Sparky Under Wraps

No Top Reader Post - Have a Fantastic Holiday

2011-12-21T20:09:00.000-07:00

I am finishing up some holiday items and am spending time with my family. Have a wonderful weekend and a great holiday.

Freezer Meal Group - November 2011

2011-12-02T09:31:00.000-07:00

This month I made Slow Cooker Santa Fe Chicken and Cheesy Salsa Tuna Burgers. I didn't get to make The Slow Cooker Santa Fe Chicken for my family because when I went shopping I remembered that I had chicken in the freezer so I didn't purchase any. Well. . . .I did have chicken but I didn't have quite enough to make a meal for us. I was 1 chicken breast short. I was just happy I had enough for the other meals.

For the Cheesy Salsa Tuna Burgers instead of providing the sesame seed buns I usually do I provided sandwich thins. I love these things! They are so delicious. They are excellent for hamburgers, turkey burgers, sandwiches, bratwursts, etc.

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Slow Cooker Santa Fe Chicken
from skinnytaste.com
Printable Recipe

24 oz (1 1/2) lbs chicken breast
14.4 oz can diced tomatoes with mild green chilies
15 oz can black beans
8 oz frozen corn
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
14.4 oz can fat free chicken broth
3 scallions, chopped
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp cayenne pepper (to taste)
salt to taste

Combine chicken broth, beans, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne pepper and salt in the slow cooker. Season chicken breast with salt and lay on top. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. Adjust salt and seasoning. Serve over rice.

Servings: 8 servings • Size: 1 cup • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 4 pts
Calories: 190 • Fat: 1.5 g • Fiber: 5.6 g • Carbs: 23.1 g • Protein: 21 g

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Cheesy Salsa Tuna Burgers
adapted from Green Lite Bites
Printable Recipe

2 5 oz cans of tuna packed in water, drained as much as possible
2 egg
4 wedges of The Laughing Cow Light Creamy Swiss cheese
1/2 cup salsa
1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats, ground up in a blender or food processor
2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried cumin
1 tsp chili powder
2 tsp dried cilantro
pinch of kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
dash of hot sauce to taste (optional)

Place all ingredients in a bowl and combine with hands. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Form the tuna mixture into 6 patties and place directly on hot skillet. Cook for about 3 minutes a side until warmed through and browned. The nutritional info is only for the patty, not my bun or fixins.

For freezing:
Place formed patties on a silicone mat lined tray and flash freeze. Once solid, place in freezer bags. Do NOT thaw. Place frozen patties directly on non-stick skillet sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Cook for about 6 minutes per side until warmed through and browned.

Servings: 6 • Serving Size: 1 patty • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 215 • Fat: 5 g • Protein: 24 g • Carb: 18 g • Fiber: 3 g

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Freezer Meal Group - September 2011

2011-11-28T09:13:00.001-07:00

Here are the meals I made for September. I have made the Cheddar Butter Burgers before and this time they were even better. I think I had more fresh herbs (I only used basil). The burgers were fantastic as was the Buttermilk Chicken. I LOVED the chicken. It was even good cold and would be excellent on a salad.

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Cheddar Butter Burgers
adapted from Once a Month Mom
Printable Recipe

1 1/2 lb ground sirloin, round or chuck
1/3 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
1 1/2 tsp pepper
6 hamburger buns

Garlic-Herb Butter (will make more than you need, save for later)
6 Tbsp mix of fresh herbs, chopped (parsley, chives, basil, oregano, and/or tarragon)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp pepper
2 sticks butter, salted, room temperature

Place herbs, garlic, pepper and butter in bowl and beat with hand mixer until light and fluffy. Lay a 12-inch-square piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper on your work surface and mound the flavored butter in the center. Roll it up into a cylinder, twisting the ends to compact the butter. Chill the butter in the refrigerator or freezer until firm. To use, unwrap the roll and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch slices (approximately 1 Tablespoon). In a large bowl, hand mix ground beef, cheese, salt, and pepper. Divide into 6 equal balls. Mash into hamburger shapes. Place 1 Tablespoon of Garlic-Herb Butter in the middle of the burger and seal up. Grill or pan fry to prepare.

