Saturday, March 20, 2010

Quick and Simple Spanish Paella


The ingredient list is long, but it’s mostly things you should have in the pantry already, with the exception of the sausage and seafood.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast tenderloins
½ pound linguica sausage, sliced
1 onion, chopped
1 large red or green bell pepper, chopped fine
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 teaspoon of salt
½ teaspoon of black pepper
1 teaspoon of paprika
2 cups of rice
4 cups of chicken broth
¼ teaspoon of saffron
1 pound of shrimp, cleaned and deveined
1/2 pound of bay scallops
12-18 mussels, scrubbed
¼ cup of chopped parsley
1 package of frozen peas

Preparation:
Cook the onion, bell pepper, and garlic in the olive oil until the onion gets tender.
Remove the onion, bell pepper, and garlic.
Add the linguica and chicken to the pan and cook until well done.
Add the tomatoes and spices to the pan and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.
Cook the rice in the chicken broth with the saffron while the other food simmers.
Stir the rice into the meat mixture.
Add the frozen peas, shrimp, and stir into the paella.
Heat through about 5 minutes. Add the mussels and cook for 5 minutes longer.
Srpinkle parsley over the top.
Serve with Sangria if you desire.

Photo/MJ LaFlaca on Flickr
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Triple Decker Ham and Cheese Sandwiches


Ingredients:
1 cup packed spring mix lettuce leaves
1/4 cup chopped green olives
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
Dijon style mustard
12 slices wheat bread
12 thin slices baked ham
4 thick slices Provolone cheese
4 slices Jack Cheese

Preparation
Mix together the mayonnaise and chopped green olives.
Lay four slices of bread on a cutting board and spread the mayonnaise mixture on them.
Cover with a slice of ham and a slice of Provolone cheese and some lettuce leaves.
Lay four slices of bread on top of that and spread the Dijon mustard on them.
Cover with a slice of ham and the Jack cheese and more lettuce leaves.
Top with the remaining slices of bread and secure with a fancy toothpick.
Slice on the diagonal.
Serve with Broccoli Cheese Soup.



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Baked Ham with Orange Pineapple Glaze

Ginger sweet potato casserole (Just click the link for the recipe.)
Spring Salad
Hot bakery dinner rolls

This can be a simple Easter or Spring dinner for your family. Just add some of your own favorite dishes to the menu and you're set.

Ingredients:
8 to 10 pound fully cooked ham, bone in spiral sliced
Whole cloves
½ cup red wine
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 jar (12 ounces) orange marmalade
1 can (13 ounces) drained pineapple chunks
6 sweet potatoes
2 tablespoons of butter
1 small orange
2 tablespoons of half and half
2 eggs
½ teaspoon of powdered ginger
½ teaspoon of salt
4 cups of spring salad mix
1 tomato, cut up
½ cucumber, sliced
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts

Preparation:
Stud the spiral slices with whole cloves putting in more if you like a strong flavor and less if you like it less spicy.
Put ham on a rack in a shallow roasting pan and cover with aluminum foil. Bake in a preheated 325-degree oven 18 to 25 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Take the temperature close to the bone.
In a small saucepan, mix wine, mustard and jam and pineapple. Warm over low heat. Uncover ham. Baste ham every 15 minutes with jam mixture during the last 45 minutes.
While the ham is cooking, prepare the sweet potato casserole.
Toss together the lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and walnuts for the salad.
Warm the dinner rolls in the oven in a tin foil wrapper.

You can use some of the leftover ham to make:


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Cornmeal Waffles for Dinner


Side dish: Ham and Scrambled Eggs
You might also want to try San Francisco Style Eggs and Potatoes as a side dish.

Cornmeal waffles have a crunchy texture and a terrific flavor. Cut into quarters, they are perfect to serve as bread with stews, chicken, and seafood. Plan on making extra and freezing them in individual plastic bags. While you are cooking them, keep them warm in a 200 degree oven, spread out single layer on a baking sheet. Don’t stack them; they will get soggy if you do.

