Pizza for Dinner

I know how it can be, you're rushed, you're busy, the house is a mess and you don't want to cook. You grab your stack of take-out menus, and order a pizza. However if you stock a few items in your pantry you can make a pizza in 10 min or less and get it to the table in 20 min. Its a great time saving meal, and a little easier on your wallet.
All you need to have on hand are these simple ingredients: a dry crust mix, or ready made pizza shell, pizza sauce, and shredded mozzarella cheese. A mere cost of around $6.oo! And the sky is the limit with the toppings. My family likes feta cheese, fresh spinach, cashews, and the list goes on. Be creative! And the best thng about making it at home is that your kids can help make dinner.
If you don't have a pizza pan use a cookie sheet, however I would recommend using two dry crust mixes for a cookie sheet. If you family has individual tastes let everyone tailor thier own "strip." So the next time you are stressed out and busy, and want to order pizza, try to unwind by making your own! thanks evie

Fried Chicken oven style

This is a great recipe for the low carb or healthier eaters.

Fried chicken oven style

1/2 C lowfat buttermilk
8 skinless bone-in chicken thighs]
salt and pepper
1/2 C ground nuts (almonds cashews peanuts any will work)
1/2 C Plain bread crumbs
1 tsp garlic powder
1 Tbls dried parsley
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp cayenne
One dash cinnamon


Preheat oven to 425, spray pan or sheet with non-stick spray.
Place buttermilk in shallow dish, put chicken in buttermilk and turn to cover.
Combine remaining ingredients into a bowl.
Remove chicken one piece at a time, dipping into bread crumb mixture, making sure to coat completely.
Place chicken on pan then spray. Bake for 20-25 min. Turn chicken, spray again and bake for about 20-25 min. longer.

I like to serve this with steamed veggies.

Meat less meal

About once a week we try to eat meatless. This meal is popular with my family. Its fast, easy, and tasty.

Veggies with Fettuccine in Cashew Sauce

1/2 C cashew butter
1C Milk or water
2 cloves garlic minced
1 small onion cut into rings
1 large zuccini cut into rounds
1/2 jar roasted red pepper (4 oz)
4 C cooked hot fettuccine
1/4 C grated parmesan cheese ( I prefer fresh)
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 Tbs salt ( I use sea salt)

Cook pasta till al dente, and sautee veggies, adding garlic and peppers last, cook till soft, not mushy. Combine milk and cashew butter in sauce pan cook til combined and bubbly. Combine all ingredients in large mixing bowl or serving dish. Serve with extra parmesan for sprinkling. Enjoy! This also freezes nicely for quick dinners.

I usually serve this with a nice green salad and assorted dressings.

*note*: because I am diabetic I often use Dreamfields pasta, to save on carbs.

Pork for dinner

Hello: I hope to help people get back into the kitchen and outta the fast food lines. My goal is to give people easy recipe ideas for dinner. Tonights menu: BBq pulled pork sanwiches, cole slaw, corn on the cob, and mac-n-cheese. There is enough food for a family of four, and leftovers for tomorrows lunch, or dinner. This is a large meal, beacuse I make a large meal on Sunday.

BBQ Pulled pork:
1 large pork roast at least 2.5lbs (shoulder, loin, or roast is fine)
2TBS minced dried onion, or 1 small minced fresh onion
2TBS diced garlic
2TBS butter cut up into small pieces, not margarine( personally I rarely use margarine)
1/2 C water
Put 1/2 of the onion, garlic, and butter, and all of the water in bottom of crock pot.
Place roast in crock pot, sprinkle the rest of the ingredients over the roast, cook on high one hour. Then low for 5-7 hours, depending on size or until very tender.
When cool, shred then add BBQ sauce to make very moist. Serve on good buns, (no cheap ones accepted here,) with pickle slices.

Coleslaw:
Buy prebagged and shredded coleslaw mix.
Mix equal parts of mayo 2TBS(I prefer Hellmans) and cider vinegar
2tsp celery salt
1tsp black pepper
2-4TBS sugar depending on your taste.
Mix together then pour over slaw, mix well let sit at least 20 min before serving, then stir well and serve.

Corn on the cob:
Buy your corn local if you can, clean well, boil in large pots with enough water to cover, cook until you can actually smell it, 30+ min. Then for 5 min more. Remove from water, but keep warm. I guarantee your corn will not be mushy. Serve with real butter, salt and pepper

Mac and Cheese
This is hands down the best macaroni and cheese EVER...from my gal Paula Deen. I have been making mine like this for years. Whatever you do, don't skimp on the cheese or leave out the eggs or sour cream, and be sure to add the additional cheese on top when you pull it out of the oven.
The Lady's Cheesy Mac:
4 cups cooked elbow macaroni drained
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup sour cream
4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Once you have the macaroni cooked and drained, place in a large bowl and while still hot and add the cheddar. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and add to the macaroni mixture. Pour macaroni mixture into a casserole dish and bake for 30 to 45 minutes. Top with additional cheese if desired.
I hope you enjoy this meal! Thanks evie