Schlotzsky's Deli Turkey Melt

I LOVE sandwiches, especially in the summer months.

1/2 C Chopped pitted olives (for olive haters you can omit this)

1/2 t Chili Powder (if you want less kick only use 1/8 t)

1/2 Cumin

1/4 t Salt

1/4 C green onions

2 T sour cream

2 T Mayonnaise or salad dressing

4 Kaiser Rolls or hoagie buns

1/2 pound thinly sliced turkey

1/2 C Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1/2 C Shredded Monterey Jack cheese (with jalapenos if you want kick)

Tomato slices

Tabasco sauce- optional of course

Preheat oven to 350. In a small bowl combine the olives, chili powder, cumin and salt. Add green onions, sour cream and mayo. Mix all together. Take out couple tablespoons for reserve.

Spread mixture over cut side of hoagie bottoms, place face open on cookie sheet. Top with turkey slices, sprinkle with cheeses and reserves mixture, then tomato slices.

Cover loosely with foil and bake for 15 -20 min

Makes four whole sandwiches.

More Freezer bag cooking!

Spring is approaching and the last thing I want to be doing is slaving over a hot stove every night! Just another reason why I LOVE Freezer Bag Cooking! ITs not just for the crock pot! Here are some of my favorites for the BBQ. Just defrost and throw on your indoor or outdoor grill! Have frozen veggies, potatoes for a potato salad, fruit for a fruit salad on hand and you can have weeks of meals all ready to go!


I take one day out of the month and make about 20 freezer bag meals so my freezer is always full of ready to go dinners!

Here are some of my easy grilling favorites:
Thai Chicken- Click for great recipe
Italian Chicken- your favorite bottle of Italian dressing
BBQ chicken- Your favorite BBQ chicken
Teryaki Chicken- Add your favorite teryaki sauce to the chicken

Some of my other favorite Freezer Bag Meals:

PB chicken- Delicious! My kids just love it!
Southwest chicken
Cafe Rio Chicken
Roast Chicken
Sweet Pork
Plain Chicken Breasts- I love to fill 3-4 bags with already trimmed and pounded chicken breasts. I label the bag for the dinner I have in mind. My favorites to have chicken ready for are Chicken Caccetori, Coconut Chicken(new revised recipe) and Balsamic chicken and sweet potatoes.

I hope this will help you simplify your life, while continueing to save money and eat heathy home cooked meals! It has really helped me to do this! Buy your chicken on sale! Use this method with your own favorites! Good Luck!

BLT Salad

Looks like more work than it really is. Just assemble all the ingredients according to directions, then when ready to start putting together- it will go very fast. It's Heaven!

Ingredients:

8 Slices of Bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 ripe avocado, pitted and skinned

1/2 C Buttermilk (or just add 1T vinegar to you milk and let sit 10 min!)

1/4 C Chopped red onion

2 tsp Lime Juice

3/4 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Pepper

1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper

1/2 C Cornmeal

1/3 C All-Purpose Flour

1 Egg, lightly beaten

2 Med-size firm, unripened tomatoes (about 3/4 pound), cored and cut 1/2 inch slices

2 T Canola oil

3 Romaine lettuce hearts, chopped

Directions:

1. Cook Bacon in a large skillet and over med heat until crisp. Remove bacon and drain on paper towel-lined plate. Wipe out skillet.

2. While cooking bacon, prepare dressing; place avocado, buttermilk, onion, lime juice, 1/4 tsp each of salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper in a blender and puree until smooth; set aside

3. Stir together cornmeal, remaining 1.2 tsp salt and 1/4tsp each black pepper and cayenne pepper in a shallow dish; place flour and egg in their own separate shallow dish as well

4. Dip tomato slices in flour, then egg, then cornmeal mixture to coat

5. Heat Canola oil and 1T of the reserved bacon drippings in a skillet over high heat. Fry tomatoes in a single layer for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.

