Hello Risotto

To some it is a sacrilege but to me it is a very good thing.
Yes, I cook risotto in the microwave.
YIKES!

It is good. Not perfectly good, not just good enough, but very good.

No standing, watching, stirring, waiting, adding hot liquids, stirring , watching some more.

I do watch and stir but the main thing about microwaving risotto is to use a high bowl. Risotto in the microwave has a tendency to bubble over and it's a hard mess to clean.

So, watch a little, stir a little, enjoy a lot.

Easy Pannini

A stovetop grill and a sturdy spatula work as well as any machine to make a pretty pressed sandwich.

What I Used:

White wheat bread
Deli Sliced Ham
Low fat Monterrey Jack with Colby cheese, pre-sliced
Butter
Spray Oil

How I Made It:

Pre-heat the grill pan over medium low heat
Assemble the sandwich
Put a little butter on the outside
Place on the grill
Press down with the spatula for several seconds then let sit and cook until a crispy brown
Flip and repeat

Good served warm with baked chips and/or raw vegetables.

The Healthier PB&J

Using whole grain bread, jelly made with fruit with no added sugar and organic, unsalted peanut butter made from freshly ground raw or dry roasted peanuts is a great way to incorporate good, healthy foods in the life of a child.

A light sprinkle of naturally minerally enriched sea salt on top of the peanut butter makes this sandwich sing!

Side Options Are:

-Carrots

-Apple

-Celery

-Raisens

-Pretzels

Dessert Options Are:

-Yogurt Covered Raisens

-Yogurt Covered Pretzels

-Older PB&J lovers might choose chocolate covered coffee beans as a sweet finish

Macaroni and Cheese Please

Healthy Mac and Cheese

Tweaking a classic dish sounds like a bad thing but just changing a couple of the ingredients will not change the flavor or texture so much that it's noticeable to the palate and the dish is made healthier.

Following the usual mac and cheese recipe,http://elleseasymeals.blogspot.com/2007/12/my-first-homemade-macaroni-and-cheese.html, the only changes to make using equal measurements are:

• low fat cheese (fat free may not melt as well)
• low fat milk
• whole or multi-grain pasta

One option for anyone wary of change is to mix the new in with the old ingredients to see that there really is nothing to fear.

Bake as usual and store the leftovers in the refrigerator.

elle's Easy Biscuits Cooked On The Stove Top

Quite by accident, I discovered that biscuits can be cooked in a pan on the stove top using just a spatula for turning.

It was a warm day and we wanted biscuits but didn't want to use the oven and add extra heat to the house.

I decided to try and see what would happen if I melted butter in a pan over medium heat and add a can of flaky layer biscuits so I did.

YUM!

Here Is What You'll Need:

One can of flaky, layered biscuits (a different kind or even the large biscuits may work well)

One third stick of REAL butter ( I feel like I just said Voldemort out loud instead of You Know Who)

A splash of olive oil

Garlic salt/ garlic powder

Melt the butter with the olive oil using medium to med/low heat and then add the biscuits.

Sprinkle the biscuits with the garlic salt and/or powder (to taste, a little goes a long way)

Turn the biscuits over when they start to turn golden on the bottom and sprinkle the new side with the garlic salt/powder again, maybe using less.

Turn once more.

Usually by the time the butter is absorbed the biscuits are done and ready to eat.

The texture reminds me of a doughnut, slightly crispy outside and tender inside.

Best served warm.

Sprinkling with parsley or Parmesan cheese adds a nice touch.

These go well with almost anything including Spaghetti.

elle's Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

What You Need:

Grilled (baked/roasted is fine) chicken, white or dark meat.
Hamburger or Sandwich Buns ...I use the new healthier high fiber breads and buns.
BBQ Sauce...we use a hickory with brown sugar bottled sauce.

The Plan:

Shred or cut the chicken into small pieces and coat with sauce...add fresh even if already cooked with sauce just to liven up the flavors.

Spoon onto warmed buns and enjoy one of the easiest meals on the planet.

Add chips or raw vegetable sticks and dip as a side and have ice cream or snow cones for an easy, refreshing dessert.

Pictures to come.

elle's Easy Potato Soup With Ham

To Feed Four

Two large cans of diced potatoes/ drain but save some of the liquid to use in soup.

One package of cubed ham/ this can be rinsed to reduce sodium.

Milk/cream/half and half...whichever you have or prefer.

Butter.

Salt, pepper, garlic powder, celery flakes, onion powder, parsley, chives to taste.

Flour for the roue/gravy.

Start by putting butter in a large soup or sauce pot and add ham cubes to warm through.

