Welcome

This is my first blog which was inspired by joining The Produce Box, a local community supported agriculture group. With a weekly delivery of fresh produce, I have been challenged to create healthy nightly meals using ingredients I may not have purchased on my own.

Below is a compilation of weekly meals using the produce delivered by The Produce Box as well as some other recipes which have inspired me.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Fruit Box and extras

This week we opted for the Fruit Box.  We also added a pint of shelled Field Peas and a jar of Blueberry Salsa.  The Fruit Box contained:

  • a personal Watermelon
  • 2 Sprite Melons
  • 2 quarts of Peaches
  • 2 quarts of Suppernog Grapes
  • Asian Pears
  • the bag are our Peas
We opted for the fruit box due to our crazy schedule and need for quick easy meals.  Of course I do have the peas from The Produce Box and that will be one of our meals this week.

Wednesday, August 24-  With a sick child and no husband home for dinner, I am taking the easy way with chicken nuggets for the kids and left overs for Mom.  The fruit from todays box will be a nice side.

Thursday, August 25-  It's the girls and I tonight so I will keep it simple again with tortillini, garlic bread and sliced watermelon.

Friday, August 26- Half the family will be at a Durham Bulls game, the other half is going out for dinner tonight!

Saturday, August 27-  Tonight I will make the Dixie Lee Peas and Rice recipe I made earlier this season but this time serve sliced sausage (maybe even andouille) over the rice mixture (making it a full meal rather than a side).
Dixie Lee Peas and Rice
  • 3 or 4 strips lean bacon, diced
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 2 cups fresh Dixie Lee peas
  • 1/2 cup uncooked, white, long-grain rice
  • 2 cups water (or half chicken broth and half water)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
In a deep pot, saute bacon 2 or 3 minutes. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic. Continue cooking until vegetables soften slightly and bacon is crisp. Stir peas into the pot; pour in water. Reduce heat to low. Add rice.  Cover and simmer 20 minutes or until the rice is done. Remove from heat and let the pan sit with the lid on 5 minutes.  Toss mixture lightly.  Season with salt and pepper. 
Sunday, August 28-  I never made the fish from last week so I will give it another shot tonight.  I made this recipe on the grill before in foil packets and felt it was "too fishy" for my palette.  So I have altered the recipe and will bake it tonight.  I'll serve the fish with couscous and green beans (perhaps fresh green beans if I can find them at the farmer's market).
Easy Tilapia with Wine and Tomato  WW Points: 6
* 4 (4 ounce) fillets tilapia
* salt and pepper to taste
* olive oil
* 4 cloves garlic, pressed
* 4 fresh basil leaves, chopped (can substitute dried)
* 1-2 large tomato, chopped
* 1 cup white wine

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Place the tilapia fillets side by side in a lightly sprayed baking dish. Season each one with salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil over the top of each piece of fish, and sprinkle garlic, basil and tomato. Pour the wine over everything.
3. Place in preheated oven, and cook for 15-25 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork.
 
Monday, August 29-  Soccer tonight which means kids eat first and later we'll eat.  I'll make a macaroni salad, which at least one of my girls loves.  I'll grill some chicken for both the girls and later for us.  Not sure what I will do to the chicken to kick it up a notch just yet.  Maybe I'll incorporate the Blueberry Salsa?!
Tuesday, August 30-  Tonight is golf which means again eating in shifts.  Quesidillas for the girls and cheeseburgers for us are good bets for tonight.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

August 17- August 23

This week's Produce Box consisted of: 
  • Chambourcin Grapes
  • Mixed Bell or sweet Peppers
  • Peaches
  • Cucumbers
  • Mountaintop Vine-ripe tomatoes
  • Spaghetti Squash
The grapes will be eaten as snacks and in school lunches.  The peaches will also be snacked on and I may make a Peach Pound Cake. 

Wednesday, August 17-  Breakfast for dinner tonight.  I'll dice up some of the pepper and tomato to add to my egg scramble or omelet.

Thursday, August 18-  We'll grill Peach Pork Chops and serve them with Garlic Grilled Rosemary Potatoes (using the red potatoes from last weeks Box)
Simple Peach Sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1-2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup sliced peeled fresh peaches
  1. In a saucepan, bring water, sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon to a boil; boil for 1 minute. Add peaches. Bring to a boil; boil another 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Serve warm over pork chops. 
 
