Cherry Yogurt Bread

I made this recipe for the first time when Miss Mia was one.  I liked that it was a sweet treat that isn't all that bad . . . . and she loved it.  So, it's no wonder I've kept this one in my recipe rotation.

Cherry Yogurt Bread

3/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup sugar substitute
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1 cup cherry yogurt
1/3 cup applesauce
1 T lemon juice

In a large bowl, combine the flours, sugar substitute, salt, baking soda and baking powder. In another bowl, combine the egg, yogurt, applesauce and lemon juice. Stir in to dry ingredients just until moistened.

Pour into an 8x4 in loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 325 for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack.

Sloppy Joe Casserole

I don't think I would call this a Sloppy Joe Casserole should I make this recipe again.  If anything, I'd just say it's a Hamburger Pie or something else just as simple. 

This recipe is very simple - and toddler approved.

Sloppy Joe Casserole
~ adapted from pillsburgy:  one-dish meals cookbook

1 lb lean ground beef
1 sliced yellow onion
1 15 1/2 oz can sloppy joe sauce
2 cups frozen corn, thawed
1 can refigerated biscuits

Preheat oven to 375F.

Brown ground beef with onions until beef is thoroughly cooked.  Drain and rinse.  Stir in sloppy joe sauce and corn.  Cook 3-5 minutes, until heated through.  Stir occasionally so mixture doesn't stick. 

While sloppy joe mix is heating, line sides of ungreased deep dish pie pan with the refrigerated biscuits.  Spoon sloppy joe mix into pie pan.

Bake at 375F for 20-25 minutes, until biscuits are golden brown.

Cheeseburger 'N' Fries Casserole

My Dad and his cousin are meat and potatoes type guys.  They don't really appreciate anything green (not even cake tinted green with food dye).  So, I try to come up with some meals they'll appreciate when they're here each Sunday, helping to 'finish' our basement.  This meal was a definite meat and potatoes day, no veggies in sight of this casserole!  I promise, I didn't sneak any spinach or carrot puree in it (this time!).  Our veggies were obtained on the up and up - served on the side!

Cheeseburger 'N' Fries Casserole
~ adapted from Taste of Home's Quick Cooking

2 pounds lean ground beef
1 10 3/4 oz can golden mushroom soup, undiluted
1 10 3/4 oz can condensed cheddar cheese soup, undiluted
1 20 oz package frozen crinkly-cut French fries

Brown the beef in a skillet, drain and rinse under cold water.  Place back in skillet.  Stir in soups until mixed.  Pour into a greased 13 x 9 in baking dish.  Arrange fries on top of beef mixture.  Bake, uncovered at 350 for 50-55 minutes, or until fries are golden brown.

Serves 8.

Quick Chocolate Snack Cake

I found this recipe in the diabetic section of my fave cooking magazine.  When my diabetic Aunt Stella came to visit, I decided to make this for her.  It's a keeper.


Quick Chocolate Snack Cake
~ Taste of Home Healthy Cooking

1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup sugar blend
1/2 cup egg substitute
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup canola oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

In a large bowl, beat the applesauce, sugar, sugar blend, egg substitute, water, oil and vanilla until well blended. Combine the cocoa, flours, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into applesauce mixture until blended. Transfer to a 13x9" baking pan coated with cooking spray.

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Sprinkle with chips. Cool on a wire rack.

1 piece =s 170 calories, 6 g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol.
Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat

Creamy Shells with Tomatoes and White Beans

This was a simple recipe that everyone, including Miss Mia, Miss Picky and my Dad (GASP!) all ate.


Creamy Shells with Tomatoes and White Beans
~ adapted from everyday with rachael ray

1 pound jumbo pasta shells
6 T butter
1 onion, finely chopped
6 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
1 cup heavy cream
2 ½ pounds tomatoes, finely chopped
16 oz navy beans (or other small white bean), rinse
½ cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
½ cup snipped chives
Salt
Pepper

In a large pot, of boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente, drain. Set aside.

