Author: cherrybellemeals

Wife and Mother who loves to cook and travel to new places to try new food.

Turkey Chili W/ Cornbread waffles

Posted in UncategorizedLeave a comment

This chili was started with a WW recipe that I changed up a bit to make it to my own. By using the creamed corn instead of the butter and oil for the cornbread you cut a lot of the fat. Total of 6 servings each serving is 11 smart points.

Prep Time 20 Mins                                                                        Cook Time 30 mins

Serves 6

Ingredients

Turkey Chili

  • 1 Lb. Extra lean ground turkey
  • 1 Med onion chopped
  • 1 Med bell pepper chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. Garlic
  • 2 Cans black beans
  • 1 Can fire roasted tomatoes
  • 1 Can tomato sauce
  • 1 jalapeño diced
  • 2 Tbsp. chili powder
  • 1 Tbsp. each cumin, garlic powder, oregano, & marjoram
  • 1 tsp. Red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 tsp. Cinnamon
  • 1/2 Cup cilantro chopped
  • Hot sauce of choice
  • Cheese for topping

Cornbread Waffles

  • 1 package corn bread mix (you can use any my favorite is the Marie Calendars low fat one but it’s hard to find)
  • 1 Can cream corn
  • 1 egg
  • Milk or water ( just enough to wet the cornbread mixture a few splashes)
  • Pickled jalapeños chopped
  • 1/2 cup 2% sharp cheddar cheese

 

To Make the Chili:

  1. Add chopped onions & bell pepper to stockpot with a little pam and cook until translucent 3-5 mins.
  2. Add garlic and brown for about a min.
  3. Add turkey meat and brown.
  4. Once meat is browned add spices cook for 2-3 mins.
  5. Add tomatoes and sauce bring to a boil.
  6. Rinse and drain beans and add to chili.
  7. Simmer for 15-20 mins.
  8. Add cilantro in final 2 mins of cooking.

Chili

For the Waffles:

  1. Combine cornbread mix with creamed corn, egg and a few splashes of milk or water.
  2. Add jalapeños and cheese to cornbread mixture.
  3. Cook waffles in waffle iron in batches you can keep them warm in a 200 degree oven until ready to serve.

Cornbread Waffle

Crockpot Kings Ranch Soup

Posted in Family Meals, Weeknight CookingLeave a comment

Nothing better than coming home on a rainy night after a long day at work and having a nice BIG pot of soup ready to go for dinner.

Serves 6-8

Prep Time 20 mins                                                                     Cook Time 6 hours

Ingredients:

  • 4-5 chicken breasts (depending on size)
  • 6 Tbsp. butter
  • 1/2 Cup flour
  • 6 Cups chicken broth ( I use low fat reduced sodium)
  • 2 Garlic cloves minced
  • 4 tsp. chili powder
  • 1 Tbsp. Garlic powder
  • 1 Tbsp. cumin
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 can diced green chili’s
  • 1 jalapeño
  • 2 Cups reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • Toppings: fresh chopped tomato, avocado, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, tortilla chips.

Directions:

  1. Place chicken in crockpot top with tomatoes, chili’s, & jalapeño.
  2. Melt butter in large sauce pan once melted add garlic cook for 2 mins.
  3. Add flour and whisk until light rue forms 2-3 mins.
  4. Slowly mix in chicken broth and bring to a boil, once smooth and thickened remove from heat.
  5. Add chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and salt & pepper to taste.
  6. Pour soup mixture over chicken and cook on low for 6 hours.
  7. Shred chicken with forks either in crockpot or on a  cutting board.
  8. Add cheese and cook on high for 30 mins to melt cheese.
  9. Serve with any desired toppings, we like to enjoy it with a salad.

Baked Ziti

Posted in Family Meals, Weekend/Special occasion meals., Weeknight CookingLeave a comment

Serves 6-8

Prep Time 30 Mins                                                  Cook Time 30 Mins

Ingredients

  • 3/4 Lb. extra lean ground turkey
  • 1/4 Lb. or 2 Links hot Italian sausage
  • 2 Cans diced tomatoes with garlic basil & olive oil
  • 3/4 Box whole wheat penne pasta
  • 1 package Spinach or Mixed Power greens
  • 1 1/2 cups part skim mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1 jar pasta sauce

Directions

  1. Brown Turkey meat and Sausage in large skillet sprayed with olive oil pam.Baked Ziti 5
  2. While meat is browning boil water for pasta and cook according to directions.
  3. Once meat is browned add tomatoes and bring to a slight boil. (You can add more garlic here is you wish we LOVE garlic in our house)
  4. Then add in greens ( you can really add any vegetables here mushrooms zucchini squash) I used to mixed power greens with chard, kale,  spinach.
  5. Once greens are wilted add pasta sauce and bring to a boil.Baked Ziti 3
  6. Combine pasta and sauce in skillet
  7. Stir in 1/2 of the cheese.
  8. Cook covered at 400 degrees for 20 mins.
  9. Remove from oven uncover and top with remaining cheese.
  10. Cook for a additional 10 mins or until cheese is brown and bubbly.
  11. Let sit for 5 mins then serve and enjoy.

