Hi everyone, this is my very first blog and I am really excited about sharing it with all of you! The concept behind this blog is im 25 years old and for the first time I have my own kitchen and I am in charge of cooking and grocery shopping for my boyfriend and myself. My mom has been in the resturant business and a chef my whole life so I never needed to cook or learn how until now. :) Come along on my crazy and fun journey in MY kitchen!
Okay so I had 2 more extremely ripe Bananas that needed to be used, and I really wanted to bake, but I didn't have any eggs so I called up my Mom to see if I could use something else and she filled me in on an amazing secret!!
I had no idea but basically you can substitute lots of different ingredients if you don't have a certain ingredient. I just went to www.google.com and typed in " Egg substitute", it brought up allot of different options for substitutions.
I found out that you can actually use a banana in place of an egg so this worked out perfect!
So here's my recipe (I totally made this up, so all ingredients can be altered to fit what you like)
Here's what you'll need:
2-3 very ripe banana's
2 cups Bisquick mix
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup of milk
3 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons Vanilla extract
1 cup Chocolate chips (or if you like them not as sweet use a 1/2 cup, 1 cup is allot of chocolate )
Here's how it's done:
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees
Hand mix all ingredients together. (I just broke the bananas up in to 4 parts and threw them into the mixture, then I just used my hands to mix and mash everything together.)
Pour into a greased muffin tin.
Bake for 15-20 mins or until tops are golden brown.
So if you know anything about me you know I do not eat leftovers, I don't know why I just am not a fan of reheating the same thing I ate for dinner the night before. I am figuring out though if I use the leftovers in something else I really like it because I am saving money by using leftovers and it tastes good but different. I am actually finding it really rewarding to make my leftovers into a totally different dinner.
Okay so I am going to give you the recipe as it calls for the ingredients, but I didn't make it this way. I used our left over Alfredo Chicken mixture from the crock pot recipe that I posted right before this one. It worked perfectly! It was the right amount of liquid and chicken, and then I added the veggies and cooked diced potatoes, as well as one more can of cream of chicken, and then put my Bisquick mix just as it calls for.
So basically instead of the milk and chicken broth I used the Alfredo mix, it was really yummy and a great use of leftovers!
Here's what you'll need:
2 cans cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup.
1 can of chicken broth
4 cups diced and seasoned COOKED chicken.
1 bag of frozen veggies, thawed and drained.
10 Small Red potatoes, cooked and diced.
2 1/2 cups Bisquick mix
1 1/2 cups milk
1 egg
Here's how it's done:
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
In a large saucepan heat soup, broth, chicken, veggies, and potatoes until they come to a boil.
Pour chicken mixture in a 3qt casserole dish.
Stir together Bisquick mix, egg, and milk, until you get a smooth mixture.
Pour Bisquick mix over top of the chicken mixture in casserole dish.
Bake at 375 degrees for 30-40 minutes, or until top is golden brown.
Here's how its done if you are using leftover Alfredo Mix:
What you'll need:
Leftover Crock-pot Chicken Alfredo Mix
1 can of cream of chicken soup mix
10 baby Red potatoes cooked and diced
1 bag of frozen veggies, thawed and drained.
2 1/2 cups Bisquick mix
1 1/2 cups milk
1 egg
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
In a large saucepan combine leftover Alfredo sauce and chicken mixture, veggies, and potatoes.
Heat and bring to a boil.
Pour chicken mixture into a 3qt casserole dish.
Stir together Bisquick mix, egg, and milk, until you get a smooth mixture.
Pour Bisquick mix over top of the chicken mixture in casserole dish.
Bake at 375 degrees for 30-40 minutes, or until top is golden brown.
Let cool for about 5 minutes.
We always eat cottage cheese with our store bought pot pies, so I served this with some cottage cheese as well. It was really yummy and so filling!!
1 jar (16 ounces) Creamy Garlic Alfredo Sauce, or Alfredo Sauce
4 to 6 boneless chicken breast halves
1 sweet onion
1 can of cream of mushroom soup or if you don't like mushrooms you can use cream chicken soup.
8 ounces spaghetti, hot cooked
grated Parmesan cheese
Here's how it's done:
Pour about 1/3 of the sauce into the slow cooker. Place chicken and chopped onion in the slow cooker; top with mushroom soup and remaining sauce. Cover and cook on LOW setting for 6 to 8 hours. Serve with hot cooked spaghetti, Parmesan cheese and a tossed salad.
Okay, I am SO excited to share this recipe with everyone! I was really in the mood to bake something but didn't want to go to the grocery store and buy ingredients, so I was looking through all my cupboards and came across all the ingredients I needed for Blueberry-Banana muffins with a cinnamon and sugar frosting.
I did learn a good lesson tonight, I absolutely need to be more patient and read my recipes slowly and follow the directions step by step! I was just cruising right along and not paying attention to the recipe and I added the blueberries way to early and almost had a smashed blueberry mess. Luckily I have watched my mom recover from baking emergencies and I saved the poor blueberries :).
