Saturday, October 19, 2013

Meal Prep

Well, lately I've made some attempts at meal prepping. Basically, spending a few hours preparing meals for a couple of days at a time. The idea is genius and simple if you do a little research!! Find a couple of your favorite recipes, whip them up and store in the fridge for a quick grab lunch for work or school.

An easy one and one of my favorites is a grilled piece of chicken, seasoned however you prefer, cup of brown rice and a steamed veggie. VOILĂ€! As your heading out the door, grab your pre-prepped container of yum and go!!

First, purchase some reliable food storage containers. I currently use these Rubbermaid Containers. Any kind of food storage containers will work perfectly!! I just like these because of the stacking locking lids and so far no spills!!

Second, go thru and find a couple recipes you like and would like to make to have during the week.

Third, go through and see what you already have in the pantry, fridge and freezer. I've sometimes had a problem with buying things I've already had and end up wasting money. Make a list of items you need or want.

Fourth, go shopping!! I know it's difficult, and I still struggle with it, but stick with what's on the list. You end up spending less and only buy the things you really need.

Fifth, go home and when you have some time, cook!! Put together a couple of things for the week. Divide the food into each container and put into fridge. There you go!!

Hopefully you're not weird like me about leftovers. Usually after a 3-4 days I can't seem to make myself eat the leftovers. When I'm putting them together, I'll usually make 2-3 days worth, go out to dinner one evening during the week, and make something for the remaining days of the week. Not sure what my deal is but it seems to work. Lol.

My 'system' may not be for everyone or the best way of doing it but it does work for me!!

All I know is, meal preppin' is a wonderful thing!! I'd only wish I started this sooner :)

xoxo

-J

Friday, October 18, 2013

Ground Turkey, Brussel Sprouts and Zucchini

Last weekend I bought a pack of lean ground turkey from SaveMart, on sale. It's my first time using ground turkey in anything so I was a little hesitant. 

Cooking it was very similar to cooking regular hamburger. I kept waiting for the typical 'hamburger' smell but it never came. The smell was... different. Not bad, just different. 

I added
dribble of EVOO
1 lb.  ground turkey
2 garlic cloves 
couple tablespoons of green onion *I'm not a huge fan of onion*
dash of salt 
dash of pepper

Handfull of brussels 
*I used frozen, so I microwaved them a bit, I much prefer fresh brussels*
1/2 of a zucchini cut into 1/4's. 

While it's cooking, cut up the zucchini and cut brussels in 1/2. Let that cook until the ground turkey is just about fully cooked. I added a small amount of water if it got too dry. 

Toss in brussels and zucchini. Cook until veggies are tender, or less if you prefer crunchy. 

And there you go!! My first dish made with ground turkey.



Saturday, October 12, 2013

Apple Banana Bread



Apples:
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into cubes (I used 1 1/2 apples and ate the other half, it seemed like a lot of apple) ;)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Bread:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

1 stick butter (8 TBS)
1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1/4 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/4 ripe mashed bananas (2-3) *I used 3*

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350F. Butter and flour a 1 1/2 - quart loaf pan.

Apples:

Heat medium skillet over medium-heat. Add the butter and brown sugar. Heat until bubbly. Add the apples and cinnamon and sauté until tender - about 4 minutes. Add vanilla. Remove from heat to cool.

Bread:



In a medium bowl - whisk flour, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda and salt. Set aside




In standing mixer cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 1-2 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each.

In a bowl, combine orange juice and vanilla. Set aside.




Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture gradually, alternating between the orange juice mixture and flour. Mixing well between each addition.

Add in mashed bananas and mix

Add in set aside apples and mix - there was quite a bit of liquid in with the apples, I sifted out the apples and left most of the liquid.





Pour the batter into the loaf pan. *I did not put all of the batter into the 1 1/2 quart pan, there seemed to be a lot, and I was afraid it would spill over, so I made a smaller loaf*

I added chopped walnuts!! Nuts make everything better :)

Bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted comes out clean.




Move to a wire wrack to cool for about 20 minutes before removing bread to cool on wire wrack.

Once cooled, eat!! *I love having mine still warm from the oven*

Yum!!