Guest User 5/3/19 Guest User 5/3/19

B for D is Always a Winner!

Here in the Berry house if I announce we are having B for D you would think I announced we won the lottery! It is like a real treat for the boys and I am really not sure why. But, I have decided I would start changing up what they expect and see if they like it. This past week I tried a different casserole. One I got from my dear friend Paige. I changed it up just a tiny bit, but the over all verdict was “HOME RUN BABY!” Per Trey and the boys loved it too! So this little recipe definitely will be going into the Berry dinner rotation.

Poblano and Sausage Casserole

Ingredients:

2 Poblano peppers

Olive Oil

1 pound ground sausage (You can use lean turkey sausage and make it leaner)

1 Onion (I got the box already chopped in the deli section)

1 Tablespoon chopped garlic from the jar

5 Egg Whites

4 Eggs

1/2 Cup milk (use skim if going leaner)

1/4 Cup greek yogurt

1 Teaspoon kosher salt

1 Teaspoon black pepper

1 Cup shredded cheddar cheese (use low fat if going lean)

4 Cups shredded hash browns

Prep:

Preheat oven to broil.

Cut your poblano peppers in half length wise and remove the seeds.

Coat the peppers in olive oil and place on a cookie sheet skin side up. Place under broiler for 10-15 minutes or until peppers are nice and charred. Remove from oven and let cool.

Take ovens temperature back down to 350 and lightly spray a 9 x 13 baking dish.

While peppers are cooling put about 1 tablespoon olive oil in a frying pan and place your onions and garlic in the skillet and heat them up until translucent. Once translucent add your sausage and brown your meat. Once your sausage is brown, drain your grease and set aside.

Remove the charred skin from your peppers and dice them up.

In a large bowl whisk your egg whites, your eggs, milk, yogurt, salt, and pepper. Whisk it until the lumps are out. Add your sausage, chopped peppers, cheese, and hash browns and mix well. Make sure all hash browns are coated in the mixture.

Pour into your casserole dish and bake for 1 hour covered with foil. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until top begins to brown. Let cool.

Serve with avocados, tomatoes, and salsa!

Delish!

Bon Appetite!

Amy

Guest User 4/29/19 Guest User 4/29/19

Simple Supper Suggestions #4

Happy Monday! We are days away from May which do you know what that means? Days away from Cinco de Mayo, days away from end of school year activity hustle and bustle, and just a little closer to summer break!!!! Yee haw!!!! That is all I have to say! I LOVE SUMMER BREAK! I love the slow pace and I love the memories made! Who is with me?

But, we have to get through May to make it to the break! And let me tell ya…..when you have two high school aged kids in the house and an elementary aged child….well, put your seat belt on folks! It is about to get messy, busy, and stupid crazy, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel! And we mamas still have to cook and feed those kids! This week I have mexican themed dishes because some of you might have a Cinco de Mayo party or two to go to and most of these dishes you can bring along! So I thought I would kill two birds with one stone here! Hope you like what you see. I promise they are all very easy and very tasty!

Monday-Ju Ju’s Taco Soup! I love a good soup and I love to make it on monday night so that I have the left overs to eat on all week at lunch! This soup is so easy and so good! Serve it with chips, salsa, queso, guac….top it with avocado, cheese, sour cream, and cilantro….Oh my it is so good! My mouth is watering thinking about it!

Tuesday-Crock Pot Tacos. So easy, so quick, so good!

Wednesday-Mango Chicken. I was not sure I would like mango in my chicken, but you guys….this is so good! I like to put fresh jalapenos on top to give it a little kick with the sweetness and oh my LORD!!!! YUM!

Thursday-Mrs. Andrea’s Kings Ranch Chicken. When I make this I usually double or triple it and freeze the extra casseroles. It is super to have those ready in the event I have a friend in need or something pops up and I just can’t get dinner ready. Not to mention EVERYONE LOVES THIS DISH!

Friday and Saturday this mama is off duty!

Sunday-Spaghetti Sunday usually, but May 5 calls for Mexican Street Corn! Pair it with fajita meat and veggies, along with chips, salsa, guac, queso, rice, and beans. BAM! You have yourself your own little Cinco de Mayo Celebration Meal!

Provechito!

XO,

Amy

Guest User 4/22/19 Guest User 4/22/19

Simple Supper Suggestions #3

I am so excited to report that I have been getting all kinds of feedback on my Supper Suggestions! Everything from pictures of you guys cooking the recipes, to recipes you want me to try and share, (which while we are talking….I LOVE THAT!), to questions on what type of broth or where to buy what ingredient! I love it so bad I am going to keep it going! So keep the recipes coming, the questions coming, the love coming! I love you all!

This week is a little different at the Berry house as it is Easter and we are away so Spaghetti Sunday is out this week, but it will be back next week for sure, but with that this mama only has to cook 4 nights this week! Why? Well click here and see what my rule is in our house…..maybe it will work for yours too!

Day 1: Turkey Bolognese: This recipe is perfect for the family that LOVES pasta, but mom and dad need it a little healthier! Why? Because you can make it two ways and it is STILL simple! Take a look!

This with real noodles, but you can use zoodles just as easy and it is still as good!

Day 2: Taco Tuesday! Who doesn’t like Tacos on Tuesday? This recipe offers a little twist! Take a look!

Once you bake these and the cheese melts….OH MY GOODNESS!

Day 3: Christmas Morning Casserole! B for D is always a hit in my house! Don’t let the title scrare you! It is just what we eat every christmas morning at the Berry house!

Day 4: Grubba’s Meatloaf: So my father in law was in the Air Force and legend has it when he would come home from being away he would send my mother in law to her parents for a little time away. She too had three boys and my father in law was gone quite a bit. 20 Years in the airforce will do that! Thank you Grubba for your Service! Point is he got REALLY good at meat recipes….Boys love their meat and potatoes! This recipe right here is super easy, super good, and if you have children that are scared of meat in a loaf, trust me it is a thing, just call it meatball meat! For some odd reason wording it differently does the trick! Who knew?

