Shannon and Dawn James
We have a huge interest in food, fitness, healthy living and daily indulgences. This blog follows our yummy eats and finds!

Dawn's Turkey "Chili"

1 lb of lean extra ground turkey
1 TB chili powder
1 bag of birdseye frozen green beans
Chopped celery
1 can of diced tomatoes - salt free
Worcestershire Sauce - love this stuff - so I just kept shaking it in there. hehehehehe!!!!
1 diced onion
Diced green peppers
Garlic
1 tsp Cumin
1 tsp Cayenne
1 small can of tomato paste - no salt added
Mrs. Dash - seasonings - Onion and Herb and Spicy
Pepper

Enjoyed my "chili" with a salad  - Romain and Slaw - with Flaxseed Oil and Balsamic Vinegar

Sweet and Spicy Onions -- I love Onions!!!

I love onions! ONIONS! ONIONS! ONIONS! Did I mention that I love onions. There is no such thing as too many onions! Unless they were like the onions on my spicy Italian sandwich from Subway the other night - HOT.  How disappointing to discover the mounds of delicious looking onions on my sandwich were not tasty at all, extremely HOT, actually ruined my taste buds, or burnt them off hehehe. I actually had to take most of them off, how sad to waste those onions. Needless to say I did not enjoy my sandwich.

No matter what the recipe, I would rather have more onions than meat. Can you guess my favorite scene in the movie Julie and Julia? When Julia is slicing onions and there is the biggest mound of onions. WOW, onion heaven.  No matter what I order at a restaurant it has to be ordered with extra onions.  My all time favorite is La Fiesta's grilled onions! YUMMMYYYY!!!!!!!


1 large onion sliced
Frozen okra
2 celery sticks sliced
Smidge of minced garlic
1 tsp. Curry powder
1 tsp. Cumin
1 tsp. Chili Powder
2 TB Spicy Mustard
2 TB Reduced Sugar Ketchup

Place veggies in pan. Cook on medium heat. Add remaining ingredients and cook for 15 minutes - or desired tenderness.

Serve with chicken. This would also be good if eaten as fajitas.

Dawn's Spicy Mustard Curry Onions

I just threw ingredients together.  I am the queen of not measuring my spices.  I wasn't sure how this would going to turn out - but it was DELICIOUS on my chicken (George Foreman with Mrs. Dash seasoning).   We also had fresh green beans and carrots, and grated Cauliflower.  Made about 1/4 of a cup.

Puree in Magic Bullet:

1 celery stick
Few Onion Slices
1 TB Spicy Mustard - guessing on this amount
1 Spoonful of Garlic
1 TB Reduced Sugar Ketchup (did measure this)
Curry
Cumin
Chili Powder
Dash of Truvia

Mix over sliced onions.  Place in skillet and saute until you get the onion consistency that you want. This also made a yummy vegetable dip prior to cooking it on the onions.

YUM!!!!!!!!

Blackened Tilapia with Secret Hobo Spices Recipe - Allrecipes.com

Blackened Tilapia with Secret Hobo Spices Recipe - Allrecipes.com:

Ingredients

3 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 pinch garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon celery seed

1 tablespoon kosher salt, or to taste (we did not use salt)

* 4 tilapia fillets

* 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

1. In a small bowl or jar with a lid, make the spice blend. Mix together the paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, white pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano, thyme, celery seed and kosher salt. Coat the fish fillets with the spice mixture, and allow to sit at room temperature for no longer than 30 minutes.

2. Heat a heavy skillet over high heat. Add oil, and heat until it is almost smoking. Place the fillets in the pan, and cook for about 3 minutes per side, or until fish is opaque and can be flaked with a fork. Can squeeze lemon juice over cooked fish.

Dawn's Cabbage Rolls

Meat Mixture:

I did not measure.
1 lb extra lean hamburger
1/2 cup egg whites
1/2 cup of cooked brown rice (used Birdseye brand) - rice does not have to be cooked first, but I did.
1 Diced green pepper
3/4 cup chopped Celery
1/2 tsp Onion Powder
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Parsley Flakes
Fresh Ground Pepper
1/8 tsp Salt
Garlic
1 onion diced
1 TB Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 sliced onion - Place  in bottom of 9 x 13 dish.  Save other half to put on top of rolls.

1 Head of Cabbage

  • Remove outside loose leaves.
  • Remove the hard core - slice off, then cut down a bit to get rid of more of the core
  • In large pan bring water to boil - add salt to water
  • Once boiling add the head of cabbage - does not have to be a roaring boil.
  • About every 45 seconds, remove a leaf with tongs
Scoop 1/4 cup of meat mixture into each leaf and roll.  Tuck in edges if desired as you roll.
Place in 9 x 13 dish on top of remaining onions.




Topping: (you can use what ever marinara sauce that you like)
Mix together the following:
One can tomato sauce
One can diced tomatoes - salt free
Oregano
Basil

Pour over rolls.

Cover and bake for 1 hour at 350.

Serve with cauliflower mash and carrots! YUMMMMM!!!

