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Whip-It-Up Raviosagna: using freezer and pantry staples without a plan

07 Feb 2010 by Just Precious

As much planning as goes into preparedness for a snow-in, it seems we’re always forgetting something. And this time, that something was Saturday night’s dinner. Yes, I was prepared for Chili on Friday and a Beef Stew on Sunday, but my calendar showed me we had dinner plans on Saturday night, and I failed to remember that they would probably be cancelled due to snow.

While the husband and boys shoveled and played, Little finally napped around 5 pm, and I realized I had nothing planned. A quick scan of the freezer and fridge and left me to be creative. This meal, consisting of staples that are always in the house, took about 5 minutes of hands-on time and 50 minutes to cook.

Ingredients:

Frozen Ravioli (we used about 14 squares)
Ricotta Cheese (around 4 ounces)
Spaghetti Sauce (whatever flavor is laying around the house. We had a little bit of Chunky Garden in the fridge, which I used, then topped it off with an Artichoke Pesto flavor)
Mozzerella cheese

Start Cookin’

Heat oven to 350
in a glass dish, spread a thin layer of Spaghetti Sauce
layer in ravioli
top with ricotta cheese
spread another layer of spaghetti sauce
top with shredded mozzerella cheese
bake 50 minutes

And that’s dinner!

Notes for Next Time: This was a great way to add in hidden veggies! I want to remember to use some sort of vegetable sauce again. If there’s a need for a bigger meal, you can definitely add another layer, but it wasn’t necessary for us.

Star Power Rating: Big liked it, Middle seems to be on a hunger strike and didn’t eat dinner again. The huz and I decided that, for a whip-it-up meal it was very tasty and very easy. Definitely one to keep in the files and pull up again at the last minute, but probably not one I’d plan to make on my weekly menu. Still, it was really good, and really simple. 4 out of 5 stars (5 out of 5 for a whip-it-up).

Not my grandmother’s ravioli (realmendriveminivans.com)
All Too Easy Baked Spaghetti (carloatyourservice.com)
Family Favorite Dinner (organizeyourstuffnow.com)

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Category: Just Precious is Cookin' Tags: lasagna, ravioli 2 Comments

It’s going to be a Chili and Stew Weekend; Chili Recipe

05 Feb 2010 by Just Precious

Well, of course it is. And hot chocolate, too. With this major snowstorm attacking the east coast, we need to be prepared.

On Tuesday, I ventured over to Betty Crocker (which is funny, because I never do that) and found a few recipes for our snow-filled, football weekend. Yesterday I made my own version of Slow-Cooker Family Favorite Chili and over the weekend I’m planning a beef stew, Pizza Dip and a few other warm, indoor weekend favorites.

Ingredients:

2 lbs ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 can undrained diced chili tomatoes
2 cans chili kidney beans, undrained
1 can tomato sauce
1 can crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
baking potatoes
Shredded Mexican-style cheese

Get Cookin’

Brown beef and saute onions together, drain.
Put all ingredients in crockpot/slowcooker except the cheese and potatoes.
cook on Slow-cook or low for 6-8 hours.
About 1 hour before dinner time, turn oven to 425 to bake potatoes. (this, of course, depends on y0ur oven and preferences.)
Serve chili on top of or beside the potato, depending on your preference. Garnish with cheese.

Notes for Next Time: While this was loved all around (see below), I’d definitely take out the crushed tomatoes and replace with another container 15-32 ounces of diced tomatoes. I like my chili chunky. I’d also include another can of beans, maybe a different kind. And if I’m adding all that, I’ll need to increase the spices. Of course, its all to taste. This recipe made enough for at least 3 dinners. So we’re set for being housebound all weekend if the snowstorm is a mean one. Plus, chili is perfect Superbowl food. And I’m still making a beef stew.

Star Power Rating: Big gave it 2 thumbs up and ate all of his chili, though not his potato. Middle didn’t eat (he was sick). The Huz commented “wow, this is good.” Then about 5 minutes later he said “this is really good. Are you sure you made this one?” Nice. They gave it a 5 out of 5 but I’m being hard on myself and giving it a 3.5 so that next time it will be chunkier. As for the potatoes, well, it turns out that oven isn’t fixed, at all. After baking them for an hour at 450, or what’s supposed to be 450, the were still really hard. So I nuked them. Someday I’ll get a new oven… Unfortunately, also need a new dishwasher and washer/dryer. But I digress.

