Cooking with Fresh Chili Peppers

This weekend I was given fresh chili peppers brought to me all the way from New Mexico.  Now I love chili pepper s but never cooked with fresh ones so I didn't know how to use them.  I recieve a gallon baggy of them and wanted to keep them fresh.  So I went online and looked up how to cook and use them.  I found out that if you are going to freeze them its best to leave and skin on them.  So I washed them and deseeded and devained them, by cutting a slit in them long ways too scoop them out.

So far I chopped one up and tried it in scrambled eggs and the next time I grilled one with onions and my T-bone steak.  It seems you can use peppers in just about everything.  They are so tasty.

Oriental Pepper Steak (4 Points)

Servings: 6 Servings

Ingredients
1 teaspoon Canola Oil
1 pound Flank Steak trimmed & cut into strips
1 Onion sliced
1 Green pepper sliced
1/2 Yellow bell pepper sliced
1/2 Orange bell pepper sliced
2 tablespoons Reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons Cornstarch
1 3/4 cups Beef broth


Preparation
1. Heat a large nonstick skillet or wok over high heat until a drop of water sizzles. Add the oil, swirl to coat the pan, then add the steak. Stir-fry until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

2. Add the onion and bell peppers to the skillet. Reduce the heat and cook, covered, until the vegetables are softened, about 6 minutes. Uncover and stir-fry until the vegetables are browned, about 4 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, whisk together the soy sauce and cornstarch in a medium bowl until smooth; whisk in the broth. return the steak to the skillet, along with the soy sauce mixture. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce boils and thickens, about 3 minutes. Taken from Big Oven.com


I added 1 chopped tomato for extra flavor and vegetables. This is very tasty. I served it with brown rice. Of course you must add more points for the amount of rice to add to your meal.

Sloppy Joes - 4 pt servings

1 pound lean ground round

1 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup reduced-calorie ketchup

2 tablespoons unprocessed oat bran

1 tablespoon low-sodium Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon prepared mustard

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 (8-ounce) can no-salt added tomato sauce

6 reduced-calorie hamburger buns, split and toasted


1. Cook ground round and onion in a large nonstick skillet over
medium-high heat until meat is browned, stirring until meat crumbles. Drain and return to skillet.

2. Stir ketchup and next 5 ingredients into meat mixture; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes, stirring often. Spoon mixture evenly over bottom halves of buns; cover with bun tops.

6-7 Servings, 4pts each
Adapted from: weightwatchers-recipes.net


(You can also replace the ground beef with ground turkey, and subsitute the ketsup with a low calorie BBQ sauce, I use Head Country BBQ sauce, low cal. 45, low sugar 5)

Rotel Chili Recipe

Ingredients
•2 lbs ground turkey
•1 (29 ounces) can tomato sauce
•1 (16 ounces) package kidney beans (cooked and drained)
•1 can Rotel “Chili Fixin's”
•1 cup diced onion (1 medium onion)
•¼ cup diced celery (1 rib)
•2 medium tomatoes, chopped
•2 tsp cumin powder
•3 tbs chili powder
•1½ tsp black pepper
•2 tsp salt
•2½ cups water

Directions
Brown turkey, drain fat, and crumble. Combine all ingredients into a large pot and simmer over low heat. Cook for 2-3 hours, stirring every 15 minutes. You can top it with chopped onion and low-fat cheese.


When I made this recipe I used ground beef, and no celery, or no medium tomatoes. But I'm sure its good with them too. I also used two cans or red beans instead of packaged beans. It's also good with black beans too.

Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip

Ingredients2 pkgs frozen chopped spinach
1 jar Alfredo sauce
1 can chopped or sliced artichokes
1 8 oz pkg fine shredded Italian blend cheese
1 table spoon minced garlic
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Preheat oven to 300°F. Mix together all ingredients but half of the cheese in a oven safe bowl or pan.
Place in oven and bake for about 20 minutes cover with remaining cheese & bake till melted and slightly golden.

This was a good recipe but not as good as the one's eaten in the restaurants. I will look for another to try later. Bon Appetit!

Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

Ingredients
2 cups low-fat ricotta cheese
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree (NOT pie filling)
1/2 cup sugar-free maple syrup
5 tablespoons Splenda granular, sugar substitute
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup vanilla protein powder
1 reduced fat graham cracker crust
1 cup Cool Whip Free (fat free, sugar free)

Directions
1. preheat oven to 400f degrees.
2. in large bowl combine ricotta cheese, pumpkin, maple syrup, splenda, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and protein powder. mix well.
3. pour mixture into pie shell and smooth out with spoon or spatula
4. bake for 30 to 40 minutes until filling is set.
5. let cool for 15 minutes. Refrigerate for a least 2 hours before serving.
6. serve with a tbsp of the cool whip and enjoy!