So that is what we are having for dinner this week! What about you? I would love to hear!

Until next time!

Bon Appetit!

Amy

Guest User 4/14/19 Guest User 4/14/19

Simple Supper Suggestions for Your Busy Week #2

Just like last week I will start with what we do on Sunday…..Spaghetti Sunday! If you missed last week you do not know that the rule in the Berry Casa is mom cooks Sunday-Thursday and takes Friday and Saturday off! It really works well for us and it is super easy for me because 99% of the time we have Spaghetti Sunday which is quick, easy, and everyone loves it! If I ever get my act together I will get this post out on Saturday and you guys too can partake in Spaghetti Sunday! I promise the kids love it and Trey really loves it! He reminded me last week that we started this tradition in college back in 1992. He said it feels like home to him. I love that!

So without further talk let’s get you guys started so you can have dinner on the table every night this week quick and effortlessly! After all, isn’t that what we busy mamas need! Fast and Easy!

Day 1: Spaghetti Sunday Simple, quick, and a huge crowd pleaser!

You can use any noodle you like, but the key and secret is the wine in the sauce!

Day 2: Chicken and Rice Soup I really like making soup, sandwiches, and salads on Monday nights because what that does is it leaves me with soup to eat on all week at lunch- which is a lot healthier than any drive through. I don’t do it every week because I like to keep the family on their toes, but I think I would if someone told me they LOVED having soup! Ha!

So good and so nice to have to eat on all week!

Day 3: Turkey and Squash This along with my feta chicken is one of JP’s favorite meals I make. It is so easy and so good and do you want to know what else? It is super healthy!

Day 4: Steak Burrito Bowl This is such a delicious bowl I make. Graeme really loves it! I think your kids will too and you will love how easy it is and versatile!

Day 5: Gramzee’s Chili With baseball season in full swing I always think of frito pies and chili dogs! What I like to do is double this recipe and eat on it all weekend and I let the kids decide if they want chili dogs or frito pie and everyone is happy!

Hope you all have a wonderful week with lots of good eats!

Until next time!

XO,

Amy

Guest User 4/10/19 Guest User 4/10/19

Delish Spicy Tomato Basil Soup

I love soup and I love making a big pot on Monday’s and eating on it all week. My family does not like me doing it every Monday, but I proimse you this, if I could I would! It is so great to have yummy soups, on hand, that use only whole, unprocessed ingredients! Added bonus you avoid going through a drive through at lunch when you have a healthy soup in the fridge to eat on all week!

This past week I tried a recipe that I adapted for my family from Primal Mom. If you don’t know her I highly suggest you checking her out. EVERYONE loved it! I served it with grilled cheese and during the week when I ate from it, I just added some advocado on the side and bam….healthy and clean living at lunch! So give this soup a try and let me know what you think!

Spicy Tomato Basil Soup

Ingredients:

1 package of boneless, skinless, chicken thighs ( I used 8)

3 tomatoes

Crushed jarred garlic

2 cups spinach

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon dried basil

Fresh cilantro (1 bunch)

1.5 cups heavy cream

5 cups bone broth (I used chicken)

2 tablespoons butter

salt and pepper to taste and parmesan for topping

Avocado for side

Prep and Instructions:

In a gallon bag add your chicken, 2 tablespoons of the crushed garlic, oregano, basil, and as much chopped cilantro as your family would like. I chopped up 1/2 cup and it was perfect. Shake it really well and put it in your slow cooker for 3 hours on high along with some of your broth. Not all of the broth. I used enough to have some liquid in their with the chicken. Mom Tip: I put my chicken in the crockpot in the morning and my crockpot once done goes to warm so make sure if you are doing this to add enough liquid so the chicken does not dry out.

About an hour to and an hour and a half before you want to eat shred your chicken but keep all the liquids from the crockpot. Chop your tomotoes. In another stock pot add your tomatoes and another tablespoon or two of chopped crushed garlic with your butter. Saute for 2 minutes. Add the rest of your broth and everything from your crockpot and mix well. Simmer for 1 hour and then add your cream and spinach to the stockpot. Mix well and simmer 20 more minutes.

Serve with grilled cheese or if trying to be healthy half an avacado sliced and parmesan cheese! So good!

Bon Apetit!

Amy

Guest User 4/7/19 Guest User 4/7/19

Simple Supper Suggestions for Your Busy Week #1

Simple Supper Suggestions

I got a crazy idea last week and I want to try it out. My mission I am finding is to help busy people simplfy their lives while also teaching lessons I am learning along the way. I am by NO means an expert, but what I am is a busy mom with ADD who loves and adores her family but does not want to lose herself in the rat race of life. Any of that sound familiar? If so you have come to the right place and I hope I can help and maybe you can help me! Who knows? Wouldn't that be a win/win! So if you have any suggestions, ideas, or want to see something by all means throw it out there. I am listening and open! That is how we all grow!

So back to what today is all about....Today I would like to try throwing out simple supper suggestions for you all. You can take what you like and leave the rest. I promise I will not get my feelings hurt. Point is every Sunday, Trey and I along with the boys sit down, or text if I am being honest, ideas for supper the following week. What this does it is helps me to plan, shop, and be ready for whatever comes at me. Does it always work out? Heavens no! But, as I always say....Progress not Perfection and every step in the right direction is a step in the right direction!

So without futher talk....let's get this party started!!!!!!

Spaghetti Sunday! It is a staple in our house and super easy for Sunday night! We LITERALLY do this most Sundays!

Healthy Chicken Feta! A winner for a Monday night!

Sausage Stuffed French Loaf is perfect on a busy Tuesday night!

Blueberry Salmon is so delicious and so nutrious and since Trey is in charge of the grill it gives me a night off which is sooooo GREAT!

Easy and Quick Carbonara! Perfect on Thursday night game night!

Here is to hoping these suggestions will get your week started off right and help you get everyone fed! After all isn't that what it is about? Keeping it simple in the kitchen so everyone is fed and it is at home and not going through a drive through!!!!!

Until next time!