Baking lesson of the night: Follow the recipe, there's a reason I still need recipes to follow!
Blueberry-Banana muffins with a cinnamon and sugar frosting :
What you'll need:
2 cups Original Bisquick mix
3/4 cup quick-cooking oats
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup mashed very ripe banana (2 medium)
1/4 cup milk
2 eggs
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
Cinnamon and Sugar Frosting
What you'll need:
1/4 cup Cinnamon and Sugar combined
1/4 cup butter or margarine
How it's done:
1. Heat oven to 450 degrees
2. Stir Bisquick, oats, sugar, bananas, milk and eggs in large bowl until moistened. Beat vigorously 30 seconds. Gently stir in blueberries. Pour in to 12 muffin tins. Make sure and use muffin papers or grease the muffin cups. 3. Bake at 450 degrees for 15-20 mins.
How the icing is done:
1. Heat butter on low or in microwave until melted. 2. Pour in cinnamon and sugar mix. Stir until well blended. 3. Pour over warm muffins and let cool. (Make sure and take muffins out of muffin tin to cool, or they will get soggy.)
These are so yummy and so easy even Tyler helped and said he couldn't believe how easy they were to make. Hope you enjoy!
So this is going to be a regular posting. I am going to try at least 2x's a week to post an article about eating heart healthy.
I am obviously very passionate about keeping your heart healthy and always wanting to learn more and more about how I can help my family keep their hearts strong. As woman we are USUALLY the ones to do the shopping and most of the cooking, if your man does the cooking and shopping then all the power to you! I always heard my mom say it but I never really understood it until now that I am really on my own and its just Tyler and I, as woman we have a pretty good power over the men we love and they really do look to us for direction... I am not sure that they will ever admit it but the men in our life really do listen to what us woman have to say and we are the ones that cook their dinners and buy most of what they eat and drink. I really do believe that we can make that difference and it makes me feel like I am doing my part to make sure Tyler and I eat foods that will keep our hearts strong. I am really eager to do more research on Heart Healthy eating and I am really excited to share what I find with everyone I love and care about, and even those I don't know!
If you don't know why I am so passionate about keeping my families hearts strong then let me share our story and why we are doing everything in our power to make sure other families don't feel the same pain mine does.
September 6th 2004.... Our world changed forever, my 16 year old brother died in his sleep from sudden cardiac arrest. We were not prepared for this devastating news, I don't think anyone can be prepared to never be able to tell their 16 year old baby brother they love him and have him say it back.
One thing I can tell you about my family though is that we were prepared to FIGHT, my mom is determined to not let this happen to anyone else. We may not be there yet but with my Aunt Sue, Uncle Steven, Dr. Drezner and all the other amazing members of The Nick of Time Foundation they will win this fight. They are a feisty group all dedicated to one thing and that is to educate and make people aware that this does happen to families everyday and it is preventable.
The Nick of Time Foundation was founded in memory of Nick and has truly become my families passion, heart, and soul. Please check out what we do and how we are keeping our communities heart safe. Visit our website at http://nickoftimefoundation.org/ . We are also on Facebook just search for Nick of Time foundation and you will find our page. Facebook is a great way to stay connected with what the foundation is doing, where the next screening is( Redmond High School on October 5th), what events we have coming up (Like a sounders game on October 8th) and also whats happening with The Heart of Seattle Schools Project. This project is truly remarkable and I am so proud that The Nick of Time Foundation gets to be a part of it!! They already have placed 144 AED's in Seattle schools!! Check them out at http://www.heartofseattleschools.org/ .
Nick a few weeks before he passed away.
Here's today's article and there are recipe ideas after each section for that heart healthy food!
Nothing matters more than taking good care of your heart. Getting regular exercise, not smoking, and controlling stress are just a few things health experts recommend, along with eating a variety of nutritious, heart-healthy foods that make up a healthy diet.
Where to start? Add these five "super-foods" to boost nutritional goodness while eating your way to a healthier heart.
Blueberries
Blueberries top the list as one of the most powerful disease-fighting foods. That's because they contain anthocyanins, the antioxidant responsible for their dark blue color. These delicious jewels are packed with fiber, vitamin C, and are available all year long. Boost heart health by adding them into your diet regularly. Here's how:
1. Top your whole-grain cereal with fresh or frozen blueberries to add delicious flavor, a dose of fiber, and heart-healthy antioxidants.
2. Power up pancakes, waffles, or muffins with fresh, frozen, or dried blueberries for a nutritious breakfast.
3. Eat them plain or mix with other fruit for a low-calorie, high-fiber tasty fruit salad, dessert, or snack.
Recipe idea: Make an irresistible trifle by layering lady fingers, light whipped topping or low-fat pudding, and blueberries. Or puree a batch of berries for a breakfast or dessert sauce.
