One never goes wrong with seafood and vegetables. My meal today is no surprise. If you visit my blog you’ll see that I cook a lot of salmon and cod, and the vegetables are never far behind. However, for today, lets enjoy the cod!
 
Category:  Entrée
Approx. Prep and Cook Time:  30 Minutes
Approximate Cost:    $10.90 or $5.45 per serving
Difficulty Level:  Easy
Allergens, Other:  Gluten Free    
Servings: 2
 
Ingredients for the Cod ($4.20)
2 cod filets season with lemon pepper and avocado oil ($ 4.00)
1 tsp. of lemon pepper (.10)
½ tsp. of avocado oil (.10)
 
Ingredients for the Broccoli-Cauliflower Rice ($3.30)
2 c. Broccoli ($1.30)
2 c. Cauliflower ($1.30)
3 chopped garlic (.20)
1 tsp. Lemon Pepper (.10)
1 ½ tsp. of avocado oil (.40)
 
Ingredients for the Beets ($3.40)
3 fresh beets, (peeled and cut in about 1” cubes, simmer until soft, drain, and season with ↓) ($3.00)
½ tsp. black pepper (.10)
1 tsp. of avocado oil (.20)
½ tsp. to 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar (.10)
salt to-taste
 
Directions - Prepare all the ingredients as mentioned under the Ingredients list.
Season the cod and refrigerate.
Start to cook the beets. Then drain and season with the ingredients listed for them. Refrigerate.
Process the cauliflower and broccoli. In a skillet with avocado oil, sauté the garlic, add the cauliflower broccoli rice, sauté briefly and remove from stove.
In a skillet with avocado oil, sauté the cod until fully cooked and a bit golden.
All the ingredients have been done by now. Bring the beets salad from the fridge and warm a bit the cauli-brocco rice and get ready to plate.
 
 
Angie’s Dry Seasonings: http://www.angieslifehacks.com/family-life/oven-roasted-bacon-chicken-and-angies-seasonings
Angie’s Basting Olive Oil:  www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/the-flavor-series-recipe-2-angies-basting-olive-oil
Angie’s Homemade Pesto   http://www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/angies-homemade-basil-pesto-sauce

Another easy plus healthy dish that you can make in no time. If you have some rice or veggies leftover from the night before, then it’s even better, it will be less cooking time.
 
Category:  Entrée  
Approx. Prep and Cook Time:  Under 30 Minutes
Approximate Cost:    $8.10 OR $4.05 PER SERVING
Difficulty Level:  Easy
Allergens, Other:  Gluten Free    
Servings: 2+
 
Ingredients
4 med size chicken stakes, pat dry, seasoned to-taste and sautéed ($3.00)
Granulated roasted garlic, salt, pepper, & paprika, to-taste for (veggies and chicken stakes) (.20)
3 tbsp. Angie’s basting olive oil (1 ½ for each, the chicken and Brussels) (.40)
Angie’s dry seasoning to-taste (.10)
Brussels sprouts, peeled, sliced season with my seasoning and basting oil to-taste ($1.00)
2 fresh Corn, boil in salted water until tender ($1.60)
1 Avocado, rinsed, pat dry and cut in half ($1.20)
Flat leave parsley to garnish (.10)
leftover rice (.50)
 
Directions
Prep de ingredients as listed above, set aside. Start the oven at 400 degrees.
Refrigerate the seasoned chicken stakes.
In a baking pan add the Brussels and oven roast them until golden brown
Boil the corn until the kernels are tender.
Sautee the chicken stakes until golden brown.
Warm the rice, start plating and garnish. Done!
 
Bon Appetite!
 
Angie’s Dry Seasonings: http://www.angieslifehacks.com/family-life/oven-roasted-bacon-chicken-and-angies-seasonings
Angie’s Basting Olive Oil:  www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/the-flavor-series-recipe-2-angies-basting-olive-oil
Angie’s Homemade Pesto   http://www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/angies-homemade-basil-pesto-sauce

Easy oven roasted Brussels Sprouts as the side dish for tomorrows post.
 