XO,

Amy

Guest User 4/3/19 Guest User 4/3/19

Spaghetti Sunday!

What happens in your house on Sunday evening? Here are the Berry Abode we do Spaghetti Sunday and I would say on any given Sunday you are likely to find anywhere from 3-17 kids sitting around our dinner table and chowing down on Spaghetti! It is really an awesome sight to see and it fills my heart with so much joy! So much so that I thought why don’t I share my silly, simple, scrumptious, spaghetti recipe so other families can do the same? After all sharing is caring!

Mrs. Berry’s Silly, Simple, Scrumptious, Spaghetti

Disclosure: You will have to gauge the recipe depending on the number of individuals you will feed. For today’s purpose I will make enough for approximatley 6-8 people.

Ingredients:

Olive oil

1 box of chopped onions

Jar of chopped garlic

1 lb spicy italian ground sausage

1lb ground beef

Meatballs pre made. You can get these in the freezer section or I like to get them from the butcher at Central Market

1 jar of any vodka sauce spaghetti sauce or any spaghetti sauce your family likes

Red wine of choice, I prefer cheap because it is being used to cook not consume.

Package of angel hair pasta or Capellini (Our family prefers thin noodles)

CRACK BREAD which I find at Central Market and Tom Thumb but you can use any bread of choice. The kids have so lovingly named this bread Crack Break because it is sooooooooo good. It is Juliaan’s German Style Pretzel Baguette Bread that I find in the NON-GMO frozen food section of Tom Thumb and the Frozen Bread section of Central Market.

Bag of salad of your choice. Keep it simple people. Point is to feed the numbers and have everyone feeling happy, safe, and loved.

Sauce And Cooking Instructions:

This is one of those recipes I just go with so my measuring is alot of eyeing.

1-2 tablespoons Olive Oil in a large pot, heat on medium

Add your box of chopped onion and 3-4 tablespoons of your chopped jar garlic

Marinate for 5-7 minutes until everything is translucent

Add your italian sausage and brown that

Next add your ground beef and brown that

Add your sauce

Using your sauce jar fill it 1/4 full of wine (you can use more if you need your sauce to be more soupy)

Let all of that sit on the stove and marinate for at least 1 hour if you have time. Add wine if need more liquid but use your sauce jar so you get all the good stuff out

While the sauce is cooking I like to put my meatballs in a 350 oven for 30 minutes then add them to the sauce. If you use frozen meatballs you can cook according to their instructions.

Cook noodles according to package and family’s liking. My family likes al dente

Cook Bread according to package

Toss the bag of salad

BAM! There is your Spaghetti Sunday! May you and your family find as much joy as we do in it! May it start your weeks off right full of love and communication. May you all feel worthy!

Until Next Time,

XO,

Amy

Guest User 3/7/19 Guest User 3/7/19

Homemade Cream of Chicken and Mushroom Soup

I love soup! I could eat it all the time! And I love experimenting with ways to make soup healthier because we all know the canned stuff is not healthy! Growing up I would eat Campbell’s Soup all the time, but now that I am 48 and my metabolism has a mind of its own I just can’t! Not to mention the amount of sodium they put in those cans!

So I have been forced to get creative and healthy and it has actually worked out great! Why you might ask? Well, because I try to make a big pot of soup on Monday night with sandwiches or whatever and then I eat off of it the rest of the week for lunch! The fact that it is healthy and quick is just a bonus!

This past week I made my version of Cream of Chicken and Mushroom soup. Now I cannot take all the credit for this as I was inspired by my friend Amber over at Primal Mom If you do not know who I am talking about, click the link and check her out. Amber is AMAZING in that she has converted her entire family into primal eating. I wish I could say the same over here, but I cannot and the truth is I don’t try that hard. I hate to admit that, but hey, it is what it is! I do try and cook healthy but we like balance over here. A little bit of healthy and a little bit of chocolate chip cookie, ice cream, and coconut cream pie! I like to think of it as balance! Ha! But every once in a while I come up with something so healthy and so good and this recipe is just that! Take a look and give it a try! I promise your family will love it! Mine did!

Homemade Cream of Chicken and Mushroom Soup

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken (I get the ones at Tom Thumb that are roasted and already cooked)

1 green bell pepper

2 cups of chicken broth

2 tomatoes

1 onion (I get a box in the produce section that is already chopped and use the entire box)

1-2 Tablespoons butter

2 garlic cloves or 4 tablespoons of the chopped garlic in the jar (this is what I use)

1/2 box of mushrooms

1/2 to 1 box of chopped celery from produce section (or if you want to buy your own chop it I would say 4-6)

1/2 box of chopped carrots from produce section (or buy your own and chop them I would say 4-6)

1/2 Tablespoon dried parsley

1/2 Tablespoon dried rosemary

1/2 Tablespoon ground thyme

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 Cup of heavy whipping cream

1 Tablespoon apple cider Vinegar

Prep:

Shred the Chicken

Dice the bell pepper

Dice the tomatoes

Dice the onion unless you are lazy like me and buy it that way!

Mince the garlic unless you take the short cut I do!

Dice the Mushrooms

Dice the celery unless you buy it diced like I do!

Dice the carrots unless it is already done like mine is! Ha!

Instructions:

In a large skillet melt your butter and add your bell pepper, onion, garlic, mushrooms, and celery. Saute about 10 minutes and add more butter if you need it.

Add remaining ingredients, except the chicken: Add your chicken broth, tomatoes, carrots, parsley, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, cream, and apple cider vinegar. Bring to a boil.

Add the chicken and stir. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2 hours stirring every 30 minutes or so, but truth be known I forgot to this time and it was still good! Just saying!

That is it! And it is so good yall! And full of healthiness! So make yourself a pot of soup and taste the goodness!

Until next time…

XO,

Amy

Hello, World!

Need a new soup pot? Here are a few I like as well as an insta pot! Anyone have one of those? Should I get one?

Guest User 1/9/19 Guest User 1/9/19

Turkey Bolognese with Options

How many mom’s out there want to cook healthy but your kids don’t necessarily want to bite off (no pun intended) on it? I know that is always a problem in my house! Especially since I am raising ALL boys who can eat me out of the house in one day! Anyone else have this problem?

