Biscuits, Anyone?

Beren wants to have yesterday's leftover Chicken & Noodles for lunch but thinks it would be tasty over biscuits, could I make him some. Yikes. I lowered my head and mumbled sure..but..um...I'm not a very good biscuit maker. It's true. Every time I've attempted to make any version that doesn't pop out of a can, they fall flat. However, I'm going to give it another go for My Man, especially since he'll be doing the cooking tonight and I should show my appreciation, right? *wink*

I do have Bisquick on hand so I should be able to whip up a decent almost-homemade batch with the help of this little old recipe. Wish me luck!

On My Hearth: Sunday BBQ!

Beren's doing most of the cooking today, he can't wait to don his grillin' apron and put those new steaks on the flame! We'll be serving them alongside baked potatoes and Parmesan Zucchini, and I believe I heard my man mention something about homemade onion rings. Mmm...I'll definitely be in need of a post-dinner walk to work off some of those calories!

* Exported from MasterCook *

Parmesan Zucchini

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 2 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories :

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2 small zucchini -- thinly sliced
1 small onion -- chopped
3/4 teaspoon salt-free Italian herb seasoning
1 Dash salt and pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

In a small skillet, saute the zucchini, onion and seasonings in oil for 4-6 minutes or until crisp-tender. Reduce heat to medium. Stir in Parmesan cheese; cook for 1-2 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Description:
"Leslie Kvidal writes from Pascagoula, Mississippi, "The only way my daughter would eat zucchini was in a cake, until I came up with this Italian-style recipe one day. She had to have seconds!""
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 109 Calories; 6g Fat (47.6% calories from fat); 5g Protein; 11g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber; 4mg Cholesterol; 181mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 2 Vegetable; 1 Fat.

Happiness Is....

Autumn at the Castle which means:

*Time to put out the Halloween decorations, with Jackson's..ahem..assistance. Since it's his first Samhain with us, he's naturally excited and very curious!



*a visit to an organic farmers market, maiden trip for us but it certainly won't be the last. The produce cost a bit more but the experience was so worth it. There's something incredibly sensual and earthy about walking through the grass under makeshift tents, touching and smelling fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs. It was absolutely amazing! We came home with a box full of spaghetti squash, tomatoes, grapes, apples, zucchini, cucumbers, leeks, carrots, onion, pears and mangoes. The temptation was too great, I couldn't resist biting into one crunchy apple the minute we got back into the car..mmm.....total heaven.



*Ducking out of the torrential rain, we stopped at a trendy little spot for a frozen drink where we watched the raindrops pummel the pavement and blow around the disappointed tourists who came here seeking a tropical paradise. So much for sunny Florida, eh?



*discovering that Omaha Steaks has just opened a store in My Town, and was having a huge grand opening sale. Though we don't eat a ton of meat, when we do indulge we insist on quality as well as value, and here we got both. You'll be seeing a lot of recipes geared around Omaha products in the coming weeks, Beren can't wait to fire up the grill!

*a hot man in the kitchen! As you have undoubtedly noticed by now, my man loves his deep fryer and digs it out every chance he gets. I am a possessive kitchen witch, I admit, and rarely share my cucina with any other chef, but occasionally he seduces me with the scent and sound of hot oil....diet be damned when mi amore is presenting me a plate of julienned fries liberally adorned with sea salt...swoon.....what woman, mortal or otherwise, could possibly resist?




*a tiny nap before dinner and the promise of a fun evening out with friends...the pool is warm, breeze balmy, rain dissipated, beach is calling..come join us! There's always room for more here at the Castle.

On My Hearth: Slow Mo' Saturday

We're supposed to be sailing today but apparently Mother Nature has other ideas as it's been raining for hours. I'm hoping that the skies clear up a bit and we're able to continue on with our plan, but this easy slow cooker chicken will be perfect after a day out on the water or a cozy day at home.

I'm using boneless chicken breasts because that's what I have on hand, and fresh basil from my garden instead of dried.


