Good recipes we've tried lately

Here is a list of some fantastic recipes that we've tried and liked lately:

Beef stir fry with leftover roast
My favorite part of this recipe is that it uses leftovers! I just used a yellow onion instead of a red, and I also added some broccoli.

Honey spicy glazed chicken
This was a definite, "Yes, let's make this again." It was a little too spicy for Little Pink Girl, but the hubby loved it! The chicken I used had bones, but that was just fine.

Crockpot tostadas
I love these crockpot tostadas. It just so happens that you can make them on the stove, too. It doesn't take very long, and sometimes it's been better for me to do it that way instead.

Slow cooker black bean, corn and spinach enchiladas
Brian was a little bummed that it didn't have meat in it, but I couldn't get enough. I didn't make her sauce. Instead, I used some I bought at the store. But it was still fantastic!

Cheesy meximac
I often look for pasta recipes that are fairly healthy since Brian is a real fan of pasta. In this one I substituted whole grain pasta so it's not so starchy. I also used regular whole kernel corn and cheddar cheese. I just increased the amount of chili powder in it and added cumin and red bell pepper. Yum!

Crock pot cheeseburgers
These aren't the healthiest, but at least I didn't use Velveeta cheese. Just use plain cheddar. It's better. I also added onions. It was pretty good.

Crock pot hamburger n' potato casserole
This is really similar to something my Mom made when I was growing up. I added a lot more veggies than it called for. You can really do just about anything with this casserole.

Slow cooker turkey meatballs
These are really good and easy. I used just regular bread crumbs and added my own Italian spices.

Overnight apple oatmeal
It's not the same as using steel-cut oats in your crock pot, but it was really good anyway. My husband liked it. But if you don't like oatmeal being a little slimy, don't try it.

Country breakfast potatoes
I think my favorite part of these potatoes is the colors. I used yellow onion instead of red, and it was great.

Garden hash browns
I didn't poach the eggs since my husband won't eat anything but scrambled, and we skipped out on the bacon, but I did make the hash browns. I didn't let the zucchini drain which might have made difference. But I sure liked them anyway. Who says you can't have veggies for breakfast?

Best way to cook salmon

As I have mentioned before, I don't like fish very much. It's expensive, tastes strong and has a funny texture. But it happens to be a great health food and one of the best ways to get omega-3 fatty acids. It's an excellent source of protein.

So I'd been looking around for a fish recipe that I would actually like. I finally found one that I really loved a few months ago. I found the original recipe to the one below in American Baby or Babytalk or something like that. But this is my own version. I use almonds instead of cashews because they're more lactogenic and they're cheaper.

Nutty Salmon

2 T. almonds
1 T. parmesan cheese
2 t. fresh basil
1 t. olive oil or butter
1 4-oz salmon filet
pepper

In a blender, pulse the first four ingredients until finely ground. Place salmon, skin-side down on a baking sheet covered with foil (shiny side up). Rub with nut mixture to form a crust. Sprinkle with pepper. Seal with foil. Bake at 425 degrees F for 12 minutes. Unseal foil and bake 2-3 more minutes or until crust is browned and fish is cooked.

Makes: 1 serving

Chicken and asparagus over rice

This is a tasty dish that was inspired by a picture that I saw on the internet. Of course, I took to a whole new level! I liked to eat it with soy sauce.

Chicken and Asparagus Over Rice

2 chicken breasts, cut in pieces
1/2 large onion, chopped
1 clove of garlic, chopped very fine
5-6 fresh mushrooms, sliced thin
1-2 T. olive oil
salt and pepper
1/2 lb asparagus, cut into 2-3 in. pieces
1-2 T. water
3 c. cooked rice or millet

Cook the first four ingredients together in a frying pan with the oil. Season to taste with the salt and pepper. Put the asparagus and water in the pan with the meat. Cover and cook for a few minutes until the asparagus is tender-crisp. Serve over warm rice or millet.

Recipes from other blogs that I've tried

These are some great recipes that I've tried in the last few months and that we've really liked:

Berry almond oatmeal smoothie
This was really tasty and healthy! I decided I liked it best with plain yogurt and a tablespoon of honey, instead of vanilla yogurt and maple syrup.

Apple spice steel-cut oatmeal
This recipe is great! I love the taste and texture. It reminds of rice pudding in a way. The only thing I do differently is to omit the applesauce, use honey instead of maple syrup, and double the cinnamon.

Cheesy bacon pull-aparts
I made these using homemade, whole wheat biscuit dough. They are a favorite with my husband! :)

Jack-o-lantern pumpkin pancakes
I really liked these. I found that you could make them using all wheat flour (no white), and omitting the wheat germ.

Crockpot oatmeal
This recipe makes a big batch, so I had to half it, and we still had leftovers. This is a great recipe for a family.

Apple celery salad
This another good recipe for a family. It makes a pretty big salad. I made the dressing without the Dijon mustard.

Crockpot lasagna
I used chicken instead of sausage and hamburger, and I used cottage cheese instead of ricotta. It was another hubby favorite, and it was very easy.

Crockpot tostadas
I've made these with and without the crockpot. They're super easy.

Reduced-fat mac
Easy and healthy!

Crockpot white chicken chili
I loved this easy dish. You use chicken thighs for the meat, which are super cheap to buy. I did omit the tabasco sauce.

My version of chicken penne

Here is a recipe that I came up with a couple of nights ago. Necessity is the mother of invention. I needed to make a dinner before my husband came home, but I had no meal plan and few ingredients. But luckily, I had some good basics.

Garden pasta is so colorful!

I made the white sauce in this with wheat flour. I've started using wheat flour to thicken things lately, and it seems to work just fine. In fact, I've stopped buying white flour and sugar. It's hard sometimes because then I have to borrow my mother-in-law's grinder and grind all my flour, and honey is rather expensive, but it's worth it.

This may not be the most original recipe, but I sure liked it, so I thought I would share. :)

Chicken Penne

Dinner is served!

1 13-oz box of garden penne pasta
2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
olive oil
salt
pepper
oregano
garlic powder
2 T. butter
1/4 c. flour
approx. 3 c. milk

Cook the penne pasta in a large pot according to directions. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a saucepan and cut the chicken into small cubes. Cook the chicken in the olive oil until cooked through. While it is cooking, season to taste with salt, pepper, oregano and garlic powder.

Add the butter to the chicken, and then stir the flour in with a whisk until smooth. Add the milk, and whisk and cook on medium heat until thickened.

Drain the noodles, and pour the sauce over them. Stir just enough to get the noodles coated.

Makes: 4-5 servings

Broccoli is always tasty with pasta.

Chili cornbread

Chili and cornbread warm you up like nothing else on a cold day. They fill your stomach with warm goodness. They're a wonderful combination ... especially when combined!

My mom came up with this recipe because it's quick and filling. My family is active and busy, and they are always hungry. So this is a perfect recipe for them.

Chili Cornbread

4 c. homemade leftover chili, or 2 15-oz cans chili
you favorite cornbread recipe

Put the chili in a 9x9 pan. Pour the cornbread batter over the top. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-40 min., or until the chili is bubbly and the cornbread is cooked.