What do you do when you have a problem? You get creative! This year I hope to be able to help more families like mine get creative so everyone is happy! What am I talking about? I am talking about recipes that are easy for mom with options of being uber healthy with an option of being maybe a little less healthy. Not terrible, just not as healthy.

What does this look like? Well if the recipe calls for noodles Mom and Dad if they choose will use zoodles (zucchini or squash noodles). If it calls for rice, Mom and Dad will use cauliflower. Options. That is all. Plain and simple and easy enough to make everyone happy.

Do I eat this way all the time? LORD NO! Do I try to? LORD NO. But when I can I do and my vow to you is to TRY to give you options in the future so everyone is happy. After all isn’t that what we all want? Happy, healthy, kids and homes!

Turkey Bolognese (inspired by Primal Mom)

INGREDIENTS

1 lb ground turkey

zucchini noodles or squash noodles (you can get them in the produce section already spiraled) If not purchase yellow squash or zucchini and use a spiralizer or veggitti to make noodles

Angel Hair Pasta (this is your less health option) and you will cook per the package instructions

1-2 shallots chopped (I prefer two and my little secret is cook with a shallot always and watch your dishes burst with flavor)

2-3 tablespoons chopped jar garlic

1/2 chopped onion

2 containers of cherry tomatoes halved

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1-2 handfuls of fresh basil

1-2 tablespoons butter

4 tablespoons olive oil

Parmesan, salt, and pepper for seasoning and garnish

PREP

In one large skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add your chopped onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes. Add your ground turkey and cook thoroughly for 5-7 minutes.

While that is cooking in another large skillet add 2 tablespoons olive oil and heat on medium heat. Add your shallots and saute for 3 minutes then add your garlic and saute 3 more minutes. Next add tomatoes, fresh basil, oregano, and once your turkey is cooked through add that. Cover and let simmer for at least 10 minutes.

The skillet that you used for your turkey add butter and melt. Add your noodles and cook for 3-5 minutes. Add salt and pepper for taste.

If using real noodles please cook now according to the package

Plate noodles and top with the turkey and tomato mixture and juices. Add parmesan, salt, and pepper!

Serve with salad and garlic bread and everyone is happy!

Bon Appetit!

Amy

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Guest User 12/31/18 Guest User 12/31/18

Why Black Eyed Peas?

Black-eyed peas for the New Year? Do you buy in? I know I do because I am uber superstitious which goes against all of my beliefs I know, but it is what it is! I cannot help it! My mind plays games with me if I break a mirror, or a black cat crosses my path, I walk under a ladder…you get the point. We all know the mind is a very powerful thing! So every New Years I have to eat black-eyed peas.

Why Black-Eyed Peas at New Years?

Well, 1864, during the Civil War, there was a march to the sea and everything was destroyed except the black-eyed peas. They were considered trash food for the livestock to eat. When the troops got ready to leave the region and all that was left were the black-eyed peas, they began cooking and eating them. This became good luck and a way not to starve. It was then that they became a symbol of prosperity for the new year. They are suppose to signify coins. Coins mean prosperity…..Throw in some green and you have dollar bills and throw in some corn bread and you have gold! All symbols of prosperity!

BLACK-EYED PEAS, GREENS, and GOLD

When my mom was alive she made the BEST black-eyed peas. I tried her recipe last year only to fail miserably! I cannot decide if she left an ingredient out on purpose or if it was I could not read her writing or what! So this year I am trying a new recipe and I am going to share it with you all now even before I cook it! Yep that is right! Even before I cook it. I figure I could have lied and said this is delish and you would have never known the difference, but that is not my style! Instead I will hope that some of you will try it and we can all decide together if this is a keeper or not, but we will all get our luck in if we take a bite regardless of how it tastes! However, I have to say it sounds yummy as I used some of Mom’s recipe and others and I just combined what I liked and threw out what I did not and even added what I thought….so I hope we will all be happy! Serve it with some corn bread and BAM! We will have covered all the points! Check out the recipe to see why!

CHICKEN AND BLACK-EYED PEA STEW

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 to 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion

1/2 cup chopped celery (this is some green)

1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper (more green)

2 cloves garlic, minced or 2 tablespoons jarred garlic

4 cups shredded cooked chicken (I buy the whole roasted cooked ones at the supermarket!)

4 (15.5-ounce) cans black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed

1 (14.5-ounce) can rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies in lime juice

4 cups chicken broth

4 sprigs fresh thyme

2 bay leaves

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1 teaspoon lawrys season salt (more if desired)

1 teaspoon black pepper (more if desired)

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Garnish: chopped green onions, chopped jalapeños, salt and pepper

PREP:

In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, celery, green bell pepper, and garlic: stirring occasionally.

In your crock pot, combine your onion mixture, black-eyed peas, chicken, tomatoes, broth, thyme, bay leaves, and seasonings.

Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7 hours. Discard thyme and bay leaves. Stir in vinegar.

Serve and garnish with toppings of choice along with a nice slice of golden corn bread!

Happy New Year and may your year be filled with LOVE, JOY, HOPE, and PROSPERITY!

See you in 2019!

XO,

Amy

Hello, World!

New Year, New You, New Watch! Time to upgrade! Take a look....

Guest User 12/18/18 Guest User 12/18/18

Christmas Sides That Are To Die For

Lucky for me I do not have to host Christmas, but I do love to cook and when I think of Christmas growing up I think of my mom’s shoepeg corn. Oh my lordy it is to die for and it is so healthy! NOT! You guys, if you want a recipe that will keep them coming back for more this is it! Bonus! It is silly easy! The potato recipes I include here might not be as easy, but they are not difficult and they are AHMAZING! They are not my moms, but they are so good because they are not from a box and they do not have marshmallows! I HATE marshmallows! So if you are looking for something new and delish give these a whirl!

