Springtime Spaghetti

What You Need

1 small box of spaghetti or linguine
half a bag of frozen peas or 1-2 cups fresh, shelled peas
4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil {we think fresh vs. spice jar basil adds much more flavor to this meal}
Shaved fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, to taste

Fix it Fast

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.

2. Add peas to pasta during the last 2 minutes of cooking time. Drain pasta mixture in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1/4 cup pasta liquid.

3. Heat oil and butter in pan over medium heat until butter is melted.

4. Remove pan from heat and stir in pasta mixture, reserved pasta water, juice, salt, and pepper; toss well.

5. Scoop Pasta mixture into bowls and top each serving with basil and shaved cheese.

This meal tastes best when served immediately after cooking.

]]> http://sharpmoms.com/2012/04/springtime-spaghetti/feed/ 0 http://sharpmoms.com/2012/04/what-we-love-right-now-april-11-2012-chicken-enchiladas-in-a-bowl/ http://sharpmoms.com/2012/04/what-we-love-right-now-april-11-2012-chicken-enchiladas-in-a-bowl/#comments Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:00:02 +0000 admin http://sharpmoms.com/?p=2474 If you’re like me, you don’t have time to mess around with elaborate dishes, but this recipe will give you the taste of scrumptious enchiladas with out the sweat! It’s so easy to make, full of flavor, and will easily become a go-to weeknight meal.

Chicken Enchiladas {in a Bowl}

What You’ll Need:

2-3 chicken breasts, cooked & shredded {I used one pack of 3}

2 tbsp. olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 medium onion, diced

1 red pepper, diced

1 {4 oz.} can diced green chiles, drained

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. cumin

2 {10 oz.} cans green chili enchilada sauce

2/3 cups red enchilada sauce

2 cups shredded cheese {preferably a Mexi-blend }

1 cup sour cream

Penne pasta

Optional Toppings:

Green Onions

Black Olives

Diced Tomatoes

Sour Cream

Fix it Fast:

1. Cook chicken, drain, and shred. Set aside.  In a medium pot boil pasta according to package. While boiling, chop the onion, pepper, and garlic (Time Saver: I used preminced garlic in a jar. You can find this in the produce section of your local grocery store).

2. In a deep, large skillet heat the olive oil.  Cook onions for about 3-5 minutes, or until tender.  Add garlic & red pepper and cook an additional 5 minutes.

3. Add shredded chicken, green chiles, cumin, chili powder, salt, & enchilada sauces to the skillet. Simmer for about 10 minutes.

4. Add cheese and stir until melted and heated through.

5. Add sour cream to the skillet. Warning: DO NOT bring to a boil!  Be sure to cook on low heat or the sour cream will curdle–YUCKY. I turned off the stovetop and let the sour cream heat that way. Stir until sour cream is mixed thoroughly. Side Note: I did use the full cup of sour cream, but I think it was a little too much. My guess is that you could cut back or not add the cream at all and just use it as an extra topping only.

6. Drain pasta and return to pot. Add sauce mixture to pasta pot, mix well, and serve in a bowl with additional toppings of your choice!

**My kids love tacos and were a fan of this meal. Your child may not be a Mexican cuisine lover. If that’s the case, be sure to set aside some pasta in a separate bowl and serve with spaghetti sauce. This is an easy way for you to serve your family dinner from the same meal and not become a short order cook .

Classic Black Beans and Rice

Many don’t like the thought of a very “beanie” meal, but black beans and rice is full of flavor and very easy on your budget. This will definitely fill up those tummies and taste good too!

What You’ll Need:

4 teaspoons olive oil

1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped (some folks like sliced)
1 onion, finely chopped
5-6 cloves garlic, minced
2 (16-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
4-5 cups cooked white rice (we like taking easy street and using Minute Rice)

Fix it Fast:

1. In a large sauce pan heat oil and sautee onions, green pepper, and garlic. Be sure to stir occasionally so the veggies don’t stick. Simmer until veggies are tender.

2. Stir in the beans, tomatoes, chicken broth, thyme, oregano and water. Bring to a boil.

3. Reduce heat and let simmer for about 45 minutes until the sauce thickens.

4. Stir in cilantro, if desired. Serve over hot rice and enjoy!

Southwest Mac and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese are many kids favorites, but here’ a version with a little kick!

