Basil Vinaigrette

You may recall the basil pesto that I made recently but I had not shared with you what else I did with that pesto. Yes, you can freeze some and use some as a spread but you can also use it in a vinaigrette.

I grabbed a few teaspoons, placed then into a mini-processor, added a few tablespoons of red wine vinegar and pulsed it until it was well emulsified. Smart eh? You can then add more vinegar, oil and mustard until it is the consistency and flavor you desire.

What else could you use pesto to make?

Chopped Pasta Salad

If you recall, I hosted Rhode Island's Food Blogger Bake Sale back in April at The Pizza Place Restaurant. Not only are the people at the restaurant top notch but their Chopped Pasta Salad is a Legend in these parts.

In fact, the simple addition of Ditalini makes it a salad that my son is crazy about and he does not voluntarily eat mushroom and tomatoes. Now the recipe usually calls for Gorgonzola cheese but I use Feta. Scrumptious!

The photo was shot before I added the turkey bacon.

Organic Romaine Lettuce

Red Onion, sliced thinly

Tomato, chopped

Baby Bella Mushrooms, chopped

Feta, chopped

Chicken, cooked and diced

Bacon, crispy and chopped

Ditalini pasta, cooked

Prepare all ingredients, toss well with balsamic dressing of your choice.

Sweet Potato Wrap

I first created this wrap about 4 years ago and for some reason, I have not made it in a very long time. Since we love sweet potato wedges in this house as well as salad, feta and balsamic vinegar, I usually have all the requirements for this wrap.

I promise you that these are a huge hit when having friends over for a casual gathering.


Ingredients:
Sweet Potato Wedges (room temperature or cold)
Feta cheese (reduced fat)
Lettuce (I prefer Romaine)
Balsamic Glaze (make a bunch and store or can buy from a restaurant)
Whole Wheat wrap

Instructions:
Place all items into the center of the tortilla, wrap tightly and enjoy.

Mushroom, Ham & Peas Alfredo ‘Baked’ Potatoes

Here is another example where some leftovers or a review of the fridge/pantry can result in another great meal. Normally we are not big Alfredo sauce eaters however, the sauce came with the package of Newman's Own goodies for the Family Bites program and this is what I created.

Honestly, I as a bit skeptical as to how the flavors would come together but I loved the result. In fact, it was so good that I wanted to share the recipe with you as a reminder to experiment and to use potatoes and miscellaneous items to create a quick, economical and tasty meal!

In fact, empty the fridge and create a potato bar tonight!

Ingredients (Yields: 4 servings):
4 large potatoes
1 teaspoon olive oil
4 oz mushrooms, sliced
4 oz ham steak, diced
½ cup frozen peas
1 cup Newman’s Own Alfredo Pasta Sauce (or a light version if you can find it)
Chives, diced, optional

Instructions:
1. Place potatoes into a large microwavable bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place in the microwave for 8 minutes. Using a knife, pierce the potato. If it is still firm in the center, microwave another two minutes

2. Preheat pan to medium high with 1 teaspoon oil. Add the mushrooms and ham steak and reduce the heat to medium. Sauté until mushrooms and ham until browned.

3. Reduce heat to low, add the Alfredo Pasta Sauce and peas and allow to simmer gently until warmed and thickened.

4. Pour the sauce over the Potato and top with chives if you wish.

‘Bruscetta’ Pizza Salad OR ‘Panzanella’ Pizza Salad?

Although the frequency of leftover pizza may be close to null in your house, I created a fun snack on the fly while cleaning out the fridge a few weeks ago. We had some lovely mesclun mix, pizza and a little bit of balsamic reduction/syrup. I know you will not believe me but the kids loved it (except when my son was irritated by a falling piece of lettuce).

So, you tell me: ‘Bruscetta’ Pizza Salad OR ‘Panzanella’ Pizza Salad?



Ingredients:
Quality frozen pizza, cut into thin slices (I used Newman's Own Margherita Thin & Crispy Pizza)
Organic Mesclun Mix (or any lettuce)
Balsamic Reduction Sauce/Syrup (or dressing but you may wish to toss salad in it first to avoid drips)

Directions:
Remove the refrigerator, slice it, top with salad and syrup. Yum!

