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Cooking

Chicken Spinach Quiche Cooking with Seaweed

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quicheCooking with Seaweed: Chicken Spinach Quiche Crust-less my family loves it and I love that it is a great make ahead meal.  My kids love it as well. This a great pack in the nutritional meal.  I go an extra step and add a super food : seaweed.  I know you are like ewe.. but you can tasted it and it ads so much to your daily needs.  Dr. Oz  talked about how it is an seaweed food. As a family we have enjoyed it for years.  It has a sea smell to it when eated plain but once placed in other foods,  you will never know,  You can find it in Asia Markets, some grocery store and Trader Joes.  Mixing it in with spinach is a great way to introduce seaweed into your diet.   You can’t taste the seaweed but it pack the nutritional punch.

I found this from  Best Healthy living mag  … Seaweed packs super-high amounts of calcium—higher than broccoli—and in terms of protein, it’s almost as rich as legumes. There’s also a good amount of vitamins B-12 and A and it’s a great source of fibre. But not just any old fibre. Seaweed is mostly soluble fibre, the kind that turns into a gel, slowing down the digestive process, thus inhibiting the absorption of sugars and cholesterol.

 

Chicken Spinach Quiche

  • 2 chicken breast
  • 1 onion diced small
  • 1 page for frozen spinach thawed and water pressed out
  • 8 eggs
  • 2 cups of milk
  • 1 2 cup package of sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons of hot sauce
  • Salt Pepper
  • 1/2 bread crumbs (optional) or gluten free bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup of dried nori roasted seaweedseaweed_013_001-3
  1. Take diced onions in a fry pan cook until tender ans sweet
  2. Add dice chicken w/ salt and pepper to onions and cook
  3. removed and set in large bowl
  4. Place spinach in fry pan cook to removed any excess moisture
  5. To onion/chicken bowl add eggs,  milk, hot sauce.
  6. Add cooked spinach to bold and cheese (add Nori seaweed) stir until all ingredients are wet
  7. In a large 9×13″ pan spray with cooking spray
  8. Then Sprinkle with bread crumbs on the bottom of the dish (optional)
  9. Then pour in the egg mixture in pan
  10. Cook in oven for 45 minutes at 375
  11. Allow to cool and enjoy.
  •  quiche

Meal Planning:

Monday : Spinach Quiche

Tuesday: Pork Chops in apple sauce sweet potato gratin

Wednesday : Chicken from Inspireddreamer.com  with Brussels sprouts and mash potatoes

Thursday : Gnocchi and crispy sausage

Friday : Taco Night

 I am linking up with Organizing Junkie  Meal Plan Monday

 

Cooking

Easy Seafood Chowder and Meal Planning

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easy_seafood_chowder_013_001-1-2Easy Seafood Chowder  creamy seafood soup is my favorite soup.  You know what I love about cooking.  Is the discover of recipes that are passed from person to person.  Some times the recipe is written down some times it is this is so easy. This sea food chowder recipe I discovered when my sister made it for several parties.  I loved it,  she said it was her veterinarian mother in laws recipe and it is so easy.   I have discover over the years that he mother in law despite of being a vegan can really cook meats.

So before my pumpkin carving part I texted my sister and she told me the ingredients.. I did a few changes my self and served the soup it was a hit at my party.  Everyone loved it and asked for the recipe.  So I am going to share with you:

Tip buy the ingredients when on sale in the store –  this is a quick soup

Easy Seafood Chowder:

