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Kamis, 19 Februari 2015

South Western Breakfast Skillet {Vegetarian}




The thing about breakfast skillets that makes them so darn amazing is that they are almost better for dinner than they are for breakfast. It's a conundrum I've yet come to understand. Something so amazingly perfect happens when you roast lightly salt and peppered potatoes, poblano peppers, scrambled eggs and cumin and chili spiced beans in a cast iron skillet. Enter salsa and avocado. 
The end. 













Whenever I start to talk about food with somebody, like I did today with a very lovely women from The Culinary Content Network, the subject of kitchen tools almost always comes up. You start sharing your favorite recipes, tips and tricks and suddenly you find yourself neck deep in kitchen gadgets you never knew you couldn't live without!


Put the wish list aside and focus on your hands down, all time, absolutely couldn't live without cooking and baking items.


go ahead, I'll give you a minute.............



We all have our go to gadgets, skillets and knives that we turn to when cooking up a good meal. There's no way I could pick just one but I can easily say that my cast iron skillets have been on my Top Three Favorite Kitchen Tools for pretty much, well  EVER!


In fact, my very first noteworthy kitchen tool was a cast iron skillet I was given as a gift in my very early 20's. I still have it and use it several times a week. The flavor and depth that it brings to all things edible is beyond compare. Even if it's a "One Pot Dish" I still always sauté my onions and other veggies in my cast iron skillet. The difference is noteworthy.












What are your favorite kitchen items, gadgets or appliances? 
 I need to know! 










TIME      30 MINUTES            SERVES      4-6


You Will Need

A good quality, cast iron skillet. Choose one depending on the size of your family. My first one was about 8 square inches and worked perfectly until child numero tres.  Like I said before, I still use it weekly to perfectly sauté onions & other veggies and to dry roast chili peppers! Works like a charm!~


1 medium size yellow onion, diced
1 large poblano pepper or green chile
1 large or 2 small red potatoes
2 cups cooked black beans (one can)
5 whole large eggs
1 cup Jack or Pepper Jack cheese, grated
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
freshly cracked pepper to taste
Cilantro, chopped for garnish
1-2 Avocados, sliced (supplies your essential healthy fats and good HDL cholesterol)
1-2 tablespoon vegetable oil




Chop potatoes into small, 1" cubes. Dice onion and chop peppers, toss them all in a bowl with salt, pepper and the oil. Meanwhile, in a small sauce pot on medium-low heat combine beans, cumin, chili powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt (omit salt if using canned beans!!) Cook covered for 15-20 minutes stirring occasionally.


In a large cast iron skillet that has been preheated for a few minutes on a medium-high burner, add the potatoes, onions and peppers. Cook over moderate heat stirring once or twice, you want them to sit and brown a bit! Cook for about 10-12 minutes until a fork easily pierces the potatoes but they are still a bit firm.


Drain the beans and add them to the potato mixture. Stir to combine. Let cook 2-3 more minutes. Crack the eggs into the skillet. Using a spatula, gently push the contents around to combine and coat with the egg. Add the grated cheese and let sit.  Cook just 2-3 minutes until the egg is set. Don't overcook or your eggs will be dry.


Garnish with chopped cilantro, avocado and salsa as you please. 























Rabu, 28 Januari 2015

Artichoke and White Bean Buffalo Dip #Sponsored




If you love dips, sauces and spreads as much as I do but cringe at the calories, this vegetarian, low fat dip is for you!  No mayo, no cream cheese yet all of the flavor of classic buffalo dip. Party. ON!








“By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe challenge sponsored by Cabot Creamery and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.”

















Cabot dairy  has a wonderful selection of premium cheeses so you're sure to find one that will pair well with any given recipe or to snack on with your favorite glass of wine and a bowl of fruit. When I tasted their Alpine Cheddar I knew instantly I needed to make a vegetarian Buffalo dip, minus the mayo {ick}.  The sharp and nutty flavor with hints of parmesan paired perfectly with the artichoke hearts in this dip. I decided at the last minute to add some of  Cabot's  Seriously Sharp yellow cheddar  to balance out the cheese flavors a bit. I've never been a fan of mayonnaise and haven't ever had a problem substituting plain, fat free yogurt instead as I did here.












