Chicken Enchiladas Recipe


Chicken Enchiladas Recipe (Click here to print the recipe.)

Ingredients:
- 3 Garlic Cloves, Minced
- 2 Cups Pasta Sauce (Store bought or homemade pasta sauce)
- 1 1/2 Cups Chicken Broth
- 4 Teaspoons Vegetable Oil
- 2 Chicken Breasts, Cooked & Shredded
- 1/2 Small Onion, Minced
- 1/2 Teaspoon Cumin
- 1/2 Teaspoon Basil
- 1/2 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 8 Flour Tortillas (Store bought or homemade tortillas)
- 1 1/2 Cup Cheddar Cheese
- 1/4 Cup Green Onions, Chopped (Optional)
- 1/4-1/2 Cup Sour Cream (Optional)
- Salt & Pepper (Just a dash of each)

Instructions:
1. In a medium saucepan, heat 2 teaspoons oil and cook 2 garlic cloves for about 3 minutes (or until browned). Add 3/4 cup chicken broth, 1 1/2 cup pasta sauce, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 8 minutes. Set aside.

2. Pre-heat oven to 400F.

3. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a medium pan over medium heat. Cook onions until soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Add chicken, cumin, basil, cayenne pepper, 1/2 cup pasta sauce and 3/4 cup chicken broth. Cook 5-6 minutes. Set aside.

4. Spray a 13×9 inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Add about 1/3 cup chicken mixture to each tortilla and roll it up. Place into baking dish and repeat with remaining tortillas. Top with sauce and cheese.

5. Cover with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes.

6. Top with sour cream and/or green onions if you wish.

Makes 8 enchiladas.

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Our Menu Plan This Week (Baby Week!)


Elliott loves the Natvia animal cookies from Shoppers Drug Mart!

I can’t believe it – the week I have been waiting months for has finally arrived. We’re going to have a baby on Wednesday! I am so, so excited to meet the little girl that has been keeping me up nights, making me eat chocolate ice cream at 3am (yes, I am totally blaming her for that!) and has a little brother that is also very excited for her arrival.

My mom will be coming over Tuesday night and staying for a week or so to help with Elliott and the baby. So for the 2-3 nights I will be in the hospital, it’s up to her and Richard to decide on what they want to eat those days. I’ll be stuck eating hospital food (unless I can get Richard to sneak in something better for me!).

Note: Our menu plan starts on Saturday, the day we usually purchase groceries.

Breakfast:

Homemade Oatmeal Packets, Fruit
Cold Cereal

Lunch:

Leftovers x3
Mac n’ Cheese, Fruit
Freebie (whatever Richard/mom wants to make)
Freebie (whatever Richard/mom wants to make)
Freebie (whatever Richard/mom wants to make)

Dinner:

Chicken Diablo, Broccoli, Rice
Chicken Chili
Pasta with Homemade Pasta Sauce
Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
Freebie (whatever Richard/mom wants to make)
Freebie (whatever Richard/mom wants to make)
Freebie (whatever Richard/mom wants to make)

Snacks/Dessert:

Pear Crisp
Granola Bars
Fruit
Crackers & Cheese
Pretzels
Cottage Cheese
Cookies

What’s on your menu this week?

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Homemade Lasagna Recipe


You know how people often say that homemade is always better than store-bought foods?

Those people are right.

This homemade lasagna is SO simple to make and is always delicious. The great thing about this recipe is that you can do so much to it. You can use other types of ground meat, you can add spinach or other greens – make it your own!

Homemade Lasagna Recipe (Click here to print the recipe.)

Ingredients:
- 1 Package Lasagna Noodles
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- 2 Cups Mozzarella Cheese
- 1 Cup Parmesan Cheese
- 4 Cups Tomato Sauce (We use our Homemade Pasta Sauce)

Instructions:
1. Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. Rinse with cold water, drain and set aside.

2. Cook the ground beef until it is browned, then add in your tomato sauce and simmer for 15-20 minutes.

3. Pre-heat oven to 375F.

4. Add a bit of sauce to the bottom of a 9×13 baking pan (or you can spray it with cooking oil) to prevent the first layer of noodles from sticking.

5. Add cooked lasagna noodles to the pan (4 or 5 is usually good), then add your meat/tomato sauce mixture and a generous handful of mozzarella cheese. Repeat this process until all of your ingredients (except parmesan cheese) are gone.