Makes 8-10 cups

Cook time 30-40 minutes stove top or 2-3 hours crock pot

  • 1 onion diced
  • 3-4 carrots diced
  • 2 stalks of celery
  • 1 brick of cream cheese softened
  • 6 cups of milk (more or less depending on soup thickness prefer ed)
  • 3 potatoes peeled and diced
  • 1 can of corn w/ juice 15.25 oz
  • 1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup, 10.75 oz
  • 1 can of can crab 6.5  oz(you can buy the expensive lumped meat or the simple can on the shelf= your choice)
  • 1 can of clams  4.5 oz(chopped or whole –  then chop the whole again size depends on amount of clams- 10-13 oz can)
  • 1 bag of frozen shrimp  uncooked 12oz or 16 oz  (tails on or off – remove tails prior to cooking-  size your choice based on expense you might want to cut if large)
  • 1 bag of scallops optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Hot sauce to taste
  • Optional Garnish Bacon or green onions

 

How to make Seafood Chowder:

  1. In a large pan saute, onions, carrots and celery  making a Mirepoix (time saving tip use frozen mirepoix )
  2. Transfer your Mirepoix to a crock pot or large soup pot
  3. Add brick of cream cheese allow to melt (or melt in microwave for 30-1 minute till smooth) don’t burn
  4. Then dump mushroom soup, corn w/ juice, potatoes, milk in pot
  5. Add salt, cayenne pepper, pepper and hot sauce
  6. Cook till potatoes are soft (20 minutes on stove) (crock pot 2-3 hours)
  7. Then add sea food clams, crap, shrimp (tails removed and cut to bite size)
  8. Allow seafood to warm and serve.  Try it with a crusty bread
  9. Quick Crock pot you can do everything on stove and keep warm in a crock pot for a party.

Here is an printable version of Easy Seafood Chowderseafood chowder

Menu Planning:

  • Monday Easy Seafood Chowder
  • Tues: Easy Fish
  • Wednesday : Porkchops
  • Thursday: Chilli
  • Friday : Dinner out

Link my post up to Organizing Junkies menu plan Monday

Have a great week .. are you making anything special this week?

Cooking, Product Reviews

The Best Bread Cook Book Review and Meal Planning

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breadreview disclosureI love fresh bread,  but who doesn’t.  Even Gluten free people are on the constant search for bread options.  In past blog post I have talked about how much I love the The Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day by Jeff Hetzberg, MD and Zoe Francois.  Guess what!  They have a new book out  The New Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day.  This is my go to bread making book and in my opinion  the only bread making book you should own.

Hetzberg and Francois  teach you easy basics to make your bread successful.  Also it is so simple even a 4 year old could make it.. check You Tube there is 4 years making their recipes.   In the book the authors break artisan down, teaching you the simple mix it and forget it that makes some of the beast bread you will ever make.  The book starts with a basic yeast dough,  that is the “Master Dough” which is the basis for many of the breads.  Then later you learn about other doughs like:

  • ·Gluten-free Cheesy Breadsticks, Pizza, Baguette and Sweet Brioche
  •  Beer-Cheese and Crock-Pot Bread
  • Pretzel Buns
  •  Apple-Stuffed French Toast
  • Oatmeal Pumpkin Bread

I started making bread from the 1st book over the last year for my family and they now expects to have homemade bread with soups and stews.

I know sounds labor intense.. it is no not like the title says – 5 minutes.  I will set the dough up as I am running out the door in the morning and leave it.  Then upon returning after several hours shape(no kneading), give it a little more time and bake.    Also when you make the Master dough it is enough to make 3 loves.  The authors explain freezing the dough and how to make great use of the dough with a different varieties.   In this new book I learned how to make a Couronne Loaf-  Shown above for a different shape.   Later this week I will take the remaining dough making cheese loaf and pizza.

The New Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day  also contains gluten free recipes.   I am not gluten free but if the authors took the same care with the gluten free as they did with the gluten breads.  They are a must try.

The Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day  book is 379 pages of bread , complete with color page inserts of what the bread should look like.  Als0 Hetzberg and Francois  teach you how to know your idea oven temp and what to do with the wedding gift pizza stone, you have in you closet collecting dust. They explain types salt,  flour and the differences.. which I am always at a loss on what to use.

