We are trying to avoid going to the store unless we absolutely can't live without something. I used to go to the store each week with a grocery list written out for the specific meals we wanted to eat. Now, however, we get what is available at the store and make it work. Using what we have has lead us to some creative meals and some we really have enjoyed.
While meat is hard to find at the store Kielbasa was available. This is one recipe we have enjoyed and have learned that things can be left out or substituted and in the end, it is still always delicious. We are a sauce family so we tripled the sauce and it was delicious.
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
3/4 pound smoked kielbasa or Polish sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices
4 cups broccoli or spinach
5 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
2. Meanwhile, mix brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, thyme and pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; saute onion and kielbasa until onion is tender.
3. Add potatoes; cook and stir until lightly browned, 3-5 minutes. Stir in brown sugar mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in broccoli or spinach until wilted. Stir in bacon.
Our goal is to throw no food away. So after hunting through what needed to be used in our fridge, Dylan and I came up with this delicious side. We loved it so much that we plan to cook it again but with Chicken in it and serve it as a main course.
8oz mini shells pasta (GF if needed)
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 Tablespoon butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tablespoons flour (GF if needed)
3/4 cup chicken broth
3/4 cup milk (I used heavy cream)
salt & pepper
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (we used 4 slices of provolone because that is what we had)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (not garlic salt)
2 teaspoons parsley flakes
heat for several minutes.
2. Return pot to stove over medium heat then add butter and olive oil. Once melted, add garlic then
saute until light golden brown, about 30 seconds, being very careful not to burn. Sprinkle in flour then whisk and saute for 1 minute. Slowly pour in chicken broth and milk while whisking until the mixture is smooth. Season with salt and pepper then switch to a wooden spoon and stir constantly until mixture is thick and bubbly, 4-5 minutes.
3. Remove pot from heat then stir in parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and parsley flakes until smooth.
Add cooked pasta then stir to combine. Taste then adjust salt and pepper if necessary, and then
serve.
I love cooking with the kids and I love even more when they volunteer to help. The kids always enjoy cooking fried chicken. The other day Aliya battered the chicken, Dylan fried it and Trent made the waffles to go along with our dinner. Fried chicken is not healthy but it sure is a lot of fun to make as a family and it can make three tiny chicken breasts feed a family of five and still have leftovers the next day. I am pretty sure fried chicken is magical after all it is not every food that brings people together and feeds the multitudes!
While meat is hard to find at the store Kielbasa was available. This is one recipe we have enjoyed and have learned that things can be left out or substituted and in the end, it is still always delicious. We are a sauce family so we tripled the sauce and it was delicious.
Potato Kielbasa Skillet
Ingredients
1 pound red potatoes (3-4 medium), cut into 1-inch pieces3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
3/4 pound smoked kielbasa or Polish sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices
4 cups broccoli or spinach
5 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
Directions
1. Place potatoes and water in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave, covered, on high until potatoes are tender, 3-4 minutes; drain.2. Meanwhile, mix brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, thyme and pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; saute onion and kielbasa until onion is tender.
3. Add potatoes; cook and stir until lightly browned, 3-5 minutes. Stir in brown sugar mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in broccoli or spinach until wilted. Stir in bacon.
Our goal is to throw no food away. So after hunting through what needed to be used in our fridge, Dylan and I came up with this delicious side. We loved it so much that we plan to cook it again but with Chicken in it and serve it as a main course.
Creamy Garlic Shells
Ingredients
Serves 4-6 if serving for a side dish, not a main course8oz mini shells pasta (GF if needed)
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 Tablespoon butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tablespoons flour (GF if needed)
3/4 cup chicken broth
3/4 cup milk (I used heavy cream)
salt & pepper
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (we used 4 slices of provolone because that is what we had)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (not garlic salt)
2 teaspoons parsley flakes
Directions
1. Cook pasta in a pot of salted, boiling water until al dente. Drain then set aside. Let pot cool off theheat for several minutes.
2. Return pot to stove over medium heat then add butter and olive oil. Once melted, add garlic then
saute until light golden brown, about 30 seconds, being very careful not to burn. Sprinkle in flour then whisk and saute for 1 minute. Slowly pour in chicken broth and milk while whisking until the mixture is smooth. Season with salt and pepper then switch to a wooden spoon and stir constantly until mixture is thick and bubbly, 4-5 minutes.
3. Remove pot from heat then stir in parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and parsley flakes until smooth.
Add cooked pasta then stir to combine. Taste then adjust salt and pepper if necessary, and then
serve.
I love cooking with the kids and I love even more when they volunteer to help. The kids always enjoy cooking fried chicken. The other day Aliya battered the chicken, Dylan fried it and Trent made the waffles to go along with our dinner. Fried chicken is not healthy but it sure is a lot of fun to make as a family and it can make three tiny chicken breasts feed a family of five and still have leftovers the next day. I am pretty sure fried chicken is magical after all it is not every food that brings people together and feeds the multitudes!