Super Bowl chili can be hearty and healthy (pbpulse.com)
Running on Food: Easy homemade Chili (runnerslounge.com)

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Category: Just Precious is Cookin' Tags: Betty Crocker, chili, recipe 3 Comments

Cottage Pie: We entertained on Saturday. SO glad the oven “works.”

06 Jan 2010 by Just Precious

He kind of fixed it. Sort of. The huz put the oven back together, at least, but there was no real change in the problem. Still, at least we had an oven to use again. With frustrations.

So, with the oven “working,” again, we decided that we’d venture into planned entertaining for the first time since Little was born. I found I was pregnant. a long time ago. As usual, I pulled a recipe from Real Simple magazine, adapted it and served it. To raves. Seriously. We’re talking third helpings.

Ingredients:

3/4 to 1 lb ground beef

about 1 pound potatoes

butter

milk

salt

pepper

frozen peas (frozen peas and carrots or frozen mixed vegetables will work, too)

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

3/4 cup ketchup

1 Tablespoon EVOO

Get Cookin’

Preheat oven to 350.

Make mashed potatoes (peel and boil potatoes until they are really soft. I like to be able to pierce my fork through and the potato starts to fall apart. Place potatoes in a large bowl and, using a hand or standing mixer, mash them until desired consisteny (in this case, almost creamy). As you are mixing, add salt, pepper, butter and milk to taste.

Brown beef in EVOO, drain, return to pan

Transfer meat to pan (pie pan works nicely or a casserole dish.) Spread mashed potatoes over meat as you would icing. Bake 20-30 minutes, until potatoes begin to brown.

Add frozen veggies, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup and salt and pepper to taste. Stir over low heat, about 5 minutes.

Notes for next time: This recipe is so easy to double and triple. I’m adding it to my list of meals to make for friends and family in need because I can make several at a time, all I need are some disposable foil pie pans. Also, the huz would prefer I add more veggies next time. This is a great meal to make ahead, stop after you transfer the meat and potatoes to the pan. Cook when you are ready for your meal, adding about 10 minutes to your cooking time (test it first before you eat it!) I served this with a salad of lettuce, apple pieces, raisins and walnuts. The kids didn’t eat it at the party, instead they had pepperoni roll-ups, a kid-friendly favorite.

Star Power Rating: The kids had the leftovers and surprised themselves giving it two thumbs up. As stated, the huz requests more veggies when I make it next time. And, yes, he also requested that there is a next time. Star Power Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars. (you do have to slave in the kitchen a little more for this one.)

Trivial Sidenote: You see, I always thought this was called Shephard’s Pie. But as I was preparing the menu for the evening I read in Joy of Cooking that Shephard’s Pie uses leftover lamb. Cottage Pie uses ground beef or other meets.

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Category: Just Precious is Cookin' Tags: cottage pie, ground beef, helping meal, shephard pie 2 Comments

Nothing like a homemade chicken soup (Crockpot leftovers!)

30 Dec 2009 by Just Precious

Its bitter outside. But its homey and warm inside. Because a few nights ago I crockpotted a whole chicken, then turned the left overs into a warm chicken soup. So easy you’re going to hate me because you never did this before. So good you’ll love me because you’ll start making it all the time.

Ingredients

1 whole chicken (about 5 lbs)

chicken broth (about a cup)

salt

pepper

paprika

peeled orange

yellow cooking onion, cut into crescent moons

carrots

favorite chicken spices (tarragon, thyme, whatever you like. Optional)

Get Cookin’

thoroughly wash chicken (remove the giblets!), stuff orange segments inside and place in crockpot

around chicken, place a pound of baby carrots, or regular carrots cut into bite-size pieces, and onion pieces

sprinkle paprika, salt and pepper (and any optional spices and herbs) on top (to taste)

pour 1/2 cup to 1 cup chicken broth around chicken

set crock pot to “slow cook” 8-10 hours.

Check to ensure the internal temp is ideal for chicken, then serve your dinner. Chicken will be very soft and fall off the bone.

Because you’re sure to have leftovers, here’s dinner number two:

Ingredients

leftovers (above)

2-4 stalks celery, cut into moons

more onions and/or carrots, if necessary

more chicken broth, if necessary (this depends on how brothy you like it. I don’t usually add any).

Get Cookin’

STRIP your chicken. Dispose of all bones and skin. You can store the leftovers in the fridge overnight before preparing soup if you would like.

Combine ingredients in a pot and simmer.

That’s it. No. Really.

Star Power Rating: Is there anything better than homemade chicken soup on a bitter day? I don’t think so. 5 out of 5.

