This is old news to some of my friends out there, but I'm still looking for ideas so you'll just have to read this again. And respond. (Ros, I'm especially looking at you).
I have been pretty spoiled in my life, up to this point. I've not had to cook much. I was the youngest of 5, so there was always someone older than me to cook. In high school, I opted for speech and debate classes instead of home ec (I never fit the molly mormon mold). My husband's schedule, up to this point, has always allowed for him to do the cooking. He recently took a job offer that he couldn't refuse, which has been great in most aspects, except he's home too late to cook now, and it is all up to me.
The thing is, I find that I actually do enjoy cooking, and I'm pretty good at it. I love trying new recipes, and am always seeking out new ideas. So here's my criteria: I want recipes that are quite healthy, yet full of flavor. I really do make a pretty good effort to eat healthy, so Fizzion, if you're reading this, while I've loved your contributions in the past, no more macaroni and cheese with cut up hot dogs, okay?? I prefer them to be relatively simple, but I don't mind getting more complex. I eat and will prepare all foods except for pork. Sorry, I just can't bring myself to eat pigs. Oh, and I don't do well with anything cream based (I'm lactose intolerant). But everything else is a go.
Anybody willing to share recipes?? I'll share some too!
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If you want healthy meals that taste great, I suggest the South Beach diet cookbook. I'm not kidding. The meals are incredibly healthy, and full of flavor. Doesn't matter if you want to lose weight or not. These recipes are great.
I did the South Beach thing and the Atkins thing before... I don't necessarily agree with their teachings. Both have great recipes, I agree. But I think It's important to have a more well rounded diet.
Nevertheless, I appreciate your suggestion. Let me know if you have more!
Two words my dear...crock.pot.
They even have bags that you can line them with so that you don't have to clean them out after. You can cook VERY healthy and you can put the ingredients in the night before, keep it in the fridge, crank it up in the morning and dinner is on when you get home.
I SUCK at domesticity, but I get big loves from my family when I make dinner-this makes it so easy! You know where to find me if you want more info-I got recipes and tips-I am a veritable cornucopia of crock pot info.
A rice/vegetable steamer is good too. At least once a week we make a big thing of rice, then do something with chicken to put over it. They sell jars of Indian sauce at the grocery store to encourage our laziness. Then you can make fried rice with the leftovers, adding more chicken or tiny frozen salad shrimp.
Am I supposed to email you, or post it here? I'm going to post it here. JUST BECAUSE.
The Best Tacos EVER (my own take on a Mexican/American standard):
-Lean ground beef or turkey (I get about 1 lb, but there's usually a lot left over even when I'm cooking for 3 or 4. Which is nice for me, because I just freeze the leftover meat-like stuff)
-Rice - cook enough so it's about the same amount as the meat. Like maybe a cup or so.
-1 jar of salsa
-taco seasoning (the little baggie things from the store - I'm way not awesome enough to spice things myself)
-one of those tiny cans of green chilis
-lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, olives, taco sauce - whatever you like on tacos
-tortillas (floor or corn, although corn TASTES THE BEST) or tortilla chips
DIRECTIONS:
Cook the meat in a skillet. Because duh. Cook the rice in a pot. Also duh. Drain the meat, then combine meat and rice in a skillet and add the ENTIRE jar of salsa (less if you're making less, I suppose), the green chilis, and the taco seasoning (usually no need to add water since you've got all that awesome SALSA!). Mix it all together and simmer until it's a bit less wet. You can keep the heat way low to keep it warm until you want to eat it, unless it's, like, hours or something.
Put it all together to create the Best Tacos EVER!!!
This is, obviously, a flexible recipe. If you wanted you could simmer it all with peppers, or onions, or chocolate chip cookies, although I think that last one would be really gross.
PS - I'm not a dietician or a scientist or anything, but I think that if you don't use a lot of cheese or guacamole or whatever these are also pretty healthy - not too high in fat. I'm pretty sure.
I also have a recipe for the Best Quesadillas EVER, but since you're lactose intolerant (and also pretty healthy) I don't know if you'd want it. Let me know. With lower-fat, or not too much, cheese they're not INCREDIBLY bad, I hope. Mainly they're just way easy, which is why I like them.
Oh, here's another recipe that my friend turned me on to.
Veggie Extravaganza!!!
-Whatever veggies you like (I go with onions, bell peppers, broccoli, and green beans. Also tomatoes, but they always get way mushy when I use them)
-Spice mixes (the jars of Greek seasoning, or Chinese, or whatever - depends on what you like. My favorite is the Greek).
