November 2013 ~ Easy Home Ideas Blog

Friday, November 29, 2013

Simple Grilled Tuscan Pork Chops - Healthy dinner recipe

Healthy dinner recipe
As the name indicates, this is a quick and easy way to grill some restaurant-worthy pork chops, Tuscan-style. The recipe uses very common ingredients with great results.
I don't know what else to say, so let's get on it.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Creamy Pumpkin & Potato Soup

Ingredients:
You need to blend this soup after cooking.
1/2 large pumpkin, cut into rough chunks (about 3 - 4
pounds, but flexible)
2 large potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped
3 sticks celery
2 cloves of garlic (optional)
3 cups of good chicken stock
1 cup hot water
Salt and black pepper to taste (add about 1 tsp of salt
and 1/4 tsp pepper)
1/4 cup cream or sour cream (1 Tbsp Philadelphia
cream cheese also works well)

German Turkey - Covered in bacon - packed with flavor

Calories: 883 Fat: 50 g Carbs: 3g Protein: 96g
Preparation time: 25 minutes Cook time: 4 hours Yield:
1 turkey

Ingredients:
1 (18 pound) whole turkey with the giblets removed
1 each: onion and carrot, peeled and cut into eight
pieces
1 stalk celery, cut into three pieces
1 whole apple, stem removed
1 whole orange
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1 pound sliced bacon, smoked is best
1 oven roasting bag large enough for the turkey

Fruity Smoked Turkey - A sweet, distinct cola flavor

Calories: 635 Fat: 21g Carbs: 5g Protein: 71g
Preparation time: 20 minutes Cook time: About 10 hours
total Yield: 1 turkey

Ingredients:
1 (10 pound) while turkey, giblets removed
4 cloves crushed garlic
2 tablespoons seasoning salt
1/2 cup butter
2 cans (12 ounces each) cola-flavored carbonated
soda
1 large apple, cut into quarters
1 large onion, quartered
1 tablespoon each: salt, pepper and garlic powder

Apricot-Cranberry Dip

Calories: 103 Fat: 5g Carbs: 14g Protein: 1g
Preparation time: 5 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes
Yield: 16 servings (2 tablespoons each)

Ingredients:
6 ounces fresh cranberries
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup apricot jam
1/2 cup chopped pecans
8 ounces cream cheese

Creamy Pumpkin Hummus

A spicy alternative to traditional dip
Calories: 81 Fat: 3g Carbs: 11g Protein: 3g
Preparation time: 15 minutes Chill time: 2 hours
Serves: 16 (2 tablespoons each)

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons tahini (or all natural peanut butter)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 garlic cloves
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 cans (15 ounces each) drained garbanzo beans
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup pumpkin seed kernels, toasted
1/8 teaspoon paprika

Chili-Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

Calories: 107 Fat: 9g Carbs: 2g Protein: 4g
Preparation time: 20 minutes Cook time: 40 minutes
Serves: 12

Ingredients:
12 large mushrooms
1/2 pound garlic-flavored bulk sausage
1 tablespoon onion, finely minced
2 minced garlic cloves
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup bread crumbs
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup heavy cream, not low-fat
1/4 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon chili powder

Savory Celery - With cream and bleu cheese stuffing

Calories: 211 Fat: 18g Carbs: 4g Protein: 9g
Preparation time: 15 minutes Cook time: 0 minutes
Serves: 18

Ingredients:
12 stalks celery, cut into 2-inch pieces
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 ounces bleu cheese, crumbled (or a cheese of
choice)
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (or to taste)
1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice
Black pepper to taste

Leek and Mushroom Stuffing

Low calorie, but full of taste

Calories: 165 Fat: 4g Carbs: 26g Protein: 7g
Preparation time: 15 minutes Cook time: 2 hours
Serves: 10

Ingredients:
6 cups (1/2-inch-diced) crustless bread cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
2 ounces pancetta, diced
4 cups leeks, cleaned very well and sliced (about 4
leeks)
1 1/2 pounds cremini mushrooms, stemmed and
sliced
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon leaves
1/4 cup medium sherry (dry is okay)
Salt and pepper to taste
1/3 cup chopped parsley
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups heavy cream (not whipping cream)
1 cup vegetable or chicken stock
1 1/2 cups Gruyere cheese, grated (about 6 ounces),
divided

Grandma’s Giblet Gravy - The crowning glory for Thanksgiving

Calories: 74 Fat: 7g Carbs: 2g Protein: 1g
Preparation time: 5 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes
Serves: 10

Ingredients:
1 pack of giblets from a turkey (heart, neck, gizzard
and liver)
3 cups chicken or turkey stock (from cooking the
giblets)
2 onions, quartered
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped sage (or to taste)
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 tablespoons butter or pan drippings
2 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Salt and pepper to taste

Cornbread Stuffing With Southwestern flavoring

Calories: 255 Fat: 4g Carbs: 44g Protein: 8g
Preparation time: 10 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes
Serves: 8

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups chopped onion
2 sliced stalks of celery
1 can (14.5 ounces) chicken broth, fat-free and low
sodium
1 can (15 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies, drained (hot or
mild)
3 tablespoons parsley, chopped
1/2 teaspoon each: poultry seasoning and oregano
6 cups dry cornbread stuffing mix
1/2 cup chopped and toasted pecans

Maple Gingerbread and Pumpkin Ice Cream

Elegant and simple - absolutely crowd-pleasing

Calories: 341 Fat: 12g Carbs: 52g Protein: 4g
Preparation time: 20 minutes Cook time: 45 minutes/
Freeze time: 4 hours Serves: 10

Ingredients:
For the gingerbread:
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups maple syrup
2 cups sour cream
1/2 cup melted butter
4 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons each: ginger and baking soda (not baking
powder)
1 teaspoon salt
For the Pumpkin Ice Cream:
1 gallon vanilla ice cream, softened slightly
1 can pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon orange juice or orange liqueur
1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

Citrus Pound Cake

Lime, grapefruit and orange!

