Tuesday, March 29, 2011

10-minute Tortellini Dish

I have a new love...  It's called Philadelphia Cooking Creme.  It's delicious, it's easy, and it makes a quick, delightful meal!  I plan to try all the flavors, but this is my first.





1 (19oz) package frozen cheese tortellini
8 oz. mushrooms, sliced
1 cup frozen peas
2 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
1 tub Philadelphia Cooking Creme, Italian Cheese & Herb flavor

Cook the tortellini as directed on the package.
In a large skillet,using medium heat, heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp water, and add peas and mushrooms.
Cook until the peas are warm throughout, about 5 minutes.
Add the cooking creme and chicken to the vegetables and stir, let heat up for 2 minutes.
Drain the tortellini, and stir into the cream mixture.
Enjoy!

My review:  This was delicious.  A wonderful quick meal for nights that I'm on the go.  I can't wait to try the other flavors of the cooking creme.  This would be great with any other vegetables you like too.  I think I would like it with broccoli or pea pods.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Frosty Fruit Salad


2 large Gala apples, cubed
2 large firm bananas, sliced thick
2 tsp lemon juice (use fresh squeezed, not the bottled stuff!)
1 (6oz) fat free sugar free raspberry or strawberry yogurt
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup sunflower kernels

Combine the apples and bananas in a large bowl.
Sprinkle with lemon juice and toss to coat.
Stir in the yogurt, raisins, and sunflower kernels.
Serve immediately.
This only stores about a day or two in the fridge.  Try to eat as soon as possible.

My review:  This is yummy!  It would be a great hit at a brunch!  The yogurt gives a great flavor.  I wish it lasted longer in the fridge, but unfortunately it turns brown after about a day.

BBQ Round Steak

This makes about six servings.  Believe me, you're going to want leftovers.

3 pounds Round Steak, cut into portions
Flour, for dredging
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 small onion, diced
3 tbsp sugar
2 tsp salt
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
3 tbsp Yellow Mustard
1 (29oz) can tomato sauce
1 cup water

Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan.  (make sure that pan has a lid!)
Dredge the steaks in flour and cook until brown on both sides.
Mix the remaining ingredients in a bowl, and then add to the steaks.
Cover and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours. The steaks should be fork tender.

My review:  This is the most amazing, fork tender, melt-in-your-mouth, delicious meat that I have ever tasted in my life.  It's amazing because round steak is a cheaper cut of meat, too.  Served with mashed potatoes, the sauce is great used as a gravy.  I can't tell you enough times how delicious this was.

Tomato Spinach Tortellini Soup

Who's a huge slacker??  This girl.  I've been up to my ears in my last 2 grad classes, wedding planning, house hunting, cleaning, and working that I haven't had much time to cook, much less be able to post recipes.  Thanks to an anonymous comment begging me to come back, I'm back!  I'm not promising crazy amounts of posts, but I'm hoping one new recipe a week.  So... here comes the first recipe!


adapted from the Well Fed Newlyweds recipe found here: Tortellini Soup.  Check out their blog for more delicious and wonderful recipes!


1 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, minced
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
1 quart vegetable broth (you can also use chicken broth)
1 (15oz) can diced tomatoes (or canned whole tomatoes)
Salt
Pepper
2 (9oz) packages frozen tortellini, cooked according to the package
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
Parmesan Cheese and Mozzarella Cheese, for garnish
1/2 pound ground Italian sausage, cooked and drained (optional)


Heat olive oil on medium heat in a large soup pot.  When heated up, add the garlic and onion, and saute until the onions are soft.
Add the broth, oregano, and tomatoes.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  If you plan to add sausage, add it at this time.
Bring the soup to a boil.  (You can be cooking your tortellini separately at this time)
Once the soup is boiling, stir in the spinach and cook for 1 minute.
Add the tortellini, and remove soup from the heat.
Serve immediately with cheese to garnish.
With garlic bread, this makes a great dinner!

My review:  This was delicious.  I'm not a huge fan of cooked spinach, so I wish I would have chopped my spinach up smaller, but other than that, it was delicious!  I like it best with vegetable broth, and no italian sausage, but if I'm making it as a meal, I like to have the meat in there for some extra protein and flavor.