Ingredients:
1 cup of flour
1 cup of cornmeal
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 cups of milk or buttermilk
2 eggs, whipped
4 tablespoons of butter, melted
For the ham and eggs:
8 eggs
2 tablespoons half and half
1 green onion, chopped
½ cup of chopped ham
½ teaspoon of salt
¼ teaspoon of pepper

Preparation:
Mix together the dry ingredients and make a well in the center.
Add the milk, eggs, and butter, and stir only until just combined. The batter will be lumpy.
Pour ½ cup of batter on the waffle iron and cook until the timer goes off. The waffles should be golden brown and lightly crispy at the edges.
If the batter is too thick, meaning it doesn’t spread by itself across the griddle, add milk 1 or 2 tablespoons at a time till it is the right consistency.
While the waffles are cooking, whip the remaining 8 eggs with 2 tablespoons of half and half, the salt and pepper.
Stir in ½ cup of chopped ham and chopped green onions.
Spray a pan with cooking spray preheat it.
Pour in the egg mixture. Do not stir it. Instead, gently lift the edges and allow the raw egg mixture to run underneath. Do this 2 or 3 times.
Cover the pan with a lid and keep warm until the waffles are ready.
Heat some syrup in the microwave until it is warm.
Serve the waffles and eggs with syrup, whipped cream, and fruit if you desire.




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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Dinner Magic Menus March Week 3

All the ingredients for these meals are listed on the Dinner Magic Shopping List for March Week 3.

Alfredo Chicken and Vegetable Linguini

Portobello Stroganoff

Beef Pepper Steak with Orange over Rice

Mu Shu Beef and Cabbage Rolls

Turkey in a Sweet and Tangy Sauce

Garlic Chicken with Thyme over Gnocchi

Chicken in Beer with Potatoes


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Dinner Magic Shopping List March Week 3

This shopping list has all the ingredients needed for the Dinner Magic Menus for March Week 3.

Meats:
2 or 3 turkey legs
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 bone-in skinless chicken breasts
1 pound of chicken breast tenderloins
1 pound lean ground beef
1 pound beef round steak

Dairy:
1 small package of prepared gnocchi
8 ounces of sour cream
Real butter, not margarine

Frozen Food:
1 package of broccoli florets
1 package of frozen stir-fry vegetables

Fresh Produce:
10 russet potatoes
3 white onions
1 bunch of green onions
8 ounces sliced mushrooms
12 ounces of Portobello mushrooms
1 package of shredded cabbage for coleslaw
1 carrot or one small bag of grated carrots
1 red bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
1 small package of fresh baby spinach
1 head of iceberg or romaine lettuce
1 bunch of parsley
2 tomatoes
1 cucumber
1 head of garlic or one jar of crushed garlic
2 navel oranges
1 lemon
2 cups of green beans (frozen if fresh aren’t available)

Canned Food:
1 can of chicken broth
1 can of vegetable broth
1 jar of Alfredo sauce

Dry Food and Staples:
Instant tapioca
Cooking oil
8 burrito sized tortillas
Sugar
Cornstarch
Rice
1 pound spinach or regular fettucini
1 pound linguini
Grated Parmesan cheese

Spices and Condiments:
Salt and pepper
Ground poultry seasoning, ground thyme,
Dijon style mustard
Maple flavored syrup
1 bottle of stout beer or ale
Worcestershire sauce
Pearl River soy sauce
Kitchen Bouquet cooking sauce
Salad dressing of your choice
Balsamic vinegar
Hoisin sauce or plum sauce

Other items for your own personal shopping list:






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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Garlic Chicken with Thyme over Gnocchi

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of crushed garlic
1 teaspoon of ground thyme
4 skinless chicken breasts, bone-in
Juice of one orange
1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
1 small package of prepared gnocchi (find this in the refrigerated section of your grocery)
Fresh green beans (frozen if fresh aren’t available)

Preparation:
Place the chicken in the slow cooker.
Sprinkle the garlic, thyme, orange juice, and balsamic vinegar over the top.
Cook on low for 7-8 hours, or on high 3 hours.
Cook the gnocchi according to package directions. (If you can’t find gnocchi, substitute with potatoes.)
Steam the green beans in the microwave.



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Turkey in a Sweet and Tangy Sauce

This easy meal cooks all day in the crock pot. All you have to do is enjoy it.