This recipe is a high protein recipe that the whole family loves from Eating for Life cookbook. My family loves this and only my daughter knows its healthy. My husband who hates cheesecake loves this recipe.

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

SERVES 8

Ingredients
2-3 chicken breasts
2 cups chopped celery
1 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup onion
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
1 large bay leaf
8 cups water or chicken broth
1 lb dried egg noodles
1 tsp dill
salt and pepper

Directions
1 Boil chicken, onions, garlic and bay leaf in broth or water until chicken can be pulled away from the bones; I prefer broth for a richer taste.
2 Remove chicken and cool until you can handle it.
3 Add the celery, carrots and dill to the broth.
4 Cut cooled chicken into bite size pieces.
5 Return chicken to the broth.
6 Simmer until veggies are almost tender.
7 Add pasta to the chicken and veggies.
8 Simmer until pasta and veggies are cooked.
9 Add salt and pepper to taste.

Great recipe, in the winter months this is a family favorite. Great when sick or ill as the steam and broth have such healing properties. This can also be made in a crockpot and cooked all day just add noodles in evening and cook until noodles are done. You could even use a whole chicken instead of the chicken breasts. From Recipezaar

Chinese Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

SERVES 4 -6

Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon water
1 egg
1 tablespoon butter
1 onion, chopped
2 cups cooked white rice, cold
1 cup chicken, cooked chopped
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions
1. In a small bowl, beat egg with water.
2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium low heat.
3. Add egg and leave flat for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from skillet and cut into shreds.
4. Heat oil in same skillet; add onion and saute until soft. Then add rice, soy sauce, pepper and chicken.
5. Stir fry together for about 5 minutes, then stir in egg. Serve hot. (from recipezzar.com)

I add garlic powder, onion powder, chopped garlic, frozen peas and carrots and saute with the onions and garlic. You could add pork or shrimp or bacon to this recipe too. I use green onions and yellow onions, and even celery. If in a hurry and don't want to chop onions use the frozen chopped onions or the frozen chopped onions with celery and pepper mix.

Quick Fettuccine Alfredo With Chicken

Ingredients
1 lb fettuccine pasta
2 cups Alfredo sauce

2 (16 ounce) packages pre-cooked chicken strips (i.e. Perdue Short Cuts)

grated Parmesan cheese, to taste

Directions
1. Prepare peas according to directions on package. Drain.
2. Prepare fettuccine according to directions on package. While fettuccine is boiling, combine chicken and Alfredo sauce in a small saucepan and heat on medium-low heat until chicken is heated through.
3. Drain fettuccine.
4. Slowly toss in chicken and sauce mixture.
5. Add Parmesan to taste.


I like to add broccoli to my recipe or peas are good too. Also for a lighter version use light Parmesan sauce instead of the Alfredo sauce. They both taste just great. If you want your sauce to go farther or if it gets dry just add a little milk to make it more moist. I also like to add grated light or low fat mozzarella cheese too.

15 Bean Soup Recipe

Recipe makes 10 servings

Ingredients
1 (1 lb) bag of regular 15 bean soup mix or Cajun 15 bean soup mix

1 large onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 (15-30 ounce) can whole tomatoes, crushed
3 stalks celery leaves, included chopped
2-3 ham hocks, with meat still on it or 1 ham bone, with meat still on it
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried rosemary (crush with fingertips before adding this releases the flavor)
1 teaspoon black pepper
salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 chicken bouillon cubes

Directions
1 Wash the beans; put in large pot and cover with water. Bring to boil; stir and remove from heat. Cover and let sit 1 hour. After that hour, drain beans and set aside.
2 Add oil to pot. Sauté your ham hocks, onion, and celery until tender.
3 Next add garlic and sauté 2 minutes more.
4 Add your beans and cover with water (about 2 inches over top of beans).
5 Add tomatoes with the juice, parsley, rosemary, black pepper, bouillon cubes, and about 1 teaspoon of salt to start with.
6 Mix well. Bring to boil; stir, reduce heat cover and simmer for 2 to 21/2 hours or until all the sizes of the beans are tender.
7 Keep watching it and stirring it every once in a while. You may need to add more water; you want it to keep a consistency a little thicker than a soup.
8 Taste it after it cooks--you may need more salt or pepper.
9 During the last 15 minutes of cooking, add the flavor package that comes with the beans.
10 Serve by itself or over rice.

Okay here are my notes about this recipe. I don't use ham hocks or ham, I use turkey Italian Sausage, leave out the bouillon (adds too much sodium)
You can leave out the can tomatoes, I've had it with and without them and both ways taste good. You don't need the oil if you don't brown the meat or the celery, (which can be omitted.) I also don't use the seasoning package too much sodium.

