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Healthy Snack – Crispy Green Beans

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greenbean snack

I am one of those weirdos who forgets to eat sometimes.  Yea, I know, I’ve heard it all.  But, it’s true.  I also really like basically healthy food, which tends to be lower in calories, so I find getting enough to eat and still eat healthy foods is a challenge.  As a result of years of under eating I have had a pretty sluggish metabolism, but that is changing.

One of the first things I have noticed as I have increased -yes INCREASED my caloric intake is that my stomach now growls when I’m hungry!!   This is a good thing and let’s me know my body is speaking to me again!  It thinks I will listen.  I increased my calories but I really only started eating enough to meet my Basel Metabolic Rate (BMR) at first. Your BMR is the amount of calories you need to lie in bed and do nothing but grow new cells and hair, breathe, heal etc.  The next step was to look at my BMR and calculate my PAL, Physical Activity Level, to come up with the amount I would need to eat to maintain my weight.

Since I would like to loose a little weight I then take the BMR plus PAL number and subtract 500 calories. This is an approximate value, but equals 3500 calories which is the scientific amount equal to one pound a week weight loss.  Keep in mind there are many factors which make each person unique, this is an estimate.

This puts me mid range between my BMR and maintaining my weight.  To look at the math check out this link.

This means I have to eat enough to keep me healthy and one of my lifestyle changes is to make more of our snacks rather than purchase them and maybe remember to eat, after all yummy is appealing.

Below is a review of Crispy Green Beans by Purewow.com.

 

Crispy Green Beans – Purewow.com

Time: 15-30 Minutes

Ease: Simple

Review: The recipe was easy to follow and the results were yummy, but I had a problem – my green beans weren’t crispy, even after 30 minutes in the oven.  I then read the comments section and found others had the same problem and offered solutions.

My Problem: too much olive oil.  I was certain they would stick more, so I didn’t strictly follow the recipe and tossed my green beans in olive oil.

Solution:  Follow the directions as written

Give this recipe a try, but follow the directions and you will end up with a nice crispy green bean snack.  I recommend this recipe.

The second problem: I ate them all

No solution!

Enjoy!

 

 

 

Let’s Talk Trash-Trash Soup that is!

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soup

Trash Soup

You can make soup with just about anything!  One of the things I like to do is use up the leftovers from the week and make a nice hearty soup!

Some basics:

  • First saute your aromatic veg until tender or translucent (onions, celery, carrots) if adding garlic do this towards the end of this process as it burns easily if not careful.
  • Keep a good stock or broth on hand.  I like to buy the natural ones when they are on sale, because let’s face it though I may have the best intentions of making my own it rarely happens and there are some great stocks out there.  Watch the salt!
  • If you are adding fresh meat cook before adding unless making meatballs or something that will cook in the broth.

Once you establish your base i.e. onions, celery, roux etc.  start building your soup. Decide what type of broth you’d like and really just throw things in and add your favorite seasonings.  I  know, that sounds over simplified, but not really.  Here is my Trash Soup from this week.

Leftovers:

  • Grilled chicken, diced
  • Curried carrots, diced
  • Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Risotto
  • Trader Joe’s frozen Quinoa
  • Roasted garlic, I squeezed the garlic out like a paste
  • A few little pieces of sauteed banana pepper
  • 1/2 box Chicken Stock

Additions:

  • Onion
  • 1 potato
  • 2 Tsp Curry
  • 1/2 can coconut milk
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 1 box Chicken Stock

I sauteed the onions and then added the broth. Diced the potato and added to the broth cooking until tender.  Then I added the risotto and pureed until smooth.  Then I added the rest of the ingredients brought to a simmer and let simmer about and hour to let the flavors marry well, but in a hurry you could heat through.  I served it with grated cheese, crackers, and Sriracha sauce on the side and a nice pumpkin beer.

With leftover rice, pasta etc.  you have the option to add in as is, but they can break down too much second time around. If you puree it you can have a creamy soup without all of the fat of cream-a trick from Julia Child. If you are going to use the rice or pasta as they are add these last and just heat through so that they will not become mushy.

 

Just think about what you have in the fridge and go from there. You can throw in a can of beans or fire roasted tomatoes, corn etc.  Before you start take a look at your leftovers and then look through your cabinets and freezer, you may have the perfect thing on hand!

For us this week everything went together very well.  Sometimes it isn’t as easy to decide how I want it to look and I just head to the internet and plug in a few ingredients to get some ideas.  Sometimes you just need a little inspiration.

