Loving Our Home | Home Tips, Advice, and Easy Recipes
Simple Home Tips and Solutions
I never really understand how important a food processor is in the kitchen until the first Thanksgiving I made a pie crust from scratch. It is an essential item for someone like me who isn’t an expert at baking, mixing and creating recipes by hand. The staff at eReplacementParts.com has come up with a handy little infographic that teaches you about the various parts of a food processor and how to use it in your kitchen. Check it out:
Infographic reposted courtesy of eReplacementParts
Eating Italian food is always a decadent and enjoyable experience for me. The cheese, the tomatoes, the spices… yum! One of my favorite Italian foods is the classic ricotta mozzarella calzone–I’ve learned that I can make it easily at home instead of buying one for $8-$10 at a local pizza restaurant. When all the ingredients are purchased I can make 2-3 calzones for the price of one at a restaurant.
Ingredients
Whole milk ricotta cheese
1 egg
Salt and pepper to taste
Mozzarella cheese
Pizza dough
* Keep in mind that you can now purchase quality pizza dough at your local grocery store. You can even purchase wheat pizza dough if you prefer. You might also want to get a jar of marinara sauce to dip your Ricotta Mozzarella Calzone into for added flavor.
* You can also add mushrooms, sliced green peppers and/or pepperoni to the mozzarella mixture if you’d like.
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375* Then cut your dough in half so that you have two pieces for two calzones. On a well floured surface, roll your dough out to desired thickness. Now in a large bowl add ricotta cheese, egg, salt and pepper. Mix well. Then add about a 1/2 cup of ricotta mixture to center of the dough. This is the time to add all of the other ingredients of your choice. Top with mozzarella cheese. Fold dough over and pinch edges to keep ingredients inside. Repeat for other piece of dough. Place calzones on non stick cookie sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Serve with a bowl of marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy!!!
Posted by Lorraine
Photo credit: Flickr/habesha
Have you ever been shopping the meat department at your local grocery store and noticed ground turkey on sale? There are plenty of delicious recipes that you can prepare with it. Plus, it’s healthier than ground beef. Most recipes that call for beef can be substituted with ground turkey. So before you reach for that package of beef next time you’re out grocery shopping, check out these recipe ideas for ground turkey.
Ingredients
2 lbs ground turkey
1 small onion diced
1/2 green pepper finely diced
3-4 garlic cloves minced
1 tsp salt and pepper
1/2 jalapeño pepper finely diced ( optional )
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1 egg beaten ( optional )
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs ( optional )
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix together. Then take about a golf size ball of meat and roll into a ball. Then flatten into a patty. Make as many as you can with mixture. Added bonus is that leftovers can be frozen. (Raw or cooked) cook on medium high heat and serve like you would a beef patty.
Ingredients
2 lbs ground turkey
1 head of cabbage
1 1/2 cups of rice cooked (brown or white)
1 8oz can unseasoned tomato sauce
2 tsp garlic powder
3-4 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp dried oregano
Instructions
Begin by boiling a large pot of water on high heat. Place a colander on top. Now with a large sharp knife, carefully cut off the bottom of the cabbage. Then gently peel off whole leaves of cabbage. Place cabbage leaves into colander and cover with lid. Allow leaves to steam until leaves are tender. Be sure not to over cook. Set aside to cool. Now in a large sauce pan add ground turkey and seasonings. Cook on medium high heat until meat is fully cooked. Lower heat and add rice. Mix well and taste. Begin making cabbage rolls by taking one cabbage leaf and adding 3-4 spoonfuls of meat mixture. (Depending on the size of leaf) Remember to put mixture near the stem and roll forward. Place roll into a large casserole. Repeat. Place oven on 350*. The last step is to pour the tomato sauce evenly over cabbage rolls. Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes until cabbage is fully cooked.
Ingredients
2 lbs ground turkey
1 envelope onion soup mix
1 egg
1 cup unseasoned bread crumbs
1/4 cup ketchup
Directions
Preheat oven to 350*
Combine all ingredients minus ketchup in a large bowl and mix well. Place mixture into a loaf pan and spread out evenly.then spread ketchup evenly on top. Bake for 30-40 minutes. Serve with a side salad, mash potatoes and/or green beans.
Enjoy these simple and delicious recipe ideas for ground turkey!
Posted by Eve
Image via Flickr/ginnerobot
Some of the best memories I have are those witnessing my mom dedicating her time to cook special meals for the family. This recipe is a version of her Breaded Italian Chicken Roll with Turkey & Mushroom Gravy. It requires a bit of work, but is definitely worth the effort!
Main Ingredients
4 chicken thighs deboned
1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
2 eggs (beaten)
1 cup flour
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1/2 tablespoon salt
1/2 cup oil
4 pieces sliced turkey breast
4 thick slices of Swiss cheese (optional)
Ingredients for Gravy
2 beef bouillon cubes
2 cups hot tap water
2 tablespoons flour
5-6 large fresh mushrooms (sliced)
3 large garlic cloves (thinly sliced)
1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions for Chicken
Wrap the chicken thighs in plastic wrap and pound flat. ( use rolling pin or mallet ) Combine all seasoning in a large bowl and generously season both sides of chicken. Now, in one bowl add bread crumbs. In another bowl add eggs. Then in a large fry pan add oil and place on medium high heat. Begin your chicken roll by placing one slice of turkey on each thigh. If your using cheese now is the time to place on top of turkey. Roll each thigh into a tight roll. First, roll chicken in egg wash then roll into the bread crumbs. Then place in fry pan and repeat steps for remaining pieces. Allow chicken to fry on both sides until golden brown. Remember, you are not fully cooking chicken you are just browning it. Now place a large cooling rack on top of a baking sheet. Turn oven to 350*. Chicken is placed on a rack to not allow bottom of chicken to get soggy. Bake for 30-40 minutes.
