The Best Ceasar Dressing Ever...

Homemade Ceasar Salad Dressing...

To be poured over Romaine lettuce with croutons and Parmesan cheese!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of olive oil
• 2 tbsps of Mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp of Dijon Mustard
• Juice of one lemon
• 1 tsp of red wine vinegar
• 3 crushed garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp of anchovy paste (the secret ingredient)

Mix and pour...

Mini Quiche Improv!

So this time, I wanted to try using Crescent Rolls as the base for these cupcakes. 

Ingredients: 

• 3 Pillsbury Crescent Roll (makes 24)
• 1/2 cup of finely diced red onions
• 1/2 cup of sliced cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup of finely diced pepper
• 10 kalamata olives, finely chopped
• a few diced cooked green beans
• 2 tbsps of chopped parsley
• 6 eggs
• 1 and 3/4 cup of milk
• 3 cups of white cheddar cheese

Directions:

• Set out each crescent roll in greased muffin tin
• Mix all ingredients and pour into each crescent roll (2/3 full)
• Bake in the oven for 25 minutes at 375F

Pepperoni Chips!

So I'm not particularly excited about this one but I think it's worth sharing. Any turkey bacon or pepperoni, on paper towels, in the microwave can turn it into chips. For kids who eat no meat, this can be a friendly way to introduce that meaty, chewy taste. 15 seconds in the microwave, 2 to 3 times in a row. Then let them cool and you have some salty, crispy, meaty chips. You can even crumble them over cream cheese on a cracker or over your salad. 

Carrot and Dill Salad...

You can find these colorful carrots at TJ's and they are delicious!

I used my pressure cooker this time for the carrots. I took a chance on overcooking them to figure out the timing. Turns out that, once the pressure is on, 6 minutes in the pressure cooker, for whole carrots cut in half, is perfect!

Once they cooled, I sliced them up with a wavy slicer, added a little olive oil, salt and dill, and VOILA! Oh, and a little lemon juice would also be awesome. 

Fast, Colorful and Healthy!

I have had some success just presenting something pretty and saying: "Just eat the bits you want!"
It decreases the pressure of having to eat food they don't want to try and it allow me to expose them to something new on their plate mixed with something they like.
So for this salad:

INGREDIENTS:
* One package of 2 minute grains (Red spring wheat berries, quinoa, farro and barley with tomato, onions and peppers) from Grain & Simple - Thank You Costco
* 4 Carrots, boiled and chopped
* 1 cup of spinach steamed
* 2 beets, cooked and chopped into chunks
* 2 tbsps of olive oil
* 1 tbsp of lemon juice
* 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
* Salt and Pepper



After microwaving the grains, let them cool before mixing with all other ingredients. Mix well and serve at room temperature...
ENJOY!!!

My Meatloaf Cupcakes Are A Hit!

Meatloaf Cupcakes
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup onion, finely diced
1/2 cup carrots, finely diced
1/2 cup celery, finely diced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup ketchup, divided
1-1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
2 tablespoons mustard
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 eggs
2 cups mashed potatoes
From www.sixsisteersstuff.com

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, dried oregano, and minced garlic; sauté for 2 minutes.
Combine onion mixture, 1/2 cup ketchup, and the remaining ingredients in a large bowl. I found that it was easiest to just use my hands to make sure that all the ingredients were completely incorporated.
Spoon the meat mixture into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray- each cup will be filled to the top. Top each meatloaf with about 2 teaspoons ketchup. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160 degrees.
Let the cupcakes cool. In the meantime, put the mashed potatoes into a pastry bag (or a ziploc bag with the corner cut off) with a wide star tip or circular tip and pipe the mashed potatoes on top of the meatloaf.  Sprinkle with bacon bits and green onions.

One of my favorite dinners...

I love meals served in layers and this one is a favorite... 
Firm Roma tomatoes slices, fresh Mozzarella slices, chopped fresh basil, salt, pepper, a drizzle of olive oil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and VOILA!!!