What You’ll Need:

8oz. package of elbow maccaroni
1 cup salsa
1 1/2 cups milk
1 15 0z can cream-style corn
one can mexi-kernal corn with red and green peppers (Green Giant makes a corn variety similar to this)
8 oz cheddar cheese, cubed

Fix it Fast:

1. Mix all ingredients except cheese in 12-inch nonstick skillet. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally; reduce heat.
2. Cover and simmer 10 to 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until macaroni is tender.
3. Stir in cheese until melted and serve!

This meal goes great with chips and salsa or cornbread!

Tortellini Primavera

Alright folks, it doesn’t get any easier (or yummier) than this recipe! Frozen vs. fresh veggies makes this a quick meal to prepare any night of the week!

What You’ll Need:

1 bag frozen cheese tortellini
1 can chicken broth
1 small bag frozen veggie medley (broccoli, corn, peas, carrots)
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Grated Parmesan cheese, to top meal

Fix it Fast:

1. In a large pan heat oil. Then sautee garlic. In a separate pot, cook tortellini according to package.

2. Add chicken broth to pan. Bring to boil.

3. Stir in Mozzarella cheese.

4. Add frozen veggies to the pan (be sure mixture is still boiling) and cook for 5-10 minutes until the vegetable are thawed.

5. Add tortellni to mixture, top with Parmesan cheese, and serve!

If you broth does not thicken add a pinch of cornstarch or flour before adding cheese. Serve with garlic bread and salad.

1. Take a Nature Walk

This can be simple, like a walk around your neighborhood or local park, or more elaborate, like a camping trip or visit to a state park in the mountains. Either way, you and your children are bound to have some fun and find some some little critters (and maybe some big ones!) while you’re out and about. Not to mention, all you momtographers out there will have some great photo-ops!

2. Collect Leaves

Kids love this! You can find them in your own backyard or at your local park and they come in different shapes and sizes. You can jump in big leaf piles (our personal favorite) or make traditional leaf rubbings once you get home.

3. Root for the Home Team

You don’t have to have tickets to a NFL or college game. See if your child’s little league friend is playing this weekend and go cheer them on!

4. Try a New Cuisine

Give a new taste a whirl, something your kids haven’t tried. Maybe Thai or Indian food. You can even give them some background about the country by visiting it on the map before you go to the restaurant or reading about it on the net.

5. Get in Touch with the Outdoors

Can’t make it to the mountains? Try camping in your backyard. Pitch a tent, roast marshmallows, and check out the stars. Don’t have a backyard? Pitch a tent in your livingroom! Just as fun, if not more!

6. Get Cooking

Kids love helping out in the kitchen. Try pizza or muffins. They’ll love mixing, measuring, and, most of all, mess making!

7. Try Something New

Pick a new sport or skill to try out. Try ice skating, horse-back riding, or roller-blading. This will offer a great opportunity for some wonderful family time together!

8. Have a Movie Night

Family movie night is always fun. Pick a classic movie, order pizza, and top it off with popcorn and ice cream!

9. Play Outside

It’s that simple! Take a walk together, ride bikes, play tag, or just enjoy the your backyard or local playground.

10. Do Yardwork Together

Kids are great at pulling weeds or helping out with the watering can. Toddlers also think they are big helpers as they use their bubble mower while you do the big jobs!

]]> http://sharpmoms.com/2011/09/10-things-to-do-this-weekend/feed/ 0 http://sharpmoms.com/2011/04/easy-easter-breakfast-casserole/ http://sharpmoms.com/2011/04/easy-easter-breakfast-casserole/#comments Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:02:35 +0000 admin http://sharpmoms.com/?p=406 If you’re hosting Easter brunch this year you might be feeling the stress already. Wouldn’t it be so nice to wake up Easter Sunday to a clean house, a dining table set, and a meal ready for your guests? Your Easter Morning may not happen quite like that, but we’ve got a breakfast casserole that is so simple you’ll have a wonderful Easter feast ready in no time!

