Lemon Cilantro Chicken Skewers

This was a super easy and delicious dinner we had with brown rice and garden green beans. The kids ate it all! YAY!
I adapted the recipe a little bit from here. Her pictures are better too, so check it out.

I didn't grill mine, I just put them on a sheet pan with foil and broiled them for a few minutes on each side. I also just used about 6 chicken tenders for 4 of us.

We made it again yesterday and had friends over and they said they loved the chicken (and 1 of them isn't much of a meat eater).

Pesto Chicken Stuffed Shells

Another new recipe find that my family really enjoyed it. The pasta was a bit crunchy, but we are going to try to fix that.

1 pkg. jumbo pasta shells

8 oz. cream cheese

1 c. parmesan (freshly grated works best) + 1/4 c. for topping

1/4 c. pesto

2 c. shredded cooked chicken

1 tsp. garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Boil and prepare pasta shells as directed on package. Drain pasta and set aside.

In a bowl combine the rest of ingredients (except 1/4 cheese for topping). Fill the pasta shells with the mixture (about a tablespoon each shell) and place in a baking dish. Sprinkle the cheese on top.

Bake for about 30 minutes. It says uncovered, but that made ours crunchy, so next time I am gonna try to cover it and see what it does.

*I don't really like pesto and I really liked this dish. I, of course, changed it slightly to meet my family's needs. I used low fat cottage cheese and parmesan cheese and only used real shredded parmesan on top.

Mini Lasagna Cups

No one has posted in a while. I found this recipe here and it was a huge hit so I thought i would share.

Mini Lasagna Cups

1/2 ground meat (beef, turkey, sausage)

2 c. spaghetti sauce

1 1/2 - 2 c. cottage cheese

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

24 wonton wrappers

1 c. Mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brown meat in a skillet and drain. Add spaghetti sauce to meat and stir to combine.

In a bowl combine cottage cheese with salt and pepper.

Coat a 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray and arrange a wonton wrapper in each cup. Take 1/2 the cottage cheese mixture and divide it among the cups (1-2 tsp.). Top with half the meat mixture (again 1-2 tsp.) and sprinkle some mozzarella on top of that. Place another wonton wrapper over the cheese and repeat the layers cottage cheese, meat mixture, top with cheese.

Bake at 375 for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and the wonton wrappers are golden. Cool in muffin tin for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps them keep their shape.

Makes 12 mini lasagnas or 3 servings.

*The recipe called for ricotta but since it is too pricey I tried cottage cheese and it worked. Also, I used Hunt's spaghetti sauce and eliminated the browning meat step. I will definitely be using this recipe again.

Easter Cookies

This week my children have Spring Break. It is the perfect time to focus on the last week in our Savior's life. (I hope to share what we do on my blog.) I found this recipe when I was searching for ideas and I thought it was a great idea. Though I have never made it before I wanted to share it in time for Easter. Those with young children I thought of especially.

To be made the evening before Easter

• 1cup whole pecans
• 1tsp vinegar
• 3 egg whites
• pinch salt
• 1 cup sugar
• zipper baggie
• wooden spoon
• tape
• Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important, don't wait till you're half done with the recipe!)

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was Beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1tsp vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar.

Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

Alfredo Pasta with Broccoli

I finally found a homemade alfredo sauce I like! Hooray! Find it at Our Best Bites here. This is a quick meal and so good! A pasta of your choice, steam some broccoli, and pour on the white cheese sauce.

 Does anyone else want to  post their dinner sometime? Please?  :-)

Chicken Tikka Masala

Holy shaboley. This was stinkin' amazing. loved it! Definitely a repeater for us.

I got the recipe from My Kitchen Cafe.

1 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 tablespoons minced fresh ginger 

1 teaspoon salt
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Combine all ingredients except chicken. Pour sauce over chicken and refrigerate for one hour. Grill or cook chicken in frying pan. Discard marinade.

1 tablespoon butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1 jalapeno pepper finely chopped (I used about 3/4 of the pepper because I didn't want it too spicey for the kids. It turned out just right.)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 8-oz can tomato sauce
1 cup cream
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic and jalapeno for one minute. Season with cumin, paprika and salt. Stir in tomato sauce and cream. Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Add grilled chicken and simmer for 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve over hot rice.

Tasty Lentil Soup

Sometimes, there are recipes that just can't be photographed. Or else I don't know how to photograph cooked green lentils. It just won't look good. But will you please just believe me that this is good? And lentils are good for you, so there. Make this sometime.

