Kathi Lipp's Blog, page 137

LOOP Meal: BBQ Steak turned into Steakhouse Chili

OK First – what is a LOOP Meal? Here is a description taken from my latest book, THE WHAT'S FOR DINNER? SOLUTION:

LOOP Meals

LOOP (Left Over On Purpose) is a great way to cook one and eat twice. We generally eat our biggest meal on Sundays when the whole family is over. For example, this weekend Roger barbequed steaks . I asked him to throw a couple more on the grill for us to slice up and put on into the chili reciepe below. Cook once, eats twice, Beautiful.

Keep this recipe on hand – it is the perfect meal to throw any left over meat into. Steak chili, turkey chili, chicken chili – anything. Yum.

2 cups          Leftover Steak, chopped

1 cup             Chopped onions

1 clove          Garlic, minced

1-16 oz can   Stewed tomatoes

1-16 oz can   Kidney beans, drained

1-16 oz can   Tomato sauce

3 tsp              Chili powder

1/2 tsp          Basil

1-6 oz can    Tomato paste

 

1. Prepare: In a large saucepan, saute onions, and garlic until the onions are translucent. Put all the ingredients into a slow cooker and cook on low for six - eight hours.

What is your favorite way to use up leftovers?

5 Fast Foods that are Worth it

OK – my whole objective of my book THE WHAT'S FOR DINNER? PROJECT is to get dinner on the table and out of the fast food lane. But there are a couple of fast foods that are worth the price. Here are a few of my favorites:
Mirepoix:

Mirepoix is a combination of chopped carrots, celery and onions used to add flavor and aroma to stocks, sauces, soups and other foods.
The proportions (by weight) for making mirepoix are 50% onions, 25% carrots and 25% celery.
When you are trying to cook from scratch, sometimes it's worth it to "cheat" with healthy, fast foods. If it helps you get the stew on the table, then buying some pre cut Mirepoix is worth the money.

 

Rotisserie Chicken:

Buying a rotisserie chicken for dinner has to be the easiest way to feed your family. There are so many options…
Need something quick? Just slice and add with veggies and fruit for a colorful, healthy meal.
Eating on the go? Stuff chicken in a wrap, pita pocket or taco and top with your favorite veggies and dressing.
Feeling Italian-ish? Cook some pasta and toss with olive oil and parmesan cheese.Need a lite meal? Add the chicken over your favorite salad.
Now, if your having the chicken every night, you may want to rethink your meal planning, but a good rotisserie chicken is a great plan for one night a week.

 

Egg White Eggbeaters:

Roger and I are trying to eat healthfully, and these Eggbeaters are a quick, easy way to have a healthy breakfast (just add chopped veggies and some turkey sausage,) or great for an omelet at night.

Sliced Mango:

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My favorite fruit to eat.

It makes a great snack or side dish to any meal. Add it to your yougurt, smoothie, make a salsa with it. Add other fruits for a filling and fresh fruit salad, the possibilities are endless.

I hate chopping up mango, and I'm trying to eat more fruit, so this is a great healthy cheat.

Shredded Low-Fat Cheese:

Cheese is the easiest way to add a little extra flavor and protein to any dish. it is great on pasta, salads, sandwiches, wraps and any version of a taco. For cold weather months top on your favorite soups and chili.
I usually shred my own cheese to save money, but when I'm in a pinch, pre-shredded cheese is worth the price. (Plus, there is always a coupon in the paper to get a bit of a discount.)
For a chance to win THE WHAT'S FOR DINNER? SOLUTION tell me your favorite food prep cheap (a "faster" food that's worth the price for the convenience,) in the comments below and we will pick a winner this Thursday!

Fall Book List

I know that every other blog has a list of summer beach reads, but I have to tell you I am much more of a bundle-up-with-my-dog-and-a-good-book kinda girl than grab-a-beach towel-and-sunscreen kinda girl when it comes to reading.

So I'm much more excited about my fall reading list. Here are the books that I love or can't wait to read for this fall.

The Paris Wife

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Hadley Richardson, Earnest Hemingway's first wife, is the subject of this fictionalized account of their years as a young married couple. At then end of Hemingway's life he said of Hadley, "I wished I had died before I ever loved anyone but her."

You will love the look at Paris in the 20′s and the behind the pages insight of an author's inner life.

The Devil in the Junior League

This is a fun dishy read that will make you laugh out loud in places and cheer for the underdog. I loved the only-in-Texas culture that is so foreign from the laid back life here in the Silicon Valley.

Here are the books I've bought/downloaded and am ready to read:

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

From Amazon Reviews:

Henrietta Lacks was a mother of five in Baltimore, a poor African American migrant from the tobacco farms of Virginia, who died from a cruelly aggressive cancer at the age of 30 in 1951. A sample of her cancerous tissue, taken without her knowledge or consent, as was the custom then, turned out to provide one of the holy grails of mid-century biology: human cells that could survive–even thrive–in the lab. Known as HeLa cells, their stunning potency gave scientists a building block for countless breakthroughs, beginning with the cure for polio.

