Tip Tuesday {Recipes}

If you're like me, sometimes you don't know what's exactly for dinner until you look in the kitchen around 3pm.  I try to menu plan, but it may be vague like, "chicken thighs."  I had no idea what exactly I was going to make the chicken thighs with, but I knew that I wanted to cook them up.

I found this recipe via Tastefully Simple as I had the ingredients on hand.  If you're a mom, or just a busy person in general, you need to check out their dinner ideas!

The recipe called for chicken breasts so that you could make chicken tenders/fingers and dip them.  I only had thighs on hand, so I just used a previous recipe's baking time:

Chicken thighs:
450 degrees
40 minutes

Follow the rest of this recipe here. 

Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
Brown Sugar
Onion Onion

I did some steamed brussels sprouts with garlic cheese. (Wegmans)

The chicken came out so so SO good.  You definitely need to make the dipping sauce too!  For more amazing recipes, follow my friend Cathy on FB here! 

I also highly recommend this combo for a lazy/cozy Sunday by the fire with your lover.

What's cookin in your house this week?

Pork Carnitas and some Chipotle Copycat Recipes

Well, my husband and I love Chipotle…who doesn't?! So I have been wanting to try my own version.  While I know it's hard to compete with his favorite bowl, I had to try.

His response?

Make again!

So, basically for me to reference and share with you lovelies, here are the recipes I used to re-create this tasty dish.  Obviously, you can clean it up a bit by using chicken (pork butt is pretty fatty) and the dressing is not "clean" but using it sparingly by drizzling was pretty darn good!

I also did white rice; I normally make myself brown but I admit, I was being lazy.  So I'd like to try it out next time around!

I was thoroughly impressed with all three of these recipes that I used.

Honey Chipotle Dressing Copycat Recipe

It made a little more than would fit into here, so you definitely have more than enough!!




Cilantro Lime Rice Copycat Recipe

Pork Carnitas

I will admit I didn't have fresh oranges for the pork, so I just used a bit of orange juice.  I loved the smell of all the spices coming together and my house legit smelled like Chipotle.  It literally fell apart and I easily removed all the fatty pieces and threw it all back into the sauce for a delicious taste.  I did not broil the pork, but maybe I'll try that next time around. I was pretty beat by 8:00pm when I was getting ready to serve dinner, as I made it on Joe's late night.

I also have been looking into rice cookers because they seem really handy and easy to use, and well, those words are right up my alley when I think about life with a newborn and toddler! My hubby loves his rice and I really need to stop buying microwave rice.  #ashamed #yaheard

Do you have any copycat recipes to share!?

Pasta with Turkey and Broccoli

I am all about sharing easy and delicious meals!! I love cooking, but there are times when slowly sipping a red glass of vino, therapeutically chopping veggies and listening to veggies, just ain't happening folks.

Yesterday's conversation with the hubs:

Joe:  What's for dinner?
Me:  I figured I'd just make something with our ground turkey.
Joe: Hmm...I'll check out Food.com for something to make.
Me:  OK!!

Hours later, he comes home.  I asked him what he found on Food.com.  "Oh, I got busy at work and didn't have time to look!  Let's sit and relax for a minute...[Brooke was still napping, and that made for a VERY hungry baby when she woke up. Like legit, wouldn't stop cranking out until she had food in her mouth.

So enter in this easy and yummy ground turkey and pasta dish.  I like to give credit, where credit is due.  I used this recipe as the base, and added my own little twists.

Original Recipe Here

My recipe:

1 box of pasta [I had bow ties}
1 lb organic ground turkey
1 lemon
1 crushed clove of garlic
1 bag of organic frozen broccoli
Seasoning: I used Tastefully Simple's Mama Mia {substitute whatever spices you like}
salt/pepper to taste
Freshly grated parm cheese to finish

Bring pot of water for pasta to a boil.

Heat a pan with EVOO and brown the ground turkey, adding the garlic and seasonings to taste.

You could steam fresh broccoli, but for times sake, I used the organic microwavable kind.

Cook pasta according to the package.

Stir broccoli into cooked turkey and squeeze fresh lemon juice onto it. 

When pasta is finished, toss the ground turkey and broccoli with it.  Season with a little salt/pepper and I used a little extra Basil flavored EVOO for added flavor.

Now, you could serve this over brown rice or whole wheat pasta; quite frankly I wanted good old fashioned pasta, pasta.

Grate some fresh Parm cheese on top for that extra boost of yumminess! Garnish with a lemon slice for that ooooo factor. haha

No one made a peep for a good 5 minutes as we thoroughly enjoyed this tasty dish! Italian hubby and hungry baby approved.  I will definitely make this again!

Catching Up

Well, hello there dumplings! 

We have been busy up in herrr.

All good things.

Well, except for this recipe

{disclaimer, I know some of you raved about it, but it just wasn't our cup of tea}
I am SO sorry that I told any of you to make it...

Source: livinglaughingandloving.com via Jenn on Pinterest

Hubs usually loves my cooking.
I threw it in the slow cooker before running off to my MIL's to sew.
I thought it'd be perfect to come home to eat!
He didn't even finish it.
He said it tasted like cat food.
I had to agree, and fed the rest of it to the dogs.
[since I had used expensive organic pork chops, I could not throw it away]
Very salty and just not good.
The dogs ate it, but then again they eat anything..
Toilet paper off the roll??? 
OH well.
I guess this is what happens when you pretend to be Giada in the kitchen.
#Giadawouldneverserveit
I've tried to redeem myself with a semi-homemade chicken pot pie:

 {I started slicing and realized I needed a pic!}
It was excellent, I should have not added onions, as I did burp them up all night...
#pregnancyheartburn
Saturday I went to a friend's baby shower.
She is absolutely glowing & baby Blake got sooooo many clothes!
She's going to be busy prepping with all the fun goodies she received
and it makes me sooooo excited for mine!!
I wore this:

OOTD:
Dress: Maternity @ Kohl's
{which I received an e-mail from a lady saying I should include their website,
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/ourbrands/maternity.jsp
and offer my readers this 10% off stackable coupon code:
UBLOGTEN which is good through October 24th.
There ya go!}
Boots: Steve Madden @ VS
Boot socks: Target
Scarf: Kohl's a few years ago
Sunnies: Target
I so badly wanted to sport heels, but without my husband's arm for security,
I figured it was not worth the potential tumble, as my balance is a bit...off.
I did switch out my flat riding boots for a pair of heeled boots
as we went out Saturday night to a comedy club.
I bought hubby tickets for his birthday.
We saw

He was entirely inappropriate and very funny.
We laughed our white booties off,
and were home in pajamas by 10.
It was perfect night out!
Another OOTD
I was super excited to wear an entire outfit, NON maternity!!

Everything I am wearing here, I bought in Europe on our honeymoon.
Yay for stretchiness.
And no, I cannot see my toes any more.
I am wearing the pretty necklace I won in the beautiful Rachel's giveaway!

Brooke's nursery is really coming together!

Just another teaser for you, til our big reveal.
I began packing her diaper bag for the hospital...

Just a few onesies, sleepers, an outfit, hats, & socks...

And this in case her umbilical cord is rubbing on a onesie,

a cute white side snap long sleeve tee

and black leggings:

#icouldplaywithherclothesforever

We scheduled our maternity photoshoot for November, 

which comes free with her newborn photo sesh to be done the weekend she comes home.

My sweet mom sent me this for her!!

{speaking of, she just had surgery, so send her some speedy recovery wishes}

Should be a fun little get-up for her!!

I have been wanting a headband like this!

She also threw in a little window sign for daddy

#49ersfanstartemyoung

My current obsession?
Researching everything and anything I can about cloth diapering.

It seems to be a new obsession each week.

One week breastfeeding.

Another, the 5 "s" to a happy sleepy baby.

Now? I want to cloth diaper.

I am confident we can at least try it and I'll explain more in other posts.

My first purchase came from Amazon:
Fuzzibunz.

I've been watching a ton of Vlogs and I am finding myself watching more on You Tube

than the boob tube.

Do any of you find yourselves doing that??

It's also making me want to record more videos, as I am going to want to relive these

precious moments forever.

Less than 11 weeks, and our little bean will be here! 

Hope you had a healthy & relaxing weekend.

Pasta with Smashed Peas, Sausage & Ricotta

Tagliatelle with Smashed Peas, Sausage, and Ricotta Cheese

Thank you, once again, Giada!!

Click link above for full recipe

Of course, after all the research I did for my meal plan,

I decided I wanted this instead for dinner last night.

So glad I did, as it was yummy!!

I did not have that type of pasta she used,

but rather some funky thick pasta my husband picked up

at this little Italian store...

It was messy as hell to eat, but still tasted great!

Start by sauteing garlic in some EVOO 

Don't brown it, just a few minutes...

 Gather the rest of your supplies:

Ricotta

Parm cheese

Peas

{1 cup of each}

Pasta

Sausage with casings removed {used venison}

-not pictured, fresh basil-

Add the sausage to the pan:

Using a wooden spoon, crumble into pieces until brown.

Remove from pan, add peas, turn off heat.

Using back of wooden spoon, smash the peas a bit

Your pasta should be cooking away in the water,

reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.

Add the ricotta cheese to the peas & stir

Drain pasta, add the sausage, ricotta mixture, & parm cheese to large pan

Stir.

Add fresh basil you've torn

Put into pasta bowls & enjoy!

Both my husband and I enjoyed it and I am looking forward

to eating it again for lunch!!

It's a great way to use up extra ricotta cheese you may have.

I always buy the large container for lasagna or stuffed shells, and don't finish it all.

I'm sure it'd be even better with freshly grated parm cheese & freshly made ricotta...

but I cheated.

It was still deeeelish!

Happy Tuesday!

A Mexican Fiesta For Girls Night!

I love girls night!!

I have been a tad stressed as of late,

and I really appreciated a few precious hours

with some of my closest friends.

{Norm, you need to make an appearance puh-lease, 

NYC is not that far!}
Matty discussed taught us what a "throuple" is
and discussed the gay-borhoods in South Beach.
Kristin entertained us with many stories
"You know, not everyone likes Cilantro"
and Alison's twins stole our hearts as
they kissed her goodnight!
It is still so crazy to see one of my bffs
as a mommy!
As for the food...

We snacked on yummy chips and a corn salsa,

and Alison out-did herself with

homemade 

margaritas 

{which, I will request again when I don't have to drive!!}

and a full blown Mexican feast.

She made the black beans, pico de gallo, guacamole 

and carne asada
{I had no clue what that was! 

It's flank steak marinated and grilled for your tacos!!}

It was PERFECTION!! 

Mexican is by far my favorite food,

and I realized on the way home, I hadn't had it in over 2 months...

last time I made tacos, Crohn's attacked my hubs and

he has not wanted Mexican food since....meh.

And I did make the dessert I pinned off the Kraft website!

It wasn't a pretty as I hoped, and perfectionist type-A me

wanted to go to the grocery store and pick up something else

because I didn't love the way it looked coming out

and I knew it would be even uglier trying to get it out of the pan!

What "their picture looks like"

Source: kraftrecipes.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

And what mine looked like 

 It tasted amazing! 

You must love vanilla pudding and coconut though!!

It was about $13 to make

and took about 20 minutes to assemble.

NO BAKING required!!

I should have toasted the coconut a bit more.

You really need to let the Cool Whip come to room temp 

along with the cream cheese otherwise the bottom layer won't 

spread evenly over the Nilla Wafer crust.  

You must be extremely careful with the layers, 

otherwise they'll stick/clump/move and not look good.

It was not fat free, but it was girls night!

Everyone loved it and I am glad I didn't buy

a prettier dessert...

even though it was a biotch to get out of the pan!

So, if you need an Easter dessert recipe, try this one!!

Have a lovely Thursday!

Hunger Games, Giada & a Giveaway

So I'm a tad busy planning my sister's:

 Her couples bridal shower.
Her upcoming St. Thomas Wedding.

And of course getting ready for upcoming getaway.

I started reading this on my nook, like I mentioned last week...

However, I downloaded this as an audiobook

#latetotheparty
And Prep is now on hold.

Source: suzannecollinsbooks.com via Jesse on Pinterest

I really wanted to read it, but I just don't allow myself

the time to sit and actually read...

Luckily,

I can't stop listening to it!! 

It's seriously that good. 

If you're one of those people

 {like me}

 and you just didn't think it'd be your thang,

 just get the audio and start listening!

As I fold laundry, clean the kitchen, change sheets,

vacuum, mop, do more laundry,

make homemade soup from Giada's new cookbook

 So comforting and pretty healthy!!

Recipe is HERE

And listened to chapters 1-11 yesterday. 

So I need to stop blogging so I can continue

 to do other mindless activities, so I can listen to the HG!!

I am love love LOVING this crazy book.

..must...

go...

listen!

GIVEAWAY

***Enter to win a fun beach bag at my gurrrrl Amber's fun blog:***

She's so fun; I wish we were neighbors in real life!

Bugs, Barbies, and Wedded Bliss

Recipe Review & Some Rum Cake

Hope you had a fabulous weekend lovely readers!
Saturday the husband works, and they always order pizza & wings

{Which is why he never wants to order them with me!}

So I offered to make him lunch.

I had portobello mushrooms on hand wanting to make this recipe, 

so I decided why not make it for his lunch?

Well, about 6 pots and pans later, I had quite the delicious dish!!

It is meatless, which is nice to do every so often.

Here's Ina Garten's Recipe:

Portobello Mushroom Lasagna

• Salt
• Good olive oil
• 12 oz (340g) dried lasagne
• 1¾ pts (950 ml) whole milk
• 12 tbsps unsalted butter, divided
• 8 oz (225g) plain flour
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 lb 8 oz (680g) portobello mushrooms
• 15¾ oz (450g) freshly ground parmesan

Directions

1) Preheat the oven to 375.   Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil, with 1 tbsp salt and a splash of oil. Add the lasagne sheets and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain and set aside.

2) For the white sauce, bring the milk to a simmer in a saucepan. Set aside. Melt 110g of the butter in a large saucepan. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Pour the hot milk into the butter-flour mixture all at once, stirring all the time.

3) Add 1 tbsp salt, the pepper and nutmeg, and cook over a medium-low heat, stirring first with the wooden spoon and then with a whisk, for 3 to 5 minutes, until thick. Set aside off the heat.

4) Remove the mushroom stems and discard; slice the caps 1cm thick. Heat 2 tbsp of oil and the remaining butter in a large frying pan. When the butter melts, add half the mushrooms, sprinkle with salt, and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until the mushrooms are tender and release their juices. If they become too dry, add a little more oil. Toss occasionally so the mushrooms cook evenly. Repeat with the remaining mushrooms; set all the mushrooms aside.

5) To assemble the lasagne, spread some of the white sauce in the bottom of a 16x24x4cm deep baking dish. Arrange a layer of lasagne sheets on top, then more sauce, then 1/3 of the mushrooms and 25g of the grated Parmesan.

6) Repeat 2 more times, layering pasta sheets, sauce, mushrooms, and Parmesan. Top with a final layer of pasta sheets and sauce and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan.

7) Bake the lasagne for 45 minutes in the oven, or until the top is browned and the sauce is bubbly and hot. Allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes and serve hot.

 I will totally make this again! 

Now I just know that many pans will be involved
and to get more mushrooms {I felt like 6 was not enough!}

I added garlic to the dish.  

I didn't find it dry or too heavy.

It was very comforting on a cold Winter day.

***

We had a nice relaxing Saturday evening.
We made our delicious Roast Beef for dinner. 

{Don't you just love when your dinner cooks itself?}

I read and blogged a bit while hubs played COD. 

Today we stopped and got coffee and egg, ham & cheese bagel sandwiches
and went for a short drive.
Love that!
And later in the afternoon we celebrated Joey's grandma's birthday.
Vino, great food, & family.
A much needed time with them.
Italians

Have you had Rum Cake?
I hadn't before I started dating this Italian man!!

I didn't like them at first, but now I look forward to them at birthdays.

via

I may have to try out a recipe for Rum Cake soon! 

I'm almost done with my next 3 week menu, so I'll post that tomorrow.

Any good recipes you can share with me lovely readers?
Have a great night.