great grub 29

Let's shift gears a little bit and go with a good old American (Italian) classic, shall we? I love pasta, pasta does not love me however. As an insulin resistance girl I am supposed to cut waaaay back on all things sugar and carb. I did a great job of avoiding those things back when I did this. However, sometimes a girl just needs some pasta, am I right? So here is a family favorite in our house (not to mention it makes a ton and freezes well!)

Lasagna

Ingredients:

- 1 box lasagna noodles
- 3 jars of your favorite sauce
- 2 eggs
- 1 container ricotta cheese
- 1 cup parmesean cheese
- 4 cups mozzarella
- 1 lb. ground meat (beef, chicken, turkey...)
- any veggies you want (carrots, zucchini, spinach...)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Boil lasagna noodles according to package directions and allow to cool being careful to separate them so they don't stick to each other. Beat together the eggs and parmesean cheese. Brown the meat and drain. Cook any veggies you like and puree in your food processor. Add to your jarred sauce. (Yes you overacheivers can use homemade sauce, the rest of us will take the easy way out by adding yummy veggies without our husbands ever knowing they are there!)
Mix the meat, sauce, veggies together. In an 11x14 inch casserole spread a little of the sauce mixture on the bottom. Put one layer of noodles on top. Top that with half of the ricotta/egg mixture and add 1/3 of mozzarella. Ladle 1/3 of the sauce mixture on that. Repeat until you are out of noodles. Your last layer should be the remaining mozzarella.
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 15 more. Let it stand for at least 15 minutes.
Mmmmmmmmmm, pasta.

Enjoy!

great grub 28

I'm on a roll with the I-haven't-talked-about-this-in-a-while posts (there go those dashes again!) so I thought I'd keep it going with another great grub. This is an old recipe passed down from my grandmother (Grammy). Actually it was started by her friend, who we called Flo. Anyway, that is enough random info about this delicious recipe. I will warn you, this is a labor intensive process. It isn't hard work, but it takes a long time. I PROMISE it is worth it!

Grammy's (Flo's) Baked Stuffed Shrimp

Ingredients:
- 1 lb. uncooked shrimp
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/2 tsp. paprika

- 1 (or 2) cans crab meat
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. Tabasco sauce
- 1 tsp. mustard
- 1 tbsp. mayonnaise
- 2 slices bread (crust removed and cubed)

- 1 medium onion, minced
- 1/2 bell pepper, minced
- 2 tbsp. butter

Directions:
Peel uncooked shrimp, leaving tail on. Split shrimp butterfly fashion. Combine bread crumbs and paprika. Dip in milk and egg, then in crumb mixture.

Mix crab meat, Worcesterhire sauce, salt, pepper, Tobasco, mustard, mayo, and bread crumbs.

Saute onion and green pepper in butter. Add to crab meat mixture. Stuff shrimp, tail-side up. Place on a greased baking pan or cookie sheet.

Bake at 400 degrees until browned, 15-20 minutes.

Enjoy!!!

ps - I can't believe I just made these and forgot to take a picture...so I stole one of the internet that looks veeeery similar. Don't tell on me.

craving...

I want some pinto!

This is primarily what we ate while we were in Costa Rica. Pinto (or Gallo Pinto) is rice and beans. But it is so much more than that! We ate it everyday at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This year I brought oatmeal packets with me because I thought maybe I would want  a break from all that rice and beans (especially having just come off the Maker's Diet!) but you know what?

I never ate my oatmeal.

I take that as just another sign that I should be living in Costa Rica!

Anyway, here is the key ingredient in said pinto:

I definitely bought a bottle of this loveliness to take with me. Actually I bought 3 bottles. 1 for me, 1 for my friend Sarah, and 1 for my friend Sarah's sister (who used to live there!).

Sarah just happens to have the recipe posted here on her blog...and I just happen to be nice enough to share it with you.

You're welcome.

great grub 27

Today is day 31 on The Maker's Diet! I am sticking to the plan really well for the most part. I've lost a lot of weight, and maintained that loss even through vacation. I thought I would share with you one on my favorite recipes that sticks to TMD standards. I have used this one a lot! It is super simple (as is all the food I eat lately) and definitely yummy.

Baked Asian Salmon

Ingredients:
- two 6 oz. salmon fillets (skin on or off)
- 2 tsp. sesame seed oil
- 2 tbsp. Bragg Liquid Aminos
- 1 tsp. honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- salt
- pepper

Directions:
Whisk the oil, Bragg's, garlic honey, salt, and pepper together until combined. Put the salmon fillets into tin foil pouches. Distribute the marinade evenly over the fish and put in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 425°.
Place the salmon pouches on a pan and bake for 7-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. We like ours with lemony brown rice and sauteed spinach!
(You can also marinate this salmon and then grill it, it is great that way too!)