I’d love to hear how your Trash Soup turned out and any other leftover ideas you’d like to share!

Enjoy!

One Pot Chicken and Potatoes

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Sometimes you just need something simple and one-pot-meals are the way to go!  I am discovering that there are many meals that can be done this way.  Today we are looking at chicken and potatoes, but if you are interested in a pasta dish try this one from Martha Stewart.

 

One Pot Chicken and Potatoes

one pot chicken and potatoes

 

Time: 1 1/2 Hours

Ease: Simple

Meal: To show you how simple one-pot-meals are I just threw this one together last night and you can do it too! I used:

4 skinless Chicken Thighs

1 small bag of little red potatoes cut each in half

1 onion chopped

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup orange juice

Penzeys Ruth Ann’s Muskego Ave Chicken/Fish Seasoning

Penzeys Cajun Style Seasoning

salt and pepper

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

In an oven safe pan saute the onion in 1/2 of the Olive Oil until translucent and move to the side of the pan.  Add remaining olive oil and sear the chicken until lightly browned on each side and remove from the pan.  Add the potatoes and mix in with the onions and sprinkle the spices to taste.  Place the chicken on top of the potatoes and season with more of the Penzeys spices to taste.  Add broth and juice to the pan and lightly spray the potatoes and tops of chicken with cooking spray.  Bake 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours until the chicken is done.

I used some spice blends that I had from Penzeys Spices, but you could use any spice you like.  You could try lemon and Rosemary, Curry, BBQ seasoning; the possibilities are limitless!

Review: I like the spices from Penzeys, they seem fresh and there is a good selection and are full of aroma and taste!  Spices are a great way to lower the fat in cooking by adding depth of flavor.  Don’t be afraid to experiment, your new favorite is waiting for you!

I served this with the curried carrots from last week!

 

I hope you enjoy!

Well, Goodbye may be a bit Strong!

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Ok, so maybe not Goodbye!  I’ve had a lot of traffic to Bringing Back Dinner since saying goodbye and a few requests, so how about a new post?  I will try to post each week, but will feature one main recipe review.

We are trying to eat a little healthier around here and trying new things.  I think you will be surprised at the flavors of the great salad I have for you this week.  Even the guys will like it!

Steak, Pear, and Watercress Salad – Cooking Light

Steak Pear and watercress salad

Time: About 30 minutes

Ease: Simple

Review:  This was a pretty quick and easy meal to make and a great blend of flavors.  I had to make a few changes though.  Sometimes watercress is difficult to find here in Greensboro, NC and I had to switch it out for lettuce, but watercress has a nice peppery flavor which lends itself well to this salad, so use it if you can find it.  We also had trouble finding the right cut of meat and in the end used a London Broil. lastly, you may switch the Blue Cheese for Feta (we did).  Serve with a nice crusty bread and olive oil.  This dish could be a nice dinner on the deck or a date night dinner and goes from beer to wine very well!  Versatile!

Asparagus

asparagus

Not a fan of asparagus?  Try buying the small bundles of thinner stalks and roasting them.  They are easy to make that way and quite yummy!  Roll in olive oil and bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit about 10 minutes.  Make sure they are still a bit firm.

Next week I’ll tell you about an aaaammmaazing Roasted Carrots with Carrot Tip Gremolata recipe with mild curry! mm, mmm, mmm!

I’d love your feedback.  Have you tried anything from Bringing Back Dinner?  What did you think?  Have a recipe you’d like us to test?  If so send us the link at burbachulous@gmail.com and we may check it out.

Enjoy!

Thank you and Goodbye!

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I want to thank you for the encouragement and participation, I have had a great time and hopefully have helped you find dinner time to be a little more fun and easier to pull off.  I have found that I know longer have the time to dedicate to doing this blog properly and feel that the best thing to do is stop publishing Bringing Back Dinner.

Remember to set the table every once in a while and that you can make dinner a time to connect even if you only have hot dogs!  It is about relationship and you can do it!

I will continue to update the facebook page with yummy ideas, so stop by and “Like” us.  Feel free to add your own contributions both recipes and ways to build relationships over meals.

Thank you again!

What’s for Dinner? Using the Produce Box

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My family recently joined The Produce Box , a NC company who deliver boxes of fresh produce directly to your door.  My plan was to help our family to eat more fruits and vegetables.  It has worked!  Each week we receive a box of local, fresh produce and I add it into our weekly meals.  It means a little creativity, but well worth it.

What ways do you make an effort to add in more healthy food?  I’d love to hear form you!  Just leave a comment in the comment box.