Honey Walnut Shrimp

Posted in UncategorizedLeave a comment

This is my favorite dish when going out for Chinese so I read through a few recipes, changed and combined them to make it my own and something a little bit heathier. I’ve made it both by frying in oil and also in the air fryer, of course the actual fry is better but the air fryer is good alterative and another way to healthify it.

Serves 4

Prep Time 15 mins                                                                                 Cook time 30 mins

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup walnut halves
  • 3 tablespoons low fat mayonnaise
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons honey
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons fat free condensed milk
  • 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 3-4 Egg whites
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • Oil for frying or can make in the air fryer

Directions:

  1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
  2. Heat 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Add sugar and stir, constantly, until golden and thickened. Add walnuts and gently toss to combine. Transfer to a parchment paper-lined plate.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey and condensed milk; set aside.
  4. Season shrimp with salt and pepper, to taste.
  5. Working one at a time, dip the shrimp into the egg, then dredge in the cornstarch, pressing to coat.
  6. Working in batches, add the shrimp to the skillet, 8-10 at a time, and fry until evenly golden brown and crispy, about 1-2 minutes on each side. Or you can make it in 2 batches in the air fryer.  Transfer to a wire rack
  7. In a sauté pan, combine shrimp and sauce mixture.
  8. Serve immediately, topped with walnuts.
  9. Great served over rice with your favorite veggie.

 

BBQ Pork Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Posted in Family Meals, Weeknight CookingLeave a comment

This is a replicate of a sweet potato I love from our favorite BBQ place Sauced. You can have it with a regular potato also if you don’t like sweet potatoes or mix it up for the family depending on who likes what . This is also a good meal when everyone isn’t eating at the same time you can keep the potatoes warm in a separate crockpot or at 200 in the oven. You can also change up the toppings to your liking.

 

Prep Time total 30-40 mins                                                                          Cook Time 6-8 hours total

Serves 6 (can sever more if needed) I had left over pork that I froze to use another time.

Ingredients

  • 1 Lb. pork loin roast
  • 1 Med onion chopped
  • 1/2 Cup BBQ sauce
  • Hot Sauce to taste
  • 6 Small-Medium sweet potatoes
  • 2 Cups sharp white cheddar cheese
  • 2 Tbsp. Butter
  • 3 Tbsp. Flour
  • 1/2 Cup Milk
  • 1 Cup beer
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • 6 Slices center cut bacon
  • 2 jalapeños thinly sliced
  • 1 bunch green onions sliced
  • 1 can baked beans  (I used Bush’s original but any kind would be good)

 

BBQ Pork

Place pork loin in crockpot top with onions, bbq sauce and hot sauce (if desired) cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Once done shred pork with forks and mix with BBQ sauce.

BBQ Pulled Pork

Sweet Potatoes
Clean potatoes wrap in foil and cook in oven at 400 for 45-60 mins or until soft.
Cheese Sauce
Melt butter in sauce pan, whisk in flour and cook 3-5 mins until light brown rue forms. Slowing stir milk into flour mixture in increments, once milk is incorporated add garlic powder, mustard, salt & pepper and  beer simmer for 3-5 mins. Add cheese in handful increments waiting until it melts before adding more. Simmer on low until thickened and smooth. If the sauce thickens up too much you can add more beer to thin it out.

Food 28
Cheese Sauce

Toppings
Cook & Crumble bacon set aside. Cook Beans according to directions. Slice Jalapeños, Slice Green Onions
Assemble
Slice sweet potatoes down middle top with Beans, Pork, Cheese Sauce, Bacon, Jalapeños, & Green Onions.Food 29

Prosciutto & Arugula Pizza

Posted in Family MealsLeave a comment

I got the original recipe for this from Cooking light but have changed it up to make it my own.

Prep 15 Mins                                                                                        Cook Time 20 Mins

I like to split my pizza dough and make these into 3 individual pizzas but can also be made into 1 large pizza.