Ingredients:
4 russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 onion, quartered
2 or 3 turkey legs
1/3 cup of Dijon style mustard
1/3 cup maple flavored syrup
1 tablespoon of tapioca (for thickening)
Lettuce, tomato, and cucumber for a salad
Salad dressing

Preparation:

Place the potatoes and onions in a slow cooker.
Lay the turnkey legs on top.
Mix the mustard, syrup, and tapioca together.
Cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 3 hours.
Serve with a tossed salad.


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Mu Shu Beef and Cabbage Rolls

Invite the taste of China home in this 15 minute meal.

Ingredients:

8 burrito sized tortillas
1 pound of lean ground beef
4 chopped green onions
3 cups of shredded cabbage for coleslaw
1 grated carrot
¼ cup of hoisin sauce (You may use plum sauce if you want a sweeter dish.)
1 tablespoon of cooking oil

Preparation:

Heat the oil in a skillet.
Cook the beef and onion until the beef is well done.
Add the cabbage and carrot and cover to steam for about 5 minutes until it is tender.
Stir in the hoisin sauce.
Place the tortillas on a plate and cover with a clean dishtowel.
Warm the tortillas in the microwave for 20 seconds.
To eat, place some filling on a tortilla and roll up like a burrito.
Serve with additional plum sauce for dipping.


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Beef Pepper Steak with Orange over Rice

Ingredients:
1 pound of beef round steak
1 teaspoon of orange zest
Juice of one whole orange
½ red bell pepper and ½ green bell pepper, or any combination of bell pepper, sliced into strips
4 green onions, chopped
4 cups of shredded fresh spinach
1 clove of garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon Pearl River soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon of cornstarch
2 tablespoons of cooking oil
2 cups of rice (I usually mix ½ brown and ½ white rice for a richer flavor)

Preparation:
Put the beef in the freezer for ½ hour.
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
Stir in the rice, lower heat to a simmer, and cover and cook for 20-25 minutes.
When the beef is partially frozen, slice across the grain into thin strips.
Preheat the oil in a pan.
Add the garlic and cook for one minute.
Add the beef and cook until medium-well done.
Add the peppers and onions and cook until they begin to soften, about 1-2 minutes.
Add the spinach and cook until it wilts, about 1 minute.
Stir together the soy sauce, sugar, orange zest, orange juice and cornstarch. Add to the pan.
Stir together until thickened and serve over the hot rice.



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Portobello Stroganoff

Portobello mushrooms take the place of the meat in this classic favorite.

Ingredients:
1 pound of plain or spinach fettucini
1 cup of sour cream
2 tablespoons of flour
¾ cup of vegetable broth
1 tablespoon of Kitchen Bouquet cooking sauce
¼ teaspoon of black pepper
12 ounces of Portobello mushrooms tops, cut into thin slices
1 tablespoon of butter
1 onion, quartered
1 clove of garlic, crushed, or 1 teaspoon of crushed garlic
Fresh parsley
1 package of frozen broccoli
½ lemon

Preparation:
Cook the fettucini in boiling water according to package directions.
Melt the butter in a pan.
Cook the garlic in the butter for two minutes.
Add the mushrooms and onions and cook until tender.
Stir together the sour cream broth, Kitchen Bouquet, and pepper and add to the pan.
Simmer until it begins to thicken.
Drain the noodles.
Cook the broccoli in the microwave oven.
Squeeze some lemon juice over the top of the broccoli. Grate some lemon zest over it.
Serve the stroganoff over the fettucini, garnished with sprigs of parsley.


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Chicken in Beer with Potatoes

This recipe will serve 6 people, and it can easily be cut in half for a smaller family.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons cooking oil
2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 onion, chopped
8 ounces of sliced mushrooms
1 cup of chicken broth
½ cup of stout beer or ale
4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon of ground poultry seasoning
½ teaspoon of salt
¼ teaspoon of pepper
6 russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
Lettuce, tomato, and cucumber for a salad
Salad dressing

Preparation:
Heat the oil in a pan.
Cook the chicken with the onion until the chicken is browned on all sides.
Add the mushrooms, broth, beer, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings.
Cover and cook at a low simmer for 25 minutes.
Boil the potatoes until they are fork tender.
Smash the potatoes and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Serve the chicken over a bed of potatoes with a tossed dinner salad on the side.