Category:  SIDE
Approx. Prep and Cook Time:  UNDER 30 Minutes
Approximate Cost:    $3.30 or $1.65 per serving
Difficulty Level:  Easy
Allergens, Other:  Gluten Free   _X_   Vegetarian _X_ 
Servings: 2+
 
Ingredients
1 bag of Brussels Sprouts, clean and cut lengthwise ($2.00)
1 ½ tbsp. Angie’s basting olive oil (.40)
1 tsp. Angie’s Dry Seasoning (.20)
1 tsp. Angie’s Italian Dry Seasoning (.20)
1 tsp. Granulated Garlic (.20)
1 tsp. Lemon pepper (.20)
½ tsp. ground pepper (.10)
 
Directions
In a med. size bowl, mix all the ingredients until totally combined.
Place in a baking dish and roast at 350 to 400 degrees until tender and golden brown.
 
Angie’s Dry Seasonings: http://www.angieslifehacks.com/family-life/oven-roasted-bacon-chicken-and-angies-seasonings
Angie’s Basting Olive Oil:  www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/the-flavor-series-recipe-2-angies-basting-olive-oil
Angie’s Homemade Pesto   http://www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/angies-homemade-basil-pesto-sauce

My new sauce can be used over pizza dough, with spaghetti, over chicken bites, well, you name it. I was craving red sauce of some kind and didn’t want a store bought.  Then, I looked at what I had in my pantry at the time and found, diced tomato, tomato sauce, tomato paste and Tuscan herb mixed that one of my twins gave me from an Italian shop near her home. I added black pepper, pepperoncino’s, one cube of my frozen Sofrito and even a piece of jalapeno. Well, I love it and if you want to omit the jalapeno and pepperoncini just do not add them.
 
Category:  Multiple-Use in Cooking
Approx. Prep and Cook Time: Under 30 Minutes
Approximate Cost:    $5.70 OR $2.85/cup
Difficulty Level:  Easy
Allergens, Other:  Gluten Free   __X__   Vegetarian __X__ 
Servings: Renders Approximately 2 cups +
 
Ingredients
7 garlic cloves, chopped (.30)
½ yellow onion, chopped (.40)
salt o-taste (.10)
1 tsp black pepper (.10)
½ tsp. pepperoncino (optional) (.10)
1 tsp. Tuscan herb mixed (.90)
½ small seeded jalapeno, chopped (optional) (.20)
3 tbsp. of Ketchup (.10)
1 can diced tomato ($1.00)
1 can tomato sauce (.90)
5 tbsp. tomato paste ($1.00)
1/8 c. (or 2 tbsp.) of Angie’s basting olive oil (.60)
 
Directions
Prep all the ingredients as listed under the ingredients list above,
Sautee the onion, garlic and jalapeno. Add all the dry seasoning herbs, add the tomato sauce, the paste and diced tomato as well. Add the Sofrito cube and simmer for few minutes, done!
 
Angie’s Dry Seasonings: http://www.angieslifehacks.com/family-life/oven-roasted-bacon-chicken-and-angies-seasonings
Angie’s Basting Olive Oil:  www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/the-flavor-series-recipe-2-angies-basting-olive-oil
Angie’s Homemade Pesto   http://www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/angies-homemade-basil-pesto-sauce

OK, my husband doesn’t like and don’t eat chicken drums, however, I do. So today, I decided to make some yummy ones. They look so yummy and smell so good that he gave in and eat them, smile. Anyway, it was such a healthy combination, no skin on the oven baked chicken, baked sweet potatoes and mashed russet ones with avocado oil and cilantro.
 
Category:  Entrée 
Approx. Prep and Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Approximate Cost:    $7.26 or $3.63 per serving
Difficulty Level:  Easy __X__
Allergens, Other:  Gluten Free    
Servings: 2+
 
Ingredients
5 chicken drums, (skin removed, pat dry and seasoned with my basting oil and seasoning) ($3.56)
1 tbsp. Angie’s dry seasoning (.10)
1 tbsp. Angie’s basting olive oil (.60)
1 ½ tbsp. Avocado Oil (for the mash potatoes) (.50)
2 tsp. Granulated roasted garlic (1 for the mashed potatoes and 1 for the chicken) (.10)
1 tsp. Curry Powder (for the chicken only) (.10)
3 small russet potatoes, (peeled, cubed in appx. 1” pieces, simmer until soft, drain) (.70)
1 large sweet potato (peeled, sliced, simmer until soft, drain and sauté in skillet ($1.10)
A handful of Cilantro, (rinsed, pat dry and chopped for the mashed potatoes) (.50)
 
