Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Teriyaki Stir Fry

I'm back (sorta) from my hiatus. My laptop is broken so updating has been rather cumbersome. I've kept track of most of the items I have done the past few weeks but don't know if I'll get around to going back through them and getting them posted but I'll do my best and hopefully get at least the good ones up.

This isn't an actual recipe... as much as a cheap meal I happened across and in this house, that's just as good. Given that its super quick and easy is another bonus on nights where we are pressed for time.

Ingredients:
2 lb 5oz Bag of stir fry vegetables with sauce packet & noodles (found at aldi for $3.49)
2 pieces of chicken (I used frozen, maybe $2 worth)

Note: You could make the mix yourself using approximately 2 bags of stir fry vegetables, thin pasta (broken up), and 1/2 cup of teriyaki sauce. It might save you $.50-$.75 but I'm not a fan of most stir fry veggie mixes so I'm sticking with this one.

Directions:
1) Heat up oil in a frying pan
2) Cut the chicken into bite size pieces or strips (I did pieces)
3) Fry the chicken in the oil until cooked (about 5 minutes)
4) Add the vegetables/noodle mix, fry until tender (about 5 minutes).
5) Add sauce mix and continue for about 5 minutes
6) Serve

You'll have to excuse the mess... there is a TON of
food to try and keep in the pan!

Synopsis:

We all really liked this meal, including Austin. He eats the red peppers first! So, with it getting approval from everyone this is definitely going to become a staple meal here.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Taco Bell Copycat Mexican Pizza w/ Red Beans and Rice

I had a bit of a hankering for mexican pizza after seeing one on pinterest the other day. So I scoured the web for a recipe I liked and finally found one at RecipeSecrets.Net


Of course I had to change it some...

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp  black pepper
1/4 tsp minced onion
1/4 tsp paprika
1.5 tsp chili powder
2 tbsp water
4 burrito tortillas (or 8 taco tortillas)
Oil (for frying)
1/2 can of refried beans
4 tbsp (aprox) of pureed salsa
1 cup taco cheese
1/4 cup diced tomato / rotel

Note: On the spices (salt, black pepper, onion, paprika, & chili powder) I never measured them I just sprinkled a little bit in. Except the onion which I used probably 1/8 cup instead of the 1/4 tsp.

Steps: Part 1
1) Brown the ground beef, drain grease
2) Add salt, black pepper, onion, paprika, chili powder, and water. (Taco seasons packet would work too)
3) Simmer for 8-10 minutes
4) Heat up the oil in a frying pan (bigger than the tortillas you're using) on med-high heat
5) Fry each tortilla for about 45 seconds on each side

Assembling the pizza: by Layers
1) Tortilla
2) Refried beans - cover tortilla
3) Ground beef mixture (I used a little less than 1/2 for each)
4) Tortilla
5) 2 tbsp of pureed salsa - or enough to cover the shell (the puree allows for easy spreading)
6) Handful of diced tomatoes/rotel
7) Sprinkle with the cheese

Once assembled, place in the oven at 400 for approximately 8 minutes (enough to melt the cheese)

Tips:
1) Serve with lettuce and sour cream
2) You can substitute your own taco seasoning or a taco seasoning packet for the Salt, pepper, paprika, onion, and chili powder.

Synopsis:

This tasted really good but probably could have used a little more seasoning than I put in. The amounts above are for 1/2 lb of meat (as the original recipe calls for) but I wasn't thinking about that, I was just sprinkling a little because I don't like spicy things. I will probably use my own taco seasoning the next time.

Andrew's Rating: 4 out of 5
Meat could have used a little more seasoning.

Becki's Rating: 4 out of 5
Just needed a little more flavor in the meat.

Austin's Rating: didn't try it.



Red Beans & Rice (side dish)

The original recipe came from the campbellskitchen website.

Ingredients:
1 cup white rice
1 tbsp vegetable oil
10oz can of chicken broth
1 1/4 cup water
3/4 cup salsa (pureed)
1 tsp chili powder (I used less, we don't like spicy)
1 can kidney beans
1 cup cheddar cheese (optional)
Sour Cream (optional)

Steps:
1) Heat oil in a 10 inch frying pan over med-high heat
2) Add rice and stir until lightly browned
3) Add broth, water, salsa, and chili powder - Heating to a boil
4) Reduce heat to low, simmer covered for about 15 minutes
5) Stir in the beans and sprinkle - cook for 5 more minutes
6) Stir in the cheese and serve

Synopsis:

Ours came out mushy by the time it absorbed the water. I did you a little too much (1.5 cups instead of 1.25 cups) so that was part of it. I also don't think it really needed the cheese but it does give it a more mild flavor.

Andrew:
would rate it because he is not a rice fan.

Becki: 3 out of 5
I think I would have preferred it without the cheese and a little less mushy! :)

Austin: loved it.

Egg "McMuffin" Eggs

I've been looking for some things that I can make for breakfast and continue to eat throughout the week, quickly. Most mornings I don't get around to eating until Austin is down for his nap because I can't follow him around with a bowl of cereal so when I saw that you could bake eggs I thought it was fantastic! I could make enough for a whole week, even if Andrew pilfered a couple.



Ingredients: 
12 Eggs
All seasoned salt
Oil/Butter/Non stick spray

Steps: 
1) Grease muffin pan compartments
2) Crack 1 egg into each compartment of the muffin pan.
2) Break the yoke a little (you could leave them as is, or scramble them too).
3) Sprinkle with the seasoning salt.
4) Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

I made up sandwiches with them this morning. English muffin (toasted), slice of cheese, 2 slices of turkey bacon, and 1 egg.

Store in the refrigerator or freeze the leftovers.

Price Breakdown:
$.29 for english muffin & slice of cheese
$.10 - $.12 for each egg

Given that the dozen eggs I used this morning were free (Target Grand Opening Coupon)... I have some really cheap breakfasts coming my way this week!

Synopsis:

They aren't anything super special, just an easy way to make a bunch of eggs all at once. Andrew said it was a little hard getting it out of the muffin pan but that could be due to its age or the grease option I chose (oil). I'll definitely do them again but will probably use butter to grease the pan next time.


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