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Alfredo Chicken and Vegetable Linguini

Dinner in 15 minutes? You betcha!

Ingredients:
1 pound chicken breast tenderloins
1 tablespoon of butter
1 clove of garlic, crushed
1 small bag of frozen stir-fry vegetables
1 jar of Alfredo sauce
1 pound of linguini
Grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Preparation:
Cook the linguini in boiling water according to package directions.
Melt the butter in a pan and cook the garlic in it for two minutes.
Cook the chicken in the butter and garlic until browned and cooked through.
Add the stir-fry vegetables and the Alfredo sauce.
Drain the linguini and stir into the chicken mixture.
Serve immediately with grated Parmesan cheese.


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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Dinner Magic Menus March Week 2

This week's menus include Corned Beef and Cabbage cooked in stout, in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Another day is Hot Reuben Sandwiches to use up the corned beef leftovers.

The Dinner Magic Shopping List for March Week 2 includes all the items you'll need to make these meals.

Almond Encrusted Salmon
Fresh Asparagus Spears in Lemon Butter
Homemade Wheat Bread

Potato Chip Baked Chicken
Baked Potato Fans
Green Beans

Turkey Burgers
Oven Baked Yam Fries
Tossed Salad

Corned Beef and Cabbage in Stout
Irish Soda Bread (Irish Soda Bread is a separate link.)

Hot Reuben Sandwiches Spring Salad

Pan Seared Scallops with Spring Veggies over Polenta

Broccoli and Bacon Quiche
California Salad

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Dinner Magic Shopping List March Week 2

This shopping list is for the Dinner Magic Menus March Week 2.
Meats:
1 or 2 pounds of wild caught salmon
1 ½ pounds of sea scallops
4 to 6 pound corned beef brisket
1 whole fryer chicken, cut up
1 pound ground turkey
½ pound bacon

Dairy:
Eggs
Real butter (not margarine)
Milk or buttermilk
Swiss cheese slices
Half and half

Frozen Food:
Spring vegetables with carrots and snow peas

Fresh Produce:
1 bunch of asparagus
1 lemon
1 head of garlic, or 1 jar of crushed organic garlic
10 russet potatoes
2 medium yams
2 cups fresh green beans (or 1 small package frozen green beans)
1 bunch green onions
2 yellow onions
1 bell pepper, red or green
1 head of iceberg lettuce
1 bunch of baby spinach
Spring salad mix
1 bunch of radishes
1 small head of cabbage
1 bag of baby carrots
1 carrot
1 head of broccoli or 1 bag broccoli florets

Canned Food:
1 can or jar of sauerkraut
1 quart of chicken broth

Dry Food and Staples:
½ cup almonds
Italian style bread crumbs
White flour and wheat flour
Cornmeal
Yeast for the bread machine
Potato chips
Olive oil
Whole wheat buns or Kaiser rolls
Quick cooking oats
Baking soda

Spices and Condiments:
Salt and pepper
Paprika, dried parsley, bay leaf, nutmeg
Brown sugar
Thousand Island dressing
Raspberry vinaigrette
Aged balsamic vinegar

Other items for your own personal shopping list:

Aluminum foil
Guiness Stout

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Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Corned Beef and Cabbage in Stout


Ingredients
4 to 6 pound corned beef brisket
1 bottle Guinness Stout (12 ounces) or any other stout beer you prefer
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and cut into wedges
1 clove garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
Spice packet from the corned beef
1 head cabbage, cut into wedges
6 medium russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 bag of baby carrots

Preparation
Place the vegetables in the crockpot.
Place the corned beef, bay leaf, and seasoning packet on top of the vegetables.
Pour the stout beer into the crockpot.
Cover and cook on LOW 6-8 hours.
Serve with Irish Brown Soda Bread.


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Photo/Egg on Stilts on Flickr

Irish Brown Soda Bread

Ingredients
3 cups of all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups of whole wheat flour
1 cup of quick-cooking oats
3 teaspoons baking soda
1/3 cup of brown sugar
4 tablespoons of butter, cut into small chunks
2 ¼ cups of buttermilk
(Optional: To make a substitute for buttermilk, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to 1 cup of milk. Stir and allow to sit for ten minutes.)

