Spinach and Cheese Quesadilla with Corn and Blackbean Salsa

Kim and I love the combo of blackbean, Corn and Tomato so much we are always trying to find different ways to use them together in meals since this is a no repeat recipe year. This time we have incoropated spinach into the mix and cheese which just adds to the already nutritious trifecta. Spinach adds vitamin K and calcium and tons of other nutrients and cheese of course tons of calcium and protein. This is one healthy and easy meal.
give yourself about 10 minutes and you will be done in no time.
Ingredients and directions
preheat oven to 350

8 flour or corn tortillas
1 cup black beans
1 cup corn canned or thawed out frozen
1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 tsp cilantro(optional)
1 tsp cumin(optional)
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
about 40 fresh spinach leaves or 1 1/2 cup frozen spinach thawed
1 cup shredded cheese(cheddar or a mexican blend)
mix beans, corn, diced tomato in its sauce, cilantro, cumin and taco seasoning
lay out 4 tortillas on baking sheet, top each with salsa, spinach leaves(about 10 leaves per) or frozen -1/4 cup each and shredded cheese(1/4 cup each)
sandwhich each tortilla and topping with the other tortilla and bake at 350 for 10 minutes or until tortilla top slightly brown and cheese is melted.

Tomatillo Salsa (Salsa Verde)

My college roommate made this for my bridal shower about 13 years ago - and I loved it!  And periodically I break down and make it - and for weeks after I wonder why I don't do it more often.  Other than the trip to the grocery store (as opposed to Aldi's) - or in my case SuperWalmart (horrors!) for the special tomatillos this is a total NO WORK salsa that is so yummy and delicious - and unlike store bought salsa - it's sodium free - and can be sugar free!  I love it on chips, salad, chicken, nachos, you name it!  So what's to it you ask?

1 pound green tomatillos (freshest when the green/brown skin is still tight

about 1/2 jalapeno pepper (seeded)

1/2 cup white onion

1/2 cup loosely packed cilantro

juice of 1/2 medium lime

1/4 tsp sugar - optional - I usually omit

place tomatillos in a pot of boiling water - boil additional 5 minutes - skins will loosen

drain, cool to touch, remove skins and core.

Place everything in a food processor or blender - do your magic until it's the consistency desired.  Some like it runnier, some chunkier - it's your salsa!

We served on top of chicken nachos (diced chicken, tortilla chips, colby-jack cheese broiled for about 4 minutes).  Black olives would have been added, but we were out - and of course the sour cream goes in last!

Here's my reduced carb version - no chips for me, just a huge ole' salad with tons of salsa as dressing!

Baked Polenta With Tomato Sauce and Mozzarella

Still on my quest to find ways to use up my cornmeal, so Im back to another creative way to make Polenta. This time, this way was a bit of a process, and baking the polenta gave it a bit of a different texture, it was kind of like polenta toasts. My polenta squares were thinner then I will do next time, but other than that, I liked them.
inredients:
1 cup cornmeal
3 cups water
1 1/2 cup prepared marinara
1 cup mozarlla cheese

boil water, add bullion

slowly add cornmeal and stir constantly
stir for approximately 20 minutes or until cornmeal and water are a smooth consistency
remove from heat and pour into a 9x9 bake dish
smooth out so the whole pan is an even sheet of polenta
cook at 300 for 40 minutes
while polenta is baking heat sauce in pan
remove baking pan from oven and pour sauce over evenly
sprinkle with cheese and bake in oeven for 10 minutes or until cheese is fully melted
remove from oven let stand for 10 minuted and cut into squares

English Muffin Pizzas

This is something I started making FOREVER ago, maybe when I was a Weight Watchers Points counter (this is LOW!), or maybe some other time - but regardless, with the large number of really high fiber, whole wheat english muffins on the market now at a pretty affordable cost, this "crust" is so super easy the kids can do it without you! (really, they could if they are toaster or oven savvy).

Four English Muffins
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
4 breakfast sausage links, cooked and cut into small pieces
1/2 red pepper, diced

Open the four english muffins to make eight halves - place on a dark baking sheet.  Put 1 tbsp pizza sauce on each half - then the sausage and pepper, finally 2 tbsp mozzarella cheese.
Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until desired crispiness is acheived (they won't crisp appropriately on an air-bake pan!)

Load up on the veggies - usually I use alot more veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, onions, and other peppers - but I kept it simple today because the kids playdates were showing up in 15 about 25 mintues from when I started, and I wanted the kids to eat with no complaints!  (and they did!).