Enjoy!

great grub 26

Since I am still on The Maker's Diet I thought it would be appropriate to showcase a recipe that follows those guidelines. My mom actually made this one up for me while we were hanging out by the pool one day and I was complaining that I couldn't drink anything but water. (I love juice, milk, and coke a lot!) It was hot, we were thirsty and thus was born:

Frozen Lemonade
(following the maker's diet guidelines)

Ingredients:
- juice of 4 or 5 lemons
- 2 cups water
- 2 tbsp raw honey
- ice cubes
- sprig of mint

Directions:
Add all the ingredients except for the mint into the blender. Blend until the mixture is combined and frothy. Pour it into chilled glasses and add the mint on top. (I like to push mine down and get a hint of mint in every sip!)

Enjoy poolside!

great grub 25

This recipe is one of my go-to's on a night where we have no time. It's quick, easy, and yummy! I always have the ingredients on hand. Most families have some version of this meal...

Tuna Melts

Ingredients:
- 1 can tuna (I like StarKist in olive oil)
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- salt
- pepper
- garlic powder
- 2 slices cheddar cheese
- 4 slices whole wheat bread

Directions:
Preheat oven to broil.
Mix tuna, mayo, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic powder thoroughly. Spread half the mixture on two slices of the bread. Put the cheeses slices on the other 2 slices of bread. Place all four pieces in the oven for 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted and bread is golden. Yum! Enjoy with the veggie of your choice! (We like asparagus!)

great grub 24

I am into quick and easy meals lately. And like I talked about before, changing seasons means changing palettes. I still haven't gotten any watermelon though! Anyway, we had a cook out at Matt and Sarah's for our youth group and I made potato salad. It was my first attempt and it went over extremely well. I didn't have a recipe so here is what I made up!

Heather's Potato Salad

Ingredients:
- 2lbs red skin potatoes, chopped into 1" cubes, skin on
- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp mustard
- 1/4 cup pickle relish
- 2 tsp celery salt
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 hard boiled eggs, chopped

Directions:
Boil potatoes with the skin on for about 10 minutes until just tender. Drain and let cool. In a large bowl, mix all the other ingredients except the eggs. When the potatoes have cooled add them to your mayonnaise mixture. Fold them in gently. Add the eggs. Refrigerate and serve!

Enjoy!

great grub 23

We eat Mexican food at my house at least once (probably more like twice) a week. My absolute favorite thing to eat dip-wise is guacamole. However, I hate chopping veggies. It is so tedious! So I came up with this...

Easy Guacamole

Ingredients:
- 2 avocados, diced
- 1-2 tsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup salsa
- salt
- garlic powder
- cumin

Directions:
Dump all the ingredients into a bowl. Add your desired amount of salt, garlic powder, and cumin. I use very very little cumin as it is pretty potent. Combine with a potato masher until desired consistency. I like mine a little lumpy! (If you don't have a potato masher a fork will do.) Easy-peasy! Eat with tortilla chips, carrot sticks, oh the list goes on.

Enjoy!

great grub 22

I have a feeling this post is really going to gross some people out, sorry in advance! This is yet another childhood recipe my frugal mom made up and I have used on nights where cooking and clean up need to be fast. No, this isn't a healthy recipe and pretty uncharacteristic for great grub, but Eric and I really like it! You can weigh in only if you try it first!

Hot Dog and Bean Casserole
(sorry no picture)

Ingredients:
- 1/2 package chicken hot dogs (I don't eat beef or pork hot dogs so you can use whatever you want)
- 1 can biscuits or crescent rolls
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 2-3 cans vegetarian baked beans (or whatever you like)
- ketchup
- mustard
- barbecue sauce

Directions:
Preheat oven according to biscuits/crescent rolls temperature.
Pour the beans, onion, and barbecue sauce into a pot and heat until warm. Pour bean mixture into a small baking dish. Swirl desired amounts of ketchup and mustard over the beans. Cut hot dogs into 1/2 inch rounds and layer over the beans. Cover the hot dogs with cheese. Layer the biscuits or crescent rolls over the cheese. Bake according to the directions on the biscuits/crescent rolls.