FUTURE:  More garlic, onions and add broccoli slaw into mixture!  Place diced and strips of onions in each roll.

Mom's Sugar Cookies


1 cup crisco
1 c sugar 
2 t baking powder 
1/4 t nutmeg 
1/2 t cinnamon 
1 egg 
1/4 c milk 
2 1/2 cups flour


Chill. Roll. And cut into shapes!

Icing with can or homemade icing. Decorate.
Bake 5-8 min at 400

Molten Chocolate Cakes


I prepared these for Shannon at 4:00.  I hid them in the cupboard so that it would be a surprise for dessert after supper.  So I am sitting there watching tv it's 8:30, and jump up and say oh my gosh, I forgot, I made you dessert.  Guess he didn't get food poisoning.  He thought they were delicious!

Molten Chocolate Cakes  Makes 2 individual cakes - by Meta West
A romantic dessert for two.  Easy to make; delicious to eat.

4 tablespoons butter (1/2 stick), + more for the ramekins or custard cups
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, + more for the ramekins
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 large egg + 1 large egg yolk
2 tablespoons  granulated sugar

1.     Heat oven to 450°. Butter two 6 oz. ramekins or custard cups and dust the inside with flour.
2.     Place the butter and chocolate in a glass bowl and microwave on high in 20-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted and smooth.
3.     Using an electric mixer, beat the egg, egg yolk and sugar in a medium bowl until thick and light in color, about 1 minute. Add the melted chocolate mixture and flour; beat until fully mixed and smooth.
4.     Divide the batter between the prepared ramekins. Bake until the edges are set and center still jiggles slightly, 8 to 10 minutes. Let stand for about 15 seconds. Run a knife around edge, then invert each cake onto a plate. Dust with powdered sugar and serve immediately. Fresh mint or berries or chopped nuts could also be used to garnish cakes.

Place the butter and chocolate in a glass bowl and microwave on high in 20-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted and smooth.
4 tablespoons butter (1/2 stick), + more for the ramekins or custard cups
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Using an electric mixer, beat the egg, egg yolk and sugar in a medium bowl until thick and light in color, about 1 minute. Add the melted chocolate mixture and flour; beat until fully mixed and smooth.
1 large egg + 1 large egg yolk
2 tablespoons  granulated sugar






Divide the batter between the prepared ramekins. Bake until the edges are set and center still jiggles slightly, 8 to 10 minutes. Let stand for about 15 seconds. 


Run a knife around edge, then invert each cake onto a plate.


Dust with powdered sugar and serve immediately. 



Make Ahead Tip: Refrigerate the batter in the ramekins for up to 1 day. Before baking, bring to room temperature. These could be prepared ahead and then baked as you dine.

Barry's Cheesy Egg Tortilla


Barry's Cheesy Egg Tortilla     Instructions are for 1 serving - Barry West's Recipe

1 flour tortilla (about 8” diameter size)
3 to 4 tablespoons Cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese, grated (more or less as desired)
Chunky salsa – about 2 tablespoons (more or less as desired)
1 egg
Salt & pepper to taste &/or Mexican blend spice (such as McCormick® Santa Fe style Chili, Cumin & Garlic blend)

Cover a jelly roll pan (or a cookie sheet with side) with foil.  Set oven @ 350° F.
Lay tortilla on foil and sprinkle with cheese.  Spoon on the salsa and then break egg in the center of the tortilla. 
Place baking pan in the center of oven; bake for 10 minutes and then check — egg white should be set, the tortilla should be crispy and the cheese should be melted and golden in color when done.  If you prefer a harder egg, return to oven and bake about 5 more minutes. If you prefer a less hard egg, it may be ready in less than 10 minutes.

Made this for Shannon - he loved it!!!



Baked mine for 20 minutes

Chicken Fried Mock Rice

1 head of cauliflower  - grated in a food processor - make at least two cups - cook cauliflower with 1 TB olive oil in large skillet for 10  minutes.  Chill.
1 lb chicken breast, cooked
1 carrot, diced or shredded
1-2 scallions, chopped
1-2 eggs, beaten
1 tbs olive oil
1 tsp ginger
1tsp garlic powder
1-2 tsp soy sauce, lite
Add olive oil to saute pan with carrots and scallions, cook until done.
Stir in all ingredients, including cold cauliflower rice -  EXCEPT the eggs. Cook for a few minutes until everything is warm. Push everything to the sides of skillet, pour eggs in stirring until scrambled. Mix everything together.
Serves 2

3 Pepper Tomato Chicken

Adapted from Home Cooking Dickinson Country Cookbook - Recipe Southwest Chicken from Barry West.

Ingredients

1/2 - 1 lb. grilled chicken, sliced (I used precooked chicken from Sam's)
1 can diced tomatoes or fire roasted tomatoes- salt free
1 can tomato sauce  - salt free
1/2 onion, sliced

1 bell pepper (I used 1/2 bag of a mix of frozen red, yellow, green peppers from WalMart)
1 green pepper
1 yellow pepper
1 TB minced garlic
2 1/2 - 3 T. chili powder

1 TB Olive Oil
1 T. cumin
Pepper to taste

Cayenne pepper - optional


Method

Heat together onions, peppers and chicken.  Once heated add remaining ingredients.  Add chicken.  Serve over pasta.