I have not used my bread machine since I discovered the  The New Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day,  it is meal changing experience.

For more info, please visit: www.artisanbreadinfive.com.

This book is a must have reference recipe book for any cook.  I know a few people who will be receiving it this holiday season. bread

Meal Planning Week Nov 4th:

Monday: Chicken and Rice Soup  with Fresh Bread  from The New Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day

Tuesday: Pierogi with kielbasa

Wednesday; Chicken Marsala over egg noodles

Thursday: Flat Bread Pizza  with pancetta (Italian bacon) and smoked Gouda

Friday: Taco Friday with rice and re-fried beans

This week as always I am linking up with Organizing Junkies Menu Planning Monday:

MPM-Fall

Cooking

Menu Plan Monday

mushroomsThis week is a Halloween.  I am done shipping for the the best costume day every,  there will be many superheros run out this Thursday wearing BabyPop Capes.   I also have a busy week because Tuesday I am hosting my new moms group.   So I am doing some new recipes a seafood chowder my sister does for her family parties.

 

Monday: Meat Loaf Muffins, green beans, and finger poatoes

Tuesday Debbie’s Seafood Chowder (recipe coming next week)

Wednesday: Breakfast for dinner- Pancakes

Thursday: Pizza

Friday Tacos

I am Linking this post up with Organizing Junkie Menu Plan Monday.

 

 

Cooking, Product Reviews

Olive Tempnade with Rice Chips Review

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Olive TempnadeOlive Tempnade with Gold Emblem Rice Chips :  I was recently asked to review CVS Gold Emblem Baked Rice Crisps.  I paired the Rice Chips with my Olive Tempnade Recipe.   I was attending a garden swap party and I thought the crowd would love the treat. I was right, the rice crackers and Olive Tempnade were a huge hit.

Here is how to make the Olive Tempnade

  • 1 whole bulb garlic roasted
  • 1 shallot
  • 1 can 14 oz of black olives
  • 1 jar 10oz of green olives
  • 1/4 cup of olive oil

How to roast Garlic

  1. Preheat oven to 350 – Cut the top off the garlic bulb off, place on tinfoil pour olive oils and sprinkle with salt,
  2. Wrap tin foil bake for 1 hour
  3. Remove garlic from oven allow to cool in tin foil

Tip: Roast garlic when baking some thin else I will do 2-4 bulbs at  a time  so I always have them  Roasted garlic has a milder flavor when hot they are yummy on bread.

Assembling Olive Tempnade

  1. Blend 1/8 cup oil, Roasted Garlic,  Shallots in blender  blend till smooth
  2. Add Olives back and green Reserve a few for garnish
  3. Coarsely blend olives (not smooth)
  4. Garnish with olives
  5. Use Rice Chips to dip and enjoyOlive Tempnade recipe

My review of Gold Emblem Rice Crisps

These are Rice Crisps are a gluten free chip.  Made of rice they come in 2 flavors Sea Salt and Barbeque.  I have to say the have been a big hit in my family.  My son and daughter love them both.  My son has really enjoyed them after school, for the kids to love a healthy snack is pleasing   Also all the party guest,  loved the cracker they asked where I got them from when I said from CVS they were impressed.
These Rice Crisps are a CVS product,  The cost is $2,50 a bag.  The Crisps 0grams of trans fast.  30 crisps are 140 calories and each bag contains 3.5 servings.  The bag also has a resealable top,  so great to enjoy over time.  I can highly you recommends and suggest you pick up a bag when you are at CVS.

Gold Emblem Rice Crisps review

Disclosure:  I did receive chips from CVS Gold Emblems Rice Crisps in exchange for this review.  The opinions in this post are my own.

Cooking

Menu Plan Monday

mushroomsSo this week another busy back to sch0ol swimming week.  So quick meal are supper important.  So we ned meals this week I can start at 3:30pm so there are done and resting by 5pm.