I was going to use garbanzo beans but decided I wanted the consistency of this dip to be more, well consistent. I threw in some grated carrots to add a little bit of  sweetness to go along with the  salty  and spicy going on in here.  Grated zucchini would work equally as well!  Serve with your favorite whole grain chips or crackers and plenty of crudités.








Serve this at your Super Bowl party {that's football right?} 
Birthday, picnic, Fiesta, whatever! Just serve it!

















So Simple even a mom of 4 can do it.
















Happy Snacking!












SERVES 6-8 AS AN APPETIZER TIME 30 MINUTES TOTAL



Ingredients

1 White (Cannellini or Great Norther) beans
1 can Artichoke Hearts in water, chopped
8 ounces Cabot Alpine Cheddar, shredded
8 ounces Cabot Seriously Sharp yellow Cheddar, shredded
1 cup plain, fat free yogurt
2 medium-small carrots, grated
1/3 cup (about 1 bunch) scallions chopped (white and light green part only)
1 cup Buffalo Wing Sauce

Celery, Carrots, Jicama, Radishes, whole grain chips or crackers for dipping.




Preheat your oven to 375F

Mix all ingredients in a medium size bowl to combine. Spoon into an ungreased, 10" casserole dish.
Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until hot and bubbly. Remove from oven and let cool for 10-15 minutes. Serve warm.







notes:
Do not add salt! The cheeses have just enough salt to make this dish right. Grate your cheese while it's cold, it's much easier. Greek yogurt is my favorite mayo substitute, just as creamy with zero fat.

Senin, 26 Januari 2015

Vegetarian South Western Egg Rolls #Sponsored




Craving something fried but are still trying to fit back in your skinny jeans or that little black dress? These veggie loaded egg rolls are so simple to throw together and full of the flavors of the south west. The best part is that they are not fried but baked to a golden brown perfection so you won't miss the crunch factor. 







“I received free samples of Cabot Cheese mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe challenge sponsored by Cabot Creamery and am eligible to win prizes. I was not additionally compensated for my time.”








Wonton wrappers are so easy to work with making this a perfect middle of the week treat. Don't forget the salsa, sour cream and guacamole for dipping! Vitamin loaded red bell peppers and purple cabbage give these babies a satisfying crunch factor which is said to help you feel full and eat less. 
Of course they wouldn't be perfect with cheese! Cabot's creamy Pepper Jack cheese is melted throughout all of the beans and veggies stuffed inside and brings just the right amount of a spicy kick to each bite. 




These are requested as an appetizer for almost any get together we have with family and friends. Of course they would be perfect to add to your Super Bowl party food tray!








SERVES          4-6 AS AN APPETIZER            TIME      30 MINUTES


You Will Need

1 package of Wonton Wrappers (usually around 12-15 wrappers per package)
1 can of black beans (negro frijoles) rinsed and drained
1 cup frozen corn kernals
1 small red bell pepper, diced
1 cup purple cabbage, chopped into small pieces
1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
8 oz Cabot Pepper Jack cheese, shredded
1-2 teaspoon cumin (I like 2)
2 teaspoons chile powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon oil or parchment paper
Stone baking sheet or cookie sheet
Optional dips: sour cream, guacamole, favorite salsa







Putting it all together


Preheat your oven to 450F with the rack in the middle.


In a large bowl combine all ingredients (except wonton wrappers). Mix well. Using a small spoon, place a golf ball size amount of the filling in the lower 1/3 of the wonton wrapper. Fold the bottom of the wrapper over the mixture and gently press the mixture to tightly press it all together. Fold the two sides over your first fold, just like a burrito, pressing any of the mixture back inside. Continue to roll closed and place folded side down on a very lightly greased stone baking sheet or on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.



Bake at 450F for 15-20 minutes until crispy and golden brown. I did not need to turn my egg rolls at all. They crisped up quite nicely. Serve hot with condiments of choice. 










notes:

When you use a stone baking sheet (my most used kitchen item) you drastically cut down on the amount of oil you use and whatever you are baking ends up evenly browned and crispy. 


When you purchase items from Simply Healthy Family's store it helps support this blog! All items are trusted favorites of ours. 

