Garlic Grilled Rosemary Potatoes- my own original recipe
10 Red Potatoes
3-4 cloves minced Garlic
1/2-1 onion thinly sliced
Rosemary
Olive Oil
  • Boil potatoes until tender.  Rinse under cold water
  • Quarter potatoes and place in lightly sprayed heavy duty foil packet
  • Add sliced onions and Sprinkle with rosemary and the minced garlic
  • Drizzle with olive oil
  • Seal packet and place on preheated grill
  • Grill for about 10 minutes on each side 
Friday, August 19- Tonight I will use the spaghetti squash and pepper from my Box to make our meal.  I'll also serve this meal along with a side salad using my tomato and cucumber from my Box.

Baked Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Style- (reprinted from Allrecipes.com with my additions)
  • 1 spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1/2 to 1 bell pepper diced
  • 1lb of ground Italian sausage (chop meat may be substituted)
  • 2 (14 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1 cube chicken bouillon
  • black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Spray a baking sheet with a thin layer of cooking spray. Place squash halves cut side down on the baking sheet.
  2. Bake squash 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife can be easily inserted. Remove from oven, and cool.
  3. Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a pan. Over medium heat, saute the onion and garlic until golden brown. Add sausage and cook til no longer pink (you may wish to drain some of the fat out of the pan).  Stir in tomatoes, basil, bouillon cube, red pepper flakes and black pepper. Cook for about 15 minutes, or until you have a medium thick sauce.
  4. Remove squash strands with a fork. In a baking dish, layer with the sauce, a layer of spaghetti squash strands and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Top with Parmesan cheese.
  5. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until Parmesan cheese melts. 
Saturday, August 20-  We'll grill Haitian Voodoo Sticks and serve them in tortillas with sour cream and fresh diced tomato from my Box.  On the skewers I'll add cut onion and cut peppers, from my Box.  A side salad will round out this meal.  These beef kabobs are spicy but delicious.  However, the heat is too much for my girls.  
Sunday, August 21-  Fish is this evening main course.  I made this recipe on the grill before in foil packets and felt it was "too fishy" for my palette.  So I have altered the recipe and will bake it tonight.  I'll serve the fish with couscous and green beans (perhaps fresh green beans if I can find them at the farmer's market).

Easy Tilapia with Wine and Tomato  WW Points: 6
* 4 (4 ounce) fillets tilapia
* salt and pepper to taste
* olive oil
* 4 cloves garlic, pressed
* 4 fresh basil leaves, chopped (can substitute dried)
* 1-2 large tomato, chopped
* 1 cup white wine

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Place the tilapia fillets side by side in a lightly sprayed baking dish. Season each one with salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil over the top of each piece of fish, and sprinkle garlic, basil and tomato. Pour the wine over everything.
3. Place in preheated oven, and cook for 15-25 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork.
Monday, August 22- Tonight is my youngest daughter's first soccer practice.  It's of course smack in the middle of our family dinnertime.  So the girls will eat earlier and after practice the adults will have dinner.  Since we are eating in shifts, the girls will have something easy and simple.  The adults will have hamburgers and homemade macaroni salad.
Tuesday, August 23- Tonight will be marked for leftovers.  Should none exist it will be pasta and meatballs.

    Tuesday, August 16, 2011

    August 10- August 16

    I am late in posting last weeks Box contents largely due to the fact that my family went out of town.  But despite traveling I still received a Produce Box.  Sometimes it is difficult to cook home made meals with busy schedules and the everyday demands of life and family.  The next best thing is to freeze fresh veggies for future use when you do have the time to cook!

    That is what I did with many of the items in my Box this past week.  My Produce Box consisted of:
    • 3 Large Mountain vine ripe tomatoes
    • 4 ears of SWEET corn 
    • a Quart of Red Potatoes
    • Peaches (double share)
    • Eggplant variety
    • Mixed bell peppers
    I blanched my corn and after cooling cut the kernels from the cob.  I placed the corn in a ziplock bag and froze for later use.  I used 2 of my lavender peppers in my Squash Burrito recipe but sliced and froze the remaining peppers to use at a later time.  The peaches were eaten as snacks and sides to lunches and breakfasts.  I removed the skins of the 3 tomatoes, seeded and diced the tomatoes.  I then sauteed them with olive oil, garlic and Italian seasonings.  I then froze the mixture to use again at a later time.  Since the potatoes will keep, I will use them next week in a meal.  The eggplant I also blanched for 4 minutes and froze for later use.