Hot Mango Pineapple dip for coconut shrimp

In this blog from a few months ago we taught you how to make a very healthy coconut shrimp that I got from Weight Watchers a LONG time ago!  It's really tasty, easy, and really doesn't pack any bad fats as it is baked!  The coconut makes it so sweet and the beer combined with the baking powder in the batter makes a really crunchy but light batter.

http://7dinners70dollars.blogspot.com/2010/05/coconut-shrimp.html

we're going to jazz it up ALOT by making this hot mango/pineapple dip for it!

1 can crushed pineapple, drained (reserve 1/4 cup juice)
1 mango, peeled and removed from the pit
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp corn starch

mix corn starch and pineapple juice in a small bowl or cup.  mix thoroughly.

combine pineapple and mango in food processor or blender.  Mix/mash/puree/blend - whatever it is you call it, mix these things together creating a pretty thin sauce with a beautiful color.
pour into a bowl and mix in the red pepper flakes and the corn starch.  Refrigerate about 30 minutes for the corn starch to thicken the mixture a bit.

Serve cold or heat the dip in the microwave to accompany the shrimp!

Taco Scoops - KID FAV $4.88

A fun twist on taco bar, this is really just a different shell for tacos - but your kids won't know that unless they can read this blog or you tell them. Tostitos brand scoops are super for this dinner. Barbara and I have also served them at a party with just a squirt of sour cream in the bottom of the scoop and a spoonful of salsa (preferrably a corn and bean salsa) on top of the sour cream. Tonight we're doing the scoop as dinner!

Taco Scoops $1.20
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese $1.00
1 to 1 1/4 pounds ground turkey (or beef - turkey's cheaper) $2.29
1 package taco seasoning (or 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin and 2 tsp garlic powder - and a dash of salt) .39

taco fixings of choice - we went with cheese, lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, salsa. This platter just shows sc oop tacos with meat & cheese - that's how I put them all on the table and then all the "fixings" along side so each person can make their own to taste. It's a bit messy of a supper, but it's a lot of fun, and the kids seem a bit more talkative about their day when we're having a fun supper!

Portabella Mushroom Pizza (crustless) $4,22

No crust on your pizza you gluten intolerant person
No carbs in your pizza you low carb eater
Veggie lover
Food Adventurer

whatever the reason for trying this crustless, portabella mushroom based pizza, CONGRATULATIONS for breaking out of the norm!

Ingredients - SERVES ONE

1 lg. portabella mushroom cap $2.99

1/4 cup pasta sauce .20
1/4 cup part-skim mozzarella .25
1 cup cooked spinach(frozen or fresh) .60
1 clove garlic.08
1.tbsp dried basil .10
fat-free cooking spray

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Wipe the cap clean of any dirt. Trim mushroom stem flat with cap.
Place mushroom cap on foil and bake for 5-10 minutes before proceeding with toppings. Remove from oven.
Spray both sides of mushroom cap with cooking spray. Place on baking dish, gill side up (that's the fancy, official name for the black feathery side).
Cover generously with garlic and sauce, then top with spinach, cheese and basil. Place in oven and bake for 6-8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Broil for the last minute or two if you want your cheese browned on top.

Serve immediately.

I've listed this as an appetizer because it would be a fun party food cut into little wedges!

Here's a picture of another of those nights where my dish and Barbara's look EXACTLY the same.  we really do think alike on these projects so frequently!  YUMMY

Cowboy Caviar weekly reorg...$5.64

Wholly cow- see, I told you I was having some organization issues
TONIGHT is the Packers vs. Bears game... uhm, tortilla encrusted whitefish isn't gonna cut it.
WE NEED POWER FOOD.
We're making chili
And our side dish will be...

COWBOY CAVIAR! (ehh, wait, I don't like the football Cowboys either)
can't wait!

Cowboy PACKER Caviar ... it does have both green (avocado) and gold (corn!).


INGREDIENTS
1 (15oz) cans black beans, rinsed .69
1 (17 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained .80
2 large tomatoes, chopped .90
2 large avocado, diced $1.58
1/2 red onion, chopped .20

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro .20
3-4 Tbsp lime juice .60
2 Tbsp olive oil .60
1 tsp salt .05
1/2 tsp pepper.02

First mix the cilantro, lime, oil, salt & pepper in a small bowl - then toss the rest of the items in a medium size bowl - cover with the "dressing", refrigerate then serve with chips, over chicken, with large shrimp, or just with a fork. This is so a "can't go wrong" dish.