Preparation
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Sprinkle a baking sheet or pizza pan with a dusting of flour and oats.
Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Cut in the butter until the mixture looks like small peas. (For cutting in, use a pastry cutter or two knives.)
Make a well in the center of the flour mixture.
Pour the buttermilk in the well and stir until all the flour is mixed with the buttermilk.
Knead the dough for one minute on a floured surface.
Shape the dough into a circle about 1 ½ inches thick.
Cut a large X in the center of the dough with a sharp knife.
Sprinkle with a few oats.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a long toothpick comes out clean.
If the bread browns too quickly, lower the oven temperature to 375 degrees and bake for a few minutes longer until the toothpick comes out clean.

 

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Photo/Bernard Farrell

Hot Reuben Sandwiches with Spring Salad

Ingredients
Pastrami or sliced corned beef (This is a perfect way to use leftovers from St. Patrick’s Day.)
1 can of sauerkraut
Swiss cheese slices, 1 per sandwich
Whole wheat buns or Kaiser rolls
Spring salad mix tossed with 1 carrot, peeled and sliced
Thousand Island dressing

Preparation
Rinse the sauerkraut under running water to remove the bitter juices.
Squeeze it dry and place in a bowl with paper towels under it.
Heat the corned beef or pastrami in the microwave oven.
Toast the rolls under the broiler for 30 seconds, just until warm.
Place a dollop of Thousand Island dressing on a roll.
Place a layer of corned beef on the roll.
Top the corned beef with sauerkraut.
Lay a slice of Swiss cheese on top.
Melt the cheese under the broiler for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Serve with additional Thousand Island dressing for the salad and for dipping.



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Photo/Shannon Patrick

Pan Seared Scallops with Spring Veggies over Polenta

Ingredients
1 ½ pounds of sea scallops (sea scallops are the large one, 16-18 per pound)
1 package of frozen spring vegetables, with carrots and snow peas
3 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups of cornmeal (polenta)
4 cups of chicken broth
1 teaspoon of salt
½ teaspoon of pepper

Preparation
Mix the cornmeal with one cup of cold chicken broth.
Bring the remaining three cups of broth to a boil.
Stir in the cornmeal mixture a little at a time, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
Cook for 4-8 minutes over medium high heat, until the cornmeal begins to thicken.
Spread the polenta (corn meal mush) in an 8 x 8 square pan.
Allow to cool for at least 20 minutes. Overnight is even better.
Heat one tablespoon of oil in a skillet.
Add the balsamic vinegar and the sea scallops.
Cook the sea scallops over high heat 4-6 minutes, turning once.
Add the vegetables to the pan and heat through.
Remove the vegetables and sea scallops to a bowl. Keep warm.
Slice the polenta.
Add one tablespoon of oil to the pan and sear the polenta in the pan.
Place some of the cooked, sliced polenta on a plate.
Top with sea scallops and vegetables.

Wine pairing: A light white wine such as Pinot Grigio, also called Pinot Gris, or Bridlewood Viognier.


Note: Sea scallops can be quite expensive. This dish may also be made using shrimp or bay scallops to keep within a lower budget.


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Turkey Burgers with Oven Baked Yam Slices and Tossed Salad



Ingredients
1 pound ground turkey
¼ cup chopped green onions
½ bell pepper, chopped fine
½ cup Italian bread crumbs
1 egg
½ teaspoon thyme
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 medium sized yams
1 teaspoon olive oil
½ head of iceberg lettuce, cut into bite size pieces
½ bunch of baby spinach
4 medium sized radishes, sliced thinly
Salad dressing of your choice
Whole wheat buns or Kaiser rolls

Preparation
In a large bowl, mix together the first seven ingredients.
Divide into four large patties or six medium patties.
Place the yams in the microwave oven on high for 4 minutes
Let the yams cool slightly.
Peel the yams and slice them thinly.
Toss with one teaspoon of olive oil and some salt and pepper.
Place in one layer on a baking sheet.
Bake in a 400 degree oven for 25 minutes. The yams should be golden brown.
While the yams bake, toss the salad ingredients together.
Cook the turkey burgers in a skillet or on an indoor grill for 3 minutes on each side. The burgers are done when the juice from them runs clear.
Serve the burgers on the whole wheat rolls with garnishes such as catsup, mayonnaise, mustard, pickle relish, tomato slices, onion slices, or whatever you like.



