Teriyaki Turkey Burgers

This is such a great recipe especially now that grilling season is in full force. Don't be afraid to branch out from crowd and put aside you previous notions about turkey burgers. No more, "I only eat beef burgers", "turkey burgers are for girls"or thinking "turkey burgers have no taste". This recipe will change your mind. Fire up the grill and give this a try!

What You Need:

1 & 1/4 pounds of lean ground turkey 

1 tbsp  ginger seasoning

1 tbsp minced garlic

1 tsp seaseme oil

1/4 cup chopped scallions

1/4 cup teriyaki sauce

2 tbsp fresh cilantro

1 large egg white

8 medium scallions (with root ends trimmed)

hamburger buns

How to make it:

1. Fire up your grill or preheat a grill pan to medium high heat

2. Combine the turkey, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, teriyaki sauce, chopped scallions, cilantro and egg white in a large bowl.

3. Patty out 4 burgers

4. Place your burgers on the grill or grill pan. You should only flip your burgers once, cooking each side 5 to 7 minutes. 

5. A few minutes before your burgers are done place the 8 scallions on the grill and cook them about 2 minute (they will be bright green and a little charred)

6. Serve each burger on a toasted bun topped with 2 scallions and Enjoy!

I paired this dish with grilled zucchini instead of fries and some delicious fresh coleslaw.

Happy Cooking!

 (This recipe makes 4 burgers and is 6 Weight Watcher Points)

No Bake Cheesecake...

I realize it has been a really long time since I have put a new recipe in here. I am still cooking but I have been a slacker on updating my recipe blog. Today I wanted to give you a simple recipe for what has become one of my favorite dessert recipes: No Bake Cheesecake. I love cheesecake, but making it is a long process. You mix it, bake it, cool it then it has to chill and finally you can eat it around 8 hours later.  I found this recipe online not only is it a quick cheesecake but it is also ALOT less fattening, which has been great for us since I have been lightening up our meals. This dessert is also very budget friendly, which is nice on everyone's pocketbook.

What You Need:

• 8 ozs of Fat Free Cool Whip
• 8 ozs of 1/3 less fat cream cheese
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 1 tsp of lemon juice
• One 9- inch round reduced fat graham cracker crust

How To Make It:
1. In a large bowl mix the cream cheese, sugar, and lemon till fluffy
2. Add Cool Whip and whip until smooth
3. Spoon into a pie crust
4. Chill for a few hours till firm
5. Enjoy!
(This recipe in only 5.5 WW points. )

Happy Cooking!

Warm Cabbage Salad

Since starting Weight Watchers I have being trying to lighten up our meals and in return that is pushing us to try new things. One Saturday I was watching some cooking shows on Fit tv and came across this wonderful dish! This dish is FANTASTIC, so branch out of your comfort zone and try it. Not only is this dish good and filling but it is also very quick to make!

What You Need:

6 ounces cup any kind of honey Dijon dressing
6 cups finely shredded Napa cabbage, about 1 medium head
One 2-ounce package "ready bacon", diced
8 ounces white mushrooms, sliced
4 ounces crumbles blue cheese

How to Make It:

Place cabbage in a large bowl with cheese on top. Cook mushrooms in about a tablespoon of olive oil until quite soft. Add bacon.

Continue to cook both about 3 more minutes until bacon just begins to get a little crispy. Add dressing to pan, being careful as it'll splatter, heat through. Pour mushrooom-bacon dressing on the cabbage and mix well.

Season with a little Kosher salt and lots of fresh ground pepper.

This Dish makes 4 servings each serving is 7 Weight Watchers points.

Happy Cooking!

Pioneer Woman's Chocolate Sheet Cake

We had friends over Sunday night and I had a been wanting to try this recipe but not have a ton of cake for just the two of us. This is a *DIVINE* chocolate cake, if you never make anything on my blog please, please, please make this! I love Pioneer Woman's cookbook and throughly enjoyed making this recipe.

It makes an 18x12 sheet cake.(Note: I did not have an 18x12x2 pan so I used a standard size pan and just cooked the cake a little longer)

Below is the recipe from Pioneer Woman's website, click here and see her step by step photos!

Ingredients

• FOR THE CAKE:
• 2 cups Flour
• 2 cups Sugar
• ¼ teaspoons Salt
• 4 Tablespoons (heaping) Cocoa
• 2 sticks Butter
• 1 cup Boiling Water
• ½ cups Buttermilk
• 2 whole Beaten Eggs
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• _____
• FOR FROSTING:
• ½ cups Finely Chopped Pecans
• 1-¾ stick Butter
• 4 Tablespoons (heaping) Cocoa
• 6 Tablespoons Milk
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• 1 pound (minus 1/2 Cup) Powdered Sugar

Preparation Instructions

In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.

