Sausage, White Bean, and Spinach Stew

I saw this recipe in the most recent issue of Womans Day magazine and thought it looked pretty good. I decided to make it for dinner tonight. It was so delicious! I made a few changes, which I will post at the end (mostly changes to suit the hubby's picker eater palate). You can make this low carb by using Dreamfields Pasta. Chcek them out here...http://www.dreamfieldsfoods.com/

Sausage, White bean, and Spinach Stew

1 Tbsp olive oil
12 oz cooked turkey Italian sausage, cut into 1/2 thick coins
2 garlic cloves minced
1/2 cup dry white wine (I left this out)
32 oz chicken broth
4 oz (approx 1 cup) uncooked small pasta (I used elbows)
15 oz can of white beans, rinsed (I used great white northern beans)
10 oz raw spinach with thick stems removed (I used frozen spinach)
Parmesean cheese

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned. Remove sausage and set aside.
2. Add garlic to the pan and cook, but do not let brown. Add wine (if using, if not just skip this step) and allow to simmer for 1 minute.
3. Add broth and pasta and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Simmer a few minutes less than recommended on package of pasta (eg- my elbows said to cook 8 minutes, so I simmered for 5 minutes).
4. Add beans, sausage and cook until heated through and pasta cooked. Remove from heat and stir in spinach until wilted.
Serve with parmesean.

I left out the wine because my hubby doesn't like cooking with wine. I also used frozen spinach (the hubby didn't want any spinach in his stew). I heated it in the microwave according to the directions and stirred a scoopful into my bowl along with my serving of soup.
This soup was a real hit!

Homemade Oyster Crackers

I decided to make skyline chili again, and usually it is served with a bowl of oyster crackers. I don't have any in the house, because either I will gobble them down (not great for my waistline) or they will go to waste. I decided to try my hand at making them. They are pretty delicious, however, they lack that air bubble in the middle that makes them so endearing. They have a yummy flavor and go great with the Skyline Chili knockoff recipe.

Oyster crackers

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 Tbsp milk

1. In the bowl of a food processor combine flour, baking powder, salt. Add butter and pulse mealy (mine didn't really get too mealy, so if yours doesn't, don't worry too much about it). Add the milk pulse. Turn dough out onto floured surface and knead until dough comes together. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator about 10 minutes.

2. Preheat oven to 375 F

3. On a floured surface, roll the dough out until desired thickness. Cut the crackers into desired shapes and place on baking sheet (don't need to spray the pan).

4. Bake at 375 F for approx 7 minutes or until lightly browned. Enjoy with chili or soup!

Bonefish Grill

This weekend I was really wanting to try something new instead of eating at the same old restaurant. My hubby suggested we try Bonefish Grill. This really shocked me because 1) my hubby doesn't eat much seafood, 2) hubby is allergic to shrimp, 3) hubby is afraid to try new places. I was concerned it might be too expensive. but I decided to give it a go because it was either that or pizza again.
By the time we made a decision and actually got to the restaurant I was starving to put it lightly. I was so hoping for some bread, but being a seafood restaurant I was doubtful there would be any. I was pleasantly surprised when not only bread, but that yummy olive oil/herb dip showed up! SO delicious!
The menu has a little bit of something for everyone. They are known for their Bang Bang shrimp appetizer. I tried it on my second visit (yes I went a second time one week later) and while I liked the flavor, I don't think I could finish the whole appetizer. It is a spicy fried shrimp that does not have a whole lot of coating that is served in a spicy creamy sauce.
For my meal, I decided to go with wood fire grilled shrimp and scallops. I love scallops and cannot seem to make them at home. Bonefish has a seasonal side and you get the choice of one side. Their seasonal side was a succotash. Succotash just does not sound very appealing, but I decided to go with it and have herbed jasmine rice with it. You also get to choose dipping sauces. I went with the lemon butter, chimichurri, and the asian sauce. My hubby decided to go with a Kobe burger which came with home made potato chips. When the meal came, it was very visually appealing. I, of course had to taste the burger. Delicious! So flavorful. The hubby was in burger heaven. Then I went to tackle my plate. The shrimp and scallops were cooked to perfection. The lemon butter sauce was as expected and tasty. The chimichurri sauce was an herby, slightly spicy sauce and oh so good. The asian inspired sauce was like a barbeque sauce flavor and overwhelmed the flavor of the shrimp and scallops. Now, on to the succotash. It was a succotash made with bacon, onion, corn, and edemame. Let me say, that after tasting it, I decided there was not nearly enough succotash on my plate. YUM!!!
After all of that delectable food, I was stuffed! However, we were at a new place and there was a coconut dessert on the menu (Jen's coconut pie) so we decided we had to go for it. The pie was the perfect ending to an awesome meal. There was just a small amount of custard, lots of yummy coconut and served with a coconut rum glaze. So good.
One week after eating at Bonefish I was craving it again. I thought I might try something new, but my meal was so good, I got the same thing again. I was not disappointed in the least!
Needless to say, we will be frequent diners at Bonefish!

Margarita Chicken

Chilis was having this awesome deal last week. $35 for an appetizer, 2 meals, 2 margaritas (top shelf I might add), and a dessert. My hubby really wanted to go, and although I looked forward to the yummy feast, I didn't want to go crazy with all of those calories (not such a good advertisement for Chilis, but I think I gained 2 pounds after eating all that yumminess). I usually go for the Chicken Fajitas, but decided instead to have the Margarita Grilled Chicken this time at the recommendation of the waiter. He said it wouldn't "weigh me down." Oh my it was SO delicious and I have been craving it ever since. That is why I decided to try to recreate it. Mine is not exactley like theirs. If you Google (or Bing, or Dogpile....whatever search you like to use) a copycat recipe, they use margarita mix. I wanted to avoid the temptation of having margarita mix in the house, so I decided to make it from scratch. The meal was very tasty! I will definitley make it again.