Rabu, 05 November 2014

Simply Healthy Family's Favorite Fall Recipe Roundup {say that 10 timesfast!}



Here's what's happening right now. I decided to stop blogging because

a.)   I keep comparing myself to other bloggers even though I firmly believe in not comparing myself to anyone, ever and therefor am making myself depressed, crazy and then just plain pissed followed by a general annoyance for no good reason. (I do however believe in random, run-on-sentences) and

b.)   I've become overwhelmingly consumed by guilt from spending too much time on the computer editing, writing and researching for my blog and not enough time with my children. No matter how many times I tell myself that a little bit of "me time" is a good thing I still feel guilty every time I'm sitting here and the kids are running around the house like banshees.


Then,  I had a day off, the weather dropped  20+ degrees into down right awesome here in Phoenix, I had a nap, then a glass or two of wine and  got over myself.  Onward and upward,  all things in moderation et cetera, et cetera.......




Lastly and coincidently, my 3 younger children have been playing very nicely together for 4 hours straight. No one is under the influence of medication or bribery, no one has incidentally knocked out someones tooth and no one has cried, died or gotten on anyone's nerves for FOUR HOURS STRAIGHT.  I'm going to go with my positive self and not think about the calm before the storm that will hit full force right around bedtime. Happy thoughts.





So in an effort to remind myself why I do what I do in this silly blogging world I compiled my very favorite Fall Foods to share with you. I usually don't do 'round ups' but looking through my favorite recipes and flavors, Fall is always on the top of the list. Every time.





I hope you stick with me and more importantly have tried or at least saved a recipe or two from my humble little place here. Any thoughts or suggestions are always appreciated. What would you like to see more of here at Simply Healthy Family? What are your favorite Fall foods? Do you ever experience "Mom Guilt"? How do you cope?





Fall Favorites from Simply Healthy Family
for football parties, fall picnics and fire pit gatherings. 
































Baked Buffalo Cauliflower with Home Made Blu Cheese Dressing.

























































Minggu, 19 Oktober 2014

Hunters Stew #SundaySupper




This stew has all the flavors you need to keep cozy and warm on the coldest of nights. You can easily substitute your favorite fall or winter veggies in this stew and be enjoying every spoonful of the rich, savory broth in about 30 minutes. 













This months Sunday Supper is all about budget friendly meals. With four kiddos in sports, preschool, college {!!!} , dance, art, chess club, cub scouts and baseball I'm all for budget friendly meals! Christmas budget anyone??? 

Thanks for hosting this month T.R. from Gluten-Free Crumbley and David from Cooking Chat!





Ground bison is a very low fat, low cholesterol substitution for ground beef and is actually more like ground turkey than ground beef nutritionally speaking. Bison is lower in fat than beef and lower in cholesterol than chicken, making it a healthy alternative to these more commonly consumed meats. Just remember that the low-fat content makes it easy to overcook bison. Compared to farm raised cows, bison are mainly free range meaning they are not injected with hormones and antibiotics and consume a natural diet while roaming freely. 









Butternut squash, brussel sprouts and beans are all fairly frugal pantry staples making this simple yet hearty stew a budget friendly supper. Bison is a bit more expensive than ground beef but well worth it when it comes to nutrition and taste. Tomato paste really adds an earthy and complex element when combined with the other ingredients in this stew requiring no additional herbs  or spices. Just a bit of salt and pepper.









On a side note, I'm trying my hand at  dark mood photography....... bear with me. Actually, it won't be a regular thing here on Simply Healthy Family as it's not my style but there is occasion where I'd like to create a "dark" mood as in this Hunters Stew. I obviously didn't do a stellar job on my first try but I'm a practice makes perfect kind of gal.






SERVES      8          TIME     30 MINUTES


You Will Need
A large cast iron enameled Dutch Oven
8 cups (2 quarts) Organic, free range chicken broth
1 pound ground bison1 large yellow onion, chopped
2 cups cooked white beans (cannellini or navy)
2 cups cubed butternut squash (1 small squash, I cheat and buy pre-chopped on this)
2 cups, smallish brussel sprouts, trimmed
1 heaping spoonful Organic tomato paste
1 tablespoon olive oilsalt and pepper to taste


Prepare all veggies ahead of time. Preheat Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add olive oil. Add onion and sauté for 5-8 minutes. Add ground bison and cook till browned, 6-8 minutes lowering heat a bit if necessary. Add tomato paste and stir to combine. Pour in broth while scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden or plastic spoon to remove browned bits.

