Summer time is all about fresh flavors and simple meals for us!!! Any time we can get lots of veggies in our main dish, I’m super happy!
This chicken salad is great either by itself or in a pita as a sandwich!!!
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Category Archives: Recipes
Asian Shrimp Noodles
I could probably eat pasta every single day!!! I love having pasta mixed with flavors besides traditional Italian ones.
This dish is such a great combination of flavors and the fact that it can be eaten cold makes it perfect for summer!!!
Ingredients:
Angel hair pasta – cooked
1/3 c vegetable oil
1/3 c honey
2 T rice vinegar
2 T sesame oil (this ingredient makes the dish!!!)
2 T soy sauce
1 t ginger
1 pound shrimp
carrots, thinly sliced
snap peas
1 red pepper, sliced
1/2 c green onions, chopped
cilantro, minced (handful)
salted peanuts (about 1 cup)
For the dressing, whisk the oil, honey, vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce and ginger.
Combine pasta and all chopped veggies. Sprinkle peanuts on top.
Pour dressing over all and mix well. Refrigerate until serving.
This was a huge hit with the entire family – I’m sure we will have this again!!!
Super Easy Chicken Soft Tacos
Even in a funk, I still have to feed my family!
Thankfully, I love my crock pot and can just throw a few ingredients inside and call it dinner!!!
Yesterday (after a 4:00 am wake-up to clean the venue), I really needed a simple dinner that didn’t require much effort. And, the best part??? This is actually a healthy meal!!!
Ingredients:
chicken (I used about 6 chicken breasts – frozen)
1 can diced tomatoes (you could easily use the spicy kind!!)
1 packet taco seasoning (or make your own if that’s your thing!)
Put the chicken in the crock pot.
Mix tomatoes and taco seasoning together.
Pour tomato mixture over chicken and cook on low about 8 hours.
Before serving, shred the chicken.
You can add whatever taco fixings you like. Last night we kept it simple (that’s what happens when mom’s in a funk) and just had some rice, shredded lettuce and cheese.
Mediterranean Tortellini Salad
I think that Mediterranean flavors might be my favorite – they are so fresh and seem lighter than lots of others (like Mexican!).
When the weather is warmer I love meals that can be made on the stove without heating up the house. And, nothing says spring like salad!!!
This one was so good!!!
Ingredients:
1 package frozen cheese tortellini
1 package polish sausage (I used beef), sliced
1 jar prepared pesto (you could make your own – I tend to go the easy route!!)
fresh baby spinach, chopped
red bell pepper, chopped
baby portobello mushrooms, sliced
black olives, sliced
1 can cannelloni beans, drained
feta cheese
Directions:
Cook tortellini according to package directions. (BTW – so cool how much they plump up!!)
In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat for 6-7 minutes (until lightly browned).
Transfer to a large bowl. Add spinach, mushrooms, pepper, olives, beans and cheese.
Drain tortellini and stir in. Stir in pesto and enjoy!!
The entire family liked this and I have a feeling we will have this one numerous times during the next few months!!!
I think it would be a great side if you made it without the sausage, too.
Birthday Trifle
It is pretty much a well-known fact that I don’t really bake!!!
However, birthdays call for a special dessert and the birthday person gets to decide what they want. The past few years, it seems like my boys have gotten away from the traditional cake – fine with me!
This year Hunter wanted a trifle!!! He didn’t care what kind – just something with chocolate.
I actually like to make trifles because it is just a matter of layering some ingredients!! At Christmas I usually make a couple – one with some chocolate and a fruit one of some sort.
This trifle ended up being an Oreo Trifle.
Ingredients:
* brownies (I used a mix to make a pan)
* 2 boxes of instant chocolate pudding (and milk to prepare them according to directions)
* 2 cartons of Cool Whip
* Oreos – I think I used about 20-25
Make the brownies according to package directions and let cool. (Or, feel free to make homemade brownies!!) When they are cool, cut them into small squares.
Mix the pudding and milk. Let set in the refrigerator about an hour. Also, if you just put the Cool Whip in the fridge until you are ready to assemble the trifle it will be easier!
Put the Oreos in a large Zip-Loc baggie and crunch up.
Assemble the trifle:
1/2 the brownies
1/2 the pudding
1 carton of Cool Whip
1/2 the cookies
Repeat layers
Hunter was very happy with his birthday trifle!!!
An easy way to make a delicious dessert!