Nacho Platter with Chicken and Black Bean and Corn Salsa $4.25

Well this was quite the hit tonight on Biggest Loser premier night!! How can one go wrong with tortilla chips, shredded cheddar cheese and a homemade blackbean and corn salsa. we added more protein by including chicken, so the meal was very healthy.


for the salsa:
1 can 15 oz Diced Tomatoes (not drained) .69
1 can 15 oz BlackBeans (rinsed) .59
1 can 8 oz Corn(rinsed) .39
1 tbsp Taco Seasoning .10

mix all in a bowl including taco season, toss thoroughly

For nacho Platter
40 Tortilla Chips .30
1 can Chicken Breast or 1 fresh chicken breast broiled or baked $1.08
1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese $1.10

spread layer of tortilla chips on a serving platter that is oven proof(half the chips)
on top chips layer 1/2 can of chicken, half salsa, and half cheese evenly
top with another layer of chips and then relayer the rest of ingredients
bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese is all melted.

Mango Cevice $6.93

We loved the Civece so much a few weeks ago, I thought I would try it with a different sweeter twist by adding Mango. I managed to pick out perfect Mango from Aldi today, paid not even a dollar, and even had half left over to eat alone. Yum, I dont eat mango often, but everytime I do, I remember how much I like the tropical fruit. The fresh tart fruit was a perfect accompanyment to the lime and cilantro which flavored the shrimp. On the advice of a friend, I did make the cevice in the morning, and let it sit it the fridge all day to really merry the flavors. The results was delicioso!!

Ingredients:
1 lb cooked shrimp(tail removed) $4.99
1 avocado diced .79
1/2 mango diced .35
1/4 medium red onion diced.20
juice of 2 limes (medium) .40
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro.20

dice the shrimp in small peices and combine all ingreients in a bowl. coat everything evenly in the lime juice and refridgerate for atleast an hour

Roast Beef Bruschetta hor de vour

Once upon a time I attended a party with Barbara.  We had these amazing roast beef hor de vours.  Upon watching them be prepared in the kitchen by the chef, I am pleased to say I know the recipe!

Deli Roast Beef slices
Blue Cheese
Carmalized Onions
Bruschetta Bread pieces
balsamic vinegar

Fire roast your bruschetta bread in advance... Barbara's taught us how - over an open fire and brushed with olive oil and rub with garlic.  MMMMM.

Carmalize the onions --- slice onions into 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick slices.  Place in a frying pan over LOW heat, and stir, periodically, for a really long time - like a half an hour.  You can add some brown sugar to the onions once they start to release their own juices to truely sweeten the pot and make the onions a bit more "carmalized" instead of just golden brown.  By a bit, I mean about 1 tsp or less to a medium/large onion.

place a piece of deli roast been approximately the size of your bruschetta on top of the bruschetta.
next pile on carmalized onions.
sprinkle with blue cheese and lightly drizzle with balsamic vinegar (you could brush the balsamic on the bread before the roast beef if you so desired)
Place in oven or broiler and heat until the blue cheese starts to melt.

Shrimp Cevice $6.88

HELLO BARBARA! Thank you for opening my eyes to this treat! YUMMO! I loved it, I think I put way too much cilantro in (and Joe agrees with that!), but this is a combination I could totally enjoy for lunch or dinner anytime! And amazingly healthy - fantastic for my goals for this week - to really crack down on the not-so-healthy things I've eaten lately.

I researched this a bit before Barbara gave me this awesome recipe - a couple I found on line omitted the tomatoes and avocados. I don't think this dish would be nearly as wonderful without those items... also not nearly as filling. Perhaps that would work if you were serving it just as an appetizer!

16 ounces cooked shrimp, tails removed, and cut into 1/4 inch pieces (4.99)
1 firm but ripe avocado (.79)
2 plum tomatoes or a handful of grape or cherry tomatoes (.50)
2 tbsp cilantro (I used way more) (.20)
juice of one lime (.20)
1/4 cup red onion (.20)

246 calories, 16 carbs,8 fat, 21 protein - I mean REALLY! cost $6.88

Chop the shrimp into 1/4 inch chunks, dice the onion finely, wash and chop the cilantro into fine pieces, and chop the plum tomatoes or half the grape or cherry tomatoes - combine all these things in a 2 quart bowl. Juice the lime over the top of the rest of the ingredients - allow it to sit for a few minutes... some might add salt - I didn't.
Divide into four attractive bowls or glasses and serve.
Awesome!

