Summer Shrimp Stir Fry

I am in love with this quick, easy, healthy, and tasty dinner! I have SO been craving something nutritious after all the junk I've been consuming lately. This was a real winner and a meal that I will definitely make again! The best part...every ingredient (except the shrimp) can be found in our communal family (mine and my parents) garden! Honestly, only the squash and zucchini came from there, but when I make this later on in the summer (after the corn and tomatoes are up), this meal will be even cheaper! This meal was simply awesome...I usually don't like squash/zucchini, but in combination with those tasty shrimpers, I couldn't help but love this (the butter didn't hurt either!). :)

Ingredients:
2 TBSP butter
2 TBSP olive oil
zucchini, sliced diagonally
yellow squash, sliced diagonally
4 garlic cloves, diced (I didn't have these, so I just sprinkled garlic powder in the butter/shrimp during this step--still turned out awesome!)
shrimp (peeled, deveined, tales left on)
2-3 ears of corn, kernels cut off
grape tomatoes, sliced in 1/2 lengthwise
salt and pepper
fresh herbs, if desired


Directions:
Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet (I had to pull out my huge electric skillet!) over medium heat. Add minced garlic (or sprinkle garlic powder). When oil/butter is hot, add shrimp and cook for 3 minutes. Remove to a plate. Do not clean skillet.

Add the rest of the butter and oil and heat over medium heat. Add zucchini slices in a single layer and cook for one minute, tossing once. Scoot the zucchini to the edges of the pan, then add corn kernels to the middle of the pan. Cook for one minute. Add grape tomatoes, salt, and pepper, and toss around, then add shrimp. Cook for an additional 30 seconds, then remove from heat. Serve on a big platter.

Hint: Much better after it’s been allowed to cool for a bit!

P.S. I served this with CousCous w/ Chives and Saffron, from Darrenkamps. So good mixed together!

Chinese Noodle Casserole

This was new, fun, and easy. I'm not always a huge fan of casseroles, but I would definitely make this again!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 can sliced mushrooms (I used fresh!)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can chicken noodle soup (optional...did not try this!)
3 TBSP. soy sauce
1 cup frozen peas or broccoli
2 cups roasted chicken, diced (I used 1 cup leftover grilled, marinated chicken thighs)
Chinese noodles (Lo Mein--crispy)

Directions:
Sauté onion, celery and mushrooms in large frying pan until tender. Add 1 can cream of mushroom soup mixed with 1/2 cup water and 3 TBSP soy sauce. Add 1 cup frozen peas or cut up broccoli and simmer 5 min. Add chicken, and two handfuls of Chinese noodles. Put in casserole dish and cover with Chinese noodles. Bake at 350 F for 30 min.

Two Cheese Quesadillas

I got this recipe from my great aunt. It's yummy and fast--what's not to love??

Ingredients:
4 flour tortillas (8 inch)
1 cup (4 oz) shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup (4 oz) shredded Mozzarella cheese
2 small tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup finally chopped green pepper (I don't add this)
1/4 cup chopped onion (I think I used red?)
sour cream and salsa

Directions:
Sprinkle each tortilla with cheeses, tomatoes, and onion. Fold in half and press edges lightly to seal. On an electric griddle, cook quesadillas over low heat for 1-2 minutes on each side or until cheese melts. Cut into wedges. Serve with sour cream.You can also use the microwave for a softer quesadilla.

Beef BBQ aka Sloppy Joe

This is my mom's classic recipe. Still my favorite BBQ!!

Ingredients:
2 lbs. hamburger
1 onion
1/2 cup ketchup
2 TBSP. brown sugar
2 TBSP. vinegar
2 tsp. mustard
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. salt

Directions:
Fry onion and burger in hot fan until it has lost its red color (low) and drain grease. Stir until smooth and then add all other ingredients. Simmer about 20 minutes, covered. Stir often.Serves 8.

Meatball Treat

This was the very first meal I made for my husband! It was actually his mother's recipe, and I believe it won first prize at some sort of fair! It's easy, and delicious. Serves well with peas and crusty bread.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup minute rice
3/4 lb. ground beef
1/4 cup water
1 tsp. grated onion
1 1/4 tsp. salt
dash of pepper
8 oz. can of tomato sauce
1/2 cup water

Directions:
Combine rice, beef, 1/4 cup water, onion, and salt. Shape into balls (about 1.5 inches in diameter). Place in a skillet. Add 1/2 cup water. Pour tomato sauce over balls to coat them. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.

Polynesian Sandwiches

My mom grew up with this recipe, and I love it because it's so simple and delicious. My husband isn't a fan of mixing fruit with meat, so I just leave off his pineapple!

Ingredients:
sliced ham
bagels
pineapple rings
American cheese

Directions:
Toast bagels, then butter. Place on broiler pan. Add ham and a pineapple ring to each sandwich. Broil a bit to warm it up. Place cheese on sandwich and broil until melted.

Southwestern Chicken Salad

I got this recipe from my mother, who first had this at one of my sister's basketball meals. You can follow the recipe as-is, or my mom mentioned that she found a frozen bag of southwestern veggies that worked well. Just cook for a couple minutes, then cool.

Ingredients:
Perdue ShortCuts/pre-cooked chicken (southwestern, original, roasted...doesn't matter)
Romaine lettuce
can of whole kernel corn, drained,
can of black beans, washed and drained
shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:
Assemble. Top with Ranch dressing or crushed taco chips, salsa, and sour cream.

Broiled Tilapia Fillets

This has been our favorite way to eat tilapia so far! It makes a fairly bland fish taste GREAT!

Ingredients:
1.5 lbs. frozen tilapia, thawed (use 1/4 lb. fillets)
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup soy sauce

Directions:
Place tilapia fillets in a shallow dish; sprinkle with garlic powder. Combine melted butter, lemon juice, and soy sauce. Pour over tilapia and turn to coat. Let stand 15 minutes. Place fish on broiler pan and broil 5 minutes, or until it flakes. (Make sure to line the bottom of the broiler with tinfoil to aid clean-up!).

Baked Salmon with Mushrooms, Tomatos, and Spinach

I found this recipe on the KRAFT website, and boy, is it AMAZING! My husband loves salmon, and this is one of his favorites. The recipe also states that Red Snapper or Orange Roughy could work, but do NOT try this with tilapia. Way too bland! I made this (with salmon) for all 7 of us and tripled the recipe. We barely had leftovers! I got the salmon on sale at Darrenkamps BOGO, which ended up being $1/a quarter pound fillet or $4/lb.

**Please note, picture is taken from the KRAFT website.

Ingredients:
4 salmon fillets (1 lb.)
2 cups chopped fresh spinach
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 tomato, chopped
1/3 cup sun-dried tomato dressing (or Italian)

Directions:
Heat oven to 375. Place fish, skin-side down, in 9x13" pan/baking dish sprayed w/ cooking spray. Mix remaining ingredients until blended; spoon over fish. Bake 20-25 minutes of until fish flakes easily with a fork.

Other suggestions include topping with garlic, green onions, or feta cheese. We have not yet tried this.