    Wednesday, August 3, 2011

    August 3- August 9 Latin and Asian Influences

    This week our Produce Box includes:
    • 4 ears of Corn
    • 2 English Cucumbers
    • Peaches
    • Zucchini and Yellow Squash Mix
    • Pepper Variety
    • Personal Watermelon
    The watermelon and peaches are great for snacks and sides for dinner!

    Wednesday, August 3-  After delivering as a sub driver for the Produce Box as well as having company arriving, I plan on making it easy and simple.  Hamburgers with corn on the cob and sliced watermelon.

    Thursday, August 4Sausage and Peppers served with warmed bread and a bottle of wine.  I will make a small side of pasta as well.  My company is bringing Italian sausage from the Northeast (the best in my opinion) and I will add some of the peppers from my box to them.  I will also be using the tomato sauce I made from my Box's tomatoes and froze a few weeks ago.

    Friday, August 5-  Part of my company is going out, I am thinking the rest of us will dine out for dinner tonight too!  Maybe Tribeca Tavern or Red Robin....

    Saturday, August 6-  Per special request I am making my delicious Chicken Enchiladas.  They are easy to make and even easier to double the batch for my house guests.  I'll also make a black bean salad using some of my box's corn.  I have made the salad before and enjoyed it!

    Chicken Enchiladas  (I will be doubling the recipe tonight) approx. 7 WW Pts.
    1 lb chicken
    4oz can of chopped green chile peppers (I'll be using my hot green chiles from last week's Box)
    1 small onion
    1 can of cream of chicken soup
    1/2 cup Sour Cream
    1 tsp chili powder
    Small Can of Enchilada Sauce
    1 package of large sized soft flour tortillas
    1 package Mexican cheese (or cheddar)

    1. Heat large skillet on med/high heat. Add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to coat pan
    3. Cook chicken through about 8-10 minutes.
    4. While chicken is cooking chop onion
    5. Remove chicken to cutting board, add chopped onion to skillet and chili powder
    6. While onion is cooking, dice up chicken
    7. In a small bowl combine the can of cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup of sour cream & 2 tablespoons of enchilada sauce. Mix and set aside.
    8. Once onion is tender add chicken, green chilies, about 1/4 cup of sour cream mixture & enchilada sauce (add enough to add moisture to skillet about 1-3 tablespoons) Stir and Heat through.
    9. In a 9 x 13 baking dish lightly cover bottom of pan with the sour cream mixture.
    10. Add chicken mixture to tortillas and roll up, place seam side down in baking dish. (tortillas can be touching each other in dish)
    11. Cover tortillas with remaining sour cream mixture and sprinkle with cheese
    12. Bake in a 350 degree oven covered for 20-25 minutes then uncover and bake additional 5-10 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.

    **Meal can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated. When ready to bake add 15 minutes to bake time or until heated through.

    Sunday, August 7-I will use my remaining peppers in tonight's meal of either  Pork Fried Rice or Taste of Thai Peanut Noodle Recipe.  I am not sure which I will make tonight.

    Taste of Thai Peanut Noodle Toss Recipe
    1/2 Box (8 oz) Rice Noodles
    1 TBSP oil
    3 cups favorite vegetables chopped
    1 tsp Salt
    1 13.5 oz can of Coconut Sauce
    1 packet (both inner envelopes) Peanut Sauce Mix
    1 1/4 lbs chicken or beef thinly sliced

    Soak noodles according to stir fry directions. Heat oil in wok over medium high heat. Add vegetables, salt and meat. Saute 3 minutes. Add coconut milk and peanut sauce. Mix. Bring to boil while stirring and boil 3 minutes. Add drained noodles and combine. Cook while stirring until noodles are firm but tender. Add peanuts for garnish.

    Pork Fried Rice
    • vegetable oil
    • 3 eggs
    • 3 cloves garlic thinly sliced
    • half an onion finely chopped (I used a red onion but any variety or even scallions can be substituted)
    • 2 pork chops cubed
    • 2 cups of diced vegetable medley (I used my peppers as part of the medley)
    • 3 cups of cooked cold rice
    • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
    1. Heat  a tablespoon of oil in a pan.  Add eggs and stir (like making scrambled eggs) remove from heat when just set.
    2. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in wok.  Add garlic and onion.  Saute for 5 minutes then add pork. 
    3. When pork is cooked through add vegetable mix.  Cook for about 5 minutes.
    4. Add rice and soy sauce.  Separate rice and incorporate the soy sauce into mixture.
    5. Once rice is heated through add eggs.  Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.  If mixture is dry add some more soy sauce.
    Monday, August 8- This has become one of my favorite new dishes, Squash and Zucchini Burritos. I discovered this dish through a friend. There after, I added my twist and viola! A sumptuous summer dish.  This will use the squash and zucchini from my Box.

