Category: Kid Friendly

5 Minute Brownie for One

Posted on by Lisa P

Brownie in a Mug

OK, so it’s NOT the healthiest treat, and if I played with it a little, I could probably make it a tad healthier with natural sugar and whole wheat flour.

In the meantime I felt I should post is in the spirit of being a fast and easy way to make something that normally takes an hour.

If you try it I hope you’ll come back and let me know what you thought!

Lisa

EZ Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

EZ Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Posted on by Lisa P

Pork Carnitas

The original version of this recipe received 733 reviews with an average 4.5 star rating on allrecipes.com.

My version of these yummy slow cooker carnitas is spicier and has a stronger Indian flavor.  You will also need to start it one day ahead but I promise you it is worth it!  You can either start it the night before and eat it the following night, or start it in the morning and eat it the following day.  Either way it needs to sit in the frig for 8-10 hours before cooking.

Here we go! Continue reading “EZ Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas” →

Roasted Turkey Thighs & Potatoes with Broccoli

Roasted Turkey Thighs & Potatoes with Broccoli

Posted on by Lisa P

Serves 2-4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Total time: 1 hr 30 minutes

This weeknight meal is so effortless, it practically makes itself! If you use very large thighs you will have leftover meat to use in another meal later in the week.

Ingredients

  • 1 package of (2) turkey thighs
  • 1-2 Tbsp steak or other rub-type seasoning blend
  • 2 baking potatoes (white or sweet)
  • 1 bunch of broccoli (or replace with green beans or zucchini or salad or whatever greens you like)
  • olive oil
  • Salt & pepper or other desired seasoning
  • Potato fixings: Butter, chives, sour cream or plain greek yogurt

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375F on convection, or 400F on regular.
  2. Scrub the potatoes under running water, and wrap them in squares of tinfoil.  Puncture with a sharp knife in several places. Set aside.
  3. Remove turkey thighs from package and cut away any excess fat or loose bone materials.
  4. Put the thighs skin-side up on a cutting mat or kitchen towel. Sprinkle with the seasoning mix and lightly rub the seasoning into the turkey.
  5. Dribble some olive oil onto a small roasting pan. Place the thighs skin side down in the pan and sprinkle the exposed side with the seasoning. Lightly rub the seasoning in with your fingers.
  6. Place the pan in the oven, along with the potatoes and set a timer for 30 minutes.
  7. After 30 minutes, turn the thighs over (skin side up now) and rotate the potatoes.  Set the timer for another 30 minutes.
  8. Prep your broccoli (or other green vegetable) by trimming off the hard ends and little leaves, and cutting into mouth-sized pieces.  Put into a sauce pan with a quarter inch or so of water in it (or use a steamer), and cover.
  9. When the turkey and potatoes are done remove them from the oven and set aside.
    Put a clean towel over the turkey (not foil).
  10. Cook the broccoli about 6 minutes or until crunchy tender.
  11. Serve all! Put some butter, plain greek yogurt (or sour cream), and salt and pepper on the table for dressing the potatoes.

Photos

Step 5 – Put turkey in pan.
Raw turkey thighs with rub

Step 6 – Put turkey and potatoes in oven.
Turkey and Potatoes in the Oven

Nutrition Info

Oops, not here yet. Coming soon!

EZ Tri-Tip Roast Beef Stew (Slow Cooker)

Posted on by Lisa P

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 pound pre-marinated stew meat
    • (I like the Asada Tri Tip roast from Trader Joe’s)
  • 1 pound baby red potatoes cut in half or quarters
  • 1 pound carrots, scrubbed and cut into large pieces
  • 1 sweet onion cut into large slices
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded and cut into 1 inch strips
  • 4-5 garlic cloves, green shoots removed and chopped coarsely

Directions

  1. Prep all ingredients as indicated in the ingredients list.
  2. Place potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, & jalapeno in a large slow cooker (in that order).
  3. Add meat and marinade juices into the cooker, directly on top of vegetables.
  4. Add 1/4 C red wine or water into the roast bag. Roll the open end over to close it, and give it a shake (over the sink in case it leaks). Pour the liquid over the roast and discard bag.
  5. Cover the cooker and turn to high setting. Cook on high for two hours then reduce heat to low and cook another 4 to 6 hours. The vegetables will be just tender, and the roast should be tender but not falling apart.

Photos

Step 1 – Prep Veggies

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Step 2 – Add veggies to cooker.

 

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Step 3 – Add meat to cooker.

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Step 5 – Cook and serve.

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Nutrition

Oops, coming soon!

NPR’s GF Cookies

Posted on by Lisa P

I was searching for GF cookies for the holidays and lo and behold, found this super-yummy-looking recipe for Gluten Free Almond Butter Chocolate Chip cookies.

http://www.npr.org/2012/02/14/146875315/almond-butter-cookies

Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Photo Credit: Nicole Spiridakis / NPR

Haven’t tried it yet, but they look promising.  Once I manage to try them I’ll surely come back and update you.  If anyone tries them before me, feel free to let us know the results.

Gluten Free Pumpkin Muffins

Posted on by Lisa P

Whodathought you could make GF muffins that don’t taste GF?

I made these with freshly puréed roasted pumpkin that I made from a leftover Halloween pumpkin (uncarved!). I brought some to work and left them in the break room, and found this note stuck to the empty plate.

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P.S. I made these in a toaster oven with a convection option.

Lisa’s Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins

Wet Ingredients:
1/4 C Butter
3/4 C Sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 C fresh pureed pumpkin (drained)

Dry Ingredients:
2/3 C brown rice flour
2/3 C gluten-free oat flour
1/3 C almond flour
1/3 C tapioca starch
1-1/2 t xanthan gum
1 T baking powder
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1-1/2 t pumpkin pie spice

Directions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, mixing after each one. Add vanilla and pumpkin and blend well.

2. In a separate bowl, mix all dry ingredients together well.

3. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet pumpkin mixture. Use mixer on low to mix until just blended. Do not over-mix.

4. Preheat oven to 350.

5. Wipe muffin tin cups with a light coat of oil. A non-stick 12-muffin pan is ideal.

6. The dough will be heavy and dense. Use a large table spoon to scoop dough into cups. It should mound slightly above the surface of the tin.

7. Bake for 18-20 minutes.

Let cool slightly in the tin and then use a butter knife to gently pry each muffin out. Cool completely on wire rack.