Smoothie Recipe: Creamsicle Dream

I find that I get really bored with breakfast sometime so I'm always up for new things. My current obsession is an English Muffin (light) with 2 Tbsp. of peanut butter and bananas sliced on top.  It's delicious and keeps me full until lunch. 

However, I came across a recipe for an "Orange Creamsicle Smoothie" and being a huge fan of Push Up Pops - I had to give it a try.  The first time I made it I didn't have any orange juice concentrate so I just used orange juice.  While delicious, it was not as thick as I was hoping.  So, I picked up some orange juice concentrate and tried it again, along w/ some Vanilla Whey Protein.  This time the texture was much better.  However, I believe the Vanilla Whey Protein and Vanilla yogurt over powered the orange juice concentrate.  So, I'm going to pick up some Yoplait Light Orange Cream yogurt and use it in place of the vanilla.  I think this will be the perfect combination!!While it is not necessarily carb friendly, it is pretty low calorie for a breakfast and full of protein!

Here's the recipe if anyone is interested:

Ingredients:
 

1 cup milk (skim or 1% is best for lower calories)
1 (6-ounce) container low-fat vanilla yogurt
1/3 cup calcium-fortified frozen orange juice concentrate
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 ice cubes 

Instructions 1. Combine milk, yogurt, orange juice concentrate and vanilla extract in blender. Blend 15 seconds to combine ingredients. Add ice cubes and blend about 20 seconds to crush ice. Serve immediately. Serves 2

Recipe: Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Oh my gosh ... this recipe was awesome!

Ingredients

• 8 ounces uncooked spaghetti, broken into 3-inch pieces
• 3 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup 2% milk
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese, divided
• 1 can (4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
• 1/2 cup chopped roasted sweet red peppers
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1-1/2 teaspoons steak seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil

Directions

• Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large
• bowl, combine the chicken, soup, onion, milk, 1/2 cup cheddar
• cheese, 1/2 cup Swiss cheese, mushrooms, peppers, mayonnaise, steak
• seasoning and basil.
• Drain spaghetti. Add to chicken mixture; toss to coat. Transfer to a
• greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350° for
• 20 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 5-10
• minutes longer or until heated through and cheese is melted. Yield:
• 6 servings.

Source: Taste of Home

Recipe: Chipotle-Glazed Roast Chicken with Sweet Potatoes

Chipotle-Glazed Roast Chicken with Sweet Potatoes



So, I came across this recipe one day when looking for some new, healthier chicken dinners to try. This one caught my eye and even though my husband didn't like sweet potatoes, he said he would give it a try. Thank goodness we did because this recipe is a small piece of heaven. Holy moly it was amazing!! You have got to try this asap!!

The only 2 pieces of advice I can offer are:

1.) Make sure and dice your potatoes fairly small (we cubed them) so that they are fully cooked when you serve the dish; and

2.) Sprinkle a bit of salt and cinnimon on the sweet potatoes before you bake them. Gives them a bit more flavor!

Please, let me know if you try this and your thoughts on the recipe. I know I cannot wait to make it again!!


Chipotle-Glazed Roast Chicken with Sweet Potatoes

Makes: 6 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes

Ingredients
4 sweet potatoes (10 ounces each), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
4 chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons cider vinegar
1 1/4 teaspoons salt, plus additional to taste
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (2 pounds), rinsed and patted dry
Chopped cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, toss the sweet potatoes in the olive oil and scatter on the bottom of a roasting pan. Roast for 15 minutes.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the chilies, garlic, honey, vinegar, salt, cumin, and cinnamon to make a paste. Rub the paste evenly over each breast.

3. Place the chicken breasts on top of the sweet potatoes and roast until the chicken is just cooked through, about 25 to 30 minutes. Serve garnished with cilantro if desired. ENJOY!!



Source: Fitness Magazine
**Click on link to be taken to the recipe so you can print it to try at home!!

New Recipe/Side Dish: Green Beans with Red Pepper

Green Beans with Red Peppers.

This is a dish I never though I would try due to the red peppers as I am not (was not) a red pepper fan. However, the recipe called to me for some reason and it sounded delicious so I thought I would give it a try and boy was I right! This recipe was a huge success at multiple Christmas dinners and even just as a quick, easy anynight side-dish. The slices of red pepper give the green beans such a good flavor, along with some added salt or lemon pepper salt!! I promise you will note be disappointed with this recipe.



5 ServingsPrep
Total Time: 30 min.

Ingredients

* 1-1/2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed
* 1/3 cup water
* 6 tablespoons butter
* 3/4 cup sliced sweet red pepper
* 1 tablespoon chopped shallot
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Directions

Place beans and water in a 2-qt. microwave-safe dish.
Cover and microwave on high for 6-8 minutes or until crisp-tender.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt butter; add red pepper and shallot.
Cook, uncovered, over medium heat until red pepper is crisp-tender.

Drain beans; stir into red pepper mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
Transfer to a serving platter; sprinkle with almonds.


* Yield: 5 servings.

Recipe Alert: Chicken Chili Fettuccine Recipe

Chicken Chilli Fettuccini Recipe

This is one of my all time favorite recipes to make. I love pasta and chicken and I love using rotel in practically anything so this meal was/is perfect. Another from my favorite cooking magazine, Simple & Delicious by Taste of Home!

5 ServingsPrep/Total Time: 25 min.

Ingredients

• 2 packages (9 oz each) refrigerated fettuccine
• 1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 jar (6 oz) sliced mushrooms, drained
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cans (14-1/2 oz each) Italian diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 cans (4 oz each) chopped green chilies (** I often substitue a can of rotel for these)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup (4 oz) shredded Monterey Jack cheese, optional

Directions

• Cook fettuccine according to package directions.
  
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute chicken in oil until no longer pink.
  
• Add mushrooms and onion; saute 2-3 minutes longer or until onion is tender.
• Sprinkle with flour; cook and stir for 1 minute.
  
• Stir in tomatoes and chilies.
  
• Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5-10 minutes or until thickened.
• Drain fettuccine; toss with butter.
  
• Serve with chicken mixture;
• Sprinkle with cheese if desired.
  

Yield: 5 servings.

Source: Taste of Home
Direct Link to Recipe HERE

Recipe of the Day: Inside Out Bloody Mary

I just came across this interesting drink recipe while browsing The Nest. I haven't tried it yet but you can bet that I will. I will let you know how it turns out!



A great twist on a classic drink, this Inside Out Bloody Mary from 101 Martinis is a surefire way to unwind after a long work week.

Ingredients:

3 to 4 spicy Mary cubes (see note)

2 ounces pepper or lemon vodka

Splash of lemon juice

Splash of Tabasco

Small celery stalk, for garnish

Speared red chile pepper, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

Place the spicy Mary cubes in an empty martini glass.

Combine the vodka, lemon juice, and Tabasco in a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake vigorously, and strain over the Mary cubes.

Garnish with a small celery stalk and a chile, if using.

The longer you let the martini sit, the more the cubes will infuse into the martini.

Note: To make spicy mary cubes, make your own Bloody Mary mix or buy a premade one and add horseradish, whole olives, or Worcestershire sauce, or whatever else you like to put in you Bloody Mary mix. Pour the spicy Mary mix into ice trays. Place the trays in the freezer and let sit until cubes are frozen.

Source: The Nest

Recipe Alert: Creamy Tomato Shrimp with Penne

I thought I would share one of my favorite recipes today. We made this a few months back and fell in love with it. We then made it for two of our friends who also loved it. So, for all you pasta and shrimp lovers, here you go (**BTW, this would probably be just as good with chicken too)!

**WARNING - This is not diet friendly. I am sure you could "healthify" it a bit with wheat pasta and a healthier version or less of the alfredo sauce**

Creamy Tomato Shrimp with Penne

4 Servings
Prep/Total Time: 20 min

Ingredients
2 cups uncooked penne pasta
1 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons Crisco® Pure Olive Oil
1-1/2 cups spaghetti sauce
1 carton (10 ounces) refrigerated Alfredo sauce
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute the shrimp, garlic and pepper flakes in oil until shrimp turn pink. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, Alfredo sauce, butter, salt and pepper; heat through.
Drain pasta; serve with shrimp mixture. Sprinkle with parsley. Yield: 4 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1 cup shrimp mixture with 3/4 cup pasta equals 608 calories, 38 g fat (14 g saturated fat), 214 mg cholesterol, 1,535 mg sodium, 39 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 29 g protein

Source: Taste of Home