Assuming I make the time to cook New things every week, this will be an ongoing series – Foodie Friday, with yours truly!
Last Sunday I used the kitchen for my Study-Break. I poured myself one glass of Sauvignon Blanc, and pulled out the jar of Marinara that I bought. We have a complicated relationship, me and these marinara sauces. Usually, I prefer to make my own. Sometimes, on an impulse, I’ll buy a jar (typically the “chunky/vegetable” variety) and use it for multiple things. Such as….
Italian Chicken & Pasta
YES, that’s enough for leftovers – always a cooking goal of mine!
2 chicken breats (4 oz each)
Italian Seasoning Mix (rub)
Olive Oil
~2 cups pasta (cooked)
~2 cups Marinara Sauce (of choice)
1/2 bag of steamed broccoli
-options: sautéd red/yellow onions, green/red peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, etc. This is one of my favorite things about pasta sauce – it’s easy to make it how you want it! Add anything there.
Sauté the chicken (rubbed with Italian Seasoning) in ~1 tbsp Olive oil. Cook pasta as directed. Steam broccoli (mine was frozen/bagged), and add to marinara sauce. And…..all together now! See, easy. Healthy dinner with protein, veggies, and carbohydrates. Plus room for a little vino on the side!
FYI: 4 oz of boneless, skinless chicken breast is ~100-130 calories. 1 cup of pasta is ~200 calories. 1/4 cup of Marinara sauce is ~80 calories. All dependent on brand and/or varieties used!
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NEXT!
Homemade “meatball” sandwich
I purchased Lean Ground Beef (93/7), formed into 4 nicely portioned patties (4 0z each). You could just easily (and for a little less $) buy 1 lb of Lean GB and make your own patties. This usually turns out disasterous for me, so, I spend the extra dollar to have it done nicely!
1 4-oz beef patty
2 slices Whole-wheat toast (or bun, if you have those around! I did Not…)
~1/4 cup Marinara Sauce (probably a little less, I didn’t measure)
Sprinkle of Grated Parmesan Cheese
I cooked the patty in a non-stick skillet, toasted the bread, spooned on the sauce, and topped it off with a sprinkle of Parmsan. Easy, QUICK, and delicious! This meal took ~10 minutes, that’s what I’ll call time-nutrient-dense! The beef is a good source of Iron and protein; we have healthy carbs (and whole-grains!) with the bread, and ~1 1/2 servings of veggies between the broccoli and the tomato-based sauce.
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On the menu for the weekend? Home-made pizza!! That Marinara jar is still half full, and doesn’t last too long in the fridge once it’s opened (food safety!).
(p.s. Please ignore the picture-quality difference - phone vs. camera. Ehhh, I’ll work on that…)
What’s been in your kitchen this week?
10 comments
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November 13, 2009 at 9:17 am
J
Gulash (sp?) and leftover pulled pork. I didnt have to cook much this week – it was wonderful to have leftovers!
November 13, 2009 at 9:50 am
amyreinink
Yess! Foodie Friday! I share your mixed relationship with jarred tomato sauce. I prefer to make a quickie sauce with canned tomatoes (Muir Glen are my favorites) and roasted garlic, spices, etc., but sometimes, Newman’s Own Cabernet Marinara is a bit more realistic. Good ideas for mix-ins, though — I’ll have to try the peppers next time!
November 13, 2009 at 10:16 am
RunningLaur
Love the idea of Foodie Friday!
I spent the morning yesterday making yummy pumpkin risotto (about 20 servings of it!) – which also meant that I got to drink wine at 10AM!
November 13, 2009 at 10:33 am
Marlene
I love recipes and meal ideas – thanks!!!
Hubby was away on business this week so I kept things simple in the kitchen… I love things like chicken + salad in a tortilla, pressed/warmed in the George Foreman. Also – tortilla pizza! Some marinara, whatever veggies I have on hand, whatever cheese I have on hand = YUMMO!
Also, I have a new infatuation with CHICKPEAS! I made a big batch of salad – drained chickpeas, chopped up veggies (whatever was in the fridge – I used peppers, red onion and zucchini this time), toss in a bottled salad dressing (the lazy way, hehe) or olive oil, lemon juice & S&P. Easy, healthy, yummy. Perfect for lunches.
November 13, 2009 at 11:16 am
Karena
I love foodie friday! I’m excited to see your creations
This week I brought back broccoli (need to do something with the rest of it tonight…hm.) and introduced spaghetti squash. lovelovelove the veggies 
November 13, 2009 at 11:39 am
kateyruns
It was a random food week in my house of trying to use up random items before they go bad. And of course a jar of sauce was in that mix. I usually do make my own as well, but coupons + sale = buying jarred sauce. I made some baked ziti with whole wheat pasta and it was delicious!
Also on the menu throughout the week: spaghetti squash, butternut squash, yams, peas, spinach salad, bean enchiladas. – I need to make a point of eating more protein! Oh, and oatmeal with Greek yogurt, walnuts and maple syrup for breakfast every day… my favorite!
November 13, 2009 at 12:33 pm
jeri
Ooooh I’m excited for the pizza one. I’d love to see some meatless meals or fish meals if you’re taking requests. My goal for November is to perfect some pizza dough and make a delish veggie margherita pizza.
November 13, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Lacey
oooh marinara! on my menu this week was a lot of cereal. i need to change that up. lol. sometimes it’s just what i want but HELLOOOOO fiber overload. i don’t know how people possibly can be lacking fiber in their diets it is now added to everything and their mother.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND RD!
November 13, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Nicole
if i fly you to my house will you be my full time cook? i would eat so much healthier if i had you here cooking my meals daily!
have a good weekend gf!!! xoxo
November 14, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Irish Cream
I LOVE making home-made pizza! Wilson and I make this pesto shrimp pizza that is TO DIE FOR. Yummm. I am drooling now just thinking about it!
Let’s see . . . On the menu this week for me was:
Tofu/veggie stir-fry (with baby corn, broccoli, carrots, water chestnuts, snow peas and red bell pepper); fish tacos (tilapia, chopped baby spinach, chopped tomatoes, chopped green onions and avocado in a whole wheat wrap); sweet potato/grilled chicken hash with avocado/corn/tomato relish; and Italian chicken with grilled eggplant over barley . . . I think the rest were leftover nights.
Ah, how I love actually having time to cook! And I ALWAYS make enough for leftovers too. Makes things so much easier when I come home tired and don’t feel like cooking!
Yay, can you tell that I am excited about the new weekly post? I *heart* food!