Meanwhile, Henrietta's family continued to live in poverty and frequently poor health, and their discovery decades later of her unknowing contribution–and her cells' strange survival–left them full of pride, anger, and suspicion. For a decade, Skloot doggedly but compassionately gathered the threads of these stories, slowly gaining the trust of the family while helping them learn the truth about Henrietta, and with their aid she tells a rich and haunting story that asks the questions, Who owns our bodies? And who carries our memories? –Tom Nissley

 

Produced by Faith: Enjoy Real Success without Losing Your True Self

DeVon Franklin, vice president of production for Columbia Pictures, shares how being bold about his Christian faith while being driven and ambitious has actually helped him to excel in a high-profile, fast-paced, competitive industry.

You are the movie. Produced by Faith parallels each step of the Hollywood filmmaking process with the faith-making process God uses to turn your career into a success. You will discover that it is possible to be both wildly successful and completely committed to God—and that you will be even more successful when you place your faith at the center of your career. You can unleash the power of your faith as your greatest professional advantage and use the compass of God's Word to guide you to your true passion and purpose in life.

 

 

 

 

Click on the title of each book to purchase form Amazon!

Happy Reading!!

Do You Know a Military Wife (or just want to work on your marriage…)

I know I've mentioned it here before. But this little project has taken on a life of it's own…

On Monday, October 10th, we will be kicking off The Husband Project sponsored by Military MOPS for all women who are married to those amazing military guys.

Even if you are not a military spouse (hey, the only uniform that Roger has ever worn is when he worked at a Taco Shack in high school…) you can join us, and we'd love to have you. Just know that there will be a lot of military speak.

BUT, you may want to consider it since along with Focus on the Family, Dayspring Cards, and MOPS Itnl. we will be giving away over a thousand dollars of gifts and love…

So Join us at The Book Club and let your man (military or otherwise) know how much you love him…

5 Meals you Can Cook Tonight

I have talked to so many women who would love to make a dinner plan, but have run out of ideas for dinner. If you are in that boat, here are some simple ideas to fill out your weekly menu.

 

Grown Up Grilled Cheese

Forget the white bread and processed cheese food. Try some gouda on whole wheat or garlic Havarti on sourdough. If you are watching calories you can split the sandwich and pair it with Trader Joe's Roasted Tomato Soup and a small salad. Yum!

 

Lemon Chicken

Simple recipe, delicious results. Serve with some grilled veggies and brown rice.

1 tsp. thyme leaves

½ tsp. pepper

1 clove garlic, minced

1/3 c. lemon juice, fresh squeezed

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Mix all ingredients except chicken breasts together. Pour over chicken breasts in a one-gallon bag to marinade.

Drain marinade. Place chicken breasts in a pan sprayed with light cooking oil. Bake at 350° for 30-40 minutes.

Serves 4.

 

Pesto Chicken

½ c. prepared pesto

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

6 slices mozzarella cheese

Pour pesto over chicken breasts in a one-gallon bag. Let marinade.

Drain marinade. Place chicken breasts in a pan sprayed with light cooking oil. Place one slice of mozzarella cheese on each chicken breast.

Bake at 350° for 30-40 minutes.

Serves 4.

 

Spaghetti and Marinara with Veggies

Health-up your pasta with the addition of some veggies lightly sautéed in cooking spray with a few herbs. Delicious and it bulks up

what can otherwise be a thin meal. For some extra protien, heat up a few frozen turkey meatballs.

 

Chicken Cesar Pita

Prep 10 Minutes

Start to Finish 10 Minutes

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 Cesar Salad Kit from the Produce Section of the Grocery Store

1 package pre-cooked chicken cut into cubes

4 pitas

Directions

Cut pitas in half and open up pitas. Put pita haves in the toaster. Toast the pitas and let cool.
Meanwhile, mix together the ingredients from the salad kit (except for the croutons) with the chicken

chunks.
Stuff the toasted pita with chicken Cesar salad mix.
Garnish with whatever extra goodies (tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.)

 

And the Book is HERE

My baby is here…

Isn't she adorable?

It's always so weird to get your book – Will I still like it? Is it still where I "am"?  Does it hold up?

I have to say – I really, really like it. It's the kind of advice I wish I would have been given when I was starting out and cooking for my family of four, and then six.

It feels a little weird to be talking about it, but I'm excited, and you're my people, so if I can't talk to you about it, who can I talk to.

If you need a little help getting dinner on the table each and every night, a little inspiration, a plan, check it out on Amazon or if you want it signed (and with the awesome bookmark that has Roger's Rockin' Guac recipe) check it out here.