DIRECTIONS:
Saute the veggies in a little olive oil - a few minutes, so they're still kind of crisp. Drain, then put them back in the pan, spice them, and saute for a few more minutes - just enough for the spices to get into the veggies a little. EAT.
-TIP: I like to saute the onions separately for a little bit, then add the rest of the veggies to the oil - they cook longer, so they're sweeter.
Sounds kind of lame, but I swear I've had this for dinner more than once.
Can you eat Caesar dressing? No idea. If so:
Awesome Chicken Caesar Wraps:
-Chicken (I buy frozen chicken breasts)
-Romaine lettuce (or another kind of lettuce that ISN'T iceberg)
-Caesar dressing
-Wrap tortilla things (regular tortillas are too thick) - I like the spinach ones
-OPTIONAL: parmesan, black olives
DIRECTIONS: (totally obvious, but I'm writing it anyway)
Cook the chicken. I prefer doing it in the oven, but it does take longer. Add the amount of dressing (and parmesan) you want to the lettuce. Add the chicken (and olives). Wrap it up. Eat it. Love it.
I also have a pretty good chicken/bean burrito recipe, but I don't have it memorized (although it is way easy), and I have no idea where my recipes are. If you want it let me know - my sister has it so I could call her, no problem.
Everyone, thank you!! Some fabulous ideas here, I love it! By all means, keep 'em coming. I get bored eating the same thing too often so I'm always on the prowl for new ideas.
GypsyD- Hey lady! I love my crock pot, too! Especially in the summer when it's too hot to cook. I make a most excellent beef stew in the crock pot.
Rebecca, you are awesome! Be careful though, I might start to think that you really do like me! ;-) I can handle dairy products in very small quantities. My body gets angry at me if I overdo it, so I try to be carerful.
Thank you again!!
No pig and no creams... I guess Ham and funeral potatoes are out. Damn, too bad. Them things is tasty.
I'm flattered you would look my way. Your no-cook pasta has become a regular item in the kitchen of Ros.
I will be back with some recipes later today. I promise ;)
Pete- sorry, no ham here. I will make funeral potatoes and just have a bite or two. They are tasty.
Ros- Really?? How cool! I'm glad to know I made a contribution in the Ros household. I should post that recipe here.
AzEx- I used to think I could convert to Judaism for the pure fact that I don't eat any pork products. Then I heard that they don't eat shellfish. Then it was out for me! :) Cooking is fun, I highly recommend it!
I re-read my post and am stunned to realize that I referred to myself in the third person. Someone slap me please.
Chicken stuffed with artichokes, lemon, and goat cheese:
2 1/2 tbs Italian seasoned bread crumbs
2 tsp grated lemon rind
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 (6 oz) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 (3 oz) package goat cheese
2 to 4 (depending on size) skinless bonless chicken breast halves
1. Combine 1st 6 ingredients; stir well
2. Place each breast half between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Pound the holy living shit out of it (or until 1/4 inch thick)
3. Top each one with some cheese mixture. Roll up, tuck in sides, secure with toothpick
4. Heat large skillet with cooking spray or olive oil over med-high heat. Add chicken. Cook each side until browned.
5. Wrap handle of pan with foil. Put pan in 375 deg oven until chicken is done (approx 15 min)
Gorgonzola-walnut fettuccine with toasted breadcrumbs:
1 slice day-old hearty white bread, torn (I generally will use what ever I have. Sometimes that is the store-bought container of breadcrumbs)
1 tbs olive oil
1-2 (depending on taste) garlic cloves, minced
8 oz uncooked fettuccine (I usually use spinach flavor)
1/4 c. gorgonzola cheese
3 tbs chopped walnuts, toasted
2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1. Use food processor to chop bread crumbs. If the bread is soft, you should put it in the oven to toast at 250 for about 20 min.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over med heat. Add garlic. cook 30 seconds, remove from heat and let stand for 5 min. Return pan to heat. Stir in breadcrumbs, cook 6 min or until lightly brown, stirring frequently
3. Boil fettuccine. Place in large bowl. Add all ingreds. Stir.
Ros, I'm drooling... THANK YOU!! Those both sound amazing. Last week we had a yummy greek chicken with zucchini and onions and feta cheese with orzo pasta, it was delish. I'll find the recipe and post it.
Your greek chicken dish sounds great! Please do post it.
Lemon Thyme Chicken.
Delicious. Yummers. And so good for you. Best of all, EASY to make.
I'll get the recipe from Scott and send it to you.
Lemon Thyme Chicken sounds fabulous, please do get the recipe for me!
Ros, I'll post the greek chicken recipe when I get home tonight!
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