Easy Easter Breakfast Casserole

Thinking of hosting a brunch this year? We love the idea of Sunday brunch and think it is a great way to spend Easter with your family and friends. This breakfast casserole is SO simple (and yummy!).

What you’ll need:

8 slices of bread cubed

1/2 cup of butter, melted

2 cups milk

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. dry mustard

5 eggs

1/2 lb. shredded cheddar cheese

2 cups diced ham OR cooked sausage

4 oz. mushrooms

Fix it fast:

1. Grease a 9×13 pan.

2. Mix bread and butter together. Add cheese, ham/sausage, and mushrooms to mix.

3.  Place mixture in baking dish.

4. Beat eggs. Add milk and seasoning to eggs. Pour egg mixture over the bread mix in your baking dish.

5. Cover with foil and refrigerate over night.

6. Bake for one hour at 325.

7. Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes.

Health Uses

1. Use it as an antacid.

2. Use it as underarm deodorant by applying it with a powder puff.

3. Mix half a teaspoon with peroxide paste and use it as toothpaste.

4. Use it as a face and body scrub.

5. Add a cup to bathwater to soften your skin.

6. Relieve skin itch from insect bites and pain from sunburn.

7. Remove strong odors from your hands by rubbing them with baking soda and water.

8. Put two tablespoons in your baby’s bathwater to help relieve diaper rash.

9. Apply it on rashes, insect bites, and poison ivy irritations.

10. Take a baking soda bath to relieve skin irritations.

11. Heartburn? Take a teaspoon of baking soda mixed with one-half glass of water.

12. Freshen your mouth by gargling half a teaspoon of baking soda mixed water.

13. Relieve canker sore pain by using it as mouthwash.

14. Use it to relieve bee stings.

15. Use it to relieve windburns.

16. Apply it on jellyfish sting to draw out the venom.

17. Unblock stuffy nose by adding a teaspoon of baking soda to your vaporizer.

In the Home

18. Keep cut flowers fresh longer by adding a teaspoon to the water in the vase.

19. Put out small fires on rugs, upholstery, clothing, and wood.

20. Put an open container of baking soda in the fridge to absorb the odors.

21. Sprinkle it on your ashtrays to reduce bad odor and prevent smoldering.

22. Sprinkle it on your slippers, boots, shoes, and socks to eliminate foul odor.

23. Turn baking soda into modeling clay by combining it with one and 1/4 cups of water and one cup of cornstarch.

24. After feeding your baby, wipe his shirt with a moist cloth sprinkled with baking soda to remove the odor.

25. Wipe your windshield with it to repel rain.

26. Improve the smell of dishrags by soaking them in baking soda and water.

27. Suck it in with your vacuum cleaner to remove the odor.

28. Freshen the air by mixing baking soda with your favorite perfumed bath salts. Put the mixture in small sachet bags.

29. Restore stiff brushes by boiling them in a solution of 1/2 gallon of water, 1/4 cup of vinegar, and a cup of baking soda.

30. Put it under sinks and along basement windows to repel cockroaches and ants.

31. Scatter baking soda around flowerbeds to prevent rabbits from eating your veggies.

32. Sweeten your tomatoes by sprinkling baking soda on the soil around your tomato plants.

33. Sprinkle it onto your cat’s litter box to absorb the bad odor.

34. Sprinkle it on your pet’s comb or brush to deodorize their fur and skin.

In Cooking

35. Use it as a substitute for baking powder by mixing with it with cream of tartar or vinegar.

36. Wash fruits and vegetables with it.

37. When boiling a chicken, add a teaspoon of baking soda to the water. Feathers will come off easier, and the flesh will be clean and white.

38. Soak dried beans to a baking soda solution to make them more digestible.

39. Remove the distinctive taste of wild game by soaking it in a baking soda solution.

40. Make a sports drink by mixing it with boiled water, salt, and Kool-Aid.

41. Remove the fishy smell from your fillets by soaking the raw fish in a baking soda solution for an hour inside the fridge.

