My confession.

I know you all think I am some amazing uber organized supah Mama but I must confess....tonight we had nachos.

Now that you are done reeling from the shock, it's true. I am by no means perfect, nor am I uber organized AND as much as I love my mad skillz, (in the kitchen and other places :P) I must be honest.... sometimes we just do the best we can. Today was one of those days.  The marinade I was going to make said it had to rest for at least an hour, which I did not have, because my almost 2 year old was to busy eating dirt and licking yogurt off of the dog. So we had nachos. And Caesars. Yes the drink, not the salad. I'll try the pork again tomorrow.

Delish!

Late is always better than never, right?!?!? Not much to say this week I am home from another road trip 1400 kilometers in 4 days with the 2 minis...*sigh* They were great, the friends we saw always make me smile, and the sun shone the whole time!

I will admit last week I didn't make the salmon I intended but I am going to attempt salmon again. And a big HAPPY CANADA DAY this Thursday to all my fellow Canadians! Maybe I'll make a cake....


Monday -Balsamic Honey Pork Chops , and mixed greens
Ingredients
1 lb pork chops pounded to about 1/2 inch thickness
1/4 cup aged balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup local honey
2 cloves garlic, smashed and finely minced
1 tbsp minced onion
1/4 tsp salt
salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp grapeseed oil

Directions
Combine all of the ingredients except the grapeseed oil in a large zip-lock bag and marinade for up to 8 hours, a minimum of 1 hour. Marinade at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking to ensure really tender pork. You can even prepare the marinade and pork in advance in the zip-lock bags and freeze for later, it will marinade as it thaws which couldn’t be more convenient! Once the pork has finished marinading the balsamic honey mixture, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, discarding the leftover marinade, and season each side of the pork with salt and pepper and add the oil to the hot pan. When the oil shimmers, add the pork and cook on each side for about 4 minutes, or until the pork is cooked through. Remove the pork from the pan and allow it to rest for a few minutes before slicing.

Tuesday -Asian Salmon , green beans and rice


Wednesday - leftovers, it's a big salmon....

Thursday -Tracie’s Couscous Salad
Adapted from Tracie Farmer (via “Paula’s Home Cooking,” FoodNetwork.com)
Ingredients
1 box flavored couscous (garlic or Parmesan), cooked (recommended: Near East)
1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
1/2 Vidalia or red onion, chopped
1 English cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
2 to 3 limes, juiced

In a large bowl, toss all the ingredients with the olive oil and lime juice, to taste.

Friday - Orange Infused Teriyaki Chicken with salad

Saturday -Tacos

Sunday- BBQ ribs, roasted veggies and garlic bread

I swear I see sun!

Well my friends yet another week is upon us, and I am trying to fill it with healthy meals.  Sometimes I fail (mmmmmmm bacon wrapped burgers) but this week is looking might fine if I may say so myself, and since it's my blog, well I can, you know say so myself.....

So enjoy your week, and please if you want to share your plans leave it in the comments section! I am always looking for inspiration!



Monday - Roasted chicken breasts topped with bruschetta and feta cheese (not topped for the minis)

Bruschetta

Ingredients

5 ripe tomatoes- any variety but plum or off the vine work best

1 medium sized red onion

1/2 cup roasted red peppers drained of oil

garlic use as much or as little to suit your taste

1/2 cup fresh basil chopped (or use a quarter as much dried)

a few teaspoons of salt (see explanation below)

a few tea spoons of sugar(see explanation below)

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

1/2 cup feta

Directions

Cut tomatoes and onions into a fine dice, put in bowl.  Chop red peppers into small dice, add to bowl.  Add garlic, start with a few teaspoons, the adjust to taste later.  Chop basil, or add to bowl.   Add a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of sugar.   Mix.   Add vinegar first, otherwise the oil will not let the vinegar coat the mixture.   Add oil, taste for seasoning- too salty add a little more sugar, too sweet add a little more salt.   Mix well and refrigerate for at least two hours (the longer the better)

Tuesday - Salmon on the BBQ, rice and steamed green beans

Wednesday - BBQ bacon wrapped burgers served with Veggies and dip
Ingredients
1/2 cup shredded cheese (can use more!)
3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic
3 tablespoons ketchup or favorite barbecue sauce
1 large egg, slightly beaten
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons seasoning salt (or to taste)
black pepper
1 lb ground beef (do not use extra lean ground beef!)
bacon, slices

Directions
Set grill to medium-high heat. In a large bowl mix all ingredients except the bacon. Form into 4-6 patties. Wrap one or two slices of bacon around each pattie, then secure with toothpicks. Place the patties on a greased grill. Cook until well done. Remove the toothpicks before serving.


Thursday - Clubhouse wraps

Friday & Saturday - out with friends

Sunday - Nachos!

And the winner is.....

#5!!! ModernMom said...

I voted for you on Top Mommy Blogs.clicked right on through:)

Fab giveaway and great to meet you.
Hope you can pop over to my blog sometime!

She also picked Straight Time, so ModernMom please contact me within 48 hours to claim your prize! Congrats!

No Bake Granola Bars!

I am told these granola bars are "gluten free" So I am posting this for all those with gluten allergies. I know some people who have also substituted the peanut butter for peabutter if you have peanut allergies.