Recipe taken from Recipezaar.com

Grandma's Chili Recipe

This is a very simple and easy recipe. Grandma's chili is hot dish if you like it hot.


Ingredients
1 # lean ground beef
2 cans 16oz chopped tomatoes
1 can 16oz tomato sauce
2 cups of water
2 to 3 cans of chopped green chilies.

Cook ground beef until no longer pink in large pot. Drain any grease. Add all other ingredients and simmer for 30 mins to 1 hour. Serve with crackers, cheese, corn bread or fry bread.


If feeding a large crowd on a budget add more canned tomatoes, tomato sauce and water, other wise double or triple the recipe.

For more flavor add chili powder and cumin to taste. I would start with at least a tablespoon of each of these items.

Simple Cornish Hen's a la crockpot recipe

Simple Cornish Hen Ala Crock-Pot

SERVES 4-6 , 2 hens

Ingredients
2 Cornish hens, split
2 white onions, sliced
10 small red new potatoes, halved
spike seasoning

Directions
1 Split the hens lengthwise wash and pat dry.
2 Slice the onions.
3 Halve the potatoes.
4 Spray a light coating of nonstick spray on bottom of crockpot.
5 Sprinkle chicken liberally with spike seasoning both inside and out.
6 Lay hens skin side down on bottom of crock pot.
7 Layer onion slices on top of hens.
8 Dump Potatoes on Onions.
9 Sprinkle more Spike seasoning.
10 Cover crock pot. Turn to high for about 4 hours and then on warm till served.

I added 1/4 of white wine and Roman Seasonings(herbal mix). This is very easy to make and at the end of the day your meal is ready. Great way to have homemade meals when you are a working mom. This recipe was from Recipezaar.

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich recipe

Prep time: 22 Min. Cook time: 15 Min. Serves: 4

Ingredients
2 tsp Hungarian paprika
2 tsp chili powder
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup hot pepper sauce (ex. Frank's RedHot Original)
4 whole-grain buns, split
4 lettuce leaves

Instructions
In a small bowl, combine paprika and chili powder. Then sprinkle spice blend over chicken breasts.

Lightly coat a large skillet with cooking spray and place over medium-low heat. Place chicken breasts in skillet; cook for 6 minutes. Turn and cook until no longer pink in the center; about 6 more minutes.

Place a large saucepan over low heat. Add olive oil and heat for 1 minute. Stir in hot pepper sauce.

When the chicken breasts are done, remove from skillet, place in saucepan and coat evenly with hot pepper sauce mixture.

Place a whole-grain bun on each four plates, top with lettuce and a portion-sized chicken breast.

Serve with celery, carrot sticks and blue cheese dressing for a complete meal.

From: Eating for Life cookbook by Bill Philips

My husband is not a chicken fan but loves this recipe! Bon Appetit

Mediterranean Beef Pot Roast & Vegetables Recipe

Crockpot Servings: 6-8

Cook Time:10 hours

Ingredients
•1 boneless beef bottom round rump or chuck shoulder roast (approx. 3 to 3 1/4 lbs.)
•8 new red pototes (approx. 1 lb.), 2 to 2 1/2 inch diamter
•1/2 lb. packaged peeled baby carrots
•4 whole cloves garlic, peeled
•1 tsp. dried rosemary leaves, crushed
•1 tsp. salt
•1/2 tsp. pepper
•1/4 cup water
•1/4 cup dry red wine
•2 Tbsp. cornstarch dissolved in 2 Tbsp. water
•chopped parsley

Instructions
Placed potatoes, carrots and garlic in bottom of slow cooker. Rub beef with rosemary, salt and pepper; place on top of vegetables. Add water and wine. Cover and cook on LOW 10-11 hours, or until beef and vegetables are tender.

Remove pot roast; trim fat, if necessary. Arrange pot roast and vegetables on serving platter; cover and keep warm. Just before serving, carve roast across the grain into thin slices.

For gravy, strain cooking liquid; skim off fat. In small saucepan, combine 2 cups liquid from cooking and cornstarch mixture until blended. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 1 minute or until thickened.

Garnish beef and vegetables with parsley; serve with gravy.

I omitted the salt and did not thicken the broth with cornstarch, just left it thin. I also used 1/2 cup of red wine instead of 1/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of wine. I plan to use the left over beef for quesdadillas.

Recipe #252118 from http://www.recipezaar.com/

ASIAN BEEF AND VEGETABLE PASTA RECIPE

6 servings
1/8 teaspoon red peper flakes
3 large cloves of garlic
1 1/2 pounds steak, cut into thin strips
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon vegetable oil (you can use cooking spray instead)
1 large onion, sliced
4 large stalks celery, chopped
1 small head green cabbage, chopped
12 ounces wheat spaghetti cooked, drained
1/2 cup low salt soy sauce

Spray a large, deep skillet with cooking spray. Over medium heat, cook pepper flakes and garlic for one minute.

