30 Minute Chili

1 lb ground beef, browned with
1 C. chopped onion. Drain fat.
2 14oz. cans diced tomatoes with juice (or 3.5 cups diced from a giant Costco can)
1 15 1/2 oz can kidney beans
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 tbs chili powder


Combine all ingredients and heat to boiling; reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.

I really loved this. I used S&W chopped tomatoes and they were really acidic, which made it even better. Also used 91/9 beef.

Calories: 360 per serving / 4 servings. Makes 1.75 quarts. 1.75 cup per serving.

Slow Cooker Brown Rice

I don't have a rice cooker because we don't have rice enough AND I have too many appliances as it is. I made rice in the slow cooker though and though it is SLOW it is really convenient.

2 parts water
1 part brown rice
2-2.5 hours on high.

It was perfect rice.

Broccoli Beef

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/broccoli_beef/

This was good, but too much liquid. The meat let a lot of juice out, even on super high heat. I used fish sauce instead of oyster sauce. I used sliced sirloin steak.

Sherrys Wild West Soup

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/sherrys-wild-west-soup

This was good. The garbanzo beans are a nice touch. I made this in the slow cooker and it broke down the chicken and rice too much, so I would do it on the stove next time. Or just cook it less time and use canned beans instead of dried. (I used dried this time so had to cook it forever to get the beans done).

Taco Pasta

http://fakeginger.com/2010/06/30/taco-pasta/
Taco Pasta. This was tasty, but I think next time I will halve the cream cheese and sour cream. Or skip the cream cheese entirely and still halve the sour cream.

Mexican Quinoa Salad

http://mygreendiet.com/green-diet-plan-recipes/mexican-quinoa-salad/

This is great. Add some peeled cucumber too, cut in quarters and sliced.

Lemon Dill Sauce for Salmon

http://herbsspices.about.com/od/fish/r/SalmonDill.htm
Lemon Dill Sauce for Salmon

This was a great accompaniment to salmon. I used nonfat greek yogurt.

Applesauce Multigrain Muffins

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/recipes/2010/02/25/applesauce-multigrain-muffins/

This is really good!

Turkey Stuffed Peppers

http://www.jennieo.com/recipes/518-Hannahs-Turkey-Stuffed-Peppers

We both liked this. I served it with rice on the side. It fills 4 medium peppers with a 1.25 lb package.

Juliana's Broccoli Cheese Soup

Juliana's Broccoli Cheese Soup

8 cups chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon tarragon
1/2 bay leaf
1/2 chopped onion
2-4 carrots peeled and chopped as chunky or small as you like it
2 sticks of celery chopped
2 bunches broccoli. I use both heads and one stem, but you can put it all in if you want to. I chop the heads down very small and then peel and chop the stem into smallish chunks.
1 can evaporated milk
pepper to taste
1 Tablespoon parsley
1-2 cups of shredded cheese. (I usually use medium because it is what I have in the fridge.)
Add fresh garlic if desired.

Start the stock boiling and then chop the veggies and add them in as you go. I add the seasonings after the vegetables are all in. Once the vegetables are cooked to your liking, add the milk and cheese. I never thicken it, but you can if you like it thicker.

Laura's notes: I made this with 2 large bunches of broccoli (stem and all) and 2 cups shredded cheese and it turned out well. David and I really like it. It made about 3.5 quarts.

Turkey Noodle Soup

I got this recipe from Erin Farr when I was in college.

2 cans chicken broth (10 3/4 oz size)
2 cans water
2 cups turkey
3 celery stalks, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
10 sage leaves, chopped (~1 Tbsp) or 1 tsp powdered
1 can cream of chicken soup
11 oz package Grandma's noodles (frozen uncooked egg noodles)

Heat broth and water. Add turkey, celery, carrots, sage, and noodles.  Simmer until noodles and veges are done. Add cream of chicken soup and heat through. Does not do well in crockpot.

I often put in all broth and no water and use chicken bullion instead of canned broth.  The noodles will soak up a lot of the liquid, so if it sits for a while then more water may  need to be added so it has a soupy consistency and is not too thick.

When I double this recipe I often just use one can of cream of chicken soup and 1 package 16 oz grandma's noodles. Works great!

If grandma's noodles are not to be found, Mrs. Weiss' Kluski Enriched egg noodles are fantastic. I just put in the whole 8 oz bag and it works well for ~4 qts of soup.

Notes: Hyvee and Copps carry Reames Homestyle Egg Noodles in the freezer section. I use the 12 oz package and it is just like Grandma's noodles.

Turkey Enchiladas

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/turkey-enchiladas/

This was a yummy dinner and a good way to use up frozen turkey leftover from thanksgiving.

Zucchini Bread

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/moms-zucchini-bread/

This was not quite as good as the recipe I usually make. But is still pretty well.

I adjusted the ingredients to this list:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup applesauce
1 cups white sugar

1 cup brown sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups grated zucchini (1 huge zucchini)
1 cup chopped walnuts

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/lanas-sweet-and-sour-meatballs/detail.aspx

David and I really enjoyed this. The meatballs are very tasty. I doubled the vegetables in the recipe, and the sauce should be doubled as well. To do so I would just add an extra 1.5 cups of water, and extra cornstarch.

This needs 8 cups of rice to go with it. 6 cups was not quite enough. This dish would serve 6 people generously, or 8 as a main course if there is something on the side or for dessert.

Update:
I added 6 oz of pineapple juice and 6 oz of water, plus 3 more T cornstarch to double sauce. I also doubled veggies and it turned out great. You need the extra juice to maintain flavor.

Banana Banana Bread

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/banana-banana-bread/

This bread is moist and good, but has too much banana for my tastes. It is not like the cakey bread I was given a few weeks ago that I am trying to replicate.