Wednesday, December 17, 2014

TV Dinner Nostalgia! Salisbury Steak & 2 Onion and Mushroom Gravy

Salisbury steak was always my go-to tv dinner.  Whenever I was little and was treated to one, that's just what I chose.  The juicy meat, the smooth gravy and chunky mushrooms ...Mmmmm - commence mouth watering! But now as a semi-grown up (hehe)- when you really think about it, tv dinners are not super healthy. I try as often as I can to recreate tv dinners or takeout and make the same thing at home with less salt, carbs, and preservatives. I get a great deal of satisfaction out of knowing exactly what goes into my meals. With a little bit of planning anyone can do it!  This salisbury steak recipe is sure to bring you back the same tv dinner nostalgia but the difference is, this one's healthy! The only thing that includes carbs that I consider "counting carbs" is the whole wheat flour and whole wheat breadcrumbs. Healthy and yummy! What makes it better is I serve it along side one of my cauliflower mash recipes and the meal is complete!

I start off with 2 eggs in a large bowl- makes for easy mixing.

Add in Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.

Then add in the thyme, parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Whisk together until combined.

Mix in some breadcrumbs- these are my favorite! 

With clean hands add in the ground beef and mix together.

Form the mixture into patties.  I did 3 but you could also do 2 big patties or 5 small patties. 
I also like to follow my friend Ree aka The Pioneer Woman. She puts the texture into the meat with the heal of her hand and ever since she did that, I do too. I think it makes it taste better ;)

Look at that meat mixture! Great colors!

Next its time to start the sauce!
While the meat patties are browning on the stove in a separate sauce pan combine beef broth, half and half, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and pepper and heat up and keep at medium low heat. We are going to add this mixture in slowly to the rue I'm about to make. This step allows these ingredients to meld together to enhance the flavors of my sauce!

After the meat is browned remove it from the pan onto a plate. Add onions into the same pan that the meat was browned in and sauce for a minute or so. Yummy already!

I am using a combination of red and white onions merely because there was a sale on the two kinds in one bag at the store. But you can use all white, all red, or a mixture- it doesn't matter!
Then add in the mushrooms!

Allow mushrooms to cook down for a few minutes...

...Until they are golden brown and have absorbed most of the liquid.
What a beautiful color! 
Then remove them from the pan.

To the same pan lower the heat and add in some butter. Once it's melted sprinkle with whole wheat flour.
Cook out the flour taste by whisking for about 3 minutes.

Add in the reserved stock that was keeping warm on the stove. Add in a little at a time whisking in each batch.

Then add the mushrooms and onions back in!
It's really coming together now! 

Then, place patties in the skillet and spoon sauced over each one. 
Cover and simmer on medium low heat for 15 minutes.

Then it's ready to eat!!!
I bet ya think those are potatoes... they're not! It's cauliflower :)

Salisbury Steak Patties:
1 lb Ground Beef
2 Eggs
1/2 tsp Pepper
2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Onion Powder
1 tsp Garlic Powder
2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
3 tsp Parsley, dried
1/2 tsp Thyme, Fresh or 1/4 tsp dried
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp Whole Wheat Bread Crumbs

Combine egg, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder,  Worcestershire sauce, parsley and thyme and whisk together until well combined. Add in ground meat and mix with clean hands. add in 1/4 cup bread crumbs, mix again and add in additional 2 tbsp and give one last mix. Form into 3 patties and score the top to resemble steak- you don't have to but its more fun that way.

Sauce:
2 cups Beef Stock
1/4 cup Half and Half
1/8 tsp Black Pepper
1/2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 tsp Fresh Thyme
1/2 tsp Soy Sauce
8 oz mushrooms
1/2 white onion, slices thin
1/2 red onion, sliced thin
2 Tbsp Whole Wheat Flour
4 Tbsp Butter
2 Tbsp Olive Oil

In a sauce pan heat up beef stock, half and half, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and pepper. Once warmed keep on medium low heat until its added to the sauce.

Melt 2 tbsp butter and 2 tbsp oil on a cast iron skillet over medium high heat.  Cook the patties 5 minutes per side then transfer to a plate. Into the same skillet add in onions and sauté for 1 minute then add in the mushrooms and cook for 4-5 minutes.  Remove the mushrooms and onions to a plate.
Add in remaining 2 tbsp butter and turn heat down to medium. Once the butter is melted add in 2 tbsp flour and whisk around for about 2-3 minutes. Then add in the warm broth mixture 1/4 at a time whisking after each 1/4. Then add the mushrooms back into the pan and stir.  Add patties back in and cover with sauce mixture. Turn heat down to medium low, cover and let simmer for 15 minutes.
Then it's ready!
I am serving this dish over my cauliflower mash!
Enjoy!

... it can be healthy and low carb too!



Monday, December 15, 2014

Chunky Chicken Pot Pie Soup

I think its safe to say that I am on a soup kick.  It's been happening this time of the year for the past few years now. I crave soup! Any kind... all kinds! There's something about a cold December night that makes me want to curl up with a yummy bowl of soup. This recipe is a good 'make ahead and reheat soup' or easy enough to pull together on a weeknight; plus I make it with very little carbs so the hubby is happy too!  The garnish isn't exactly low carb but it is the holidays and I am a lil less strict with myself.  Plus who has pot pie without pie crust?! ;) I also subbed out some of the traditional veggies for some lower carb versions. But trust me, you won't miss them! But if you do you can certainly sub them back in. I also decided to use fresh herbs versus dried. I think it adds a welcome freshness to the soup.  Lets get started!

First comes celery!

Followed by carrots- I love the flavor from baby carrots! Chop them in half and then into thin slices.


Next a whole white onion chopped.

Just look at those lovely veggies! 
Melt some butter in a soup pot and add in those chopped veggies along with a couple cloves of minced garlic.  



Next add in the mushrooms to the pot! Mmmm

Next add in the fresh herbs! Italian parsley, thyme, and rosemary.  I must say I'm partial to rosemary- its my favorite! Also throw in a bay leaf.


Sprinkle with salt and pepper and let the veggies cook for a few minutes.

Next comes the chicken stock! 
Add it in and bring to a boil and let it cook down for 10 minutes.

Then I add in 1/2 head of cauliflower- this is what I subbed 2 boiled potatoes for.  Keeps the carb count lower. 

Next is one package of frozen peas.

Followed by one rotisserie chicken with all the meat removed and cut into chunks.

Mmmm my kitchen smelled SO good right about now. 

While the soup is bubbling away, in a cast iron skillet we're going to make the rue to thicken the soup.
Add in half and half and whole wheat flour along with garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.  Whisk together until the flour is dissolved and bubbly. Whisk in some butter to enhance the flavor even more. 

Add that mixture into the soup!
And season with some more salt and pepper.
Bring to a boil then lower the heat to a simmer for 20 minutes to reduce and thicken the soup.

In the meantime I made my garlic parmesan pie crusts croutons- say that 5 times fast! 
I started by melting butter on low heat in a small saucepan.  Then I added in chopped garlic to flavor the butter. Once it melted together I let it cook for 5 minutes or so and took it off the heat to let it sit. 

Take a store bought pie crust and cut it into whatever shapes you desire. I did some squares and some strips.
Use a silpad if you have one! If you don't, buy one! It is my favorite kitchen tool. It fits right on top of your baking sheet and helps to bake everything evenly. 


Brush the pie crusts with the garlic butter. 

Bake for 15 minutes.  Then take them out and brush with another layer of garlic butter. I love garlic so I put some of the garlic on the croutons.  Then I sprinkled on parmesan cheese- garlic, parmesan, butter... this can't possibly go wrong... unless of course I burned them- but don't worry, I didn't.

Put them back into the oven for 5 minutes until the cheese and crusts are golden brown.



Check the soup for seasoning, add more salt and pepper to taste. I like to sprinkle in a lil garlic salt!
Soup is done! Take out the bay leaf and scoop out the soup into bowls.  Garnish with the pie crust croutons.