Directions
Prepare all the ingredients as mentioned above under the ingredients list.
Start your oven at 400 degrees. Place the sliced sweet potatoes in an oil sprayed baking mold and cover with foil. Bake for about 25 minutes until soft.
At the same time, place the chicken drums in the oven uncovered until cooked and golden brown.
Drain, mash the potatoes, add the avocado oil, seasoning, (I used Adobo) and chopped Cilantro to-taste until all combined.
Finally, is time to enjoy the meal. Smile.
 
Angie’s Dry Seasonings: http://www.angieslifehacks.com/family-life/oven-roasted-bacon-chicken-and-angies-seasonings
Angie’s Basting Olive Oil:  www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/the-flavor-series-recipe-2-angies-basting-olive-oil
Angie’s Homemade Pesto   http://www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/angies-homemade-basil-pesto-sauce

Sure, sandwiches doesn’t have to be in bread all the time. Creativity allow us all to come up with other alternatives. Yep! The end result- DELICIOSO! (Delicious)
 
Category:  Entrée  
Approx. Prep and Cook Time:  Under 30 Minutes
Approximate Cost:    $11.30 or $5.65 per serving of 2 sandwiches ea.
Difficulty Level:  Easy
Allergens, Other:  Gluten Free   __X__   Vegetarian __X__     
Servings: 2+
 
Ingredients
1 med. to large eggplant, rinsed, pat dry and sliced in approx. 1” wheels ($1.30)
2 c. of large or jumbo uncooked (defrosted) shrimp, pat dry before seasoning ($7.00)
1 med. size onion, sliced (.30)
1 tsp. Angie’s dry seasoning (.10)
1 tsp. Lemon Pepper (.10)
¾ c. Angie’s basting olive oil to fry the eggplant wheels ($1.50)
1 c. GF Seasoned Panko (.30)
½ c. cornstarch (or all-purpose flour) (.30)
2 egg (.40)
 
Directions
1. Rinse the eggplant, cut it in ½ to 1 inch slices, sprinkle salt over both sides, allow to sit for about 10 minutes to sweat the bitter flavor, then rinse well, pat dry. Set aside.
2. Season the shrimp and refrigerate until time to cook.
3. Whisk the eggs or egg whites in a deep plate, add a bit of seasoning of your choice.
4. Add the GF bread crumbs to another deep plate, set aside.
5. Add cornstarch (or all-purpose flour if you are using it) to another deep plate and set aside.
Next, dip each eggplant slice into the egg white mix, then into the flour, then back to the egg whites and finally to the bread crumbs on both sides, and place in a baking tray until time to fry.
 
Meantime add the olive oil to a skillet and heat to med-high. Carefully, test the oil to make sure the eggplant will sizzle when you add it. Then carefully add one or two eggplant steaks nor overcrowding until golden brown on both sides.
Remove and let them rest over paper towel to remove any excess oil.
 
Finally, while the eggplant steaks rest, bring another skillet with a bit of my basting EVOO, add the shrimp and sliced/chopped onion and cook for few minutes until the shrimp is lightly pink and the onion is just glossy.
 
Only thing left is to make your eggplant sandwiches and garnish maybe with a nice avocado, smile.
 
Enjoy!
 
Angie’s Dry Seasonings: http://www.angieslifehacks.com/family-life/oven-roasted-bacon-chicken-and-angies-seasonings
Angie’s Basting Olive Oil:  www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/the-flavor-series-recipe-2-angies-basting-olive-oil
Angie’s Homemade Pesto   http://www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/angies-homemade-basil-pesto-sauce

No brainer, instead of using chicken we can use any protein of our choice and the end result will be delicious anyway!
 
