"Skinny pasta and meatballs"

Hello fellow foodies and food lovers.  Today's adventure does not happen often due to the fact that my husband does not really know how to cook.  Now before I start no he did not make me dinner I still made dinner.  Though he did make part of it.  Today we made the "skinny" version of pasta and meatballs.

 The husband made the tomato sauce and really wanted me to find a way to use his sauce in today's/ nights adventure.  So right off I think meatballs and Pasta, I wanted to make a tasty meal but healthy.  Using whole wheat pasta is just a small way you can make this healthier, I go further though I also make my meatballs with lean ground turkey breast.  Trust me you can get the same flavor with ground turkey that you can with beef.  It is all about making small changes to your favorite dishes, you don't have to changed everything.  Just by changing the meat used makes it better for you right there.

Worry not tomorrow I will have an adventure that has a step by step recipe along with it.  The past 2 days was just trying to use up some things we had laying around.  Until next time remember play with your food and have fun.

Who say's it has to be sunny and 85 to grill

Hello fellow foodies and food lovers.  Were starting to get ready for fall, but don't put your grills and tongs quite yet.  Today's adventure came to me while shopping for weight watchers ice cream products.  While mozying along I came across a great deal..... A half chicken for only 2$.  So when thinking about what I wanted to put in today's blog I deiced to use the nice weather while we still have it.  Also it allows me to have a low key cooking day.  Low key I know your thinking right now that some how i found a way to use our friend the slow cooker right?  No no no not the slow cooker but better, the grill master in my family my husband.

So that was my plan for today a grilled half chicken, corn on the cob and a couscous black bean salad.  And let me tell you it sure was a hit.  Until next time remember play with your food and have fun.

Back on track Chicken

Hello fellow foodies and food lovers.  Feel more on track and off to a good start to the week?  It is often never the question "can we do it"? More "do we want it bad enough to make it happen"?  Dishes like our Lemon Thyme Chicken is one of the many recipes to keep us motivated.  Best thing is our adventure was full of flavor, without a bit of guilt.

The star in this dish tonight was the calorie free flavors used to make the dish pop.  Things like fresh herbs, lemon zest, pepper as well as dried spices.  So use them you will be surprised how much of a punch, pop, or zing they bring to your food for "free".  So until next time remember play with your food and have fun.

Back on track Chicken

Hello fellow foodies and food lovers.  Today's adventure is for all my weight watchers friends out there, as well all those who are seeking healthier lives.  Monday the start of yet another week. Feeling off track?  Get back on track with this light bright dish, that is refreshing and healthy without being boring "rabbit food".

Sauteed Zucchini with Lemon- Thyme Chicken
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon chopped, fresh thyme
1 pound chicken cutlets
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup uncooked, couscous
3/4 pound zucchini, cut in half moons
1/2 pound yellow squash, cut in half moons
1/4 cup chicken broth

There you have it today's game plan/ menu.  So fear not were back on track, so go out enjoy this beautiful day go to the gym.  Pictures and review to come later tonight, until next time remember play with your food and have fun. 

Waiting out the storm "Crock pot Chili" part 2

Hello fellow foodies and food lovers.  Today's adventure was low key and laid back, but still packed a bit of a punch.  Was warm and comforting on this rainy day, and though it did not turn out quite the way i wanted still a success.

  Today's crock pot chili turned out more like a soup.  However soup or chili the flavor was outstanding. Beans gave this dish a creamy smooth texture with out using milk or cream.  The chilies played a sneak attack, unnoticeable at first bite then in the back of your throat is this silent heat.

Now if you really want this to turn out a chili, here are some idea's i would use the next time i made this dish.  All crock pots are different so get to know your crock pot, as odd as that seems.  The recipe calls for 4 cup of broth and 1 cup of water. Cut the broth down to 3 1/2 cups broth and omit the water all together.  Remember in the end if it is too thick for your liking you can add liquid, it is hard to think-in once you have too much liquid.  Now if you all ready have to much liquid you can try taking the lid off and cooking it for a while, and if that does not get it thick enough for you, you can make a slurry and add it to the "chili".  A slurry is a mixture of broth or water and cornstarch.

So until next time remember play with your food and have fun.

Waiting out the storm "Crock pot Chili"

Hello fellow foodies and food lovers.  If your on the East Coast stormy weather has you hunkered inside, waiting for the storm to pass.  And if your not your tired from our labor intensive adventure yesterday.  Where ever you are were welcoming back our friend the "slow cooker", to help us out on today's cozy comforting adventure.

White Bean Chicken Chili
1 tablespoon vegetable oil 
2 bone-in chicken breast
S&P
2 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 4-oz can roast green chilies
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 15-oz can white beans
4 cups chicken broth

• 1. Warm oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper, and place skin side down in skillet. Cook 6 minutes, turning once. Transfer to a plate; remove skin. Drain all but 2 Tbsp. fat from pan. Sauté onions and garlic for 5 minutes. Stir onion mixture, chilies, 1 cup water, cumin, chicken, beans and broth into slow cooker.
• 2. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, stirring twice. Remove 1 cup beans plus 1/2 cup liquid from slow cooker. Puree in a blender; return to slow cooker. Shred chicken and return to slow cooker. Serve hot.

So there you have it our game plan / menu.  So whether your hunkered in by the storm or just relaxing on this Sunday, set it and forget it.  Let our friend the slow cooker do all the work.  Pictures and review to come later tonight.  Until next time remember play with your food and have fun.
 

Just another "Chicken dish" to add to your collection part 2

Hello fellow foodies and food lovers.  Hope you enjoyed this earthy Chicken dish as much as i have.  A little more labor intensive then i had thought, with the side of Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Broccoli. However it was so worth it.  This is one that will go in the "make again pile.

 This is a dish sure to please any crowd of all ages.  The mushroom sauce had a richness to please the biggest gravy lover, but is without the gilt.  As i am sure you can tell by now i am all into making good, yummy, satisfying, and healthy food.  Don't let the picture fool you it follows all those rules truly it does.  Yummy beyond belief, satisfying on all levels and healthy.  For all my weight watchers friends out there this entire meal is only 7 points.