"Pizza?"

This was something I ate often when I was little and it's a kid friendly, healthy version of pizza. It's full of flavor, super quick and ready in the amount of time it takes to melt cheese in your oven. With very few ingredients you can have fun with the kids and teach them how to love good food.

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 7-10 minutes

Ingredients:

1 slice of bread (I used shepherd style sourdough)

sliced tomatoes

2 slices of Swiss cheese

sprinkle of cheddar or any fine grated cheese

Mustard

sliced (thin) onions

Basil

Pepper

Directions:

Spread mustard on your bread and layer first your Swiss cheese, tomatoes, onion, cheddar(fine grated), and pepper. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and on a foil lined cookie sheet place your "pizza" in for 7- 10 minutes, or until the cheese melts. Add the basil at the end for a bright, and fresh flavor!

**The best part about this great snack even more than it being a healthy alternative is that you can make it for less than $2.00.....wow!

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New Mommy Menu

This is a way overdue blog post from last week. With our new nephew being born recently and a very tired Mommy, who is tired of a Daddy's version of quick dinner, (fast food:/) I offered to cook a short week of healthy food to help her out. Nothing real fancy just easy, healthy, quick food so she could spend as much time resting as possible. Most of these menu items have been made in previous blog posts with detailed directions and recipes so here is a recap of what I prepared. Sissie is a huge fan of the "Bean Salad" so that was a must, along with Cauliflower, Broccoli salad and Lemon Orzo. She asked for those things specifically and I made a huge post of Chicken Stew, Gluten Free, which was the topic of my last blog post. Pictured last is the Sour Cream and Onion sauce I used for my "Smothered Pork Chops"(recipe from 3-27-14) on a bed of rice pilaf. Not pictured was a container of mini meatballs in a sweet and savory sauce of carrot, onion and garlic that is usually poured over pasta, minus the meatballs and is called " Genovese." I shopped for all these ingredients and then prepared it on a budget of $35.00, it took a little over 4 hours to make 4-5 days worth of food.  

Basil and Parsley Garbanzo salad with Tomatoes

Lemon, Olive oil and Parsley Orzo

Broccoli and Cauliflower salad

Gluten Free Chicken Stew

(There is also a small "how to" video for the Chicken stew at https://www.facebook.com/COOKINGTTREATS ) 

Sour Cream and Onion smothered Rice Pilaf

*For any questions about a specific recipe you can't find please feel free to contact me for individual instructions! ENJOY!!

Jazz it up in less than 10 minutes, from prep to plate!

Today the Boo and I had a great visit from a girlfriend I've known since middle school. She and her adorable little boy Adam came and played for a couple hours and we had a little snacky lunch. I threw together a pasta salad real quick, made some yogurt dip for vegetables and Greek potatoes(lime and dill) I had so much fun last night with The Hunebee, attempting videos, that I decided to throw something together real quick so I could get my practice on!

In less than 10 minutes I prepped up some add-ins for the already completed Pasta Salad. Inside the salad, already, was olive oil, Queso fresco, fresh thyme, fresh basil, and about a 1/3 cup Greek yogurt. I added fresh spinach, scallions (tops and bottoms), and Lime all ORGANIC and garden fresh from Momma Gina that Christine brought last night. From my fridge and pantry there is garlic and sweet peppers that I sauteed all together till slightly wilted and immediately tossed with the original Pasta.

Although it was a little different taping myself it was fun to try and it's helping me figure out my way. We are thinking of going "Go-Pro" soon so I promise quality will only improve!

ENJOY!

3 ways to use Ground Beef, GLUTEN FREE to-go!

Most of the time we use or see ground beef being used it's for something you wouldn't label as "healthy." The thing I have grown to love about making great things with not much is the meals I have to invent for changing my families health. When I was growing up ground beef was used for burgers, meat loaf, and pasta sauces. A lot of friends houses showcased ground beef in "Hamburger Helper." < --- Something that never graced my table as a kid. Secretly I will admit as an adult I have consumed said "Helper," and secretly enjoyed it.

About two months ago, when The Hunebee and KATvonVAPURE started their diets, we had to adjust meal plans for both girls. With The Hunebee's Tryptophan allergy, and need for low-fat meat proteins, we put our heads together and used low-fat high quality ground beef to spice up her week. Using an Organic, Certified, 15% fat Ground Beef I was able to make a few variations to her weekly menu as to not cook the typical beef stews, sautees, or roasts.