Margarita Chicken

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut in half NOTE- almost like butterflying, but seperate the pieces (to make them thinner so they cook more evenly and quicker)
Salt and pepper
Zest of 2 limes
Juice of 2 limes
1 Tbsp honey
1-2 tsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp triple sec (optional)
1 Tbsp tequila (optional)

1. In a large bowl, combine the zest, lime juice, honey, 1 tsp brown sugar, triple sec and tequila. Taste. If too sour, add more brown sugar and stir to combine.

2. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Place chicken in marinade and allow to marinate approximately 30 minutes.

3. Preheat grill (or grill pan which is what I used). Cook chicken until done.

I served mine over rice and beans (just like Chilis)!

Garlic Cheddar Biscuits

I used to work at Red Lobster and have made loads of their biscuits. I have also eaten more than my fair share. I decided to make them for a party at work. I have tried making them at home before and they were never quite right. I came across this recipe on Chickens In the Road and decided to give it a try. These were better than the original! They got rave reviews at work.

2 1/2 cups Bisquick (I used Heart Smart)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cups grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/4 cups milk

Garlic Butter Topping
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon parsley
dash of salt

1. Preheat oven to 450. Preapare baking sheet with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine Bisquick and garlic powder. Stir to combine.
2. Cut butter into small cubes and add to bowl with Bisquick and garlic. Using a fork, smoosh the butter into the flour making a crumbly appearance.
3. Stir cheese, sour cream, and milk into Bisquick and butter mixture until well combined.
4. Drop dough by spoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet.
5. In a small bowl, mix melted butter, garlic powder, parsley and salt until well combined. Spoon half of butter mixture over unbaked biscuits.
6. Bake biscuits at 450F approx 8-10 minutes or until golden at edges. Remove from oven and spoon remaining topping over biscuits. Allow to cool slightly.

These are best served hot and are addicting!

Chocolate Wafer Cookies

We had my sister, her boyfriend, and kids over for dinner tonight. I decided to have a ice cream sundae bar for dessert. Basically I bought low fat vanilla frozen yogurt and then put out different topping so everyone could make the sundae of their dreams. I put out marshmallows, chocolate chips, maraschino cherries, cool whip, toasted coconut, pecans, strawberries, bananas. I wanted to have Oreos crushed up, but didn't want an entire package of Oreos in the house. I decided I would make the cookies at home, but then thought I didn't really need the center filling. I found this recipe for chocolate wafer cookies and decided to try it. DELICIOUS! I think I ate almost all of them myself. You could use them like I did- as an ice cream topping. You could also make ice cream sandwiches with these cookies. If you wanted to make the cream filling, you could also make homemade Oreos. You could just enjoy them plain, you could dip them in chocolate, mix in some mint and have mint chocolate cookies, the possibilities are endless.
The original recipe is from Smitten Kitchen

Chocolate Wafer Cookies

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
14 Tbsp unsalted butter, slightly softened
3 Tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

1. In a food processor, combine flour, cocoa powder, sugar, salt and baking soda. Pulse until mixed thoroughly.

2. Cut butter into 12 pieces and add them to the flour mixture in the food processor. Pulse a few times. With the processor running, add the milk and vanilla extract. Process until the mixture clumps. Transfer to large bowl and knead until evenly blended. NOTE- I found mine appeared powdery and never clumped, I put it in a larger bowl and kneaded it and it came together.

3. Form the dough into a log and wrap in foil. Refrigerate until firm.

4. Preheat the oven to 350F. Prepare cookie sheet with cooking spray. Cut the dough into 1/4 inch thick coins. Place the cookies on cookie sheet. Bake at 350F approx 6 minutes, rotate the pans and bake another 6-8 minutes.

Bagels

I found a recipe for homemade bagels a few years back and decided to give it a try. So good! I have made them a few times for friends and family and they always get rave reviews! I haven't made them much lately because of the low carb diet my hubby has to be on (and because we have been so busy), but I can't wait to make them again! Here is the link to the original recipe from Little Miss Foodie Two Shoes


4 cups flour (I have used both bread and all purpose flour and they don't see too different)
2 tsp. salt
1 tbs. honey (optional)
1 1/2 tsp. instant yeast
1 1/4 cups water (at 80 degrees)
Flour for dusting the baking sheet

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and honey. Add the yeast and water; mix at the lowest speed until the dough comes together, about 4 minutes. The original recipe allows the mixer to knead the dough, but I am just not patient enough and have never done that. I just allow the dough to come together and take it out.

2. Turn the dough onto a work surface; divide it into 8 portions. Roll each portion into a ball and keep them covered with a clean towel or plastic wrap while you work with the other pieces.

3. Roll each ball under your palms making a rope(kind of like you probably used to do with Play Do when you were a kid). At this point is where I add in flavorings (chocolate chips, asiago cheese, sundried tomatoes, etc. Just press them randonly into the rope). Bring each end of the rope together making a circle, overlap the ends of the rope and pinch the overlapped area firmly together.

4. Put a dusting of flour onto a baking sheet (to prevent dough from sticking). Place rings of dough onto the sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

5. Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

6. Drop the dough rings into the boiling water and allow to boil until slightly puffy (approx 1 minute). Remove the rings and allow to drain. Place onto prepared baking sheet. (If you want to use toppings- sesame seeds, salt, poppy seeds, parmesean cheese-sprinkle on at this point). Bake approx 15 minutes or until golden brown (I found mine didn't always brown on top, but the bottoms did cook, so check the bottom of the bagel to prevent burning). Allow to cool slightly and enjoy!

PS- our favorites were Asiago cheese with parmasean on top, chocolate chip, and sundried tomato.