Category Archives: MY RECIPES

Meal Planning – A How-To Guide

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Meal Planning - A How-To Guide

 

Meal planning can sometimes seem like a daunting task, but it really doesn’t have to be… Follow this simple meal planning guide, and you will learn how to eat well and save money at the same time!

 

Yes — If you are anything like my husband and I, we eat out everyday for lunch…. breakfast too!

 

And at night, we find it way too easy to give in to our daily cravings of whatever might come our way…. Maybe it was that Burger King that we drove by on the way home from work, that DQ commercial that we just saw on TV…. Continue reading →

Healthy, Easy, Yummy — Apple Chutney!

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Healthy, Easy, Yummy — Apple Chutney!

Prep Time: 5 minutes, Bake Time: 10 minutes

Hello, hello everyone! It’s been a little while since the Project Pile has done a recipe… we have just been so busy around here! Last September I started teaching at our local college, then I starting working on another “project” for another company here in town…. Plus, we are now expecting again — Yes, expecting! So, now it’s the end of the school year, I thought that I would share this really yummy, really easy and healthy apple chutney recipe that I came up with last week when I had to quickly throw together one of those last minute, yet super delicious, home-cooked meals!

I needed the perfect side to go with my pork chops…. something fresh, crisp and summery…. and then it came to me — Apple chutney! Now, here’s the interesting part, the part where my chutney differs a little bit from other recipes…. there is no vinegar in this chutney recipe at all! The vinegar is actually replaced with cranberry juice, which allows the amount of sugar required to be significantly reduced, therefore making it much healthier than your typical chutney recipes! 🙂

So here it goes — hope you enjoy!

All you need is:

  • 3 diced Apples
  • 1/4 cup of Cranberry Juice
  • 1/4 cup of diced Onions
  • 1/4 cup of Sunflower Seeds
  • 1/4 cup of Cranberries
  • 1 tsp of Butter or Margarine
  • 1 tsp of Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 tsp of cinnamon

Step One: In a small or medium sized frying pan, saute onions on medium heat in the butter or margarine, until golden-brown.

Tip: Add any extra seasoning that you like during the sauteing process, for extra flavor!

Step Two: Add the apples, cinnamon and cranberry juice. Bring to a boil, then cover and let simmer for seven minutes, or until the apples are soft.

Tip: The cooking time will vary depending on the type of apples that you use. The softer the apple, the less time it will take for them to soften.

Step Three: Stir in the brown sugar and simmer for about two more minutes.

Tip: The addition of the brown sugar won’t only sweeten the mixture, but it will help to thicken it a little too, as it cools.

Step Four: Remove the mixture from heat, and add the sunflower seeds and dried cranberries — Then serve and enjoy!

Tip: It’s best to add the cranberries and sunflower seeds at the very end of the process, otherwise they may harden.

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The Best Crock Pot Chili!

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Mmm…. On a cold or rainy day, this chili is my go-to meal! Not only does this chili taste amazing — it’s also kind of a “cheater” chili, meaning that its so easy to make! I used canned beans, canned tomatoes and frozen vegetables — such a time saver! But remember, if you wanted to replace these canned items with fresh ingredients instead, you absolutely can! Oh and just in case you are wondering… the vegetables totally cancel out the bacon! 😉

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What You’ll Need:

1 lb of hamburger

1 package of bacon

1 medium diced onion

1 can of bean medley (mixed beans)

1 can of baked beans (in maple sauce)

1 can of diced tomatoes

1 cup of frozen veggies (peas, carrots, corn, green and Lima beans)

1 cup of diced mushrooms

1 1/4 tsp of cumin or chili powder

1 tsp hot sauce

2 tbsp of ketchup

Step One: In a frying pan, saute hamburger, onions, mushrooms and bacon.

Tip: During this step is where you can throw in any extra seasoning if you like! Sometimes I’ll add oregano, thyme, or even just plain old salt and pepper.

Step Two: After the meat mixture has been prepared and drained, add the mixture plus all of your other ingredients into the crock pot.

Tip: If there are any veggies that you don’t totally love in this recipe, feel free to substitute them with some veggies that you do love!

Step Three: Turn the crock pot onto high and let everything simmer together for three to four hours.

Tip: If you are going to be away all day, turn your crock pot to the low setting rather than high…. this way it can simmer all day long and won’t burn!

Step Four: Serve your chili in a nice big bowl, and enjoy!

Tip: Cheesy garlic bread, or a nice soft bun with butter are the perfect addition to this meal…. oh and maybe a nice big glass of red wine too! 🙂

Savory Southern Stew

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3Savory Southern Stew!

I’m so excited that it finally got a little bit cold here in Southern-Ontario! In order to celebrate, I decided to make my favorite stew and I thought…. why not share it with you! It is seriously the easiest stew to make… All you have to do is lightly saute the beef, and then throw everything into the crock pot to simmer for the day!

What you’ll need:

  • 1 cup of chopped or baby carrots
  • 1 cup of diced potatoes
  • 1 cup of mushrooms
  • 1.5 lbs of cubed beef
  • 2 tbsp of butter or margarine
  • 1 can of condensed tomato soup
  • 1/4 tsp each, of  salt, pepper and thyme

Step 1: Lightly saute about 1.5 lbs of cubed beef in a frying pan in butter and pepper.

While sauteing your cubes of beef, this is where you could add in one and a half tablespoons of flour for a thicker stew. I chose to leave the flour out, since I’ve been trying really, really hard to eat super-healthy! If you are looking for a thicker stew, after your meat is sauteed, toss it in the flour until all of the flour has been absorbed… It will later mix in nice with the rest of the contents of your stew, causing it to thicken, but by mixing it in with the meat first, you will prevent the flour from clumping!

Step 2: Add beef, carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, onions, spices, and one can of condensed tomato soup into the crock pot.

For this stew, I chose to use some of my favorite vegetables; carrots, potatoes, mushrooms and onions…. but really, you can use whatever kind of vegetables you like, or even whatever you already have on hand! I also used just a few of my favorite spices to keep it nice and simple, but you can also choose to use your favorite spices too!

Step 3: Let simmer for at least 4 to 6 hours.

I like to let my stew simmer all day long to make it extra savory! But since the meat is pre-sauteed, you really only have to make sure that your vegetables are cooked all of the way through before serving. Remember, that the smaller you chop your vegetables, the quicker they will be ready!

Step 4: Serve and enjoy! 🙂

A nice dinner roll or slice of bread with butter (plus maybe, a glass of wine)…. make the perfect accessories for this meal!

Magical Morning Coffee – The best trick ever!

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4Hey Coffee Lovers! Do you love coffee as much as I do? Its my fav, and I do not function properly without it… Recently, I have discovered the most simple, yet most magical little trick to make my morning coffee even more special! And by special — I mean extra frothy! And no — you don’t need any extra special, fancy coffee machines!

All you need to do is take your coffee cream, and before you put it into your coffee…. shake it up! And I mean shake it, vigorously! (Exercise & coffee? Bonus!)…. Then add the cream into your coffee, stir as normal, and enjoy!

It may sound absolutely silly, but don’t knock it until you try it! I did it once and have never looked back! 😉

Vinegar & Water De-Icer — Does this really work?!

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2Well, here in south-eastern Ontario we have finally been hit with our first snowstorm of the season, yahhhhh!!!!!! (And no, I’m not being sarcastic!)

Although I am absolutely so excited about finally getting some snow…. my truck windshield and windows are now completely covered with ice!

Every year, I see and read tons of blogs and blips about mixing water and vinegar to use as a car window de-icer…. and every year I think “Hey — What a great idea… I must try this!”…. And every year, I never do…. Until now!

Just about every recipe using vinegar and water that I read, called for about 1 part water and 3 parts vinegar. So, I found myself a nifty spray bottle and started mixing.

I then took a beautiful “before” picture of my truck window, and then started a-spraying! I then started waiting…. and waiting…. and waiting. Nothing happened! If anything, the sprayed mixture just created another layer of ice on my window… Eek!

Thanks to my simple little experiment, I can now safely tell you not to waste your time, it does not work! However, that being said, further research indicates that vinegar may be used to prevent ice build up, but whether or not this actually works, I cannot say.

If you have tried this and had a different outcome, please let me know! And for more tips & tricks on keeping your windows ice-free, check this awesome Creek Line House post out: Handy tips to de-ice your car and windshield!

How To Create: The Perfect Jello Shot!

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2Jello shooters are my favorite type of shot… They taste delicious and go down easy — perfect for getting the party started!

It took me many years, many half-set shots, and even a few straws and bowls to perfect the perfect jello shot! Some have even referred to me as the Jello Shooter Queen… and now my friends, it is time that I shared this knowledge with you!

What you’ll need:

  • 1 pack of Jello
  • 1 cup of boiling Water
  • 1 cup of Vodka or Rum
  • Disposable Shooter Cups

All you need to do, is follow the directions on the back of the jello pack, but replace the cold water with Vodka or Rum. Next fill your disposable shooter cups. (I usually get about 24 shots per package of jello)… Chill in the fridge and let set for at least 2 hours. Serve and enjoy!

Tip: I always mix my jello shots in a large measuring cup… this way, they are easy to pour into the shooter cups!

 

Cranberry Brie Appetizer

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5Whether entertaining over the holidays, or during any time of the year, this Cranberry Brie appetizer is the perfect dish!

What you need:

1 wheel of Brie Cheese

1 cup of frozen Cranberries

1 Tbsp of Margarine or Butter

2 Tbsp of Brown Sugar

1/4 cup of chopped Almonds or Walnuts (Optional!)

1/8 cup of Kahlua (Optional!)

In a sauce pan, melt the butter, add the cranberries and simmer until the cranberries are soft. Stir in the brown sugar and Kahlua. Let simmer until the mixture is thickened…. for approximately 10 minutes. Remember the mixture will thicken as it sits, as well. Remove from heat and stir in the nuts of your choice.

Slice off the top of the brie cheese wheel, but leave it in place. Next, place the brie cheese wheel in tin foil, (this makes it easier to transfer out of the oven and onto a serving tray). Bake in the oven for 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Remove the brie cheese wheel from the oven and place it onto a serving tray. Then, remove the top of the Brie cheese wheel, and place the cranberry mixture on top. Serve with crackers and enjoy!

If you are looking for another yummy appetizer to make, check out this amazing 3 Ingredient Crab Dip…. Its my fav!!!!

Sweet Roasted Squash

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3Sweet Roasted Squash
Besides tasting absolutely amazing, this dish is also super easy to make!
All you need:
1 Squash (of any type)
1 Tbsp. of Margarine or Butter
3 Tbsp. of Brown Sugar
1/4 Cup of Cream
Slice your squash in half and place face down on a baking sheet. Add a layer of water to cover the baking sheet, and bake in the oven for 40 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Once your squash is done baking, scrape the squash out of the shell and into a bowl. Mash the squash, cream, butter and 1 Tbsp of Brown Sugar all together. Place the mixture into a baking dish and sprinkle the remaining brown sugar on top. Place back into the oven and broil on high for 4-8 minutes, until you get a bubbly brown-sugar topping, (broiling time may vary, dependent on the oven). Serve and enjoy!