 

Featured Resource of the Week: 7 Ways to Show Hubby You Love Him

I know that I'm usually the one giving the flirty advice, but today I wanted to share one of my favorite people with you: Arlene Pellicane

I love someone who loves their husband, so here are a few tips that she share over on the SpeakerChicks.com webiste

7 Ways to Show Hubby You Love Him

I would love to hear your ideas as well. What is something you've done in the last month (or ever,) that your husband just loved.

Discuss…

 

Wedded Wednesday – Upping the Flirt Factor in Your Marriage

I've been so focused on the whole food thing for the launch of THE WHAT'S FOR DINNER SOLUTION that I've neglected some of the important things in my life. Like my husband.

Yes. I think I need to read a certain book.

So I am giving myself 24 hours to do something flirty for Roger. I will report back.

This all just comes in time for something fun that I would love for you to put out some good gossip in the world about.

We are launching a Husband Project Book Club focusing on Military Wives in conjunction with Military MOPS. All are invited, but we are going to be chatting specifically with the ladies about how to support your man while deployed and serving our country.

Oh, and there are going to be over a hundred prizes….

So if you want to join in the fun, or share it with someone else, sign up over at The Book Club

Oh, and if you want to tell me how you are flirting with your husband in the next 24 hours, I would love the extra inspirations…

Menu Monday (The Holiday Edition…) And a Chance to Win The "What's for Dinner?" Solution

I hope you've enjoyed your Labor Day holiday and ate something BBQ-y or something simply summery…

So if you've partied had this weekend, it's time to think about what you are going to have the rest of the week. Don't let Tuesday catch you by surprise.  Go into the week with a plan – even if it's a back-of-the-envelope plan.

Tuesday – Balsamic-Glazed Pork Chops (recipe can be found here at Epicurious ) with garlic spinach and new potatoes

Wednesday – Every Man for Yourself (or as some of you call it "YOYO" You're On Your Own.)

Thursday – BBQd Chicken with Asparagus and rice

Friday – Speaking out of town and having dinner at the church (my favorite kind of meal – the kind that's made by someone else…)

So tell me in the comments what you are eating this week, and you will be entered to win an advance copy of The "What's for Dinner?" Solution.

 

Our winners from last week are:

Kate St. Amour  and Lynda Williams.

(Be sure to email Sunnie at kathilipp.com to let her know your mailing address!)

Menu Monday – Tell Me What You're Having for Dinner this Week (and my favorite no cook meal ever…)

Last weeks Monday Menu was such a hit we are going to keep going every Monday  – and give away an advance copy of THE WHAT'S FOR DINNER SOLUTION every Monday until October 1st when the book comes out.

I have to say, I LOVED your menus last week. As one poster said "I want to go live at their houses…"  So this week, I'm going to give you two chances to win: 1. Your first chance to win is by posting your menu. 2. If you share one of your favorite recipes in the comments, I will enter you again.

Here in my menu for Monday – Friday

Monday: Eating out (after our weigh in – yep – that's when we eat it up…)

Tuesday: Sushi (because Roger is at a meeting and he hates sushi…)

Wednesday: Chicken Marsala and Mashed New Potatoes, Asparagas

Thursday: Curry chicken and veggies, on Jasmine Rice

Friday: BBQ Chicken, BBQ Corn, Baked Potatoes

So since I'm asking you to share some of your favorite recipes, I'm re-sharing one of mine. I'm doing this one on Saturday night when we start our Sabbath.

When I shared this recipe before, two people commented that they didn't have any of these ingredients in their homes and it would be a waste. I don't want to be wasteful, but once you try this recipe you will want to have it every week. Don't worry. These ingredients will be used up…

Don't forget to enter to win!

Asian Chicken Wrap Ups

Prep 20 Minutes

2 cups chopped cooked skinless chicken breast (chop up strips from pre-packaged chicken breasts)

3 tablespoons rice vinegar

1-1/2 tablespoons light soy sauce

1-1/2 teaspoons sesame oil

1/4 cup chopped green onions

1/4 cup sliced almonds

1/4 cup crispy rice noodles

Seasoned salt and pepper

1 cup shredded carrots

1 cup shredded broccoli slaw

Four to six butter lettuce leaves

1/3 cup Peanut sauce (store-bought)

1/3 cup Asian salad dressing for dipping sauce (store-bought)

 

 

Directions

In a medium glass bowl, combine chicken, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, , green onions, and almonds. Mix well. Season to taste with seasoned salt and pepper. Cover and let set in the refrigerator for an hour.

 

Add small containers each of peanut sauce and Asian dipping sauce to platter.

On platter, arrange lettuce leaves. Divide up the chicken mixture and place a mound of it on each leaf. Top with crispy noodles, carrots and cabbage. Roll up the leaf and dip in one of the sauces.

 

Serves 4 as appetizers, 2 adults as a main course