Spicy Spinach and Crunchy Applesauce

These two recipes are so easy, I'm just going to combine them (plus I have the "end result" of both in one photo). Now, I know spinach isn't the most popular but give it a try this way...it changed mine and A's mind!! The applesauce smells so delicious!!! It definitely gives off every smell you think of when you think of Autumn...so warm and the cinnamon with the apples...YUM!!! I'm just going to get started before I abandon ship and make more for myself. :)

Spicy Spinach

Ingredients

• 10 oz. baby spinach (I find per person is best)
• red pepper flakes
• sea salt
• extra virgin olive oil

Directions: In a medium-high skillet, add about a Tablespoon of oil to pan. Add spinach followed by a dash of sea salt and red pepper flakes to taste (1/4- 1/2 tsp roughly). Cook until just past the point of wilting. Place on plate and pat dry with a couple napkins. 

Besides the oil, these are all the ingredients you need.
Here you can see the brand spinach I use. I usually buy 2...one for each of us.
I got the salt at a Fresh Market and peeled off the sticker.

Chunky Applesauce

Ingredients

• 4 golden apples, chopped
• 2 tsp. lemon juice
• handful golden raisins (about 2 oz.)
• 1in. piece fresh ginger root
• 3 T. light brown sugar
• 2 c. apple juice or cider
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp groung nutmeg

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a medium size pot over medium-high heat. Cook until a chunky sauce forms, about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep at a low boil; if the sauce begins to boil, turn back heat just a little. Once apples are soft and sauce forms, remove from heat. Be sure to remove the ginger.

**I left the peel on for a crunchier taste but it can definitely be removed, if desired**

Here is the sauce, cooking. 

Here is the applesauce and spinach...with a side of pork chop!!
(Please don't judge my pork chops from this! They usually look better...I was
having thawing issues!)

[[Original post for applesauce can be found here. The spinach was found in Cooking Light and site will be linked in another post]]

Easy Slow Cooker Jambalaya

Ok, so remember that site, Pinterest, I mentioned in the General Tso's post? Well...you can thank that site for this next recipe as well!!! There is only one recommendation I have for this recipe as well: If you are going to do the rice, either use the quick cook rice or (if you have to go the healthier route like I *tried* with brown basamati rice...or any rice that requires a longer cook time) add it in the beginning of the recipe instead of the last 30 minutes like the below instructions suggest. Or you can skip the headache and pass altogether! :)

**Before you begin, please note these are measurements for a 5 qt. crockpot. I will list alternative measurements for a 4- 4.5 qt. (as that is the size I have) at the end of the recipe.**

Ingredients

• 2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 lb. smoked sausage, cut into 2" slices
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 large green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes with juices
• 3 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 2 c. chicken broth
• 1 T. cajun or creole spices
• 1 tsp. dried thyme 
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 lb. extra large shrimp, peeled and deveined 
• 1 3/4 c. long-grain rice
• parsley (optional)

Combine chicken, sausage, onion, green pepper, celery, tomatoes, garlic, chicken broth, spice mix, thyme, and oregano in a large (5 qt.) slow cooker. Cook on low for 5 hours. Add shrimp and rice; raise heat to high and cook for 30 minutes more. Sprinkle with parsley. 

Here are the alternative measurements: 

• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 (14 oz.) can no salt added diced tomatoes, with juices
• 1 c. long-grain rice (if desired)
• 1/2 bag of precooked, pre-peeled large frozen shrimp

Now, I don't have pictures of the jambalaya (Sorry...I thought I did) but I do have these photos. These little packets have become my new best friend!!! 

This is the Swanson Flavor Boost...the box is pretty self explanatory lol.
It was about $2 and change at my local commissary but I don't know how much
it cost at a regular grocery store. I would imagine not much more though.  

Here is a photo of the actual packet. All I needed was 2 for this recipe
and it worked like a charm!! I will definitely be stocking up on these bad boys!!!

Pictures of the Jambalaya to come...

