Fabulous new meals

Hello! I'm back for a quick post. The last few months have brought a lot of food changes to our home. With PTA meetings, cub scouts, girl scouts, friends, etc, it's getting harder to be home for meal prep. Plus, I'm not experimenting as much, so we're making old favorites over and over again.

A few years ago, I did a workshop for the ladies in my church on meal planning.  I even blogged about it. Fast forward to this month, where I'm doing this same workshop in my new area.  As I'm looking over my materials and sprucing them up, I was reminded of my old neighbor who used to plan meals 6 weeks in advance. I was also reminded that I had sat down and done that as well.  When it came to execution though, I don't think it lasted long. 

However... I think my family is at the point now that we need this. It would be more stable and easier to plan.

 

(This one is more like our house!)

This looong story (sorry!) lead me to look at the new recipes we've made and loved the last few months. I have them all on a Pinterest board, but would like to share them here as well so they are all in the same spot.

Here they are- all pictures belong to the original blog.  Have fun!

 Quick and Easy Chinese Orange Beef

by Our Best Bites

 My 10yr old son has been asking for orange chicken. I found this recipe and had beef so we made it.  Let me just say, I really, really dislike Chinese food. But this dish? LOVED it!

 

Crockpot Boiled Peanuts

My husband served his mission in South Carolina. This is a popular street food there. He was in heaven! 

 

 Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken

by Skinnytaste.com

I LOVE this dish.  It's so simple, but full of flavor. It makes a TON, so make sure you have lots of people to eat it! I serve it on rice, or even just plain. I like to add some crushed tortilla chips for some texture.

Spicy Turkey Lettuce Wraps 

by Our Best Bites

Another WOW from Our Best Bites. I really enjoy this dish. 4 out of 5 family members loved it as well. The 1 who didn't is my 7yr old daughter who doesn't like anything. Quick, easy, HEALTHY, and yum! 

 

This recipe is called The Best Pot Roast... Ever!  and it really is!

by youretoocrafty.blogspot.com

Make sure you make potatoes or rice with it so you have something to sop up the amazing gravy!

 

 This is a simple, yet delicious meatloaf recipe. 

1 lb ground beef or turkey

1 egg

1 box stuffing mix

1 cup water

Mix everything together and press into a loaf pan.  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Yum! 

And finally...

 Pork Carnitas

by mykitchenescapades.com

So. Very. Good. 

It is mandatory to broil the meat after cooking it. I cooked it in the crockpot, and it was really good. However, after broiling it- Amazing!

I think that's good for today.  There are some more great meals on my Pinterest board, and I'm always adding more.

Turkey Dill Chowder

Did you have lots of turkey left over from Thanksgiving? I cooked my own turkey on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and had tons leftovers!  I decided to use some of it to make a chowder.  This chowder is thick and hearty. It's somewhat similar to my Chicken and Rice soup, but the dill adds a little tanginess to it.

Turkey Dill Chowder
The Double Dipped Life

2 Tb butter
1/2 onion, diced
1 Tb dill
1/2 teas garlic (or 1 clove fresh garlic)
1/3 cup flour
2 cups milk
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup diced cooked turkey
1/2 cup diced celery
1 cup red potatoes, cut into bite sized pieces
1 cup corn (I use frozen)

Additional add-in possibilites:
carrots
wild rice

Melt the butter in a large soup pot. Add in the onion, dill and garlic and cook until the onions are soft.  Whisk in the flour, and cook another 2-3 minutes.  Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly. Add the broth and bring to a boil.  Boil for 5 minutes or until soup is thickened.

Add in the remaining ingredients, and simmer until the potatoes are cooked.

Enjoy!

Teriyaki Turkey Lettuce Wraps

I love discovering new recipes. Especially when I'm not looking for them, and they are easy and brilliant! I was making my son sloppy joe's with Ground Turkey, and this recipe (or the base anyway) was on the back of the package! I quickly canceled my plans for lunch, and made these lettuce wraps instead!

Teriyaki Turkey Lettuce Wraps

1 lb ground turkey
1 bottle of Teriyaki sauce
Lettuce leaves (I used Romaine)
Shredded Coconut
Cubed Pineapple
1 Carrot (or a few baby carrots) shredded
Peanuts

Brown Ground Turkey; rinse. Mix in teriyaki sauce until the desired consistency. (Sorry- I just pulled this together and didn't measure!) You want just a coating- not a soppy mess!

Spoon Turkey mixture onto a large piece of lettuce. Top with shredded coconut, pineapple, carrot strips, and peanuts.

Now... try to eat it without making a huge mess! :)

Turkey Broccoli Casserole- Using your leftovers!

Do you still have tons of Thanksgiving Turkey?

Here is a fast, easy, and yummy casserole! Best of all, it's a whole meal in one!

Turkey Broccoli Casserole

1 bag of frozen broccoli, or fresh- cooked.
2 cups shredded Turkey (or chicken!)
2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup
1 TB Mayonnaise
1 1/2 T Lemon Juice
1 teas Curry Powder
1/2 cup cheddar cheese
1/2 cup bread crumbs- Panko brand recommended!

Spray the bottom of a 2-qt casserole dish.
Spread broccoli on the bottom, then cover with turkey.
In a separate bowl, mix together the soup, mayo, lemon juice, and spices. Pour on top of the turkey.
Spread the cheese on top, and sprinkle liberally with Panko Bread crumbs.

Cook at 350 for 30 minutes.

Serve warm! Enjoy!