Enjoy!

great grub 21

My stepdad is not really a cake eater. Weird, right? Neither is my brother actually. So birthdays at our house were always a little different. Ice cream cakes, fudge brownies, chocolate fondue...you name it we did it if it was a dessert other than cake. There was always one thing we could count on though, if it was my stepdad's birthday we would be having strawberry pie. Let me tell you, I did not miss cake on those days. It is delicious!

Strawberry Glace Pie

Ingredients:
-1 baked one-crust 9-inch pie shell
-1½ quarts strawberries
-1 cup sugar
-3 tablespoons cornstarch
-½ cup water
-1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
-1 cup heavy whipping cream
-3 Tbsp powdered sugar
-1 tsp vanilla

Directions:
Mash enough strawberries to measure 1 cup. Mix sugar and cornstarch in 2-quart saucepan. Gradually stir in water and mashed strawberries. Cook over medium heat until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir one minute. Cool.

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Spread in pie shell. Fill shell with whole strawberries. Pour cooked strawberries mixture over top. Refrigerate three hours or until set.

Beat the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla with a mixer until you have stiff peaks. Be careful not to over whip or you will get butter! Spread over the top of the pie. Cut, serve and...

Enjoy!

march/april 200 challenge

Ok I am a day off from my normal 15th of the month shopping spree, but Mondays are impossible for me to do anything except tutor. Seriously, I am at work from 9-10am, then 2-8:30pm. Yup. I love my job, but no grocery shopping on Mondays!

Now for the good stuff. This month I am including the money I spent on my cousin (in-law) Amy's baby shower, which is this weekend! I also went to Big Lots for dishwasher detergent tabs and Eric's deoderant. I spent $10.05 there. Then it was on to Aldi! I got about half of the things I needed there, including some spices I was out of, for a whopping $66.08. Next stop was Wal-Mart for all those obscure "Aldi doesn't carry that" items. I spent $71.83. Last stop was dollar tree for shower decor, where I spent $11.77. Love a place where everything really is a dollar.

That bring my entire total (minus the trip in 2 weeks for more fresh veggies) to $159.71! Yes, that is $40.27 under budget, so far.

Ok my meals for the month!

Dinners
-Cheesy chicken and rice with broccoli (x2)
-Shepherds pie
-Baked ziti with spinach
-Salmon, onion rings, asparagus
-Burritos
-Crock pot chicken and black eyed peas
-Frozen pizza
-Mexican lasagna
-Mexican lentil casserole
-Chicken pesto
-Spaghetti, meatballs, garlic toast
-Shrimp scampi
-Popcorn shrimp, faux tatoes
-Biscuits and gravy (x2)
-Butternut squash risotto
-Smoked gouda mac and cheese
-Greek crock pot chicken
-Whole wheat blueberry pancakes
-Scallops and pasta
-Hot dogs and beans
-Chili beans and biscuits
-Turkey burgers
-Fried eggs, sausage, grits

Breakfast/Lunches
- Cinnamon rolls
- Fried eggs
- Honey Oatmeal muffins
- Whole wheat blueberry pancakes
- Yogurt with honey and granola
- Trail mix, mixed nuts
- Hot dogs
- Tuna with crackers
- Leftovers

great grub 20

So I know that frying is not the healthiest option, but it is ok to cheat sometimes. Plus, frying in olive oil is much better than any other oil. Last year in our garden we grew zucchini and it did really well. It is also one of our favorite veggies here at our house. I plan on growing it again this year (more on our garden later!). This is an easy recipe with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.

Fried Zucchini Rounds

Ingredients:
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 2 tsp. salt (or seasoned salt)
- 1 tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. corn starch
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs (optional)
- 1 egg
- 1 cup water or milk
- Olive oil

Directions:
Wash zucchini and chop into 1/4 inch rounds. Mix egg and milk (or water) together in a pie plate (or some other flat bottom dish with sides). Combine flour, garlic powder, salt, pepper, corn starch, and bread crumbs in another plate (to taste).

In a large skillet with high sides, pour enough olive oil to coat the bottom well, about a 1/8 inch. Heat oil on medium low to medium heat.

Dip zucchini in egg mixture and then toss in flour mixture, coating well. Then lay zucchini in the pan. If the oil is hot enough, the zucchini will sizzle. Fry until golden brown, then flip and fry the other side as well. Place zucchini on a paper towel lined plate to drain. Repeat the process until all the zucchini are fried. You may have to change the oil if it starts to burn. We like this meal with salmon and rice!