In a saucepan, melt butter.

Add cocoa.

Stir together.

Add boiling water,

allow mixture to boil for 30 seconds, then turn off heat. Pour over flour mixture,

and stir lightly to cool.

In a measuring cup, pour the buttermilk and add beaten eggs,

baking soda, and vanilla.

Stir buttermilk mixture into butter/chocolate mixture.

Pour into sheet cake pan and bake at 350-degrees for 20 minutes.

While cake is baking, make the icing. Chop pecans finely.

Melt butter in a saucepan. Add cocoa, stir to combine, then turn off heat.

Add the milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Stir together.

Add the pecans, stir together, and pour over warm cake.

Cut into squares, eat, and totally wig out over the fact that

you’ve just made the best chocolate sheet cake. Ever.

Happy Baking!!

Baked Chicken Nuggets

I have been trying to cook out of my pantry to avoid spending more money on groceries this month and I wanted a quick easy meal the other night so I found this delicious recipe in my Southern Living fast family suppers recipe book. It was so quick and easy and I had everything I needed at home! I LOVE chicken nuggets. They are one of my favorite comfort foods. If you have kids they will love this and it is a great alternative to frying chicken nuggets.

What you Need:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1/2 cup of fine bread crumbs

1/4 cup of parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp of dried basil

1/2 tsp of dried thyme

1/4 tsp of salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/4 cup of melted butter

How to make it:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Take your chicken and cut it into about 1 inch size pieces, this is not an exact science( you could also buy chicken tenderloins and make strips instead.)

2. Now place all of your dry ingredients in a heavy duty ziploc bag, and shake it up till it is mixed well

3. Dip each chicken piece into the butter and cover completely then place in the bag and shake.

4. Place each breaded piece on a greased baking sheet, and then bake for 20 minutes and you are done!

It is so yummy, just serve it up with your favorite sauce and side dishes.

We had steamed english peas and PW's mac and cheese with it.

Enjoy!

Happy Cooking!

Pioneer Woman's Linguini with Clam Sauce

I love Linguini with clams. Growing up my Aunt would always make this dish for me and it was fabulous. When I bought PW's cookbook and saw this recipe, I was really excited to try it. It a perfect blend of flavors and has creamy rather oil based sauce. It was just plain FANTASTIC. Better than all that it is a quick meal to make, under 30 minutes. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

What You Need:
2 – 10 oz cans of clams, drained, juice reserved
3 cloves garlic, minced

Chopped parsley

2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil
¾ c. white wine (optional- if you do not want to add it you can use white wine vinegar or non alcoholic white wine)
¾ c. heavy cream
Juice of ½ lemon
1 box of Linguini noodles
Salt and pepper to taste

Grated Parmesan cheese

How to make it:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions (I use whole wheat pasta)
2. Melt 1 tbsp of the butter with the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat
3. Add the clams and garlic, cook about 3 minutes
4. Add the wine (or your substitute) and stir. Let cook for 3-4 minutes, until it has reduced
5. Lower heat. Add lemon juice and the remaining butter, stir through and cook a few more minutes
6. Add cream, parsley, salt and pepper (**note: you don’t need too much salt because the clams are fairly salty**). Cook until heated through
7. Pour the sauce over the bed of hot noodles toss, top with cheese, and serve with a lemon slice.

Viola! You are done, that was easy and your kitchen smells decadent.

Happy Cooking Y'all!

Peanut Butter Balls

I love Chocolate, doesn't everyone :-), add peanut butter and you can not lose. So yesterday morning I decided to whip up some peanut butter balls. Perfect for Valentine's Day make these for your sweetheart and you are sure to have them wrapped around your finger! Ok are you ready to make this yummy dessert?Get your pen and paper out to write down this list of ingredients, are you ready??

What you need:

4 tbs of melted butter

1 cup smooth peanut butter

2 cups powdered sugar

6 oz semisweet chocolate chips

That is it! You probably have all of that in your pantry!

How to make it:

1. Mix the peanut butter, sugar, and butter together in a bowl

2. Now roll the mixture into balls and place in a baking dish

3. Put the balls in the freezer for 10 minutes

4. Now melt your chocolate in the microwave

5. Then dip your balls into the chocolate and cover them completely (***side note: I am sure there is a better way to do it like use a skewer but I didn't I used my hands can we say messy fingers***)

6 Place the covered balls back into the baking dish and place it in the refrigerator for 25 minutes and you are done!!

Enjoy!

**They may not be pretty but they are delicious, as you can tell my hubby stole a few before I took the picture***

Happy Cooking Y'all!!!