42. Make fluffier omelets by adding half a teaspoon of baking soda for every three eggs used.

43. Reduce the acid content of your tomato-based recipes by sprinkling them with a pinch of baking soda.

Cleaning Purposes

44. Add a cup to the toilet, leave it for an hour, and then flush. It will clean the toilet and absorb the odor.

45. Use it to scrub sinks, showers, plastic and porcelain tubs

46. Spray it on walls, mirrors, and countertops.

47. Add a spoonful to your dishwasker to make scrubbing dishes easier.

48. Remove grease from pots and pans.

49. Dry clean carpets and upholstered furniture by sprinkling baking soda over the fabric and gently brushing it. Leave it for an hour or overnight, then vacuum.

50. Boost your laundry detergent’s cleaning power by sprinkling a handful on dirty clothes.

51. Combine it with water to make a paste for polishing stainless steel and chrome.

52. Remove scratches and crayon marks from vinyl floors and walls.

53. Clean your shoes with it.

54. Clean garbage cans with it.

55. Use it to wash diapers.

56. Clean the fridge with it.

57. Soak brushes and combs in a baking soda solution.

58. Mix it with water to wash food and drink containers.

59. Put three tablespoons of baking soda to a quart of warm water, then use the mixture to wash marble-topped furniture.

60. Absorb it with a damp sponge, then clean Formica countertops with the sponge.

61. Use it to get rid of stale odors from cooling containers and thermos bottles.

62. Run your coffee maker with a baking soda solution, then rinse.

63. Combine with hot water to clean baby bottles.

64. Sprinkle it on barbecue grills, then rinse it off.

65. Scatter it on your greasy garage floor, scrub the floor, and rinse.

66. Remove burned-on food from a pan by soaking it in a baking soda solution for 10 minutes before washing.

67. Clean your ashtrays with a baking soda solution.

68. Keep your drains clean by putting four tablespoons of baking soda in them each week. Flush it down with hot water.

69. Clean your shower curtains by soaking them in baking soda and water.

70. Put it on a small brush to rub canvas handbags clean.

71. Use it to remove melted plastic bread wrapper from a toaster. Sprinkle baking soda on a damp rug, then use the rug to clean the toaster.

72. Use it to clean your retainers and dentures.

73. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water, and used it to scrub enameled cast iron and stainless steel.

74. Mix four tablespoons of baking soda with a quart of warm water, and use it to clean the inside part of an oven.

75. Use it to unclog gas stoves.

It is truly amazing what this little box of powder can do! And best of all it is very inexpensive so you can do all this for a small cost!

Do you have a $5 dinner or your own? Leave a comment and share it with the SharpMoms community!

Mexican Rice Casserole

What you need:

1. 1 package ground beef (1-2 lbs.)
2. 1 package taco seasoning
3. 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
4. 2 cups rice
5. 1 bar cheese, shredded- blocked cheese tends to be cheaper than pre-shredded or pre-cubed!
6. 6 ears corn

Make it fast:

1. Cook 2 cups rice according to package.
2. Brown ground beef. Drain. Return to skillet, add 3/4 cup water, taco seasoning and tomato sauce. Stir thoroughly.
3. Add ground beef to rice. Put into 9×13 baking dish. Top with shredded cheese.
4. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes or until cheese melts.
5. Boil or grill ears of corn and serve on the side.

Pizza Wraps

What you need:

1. 6 Tortillas
2. 1/2 jar pizza sauce
3. Pepperoni
4. 1/2 Green Pepper, thinly sliced
5. 2 cups shredded mozerella cheese

Make it fast:

1. Preheat oven 350. Lay tortillas flat. Spread on pizza sauce. Layer 1-2 rows of pepperoni and sliced green peppers. Sprinkle with cheese, leaving room to roll.
2. Roll up tortillas and place snugly into 8×8 dish. Cook about 10 minutes so cheese melts.

Southwestern Mac N Cheese

What you need:

1. 8oz. package of elbow maccaroni
2. 1 cup salsa
3. 1 1/2 cups milk
4. 1 15 0z can cream-style corn
5. one can mexi-kernal corn with red and green peppers (Green Giant makes a corn variety similar to this)
6. 8 oz cheddar cheese, cubed

Make it fast:

1. Mix all ingredients except cheese in 12-inch nonstick skillet. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally; reduce heat.
2. Cover and simmer 10 to 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until macaroni is tender.
3. Stir in cheese until melted.