Black Forrest Cake

In honor of "Eat chocolate cake day", which I refused to let pass unobserved, my mom and I whipped up this beauty.

The recipe is to come, as my mom's recipes are never really measured. She is working on the specifics.

Happy weekend!

Battle of the Bulge... in the breast. Food for thought.

A year ago last October, my sweet Momma had a breast cancer scare.  This year, we are back in the saddle.  So, as we worry and wait to find out one way or another, (rather than feel helpless) I have gone to where I now vent my stress into a creative passion: The kitchen.  I have been researching cancer fighting foods.  The funny thing is that it isn't that different from the healthy diets your doctor tells you about.  So my new theory, is why wait until you know have cancer to eat the way you should?  None of it is really drastic or weird.  High in fiber foods, leafy greens, beans and legumes, etc.  I'll be posting some of our family tested "cancer fighting" meals and some that I want to try and will inevitably lose due to my organization issues.

There are many sources but I liked this one from the Cancer Cure Foundation.  It lists different specific foods.  If y'all would like to contribute, we'd love to get your ideas and recipes!  Here's the link:  Cancer Fighting Foods

Two heads are better than one and it is the same for two cooks!

 Bruchetta with homemade basil pesto and tomato salsa

 Yummy!  Supremes de Volaille a Blanc

 Balsamic Asparagus

 Fruit salad... yummy, yummy!

Thanks to the lovely Alexandria for joining me in the kitchen for a glorious week of cooking and play.  I'm heavier, but happy!  We only took photos of this meal in our fun we forgot.  But I'll post recipes!

Memorial Day Grilling: Marinated Grilled Salmon

They say a man's place kitchen wise is at the grill.  I don't know about every man, but for sure my husband has a gift with the grill. For Memorial Day, he made Grilled Salmon fillets, Asparagus, Cressant Rolls, and Fruit and Cream for dessert.

I'm a bit behind on my posting.  I'll get the marinade recipe from Richard and post it soon.  Don't you love it when you don't have to cook every meal?  I love cooking, but a break is always welcome. 

Carrie's Faux Phillies

These are not authentic, but they are tasty!

 


1 lb VERY thinly sliced beef steak (Ribeye is preferable, but in a pinch I used sirloin.  Not as tender, but it works.)  Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with pepper.

In a skillet place 2 Tbsp Olive Oil,  1 cup Fajita blend veggies, and 1 Tbsp minced garlic and carmelize (cook until the onions are soft and golden brown.)

Add Steak to skillet and stir occasionally until meat is browned thouroughly.  Add diced mushrooms.

Scoop onto toasted Hoagie Bun bottoms and top with wedges of sliced American cheese.  Close Hoagie bun.

If cheese isn't melted right away, you can place sandwich in the oven or microwave.

Chicken Breast with Salsa

6 boneless skinless chickien breasts
3 lemons squeezed (just use the juice)
3/4 C olive oil
2 Tbsp crushed Garlic
Salt and Pepper
Salsa

Mix lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and salt and pepper in a dish large enought to marinate your chicken in.  Marinate for 15 minutes on each side, then grill.  Top with Salsa.

Tonight I got lazy and actually baked the chicken IN the marinade on 350 till the juices ran clear and it was SUPER moist.  I also cut up the chicken breasts into halves or fourths.  They aren't as pretty, but they cook faster.

We served it with Cous cous and green beans.

Cooking for Newbies:

It amazes me how many of our children don't know how to cook anything but can order off of a menu. So here is my suggestion.  Recipes for the cooking illiterate.  I'll be adding even the easiest of recipes.  Join me! 

Menu Challenge!

I'm now on bed rest and wish to live vicariously through others.  What are your menu plans for the next week or two?  Its autumn now.  Any good fall recipes to add?

Help!

Maybe its the weather or something in the water, but I have been so unmotivated this week.  I need menu ideas for the SUPER LAZY cook.

Do you guys have those easy and fast but the family loves it recipes?  LETS HAVE 'EM!  Please?  Last night I was so lazy we ate a big dinner roll with colby jack cubes, strawberries, salad and a veggie platter.  On paper plates.  LOL

This weeks menu: ...What's yours?

Eating like this, Richard has gone down 5 pants sizes and I have lost at least 10 lbs. It has only been a couple of weeks and it tastes good too!