Enjoy!

great grub 19

I really can't take too much credit for this next recipe. My friend Kimberly actually made it for us a long time ago and I stole it and adapted. (That makes it mine, right?) On our never-ending quest to make frugal and healthy meals, this side dish is perfect. This dish goes with so much stuff! Tuna melts, salmon, the choices are endless. Gotta love a veggie that acts like a starch...

Faux-tatoes
(Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes)

Ingredients:
- 1 head cauliflower
- mayonaise
- butter
- salt
- pepper
- garlic powder
- corn starch

Directions:
Chop cauliflower into florets and steam. I like to steam mine in a microwaveable bowl with a small amount of water for about 7-10 minutes. Put the cauliflower, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste into the food processor until combined. Add a tablespoon of butter and 2 tables poons mayo and combine. Add about a teaspoon of cornstarch to thicken. Keep adding mayo or butter until cauliflower becomes desired consistency (like mashed potatoes).

Enjoy!

feb/march 200 challenge

I did my grocery shopping today! I am shopping on the 15th of every month so I will go from 2/15 - 3/15 with this months groceries. I went to Aldi first with my list and got a good majority of my groceries and fresh produce there. I only spent $58.51 there.

Next stop was Wal-Mart. They carry a few things that Aldi just doesn't have. Also, we are trying to cut out high fructose corn syrup and use more natural sweeteners like raw local honey and agave, and even some of Aldi's "Fit&Activ" brand contains hfcs. This month I had to buy toilet paper and sponges, but those were my only non-food items. I spent $98.08 there.

That brings my total to $151.59. Now I will go back for milk and probably bread before the month is out, but that is still seriously under budget! Now for my meals...(some meals are frozen from last month, and no that isn't cheating!)

Dinners:
- Frozen Veggie Soup and biscuits
- Frozen Lemony Lentil Soup and cheese toast (x2)
- Buffalo chicken quesadillas
- Chicken fajitas
- Cheesy chicken and rice with broccoli (x2)
- Shepherds pie with corn (x2)
- Spaghetti with garlic bread
- Baked ziti with spinach
- Baked salmon, rice, and spinach
- Baked salmon, rice, asparagus
- Hot dogs and baked beans
- Burritos (x2)
- Greek crock pot chicken
- Crock pot chicken and black eyed peas
- Veggie pasta with Braggs
- Frozen pizza (x2, for Wednesdays, not able to cook)
- Black bean quesadillas
- Mexican lasagna
- Enchiladas (x2)
- Tuna melts and faux tatoes (x2)
- Mexican lentil casserole

Breakfast/Lunches
- Cinnamon rolls
- Fried eggs
- Honey Oatmeal muffins
- Whole wheat blueberry pancakes
- Yogurt with honey and granola
- Trail mix, mixed nuts
- Hot dogs
- Tuna with crackers
- Biscuits and gravy

That is 28 dinners! We will also have leftovers for lunches and dinners too. If you want to join The 200 Challenge just go on over to Sarah's and link up!

great grub 18

Mmmmmm muffins. Definitely one of my favorite food groups! I don't make them too often, but I love inventing new muffin recipes. My new obsession right now is local raw honey, and I am trying to find new ways to use it other than in green tea! So muffin + honey = genius.

Honey Oatmeal Muffins

Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup old fashion oats
- 1/2 cup wheat germ
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp. baking powder
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1 egg

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400.
Combine all the wet ingredients in a large bowl with a whisk. Combine the dry ingredients separately. Gently fold in the dry ingredients to the wet until moist. Grease a 12 cup muffin tray. Fill the cups 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes.

Enjoy!!!

great grub 17

I told you a while ago that my great grub series was going Lebanese for a few weeks in honor of my grandmother. So I am back with another super traditional Arabic dish. This is an item that my grandmother always has in her refrigerator. It is basically the Arabic version of a garden salad. I love it! I do have to apologize though, I watched my grandmother make these and she never measures. Don't hold me to these exact measurements, because they are a little subjective.

Tabouleh (pronounced "tah-bool-ay")
Parsley Salad

Ingredients:
- 2 lb. parsley
- 1 cup cracked wheat
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 3 tsp fresh or dried mint
- 1 onion, chopped fine
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- salt and pepper

Directions:
Chop and soak the parsley to remove dirt. Add enough water to the cracked wheat to make a paste and let sit for 30 minutes. Add the onion, tomato, and parsley to the cracked wheat. Mix in the olive oil and lemon juice. Generously salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy with Lebanese bread!

update: meals for a month

It has been a little over 2 weeks since I bought groceries so I thought I would update you all on how my meals for a month challenge is going! Personally, I think we have done great!!!

