Making Meatless Meals

In honor of Ash Wednesday I thought it would be appropriate to feature some simple meatless meal options. The following recipes can be made in less than 30 minutes, but the satisfaction you’ll get from preparing such healthy and delicious dishes will last ten times as long. SHRIMP AND ARTICHOKE SCAMPI Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 large cloves garlic, minced 1 1/4 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 (14-ounce) can quartered artichoke hearts, drained 1/3 cup dry white wine 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons lemon zest 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus more for garnish … Continue reading →

Fat Tuesday Recipes

Today is Fat Tuesday. In Hawaii it’s Malasada Day and in Polish communities it’s known as Paczki Day. A paczki (pronounced poonch-key) is a delicious, dense, deep-fried, cream- or fruit-filled doughnut that puts the fat in Fat Tuesday. Weighing in at nearly 400 calories, the paczki is almost as delightful (in my opinion) as the malasada, which is also a doughnut-like treat topped with sugar and devoured by millions on this day before Ash Wednesday. If you can’t make it to New Orleans to celebrate Fat Tuesday, but you want a taste of real Cajun cooking, then consider making the … Continue reading →

Meaty Monday

It’s a meaty Monday here thanks to my favorite grocery store selling chuck roast at an unbelievably low price. Whereas I usually stock up on white meat, I couldn’t resist the sale, and now I am the proud owner of a 5-pound chuck roast. In addition to the red meat that is sitting in my refrigerator I also have leftover roast pork that needs to be eaten before Ash Wednesday. Fortunately, I have devised two simple and delicious ways to prepare (and subsequently devour) said meat products. Take a look: PERFECT POT ROAST Ingredients: 1 3 to 5 lb. Chuck … Continue reading →

Simple Sunday Night Meal: Turkey Burgers and Grandma’s Potato Salad

Whether you are settling in to watch uninterrupted coverage of the Academy Awards or you just don’t feel like spending half the day in the kitchen preparing a single meal, then the following recipes should come in very handy. This simple Sunday night menu proves that you don’t have to sacrifice taste for convenience: CLASSIC TURKEY BURGERS Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey 1/8 cup seasoned breadcrumbs 3 tablespoons finely diced onion 1 egg white, lightly beaten 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1 teaspoon garlic salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper Directions: In a large bowl, mix ground turkey, seasoned … Continue reading →

Mediterranean Lasagna

Lasagna is a go-to menu item for many home cooks. However, if you are eating the same traditional meat and cheese lasagna once a week and not getting a positive response from your family, then it might be time to experiment with the following recipe. This Mediterranean Lasagna is just as easy to prepare as traditional lasagna, but the taste is intensified with a variety of non-traditional lasagna ingredients, including cinnamon, nutmeg and fresh mint. If you are concerned that your pickiest eaters will be turned off by the flavors, don’t be. The end result is just as (if not … Continue reading →

Simple Seafood Recipes

During our recent trip to Hawaii I realized that I don’t cook nearly as many fish dishes as I should. Seafood is loaded with beneficial nutrients and I certainly did my body some good by dining on a variety of sensational seafood dishes while in the Islands. Now that we’re back home I’ve been trying to make good on the promise I made in Hilo to prepare more fish dishes. If you too are trying to expand your family’s culinary palette, then consider the following fish recipes. The first is about as easy as it gets. The Fish in Foil … Continue reading →

Seafood Saturday

What do you typically eat on a Saturday night? For some home cooks the weekends allow more time to experiment with new recipes. If you usually eat hamburgers on Saturday, why not mix it up by preparing seafood dishes? Or, try a new pork recipe instead of making the same ol’ boring lasagna. If you choose to go with the former, consider trying some of my grandfather’s famous shrimp recipes. They are super simple (which allows you more time to relax with family and friends) and healthy too. SPICY GRILLED SHRIMP Ingredients: Frozen shrimp, thawed Butter, 2 tablespoons melted Butter, … Continue reading →

Simple Weeknight Meals

It’s Monday morning, do you know what you are making for dinner this week? If you are short on time and money, then consider the following quick, easy and affordable recipes that can be on the table in less than an hour: BAKED CHICKEN STRIPS Ingredients: 1 box seasoned croutons, crushed 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese 1 tablespoon dried parsley 1 teaspoon garlic salt 4 egg whites, beaten 1/4 cup water 4 boneless chicken breasts, cut in strips Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix croutons, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and garlic salt. In a separate bowl whisk the egg whites … Continue reading →

Beef Up Dinner with These Simple Recipes

If you are looking for a way to beef up your dinner menu without breaking the bank, then consider the following easy to make recipes. Both can be prepared in less than an hour (minus the cook time), but taste like you’ve spent all day slaving away in a kitchen to create. MEXICAN BEEF WRAPS WITH TOMATO CORN RELISH Ingredients: 1 boneless beef chuck shoulder pot roast or bottom round rump roast (3 to 3 1/2 pounds) 1 medium onion, cut into quarters 3 cloves garlic, peeled 3/4 cup water 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 2 jars (16 ounces … Continue reading →

Making the Most of Your Thanksgiving Leftovers

According to the pros at Butterball, this is technically the last day you should be eating leftover Thanksgiving turkey. That is unless you don’t mind spending some serious time alone in the bathroom. By now even the most die-hard turkey fans have got to be tiring of the holiday bird, no matter how well it was basted. However, if you have just a few more slices left and refuse to waste them, then you might consider the following recipes. They are ideal for using up leftover turkey and other Thanksgiving sides. POST THANKSGIVING PANINI Ingredients: 2 slices of French bread … Continue reading →