Balsamic chicken and pears
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/balsamic-chicken-pears-ghk0208?click=recipe_sr

Pita pocket night

Boca burgers and butternut squash fries
http://www.hungry-girl.com/chew/chewdetails.php?isid=812

Baked macaroni
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-recipes/NU00365

Whole wheat tortillas Black beans and brown rice

Decked out green salad

Chicken Taco Salad
http://www.drgourmet.com/recipes/salad/tacosalad.shtml

Low sodium lettuce wraps

Chicken and Rice with Garlic and Mushroom Asparagus

The Chicken and Rice is actually a Campbell's recipe. You can get it HERE.



The Asparagus was a concoction of stuff I had around the kitchen. I hate mushy green vegetables, so I normally bring the asparagus just to a boil on Med heat in a bit of water. Today I added mushrooms and minced garlic with some Smartbalance butter.

Oh! and for those few who are as asparagus ignorant as I used to be: You need to break off the thick end of the spear. My rule of thumb is to hold the thick end with one hand and the base of the leafy part and bend. it breaks where it should.

Food report again

We had buttered noodles with chicken breast and parmesan cheese. On the side we had fresh asparagus with garlic and mushrooms.
(I got a screaming deal on the asparagus. $.99/lb!)

Balsamic Chicken and Pears

With PB&J at the ready I braved this new cuisine all in the name of low cholesterol. It sounded weird, and my kids don't like weird. The first thing I noticed was the amazing smell. Then the flavor. O. My. Gosh. Very good. Its a hit with the kids too not weird. In fact I'd go as far as to say its like comfort food. I was surprised that the pears taste the same... just better. And the best part? I already had the Balsamic Vinegar and the rest was under $10. It took about 20 min to make.

Easy+Cheap+totally tasty= New regular Teasdale Menu item.

The recipe: Here

 

Chicken Apple Burgers!

This heart healthy meal is really tasty (in my opinion) and went over well with half of our family. Richard, myself and Katie all really liked it. Emma and Grandpa were not big fans.
If you leave off the apples, it tastes a lot like thanksgiving leftovers on a bun--with out the fat and calories. SO GOOD! FYI, Grandpa and Emma don't like "sweet meat."

The recipe was from Good Housekeeping's Website. Next to the recipe are the nutrition facts. They used a regular buns, I used light, whole wheat buns with half the sodium.

I spent about $10 probably less. It would have been more, but Macey's didn't have ground chicken. Instead I took frozen chicken breasts to the cheese grater. Saved a bundle and it worked just fine.

In the future, I'll use thinner apple slices and maybe just the patties and cranberry sauce.

Last night's dinner: Broccoli Potato Soup in bread bowls

This Soup has been a family favorite for years. I've never tried it in a bread bowl before though and it was SO GOOD!

The odd thing? For dessert, the kids wanted grapefruit with sugar sprinkled on top. I was going to make cookies... But I'll take it!

Food reports back on...

Okay ladies--and any men who might visit the blog.

Richard and I have had our cholesterol taken and we are both too high. We need to cut out the fastfood, fried food, and fatty foods that aren't necessary. To keep myself in check, I'm going to do our food reports again. Will you guys do it too? I need some support here. If I know people are looking and that I'm not the only one, I'm more likely to behave my self. LOL Comment or post with your food report for the next six weeks and we'll figure out something fun to do for the most healthy and frugal family chef. :)

Minestrone Night!

Thank goodness for cool weather! Click HERE for the recipe.

Saucy Pork Chops...

So pretend the pic looks better. My daughter reminded me to take a picture after we'd already eaten most of the meal. I cut up the PORK CHOPS, which I don't normally do, but I forgot to take them out of the freezer until late. Also, I typically make these in a crockpot, but because of time, I baked them in a covered casserole dish at 350 for an hour and a half.

Chicken 'n Dumplings

I forgot to take pictures in dishes, so here are
the leftovers in Tupperware.

I don't normally measure anything for this, but here's the best recipe I can put together.

2-4 Chicken breasts cut up, or 1-2 cans chicken chunks
3 cans chicken broth
2 cans Cream of Chicken
2 cut up celery stocks
3 cut up carrots

~Bring to a boil and add~

2-3 cups cooked egg noodles
pepper
Bisquick dumplings (follow directions on Bisquick box.)


Takes about 20 min total. Great leftovers!

Crockpot roast

Okay, so I found this picture online. It is identical to the one I am now using at Grandpa's house. I'm trying to consider it "cooking retro." LOL The funny thing? It works better than the new ones!

Sunday we had roast...

Crockpot
~Beef or Pork Roast
~onion or Golden onion soup mix
~Cut up potatoes and carrots
~Water up to 1/2 of the roast

Frozen meat--on low overnight
Thawed-- low 8 hours high 4-6 hours

LEFTOVERS!!! Re-heat or make a stew or sandwiches