- Lemony Lentil Greek Soup (eat twice this month, freeze and eat twice next month)
- Biscuits and gravy (x2) 1 to go!
- Cheesy chicken and rice (x2, four meals each time so some will be for next month)
- Tuna melts (x2) with faux-tatoes and with broccoli 1 to go!
- Macaroni Grill meal (chicken pesto)
- Chicken fajitas
- Buffalo chicken quesadillas
- Crock pot chicken and black eyed peas (x2) 1 to go!
- Twice baked potatoes (x2, aka Texas 'Taters) 1 to go!
- Shepherds pie (x2)
- Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches 1 to go!
- Spaghetti and garlic bread 1 to go!
- Mexican lentil casserole (x2)
- Black bean soup (eat twice this month, freeze and eat twice next month)
- Italian chicken and fried squash
- Frozen Red Baron pizzas (x2) 1 to go!
- Frozen Smoked Gouda mac and cheese
- Hot dogs and baked beans (x2)
- Burritos
- Brinner (x2, blueberry pancakes, sausage, fried eggs, etc.) several to go!

So there you go folks, well on the way to succeeding in this challenge...and eating somewhere good for Valentine's Day!!!

great grub 16

Ok I know I said I was going to post arabic recipes for the next few great grubs...but this next recipe was sooo good I had to bump it up and share. Eric and I do brinner (breakfast for dinner) a lot! I love how cheap it is, plus I love breakfast food! So here was our Monday night brinner:

Whole Wheat Blueberry Pancakes

Ingredients:
- 2 cups milk
- 1 and 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
- 1 cup fresh (or thawed frozen) blueberries
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 egg whites (or two eggs) - beaten
- 1 Tablespoon canola oil (or vegetable)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
In a large bowl, mix together the two flours, baking powder and salt.

In a separate bowl, mix together the milk, egg, oil and vanilla.

Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until just moistened and combined. Fold in the berries.

On a lightly greased skillet set at medium-high heat, dollops batter in 1/4 cup amounts (I use a measure cup to dip and pour) to make each pancake. When bubbles appear at the top of the pancake and the edges start to look dry, flip the pancakes and cook the other sides until golden brown.

Eric ate his with maple syrup, but I prefer mine with blueberry syrup!

Enjoy!

meals for a month

I usually try to do once a month grocery shopping. The only things I go back for in the middle of the month are milk, eggs, bread, and fresh fruits/veggies. Since we are only a family of two, I try to stick to a really tight budget when it comes to groceries. Under $150 is my usual goal for a month. So far so good for the last 3 months! Eric and I decided that if we don't go out to eat at all for the month of January and half of February, we can do something nice for Valentines Day. Here is what we are eating this month (and a half):

- Lemony Lentil Greek Soup (eat twice this month, freeze and eat twice next month)
- Biscuits and gravy (x2)
- Cheesy chicken and rice (x2, four meals each time so some will be for next month)
- Tuna melts (x2) with faux-tatoes and with broccoli
- Macaroni Grill meal (chicken pesto)
- Chicken fajitas
- Buffalo chicken quesadillas
- Crock pot chicken and black eyed peas (x2)
- Twice baked potatoes (x2, aka Texas 'Taters)
- Shepherds pie (x2)
- Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches
- Spaghetti and garlic bread
- Mexican lentil casserole (x2)
- Black bean soup (eat twice this month, freeze and eat twice next month)
- Italian chicken and fried squash
- Frozen Red Baron pizzas (x2)
- Frozen Smoked Gouda mac and cheese
- Hot dogs and baked beans (x2)
- Burritos
- Brinner (x2, blueberry pancakes, sausage, fried eggs, etc.)

That is 38 meals! Plus leftovers and enough for lunches. I think we can do it!

So now I want to know where we are going...
;)

great grub 15

I recently went to Massachusetts to visit my dad and grandmother (we call her Tata). My dad's family is from Lebanon. He was born in Zahle, about 30 minutes from Beirut, the capitol. Over the last couple years I have been very interested in learning how to cook lebanese food. Tata doesn't have ANY recipes written down and she never measures. So I watch and eyeball and write everything down when I see her. Now I am going to share some with you! We will start simple...

Salata (Salad)

Ingredients:
- 1 bag baby spinach
- 1 yellow onion, sliced thinly
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 1/4 cup dried mint
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- salt

Directions:
Whisk oil and lemon juice together with the salt in the bottom of a large bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and toss until coated. Salad should be very wet. Eat with lebanese bread!!!

Enjoy!