Easy Salisbury Steak

 

Easy Salisbury Steak

I came across this recipe on Pinterest and thought it looked really yummy. Be warned though, I've never had actual salisbury steak so I have no idea if this tastes like the real deal or not, but it was mighty delicious! I followed the recipe but didn't roast potatoes and I used a vidalia onion. One aspect of this recipe I love is the portion size, it gives you two perfectly portioned steaks. One of my greatest weaknesses is portioning the food I eat, I'm absolutely terrible at it and always make way too much, but this recipe is perfectly portioned as it is so it takes away the guesswork. I do know that normal salisbury steak has gravy on it, and this recipe kind of needs that. It tasted really yummy, but was a bit dry and dense and could've used some gravy. I was scooping up some mashed potatoes with every bite to add moisture. Otherwise, I really liked this recipe and I'll definitely make it again!

BTW, I served this steak with mashed potatoes and sauteed broccolini w/ a bit a parmesan cheese on top, but this dish is really flexible so serve it with your favorite starch/veggie combo!

Sarah's Review

Taste: 4/5

Ease: 5/5

"Guilt-Free" Ribs

"Guilt-Free" Ribs

So, I thought I had invented the holy grail of delicious clean food. BUT I didn't. When I make ribs, I usually use the crockpot and, fit people look away..., use a soda, coke, dr pepper, etc and pour it over the ribs close it and I'm good to go. But since we're trying to be clean, I decided to think outside of the box. I opened my fridge and saw organic apple juice and thought, oh. my. gosh. I'm a genius, but I'm not.. this is a totally documented way to make healthier version of ribs. Oh well, it was still mighty tasty!

2lbs Pork Ribs

2 cups organic apple juice

1/4 cup brown sugar

2Tbsp white vinegar

1Tsp garlic powder

2Tsp Worcestershire Sauce

S&P

1/4 cup BBQ Sauce (you can sub in something organic, or homemade)

The best ribs are cooked low and slow. I didn't really have the time so I did high for 5 hours. An hour before it was finished I put a light coating of bbq sauce on top.

Alana's Review

Taste: 4/5

Ease: 5/5
Comments: This was amazing and I didn't feel guilty for eating it (I rarely do - baha). The only complaint I had was that my ribs were super thick and a little fatty. So, it was extremely moist, and I much prefer it a little drier and some char. I didn't broil it either, which I will do next time!

Get Well Chicken

Get Well Chicken

Right as I got back on the blogging wagon, my whole family got sick! Somehow, each was sick in differing ways... So when I finally mustered up enough strength to cook, I wanted to make something that was easy and would make up feel better. I love combining rice, chicken and ginger when we're sick. It always makes me feel a little better.
 I took a whole chicken, rinsed it inside and out, put it in a baking dish, and added some S&P and garlic powder. I also added (don't read the next word bc it's not diet friendly...) butter. I added 1/3 butter stick on top and let it melt over the whole chicken. Baked at 350* for about an hr and 40 minutes. I cooked some white rice and dusted ginger over the rice and placed the chicken on top.

Alana's Review

Taste: 4/5
Ease: 4/5
Comments: This was super delicious, the only change I would make is to baste it throughout.

Toddler Review:
While he didn't "mmmmmm" through every bite, he a bunch of it. So I count this as a win in my book!
Summary: Toddler approved!

Birthday Chuck Steak Roast

Birthday Chuck Steak Roast

You can't get much simpler than this recipe. It was really good but I think I would change the meat up just a little. I usually do a meatloaf for my husband's birthday dinner, but I thought, with the clean eating, why not go primitive and do a delicious roast.
I layered the bottom of the crock pot with organic baby carrots, halved red potatoes, and chopped up half of a sweet onion, I threw on top of all that goodness a pretty chuck eye steak I procured. I used spices sparingly, just a little S&P, and put some chicken stock at the bottom, and splashed some Worcestershire on top.

Alana's Review

Taste: 4/5
Ease: 5/5
Comment: The meat was very fatty. I would definitely use a less marbleized, more lean meat next time.