IRENE’S SHOEPEG CORN

INGREDIENTS:

2-Cans of shoepeg corn (If I cannot find shoepeg corn I grab white corn)

2-3oz packages of cream cheese

1 stick of butter

1-4oz can chopped green chilies

Dash of garlic powder and dash of garlic salt (as much or as little as you would like)

PREP:

Melt the butter and the cheese. I usually just put it in a glass bowl and melt in the microwave. I then move it to an oven safe dish that I can serve it in as well. Cuts down on cleaning! Next add the drained corn, green chilies, and other ingredients. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 for 30 minutes and serve hot.

A HUGE bonus to this recipe is you can literally make this the day before, refrigerate, and bake when ready! So easy and oh so good!

AMY’S SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

This dish I have played with for awhile now and I finally nailed it a couple of years ago. Most sweet potato recipes have marshmallow and as I said above I hate those, so I have played with this for a while and I have finally nailed it for my tastebuds! Let me know how it suits yours!

INGREDIENTS:

5-6 Sweet Potatoes

1 and 1/2 cup dark brown sugar (save some for the topping)

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

3/4 cup butter (say 1/4 cup for the topping)

2 Tablespoons flour

1 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup coconut (I use the sweetened)

PREP:

Peel and cut the potatoes to make easier to boil.

Boil the potatoes until soft (usually takes me 45 minutes min)

Drain the water and mash the potatoes. Once nice and mashed add 1/2 cup of the brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, heavy whipping cream, and 1/2 cup of butter. Beat really well until nice and smooth.

Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan and spread the potato mixture

TOPPING:

Combine 1 cup of brown sugar, flour, and cut in 1/4 cup butter until it is crumbly. Sprinkle on top of the potato mixture. Next sprinkle as many pecans and as much coconut as you would like. I like a lot!

Preheat oven to 350 and bake for 35-40 minutes.

So good and so delish!

This recipe is another one you can make a day in advance, refrigerate, and bake. Bonus!

This last recipe I cannot take any credit for, but I promise if you do these you will never serve mash potatoes from a box again! They are so good and so easy!

PIONEER WOMAN’S MASH POTATOES:

INGREDIENTS:

5 lbs Russet Potatoes

2 sticks of butter

1-8oz package of Cream Cheese, softened

3/4 cup Half and half

1 teaspoon Lawry’s Seasoned Salt (not gonna lie, I use more)

1 teaspoon black pepper

PREP:

Peel and cut the potatoes into pieces that are generally the same size. Bring a large pot of water to a simmer and add the potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook for 30-35 minutes. When they are cooked through, the fork should easily slide into the potatoes with no resistance, and the potatoes should almost, but not totally, fall apart.

Drain the potatoes in a large colander. When the potatoes have finished draining, place them back into the dry pot and put the pot on the stove. Mash the potatoes over low heat, allowing all the steam to escape, before adding in all the other ingredients.

Turn off the stove and add 2 sticks of butter, cream cheese, and half and half. Mash, mash, mash! Next, add about 1 teaspoon Lawry’s Seasoning Salt or more if you likened 1 teaspoon pepper.

Stir well and place in a medium-sized baking dish. Throw a few pats of butter over the top of the potatoes and place them in a 350 oven and heat until butter is melted and potatoes are warmed through.

Note: If making this dish a day or two in advance, take it out of the fridge about 2 to 3 hours before serving time. Bake in a 350 oven for about 20 to 30 minutes or until warmed through.

So there you have it! Three sides you can make in advance! Now I realize after writing this I really need to focus on some greens and I will work on that, but I promise if you try one of these dishes you will be so proud! So give it a go this Christmas and let me know how everyone likes it!

BON APETIT!

Amy

Hello, World!

Check out all of the pretty things Pioneer Woman has! That teapot is so cute!

Guest User 9/24/18 Guest User 9/24/18

Mango Chicken How You Like It!

It has been a while since I posted a recipe and a few people have asked why. The truth is I have a hard time getting into routine when there is a change. So when school started back up, I had to drudge through the change at my pace. It just is what it is and it is how I roll. I have learned to accept that about me and it has been very freeing! So now that I am back on track until the next season of life maybe you will be seeing more. Maybe not. Either way I am O.K. Know why? Because I am worthy and so are you!

So last night I made a recipe from a gal I follow and you really should too if you are looking for clean eating and healthy choices. I have been following Amber with Primal Mom for about three years now and I can honestly say she was one of the reason’s I changed a lot of our eating habits around here and she helped me on my weight loss journey along with my dance. So if you are intrigued at all you should look her up.

Last night’s recipe was so easy and I was able to literally appeal to all in the family while keeping it uber clean and healthy for me. I must admit I cheated with a chip or two in the mango salsa, but I am really not on a diet per say so I am a O.K. with that! I did a few things differently than Amber just because I have a house full of boys who eat me out of the house so I added flour and corn tortillas for those who wanted tacos, no tortillas for those who wanted a chipotle type bowl, and cheese for those who just can’t live without their cheese. Mainly the 7 year old! At least he did not put ranch on this so I consider that a win! Everyone was happy namely me with the way mine turned out so clean. So I highly suggest you giving this little easy quick recipe a whirl and seeing if your family enjoys it as much as mine did!

Delicious Chipolte type bowl! Look how pretty too!

Mango Chicken How You Like It

Ingredients:

8 Chicken Thighs-I got bone in (I did 8 to have left overs for busy nights, but you can do as little as 2)

1 Mango

3 garlic cloves or 2 Tablespoons of Jarred Crushed Garlic is what I used

1 Red Bell Pepper

1.5 to 2 Limes

8 Green Onions

1-2 Jalapeños depending on how much kick your family likes

Cilantro

Butter

Prep for the chicken:

Preheat oven to 375

Wash Your Thighs and pat them dry. Next put some butter, salt, and pepper on both sides. I use alot of butter. Probably 2-3 Tablespoons if not more.

Place in baking dish and bake at 375 for 45 minutes or until the skin is as brown as you like.

Prep for Mango Salsa while the chicken is baking:

Peel and chop the mango.

Chop the garlic or use the jarred garlic.