* Exported from MasterCook *

Chicken and Noodles

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 4 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Main Dish

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2 celery stalks -- cut up
2 carrots -- cut up
1 large onion -- sliced
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon dried basil
4 cups uncooked noodles
1 chicken

Place the veggies on the bottom of the pot, put the chicken on top, followed by the seasonings. Pour 3 cups of water over. Set it on low and cook for 8-10 hrs. Take chicken out (carefully, because it will come off the bones) and put noodles in the broth, turning it up to high. Let the noodles cook for 45 minutes, while you take the meat off the bones. Mix the meat in. This is like a very thick chicken soup and the basil makes this delicious!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 241 Calories; 9g Fat (34.9% calories from fat); 31g Protein; 7g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 89mg Cholesterol; 1209mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 4 1/2 Lean Meat; 1 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Fat.

On My Hearth: Weight Watchin' Wednesday

This was supposed to be Saturday's dinner but I'm in the mood for it today! *grin* It's still a bit dreary and rainy here so I'll appreciate coming home from work to a nice bowl of hearty, healthy chili and the aforementioned black bean brownies from a fabulous new-to-me blog, Cheap Healthy Good. Yummy!


* Exported from MasterCook *

Slowcooker Chili Mac

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 12 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories :

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 cup elbow macaroni
15 ounces red kidney beans -- rinsed and drained
12 ounces Morningstar Meal Starters Grillers Recipe Crumbles
1 large onion -- chopped
3 tablespoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper -- to taste
15 ounces diced tomatoes
15 ounces crushed tomatoes

Cook macaroni according to package directions, drain and set aside for later.

Place all other ingredients into slowcooker, cook on low for 5 hours or until heated through and bubbly.

Mix in macaroni and serve topped with minced onion, sour cream and grated cheddar if desired!

Enjoy!

Description:
"I tweaked this recipe from one found on the internet, substituting veggie crumbles for the original beef to lower fat & calories and make it vegetarian!"
Yield:
"12 cups"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 165 Calories; 1g Fat (5.2% calories from fat); 10g Protein; 31g Carbohydrate; 7g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 74mg Sodium. Exchanges: 2 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 1 Vegetable; 0 Fat.

On My Hearth: Turkey Tetrazzini

It's pouring down rain here, a good night to light some candles and enjoy some nice warm comfort food. (I seem to be requiring a lot of that lately, eh?) I tweaked the original recipe a bit to lower the fat & calorie content, it turned out fabulous! I'll be earmarking this to make again next month, a great way to use up that inevitable leftover turkey!



* Exported from MasterCook *

Turkey Tetrazzini

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 6 Preparation Time :0:15
Categories : Casseroles

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 teaspoon olive oil
10 ounces mushrooms -- sliced
1 small onion -- chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons flour
6 ounces egg noodles
1 can Chicken Broth Light & Fat Free -- (14.5 ounces)
3/4 cup half and half
9 ounces turkey breast slices -- cooked, such as Perdue Short Cuts
1 box frozen peas -- (10 ounces) thawed

Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add mushrooms and onion to pot. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, for 7 minutes or until tender.

Stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Remove mushroom mixture from pot and set aside.

Return pot to medium-high heat and add noodles, broth, light cream and 2-1/4 cups water. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 12 minutes or until tender.

Stir in mushroom mixture, remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper, the turkey and peas. Heat through; serve.

Source:
"Family Circle Magazine"
Start to Finish Time:
"0:20"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 266 Calories; 6g Fat (21.9% calories from fat); 18g Protein; 34g Carbohydrate; 4g Dietary Fiber; 56mg Cholesterol; 860mg Sodium. Exchanges: 2 Grain(Starch); 1 1/2 Lean Meat; 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Non-Fat Milk; 1 Fat.

Celebrate!!

Despite the fact that Mom's in the hospital and we're all anxious and upset about that, I have reason to celebrate today as yesterday the doctor informed her that the results of the scans came back with excellent news: The cancer has shrunken "considerably!" Whoo-hoo!!! We are all beyond thrilled, as you can imagine! Hopefully they'll get her nausea under control and she'll be coming home soon; we've got a bottle of bubbly waiting for her!

