Panko Crusted Tuna Filets

Panko Crusted Tuna

Tuna Filets (fresh or frozen)
1 orange
Few dash’s of teriyaki or soy sauce
Panko Flakes

Take your frozen tuna filets out of the freezer put them in a plastic container so they can lay flat. Squeeze a fresh orange over top and sprinkle with a few dashes of teriyaki or soy sauce. Put lid put back into fridge. They will be ready to go when you get home from a day’s work.

After several hours the filets should be pretty well thawed if they are still a bit frozen you are ok to continue with the next step.

Sprinkle your cutting board with panko flakes. Take your filets and pat them into the panko. You may have to flip them a few times to really coat them well.

Preheat oven to 350.

Take equal parts butter and olive oil and put into a sauté pan on med heat. Use about one tablespoon of butter and one tablespoon of olive oil per filet. Heat the butter and olive oil until it begins to sizzle add the filets. Let sauté until the edges turn light brown. Flip and repeat on the other side.

Place them on a lightly sprayed baking pan. Place the pan seared filets on the baking sheet and bake until preferred cooking temperature. We like our tune med well they are ready after about 10 minutes.

Tuna Filets $12.00 (for 2)
Orange $.25 (if you have any fresh ginger it would be great to add a little as well)
Panko flakes $2.00 box (panko is a great crusting medium to have on hand; they are similar to potato flakes but much more firm & crunchy. can be found in the oriental/ethnic isle of the grocery)
Olive Oil on hand
Butter on hand
Teriyaki or Soy sauce on hand

PS I have tried this technique with other types of fish and they don't seem to have the same effect. Tuna is worth the expense. Fun & Fancy dining at home!!

Roasted Garlic & Fresh Baked Bread

Roasted Garlic & Fresh Baked Bread

Nothing is better than roasted garlic and fresh bread. This is so easy you will be amazed how your family or guest will be so impressed by this simple endulgement.

Take a whole head of garlic cut the pointy tips off leaving the skin on. Take a square of foil and put the garlic head in the center drizzle with olive oil. Crack black pepper over top. Put one finger on the top of the garlic head and fold the foil up to meet your finger. The foil creates a nice steam that escapes out the hole you made with your finger (does this make any sense??)

Put the garlic on a cookie sheet and put in the cold oven. Then turn the oven to 350 check it after about 10-15 minutes. The garlic should be easily pierced with a fork. You may need to cook another 10 minutes or so.

When is nice and soft you can smash it and serve just like that or add a dash of fine balsamic. Serve with bread. Awesome!!

WHY?

I’ve never liked to cook until the last couple of years. Now I get excited to go to the grocery to see what’s on sale and how I can create an inexpensive dish that’s low fat and full of flavor.

After being on again and off again every diet known to man I’ve decided there’s only one way to actually lose the weight and keep it off…learn how to cook low fat that doesn’t compromise flavor. I love lots of flavor. I am the girl that reaches for salt & pepper before even tasting my meal. Not to mention the request for Tabasco at every restaurant even before the meal arrives.

So I decided to make a commitment to my Baberoni and myself. To put the healthiest and most affordable meal on our table.

I love the idea of all organic. With the antibiotics and pesticides in the food we eat it is no wonder Americans have crazy diseases. We can’t afford to buy all organic, we pick and choose. I have read several studies that show organic meat & dairy are the most important. With that we make a monthly trip to our organic market and stock up on beef, poultry, fish and seafood. I ask the guys behind the counter to please pack everything into two portions. That makes meal planning so easy. When we get home everything goes into the freezer and we only pull out the package we need. You will see many of my recipes come straight out of the freezer.

As far as produce I buy them at our local produce market. I have asked the owner his personal thoughts on organic produce. He shared that the USDA is in the process of creating a standards requirement. He assured me that he buys from growers that share our concerns and buys local whenever possible. With buying local produce the need to for preservatives is no longer necessary. So educate yourself and use your best judgment.

Enjoy!

Tortellini & Fresh Herbs with Spinach

Tortellini & Herbs

1 package store bought tortellini
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 bag baby spinach
Fresh cut herbs, basil, rosemary & such

Cook tortellini as package requires just prior to completion take off burner. Put spinach in strainer and pour the tortellini pot over top. This will wilt the spinach. Sauté garlic, olive oil and herbs once garlic starts to brown add back in the tortellini and spinach. Toss well and serve.

