Dinner Plan 7/15-7/21

This week we are still trying to stay with mostly gluten free. I honestly feel so much better!!
Sunday July 15th
Cauliflower Pizza Bites
Parmesan Risotto
This was my first time making Risotto and although its time consuming it is worth it!
Monday July 16th
Chicken Korma
Over brown rice with stir fry vegetables
Tuesday July 17th
Sausage links, scrambled eggs and hashbrowns
Wednesday July 18th
Salmon
Rice Pilaf
Peas
Thursday July 19th
Leftover Night
Friday July 20th
Quinoa Cakes
Kale Salad
Saturday July 21st
Cauliflower Pizza
Salad

Sausage and Green Bean Saffrito

I don't know about you but One Skillet Meals are so appealing! One skillet....you mean only one pan to wash?? Amazing! I have to admit sometimes you have no choice but to use 2 pans for pasta or rice but we will pretend like that doesn't happen!
My grandma (Nana) taught me a recipe from Puerto rico where she is from and it starts with Saffrito. Its a mixture of garlic, onion, green or red pepper and cilantro. You put it in a food processor, blender, whatever it is that you have. It comes out looking like a black mess but its deliciously tasty. She told me to freeze it in blocks and use it whenever I had a recipe that needed some flavor.
So here is what I made tonight:
Sausage and green bean saffrito
Saffrito
Smoked sausage (beef, pork, turkey)
Green Beans (I used fresh but frozen are ok too)
Olive Oil
Basmati Rice ( Or any kind you like)
Cook the Rice. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the saffrito until it isn't frozen anymore. Chop the sausage in to quarter sized pieces and throw them in the skillet. If using fresh green beans trim the ends. When the sausage is slightly brown throw the green beans in for just a couple minutes. Then add the cooked rice to it and mix around so the saffrito covers everything. Cook on low till its warm and serve. This took 20 minutes! That's my kind of meal!

My experiments for the last week!

I'm not sure what came over me, boredom maybe and the need for peanut butter and yogurt. I made homemade yogurt, Coconut Butter, Peanut butter and made three different kinds of jelly. I have decided to start my own business making jelly/jam/preserves/apple butter and applesauce. I made up 3 different kinds of jelly and have been having it tested by many people. They are a hit! Mango Chipotle, Peach, Raspberry Rum and Strawberry Limeade! They are no sugar or made with Stevia. I don't know about you but jelly can be a little too sweet for me so no sugar has a big appeal to me and the use of fresh ingredients makes it even better!
I am also going to start blogging once or twice a week about a different one skillet meal and hopefully eventually make an e-book! I've always been very inventive with one skillet meals and making them out of leftovers!
Wooohooo for new adventures!!

Fifty Shades Freed/ The Lost Years

Well I took a break from Fifty Shades Freed to read one of my favorite authors Mary Higgins Clark.
Fifty Shades Freed hasn't been as good as the first two. I think if you are going to write more than one book they should all be just as good. The sex is definitely interesting but by the third book it gets old.
The Lost Years- I always fly through her books but this one has taken a little longer....2 days instead of one lol its a very different plot than her normal books. It has some religion in it but since its the famous Mary Higgins I am giving it a chance!

Cucumber and Summer Squash Salad

During the summer I always enjoy cold food, like most people do! It has been in the 100's here and turning on the oven is not my idea of fun. I've always made a cucumber tomato salad with either italian or ranch dressing but since I didn't have tomatoes or either dressing and a perfectly good squash from my garden I decided to mix it up.
2 Cucumbers peeled and chopped
1 large summer squash peeled and chopped
2 Tbsps Olive Oil
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
A dash of salt and pepper
1 tsp of chili powder or cayenne pepper depending on how much you love spice

Dinner Plan 7/1-7/7

This week I am focusing on some hot weather meals. Lots of salads!
Sunday July 1st-
Pizza and fruit salad
Monday July 2nd-
Zucchini Fritters
Spinach salad (also from my garden)
Tuesday July 3rd-
BBQ Meatballs over Rice
Mixed Vegetables
Wednesday July 4th-
Chicken Burgers
Kale Salad
Thursday July 5th-
Leftovers (I am alone for dinner so it will just be what's in the fridge)
Friday July 6th-
Italian Lemon Chicken
Cucumber and Summer Squash Salad
Saturday July 7th-
Chocolate Pancakes
Hashbrowns
Sausage Links