Now go and enjoy this soup! 

Chunky Chicken Pot Pie Soup 
(Serves 4-5)

5 Tbsp butter, divided
1 white onion 
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 heaping cup carrots, diced
1 heaping cup celery, diced
8 Oz package mushrooms
4 cups chicken broth
1/2 head cauliflower (3 cups), cut into small florets
9 Oz frozen peas
1 Tbsp fresh thyme OR 1 tsp dried
1 Tbsp fresh Italian parsley OR 1 tsp dried
1 Tbsp fresh rosemary OR 1 tsp dried
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 cups half and half
3 Tbsp whole wheat flour
1 tsp salt plus more for seasoning
1 tsp pepper plus more for seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder

Melt 3 Tbsp butter in a soup pot over medium high heat and sauté onion, carrot and celery for about 3 minutes until they begin to soften. Add in the chopped garlic and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Cook another minute. Add in the mushrooms, bay leaf, and herbs- parsley, thyme and rosemary- cook another 2 minute. Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a boil.  Cook at a simmer for 10 minutes. Next add in the peas, cauliflower, and chopped chicken. In a cast iron skillet heat the half and half with garlic and onion powder and a tsp each of salt and pepper. Whisk in whole wheat flour. Continue whisking until thick and bubbly then add in remaining 2 Tbsp butter and whisk until combined. Add the rue into the soup pot and stir until combined. Bring soup back up to a bubble and cook for another 30 minutes. Remove the bay leaf, check for seasoning add more salt and pepper then spoon into bowls. Garnish with garlic parmesan pie crust croutons (recipe below).


Garlic Parmesan Pie Crust Croutons
1 sheet of store bough pie crust
2 Tbsp butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Heat butter on low heat until melted. Add in garlic and stir. Continue heating on low for about 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Cut dough into desired shapes, place on a cookie sheet - a silpad works best! Brush with garlic butter and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and brush on another layer of garlic butter and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake another 5-8 minutes until cheese and pie crust is golden brown. 

'H' for Hart! 

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

lil carb Extra Saucy Shrimp Scampi

Watch me cook this EASY, fresh dinner! :)



Here I go again craving things I really shouldn't have... pasta! How cruel of me to deny a girl pasta!  Its just not right.  To ease my growling tummy I had to get creative and think up a pasta dish without actually eating pasta.  After thinking about it I wanted something light but with tons of flavor.  Then it hit me- Shrimp Scampi! This was a bit of a splurge for me considering I spent $12 on 1 pound of shrimp but they were peeled, deveined, and fresh so in my eyes it was worth it! What a great dinner!  Fresh seafood with perfectly cooked garlic and a sauce that you can slurp right up.  My "pasta" was spaghetti squash and as Jason and I were eating this dinner he literally said "I feel like I'm eating pasta." I really think I have perfected cooking spaghetti squash in the microwave- its a gift! ha!  You could easily serve this shrimp n sauce combo over rice, pasta, grits, or a veggie noodle like zucchini or squash.  Either way, this dinner takes minutes to put together but tastes like what you would order at a restaurant. Plus it's low carb! I love the sauce or the gravy of dinners so as with most of my recipes there will be plenty of sauce for 2 people and you can certainly cut it in half if you're not a saucy person like myself.

Extra Saucy Shrimp Scampi (Serves 2):
1 lb Raw Shrimp, peeled and deveined- tails left on
7 Garlic Cloves, minced or grated
1 cup Chicken Broth OR Vegetable Broth
1 cup White Wine
1/2 cup Lemon Juice, fresh or bottled
1/4 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper
1/4 cup Parsley, chopped- plus more for garnish
1 1/2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tbsp plus 3 Tbsp Butter

