Category: Main Dishes


Jun
2014

Make It Yourself Pepperoni Pizza

categories: Italian, Main Dishes
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Make it yourself pepperoni pizza from scratch! It’s easy to prepare, easy on the budget, and is absolutely delicious! Makes 2 medium pizzas!
Make it yourself pepperoni pizza from scratch! It's easy to prepare, easy on the budget, and is absolutely delicious! Makes 2 medium pizzas!
True confession: I LOVE pizza…greasy, cheesy, hot, pepperoni pizza! (LOVE being the key word here, folks!)  And you know what? I even like to make it from scratch sometimes!  So today I am sharing how to make it yourself! Pepperoni Pizza. When we want pizza, most of the time my husband or I will simply pick up the phone and call our favorite pizza place and order a large pizza.  It’s CONVENIENT. The hardest part is simply picking out WHICH kind of pizza our family can agree on.

Well, I personally like almost every single kind of pizza (shocking, I know!), but honestly, my all time favorite still is pepperoni pizza…greasy, and dripping with hot, stringy melted cheese.  You know what I’m talkin’ about… the kind that has lots of melted cheese and floppy pepperoni that slide off onto your chin and scald you for life? Yeah…THAT kind.

Several years ago, I decided to try making pizza at home as a way to learn how…and to save money.  I wasn’t sure if I would like the results (can anything taste better than a great take-out pizza?), but I am happy to say that making my own pizza turned out to be fun and tasty!  Oh yeah- the cost is way less than ordering take out.

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Making Homemade Pepperoni Pizza

This is a recipe for basic pepperoni pizza, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell you how easy it is to “make it your own” and add whatever toppings you love.  I’ve morphed this basic recipe so many ways I can’t even count, at this point!  I like to use my bread machine to make the dough, but I’ve included directions for making it using a stand mixer with a dough hook OR by simply kneading it by hand.

First you make the dough. Use either: a bread machine, a dough hook on a stand mixer, or your own hands and brute strength to make it.

Dough is mixed, risen, and ready to make pepperoni pizza!The next thing to do is to roll the dough out on a pizza pan and add the sauce (again, whatever kind floats your boat)…I usually just end up using spaghetti sauce and fancy-ing it up with additional spices like garlic powder, oregano, etc.

Pizza dough is rolled out, then covered with sauce.
Now Add the GOOD Stuff

Add the mozzarella cheese, and follow that up with the pepperoni slices, or other toppings, as desired – whatever YOUR favorite toppings are!

Mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices are added to pizza.Ready To Bake The Pepperoni Pizza!

Sprinkle the top of the pizza with additional oregano, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, and a few other spices (if desired), and into the hot oven it goes. This recipe makes two pizzas, which is great if you have a lot of mouths to feed (or if you just want some tasty leftovers for lunch!). 

The pepperoni pizza only takes about 20 minutes in a hot (400 degree) oven to bake. Before you know it, you’re pulling two hot pepperoni pizzas out of the oven. Yum! I really hope you will give these a try. You can always make the dough early in the day, wrap it up real tight in plastic wrap and refrigerate it until you are ready to prepare the pizzas!

Pepperoni pizza, straight out of the hot oven!

I hope you will give this recipe for pepperoni pizza a try! If you are pushed for time and can’t make homemade dough, you can always buy a ball of pizza dough at the store (many stores carry this in the deli section), OR you might have a local pizza place that will sell you their dough. I hope you are successful, so you can see just how easy it is to make homemade pepperoni pizza!

For another interesting way to cook pizzas, you might enjoy looking at my blog post showing how to make grilled pizzas on your BBQ! Sure helps keep the kitchen cool during hot summers!

Looking For More PIZZA Recipes?

You can find ALL my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have a variety of pizza recipes, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!
There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Have a GREAT day!

Author's signature Dough Recipe Source: Oster Deluxe Bread & Dough Maker Handbook (c 1994 Sunbeam-Oster Household Products)

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

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Make It Yourself! Pepperoni Pizza
Prep Time
1 hr 30 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
1 hr 50 mins
 
Make your own pepperoni pizza from scratch! It's easy to prepare, easy on the budget... and tastes absolutely delicious! Recipe makes 2 medium pizzas!
Category: Entree
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: pepperoni pizza
Servings: 16 slices (2 pizzas)
Calories Per Serving: 262 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
For the dough:
  • 1 cup , plus 2 Tablespoons warm water (not hot)
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil (or vegetable oil, if desired)
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons regular active dry yeast , bread machine yeast, or quick-acting active dry yeast
For the pizza (these ingredients will be split between two pizzas):
  • 1 1/2 cups pizza or spaghetti sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano (+ additional 1/4 teaspoon for sprinkling on top of prepared pizza)
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (+ additional 2 Tablespoons for sprinkling on top of prepared pizza)
  • 4 cups Mozzarella cheese
  • 1 package Pepperoni slices
  • Additional toppings , as desired (oregano, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, etc.)
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
  1. Prepare the dough. IF USING BREAD MACHINE: Place the dough ingredients into the bread pan in the order given. Select white Dough cycle. IF USING DOUGH HOOK ON STAND MIXER: Dissolve the yeast in the water in a small bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy (meaning the yeast is "good"). Add the other ingredients, and mix into the flour. Using the dough hook, mix well for 5 minutes until all dry ingredients are incorporated. Turn out into a lightly sprayed large bowl, cover with a towel and let it sit in a warm spot to rise until nearly doubled in size (about an hour). Punch down the dough, then knead it until smooth on a lightly floured surface. IF MAKING BY HAND: Follow directions for stand mixer, except knead the dough by hand on a clean, lightly floured surface for at least 5 minutes.
  2. When dough is ready, divide it into two pieces. Put each half on a pizza pan (or large cookie sheet). Pat the each piece of dough out (with floured fingers) into a 12 inch circle.
  3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  4. Mix the garlic powder, oregano and basil into the sauce. Spread each pizza circle with half of the prepared sauce.
  5. Sprinkle half of the Parmesan cheese over each pizza.
  6. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over each pizza.
  7. Sprinkle the tops of the pizza with a little bit of oregano, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, etc. (to garnish).
  8. Cook the pizzas at 400 degrees for approximately 20 minutes (everyone's oven is different, so keep an eye on them for the last couple minutes!). Remove pizzas when the crust is light brown and the cheese is bubbly! Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Make It Yourself! Pepperoni Pizza
Amount Per Serving (1 slice)
Calories 262 Calories from Fat 117
% Daily Value*
Fat 13g20%
Saturated Fat 6g38%
Cholesterol 35mg12%
Sodium 680mg30%
Potassium 172mg5%
Carbohydrates 20g7%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 13g26%
Vitamin A 315IU6%
Vitamin C 1.7mg2%
Calcium 187mg19%
Iron 1.7mg9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Make it yourself pepperoni pizza from scratch! It's easy to prepare, easy on the budget, and is absolutely delicious! Makes 2 medium pizzas!