    Tuesday, August 9-  I am not sure what tonight's meal will be yet.  Maybe leftovers?  It will be quick and easy since it is golf lesson night.

    Thursday, July 28, 2011

    July 27- August 2 Not a whole lot of cooking going on!

    This week my Produce Box consisted of:
    • 1 Qt. Peaches
    • Green Beans
    • 1 Personal Watermelon
    • 6 Ears of Corn
    • 1 oz. Fresh Basil
    • Hot Pepper Variety
    • Butternut Squash 
    I never made the Peach cobbler last week.  So this week I will use my peaches to make that recipe.  
    Delicious Peach Cobbler
    4 cups of peeled, sliced peaches
    2 cups sugar divided
    1/2 cup water
    8 tablespoons butter
    1 1/2 cups self rising flour (if you don't have any you can easily make some- I did using a google search: 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour mixed with 3/4 teaspoon each baking powder and salt)
    1 1/2 cups milk
    ground cinnamon, optional

    -Preheat oven to 350
    -Combine peaches, 1 cup of sugar & water in saucepan and mix well. Bring to boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
    -Put butter in a 3-qt. baking dish and place in oven to melt.
    -Mix remaining 1 cup sugar, flour and milk slowly to prevent clumping. Pour mixture over melted butter. Do not stir. Spoon fruit on top, gently pouring in syrup. Sprinkle top with ground cinnamon, if desired.
    -Bake for approx. 1 hour
    Can be served with whipped topping and/or ice cream. Refrigerate left overs.

    I will roast and then puree the Butternut Squash and use it in place of the pumpkin puree in my Pumpkin Bread Recipe.  I will post this recipe separately.

    Wednesday, July 27-  Between running to 2 Open Houses and it's my Birthday, I am not cooking dinner tonight.  Not sure what will be for dinner but I know for sure I won't be making it!

    Thursday, July 28-  I will use some of the corn and green beans for a side salad, Orzo Salad with Corn, Green Beans and Tomatoes (recipe from myrecipes.com).  I will freeze the remaining corn to have at a later time.  I think my girls have had their fill of corn these past few weeks.  I will also make Apricot Glazed Grilled Pork Chops (whisk 2 tablespoons cider vinegar with 1/4-1/2 cup of apricot preserves, brush glaze on meat during last 5 minutes of grilling).  The meal will be rounded out with slices of watermelon.

    Orzo Salad with Corn, Green Beans and Tomatoes (I will halving this recipe)

    • 1 pound green beans
    • 1 1/2 cups dried orzo pasta (8 oz.)
    • 3 ears fresh corn (10 to 14 oz. each; see notes)
    • 1/2 cup white wine vinegar
    • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
    • 1/2 cup minced shallots
    • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
    • 2 tablespoons minced fresh tarragon or 2 teaspoons dried tarragon
    • Salt and pepper
    • 2 cups cherry tomatoes (12 oz.), rinsed, stemmed, and cut in half

    1. In a 5- to 6-quart pan over high heat, bring about 2 quarts water to a boil. Meanwhile, rinse green beans, trim off ends, and pull off any strings. Cut into 2- to 3-inch lengths. Add beans to boiling water and cook until barely tender to bite, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain and immerse in ice water until cold; drain well.
    2. Fill same pan with 2 1/2 to 3 quarts water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add orzo and cook until barely tender to bite, 8 to 11 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water; drain well.
    3. Meanwhile, husk corn, discarding silk; rinse ears. Holding each ear upright in a large, deep bowl, cut off kernels close to the cob.
    4. To make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, olive oil, shallots, mustard, tarragon, and salt and pepper to taste.
    5. In a large, wide bowl, mix orzo with 1/2 cup of the dressing. Add more salt and pepper to taste. Spread level. Layer corn kernels, green beans, and tomatoes over pasta. Pour remaining dressing into a container. Cover and chill both salad and dressing until ready to serve.
    6. Shortly before serving, pour three-fourths of the remaining dressing over salad and mix gently to blend. Add more dressing and salt and pepper to taste. 

