What's for dinner?

Here's another list of meals for the Miller Family.  No pictures to tease your taste buds.

Chicken Parmesan Meatball Subs (Rachael Ray)

Pork Chops with Raspberry Chipotle Sauce and herbed rice (Betty Crocker)

Latin Style Black Bean Soup with Peruvian Style Chimichurri rice with Vegetables (Trader Joe's)

What's for dinner?

I have been keeping a list of favorite new recipes that I've cooked recently.  And, today, I finally a few moments to share them.  (Actually, I'm sharing them with a selfish intent: I can find the recipes whenever I want if I post them.  Otherwise the list goes missing or my brain forgets which cookbook to find the recipe.)

One of my goals this year is to try and lower our food bill. Drew can live on chicken and rice, Callen on chicken nuggets and pasta.  But for me...I need variety.

Here is an example of one week's recipes.  I try to plan 3 home cooked meals (leftovers on other nights, some for lunches) and have at least one "desperate" meal ready in the freezer just in case life gets CRAZY (or for unexpected guests).

Enjoy!

(Like all my recipes, I semi-follow directions.  I've included the link to the original recipe, but have "my" edited version in this post.)  And keep in mind, I'm only sharing my successful recipes.  I've had plenty of "bombs" that we like to laugh about ;)  Sorry, no pictures to share...

In this post:
Wingless Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Chicken Tortilla Soup with Chipotle and Fire-Roasted Tomato
Mega Meat Pasta Stuffed Shells

Rum-Glazed Ribs

Unfortunately, there isn't a picture of this delicious goodness...but even without a picture you want to make this for your next social gathering.  Found the original recipe in a Taste of Home cookbook, but you can also find it here.  Plan ahead because before the ribs go on the grill, they need to cook in the oven for 1-1/2 hours.  But prep time is minimal :)

I copied the recipe and included it below, but I made a few changes.  My additions are in italics and strike through.  We served it with a left-over pasta dish, oven-roasted asparagus and green salad.

Rum-Glazed Ribs
6 pounds pork spareribs, cut into serving-size pieces
2 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce
1 cup dark rum
1 cup honey
1 cup red wine vinegar
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 T. cornstarch

Place ribs in two ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pans, bone side down. Cover and bake at 350° for 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until meat is tender.

Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the remaining ingredients.  Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes or until slightly thickened. After 15-20 minutes, add 1 T. cornstarch mixed with 3 T. cold water.  Boil until the consistency of BBQ sauce.

Drain ribs and discard cooking liquid. Moisten a paper towel with cooking oil; using long-handled tongs, lightly coat the grill rack.

Brush half of the sauce over ribs 1 cup of sauce over ribs. Grill ribs, covered, over medium heat (not over direct heat) for 15-25 minutes or until browned, turning and basting occasionally with remaining another cup of sauce.

Serve ribs with remaining sauce on the side.

Yield: 6 servings.

Blackened Salmon Fillets

I was feeling inspired, so I attempted to make Drew's favorite restaurant food: Blackened Salmon.  Surprisingly, it was really easy (less than 30 minutes from start to finish) and tasted delicious.  A little on the spicy side.  I didn't finish my fillet since I was scared that Callen wouldn't be able to handle the spice in my breast milk...only time will tell.  Enjoy!

Blackened Salmon Fillets

Bean Burgers

Typically I love sandwiches for lunch, but recently I've noticed a strong aversion to lunch meat.  I've found a few vegetarian patties that are flavorful and full of protein (Morning Star Spicy Black Bean), but they are expensive.  This week I found a solution: making my own!  Try them for yourself.  They are simple to make (a must for a mom), and the possibilities are endless.  Eventually I will get around to making a large batch and freezing for later consumption.  When I'm feeling more adventurous I might cook the beans myself or add protein powder.

Deliciousness

Delicious (adjective): highly pleasing to the senses, especially to taste or smell; palatable; savory; delectable

 Recently, I was going through our cookbooks looking for recipes to give at bridal shower.  I stumbled across a few of our favorites that Drew and I often fixed when we were dating.  Enjoy!

Definitely a winner!  First meal I fixed for Drew, and he still routinely asks for it. 

Great dessert for a party!

Not healthy, but delicious!

First meal from scratch that Drew made for me!

  
For printable copies, click the PDF link in the Recipes folder.

Chili's Restaurant Chicken Tortilla Soup

I had this soup for the first time when my mom took me out to lunch for my 25th birthday.  It was paired with a house salad and All-You-Can-Eat tortilla chips.  A few weeks later, I was craving it again; but not wanting to go out to dinner, Drew searched for the recipe on-line.  Low and behold, we found it!  Easy to make and very delicious.

We enjoyed the soup in the rain with Drew's Nana while playing rummy and watching the World Series.

Chili's Restaurant Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe