Italian Pesto Salad

Easy Salads for a healthier lifestyle.  

To keep us healthy and give us energy including lots of good protein is a good idea.  I have found that including some protein in every meal (yes 3 times a day) helps to keep the body going and keep your metabolism running properly. 

Whether you use this recipe the way I have written it or adding some healthy olive oil to it I am sure you'll find it enjoyable. 

Italian Pesto Salad

8 oz elbow macaroni( I used tri color for some color)

1 -7 oz. Jar basil pesto sauce( I used fresh basil pesto)

¼ cup red wine vinegar

½ tsp. Kosher salt

2- 15 oz. cans cannellini beans rinsed and drained

(3 cups baby arugula)

2 oz. Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese shaved

¼ cup pine nuts

Cook macaroni according to directions. Drain and rinse well under cold water. Set aside.

In a large bowl stir together pesto, vinegar and salt.

Add beans, cooked macaroni, arugula, half the cheese and half the pine nuts

Toss well. Serve at once or cover and chill up to 6 hours. Top with remaining cheese and nuts.

Note: I am adding the Bibb lettuce just before serving.

8/29/14

2/15/16

3/22/17

Mango Peach Salsa Pork

Salsa isn't just for dipping chips in.  It's adds a great flavor to chicken or pork and adding it to your crockpot with your favorite meat seals the deal.

I am by no means an expert in cooking or baking but I have no problem experimenting with foods.  If it sounds like a good combination I'll play with it in a recipe.  This one was a no brainier

I had plans to go out for the day and I also had pork chops I had bought and not froze as well as a bottle of salsa.  Mango Peach no less.  Love both.  So I quickly seared my pork chops in a bit of olive oil, a pinch of salt and pepper and into my crockpot with the salsa on low.  I was gone for 5 hours and yes it was ready when I returned.

My pork chops were on the thinner side but I'm sure it will work even better with thick style pork chops and if you are working and will be gone all day, setting your crockpot to low it will assure a great meal when you get home.

I made a potato in the microwave and cut it in cubes and put the cooked pork and salsa over it.

It was so yummy..  Enjoy and sure try it with chicken if you don't care for pork.

Ingredients:

1 cup salsa or more
1/4 cup water(optional)

4 to 6 boneless pork chops or 2 lb. pork loin roast
pinch salt and pepper

5 to 8 hours on low depending on thickness of pork chops or roast.

Why not try some shredded over mashed potatoes or like I did for lunch loaded mashed potatoes. My hubby's choice. He loved it!

This was Made in the crockpot using pork chops but I also have used a boneless lean pork tenderloin or loin roast.   So you have many choices, meal, lunch or a yummy sandwich. 

Happy Crockpot Cooking from my kitchen to yours,

Author Unknown

I thought these were so beautiful I had to share on this lovely Saturday.  They made me feel optimistic and grateful.

These twelve short stories are all very good stories and make us think twice about the daily happenings in our lives as we deal with others!!

1. Today, I interviewed my grandmother for part of a research paper I'm   working on for my Psychology class.  When I asked her to define success in  her own words, she said;

"Success is when you look back at your life and the memories make you smile."

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2.  Today, I asked my mentor - a very successful business man in his 70s-  what his top 3 tips are for success.  He smiled and said;
"Read something no one else is reading, think something no one else is thinking, and do  something no one else is doing."

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3.   Today, after my 72 hour shift at the fire station, a woman ran up to me  at the grocery store and gave me a hug.  When I tensed up, she realized I   didn't recognize her. She let go with tears of joy in her eyes and the most  sincere smile and said;

"On 9-11-2001, you carried me out of the World Trade Center."

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4.  Today, after I watched my dog get run over by a car, I sat on the side   of the road holding him and crying.  And just before he died;
he licked the tears off my face.

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5.  Today at 7AM, I woke up feeling ill, but decided I needed the money, so   I went into work. At 3PM I got laid off. On my drive home I got a flat   tire.  When I went into the trunk for the spare, it was flat too.

A man in   a BMW pulled over, gave me a ride, we chatted, and then he offered me a job.

I start tomorrow.

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6.  Today, as my father, three brothers, and two sisters stood around my   mother's hospital bed, my mother uttered her last coherent words before she died. 
She simply said, "I feel so loved right now. We should have gotten together like this more often."

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7. Today, I kissed my dad on the forehead as he passed away in a small   hospital bed. About 5 seconds after he Passed,

I realized it was the first  time I had given him a kiss since I was a little boy.

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8.  Today, in the cutest voice, my 8-year-old daughter asked me to start   recycling. I chuckled and asked, "Why?" She replied, "So you can help me   save the planet." I chuckled again and asked, "And why do you want to save   the planet?"

Because that's where I keep all my stuff," she said.

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9. Today, when I witnessed a 27-year-old breast cancer patient laughing   hysterically at her 2-year-old daughter's antics, I suddenly realized that, 

I need to stop complaining about my life and start celebrating it again.

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10.  Today, a boy in a wheelchair  saw me desperately struggling on crutches  with my broken leg and offered to carry my backpack and books for me.   He   helped me all the  way across campus to my class and as he was leaving he said,

"I hope you feel better soon."

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11.   Today, I was feeling down because the results of a biopsy came back  malignant. When I got home, I opened an e-mail that said, "Thinking of you today. If you need me, I'm a phone call away."

It was from a high school   friend I hadn't seen in 10 years.

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12.   Today, I was traveling in Kenya and I met a refugee from Zimbabwe.  He  said he hadn't eaten anything in over 3 days and looked extremely skinny and  unhealthy.  Then my friend offered him the rest of the sandwich he was  Eating.

The first thing the man said was, "We can share it.

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The best sermons are lived, not preached.

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I am glad I have 'you' to send these to.

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These are worth passing on...hope you enjoy them as much as I did !

Much love,

My favorite Hot Dog or Burger Chili and a Hometown favorite's recipe! Two for One Special~~~~~

I'm starting the summer with picnic foods that have been favorites of ours for a very long time.  One is hot dog chili.  Copy this for a go to recipe for those summer hot dogs or chili hamburgers.  Enjoy! Re-post for those who haven't copied it before.

This chili (no beans)recipe is delicious on either burgers or dogs!  I have been making this recipe for a very long time and have found that most people like hamburger chili on their hot dogs.   When I was growing up it was a must on a hamburger and we'd add ketchup, onion and mustard to it and it was soooooo good!   I don't believe I have ever posted this recipe before!

I have lots of recipes to share and I am compiling them for my cookbook which should be out sometime later this summer or early fall.

I'll be sending the finished copy to the printer soon.  If you are interested in one I'll give you the info as soon as I receive it from the publisher.

Finely ground in chopper or Cuisinart

Thanks and Happy Cooking from my kitchen to yours,

Chili, mustard, ketscup, onion and whatever else you might like.

Hot Dog Chili  ( My own Creation)

1 lb. ground chuck (beef)

1 tsp. canola oil

1 small onion grated fine or 1 tsp. onion powder

½ tsp. garlic powder

½ tsp. chili powder

¼ tsp. cumin

½ tsp. paprika

4 oz. Hunts sauce or 3 T. ketchup

dash or two red pepper (optional)

1 tsp. salt

½ tsp. pepper
1/2 cup water

Saute’ ground chuck in canola oil.   When lightly browned add onion, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper and  sauce or ketchup.  Cook slowly about 15 minutes or until ingredients are cooked through while mashing with a fork to get the meat finer. I you like it chunkier don't mash too much..

I am also sharing with you a recipe from my hometown favorite Hot Dog and Burger restaurant.  Enjoy!

 

Chili for Hot Dogs! (Hometown Favorite Restaurant Recipe)

1 pound ground beef { brown and mash with fork} I put it in the Cuisinart to get really fine

2 tsp chili powder

2 tsp cumin

3 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper{ ground red pepper}

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp dry mustard

8 oz can tomato sauce {add 1/4 can water}

Simmer for 30 minutes , stir frequently

Note:  For a finer ground chili.. After cooking all chuck (beef).  Cool slightly and place all ingredients in food processor and pulse several times.

original 8/31/12 updated 5/22/13

Thai Style Pork Salad

Another new recipe from me to you.  My hubby is so receptive to these recipes I can just kiss him.  For so many years he was so super fussy that I spent most of my days frustrated on what to make that both he and I would enjoy.  I loved to eat and as long as it wasn't liver, anchovies or pumpkin it was good for me.  I was raised to eat whatever was put in front of me but for some reason he balked at most all food so it carried on well into our marriage which proved to put unnecessary strain on me when it came to meal decisions.

Finally after many years of pasta, burgers, little chicken and little pork.  He did like steak but it was not always affordable when we were young and raising a family he now eats everything that I make which is so helpful in meal planning.

Today I saw a recipe in Better Homes and Garden magazine. (I really love that magazine) and figured I give it a go.  Clean Plate!!!!!!!  We both enjoyed it and I'm passing the recipe on to you.

It suggests serving it with cabbage leaves but I felt I wanted some carbs so I served it over Rice Pilaf.  Enjoy!

3/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk
1/2 cup cilantro
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup lime juice
2 T ginger
1 lb. boneless pork loin sliced into bite size pieces
1 T olive oil
1 cup cut green beans (I steamed them slightly before  added them)
1 cup shredded carrots
12 napa cabbage leaves optional
1 pkg. 90 second Uncle Ben's Rice Pilaf

A side salad is fine instead of the cabbage leaves work for us. 
 
In a large mixing bowl combine coconut milk, cilantro, soy sauce, lime juice and ginger.  Add pork and toss to coat.

In a very large skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add meat mixture.  Cook about 3 minutes over medium high heat.  Add green beans.  Cook and stir 3 to 4 minutes or until beans are crisp-tender and pork is slightly pink.  Stir occasionally  Add carrots just before serving.  To serve, top cabbage leaves with pork mixture.  Sprinkle with additional cilantro and serve with lime wedges.


Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens 8/14




9/1/14