Apple Snickers Salad

We moved not too long ago to a new house, new city and a new neighborhood.  We have been trying to do a better job of meeting our neighbors and getting the kiddos involved with kids their age.  We were invited to our neighbor's house last night and everyone was asked to bring their own meat for a BBQ.  There were 3 other families there and each of us brought a side dish or a dessert.   One family brought this YUMMY dessert and I just HAD to share this!  This is SO great for summer time!!  Super easy - total of 15 min prep.  It's an Apple Snickers Salad!!

GLUTEN FREE Folks - Snickers bars dont have Gluten in them BUT I did a lot of research on Gluten/Snickers bars and I do not recommend you try this dish.  There was reports A LOT cross contamination. Snickers are produced on shared equipment with Milky Way bars, which contain malt.  Also - did you know Peppermint tea will help settle your stomach?  Try that if your tummy acts up.  anyway - this one is not all that healthy but tastes amazing.  I did eat this dish and my stomach was fine this morning! 

Ingredients:

1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip
3 apples, diced
3 regular size SNICKERS® candy bars, frozen

Directions:

Mix together the Cool Whip and apples. Smash the SNICKERS® bars and add to the salad. Best if you allow to stand for a little while before serving.

Marinated Cheese

This has to be one of my ALL time favorite appetizers!  I hardly ever eat cheese anymore but this one is so good.  My mom shared this recipe with me about 3 years ago and it goes great as an appetizer at a Holiday party or even a spring/summer event!  It's really pretty too - so people will flock to it!  This one is Gluten Free.  You can serve this one with celery or crackers.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
3 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
3 Tablespoons minced green onions
3/4 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (2oz) jar diced pimiento, drained
1 5 1/2 x 2 x 1 block of Sharp Cheddar Cheese (8 oz)
1 8 oz package pf cream cheese

Directions:

Combine first 9 ingredients in a jar, cover tightly, and share vigorously.  Set aside.

Cut cheddar cheese in half-length wise, the cut crosswise into 1/4 inch slices - then set aside.  Repeat with cream cheese.  Arrange cheese slices alternating in a shallow baking dish, standing slices on edges.  Pour marinade over cheese slices, cover and marinate in fridge at least 8 hours.

Serve with your favorite crackers or celery!

Blog Sites, Pinterest and more Recipes

Some of the best places to get recipes are on Pinterest and on other's blog pages.  I just found some really cool sites and blogs that I wanted to share. 

espressoandcream.com - I found a really good recipe there for an Autumn Chopped Salad I'm going to try this week.

Kalynskitchen.com - I found a recipe for roasted green beans with mushrooms, Balsamic and Parmesean

Foodandwine.com - I found a recipe for Penne with Roasted asparagus

Crockpot365.blogspot.com - this chick cooked a recipe every single day for a year in nothing but a crock pot.  You crock pot lovers need to check out her site.

101cookbooks.com - I found a recipe for a cucumber peanut salad

Find.myrecipes.com - I'm trying a Cilantro-Garlic Sirloin with zesty corn from this one.

There are A LOT of cool blogs out there!  Happy searching and share some cool sites with me if you run across them!!

Grilled Asparagus

It's been a week since I have posted!!!  But I'm going to blame it on my husband because he had to travel the earlier part of the week!  And then I had a work function the later part of the week so this is the first opportunity I have had to post!  So - I'll be making up for it this weekend!  Last night for dinner, we had BBQ chicken but after eating not so great this week, I needed something healthy as a side.  So I made my grilled asparagus.  I was also exhausted from my week so I needed it to be simple! This is my recipe I just made up one day.  It's Gluten Free and so good for you!  Below are my super easy instructions for a side that takes a total of 15 min to prep and cook.

Ingredients:

1 Bunch of Fresh Asparagus
Spray Butter (I Cant Believe It's Not Butter is my favorite)
2 pinches of Garlic Salt
1 pinch of fresh ground pepper
1/2 tsp of Parmesan Cheese (I like fresh grated)

Directions:

Take your entire bunch of Asparagus and cut off the tough ends.  Wash well and lay on a piece of aluminum foil or a veggie griller made for your grill.  I like to use aluminum foil personally.  Then, spray your desired amount of butter on your asparagus along with the other ingredients above. I like to fold the edges up on the sides like a little tray...see below.