Sprinkle steak with pepper. Add to skillet. Cook steak until no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from skillet with a slotted spoon.

Add a small amount of oil to skillet or respray with cooking spray. Cook onion and celery until tender, about 10 minutes. Add cabbage, cook stirring until crisp-tender, about 10 minutes.

Add steak, spaghetti and soy sauce to skillet. Cook stirring until heated through. Serve hot.

This recipe is from the Eating for Life Cookbook by Bill Philips

Low Fat Pita Pizzas Recipe

Ingredients
•8 regular pita bread rounds(not pocket type)
•2c tomato sauce(1 15oz.can) mixed with
•1-2tsp pizza seasoning or Italian seasoning
•8-16oz. ground turkey meat mixed with
•2-3tsp pizza seasoning or Italian seasoning
•1/4c water
•1/2 small onion,minced(optional
•8 good sized mushrooms,thin sliced (optional
•8-16oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
•1c sliced black olives(optional)
•veg. oil spray

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 425 . Lay pitas on a cookie sheet big enough to hold them in a single layer(use 2 if needed). Mix tomato sauce wit pizza seasoning,set aside. Spray a non-stick fry pan with veg oil spray,add ground turkey,breaking it up as you add to pan. Cook over med-high heat until all the pinkness is gone and it is getting a bit brown(ground turkey never gets really brown and crispy). Sprinkle with pizza seasoning,mix well,add water,mix again and let simmer-the turkey meat will absorb the water during about 5 mins of cooking time over med-high heat.
2.Spread each pita with about 1/4c of sauce. Sprinkle with diced raw onion,sliced mushrooms,or black olives as desired. Sprinkle with cooked turkey,top with an even layer of mozzarella cheese.
3.Cook in preheated oven for 20-25 mins until cheese is bubbly and brown. Check after 15 mins as ovens do vary.

These recipe came from Group Recipes
http://www.grouprecipes.com/73991/low-fat-pita-pizzas.html


In my recipe I use lean ground beef and instead of tomato sauce I use a jar of spaghetti sauce. Very taste and easy to put together on a lazy night.

Healthy Salmon Patties Recipe

I have decided to added a weekly recipe to my blog for those who are looking for healthy foods. My favorite place to look is at www.Recipezaar.com I'm always pleased with the results. But I know it can be hard to decide which recipe to try so I will include one recipe a week that I have tried or a friend has tried. If you would like to be featured on my blog submit one of your favorite recipes. It does not have to be healthy or low fat but a favorite.

This Recipe was found on Recipezaar.com

SERVES 4 -6 , 8 patties


Ingredients
1 (14 ounce) can salmon (red or pink)

1 large egg
1 small onion, diced fine small size (or half a medium sized)
1 celery rib, diced fine
2-3 teaspoons lemon juice
6-8 drops Tabasco sauce
1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon dry dill weed
1/8 cup sherry wine
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs

Directions
1 Place canned salmon with fluid in a large bowl.
2 Add next 8 ingredients and mix well to break up the salmon.
3 Add last 2 ingredients and mix to evenly moisten the oatmeal and breadcrumbs.
4 Form into patties like burgers (typical yield is 8 patties).
5 Fry in olive oil (or any other favorite healthy oil) at medium-low temperature for 4 minutes per side. Patties should be medium golden brown with a slightly crispy crust when done.
6Place on a paper towel covered plate to drain and serve while still hot.
7Although you could serve with tarter sauce or malt vinegar, you may find everyone enjoys them plain.
8Smaller patties can be used as an appetizer.

By: Chef #450966

Now my own version I omitted these items:
2-3 teaspoons lemon juice
6-8 drops Tabasco sauce
1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon dry dill weed
1/8 cup sherry wine

I added garlic powder, onion powder, Italian grinder seasoning, and garlic grinder seasoning by McCormick. I used 2 cans of Salmon and 1/2 cup of low fat milk and 2 eggs instead of one and 1/2 cup of Italian bread crumbs. Very tasty. I served it with a mixed green salad and dressing of choice, mine is 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.

Bon Appetit!

Recipe Thursday

I have decided to add recipes on Thursdays that I have tried or others have tried for
those of us who would like some new ideas on healthy foods.

I would like to feature different blogs or shops and their favorite recipe. I would like healthy recipes but am interested in anything that you find to be your favorite.

If you would like to be featured then please email me your recipe at heartandsowdesigns@yahoo.com

Together we can experience new ideas and new foods and learn from each other.