Salmon
This cold-water fish is a great source of protein and is also packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. The American Heart Association advises eating salmon and other omega-3 rich foods twice a week for benefits that go beyond heart health. Americans love salmon because it is so versatile, easy to cook, and tastes great.
1. Salmon is easy to prepare on the grill, in the oven or microwave, or on the stovetop. Save leftovers to toss into pasta dishes, make into salmon cakes, add to salads, or mix into dips or spreads.
3. Salmon cooks in a matter of minutes and its delicate texture quickly absorbs and showcases the flavor of added ingredients. For example, toss chunks of salmon into a chowder of corn and potatoes, or wrap salmon with herbs and chopped onion and tomatoes in parchment or aluminum foil and grill or bake 12 minutes for a satisfying meal.
Recipe idea: Marinate salmon in a lime, onion, garlic, and soy mixture for 15 minutes before grilling for a delicious fish taco or grilled fish sandwich.
Soy Protein
This inexpensive, high-quality protein contains fiber, vitamins, and minerals -- all the ingredients for a heart-healthy meal. Also, a diet rich in soy protein can lower triglycerides, which help prevent cardiovascular disease and keep your heart strong and healthy. In those with high cholesterol levels,the benefits of soy foods are due to their high levels of polyunsaturated fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
1. Pack a soy protein bar or a bag of soy nuts for a quick snack during the day.
2. Edamame (the Japanese name for green soybeans) are snacks even kids will love! Find these nutritious nuggets in the freezer section at your supermarket. Boil them, then serve warm in the pod. Pop them out of the pod to eat plain or with a low-fat dip.
3. Tofu, made of soy beans, takes on the flavor of spices and foods you cook with it. Saute cubed tofu with green and red peppers, sliced garlic, and a dash or two of curry powder. Or add tofu to soups for a healthy dose of fat-free protein.
Recipe idea: Soy milk is not just for the lactose-intolerant. Make a nutritious beverage with chocolate soy milk, a banana, and some ice for a delicious smoothie.
Oatmeal
Grandma called it roughage and we need plenty of it each day. Oatmeal is one way to get it. Oats are nourishing whole grains and a great source of vitamins, minerals, and cholesterol-lowering fiber. The FDA allows manufacturers of oats to make health claims about the grain on their products, suggesting that a diet high in oats can reduce the risk for heart disease. Research shows oats lower cholesterol levels, keep you regular, and may help prevent certain cancers.
1. A warm bowl of oatmeal fills the belly for hours with its high fiber content. Top it off with fruit (such as blueberries or strawberries) for added fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
2. Add oats whenever you bake. Substitute up to one-third of the flour with oats in pancakes, muffins, quick breads, cookies, and coffee cakes for an added dose of fiber.
3. Use oats in place of bread crumbs in dishes such as meatloaf, meatballs, or breading on poultry.
Recipe idea: Make your own crunchy granola by baking three cups of oats at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Stir occasionally, then cool and mix in a variety of chopped dried fruit, nuts, and seeds.
Spinach
Popeye knew firsthand the value of eating spinach. Hands down, spinach is the powerhouse of the vegetable kingdom. Its rich, dark color comes from the multiple phytochemicals, vitamins, and minerals (especially folate and iron) that also fight disease, protect against heart disease, and preserve your eyesight.
1. Keep frozen, chopped spinach in your freezer for an easy, quick addition to pizza, pasta, soups, and stews. Just defrost and squeeze the liquid from a box of chopped spinach before you toss into cooked dishes.
2. Mix fresh spinach with salad greens or alone, then top with peeled and segmented Mandarin oranges or sliced strawberries, nuts, and crumbled cheese for a satisfying and delicious salad.
3. Steam spinach, mix with garlic, a little olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon for a low-fat potato topper.
Recipe idea: Mix spinach with pine nuts and raisins, then stuff into winter squash and bake for a colorful, delicious main or side dish.
All I do is chop up tomatoes, avocado, and an onion. Then I add lime juice and a can of sweet corn. Season with some garlic and season salt and bam you have amazingly fresh and tasty salsa. I usually use 5 tomatoes, 3 avocado's, and a large onion and it makes enough for 3-4 people.
This was one of my first recipes that I tried and it is now a regular favorite with Tyler and I. I got this recipe from the net so here it is:
Ingredients
5 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 1/2 (1 ounce) packages dry onion soup mix
2 cups water
1 (15 ounce) can pineapple, drained
1 large orange, sliced in rounds
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Directions
Spray large frying pan or electric skillet with vegetable spray. Brown chicken breasts in pan, meat side down.
Turn chicken over; add pineapple chunks, onion soup, and water.
Cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 30 minutes. Garnish with cooked pineapple chunks and fresh orange slices.
Serve over white rice. (Hint: I opted to not do the orange, no one knew or noticed) (Hint: I also sauteed a fresh onion with the chicken and added it to the mix it was deff needed)