Chop the green onions.

Seed and chop the Jalapeño.

Chop the cilantro as much as your family likes. We like a lot. If you are one of those who just cannot stand the taste of cilantro maybe try 1-2 teaspoons of dried cilantro or none at all.

Place all of that in a bowl and squeeze your limes over it.

When Chicken is done plate or wrap it how you like it. I did one breast with salsa over the top. JP did a taco with the salsa and a side of rice. The rest of the family did bowls made with Rice, black beans, chicken, mango salsa and cheese. Well, Graeme may or may not have had the salsa, but we tried! So easy peasy and EVERYONE was happy for the most part! (Once we got the mango salsa off the little man’s bowl and the skin off his chicken everyone was happy!)

Try it and tell me how your family likes it and take a peek at Ambers site! Tell her I sent ya!

Bon Appetit!

Amy

Hello, World!

How do you get the juice from your limes and lemons? I use the zulay and Love it! Get you one here!

Guest User 7/20/18 Guest User 7/20/18

The Trishtini

I promised you the recipe on that amazing cocktail my friend invented and today I have it for you! Just in time for the weekend! Cheers!

Remember that drink I talked about yesterday? The Trishtini? if you missed that post you can catch that here: https://worthyheart.com/blog/2018/7/15/the-trishtini

As promised I have the recipe for you today. It comes with a warning.

WARNING:

Drink at your own risk! EXTREMELY delicious! VERY refreshing! SUPER easy to make. Packs a HUGE punch!If you are still o.k. with all of those warnings-then here you go!

THE TRISHTINI

Developed by my friend Trish who lives in Jersey and has a smile that lights up the room! So does her daughter by the way! Side story: Our first day of practices in New York for JP we were riding up the elevator with Trish and her daughter as well as other kids and their parents. One kid was talking about how he had done this a few times and Trish's sweet daughter said she had tried out before, but this was her first time making it. I saw her smile and I literally said, "They saved the best for last! That smile of yours is AMAZING!" And I promise you she got that smile from her beautiful mom! Now back to the point of today's post! The drink that will make you too smile big!

1 Part St. Germaine

1 Part Cucumber Vodka

dash of lemon juice

Top it off with Prosecco

We had our bartender shake it up in a shaker with ice and man was it good! Give this one a try sometime and tell me what you think! I promise you will love it!

CHEERS!

Amy

Hello, World!

Need the perfect glass for this amazing cocktail! Grab one here!

Guest User 7/9/18 Guest User 7/9/18

Unforgettable Flank Steak, Wasabi Mashed Potatoes, and Green Salad

Need an idea for dinner? I have one that the entire family will love! Steak, potatoes, and salad! Check it out!

Do you ever have those days when you just cannot think of anything to make? Happens here all the time as I have three boys who love to eat and a husband who is LITERALLY a human garbage disposal when it comes to food. The man loves his food and when he is fed something he LOVES he NEVER forgets it.

Case in point. Last Wednesday, I was and still am honestly, recovering from John Paul and my amazing trip to New York. Yes, I have yet to blog about our trip, that is coming, but if you missed what took us there you can catch that here: https://worthyheart.com/blog/2018/start-spreading-the-news

My beautiful friend Jen and her amazing husband Jeff!

Back to the point- I just could not come up with any dinner ideas. I asked Trey what he felt like and he literally said, "Call Jen Clifton and get that recipe from when we ate at their house." I looked at him and asked, "Are you serious? That was like over a year ago and I know this because she has had a baby and it was before she was pregnant!" He was serious yall! He remembered that it was flank steak and wasabi mashed potatoes! I was like dang! Impressive! So of course I called Jen and the rest is history!

So today's blog is literally an entire meal! I am happy to report it is pretty darn easy to make and it VERY delicious! So delicious my husband my remembered it 20 months later! Give it a whirl and let me know what you think.

Flank Steak, Wasabi Mashed Potatoes, and Green Salad

I used 1lb flank steak

Marinade:

1/4 cup Coconut Amino Acids or Soy Sauce (I prefer the Amino Acids as a substitute)

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

Ground fresh Ginger and I did this to taste for my family so I used 1 Tablespoon your family might want more.

I also added 1 garlic clove, minced because we put garlic on darn near EVERYTHING in this family.

Combine all that in a baggie and let it marinade all day or overnight if you can, but at least for 30 minutes.

Grill until desired doneness. Let stand, covered loosely with foil for 10 minutes, before cutting in thin strips against the grain.

Wasabi Mashed Potatoes:

2.5 to 3 Lbs of Russet potatoes

1/2 cup butter

4 ounces of cream cheese, softened

1/4 to 1/2 cup half and half

1/2 teaspoon Lawrys Seasoned Salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

Wasabi cream Sauce

Prep:

Peel your potatoes and place in pot of boiling water. Boil for about 45 minutes or until you can slide a knife through the potato.

Drain water and add butter, cream cheese, cream, salt and pepper. Mash and blend well. Once smooth add as little or as much wasabi as you like for taste. We like a lot, but some people are sensitive. I did about 2 Tablespoons maybe more.

Salad:

Romaine Lettuce

6- 10 Green onions chopped

1/2 to 1 cup Chopped Broccoli blanched or raw

Raman Noodles crushed up and toasted in butter

Walnuts toasted

Toss all of the above together.

Salad Dressing:

1/2 cup of Vegetable Oil

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

2 Tablespoons Coconut Amino Acids or Soy Sauce

Blend all together and pour over your salad and toss well.

There you have it. An entire meal and one that people will surely remember! My husband is proof of that!

Bon Apetit!

XO!

Amy

Hello, World!

Here is the link to my FAVORITE Maxi this summer! I have it in 4 colors! No lie!!!!!

Guest User 6/13/18 Guest User 6/13/18

Easy, Flexible, Crock Pot Tacos

Need an easy, flexible, taco recipe the entire family will love? Read on my friend. I have it!