Category:  Entrée  
Approx. Prep and Cook Time:  Under 30 Minutes
Approximate Cost:    $4.87
Difficulty Level:  Easy
Allergens, Other:  Gluten Free    
Servings: 2+
 
Ingredients for the Stir Fry Tenderloins
1 lb. of pork tenderloin (sliced thin for stir fry) = ($1.87)
1 ½ tbsp. my basting oil (.40)
1 c. broccoli florets from the crown (.50)
3 large cloves of garlic, peeled and sliced (.15)
½ large onion chopped large (.20)
10 med. to large Baby Bela mushrooms, clean and sliced ($1.00)
1 tbsp. Paprika (.10)
1 tsp. Lemon Pepper seasoning (.20)
Soy sauce to taste (optional, I didn’t use it.) (.15)
(Leftover white or yellow rice for 2 servings) (.30)
 
Directions
If you bought a single tenderloin, clean it of any fat and cut 1/3 of the pork tenderloin in strips for stir fry.

Season with 1 tbsp. of my basting olive oil (and few drops of soy sauce if you are using it) 1 tsp. Paprika and 1 tsp. Lemon Pepper seasoning.

Sauté the tenderloin strips in a skillet, when golden brown, remove and sauté all the other veggies listed.

When they are all done and still with bright colors, season to your taste, (add soy sauce to taste) and add more basting oil if needed.

Serve over a bed of white or yellow leftover rice. Boom!
Enjoy!
 
Angie’s Dry Seasonings: http://www.angieslifehacks.com/family-life/oven-roasted-bacon-chicken-and-angies-seasonings
Angie’s Basting Olive Oil:  www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/the-flavor-series-recipe-2-angies-basting-olive-oil
Angie’s Homemade Pesto   http://www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/angies-homemade-basil-pesto-sauce

Traditionally, bell peppers are stuffed with red meat, and cover with cheese. I decided to come up with a different recipe today. I’ll stuffed my peppers with 98% fat free ground chicken and black beans chili. Two half peppers will be top with bacon strips and the other two with some cheese. Boom!
 
Category:  Entrée 
Approx. Prep and Cook Time:   45 Minutes to 1 hr.
Approximate Cost:    $13.05 or $6.53 per 2 servings
Difficulty Level:  Intermediate
Allergens, Other:  Gluten Free    
Servings: 4 peppers or 2 servings 2 peppers each
 
Ingredients for the Bell Peppers ($10.30)
½ lb. of 98% fat free ground chicken ($2.00)
2 med-size bell peppers cut diagonally, seeds removed ($3.50)
1 tbsp. Angie’s dry seasoning (.20)
1 tbsp. Angie’s basting olive oil (.45)
¼ c. chopped organic dry onion (.15)
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed once ($1.25)
4 bacon slices, cooked crispy to garnish the peppers ($1.00)
½ c. Mexica Style 4 Cheeses, or to-taste ($1.00)
2 or 3 slices of cooked crispy bacon for garnish over peppers (.75)
 
Ingredients for the Cilantro Cauliflower Rice ($2.75)
½ head of cauliflower, florets detached and stems removed ($1.50)
½ chopped red onion (.25)
1 c. Cilantro leaves (.25)
1 tsp. Angie’s dry seasoning (.20)
½ tsp. Roasted Garlic and Herbs (.10)
1 tsp. Angie’s basting olive oil (.45)
 
STUFFED BELL PEPPERS DIRECTIONS
Season the chicken with 1 tbsp. Angie’s dry seasoning, 1 tbsp. Angie’s basting olive oil and ¼ c. chopped organic dry onion. Refrigerate.
Cut the 2 med-size bell peppers diagonally, remove the seeds and set aside.
In a skillet or pan, sauté the seasoned ground chicken briefly, add the black beans and adjust the seasoning if you prefer salty.
Set the mix aside for few minutes, until it cools a bit, then begin to stuff the peppers, generously.
Bake in the baking pan at 475 degrees for anywhere between 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the bell peppers size, your oven, or until the peppers are tender.
 
CILANTRO CAULIFLOWER RICE DIRECTIONS
Chop the Cilantro and red onion, set aside.
Pull the florets out of the head, remove the Cauliflower stems, place the florets in a food processor and pulse briefly until they look like rice.
In a skillet with my Basting Olive oil over med high, add the cauliflower rice, stir, add Paprika, Roasted Garlic and Herbs and my Dry Seasoning.
Stir until all is combined, then add the Cilantro leaves, stir again and remove from the heat.
Finally, sprinkle some cheese to top the peppers, bake briefly to melt, remove from oven.
 
