It's What's for Dinner: healthy nachos

It's not easy to get back in the swing of making dinner after 3 weeks of vacation and mom's home cooking.  Thank you, Trader Joe's once again.

Pile up: 

-Black Bean and Quinoa chips

- Chicken Asada

- Shredded cheese

-Lettuce

- Tomatoes

- Onion

-Salsa

-Sour Cream

-Queso dip

**All ingredients from Trader Joe's

 

It's What's for Dinner: Southern Comfort

I am so uninspired to cook lately so here's an easy dinner that gives the appearance of effort being made.

 

Feta Baked Chicken:

Top frozen chicken breasts with feta cheese (preferably the tomato-herbed flavor), a squeeze of lemon juice, black pepper and a dash of oregano.  Bake at 400 degrees covered with aluminum foil for the first 20 minutes.  Remove foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes)

Easy Mac n cheese:

Cook noodles of your choice according to package instructions.

Put a layer of noodles at the bottom of a 9x11 inch pan.

Sprinkle some salt and pepper on noodles.

Cover with shredded cheese of your choice.

Repeat both layers.

Pour 1 cup of half and half over the top.

Dot with a couple of pieces of butter.

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.

Green beans:

Steam and top with butter, rosemary and thyme

It's What's For Dinner: family night out

A wise friend of mine with kids a little older than Graham told me once that I wouldn't regret nights out with my family.  She said that while it costs a little more, it's an investment.  

Last night was one of those nights.  Somehow when you know there aren't dishes to do or other distractions, you end up savoring conversation more and slowing down.  And while going to a restaurant with a 2 year old often ends in spilled drinks and stained clothing (both of which happened last night), it sure is refreshing if you just go in expecting it.

If you live in the area, I highly recommend downtown Durham and especially the DPAC area.  We even caught part of the Durham Bulls baseball game from the Tobacco Road deck.

 

In case the pics were starting to look too ideal :)

Unfortunately he could not blow hard enough to move this pinwheel.  Disappointing.

It's What's for Dinner: Summer Salad

I'm always looking for salad recipes that can be a whole meal.  This one is hubby approved!

 

Used a chicken recipe that looks like it could top a salad

 

Dipped pre-cooked chicken in a 1/4 c of flour mixed with a dash of salt and pepper and heated in olive oil (flipping once) for 5 min.

 

Sauteed red onion (sliced thinly) in 1/2 c of olive oil and 1/2 c of balsamic vinegar mixture

 

But chicken and onions on top of spinach.

Drizzle with a little olive oil and balsamic and top with feta cheese (not shown)

Delish. 

It's What's for Dinner: Sauteed sweet potatoes

Our oven has been broken for 4 weeks so I am getting good at sauteing things that I normally bake.

Here's one:

Saute thinly sliced sweet potatoes with olive oil, crushed garlic and salt for about 10 minutes.

Delicious!

It's What's for Dinner: Strawberry Steak Salad

Great way to use leftover steak!

Just combine:

Romaine lettuce

Feta Cheese

Steak pieces

Chopped onion

Diced strawberries

And top with a balsamic vinaigrette of your choice.

Yum!