On My Hearth: Creamy Spinach Ricotta Pasta

Despite the fact that this recipe sounds fabulous, I will not be indulging tonight as the calorie and fat content are a bit too high for pin-up pursuing me! *grin* My family, however, does not have the same weight issues so I'm sure they'll gobble it up! I myself will be having a Lean Cuisine meal and salad which I'm sure will be just as tasty. (yep, working hard to convince myself of that one!)


* Exported from MasterCook *

Creamy Spinach Ricotta Pasta

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 8 Preparation Time :0:20
Categories :

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 pound rigatoni
15 ounces diced tomato -- with basil, onions & garlic
10 ounces chopped spinach -- fresh or frozen
2 1/2 cups Alfredo sauce -- jarred
1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil

Heat oven to 425°F. Coat 13 x 9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta following package directions. Drain; return to pot. Stir in tomatoes and chopped onions.

Cook spinach in microwave following package directions. Squeeze out moisture. Transfer to a bowl. Add Alfredo sauce, ricotta, garlic salt and pepper; stir to combine.

Transfer spinach mixture to pasta pot; toss to combine. Transfer pasta mixture to prepared baking dish.

Mix together bread crumbs, Parmesan and oil. Sprinkle over pasta. Bake at 425°F for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Source:
"Family Circle Magazine"
Start to Finish Time:
"0:45"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 505 Calories; 23g Fat (41.5% calories from fat); 19g Protein; 55g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber; 69mg Cholesterol; 923mg Sodium. Exchanges: 3 1/2 Grain(Starch); 1 1/2 Lean Meat; 1/2 Vegetable; 4 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.


Nutr. Assoc. : 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Monday Menu Planning

Meat Free Monday: Creamy Spinach Ricotta Pasta
Turkey Tuesday: Turkey Tetrazzini (We usually get take-out on this day but since it's the end of the month and the food budget is thin, I'm going to cook instead.)
Weight Watchin' Wednesday: Black Bean Brownies (who cares about dinner?!)
Thrifty Thursday: Stir-Fried Noodles with Chicken
Fishy Friday: Linguine & Clam Sauce (we never ended up eating it last week)
Slow-Mo Saturday: Chili Mac
Social Sunday: Leftovers

Banned Books Week

Thank you to Mrs. B for the reminder that it's Banned Books Week, so go celebrate your intellectual freedom by picking up a "banned" book! Below is a list of the most frequently challenged books of 2007, how many of them have you read?

Banned Books Week (BBW) celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them. After all, intellectual freedom can exist only where these two essential conditions are met. As the Intellectual Freedom Manual (ALA, 7th edition) states:

“Intellectual freedom can exist only where two essential conditions are met: first, that all individuals have the right to hold any belief on any subject and to convey their ideas in any form they deem appropriate; and second, that society makes an equal commitment to the right of unrestricted access to information and ideas regardless of the communication medium used, the content of the work, and the viewpoints of both the author and receiver of information. Freedom to express oneself through a chosen mode of communication, including the Internet, becomes virtually meaningless if access to that information is not protected. Intellectual freedom implies a circle, and that circle is broken if either freedom of expression or access to ideas is stifled.”

The “10 Most Challenged Books of 2007” reflect a range of themes, and consist of the following titles:

1) “And Tango Makes Three,” by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group


2) The Chocolate War,” by Robert Cormier
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence


3) “Olive’s Ocean,” by Kevin Henkes
Reasons: Sexually Explicit and Offensive Language

4) “The Golden Compass,” by Philip Pullman
Reasons: Religious Viewpoint

5) “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark Twain
Reasons: Racism

6) “The Color Purple,” by Alice Walker
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language,

7) "TTYL,” by Lauren Myracle
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

8) "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” by Maya Angelou
Reasons: Sexually Explicit

9) “It’s Perfectly Normal,” by Robie Harris
Reasons: Sex Education, Sexually Explicit

10) "The Perks of Being A Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

Off the list this year, are two books by author Toni Morrison. "The Bluest Eye" and "Beloved," both challenged for sexual content and offensive language.