Calories: 319 Fat: 17g Carbs: 33g Protein: 4g
Preparation time: 20 minutes Cook time: 40 minutes
Yield: One 10-inch cake

Ingredients:
1/2 cup milk
3 teaspoons each: grapefruit, lime and orange zest
1 tablespoon grapefruit juice
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups butter, softened (do not use margarine)
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the glaze:
2 tablespoons melted butter, additional
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 cup powdered sugar (or as needed to thicken glaze)

Asparagus Packets-Wrapped in bacon and roasted to perfection

Calories: 24 Fat: 16g Carbs: 2g Protein: 1g
Preparation time: 15 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes
Serves: 12

Ingredients:
36 asparagus spears (3 per person), cleaned with
woody sections removed
1 pound bacon slices
1 cup grated Parmesan-Romano cheese
Cooking spray
Garlic salt and pepper to taste
For the optional dipping sauce:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Italian salad dressing
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Mornay Cauliflower

Calories: 91 Fat: 3g Carbs: 10g Protein: 8g
Preparation time: 15 minutes Cook time: 40 minutes
Serves: 8

Ingredients:
1 head cauliflower (about 2 pounds), cut medium
florets
1 1/4 cups low-fat milk, divided
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (do not use selfrising)
1/2 cup each: cottage cheese and Swiss cheese
1/4 teaspoon each: salt and pepper
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan
1 1/2 tablespoons fine breadcrumbs, unseasoned

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Smothered with a maple-brown butter sauce
Calories: 240 Fat: 11g Carbs: 30g Protein: 5g
Preparation time: 40 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes
Serves: 8

New Jersey Oyster Pie

Calories: 463 Fat: 31g Carbs: 32g Protein: 12g
Preparation time: 15 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes
Yield: One 9-inch pie

Ingredients:
3 slices thick bacon
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (not self-rising)
3/4 cup milk
18 oysters, shucked and drained; reserve the liquid
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
2 unbaked 9-inch pie crusts

Wolverine Turkey

Calories: 548 Fat: 24g Carbs: 2g Protein: 68g

Preparation time: 10 minutes Cook time: 4 hours Yield: 1 turkey

Ingredients:
1 (12 - pound) whole turkey, giblets removed
6 tablespoons butter, divided into patties
4 cups lukewarm water
3 tablespoons chicken bouillon
2 tablespoons parsley, dried
2 tablespoons minced onion
2 tablespoons poultry seasoning

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Easy Pork Ragù

Ingredients:
1 ½ lbs boneless pork piece (can used minced pork
instead) trimmed and cut in large chunks
15oz canned tomatoes
1 big carrot, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp tomato sauce
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried oregano
¾ lbs penne pasta
salt and black pepper to taste
grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)

Teriyaki Chicken with Pineapple

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp oil
1 pound chicken breasts (skinless)
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground black pepper
1 diced onion
1 diced green capsicum bell pepper
1 diced red capsicum capsicum bell pepper
1 - 1 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp ginger, freshly grated
1 cup diced pineapple
1 cup beans, broccoli or cauliflower

Chicken and Sweet Potato Stew

Ingredients:
6 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin removed
2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut in large chunks
(optional)
½ lb Portobello mushrooms, chopped or halved
2 big onions, peeled and sliced
4 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
1 cup dry white wine
2 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
salt and black pepper to taste

Creamy White Wine Beef

Ingredients:

1 ½ lbs round steak
½ onion
25oz sour cream
8oz mushrooms
1 Tbsp dried chives
1 garlic clove
¼ cup dry white wine
1 Tbsp flour
½ cup fresh dill, roughly cut
salt and black pepper to taste

Beef Tacos

Ingredients:

2 lbs beef flank, sliced
1 onion
1 carrot, shredded
2 bell peppers (one green, the other red or yellow)
1 jalapeno
salt and black pepper to taste
other seasoning by your choice (chili powder,
cayenne pepper, cumin etc)
corn tortillas
avocado
salsa sauce
lime juice or fresh lime

Mexican Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

10oz chicken meat (about 4 small single pieces of
breast meat)
8oz Mexican style canned tomatoes
14 oz chicken broth (about 2 small cups)
3 cloves garlic, minced and roasted
1 avocado, chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cups yellow, green and red bell peppers, chopped
1 jalapeno chile pepper, sliced
½ cup black olives
1 cup tortilla chips (pasta works too)
salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:

This recipe is an easy to make variation of classical spicy
tomato chicken soup. Place everything but the tortilla
chips in the crock pot and cook for 3-3½ hours on high
heat or for 6-7 hours on low heat. Serve the soup in small
bowls topped with tortilla chips, or pasta strips. (If you
have ripe home grown tomatoes in the garden, pop one of
those in too) Garnish with an avocado slice and sprig of
parsley. This soup is packed full of nutrition!