chicken salad sandwiches...

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

This is when you know it's time for picnics and bbqs; summer!

Ingredients:

- 6-8 plain croissants

- 3 cups cubed chicken

- 2 cups diced grapes.

- 1/2 diced onion

- 1 tablespoon basil

- 1 cup mayo or miracle whip

- 3/4 cup cashews. roughly chopped

- 2 teaspoons lemon juice

- 1 tablespoon mustard

- salt and pepper to taste

- lettuce to dress the sandwhich

Directions:

1. Mix ingredients together in a large bowl & serve with croissants.

turkey burgers...

Turkey Burgers

We have been trying new recipes in our house this week, and none have seemed to fail yet! We had these the other night, I think I may have changed my husband's mind about turkey burgers...at least for one night.

Yeild: 8 burgers [we had plenty of extra]

Ingredients:

- 3 tbsp olive oil, divided

- 1/3 finely chopped red onion

- 4 cloves garlic. minced.

- 2 lbs ground turkey

- 1 tsp salt

- 1 tsp black pepper

- 1/4 chopped parsley

- 1 tbsp rosemary

- 1 tbsp sage

- 2 tsp thyme leaves

Directions:

1. Heat the coals of a grill to medium high. Meanwhile, in a medium sized skillet, heat 2 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat. Add the red onion and saute fora bout 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 2 minutes longer, until the onion in tender. Remove from heat and transfer into a large cooking bowl. Set aside and let cool.

2. Once the onion mixture has cooled, add the ground turkey, salt, pepper, and herbs to the bowl. Mix well so everything is evenly blended. Mix in the remaining tbsp of olive oil. For the mixture into 8 equal sized patties.

3. When you are ready to grill, oil the grates of the grill with additional olive or vegetable oil. Cook until evenly browned and cooked through, bout 4-6 minutes each side.

4.Serve with desired condiments and roasted buns!

lemon spaghetti.

Lemon Spaghetti

Ingredients:

- 4 oz dry spaghetti

- 1/4 cup grated parmesan

- 2 tsp olive oil

- 1 clove garlic

- 1/2 lemon

- 2 tbsp pine nut

- 5-6 basil leaves

Directions:

1. In a small skillet, pour in olive oil and chopped up garlic. Let it cook over low heat, until the garlic starts to brown on the edges. Remove from heat and set aside.

2. Next, cook your spaghetti as directed on back of box.

3. In a large bowl add your cheese, pine nuts and garlic oil (chunks and all). Sqeeze in your lemon juice.

4. Throw in your cooked spaghetti and toss until well combined.

Parmesan Roasted Potatoes...

Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

chichoskitchen.com

Ingredients:

- 4 medium red potatoes

- 2 tbsp olive oil

- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese

- 1 tsp garlic powder

- 1 tsp paprika

- salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

1.Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut potatoes into wedges.

2. In a small bowl, combine parmesan, garlic powder, and paprika; set aside. Next, toss the potatoes and oil together in a mixing bowl and add the cheese & seasoning mixture and stir to coat.

3. Arrange them on a baking sheet in a single layer.

4. Bake for about 30-35 minutes, then remove from oven and flip all the potatoes. Bake for another few minutes until crispy and golden.

5. Yum!

mozzarella grilled cheese...

Mozzarella Grilled Cheese

original recipe found here

This is a must try! I promise.

Ingredients:

- 8 slices rye bread 

- 4 slices of fresh mozzarella

- 3 tomatoes, cut in thick slices

- 1 cup fresh basil pesto

- freshly ground black pepper

- extra virgin olive oil

Directions: 

1. Assemble the sandwhich anyway you would like and enjoy.

[side note: I also grill my sandwhich in a panini press, but over the stove will work too, ust enough to melt the cheese.]

picture from anediblesymphony.com

crock-pot baked apples.

Crock Pot Baked Apples.

yummy recipe fromskinnychef.com



a healthier little dessert for you...

Ingredients:

- 1/4 cup brown sugar

- 1/4 cup walnuts. chopped.

- 2 tablespoons trans-fat free margarine

- 1 teaspoon cinnamon

- 6 Gala apples. cored.

- 1/2 cup apple juice or cider

Directions:

1. Preheat a large crockpot on high heat and preset for 3 hours.

2. In a large bowl combine brown sugar, walnuts, margarine, and cinnamon.

3. Fill the apples with the filling, place them in the crockpot, and pour the apple juice or cider over the apples.

4.cover and cook for 3 hours, or until the apples become tender and start to collapse.

5. ENJOY!

Creamy Barley Salad with Apples.

Creamy Barley Salad with Apples

realsimple.com

I'm all about a good salad in the summertime!

Ingredients:

- 1/2 cup pearl barley

- 1/2 cup plain low fat yogurt

- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin oil

- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard

- 1 apple, thinley sliced

- 1/4 cup fresh mint (optional)

- 2 bunches arugula, stems removed.

-salt & pepper

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the barley, 1 1/2 cups water, 1/2 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil. reduce the heat to a medium low, cover, and simmer until the barley is tender and the water is absorbed- about 25 minutes. Drain and place on a cookie sheet to cool.

2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, oil, lemon juice, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper. Add the apple, mint and barley and toss to combine.

3. Divide the arugula amongst the bowls and top with barley mixture!

4. Enjoy & feel good about it!

pineapple chicken pitas...

where have I been?! Well being a mom yes, but that is no excuse not to eat right?! I'm going to start with something simple and work my way up again so here is one, very simple, yummy lunch or dinner idea!

Pineapple Chicken Pitas

adapted from myrecipes.com

Ingredients:

-2.5 cups of chopped chicken, cooked.

- 1/4 cup light mayo

- 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions

- 1/3 cup plain yogurt

-1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

-1/4 teaspoon salt

- 1 (8oz) can crushed pineapple, drained.

-1/4 teaspoon black pepper

- Whole wheat pitas

-Romain Lettuce

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, stirring well.

2. Line each pita half with lettuce

3. Fill pita with chicken mixture and enjoy!