Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Laura
strawberry banana smoothie

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Hands-on Time:  5 minutes
Total Time:  5 minutes
Serves 1

  • ¼ c pineapple juice
  • ¼ c plain low-fat yogurt
  • ¼ c strawberries
  • ½ frozen banana

    Blend together and enjoy!

This is a really yummy smoothie!  I found it in none other than, Real Simple!  They did a big Healtth Guide piece on snacks.  This came from their section on Snacks for the couch.

I did forget to use a frozen banana, just used room temp one.  So, the drink wasn’t as chilled as it could have been but it was still good!

strawberry banana smoothie

Ready to Blend

So if you’ve made some new year’s resolutions to snack healthier, add this to your list to try!

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Pasta with Goat Cheese and Basil Oil

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Laura
easy creamy pasta salad

Pasta with Goat Cheese and Basil Oil

Hands-on Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Serves 4

  • 12 oz gemelli or some other short pasta
  • 3 c fresh basil leaves
  • ½ c olive oil
  • 4 oz crumbled fresh goat cheese
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  1. Cook pasta according to the package directions; drain and return it to the pot.
  2. Meanwhile, in a blender, puree 2 c fresh basil leaves with olive oil until smooth; pour through a fine-mesh sieve and discard the solids.
  3. Toss the pasta with the basil oil, goat cheese, the remaining fresh basil leaves, salt, and pepper.

A Real Simple recipe, this has an interesting tangy, sweet, creaminess.  I served it as a side to Not-So-Sloppy Joes.  It was little weird eating it at the fresh, warm temperature.  I think I preferred the chilled temperature after leftovers had been stored in the fridge.

iIngredients

Some of the Ingredients

Pasta with Goat Cheese and Basil Oil

Mixin’ it up

So in my search for a good variety of side dishes preferably on the healthier side, this one makes the list.

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Turkey and Chutney Sandwich

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Laura
Turkey and Chutney Sandwich

Turkey and Chutney Sandwich

Hands-on Time:  10 minutes
Total Time:  10 minutes
Serves 1

  • 2 slices sourdough bread
  • 2 oz thinly sliced roasted turkey
  • 2 oz Brie, sliced
  • ¼ c arugula

Cranberry-Nut Relish

  • 2 Tbsp cranberry or some other fruit chutney
  • 2 Tbsp chopped toasted pecans

Combine ingredients for the Cranberry-Nut Relish and assemble all ingredients on the sourdough bread.

From a Real Simple feature on sandwiches comes this wild mash up of flavors.

I did not have an easy time finding the chutney and barely saw it right before I gave up my hunt.

I also have no clue how to work with brie that is not Laughing Cow and already sliced up for me.  I kinda hacked it up.  Suggestions for the future anyone?

Served with Bananas with Coconut and Nut Butter for a nice little meal!

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Crispy Popcorn Chicken

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Laura
Crispy Popcorn Chicken

Crispy Popcorn Chicken

Hands-on Time:  20 minutes
Total Time:  20 minutes
Serves 4

  • 24 oz chicken cutlets
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 1 c buttermilk
  • 1 c flour
  • canola oil
  1. Cut chicken into 1″ pieces; season with salt and pepper.
  2. Dip in buttermilk, then in flour.  
  3. In batches, fry the chicken in 1/2″ canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until golden and cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes per side; drain and season with salt.
  4. Serve with dipping sauce and corn on the cob.

This is a simple and delicious recipe that I’ll be making again very soon!  It’s perfect for a lunch or light dinner or even for snacking!

The original recipe comes from Real Simple’s “10 Ideas for:  Chicken Breasts.”  You’ve probably noticed that I prefer to use chicken cutlets for just about all of my chicken recipes. I also changed up a couple other things you may or may not have noticed.

One, this recipe recommended serving with barbecue sauce.  We opted for ranch dressing and sriracha ketchup.  Both were very good.

The recipe also recommended serving with corn on the cob.  I did a variation and went with the Buttery Grilled Corn recipe.  When the grill isn’t available during the winter months I have tried this recipe with frozen, steam-in-the-microwave corn and it tastes almost the same!

crispy popcorn chicken

Crispy Popcorn Chicken draining and cooling on paper towels after frying.

As always, when frying with oil, be sure you don’t leave it unattended or have any distractions.  And set up everything you’ll need before you start (ie:  plate close by with paper towels for draining and cooling as pieces come out of the oil).

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Zesty Homemade Italian Salad Dressing

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Laura
Homemade Salad Dressing

Homemade Salad Dressing

Ready for a break from the same old, bottled salad dressing I had to bookmark this recipe when Jenn at Once Upon a Chef posted it.

As it turns out, when I made it, it wasn’t quite up to par.  Through no fault but my own though.  You’ll notice Jenn thoroughly notes the ingredients she uses.  Not only in pictures, but also in the ingredients list.  ’Real maple syrup,’ ‘best quality,’ etc.  And being the realist that I am, thinking I could get away with what I already hand (because I have before with no issue) I chose to not heed her advice and expertise.  And welp, I learned a lesson.

homemade salad dressing

The ingredients I used . . .

Now if I ever get around to hunting down her recommended ingredients I’ll definitely be giving this recipe another try.  Jenn does not steer you wrong.  Just be sure you don’t decide to veer off course like me!

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