Develed Eggs $1.50

We have talked about the incredible egg and all its nutrients, but we didnt discuss how versitile this little white gem is. Probably out of all our "convenient" store items, it is the most versitile. Eggs can be used so many different ways-scrammbled, fried, boiled,poached, over easy, in an omlette, fritata, quiche etc.... It is also used as an ingredient over and over again. Develed Eggs is another tasty and fun way to make eggss I "served" many of them while working at a Country Club in Highschool. They were a mainstay on the appetizer menu, and were one of the most popular items. I remember the chef putting the "filling" which consisted mainly of the yolks in a big pastry bag, and filling up each boiled egg white. He treated each egg like a work of art, and yellow yolk looked like gold velvet. So mine(hance, the picture) really didnt look like his, but I think they sure tasted good.

7 eggs .70
1/2 cup mayonaise .30
1 tsp prepared mustard.10
2 tsp pickled relish(optional).20
salt and pepper to taste .10
paprika for the tops of eggs.10

boil eggs, let cook and peal
slice eggs in half lengthwise
scoop out yolks and combine in bowl with mayo, mustard etc....
mix well until smooth
scoop into eggwhites
sprinkle on paprikaa

Corn, Avocado & Tomato Salad $6.71

As you know, Barbara and I are just not that into organics...we don't spend the money required on organics - but, yes, we certainly are concerned about pesticides in our foods. There are two ways of looking at this situation - one is to avoid the dirty dozen (the 12 most pesticide laden foods) - spending your money on organic here whenever possible or make more meals with the clean 15 - the fifteen foods found to be lowest in pesticides in their conventionally-grown state. Tonight's meal brings you the top three off the clean 15 list ... Onions, Avocado, & Sweet Corn. A perfect dish then for us non-organic shoppers or advocates.

The Corn, Avocado, & Tomato Salad

2 Tbsp olive oil .60
1 tbsp fresh lime juice .20
1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro.20
1/4 tsp salt .02
1/4 tsp pepper .02
2 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels, (freshly removed from the corn cobs that went uneaten a few meals ago :-).) $1.80
2 avocados cut into 1/2 inch pieces $1.58
1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered $1.99
1/2 cup finely diced red onion .30

in a large bowl, whisk together oil, lim, cilantro, salt & pepper. Add the other ingredients and toss to mix.
Serve immediately or refrigerate until later.

1/4 recipe = 318 calories, 33 grams carbs, 21 grams fat, 7 grams protein

Barbara and I served it over chicken, and it made a wonderful, power packed meal. Those mono-unsaturated fat particles combined with the healthy protein of chicken and the "clean" foods from the veggies make this A-Maz-ing!

4 ingredient 3 Layer Salsa and Cheese Dip $5.00

Heres a timeless appetizer- how can anyone go wrong when serving this at a party. Layers of cream cheese, salsa and cheese baked, and served with chips? I especially think this goes over very well at a sport related party like a Sunday football game. there aer lots of ways to health this up. I added corn to the salsa, but blackbeans could be added or shredded chicken. Baked chips or crackers could be served instead of the alternative. This appetizer never goes uneaten!

OK, heres the not so complicated recipe:
Ingredients:

1 block of cream cheese $1.29

1 jar salsa $1.59

1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese shredded $1.59

1 cup corn(canned or frozen) .60
9x9 or some pan with similar dimensions

combine half the jar of salsa and corn
spread cream cheese in a thin layer on bottom of the pan
pour salsa mixture over creamcheese
top with shredded cheese
bake at 300 for 20 minutes until cheese is completely melted (I like my top layer of cheese kinda crispy)

Delish Fruit Dip

Minus the time we told you to heat bacon and serve, this might be the easiest recipe ever.  This is an awesome treat - and this dip is great inside, on, or next to pancakes or swedish pancakes.  It's also great with just some strawberries, blueberries, canalope, watermelon, etc., etc., etc.  it's also good with grapes!

So, this is my kid's favorite party faire- if we're going to a party with kids or Mrs. Hatten, we're totally going to be eating this dip. 

Fresh Fruit Dip
8 ounces Marshmallow Fluff
8 ounce container whipped cream cheese - berry flavored

fold whipped cream cheese into fluff.
refrigerate until ready to serve
insert spoon and stand back!

Red Roasted Pepper Hummus $3.33

I was grocery shopping with my partner in being "thrifty" crime, Kim, and she was raving about a Trader Joes Hummus, and it reminded me of my own hummus recipe. I went through a huge hummus stage, where I was making and eating it all the time, to the point where I got tired of it. That was years ago, and now I am itching to try have some again. I made several versions of the chickpea recipe, my favorite being the red roasted pepper combo, so I thought we would have that tonight it can be served with pita bread, crackers, or if one wants to limit the carb intake, it can be served with veggies, such as celery, carrots, peppers etc....

ingredients:
1 lb canned chickpeas (drained)$.159
6 ounces red roasted pepper(jar) ..99
1 jalepeno(optional-I like my hummus hot, and since my son won't touch it, I am going hot)*.40
2 cloves garlic .15
1 tsp paprika .05
1 tsp cumin (optional, or if you have it on hand).05
1 tsp olive oil .10
salt and pepper to taste

simply combine all ingredients in food processor, and blend until smooth

cut up pita bread into wedges and place on cookie sheet and warm for 5-10 minutes in oven

Saturday's Greek Pinwheels - $6.21

Greek because of the Feta Cheese and black olives - these pinwheels are an absolute delight! They are healthy, they are pretty, and you an serve them as a luncheon salad accompanyment, an appetizer, or a meal! I've eaten these so many times over the past few years - they do not get old to me!

Greek Pinwheels
1/2 cup reduced fat cream cheese, softened .50
1/2 tsp dried oregano .05
1/2 cup feta cheese .99
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped finely .99
1/4 cup finely chopped black olives (drained well!).30
4 whole wheat tortillas (the healthy, high fiber, expensive ones are preferred - the cheap flour ones will sub) .40
8 ounces sliced turkey breast .99
2 cups fresh spinach leaves $1.99


In a mixing bowl, flex your muscles in your arms as you combine the cream cheese, spices, feta and black olives.
Evenly spread 1/4 of the mixture over each of the four tortillas
top each tortilla with 1/4 of the meat, then finally the spinach.
Roll up tightly, then cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate, and wait (patiently) for them to become firm enough to slice (if desired, you don't have to wait if you're only doin' this for yourself and you don't want to wait - just half and eat!)
Upon firming up in refrigerator (15 to 30 minutes), slice into six or so pieces, plate beautifully, and endulge.

Bruscetta with Mushrooms and Peas $2.39

When one thinks of bruscetta, they usually think of bread with tomato, basil, garlic and olive oil, well truth is, Bruscetta is actually toasted bread(usually Italian) with garlic and olive oil. The topping doesnt necessarily have to be tomato, it can be spinach, mushroom, beef, liver etc.....I always try to make my toppings healthy because basically bread isnt "healthy" esp white bread, it is just a carb, so what I top the bread with, provides all the nutrition. I could probably come up with a bruscetta a week, but that would mean me eating lots of bread a week, because anyone that knows me, knows I cant resist bruscetta of any kind.
A friend recently served this at a party, and I liked them so much, I wanted to make them myself

ingredients for bread:
8 thinly sliced Italian bread .40
1 tblspoon olive oil .15
1 small garlic clove minced .10
in small bowl combine olive oil and garlic
with a brush, brush on olive oil to bread
bake at 300 until bread is crisp

In meantime
1 cup frozen peas .40
1 cup button mushrooms sliced..99
1 tablespoon olive oil .15
1 small garlic clove .10
salt and pepper .10
heat olive oil in skillet on low add garlic, saute for 5 minutes
add mushrooms and peas, saute 10 minutes, add salt and pepper to taste

top toasted bread with mushroom pea combo and enjoy!!

Bacon Wrapped Prunes $2.00

What to make for an appetizer for a BBQ on a rainy Memorial Day ? I started to thumb through one of my food magazines and found this recipe, and thought it would be easy, and unique. I keep finding recipes that involve Bacon and something sweet, kindof the sweet and savory concept. There are a ton of chocolate companies combining chocolate and bacon, so I think prunes would be a nice combo. Kim didnt think so, but they were a big hit at our memorial day BBQ. Not only that, I gave Michael the assignment to make them, and he did, and when you see how "complicated" the recipe was, you will oh so impressed!

Ingredients:
20 prunes .20(handsdown, best deal in town from walgreens)
20 strips of bacon $1.80
20 toothpicks






take slice of uncooked bacon, place prune on one end, and roll up bacon, wrapping the prune with bacon, secure close with the toothpick.
bake at 350 for 30 minutes, or until bacon is crisp

serve
Michael was very proud of his appetizers.