No-Bake Granola Bars

8 min | 8 min prep

24 bars
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups crispy rice cereal
2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions
In large bowl, combine cereal, rolled oats and raisins; set aside.
In small saucepan, combine brown sugar and corn syrup.
Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
Stir in peanut butter and vanilla; blend until smooth.
Pour over cereal mixture; mix well.
Press into ungreased 13"x 9" pan.
Cool; cut into 24 bars.

On Vacation

Well I am still thoroughly enjoying my cooking hiatus. Vacation is awesome, the full extent of my cooking has thus far consisted of Lexie's favorite "Peda-Jam". I was treated to some yummy Sushi on Friday with amazing friends and last night my sister and the bf shared their love of Thai Food and ordered in some delicious food. (Maybe I'll eat it for breakfast...maybe)

We arrive home Wednesday after dinner and will be camping this weekend for fathers day, with some great friends. So yes, it's another short week. But if you are stuck for recipes try a few of my favorites from this site: Sweet and Spicy Cashew Chicken Stir-fry, Lettuce Wraps, or the cheater chicken souvlaki! And until then, happy planning my friends!


Monday- away

Tuesday- away

Wednesday- away

Thursday - BBQ roasted chicken, salad & rolls

Friday - Shredded chicken Greek wraps
Ingredients
2 cups shredded bbq chicken
1 tomato, diced
1 cucumber, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1 cup feta cheese
oregano
parsley
garlic powder to taste
tatziki
whole wheat tortilla wraps

Directions
Combine ingredient in a bowl (not tzatziki) Take wrap, spread tzatziki, add fillings and wrap it up!

Saturday - OUT

Sunday - Steak on the BBQ for Daddy's day! Happy Daddy's Day Mr M.!

Grown up Yummies....

Yes, I have a problem. I use the word "yum" or a variation of it far too often. Perhaps it comes as a result of spending copious amounts of time with the minis but at any rate I am sorry. I pledge to find another word to describe the yummy things I post here ;)

My Friend Xann makes great food. She is what I consider a "foodie" I always look forward to munching with her because without fail my taste buds thank me, generally so do my hips because Xann cooks fresh, low fat, YUMMY, things. She recently shared a few of her hummus recipes and a chutney recipe that were meant to be passed along. Truthfully, my children would probably rather eat worms than try either of these, but they are ummmm how do we say P-I-C-K-Y eaters.

At any rate my grown up friends toast some pita, or cut up some veggies and enjoy!




Green Chutney (great on Turkey burgers!)

Ingredients
1 pkg mint
1/2 bunch cilantro - about equal amounts of each
1/3 of one chubby jalapeno - more or less to taste
2 cloves garlic
1/2 smallish red onion / or 1/3 med onion (too much can easily overpower the herbs) roughly chopped
4 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp white vinegar
2 tsp white sugar

Directions
Wash herbs, shake off excess water, dry well - discard any hard stems but keep tender ones
Grind leaves, chili, garlic and onion ( I use a food processor ) Add salt, sugar, lemon juice and vinegar, mix well and serve!


Black Bean hummus:
Ingredients
1 can drained rinsed black beans
1 green onion.. green part chopped
olive oil
1 tablespoon Tahini
1 squeezed lemon
1/2 tsp sambelolek
salt an pepper
1/2 tsp cumin

Directions
Throw this all in together in the food processor, taste and alter...yummm

Lemon Hummus:
Ingredients
1 can rinsed chick peas
olive oil
1 clove garlic
1 tablespoon tahini
salt and pepper
1 squeezed lemon
zest of one lemon
1/2 tsp cumin

Directions
Garnish with a drizzle of yummy olive oil, a dash of paprika, or pine nuts

Throw it all in the processor, tweak, and eat!! Yummm

That's it. I'm OUT

I'm kidding! I couldn't leave you all hanging for the rest of your culinary lives without a meal or a plan from Meal Planning Mama! That just wouldn't be fair. But I am leaving on Wednesday for a week. (Can I get a WOOHOO?!?!?! I may be a little excited, mmmm just a little) Now I will be honest I begged and pleaded for someone, ANYONE to share their meal plans with you all, or hell, even a meal would have been nice, but NO ONE stepped up, so you are left alone to flounder through the week.

All kidding aside, here are a few other GREAT sites that offer meal plans and recipes. Jane at This Week For Dinner has some great meal plans, I frequently scour her site for ideas. I also enjoy Our Recipe Box and A top Mommy Blog favorite Can I Get the Recipe?

As for me I only have two meals this week, so without further ado...Enjoy!


Monday - Spiced Chicken with Couscous (from the magazine Real Simple)

Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons ground cumin, kosher salt, black pepper
3/4 cup couscous
3/4 pound cherry or grape tomatoes quartered
1/4 pound thinly sliced snap peas
1/2 cup torn basil
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest

Directions
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken with paprika, cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper and cooked until browned and cooked through (approx 6-7 minutes) Meanwhile, place the couscous in a large bowl. Add 1 cup hot water, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Add the tomatoes, snap peas, basil, lemon zest, lemon juice, the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper and toss to combine. Slice the chicken and serve with couscous.

Tuesday - Butter Chicken and Naan bread (and yes, I cheat Presidents Choice makes a wicked sauce and the naan is on special this week!)

I'm famous!

My first guest post at Practical Mum