Enjoyed with Salad and Broccoli with Parmesan Cheese (lightly sprinkled)

Turkey Pie

Recipe adapted from Home Cooking Dickinson County cookbook - Barry West's recipe

1 onion, diced
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 lb lean ground turkey
green pepper diced
bell pepper diced
pepper
1/2 - 1 tsp salt (optional) - I did not use but needs it to bring out the flavor
2 TB Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2-1 tsp cayenne pepper
Mrs. Dash seasoning - Onion and Herb, and Extra Spicy
1 tsp chili powder
1 package frozen Birdseye Green beans - cook in microwave 5 minutes
1 can salt free tomato sauce
1/2 can Campbells tomato soup

1 bag frozen cauliflower - microwave 10 minutes mash and add 1/4 cup egg beaters
1/4 cup taco blend cheese or fat free

Brown onion, garlic, peppers and turkey; drain the fat.  Add pepper, salt, cayenne pepper, worcestershire sauce, chili powder, green beans, soup and sauce.  Add garlic and onion powder and Mrs. Dash seasonings.

Place in a 9" x 9" dish.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until heated through.

Brownie Edge Pan

I LOVE BROWNIES!!!!!  Brownie edges that is!!!!! This pan was a gift from Shannon for my birthday.

Custard


2-3 Packets Truvia
3/4 cup Egg Beaters
1 1/2 cups acidophilus milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
Nutmeg

...Bake 325 oven for 50 minutes

Gooey Butter Bars (from scratch version)


Crunchy on top, gooey in the middle!

Found on What Katie's Baking Blog


  • FOR THE CRUST:
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2-½ cups All-purpose Flour
  • 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
  • ½ teaspoons Salt
  • 1 stick Unsalted Butter, melted
  • 1 whole Egg
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • FOR THE FILLING:
  • 8 ounces weight Cream Cheese, At Room Temperature
  • 2 whole Eggs
  • 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1 stick Unsalted Butter, melted
  • 3-¾ cups Confectioner's Sugar
1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Prepare crust first. In a large mixing bowl, combine the crust ingredients with a wooden spoon until moist. Transfer to a 13″x9″ ungreased baking pan and spread evenly over the bottom of the pan. Set aside. 
3.  Next, prepare the filling. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add the eggs, vanilla, and melted butter, and continue to mix. Next, add the confectioner’s sugar one cup at a time until all sugar is mixed in. Pour filling over the crust, and spread evenly with a spatula.
4.  Bake gooey butter cake for 40-45 minutes until it is browned, but the center is still jiggles when the pan is shaken. Cool for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with additional confectioner’s sugar and serve.
Press crust into 9" x 13" pan


Place filling on top of crust.  Smooth with spoon or spatula.


 Bake 40-45 minutes at 350 degrees

 


Sprinkle with powdered sugar!

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

A healthy alternative to pizza crust.  You can place "dough" on a cookie sheet or in a round pizza pan.  It would probably be good cooked on a pizza stone.  You can also make this recipe into "bread" sticks.  Add garlic and cheese!

1 Head of Cauliflower (frozen cauliflower is wet, but will still work - I would recommend using fresh)
2 eggs
3 cups of Fat Free Mozzarella cheese
Can you tell which side is mine, and which side is Shannons?
1-2 tsp dried oregano (optional)
1-2 tsp dried parsley (optional)
1-2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
Marinara Sauce (I made my own)

Veggies and meat of your choice

Take 1 head of cauliflower
  • cut into pieces and throw in to a food processor (make at least 2 cups)
  • put in a saucepan with a tablespoon of olive oil and cook for 10 minutes - on medium heat.  Do not fry your cauliflower. 
Preheat oven to 450
After cooking cauliflower pour into a bowl
Add in
2 eggs
2 cups of Fat Free Mozzarella Cheese
On a cookie sheet, spray with Pam
Smooth out the cauliflower mixture with your fingers


Sprinkle with oregano, garlic powder and parsley


Place in the oven for 15-20 minutes
Keep checking on crust.   The edges will get brown before its done cooking, the top should be like a golden brown
Switch the oven to broil when you take your crust out
Put your pizza together
Sauce and the rest of cheese
Meat and veggies
Cook under broiler until cheese is melted and pizza looks done
Acquired recipe for pizza from:  Examiner.com


12 inch pizza



This was the first pizza I made.  Used frozen cauliflower that I just cooked in the microwave.  It was a little bit on the soggy side, compared to using fresh cauliflower.



Homemade Pizza Sauce


1 TB olive oil (optional)
1 cup diced onion (use as much or as less)
1 tsp minced garlic
8 ounces no salt added organic tomato sauce
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. dried oregano or Italian seasonings
1/8 salt
1/8 tsp freshly ground pepper
1/2 - 1 packet of Truvia