Toddler Review:

Eh, he wasn't too impressed.
Summary: Toddler Disapproved!

Tomato and Broccoli Pasta

Tomato and Broccoli Pasta

One thing I love about pasta is that it's the ultimate vehicle, it goes with everything. If you have any leftovers, throw it in pasta! Random sauce in your fridge? Throw it in pasta! Or if you have veggies that are about to go bad, as I did, roast them and throw them in some pasta! You can't go wrong :)

Ingredients

3/4 box whole wheat pasta, I used rotini shaped

3 baby broccoli spears, chopped

About 12 yellow cherub tomatoes, cut in half

1 tbsp. butter

1 tbsp. olive oil

1/2 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese

1 tbsp. dried parsley

1 tsp. garlic powder

S&P

Preheat your oven to 375. Toss the broccoli with a little bit of olive oil and S&P, and put in an aluminum foil-lined pan. Then put the tomatoes in another aluminum foil-lined pan and sprinkle each with a little salt (to help draw out the moisture and get nice and roasted). Then put both in the oven. The broccoli takes about 8 or so minutes, the tomatoes take about 15 or so minutes. While those are going, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta like normal. Once the pasta is done, drain and toss with the butter and olive oil. Then add the veggies, cheese, parsley, and garlic powder and toss everything together. Add S&P as needed. 

Sarah's Review

Ease: 5/5

Taste: 4/5

Comments: This was such an easy dinner to make, and tasty too! You can make this with any vegetable you like. Just roast/saute and add! You can skip the butter to save a few calories, but I'm a butter addict so I threw a little in. Also adjust the seasonings however you like, this is completely customizable!

Ground Turkey Veggie Rotini

Ground Turkey Veggie Rotini

Amazing. That is all....

Just kidding, that's not all. Granted I say many things are amazing, BUT I could eat this over and over again, it was so good.

I used Hunts Organic Tomato Sauce (traditional), the whole can, used some splashes of organic chicken stock, two handfuls of spinach leaves, 1lb of ground turkey, about 4 vine ripe tomatoes, and typical seasonings: salt, pepper, oregano, basil, etc. I simmered the above at a medium to low temp for about an hr or so to really let everything marry. Then I put it all on some veggie rotini. By the way, you may be thinking wow she posts a lot of pasta... Yeah I do and I won't stop! 

Alana's Review

Ease: 5/5
Taste: 5/5
Comments: When can i make this again?!

Toddler Review:

Loved it. He's like his mana, loves pasta....

Summary: Toddler approved!

Seared Sea Bass w/ Rice and Veggie Medley

Seared Sea Bass w/ Rice and Veggie Medley

I'm always on the hunt for new types of fish to try. My local supermarket was having a special on sea bass, so I thought I'd give it a try. Since I'm unfamiliar with this type of fish and what goes good on it, I decided to cook it simply with basic spices and butter. I didn't measure the spices I used, so you'll have to adjust to taste, but I sprinkled the sea bass with garlic powder, paprika, a pinch of cayenne pepper, italian seasoning, and S&P. I melted some butter in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, I seared the sea bass on both sides. One great thing I learned about this fish is it is a pinkish red when raw, but turns white when cooked so you can easily gauge how done it is. For the veggie side, I just cut up 1 carrot, a quarter of a yellow squash, and 1 stalk of baby broccoli (I was cooking for just myself tonight so if you're cooking for your family, use way more). I sauteed the carrot first in a pan with a splash of olive oil, then once that started softening I added the sliced yellow squash and cut up baby broccoli. I also added a bit of minced garlic, S&P, and let it all cook together until soft and lightly browned. Then I served the fish and veggies with a side of plain white rice. 

Sarah's Review

Ease: 5/5
Taste: 5/5
Comments: Sea bass is DELICIOUS! I loved this fish. It stays together pretty well in the pan and has a great flavor. The spices worked really well with the fish, and there wasn't a drop of food left on my plate afterwards. You can of cource sub brown rice for the white, but I'm just not a big fan of brown rice. You can also you any veggies you want for the side, sky's the limit!