Pioneer Woman's Chicken Fried Steak

I am a little late in this PW's post, but with work I have not really had a chance to cook lately! I made this yummy chicken fried steak that tasted divine!

What you Need:
3 pounds sliced cube steak
2 large eggs
3 1/2 cups milk
3 1/3 cups flour
2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoons paprika
1/4 teaspoon red pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
3 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup canola oil

How you make it:
1. Beat the eggs with one cup of milk and place in shallow dish

2. Mix 3 cups flour with 2 teaspoons salt, paprika, cayenne and black pepper, place in shallow dish

3. Season the meat with salt and pepper. Dip in eggs, then flour, then back in eggs, coating thoroughly each time. Place on empty plate until ready to cook.

***Side Note: easiest way to do this set it up in a line then you get less mess everywhere***

4. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Fry meat 3 pieces at a time until golden, about 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove to paper towel lined plate and keep warm.

5. After frying all the meat, pour out all grease except for 1/4 cup and heat up the grease. Sprinkle 1/3 cup flour over the grease and whisk it together.

6. After a couple of minutes the flour mixture will turn brown. Whisking constantly, pour in 2 cups of milk. Let gravy come to slow boil to thicken. Add more milk as needed if it gets too thick. This should take 5-10 minutes. (***side note my poor hubby kept adding flour and it did not turn out well oh well lessen learned***)

7. Now enjoy!

I absolutley recommend this recipe your hubby with think you stole his grandma's recipe!

Happy Cooking!!

Chicken Broccoli Braid

This is a modified pampered chef recipe. My mom made this when I was a kid and it is one of my favorites. It is also one of the firsts things I ever learned to cook. It is so simple, so enjoy.

What you need:

1 package frozen broccoli

4 chicken breasts or tenderloins (I use the frozen kind)

2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese

½ cup of mayo

2 packages of crescent rolls

How to make it:

1. Boil your chicken for 45 min on med-high heat

2. Roll out your crescent rolls flat into one large piece of dough on a greased baking sheet

3. Using a knife and cut 1 inch wide strips in towards the center, starting on the long sides. There should be a solid strip about 3 inches wide down the center, with the cut strips forming a fringe down each side.

4. Spread the chicken mixture along the center strip. Fold the side strips over chicken mixture, alternating strips from each side. Pinch or twist to seal.

5. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown .

6. Now enjoy!

   
   

   
   
   
   Happy Cooking Y'all!
   

The Lady and Sons Macaroni and Cheese

Hey Y'all. I do not know about you but I am a sucker for homemade macaroni and cheese. My grandmother made the best and I try to repeat it but it is not quite like hers. I found this recipe and online it is the mac and cheese recipe from Paula Deen's restaurant in Savannah, GA. A few nights ago decided to try this side dish, and it was wonderful!

What you will Need:

• 4 cups cooked elbow macaroni, drained
• 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk

How to Make it:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Once you have the macaroni cooked and drained, place in a large bowl and while still hot and add the cheddar. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and add to the macaroni mixture. Pour macaroni mixture into a casserole dish and bake for 30 to 45 minutes. Top with additional cheese if desired.

I got this recipe from the food network website.Of course you know I am a sucker for Paula Deen. Give it a try I think you will love it!

Happy Cooking Y'all!

Pioneer Woman's Potato Skins

My husband loves potato skins. When we first started dating I remember him ordering them as an appetizer and I didn't really like them but now 8 years later I find my self enjoying them as well. When my hubby requested these I decided to pair them with steak for dinner as an alternative regular baked potatoes. It turned out fabulous!! Unfortunately she does not have this recipe online with pictures but here is the recipe:

What You Need:

8 pieces of thick-cut bacon

8 (cleaned) potatoes

canola oil

kosher salt

1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup sour cream

4 sliced green onions

How to Make It:

1. Bake the potatoes for 45 min in the oven at 400 degrees or until they are fork tender
2. Fry your bacon up (my favorite part, who does not love bacon)
3. When your potatoes come out of the oven, slice them in half, then with a spoon core out the potatoes leaving a little flesh on the skin
4. Next brush both side of the the potatoes with canola oil and salt both sides liberally
5. Cook on both sides for 7 more minutes each or until the skins are crispy
6. Grate your cheese (or you cheat and buy the already grated kind) and chop the bacon into bits
7. Sprinkle the potatoes cheese and bacon, then return it to the oven just until the cheese melts
8. Then right before you serve spoon in some sour cream, and sprinkle with green onions

**Note: We cut down on the portion size from the recipes since there is only 2 of us but this is the original recipe

It is was delish!! (Not to mention Bob's special steaks are the yum!)