Notes for Next Time: The huz added a lot more salt and pepper than I did. The directions are “to taste.” I suppose he has better taste. Use your judgement and don’t be shy with your spieces.

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Category: Just Precious is Cookin' Tags: chicken, crockpot, easy, slowcooker, soup 2 Comments

Whip it up Meat Sauce over big tubey noodles

17 Dec 2009 by Just Precious

Yes, really. This is what we called Monday night’s dinner. When our dinner plans fail us, the huz and I challenge each other to “whip something up.” And so, being failed by a “faulty” (ha!) oven, I was challenged to “whip something up.”

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
EVOO
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1/2 yellow onion, diced
salt &pepper
oregano
basil
big tube noodles (I’m so sure any noodles would work with this one!)
grated parmesean

Get Cookin’

Ina large pan, brown ground beef and saute onions (together) in about 1 Tablespoon EVOO
Drain beef/onions
over medium heat put beef/onions back in pan and add tomatoes and seasonings (determine amount by taste). Cook through about 5-10 minutes.
Meanwhile cook the noodles in a pot, according to package directions
Serve meat sauce over noodles, topped with parmesean

Star Power Rating: Noodles. Noodles. Noodles. Any time I serve noodles the kids will give it 2 thumbs up. 2 big thumbs up. So, from them, this would be a 5-star meal. And Big really liked the sauce. But the huz and I agreed something was missing. It lacked in the seasonings department. I could so easily have added more basil or oregano. Or cinnamom. Or veggies. So, this really only gets a 2.5 out of 5. Because it was bland. Though easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy to make. And despite the rating, I can totally make it again, and will.

Notes for next time: Perhaps I’ll make it a goal for 2010 to perfect my home made meat sauce. Some ideas: use fresh basil. add more seasoning. include a little garlic (though not much, I don’t like garlic). toss in some capers. or a bay leaf. saute in other diced veggies like peppers or ’shrooms or zukes. Just make it tastier. This is a good start…

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Category: Just Precious is Cookin' Tags: easy meat sauce One Comment

Dinners when living life without an oven

16 Dec 2009 by Just Precious

Hopefully my lack of recipes has now been explained in the post below. You see, I’m without an oven this week. And while I often don’t use an oven, not having one at all has thrown me. In fact, I when I prepared my menu and shopping list for the week, I planned on meals that didn’t require an oven. But did require Halibut. And when I arrived at Wegmans to find there was no Halibut, I quickly changed my mind to a prepared salmon dish, forgetting there was no oven. Oh. How quickly I forget.

So…

Sunday night we rewarded our patience with the huz and the oven and headed to Iron Hill Brewery where the kids enjoyed chicken fingers and grilled cheese (get 2 and share), DH had a cheeseburger and I loved their chicken fajita salad.

Monday night, when I had mistakenly planned on the Halibut-fish soup but subbed it for a prepared baked salmon, I improvised and created noodles with homemade meat sauce. Not bad for using what was around the kitchen.

Tuesday morning I borrowed a neighbor’s oven (yes, I was desperate) and baked the salmon. Then heated it in the microwave with canned (I know, gross) green beans.

Wednesday night. Heated frozen Taquitos in the microwave. Served with salsa, mandarin oranges and peaches.

Sigh. I want to cook. I do. But I’m not feeling it without my oven.

(for the record, as I type this, the huz thinks he knows what the issue is with the oven, but “can’t deal with it now.”)

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Life without an Oven, part 2

16 Dec 2009 by Just Precious

There really is no part 1, officially. Had I been blogging 7 years ago (did people blog way back then?) there certainly would have been. So, lets make the puffy cloud outline this part of the story, as we travel back in time to part 1.

We moved to our newly built home in October 2002 and promptly the seed hit the egg and the symptoms started. One of which was an incredible sensitivity to smell. In-other-words, the big nose did her job. And, in doing so, the nose noticed a gassy smell throughout the house. But, seeing as how the nose was on an impregnated body, we let it slide. The nose noticed gas smells everywhere.

August came around and the gas smell grew stronger. And finally the husband’s nose started to notice the gas smell as well. Terrified for the baby, no-longer-pregnant mommy called in Toll Brothers (the house was under warranty). While Toll did agree there was a gaseous smell, they couldn’t do anything. “Call GE,” they instructed. “Its a different warranty.” And GE was called. And they came out. No less than 4 times. In fact, no-longer-pregnant mom earned a repuation among GE-servicemen in the Chester County area. It said so in the computer files when she called. (Get your mind out of the gutter. The files said the mom was learning to use her oven and to politely keep checking, but there was nothing wrong.)

