Category Archives: Easy

February 26, 2012 · 9:21 pm

Baked Parmesan and Herb Salmon

We eat salmon every Sunday for dinner per my husband’s request. You can imagine that it might get a little boring if I don’t figure out different ways to make it. I usually just sprinkle a little lemon pepper on it and call it good, but this evening I got a little adventurous.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 T Parmesan
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper, to taste
Dast of garlic powder
1 lb salmon filet

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Spray glass cooking dish with cooking spray.

In a small bowl combine all ingredients except the salmon.

Place salmon skin-side down in glass baking dish and sprinkle breading mixture on top.

Bake for 25 minutes or until cooked through.

We had this with Lemony Green Beans and a baguette.

What did the family think? Hubby and I really liked it.

Where did this recipe come from? adapted from a recipe from Allrecipes

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Filed under Definitely Making it Again, Easy, Fish, Italian, Lent

February 23, 2012 · 9:57 am

Melted Ice Cream Cake

I made this cake for Mardi Gras and to say that my boys inhaled it would be an understatement. Seriously. They inhaled it and they aren’t even huge cake fans, especially when there’s not any icing involved. What I loved about this cake is all the possibilities. It’s just three things: cake mix, ice cream and eggs, but you could make it with strawberry ice cream and vanilla cake mix or cinnamon ice cream and chocolate cake mix and the list goes on and on and on.

Ingredients:
1 box cake mix (18.25 oz) in any flavor
1 pint ice cream, soft, but not totally melted
3 eggs

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease cake pan liberally with cooking spray and flour.

Mix the cake mix, eggs and ice cream together and beat for 2 minutes on medium speed.

Follow box for baking times. Time will vary based on type of pan you use. I used a bundt cake pan.

Let cool and remove from pan.

Allow to cool on wire rack.

If you want to use a glaze on it (which I highly recommend)…

Ingredients:
1/4 cup milk
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:
In medium saucepan combine ingredients with a whisk over low heat.

Stir until glaze is smooth.

Pour over cake. Most of the glaze will run off. I always put the cake on a cooling rack and put a cookie sheet underneath since I made a bundt cake and had to take it out of the pan anyways.

What did the family think? They inhaled it.

Where did this recipe come from? Cookies and Cups

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Filed under After School Snacks, Definitely Making it Again, Desserts, Easy, Six Ingredients or Less, Super Easy to Make, Vegetarian

February 17, 2012 · 12:13 pm

Lasagna Bites

My kids like lasagna and I thought maybe they’d like it in a little muffin cup. These are super easy to make and are easy to heat up if you have leftovers, too.

Ingredients:
2 packages plain or buttermilk biscuits
1 jar pasta sauce, divided
1 lb Italian sausage
1 cup Mozzarella Cheese
Ricotta cheese

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cook Italian sausage in a pan over medium heat.

Spray muffin pan.

Press one biscuit into each muffin cup, pressing around the edges forming a cup.

Mix sausage, cheese, and 1/2 cup pasta sauce in a mixing bowl.

Place a spoonful of the sausage/cheese mixture in each muffin cup and
top with a small dollop of ricotta cheese.

Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.

Serve with pasta sauce on the side for dipping.

What did the family think? These went over VERY well. I think our oldest went back for thirds.

Where did this recipe come from? Spark Recipes

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Filed under After School Snacks, Definitely Making it Again, Easy, Everybody Ate It, Italian, Six Ingredients or Less

February 16, 2012 · 2:26 pm

CrockPot Salsa Verde Burrito Bowls

These are so good, so easy and so versatile. Hopefully everyone in your family will be able to find something in these that they like. Isn’t it awesome when that happens? 🙂

Ingredients:
2-3 lb pork loin roast
2 jars (8 oz each) Mexican salsa verde sauce
Pinto beans or black beans
Rice
Cilantro
Shredded cheese (Mexican blend or cheddar)
Salsa
Guacamole
Sour cream

Instructions:
Pour salsa verde in slow cooker. Add two salsa jars of water to slow cooker. Place pork roast on top. Cook on low for 6-8 hours (or high for 4-5). About one hour before you plan to serve roast, shred with two forks.

Prepare rice according to package directions.

To assemble burrito bowls: Scoop a spoonful of rice into bowl, top with cilantro, beans, pork, salsa, guacamole, sour cream or whatever else you would normally put on your Mexican food.

What did the family think? Everyone in our house who is into eating something that’s not pasta loved it. In other words, our youngest was not into it, but I am SO TIRED of telling you that. Also, he does eat. I promise. And not just candy.

Where did this recipe come from? Cozi.com

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Filed under Definitely Making it Again, Easy, Make Ahead of Time, Mexican, Pork

February 8, 2012 · 8:49 am

Warm Your Soul Tuscan Soup

I have never been to Tuscany, but if this is what people are eating there, then I need to get myself there ASAP.

Ingredients:
1 lb mild Italian sausage
32 oz chicken broth
12 oz evaporated
6-8 red potatoes, diced
1/2 large onion, chopped
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
3/4 cup frozen chopped spinach

Instructions:
Cook the sausage in the same large stew pot you’ll use to cook the soup, drain excess fat and return sausage to pot.

Add the chicken broth and evaporated milk and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat so soup simmers. Add potatoes, onions, seasoning, salt and pepper.

The soup is done when the potatoes are cooked through, about 20-30 minutes. Add spinach during the last few minutes of cooking.

What did the family think? My husband is not a huge soup-for-dinner fan and he loved this. I loved it too. The kids did not…they like miso, occasionally a little chicken noodle and any kind of soup with meatballs in it, but that’s about it.

Where did this recipe come from? Cozi.com

photo from Cozi.com

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Filed under Definitely Making it Again, Easy, Italian, Stew/Soup

February 6, 2012 · 4:55 pm

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

This was our special Superbowl treat that we munched on last night after we’d had dinner. There’s nothing like a little Madonna and Cee Lo while you’re snacking on some chocolatey oatmeal yumminess.

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups rolled oats
12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:
Cream butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla with electric mixer on high.

Stir in flour, salt, and baking soda, all at the same time. Stir in oats. Last, add chocolate chips and stir them in.

Press cookie dough into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Dough should be somewhat flattened, but it’s okay for some cracks to remain.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes, or until lightly golden and cookies are set in the middle.

Cool for 20 minutes; cut into 24 squares. Delicious warm or cold!

What did the family think? These are so crazy good, especially with a nice big ice cold glass of milk.

Did I change anything? I reduced the amount of sugar a little. The changes are reflected about. Also, the original recipe called for walnuts which I left out.

Where did this recipe come from? Allrecipes

photo from Tammy’s Recipes

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Filed under After School Snacks, Definitely Making it Again, Desserts, Easy, Vegetarian

February 2, 2012 · 8:46 am

Oatmeal Pancakes

This recipe is from The Biggest Loser. I have never personally watched the show, but it seems like they make some pretty good pancakes. 🙂

Ingredients:
6 egg whites
1 cup rolled oats, dry
1 cup cottage cheese
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:
In a blender, blend all ingredients until smooth.

Heat a griddle or large non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Spray with non-stick cooking spray.

For each pancake pour 1/4 cup of batter onto griddle. Flip when they start to bubble. Cook until golden brown. Repeat with remaining batches, spraying the griddle as needed.

We had these with eggs, sausage and fruit salad.

What did the family think? I thought these turned out great. I put a little extra cinnamon in them, so they were great with butter and syrup on them. Everyone else at the table gobbled them down, too.

Did I change anything? Just a teensy bit more cinnamon was added.

Where did this recipe come from? The Biggest Loser

photo from Goop

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Filed under After School Snacks, Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Easy, Everybody Ate It, Lent, Six Ingredients or Less, Vegetarian

January 31, 2012 · 8:41 am

Beef Orzo Skillet

This is a cold-night-I-need-some-comfort-food kind of dish.

Ingredients:
½ tsp salt
1 lb ground beef, chicken or turkey
1/2 onion, finely chopped
2-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14.5 ounce) garlic, basil and onion diced tomatoes
1½ cups broth
1 tsp minced fresh oregano or ½ tsp crumbled dried oregano
¼ tsp pepper
8 ounces orzo pasta, dried (1 cup)
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
½-¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:
Crumble beef into pan and cook, stirring often, until meat begins to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt.

Reduce heat to medium, stir in onion, and continue to cook, stirring, until onion is soft but not brown, about 5 minutes. Spoon off and discard excess fat.

Add garlic, tomatoes and their liquid, broth, oregano, and pepper. Bring mixture to a boil then stir in pasta. Reduce heat, cover and simmer gently until pasta is tender to bite, 10 to 12 minutes.

Meanwhile, squeeze as much liquid as possible from spinach. Stir spinach into pasta mixture just until heated through. Serve with cheese to add to taste.

What did the family think? I knew the spinach would throw the boys off (even though they eat it ALL OF THE TIME in salads) so they had orzo pasta with pasta sauce. Hubby and I liked this dish very much. I am very much looking forward to the leftovers for lunch.

Did I change anything? I like spinach as much as the next person, but I think this might have a had a little too much. Next time I will reduce the amount just a little bit. I also only put in 1/2 an onion. The original recipe called for a whole onion.

Where did this recipe come from? Cozi

photo from Cozi

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Filed under Definitely Making it Again, Easy

January 30, 2012 · 10:51 am

Vanilla Berry Granola Smoothie

I know your are thinking to yourself…goodness gracious, does she eat nothing but granola and smoothies? I know there’s been a lot of the two on MommaCooks lately, but aren’t granola and smoothies yummy? Wait, what if we could combine the two? Breakfast nirvana!

Ingredients:
1 cup milk
1 cup vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup granola
4 tbsp wheat germ
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 cup FROZEN blueberries

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender. Pulse on the ice crush option until the berries are mostly blended, then put on puree for about 2 minutes or until smooth.

What did the family think? I am the only one who has had this one so far, but I think they’ll like it. The kids have started having smoothies for their bedtime snack, so I might have to introduce this one tonight.

Did I change anything? No, but I think the next time I make this one I might add half a banana or maybe a whole banana so that it’s thicker.

Where did this recipe come from? SparkRecipes

photo from The Everyday Veggie

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Filed under After School Snacks, Beverages, Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Easy, Six Ingredients or Less, Super Easy to Make, Vegetarian

January 25, 2012 · 9:54 am

Crunchy Homemade Granola

I have been trying a variety of homemade granolas over the past several months. I even got my hubby to start eating them (which was a mistake because now he’s eating all of my granola). Anyways, this one is super easy to make and turned out great.

Ingredients:
4 cups rolled oats
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup chopped walnuts or slivered almonds
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup water OR apple juice
1 (6-ounce) package dried fruit, such as raisins

Instructions:
Heat the oven to 300º.

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats, wheat germ, nuts, sesame seeds, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

Make a well in the dry ingredients and add the oil, honey, and water. Toss the mixture until the ingredients are well combined, then spread it evenly on a cookie sheet.

Bake the granola for 40 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring every 10 minutes to keep the mixture from sticking.

Let it cool completely, then stir in the dried fruit.

What did the family think? I am the only person in our house who has tried this version so far, but I will attest to its yumminess.

Where did this recipe come from? Family Fun

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Filed under After School Snacks, Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Easy, Vegetarian