6. Place Romaine lettuce in a large bowl and toss with bacon and 2/3 C of the avocado dressing; place about 2 cups salad on each plate and top with 2 or 3 fries tomato slices, Dollop with a little of the remaining dressing and serve.

Winger's Copy Cat sauce for sticky fingers

I found this recipe on Real Mom Kitchen's blog. We made it last night, and couldnt get enough! Great recipe to take to the park for a lunch or dinner! Its so simple, and so tasty. I think the recipe is just as good as wingers!

Winger's Copy Cat Sauce for sticky fingers (or what ever you like it on)

**Covers about 8 sticky fingers
3 Tbsp. Franks Hot Sauce (It has to be Franks Hot Sauce... no other sauce will taste as good)
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. water

Heat up hot sauce, brown sugar and water in a sauce pot until all the sugar dissolves ( I brought it to a boil and let it boil for a minute or two). That's it.
You can use it to coat wings, popcorn chicken, etc. I used Tyson breaded chicken strips. You can get a big box of them at Sam's Club or just get them at your local grocery store. Once you chicken is cooked pour sauce over or put chicken in a container with a lid, pour sauce over the chicken, cover with the lid and shake to coat chicken in the sauce.

Ranch Dipping Sauce

1 pk Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing

Make according to package directions, except substitute buttermilk for the milk.

Wheat Berry Waldorf Salad

I found this on Superhealthykids.com I have seen many of these types of recipes, but I think this one is the best!

Wheat berries in Waldorf Salad is a match made in heaven; the texture is delightful. You don’t need to mention to your family or guests that it is nourishing; just let them enjoy the texture and flavors.

Ingredients:
1 c. fully cooked wheat berries
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. sweetener
1 1/2 c. crunchy salad apple; chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
1/4 c. celery (optional)
1/4 c. raisins (optional)
1/3 c. yogurt or mayonnaise
2 tbsp. fresh lemon or lime juice
1/2 c. walnut or pecans pieces
Directions:
Bring wheat berries to boil in 3 ½ cups of water, then simmer for about 60 – 75 minutes. If necessary, add more water. Cool berries and mix with the remaining ingredients.

Tortellini Salad

INGREDIENTS:
2 (14 oz.) packages frozen cheese tortellini
1 green and 1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cucumber, chopped
1 (14 oz.) can artichoke hearts, rinsed, drained
1 (8 oz.) bottle cream Caesar salad dressing
*frozen peas are also good



DIRECTIONS:
Prepare tortellini according to package directions and drain. Rinse with cold water, drain and chill.
Combine tortellini and remaining ingredients in large bowl, cover and chill at least 2 hours.

5 Step Something Salad

INGREDIENTS:
Something green
Something sweet
Something crunchy
Something tangy
Something to dress it with




DIRECTIONS:
Something green- Spinach, arugula, cabbage, etc.
Something sweet- candied almonds, fruit slices, dried cranberries or cherries, raisins, etc.
Something crunchy- slivered almonds, toasted pine nuts, pecan halves, croutons, canned onion rings, chinese noodles, etc.
Something tangy- crumbled feta or blue cheese.
Something to dress it with- any type of dressing. *Dress greens right before serving.

Veggie Pizza Squares

1 (8 ounce) package refrigerated crescent rolls
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (1 ounce) package Ranch-style dressing mix
2 carrots, finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped red bell peppers or tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped green onions
Grated cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Roll out crescent rolls onto a large non-stick baking sheet. Stretch and flatten to form a single rectangular shape on the baking sheet. Bake 11 to 13 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown. Allow to cool.
Place cream cheese in a medium bowl. Mix cream cheese with 1/2 of the ranch dressing mix. Adjust the amount of dressing mix to taste. Spread the mixture over the cooled crust. Arrange carrots, red bell pepper, and green onions on top. Chill in the refrigerator approximately 1 hour. Cut into bite-size squares to serve.

Five- Cup Salad

1 cup coconut
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1 cup pineapple tidbits
1 cup mandarine oranges
1 cup sour cream

mix, chill, and serve! All food storage!