Then, place the aluminum tray on the grill on the bottom tray and grill for about 7-10 min.  I like my asparagus to be a bit on the crunchier side so I only grill mine for like 7 min.  Once it's done, feel free to add more fresh grated Parmesan cheese!  So easy and so yummy!  Everyone will love it!  Enjoy!!

Pasta Beef Bake

I love pasta...I would rather have rice or pasta ANY DAY over sweets...so when I discovered I had a Gluten sensitivity, it broke my heart!  But - one of my best friends Marie, who is a licensed nutritionist, told me about Quinoa brand pasta and that it was corn based and tastes 99% the same as wheat pasta...I chippered up! I found this wonderful recipe on Food Network and it has become a favorite in our family!  It a total of 45 min to prep and cook together and goes great with salad and garlic bread (if you can eat garlic bread.  The one is Gluten Free - but NOT dairy free!  Try it...it stores really well as left overs too :)

Ingredients:

4 cups (cooked) of your favorite pasta ( I choose Quinoa elbow for this dish)
2 lbs lean ground beef
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1 cup fresh sliced mushrooms
1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce (or make your own)
2 eggs lightly beaten
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Cook your pasta according to the package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the beef, green peppers, onions, and mushrooms over medium high heat until meat is no longer pink.  Drain.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Drain pasta and place in a large bowl; stir in the beef mixture, jar of spaghetti sauce, eggs and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.  Transfer to a greased 13 by 9  by 2 inch baking dish.  Sprinkle remaining cheese on top of the pasta/sauce mixture.  Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.

Fruit Salad

Breakfast is by far my most favorite meal of the day.  I eat the same thing over and over and over....it's either 2 boiled eggs, 1 to 2 pieces of turkey sausage and 1/2 an Ezekiel Bread English Muffin or Oatmeal.  With spring in full swing, dont forget to eat your fruit!  It's SO important to eat breakfast and there is not easier method than cutting up your favorite fruits and putting them in a big bowl and munching on that either as your breakfast or a snack!  Make sure you are staying healthy and eating some sort of breakfast!  Below is a fruit salad I made in about 5 minutes and it's going to last me several days!

Ingredients:

Your favorite fresh fruits!!!
Here's mine:

Strawberries
Blackberries
Blueberries
Pineapple
Apples
Grapes
Kiwi
Peaches

Directions:

Cut them up into bite size pieces, wash them, stir together and place in a big bowl.  Refrigerate and eat on for several days.

See - Quick and easy :)

Oh - and my bowl below if from Pampered Chef.  It comes in a set of 3 with black tops and they store fresh fruit beautifully in your fridge!  Check out my friend's site at http://www.pamperedchef.biz/kerrydewitt if you need some good storing bowls!!

Baked Chicken with Dijon and Lime

I love dishes with Dijon in them.  This is one of my favorites!  This one came from Bobby Dean (Paula Dean's son).  Now - before you hear the name Paula Dean and think "unhealthy" or "butter" this one is not unhealthy.  It calls for a tablespoon of mayo but that's not too bad. Super tasty!  Check this one out.  It's super easy and you pop it in the oven for about 45 min and it's all ready!  This one is Gluten Free and Dairy free!  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

Chicken legs, thighs (boneless and skinless) and breasts (boneless and skinless) about 8 or 9 pieces
3 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard
1 Tablespoon Mayonnaise
1 clove garlic, minced
Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lime
3/4 tsp pepper
Salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400.  Rinse the chicken and pat dry; place in a large bowl.  In a small bowl. whisk together the mustard, mayo, garlic, lime zest and juice and pepper.  Season the chicken generously with salt.  Pour mustard-Mayo mixture over the chicken, tossing well to coat.

In a large baking pan, arrange the chicken to fit in a single layer.  Bake until it is cooked through; breasts will take about 30 minutes, and legs will need 5 to 10 minutes more.

Serve the chicken with the pan juices drizzled over the top.

Marinated Flank Steak

I made this one last night and it was fabulous!  This marinade is great!  I have REALLY come to LOVE dishes with Dijon Mustard!  I let this one marinate overnight and it had a great flavor.  My kids ate it up as well as my hubby!  This recipe says to marinate it for 6 hours, but I chose to do it overnight.  I have no idea where I found this recipe...it was tucked away in a huge pile of recipes I had in my recipe book (unorganized, of course). This one is Gluten Free and Dairy Free.  It goes great with a salad.  I've really enjoyed making Flank Steak recipes.  It's easy to cook and low maintenance. Enjoy!!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup Gluten Free Soy Sauce
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 1/2 pound flank steak

Directions:

In a medium bowl, mix the oil, soy sauce, vinegar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic and ground pepper.  Place meat in a shallow glass dish.  Pour marinade over steak, turning meat to coat thoroughly.  Cover and refrigerate for 6 hours or overnight.

When you are ready to cook the meat, Preheat grill for medium-high heat.  Place the steak on the grill and discard the marinade.  Grill meat for 5 minutes on each side for a medium rare finish...or longer if you prefer your meat more well done.

Extremely Healthy Meatloaf (dont worry - this isnt your TYPICAL meatloaf)

This is one of my favorite recipes!  And it's so healthy!!  I don't like meatloaf, but I LOVE this recipe for meatloaf.  Instead of using ketchup and crackers, this recipe calls for brown rice and salsa.  SO yummy and my kids eat every bite and always want 2nds!!  This one is Gluten Free and Dairy Free!  Full of Veggies and high in protein and fiber!

This one is from South beach Diet.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon of olive oil
1/2 onion chopped
1/2 red bell pepper - chopped
1/2 green pepper - chopped
1/2 lb ground turkey meat
1/2 lb ground beef
1 cup of your favorite chunky salsa
1 egg beaten
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup cooked brown rice

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.  Heat oil in a pan and take the onions, pepper and saute for about 5 min or until tender.

In a large bowl, combine beef, turkey, salsa, egg, salt, black pepper and garlic.  Stir in the sauteed veggies and then the rice.  Place the mixture in an oblong bread loaf or in a baking dish and form into an oblong loaf. 

Bake for45 min to an hour or until the inserted thermometer reaches 160 degrees and meat is no longer pink.

NOTE FROM CHEF - I've had the best results on this one using the oblong bread loaf. See my picture below for the size I use.  Also - make sure this one you really gage by the thermometer being inserted.  I've noticed on this one that if I make anything else in the oven with it...it takes longer than an hour to cook, so make sure you cook this one by itself in the oven.  Also - this one isn't that appealing when it's done.  The juices from the peppers and onions float to the top...but it tastes AMAZING!  Just letting you know beforehand!

This is a picture of the meatloaf in the oblong bread loaf pan and then I served it with my Roasted Veggies.  See that recipe on my blog too!

Gluten Free Websites, Cookbooks and Restaurants!!!!

I'm so excited to share this!!! I have a treat for all my Gluten Free followers!  I am listing below 3 categories in reference to Gluten Free:

1.       Gluten Free Websites

2.       Gluten Free Cookbooks

3.       Restaurants that offer gluten free menu

Gluten Free Website:

·         www.mrritts.com

·         www.gfreecuisine.com

·         www.glutenfreebcg.com

·         www.sillyyakbakery.com

·         www.celiacspecialties.com

·         www.glutenfreegourmet.com

·         www.livingwithout.com

·         www.celiac.org

Gluten Free Cookbooks:

·         Gluten Free 101 by Carol Fenster

·         Cooking Gluten Free by Karen Robertson

·         Gluten-Free Baking Classics by Annalise Roberts

·         Wheat free, Gluten Free by Michelle Berriedale-Johnson

·         Wheat-Free, Gluten Free Dessert Cookbook by Connie Sarros

·         Nearly Normal Cooking for Gluten-Free Eating by Jules Shepard

·         Incredible Edible Gluten-Free Foods for Kids by Sheri Sanderson

·         The Gluten-Free Gourmet Cooks Fast and Healthy by Bette Hagman

·         The Everything Gliten-Free Cookbook by Nancy Maar & Rick Marx

·         The Best Gluten-Free Family Cookbook by Donna Washburn&Heather Butt

·         Wheat Free, Gluten Free Cookbook for Kids and Busy Adults by Connie Sarros

Restaurants with Gluten Free Menu

·         PF Chang’s

·         Claim Jumper

·         Outback Steakhouse

·         Pei Wei

·         Z Pizza

·         Streets of New York

·         The Old Spaghetti Factory

·         Romano Macaroni Grill

Homemade Vegetable Soup

It has really cooled off here in AZ and the next couple of days are supposed to get cooler!  My friends and family from TN told me it's supposed to get down to like 29 degrees tomorrow night!!  SO - I thought this is a perfect opportunity for me to post my dad's homemade vegetable soup recipe! We have had this in our family since I was a little girl.  I remember coming home from school as a kid and this aroma filling up our house on those cold days.  I think it will always be a smell that reminds me of my childhood and when I make this, it totally takes me back to those wonderful memories of growing up!