 

 

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May
2014

Tonkatsu Pork

categories: Asian, Main Dishes, Pork
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Tonkatsu pork originated in Japan, and is a simple dish to make, with lightly seasoned, panko crumb crusted pork cutlets, pan-fried until crispy. Tonkatsu pork originated in Japan, and is a simple dish to make, with lightly seasoned, panko crumb crusted pork cutlets, pan-fried until crispy.

Did you say Tankatsu Pork…huh? Never heard of it before. Well, I had never heard of it, until I saw a recipe for it while searching the internet for pork recipes.

Wikipedia describes Tonkatsu Pork as a “Japanese food, which consists of a breaded deep-fried pork cutlet, which originated in Japan in the 19th century.” It was originally called Katsu, and is believed to have been served for the first time at the Regatei Restaurant in Tokyo in 1899.  At the time it was thought of as the Japanese version of fine European cuisine.

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

So What Is Tonkatsu Pork ?

Basically, Tonkatsu Pork is a thin pork cutlet, seasoned, and fried with a Panko crumb coating. The panko crumbs give the cutlet a wonderfully crunchy texture. It is ridiculously easy to prepare, and tastes really good.

This entree is really not hard at all to make, and I must say, the pork was wonderful! I served it with a side dish of Orzo With Parmesan, which is a great tasting side dish! This recipe would also be good served with homemade rice pilaf! I sure hope you will give this recipe for tonkatsu pork a try! I really do think you will enjoy it. Have a great day!

Looking For More PORK Recipes?

You can find all of my recipes using pork in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. A few of these recipes include:

Interested In More Recipes?

Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe! 

There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Author's signatureRecipe Adapted From: http://www.lifesambrosia.com/2010/10/tonkatsu-pork-recipe.html

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

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Tonkatsu Pork
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 

Tonkatsu pork originated in Japan, and is a simple dish to make, with lightly seasoned, panko crumb crusted pork cutlets, pan-fried until crispy.

Category: Entree
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: tonkatsu pork
Servings: 4 servings
Calories Per Serving: 363 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
  • 4 boneless pork cutlets (or boneless chops, pounded to 1 1/4 " thick)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg , beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups Panko bread crumbs
  • 1 Tablespoon Vegetable or Canola oil , plus more, for frying
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
  1. Lightly season the pork cutlets with salt and pepper (not the measured amounts in ingredient list, just a light sprinkle on both sides to help season the meat)
  2. Set up an "assembly line" for dipping the pork in this order: A bowl with the flour, a bowl with the beaten egg, and a bowl with the Panko crumbs.
  3. Season the flour with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, 1/4 teaspoon of the flour, and the garlic powder.
  4. Mix the rest of the salt and pepper in with the Panko crumbs.
  5. Dip pork cutlets (one at a time) into the flour (turning to coat both sides), then dip into the egg mixture (fully coating cutlet). Let egg mixture run off of pork, then dip into the Panko crumb coating (fully cover the cutlet on both sides). Set aside and repeat.
  6. Pour oil into large skillet until you have 1/4 " depth covering the bottom. Heat on medium high until hot. You can test the heat...put a couple of panko crumbs into the oil. If they sizzle, the oil is ready.
  7. When oil is hot, carefully add the 4 cutlets (the meat should sizzle). Cook 4-5 minutes on one side, then carefully flip the cutlet over and cook the other side for 4-5 minutes. When done, the coating on the cutlets should be a beautiful golden brown.
  8. When fully cooked, remove from heat, and serve. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Tonkatsu Pork
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 363 Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Cholesterol 129mg43%
Sodium 827mg36%
Potassium 594mg17%
Carbohydrates 28g9%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 36g72%
Vitamin A 60IU1%
Calcium 54mg5%
Iron 2.7mg15%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Tonkatsu pork originated in Japan, and is a simple dish to make, with lightly seasoned, panko crumb crusted pork cutlets, pan-fried until crispy.

 

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May
2014

Fully Stuffed Calzones

categories: Italian, Main Dishes, Sandwiches
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Fully stuffed calzones are yummy baked “Italian hand pies”, filled with Italian sausage, pepperoni, green peppers, mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, etc.
Fully stuffed calzones are yummy baked "Italian hand pies", filled with Italian sausage, pepperoni, green peppers, mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, etc.
Ever eaten Fully Stuffed Calzones? Maybe you’re saying, “Ever EATEN  fully stuffed calzones? I don’t even know WHAT a calzone is!” Well, here is the answer some of you have been waiting for.

Webster’s Dictionary offers this definition of a calzone: “a food originally from Italy that consists of baked or fried dough folded over and filled with tomato sauce, cheese, etc.”. Ugh…that’s okay, IF you know what etc. means. MY rookie definition is: a calzone is a baked pizza dough “handpie”, filled with all of our favorite pizza toppings!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

How I Came Up With This Recipe For Fully Stuffed Calzones

A year or two ago I made some homemade pizza dough (thinking I would throw together a pizza for dinner). Once the dough was prepared, I decided to switch it up and try my hand at creating FULLY STUFFED calzones, without using a recipe. Note: if you use purchased pizza dough, you will save some time!

I gathered up the toppings our family loves on a great tasting pizza, cooked it, and then made 6 pizza dough balls. Each of the dough balls was rolled into a circle, and I put the filling and sauce inside, and sealed them all up. The dough was then brushed with egg, and I added a couple garnishes. My final act was to put them in the oven and cross my fingers while they baked.

Beginning to cook some of the calzone filling ingredients in skillet.

Boy, was I surprised at how great looking these fully stuffed calzones turned out! And guess what?  Once we tasted them, we were amazed at how delicious they were. Who knew? So that’s my story of creating these…and now YOU know.

You can either crimp the edges of the pastry dough with a fork, or you can roll the edges, like shown in this photo below.

Fully stuffed calzone, hot from the oven!

Even though there are quite a few ingredients, the directions for these fully stuffed calzones are pretty simple…I hope you’ll give them a try!

If you enjoy these Italian handpies, you will probably also be interested in making grilled pizzas on your BBQ or making a simple pepperoni pizza from scratch! Have a great day, and don’t forget to check out ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page.

Interested In More Recipes?

Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!
There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Have a GREAT day!

Author's signature

Dough Recipe Source: The Oster Deluxe Bread And Dough Maker Owner’s Handbook (c. 1994 Sunbeam-Oster Household Products) Calzone Filling Source: My brain.

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

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Fully Stuffed Calzones
Prep Time
1 hr 30 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
1 hr 55 mins
 
Fully stuffed calzones are yummy baked "Italian hand pies", filled with Italian sausage, pepperoni, green peppers, mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, etc.
Category: Main Dishes
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: fully stuffed calzones
Servings: 6 calzones
Calories Per Serving: 680 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
For the dough: (or use your favorite pizza dough recipe)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons regular active dry yeast (or quick acting active dry yeast)
For The Filling:(or use your favorite pizza ingredients)
  • 3/4 cup spaghetti sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese , grated
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 Italian sausage links (casings removed)
  • 1 cup mushrooms , sliced
  • 1/2 cup brown onion , chopped
  • 1/2 cup green pepper , chopped
  • 1 cup pepperoni slices
  • 1 egg , slightly beaten (to brush on tops of calzones, prior to baking)
  • Oregano (dried) and Parmesan Cheese (to sprinkle on tops of calzones, prior to baking)
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
Using bread machine:
  1. Put all the dough ingredients into the bread pan in the order listed. Select DOUGH cycle.
  2. When dough is done, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  3. Divide dough into 6 equal dough balls. Roll each dough ball into a 7 inch circle on a lightly floured work surface.
If making by hand:
  1. Mix the yeast and water in a large bowl or base of a stand mixer. Stir well, then let it sit for 5 minutes to "proof".
  2. Add oil, sugar and salt. Stir well to combine.
  3. Add the flour and mix well with your (clean) hands or use the dough hook on your stand mixer.
  4. Knead dough (either by hand on a lightly floured surface or stand mixer) for 5-8 minutes, until the dough ball is smooth and elastic (you don't want it to be sticky).
  5. When dough ball is ready, place it in a lightly oiled large bowl. Flip it over to the other side, making sure the dough is coated with oil. Place a slightly damp dish towel over the top of the bowl.
  6. Put the covered bowl in a warm place and let the dough rise until it has doubled in size. This usually takes about an hour. Follow instructions above (under bread machine instructions) for forming the dough into individual circles
Make filling for the calzones while dough is rising:
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet.
  2. When skillet is hot, add the Italian sausage (casings removed), mushrooms, onions, and green peppers. Saute, crumbling the sausage into small pieces with a spoon as it cooks. Right before sausage mixture is fully cooked, add the minced garlic. When done, remove from heat to cool.
To fill the calzones:
  1. Spread one heaping Tablespoon of the spaghetti sauce on each dough circle to within 1 inch of edge. (Don't go all the way to the edge because the sauce will leak out while cooking)
  2. Place the sausage/mushroom/onion/pepper filling on top of the sauce but only on HALF of each circle, to within 1 inch of the edge. (Remember the filling is for 6 calzones - disperse evenly!)

  3. Add the pepperoni slices. (again...disperse evenly to within 1 inch of edge). Add the mozzarella cheese (same instructions as above). Add Parmesan cheese (same instructions as above)

To seal the calzones and prepare for baking:

  1. Carefully fold the dough over the filling to form a half circle. Makes sure edges touch.  Pinch edges securely with your fingers (to seal), then use the tines of a fork to crimp the dough all the way around the edge to securely seal. You want the edges sealed well to prevent leakage.

  2. Gently lift and place the calzones on a large cookie sheet (or sheets). Brush the tops of the calzones with the beaten egg. Sprinkle tops of calzones with crushed dried oregano and parmesan cheese.

  3. Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until they are golden brown. Remove from oven to a wire rack, and let cool for a couple minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

**Use whatever pizza ingredients you like for filling!

Nutrition Facts
Fully Stuffed Calzones
Amount Per Serving (1 calzone)
Calories 680 Calories from Fat 360
% Daily Value*
Fat 40g62%
Saturated Fat 15g94%
Cholesterol 117mg39%
Sodium 1613mg70%
Potassium 525mg15%
Carbohydrates 47g16%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 30g60%
Vitamin A 470IU9%
Vitamin C 14.6mg18%
Calcium 273mg27%
Iron 4.2mg23%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Fully stuffed calzones are yummy baked "Italian hand pies", filled with Italian sausage, pepperoni, green peppers, mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, etc.

 

 

 

 

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May
2014

Orzo With Parmesan

categories: Italian, Side Dishes
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Orzo with Parmesan cheese is a simple, inexpensive and delicious side dish you will really enjoy! It is a perfect accompaniment for beef, pork, poultry or fish!Orzo with Parmesan cheese is a simple, inexpensive and delicious side dish you will really enjoy! It is a perfect accompaniment for beef, pork, poultry or fish!

Several months ago I found this simple and tasty recipe on Pinterest. I was searching for a new “side dish” to serve with some grilled chicken, and discovered this one for Orzo With Parmesan. It’s a KEEPER, and I now rotate it into our meals fairly regularly!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

What Is ORZO?

Orzo is Italian for the cereal grain “barley”. It is a short-cut pasta which is shaped like a large grain of rice (Wikipedia). To be honest, I had never made anything with orzo (except maybe Rice-A-Roni?) in it the entire time I’ve been married (almost 37 years), so I wasn’t sure how it would turn out, or even IF we would like it.

Well… we LOVED it! The melted Parmesan cheese and green onions send this dish over the top. The recipe is simple… and delicious!

Long grain orzo is used for this side dish.

How To Make Orzo with Parmesan

The recipe is a very simple, inexpensive, and filling side dish to prepare. Just bring the chicken broth to boil on your stove top, add the pasta; reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 9-10 minutes.

You will need to stir the orzo occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of your pan. When the  orzo is fully cooked and tender , stir in the green onions, Parmesan cheese and garlic powder until fully incorporated into pasta.

Parmesan cheese is added to cooked orzo pasta.
Season Then Serve Orzo With Parmesan

Add salt and pepper, to taste. Stir to combine, and then place the hot orzo into a serving dish.

Orzo with Parmesan is served hot, with a green onion garnish.

Sprinkle a few extra green onions on top, and serve while HOT! I really hope you enjoy this dish. We sure do!

Orzo With Parmesan is served hot, in a blue serving bowl.

Hope you enjoy this simple, but delicious side dish of orzo with Parmesan! Have a great day. If you enjoy this side dish, you will enjoy my recipes for Broccoli Au Gratin Rice Pilaf, Easy Homemade Rice Pilaf. .

Looking for More Recipes Using ORZO?

You can find ALL my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have other delicious recipes using orzo, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!
There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks


Have a GREAT day!

Author's signature

Recipe adapted from: http://www.melskitchencafe.com/simple-orzo-pilaf/

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

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Orzo With Parmesan
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 
Orzo with Parmesan cheese is a simple, inexpensive and delicious side dish you will really enjoy! It is a perfect accompaniment for beef, pork, poultry or fish!
Category: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: orzo with parmesan
Servings: 4
Calories Per Serving: 201 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup long grain orzo pasta
  • 2 green onions (white and green parts), thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated or shaved Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper , to taste
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
  1. In a large saucepan, bring the chicken both to a boil.

  2. Stir in the orzo and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook the orzo uncovered for 9-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. When the broth has been absorbed and pasta is tender, remove the pan from the heat.

  3. Stir in the green onions (save a few for garnish), Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder. Stir until cheese has fully melted into the orzo. Season to taste with the salt and pepper.

  4. Place orzo into serving dish and garnish with sliced green onions. Serve orzo immediately while HOT! (pasta will cool quickly)

Nutrition Facts
Orzo With Parmesan
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 201 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 11mg4%
Sodium 634mg28%
Potassium 209mg6%
Carbohydrates 29g10%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 170IU3%
Vitamin C 9.3mg11%
Calcium 158mg16%
Iron 0.9mg5%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Orzo with Parmesan cheese is a simple, inexpensive and delicious side dish you will really enjoy! It is a perfect accompaniment for beef, pork, poultry or fish!

 

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May
2014

Melon Con Prosciutto

categories: Appetizers, Italian, Side Dishes
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Melon con Prosciutto- a refreshing, easy appetizer or side dish, with fresh ripe cantaloupe and prosciutto slices- delicious on a warm Spring or Summer night!Melon con Prosciutto- a refreshing, easy appetizer or side dish, with fresh ripe cantaloupe and prosciutto slices- delicious on a warm Spring or Summer night!

It’s supposed to be 90 degrees here in Portland this week- whew! Time for a great chilled cantaloupe and prosciutto appetizer, right?  You will LOVE this classic “recipe” for Melon Con Prosciutto!

This unbelievable weather has put me in the mood for summer BBQ’s and light meals. I was reminded of a themed dinner we celebrated with good friends a couple of years ago. My dear friend, Shari made us this great dish for the appetizer that evening! It’s beautiful AND delicious, so it’s is a perfect appetizer for any gathering, especially on a warm evening!

The chilled and sweet, ripe cantaloupe slices, when combined with the slightly salty prosciutto are ridiculously tasty! What is prosciutto, you ask? It is a classic Italian dry-cured ham, usually served very thinly sliced (I mean paper thin!). I’m sharing some of the pictures I took of my friend preparing this dish that evening. I asked for and received her permission to share her recipe version and my pictures with you.

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

How To Make Melon con Proscuitto

First you will need to slice a chilled and very ripe cantaloupe in half, and remove the seeds with a spoon. Slice each half into 4 even-sized pieces.  Make 4-5 slices across each piece of cantaloupe (about 3/4 of the way down), but do not cut through the rind.

Cantaloupe cut into slices, with prosciutto slices in background

Cut the thin prosciutto slices in half and gently wedge them into the slices in each piece of cantaloupe.

Thin proscuitto slices are placed into sliced cantaloupe wedgesServing Melon con Proscuitto

Once slices are completely filled, place the cantaloupe slices onto a serving platter. Drizzle the melon con proscuitto slices lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with green onion slices to make it look pretty! That’s it!  Serve, and enjoy this classic, simple and yummy appetizer or side dish!

Melon con Proscuitto, served on a platter, is a great appetizer.

Hope you enjoy this fantastic, refreshing melon con prosciutto! Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you will come back again soon for more delicious recipes.

Looking for More APPETIZER Recipes?

You can find ALL my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have a nice variety of appetizers you can check out, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!

There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Author's signature

Recipe Source: My friend, Shari Altree

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

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Melon Con Prosciutto
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
0 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 

Melon con Prosciutto- a refreshing, easy appetizer or side dish, with fresh ripe cantaloupe and prosciutto slices- delicious on a warm Spring or Summer night!

Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: melon con proscuitto
Servings: 8 servings
Calories Per Serving: 106 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
  • One ripe cantaloupe , chilled
  • 16 thinly sliced pieces of prosciutto (check your grocer's deli)
  • Olive oil (for garnish)
  • 2 Green onion stems , thinly sliced (use green part only, for garnish)
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
  1. Slice cantaloupe in half. Remove seeds and discard, then cut each half into 4 equal-sized wedges.
  2. Make 4-5 equally spaced cuts across each wedge (only about 3/4 of the way down- do not cut all the way through the rind).
  3. Slice each piece of prosciutto in half. Gently place a folded piece of prosciutto into each cut on the cantaloupe. Place stuffed cantaloupe slices onto serving platter.
  4. Drizzle surface of cantaloupe lightly with olive oil.
  5. Sprinkle the sliced green onions (green part only) on surface of the cantaloupe.
  6. Serve and ENJOY!
Nutrition Facts
Melon Con Prosciutto
Amount Per Serving (1 slice)
Calories 106 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 10mg3%
Sodium 117mg5%
Potassium 224mg6%
Carbohydrates 6g2%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 2365IU47%
Vitamin C 25.9mg31%
Calcium 8mg1%
Iron 0.3mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Melon con Prosciutto- a refreshing, easy appetizer or side dish, with fresh ripe cantaloupe and prosciutto slices- delicious on a warm Spring or Summer night!

 

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May
2014

Salisbury Steak

categories: Beef, Main Dishes
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Salisbury Steak is old-fashioned comfort food at it’s best! Beef patties simmered in and smothered with a simple, delicious onion and mushroom gravy.Salisbury Steak is old-fashioned comfort food at it's best! Beef patties simmered in and smothered with a simple, delicious onion and mushroom gravy.

I found this particular recipe for the first time a couple of months ago online and decided to try making this version, to check it out.  My husband and I loved it! Trust me, THIS is comfort food at it’s very best, my friends!

Since then, I’ve made it many, many times. It’s just plain and simply “GOOD” Salisbury steak. Easy… and quick to prepare with ground beef, and the onion and mushroom gravy that tops it all off is wonderful!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

The Origins Of Salisbury Steak 

DID YOU KNOW?  Wikipedia states that Salisbury Steak was invented by American physician Dr. J.H. Salisbury (1823-1905). The name “Salisbury steak” has been in use in the United States since 1897.