Pioneer Woman's Pico de Gallo

I am going to try and post about cooking through Pioneer Woman's (PW) cookbook every two weeks. Yesterday I made her Pico de Gallo. Bob and I both love chips and pico so I was really excited to try this recipe. To see Pioneer Woman's post with step by step pictures go here.

**Note: I only used one Jalapeno because I am not a huge fan of hot but that is totally up to you.

I really liked this recipe and it would make a great snack or addition to any mexican food inspired night.

Here is Pioneer Woman's Recipe:

What You Need:

5 whole Plum (roma) Tomatoes
½ whole Large (or 1 Small) Onion
Whole Jalapeno Peppers
Cilantro
Lime Juice
Salt To Taste

How to Make It:

Chop jalapenos, tomatoes and onions into a very small dice. (Leave seeds in your jalapenos for a hotter pico). Adjust amount of jalapenos to your preferred temperature. Next, chop up a nice-sized bunch of cilantro. Just remove and discard the long leafless stems before chopping. No need to remove the leaves from the stems completely. Place all of these ingredients together in a bowl and give it a good stir.

Squeeze the juice of half of one lime into the bowl. Add salt to taste and stir again.

Happy Cooking!

**note: to me it needs a little more tomatoes**

Roasted Potatoes and Asparagus

Need a great side dishes that area break from the canned green beans and the boxed macaroni and cheese, well I have some for you. This is a great pair you can add to any meal!

What You Need for Both:

A bundle of Asparagus

Olive oil

A bag of red potatoes

Italian seasoning

Salt

Pepper

Roasted Potatoes:

Who doesn't love potatoes, this is a easy side dish to fix and forget and when your main course is ready so is your side dish!

How to Make the Potatoes:

1. Preheat the over to 45o degrees
2. Wash the potatoes off, and cut them into quarters
3. Take and rimmed baking sheet and line it with tin foil
4. Spread the potatoes on the pan
5. Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil
6. Then sprinkle liberally with salt, pepper, and italian seasoning
7. Place in the oven and bake for 35 minutes

Asparagus:

Need a new veggie to add variety to your meals? A few years ago I discovered how much I really liked Asparagus and love to add it as a side dish to meals.

How to Make the Asparagus:

1. Wash the Asparagus
2. Cut the bottoms off
3. spread on a baking sheet
4. Drizzle with olive and salt and pepper
5. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes

**side note**

Since I made these two dishes together I baked the potatoes at 400 degrees for 25 minutes then cut the oven down to 350 and placed the asparagus in the oven for 15 minutes, and they both were finished at the same time. I served it with Balsamic chicken.

Cooking with the Pioneer Woman in 2010

Hey Y'all! I am so excited I can hardly contain myself as I write this post. Have you heard of Pioneer Woman? I discovered her blog a few months ago through Bakerella and have been following her ever since! Former city girl Ree Drummond, aka Pioneer Woman, blogs all about her life on the ranch with her family, showcases her beautiful photography, and amazing recipes. What, you have not heard of her. Well then please take a moment to check her outhere. Pioneer Woman recently published a cookbook, The Pioneer Woman Cooks. It is full amazing step by step recipes, tales from the ranch, and gorgeous pictures(which she took). I bought that cookbook today and I am so excited about what I am about to share with you. I am going to be cooking through The Pioneer Woman's cookbook in 2010! I am so excited kinda like Julie and Julia! There are about 65 or so recipes and I will be trying to post every other week right here on my cooking blog about this exciting journey and recipes I tried! Do you want to join me and other bloggers? Then simply pick up a copy of her cookbook and head over to this blogto get your fun little tag ( as seen below) for your blog and info on how to get involved with other bloggers who have joined in this quest. Don't have blog, then now is a great time to start one, it is not hard! Come on Y'all this will be fun!

Hope to have you join me in cooking through The Pioneer Woman's cookbook in 2010!

This is a copy of my post from my main blog, Pulling a Julie and Julia.

You can follow my journey right here :)

A Cookbook Christmas

Hey Y'all! No, I did not forget about this blog it is just been awhile since I have been in my kitchen since I have been adjusting to my job but I am working on changing that! I am pretty excited about this new year and my new cookbooks! Christmas is for cookbooks right ?!? I received four new cookbooks this Christmas.

Which ones did I get? Well.......

The Deen Brothers: Take it Easy

Julia Child's The Art of French Cooking (Have you seen Julie & Julia?)

The Joy of Cooking

Cookie Craft

I am so excited about getting in the kitchen again on my days off. I have already pulled out the Deen Brothers cookbook and I whipped up two recipes from it tonight. So my sweet blog friends I am back, and so are the recipes!