Instructions for Gravy
While chicken is cooking in the oven you can begin to prepare your gravy. Start by turning the used fry pan on medium high heat. Add mushrooms and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Sauté 3-5 minutes. Now add garlic slices and lower heat. Sauté another 3-5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl add 2 cups of hot water and bouillon cubes. Use a fork to help break down cube. Add flour and stir vigorously. Slowly add mixture to pan and gently stir. Reduce heat to low and allow gravy to thicken. Spoon gravy on top of chicken and serve.
This Breaded Italian Chicken Roll With Turkey & Mushroom Gravy recipe requires patience, but it’s worth it because the results are AMAZING. You and your family will really appreciate it. Serve with scalloped potatoes and a side salad for a filling dinner.
Enjoy!!
Posted by Eve
A super easy way to make a variety of different meals is with a juicy store-bought rotisserie chicken. You will love these mouth watering recipes because they are easy to make and only require a few extra ingredients.
Ingredients
3 slices toasted bread
2 slices chicken breast
4 strips of bacon cooked
2 leaves of lettuce
4 slices of tomato
mayo (to taste)
salt & pepper (to taste)
Instructions
Take toasted bread slices and smear mayo on top. Then lightly season with salt and pepper. Place a leaf of lettuce on a slice of bread then add tomato, bacon and chicken. Place another piece of bread on top, mayo side up and repeat. Cover with last piece of bread. Cut in half and serve with a deli pickle.
Ingredients
2 cups of chicken (diced)
1 celery stalk (peeled & finely diced)
1/2 small red onion (finely diced)
1/4 cup red seedless grapes cut in half
1/3 cup mayo
Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
In a large bowl, add mayo, onion, celery, grapes and chicken. Gently combine with a large spoon. Let chill for 30 minutes before serving. Serve on lettuce cups with potato chips on the side.
Use this recipe when you want to use up all of the remaining rotisserie chicken.
Ingredients
1 onion (cubed)
2 celery stalks (chopped)
2 carrots (chopped)
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
2 chicken bouillon cube
1 cup egg noodle pasta (cooked) *optional
2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
4 cups water
Salt to taste
Instructions
In a large pot on medium high heat place whole chicken, water, bouillon, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley flakes, carrots, and celery. Allow to boil covered for at least 30-45 minutes, until chicken falls off bone. Salt to taste. Add cooked pasta last. Before serving remove large pieces of bone. Enjoy with garlic bread.
All of these recipes are extremely flexible. For instance, use for favorite type of bread, wrap or pita. Or substitute mayo for mustard or avocado. I hope you enjoy these recipes.
Posted by Eve
Image credit: Flickr/mercedesfromtheeighties
Sometimes cooking can become tedious and redundant — you need something quick and easy. Have you ever tried simplifying your work by cooking with muffin pans? Try these 3 easy Muffin Pan recipe ideas (meals and dessert):
Ingredients
Wonton wraps
1 lb ground beef
1 tablespoon Worcester sauce
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Non stick cooking spray
Muffin pan
Instructions
Preheat oven 350*. In a bowl, add raw ground beef, Worcester and combine. Now, spray muffin molds with the non stick spray. Place 2 wontons inside each mold, over lapping. Add 4-5 tablespoons of meat mixture to each mold. Bake for 20 minutes and add cheddar cheese to top and continue baking until cheese is melted.
Ingredients
1 can of biscuits
1 lb chicken breast ( cooked and cubed )
1 can cream of chicken
1/2 cup mixed vegetables ( frozen )
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Non stick oil spray
Muffin pan
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350*. Spray muffin molds with the non stick spray.
Gently peel biscuits and make one biscuit into two biscuits. Flatten out with rolling pin. Mold each piece inside of the muffin mold. Now in a bowl, add chicken breast, cream of chicken, frozen vegetables, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Mix well. Then fill each mold with chicken mixture. Bake for 10-15 minutes.
Ingredients
1 package of puff pastry
2-3 Granny Smith apples ( peeled and cubed )
1/4 stick melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 egg white
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350*. In a large bowl add apples, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, lemon juice and melted butter. Mix well. Now on a lightly floured surface, unroll pastry dough and flatten with rolling pin. Cut dough into 6″ circles. Lightly grease muffin pan and press pastry into the muffin mold. Fill with 3-4 tablespoons of pie mix. Take 1 pastry circle and place on top of mix. Crimp the edges together and make one slit in the middle of the pastry. Lastly, brush with egg white. Repeat these steps for as many pies possible.
The best thing about these Muffin Pan recipes is that you can cook as many as you like and freeze or refrigerate them until you’re ready to gobble them up. You can reheat them in a microwave or back in the oven.
Posted by Eve
Image credit: Flickr/therecipedrawer