It’s become a very popular “comfort food” style dish in the U.S., where it is traditionally served with gravy and mashed potatoes, or noodles.

Easy And Budget Friendly

The cost of the ingredients is fairly low, so you can feed friends or family for a fraction of what eating out would cost! I really hope you will give this recipe a try, and trust you will enjoy it like we do.

The original recipe for this version of Salisbury steak is from Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman. I have all of her cookbooks, so I knew I could count on this old-fashioned classic being a GREAT recipe!

This really is such an easy recipe to prepare, and it only takes about 30 minutes, from start to finish. I like “those” kind of meals, because the prep work doesn’t take too much time out of an already busy day.

How To Make Salisbury Steak

Ground beef and ingredients are mixed together, and then it’s shaped into oblong patties. Place olive oil and butter into a large skillet, and turn the heat to Medium-High.

When the oil and the skillet are hot, add the meat patties to the hot skillet, in a single layer.

Salisbury steak patties are pan-seared in skillet.
Cook the first side for 3-4 minutes, then carefully turn patties over and continue cooking the other side. Cook until the Salisbury steak patties are no longer pink in the middle (2-3 minutes, usually).

Remove the patties from the skillet, and place them on paper towels to absorb grease. Set the patties aside.

Pour off any of the excess grease from the skillet, but do NOT wipe it clean.

Salisbury steak patties are cooked in skillet, until browned on both sides.

Preparing The Salisbury Steak Sauce

Reduce the heat to Medium, and add the sliced onions to the skillet. Cook them, stirring occasionally, for several minutes until they begin to turn golden brown and have softened slightly.
 
Sliced onions for salisbury steak gravy are cooked in skillet.

Add beef stock, mushrooms, corn starch/beef broth paste, Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup to the skillet.

Stir well to combine these ingredients, and cook until the sauce comes to a slight boil and thickens (about 1-2 minutes).

Gently add the beef patties back into the skillet. Spoon the gravy, onions and mushrooms over the top of the meat and let them simmer on Medium heat until heated through (2-3 minutes).

Salisbury Steak is in skillet, topped with mushroom/onion gravy to cook.

Time To EAT!

Once the Salisbury steak has finished cooking, transfer a beef patty to each serving plate. Top each piece with the onion/mushroom sauce.

We love to have this dish with good, old-fashioned mashed potatoes on the side. It’s easy to use some of the onion/mushroom sauce as gravy for the potatoes. YUM!

Salisbury Steak is served on plate with mashed potatoes and salad on the side.

See how easy it is to make homemade Salisbury steak?  I really hope you will enjoy this classic comfort food meal! We LOVE it, and have enjoyed it many, many times in our home! Have a wonderful day, friends. Make it a GOOD one!

Looking For More BEEF Recipes?

You can find all of my beef recipes in the Recipe Index at the top of the page. A few of our family favorites you might enjoy are:

Want More Recipes? Get My FREE Newsletter!

I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with lots of recipes, tips, etc..
Would you like to join our growing list of subscribers?

There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use.
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Author's signatureRecipe Source: http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/salisbury-steak-4/

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Salisbury Steak
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 
Salisbury Steak is old-fashioned comfort food at it's best! Beef patties simmered in and smothered with a simple, delicious onion and mushroom gravy.
Category: Main Dishes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: salisbury steak
Servings: 5 (or 6, if made smaller)
Calories Per Serving: 305 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
For the meat mixture:
  • 1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • 2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 cube beef bouillon , crumbled (or use a powdered beef base)
  • 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon ketchup
  • Salt and pepper
For the "gravy":
  • 1 whole brown onion , halved, then thinly sliced
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 small can sliced mushrooms (*optional)
  • 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce (additional)
  • 1 Tablespoon ketchup (additional)
  • 1 teaspoon corn starch , mixed with a little bit of the beef broth (to blend into a thin paste)
  • Salt and pepper , to taste
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil , for frying
  • 1 Tablespoon butter , for frying
US Customary - Metric
Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the ingredients for the meat mixture. Mix until well combined. Using hands, form meat into 5-6 oval patties. Try to make them all about the same size.

  2. Place olive oil and butter into a large skillet. Heat on medium high. When oil and pan are hot, add meat patties to the skillet.
  3. Cook first side for 3-4 minutes, then carefully turn patties over and continue cooking the other side until no longer pink in the middle (another couple of minutes, usually).
  4. Remove patties from the pan and place on paper towels to absorb grease. Now pour off excess grease from pan, but do not wipe pan clean.
  5. Reduce heat to medium and add sliced onions to the skillet. Cook onions, stirring occasionally, for several minutes until they begin to turn golden brown and have softened slightly.
  6. Add the beef stock, mushrooms, corn starch/beef broth paste, Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup to skillet. Stir well to combine. Cook until sauce comes to a slight boil and thickens (1-2 minutes). Gently add the beef patties back into the skillet. Spoon the gravy, onions and mushrooms over the top of the meat and let patties simmer on medium heat until heated through (just 2-3 minutes). To serve, spoon some of the onions and sauce over the top of the patties (and even the mashed potatoes if they are a side dish!) when you put them on the serving plate, and ENJOY!
Recipe Notes

*Recipe serves 5-6, depending on the size of the patties you make. Caloric calculation based on 5 total servings.

Nutrition Facts
Salisbury Steak
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 305 Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Cholesterol 90mg30%
Sodium 1021mg44%
Potassium 624mg18%
Carbohydrates 13g4%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 32g64%
Vitamin A 100IU2%
Vitamin C 1.7mg2%
Calcium 45mg5%
Iron 4.2mg23%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Salisbury Steak is old-fashioned comfort food at it's best! Beef patties simmered in and smothered with a simple, delicious onion and mushroom gravy.

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May
2014

Healthy Kung Pao Chicken

categories: Asian, Chicken, Main Dishes
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Healthy Kung Pao Chicken is easy to make, and low in calories, with snow peas, fresh ginger, red bell peppers, green onions, and dry roasted peanuts.Healthy Kung Pao Chicken is easy to make, and low in calories, with snow peas, fresh ginger, red bell peppers, green onions, and dry roasted peanuts.

I love Chinese Food, especially Kung Pao Chicken and Sweet and Sour Pork. I do NOT love all the calories those traditional Chinese dishes add to my body, as I eat bite after bite, however!  What’s a girl to do??? How about a recipe for Healthy Kung Pao Chicken?

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Where Did Kung Pao Chicken Originate?

