in the last two weeks… i have been cooking!
i don’t know where it’s coming from???
i just keep doing it.
it’s so unlike me!
and i think my family is enjoying it.
if they aren’t liking what i made it’s because i knew they wouldn’t eat it anyway… more for me!
Lasagna Soup
this was SO GOOD!
i used ground beef instead of sausage so it wouldn’t be as spicy and so it would taste more like the actual lasagna i make.
and i used regular tomatoes not fire roasted.
my kids still said it was spicy!
so maybe no pepper next time? it was good enough that it’s worth trying again to see.
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Mozzarella Stuffed Slow Cooker Meatballs
(it’s short FB video)
this was a huge hit at our house!
And i didn’t make in the slow cooker because i didn’t plan ahead.
i followed all the instructions and then put it in a 9×13 and cooked it for 35 minutes in the oven!
totally delicious!
Thai Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup
this was for me.
and i loved it!
i will be able to eat it all week.
🙂
Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili
this is so easy.
and craig loves it as much as i do.
the others… meh.
they aren’t big fans.
those weirdos pick out the sweet potatoes????
again… more for me & craig!
“go make a pb&j kids!”
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Sausage & Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
i have made this TWICE in two weeks!
i love the little video… it’s quick and easy to follow.
i kinda wish all recipes were in short little 1 minute clips.
seriously…. i would maybe cook a lot more often!
i have the ingredients to make this AGAIN today.
because if i make it… i have 5-6 meals for me completely done!
this is my favorite soup!
i make it probably every two weeks from sept – april.
my kids usually eat it that night but don’t want it again for left overs.
YAY!
more leftovers for me!
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this is on the menu for this week.
i got all the ingredients and i’m all ready to give it a shot.
have you ever used ground chicken???
i am feeling nervous.
but I’m guessing it will be a winner.
now go forth and cook dinner with ease!
i have given you lots of ideas.
🙂
.
what about you? are you cooking more or less than you used to?
anything you think i should try?
i’d love to hear your ideas.
Mindy - Lasagna soup and butternut squash soup – yes please!
kristin - The chicken parm meatballs were perfection. I made them a bit easier… just used Ital seasoning and dried onion/garlic, s/p for seasoning. Seriously so good – like little chicken hushpuppies. Yum.
Lynn - Have you made the chicken parm meatballs yet? Ground chicken is so great – we like it much more than ground turkey. Here’s a link to a delicious chicken parm meatloaf I just discovered. We liked it better than the real deal 🙂
http://www.prouditaliancook.com/2012/10/chicken-parmesan-meatloaf.html
BTW, I so enjoy reading and seeing what you’re up to. Glad you shared your cooking binge – I’m on one too. Bet it’s the change in season!
Emily T - I love this post Meg! Well, I love all your posts 🙂
I go in cooking spurts too! I find that cooking can be just as satisfying a creative outlet as crafting, decorating, etc. When I plan ahead and try new recipes fairly often my cooking mojo stays fresh. I recently did a Whole30 and it changed my idea of good food! If you like paleo and are interested in Against All Grain cookbook, look in to doing a Whole30…the food is so satisfying. Some of my favorites are homemade paleo ranch (my kids love this for dipping) and mayo (there are tons of recipes out there), NomNom Paleo’s sweet potato hash browns (you will LOVE these if you love sweet potes). I make a huge batch and freeze individual servings in baggies to pop out and defrost as needed. Have you tried Adielle’s Chicken Apple Sausage? You can get a giant pack at Costco. Grill them on your BBQ, add grilled fajita veggies, sweet potato hash browns, avocado, and possibly an egg and you have a protien-packed meal that keeps you satisfied for hours and feeling great. Cilantro Lime cauliflower “rice” is also really good and makes you think you’re eating rice! I recently got an electric pressure cooker and it’s taking everything to a new level! It’s like having food that’s been in the slow cooker all day but it’s ready in like 45 minutes!!! I could go on and on but I’ll stop! Email me if you want more info on what I liked from my first Whole30. I know you’ve done the 21 day sugar fix…if you can do that you can TOTALLY do the W30.
Stephanie - These look truly delicious. I bought two acorn squash because I saw that recipe on Pinterest! I hope it’s good. Love acorn squash.
I cook just about everyday of the month, every meal. I always have and make probably 70% from scratch. It’s how I was raised and I literally have no idea how to do it any other way. My downfalls are not in cooking, but in many other ways in my life. Lol! I wish I were as crafty as you are! I would be my kids’ favorite person!
Stacey - Those meatballs look awesome! What temp did you cook them at?
sharon / theprincipledtype.blogspot.com - your pictures are doing Nothing for my pre-Holidays diet! Ha! A couple seem calories harmless though…that is if I go the one-serving route!!
Catherine - How do you end up with leftovers?? I have teenagers and never have leftovers! Sometimes I double what I think will be enough to have leftovers, but the more I make the more they eat!
arigsbee - We love Pioneer Woman’s Rootbeer BBQ recipe but we’ve adjusted it and use a crockpot. there usually aren’t any leftovers 🙂
I think the tai soup and chili would be big hits here. Isn’t soup season wonderful?
Heather - For a quick dinner on nights we have practices, meetings, etc, as love Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad and BBQ chicken french bread pizza! I made a pot of slow cooker potato soup last week and it was delicious! And rotisserie chicken from the local deli are life savers!! I am going to try the lasagna soup and the meatballs soon!
Ruth B. - Thanks Meg! I honestly love it when you share recipes, we have 4 children, tiny to mid-teens, sooo I trust your judgement. Plus that butternut squash Thai, and also sweet potato chile both sound like they were written for me! XOXO
Heather S. - I generally cook about three nights a week. Then there are a couple nights of leftovers, one night out usually, and the cereal night we inevitably have when everyone is “Sort of” hungry, but not really, and well, a bowl of cereal will always work!
I am all about the soups this time of year, and the more I can use my crockpot and have dinner compiled by 10:00 am the better!
Maggie - I made the sausage and apple stuffed acorn squash last week too. It was delicious!
Erin - I always use ground chicken as I don’t eat beef 🙂 Skinnytaste has a recipe for chicken cordon blue meatballs that are delicious! All your recipes look wonderful.
Kathie - We use lots of ground Chicken and Turkey…they are lots softer and easier. My husband has issues with his esophagus and chokes on things so these two meats offer him a fix for still getting to enjoy meals he really loves. I love ground turkey more than chicken but both are great. I would suggest making sure you have them thawed out before you use them and don’t try de-thawing them in the microwave at all. They get too mushy that way. Also, if you get just ground chicken vs ground chicken breast, same with turkey, they are different in the way they hold shape. Overall though it is also a great way to avoid the fat that ground beef has.