Meantime, open cans of potatoes. I lay them on their sides on the edge of the sink to drain. This reserves some liquid in the can for the soup.

Add potatoes to the ham and add all seasonings you plan on using. Stir to coat.

Now add milk about half way up and let simmer while you make the roue.

For the roue use about a tablespoon of butter and of flour over medium heat.

To make the sauce creamier, make a roue with flour and butter and let cook for a couple of minutes, stirring and then add enough milk and stir to make a medium thick gravy. Add to soup to thicken. Mix well.

Let simmer for several minutes.

Tips and Hints:

Put a dollop of sour cream on top of each serving and decorate with a sprinkle of fresh or dried chives.

elle's Easy Mexican Beef Pot Pie

What you will need to start:

1 1/2 pounds of ground beef
1 can of diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can of sweet corn, drained
1 cup or less of green, red and yellow bell peppers. I used the frozen ones cut into small pieces
1 small to medium sweet onion, chopped
Shredded cheese(s) up to two cups
Chili Powder
Cumin
Garlic
Salt and Pepper
Jiffy Cornbread (uses one egg and milk)

Cook and drain beef trying to keep in chunky or bite sized pieces.
Into pan add a little olive oil and saute the peppers and onion until tender.
Add to the onion mixture the canned tomatoes and corn and drained ground beef.
Season to taste like chili.
Let simmer for 5-10 minutes and remove from heat.
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Make the cornbread according to directions on the box except add extra milk so the cornbread mixture is easy to pour over the top of the "chili" mixture. It doesn't have to cover it completely.

Using an oven proof pan, cover the chili with the cornbread and sprinkle the cheese(s) on top.
Bake until golden. About 10-15 minutes.

Great served with shredded lettuce and sour cream.

Omit the cornbread and serve on wraps as a taco or on a bun as a sloppy joe or with corn chips for dipping.

easy Chicken Pot Pie Using Grands Biscuits

This pot pie uses flaky biscuits pulled apart for more coverage.

What you will need to make easy Chicken Pot Pie:
1. Four medium cooked chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces.
2. One 16oz. bag of frozen mixed vegetables. These can be used frozen or thawed.
3. One small sweet onion, chopped into bite sized chunks.
4. 1/3 Cup of all purpose flour. I mixed whole wheat with white.
5. 1 and 1/2 Cups of Water.
6. 1 and 1/2 Cups of Milk.
7. Assorted seasonings to taste: salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, paprika and celery flakes.
8. Shredded cheese. I used a mix of cheddar and colby.
9. One can of Grands brand biscuits in butter flavor.
10. Elbow pasta.

To Start:
1. Saute onion in olive oil until translucent, then add 1 and 1/2 cups water, the vegetables and seasonings. Bring to a low boil and then add a few small fistfuls of the pasta. Cook, stirring often, until al dente... about 5 minutes.
2. Mix together 1 and 1/2 cups of milk and 1/3 cup of flour until smooth and add to the vegetable mixture. Bring to a boil. Add the cooked chicken and cook until thickened to the texture of pancake batter but not more. You may have to add more liquids to keep it "loose" or pourable. Taste test.
3. Remove from heat. Turn oven on to 350 degrees F.
4. Sprinkle with cheese saving some to sprinkle on top of the biscuits.
5. Put the biscuits on top adding the cheeses. Pull the biscuits apart for more coverage.
6. Bake at 350 until the biscuits are golden brown. About 10-15 minutes.

Options and Tips:
1. Frozen chicken breasts or tenderloins work just fine.
2. Chicken thighs are good for this dish. I like when the skinless/boneless ones are on sale.
3. Canned chicken (use the canned water/juice to add flavor)
4. May need more liquids to keep the gravy from congealing.
5. Use a pan or pot that is oven proof to save time and clean up.
6. Different pasta shapes can be used. Penne or rotinni would work well.
7. Biscuits could be cut or pulled in half if you need or want more coverage.
8. Add extra chicken or vegetables for extra portions. If you add a substantial amount, you may need to increase the amount of gravy by adding extra liquid(s) and/or flour.

Greek Instead of Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil

My first post of 2008 is to say how much I like using this Greek olive oil. It is extra virgin olive oil and is first cold pressed making it a healthy oil. The price is usually less than the Italian brands too.

I like this mild flavored oil because I can use it for almost anything and I do. Even for scrambling eggs or making pancakes. There is no strong flavor and I like knowing the added oil is good for my family and me.

They say not to use evoo on very high heat but I rarely fry foods so that's not a problem.

I sometimes mix this olive oil with butter and/or organic coconut oil for the extra health benefits.