FYI: The best way to slice pizza is by using a pizza wheel. You avoid the tearing and uneven slicing that results from using a knife. I also use my pizza wheel when making chicken strips and cutting up brownies

Balsamic Chicken Kabobs

One reader recently asked via Twitter, 'How can I make chicken more interesting for a picky family?' Well, in my opinion, one way is to change up the presentation and make it more fun. Even in the dead of winter, I will make a more 'summer-like' meals and presentation using an indoor grill.

Oh, and forget to vote for your favorite foodie (hint) for the Hot Bloggers Calendar.

Ingredients:
6 wooden skewers
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into chunks
1 red pepper, chopped into large pieces
1 20oz. can of Pineapples slices, drained and cut into large chunks
¼ & ¼ cup Newman’s Own Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped

Yields: 6 servings (1 kabob per person)



Instructions:
1. Immerse skewers into water and set aside for 30 minutes. Chop the chicken breasts into large chunks and marinate in the first ¼ cup of dressing for 30 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, chop the peppers and pineapple.

3. Heat the outdoor or indoor grill to medium.

4. Alternate placing the chicken, peppers and pineapple on the skewers.

4. Pour the remaining ¼ cup dressing onto the skewers and place them on the grill for approximately 3 minutes, flip and cook another 3 minutes. You may need to cook them longer, depending on the size of the chicken pieces.

5. Place the skewers on a bed of rice or couscous and garnish with the parsley.

Here is a fantastic indoor grill that you would find useful year round.

Bison 'Chop Suey' or 'American Goulash' : An updated 70's Classic

Ground Bison, Whole Grain Pasta & Sauce = simple, quick, affordable and nutritious!



If you are wondering what the thing on the pan is, it is a splatter screen. I love my splatter screen. I use it when I saute, brown etc. and really love it when I am warming or making marinara sauce. You ever turn up the heat and walkaway to find that suace is all over the stovetop and wall? You can find it in my Shop.

Also, the 15% off for the Curious Chef measure and prep gift set expires tomorrow -> take advantage of this offer using code CURIOUS15.

Oh the recipe is simple: While the pasta is boiling, simply brown the meat and then add in some marinara sauce, toss the pasta in after draining and mix well.

Meyer Lemon & Garlic Green Beans

Green beans are popular in this household and even though I intended to make this recipe with Asparagus, I caved to the demands today. To change things up a bit, I did my usual steaming method but this time quickly sauteed some garlic while the green beans were steaming and then tossed on some meyer lemon rind and juice.

No meyer lemons? No problem, use regular lemons, oranges or tangerine. This is a quick way to change up the old standby and freshen leftover green beans.

By the way, use this idea with other veggies as well--peas, broccoli, your favs!

Ingredients:
2 cups frozen green beans, steamed
2 teaspoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, sliced
ring of 1 meyer lemon
fresh meyer lemon juice, maybe 1-2 teaspoons

Directions:
1. Steam the green beans
2. While steaming, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a saute pan over medium. Add garlic and saute for 1 minute.
3. Drain green beans, add to saute pan and toss.
4. Pour green beans into a bowl, add meyer lemon juice and rind. Season with salt and pepper , toss and serve.

Crock Pot (Slow Cooker) Pulled Pork

My husband and kids love pulled pork sandwiches so I tossed this together yesterday at 9 am and it was done at 5 pm. I also have plenty left to freeze or per husbands request, make a pulled pork chili. Hum....

Ingredients for Dry Rub:
1 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons chili powder
½ teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3.5-pound boneless pork Boston butt
1 cup light beer or low sodium chicken broth

Sauce for 4 servings
· 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
· 3 teaspoons agave nectar or honey
· 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
· 1.5 teaspoons Dijon mustard
· ¼ cup Ketchup
· 1 teaspoon chili powder

Directions:

1. Mix all the dry ingredients from brown sugar to pepper in a small bowl. Trim excess fat from the pork.

2. Place the crock pot on low for 8 hours. Rub the pork with the dry rub and place into the crock pot, add the beer/broth and cover.