I first had this soup when an old neighbor/coworker/friend brought us dinner just after I had my 2nd baby. Thanks, Nicole! :)

1½ cups lentils
4 slices bacon
1 onion, chopped
¼ cup chopped carrots
¾ cup chopped bell peppers
1 large can or 3 or 4 fresh tomatoes
3 Tbsp butter or margarine
3 Tbsp flour
2 cubes beef bouillon dissolved in 1 cup hot
water
2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp vinegar

1. Bring lentils to a boil in 5 cups water in a
large pot. Simmer covered for 1 hour.

2. Cut bacon into small pieces and sauté until
crisp.
3. Add onions, carrots and peppers. Sauté over
low heat 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and set aside
until lentils are done. Add tomato mixture to
lentils.
4. Melt butter in same skillet, remove from
heat, stir in flour and then gradually stir in
bouillon liquid. Add salt and vinegar, stirring all
the time.
5. Pour into lentils and cook over low heat,
stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.

Morrocan Spaghetti

This surprised me. It is quite the tasty dish. I was unsure about the spices while making it, but the combination is wonderful and it smells absolutely fantastic, I tell you what.

This recipe came from a library vegetarian cookbook: the accidental vegetarian by Simon Rimmer.

10 oz dried spaghetti

1/2 cup olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

8 tomatoes, finely chopped (yes, EIGHT.)

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground cumin

pinch of tumeric

1 cup toasted, slivered almonds (I used sliced, and I think it would be better with the slivered.)

1/2 cup cooked chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed if canned

bunch of fresh parsley and cilantro leaves, finely chopped (I HATE HATE parsley. So I left it out. It was still good. But if you like parsley, then yay!)

handful of freshly chopped mint leaves (I also left this out.)

salt and freshly ground black pepper

Pretty simple procedure:

1. Cook spaghetti in boiling salted water until al dente.

2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a pan and gently fry the onion and garlic until soft.

3. Add the tomatoes, cinnamon, cumin, and tumeric and cook over a medium heat for about 20 minutes until the tomatoes break down.

4. Season the sauce and then add the almonds and chickpeas.

5. Drain the pasta and divide between four plates. Fold the herbs into the sauce and mix it with the pasta.

*To save time and spare a screaming child pulling at you while trying to HURRY and make a dang meal, you could ask your husband to chop up all those tomatoes for you the night before! :)

Stuffed Pizza Rolls

First time making this one. I got the recipe from Our Best Bites. They have some great looking recipes on there. The kids loved this and Brian liked it too. Too bad I had some kind of mild stomach flu thing going.

1 roll refrigerated pizza dough* (or make your own)
marinara/pizza sauce (click here to make your own)
2T grated Parmesan cheese
1 T olive oil or melted butter
1/2 t garlic powder
1  t dried Italian seasoning
mozzerella cheese, diced or grated
Pizza toppings of your choice: ie, ham and pineapple, pepperoni slices, sausage, etc.

*You can use regular pizza dough, or thin crust. 

Preheat oven to heat specified on pizza dough package.  Usually it's 400 degrees.  If you make your own dough, 400 is usually a good heat as well.

Unroll your pizza dough onto a lightly floured surface.  Pat or roll the dough so it's about 12" by 8".  You're going to want to cut it into 24 squares, so just eyeball it if you need to.  Use a pizza cutter to slice the dough into 24 squares (bet ya didn't see that one comin' did ya?) 

Place cheese and desired toppings on each square.  (Note that you're not putting the marinara sauce on the dough- it's for dipping after)  You guys are smart, right?  Just eyeball how much.  You just need to be able to enclose the toppings in the dough so keep that in mind.

When all of your dough squares have cheese and toppings on them, carefully lift up each square and wrap the dough around the toppings.  Pinch to make sure each ball is sealed shut and then place them seam side down in a lightly sprayed pie pan (or similar sized dish).

Brush the tops of the dough balls with olive oil or melted butter (I've used both and there's not much difference in result) and then sprinkle with the garlic and Italian seasoning and top with Parmesan cheese.  (In lieu of the Parmesan, garlic, and Italian seasoning you could  substitute this garlic bread seasoning.)

Cook them in the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown on top.  Keep an eye  on them! Doughs vary, so I'd check them after even 10 minutes.

Serve warm with warmed marinara sauce on the side for dipping.

Mexican Casserole

yes, it's unbaked.

Mexican Casserole! First time making this. I got the recipe from Cooking On Clover Lane. It is extra tasty. Just take it easy on the sour cream. Then it'll be perfect.

1 pound lean ground beef
2 cups salsa 

1 16oz can chili beans, drained
3 cups tortilla chips, crushed
2 cups sour cream [I personally thought this was way too much. Maybe 1 cup? Eyeball it and see.]
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1/2 cup chopped fresh tomato
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350.
In a large skillet, brown beef. Stir in salsa, reduce heat, simmer until liquid is absorbed (about 10 minutes depending on how thick your salsa is.) Stir in beans, and heat through.
Spray a 9 x 13 baking pan with cooking spray. Spread crushed chips in a layer on bottom and then add ground beef mixture. Spread sour cream on top. Top with onion, tomato, cilantro and cheese.
Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly.