Tag Archives: delicious

Sweet and Savory Stuffed Bell Peppers

Tonight I wanted something a little different, something with a pop. I am sick of the Mexican style stuffed peppers that everyone makes. I wanted something a little Sweet & Savory for a change. I taste tested along the way until I found what I believe to be the best combination of flavors.

Tonight was a night I didn’t really want to cook. It seems as of recent with the whirlwind of life, I often have days that I simply am not motivated. With that in mind, I knew I couldn’t skimp on dinner as I have a family to feed. So, while my son napped, I cooked the meat and stuffed the peppers. When he woke up we went for a long walk and came back and popped the peppers in the oven. My son thoroughly enjoys our long walks to the dog park to watch the puppies frolic in the park or to head into the woods on the walking trail and look at the water along the way. Today…we did both.

Anyway, while the peppers cooked, I used my wonderful rice maker. I love my rice maker as it does all the work for me and gets the rice perfect every time.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground turkey (Beef or opt out for vegetarian)
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 4 medium mushrooms, diced
  • 1 small parsnip, diced
  • 1 heaping cup bok choy, thinly chopped
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • Garlic Oil (EVOO works as well)
  • ¼ tsp garlic salt
  • ¾ tsp chili powder
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp thyme
  • 1 tbsp + 1 tsp honey
  • ¼ cup green salsa
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 Large green peppers, sliced in half
  • Blue Cheese, Ranch or Sour Cream for topping (optional)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

In a large skillet chop onion, mushrooms, parsnips, bok choy, and garlic.

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While the veggies begin to cook on medium heat and add the meat.

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Once meat is cooked and vegetables are tender, add in 1 cup of cheese.

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Wash and slice peppers lengthwise and place on a foil lined baking sheet.

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Use a spoon to fill in the crevasses that are hard to get.

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Pile high and bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.

IMG_4880After 15 minutes sprinkle with cheese (optional) and broil for 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.

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Serve with rice! Enjoy!

Fondido Burrito

I am one of those people who tend to get migraines. My mom gets them as well but even worse than I. Unfortunately, I inherited these terrible things. I can’t even begin to explain the intensity of a migraine if you have never had one previously. All you need to know is you never want to experience it. They cause sensitivity to light, to the point I need to lay in bed or I could throw up from the pain. If it doesn’t subside, I would head to ER and get a shot to help alleviate the pain.

On the other hand, I have been migraine free since I became pregnant almost three years ago. I was so ecstatic that my headaches had dissipated with the pregnancy hormones. Well….three years later, I wake up at 4 am from the pain. Writhing in bed, I finally took some medicine which at that point, was already too late. Finally, after falling back asleep for a little bit, I woke up and had to immediately put my sunglasses  on to help mask even the dim lighting first thing in the morning. My head was ragging with a splitting headache directly between my eyes. Unfortunately this was typical for me three years ago.

This day in particular, was the day we celebrated our Father’s Day dinner. My husband was very specific on his request for dinner; a Fondido Burrito wet style. We have a favorite burrito place we frequent for massively cheap burritos that you cannot pass up. My husband was very specific on how he wanted this meal to look. Having my father-in-law over for dinner, was just another reason I had to make this meal succeed regardless of my migraine.

I headed for the store to purchase the items I needed for dinner, hoping and praying that my migraine would subside. As the day progressed, it wobbled back and forth but never really depleted in intensity. As the evening approached, I felt a little bit better but still not so hot. Luckily dinner was a success but definitely took time to prepare as I was lollygagging around trying to keep my thoughts focused on the task at hand.

Ingredients:

Burrito Assembly:

  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • Spanish Rice
  • 1 ½ cups black beans (16oz can works as well)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 4 large burrito tortillas
  • Green or Red Enchilada sauce
  • 1 ½ lbs stew meat
  • Tomatoes
  • Sour Cream
  • Cilantro
  • Hot Sauce

Marinade:

  • 2 tbsp garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp parsley
  • 1 tsp itallian seasoning
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • ¼ cup Teriyaki Marinade (Soy Vay Veri Veri Teriyaki)
  • ¼ tsp Paprika

Put together the marinade along with stew meat in a large zip lock bag. Marinate over night or at least for 5 hours prior to cooking.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

In a large pan, saute onions and garlic until tender.

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Once onions and garlic begin to cook add in meat and cook over medium-low heat. Cook until no longer pink.

Note: The higher the temperature, the more tough your meat will become.

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Allow the juices to soak in and continue marinating while cooking over med-low heat.

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Meanwhile, cook Spanish rice and prepare black beans. Once meat is thoroughly cooked, on a large tortilla assemble a large spoonful of meat, rice and beans. Add cheese, sour cream, hot sauce, tomatoes and cilantro and fold up edges. On a large foil lined broiler pan, place burritos and cook for 10 minutes at 425 degrees.

After ten minutes take burritos out and top with cheese and enchilada sauce. Turn oven to broil and cook until cheese is melted and burrito begins to crisp up.

(Sorry for the lack of pictures during assembly, I was completely distracted by conversation with my father-in-law and my migraine.)

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Serve with homemade chips and a fresh salad.

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Luckily, even with my migraine, my husband was completely satisfied with his dinner of choice and it exceeded his expectations. :)

Coffee Crumb Cake Muffins- NY Style

Coffee Cake Muffins, New York style. OH MY GOODNESS! These are almost too perfect! They are entirely unhealthy but how can you have healthy coffee cake and actually enjoy it? I don’t believe in wasting calories and fat on muffins that simply are a knock off. :)

We LOVE these muffins and decided to take them to the beach this weekend to enjoy with family and allow them to partake in our indulgence as well. They are a great hit and everyone enjoys a good coffee cake muffin with some fruit and coffee.

Ingredients:

For the muffin:

  • 1¼ cup unbleached flour (Cake flour works great too)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 6 tbsp butter softened but still cool
  • 1 egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ⅓ cup buttermilk

For the crumb topping:

  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup dark brown sugar
  • ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
  • Dash of salt
  • 1 cup butter, melted
  • 1 ¼ cups cake flour

In a stand mixer, mix together flour, sugar, soda and salt.

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Add in butter and eggs.

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Stir in vanilla and buttermilk (for homemade quick buttermilk click here)

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Beat until incorporated but do not over mix.

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Fill muffin cups 1/3 full leaving plenty of room for the crumb topping and for the muffin to rise.

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Make the crumb topping: In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients except flour together and mix thoroughly. Add in flour and stir really well. Spoon on top of batter.

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Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until crumb topping is golden brown and batter comes out clean with a toothpick inserted.

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Cool on wire rack and enjoy! They also freeze well in an airtight container.

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Recipe adapted from Table for two blog