Add squash, brussel sprouts, beans and salt, stir. Lower heat and cover. Simmer 15 minutes to warmed through. Add freshly cracked pepper to taste.









What are your families favorite Budget Friendly Meals?  Share!



Have you ever cooked with bison, elk or other wild game? 
Would you?













Sunday Supper MovementJoin the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement

















    Scrumptious Mains (Breakfast and Dinner)


    Satisfying Sides


    Sweet Treats


    Sips, Spreads, and Snacks



    Jumat, 10 Oktober 2014

    Chicken Poblano Chowder





    When I imagine a perfect Autumn day it would be one with me sitting on the porch with my woven slippers on, one foot tucked underneath me while watching the leaves tremble off of the enormous shade trees, colors so pretty they make your heart flutter. A crisp breeze would be playing all around me making wisps of my hair fly off my neck and having me pull my favorite quilt tighter against my body. Of course under these circumstances I would need a bowl of hot soup hearty enough to satisfy both tummy and soul. Sometimes, only a bowl of home made soup will do.










    Alas, I don't have a porch, there are no trees worthy of such marvel and my quilt is still packed away in the closet. Fall in the Sonoran dessert leaves much to the imagination. Luckily however, I do have soup. And Fall Ball, there's always that. Tonight is little man #3's third baseball game against their 'rivals' who has rivals at 8 years old?







    “By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by the National Pasta Association and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.”




    Poblano peppers are my most favorite flavor addition ever. EVER. { I think I may or may not have said that about fresh herbs from the garden before but consider poblanos a tie } Broil or grill them (if you have a charcoal grill go that route for ultimate impression) and BAM, all the flavor you need besides cheese (of course) as is in this hearty chowder. 



    Pasta is what makes this simple dinner a hearty and satisfying meal. A little goes a long way in this chowder and adds that comfort food appeal. Healthy carbs will replenish your body after a long hard day. Just ask any athlete and they'll tell you, pasta is they're best friend because it refuels the body and gives you more energy and endurance. As one of my younger brothers says before a triathlon, "Gotta Carb Up!"




    I keep an embarrassing assortment of pasta in my pantry to add to any last minute dinner composition. We're talking soba and rice noodles to fancifully shaped whole wheat ones in this chowder.  The fact that a box of pasta costs only a dollar or two makes this busy mom of four very happy. 












    You Will Need
    1 cup of your favorite whole wheat pasta
    2 chicken breasts, chopped
    1 tablespoon *High Heat oil
    2 cans of cannelini beans, drained and rinsed
    1 poblano pepper, roasted and peeled
    6 cups (1 1/2 quarts) free range, Organic chicken broth (can use 1 quart broth and 2 cups water :)
    1 cup frozen corn
    1 yellow onion, chopped
    1/2 cup sour cream
    1 cup freshly grated Jack cheese
    2 teaspoons Mexican Oregano
    salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste
    garnish with cilantro and green onions



    Place the oven rack on the top 1/3 of the oven. Preheat the broiler. In a cast iron skillet or broiler pan place the poblano pepper (make sure it is dry) and broil for 5-7 minutes, using tongs flip it over and broil another 5-7 minutes until the skin is bubbling and charred. Carefully remove from oven and immediately place in a paper (or plastic) and roll closed. This will allow the pepper to steam and so the skin will come off easily. This can be done a day or two in advance. {I roast several and freeze them}    When cooled, remove skin (and seeds if you wish) then chop into bite size pieces. 


    Meanwhile, in a large dutch oven over medium-high heat, add oil, let heat up for a few minutes. Add chopped onion and let cook for 3 minutes, stirring once. Add (thawed) chicken breast and toss to coat. Cook 6-8 minutes till chicken is browned. Pour in broth while scraping browned bits off the bottom of the pot with a wooden or plastic spoon. Add pasta. 

    Add beans, corn, chopped poblano pepper, salt and Mexican Oregano. Turn the heat down to low and cook for 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream and Jack cheese. 

    Add freshly cracked pepper to your linking and garnish with cilantro and green onions if you please. 







    *Please do not use olive oil for frying or sautéing. It is NOT a high heat oil. The chemical make up of it will change and can be toxic for your body. Please click here for a list of good oils to use for high heat cooking. 
