[[Original recipe can be found here]]

Penne Pasta

This one is a go-to when A comes home late, its close to grocery shopping day or just on any lazy day. It really only takes about the time the noodles need to boil!!! The great thing about this one, since its only the two of us, is that we have so much leftover afterwards...I mean enough for a day or two (depending on how much you eat).

Ingredients

• 1 lb. penne pasta (riagte...or regular)
• 1 (28 oz.) can of whole plum tomatoes
• 1/4 c. Pecorino Romano cheese, freshly grated
• handful italian parsley, chopped
• 3-4 garlic cloves, chopped

Directions: Prepare the parsley, garlic, and cheese. In a pot on medium-high heat, boil the pasta for 10 minutes. In a medium size pan, on medium heat, add a tablespoon of oil and the garlic. Cook until golden brown and add the whole plum tomatoes, juices included. Turn heat to low-medium (so there is a slight bubbling) and stir occasionally while the pasta cooks. Drain pasta when ready, add back to pot along with the tomatoes. Also add in parsley and cheese; stir thoroughly and serve immediately. 

The sauce...sorry about the crappy photo. I remembered last minute to take it. 

I realize this is a LOT more cheese than I said but my husband is a cheese fanatic!!!
I even have to add extra cheese on top of his plate! lol

The parsley, rinsed and halfway chopped. Fresh is best!! Look at that vibrant green!!!

Penne Pasta...ready to serve!!!

[[Original recipe can be found here though I can now make this one in my sleep and made my own slight variations to it over time]]

Healthy General Tso's Chicken

I was recently introduced to a fantastic website called Pinterest (if you heard of it you know how addictive it can be...if not...DO IT!). With this site, I have found a new world of recipes and can store them by picture so easily...and it comes with a link to original site!! We tried this recipe and it was DELICIOUS!!!! The hardest part was dealing with the chicken since we were having issues with our fridge freezing everything. While I normally put my recommendations *after* the recipe, I only have one so I'll just put it here: prep the chicken first. This took the longest for me. That said, lets go.

The Chicken & Coating

• 2 large egg whites
• 3 T. cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1 lb. chicken, cut into bite size pieces (I used thighs)

The Sauce

• 1 T. cornstarch
• 1/2 c. water
• 2 c. snow peas, trimmed & halved diagonally
• 4 garlic cloves, sliced
• 3 T. light bright sugar
• 2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
• 2 T soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (or to taste)

For the sauce: Mix together the water and cornstarch until smooth. Stir in remaining ingredients and set aside. 

For the chicken: Whisk together egg whites, cornstarch, salt & pepper. Stir in chicken. 

Cooking directions: In a skillet heated over medium-high, add a small amount of oil. Add chicken to the pan (or half if there isn't enough room), dripping off excess coating. Cook, stirring occasionally until golden brown and cooked thoroughly. Remove from pan and set aside. (If you do cook half, set the first half aside, add more oil if necessary and repeat the process). Add the sauce to the skillet and cook until the peas are tender and sauce is thickened. Add chicken back into the pan along with any collected juices. Toss to coat and serve with rice. 

Sauce before cooking

Chicken almost finished cooking...looks yummy!  

Dinner is served!! By the way...we just used the boil bag rice. Nothing fancy.

Now that you have this fabulous, delicious recipe...what are you still doing here?! Get to cookin'!!! haha.  

[[Original recipe can be found here]]

Hello Followers!!!

My most sincere apologies for not keeping up with this blog...we had so much going on and we are finally getting our heads back above water so to speak. Here is what I'm going to do though:

First, I'm going to catch up on my posts. Tonight I will be posting recipes for:

• Penne Pasta
• Easy Slow Cooker Jambalaya
• Traditional *and* Taco Stuffed Shells
• Healthy General Tso's Chicken
• Tex-Mex Lasagna
• Spicy Spinach 
• Sweet Carrots
• Chunky Applesauce
• Quesadillas

Hopefully in between now and the last one for the night, I will think of more and post (which I just thought of another! haha). So enough chit-chat and time to get at it!!! 

**Please note that not all of these will have pictures with them right away. I WILL be updating those as I make them again, promise.**