For Freezing:
Once burgers are formed, flash freeze on wax paper and a cookie sheet. When patty is firm, place in a gallon freezer bags. To serve, thaw in refrigerator over night. Grill or pan fry to prepare.

Servings: 6 • Size: 1 burger • Old Points: 9 pts • Points+: 9 pts
Calories: 347 • Fat: 22.2 g • Carb: .4 g • Fiber: 0 g • Protein: 34.8 g

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Buttermilk Herb Chicken Breasts
from Once a Month Mom
Printable Recipe

1 cup 1% milk
1 Tbsp vinegar or lemon juice
1 Tbsp honey
1 tsp thyme
1 Tbsp rosemary
1 tsp sage
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
2 lbs. Chicken breasts

Pour vinegar/lemon juice into milk and let sit for five minutes. Combine all ingredients into a freezer bag slightly shake to mix, and let sit in refrigerator for at least one hour or up to overnight. Heat grill or pan to medium heat, discard marinade and cook chicken until done.

For Freezing:
Combine all ingredients into a freezer bag slightly shake to mix, and place into freezer until ready to serve. To Serve: Thaw in refrigerator. Heat grill or pan to medium heat, discard marinade and cook chicken until done.

Servings: 6 • Size: 6 oz. chicken • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 198 • Fat: 4.35 g • Carb: 5.8 g • Fiber: .5 g • Protein: 36.1 g

**Nutrition information based on chicken and 1/6 of marinade.

Freezer Meal Group - Pizza Pasta Casserole

2011-09-29T17:49:00.000-06:00

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Pizza Pasta Casserole
from Freezer Meal Swap
Printable Recipe

2 lbs ground beef
1 lg onion, chopped
2 (28 oz) jars spaghetti sauce
1 (16 oz) pkg spiral pasta
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
8 oz sliced pepperoni and/or Canadian bacon

Cook spiral pasta noodles according to package instructions. While pasta is cooking, in a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef and onion together until ground beef is no longer pink; drain fat. Stir in spaghetti sauce and pasta, once noodles are cooked and drained. Spray 2 9x13 baking dishes with non-stick cooking spray, and divide mixture into both casseroles evenly. Sprinkle with cheese and top with pepperoni and/or Canadian bacon. Cool if needed, then cover and freeze.

To cook: Thaw casserole in the refrigerator overnight. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until heated through.

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Freezer Meal Group - Grilled Marinated Salmon

2011-09-27T17:48:00.001-06:00

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Grilled Marinated Salmon
from Freezer Meal Swap
Printable Recipe

1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp mustard powder
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground black pepper
2 lbs. salmon fillets

In a medium bowl, combine the soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, oil, mustard powder, ginger, and black pepper. Place the salmon in a shallow, nonporous dish and pour the marinade over the salmon. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, turning occasionally. Preheat outdoor grill for medium high heat and lightly oil grate. Grill the fish for about 3 to 4 minutes per side, or to desired doneness.

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Freezer Meal Goup - Jose's Lasagna

2011-09-26T17:46:00.000-06:00

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Jose’s Lasagna
from Freezer Meal Swap
Printable Recipe

1 1/2 lb. hamburger
1 lg. onion, chopped
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp red pepper
1 Tbsp chili powder
2 cups stewed tomatoes
tortillas
2 cups cottage cheese
1 cup cheese, grated

Combine hamburger, seasonings, and tomatoes; cook until meat is well done. Line the bottom of a 12” Dutch oven with tortilla shells. Spoon half of meat mixture over shells, then spread 1 cup cottage cheese and 1/2 cup cheese. Place another layer tortillas over cheeses. Spread the rest of the meat mixture over tortillas. Spread cottage cheese and grated cheese over meat mixture. Bake for 30 minutes at 350-375. Serve topped with chopped olives, onions, green pepper, and grated cheese.

