Breakfast Vegetables

This recipe comes from Trevor's family. He taught me how to make it when we were newlyweds. This dish is something his dad would make and it brings back sweet memories every time we make it.

2 zucchini, thinly sliced

2 summer squash, thinly sliced

1/2 medium onion, finely chopped

3 slices Ham, fully cooked

1-2 glugs oil

In a large skillet, add oil and vegetables. Cook for 10 minutes or until tender on medium high heat. Add ham, and cook 3 for min or until hot. Salt and pepper to taste!

Yields 3-4 cups.

Fresh Salsa

I used to HATE the taste of cilantro. Boy am I glad that my tastes buds changed during my first pregnancy, because now I LOVE cilantro. This salsa will disappear fast! This is just a basic recipe and can be altered very easily according to your preference.

3 large tomatoes (you can use a 29oz can of tomatoes if you must, but isn't as good as fresh)
1/2 onion
3 jalapenos (or more if you want it hotter)*
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro
1-2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
2 tsp salt (or to taste)

Use a food processor or knife to finely dice all ingredients. Combine in a bowl and serve with tortilla chips or with any other Mexican dish!

Yields: 6 cups

*Tip - The heat of the jalapenos is found mostly in the veins (the white inside part) and the seeds. If you don't want it as hot, then strip out and discard the veins and seeds before dicing.

Cool and Creamy Cucumber Salad

This dish is so yummy, my Austrian family would serve it as a side dish often in the summer. (I lived near Vienna, Austria as a nanny in 2000). I brought this recipe home with me because I loved it so much.

My girls have been eating ever since they were babies and gobble it up.
2 cucumbers
½ cup fat free plain yogurt
½ cup fat free sour cream (or low fat)
2 TB (at least) fresh dill, diced (only use fresh)
2 TB white vinegar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar

Peel cucumbers and slice thin and set aside. Stir all remaining ingredients in a medium bowl. Add cucumbers to the creamy mixture and stir until cucumbers are completely covered. Serve cold immediately or after a few hours in the refrigerator for it to taste even better!

Black Bean Salsa

I just discovered this tasty salsa last weekend at a party for the first time. Then again at a baby shower today! My friend Nicole was kind enough to let me take some extra home! I'm addicted. This recipe is from Julie Clark.

1 can corn, drained

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

2 tomatoes, chopped in chunks

1 avacado, chopped in chunks

1/2 bunch fresh cilantro

chopped green onions (to taste)

1 envelope italian dressing

Mix italian dressing according to packet directions in medium bowl. Add remaning ingredients and serve with tortilla chips!

Sliced Baked Potatoes

Sliced Baked Potatoes

4 medium potatoes with skins, washed (or however many you need)
1 tsp salt
3-4 tblsp melted butter
2-3 tsp Thyme (or other herbs of your choice)
4 tblsp grated mozzarella cheese

1. Cut potatoes into thin slices but not ALL the way through. Use a handle of a spoon to prevent knife from cutting all the way.

2. Put potatoes in a baking dish. Fan them open slightly.

3. Drizzle melted butter evenly over the potatoes. Sprinkle with salt and herbs.

4. Bake potatoes at 425 F for 50 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with cheese. Bake for another 10-15 minutes until potatoes are soft when tested with a fork.

Enjoy!

These are a superb side dish to homemade chicken nuggets, and just about any other meal too.

Healthy Grilled Vegetables

We always include these delicious vegetables whenever we grill! Even the girls eat them! The best part is that you can choose any vegetable that suits your palat. Our favorites are:

2 summer squash (or zucchini)
1 bunch of asparagus
1 red bell pepper
1 clove garlic
1-2 glugs of Olive oil
Sea salt to taste

1 ziplock bag, gallon size
Foil

Slice the veggies about equal in thickness (so they'll cook evenly). Place all the veggies into the ziplock bag. Using a garlic press, crush the clove of garlic into the bag (using fresh garlic is a must). Next, add 1-2 glugs of olive oil into the bag. Add just enough to coat the veggies. Seal bag and shake until completely mixed and coated.

Grill the veggies on 2 layers of foil for more stability. Cook until tender.
Season with sea salt and enjoy!
**You can also bake this in the oven. Just arrange veggies in a single layer on a baking sheet and cook for 25-30 minutes at 450F.

Raman Chicken Salad

This is a perfect summer salad that can be made year-round! We LOVE this and often eat it for dinner alone.

Raman Chicken Salad

4 tsp. toasted sesame seeds
1 cup toasted slivered almonds
4 cooked chicken breasts (about 2 cups shredded)
1 16oz. bag coleslaw mix
4-6 stalks celery sliced
2 pkgs. chicken flavored top raman noodles (uncooked and crumbled)

Dressing:
4 tblsp. white vinegar
½ cup olive oil
4 tsp. sugar
1 ½ tsp. salt
2 chicken flavored top raman seasoning packets

Toast almonds in medium sized sauté pan over medium heat, stirring often. After the almonds start to look a little more golden, add the sesame seeds. Continue stirring until golden brown (careful not to burn it). Quickly remove from heat and empty into a bowl, set aside. Then combine first six ingredients into large bowl. In a small bowl, combine ingredients for dressing and beat or whip for 1 minute. Pour dressing over coleslaw mixture and mix well. Ready to eat or refrigerate for a cool salad. Pepper to taste if desired.

*One of our family favorites, especially for big get-togethers!*