If your house is anything like mine in the summer you NEVER know who is going to be home for dinner and who is not, or even better who is going to bring over a friend or four! My kids do that and I am not complaining by any means, but I am having to get creative with meals. I need them to be simple, quick, and really good. I mean I want the boys friends to want to come back! I love that our house is a grub hub for them. Do you want to know why? Because what happens when you eat? You talk! It is such a beautiful thing-especially when you have teenagers!

So Tuesday Trey was flying and I knew I would have Graeme for sure, but had no idea about the others. Graeme TOTALLY digs taco Tuesday so I knew I had to do something or we would be going to Taco Bell. I decided to get creative and try something that I could make a lot of and it would keep all week. I have to say it turned out pretty darn good. I would love if you gave it a try and let me know your thoughts. Even if it is bad, I love hearing from you!

Summer Tacos/taco bowls

INGREDIENTS:

2-3 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil will work too

1 chopped onion

3-4 tablespoons crushed garlic in the jar or 2-3 cloves garlic minced

1 lb ground beef

1 can enchilada sauce

1 can black beans

1 can rotel with lime juice

Cooked rice

flour tortillas and hard taco shells

avocado

romaine lettuce

cilantro

sour cream

shredded cheese

jalapeno

PREP:

For this recipe I used a crock pot and let it marinate all day in the crock pot. So stinking good!

In a pan heat your oil on medium heat and add your onion and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes.

Add your ground beef and brown it.

Pour your meat mixture into your crock pot and add your enchilada sauce, beans, and rotel. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.

About 15 minutes before time to eat, cook your rice.

When you are ready to eat EVERYONE has options. You can do soft tacos, hard tacos, or taco bowls for those of us trying to be a little more health conscious. Whatever your choice add your meat mixture and garnish your taco or bowl your way. If you do a bowl start with the rice and then add your meat and top.

That is it! Super Easy! Super Good! Super flexible for everyone in your family! My kind of meal!

Bon Apetit!

XO,

Amy

Hello, World!

Have you seen the new fire cube from Amazon! Check it out! Pretty cool stuff!

Guest User 6/4/18 Guest User 6/4/18

Delicious Mexican Street Corn

Have a pool party? Need a quick, easy, delicious dish? Click the link! It is a crowd pleaser!

Summertime, summertime! Oh how I love summertime!

One reason I love summertime is all the pool parties and gatherings! Summer is such a great time to slow down and spend time with those who matter most. You catch up and you really enjoy each other. You are not worried about what practice you have to get to, if there is a test your kid should be studying for, or thinking about how your alarm will be going off at 5:45 am so you really should scoot! You just enjoy your time and you relax a little more than usual.

Next time you have a recipe with onion or jalapenos to chop, try my trick of swim goggles! Works like a charm!

What is one big thing you do when you get together with your friends and family? Eat! Nothing brings people together like good food! I am always playing around with new recipes and watching what people like to eat so I can perfect it at the next gathering. To me it is a way of giving something to my friends and family when I see them really enjoying something I have made. Honestly, it is a gift I get back when that happens. It brings me so much joy when someone says, "Oh my gosh, that was delish! I need that recipe!"

This past weekend we had our annual summer party at our Uncle Peter's and I made a mexican street corn dish that I got from my neighbor Monica. She had never made it either so I played around with it, based on my likes and dislikes, and I have to say I am very happy with the outcome. Everyone loved it and I promise you will want to have it at your next gathering! It was that good! It is pretty easy to make too so that is a bonus! Next summer gathering you have try it. Let me know how they like it!

Monica's and Amy's Mexican Street Corn

Ingredients:

5 ears of fresh corn (I bet you could use frozen here and you would need 4 cups)

4 tablespoons butter

1/2 red bell pepper

1/2 red onion chopped

1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped

6 green onions chopped

1 jalapeno pepper diced (I took the seeds from the pepper to have less heat)

1.5 avocados chopped

Juice from 2 limes

1/2 tsp cumin ground

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup feta cheese

PREP:

The corn can be done a number of ways. For this particular time I grilled the corn until it charred a bit. I then cut it from the cob and put in a large bowl and tossed with with the butter. Another option is to put butter in a skillet and melt it on high heat then place corn cut from the cob or take frozen corn (you do not have to thaw) and put in hot butter and cook until you see the corn charring. If fresh 5-7 minutes if frozen could take up to 10 minutes. Whatever way you choose, once corn is charred put in a large bowl to cool for a few minutes.Once corn is cool add the rest of the ingredients and stir. You can add more lime juice, salt, and pepper as you desire. Place in refrigerator until ready to serve.

If desired garnish with cilantro and more cheese or if you are like my man/child more avocado! So easy and so good! Even the kids loved it!

Happy Summer!

Bon Apetit!

XO,

Amy

Guest User 5/30/18 Guest User 5/30/18

Easy and Quick Carbonara

Easy and Quick pasta recipe with bacon! Yes Please!

It's officially summer here as our youngest son is out of school. With that comes long summer days in the sun and lots of kids coming and going at the Berry house. I try to get dinner on the table by 6:30 during the school year, but when summer hits.....forget it! I am lucky to make it happen by 8:00 and that is only if it happens. So I am always looking for easy quick recipes or making up easy quick recipes. I did just that last week with the following recipe.

I was in the mood for something with bacon and Graeme wanted pasta so I combined the two and made my own version of a carbonara. It turned out pretty good and everyone was pleased. Including me as it was super easy and I got my bacon fix! Give it a whirl and let me know what you think and while you are at it, if you have any recipes I could try I would love to try them and share them!

Carbonara

Ingredients:

1 Package of pasta uncooked (I used the thin pasta in a box)

Bacon (I used 10 slices)

2-3 Tablespoons crushed garlic from the jar or 1 garlic clove crushed

1/2 cup chopped green onions

1-4 ounce can of mushrooms, drained

3 egg yolks, lightly beaten

1.5 cups finely shredded cheddar cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Prep:

Preheat oven to 375 and place your bacon on a cookie sheet and cook on 375 for 20-30 minutes until bacon is cooked to your liking. Crumble bacon and set aside.

Save the grease from the cookie sheet.

