I'm on Strike!

....not from cooking/blogging, but from picking up after the hubs. 

Although, I'm not posting about food today. That will be later this week.

The hubby and I are about a month shy of being married for a year. So, it's safe to say that the honeymoon phase is over! Don't get me wrong, I'm more in love with him than the day I married him...but some things just irritate me! All you married women, I'm sure you can sympathize! 

So, I'm on strike from cleaning up after him. 

He's taken over my coffee table with all of his fishing lures. I'm all about the fishing, don't get me wrong! We went fishing in the pond behind our apartment on Friday and I caught 3 fish! I think he finally got the clue today about the fishing stuff, because it's scaled down a bit. 

I'm also on strike about the laundry. Normally I'll go into his bathroom and pick up his clothes. Then I'll go pick up his clothes that are one the floor in the bedroom only 1 foot away from the basket. And then I'll wash them....not anymore. I'll wash what's in my hamper, but I'm not going after his clothes anymore. 

Let's see how long it takes for him to realize that I'm on strike. 

Maybe he won't care. 

Maybe he will. 

We shall see. 

I still love him, none the less. 

:)

Monterey Jack Turkey Burgers!

It's going to be 90 degrees here this week! That's crazy!

So, I was inspired to do some barbecuing!

You'll need:
3/4 pd ground skinless turkey breast
2 scallions, minced
1 tbs reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tbs ketchup
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 ground pepper
1/3 cup Monterey Jack Cheese Shredded
4 strips turkey bacon
1 tomato cut into 4 slices
4 hamburger buns

The Cast

Cook up your bacon. 

I used the whole package of turkey, but you can just use the 3/4 if you'd like. Whatever you choose, put in a bowl!

Chop your scallions and add them to the bowl. I love these :)

Add your tablespoon soy sauce. 

And tablespoon of ketchup. 

Add your pepper before your garlic if you're using the same measuring spoon.

Once you add your garlic go ahead and mash it all together with your hands.

Then add your cheese and mash it all together again :)

Try to evenly distribute the meat into patties.

Cook them on a grill, or george foreman grill if you're like me! About 6-8 minutes on each side.

Put it all together! And yumm!

306 calories per burger
Or 6 WW points (old school)

Enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

I have a new fascination with mason jars.

I really one some with handles, but I had to settle for 1/2 pint size jars with no handles for now.

I found this really cool website...it gives helpful hints about how to cook with mason jars. So of course I had to try!

So I made Chocolate Chip Cheesecake in a jar! I halved my recipe because I know I won't eat the whole recipe. I also thought it would be easier keeping portions with the jars.

You'll need:
10 oreos
8 tbs fat-free cream cheese
8 oz low fat cream cheese, tub style
1 cup sugar
2 tbs flour
1 cup fat free cottage cheese
2 tsp almond extract
6 large egg whites
3/4 cup mini-chocolate chips

Here's the Cast

Make sure your jars are clean (if you're using jars) if not, make sure your 9 inch spring form pan is clean. 

Crush up your oreo's really good! Again, I halved my recipe, so I use half of this (about 1/2 cup). 

Even disburse the oreos in 6 jars.

In a large bowl, put in your fat-free cream cheese. I used 4 tbs.

And your low-fat cream cheese. I used 4 ounces.

With a blender, cream them together on the lowest setting.

In another bowl, scoop out your sugar. I used 1/2 cup.

And add your flour. I use 1 tbs. Mix the two together.

Blend the sugar/flour mixture into the cream cheese...on the lowest setting.

In a blender or food processor, puree your cottage cheese. I used 1/2 cup. This was kind of hard with the small amount I had.

Blend it into your cream cheese mixture.

Add your almond extract. I use 1 tsp. I might use a little less next time. This stuff is STRONG and expensive!

Blend in your egg whites! I used 3...

Stir in your mini-chocolate chips! BUT!!! Only use half of them!!!

Put the mixture in your jars and add the rest of the chocolate chips on top!

The trick with cooking in the jars is that you have to half water around them. That's why you see my jars in dish. I heated up some water and poured it in the dish.

Cook at 325 degrees for 60 minutes!

The should be somewhat "firm" for cheese cake and puffed up.

They need to sit for about 24 hours. Of course put them in the fridge after the cool down.

I couldn't decide which was a better shot.

6 points (plus) for one jar.
I'm not sure how to convert that into calories...I never did the points plus...

Enjoy!

Tomato Mini Pizzas

Oh my. You are in for a treat!

If you like bruschetta, you'll love these!

You'll need:
2 large pocketless pitas (I couldn't find any pocketless, but if you can, great!)
2 large plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbs chopped basil
2 tsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

The Cast of Characters

Start off by preheating your oven to 400 degrees. I used my toaster oven because it's getting warm here and I didn't want to bake my home! I also halved my recipe because I'm going to make this several times this week. 

Slice your tomatoes! I sliced mine a little on the chunky side, just cause I like them that way. If you do that, you'll have to cook them a little longer. 

Chop up your basil! I used 2 large leaves of basil to make 1 tbs.

Mince your garlic! It's sooo yummy but sooo deadly! Don't talk in anyones face after you eat this! 

You should be putting this all into a small bowl....I think I forgot that part. 

Add your salt. 

And olive oil! This is the good stuff! Then mix it around. 

Spread it all out on your pita. Make sure to scrap out all the goodness out of the bowl! 

