Category: Family

Family, Food, Garden

Garden Success – Basil

thestlouiscooks
Fresh Basil
Fresh Basil

I’m a city girl who just started gardening. Last year, I had so much success that I couldn’t wait for Spring of 2013. This year we tried out a few herbs, basil being one of them. I left the herbs in pots thankfully so because I have some creature taking over my garden that I planted in the ground (will give you more details about that in another post).

Back to the basil, I was craving a salad to accompany my meat loaf, conveniently so, I had a box of Near East Taboule Wheat Salad Mix on hand. I decided to follow a Greek Taboule Salad recipe that also called for fresh basil. I was so excited to cut my first batch of basil. Holy cow, it smelled so good. I cut my basil leaving the bottom leaves in tact so that I could ensure more growth in three weeks.

It’s pretty awesome enjoying the sweet success of planting your own seeds, not to mention a tasty quick Taboule Salad with fresh basil!

Greek Taboule Salad
Greek Taboule Salad

Ingredients

  • 1 package of NEAR EAST Taboule Wheat Salad Mix
  • 2 Tablespoons of olive oil
  • 1 cup of crumbled feta cheese ( I like the Athenos Garlic and Herb variety)
  • 2 large Roma Tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 cup of cucumbers, chopped
  • 1/4 cup of fresh basil
  • 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
  • Lettuce Leaves
  • Lemon wedges

Directions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine wheat salad mix and contents of spice packet.
  2. Stir in 1 cup of boiling water and oil. Let stand for 30 minutes.
  3. Stir cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, and lemon juice into wheat mixture. Cover and chill for 2 hours.
  4. Serve on top of lettuce leaves with fresh ground pepper if desired.

This quick salad was so good. Do you have any good recipes using basil? I’d love to hear them.

Drinks, Family, Kids

Summer Smoothies

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Banana Strawberry Smoothie

We love smoothies in the summer time.  Heck, we like them all the time. There are so many different types of smoothie recipes out there, but this first one is my absolute favorite.  I always have all the ingredients in the kitchen. Yogurt is always in the fridge and Costco‘s Kirkland Frozen Three Berries or any other frozen berry variety. My best recommendation is to double the recipes.

The Banana Berry Smoothie

Ingredients

  • 1 banana
  • 1/2 cup of vanilla yogurt or any berry type
  • 3/4 cup of orange juice
  • 1 cup of Costco’s Kirkland frozen three berries (any kind is fine)

Directions

  • Blend all ingredients for 30 seconds to make 2 healthy servings.  Yummy!

Here is another great smoothie recipe based on ingredients we had at home…

The Banana Pineapple Smoothie

Banana Pineapple Smoothie

 

Ingredients

  • 1 banana
  • Hand full of ice cubes
  • 1/3 cup of fresh pineapple or canned pineapple
  • 1 cup of orange/pineapple juice (or any variety)
  • 1 tsp. of vanilla

Directions

  • Blend all ingredients for 30 seconds to make 2 healthy servings. Yummy!

The beautiful thing about smoothies is you can get creative, try different flavors, use what you have at home and enjoy!

Family, Food, Kids

Mexican Casserole and it’s light!

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This mexican casserole was a huge success! It’s hard to believe it is light and only 6 points for those watching their weight watcher points.  Plus my kids absolutely loved it!

RECIPE

What you will need…Mexican Casserole Ingredients

  • 1 lb extra lean ground beef (drained)
  • 1/2 cup onion (chopped)
  • 1/4 cup canned jalapeno slices, chopped or green chilies
  • 2 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 (15 ounce) can kernel corn (drained)
  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans (rinsed/drained) – Ortega
  • 1 (1/14 ounce) package taco seasoning mix – Old El Paso
  • 8 corn tortilla’s – Mission
  • 3/4 cup non fat or light sour cream
  • 1/3 bunch of cilantro, chopped to taste (less or more)

Directions:

  1. Brown ground beef and chopped onions in large skillet; brown 10-12 minutes or until cooked, stirring constantly. Drain well to remove fat.
  2. Add corn, black beans, tomatoes, chilie’s or jalapeno’s and taco seasoning; mix well. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile spray  a 12 x 8 inch (2 quart) baking dish with non stick cooking spray. Cut each tortilla in half, place 8 halves in bottom of sprayed baking dish, overlapping slightly.
  4. Spoon half of beef mixture evenly over tortillas. Spoon sour cream over beef mixture; spread evenly. Top with remaining 8 tortilla halves and remaining beef mixture. (Cover tightly with foil and freeze for later or cook as directed below).
  5. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven; sprinkle with cheese. Cover; let stand 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro. Serve with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, black olives, etc…

DSCF2408

This recipe is super easy, but it does take a little time in the kitchen.  I made this casserole on my own with out my little helpers.  It was a “solo cooking day” where I put on my tunes, enjoy a nice glass of wine, and cook dinner for the family. 

Do you have any great Weight Watcher recipes like this one?  This one is delicious!

Family, Food, Snacks

Festive Flag

thestlouiscooks

Festive Flag

It doesn’t have to be Memorial Day, Fourth of July, or Labor Day, to enjoy this awesome snack.  Last year, I came across this idea from Pinterest.  I saw this cute picture of a flag snack using skewers.  I had a ton at home so I decided to try out the recipe, but I changed it up a bit.  The recipe that I found on Pinterest used bananas for the white part.  I swapped the bananas for marshmallows because I worried the bananas would brown and I figured it would add a little more excitement!  It was a HUGE hit at the house!

This year the kids demanded that I let them make it all by themselves.  I was a little reluctant, but I gave the go ahead. My oldest, Melanie, was the head chef, Jack and Nick were the assistants (plus my hubby was in the living room listening/monitoring).  I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the finished product!

Festive Flag

  • Servings: 8-10
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Print

Ingredients:

What you will need…

12 Total Skewers, blueberries, strawberries, and marshmallows

Directions:

  • 6 Skewers with 10-12 blueberries, 3 strawberries and 2 marshmallows on each one
  • 6 Skewers with 5 strawberries and 4 marshmallows on each one
  • Use the picture to follow pattern
  • Lay on a flat cookie sheet or nice platter

The kids love this snack and it’s a great side dish for a party!  Your guests will be impressed!

Enjoy!