Boil your water for your pasta while bacon is cooking and cook your pasta according to the package directions.

In a large skillet place 2-4 tablespoons of your bacon drippings and saute your garlic for about 2 minutes over medium heat.

Add your green onions and mushrooms and cook for about 2-3 minutes.

Drain pasta, and place in big serving bowl.

Stir egg yolks into hot pasta immediately after draining it.

Stir in bacon, garlic, green onions, cheese, salt and pepper: toss.

Serve immediately with a green salad and garlic bread.

Easy Peasy and so good!

Bon appetit!

XO,

Amy

Spend $20 on picnic essentials and get a $5 gift card. Valid 5/27-6/2.

Hello, World!

do you love bacon!?

Guest User 5/21/18 Guest User 5/21/18

Sausage Stuffed French Loaf

Looking for summer recipes? If so, I have one for you today that you can prepare ahead of time and t is so good!

Summer is right around the corner and I am so excited! Life will become a little more relaxed and we will have major pool and lake time! I am a total water baby so I always look forward to the pool and the lake! However, with summer comes the heat and that can be draining to the point of not wanting to cook at night! So for the next couple of weeks I will be trying out some new recipes in the hopes to find the perfect meals that are quick and easy! Especially for those nights you want to be by the pool or on the lake and the thought of cooking gives you the hives!

Last week I pulled out an old family favorite and it was a huge hit with my kids! You can make the meat mixture in advance and when you are ready finish out the sandwich and bake it! So good, so filling, and so easy! I served ours with a salad and potato chips and it was the perfect summer meal! Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Sausage-Stuffed French Loaf

Ingredients:

1 16 ounce loaf of unsliced french bread

1/2 pound ground Italian sweet sausage

1/2 ground meat

1-2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

1 onion chopped

2-3 garlic cloves chopped (or 2 tablespoons jarred chopped garlic)

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 large egg lightly beaten

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (I actually used dried and a little less than 1/4 cup)

1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard

1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds (I forgot these and it was still good)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons butter

1 Tablespoon Garlic for the butter

Preparation:

Cut the loaf down the middle in half; set aside. Hollow out the middle of one side of your loaf to make a shell to stuff with your meat mixture. Save the bread you hollowed out and make bread crumbs and set aside.

Heat your olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add your onion and garlic and saute until translucent. Then add your sausage and start to brown. When almost complete add your ground beef and heat until brown and crumbles. Add 1 cup of your reserved breadcrumbs, cheese and the next 6 ingredients; stir well. Spoon the meat mixture into the hollowed out bread slice and replace the top and secure with toothpicks if you would like. I don't do this step, but mother always did.

Melt your butter, add the extra garlic, and brush over the loaf. Wrap the loaf in foil, leaving slightly open on top; place on a baking sheet and bake at 400 for 25 minutes or until it is heated and cheese melts. Cut into pieces. Serve with chips and salad! So good!

What are some of your summer favorites? I would love to know!

xo,

Amy

Hello, World!

So I don't have one of these bad boys. Do you and if you do should I invest in one? Do you love it or hate it?

Shop Kitchen + Spend $35, Get Free Shipping on Select at Target.com

Guest User 4/30/18 Guest User 4/30/18

Amy's Tortilla Soup Modified for This Amy's Tastebuds

My neighbor Amy might be one of the coolest cats in the world. She always seems to have her head on straight and is always there to be my sounding board when I feel like I am about to jump off a cliff. That my friends is a great friend and she is my neighbor!

My neighbor Amy might be one of the coolest cats in the world. She always seems to have her head on straight and is always there to be my sounding board when I feel like I am about to jump off a cliff. That my friends is a great friend and she is my neighbor! How lucky am I? To top it off the girl can cook and she is not afraid to try new things! When she made this tortilla soup once- I was like I have to have that recipe! Unbeknownst to her, I changed a few things and you guys can too! That is what is so amazing about this recipe; you can add or take away whatever your family's likes or dislikes are and the end result will be the same! Delish! Give this recipe a whirl and let me know how you like it!

Amy's Tortilla Soup-kind of!

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon Avocado Oil or Olive Oil

1 Cup Chopped onions or as much or little as your family likes

3 garlic clove minced or 2-3 tablespoons of jarred minced garlic

1/4 of a jalapeno chopped

3/4 cup chopped really good cilantro (word of advice, cilantro is tricky. People love it or hate it. If you are making for a group of people that you do not know their thoughts on cilantro don't use that much. You will notice in my photo below I just use a little. If I am making for my family I use 3/4 cup for sure, but for friends, I only use a little.)

1/2 teaspoon oreagano

1/2 teaspoon cummin

8 cups at least, I like more of Chicken Stock

1/2 a beer

2 cups chopped chicken breast (I just buy a whole roasted chicken cooked at the store and shred it)

1 bag of frozen corn

1 cup of COOKED rice

1 1/2 zucchini sliced

1 can of rotel tomatoes ( I like the one with cilantro and lime for this recipe)

lawry's season salt for taste

Prep:

Heat your oil and add your onion and garlic and saute a minute or two.

Then add your jalapeno and cilantro and saute for a few more minutes.

Next add your spices and saute a little longer.

Then add your chicken stock, beer, vegetables, chicken, cooked rice, and more lawry's for taste.

Let simmer for at least 30 minutes longer is better.

Top with your toppings of choice. Some ideas include:

Avocado, Shredded Cheese, Jalapeno, Sour Cream, Cilantro, and Tortilla Chips.

That is it. So easy and so good! What are you cooking this week? I would love to know!

Bon Appetit!

XO,

Amy

Hello, World!

Need any new appliances? I am thinking about getting the insta pot! Anyone love or hate theirs?

Hello, World!

K-cups on sale! Need to up your coffee supply? Now is a great time!

Guest User 4/23/18 Guest User 4/23/18

Grubba's Meatloaf

Meatloaf is a funny thing to me. People either love it or hate it, but what I don't understand is the people who will not even try it. All it is meat in a loaf pan. Sure it is disgusting making it, but if you are not making it what is the big deal?