Wikipedia describes Kung Pao Chicken as “a classic dish in Szechuan cuisine”. The recipe for Kung Pao Chicken is thought to have originated in the Sichuan province of South-Western China.

This classic dish is commonly believed to have been named to honor Ding Baozhen, a governor of Sichuan Province during the Quing Dynasty. “Kung Pao” literally means “palace guardian”, which has absolutely nothing to do with chicken, but… whatever! All I know is it tastes GREAT!

Where I Found The Recipe For Healthy Kung Pao Chicken

I was determined to search for a slightly healthier version of Kung Pao Chicken…and I found one, in an old back issue of Cooking Light Magazine.  A few very minor changes were made to the recipe, then I prepared this “lighter” version for our dinner tonight. It was delicious!!!!

This healthy kung pao chicken version is not as spicy as some other traditional recipes, including my own recipe (here). If you like your kung pao chicken spicy, simply add additional red pepper flakes to the dish.

Why We Enjoy This Recipe

This healthy kung pao chicken is absolutely full of flavor, a cinch to prepare, and easy on the old wallet! You’ll think you are enjoying some good take out, because the sauce is wonderful, but you won’t be piling on those extra calories. Win-Win!!! I would encourage you to give it a try, and hope you enjoy it! We sure did. Here’s a few pics taken while cooking the dish:

Making Healthy Kung Pao Chicken

Chicken breast chunks, green onions and garlic are cooked together in a large skillet until fully cooked through.

Chicken, garlic and green onions are cooked through in a large skillet.

Add Veggies, Sauce and Dry Roasted Peanuts To The Skillet

Once the chicken is cooked through, add snow peas, red bell peppers, dry roasted peanuts and a simple Asian sauce to the chicken. Stir well, to fully combine the ingredients.

At this point, everything is cooking away, and the healthy kung pao chicken is sure smelling good! Let the chicken, veggies and sauce cook for a few more minutes. The sauce will thicken as it cooks, and will coat everything in it’s deliciousness!

Veggies, sauce, and dry roasted nuts are added to healthy kung pao chicken in skillet.

Time To Serve The Healthy Kung Pao Chicken

Healthy Kung Pao Chicken can be served on a bed of rice (if desired), with additional fresh veggies on the side. Now it’s time to dig in!

Healthy Kung Pao Chicken can be served on a bed of steamed rice.

Hope you enjoy this recipe for healthy kung pao chicken. See the printable recipe below, for all the details! Have a great day, and come back soon!

Looking For More Chinese Food Recipes?

You can find all of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. A few favorite Chinese food recipes include:

Interested In More Recipes?

Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!

There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Author's signatureRecipe Adapted From “Cooking Light Magazine”, December 2010 issue and posted at: http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/healthy-kung-pao-chicken/

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Healthy Kung Pao Chicken
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 
Here's a healthy version of a favorite Chinese entree: Kung Pao Chicken, with a touch of "spicy" and a lot of "healthy"!
Category: Main Dishes
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: healthy kung pao chicken
Servings: 4
Calories Per Serving: 195 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
  • 2 Tablespoons sesame oil
  • 4 Tablespoons green onion , sliced (white and green parts)
  • 3 cloves garlic , minced
  • 3 boneless chicken breasts , cut into 1" pieces
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 3 Tablespoons Low Sodium Soy Sauce
  • 1/2 -3/4 teaspoons red pepper flakes (If you like it with more "heat", use 3/4 tsp.)
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger , minced (or finely grated with micro-plane)
  • 3/4 cup snow peas
  • 3/4 cup red bell pepper , sliced in thin strips
  • 2 Tablespoon dry roasted peanuts
  • Optional: Toasted sesame seeds and additional sliced green onion , for garnish)
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
  1. In a large skillet, heat the sesame oil on medium heat.
  2. When oil is hot, add the onion and cook for about a minute, then add the garlic and chicken.
  3. Saute until the chicken is cooked through (about 4-5 minutes).
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the water, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, sugar, cornstarch and ginger. Whisk this until the sugar has dissolved, then add this sauce to the chicken.
  5. Bring the sauce to a boil, then add the red bell pepper and snow peas.
  6. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes (the sauce will thicken as it cooks). When chicken is heated through and sauce has thickened, remove it from heat.
  7. Serve this dish on top of white or brown rice.
  8. Garnish (if desired) with additional green onion slices and toasted sesame seeds. ENJOY!!
Nutrition Facts
Healthy Kung Pao Chicken
Amount Per Serving (1 (1/4 of total))
Calories 195 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 36mg12%
Sodium 504mg22%
Potassium 384mg11%
Carbohydrates 9g3%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 14g28%
Vitamin A 1190IU24%
Vitamin C 49.2mg60%
Calcium 22mg2%
Iron 1.2mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Healthy Kung Pao Chicken is easy to make, and low in calories, with snow peas, fresh ginger, red bell peppers, green onions, and dry roasted peanuts.

 

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May
2014

Southwestern Black Bean Salad

categories: Mexican / Southwestern, Salads, Side Dishes
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You’ll LOVE this fantastic Southwestern Black Bean Salad, with corn, tomatoes, and avocado! It’s easy, flavorful, and under 90 calories per serving!You'll LOVE this fantastic Southwestern Black Bean Salad, with corn, tomatoes, and avocado! It's easy, flavorful, and under 90 calories per serving!

Happy Cinco De Mayo! Yesterday our family celebrated our youngest son’s 27th birthday with a Taco and Enchilada Night. One of the side dishes I prepared was this Southwestern Black Bean and Corn Salad…it was the first time I had prepared it, and I am positive I will be making it again!

I found the original recipe for this Southwestern Black Bean Salad on Skinnytaste.com. If you’ve never visited this website, I would encourage you to do so. The blog author, Gina, creates wonderfully tasty, low-fat dishes that are sure to please every palate! Every recipe she posts has the caloric value, Weight Watcher Points, etc. so you know exactly what you are eating, calorie-wise! I love it!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Some Quick Info On The Southwestern Black Bean Salad

I hope you will give this quick, easy to make (and full of fiber) dish a try. It is very versatile: great as a side salad, or could be used as an appetizer, with tortilla chips. The Southwestern black bean salad recipe makes 6 1/2 cups, which translates to 13 half cup servings at approximately 80-89 calories per serving.

The Southwestern black bean salad is served, covered in a lime and olive oil dressing.

The added bonus is that Southwestern black bean salad is so fresh tasting and DELICIOUS! I think you will enjoy it, especially on a warm Spring or Summer day!

Looking For More SALAD Recipes?

You can find all of my salad recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. A few family favorites include:

Interested In More Recipes?

Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!
There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Author's SignatureRecipe Source: http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/06/southwestern-black-bean-salad.html

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Southwestern Black Bean Salad
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
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Total Time
15 mins
 

You'll LOVE this fantastic Southwestern Black Bean Salad, with corn, tomatoes, and avocado! It's easy, flavorful, and under 90 calories per serving!

Category: Salads
Cuisine: Southwestern
Keyword: Southwestern black bean salad
Servings: 13 (1/2 cup servings)
Calories Per Serving: 89 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
  • 15.5 ounces black beans , 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 9 oz. cooked corn , fresh (grilled), or frozen (thawed)
  • 1 medium tomato , chopped
  • 1/3 cup red onion , chopped
  • 1 stem scallion (green onion) , chopped
  • 1 small jalapeno , finely diced
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh minced cilantro (or more to taste)
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 2 limes (the juice from)
  • 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 small avocado , diced
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
  1. Combine the first 8 ingredients in a large bowl (beans, corn, tomato, onion, scallion, jalapeno, cilantro, salt and pepper).
  2. In a separate bowl, mix the lime juice and the olive oil together until blended. Pour over salad and mix well.
  3. Refrigerate for 30 minutes prior to serving.
  4. Add the diced avocado right before you serve the salad.
  5. ENJOY!
Nutrition Facts
Southwestern Black Bean Salad
Amount Per Serving (1 (1/2 cup per serving))
Calories 89 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 132mg6%
Potassium 256mg7%
Carbohydrates 12g4%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 170IU3%
Vitamin C 7.8mg9%
Calcium 16mg2%
Iron 0.8mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!You'll LOVE this fantastic Southwestern Black Bean Salad, with corn, tomatoes, and avocado! It's easy, flavorful, and under 90 calories per serving!

 

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Apr
2014

Coconut Shrimp With Sweet Chili-Lime Sauce

categories: Appetizers, Seafood
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Crunchy Coconut Shrimp, are battered, fried large shrimp, served with a sweet chili-lime dipping sauce! They’re a delicious main course or appetizer!Crunchy Coconut Shrimp, are battered, fried large shrimp, served with a sweet chili-lime dipping sauce! They're a delicious main course or appetizer!
Today I am posting an amazing appetizer recipe that our good friend Shari (and her husband Richard) made for my husband and I one evening at their home. These coconut shrimp are quite possibly one of my very favorite appetizers. The sweet chili-lime sauce just makes this dish PERFECT!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

My Friend Shari

I’ve mentioned before in this blog that Shari is my inspiration for a lot of my cooking projects.  She has encouraged me to dream big, and be fearless in the kitchen.  She inspires me.  I am blessed to call her my friend, and I thank God for our friendship of 17+ years.
 
This is the recipe Shari used, and (with her permission) I am posting a couple pics of the finished product. I took the photos and watched her prepare these step by step, and then I ate these gorgeous shrimp (someone had to do it…I sacrificed for the team)! Shari and her husband Richard did ALL the true work on these scrumptious coconut shrimp.

Our friends Shari and Richard, with the coconut shrimp.

Where The Recipe For These Coconut Shrimp Originated

The original recipe was published in Bon Appetit magazine’s October 2006 issue. It is a fairly straightforward recipe, and an incredibly delicious appetizer. This is the chili sauce (below) used for this recipe, which can usually be found in the Asian section of most grocery stores.

Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Chile-Lime Sauce / The Grateful Girl Cooks!

It’s a fairly easy recipe to make. You mix up the dipping sauce, make the batter, then coat the shrimp with the batter, roll them in a seasoned coconut topping and deep fry until done.

The coconut shrimp are nice and crunchy, and when dipped in the sweet and spicy chili-lime sauce…oh my! What an amazing appetizer! I really hope you will give these yummy coconut shrimp a try. Have a great day!

Looking For More APPETIZER Recipes?

You can find all of my appetizer recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. A few favorites include:

Interested In More Recipes?

Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!
There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Author's signatureRecipe Source: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Coconut-Shrimp-with-Sweet-Chili-Lime-Sauce-236168

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Coconut Shrimp With Sweet Chili-Lime Sauce
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 

Crunchy Coconut Shrimp, are battered, fried large shrimp, served with a sweet chili-lime dipping sauce! They're a delicious main course or appetizer!

Category: Appetizer, Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: coconut shrimp
Servings: 16
Calories Per Serving: 143 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
For the sauce:
  • 3/4 cup Asian sweet chili sauce (I use Mae Ploy)
  • 3 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 1/2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
For the shrimp:
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder (preferably Madras style)
  • 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg , beaten
  • 1 cup club soda
  • 1/4 cup Vegetable oil (for deep frying)
  • 1 1/2 cups medium shredded unsweetened coconut
  • 16 large shrimp , peeled, deveined, tails left intact
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
  1. Make the sauce: Mix the sweet chili sauce, chopped cilantro, and lime juice in a small serving bowl. Cover and chill (sauce can be made a day ahead).
  2. Make the batter for the shrimp: Whisk the flour, curry powder, baking powder and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Add in the lightly beaten egg and the club soda. Whisk these ingredients together only until the ingredients are incorporated. The batter should still be a bit "lumpy". Set the batter aside and let it "rest" for approximately 15 minutes.
  3. To make the shrimp: While the batter is "resting", pour vegetable oil into a large, heavy saucepan (or an electric skillet with temperature gauge). Use enough oil to come up about halfway up the sides of your pan. Attach a deep-fry thermometer to the saucepan. Heat the oil on medium until it reaches 375 degrees.

  4. Before you cook the shrimp, line a baking sheet with several thicknesses of paper towels (to drain the shrimp once cooked). Spread the coconut out onto a plate. Line up the batter bowl, then the plate of coconut and place them near the pan with the hot oil.

  5. Working with one shrimp at a time (hold the shrimp by the tail!), dip it into the batter. Allow the excess batter to drip back into the bowl, then roll it in the coconut, still holding onto that tail. Cover both sides of shrimp-you may have to use your other hand to scoop some of the coconut onto the shrimp.

