Taco Salad

This picture does not do justice to the taco salad -- it was delicious. We modified the recipe a bit by sticking to our non-recipe directions.

Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground beef (we used turkey meat)
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1 (16 ounce) can chili beans (omitted)
1 (16 ounce) bottle French dressing (we had a spray dressing and used a bit)
1 head iceberg lettuce
1 (14.5 ounce) package tortilla chips
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped tomatoes
4 tablespoons sour cream
1/2 cup prepared salsa


Directions:
1) In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and drain excess fat. Stir in the taco seasoning, chili beans and French-style dressing. Fill the dressing bottle 2/3 full of water and add to the skillet. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
2) Crush the bag of chips, open the bag, and toss the broken chips into a large bowl with the lettuce, cheese and tomatoes. When the meat mixture is done, combine it with the lettuce, tomatoes, chips and mix well. Then, add salsa and sour cream.

Husband Rating: A
Jared liked the crunchy tortilla chips and he added hot sauce to kick it up a bit.

Wife Rating: A
Cheese, tortilla chips, salsa, and sour cream -- I'm set!


We'll definitely make this dish again in the future.

Shrimp Scampi (Tuesday's Dinner)

Jared came home with shrimp a few weeks ago, so we froze it for a special time, and yesterday seemed like a perfect day. We decided to make one of our favorite (old time) recipes, one that we made quite often years ago. However, this time we followed a recipe from www.allrecipes.com.

Ingredients:
2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 cloves garlic, minced (added more)
1/4 cup dry white wine (omitted)
3 green onions, chopped
Angel Hair pasta

Directions:
1) Preheat broiler to 500 degrees (260 degrees C).
2) Stir shrimp together with butter, garlic and wine. Place on a baking sheet and broil for 10 minutes. Sprinkle on scallions and broil for another 2 to 3 minutes, until shrimp are firm. Serve hot.


Husband Rating: A
Jared loved the shrimp broiled instead of sauteing in a frying pan.

Wife Rating: A
I loved the garlic with the pasta!

We'll definitely make this again!

Greek Chicken

I have been busy with the holiday and traveling, so my blog has suffered, and so has our fridge and cooking. :) We finally went shopping after we created this week's menu. The Greek Chicken was a meal prepared by his mom, which we froze a few weeks ago. I do not have a picture to share or the recipe at this point. I know you can find a Greek Chicken recipe on www.allrecipes.com.

Shrimp Scampi picture and review to follow.

Menu: November 26-December 2

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

Monday: Greek Chicken

Tuesday: Shrimp Scampi

Wednesday: Taco Salad

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Dinner with friends

Saturday: Potato Soup

Sunday: Baked Haddock

Orange Honey Garlic Chicken

We were planning on making the Orange Honey Garlic Chicken on Saturday, but with my work schedule, we ran out of time. Plus, we did not marinate the chicken, so it would not have been ready. So, today was a perfect day, and we decided to make it for lunch. We prepared a tomato, cucumber, and red onion salad, along with scalloped potatoes (from a box). ;)

Ingredients:
1 (2 to 3 pound) whole chicken, cut into pieces (We used chicken breasts)
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup orange juice
2 cloves crushed garlic
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika


Directions:
1) To Make Marinade: Combine the soy sauce, honey, orange juice, garlic, oregano, pepper and paprika. Mix all together and pour over chicken pieces. Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.
2) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3) Remove chicken from refrigerator. Place chicken and marinade in a 9x13 inch baking dish and bake, uncovered, in preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours. Baste once.
* Since we used chicken breasts, the chicken only needed 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Recipe from www.allrecipes.com

Husband Rating:
Jared thought the chicken had good flavor and that the orange and honey flavors were prominent, but the garlic was very subtle.

Wife Rating:
I liked the chicken, but would add more garlic next time!

We'll try this again sometime, and will probably cook it with a whole chicken as the recipe states.

Pepper, Onion, & Feta Pizza

Jared and I love pizza and I realized after we made the pepper, onion, and feta pizza, that for 3 weeks now, we have cooked something from the Greek family. This pizza was so easy and very good!

Ingredients:
1 (12 inch) thin pizza crust, homemade or prepared, such as Boboli
3 cups chopped red, green, yellow and/or orange bell peppers (any combination)
1 cup sliced yellow or red onion, separated into rings
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
3/4 cup crumbled herbed feta cheese

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place crust on pizza pan or cookie sheet. In a bowl, combine remaining ingredients except cheese. Spoon mixture over crust. Top with cheese.
2) Bake at 450 degrees for 10-12 minutes, or until vegetables are crispy-tender. Remove from oven and serve.

Recipe from www.allrecipes.com

Husband Rating:
Jared was in pizza heaven and said, "I might eat the whole pizza tonight." When we roll out our dough, we are able to make a pizza of 9 square slices. He did hold back and we have some for leftovers.

Wife Rating:
The pizza was so good and very fresh. "Yummy"

We'll definitely make this one again!!!

Baked Macaroni & Cheese

Jared and I have made baked macaroni and cheese before, but without a recipe and with little effort. Believe it or not, I was looking forward to following a recipe that required a bit of "work" and different ingredients.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons melted butter
8 ounces macaroni
2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, minced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1 1/2 cups milk
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 2 quart casserole dish. Place the bread crumbs into a small bowl and mix well with the melted butter; set aside.
2) Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain, then place into prepared casserole dish.
3) While the pasta is cooking, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the minced onion and cook until the onion softens and turns translucent, about 5 minutes.
4) Stir in the flour, pepper, salt, and dry mustard until incorporated, then pour in the milk and bring to a simmer. Simmer, stirring constantly until the milk has thickened, about 10 minutes. Take the milk off of the heat and stir in the Cheddar cheese until melted. Pour cheese sauce over the macaroni, then sprinkle evenly with buttered bread crumbs.
5) Bake until the top is golden and bubbly, about 20 minutes.

Recipe from www.allrecipes.com


Husband Rating:
Finding a meal that Jared does not like is hard to find, so it was obvious that Jared enjoyed the macaroni and cheese.

Wife Rating:
Anything with cheese is a winner in my book! The bread crumbs were a nice touch and the onion was subtle, yet added good flavor.

We'll make this again!