New Recipes, Part 2

Apparently I have slacked off on trying new recipes since the beginning of the year.  It's been a busy few weeks, but I am picking up the pace on cooking again.  I am still sure that I have cooked more at home and more from scratch this year than at any other time in my life.  I am learning more about what fresh foods we will use most often, and more and more often, I have most of the items on hand that I need to make a new recipe.  My kitchen finally feels fully stocked, ingredient-wise.

I expect the cooking to pick up in full force again soon, particularly because some work friends and I are starting Weight Watchers next week.  I'm a little nervous (mostly that I will completely and utterly fail at this endeavor), but I am also feeling super encouraged by my friend Kelly, who has just lost nearly 30 pounds.  (You're looking fabulous, my friend!)

Anyway, here are some more new recipes I've tried this year (with only the Pinterest pictures because I'm a terrible blogger):

Source: budgetbytes.blogspot.com via Deanna on Pinterest

• These oven fajitas from Budget Bytes are my absolute favorite right now, and the latest in a string of successful recipes from her blog.  The fajitas are super easy, and I have even used frozen chicken and they turned out just as well.  These are also excellent left over, meaning I make extra to have for lunch during the week. 

• I got hooked on whole wheat egg noodles for awhile there, and I created a Butter Garlic Shrimp Pasta, adapted from this recipe.  I used the same basic ingredients, but left out the peas and only topped mine with Parmesan.  I added shrimp and threw on some steamed stir-fry vegetables.  This one was a definite hit with both Jeremy and me.  (Hey, it turns out I did take a picture of this one!)

•  Taco Pasta was pretty good, just a little on the spicy side.  Jeremy agreed, so we may likely try it again sometime.  We are all taco fans here, so it may just need a little tweaking.

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Deanna on Pinterest

•  I went through a crazy pancake/waffle phase about a month or two ago, and I seriously could not get them off my mind.  When I came across a recipe for Sour Cream Pancakes from the Pioneer Woman, I knew I had to try them.  They are definitely quite different from regular pancakes, but not in a bad way at all.  We finished the batch easily, and I kept the recipe bookmarked.  These won't be my standby pancakes, but definitely worth a repeat.  They are super easy!

•  Finally, in an effort to satisfy my cravings (not pregnant, I feel the need to specify, just hungry!), I made these waffles from Everyday Reading.  It's a great basic waffle recipe that will definitely be a keeper in our house.  I've actually made them three times in the last month or so, and we all love them.  The best part?  The recipe makes enough for me to stick a couple of waffles in the freezer for later.  Always a plus.

• While I have been having a love affair with waffles, Addison & Mackenzie have become a little obsessed with pita pizzas (and apples, which they are eating basically twice a day, but that's a whole other story).  I love how quick and easy it is to throw these together, and they're relatively healthy, too.  Take a pita round (we use whole wheat), drizzle on a bit of olive oil and garlic powder and bake in the oven for a few minutes to let the oil sink in.  Top with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and veggies of choice and bake (on a pizza stone if you have one, it makes the crust just a little crispy) at 450 degrees until all the cheese is melted and toasty.  Delicious and simple...the best combination! 

What are you eating these days??

 

(I hate to do it, but I am going to turn on comment verification for awhile.  I've been getting a TON of spam lately, so I'm willing to try it.  Sorry for the inconvenience; please don't stop commenting!)