No Name Summer Pasta

I have no Idea what to call this- Maybe someone can give a suggestion! But it's supper yummy.

Ingredients:

1 Pkg. Radiatore' pasta- or whatever twirly pasta you want

1 link of Kielbasa, sliced

Baby tomatoes, sliced

Fresh Spinach

1/2 C Cream Mushroom

Olive Oil

Parmesan Cheese

pine nuts

Directions:

Cook pasta al dente'

Slice Kielbasa, tomatoes, and chop up the spinach. Place Kielbasa in skillet with olive oil for about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, cook another 3 min or so, then add spinach.

Once spinach is wilted pour over pasta. Mix in cream of mushroom, if you want to add more to your liking go for it.

You can top with parm cheese and pine nuts if you want- I didn't this time.

Summer Vegetable Pasta

Ingredients


1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta
1/3 pound green bell peppers
1/3 pound red bell peppers
1/3 pound yellow bell peppers
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 zucchini, sliced
1 yellow squash, sliced
6 ounces mushrooms, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 medium tomato, peeled, seeded and chopped
Salt and ground black pepper to taste


Directions

In a large pot cook penne pasta in boiling salted water until al dente;drain.
While pasta is cooking, wash the bell peppers and cut them into 1/4-inch strips.
For sauce, in a large skillet over medium heat saute peppers in olive oil until soft. Do not allow peppers to brown. To the skillet, add the sliced zucchini and yellow squash and saute for 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms and garlic and saute an additional 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the chopped tomatoes and remove from heat.
Spoon pasta onto warm plates; top with sauce. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
I tended to add a little more olive oil over it to get more of a "sauce"- I am also thinking a light pesto would taste good- I'll try that next time.

Soy ginger chicken salad

INGREDIENTS:

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 tsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. peeled and grated fresh ginger
salt and pepper
1 C. thinly sliced cooked chicken breast
1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced lengthwise
1/2 cup snow peas
1 medium carrot, thinly sliced


DIRECTIONS:

In a small bowl, combine oil, lime juice, soy sauce, and ginger; season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a small airtight container; set aside.

Combine chicken, bell pepper, snow peas, and carrotr in a separate airtight container.

Regrigerate chicken salad and dressing separately until ready to serve, up to overnight. Just before serving, toss salad with dressing.

*1 serving

Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas

Picture coming!


INGREDIENTS:


2 teaspoons olive oil
3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
1 (15.5 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (10 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 cup salsa
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons butter, divided
8 (8 inch) flour tortillas
1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided


DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in onion, and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in beans and corn, then add sugar, salsa, and pepper flakes; mix well. Cook until heated through, about 3 minutes.
2. Melt 2 teaspoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place a tortilla in the skillet, sprinkle evenly with cheese, then top with some of the bean mixture. Place another tortilla on top, cook until golden, then flip and cook on the other side. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.

Great Summer Meals

Grilled Brochette Chicken


¼ C Sun Dried Tomato vinaigrette dressing-divided
4 small boneless skinless chicken
1 Tomato, finely chopped
½ C shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ C chopped fresh basil

Place large sheet of heavy foil over half the grill; preheat grill to med.
Pour 2T of the dressing over the chicken in a re-sealable bag, toss and refrigerate 10-20 min.
Remove chicken from fridge and grill chicken on uncovered side of grill 6 min.
Meanwhile combine tomatoes, cheese, basil and remaining dressing
Turn chicken over, place cooked side up, on foil on the grill. Top with tomato mixture
Close lid for 8 min
Serve with steamed veggies or over cooked pasta





Thai BBQ Chicken

½ C Brown Sugar
½ C Soy Sauce
2 T Lime Juice
6 Cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes
¾ tsp Curry powder
4 Chicken Breasts

Mix first 6 ingredients in zip lock bag- mix
Add chicken-mix
Marinate over night-can freeze this until ready to grill

Serve over a salad!