Pizza Bread

Just about every kid we know loves pizza so you won’t be disappointing anyone at the table with this pizza bread recipe.

What You’ll Need

1 loaf of French bread, sliced into 1/2-1 inch pieces

Grated Parmesean Cheese or Shredded Mozzerella

Spaghetti or Pizza Sauce

Pepperoni slices or any other toppings you might enjoy

Fix it Fast:

1. Place bread slices on a cookie sheet.

2. Layer sauce, cheese, then toppings

3. Bake at 450 for 10-15 min

Serve with prewashed salad and/or carrot sticks with ranch dip

Quick Chicken Taquitos

A lightly flavored Mexican dish that will not be too bold for your child that isn’t too adventurous.

What You’ll Need:

1. 1 can of cooked chicken

2. 4 oz of sour cream

3. 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

4. Soft tortilla shells

Fix it Fast:

1. Mix chicken, cream, and cheese.

2. Spoon mixture onto tortilla shells and wrap shells burrito style (closed ends).

3. Spray baking sheet and outside of shells with cooking spray (we recommend olive oil spray).

4. Bake at 450 for 12-15 minutes or until shells are lightly brown.

Serve with Mexican style rice (we like this because it’s prepacked and usually cooks quickly).

Ham and Cheese Roll-ups

This cresent roll meal is a classic go to for many moms. It’s super easy to prepare and cooks in under 30 minutes!

What You’ll Need:

1. 1-2 cans of cresent rolls (we prefer Pillsbury)

2. Ham slices

3. Cheese slices

Fix it Fast:

1. Grease a cookie sheet.

2. Unroll rolls and layer with ham and cheese.

3. Roll up cresent rolls and place about 2 in. apart on baking sheet.

4. Cook at 350 for 20-25 min, or until lightly golden brown.

Serve with broccoli (frozen broccoli cooks in under 5 minutes in the microwave), green beans, or corn.

What You Need:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

2 medium carrots, sliced

1 stalk celery, sliced

1 clove of garlic, finely chopped (or substitute with 1 teaspoon garlic powder)

1 tablespoon pot herbs (or substitute with a teaspoon of oregano and basil)

1 can chicken broth (about 2 cups)

1 can diced tomatoes (also add one can water)

1 can white kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup frozen peas

1 cup cooked elbow macaroni

Fix it Fast

1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium/high heat.

2. Add onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and herbs.

3. Cook, stirring until onions look slightly wilted.

4. Add broth, tomatoes, water and beans. Bring to a boil, then turn heat on low and simmer 10 minutes or until carrots are tender.

5. Add peas and macaroni to hot soup, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, and serve!

]]> http://sharpmoms.com/2011/11/17/simple-minestrone-soup/feed/ 0 http://sharpmoms.com/2011/11/15/5-quick-tips-for-healthy-eating/ http://sharpmoms.com/2011/11/15/5-quick-tips-for-healthy-eating/#comments Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:54:59 +0000 admin http://sharpmoms.com/?p=1920 With the holidays coming up soon, you’re probably already looking forward to the extra goodies that will be cooked up by yourself and loved ones. Or you might be dreading the extra calories you’re going to end up consuming! Here are a five quick  kitchen shortcuts to help you cut back on salt intake, fat, and calories. Eat better now and enjoy a few extra treats later!

1. Think before you reach for the salt shaker! There are a few ways you can add flavor without adding salt. Try a bit of fresh squeezed lemon to a lightly salted meal. It will make the salt taste like there is more than there actually is. You can also perk up your taste buds with a little vinegar or pepper.

2. We all love yummy dips and spreads at holiday parties (or while you’re just snacking at home!). For those that call for cream cheese, substitute half a cup of ricotta cheese blended with half a cup of fat-free cream cheese. This offers a yummy-and healthy-alternative dip to accompany your party veggie tray.

3. It’s comfort food season! The weather is crisp and the air is getting cooler. When making soups and casseroles that call for heavy cream, try replacing it with evaporated fat-free milk. And, don’t forget to bulk up your stews and soups with extra beans and veggies!

4. Have you gotten into pie-baking mode yet? Instead of using pastry dough as your crust, try graham crackers!

5. Use applesauce rather than butter and oil when baking. A half-cup of applesauce equals one cup of oil or butter.

How do you cut back on calories and fat when cooking? We’d love to hear your tips!