I'm not sure where he got this recipe...probably from his mom...but anyway...it's so yummy and great for you!  It's gluten free, dairy free and full of veggies! This goes great with cornbread and as for the meat...feel free to use beef stew meat or ground beef...your choice! You can also add any veggies you really like!  Enjoy!

 Ingredients:
1 Package of beef stew meat
1 large can of tomato juice (get a 46 ounce can)
1 small onion chopped
4 tsp of salt
2 tsp of Worcestershire
1 tablespoon of chili powder
2 bay leaves
3 cans of mixed vegetables (I like the brand Veg All)
1 17 ounce can whole kernel corn
3-4 potatoes cut up (optional)
1 cup chopped carrots
3/4 cups chopped celery

Directions:
Combine the meat, tomato juice, onion and seasonings above and 6 cups of water in a large sauce pan.  Cook that for 2 hours.  Then add the remaining ingredients and cook for 1 additional hour.

Happy Easter!

I just wanted to send a note and say "Happy Easter" to everyone!  Growing up in the south has taught me to cook homemade wonderful dishes!  I am preparing a "Traditional Southern" Easter dinner tonight so I will be posting some of these wonderful tasting recipes tonight and this week!  I have about an hour and it will all be done!  I'll be posting those recipes with pictures so stay tuned!!

Saucy Chicken and Asparagus

It’s been about a week since I posted so I thought I would go ahead and post even though it’s late night here!  We went over to our friend’s house tonight and they made an excellent tasting dish so I asked my friend for the recipe and she gave it to me.  This one CAN be gluten free but it is not dairy free.  This one was excellent over rice and goes great with a side salad.  I think when I try this dish, I’m going to use a rotisserie chicken and see how that tastes.  This one was great with the chicken mentioned below.  Enjoy!

 Ingredients:

1 ½ lbs asparagus spears
4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless cut into cubes
2Tablespoons olive oil
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
1 can cream of chicken soup, 10 ¾ oz, undiluted (get Gluten Free if you are going the gluten free route)
½ cup mayonnaise
1 tsp lemon juice
½ tsp curry powder
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
4 cups rice, cooked

Directions:

Place asparagus in a greased 9x13 baking dish. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the chicken in oil on both sides.  Season with salt and pepper.  Arrange chicken over asparagus.  In a bowl, combine soup, mayonnaise, lemon juice and curry powder; pour over chicken.  Cover and bake at 375F for 40 minutes or until chicken is tender and juices run clear.  Sprinkle with cheese.  Place back into the over until the cheese has melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.  Serve over rice.

Slow-Cooker Salsa Chicken

This is another great recipe for cooking in your crock pot!  We all have those days that tend to be busy and you just dont have time to cook so save this recipe for those busy days!  I got this one from SparkPeople.  This one is low calorie, low fat, and super high in protein! This one calls for a can of reduced fat cream of mushroom soup, so if you are going Gluten Free make sure to buy the Gluten Free Brand of Cream of Mushroom.  The sour cream mentioned below as the last step can be optional. Serve this in warm tortillas or taco shells.
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup salsa
1 package reduced sodium taco seasoning
1 can reduced fat cream of mushroom soup (condensed) - Get the Gluten Free kind if you are Gluten Free
1/3 cup reduced fat sour cream

Directions:
Add chicken to slow cooker.  Sprinkle taco seasoning over chicken.  Pour salsa and soup over chicken.  Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Remove from heat and still in sour cream.  Serve with rice, beans, tortillas, taco shells and all your other favorite taco toppings!!

Serves 6
Nutrition Info:
Calories: 157.2, Fat 3.3g, Carbs 6.7g, Protein 24.3g