JenOni

Easy Meal Ideas

Carribean Chicken Recipe and Using a Cooking Thermometer

The recipe is courtesy of KaTom Food Services and the cooking thermometer was received free of charge, all opinions shared are my own.

New recipes are fun to try especially when I use new ingredients. This recipe uses an herb, spices, jalapeno pepper, green onions. I decided to marinate the chicken thighs overnight. When I simmered the thighs the flavors smelled delicious.

Yield: 4 servings

Prep time: 10 minutes (plus 2-hour marination)

Cook time: 15 minutes

This marinade – which has a little bit of heat blended with just the right amount of sweet, savory, and aromatic spices – is absolutely fabulous for summer meals. Just the thought of this Carribean dish evokes images of tropical beaches, cool ocean breezes, and icy rum-infused cocktails (we’ll save those for another recipe!). Since it isn’t weighed down by heavy ingredients, this island indulgence is guilt-free and easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

  • 4 (4 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

For the Marinade:

  • 4 medium green onions, sliced
  • 1-2 jalapeno chilis, seeded and chopped (for additional heat, leave seeds in)
  • 1⁄3 cup lemon juice
  • 1⁄4 cup honey, warmed slightly to soften
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper to taste

The rest of the recipe can be found Carribean Chicken Recipe

thyme, green onions, allspice, nutmeg, jalepeno (seeded and chopped)

lemon juice, honey slightly warmed, and EVOO

Marinated for 24 hours

Medium Heat, Cast Iron Skillet with EVOO
Skinless, Boneless Thighs

Cooking Thermometer

I served the chicken with rice and spinach. The chicken was very moist and full of flavor from the spices. Next, time I will leave in seeds for jalapeno pepper to give it a little heat.

Copper Mugs Review with Moscow Mule Recipe

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I received the mugs free of charge for review purposes only. All opinions shared are my onw.

Copper Mugs

I received the copper mugs from (CopperMugs) and immediately impressed with the quality of the mugs. The mugs are 100% pure food-grade copper with a nickel lining. Due to the acidic nature of cocktail ingredients, the nickel lining prevents any of these substances from reacting with the cooper and leeching into your beverages. I knew the quality of the mugs as I removed the mugs from the box. The welded on handles makes a sturdy handle with no issues for leaks. I washed the mugs with a drop of dish detergent and warm water; dried thoroughly. The mugs will be a nice addition to serving beverages while entertaining.

Serving Guests

Copper mugs make a striking statement when serving either cocktails or mocktails. I wanted to find another way to use them so I decided to use as a serving mug for chocolate caramel blondie gelato. If you are hosting a dinner party, these mugs will be the center of the tablescape.

Moscow Mule

This was my first time trying a Moscow Mule. I chilled the mug in the freezer before I prepared the cocktail. Also, I like to store my vodka in the freezer. After a bit of research, I found this brand of ginger beer at Target.

The recipe includes the following:
1 1/2 ounce premium vodka
1/2 ounce of fresh lime juice
3/4 cup ginger beer
lime wedge for garnish

This cocktail is great for serving with light snacks before dinner. The cocktail pairs well with grapes, cheese, and crackers.

Dessert in Cooper Mug

I think every dinner should end with a dessert and chocolate is one of my favorite ingredients. The copper mugs make any dessert look more delicious and appetizing. I decided to use the mugs for serving chocolate caramel blondie gelato, chocolate syrup, and pirouette wafers.

National Pancake Day : Buttermilk Pancake Recipe

This year National Pancake Day is March 12.  I almost missed sharing my favorite buttermilk pancake recipe.  Every day should start with breakfast and these are hands down the best pancakes.  It will make you stop using pancake mix.   I found this recipe on AllRecipes.  You can adjust the recipe depending on my number of servings you want to make.

Ingredients

  • 5 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 6 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 5 cups buttermilk
  • 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 5 teaspoons baking powder
  • 5 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 pinch salt (optional)
  • 5 tablespoons sugar

Directions

    1. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, butter, and buttermilk. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar; stir into the wet ingredients just until blended. Adjust the thickness of the batter to your liking by adding more flour or buttermilk if necessary.
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and coat with cooking spray. Pour 1/4 cupfuls of batter onto the skillet, and cook until bubbles appear on the surface. Flip with a spatula, and cook until browned on the other side. Continue with remaining batter.

The rest of the recipe can be found here Truck Stop Buttermilk Pancakes

I am convinced buttermilk makes everything extra good.   If you are looking for a new recipe for weekend breakfast, this will be a treat for the whole family.  Don’t forget the maple syrup.

Superbowl Recipe – Yummy Hoagie Dip, Best Dip for a Party

*The recipe below is if you prepare the day before serving.

SUPERBOWL RECIPE – HOAGIE DIP

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INGREDIENTS

    • 1/2 pound cooked ham
    • 1 teaspoon oregano
    • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
    • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
    • 1 small, onion
    • 2 medium tomatoes, remove seeds
    • 1/2 head of lettuce
    • 1/2 pound provolone cheese
    • 1/2 pound hard salami
  • 2 French baguettes, sliced
  • INSTRUCTION: Chop ham, salami, and provolone cheese into small pieces. Set in a large bowl.Dice tomatoes and remove seeds to eliminate excess water in the dip. Store in a storage bag and refrigerate.
  • Add chopped lettuce. Add mayonnaise, oregano, and Italian seasoning. Mix well and store in a refrigerator
          1. Mince onion. Store in a storage bag and refrigerate
          2. Before serving, add the onion and tomatoes. If needed, add additional mayonnaise. Sprinkle top with additional oregano and Italian seasoning according to your taste.

Superbowl

Superbowl

Recipe: Blue Apron, Spiced Chicken Souvlaki from Blue Apron

 

Disclaimer: this is a nonsponsored post.  All opinions shared are my own.

*this post includes an affiliate link which means I will receive a commission if you click and sign up for the service*

 

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This is the recipe for my Meal #2 with Blue Apron.   It was very tasty and full of flavor with the added spices.   The potatoes were a nice addition to the main course however I think it was too many carbohydrates for one meal.   My only issue with the meals is the fact they are for 4 servings.   I wish there was a meal plan for 2 servings.   If I have leftovers I only like them for two days maximum.   I was able to stretch the meal by taking it for lunch

Ingredients

  • 12 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs
  • 4 Pocketless Pitas
  • 1/2 cup greek yogurt
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 pound of russet potatoes
  • 1 Romaine Heart
  • 1 Red Onion
  • 1 Bunch Mint
  • 2 Tablespoons Tahini
  • 2 Tablespoons Za’atar

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 475°F. Wash and dry the fresh produce. Halve the potatoes lengthwise; cut each half into 3 equal-sized wedges. Pick the mint leaves off the stems; discard the stems. Quarter and deseed the lemon. Peel, halve and thinly slice the onion. Peel and mince the garlic. Cut off and discard the root end of the lettuce; thinly slice the leaves crosswise.
  2. Place the potatoes on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper; toss to thoroughly coat. Arrange the seasoned potatoes in a single, even layer, skin sides down. Roast 28 to 30 minutes, or until browned and tender when pierced with a fork. Remove from the oven.
  3. While the potatoes roast, in a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, tahini, half the mint (tearing just before adding) and the juice of all 4 lemon wedges; season with salt and pepper to taste
  4. While the potatoes continue to roast, pat the chicken dry with paper towels; season with salt, pepper and the za’atar on both sides. In a large pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Working in batches, add the seasoned chicken. Cook 4 to 6 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside in a warm place, leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan.
  5. While the potatoes continue to roast, add the garlic and onion to the pan of reserved fond; season with salt and pepper. (If the pan seems dry, add up to 2 teaspoons of olive oil.) Cook on medium-high, stirring frequently and scraping up any fond from the bottom of the pan, 2 to 4 minutes, or until browned and softened. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. While the garlic and onion cook, carefully place the pitas directly on the oven rack. Toast 2 to 3 minutes, or until warm and pliable. Remove from the oven and transfer to a serving dish. Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and thinly slice. Divide the lettuce, sliced chicken and cooked garlic and onion between the toasted pitas. Serve with the roasted potatoes and tahini-yogurt sauce on the side. Garnish with the remaining mint. Enjoy!

Recipe credit: Blue Apron, Spiced Chicken Souvlaki 

  1. If you’re interested in learning about other meal delivery services, Checkout the Meal Delivery Reviews to see which is best for you?


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Empanada Recipe and Pastry Fork Review

*this post contains an affiliate link which means I receive commission if you click and purchase*

Empanada Recipe and Pastry Fork Review

I used this recipe a few years ago and loved the empanadas. As with a few recipes, I tweak it a bit to fit my taste. I omitted the curry powder and dried thyme. Substituted nutmeg for allspice. Also, used ground turkey instead of ground beef. The recipe credit: FoodNetwork.com

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Empanada Fork Review

The best part of the recipe was receiving the Empanada Fork for review from Hipatia Lopez, CEO and Inventor of HL Unico LLC. She reached out on Instagram and asked if I would be interested in reviewing her product. The Empanada Fork is very durable, the sturdy handle makes it easy to grip and seal the empanadas. In years past, I used the tines of a fork. I am so excited to have a new kitchen utensil that makes cooking easy. Find out more at www.empananadafork.com

*Product was received free of charge. All opinions shared are my own.

Empanada Fork Review

 

Recipe: Bay Ridge Empanadas

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

Recipe Credit : Sunny Anderson’s Bay Ridge Empanadas

Empanada Recipe Done


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Food: DIY Meal Ideas for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Food: Meal Planning 101

I really want to get organized with our schedules. I am hoping to get organized on Sunday by organizing all clothes for the week, making all lunches the night before, dinner preparation in the freezer, homework, bedtime and then hit REPEAT!!!

Shopping for Groceries

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I have organized in my mind that freezing meals will save money and prevent weekly trips to the grocery store. Also I am going to try grocery delivery to save time and preserve my weekend. The Giant supermarket offers PEAPOD, which allows you to order online and schedule delivery time and day. I tried them about 3 years ago and the I was very pleased with the service. The delivery was on time, driver was professional and I was very impressed with the quality of the food.

  1. Grocery delivery through PEAPOD, easy you shop online, schedule delivery and driver shows and unloads. If you have a shopper card you can automatically link to your account. The site is set up where you can save and can come back to finish your order.
  2. Freezing meals to cover Sunday to Thursday, Friday and Saturday is potluck

I am all about budgeting and buying their lunch is allowed one day a week. After having my 8 year old buy lunch for 2 weeks what started out as $15.00 per week actually cost me $40.00 for two weeks.

The kids were tasked with writing down their lunch preferences so I know what to include on the grocery list and they are more likely to be happy or at least I hope. I also told them they are to pick and prepare if possible dinner for Friday and Saturday night.

Breakfast Menu

A few breakfast ideas

  1. Breakfast burritos (eggs, bacon(or turkey sausage), potatoes, whole wheat tortillas)-freezable
  2. Petite Quiches(eggs, bacon(or turkey sausage), cheese, freezable
  3. Frittata (spinach, tomatoes, cheese) -slice and freeze
  4. Plain oatmeal with fruit, cinnamon, brown sugar
  5. Drinkable yogurts
  6. Frozen waffles/french toast sticks

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Lunch Menu

I have a few challenges with lunch as I no longer buy cold cuts and the kids have no access to heat up their lunch. A thermos was never successful for me when my daughter took food in it. How many days can anyone eat a PB&J? I found the more buy-in the kids have with any meal planning the less likely they are to be unhappy. I’m finally going to buy a Pack-It lunch tote for my 8-year-old and the teen will brown bag it for high school. I asked the kids to come up with a lunch menu to make planning a little easier. The teen came up with fruits, vegetables, snacks and a sandwich. Just typical of the teen to not give details. The biggest challenge is my 3rd grader, she wants a variety however her palette is limited. She is not willing to try new things.

Here is one of the links I found on Pinterest. It is a great resource for ideas on building a lunch menu even for picky eaters.

 

Freezable Dinners

Some ideas which will plan out for a few weeks worth of meals for dinner

  1. Tacos, Ground Turkey
  2. Salmon Croquettes
  3. Lasagna with ground turkey(I can sauté spinach and hide in the filling)
  4. Turkey Meatballs in marinara sauce
  5. Turkey Sliders
  6. Sloppy Joes with ground turkey(The Neely’s recipes is my favorite, Spenser’s Sloppy Joes)

I plan to use frozen veggies and a quick starch side dish to balance out every meal. My fingers are crossed that this will shave off a nice chunk of time from our evening and alleviate the stress of having a healthy dinner. Friday and Saturday will be the potluck and the kids get to plan those meals.

 

Appetizer My DIY Loaded Tortilla Chips, Superbowl Foodie Idea

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Appetizer Loaded Tortilla Chips

This is a simple DIY appetizer recipe with my favorite ingredients:

  1. Chipotle Mexican Grill tortilla chips.  These are my favorite chips because they are made fresh, perfectly salted with a hint of lime.
  2. Seasoned Grilled Chicken (or meat of your choice)
  3. Taco Shredded Cheese
  4. Pico de Gallo
  5. Guacamole
  6. Black Beans
  7. Jalapenos/Chipolte Peppers
  8. Sour Cream

 

Use a microwaveable plate, add chips,  Grilled Chicken, Taco Shredded Cheese, Taco Shredded Cheese

Microwave for 45 secs to 1 minute until cheese starts to melt.  Top with salsa, and/or guacamole, peppers and a dollop of sour cream.

 

 

 

Recipes for Easy Kids Meals for the Junior Chefs in Your Kitchen

Recipes for Easy Kids Meals

My full-time work schedule leaves our evenings a bit crunched for time with after school activities, homework, and dinner.   I have tried meal prep, however, it was very short lived as I can no longer commit every Sunday. One of the biggest challenges at mealtime is finding good recipes my kids will love.  Here are a few recipes I am willing to try for my picky eaters.  These look easy enough for the kids to prepare by themselves which is a time saver for me to get some other evening tasks completed.  I really love the combination of ingredients that delivers a balanced dish.

Turkey Taco Skillet

Turkey and Cucumber Salad Wraps

Grilled Cheese

Granola Yogurt Parfait

Dinner: Importance of Home Cooked Meals

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Before school started I was on a mission to get our dinner meal planning organized.    My preference is to cook at home, however, our time in the evenings is very limited.    Also, meal planning prevents excess spending on take out.    I found this recipe on Food Network and after trying one time I was sold.  These were hands down the BEST SLOPPY JOES.   I will never buy anything in a can.   I also use ground turkey instead of ground beef.  This is the recipe I used from Food Network.

Sloppy Joes

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Ground Turkey Sliders with Alexia Sweet Potato Waffle Fries

I take 2 packs of 4 ground turkey patties and make 8 sliders.  My kids love, love sliders.    The key to my recipe is to season the ground turkey with ground cumin, minced garlic, onion powder and chili powder.

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Make Ahead Lasagna

Barilla Oven Ready Lasagna, freeze and thaw 24 hours before you prepare.   I would suggest baking at least 1 1/2 to 2 hours.   For some reason, parts of the noodles did not bake.  This is was a little disappointing.   The recipe is so easy I will just make a day before I plan to bake.

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WHY ARE HOME-COOKED MEALS IMPORTANT?

As a full-time working parent, I know how hectic the evenings can be with trying to prepare dinner, homework, winding down and getting ready for bed.

The article  from Fix.com outlines key reasons on why we should have more home-cooked meals!

I learned how important home-cooked meals are in terms of:

  1. Improving health and longevity
  2. Strengthening family dynamics
  3. Encouraging clean eating
  4. Living green helps the environment by reducing carbon footprint

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Source: Fix.com