Add 1 tbsp butter and oil to a skillet on medium heat.  Add in the shrimp and sauce for about 2 minutes- just until pink.  Be careful not to overcook.  Then add in the garlic and stir around for another 45 seconds.  Remove shrimp from skillet and keep warm on a plate by tenting it with tin foil.  Next combine the wine, lemon juice, chicken broth and 1/4 cup parsley.  Stir to combine. While this is heating up add in salt and pepper to taste.  Bring this mixture to a boil and reduce for 10-12 minutes uncovered.  As soon as the sauce is reduced by about half add in last 3 tbsp butter and whisk furiously until melted into sauce. Arrange shrimp on top of spaghetti squash (quick preparation below) and top with desired amount of sauce.  Garnish each plate with a sprinkle of parsley and a lemon wedge.  YUM!

Easy Spaghetti Squash- makes 4 servings:
2 1/2 lb Spaghetti Squash
Microwave

Pierce squash with about 8-10 knife holes.  Microwave on high for 5 minutes then flip squash over and microwave another 4 1/2 minutes.  Let sit in  microwave of 1 minute.  Remove with oven mitts, cut in half, scoop out seeds and mushy center and "rake" out the flesh to resemble noodles.


Should I bring your tab?! ...ha! Almost feels like a restaurant instagram pic! #foodie #nomnom #itoldyouitwassaucy ;)



Monday, December 1, 2014

November Goals Recap & December Goals

Ok so I thought making goals would be simple; reading books, going for walks, all stuff I do normally. Well this month went by entirely too fast and I'm sad to say all my goals were not met haha- I think my famous last words were "4 goals is a good start." 


Goal #1:  Read two books. Which I normally do anyway! But not this November... To my credit, I tried really hard to get into the book Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay but it fell flat for me. I thought since Lizzy was a chef I would be entertained but shortly into the book the story shifted to her mother having died of cancer and her sister having cancer also and the two sisters do not get along- it just was not the book I thought it would be and in turn I did not finish it.  I didn't finish that book and I never started the second book.  Nothing bothers me more than buying a book that docent keep my interest.  So much that I can't even finish it. But you'll never know if it will be good if you don't try! I should really try the library and save some money...
Goal #1 not accomplished. 

Goal #2: Walking the dogs everyday. I started off the month very strong. About halfway through Jason was walking them all on his own. I missed 10 days out of 30.  At least I walked them more days than not...Trying to make myself feel better here. 
-Goal #2- 2/3 accomplished! 

Goal #3: I wanted to walk 8,000 steps a day and 240,000 steps for the month. 
Here's my step breakdown:
Nov 1: 4,132 steps
Nov 2: 7,703 steps
Week of Nov 3rd: 59,768 steps
Week of the 10th: 61,038 steps
Week of the 17th: 63,047 steps  
Week of the 24th: 52,073 steps
Nov 30: 4,555 steps

Grand Total: 252,316!!! I might not have hit 8,000 steps every day but other days I had 13,000 to make up for it and I crushed my goal by 12,316 steps!!!
-Goal #3- Accomplished!

Goal #4: Vino consumption- this one is laughable. I really did start off the month going strong. I said I was only going to drink Friday, Saturday and one other day during the week. In the first 10 days of the month I only had wine on 3 days! But it quickly went downhill. Between the holidays and shopping and decorating and cooking I had to celebrate with my beloved cabernet.
-Goal #4- not accomplished.

November Recap: 1 2/3 out of 4 accomplished lol

December Goals:

Goal #1: I am going to read the book I didn't get a chance to start last month!  The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom.  I'm sticking to one book this month.  

Goal #2: Since I crushed my step goal last month I'm going to up my goal to 250,000 steps for this month!  Hopefully with all the mall walking I'll be able to meet the goal!

Goal #3: I'm not going to mess with vino this month ha with all the holidays I know better! Instead I'm going to made an effort to watch my portions everytime I eat. I'm going to try extra hard to be conscious of how much I'm eating and to make sure not to overdo it. 

Overall, I survived my first month of goals!  Decembers goals might seem wimpy but I want to get 3 for 3 this month so I'm making it easy for myself haha I hope December goes a lil slower than November!