So this weeks Meal Plan is as follows:

Monday: Chicken Marsala with egg noodles

Tuesday:  Mini Pizza

Wednesday: Pot Roast  with slow cooker mashpotatoes

Thursday: Easy Fish with couscous

Fridays: Tacos with re-fried beans and Rice

 

Be sure to check in with my blog tomorrow as I review Gold Emblem Rice crisps and My Olive Tempnade Recipe.

I am Linking this post up with Organizing Junkie Menu Plan Monday.

Cooking

Easy Banana Ice Cream and Menu Planning

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banana ice cream

Easy Banana ice cream Simple,e easy sweet treat.  All you need is an over ripe banana ice cream. Slice and freeze them.  Then add a cup of frozen banana 1/ 4of milk and blend,  I love my Nutri Bullet 4 blade.   Easy and low calorie healthy.   I love it,  there is no sugar added and super yummy.

banana ice cream

Menu planning :

I purchased a chicken at Sam club on Sunday and the chicken will be a great spread meal this week.

Monday Chicken Pot pie.. using chicken and a pie crust

Tuesday:  I am making a pork roast with slow cooker mash potatoes

Wednesday:  My husband is fend for your self

Thursday:  Chicken enchilada

Friday:  pizza

 I am linking up to Organizing Junkie Menu Planning

MPM-Fall

Cooking

Apple Picking and Meal Planning

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We spent the weekend apple picking.  So this week we will be eating apples.  My daughter said she never had my apple pie.. because I have not made one while my kids were alive.

apple pickingWhen my husband and I were 1st together we went apple picking on  his family land and I was so excited to make my 1st apple pie.  His family is a “family of bakers” they are  Pennsylvania Dutch ..so they can all bake and exceptional pastry people.  The first went to his home for Thanksgiving, there were  17 pies were on the table.. I am not joking, pies are a serious business, in the Aikens household.

I spent all day making dough.  I want to show I could do it.. my hands are warm= bad for dough.  I brought a very .. well ugly pie to my future Mother in law home. As  she returned the pie plate back to me,  there was a box of easy make pie crust.

She said “I was taught you never return a plate empty” .  Then  continuing  “Sherry, there is nothing wrong with using a ready made crust.”  with a wink

So I have not made a apple pie again 20 years later till this week. .. I feel victory  for me in on the pie horizon.  that and the frozen pie crust.

My son agrees .. he was happy when he could use the basket. apple pickingMy daughter loves pulling the empty cart in to the orchard.. my husband is a good sport and pulls it back out of the orchard

apple picking

Ok I let my kid eat the apples fresh off the treesapple pickingMeal Planning:

Monday: Perogies and Beef sausage

Tuesday: Baked chicken legs, green beans, butternut squash  and apple pie

Wednesday: spaghetti and meatballs

Thursday: Pork Chops and homemade apple sauce

Friday: Tacos, refried beans, rice

Linking up to Organizing Junkies Meal Planning Linky Head over and check out all the meal planning ideas.

Have a great week!

Cooking

Simple Easy Egg Burrito : Meal Planning September 23

egg burrito wrap

Meal Planning and  Simple Easy Egg Burrito

My son is headed back to school today ! So it is a lovely day.  This is my easy morning omelet wrap.  I love this because I get the taste I want with little mess. One pan clean up and i makes me feel like a splurge.

Easy Egg Burrito or Breakfast  Wrap

Ingredients:

  • 3 egg (toss 2 yokes) to make 3 whites, 1 yoke
  • 1 slice of cheese
  • hot sauce
  • 2 slices of lunch ham
  • 10″ tortilla
  • non stick cooking spray  or butter

 

  1. In a pan spray with non stick spray heat medium heat
  2. Put eggs in (1 yoke 3 whites ), add hot sauce if you want (I save the other yokes for the dogs)
  3. cover to spread up the cooking processegg cooking steps
  4. Uncover add the ham
  5. Then add the cheese
  6. Place tortilla right on top of the egg/ham/cheese
  7. Cover allow the steam to soften up the tortilla
  8. Carefully flip the egg tortilla on a platetortilla on pan and plate