From frozen: Thaw, then cook for 30 minutes at 375. Top with onions, green pepper, and grated cheese. Sour cream, olives and salsa could also be added.

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Freezer Meal Group - Sweet & Sour Chicken

2011-09-23T17:44:00.001-06:00

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Sweet and Sour Chicken
from Freezer Meal Swap
Printable Recipe

1 lb cooked chicken, cubed
1 cup ketchup
1 cup light or dark brown sugar
1 can pineapple tidbits, not drained
1 Tbsp white vinegar
1 green pepper, chopped (optional)
think with cornstarch if desired

Cook for 20 minutes on low to medium heat. Serve over rice.

From frozen: Thaw completely and warm in large saucepan, serve over rice.

Helpful Hints: Cook chicken with a little extra virgin olive oil in a large fry pan. Once chicken is cooked add remaining ingredients for fewer dishes. Start your rice and it will be ready when the chicken is.

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Freezer Meal Group - Shauna's Best Pizza Dough

2011-09-22T17:43:00.001-06:00

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Shauna’s Best Pizza Dough
from Freezer Meal Swap
Printable Recipe

4 Tbsp sugar
3 cups warm water
2 Tbsp yeast
6 cups flour (may need more)
1 1/2 tsp salt

Dissolve sugar in water. Add yeast. Dissolve and let set a few minutes. Add flour and salt. Mix and knead three minutes. Let dough rest for 10 minutes. Roll out 1/4 “ thick. Place desired sauce and toppings then bake at 425 for 15-20 minutes or until done. If frozen, do not thaw, just bake it longer.

To make breadsticks from dough:
After dough is rolled, cut into 1/2" sticks. Place on cookie or baking sheet. Melt some butter and paint butter over top of sticks, turn over and paint other side. Sprinkle with Parmesan or seasoning of choice. Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes.

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Freezer Meal Group - Alfredo Sauce

2011-09-20T17:42:00.001-06:00

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Alfredo Sauce
from Freezer Meal Swap
Printable Recipe

3 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp flour
garlic, to taste
2 cups milk
1 pkg. (8 oz) cream cheese
2 cup Parmesan cheese

Melt butter, whisk in flour, and garlic to taste. Whisk in milk, cook until thick, add cream cheese until smooth, add Parmesan until melted. Serve over noodles, add chicken if desired.

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Freezer Meal Group - Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Cornbread Pie

2011-09-19T17:40:00.001-06:00

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Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Cornbread Pie
from Freezer Meal Swap
Printable Recipe

Meat Mixture:
1 lb. ground beef
1 can tomato soup
1 can green chilies, diced
1 can corn, drained
1 onion, chopped

In a large skillet brown ground beef, add onion and cook until hamburger is no longer pink. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.

Cornbread Batter:
2 small boxes Jiffy Cornbread Mix
2 eggs
2/3 cup milk

Mix all ingredients. In a 13x9 inch pan spread meat mixture evenly across pan. Pour cornbread batter evenly over meat mixture. Bake on 350 for 20-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

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Sparky Under Wraps

Top Reader Posts - January 25

Top Reader Posts - January 18

No Top Reader Post - Have a Fantastic Holiday

Top Reader Posts - December 14 . . . plus 24 hours

Top Reader Posts - Decemberr 7

Freezer Meal Group - November 2011

Top Reader Posts - November 30

Freezer Meal Group - September 2011

Top Reader Posts - November 23

Top Reader Posts - November 16

Top Reader Posts - November 9

Top Reader Posts - November 2

Top Reader Posts - October 26

Top Reader Posts - October 19

Top Reader Posts - October 12

Top Reader Posts - October 5