    Minggu, 07 September 2014

    Black Bean, Butternut Squash & Millet Stuffed Poblano Peppers with Ancho-Guajillo Chile Sauce #SundaySupper




    Do you love authentic chile Rellenos but don't want to make a production out of making them yourself? These {vegetarian} stuffed poblano chiles are seriously simple and insanely good. I've cut the preparation time in half with a few tricks I've picked up over the years and can't wait to share the recipe with you. 










    The first thing I scan the menu for when at a Mexican food restaurant is always Chile Rellenos.  Swoon. More often than not unfortunately, they fail to impress. Greasy cheese, deep fried in batter and usually lacking in the stuffings department which is the best part! Making them myself however seemed such a chore. Up until now.









    Simply stuffed chile rellenos aka poblano peppers. Be still my heart.










    I'm the first to say that home made sauces are head over heals better than the jarred variety. However, I'm also the first to admit that I don't always have the energy to make sauces from scratch..... or clean up the mess. If you can find a good quality jarred  (preferably not canned) Ancho Chile sauce no one will be the wiser.










    Secret ingredient and show stopper? Creamy, crumbled sweet and tangy goat cheese that slowly melts into a thick creme in the hot chile sauce. Goat cheese perfectly compliments the butternut squash in these peppers.










    Poblano peppers are very mild on the heat radar as are Ancho peppers which have a mouth watering smokey taste when roasted, Guajillo peppers which have just a bit of heat to them give this dish the authentic finishing touch. The butternut squash and corn give these a touch of natural sweetness. Black beans, mushrooms and whole grain Millet make this a very filling dish even meat eaters will love.











    Millet provides several nutrients and has a sweet nutty flavor, and is considered to be one of the most digestible and non-allergenic grains available. It is one of the few grains that is alkalizing to the body.
    Millet is high in protein, is a smart carb toting lots of fiber. It's low on the glycemic index and has been shown to produce lower blood sugar levels than wheat or rice making it a great substitute. 











    Roasting and Preparing the Poblano Peppers




    Place top rack 5-6" away from the top of the oven/broiler. Preheat your broiler. In a dry cast iron skillet place washed and dried peppers. Broil for 8-10 minutes then using tongs carefully flip the peppers over. Broil another 8-10 minutes till very charred and skin begins to peel away.











    Carefully place peppers into a large ice water bath. Let soak a minute till cool. Now you can easily peel the skins off using your fingers. The pepper will probably naturally break open, remove the seeds carefully by swishing in the water. Don't let the pepper fall apart.









    Time Saver!

    Look for pre chopped butternut squash at your supermarket. I get mine at Costco and it freezes well.
    Instead of using meat, use beans and mushrooms. 











    Black Bean, Butternut Squash & Millet Stuffed Poblano Peppers with Ancho-Guajillo Chile Sauce 






    PREP TIME      15 MINUTES        BAKE      30 MINUTES          SERVES     3-4



    You Will Need
    4 poblano peppers
    1 cup diced butternut squash
    1 cup cooked or canned black beans
    1 cup sweet corn
    1/2 cup cooked millet
    1/2 yellow onion, chopped
     4 mushrooms, wiped clean and chopped
    1 tablespoon oil for sautéing
    1 jar ancho guajillo sauce
    1 cup shredded Jack cheese
    1 cup crumbled goat cheese
    cilantro for garnish

    Char and clean poblanos using above directions. Lower heat in oven to 450F. Saute onions, mushrooms and diced squash over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until onions are translucent. Add beans, corn and cooked millet. Stir to combine. Remove from heat. 
    In a shallow baking dish, spoon some of the chile sauce to cover the bottom. Arrange Poblano pepper on top of sauce. Using a spoon, stuff the filling into the peppers. Spoon more sauce over veggies reserving some for later. Cover loosely with foil and bake at 450F for 20-25 minutes or until squash is tender.  
    Carefully remove the foil and sprinkle with Jack cheese. Bake uncovered for another 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and melted. Remove from oven. Place peppers on plate and sprinkle with goat cheese and cilantro. Serve with more sauce.








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    I don't know about you, but I can't get enough of all things squash! Check out these wonderful summer and winter squash recipes from my  fellow Sunday Supper friends!



    Starters – Appetizers & Cocktails:
    Pickles & Relish:
    Soups & Salads:
    Main Dishes
    Side Dishes:
    Sweets to Start or End the Day:









    Sunday Supper MovementJoin the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.

    Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.