6. Add parmesan cheese to the final layer of lasagna.

7. Cover pan with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes.

8. Remove foil from the pan and broil for another 3-4 minutes (just to add a nice browning on top).

Makes 4-6 servings.

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Our Menu Plan This Week


Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies – Recipe coming soon!

Breakfast

Eggs, Toast, Fruit
Cereal
Vanilla French Toast with Maple Bacon
Homemade Instant Oatmeal

Lunch

Leftovers x4
Homemade Bagels, Fruit
Eggs, Toast, Fruit, Yogurt
Cheese Quesadillas, Carrot Sticks with Dip

Dinner

Chicken Enchilada’s
Stovetop Shepherd’s Pie
Chicken Diablo, Rice, Broccoli & Cauliflower
Pasta with Homemade Pasta Sauce
Breakfast for Dinner
Homemade Lasagna
Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Snacks/Dessert

Homemade Tortilla Chips
Apple Pie Cookies
Crackers & Cheese
Healthy Peanut Butter Balls
Fruit
Yogurt

What’s on your menu this week?

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Homemade Thin Crust Pizza Recipe


This is my absolute favourite pizza. I like it better than any take out or frozen pizza I’ve ever eaten. I try to make it at least twice a month because I love it so much. Luckily, Richard and Elliott love it too.

We often top it with our own homemade pasta sauce, mozzarella cheese, green olives and shredded chicken. Yummy!

Homemade Thin Crust Pizza Recipe (Click here to print the recipe.)

Ingredients:
- 3/4 Cup Water (110 Degrees)
- 1 3/4 Cup Flour
- 2 1/2 Teaspoons Active Dry Yeast
- 1/2 Teaspoon Sugar
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
- Pizza Sauce of Your Choice, as needed
- Shredded Cheese of Your Choice, as needed
- Toppings of Your Choice, as needed

Instructions:
1. Dissolve yeast and sugar in water and allow to rest for 10 minutes.

2. Pre-heat oven to 500F.

3. Add flour and salt. Mix Well.

4. Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 3-4 minutes.

5. Press dough into a large circle and place it on a lightly greased pizza pan.

6. Add sauce, cheese and toppings.

7. Bake for 10 minutes, or until edges are golden brown.

Makes 2-4 servings.

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Our Menu Plan This Week


Homemade Thin Crust Pizza – recipe coming later this week!

Here is our menu plan for the week! I’m really looking roward to trying out some new recipes, such as homemade tater tots and macaroni & cheese!

Breakfast

Cold Cereal
Homemade Oatmeal
Mini Donut Muffins
French Toast

Lunch

Tuna Pasta Salad
English Muffin, Eggs, Fruit
Eggs, Toast, Fruit, Cheese Slices
English Muffin Pizzas
Leftovers x3

Dinner

Homemade Chicken with Rice Soup
Pasta with Homemade Pasta Sauce
Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Chicken Strips, Homemade Tater Tots, Celery & Carrots
Thin Crust Pizza (recipe coming this week!)
Homemade Macaroni & Cheese (didn’t get to this last week)
Dinner Out

Snacks/Dessert

Apple Slices with Peanut Butter
Fruit
Crackers & Cheese
Peanut Butter Apple Bars
Rice Cakes
Chocolate Macaroons

What’s on your menu this week?

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Our Menu Plan This Week


Broccoli & Cheddar Soup

Breakfast:

Homemade Oatmeal
Cold Cereal
Whole Wheat Raspberry Buttermilk Pancakes (will make these with strawberries)

Lunch:

Leftovers x5
Toasted Bagel, Veggies & Dip
Toasted Bagel, Fruit

Dinner:

Creamy Tomato Bacon Pasta
Dinner at In-Laws
Chicken & Broccoli Casserole
Herbed Macaroni & Cheese
Simple Fried Rice
Balsamic Chicken with Pine Nuts, Broccoli, Rice
Broccoli & Cheddar Soup

Snacks & Dessert:

- Salted Caramel Cupcakes
- Fruit
- Crackers & Cheese
- Yogurt
- Granola Bars (we have some in the stockpile that will be expiring soon)

What’s on your menu this week?