What You’ll Need:

1 pkg. Fudge Stripe Cookies

1 bag Hershey’s Kiss

Orange Icing

Fix it Fast:

1. Place cookies chocolate side down.

2. Squeeze icing onto center of the cookie, making a circular shape.

3. Place Kiss on icing, flat side down.

]]> http://sharpmoms.com/2011/10/26/what-we-love-right-now-october-26-2011-wickedly-cute-no-bake-witch-hat-cookies/feed/ 0 http://sharpmoms.com/2011/09/12/pumpkin-dip/ http://sharpmoms.com/2011/09/12/pumpkin-dip/#comments Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:48:25 +0000 admin http://sharpmoms.com/?p=1863 If you’ll be entertaining at all this fall season consider this sweet pumpkin dip as an appetizer. Whip it up in minutes and wow your guests!

Pumpkin Dip

What You Need:

4 c. powdered sugar
2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese
1 can (30 oz.) pumpkin pie filling
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger

Fix it Fast:

1. Combine sugar and (softened) cream cheese until well blended.

2. Beat in remaining ingredients.

3. Store in an airtight container and place in the fridge to cool and set.

Serve this dip up with gingersnaps or graham cracker sticks.

Easy Baked Apples

What You Need:

10 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

1 cup brown sugar

2 tsp cinamin

Fix It Fast:

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Mix apples, sugar, and cinnamin in a large bowl.

3. Place apple mixture in large baking dish.

4. Bake 45 minutes, stirring apples every 15-20 minutes.

Serve as a dessert with vanilla ice cream or use as a side with your favorite fried chicken or grilled pork chop dish.

]]> http://sharpmoms.com/2011/09/12/easy-baked-apples/feed/ 0 http://sharpmoms.com/2011/07/25/black-bean-zucchini-quesadillas/ http://sharpmoms.com/2011/07/25/black-bean-zucchini-quesadillas/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2011 18:42:16 +0000 admin http://sharpmoms.com/?p=1801 It’s no secret that kids love quesadillas. They are a small, bite-sized, and a fun little shape. They are also fun to make if you want to get their help in the kitchen! This recipe is perfect for a hot summer night when you’re tired of meat-filled meals and need something a little lighter on the menu.

Black Bean & Zucchini Quesadillas

What You Need:

2 pounds zucchini, grated
30 oz canned black beans, drained
12 oz Monterey Jack, grated
2 green onions, chopped
1 jalapeño, minced (optional)
8 eight-inch flour tortillas
olive oil

Fix It Fast:

1. Combine zucchini, beans, green onions, and jalapenos in a bowl. Toss well and set aside.

2. Brush one side of each tortilla with oil. Place four tortillas oil side down and spread each with one fourth of the zucchini-bean mixture. Top each one with an oil-side-up tortilla.

3. Place one quesadilla in a frying pan and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes on each side, until golden.

(you can also add other veggies like corn or tomatoes to the quesadillas if you choose!)

Serve with chips and salsa, corn, spanish rice, and cornbread muffins.

Easy, No Bake Chocolately Ice Cream Pie

What You’ll Need:

1 pint chocolate ice cream, softened
1 pint double chocolate fudge ice cream, softened (if you can not find this variety, any ice cream with fudge will do!)
1 (12 ounce) jar hot fudge topping
1 (9 inch) prepared chocolate cookie crumb crust
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 tablespoon chocolate sprinkles

Fix it Fast:

1. Spread the chocolate ice cream into pie crust in an even layer. Freeze for 15 to 20 minutes, or until set. Remove pie from freezer and spread on a layer of hot fudge. You may make this layer as thick as you wish. It is usually difficult to spread, but be sure you DO NOT heat the fudge as it will melt the ice cream layer underneath. Immediately freeze again for 15 minutes, or until set.

2. Remove pie from freezer and spread the double fudge ice cream on top of the fudge layer (if ice cream is too soft, put back in freezer for a few minutes — but DON’T LET PIE THAW or the layers will run together!). After adding the second ice cream layer, freeze again until set.

3. Spread on a layer of whipped topping, and garnish top with chocolate sprinkles. Return pie to freezer until ready to serve!

Makes approximately 10 servings.

Chocolate Chip Dip Recipe

What You Need:

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (6 ounces) miniature semisweet chocolate chips
Graham cracker sticks
Fix it Fast:

In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add the sugars and vanilla; beat until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips. Serve with graham cracker sticks.

Recipe and image from Taste of Home

Party Nachos

What You’ll Need:

1 carton (18 ounces) refrigerated fully cooked barbecued shredded pork
1 package (12-1/2 ounces) nacho tortilla chips
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Mexican cheese blend
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup salsa
1/2 cup shredded lettuce
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/4 cup sliced ripe olives, optional

Fix it Fast:

1. Heat pork according to package directions. Place tortilla chips on a large microwave-safe serving plate. Layer with pork and cheese.
2. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 1-2 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with sour cream, salsa, lettuce and onions. Sprinkle with olives, if desired. Makes about 12 servings.