3. You may wish to 'baste' with the beer/broth every few hours but it is not necessary.

4. Once the pork is ready, remove it from the crock pot and allow to cool while you make the sauce.

5. To prepare the sauce: mix all ingredients in a pot and boil gently, while mixing, for about 4-5 minutes and set aside. Pull enough pork apart for 4, mix with the sauce and serve on the rolls.

Super Thyme Savor - The Greek Salad Plus

You can not avoid it: The days when no matter what you do, you have no time or energy to cook anything. You open the fridge and pantry but nothing comes at you that requires under 5 minutes or dirtying pots & pans.

I have a solution: The Greek Salad Plus. What is the plus? Whatever vegetables you have left that you can toss on. It helps to utilize the vegetables in the fridge and gives you more nutrients. Here is what I did on Sunday night after arriving home from celebrating my Birthday (let's say 30th) in NYC.



Baby Romaine Salad Mix
Baby Spinach
Reduced fat Feta, chunked
Roasted red peppers, from a jar
Carrots, used to peeler to make strips
Red Onion, sliced
Radishes, sliced
Cucumber, diced
Tomatoes, chunked
Pepperoncini, from the jar
Light Balsamic Vinaigrette

Mix and enjoy

SHAMELESS PLUG: Please watch my Tastemaker Video and click the STARS underneath

Thanksgiving Leftover Ideas

Happy Thanksgiving!

I do not know about you, but I always think ahead about what I am going to do with the leftovers and make sure I include those grocery items in my shopping.

Consider these ideas in my video on Cozi today. What are your favorites?

Alphabet Flax Seed Chicken Soup

I know I have already posted about a chicken soup but this is worth sharing for a few reasons: I utilized leftovers from a rotisseries chicken (yes, the same one I used in my pepitas salad), I added ground flax seed (ah-ha children) and I was thrilled to use the Nature's Promise Vegetable Stock that Stop & Shop now carries. Oh, and the kids loved this much more than that
well known kids canned soup-yuk. Go Mommy!

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 carrot, diced

1 celery, diced

1/8 teaspoon each salt & pepper

1 large cloves garlic (note: go 2 next time)

1/2 sweet onion

3 tablespoon baby spinach, finely chopped

2 cups Organic vegetable stock

4 cups water

1 cup alphabet pasta

2 teaspoons ground organic flax seeds

1.5 cups chopped cooked chicken

1. Heat oil over medium-high heat and add carrots and celery, add salt and pepper and saute for 2 minutes.

2. Add garlic and onions saute 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently

3. Add baby spinach and stir about 30 seconds

4. Turn heat to high and add stock, water, and pasta and boil or 9 minutes.

5. Add flax seed and chicken, cook 1 minute. Season to your liking with salt & pepper

6. Serve

Pepita & Cranberry Salad

UPDATE: I am submitting this for No Croutons Required at Lisa's Kitchen.
Dilemma: Shall I call this '3 Seed Salad' or 'Pepitas & Cranberry'? Well, let's go with the latter for now. I love toasted nuts and when I spotted my lonely container of pepitas (pumpkins seeds) in my pantry, I decided that I should set them up for a playdate with my sunflower seeds and then decided to toss some flax seeds on for fun. I may regret the flax seed later when I am trying to get them out of my teeth. By the way, we ate this the other night with some leftover rotisserie chicken tossed on top!


Ingredients:
1 head organic romaine lettuce, roughly chopped
2 cups organic baby spinach
1 vine ripe tomato, sectioned
1/2 cup dried cranberries
2 oz. reduced fat feta
1/4 cup salted sunflower seeds
1/4-1/3 cup pepitas, toasted*
2 tablespoons flax seed

*lightly spritz non-stick pan with olive oil spray, and toss seeds around on medium heat until toasted/light brown. Istarted with 1/4 cup but once the cooled, I tossed a bunch into my mouth so I am guessing I used 1/4 cup in the salad. Could not help myself.