Frosy Orange Cream Layered Dessert

Steve requested this recipe. I think if I try it again I will replace the orange sherbet and juice with lime. Both sound delicious to me. This is my kind of summer dessert. It does not have to go in the oven!

I got the recipe here, instead of copy and pasting it, just follow the link.

Loaded Sloppy Joes

I got this recipe from one of my idols. I love this girls blog and her cooking style.

The original recipe can be found here. I had to make a few minor adjustments. My version is as follows. This is a fantastic way to add whole grains into our families diet. I have not eaten many sloppy joes in my life, now that I have this recipe I will be eating them more often. I thought they were really tasty. I threw the leftovers in the freezer and we had them for lunch today. This recipe freezes and reheats well.

1/2 pound ground beef
1 cup cooked millet
1 cup cooked quinoa
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 onion, chopped - use the real thing, onion powder just is not the same.
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic - use real garlic here too
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
2 cups tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Spread the meat around the pan and begin to break it up. Combine brown sugar and seasoning. Add sugar and spice mixture to the skillet and combine. When the meat has browned, add onion and red peppers to the skillet. Reduce heat to medium and cook vegetables. Add garlic, grains, red wine vinegar and worcestershire sauce to meat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add tomato sauce and paste to pan. Stir to combine. Reduce heat to simmer and cook mixture 5-10 minutes longer or until desired consistency.

Pico Burgers

Sorry, no picture!

This is something that my husband's grandpa used to make. It is a nice way to change up a regular hamburger.

Mix up your favorite pico de gallo and simply mix it in to your hamburger. Season with garlic salt and season all.

Top with some yummy guacomole instead of the usual condiments.

Banana Chocolate Oatmeal Muffins

1 c. sugar

3/4c. oil

1 egg

1 c. mashed banana

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

3 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2c. flour

1 3/4c. oats

1 c. chocolate chips

Mix dry ingredients, then add wet ingredients and finally fold in the chocolate chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 17 minutes.

You can also throw these in the freezer and when you want one just pop it in the microwave until it is warm.

Yesterday I worked on making a healthier version. Here's how I did it:

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup applesauce + 1/4 cup light tasting olive oil

1 egg

1 cup mashed banana

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

3 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1/2-3-4 cup chocolate chips

I also added about 3/4 a cup or so of cooked millet.

They taste great but next time I think that I might add just a little more sugar.

Lentil Salad

Of course there are no measurements, again. This is just something you throw together and season to taste. That's why I love it!

Cooked lentils (You can cook them in water or if you want a little something extra, use chicken or beef bouillon cubes)
Rice Vinegar
Olive Oil
Garlic Salt
Cucumber
Tomatoes

Let your lentils cool after cooking, either by letting them sit or running cold water over them. Season with rice vinegar (found in the Asian Section) and olive oil.

Now you can get creative. You can really add any spices you would like, but if I am making it for lunch I usually just add garlic salt. Top with cucumbers and tomatoes.

Cream Cheese Pumpkin Muffins

I got this recipe from a book labeled "Fast and Healthy Cookbook"

These muffins went together pretty fast, but I dont know about being healthy. Either way, they were good.

Next time, I would omit the cream cheese completely as I dont think it added anything to them.

1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup skim milk
1/4 cup oil
2 egg whites
4 oz cream cheese cut into cubes
brown sugar for topping

Heat oven to 400 and line muffin tins or spray. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Mix well.

In another bowl combine pumpkin, milk, oil, and egg whites. Blend well. Add to dry ingredients all at once and stir until just incorporated. Spoon batter into muffin tin. Top with pat of cream cheese and top each with 1/4-1/2 tsp brown sugar.

Make 14 - 18 minutes Immediately remove from pan and serve warm.

Taco Soup

If you have big eaters, use the big cans of beans. A smaller family can use the small cans of beans. I use dry beans from my food storage that I have cooked, about 2 cups each.

1/2 lb ground turkey, cooked (use ground beef or you can leave out the meat completely)
1 can kidney beans
1 can black beans
1 can corn
1 can diced tomatoes
1 packet of taco seasoning

cheese, sour cream, chips

Add all canned ingredients to pot. Do not drain anything. Add browned turkey to pot. Bring to a boil.

top with cheese and sour cream or guacamole. scoop up with chips and enjoy!

I double the recipe and stick 1/2 in the freezer. Next time just reheat and serve.