It has been a while since I posted a recipe. That would be due to the busy, busy schedule my husband and I have been keeping lately. The past 2 weekends have been spent attending friends' weddings - both of which were TONS of fun. In the in between time of traveling and wedding attending, we've been trying to keep our house in order.
Last week we decided that we would mix things up a bit with a 7-day 'food cleanse'. With a really restricted menu of foods to choose from and a limited set of cooking methods, there wasn't much to blog about. It was supposed to be 2 days of only fruits and vegetables, days 3 and 4 incorporated beans, rice, peanut butter and oatmeal, and days 5 through 7 we could add white fish into the mix. No dairy, so no coffee.
Long story short, we lasted approximately 2 days. At the end of day 2 when my husband had to leave work early on account of a killer headache and I came home to him laying in bed, in the dark at 5:30 pm, I decided our cleanse had to end. He had such bad caffeine withdrawal he couldn't open his eyes. I made him drink a Coke on the spot, and then I took him to Boston Market for some sustenance. All has been right in the world since!
What on earth were we thinking? Our day to day life is already so jam-packed as it is, why would we intentionally do something to make it more difficult?! Sometimes we are really crazy :)
So this week, I've been able to cook real dinners. Like tonight's dinner - American Chop Suey. Mine is an original recipe that is ready in about 30-40 minutes. A few basic ingredients simmered in a large skilet on the stovetop - perfect for a weeknight meal!
American Chop Suey
Ingredients:
1 package lean ground turkey - approx 2 lbs
1 large can Kitchen Ready Tomatoes (i use Pastene brand, but you can use any crushed)
1 14 oz can petite diced tomatoes
1/2 large white onion, chopped
3 tsp minced garlic
3 tsp garlic powder
3 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp basil
1 1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
3 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
In large skillet, heat oil. Saute onion with garlic until tender. Add turkey. Brown turkey, season with salt and pepper. Add both cans of tomatoes, stir to incorporate. Add garlic and onion powder. Stir to incorporate. Let Simmer 3-4 minutes. Add basil and oregano. Simmer 5 minutes. Add red pepper flakes, stirring to incorporate. Simmer 10 minutes. Add Parmesan. Stir to incorporate. Simmer 10 more minutes.
While sauce is simmering, cook box of multigrain elbow macaroni. Drain. When sauce mixture is done, top pasta with sauce and serve with extra grated cheese.
