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Tag Archives: Quick Dinner Ideas

My New Favorite Cookbook and Skillet Strata!

13 Monday Mar 2017

Posted by Jennifer in Books I LOVE, Favorites, Food, Reviewed Books, Uncategorized

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Molly Gilbert, One Pan Meals, Quick Dinner Ideas, Skillet Strata, What's for Dinner

One Pan and Done

 

I rely heavily on new cookbooks and food bloggers for dinner inspiration.  The monotony  of the same old meals is unbearable to me. At least once a week, I attempt something new to feed my people! One Pan & Done by author and food blogger Molly Gilbert is a pretty incredible resource for fantastic ideas that can be made in one pan…veggies and all.

This is a five-star cook book for its ease of use, variety of ideas, and full flavor offerings. The true test of a great cook book for me is the number of recipes I dog ear my first time flipping through the pages. I have quite a list of Molly’s recipes on my menu this week. Saturday morning I made her Skillet Strata. It was amazing to eat and beautiful to see. I would also add, this recipe for Skillet Strata was so easy to make and could be easily used as a base recipe. There are so many ways I could change this recipe and still be left with a delicious breakfast, brunch, or even lunch.

Here is what you need to make this lovely strata!

2 tablespoons evoo

12 ounces of maple breakfast sausage links cut into 1/2 thick slices

1 small onion, thinly sliced (I diced)

2 cups cremini mushrooms sliced

6 large eggs

1 cup whole milk or half-and-half ( I used 2% b/c that’s what I had on hand, worked great)

1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Kosher salt and pepper to taste

4 cups 1-inch bread cubes (I used her suggestion of ciabatta)

1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese, about six ounces

10-inch iron skillet

Preheat oven to 400.

Heat olive oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Make your life easy and chop everything before you get started. Once oil is shimmering, add sausage to pan and saute until well browned and cook through. Stir in onion and mushrooms to soften, about 7 minutes.

strata 1

While veggies cook, in a separate bowl,  whisk together eggs, milk, mustard, chives, and some salt and pepper. (again, do this before you get started to make it less stressful)

Add the cubed bread to the skillet in a single layer. and top with the cheese. Remove from heat and pour over egg mixture, distributing it evenly over the pan. Press the bread down with a spoon to help it soak up the mixture. (I sorta tossed the bread a little to get some of the sausage to the top to make my end product look as pretty as Molly’s.

strata 2

Transfer skillet to the oven and bake until the strata is browned, about 25-30 minutes. Sprinkle more chopped chives over strata and serve warm.

strata 3

This was really delicious!! I can highly recommend this recipe and the book! This week I am also making her Shepherd’s Pot Pie and her Oat and Date Breakfast Bars.I received a review copy of this book from BloggingforBooks. You can find more from Molly Gilbert at dunkandcrumble.com.

 

 

 

 

Skinnytaste Fast and Slow, a Review

15 Tuesday Nov 2016

Posted by Jennifer in Books I LOVE, Family, Food

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Gina Homolka, Paste E Fagioli, Quick Dinner Ideas, SkinnyTaste, Skinnytaste Fast and Slow, soup

skinny-taste

 

I am a long-time raving fan of Gina Homolka, the author and blogger of skinnytaste.com.  In a frantic search for dinner ideas a few years ago I stumbled upon her blog and new instantly I had hit the jackpot. I love Gina’s recipes for many reasons including their simplicity, flavors, and fresh takes on old favorites. If you aren’t familiar with Gina and skinnytaste.com, it’s time to visit her blog and be blown away by the endless dinner ideas and meal plans!

To say that I was excited to get my copy of skinny taste Fast and Slow,  would be the understatement of the year. First of all, this cookbook is beautiful. The pictures inside are lovely and definitely inspire me to cook everything in the book! Secondly, the cookbook is well organized, with sections devoted to healthy mornings, one-bowl meals, to meatless mains and so much more. Each recipe also has a key (just like her blog) labeling it quick, pressure cooker, slow cooker, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and/or freezer-friendly. Every recipe has nutrition information and well thought out instructions.

pasta-e-fagioli

Because I am long time fan, I have already tested and tried a few of the recipes in this skinnytate Fast and Slow. I have made Gina’s Avocado Toast, Lasagna Soup (ah-mazing), and One-Pot Pasta and Broccoli. Last night I made her Pasta e Fagioli.  I am embarrassed to admit that I love the Olive Garden for this particular soup. If I am there, Pasta e Fagioli is what I eat.  I love Gina’s take on this classic soup because it is light and healthy.

pasta-e-fagioli

It so happens I had company last night and I made the soup two ways. One of my guests has a disease that requires her to eat vegan with no animal fat or any fat of any kind.  You can find Gina’s recipe here. I made her version with one exception. I added my basil to the blender with the beans so my kids wouldn’t detect it and I wouldn’t have to chop it.  For my vegan friend, I cooked the onion and garlic in a little bit of water instead of oil and omitted the Parmesan cheese rind. (which by the way does something amazing to the soup. I love so many of Gina’s recipes.This one will become part of my regular dinner menus because my kids ate it with gusto and asked for seconds!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books. I was not obligated to give this book a positive review. However, in all honestly, I would have purchased this book if I had not received a review copy! It is a cookbook worth its shelf space.

What’s for Dinner?? Greek(ish) Night

30 Sunday Aug 2015

Posted by Jennifer in Family, Food

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kid friendly dinners, Quick Dinner Ideas, Simple Dinners, What's for Dinner

IMG_1753

We are a family on a budget, so meal planning is important. If I have a plan, eating out is off the table…so to speak. haha! Greek(ish) night at my house is always a favorite..even for my boys. We have a rule in our house that says you must try a bite of everything. Greek night is a great way to invite the younger ones to sample new tastes without depriving yourself of a flavorful meal. Here is how we do it!

The Salad

IMG_1751

I used just what I had in the fridge. No olives…because only my husband eats them.

One Heart of Romaine chopped, Red Onion finely diced, 2 Plum tomatoes gutted and diced, Cucumber sliced, and Crumbled Feta.

IMG_1752

For the protein, I marinate chicken in a cilantro-lime marinade I purchase at the grocery and then cook in a non-stick skillet.

IMG_1754

I use a few tablespoons of olive oil to keep the chicken from sticking (ironically in a non-stick pan) and to brown nicely.  I cook the chicken through (to 165 degrees in the thickest part). I then removed the chicken from the pan and let it rest. To remove all the tasty bits from the pan, with the pan still on the heat, I add a few good tablespoons of white wine (or white cooking wine). Use a rubber spatula to scrape the bottom of the pan and then add a half a stick of butter and cook for another minute or two. Next, I slice the chicken and pour my pan sauce on top!

IMG_1756

With the salad and chicken, I serve:

Avocado

IMG_1759

Warmed Naan Bread

IMG_1755

and hummus

IMG_1760

You can make your own like my recipe here.  Or you can just buy some from the grocery like I do when I have a busy week.

I lay everything out and allow everyone to help themselves.

IMG_1757

Like I said, this is Greek (ISH) night. We have found that we like these things together. I dirty only one skillet to make this meal. I hope this has inspired a new weeknight meal for you and your hungry bunch!

The Grocery List

Heart of Romaine (I buy in packs of 3)

1 Seedless Cucumber

2 Plum Tomatoes

Crumbled Feta

Red Onion

2 Chicken Breasts

1 bottle of your favorite marinade

1/2 stick of butter

Olive oil

White Cooking Wine

Hummus

Naan Bread

1 avocado

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