    Nutritional Information

    • Calories: 296
    • Calories from fat: 46%
    • Protein: 6.4g
    • Fat: 15g
    • Saturated fat: 2.1g
    • Carbohydrate: 36g
    • Fiber: 3.2g
    • Sodium: 106mg
    • Cholesterol: 0.0mg
    Friday, July 29-  We will be attending my husband's family work event at the Durham Bulls Park.  Hotdogs, popcorn and a glass a beer are in my future tonight!
    Saturday, July 30- My husband and I are going on a date night!  Again no cooking, glad those green beans will hold for a awhile!

    Sunday, July 31-  Despite the fact that my husband and older daughter will be playing in a golf tournament tonight, I plan on making dinner for my little one and myself. It will simple like spaghetti and meatballs.


    Monday, August 1-  I will use the remaining green beans for a garlic saute garnished with chopped tomatoes and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. (Heat olive oil, add 2-3 cloves minced garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes.  After washing, trimming and cutting the beans saute them in olive oil for 5-8 minutes.  You can add chopped tomatoes and saute for another 3 minutes or remove from heat and add tomatoes.  Sprinkle with cheese and serve.)  The green beans will be served with a grilled garlic seasoned steak and a loaf of warmed bread.
    Tuesday, August 2- It's Mexican tonight!  I will use some of the peppers in a Mexican inspired dish and the remaining peppers will be frozen for later use in salsas and other meals.

      Wednesday, July 20, 2011

      July 20- July 26

      This week I received:
      • 1 quart peaches
      • 1 Oriental Melon
      • Bell Peppers
      • 1 Sprite Melon  
      • Vine-ripe tomatoes (double share)
      • 6 ears of corn
      • A Surprise item- which is a variety of squashes
      I also ordered an Add-On of 1 qt.of  Roma Tomatoes.  The melon will great for snacks and the Roma tomatoes combined with both the Box's and my garden's crop of tomatoes will be turned into sauce.

      I have adapted my recipe for Tomato Sauce to my family's preferences adding: shredded carrot, omitting celery, replace spices with 2 tsp each Oregano, Basil & Rosemary, and after 2 hours of simmering I add 2 tsp pepper & 1 tsp of salt. Also I have pureed most of the sauce since my family prefers a less chunky sauce.  I will also be adding one can of tomato paste.
      Revised Tomato Sauce
      • 10 ripe tomatoes
      • 2 tablespoons olive oil
      • 2 tablespoons butter
      • 1 onion, chopped
      • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
      • 2 carrots, shredded
      • 4 cloves garlic, minced
      • 2 teaspoons dried basil
      • 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
      • 2 teaspoons dried Rosemary
      • 1/4 cup Burgundy wine
      • 1 bay leaf
      • 2 teaspoons pepper
      • 1 teaspoon salt
      • 1/2-1 can tomato paste

      Directions

      1. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Have ready a large bowl of iced water. Plunge whole tomatoes in boiling water until skin starts to peel, 1 minute. Remove with slotted spoon and place in ice bath. Let rest until cool enough to handle, then remove peel and squeeze out seeds. Chop tomatoes and puree in blender or food processor.
      2. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook onion, bell pepper, carrot and garlic in oil and butter until onion starts to soften, 5 minutes. Pour in pureed tomatoes. Stir in basil, Italian seasoning, rosemary and wine. Place bay leaf in pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 2 hours. Stir in tomato paste and simmer an additional 2 hours. Discard bay leaf and serve.
      I'll make Peach Cobbler using a recipe from last season which I found in The Produce Box's newsletter.
      Delicious Peach Cobbler
      4 cups of peeled, sliced peaches
      2 cups sugar divided
      1/2 cup water
      8 tablespoons butter
      1 1/2 cups self rising flour (if you don't have any you can easily make some- I did using a google search: 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour mixed with 3/4 teaspoon each baking powder and salt)
      1 1/2 cups milk
      ground cinnamon, optional

      -Preheat oven to 350
      -Combine peaches, 1 cup of sugar & water in saucepan and mix well. Bring to boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
      -Put butter in a 3-qt. baking dish and place in oven to melt.
      -Mix remaining 1 cup sugar, flour and milk slowly to prevent clumping. Pour mixture over melted butter. Do not stir. Spoon fruit on top, gently pouring in syrup. Sprinkle top with ground cinnamon, if desired.
      -Bake for approx. 1 hour
      Can be served with whipped topping and/or ice cream. Refrigerate left overs. 

