No Time, No Effort Dinner

Some nights, I don't feel like cooking.  Who am I kidding, I never feel like cooking.  Not because I don't like cooking, but cooking for the taste buds of three kids under 8 is not all that enjoyable.  I want spicy weird food and they want pizza and chicken nuggets every night.  So on the nights we have something going on or I know I don't have prep time I make Tater Tot casserole.  This was a staple at my house growing up. 


1 to 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 can Campbells Cheddar cheese soup
1 can french green beans
1 bag of tater tots


You just slap the ground beef (uncooked) on the bottom of a 9x9 pan.  Put the french green beans evenly on top, then the cheddar cheese soup and last the tater tots.  Throw it in the oven uncovered at 350 for about an hour and 15 min (Its done as long as the beef is cooked) and you are good to go!   

Arugula

I have been slacking.  :)  I enjoyed some R&R time with some of my favorite ladies in one of my favorite places, North Carolina!  I am back at it though and have a crazy spring, which really is when I feel I am at my best.  Too much time seems to make me lazy!

So enough about that.  One of my favorite foods this last year has been Arugula.  My aunt introduced it to me and now I use every excuse to incorporate it in my meal.  Arugula is a very flavorful leafy vegetable and I feel that most people will either love it or hate it.  The other thing to remember about it, is that it is a delicate vegetable and spoils somewhat easy.  I always check the dates, you will know if it isn't good, it smells BAD!

So how do you eat it?  I love it for breakfast.  I put it on a plate, put a piece of plain toast and then an over easy egg.  You can add anything else you want.  I just use what I have around, grape tomatoes, green peppers, onion, etc.  I let the egg run out and act as the "dressing" so I don't add any calories to it.  It is super yummy and I always feel good when I eat it since there isn't a lot of sugar etc. like most breakfast foods!

Click below to see the recipe for my favorite dinner with Arugula.  Super easy and yummy.  You can cut out the goat cheese if you want. 
Chicken Orzo Salad

Creamy White Chicken Chili

Its cold so I thought I would make my first recipe a Soup.  This chili is a nice change from my standard red/beef option.  Not to brag but I did win a Chili contest at Justin's work one year with this.  It is a little spicy, but super yummy!

1 lb chicken breast, cut in small cubes or shredded)
1 small onion chopped
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 cans white beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can (14 1/2 oz) Chicken Broth
2 (4oz) cans chopped green chilis
3 carrots sliced
1 tsp salt
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp red cayenne pepper
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream


Saute chicken in oil w/onion & garlic powder
Boil carrots for 8 min
In a large saucepan add chicken, broth, chilies, beans, carrots and spices
Bring to a Boil
Reduce heat and simmer 30 min
Remove from heat and stir in sour cream and whipping cream

Takes about 40 min.  I know this will serve a 4-5 person family (with small kids), but I typically double so that I have left overs.