkle with oregano.
Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 14 minutes, or until flesh flakes easily with a fork. Brush fillets with remaining glaze, and season with salt and pepper. Use a spatula to transfer fillets to serving platter, leaving the skin behind on the foil.

4 servings

Slow Cooker Italian Style Chicken

I found this on about.com.

INGREDIENTS:
4 chicken breasts, boneless, cut into bite size pieces
1 - 16 oz. can of tomatoes, chopped
1 large green sweet pepper, diced
1 small cooking onion, diced
1 medium rib of celery, diced
1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, optional
2 cloves of garlic, chopped; OR 2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

PREPARATION:
Combine all ingredients, except grated cheese, in slow cooker. Cook chicken and sauce on low 6 to 8 hours. Remove bay leaf and sprinkle with grated cheese before serving. Good over rice or pasta.
Shared by Ness

Curried Turkey Burgers

This is a Rachael Ray recipe.

1 lb. ground turkey
2 Tb. curry powder
2 shakes Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 c. onion, grated
Cilantro, chopped - a palmful
Coarse salt, to taste

Combine all ingredients. Form 4 patties and grill until cooked through.

Makes 4 burgers

Orange Rosemary Chicken

This is my original recipe which we will be testing out this week. :)

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2-3 Tb. olive oil
2-3 Tb. fresh squeezed orange juice
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. dried rosemary (can also use fresh)
4 slices fresh orange (leave rind on)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine olive oil and orange juice. Sprinkle chicken breast with salt and pepper and place in greased 8x8 pan, pour oil mixture over the chicken and sprinkle with rosemary. Place the orange slices on top of the chicken breasts. Cover tightly and bake for 15 min. Uncover and bake for 10-15 min. or until juices run clear.

Italian Oven Chicken

This is my original recipe we will try this week.

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2-3 Tb. Olive oil
1 Tb. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 Tb. Parmesan Cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place chicken breasts in a greased 8x8 pan and drizzles with olive oil and seasonings (turn over after seasoning first side). Bake covered for 15 min. Uncover and bake 10 min. more or until juices run clear. Top with parmesan cheese and return to oven for 5 min.

Fruity Yogurt

Adapted for our taste.

1 c. plain yogurt
1 c. mixed berries
1 Tb. milled or ground flaxseeds
dash of ground ginger
dash of ground cinnamon
dash of vanilla extract

Combine 1st three ingredients in a small bowl. Spoon into parfait glass. Sprinkle with ginger and cinnamon. Chill.

Serves: 1-2

Cucumber Cilantro Salsa

Adapted from another recipe to our taste.

1 lg. cucumber, peeled and shredded
1 lg. tomato, chopped
2 Tb. minced red onion
½ tsp. ground cumin
2 Tb. chopped fresh cilantro
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Toss lightly. Cover and chill for at least 1 hr. before serving.

Pesto Presto Cilantro

This uses my husband's favorite ingredient - cilantro! I found this recipe in a book (can't remember the name).

1 ½ c. packed fresh cilantro
6 Tb. Olive oil
2 Tb. Fresh lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced

Put cilantro and oil in food processor and process until cilantro is well chopped. Add remaining ingredients. Serve right away or cover and refrigerate.

Garlicky Greens w/ Ginger & Lemon

Not an original.

3 Tb. Chicken broth or olive oil
1 lg. bunch (about 1 lb.) greens (kale, chard etc.), cut crosswise w/stems removed
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/8 tsp. powdered ginger
pinch of salt
2 Tb. Fresh lemon juice

Heat broth or oil in a saute pan over med. heat. Add the greens, garlic, ginger, and salt, stirring until the greens wilt, about 1 ½ min. Remove from the heat and drizzle on the lemon juice.
Serves: 4

Brussels Sprouts A L’Orange

Adapted from another recipe.

1 lb. brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
2 tsp. grated orange rind
dash of ground cinnamon
dash of ground cloves
dash of ground ginger
butter to taste
Salt to taste

Steam 10-12 min. Add orange rind, cover, and steam for another 3 min. Sprinkle on seasonings and add butter, remove from heat.
Serves: 4-6

Firecracker Slaw

This recipe is not an original - I can't remember the name of the book it's from.

1 lb. red and green cabbage, thinly sliced
2 med. carrots, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
4 celery stalks, finely chopped
2 Tb. Fresh lime juice
2 Tb. Apple Cider vinegar
4 tsp. flaxseed oil
Cayenne to taste
½ tsp. celery seed

Combine all ingredients. Cover & shake. Refrigerate 4-6 hours before serving, shake periodically.
Serves: 6-8