To plate, place peppers on top of the cilantro rice, and garnish with the cooked bacon.
 
Bon Appetite!
  
Angie’s Dry Seasonings: http://www.angieslifehacks.com/family-life/oven-roasted-bacon-chicken-and-angies-seasonings
Angie’s Basting Olive Oil:  www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/the-flavor-series-recipe-2-angies-basting-olive-oil
Angie’s Homemade Pesto   http://www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/angies-homemade-basil-pesto-sauce

If you have broccoli and cauliflower in the fridge now, you are lucky. Time to make my broccoli-cauliflower rice as a side for tonight.  Boom!
 
Category:  SIDE DISH
Approx. Prep and Cook Time:   20 Minutes
Approximate Cost:    $4.15 or 2.08 per serving
Difficulty Level:  Easy
Allergens, Other:  Gluten Free   __X__   Vegetarian __X__ 
Servings: 2+
 
A. Ingredients you need to Process the Broccoli-Cauliflower Rice ($2.60)
1 c. broccoli florets, rinsed and pat dry. (large) ($1.10)
2 c. cauliflower, cut in florets rinsed and pat dry. ($1.50)
Process in your food processor until the pieces look the size of beans or garbanzo. Done!
 
B. Ingredients to make the Rice (Rice recipe showed above ↑) ($1.55)
1 tsp. Angie’s Basting Oil (See my link below) (.30)
1 Angie’s dried seasoning (See my link below) (.20)
5 cloves of chopped garlic (.25)
2 celery stalks, rinsed and pat dry and chopped (.40)
1 tsp. dry Turmeric and black pepper (.20)
1 tbsp. dry onions (.20)
1 tsp. water or broth (0)
 
Directions to Cook the Rice
In a cooking pan with basting oil, sauté the chopped celery, then add the garlic.
Add the dried onion, dried seasoning, broccoli-cauliflower, turmeric and water, stir well.
Cover the pan and cook in low for about 4-5 minutes until tender, not mushy.
DONE! Enjoy.
  
Angie’s Dry Seasonings: http://www.angieslifehacks.com/family-life/oven-roasted-bacon-chicken-and-angies-seasonings
Angie’s Basting Olive Oil:  www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/the-flavor-series-recipe-2-angies-basting-olive-oil
Angie’s Homemade Pesto   http://www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/angies-homemade-basil-pesto-sauce

I love it when I create something to eat that does not have preservatives. It’s basically a healthy mindset to try to avoid purchasing anything that I can create at home. The end result is to work hard to keep our families safe and healthy, and that my friends, is the bottom-line.
 
Category:  HACK --SAUCE
Approx. Prep and Cook Time:  10 Minutes
Approximate Cost:    $3.90
Difficulty Level:  Easy
Allergens, Other:  Gluten Free   __X__   Vegetarian __X__ 
Servings: Approx. 1  cup
 
Ingredients
1 c. Sour Cream (NOTE: If you don’t have it you can use plain Yogurt) ($1.00)
1 small lemon (for the juice) (.50)
1 small, seeded jalapeno (.30)
1 c. of mixed Cilantro, Basil, Parsley ($1.00)
3 large garlic cloves (.20)
1 tsp. Angie’s dry seasoning or the seasoning of your choice (.30)
1 ½ tbsp. Angie’s basting olive oil (.40)
½ tsp. black pepper (0)
½ tsp. Turmeric (0)
Salt to-taste (0)
Sriracha to-taste (or your favorite hot sauce) (.10)
½ tsp. Granulated Roasted Garlic (.10)
 
Directions
Prep. all the ingredients as listed above, place them in a small food processor or a blender as shown in my slide photos below and process, pour into a glass jar and place in the refrigerator until time to use. Enjoy.
 
Angie’s Dry Seasonings: http://www.angieslifehacks.com/family-life/oven-roasted-bacon-chicken-and-angies-seasonings
Angie’s Basting Olive Oil:  www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/the-flavor-series-recipe-2-angies-basting-olive-oil
Angie’s Homemade Pesto   http://www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/angies-homemade-basil-pesto-sauce