In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook. Stir occasionally until tender about 6 minutes. Add the cream and simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the reserved pasta, the tomatoes and beans and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Toss with the ½ cup parmesan and chives, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Pass more parmesan at the table.

Menu Plan Monday

Nothing too special this week . . . only a Friends and Family Fun Night on Friday.  We're planning on a taco salad night where we all make our own salads and no one can complain about toppings being put on their salads that they don't like!  YAH!  I think I'm making oreo cupcakes for the dessert.

Monday - Chicken Meal in One
Tuesday - Beans N Pasta
Wednesday - Picante Potato Pie
Thursday - Hopple Popple
Friday - Taco Salad Night with Friends!

Cream Pie

Simple and Sweet.  Sometimes, that's all you need!

Cream Pie
~ adapted from allrecipes.com

2/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 T whole wheat flour
1 pinch salt
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 single pie crust

Prepare pie crust. 

Preheat oven to 425F.  Combine all ingredients.  Mix until smooth.  Pour filling into unbaked crust.  Bake for 20 minutes.  Turn temperature down to 325F and bake additional 20 minutes.

Let cool completely prior to serving.

Linking up at:
Don't Waste Your Homemaking

Whipping Cream Biscuits

I had some extra Heavy Whipping Cream in the fridge and needed a recipe.  So, I did a search and came up with this!

This was a very easy recipe and I liked how they taste.  I won't buy Heavy Whipping Cream just for this, but if I ever need to use it up, this will be the recipe I chose!

Whipping Cream Biscuits
~ adapted from allrecipes.com

3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Preheat oven to 425F. 

Combine all ingredients.  Drop by tablespoons on ungreased baking sheet.  Bake in 425F oven for 10 minutes until lightly browned.

Menu Plan Monday

I was able to make it to the grocery store this weekend!  It was great - especially as (with coupons) we cut our bill $114 (over 63% of the bill)!  YAH!  I am such a nerd that I love watching each coupon bring that total down, especially when that number starts over $100 and ends so much lower.

Now, we have veggies for our sides (okay, so it's mainly corn but hey, the daughter will eat it, so I'm not complaining!), fruits for our desserts, yogurt for our snacks and the ingredients for our meals!

I'm not certain of the order of the meals as I'm on overtime this upcoming month, so I want to squeeze that in this week.  The Husband will be making some of these meals (fingers crossed on that one)!  Side dishes will be the usual - salad and/or steamed veggie(s).  Dessert will be yogurt, unless I get the itch to whip up something yummy . . . I've had my eye on a homemade pudding that just screams my name.  How much longer will I be able to resist temptation???

Monday -  Hubby's Favorite Crepes
Tuesday - Deli Hoagies
Wednesday - Southwest Stromboli
Thursday - Artichoke Lasagna
Friday - Hash Brown Casserole

I've tried to plan my meals so that I will have leftovers to take to work my days in the office this week. 

Tex Mex Pasta

This may not be the prettiest, but it sure was yummy!  I will say, if you don't like things spicy, you may want to exchange one or both of the tomatoes with chilies for just diced tomatoes.

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

2 10 oz cans diced tomatoes with chilies
2 cups baked chicken, shredded
1 yellow onion, diced
1 tsp minced garlic
3 oz cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
10 oz package pasta, prepared according to directions on package

Prepare pasta according to directions on package.

In large skillet, pour 1-2 T olive oil.  Saute onion and garlic until softened.  Add black beans, tomatoes and chicken.  Simmer 5 minutes.  Add cream cheese and sour cream.  Simmer an additional 5 minutes.  Add pasta and simmer until warmed through.

Heavy Cream

I had a few recipes that called for Heavy Cream lately.  Unfortunately, that was the only ingredient I didn't have on hand.  So, I did a search online and came up with a good substitution!

As usual, regular flour can be used where I list whole wheat flour.

Heavy Cream

1 T whole wheat flour
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup butter

Melt butter.  Pour into milk and stir.  Whisk in the whole wheat flour.

Makes one cup Heavy Cream.