Monday, June 29, 2009

No Ordinary Eggs

The best part of summer is the garden. At least for me, it is. I love to experiment with whatever's bountiful and come up with new combinations.

Right now, basil is booming. So the last time I made eggs, I yummied them up. Here's how to make No Ordinary Eggs:

1. Beat two eggs in a bowl with a dash a of milk, salt and pepper.

2. Drop a slice of butter in a small pan.

3. Sprinkle sundried tomatoes in the pan.


4. After the tomatoes are well heated, add the eggs to the pan.


5. Scramble up the eggs. Then rip up some basil leaves and add them to the eggs.

6. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.
Enjoy delicious basily garden goodness for breakfast!

Suzie

Friday, June 26, 2009

Roasted Turkey Salad With Fresh Herbs

Wondering what to do with your leftover turkey? Here's what I did:
1. Slice up a couple tomatoes and the leftover roasted onions.

2. Cut leftover turkey breast into chunks.

3. Add mixed greens to a bowl.

4. Since the garden is popping up sweet yummies everywhere, I picked some fresh basil and parsley and added to the mix. If you have the herbs, use them. They give salads the freshest kick!


5. Sprinkle with crumbled blue cheese.

6. Make dressing:
  • Put one tablespoon balsamic vinegar in a bowl
  • Add two teaspoons dijon mustard
  • Add salt and pepper
  • Toss in Italian seasoning or fresh herbs (if you have them)
  • Mince one clove of garlic
  • Whisk in two tablespoons olive oil
  • Adjust to your taste

NOTE: Making your own dressing has a couple benefits. Number one, it's cheaper than buying bottled dressing. Number two, you know what's in it. Have you ever read the label on salad dressing? Lots of partially hydrogenated high fructose-y stuff. Not what you want to put in your body.

7. Sprinkle the dressing on your salad, toss and enjoy!


Suzie

PS - For other great ideas on how to Stretch Your Food Dollar head over to the Krazy Kitchen for Stretch Your Food Dollar Wednesdays.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Pan Roasted Turkey Breast

Let's talk turkey. It's not just for Thanksgiving anymore. And you know why? Because it's a SuperFood.

Turkey breast is one of, if not the leanest, meat protein sources on the planet. It offers a rich array of nutrients, particularly niacin, selenium, vitamins B6 and B12, and zinc. These nutrients are heart-healthy and are also valuable in helping to lower the risk for cancer.

Plus it's SuperCheap. I purchased a 2 lb split turkey breast for $3.14. Then I pan roasted it, ate some, and will enjoy more in a salad today. And more leftover with some veggies tomorrow. I will get three meals in one $3 turkey breast. Pretty cool, huh?

Here's how to cook a delicious, juicy turkey breast:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Place a metal handled frying pan over medium high heat on the stove. Coat the bottom of the pan with olive oil.

3. Salt and pepper the turkey breast.

4. When the oil smokes, place the turkey breast, skin side down, in the pan. Brown it.
5. After it's nicely browned, turn off the heat. Add some cut veggies to the pan. Whatever you have will work. I used onions, mushrooms and carrots.6. Toss in a woody herb like rosemary or thyme.

7. Insert a meat thermometer into the breast - away from the bone. Put pan in the oven for approximately 45 minutes. When it reads 170 degrees, pull the breast out. Put it on a plate and let it stand for 10 minutes. (It will continue to cook and the juices will redistribute.)

8. Slide a knife between the bone and the meat and remove meat from the bone. Then slice meat into thick slices crosswise.
9. Enjoy!

Do you already incorporate turkey into your diet? If so, how do you prepare this SuperFood?
Suzie