  6. Carefully put the shrimp into the 375 degree oil (make sure the oil is at temperature before adding, to ensure a good crunch and browning). Work in batches, cooking 4-5 shrimp at a time. Deep-fry the shrimp about 2- 1/2 minutes (turning halfway through cooking time). Remove the golden brown colored, cooked shrimp to the paper-towel lined baking sheet to drain. **Before you add the next batch of shrimp to the oil, make sure the oil is back to temperature! (this is important!). Serve shrimp hot, with dipping sauce on the side. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts
Coconut Shrimp With Sweet Chili-Lime Sauce
Amount Per Serving (1 shrimp + sauce)
Calories 143 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 7g44%
Cholesterol 25mg8%
Sodium 216mg9%
Potassium 83mg2%
Carbohydrates 12g4%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 20IU0%
Vitamin C 1.1mg1%
Calcium 23mg2%
Iron 0.8mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Crunchy Coconut Shrimp, are battered, fried large shrimp, served with a sweet chili-lime dipping sauce! They're a delicious main course or appetizer!

 

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Mar
2014

Chicken and Asparagus Lemon Stir Fry

categories: Asian, Chicken, Main Dishes
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Chicken Asparagus Stir Fry is a delicious dish featuring boneless chicken breasts and fresh asparagus, cooked in an Asian-inspired lemon sauce.Chicken Asparagus Stir Fry is a delicious dish featuring boneless chicken breasts and fresh asparagus, cooked in an Asian-inspired lemon sauce.
Today’s post features one of my favorite veggies… asparagus! I love the changing of the seasons, and the distinct differences each one proudly displays. We are officially one week into Spring in the great Pacific Northwest. Tulips and daffodils are popping up everywhere, and the days are getting longer (yay).

We are seeing lots of rain as the weather begins to warm up, and asparagus has begun making it’s Spring appearance at the local grocery store! That’s right…you heard me. In Spring, fresh asparagus goes on sale! I love asparagus year round…but it just seems to TASTE better when it is priced right!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Why We Love This Recipe For Chicken Asparagus Stir Fry

What I also love is finding new recipes, giving them a try, and finding out they are DELICIOUS! Such is the case with this Chicken and Asparagus Lemon Stir Fry. Nice big chunks of chicken breast and crisp-tender asparagus, coated in a light lemon, soy, garlic and ginger sauce make this one delicious dinner. This recipe is a keeper!

I found the recipe online at Skinnytaste.com, a wonderful website where the recipes are low-fat, reflect Weight Watchers points, and are very creative! This chicken asparagus stir fry was very easy to make. My husband and I really enjoyed this meal and I will make it again, without hesitation. Hope you will give it a try!

Making Chicken Asparagus Stir Fry

Here’s the chicken and asparagus, prepped and ready to go. Chicken breasts are cubed, and the asparagus is sliced into pieces.

The chicken breast and fresh asparagus are cut into chunks before cooking.

A quick and easy to make stir fry sauce is mixed together. Sorry the photo is a bit blurry. This step is really easy!

Lemon sauce is mixed and ready to add to the chicken asparagus stir fry.

Minced garlic is cooking with the asparagus  in a large skillet, and this sure smells good while it is cooking!

Chicken and Asparagus Lemon Stir Fry / The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Cook The Chicken

Chicken breast chunks are cooked until they are cooked through and golden brown in color on the outside.

Chunks of chicken breast are cooked until golden brown.

Time To Add The Lemon Sauce!

Add the lemon sauce is to the skillet, and stir. This delicious sauce will coat all of the chicken pieces with LOTS of flavor.

Asian-inspired lemon sauce is added to the cooked, cubed chicken in skillet.

Now place the asparagus back into the skillet with the chicken and the lemon sauce. Give it all a good stir, and this dish is almost ready!

Asparagus is added to the lemon sauce and chicken in skillet to finish cooking.

Serve The Chicken Stir Fry

Once it’s finished cooking, the food is ready to serve! If desired, serve the chicken asparagus stir fry on top of a bed of steamed white or brown rice. The blandness of the steamed rice pairs great with the well-seasoned sauce. YUM!

Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry is served on a bed of white rice.

Hope you enjoy this delicious chicken asparagus stir fry recipe just like we do! Have a great day, and thank you for stopping by.

Looking For More CHICKEN Recipes?

You can find all of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have a LOT of chicken recipes you might enjoy including:

Interested In More Recipes?

Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!
There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

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Author's signatureRecipe Source: http://www.skinnytaste.com/2014/03/chicken-and-asparagus-lemon-stir-fry.html

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Chicken and Asparagus Lemon Stir Fry
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 

Chicken Asparagus Stir Fry is a delicious dish featuring boneless chicken breasts and fresh asparagus, cooked in an Asian-inspired lemon sauce.

Category: Entree
Cuisine: Asian
Keyword: chicken asparagus stir fry
Servings: 4 servings
Calories Per Serving: 120 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless , skinless chicken breasts, cut in 1-inch cubes (I used 2 breasts)
  • Salt , to taste
  • 1/2 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
  • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce. Can use Tamari for gluten-free.
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon canola or grapeseed oil , divided (didn't have them...I used olive oil)
  • 1 bunch fresh asparagus , ends trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 6 cloves garlic , chopped
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh ginger , finely grated
  • 3 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
  1. Lightly season the chicken breast cubed pieces with salt. In a small bowl, mix the chicken broth and the soy sauce together and set aside.
  2. In a second bowl, mix the cornstarch and the water well until mixture is combined. Set bowl aside.
  3. Heat a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Once the wok or skillet is hot, add 1 teaspoon of the oil. Now add the asparagus pieces; cook, stirring often until tender-crisp (this took about 3-4 minutes). Add in the ginger and garlic; cook till golden (only about a minute-don't want to burn the garlic!). Empty the asparagus and garlic/ginger to a plate while you cook the chicken.
  4. Increase the heat under the wok or skillet to high. Add remaining 2 teaspoons of oil; when hot add the chicken pieces to the pan; cook until browned on all sides and cooked through (this took about 4 minutes for each side). When done, remove the chicken to a plate while you make the sauce.
  5. Once chicken has been removed from skillet, add the soy sauce mixture to the pan; bring it to a boil (this will be quick), then cook for about 1-1/2 minutes. Add the lemon juice/cornstarch mixture to the skillet and mix well. When it simmers, return the chicken and asparagus to the skillet; stir it into the sauce. Cook until chicken and broccoli are heated through again (only a couple minutes); remove from heat and serve.
  6. Enjoy! This stir fry tastes great served with brown or white rice on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Chicken and Asparagus Lemon Stir Fry
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 120 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Cholesterol 36mg12%
Sodium 580mg25%
Potassium 510mg15%
Carbohydrates 8g3%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 16g32%
Vitamin A 870IU17%
Vitamin C 12.7mg15%
Calcium 38mg4%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Chicken Asparagus Stir Fry is a delicious dish featuring boneless chicken breasts and fresh asparagus, cooked in an Asian-inspired lemon sauce.

 

Save