So, September now, Toll Brothers project people came back out to the house to perform warranty work (they came out a lot. Lots of warranty work on a Toll home) and no-longer-pregnant mom shares her GE woes. Woe is she. No one seems to believe the gaseous scent.

Under persuasion from a grandparent, no-longer-pregnant mom calls PECO. Oh, yes, she did. And PECO came out to the house with a handy little gas-detector (that is amazingly similar to Rick Moranis’ ghost-detector) and, seconds later, shuts off the oven. Completely. Then politely informs no-longer-pregnant mom that she should call GE, again. Because the oven cannot be turned on without their tools.

Now, recall that no-longer-pregnant mom has a “reputation” with GE service. So 6 days later, a familiar GE man returns to the house. That’s 6 days without an oven, and with a newborn. And, within 30 seconds he identifies the problem (lucky for him, the PECO man had left a note). But he has to order a part. Which takes another 4 days. That’s 10 days without an oven and with a newborn.

Sigh. Erase the clouds and wake up back in 2009, when, on Sunday night, the huz (now with 3 kids) decides that another oven problem that has existed for over 4 years should be fixed. And he can do it. Yes! He! Can!

Google is amazing, isn’t it? He googles the problem and announces an easy fix. Can’t beleive he hadn’t googled before, right? So, Sunday is spent with the oven in the middle of the kitchen and the huz inside it. Of course, by bedtime, the oven is pushed back in place. Tools left askew.

Monday. Tools still askew. Oven not working. Huz announces he may need a part.

Tuesday. Wife puts tools in brown paper bag and moves them to the laundry room. Oven still isn’t working.

Wednesday. The huz looks at tools still in laundry room. Looks inside paper bag because there may be a missing screw in there.

Thursday… will he look at the tools? order the part? will the oven ever work again?

Stay tuned my friends. Its an amazing cliff hanger, I know. And, in the meantime, I’ll share my meals without the oven, during a major holiday and a week before another major holiday.

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Salmon with Fennel over Spinach, a surprising yum

20 Nov 2009 by Just Precious

Total honesty here: As I was making dinner last night, I was griping to myself that I was annoyed. Here I was, spending valuable time cooking while Little was screaming and no one was going to appreciate the meal. Sunddenly, my kids, who love salmon weren’t in the mood for it and my husband called and let me know he’d be home late. So, why, I vented, am I wasting my time?

Of course, I was really wasting my time because I bought the salmon on Monday making Thursday the last day I could keep it in the fridge. I just was not in the mood to wrap it and then freeze and forget about it later.

Ingredients:

2 bulbs fennel, thinly sliced (just slice the bulbs, toss the grassy, weedy looking part)

2 lemons, sliced into quarters

3 tablespoons EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)

Kosher salt

black pepper

Salmon fillet (our family of 4 eaters usually eats about a pound and a quarter. And that’s starting to get to be too small. Sigh. That means our weekly salmon meals will be getting more expensive this winter)

1 1/2 teaspoons honey

1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary (do not substitute with dried)

1/2 (or so) bag of spinach

Get Cookin’

Heat oven to 400^.

Mix 1-2 tablespoons EVOO with fennel in a dutch oven (or large roasting pan)

gently add lemons (do not squeeze out juices)

Cook about 8 minutes

season salmon with salt and pepper

Add salmon into dutch oven and roast another 25 minutes (until cooked through, salmon should no longer be glossy inside)

Squeeze lemons into a bowl and add honey, rosemary, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1-2 tablespoons EVOO

place spinach leaves on a plate, salmon and fennel on top and drizzle lemon-honey dressing on top

Star Power Rating: It was totally worth it. Big sat down and kind of picked at the fennel. But when I mentioned that it tasted like licorice, he dug right in (who knew he likes licorice?). And he kept eatting. Middle loved the salmon, as he always does. And leftovers for lunch today were excellent (I drizzled a Peppercorn dressing on instead of the lemon-honey-vin. for lunch.) 4+ out of 5 stars.

Notes for next time: I didn’t listen to my own advice and used dried rosemary. Because it wasn’t cooked, when I took my first bite I thought the salmon wasn’t boned. Not a good feeling. Definitely make sure you use fresh rosemary. Additionally, next time I’ll add some mustard into the dressing to make it a lemon-honey-mustard viniagrette.

This recipe was adapted from Real Simple’s Salmon andFennel with roasted-lemon vinaigrette, featured in November 2008.