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Chicken & Broccoli Casserole Recipe


Casseroles get a bad rap. While it’s true that many casseroles are loaded with fat, there are ways to enjoy the casseroles you love by switching up the ingredients just a bit, and substituting healthier alternatives.

I love the chicken & broccoli casserole that my grandmother used to make for me when I was growing up, but it is loaded with creamy soup, butter and tons of cheese. I decided to get creative and try to re-create that delicious meal, without all of the bad stuff (well.. with a limited amount of it, anyway!). I was very happy with the results and hope you will be too.

Chicken & Broccoli Casserole Recipe (Click here to print the recipe.)

Ingredients:
3 Cloves Garlic, Minced
1/2 Small Onion, Minced
3 Cups Broccoli, Chopped
2 Chicken Breasts, Chopped
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese, Shredded/Grated
4 Tablespoons Flour
1 1/2 Cup Chicken Broth
1 Cup Milk
1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese, Shredded
1/2 Cup Breadcrumbs
Salt & Pepper

Instructions:
1. Cook broccoli in boiling water and set aside.

2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 8×8 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

3. Season chicken with salt and pepper, and cook on medium heat until browned, about 5 minutes on each side. Let cool and then slice into bite sized pieces.

4. Heat a medium pan on medium heat. Add butter, oil, garlic and onions. Add flour and whisk until smooth. Whisk in milk and chicken broth, and bring to a boil.

5. Remove from heat and stir in half of the mozzarella cheese.

6. Add broccoli and chicken to your baking dish and pour the sauce over everything. Add remaining mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese, and top with breadcrumbs.

7. Bake for 30 minutes.

Makes 4 servings.

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Our Menu Plan This Week


Spinach & Walnut Chicken

How is everyone enjoying their Family Day so far (for those who are celebrating)? I hope you are all out enjoying yourselves and having some great family time! We just got back from a quick trip to the mall (Zellers for storage bins and Bulk Barn for oats and almonds) and right now Elliott is taking a nap. When he wakes up we’ll be going over to play at the park.

Here is our menu plan for the week. Please share yours in the comments!

Breakfast:

Homemade Oatmeal, Fruit
Cereal
Fluffy Pancakes with Raspberry Sauce, Fruit
Green Monster Smoothie, Toasted Bagel

Lunch:

Leftovers x4
Lunch Out (Family Day!)
Toasted Bagel, Fruit Drink
Eggs, Toast, Fruit

Dinner:

Chicken Chili
Homemade Lasagna
Spinach & Walnut Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli
Shredded Chicken Salad
Homemade Thin Crust Pizza
Pasta with Homemade Pasta Sauce
Tacos

Snacks/Dessert:

Homemade Apple Turnovers
Ice Cream
Fruit (dipped in Nutella – yum!)
Granola Bars
Crackers & Cheese

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Our Menu Plan This Week


Green Monster Smoothie – I’m obsessed with this healthy drink!
My menu plan was kind of sloppy last week. We hardly made anything on it. I have just been feeling extra tired lately and very uninspired, so we ordered out a few times and then stuck to really simple meals for the other days.

Thankfully, I’m feeling a bit better this week (still tired, but not as much as last week), so I’m hoping that our menu plan sticks – because there are some really yummy dishes that I want to make! I’m also going to start working on going to bed earlier. 6 hours a night is simply not enough for me!

Breakfast:

Cereal, Fruit
Homemade Oatmeal
Hotel Breakfast (After our date night! Elliott will eat whatever his auntie makes him.)
Green Monster Smoothies

Lunch:

Leftovers x3
Eggs, Toast, Fruit
Cheese Quesedillas, Celery & Carrot Sticks with Dip
Spinach Salad with Strawberries & Almonds
Toasted Bagel, Celery & Carrot Sticks with Dip

Dinner:

Subway (using up a gift card we received)
Roasted Cauliflower Soup
Chicken Stir-Fry
Stuffed Peppers
Baked Parmesan Sesame Chicken, Lemon & Herb Rice, Lemon Broccoli
Dinner Out (Date night! Elliott will eat whatever his auntie makes him.)
Homemade Lasagna

Snacks & Desserts:

Healthy Peanut Butter Balls
Quick & Easy Apple Turnovers
Fruit
Cheese & Crackers
Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies

What’s on your menu this week? Anything special for Valentine’s Day?

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