Easy Kabobs

This is perfect for tailgating, game day or anytime.

I’ve used a grill pan, this is great on an outdoor grill or under the broiler too.

I’ve used a lean beef roast but you can use a chuck roast instead.

You can also try this with chicken, lamb or pork too.

1 1/2 - 2 lb. lean beef roast

1 large onion, cut into 36  1 - 2 inch pieces

2 large bell peppers, cut into 36  1 - 2 inch pieces

36 cherry tomatoes

1/3 c. olive oil

juice & zest of 1 lemon

1 - 2 cloves garlic, crushed & chopped

1/4 - 1/2 tsp. each: dried parsley, oregano, dried basil

1/4 tsp. each: salt, pepper

Place 12 wooden skewers in a baking dish with cold water to soak for at 1 least hr.

This will prevent skewers from burning.

Peel, rinse and chop onion into 1 - 2 inch pieces

Place into a clean bowl, set aside.

Rinse tomatoes under cold water and place into bowl with onions.

Rinse, seed, chop peppers into 1 - 2 inch pieces, place in bowl with tomatoes and onions.  

Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place bowl in refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble skewers.

Peel, crush, chop garlic.

In a measuring cup combine: 1/2 of the oil, salt, pepper, herbs, garlic.

With a zester, zest lemon into measuring cup. 

Cut lemon in half and through a sieve, squeeze lemon into measuring cup. Stir with a clean fork to mix.

On a clean cutting board, cut beef into 1 - 2 inch (36) pieces and place into a clean bowl.

Pour oil mixture over beef, and toss to coat. 

Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator to marinate for a couple of hrs.

To assemble skewers:

Remove bowl with vegetables & meat from refrigerator.

Remove skewers from water.

Preheat grill pan to medium high heat, lower heat to medium low, and add oil.

Thread meat and vegetables onto skewers, place skewers on grill on 1 side for a few minutes. 

Rotate skewers to evenly cook on all sides for a few minutes or until done.

Serves 4 - 6 (2 - 3 skewers each).

Vichyssoise

This was inspired by a Brady Bunch episode.

This can be served hot or cold.

Enjoy!

I’ve used low sodium chicken broth, but you can used vegetable broth, if needed.

4 medium potatoes diced

1 leek chopped

1/8 - 1/4 tsp. each: salt, pepper

4 - 5 c. low sodium chicken broth
2 - 3 T. each: oil, butter
1  each: shallot, small onion chopped

1 clove garlic, crushed, chopped

1/4  c. reduced fat sour cream

Rinse, cut ends of, chop light green part of leek into very small pieces.

Rinse and cut potatoes into very small pieces.

Peel, rinse, chop onion, shallots into very small pieces.

Peel, crush and chop garlic into small pieces.

Preheat a clean soup pot over medium high heat, lower heat to medium, add oil, butter.

Add onion, potatoes, leek, shallot, garlic, salt, pepper to pot.

Cook vegetables for 10 min or until softened.

Add chicken broth 1/2 c. at a time, stirring constantly.  

Cook over medium heat until soup is heated, lower temperature to medium low and cook for about 20 - 30 min.

Add sour cream and cook for 5 - 8 min. more or until done.

Makes 4 servings. 

Popcorn Butter

This is perfect on popcorn, for sautéing or even on corn.

1 stick (1/2 c.) butter cut up

1/8 - 1/4 tsp. each: salt, pepper, granulated garlic, dried parsley

pinch of red pepper flakes

Remove butter from refrigerator, and remove wrapper from butter. 

On a clean cutting board and with a clean knife, cut butter into chunks.

In a clean microwave safe measuring cup, place butter and microwave for 10 - 20 sec.

Be very careful when you remove cup from microwave. 

Add parsley, spices and stir with a clean fork to mix.

With a clean spoon, put butter into 1 or 2 clean small ramekins. 

Place plastic wrap on top of ramekins and place into freezer to set.

When you’re ready to use, remove butter from freezer, remove plastic wrap and cut with a clean butter knife the amount you want to use.

Serves 8.

Cheat Day Pizza

Who doesn’t love pizza.

When you want pizza, but don’t feel like getting takeout, try this.

This is perfect for game night, movie night or anytime.

Our family loves the frozen cheese pizzas from Costco, but you can choose what brand that you like.

1 pkg. frozen pizza 

1/2 - 3/4 c. each: chopped bell pepper, chopped onion, sliced pepperoni, chopped fresh mushrooms, chopped tomatoes
1/8 - 1/4 c. each: chopped olives, chopped anchovies, chopped ham, chopped shallots

Non stick cooking spray

1 - 2 cloves chopped garlic

Preheat oven to package instructions.

Rinse, seed, chop vegetables.

Peel, rinse, chop onion, shallots, garlic.

Chop ham, anchovies and olives. 

Spray cooking spray on a round baking sheet.

Take pizza out of package and place on baking sheet.

Put whatever toppings you want on your pizza. 

When finished arranging toppings, place pizza in oven to cook according to package instructions or until done 12 - 18 min. or until done

Keep an eye on it so that it doesn’t burn.

Serves 4 (2 slices each).