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Category: Just Precious is Cookin' Tags: salmon easy recipe 3 Comments

Family Friendly Dinner: Inside-Outside Pizza

15 Nov 2009 by Just Precious

A lot of dinners take on their own names around our home. And about 60% of those involve the word “pizza.” Spaghetti pizza, Noodle Pizza, and Pizzadilla are just a few. Inside-Outside Pizza is a calzone. It just sounds a lot better when its a pizza. This one is really easy, and your kids can make it with you.

Ingredients:

Pillsbury Pizza Dough, one roll

1/4 pound salami, sliced very thin OR pepperoni OR turkey OR ham

3/4 cup ricotta

1 cup mozzerella

1/4 – 1/2 cup parmesan

1/4 bag baby spinach leaves, or about 2 handfuls (more or less.)

EVOO

Salt

Pepper

Oregano

Get Cookin’

Preheat oven to 400.

Spray cookie sheet with PAM

Spread pizza dough in a large rectangle on pan. You will need to reshape it.

Mix cheese, about 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and oregano in bowl. Stir to blend. (Give or take with the spices. This is to taste.)

Spread cheese mixture on 1/2 of dough (imagine drawing a vertical fold line down the dough. The mixture goes on one side. Eventually, not yet!!, you’ll fold the other side on top.)

Layer meat slices above cheese, then spinach leaves. Repeat the meat & spinach layers if necessary.

Fold dough over top and pinch to close.

Paint or drizzle EVOO on top.

Bake about 15 minutes, or until crust is golden and crispy.

Cut with pizza cutter and serve with marinara (drizzle on top, or serve as a dipping sauce for the kids.)

Star Power Rating: This is a family favorite. Everytime we make Inside-Outside Pizza the kids pull their step stools to the counter with washed hands and rolled up sleeves, then watch the dough turn golden in the oven. Its a meal we make often when Daddy isn’t coming home for dinner, though he’s often jealous. Prep takes about 10 minutes, give or take your kids’ speed at mixing, spreading and painting. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

Notes for next time: This is one of few meals that we don’t love the leftovers. Then again, once the Huz comes home and eats the warm Inside-Outside Pizza I left out for him, there rarely are leftovers.

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Category: Just Precious is Cookin', Uncategorized Tags: calzone, easy family dinner, inside outside pizza, pillsbury pizza, pizza 2 Comments

Easy Chicken Roast

05 Nov 2009 by Just Precious

The plan was to have Whitney and kids over for dinner a few nights ago. But with Big sick 2 days before, it was forgotten. Still, on my menu plan was a chicken roast with enough to feed 8. So I now have lots of leftovers.

Ingredients:

Chicken pieces (enough for full group)
2 lbs carrots, cut into bite size pieces (or a bag of baby carrots)
3 stalks of celery, cut into small moons
1/2 cup Kalamatta pitted olives (more if you have lots of olive fans)
1/2 – 1 white onion, diced
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup water
1 lemon, cut into wedges
1/2-3/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon pepper
1-2 teaspoons paprika

Get Cookin’

1. Precut and combine all ingredients (except the chicken and paprika) in advance. (I did this in the morning while Little was sleeping).
2. Set oven for 425.
3. Place chicken pieces in a baking or roasting pan. Top with carrots and other ingredients. Sprinkle paprika on top (especially on top of chicken).
4. Roast for about 45 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.

Star Power Rating: I love easy dinners like this. It could have been prepared in the morning in the crockpot, but its just as easy to stick it in the oven if you aren’t going to be out the hour before dinner. The roast was decent but would have been better with more flavor had infused the chicken more.Rating: NUMBER 2.5 of 5 stars. A good, easy meal but not much flavor.

Notes for next time: I’m thinking if I had cooked it in a little orange juice it would have added more flavor to the chicken. The olives were a really nice touch. Whitney’s DS2 LOVES olives. I am SO making this again when Whitney and family are here, but figuring out a way to add the flavor. By-the-way, the dinner was much better as leftovers.

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Category: Just Precious is Cookin' One Comment

Just Precious

Archive for the Category »Just Precious is Cookin' «

Whip-It-Up Raviosagna: using freezer and pantry staples without a plan

It’s going to be a Chili and Stew Weekend; Chili Recipe

Cottage Pie: We entertained on Saturday. SO glad the oven “works.”

Nothing like a homemade chicken soup (Crockpot leftovers!)

Whip it up Meat Sauce over big tubey noodles

Dinners when living life without an oven

Life without an Oven, part 2

Salmon with Fennel over Spinach, a surprising yum

Family Friendly Dinner: Inside-Outside Pizza

Easy Chicken Roast

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