Garden Update

Our garden is coming along great! The most recent additions have been watermelon and red bell peppers. My daughter was so excited to find a ripe strawberry she could hardly contain herself. I also came across an artichoke plant but it doesn't seem to be doing very well. I will keep tending to it and hopefully it will survive. I really can not wait for our first real "harvest". Here are a few pictures:

Yellow and zucchini squash:



Tomatoes:



Almost have a ripe one. My daughter checks it everyday.:



Beans:



Butternut Squash:



My mini-herb garden. Still working on it!:

Chicken Sandwiches

Now that the heat has arrived (it was in the 100's today!) I am trying to create new recipes that are light and can be cooked outside. I did use the oven to cook the bacon because I did not feel like standing over a hot stove. These are very versatile and are a good alternative to a hamburger. I used 3 boneless/skinless chicken breasts. One for each adult and split the third for my girls. Next time I will pound them flat, they were a little thick for my taste but perfect for my husband.

You will need:

Whole wheat hamburger buns
1/2 pound of bacon, cooked crisp
A couple of ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced
Swiss Cheese
Avocado, mashed
Boneless/skinless chicken breasts seasoned with garlic salt and pepper
Lettuce
Ranch Dressing

Cook the chicken on an outdoor grill. When the chicken is done (no longer pink!) place 2 slices of tomato and a slice of swiss cheese on top of each breast. Melt cheese and remove from grill.

Meanwhile prepare your buns by spreading ranch dressing on one bun and avocado on the other. Stack on the chicken, bacon, and lettuce.

Enjoy!

Pudding Pops

My 3 year old loves to help me in the kitchen. As soon as I start prepping dinner she races for her step stool and asks how she can help. It has really taught me a lesson in patience! It is a good way to spend quality time together while learning and getting something accomplished (dinner!) all at the same time. I am always scouting for recipes that she can do by herself (with me looking over her shoulder of course!). I found these and knew she would love them! They are great snack for a warm summer day.

In a bowl whisk together:

1 package instant chocolate pudding
2 cups cold milk

In a resealable bag crush:

6 Oreo cookies

Fold cookies and 1/2 cup of Cool Whip into pudding

Have ready 6-8 small paper cups (like Dixie cups) and popcicle sticks. Spoon pudding mixture into each cup. Insert a Popsicle stick into each cup. Freeze 5 hours or until firm.

Enjoy!

Quick Lunch

It has been a couple weeks since I have been able to post. We have been very busy and eating out a lot. Things are slowing down for a while I am happy to say.

As a mom I often find myself skipping lunch. I feed the girls, get the little one down for a nap and start on cleaning, preparing dinner, playing with the older one and before I know it I am starving! I love the Morningstar Farms products. Especially their Tomato and Basil Pizza Burgers. If I am heating lunch in the oven for the girls I can throw one in at the same time or they are even good in the microwave (and I do not like cooking food in the microwave!). I sometimes eat this as a wrap (cut burger into strips) with lettuce and feta cheese too. Yummy!

Prepare as directed:

1 Morningstar Farms Tomato and Basil Pizza Burger

Serve on a whole wheat hamburger bun with mayo, slices of tomato and lots of fresh basil leaves. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

Enjoy!

Turkey Meatballs with Florentine Macaroni and Cheese

Sounds like a strange combo right? I saw this episode of Rachel Ray's 30 minute meals and wanted to try it. My way of course! I did not think my husband would like this but he ended up loving it and even took the leftovers for lunch today. Both girls ate it up too! I was able to make the meatballs ahead of time and keep them in the refrigerator and throw them in the oven along side the mac n cheese. This recipe is really versatile. As with all my recipes, let me know what you think and what changes you have made. I would love to get some feedback! I hope you like these as much as we do.

Turkey Meatballs

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In a large bowl combine with your hands until mixed well:

1 - 1 1/2 lbs ground turkey
1/2 small onion grated
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 egg
3/4 cups breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons ketchup
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1/4 cup basil, chopped
1/2 cup Parmesan
1/4 cup ricotta cheese
1-2 tablespoons Worcestershire
Salt and pepper

Roll into 1 1/4 inch balls. Place on greased cookie sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven 30 - 40 minutes.

Florentine Macaroni and Cheese

In a small sauce pan melt:

4 tablespoons butter

Whisk until smooth:

4 tablespoons flour

Remove from heat and slowly whisk in:

2 cups milk

Return to low heat and continue to whisk until thickened. Add:

1/2 medium onion, minced
1/4 teaspoon of paprika
1 box frozen spinach, thawed with all the water squeezed out

Let simmer, stirring often, 15 minutes. Remove from heat.

Meanwhile prepare 1 box of small pasta shells as directed on package.

Have ready:

1 cup mozzarella, shredded
1 cup fontina, shredded (smoked fontina is delicious too!)
1/2 cup Parmesan

Add 1/2 of the cheese to sauce and stir until completely melted. Stir into pasta and pour into greased casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake in a 350 degree oven 30 minutes.

Enjoy!