Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Kimberly Whitney's Amazeballs Alfredo Sauce!

Okay, lets be real for just a moment here. I, of my own volition, added the “amazeballs” part to the title.
Because, well, it's true.

Recipe:
1/2 cup Butter
8 oz. Cream Cheese
1 cup Milk
3/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

1. Melt the butter and cream cheese over low to medium low heat in a small heavy saucepan until the butter is melted.
2. Add milk and whisk to break up the cream cheese.
3. Add Parmesan and continue whisking occasionally until melted and smooth.
-Do not boil or the sauce will separate.-

Enjoy!

Overnight Oatmeal Brunch!

This is one of my most favorite discoveries! Easy prep and no cooking! It took me a few weeks of trial and error to get the consistency just right. I think it's super tasty, and oatmeal is just so good for you! Not only does it help you feel full and satisfied, but it can give you a good amount of energy to help you burn fat as well, if that's something you're in to. Mostly, I eat it because I like it(which is my life mantra). XD

Feel free to put any kind of fruit in it. Find your favorite combination!
(Some nice options are strawberry, mango, peach. GO WILD!)

Serving: One
Prep: 5 min.
Chill: 8 hours / Overnight

1/2 cup Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
1/2 cup Mixed Berries i.e. raspberry, blackberry, blueberry (I use frozen)
1/3 cup Milk
1/3 cup Greek Yogurt
4 tbsp raw Pumpkin Seeds
2 tbsp Agave Nectar (or honey) or to taste

Mix together milk, Greek yogurt, agave, and rolled oats in a pint sized jar, or a two cup airtight container.
Stir in pumpkin seeds and then berries.
Refrigerate overnight at least 8 hours.

Enjoy!

P.S. - Want to add other things? Or you don't like pumpkin seeds?
Try adding a teaspoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds (but add extra milk if you add the latter).
Try honey flavored Greek yogurt even.
Well, the list is probably miles long, haha, but don't worry. All you need are the base ingredients – oats, milk, Greek yogurt, sweetener.
You can even try different liquids instead of milk! Like orange juice for example.
I can't guarantee the results however. ;)
Be creative! Or don't. That's fine too in this instance. <3

Leave a comment! Let me know what you've tried adding. I'd love to know!

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Meal Plan #2 - Chicken with Roasted Corn and Green Beans TWO WAYS :)

This meal is SUPER easy. I bake everything together in the same dish. This is one of my go-to's.

2-4 frozen boneless Chicken Thighs
1-2 cups frozen Corn
1-2 cups frozen Green Beans
1-2 tbsp butter, cut into 4 pieces

Option 1:
Cayenne Pepper to taste – specifically for chicken but is good over all.
Top Corn with Lemon Pepper
Top Green Beans with Minced Garlic & Chopped Onion(I use dried)

Option 2:
Place a ring of Pineapple over each Chicken Thigh, and top with 1 tsp of Brown Sugar, or to taste.
Top Corn with Salt and Pepper to taste.
Top Green Beans with a slice or two of Bacon.

1. Line a 9x13(or 10x15 if you have one – that's what I use) baking dish with foil for easy cleanup.
2. Rinse off frozen chicken thighs and place on one half of pan. No need to thaw.
3. Add a column each of corn and green beans. Evenly place butter on top of veggies. Add whatever spices/flavors you'd like etc.
4. Bake at 375º F  for 23 min. Turn chicken over and stir veggies. Bake another 23 min.
5. Enjoy!

SIDES:
For Option 1: I usually eat this without sides because I live alone and it's really quick, but if you'd like more food to round out your meal, I'd suggest Potato Dinner Rolls and a Cobb salad.
For Option 2: This Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is one of my favorites, and will pair awesomely with the Hawaiian version of this recipe. Also add a side of White Rice to complete this tasty “Plate Lunch” style.

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Meal Plan #1 : Swiss Steak, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Oven-Roasted Balsamic Carrots & Parsnips, Raspberry Lemonade

Easy Swiss Steak: (mod. from 101 Things To Do With A Slow Cooker)
Prep Time: approx. 15 min
Cook Time: 8-10 Hours
Makes 4-6 servings

1 ½ lb Round Steak, cut into bite sized pieces
1 Medium Onion, chopped
1 14.5oz can Italian Stewed Tomatoes with liquid
½ cup Sour Cream

1. Grease bottom of 3 ½ quart crock pot. Place steak evenly on bottom.
2. Mix stewed tomatoes and chopped onion together then pour into crock pot.
3. Cover and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours.
4. Stir in sour cream ½ an hour before serving.
5. Ladle over mashed potatoes.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes: (mod. from BHG New Cookbook)
Start to Finish: about 20 min
Serves: 4
1 1/3 lb Potatoes*, washed, cubed – 1/2”
2 tbsp Butter
2-4 tbsp Milk
1tbsp minced Garlic
1 tsp dried Parsley
Salt & Pepper to taste

1. Boil potatoes in salted water for 15 min. or until tender.
2. Add rest of ingredients & mash or whip.

*Any variety, including sweet, or cubed hash browns(about 3 2/3 cups)

Oven-Roasted* Balsamic Carrots & Parsnips: (mod. of recipe found on yummly.com)
Prep Time: 15 min
Bake time: 1 Hour/15-20 min
Serves: 4
½ lb carrots** (or baby carrots-no need to prepare)
½ lb parsnips**
2 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
1 tbsp Butter, melted
1 tsp Sea Salt
½ Lemon – juice only

1. Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease a 13 x 9 baking dish, set aside.
2. Peel or scrub root veggies and chop.
3. In a small bowl combine vinegar, butter and salt. Toss with veggies.
4. Bake for about an hour, tossing to coat every 15-20 min. Remove from oven & squeeze fresh lemon juice over veggies & toss to deglaze the pan.

*Optional Sautéing for Summertime – Cook veg. over medium heat with a small amount of water in a covered saucepan for 8-10 min. or until crisp-tender. Add next 3 ingredients, cook 2 more min. Toss with lemon juice to deglaze pan, then serve.
**2 ¼ cups chopped