Meatless Monday: Corn Chowder – Tyler Florence

corn chowder

Time: 55 Minutes

Ease: Intermediate

Review:  This is a nice hearty soup, the kind that makes you feel like curling up with a blanket.  Thanks to our Produce Box we had plenty of fresh corn.  It has potatoes as well and is a nice soup to add to your winter menus.  I recommend it!  I think you will find it easy to make as well.

Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole

enchilada casserole

Time: 45 Minutes

Ease: Simple

Recipe:

3 Cooked chicken breasts

2 cans enchilada sauce (look for low sodium)

1/4 cup green peppers (Produce Box item)

1/2 cup onions

Cheese

flour tortillas

Cook the chicken breasts in 1/2 of a can of enchilada sauce either in the oven or microwave.  Once done chop chicken into fine pieces.  I use the Salad Choppers from Pampered Chef and just chop away at my chicken.  (One of my favorite tools.)  Saute onion and green peppers until the onions are translucent and add to the chopped chicken.  Using a slotted spoon fill a large tortilla with chicken mixture and top with cheese and then roll up and place in a large casserole dish.  You don’t need to bother tucking the ends in.  I was able to use 5 large flour tortillas and serve 4 people.  Once assembled pour the rest of the enchilada sauce over the tortillas making sure to cover the ends, this will help it not burn.  Top with cheese and bake 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and starting to darken.

This is an easy meal and filling.

 

This week in our Produce Box we had broccoli, apples, corn, sweet potatoes, acorn squash, bell peppers and green beans in our Produce Box.  With this box we had:

  • Broccoli bacon Quiche.  I like to use Jamie Oliver’s quiche as a base and just change the ingredients to suite me.
  • Roasted Sweet potatoes with sea salt and rosemary
  • I used the bell peppers in several dishes and froze some
  • Corn Chowder, see above
  • We have used apples in oatmeal, with peanut butter and tomorrow we are having fried apples and pork chops! mmmm and we will have the green beans.
  • This just leaves the Acorn squash which we will have this weekend.

It just takes a little thought, but is getting easier to use all of our produce.  Look for a program in your area, we have found it to be economical and we are definitely eating more fruits and veggies!  You can’t beat that. Enjoy!

 

 

What’s for Dinner? Potato Soup, Truly Hawaiian Teriyaki Fish, and Squash Casserole

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I know I talk about the importance of the family dinner table, but I have had a lot of feedback from readers that the family dinner table looks different for everyone.  This is a great point and I agree.  As a matter of fact our dinner table looks different night to night sometimes.  One family I know eats on TV trays watching TV in the living room and while this would be anti-social for some families it is very social for them.  They discuss the show and also use this time to catch up.  For them this works.  For you it may be something else.  My main goal for Bringing Back Dinner is to bring homemade meals to you that you can feel like you can do without stress and to encourage you to spend time together building relationships.  How that looks will be different for each family.  Here are some ways it could look:

1. Finger foods and games

2. Movie night and homemade pizza

3. Picnics

4. A full dinner around the table

5. PBJ on a blanket in the living room

Any way you do it, do it so that you connect with someone and don’t just fill the hole and if it seems overwhelming just try one night and gradually add in more.  Even one night a month can bring you closer together.  You can do it and you can do it in your own style!

This Past week was for us was a busy one, but we managed to have a few good home-cooked meals.

Meatless Monday- Potato Soup

potato soup

Potato soup is something that I rarely make the same way twice.  This week I sauteed about 1/2 an onion in butter and olive oil until translucent and 1 small carrot.  I added 1 tsp thyme and sauteed until fragrant then added the potatoes and vegetable stock.  The amounts vary based on how much I want to make.  I served 4 people and use 5 medium sized potatoes and one large box of stock.

Once the potatoes were tender I added salt and pepper to taste and pureed.  I always pull out a cup or so, so that there will be some chunks in the soup and then I puree the rest until smooth.  Add cream/milk until the consistency you would like.  You can add cheese and serve with croutons if you like.

Time: 45 Minutes

Teriyaki Fish – Truly Hawaiian

WP_20141007_17_43_00_Pro

One of my children won a bottle of Truly Hawaiian Teriyaki Sauce and while I try to stay away from pre-made sauces and packages there are some great ones out there.  Truly Hawaiian Teriyaki Sauce only has 6 ingredients in it and it they are real food items! Soy sauce is one of the ingredients which does up the sodium, but otherwise a great item. The rest of the ingredients are brown sugar, water, lemon juice, garlic powder, and ginger.  NICE!