For all three dishes I used a spiced ground beef. It was easiest for all three to use the same beef and add other vegetable components.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minnutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients: (for the Ground Beef)

1 lb. Organic 15% (fat) ground beef
1 tsp. fresh garlic, minced
1/3 cup of green bell pepper, diced small
salt and pepper
sprinkle:
garlic powder
ginger powder
SMALL dash of cumin

Set the beef aside. For the rest you can use any vegetables you prefer. Below are a couple ways we chose.

(for The Hunebee)
Ingredients:

1/2 cup slightly steamed broccoli
1/3 cup fresh bean sprouts
1/3 cup "Spiced" ground beef

A dash of Soy and Oyster sauce made this a kind of "Beef and Broccoli."

Price: $2.25

Ground Beef and Broccoli with Sprouts

(for Kuizzy)

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh spinach

1/2 cup of "Spiced" ground beef

1/4 cup fresh bean sprouts

top with fresh cilantro

Price: $3.00

Spinach, Ground Beef bowl with Sprouts and Cilantro

(for The Hunebee)
Ingredients:

1/3 cup green beans, sauteed with grape tomatoes
1/4 cup sliced zucchini, pan fried
1/4 cup bean sprouts
1/3 cup spinach, sauteed
1/2 cup "Spiced" ground beef

Price: $4.00

Spiced Ground Beef with Green Beans, Zucchini and Spinach

It really is that easy to prepare lunch or dinner on a budget to go. These are low calorie, GLUTEN FREE, filling, EASY and healthy choices.

ENJOY!

Kyocera Ceramics

As a person who spends most of their time in a kitchen you learn what utensils or cookware really make life a wonderful place. For my birthday last year The Hunebee got me an awesome gift. She knows not only my love for special Vinegars, but also for the finer things of the kitchen trinket kind :) Included in my b-day goodie bag was a White Balsamic Vinegar infused with Peach and a pretty 'n' pink Kyocera Ceramic Knife and Peeler set. I vowed not to open it until I could use it in my own kitchen, since at that time we lived with relatives. As of August 2013, you better believe that pretty little pink handled ceramic blade of glory has gotten miles of use! 

Kyocera offers a wide variety of styles and packages. The model in my possession is the 5.5" Santoku and Y-Peeler Set, that retails on www.Kyoceraadvancedceramics.com  at $49.95. I can honestly say I have spent much more money on a lesser quality. This blade will never rust, so far never dull, and comes with a life-time warranty. I can also attest to the fact that I have been using this ceramic knife everyday for a constant 8 months, cooking more than the average "stay at home cook," and there has been no sign of sharpening needed. If you ever do need some maintenance, Kyocera will sharpen as many knives you can send back to factory edge, for a nominal shipping fee of $10.

I cook a wide variety of vegetable and fruit based meals for my Monday Menu's and this is the best knife I have ever used. It also works well on meat but don't saw or try to hack through tough tendon, bone etc. This is a chopping knife and as long as you use, clean, and store properly there should be an endless amount of cooking assistance to receive! I will definitely continue to purchase Kyocera Ceramic products. 

Simple, RAW Pesto for 4 under $3

There is no need for cooking such a fragrant sauce. Again this is a cilantro improvisation for Kuizzy and Lazyflip's Monday Menu. It's really easy with only 6 ingredients and the 6th is cilantro. I have also made this sauce with JUST basil or basil and parsley. This is one of those meals that if I'm missing one component I can't easily adjust as long as the herbs are fresh. Usually pesto calls for "Parmigiano Reggiano" (Parmesan) but the Queso Fresco worked quite nicely. For all the Vegans, cheese can be left out completely, or you can use a vegan "cheese." Lazyflip (Angelo) is allergic to nuts so I never use them when cooking for him. pine nuts, walnuts even cashews would also work great and heavy cream can be added to make it a really rich and creamy sauce.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 0
Servings: 4
Cost (including pasta): $2.64

Ingredients:
1 cup fresh basil
1 cup fresh cilantro
1/2 - 3/4 cup olive oil
2 whole cloves garlic
1/4 cup "Queso Fresco" cheese (in place of Parmesan)

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend til smooth. Set aside and cook pasta, mix then serve.

ENJOY!

BEST Top 10 GLUTEN FREE recipes!

I will be working my little hands to the bone for the rest of this week compiling the BEST GF recipes EVER! Well 10 of them anyway...Like you know from reading past posts The HUNEBEE and KATvonVapure are GLUTEN FREE foodies! So there are many new and exciting dishes I have to come up with each week to keep them interested that don't consist of your typical quinoa, and GF Pasta. Leave your address when you stop by for an AMAZING easy, Gluten Free list you'll fall in love with over and over!