Vegetarian Fajitas

Earlier this week, my husband was really sick and I could not take care of him much because I had to work all day. On my way home from work, I was brainstorming with meal ideas that would be quick (because I was really hungry) and that would help fight his illness (because he was really sick). By the time I got home, this delicious meal popped into my head! Because everything is cooked in a pan, it was quick to prepare; and because of the ingredients, Chris started feeling better the next day! The combination of the onion and peppers provide a very powerful antiviral and antibacterial quality to this meal, not to mention the nutrients from all the other whole foods!

You will need (for 4-5 servings):

1 large onion, sliced

1-2 peppers, chopped or sliced (the more colors you have, the more nutritional variety you have!)

2/3 cup of sliced mushrooms (amount depends on your preference really)

1 roma tomato, chopped

1 lime, quartered

3-4 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

1-2 Tbs of oil (preferably oil that is refined for high heat, like sesame oil, to avoid free radicals in your meal)

Multi-grain tortillas

1 can of black beans, heated, rinsed and drained

On Low-Medium heat, add oil to pan. When oil is heated, add onion, peppers and mushrooms. Stir frequently, until vegetables begin to soften. Do not overcook! Meanwhile, in a sauce pan, heat black beans on low heat.

When vegetables have softened, add tomato. Stir frequently for a few minutes until tomato is slightly cooked. Then remove pan from heat.

On a tortilla, layer: small amount of black beans, small amount of vegetables. Garnish with cilantro, and juice of lime quarter.

Wrap and enjoy!

Note: My husband and I each had 2, and they kept us full for quite a while!

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No Bake Ziti

This may not even qualify as a "recipe" but it's a nice changeup from cooked pasta with some jarred sauce on top. (my old standby)

1 lb. italian sausage (I like it hot- but if you have kids, get mild)
1 c. chopped onion
1 c. diced green bell pepper
1 jar marinara sauce- any variety (today I had Prego Garlic & Parmesan- really, whatever's in your cabinet)
4 1/2 c. hot, cooked penne pasta

In skillet, over medium heat, cook sausage, onion, and bell pepper until sausage is cooked through, drain fat.
Add pasta sauce and heat to boil, then serve over penne (the longer the sauce simmers, the better it tastes!)

Side note: picky husband prefers this with cheese melted on top.

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Pork w/ Orange Sauce

Yes, I plated it all nice and pretty using my Pottery Barn platter just for you. This one is easy- and so delish! Serve it over rice- to die for! Even though the ingredients sound a bit nutty, it tastes good!

1 Pork Tenderloin (1 1/4 lbs.)- I just buy it all pre-sliced in little portions... because I'm lazy and dumb, and still can't find a whole pork tenderloin, and it it would probably creep me out anyway... BACK TO THE RECIPE!

1 orange
1 tsp. olive oil
1 red onion
1 tbl. dijon mustard
1/4 tea. salt
1/4 tea. pepper

Cut the pork into 4 slices and flatten with your hand (or resident rubber mallet- what can I say, I've got rage issues) Season both sides with 1/4 tea. salt and 1/4 tea. pepper. From orange, grate 1/2 tea. peel (easier than "zesting") and squeeze 1/2 c. juice from the orange. (it's surprisingly difficult- you may want to have a 2nd orange just for insurance)

Heat skillet and add oil, then add pork in a single layer. Cook 4 mins. Turn pork over and add chopped onions. Cook 5 mins. Make sure pork is cooked through.

Remove pork to a plate. Leave onion in the skillet.

Add mustard and orange peel/juice to skillet. Cook 1 minute and pour over plated pork. Let sit for a minute to absorb.

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BBQ Chicken Pasta

Well, with a call to arms like that, how could I stay silent? I made this recipe for the first time last week and I think it needs a bit of tweaking. So this is how I would do it. (I've just switched around a few things- my onions were too soggy and my chicken was too dry on the first run) I was going to make it again (and add cilantro) and post the recipe. But it sounds like Lacie is in dire need here. Here it goes!

1 tbl. olive oil
2-3 chicken breasts- in chunks
1/2 red onion- diced
3 c. water
2 1/2 c. chicken broth (this is more than 1 normal can of broth)
1/2 tea. salt
12 oz. dry penne pasta
2/3 c. BBQ sauce
1/3 c. sour cream
1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
2 tbl. fresh cilantro- finely chopped

In a large skillet, (I used my big stir fry skillet) heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken and cook through. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.

In the same skillet, add water, chicken broth, penne, and salt. Bring to a boil and simmer for 12- 15 mins. until liquid is almost absorbed, pasta is tender, and mixture is syrupy. Stir in BBQ sauce, onions and chicken. Heat through and let onions soften.

Add sour cream and stir to coat. Then add cheeses and heat through. Remove from heat and stir in the cilantro before serving.

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Creamy Orzo with Chicken & Red Peppers

I made this tonight for dinner. It is the perfect summer dish. Made entirely on the stove top, it is just so light and tastes... summery! Yet still filling!


1 tbl. olive oil
2 chicken breasts- in chunks
2 red bell peppers- 1/2 in. pieces
1 tea. dried thyme
3 cloves minced garlic
1 lb. orzo pasta
8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
1 c. reserved pasta water
1/2 tea. salt
1/2 tea. pepper
1/2 c. shredded parmesan cheese
3 tbl. chopped fresh parsley
The juice of 1 lemon

First, take out the cream cheese to soften. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook orzo and reserve 1 c. of the water. While orzo cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet and season the chicken with a pinch of salt & pepper. Cook chicken in the oil; brown on all sides, but not fully cooked through. Add red peppers and thyme. Stir and cook for about 5 mins. until peppers are soft and liquid has evaporated. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. On med. heat, cut in cream cheese in bite size pieces and stir to coat. Add pasta water (1 c.) bring to a simmer, and add 1/2 tea. salt & 1/2 tea. pepper, stir well. Let it cook down for a bit then remove from heat. Add orzo, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and parsley stir to combine and serve.

The kiddos even ate it:

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