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Photo/Chris and Yoon on Flickr

Almond Encrusted Salmon

Fresh Asparagus Spears in Lemon Butter
Homemade Wheat Bread

Ingredients
1 pound of salmon per two people
½ cup of almonds, chopped fine
Italian style bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
1 bunch of asparagus
½ stick of butter
Juice of 1 lemon
Aluminum foil
Flour and yeast for the bread machine

Preparation in the morning
Place the ingredients for the bread in the bread machine and set to delay bake. Use your recipe book that comes with the bread machine for recipe amounts and times.

Preparation in the afternoon
Wash and dry the salmon.
Cut into pieces. Coat each piece with egg.
Place the bread crumbs on a platter and roll the salmon pieces in the bread crumbs.
Place the chopped almonds on another platter and press the salmon pieces into the almonds.
Place the salmon on a foil lined baking sheet.
Bake the salmon for 15 minutes in a 400 degree oven. The fish should flake easily with a fork.
Cook the asparagus in a scant amount of water in a sauté pan.
Melt the butter and add the lemon juice to it.
Take the bread out of the bread machine ten minutes before dinner to allow it to cool slightly before cutting.
Drizzle the asparagus with the lemon butter.
Serve the salmon with the asparagus and wheat bread.

Photo by OldTasty on Flickr

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Potato Chip Baked Chicken with Baked Potato Fans and Green Beans


Ingredients
1 whole fryer chicken, cut up
½ bag of potato chips, crushed
½ teaspoon of paprika
½ stick of real butter (not margarine)
1 clove of garlic, crushed
4 russet potatoes
2 cups of fresh green beans (or one small bag of frozen green beans)
Aluminum foil
2 tablespoons of butter
1 tablespoon of dried parsley

Preparation

Place the potato chips in a large plastic zip top freezer bag.
Crush the chips by rolling over the bag with a rolling pin.
Add the paprika to the potato chips.
Melt the butter and the garlic in a pan.
Dip the chicken pieces in the butter to coat, then place them in the bag with the chips.
Toss two or three pieces of chicken in the bag at one time.
When the chicken pieces are coated, place them on a foil lined baking sheet.
Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.
Wash and peel the potatoes.
Bake them all at once in the microwave oven for 4 minutes.
Thinly slice the potates ¾ of the way through, leaving the bottom uncut.
Sprinkle with the butter and parsley.
Bake in the oven for 30 minutes next to the chicken.
Cook the green beans in the microwave oven.
The chicken is done when the juices are clear and the crust is golden brown.
The potatoes are done when they are crispy brown and tender.


These are the chicken breasts ready to go into the oven.

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Broccoli and Bacon Quiche with a California Salad


This is my original recipe. I adapted it to be made in about half the time in a George Foreman Evolve grill. It's so quick, it's faster than ordering a pizza and it's healthier, too! Here's the Evolve Grill Broccoli and Bacon Quiche recipe.

Broccoli and Bacon Quiche ingredients
  • 1 refrigerated, rolled pie crust
  • 6 bacon slices, cooked and cut up or crumbled
  • 2 cups of chopped broccoli florets
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 6 eggs
  • ¾ cup of half and half

How to make the quiche
  1. Mix the eggs and half and half with a whisk.
  2. Add the salt and nutmeg.
  3. Stir in the cooked bacon, the broccoli, and the onion.
  4. Place the pie shell in a quiche or tart pan.
  5. Pour the egg mixture into the quiche or tart pan.
  6. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.
  7. Lower heat to 325 degrees and bake for 25 minutes longer.
  8. The quiche is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Salad ingredients
  • Spring salad mix
  • ½ cup of walnuts, chopped
  • ½ cup of craisins or raisins
  • ½ a navel orange, peeled and sliced
  • Raspberry vinaigrette
  • Optional: Crumbled bleu cheese or feta cheese as a garnish

Salad preparation
  1. Toss all the ingredients together with a dash of vinaigrette.
  2. Top with bleu or feta cheese if desired.