$2.00 Spinach
$4.00 Tortellini
Herbs, oil on hand

Lime Pepper Salmon

Lime Pepper Salmon

Take frozen organic salmon out of the freezer place in a plastic container. Take 3-4limes and put in the microwave for 30 seconds. This softens them up so they are easier to squeeze. Roll on counter cut the limes in half and squeeze on the salmon. Leave the limes in the container place the lid on it and put in the fridge. They will be ready to grill when you get home from work. Spray olive oil spray generously on the grill place the salmon skin side down on med high close lid wait 3 minutes. If you have Lime Pepper that would be great don’t use lemon pepper it doesn’t mix well with the lime bath. If you don’t have the Lime Pepper generously crank fresh cracked pepper on it this side of the salmon. Spray the salmon with the olive oil spray and flip turn on low close the lid crank more pepper on this side. Wait another 3-4 minutes until the fish begins to flake. Serve skin side down maybe add another splash of lime.

Organic Wild Salmon 2 filets $11.00
Limes $1.00

Chili Crock Pot Recipe

 

Chili- Crock Pot Recipe

1 pound organic grass feed beef
Onion diced
Red pepper diced
Green pepper diced
Yellow pepper diced
2 cans organic spicy chili beans
1 can organic diced tomatoes
1 packet of chili spice no msg
1 table spoon of Cajun spice

Add froze beef to crock pot cover with the can of tomatoes add chili packet & Cajun spice. Cook on medium all day while you are out. An hour before serving add onions, peppers and chili beans turn on high. Serve when beans are soft and veggies are still a bit crunchy. This is a great fridge clean up. I add just about what ever veggies need to be cooked. If you use carrots or celery be sure to add these at the beginning of the day. They need a bit longer. If all you have is frozen veggies you may add them with the beans.

Checkout
Organic Beef $6.00
Organic canned beans (kidney,light & dark )$2.00
Organic canned Tomatoes $1.00
Chili packet $1.00
Bell peppers $3.00
Onions $.15

Pineapple Chicken with Peppers and Yellow Rice

Chicken Yellow Rice with Peppers and Pineapple

Put 2 frozen chicken breast in a crock pot. Pour a can of pineapple chucks with the juice in the crock pot. Turn the crock pot on low after about three hours pour in the rice. Make sure the rice in under the juice if it is not add a little water. Add one tablespoon Cajun spice. We like it a bit spicier so I also add a little Abodo as well. Put the peppers on top. Turn the crock pot on high and let it cook another hour or until the rice is soft and the chicken is done. Stir well and serve with fresh cracked pepper and sea salt for a little island favor.

2 Organic Chicken Breast $9.00
1 can pineapple chucks with juice $1.00
4 peppers (Green, Red & Orange) $2.00

Yummy Brussel Sprouts

Brussell sprouts1 viadila onion4 cloves garlic mincedCut ends off and half them.  Boil until nearly soft.  Pour in strainer.  In the saucepan add real butter and an vidialla onion & 4 cloves of minced garlic sauté until garlic begins to brown and onion roasts and turns brown add in the brussell sprouts add a little more butter, turn the heat on high and cover. Let roast about 30seconds. Toss, if the sprouts are beginning to brown a bit then you are ready.  We like ours really brown so I leave them on high for a few extra minutes.  Yumm yummy  Brussel sprouts $3.00Onion $1.00

Spicy Broccoli & Almond Side Dish

Spicy Broccoli & Almond Side Dish

First off I must say how much I love zip lock steam bags. Not only are they fast but no dirty pan to clean at the end. So I suggest when they are on sale stock up. I use them for everything and so will you 

Bunch of fresh broccoli
Bag of Almond Accents Garlic flavored
Pinch of Mandy’s blackened spice
Pinch of fresh grated parmesan

Well that’s about it. In case I left anything out here it goes. Trim the fresh broccoli to desired length. I leave only about ¼” of the steam. Rinse and place into the zip lock steam bag. Add a dash of Mandy’s blackened, seal and shake. Place in the microwave for the amount of time that is on the bag. Mine calls for about 3.5 minutes. As soon as they are down add as much Almonds as you like. I put in about ¼ of the bag of Almonds. Add a few pinches of parmesan and resell the bag and shake. Serve quickly thereafter. AWESOME.
Time 5 minutes tops

Check out
Broccoli $2.00
Fresh parmesan $3.00
Almonds Accents $2.00
Pinch of Mandy’s blackened on hand

Blackened Spice

Blackened Spice

This is perfect on Chicken, Seafood, Pork and even vegetables! I have shared this with friends and family and they all love it. Simple ingredient list so everyone at all skill levels can tweak it till their delight. Enjoy!