I brushed my fish in the sauce and popped it in the oven until the fish was tender and flaky!  Can’t get much easier.  For a side dish I combined sweet potatoes, white potatoes, and red onion and tossed it in olive oil and rosemary and roasted them in the oven.

Time: 10 minutes for the fish and 45 for the potatoes

Ease: Simple

Review: This sauce is a very balanced sauce.  I thought it was versatile and tasty and have used it on several things other than fish.  I felt like it was made of basic ingredients that I might use at home if cooking from scratch.  Cons: High in sodium and sugar. Pros: tasty, easy, versatile, and real food.

Squash Casserole – or otherwise known as Paula Deen looks like she’s healthy compared to this casserole!

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Oh, we also had pork chops, but really…it’s all about the squash casserole!

My sister-in-law makes the best squash casserole, which is very similar to this.  This is what she brings to our holiday dinners and we all eagerly anticipate it. It is special.  When I told my mother I was making it she said “but, it’s not a holiday!  Are you going to dress up?”

Why make it outside of a holiday?  Well, for starters it is just plain good, but I did it because of my husband.  My husband dislikes squash while I love squash.  What’s a girl to do?  Oh, wait!  My husband loves cheese like no other!  Hmmm, squash casserole has cheese.  Eureka!!!!  And there you have it, everyone is happy.  And it worked too!  He got seconds!

Time:  1 Hour 15 Minutes

Ease: Simple

Review: This is not healthy and sometimes you can spoil yourself, it’s ok!  This dish is greasy, filled with cheese, and filled with butter, but oh so good!   We love it!  It is easy to make, but does take a little time.

 

Tell us how you connect.  What ways have you found to connect over a meal?

You may add your suggestions and thoughts to the comment section or to facebook or twitter.  Use hashtag #bringingbackdinner

 

 

 

What’s for Dinner? Fajitas, Omelets, and BBQ Beans & Sausage

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This Week’s meals are simple meals, but I found them to be hearty and cozy meals.  A perfect start to fall!  I hope you enjoy them.

Meatless Monday – Omelets

915OmletWe really love omelets and are fortunate enough to get fresh eggs from time to time.  Now, I understand that for some of you eggs is stretching Meatless Monday, but for us it is a good way to add things other beef or chicken into our diets.

My husband and I like to put very different things in our omelets so this week I made my own and he made his own and everyone was happy.

I like to make mine in the classic French style then add my ingredients and fold it over.  Check out this video of Jacques Pepin talking about Omelets and showing you both the classis French style and country style and you can decide which you prefer.

Try adding things like grilled onions, sauteed mushrooms, peppers, jalepeno, cheese, broccoli…. The options are endless!

This is a quick and easy dinner ready in less than 30 minutes.

Fajitas – Series Eats

915fajita

Time: 45 Minutes (Marinade 4-12 hours)

Ease: Simple

Review:  The marinade for this is from http://www.seriouseats.com/, but I used chicken with.  I chopped the chicken into bite sized pieces and cooked the chicken and vegetables on a pan on the grill until done.  I think it is my favorite flavor for fajitas so far!

PS: I know fajitas are chees-less, but yum!

 

BBQ Baked Beans & Sausage – Eating Well Magazine

915 bbq beans with kale

Time: 30 Minutes

Ease: Simple

Review:  This recipe is a little unusual, but worth giving it a try.  Many of the reviewers from Eating Well said that they substituted spinach for the collard greens.  While I don’t like cooked collard greens I decided to give it a try and it was actually pretty good.  My husband agreed saying that he doesn’t usually like collards, but this was good.  So, there you have it!  I think you will find this dish to be tasty, simple, and cozy.

What’s for Dinner? Mini Masala Meatballs, Veggie Pizza (sorta), and cheese and Onion Pasties

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Summer is almost over and for Bringing Back Dinner and many of you this means a return to routine. It has been fun, but I kind of like the predictability of September – May.  Starting in September we will get back to regular blog posts and start planning those hearty, warm meals of fall.  I’d love to hear from some of you, what is your favorite fall dish?  What is that dish that signifies the start of cool weather?  Send me the recipe and a link to share and I will be glad to review it.  Post to the comments section below.

This week’s pictures are taken using Oggl an app available for Iphone and Windows phones with customizable filters.

 

Mini Masala Meatballs – Trader Joe’s

masala meatballs

Time: 30 – 45 minutes

Ease: Simple

Review:  This recipes would be great football food!  It is sort of a sweet and sour meets Indian.  You can buy frozen meatballs for this, but I made my own.  I used ground beef and added curry, zaatar seasoning, an egg and some breadcrumbs.  rolled into small meatballs and baked at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.  For the rest of the recipe click the title link.

