Easy Meals for convenience

Hi Everyone!

The New year 2024 is here and if you’re like me need to get back to some easy full filling dinner menus.  

We’ve had so much rich and fattening sauces 

, meals and desserts it’s difficult to get to thinking healthy, satisfying and tasty too.

I’ll post today a few suggestions that may be of help to you and me as well.

Last night we had a simple dinner of lightly sautéed chicken breasts, 90 second wild rice and applesauce.  All prepared in less than 45 minutes from start to finish.

Another meal is Meatloaf with roasted vegetables 

Link below:

https://iliketobakeandcook.blogspot.com/2016/01/baked-meatloaf-with-potatoes-and-carrots.html

Cappellini Pomodoro

https://iliketobakeandcook.blogspot.com/2018/09/cappellini-pomodoro-from-my-kitchen-to.html

Shrimp and Broccoli in a orange coconut sauce

https://iliketobakeandcook.blogspot.com/2018/04/shrimp-and-broccoli-in-sweet-orange.html

 

Kitchen, Pantry, Closet, Home :). A little motivation from me to you!

Hi Happy 2024 everyone!

Winter is a perfect time to minimize lol if you can and organize.  Whether it’s your kitchen area or your closet get going.  The winter will breeze by and you’ll feel so much better GETTING ORGANIZED! M.j.

Here are some new updated photos of my kitchen cabinets and laundry room.

 

It doesn't matter what time of the year it is getting organized will make YOU feel better. 

BEFORE

All stored in my cabinet and every year I check for old, dried up spices..Everything tastes better when using fresh.

Note:  Some of these suggestions may be repeated in other Getting Organized Posts.

 

Every January, July or about I spend a day or a few hours on a day or weekend and have a pitch party...................as in out with the *old, messy, stained or just ugly (why did I buy that) item?  This also goes for your spice cabinet or drawer.  I think this post is worth re-posting for those who need a bit of inspiration and and a little push!   Whether it's your *closet, *kitchen cabinets or home * it time to pitch out dated items and freshen up your home.

Spices lose their freshness after time so buy in small quantities to assure you'll replace when needed.  

Spring will be here in no time and what better time now to start setting some goals for a stress free summer.  I love to set goals for myself.  Whether it be saving for a vacation, eating healthier, or keeping my home in order..  They all have meaning to my life and to help make it stress free I have found that setting goals has helped make my life much more enjoyable..

 This whole goal thing probably was inspired when I worked for a cosmetic company.. Everyday goals ($$$) were set and it was placed on top of our work sheet.  That number would glare at me every hour I worked.   It did motivate me( I made my selling goal most days I worked).  I felt proud of myself too (I think I stood a little taller those days) and honestly a little sad when I didn't make my goal but I never gave up.  Never Ever!!

  One of my top goals in life has always been to keep my home clutter free.  I'm a pitch person.. I love magazines but only keep a very few after I read them and that goes for books. Those extra dishes you never ever use or all those slacks and tops that have shrunk from the dryer( I'm being kind to myself). Donate, donate donate! or have a garage or yard sale.

  Warm weather is on the horizon so you and your friends may want to have a neighborhood yard sale.  There are so many options for you. On a positive note if you donate you can get a tax deduction. You just have to remember to not let clutter take over your life and it can if you allow it to.  You have to be in control and being in control is a great feeling.  Why not start right now and make yourself a few easy goals to make life a bit easier for you to enjoy!

In January I decided to work on my main clothes closet..I got rid of all my clothes that I hadn't worn in 2 years and donated to my church.  They were having a rummage sale.  My church appreciated it and I bet a lot of people benefited from those unwanted items..Anything old and tattered I pitched!!! What a wonderful liberating feeling.

Start today and make your life clutter free! 

P.S.  I'm keeping my hubby and kids!!!!

Make a list of 3 goals to set for yourself and start today to make your life a bit more enjoyable. 

As always,

  

  

3/12/12 
1/16/13
3/18/13 
8/3/15 

1/4/2023
1/2024

Healthy white minestrone

I had seen this recipe on Eating well .com and was really curious about the taste as it was a white minestrone and different than any minestrone recipe I had made; so today I went grocery shopping for ingredients.

