Turkey Apple Brie Paninis

Here's an easy, delicious, perfect-for-after-work recipe!

Recipe adapted from here.
Ingredients: Sliced sourdough bread Sliced smoked turkey 4 oz Brie cheese, thinly sliced 1 Gala apple, cored and thinly sliced butter
Directions: 1. Preheat a panini press (or a skillet or grill pan or whatever) over medium heat. 2. Lightly butter one side of each slice of bread. Place a layer of brie on the un-buttered side of a piece of bread. Top with turkey, apples, and another couple pieces of brie (so the top bread slice will stick). Place the top bread slice on, butter-side out.  3. Heat in panini press for 4-6 minutes, or until golden brown and heated through.

(bread)

(turkey)

(brie)

(apples)

(preheating panini press)

(sliced brie)

(sliced apple)

(butter on one side)

(brie on the non-butter side)

(then apples...)

(then turkey and a little more brie...)

(top slice of bread)

(all done!)

(yummy!)

Ta-da!

Enjoy!

Our Go-To Burger Recipe

Burgers are really east. And they're fast. And they're especially easy and fast when you hand them off to your husband for the grilling portion of the meal preparation. They're also good for casual parties. Or food Tuesdays. Whatever. :) 

Burgers are pretty simple, but everyone has to have a go-to burger recipe, right? Here's the recipe for how we make 'em! 

Recipe adapted from here.

Ingredients:

2 lbs. ground beef (not extra lean)

2 tsp seasoned salt

2 tbsp A-1 sauce

2 tsp ground black pepper

1/4 cup water

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined. 

2. Form the beef into 6-8 patties (depending on how big you want each one), each about 1/2 inch thick. 

3. Cook the burgers on a grill over medium-high heat... about 5-7 minutes per side. Toast buns on the grill for the last couple minutes of grill time, and add cheese (optional) so it gets nice and melty on the burgers. 

4. Serve 'em up with whatever cheese, veggies, and condiments you desire! 

(mixing ingredients)

(all grilled!)

Ta-da!

Enjoy!

Parmesan Orzo with Peas

Okay, so side dishes are my new favorite thing. I'm trying to branch out (and away from my just-stick-some-steamed-veggies-with-it mindset). This recipe is a perfect side dish. Or I suppose you could add some turkey or ham or chicken and make it a main dish, but the point is - it's delicious. I could eat a whole big bowl of this stuff. Or two bowls. 

Recipe adapted from here.
Ingredients: 2 tbsp butter 1 small onion, chopped 1/4 tsp salt 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 1/4 cups orzo 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 1/4 cups frozen peas, thawed 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 11/2 tbsp dried parsley Black pepper, to taste
Directions: 1. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  2. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened and translucent (6ish minutes). Add in the garlic and cook for another minute. 3. Stir in the orzo and cook, stirring frequently, for another 5 minutes (or until most of the orzo grains are golden).  4. Slowly add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and the liquid has been absorbed (about 10-12 minutes).  5. Remove from heat and stir in peas, Parmesan, and parsley. Let sit until the peas are warmed through (a couple minutes). Season with pepper to taste. 

(melting the butter)

(cooking the onion)

(toasting the orzo)

(just added the chicken broth)

(simmering until orzo is tender)

(adding peas, parmesan, and parsley)

(all done!)

Ta-da!

Enjoy!

Broccoli Chicken Divan

Is there anything that says "home-cooked dinner" more than a broccoli chicken casserole? Is that just me, or did y'all's mom's fix up broccoli & chicken dishes for dinner when you were a kid too? Either way, this is a yummy meal that tastes like home to me. 

Recipe adapted from here.

Ingredients:

1 pound chopped fresh broccoli florets

1 1/2 cups cubed, cooked chicken

1 10.75oz can condensed cream of broccoli soup

1/3 cup milk

1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 tbsp melted butter

2 tbsp dried Italian bread crumbs

Directions: 

1. Put the broccoli in a saucepan and add enough water to cover. Heat until the water boils, then cook until tender (about 5 minutes). Drain the broccoli and place it into a 8x8 dish or 9-inch pie plate.

2. Place chicken on top of the broccoli. In a bowl, mix the soup and milk. Pour the soup mixture over the chicken. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top.

3. Mix the melted butter with the bread crumbs. Sprinkle over the cheese.

4. Bake at 450 for 15 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned.

(chopped broccoli)

(cubed chicken)

(milk + soup)

(milk + soup all mixed up)

(butter + bread crumbs)

(broccoli)

(+ chicken)

(+ soup mixture)

(+ cheese)

(+ bread crumb mixture)

(all done!)

Ta-da!

Enjoy!

Basil & Garlic Bread

Sure, you can buy garlic bread at the grocery store. But it's just that much more satisfying when you make it yourself in your own kitchen! And when you add a little bit of basil, it's absolutely delightful!

Recipe adapted from here.

Ingredients:
1 6-8oz Italian bread loaf
1 tsp dried basil
1/3 tsp garlic powder
1/3 cup melted butter

Directions:
1. Mix together butter, basil, and garlic powder.
2. Cut the bread loaf in half and brush the butter mixture over both sides of the loaf.
3. Put the two loaf halves back together and wrap in foil.
4. Bake at 350 for 9-11 minutes (until heated through).

(butter + basil + garlic powder)

(sliced bread)

(butter mixture spread on)

(wrapped in foil)

(baking...)

(yumm!)

Ta-da!

Enjoy!