Garlic Powder
Black Pepper
Old Bay Spice
Cayenne Pepper

I use equal portions of Garlic, Pepper, & Old Bay. I then add about 3 tablespoons of Cayenne Pepper. However, I adjust the amount of the cayenne pepper depending on the container that I have. We like it a bit spicy.

I put this on before I cook and while it’s cooking. My husband can be a bit heavy handed… Enjoy.

BBQ Pork Sandwiches Crock Pot Recipe

BBQ Pork Sandwiches- Crock Pot Recipe

1 Pork Tenderloin Center cut filet fat trimmed
Vidalia onion
Whole wheat buns
Store bought BBQ sauce

In the am before work I put the frozen tenderloin in the crock pot on top of the whole onion sliced. Sprinkle with Mandy’s Blackeon spice. Add two to three glops of the bbq sauce. Put the pot on low for as long as you will be gone. When you get home put your collider in the sink pour the entire contents into the colanders and keep the pot near. Begin the schred the pork with forks it should break up rather easy. Place back in the pot and add more bbq sauce. If you are going to serve right away no need to turn the pot back on. If you are going to be serving within the hour you should put the pot on warm. While the flavors are setting up I get out the buns and spray with organic cooking spray place in the broiler just a minute or two until browned. Serve as sandwich. Maybe with some organic veggie chips and hummus.

Checkout
When pork tenderloins are on sale I stock up. (I sometimes have a hard time finding organic pork tenerloins. See if your grocery carries the Natural Hormel line.) This is such a yummy easy meal that we have it often. Days I know I will be late coming home from work my husband can finish the meal and enjoy without waiting for me. It is healthy alternative to the bbq fast food.

$4.00 pork (hopefully you have in the freezer from a great buy one get one sale)
$.15 onion
$3.00 whole wheat buns
$3.00 BBQ Sauce

Baked Ziti Crock Pot Recipe

Baked Ziti- crock pot recipe

1pound organic beef
1 jar store bought sauce

1-2 zucchini 

1-2 yellow squash
Fresh Italian herbs
Vidalia onion
3 cloves of garlic
pasta

At the beginning of the day place the frozen organic beef in the cock pot with the onion sliced, fresh herbs, sliced garlic, shredded zucchini and squash along with the jar of sauce.  Add another 1/2 of the jar of water. Turn on low and let cook all day. 

When you get home use forks to break up the beef.

Boil a pot of water and add your favorite pasta. We love the veggie spirals made from an assort of veggies. Once pasta is aldente strain and place in a large casserole glass dish with meat sauce and low fat organic cheese place in the oven on 350 until cheese melts. Serve with a salad or burnt beans. 

Or once you get home you can turn your crock pot to high. Add in you box of Ziti noddles and let them cook for about 30 min. Stir and top the crock pot off with cheese and enjoy. 

You'll see a picture below where I added all the ingredients except the pasta and frozen it. Makes for a super simple week night dinner. 

Checkout
Beef $6.00
Sauce $2.50
Onion $.15
Pasta $3.50 (if you try the veggie spirals) if not $1.00
Garlic (I buy when on sale the large jar of peeled fresh garlic cloves. Be sure to read the ingredients and make sure no preservatives. You can put them in the freezer and use them as need.)
Fresh herbs (I have a new herb garden and love it! We have had so many great meals with just a pinch of fresh herbs.)

 

Burnt Beans

Burnt Beans

Organic is great if you have the extra money. I am ok with buying fresh from a local farmers market if possible.

2 pounds of fresh string beans
1/4 of a Red onion (not necessary just great if you have it on hand)
Balsamic Vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
Olive oil
Salt and Pepper (Fresh Cracked if you have it)


Snap ends off beans. Rinse and place in a deep large fry pan that has a lid. Cover with water and boil until andante. You should be able to bite them rather easily just be sure to keep them firm or else they will start to fall apart in the next step. Pour beans from pan into a colander. With beans in the sink in colander put the same pan back on the stove then drizzle a bit of olive oil in the pan. Put the heat on high and put the beans back in the pan add onion if you wish salt and pepper and toss well. Drizzle with the balsamic vinegar have the lid ready, they will steam up quickly. Put the lid on them and let them sizzle for a few minutes. When you feel the steam has lifted give them a good toss. They should start to brown a bit. The beans are getting their final steam with this process. They are ready to serve when you feel they are tasty. My husband has learned to love my burning technique so we burn them a bit longer. This technique can use with asparagus, pepper and onions, zucchini and squash (zucchini and squash only need a minute or two with the boiling techniques).

Checkout
$2.50 Fresh Bean
$1.00 Red Onion
Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, salt & pepper should have on hand.

Enjoy!