Skinny Sloppy Joes

I remember the good old days when Sloppy Joes and tater tots were a weekly meal at my house.  Today, my husband and I are eating healthier things, but sometimes we do get that nostalgic craving.  Here's a way to enjoy the Sloppy Joe taste without all the canned calories.  Makes about six sandwiches.

Ingredients:
1 lb ground turkey
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced bell pepper (red, green or mixed)
10 oz tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce
1 tablespoon water
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Buns (we used thin, whole wheat buns)
Cheese (optional)

Directions:
1. Cook turkey, onion and pepper in a large pan, stirring occasionally until the meat is no longer pink.  Place the mix in a colander to drain off the excess grease, then return it to the pan.
2. Stir in tomato sauce, water, chili powder and garlic powder.  Heat to bubbling, then simmer on low heat for five minutes.
3. Scoop mix onto buns and top with cheese if desired.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

These bite-sized treats are decadent and delicious!  The preparation is a bit messy, so I would suggest working with a partner.  Makes three to four dozen balls.

Ingredients:
1 small jar creamy peanut butter
1 stick butter
1 package (16 oz) powdered sugar
1 box rice krispies cereal
1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Scoop out all of the peanut butter and place in a large saucepan with the stick of butter.  Heat on low, stirring occasionally until completely melted.
2.  Remove the pan from heat and stir in about half the box of powdered sugar. You need to get the consistency of a stiff cookie dough, otherwise they will be too runny.  Add more powdered sugar until you get this consistency.
3.  Add 1 1/2 cups of rice krispies, more if desired.  Stir until well mixed.
4.  Take spoonfuls of the mixture and roll them into balls with your hands.  Your hands will get messy after a few, so wash and dry your hands and then get back to it. 
5.  Pour chocolate chips into a pot and heat using the "double boiler" method.  Basically, have a separate pot with simmering water and place the pot with chocolate on top of it, so the steam indirectly heats it up.  Heat chocolate until completely melted, then remove from heat.
6.  Roll peanut butter balls in melted chocolate, place on a plate covered in wax paper.  Refrigerate the balls for a few hours until the chocolate shell has hardened.

***Note:  To save time and mess, grab a partner for the last three steps.  One person handles the peanut butter mix and rolls out the balls while the other person handles the chocolate coating.  Easy!

Bacon Brownies

You know you've always wanted to try them... the logic commonly used is, "if I like items A and B, why wouldn't I like A and B combined?" So here is an amazingly easy recipe to wow your friends and family- just add bacon!

Ingredients:
5 strips bacon (more if desired, but it's a good start)
1 box brownie mix
Required brownie mix-ins (such as eggs, water, etc.)

Directions:
1.  Cook bacon strips in a pan until just crispy.  You want to be able to cut them easily with a knife, but not rock-hard.  Place bacon on a paper towel to cool.  Reserve bacon grease.
2.  Assemble brownie ingredients in a mixing bowl.  Instead of using plain vegetable oil, use the bacon grease.  If there isn't enough, add vegetable oil until you get the required ammount.  Stir until just combined.
3.  Chop up bacon strips into bite-sized pieces.  Fold into the brownie mix.
4.  Pour the mix into a greased pan and bake according to brownie package directions.  Let cool before eating- the brownies will cut easier and you won't burn your mouth :-)

BBQ Chicken Skewers

This recipe is easy to make, and only requires a few minutes of cooking on the grill.  Makes approximately four skewers.

Ingredients:
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into chunks
2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
1 can pineapple chunks in juice (reserve juice)
1 red pepper, cut into chunks
1/2 onion, cut into chunks

Directions:
1. Place BBQ sauce and one tablespoon of pineapple juice in a large ziplock bag.  Add chicken, seal, and shake to coat evenly.  Let the bag sit for five minutes.
2. Assemble the chicken, pepper, onion and pineapple on skewers in an alternating fashion.  Tip: be careful when sliding them on, you don't want to poke yourself or get a splinter.  Also, the chicken will be a bit slippery, so top it with an onion or pepper chunk to help it go down the skewer.
3.  Grill on the BBQ on low heat until the chicken has fully cooked through. Use a fork to remove the food from the skewers, divide between plates and serve.

Note: Pictured on the top of the pile is a bacon skewer with leftover pineapple.  It's not included in the recipe, but it's darn tasty!  Also, you can use the leftover pineapple juice in a cocktail, or just drink it as is.

Fondue for Dinner

Fondue is back in style, and it's a great way to share a meal with your family and friends.  Get yourself a fondue pot (or borrow one from a friend), grab some ingredients and get cookin'!  This recipe is for a main dish fondue- a seasoned broth in which you can cook meat and veggies.  I would suggest making the dips first, then making the broth so once it's done you're ready to go.  Serves up to 4 people.

Mojo-style Broth
5 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon jerk seasoning (or blend of spices, if you don’t have jerk)
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
4 cloves minced garlic

Dippers:
Assorted bite-sized chunks of meat, such as chicken and beef
Small peeled shrimp
Assorted bite-sized vegetables, such as broccoli and baby carrots

Directions:
1. Combine ingredients in saucepan on stovetop, bring to a boil.
2. Transfer to fondue pot, increase heat until broth simmers.
3. Add vegetables first- they will take a few minutes to cook. Use fondue forks to cook the meat pieces in the broth. Meat and poultry will take 1-2 minutes to cook, and shrimp about a minute. Use a slotted spoon to scoop out the vegetables. Use the dips listed below, or any other sauces you like.

Green Goddess Dip
8 ounces cream cheese, cut into slices
2 tablespoons milk
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
2 tablespoons finely sliced chives (or green onions)
1 tablespoon dry Italian herbs

Directions:
1. Microwave cream cheese 1-2 minutes, whisking after each minute, until cream cheese melts and mixture is smooth.
2. Stir in milk, sour cream, parsley, chives and herbs. Refrigerate for a few minutes, until cold. Serve with fondue.

Curry Dip
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons curry powder
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce

Combine ingredients, serve with fondue.

Taco Soup!

This is a War Kitten original, created by my husband Mark.  It's kinda like a Tex-Mex chili, but easy and quick to make.  It's also loaded with flavor and very filling!

Ingredients:
1 lb ground turkey (or beef)
1 packet taco seasoning
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can sliced black olives, drained
1/2 cup shredded cheese
Sour cream (optional)

Directions:
1.  Cook the ground meat in a large frying pan until it's no longer pink.  Drain grease if desired- we used lean turkey so there wasn't much.
2.  Stir in taco seasoning until well mixed.  Add tomatoes and olives, cook on medium heat for 5 minutes.
3.  Add cheese and stir until it melts into the mixture.  Divide into bowls and top with sour cream if desired.

Chicken Cordon NOM

A modern twist on an old classic! Instead of cooking whole chicken breasts, I chopped up the chicken to mix the flavors together.  Works well paired with egg noodles, or broccoli florets for the low-carb eaters.  Serves two.

Ingredients:
4 strips bacon
2 chicken breast halves, chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese (or 4 slices, chopped)
2 cups broccoli florets (pictured) or cooked egg noodles

Directions:
1.  Cook bacon in a large pan until slightly crispy. Remove bacon, leaving grease in pan.
2.  Add chicken to pan and cook for approximately 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
3.  Stir in soup, water, wine, cheese, and bacon. Cover and cook on low heat for 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.  Stir in broccoli or noodles.  Divide mixture between two bowls and serve.

Optional: top the bowls with shredded cheese and/or cracked black pepper.  Enjoy!