Ingredients

  • Pizza dough ( I like the house made one from sprouts)
  • Fontina Cheese shredded
  • 8-10 slices of prosciutto
  • 1 cup arugula
  • 1 Lemon
  • Pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Roll out pizza dough on floured cutting board transfer to pizza stone
  2. Top pizza with cheese and prosciutto
  3. Bake at 400 ( or according to package directions) for 15-20 mins
  4. Mix arugula with juice of 1 lemon and pepper to taste
  5. Top pizza with arugula mixture
  6. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Spinach Florentine pasta

Posted in Family Meals, Weeknight CookingLeave a comment

This is a light and fresh pasta that we enjoy usually during the summer time when I can get good mixed cherry tomatoes from the farmers market. Can be made with chicken or scallops also.

 

Serves 4

Prep Time: 10 Mins                                         Cook Time 20 Mins

Ingredients

  • 1 Lb. Peeled and Deveined Shrimp
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp. diced garlic
  • 2 cups spinach
  • I pint cherry tomatoes (I like the mixed ones)
  • 8 oz. Whole wheat linguini
  • 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Boil water according to pasta directions. Cook as directed
  2. Heat olive oil over med/high heat
  3. Add garlic and cook for 30-60 secs making sure not to burn
  4. Add Shrimp and cook until opaque
  5. Add tomatoes and cook for 2-3 mins or until the begin to burst
  6. Add spinach and cook until wiled.
  7. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking liquid and drain pasta
  8. Add pasta to shrimp mixture and toss to combine.
  9. Add pasta water slowly until past is coated ( you won’t need it all)
  10. Toss with parmesan cheese and fresh cracked black pepper
  11. Serve immediately and enjoy

Chicken & Prosciutto salad

Posted in Family Meals, Weeknight CookingLeave a comment

Serves 3

Prep 5 mins                                                                                  Cook Time 20-25 Add to dictionary

Ingredients

  • 2-3 Chicken breast depending on size 12oz total
  • BBQ rub
  • 6 slices Prosciutto
  • Asiago cheese shaved.
  • Croutons (I like to make my own recipe below but any will do)
  • 2 Ears corn on the cob
  • Spring Mix
  • Dressing ( I like to make my own recipe below or any balsamic is good)

Directions

  1. Rub chicken with seasoning
  2. Grill chicken over med/low hear for 20 mins flipping 1/2 at though cooking
  3. While chicken is cooking pan fry prosciutto and place on paper towels
  4. Husk corn and grill for 10 mins turning while cooking
  5. Assemble salad dress and enjoy.

Dressing- Combine 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cub red wine vinegar, juice of 2 lemons, 1 shallot minced, salt and pepper. Shake to combine.

Croutons– Any day or 3 old bread ( I like to get the seeded cheese sticks from my farmers market) cut into cubes. Lay on baking sheet in one even layer spray with olive oil and season with natures seasonings ( or any other on you have on hand this is always my go to) mix to cover all the croutons. Bake on low 250-275 degrees for 15 mins, then turn over the croutons and bake another 10 mins. Let sit for 30 mins store in a air tight container.

 

Sangria

Posted in Cocktails, Weekend/Special occasion meals.Leave a comment

Prep Time 15-20 Mins                                                   Set Time at least 1 hour but best over night

Ingredients

  • 2 Each orange, apple, lemon, limes sliced
  • 1/2 package strawberries cut in half
  • 1 package blackberries
  • 2 large bottles red wine
  • 1 Cup blackberry liquor
  • 2 2 liters sprite

Directions

  1. Combine all  fruit, wine and liquor and let sit over night
  2. Once ready to serve pour over ice and top with sprite.

Balsamic Chicken Sandwiches

Posted in Family Meals, Weeknight CookingLeave a comment

Serves 3 ( or how ever many you want)

Prep Time 10 Mins                                                                     Cook Time 20-25 Mins

Ingredients

  • 3 5-6 oz. chicken breasts
  • 3 ciabatta rolls
  • 6 slices of  prosciutto (thinly sliced)
  • Asiago cheese thinly sliced
  • 1 Cup spring mix
  • Balsamic vinegar to taste (do yourself a favor and use a good balsamic for this)

Directions

  1. Wrap each chicken breast with 2 pieces of prosciutto
  2. Grill chicken on BBQ or indoor Grill for 15-20 mins flipping half way through
  3. Cut ciabatta rolls in half and place on grill
  4. Place cheese on top of chicken and cook until melted.
  5. Combine spring mix and balsamic in small bowl
  6. Place 1 piece of chicken on bottom bun top with spring mix  then top with top bun.
  7. Cut in half and enjoy.