Egg in a basket

Egg in a basket!

Ingredients: 

1 egg

1 slice of bread

1 tab of butter

Salt and Pepper

Directions:

Heat skillet to med-low heat

Cut center of bread with cookie cutter

Melt butter in skillet

Place bread on melted butter

Crack egg into center of bread

Break center of egg if you prefer 

Use salt and pepper to season

Flip and cook until solid

Serve immediately!

Halloween lanterns!!!! So fun and easy!

Hello all!!! Had a blast making these awesome Halloween lanterns that you can either put a real tea light in or use the battery operated ones from the dollar tree (2 for $1)!!! 

Supplies:

Mod podge (or white glue)

Orange tissue paper

Sponge brush

Mason jar

Sharpie

Instructions:

Paint mod podge or glue onto exterior of mason jar

Press orange tissue paper onto jar

After dry- draw fun Halloween scene onto jar!

Light with tea light!

Tah dah!!!! Keep for reuse every year!

Bento Boxes and Balanced Meals

I have recently begun packing bento boxes for my husband's lunch to take to work. I have collected information from around the web regarding the benefits and ease of packing these well packed lunches. I also was able to find perfectly sized divided containers at Walmart for only $3.96 for 2! Keep in mind that this is not necessarily "japanese" food. The goal is a well packed, well balanced meal with minimum waste.

Benefits of the Bento Box Method:

The Bento Box provides a balanced meal that can not only provide adequate nutrition but also calorie/portion control. It is a great way to provide your family with a nutritious meal that is very filling. Keep in mind that the Bento Box is meant for lunch therefore it has a higher amount of carbs than your other meals should have. Carbs are utilized during the day versus being stored at night when you sleep.

Rules of the Bento Box for lunch:

• 3 parts grain
• 1 part protein
• 2 parts vegetables

Planning guide for packing a bento box:

For a general balanced meal according to Japanese food guidelines the following is an idea of what your plate should look like:

The following is a fantastic illustration of a balanced diet (much better than our redesigned food pyramid):

My First Quiche!

So last night I made my very first quiche! I found the recipe online and tweaked it a bit to make it easier and healthier.

Broccoli Chicken Quiche

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter

1 small organic onion, chopped

3 cloves organic garlic, minced

Sea salt and fresh black pepper

2 organic boneless chicken thighs (cooked)

2 cups broccoli florets, cut in bite-size pieces

1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

0.25 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1 Pillsbury pie crust

4 eggs

0.75 cup original Greek yogurt

0.75 cup milk

3-4 slices bacon, cooked but not crispy (can microwave on plate/paper towel for 45 seconds)

Directions:

Step One:

·      Cook chicken and shred with fork:

o   My favorite method of cooking the chicken involves placing in a crockpot on high with beer, wine, or apple juice for 2-4 hours.

·      Preheat Oven to 350 degrees and move rack to center of oven

·      Chop Onion

·      Mince Garlic

·      Steam Broccoli Florets

o   My favorite method is placing in ceramic bowl with a tablespoon or two of water then covering with a ceramic plate- microwave for 3 minutes and voila! Steamed Broccoli! J

·      Lightly Cook bacon

o   My favorite method is placing bacon on a paper towel and plate in the microwave for 45 seconds- bacon should not be crispy

Step Two:

·      Melt butter in a saucepan and sauté onions and garlic until soft- season well with salt and pepper

Step Three:

·      In a large bowl, mix chicken, broccoli, both cheeses, and onion/garlic mixture together to create quiche filling

Step Four:

·      Roll out pie crust into 9” pie dish pressing into corners, then evenly distribute filling into pie crust

Step Five:

·      Whisk eggs, Greek yogurt, and milk together and evenly pour over filling of quiche

Step Six:

·      Place bacon on top of quiche pressing lightly into filling

Step Seven:

·      Bake on middle rack for 50-60 minutes until top has risen and middle is lightly brown, then remove from oven and let set for 10 minutes before slicing