Cheesy Orzo and Turkey Bratwurst

Ok, I have been having way too much fun with my sister and not posting as often as I should, but it's ok because I have a bunch of new recipes for you all!! Today is a yummy, creamy, cheesy pasta/meat dish. I came up with this one when I realized we were totally out of food but I did have these few ingredients and the outcome..... WONDERFUL!! It was soo good, healthy and quick too! I know it will be asked for often, especially by my husband!




Ingredients: (this recipe made enough for 4 adults. If you are cooking for more just double the recipe :)

1 tablespoon butter
1 1/2 cups orzo
2 1/2 cups chicken stock or water with a couple bouillon cubes dissolved
salt and pepper
garlic powder
1/2 cup finely grated mozzarella cheese
4 turkey bratwurst, thawed
fresh parsley, chopped

1. Melt butter in a medium sauce pan over medium heat. When melted add orzo and a few shakes of salt and pepper. Stir the orzo until covered in the melted butter and allow to brown for a few minutes. Keep stirring so nothing burns. After a few minutes and pasta is slightly brown go ahead and add your stock. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and a low simmer. Allow to simmer for 15-20 minutes until all the liquid is absorbed and the orzo is becoming creamy.
2. While the orzo is simmering heat a non-stick skillet to medium heat and start cooking your bratwurst. Just keep turning in the pan so all sides are browned and the meat is cooked through. It will take just about as long to cook the meat as it does to cook the orzo.
3. Ok, finishing touches. When your meat is cooked through and the pasta has absorbed all the liquid go ahead and add your cheese to the pasta. After you have stirred and combined the cheese and pasta add the chopped parsley too. You may need to add a couple tablespoon of water to keep it creamy. (As your stir everything together, steam is still coming off your pasta and liquid is still be absorbed so add a bit of water to make it moist). Ok plate that food and eat!!

* I served this with steamed carrots with a bit of tub butter, salt and pepper. But steamed green beans, broccoli, or a nice green salad would be great! Also add some garlic bread to finish off the meal!

Sausage, Broccoli, and Noodles

I got this recipe from Family Circle, which I love! Lots of easy, quick meals. This one took about 20 minutes, start to finish and everyone ate it right up. The flavors are great and it is creamy and warm!


Ingredients:

3 packages ramen noodle soup, chicken flavor
1/4 cup fat free sour cream
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3 links Italian turkey sausage casings removed (I got the spicy kind)
3 cups broccoli flowerets

1. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. When boiling, steam the broccoli for 5 minutes. In a small bowl, stir the sour cream and cornstarch together and set aside.
2.Heat a medium skillet to med/high and bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the sausage to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook for 5 minutes,or until cooked through.
3.Now to the boiling water. These noodles cook super fast so we are cooking them near the end of this meal. Cook the noodles for 2-3 minutes. Drain and set aside. * I have come to learn to leave just a little bit of cooking water in the pot with the noodles so they don't all stick together in a big lump. Not good, so leave some water :)
4.Add the broccoli, 1 cup water, and 1 1/2 teaspoons seasonings from packets to sausage in skillet. Cover and simmer over medium heat for 3 minutes.
4.Remove the lid and stir in sour cream mixture to skillet. Cook for 1 minute or until sauce has thickened.
5.Add the noodles to the skillet OR add the skillet to the now drained all the way noodles in the big pot and toss to coat with the sauce. Eat right away!!

* I served this up with tomatoes sliced in wedges sprinkled with salt and pepper and some cranberry orange muffins! Yum!! * Use the fat free Krusteaz muffin mix from the store, so good and so easy!!

Oreo Brownies

I confess I have made these like 3 times in the last month trying to get a good picture, but don't worry none of them went to waste! I love brownies, I love creating new ways to enjoy a delicious brownie so I came up with these babies!! You won't be disappointed, they are great!


Brownie ingredients: (I ALWAYS use this recipe for all my brownies, they turn out perfect!)

1/2 cup applesauce
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 egg whites
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/3 cup cocoa
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
6-7 reduced-fat oreos, chopped in big chunks

frosting ingredients:

1 1/2-2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon tub butter
2 oreos, chopped into small pieces, but not crushed into crumbs
a little bit of milk

1. Ok, preheat your oven to 350. In a large bowl,combine your applesauce, sugar, vanilla and egg whites together. Mix until smooth. Next add in the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Mix with a whisk or spoon until combine.
2. Pour into a greased 9x9 baking pan and cook for 10 minutes. While the brownies are cooking, chop your oreos into big chunks. After 10 minutes, take out your brownies and sprinkle the oreos all over the top of your batter. Press gently to set in and bake for another 10 minutes or until done in center. When they are done, allow them to cool so the frosting doesn't melt when spread it on top.
3. While they are cooling we will make the yummy frosting. Ok, in a medium bowl put your butter and 1 cup of powdered sugar. With an electric mixer, combine the two until smooth. Give it some time, it will come together (If it doesn't add a TINY bit of milk). Now you need to add another 1/2 cup of sugar and a bit of milk to thin out the frosting. You may add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar (I did) and a little milk to get it to the right consistency. I wanted my frosting to be thicker than a glaze but not so stiff that is tears the brownies.
4. Last step in adding in the chopped oreos. You will want to use a large wooden spoon or a rubber scraper and gently fold the cookies in. You don't want to break up the oreos too much and turn your frosting grey. Carefully frost your brownies and enjoy!!

* Cover with plastic wrap and keep out on counter to stay fresh for nibbling.

Muffin Corn Dogs

Here is another fun, easy, summer dinner that your whole family will love!! Thanks to Lick the Bowl Good.(My hubby loved them more than my kids:) A lighter version of a fair favorite that will become a fun meal, snack or party food!!

With the works!! Add kethcup, mustard, and relish and you will be in heaven! My best advise, top them with your favorites and pick them up and dig in. Using a fork can get a little crumbly and messy :)

The inside, cute huh?

Ingredients:

1 corn muffin mix (I used Marie Callendar's)
1 package of turkey dogs
relish
ketchup
mustard
chili
anything you put on your hot dogs

1. Ok, really easy here! Preheat your oven to the right temperature. Whip up your muffins. When making your muffins make them low fat! If it asks for eggs: sub egg whites (2 whites for every 1 egg) milk: fat free, oil or butter: sub applesauce. Easy peasy. Ok after you have made your mix, cut your hot dogs into 3rds. That is what fits for a 12 muffin standard baking sheet.
2. Spray your tins REALLY GOOD with non-stick and fill about 2/3 full. Some of mine kinda stuck so spray them well. Stuff a little dog in there and kinda bury him in batter. The muffin will cook over it. Bake for the right time depending on what mix you get.
3. After they are done baking give them a few minutes to cool. I think that helps with the whole not sticking and crumbling apart mess of a dinner. Using a knife go around all the edges of the muffins and use a fork to pry them out. Be careful too. *Maybe it is just me, but I like my food to be pretty so I made my brother eat the broken ones before dinner started so no one would see that they we less than perfection :)
4. Ok. top them and eat! YUM!! Serve these babies with watermelon or fruit salad and a veggie like carrots and celery sticks or steamed green beans.

*To steam green beans buy fresh from the store or pick from your garden :) and place in a sauce pan that has a metal steaming basket and a couple inches of water. Bring to a boil and steam for about 10 minutes. Taste test and when just soft take off heat. Place in a dish and serve with a little tub butter, salt and pepper.