Fold and eat !  This is how you fold so it does not all fall out. how to fold a burritoBe sure to check out my Pinterest board for more great Ideas  at  Sherry Aikens easy egg burritos

 My meal Planning for week 9/23

 

Monday : Crock Pot Creamy Italian Chicken & Rice Casserole (with Dairy Free option)   From Stacy makes cents

Tuesday : we: I crock pot night I am doing beef roast and potatoes

Wednesday: Perfect Cooked fish with couscous

Thursday: BBQ Pizza with Apples and Gouda- Revisit from last weeks post  I have more dough

Friday Taco Night (rice, re-fried beans, meat, and cheese)

Saturday up for grabs.

Linking up to Organizing Junkies Meal Planning Linky Head over and check out all the meal planning ideas.

Cooking

Easy Family Meal : BBQ Pizza with Gouda and Apples #spon

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Disclosure

bbq pizza

 

BBQ Pizza I was asked by Kraft  and Collective Bias to create a easy recipe using Kraft Recipe Makers .  My recipe is a super simple family meal  BBQ pizza with Smoked Gouda and Apples.   I love the Kraft recipe makers because they are easy to make and my family loves it.  BBQ pizza was fun and my son said amazing.  I started by make one pizza,  which the kids devoured then made 3 more for dinner.  It was a huge hit and nothing was left after the meal.

Also the Krafts Recipe Makers are designed for a slow cooker,  anything slow cooker is really easy family meal .  I was not the greatest planner and forgot to putting it in the slow cooker and I ended up doing my meat in the pressure cooker,  and the Kraft Recipe maker worked out in my Pressure cooker.  You know as a busy mom some times we need options and Kraft Recipe maker provide a great option on me saving time.bbq pizza

BBQ Pizza with Gouda and Green Apples

Ingredients:

  • Kraft Recipe maker BBQ Hickory Beef
  • 2-2.5 of beef or pork
  • 1 pound of smoked Gouda (non smoked works as well also)
  • 1-2 green apples  sliced thin
  • Pizza Dough (premade or make your own recipe for dough)
  • flour for working with the dough
  1. Cook the beef per the instruction on the Kraft recipe makers
  2. Place beef in cooker , over with Krafts Recipe Makers Brown Sugar and vinegar saucebeef and sauce
  3. Cook for 6-8 hours in slow cooker  or 26 min in pressure cooker
  4. Allow the beef to cool slight so as not to burn hands, remove from cooker
  5. Pour or Ladle juices the meat cooked in to separate container-  you can use later if need to add more moisture to the meat.shred beef
  6. shred with a fork,  by pulling fork through meat.  I suggest shredding it finely since you don’t want big chunks on Pizza
  7. Pour over the Kraft Recipe Makers BBQ sauce and mix –  set asidebeef with bbq suace
  8. Next on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper shape pizza crustpizza dough
  9. Place the BBQ meat on 1st,  then thin apples,  then cheesebbq pizzabbq pizza
  10. Repeat for other pizza
  11. Place in oven for 25 minutes
  12. Remove cool slightly and enjoy

For a printable version BBQ Pizza with Gouda and Green Apples

 

bbq pizza

My family Loved Loved Loved the easy meal Pizza my husband took the extra meat for a sandwich to work the next day.  He said the meat was cooked to perfection.  If you want a easy simple family meal. I can highly recommend Kraft Recipe Makers for what to cook tonight.

Be sure to check out Kraft other ideas for Best Easy meals  Get Your Chef Together  and also they Have wonderful Ideas on Krafts Facebook page

Also be sure to check out my Google + album for this Kraft Recipe Maker and Walmart Shoptarget=”_blank” rel=””nofollow”..