Don't put the cheese on yet! Bake for about 8-10 minutes, or until your tomatoes are soft and warm. 

If you're like me, you'll have plenty to do in that 10 minutes! And you probably have dishes to put away because you put it off....I really don't like unloading the dishwasher. 

Add your cheese and put it back in the oven for another 3 minutes!

And enjoy your great smelling and great tasting pizza!

I ate the whole thing, it was just too good! 

If you do that too it'll be:

262 calories 

Or 6 WW points (old school)

Weird Kitty

My monster, I mean kitten....is weird!!!!

Seriously! He does the strangest things!

When he gets really into playing this his toy and running around with it, he makes growling noises! But it's like a deep throat growing noise. I wish I could record it and play it for you.

This was the icing on the cake last night.

There was a bug on my ceiling. I know cats love to watch bugs and I hope that they will eat them if the can get them. But, he was on the edge of the couch staring it down. But then I hear this clicking noise. Tony's face was twitching, whiskers and all, and making this clicking noise! It sounded like a gas stove top starting up!

As weird as he may be, he provides hours of entertainment! I do love that cat!

Egg Noodles with Shrimp

Does your husband/boyfriend fart incessantly? Mine does. He just did. It seems like he waits for me to sit next to him! Seriously! 

Onto food. 

This recipe was originally called "Pappardelle with Shrimp", but I haven't a clue where to I can find Pappardelle, so I used egg noodles instead. But the recipe said it was ok that I did, so I don't feel bad. 

You'll need:

6 ounces egg noodles

3 tbs reduced calorie margarine

1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined 

1 1/2 tsp curry powder 

1/4 dry white wine

3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

2 eggs

2 tbs grated parmesan cheese 

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground pepper 

You can also add 3 tbs chopped mint, but I chose not to. 

While you are boiling the water for your egg noodles and then cooking them, melt your butter in a large skillet. 

Add your shrimp. I got mine already cooked, so it didn't need much time. If your's isn't cooked, let them soak in the margarine for 2-3 minutes. 

Add your curry powder. I confess, this ingredient was the main reason I wanted to cook this recipe! 

After that's done soaking for 2-3 minutes. Add your white wine. 

And broth. Bring to a boil. 

While that's coming to a boil, whisk your eggs and cheese in a small bowl. 

Scoop out 1/2 cup of the liquid mixture from the skillet. Add to the egg mixture. DON'T stop whisking! 

Then quickly add to the skillet. But still don't stop whisking! Otherwise your egg will cook funny. 

Reduce the heat and add your egg noodles. 

Top off with the salt and pepper. I also added a little curry on top as well a little sugar. Dishes with curry in them usually have  sweet taste to me and something seemed like it was lacking. The sugar helped! 

8 WW points (old school) 

Or 345 calories per serving (4)

Enjoy! 

Oh! And I'll be gone next week. No post. Spring Break starts Friday!!!! Whooooo!

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

I got this yummy recipe off of the WW App on my iPhone. I don't subscribe online, but you can access several recipes every week. Check it out!

I am a bit delayed in this post because I was traveling to see family this weekend. My Mom Mom passed away in January and we had her memorial this weekend. My grandfather is also very sick, so I visited him as well. Please excuse my boggled mind!

Onto to cooking!

You'll need:
2 tsp salted butter
1 large uncooked onion(s), finely chopped
1 1/2 tsp table salt, divided
64 oz reduced-sodium chicken broth
4 oz uncooked pasta, small shape such as ditalini (about 1 cup)
10 oz frozen mixed vegetables, such as peas, carrots, corn and green beans
15 oz canned tomatoes, petite cut, rinsed and drained
6 oz cooked skinless, boneless chicken breast(s), chopped
1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup(s) chives, fresh, chopped (optional)

Missing from picture is lemon juice (I think that's it). You'll have to pardon my airheadedness, it was a long weekend! 

I didn't have any cooked chicken in the fridge, so I had to cook some up. 

While you are cooking the chicken, dice up your onion pretty finely. I still haven't figured out the best way to cut up an onion. 

In a large pot, melt 2 tsp of butter. In the picture you'll see 2 tbs because I had a blonde moment! I was thinking that it was nice to have all that butter in a WW recipe! But I was wrong!

Just so you know, I did take out some of the butter! I didn't cheat! Add your onions and stir them off and on for 10 minutes. Also, add 1/2 tsp of salt!

Increase the heat and add your broth! Bring to a boil. 

While you are waiting for that to boil, drain and rinse your tomatoes. 

Once your broth is boiling, stir in the pasta. I just used some left over Orzo pasta I had in the pantry. You can use anything you'd like, but I'd use a smaller pasta. 

Add your frozen veggies. 

And the tomaters (as I like to call 'em). 

Boil that until the pasta is cooked 7-10 minutes. 

Stir in the remaining ingredients. Not in any particular order. I started with the chicken. 

Cheese!

Chives/Green onions! You know I love these!

Last 2 tsp of salt. 

Lemon...

Lastly, pepper!

Enjoy!

Makes 8 servings!

Points Plus = 4

I have no idea how many calories because I never did the points plus.....anyone know?

My Mom Mom loved to cook, and I think she'd be proud of my little cooking adventures. 

I don't have any great photos of her on my computer, but this was the beautiful cake we had made for her memorial. 

I miss you Mom Mom.