Dinner Size - Texas Chili Cheese Fries

This was a meal that everyone gobbled up! With ground turkey, beans and some veggies on the side, it's not too unhealthy as long as you monitor how much you eat, which was hard on this one:)

Fries seasoned and coated with Olive Oil ready to go in the oven.

Chili brewing away. You could really use any chili recipe for this or keep it easy and go canned.

Finished plate. Really should have had more veggies on that plate, but I'm learning in that department. You'll see some more veggies in future posts, look out for some Flat Belly Diet meals. Actually, top your chili fries with avocados and have proper portions and this one could be a Flat Belly Diet Meal!

Get the recipe for this on the Rachel Ray site. The only thing I adapted was I added some black beans into the chili.

Spaghetti Carbonara or Spaghetti with bacon, eggs and cheese

This Carbonara or Spaghetti with bacon, eggs and cheese was so easy on a quick fix night I wasn't going to post it but then I thought, who can't use a quick and easy go to. Plus it was a big hit with everyone.

I adapted it from Rachels Ray's 30 minute meals cookbook.

Simple ingredients:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- couple 1/4 teaspoons crushed garlic (from the
jar:)
- bacon (you could substitute turkey or veggie)
- Protein Plus Spaghetti
- two beaten eggs (add dash of milk)
- shredded parm (to your liking)
- 1 cup reserved pasta cooking water

I put the bacon on a broiler pan and baked at 400 degrees until crisp and then broke it up. Meanwhile I boiled the pasta and sauteed garlic in the Olive Oil. I added the pasta to the garlic and olive oil. Then I added the egg and pasta water, and stirred very quickly. Finally I added the bacon and cheese and you're done. So simple, not to mention quite affordable.

Anybody tried the "Flat Belly Diet"?

Just wondering if anyone's tried the "Flat Belly Diet and seen and kept the results:) My parents told me about it and I checked it out. Any diet that includes things like olives, avocados, nuts, healthy oils and dark chocolate seems right up my ally! The holidays were not good to me weight wise, and even though it's snowing today, too soon it will be swim club time! Ahhhh!

I've also been working out, somewhat regularly at least. I'm trying.

Anyway, has anyone tried or heard anything good about it? The meals look really good but I think it's the portions I'll struggle with. The books in the mail so I'll let you know how it goes.

Great Very New Blog

My friend Robin has just started a new blog for all you South Jerseyans that want to be locavores called South Jersey Locavore.

Here's her description:
"Locavore: Someone whose diet consists of food grown or produced within an area most commonly bound by a 100-mile radius of their home. Locavores usually shun large supermarket chains, opting for farmer's markets and local gardens instead. It is also a current trend for many high-end restaurants as well. (from yumsugar.com)"

I'm looking forward to see what you find, Robin!

Great South Jersey restaurant find!

For all of you in South Jersey, or at least in traveling distance, my hubby and I ate at this great, authentic Mexican restaurant (thankfully their menu was in Spanish and English), Tejas Grill in Stratford, NJ.

It was actually recommended by my husbands friends from Mexico and El Salvador. It's just a little store front place (It's in the Good Will Shopping Center, we stopped in after some shopping, Yes, I proudly shop at Goodwill:). If it's cold, dress warm or find a seat next to a space heater, but the food helps to warm you up as well.

I had Chiles Rellenos, which were amazing! The sauce was unbelievable. My hubby had a torta and a tamale, both excellent as well. Prices were very affordable, especially compared to others in the area which have recently become more Americanized.

Anyway - just wanted to let you all know about it if you're in the area.

BTW - I have quite a few meals to post. I've been a bit backed up with school work but will hopefully get some up this week.

2 Meals for a little Steal

I got these two recipes from Rachel Ray's Meals for a Steal only I didn't find them to be quite a steal, but since it was Christmas week I went for it:) It was very helpful to have just a tiny bit of prep for the second night though.

I made Braised (Chuck) Roast Beef the first night and Beef and Barley Stoup the second night. (Click to see recipes)

Half the veggies (sauteed with pancetta) and the meat were saved for the second meal.

I love this pick right from the oven, the meat which was marinated in red wine and bay leaves gets added to the veggies along with the red wine which added such a nice flavor.

"Smashed" red potatoes with butter, plain yogurt (instead of sour cream) and chives.

I didn't puree the veggies for gravy to keep some substance and also cause I didn't feel like cleaning the blender:)


Night Two -

Sauteed crimini mushrooms in Olive oil and butter, then added the leftover veggies and barley.

Added beef stock and simmered, adding the leftover meat towards the end.

Served with grilled cheese and the kids liked it!

Traders Joe's 15 Bean and Barley Soup

This is a great fix for a cheap, easy and healthy dinner. I chose to make mine in the crock pot but you can also do this on the stove top like the directions say.

Don't make my mistake, which I've already made too many times, you'd think I'd learn, and use the quick soak method. Let them soak overnight or this will be tomorrow night's dinner.

Simply take your soaked and rinsed beans, add in whatever you like. I think I followed their directions pretty much, but this is pretty hard to mess up.

I added

- 2 containers (32 oz) of vegetable stock

- 2 15 oz. jars diced tomatoes (not drained)

- carrots

- onions

- a bay leaf

- basil

- pepper

We've been trying to go salt free although I occasionally sneak some into my own bowl:)

Look at that steam rising! Mmmm.

Served it with some homemade bread machine bread (my middle child was mad it was not grilled cheese, which would have been great with this, but I did not have time and they needed to do their homework). My five year old daughter finished every last bit so this was a winner and oh so easy.