I had my homemade chicken broth so I used it otherwise I would have used what this recipe called for in broth 

I will put an asterisk next to how I adapted this recipe to my liking.  I only used one zucchini and as far as seasoning cut back to 1 tsp. Thyme and I tablespoon of cider vinegar because I just wasn’t sure of what boost it would give to the soup.  Having said that I would follow the recipe as is the next time.  It was really delicious.

     

     
           

• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 3 medium leeks, trimmed, washed ) and thinly sliced( note: I watched a video as how to thoroughly clean and cut the leeks)

• 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth, or vegetable broth

• 1 cup water

• *1 large red potato, diced(white)

• *2 teaspoons dried thyme( I used one)

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

• *½ cup whole-wheat orzo(I used wheat instant rice at the end and allowed to sit 5 minutes without stirring )

• 1 -15-ounce can white beans, rinsed

• *2 medium zucchini, quartered and thinly sliced( I used one zucchini)

• *1 pound fresh spinach, stems removed(I used 1/2 bag frozen spinach rinsed )

• *2 tablespoons cider vinegar(I used one)

• 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese, preferably Parmigiano-Reggiano

Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 3 minutes. Add broth, water, potato, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 5 

Minutes.

1. Add orzo and cook, partially covered, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, for 5 minutes. Add beans and zucchini and continue to cook, partially covered, until the vegetables and pasta are tender, about 8 minutes more.

2. Stir in spinach and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Season the soup with vinegar. Ladle into bowls and garnish with Parmesan.

   Delish!

   Enjoy!

 

Welcoming the New Year 2024

Cozy and Comfy New Year’s Eve.

We love staying at home for New Year's Eve..We have gotten away from going out to parties..

Somehow, curling up with a nice blanket in front of the TV with hot chocolate and cookies or sometimes making a wild sundae as we did this year becomes  our norm and honestly it was something I would look forward to and I am sure more and more. 

Feeling safe comfy and with someone you love means more than going out to a party to celebrate.  Celebrating love and life is the greatest gift of all.

 Can it be that I am getting old?  or acting old?  Naw, I just think there is something very comforting and peaceful with being in your home doing your own thing and I'm betting there are a lot of folks like me.

I will also reflect on my plans for next year..I really don't make New Year's resolutions (too stressful) so I am going to try to cook a bit healthier at times (I have to be honest.)

Be more patient (some days I really have to work at it).

  Do some walking (even if it is too cold, I'll either bundle up or go walk in a mall). No shopping allowed!  

 Most of all be thankful for my family and friends.  As I have gotten older I truly realize family is family no matter where they live, what they do or say I love them and I appreciate and love my friends. I am there for them as they are for me and I am very blessed..

Looking forward to sharing 2024 with you my blogger friends.. 

Hoping this new year brings you health, peace love and happiness..

A bonus if (someone I know wins the lottery) Wouldn't that be a nice bonus?  Stay safe and Healthy!

Love,

M.J.

2011, 2012

Homemade Hot Fudge sauce

Surprise Hot Fudge sauce for New Year’s Eve!!

Note:  ****

I used heavy cream for this recipe because I had plenty and I needed something to make with it…so it wouldn’t expire before I used it.

You can use half and half if you don’t have heavy cream 

2/3 cup heavy cream 

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed( I used light brown sugar)

1/4 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder (I used natural, Dutch-process may be used; if your cocoa is particularly lumpy, sift it) **I used baking cocoa.

1/4 teaspoon salt, optional and to taste

6 ounces dark or bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (I used 3 ounces 54% and 3 ounces 72%)(I used a dark chocolate candy bar)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1tsp.pure vanilla extract 

1. Bring cream, corn syrup , brown sugar, cocoa powder, optional salt, and half the chopped chocolate to a boil in a 1 to 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, until chocolate is melted. Reduce heat and cook at a low boil for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
2. Turn off the heat and add butter, vanilla, remaining chocolate, and stir until smooth. Cool slightly before serving.
3. Cooled sauce can be stored in a jar with a lid or in airtight container in the refrigerator for many weeks (recipe source says 1 week but I think that’s very conservative). I store mine for up to 1 week at room temperature; do as you’re comfortable with. Reheat sauce before using by placing the desired portion in a microwave-safe bowl and heating for about 10 to 15 seconds, or reheat on the stovetop.

It’s delicious and super easy to make in a 

Very short time.

Averiecooks