My family liked this and I served it with rice.  It is nice to try different flavors sometimes and it doesn’t have to be hard.

 

Veggie Pizza (sorta) – Meatless Monday (almost)

veg pizza 2

Time: 45 Minutes

Ease: Simple to Moderate based on whether or not you make your own crust.  I don’t.

Review: This was my Meatless Monday dish.  I use the raw pizza dough already prepared from my grocery.  Lowes and Harris Teeter sell them in the bakery section.

Spread and even layer of prepared spaghetti sauce over the crust, top with chopped broccoli, slices of tomato, fresh mozzarella cut into slices, and caramelized onions; use at least 1 whole onion.  Then top with cheese.  To caramelize the onion follow the link here.  It really adds extra flavor.

I was doing great until this point, and then well there was this bacon ya see.  I mean…it’s bacon!  Soooo, I crumbled bacon all over the top of the pizza. To be honest, I blew Meatless Monday.  However,  It was a perfectly yummy veggi pizza before I defiled (blessed) it with bacon.  While I feel certain it will make a wonderful Meatless Monday dish for you, I felt  I must come clean and tell you about the bacon.  Feel free to transgress.

 

Cheese and Onion Pasties – Lavender and Lovage

pasties 2

Time: 55 Minutes

Ease: Moderate

Review: I love pasties and I’m always trying to find a yummy recipe that tastes like the pasties at the pasty stand in Windsor UK.  This is good, but not quite it.  We enjoyed these and I will probably make them again, but in the end we felt they could have had a little more flavor to them.  That said it was a very nice comfort food flavor, I mean really it is hard to go terribly wrong with potato, cheese and onion.  Do not be dissuaded and give it a try.

 

I hope you have had a great summer and thank you for your patience with the summertime inconsistencies of Bringing Back Dinner.  I hope to be back to normal by September as we stop traveling and settle into a glorious fall!

 

What’s for Dinner? Trader Joe’s Purple Yellow Miso Summer Curry, Baby Bam Burgers, and Tilapia with Za’atar

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Trader Joe’s was such a hit last week that I decided to make this Week’s Meatless Monday Dish from one of their recipes. I hope you like it.

Summer has been a kind of crazy time for us full of travels, friends, and fun!  I can’t believe it is almost over and then life will settle back into a lovely routine.  Maybe.  Summertime is the perfect time for easy meals, because if you’re like me you just want to get back outside!  So start up the grill and let’s bring dinner outside!

Meatless Monday: Trader Joe’s Purple Yellow Miso Summer Curry

Purple Yellow Summer Curry Trader Joe's

Time:  35 Minutes

Ease: Simple to Moderate

Review:  While this is called curry, it is not curry in the sense we are used to having.  It is not flavored with curry spice, but with smoked paprika.  I rated this dish simple to moderate simply because it has ingredients that can be a little unfamiliar as well as flavors that are a little outside the norm.  That said, I really enjoyed this dish even though I was prepared not to.  Not everyone in the house liked it, but over all it worked.  Vegetarians will like this, but meat lovers may have a little more trouble.

Baby Bam Burgers – Emeril

sliders

Time: about an hour

Ease: Simple – even a kid could do it, but let dad or mom do or supervise the grill

Review: Yuuumm.  My son first made this when he was about 9 years old.  At the time he was a huge fan of Emeril and ran around the house saying “BAM” to everything.  The recipe sounds interesting, but give it a chance, it is really good.  You can make these big, but the recommendation is to make them small and use slider buns or rolls.  We added caramelized onions and BBQ Sauce just for fun!

 

Tilapia with Za’atar Spice

Za’atar spice is a combination of spice from the middle east often with sesame seeds, and dried sumac.  I especially love this spice on hummus and experimented with it on fish. mmmm.

zaatar fish and rice

 

Time: 15 Minutes for the fish, longer if making rice

Ease: Simple

Review:  I used frozen Tilapia fillets and allowed them to slowly thaw.  About 20 minitues before cooking I rubbed olive oil and salt on the fillets and then rubbed in the Za’atar spice.  If your Za’atar has salt you may want to skip the added salt.  Preheat oven to 350 and then cook the fish 8-10 minutes or until flaky.    That’s it!  Serve with a salad to make it extra easy or play around with exotic sides.  Remember that just because it is summertime it doesn’t mean we have to stop having fun when cooking.  Play with your food!