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Photo/Monkeycat on Flickr

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Dinner Magic Menus March Week 1

Click here for the Dinner Magic Shopping List for the menus for March week 1.

This week we're going to cook a pork roast in the slow cooker. Then we'll be shredding the remaining pork and dividing it into three freezer bags. Each bag should have about one pound of meat, enough to cook the next two meals, Carnitas Burritos and Rigatoni with Pork and Vegetables. There will still be another pound left for another meal of your choice. The remaining pound of shredded pork may be used on pizza, in pulled pork sandwiches, in chili, or any other creative way you can think of to use it. Think of it as an extra meal in the freezer.

Roasted Pork in the Slow Cooker

Carnitas Burritos

Rigatoni with Pork and Vegetables

Thin Crust Personal Pizzas

Steak and Mango Salad

Orange Chicken in Paper

Fish Stick Hot Dogs



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Dinner Magic Shopping List March Week 1

This shopping list is for the meals for Dinner Magic Menus March Week 1.

Meats:
1 pork roast, butt or shoulder, up to 6 pounds
1 small package of pepperoni or salami
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 rib eye steak

Dairy:
Sour cream
Mozzarella cheese slices
Milk
Grated cheese for burritos
Eggs

Frozen Food:

1 package of 16 fish sticks
1 small package of frozen peas

Fresh Produce:
1 head of garlic or one jar crushed garlic
5 carrots
1 package of baby carrots
1 cup of snow peas
3 russet potatoes
4 onions
1 jalapeno or relleno pepper
1 bunch cilantro
1 package of shredded cabbage
1 sprig of rosemary
1 papaya or mango
1 avocado
1 head of romaine lettuce
1 package of spring mix
2 oranges
1 cup of cherry tomatoes
1 cucumber

Canned Food:
1 can of diced green chiles (or use a fresh roasted relleno)
Salsa
1 small jar pizza sauce
1 small jar sun dried tomatoes
1 small can sliced black olives
1 can of chili beans
1 single serving size of pineapple juice
1 can chicken broth

Dry Food and Staples:
Olive oil
Burrito size tortillas
1 pound rigatoni
Sandwich Thins or English muffins
1 package hot dog buns
¼ cup of chopped walnuts
Waxed paper or parchment paper

Spices and Condiments:
Salt and pepper
Sugar
Bay leaves, chili powder, cumin, paprika
Raspberry vinaigrette
Honey
Mayonnaise
Dijon style mustard
Dill pickles, sliced

Other items for your own personal shopping list:






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Fish Stick Hot Dogs

Yes, it sounds bizarre, but it tastes great! It's better than a fish sandwich from a burger joint. The key is the tartar sauce and the pickle slices.



Ingredients
  • 8 hot dog buns
  • 16 frozen fish sticks
  • Romaine lettuce
  • ½ cucumber, seeded and chopped
  • Dill pickle slices
  • Dinner Magic Tartar Sauce
  • 1 can Chili beans
  • ½ cup of chopped onions
  • ½ cup of grated cheese, (Cheddar or Jack)

How to Make Dinner Magic Tartar Sauce

Mix together in a bowl:
½ cup of mayonnaise
¼ cup of Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons of sugar
½ teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper
½ teaspoon of salt
Add 1 teaspoon of pineapple juice at a time until the sauce reaches the consistency you like.

Preparation
Cook the frozen fish sticks in the oven according to package directions.
Wrap the hot dog buns in foil and warm them in the oven for 5 minutes.
Warm the chili beans in the microwave oven.
On each bun, lay a leaf of lettuce, some chopped cucumber, and some dill pickle slices.
Place two fish sticks in each bun, and top with Dinner Magic Tartar Sauce.
Serve with hot chili beans topped with onions and grated cheese.

Have this with an ice cold Cream Soda.

More great recipes are at my Sacramento Easy Meals Examiner website.

Never miss a post! Follow me on Twitter as @Dinnermagic. Subscribe to the RSS feed for the Sacramento Easy Meals Examiner and the Sacramento Budget Wine Examiner or have the articles emailed to you.

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