      Wednesday, July 20-  No cooking tonight since it's Girls Night Out!
      Thursday, July 21-  I have family coming into town.  We are doing a movie night with pizza and popcorn.  I'm sure we'll also snack on pieces of melon too.

      Friday, July 22- Hamburgers and hotdogs served with corn on the cob.  I will also make a tortellini salad using some of the pepper from my box.  I am hoping to stop by Great Harvest Bread Company and pick up their hamburger rolls to serve the cheeseburgers on.
      Tortellini Salad
      Cheese Tortellini
      Diced mozzarella Cheese
      Diced Salami
      Tomato
      Diced Pepper
      Italian Seasoning
      Salt and Pepper to taste
      Italian Dressing

      Cook tortellini per bag directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Add noodles to large bowl. Add cheese, salami, tomatoes and seasonings. Pour dressing over mixture. Mix well. Refrigerate until cold. Before serving, stir salad and add more dressing if needed.

      Saturday, July 23-   If their is corn leftover I will use it in this Southwest Salad.  Otherwise I will buy some more fresh corn from DJ's Berry Patch Farm Stand to use in place of the canned corn in the recipe.
      Southwest Chicken Salad
      1 small can corn, drained
      1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
      1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar and Monterey cheese blend
      3 tomatoes, chopped
      Chopped romaine lettuce
      Catalina salad dressing
      Southwest Style Chicken
      Corn chips

      In a large bowl, combine the corn, black beans, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. Add dressing and mix well. Cut up chicken and placed over salad. Add corn chips before serving. 

      Sunday, July 24Pulled Pork Sandwiches made in my crock pot will be tonight's meal served on any of the left over rolls from Great Harvest. (if none are left I'll pick up rolls for the sandwiches)This recipe caught my eye because of the apricot preserves!
      • 1/2 cup apricot preserves
      • 1 Tbsp cider vinegar
      • 1 red onion, sliced
      • 2 1/2 lb boneless pork shoulder, trimmed
      • 2 tsp ground cumin
      • Kosher salt and pepper
      • green-leaf lettuce
      • rolls
      1. In a 5- to 6-qt slow cooker, whisk together the apricot preserves and vinegar; stir in the onion.

      2. Season the pork with the cumin and 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper. Nestle the pork among the onions and cook, covered, until pork is tender and easily pulls apart, on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 5 to 6 hours.

      3. Using 2 forks, shred the pork and stir it into the cooking liquid. Form sandwiches with the rolls, lettuce and pork.
      • Nutrition Facts
      • Servings 4
      • Calories 595
      • Total Fat 15g
      • Saturated Fat 5g
      • Cholesterol 136mg
      • Sodium 671mg
      • Total Carbohydrates 63g
      • Dietary Fiber 5g
      • Protein 51g
      Monday, July 25- Grilled Steak with peppers and onions along with homemade macaroni salad and sliced melon will be dinner tonight.  I will use the peppers from my box sauteed with sliced onion and olive oil.

      Tuesday, July 26-  If there is left over pulled pork from Sunday night's meal, then I will use the pork for tacos.  Otherwise it will still be a Mexican flavored dinner with chicken fajitas.

      Wednesday, July 13, 2011

      Blueberry Kuchen

      Kuchen is German for cake.  This is a coffeecake made with fresh blueberries.

      1 1/2 cups sifted all purpose flour
      2 tsp. baking powder
      1/4 tsp salt
      2/3 cup sugar
      1/2 cup butter
      1 egg
      1/2 cup milk
      2 cups fresh blueberries

      Topping:
      1/3 cup sugar
      1/4 cup all purpose flour
      1/2 tsp. cinnamon
      1/8 tsp. nutmeg
      1/8 tsp. salt
      2 tbsp. butter

      1. Sift flour, baking powder, salt and sugar into a medium bowl.
      2. Cut in the 1/2 cup of butter to size of peas
      3. Break egg in measuring cup and beat.  Add enough milk to make 3/4 cup of liquid
      4. Add to dry ingredients and stir until blended
      5. Turn blueberries into batter
      6. Turn batter into a 8x8 greased baking dish
      Topping
      1. Combine all ingredients except butter.
      2. Mix
      3. Cut butter into dry ingredients
      4. Work mixture with hands until crumbly
      5. Sprinkle over cake batter
      Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes.