Chicken Sausage Orzo

Approx. prep and cook time 15 minutes

Ingredients

-Orzo Pasta

-Chicken Sausage

-Tomatoe

-Spinach

-Olive oil

This meal took me about 15 minuets to cook, prepare and plate.  I started by putting my grill to preheat.  While that was happening I placed some water with a little bit of olive oil to boil for the Orzo.  I placed the sausage on the grill.  For this recipe I used a chicken and kale sausage.  While that was cooking I diced some tomatoe.  I turned my sausage.  The water was now boiling and I put the Orzo into the boiling water.  The Orzo I used was Gluten free so it took 11 minutes to cook but regular Orzo cooks in about 7-9 minutes.  I turned the sausage several more times to ensure even cooking.  After about 5 minutes of boiling I added spinach to the Orozo while it cooked. Once cooked I drained my Orzo but left about a cup of the cooking water in the pot with the Orzo. I added the tomatoe and sausage (which I cut into small pieces).  I mixed well and served.  For the cheese lovers in my house I added shredded Parmesan. 

This dish was creamy and delish.  It was quick and low fat.  Enjoy! 

Teriyaki Chicken and Rice

Approx. prep and cook time less than 15 mins.

Ingredients 

-Boneless, skinless chicken thighs

-Teriyaki sauce 

-Peas and carrots

-Rice

This meal took me just under fifteen minutes.  I purchased my favorite teriyaki sauce at the grocery store and poured that over some Chicken thighs to marinade it while the grill was preheating.  You can certainly use any kind of chicken.  While the grill was preheating I put the white rice to cook with some frozen peas and carrots in it.  You can use brown rice but that will take about 50 mins unless you make it in a pressure cooker, that reduces the time to 15 mins for brown rice. I grilled the chicken about 5 mins per side (that will be dependent on how thick they are). Once cooked I cut the chicken in slices and served over rice! My youngest LOVED this dish and ate it with no complaints. 

Enjoy! 

Chicken and Veggie Flatbread

Approx. prep and cook time less than 15 minutes

Ingredients

-Flatbread or Naan 

-Chicken

-Veggies

-Mozzarella or your favorite shredded cheese

-Pesto (optional)

This flatbread took about 12 minutes.  I purchase a couple of naan’s at the grocery store, spread some pesto and then layered it with yummy ingredients.

I put the oven to pre-heated at 375degrees.  While the oven was pre-heating I sautéed some cut up pieces of chicken in a pan.  If you cut them small they will cook in about 3-5 minutes.  I spread pesto on the naan and then added some chicken.  You could omit the pesto and brush with olive oil instead.  I then layered with chopped onions, tomatoe and red pepper.  Then I added shredded mozzarella and put some spinach on top of the cheese.  I baked the naan for 6 minutes.  

The kids LOVED this meal even the picky eaters! 

Adult Grilled Turkey and Cheese

Approx. prep and cook time 5 minutes

Ingredients

-Bread

-Pesto

-Tomatoe 

-Cheddar Slices

-Butter/or substitute

This was dinner on a late night after practice.  I made a grilled turkey and cheese sandwich for my little guy and wanted to spruce up the sandwich for my hubby so I spread some butter on the bread and placed that side down onto the heat.  On the side facing up I spread some pesto and placed a slice of cheddar down. Then I added a slice of tomatoe and a slice of turkey.  On the other slice I buttered one side and placed that side on the heat, on the open face I spread some pesto.  I cooked this on med/low heat so not to burn the bread but allow the cheese to melt.  Then I placed one slice on the other and pushed down a little bit (but not too much, don’t want so squish the bread).  A bit of a cheat technique is to cover the pan with a lid so that the heat helps melt the cheese faster. 

Once my husband had this sandwich he said there was no going back to a traditional grilled cheese! 

Enjoy

Quick and Easy Salmon

Easy Salmon

Approx. cook time 6-7 minutes

Ingredients

-1lb of salmon

-soy sauce

-brown sugar

-Side dish

This salmon is super easy to cook and can be paired with anything. In the picture we had it with a salad but I’ve also paired with with brown rice and veggies or potatoes and veggies. 

This fish does require prep time the night before. I usually place the fish is a gallon sized bag and pour in a cup of soy sauce and a 1/4 cup of brown sugar. I let it marinade overnight in the refrigerator and in the morning I flip the bag leaving it in the refrigerator until I get home from work. I pull the fish out of the refrigerator when I get home and let it rest until I’m ready to throw it on the grill.  I do cut the fish down into smaller portions before cooking.  I grill my salmon for about 3-4 minutes each side until it’s flaky. 

I’ve also made this fish without adding the brown sugar and it’s just as delicious. 

Enjoy! 

Chicken “Stir Fry”

Chicken “Stir Fry”

Approx, prep and cook time 15 mins

Ingredients

-Chicken Breast (stir fry cut or you can cut into chunks/strips)

-Stir Fry Veggie mix (frozen)

-Teriyaki Sauce

-Rice

This is my “cheater Stir Fry” dinner.  I literally made this entire dish in under 15 minutes.  I call it my “cheater” dish because it’s not a traditional Stir Fry which takes a bit longer to make but tastes pretty darn good.

Make some white rice. White rice typically takes about 15 minutes to cook.  You can use brown Rice but that takes quite a bit longer unless you make it in a pressure cooker, that will cut your time significantly.

As your rice is cooking pull out a pan and pour about a 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil.  Allow that oil to heat a few minutes on medium heat and pour in your chicken.  Sprinkle with a little bit of salt and pepper and toss frequently to cook through.  

While that chicken is cooking place a frozen bag of Stir Fry veggies in the microwave.  I hate cooking anything in a microwave but prefer to steam veggies in a microwave to eating out. For this recipe I used a bag of steam fresh Asian medley. It. Comes lightly seasoned and will mix well with the teriyaki. 

Pour about 1/4 cup of teriyaki sauce in the pan with the chicken and lower the heat to low.  When the veggies are cooked toss them in with the chicken and sauce and stir.  This is ready to our over your rice once the rice is ready. 

Enjoy!! 

Sliders with Pasta Salad

Slider with Pasta Salad

Approx. prep and cook less than 15 mins

Ingredients 

-Ground Chuck 80/20

-Slider Buns

-Onion (optional)

-Cheese Slice

-Bacon (optional)

-Left over pasta salad

I decided to use my left over pasta salad and make quick sliders for dinner.

I set my grill to preheat.

I combined the ground chuck, minced garlic, salt and pepper in a bowl. You can use other ingredients and season to your liking.  Using my hands I made sure to combine well.  I took handfuls of the beef and made a round slider by rolling like a meatball and then flattening to the desired thickness. 

I grilled the burgers until they were cooked to my satisfaction, well done for the kids, medium for the adults. 

For this recipe I had onions so I chopped those up and sautéed them in a pan with a little bit of butter on low heat to get them nice and soft. I also had turkey bacon that needed to be used so I cooked that up and added for those that wanted.   I also added cheese slices for those who wanted and served the burgers with the left over pasta salad. 

You can use your preferred ground beef for the sliders.  I use ground chuck 80/20 because I find that the leaner beef can get dry. I use the leaner beef for other recipes and keep this one a bit fatty to keep the burgers moist.