Simply Cooking...

Sausage, Peppers and Onion Over Fried Polenta

simplykerri — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:58:41 +0000

1 lb rope sausage, cut into 1 inch squares
1 each red, yellow, orange peppers
1 red onion, cut into 1/2 inch slices
1 can stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 can tomato paste
3/4 tsp oregano
3/4 tsp parsley
salt to taste
tube of polenta, original or garlic

Cut 3/4 of each pepper into 1/2 inch slices. Very finely dice the other 1/4 of each pepper and mix with tomatoes and paste. Mix all ingredients, except polenta, into a crockpot. Cook on low for approximately 8 hours or high for 4 hours.

During the last 10 minutes of cook time, heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tsp butter over med-high heat. Cut polenta into 1/2 inch slices and fry 3-5 minutes on each side.

Serve sausage mix over polenta.

Menu Plan Monday ~ November 21, 2011

simplykerri — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:22:43 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I’ve been so busy with school and work that I’ve been slacking at menu planning. This is a great week to ‘reboot’ my brain and get back into it.

This week is a slacker week for me. I only have one class Monday night and I don’t work until Saturday, so I might as well get to cooking.

Monday
Supper: We both have classes tonight so… Last week Jaid and I saw a commercial for Runza‘s new ‘runzas’. They looked so good our mouths were watering, so tonight we’re going to try a couple out

Tuesday
Supper: Sausage, peppers and onions over fried polenta

Wednesday
Supper: Leftovers

Thursday
Supper: Steak, baked potatoes, broccoli and cheese

Friday – Turkey Day Celebration
Supper: Cornish Game Hens, stuffing, mashed potatoes, creamy corn, Brussels sprouts

Saturday
Supper: Leftovers

Sunday
Supper: Since I work 4am – 1pm I’m going to be lazy and pick up Papa Murphy’s.

Menu Plan Monday ~ October 10, 2011

simplykerri — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 03:18:29 +0000

Visit orgjunkie.com for more great menu ideas

This week is all about using groceries that are about to expire. I hate throwing food away and sometimes it happens, but it’s not going to happen this week!!!

Jaid starts guitar lessons at my college on Monday so Mondays will be ‘slacker’ suppers. Easy, peasy, no effort meals. We’ll both be at class until 8ish which means we’ll either have to eat supper at 4:30 or 9:00. Maybe we’ll just have a nice, healthy snack at both of those times

Monday
Supper: YOYO

Tuesday – Using ‘soon to expire’ cream cheese, bacon, lettuce and tomatoes
Supper: Homemade creamy mac ‘n cheese, BLTs, feta-topped tomato slices

Wednesday – Using lettuce and BBQ beef
Supper: BBQ’d beef sandwiches, salad and leftover mac ‘n cheese

Thursday – Using sausage and polenta, both about to expire
Supper: Sausage and peppers over polenta

Friday
Supper: Jaiden was invited to a Homecoming dance and I work so we’re both on our own

Saturday
Supper: YOYO

Sunday – Using onion dip and corn on the cob
Supper: Steak, experimenting with onion dip and mashed potatoes, corn on the cob. Last week’s roast was a bust since it didn’t fit in my crockpot and I had no clue how else to make it. I did some research and roasted it in the oven at a slow temp but it came out hard as a rock. I’m taking a break from roast this week.

Menu Plan Monday ~ October 3, 2011

simplykerri — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:23:36 +0000

Our Wonton wrapper experience last Tuesday was a hit! Jaid invited a friend over and we set up a ‘buffet’ of foods we could use. We went through 42 Wonton wrappers between the three of us. We sure did make a mess but we’ll definitely do it again!

Some of our fillings included:
* strawberry cream cheese and strawberries
* leftover sloppy Joes and cheese
* cream cheese and habanero
* chocolate sauce and strawberries
* sliced BBQ chicken
* ham and cheese

Well, It’s ‘back to school’ time for me. Luckily, I only have class on Mondays and Wednesdays so I’ll be able to cook most of the week.

This week I’m stealing menu ideas from some of last week’s MPM bloggers and I’m excited to try some new recipes!

Monday
Supper: YOYO

Tuesday
Supper: Kasha Varnishkes (I’ve always wanted to try this but could never find Kasha. Thanks Frugal Follies for explaining what it is and where to find it), steak, green beans

Wednesday
Supper: YOYO

Thursday
Supper: A Slob Comes Clean made me laugh so hard while reading last week’s post. My mom used to make porcupine meatballs but they were smothered in some sort of tomato sauce. I’m excited to try ‘Meal of Meat in Fake Gravy‘. I’ll be serving these over mashed potatoes with corn on the side.

Friday
Supper: Chili Cornbread Bake found at Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures looks so good. I’ve seen similar recipes in cookbooks but just haven’t gotten to them yet, so her’s will be the first I try.

Saturday
Supper: Leftovers

Sunday
Supper: Of course, roast It just wouldn’t be Sunday without a nice roast with carrots, celery, onion and potatoes

Menu Plan Monday ~ September 26, 2011

simplykerri — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:14:45 +0000

Pomegranate, coconut, papaya, dragonfruit

Jaid and I had a lot of fun grocery shopping last week. We saved $18.85 with coupons! We decided to be adventurous and bought some fruit that we’ve never had before. I am so lucky to have a daughter that loves trying different foods as much as I do.

I made homemade salsa with Thai chili peppers yesterday. It turned out so yummy! I wish I knew how to can foods so I could make a huge batch and use up all my chili peppers. Would freezing it work???

This week I get a week off of school and work. YAY! I’m going to be a cooking Queen!!!

Check out how I’m doing on my Food Resolutions!

Monday
Supper: Leftover BBQs (sloppy Joes), pork ‘n beans, baked corn on the cob

Tuesday
Supper: We’re going to experiment with Wonton wrappers tonight. We’ll try them 3 ways: cream cheese and peppers, bbq chicken, sugar cinnamon chips

Wednesday
Supper: Sausage and peppers over polenta, Brussel sprouts

Thursday
Supper: Meatloaf, Pink Pasta, spinach salad

Friday
Supper: YOYO

Saturday
Supper: Steak, mashed potatoes, garlic sauteed green beans

Sunday
Supper: Roast with onions, carrots, celery and potatoes

Check out more menu plans at orgjunkie.com

Thai Chili Pepper Salsa

simplykerri — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 20:00:25 +0000

This is a very basic salsa recipe. Substitute your favorite pepper for the Thai chili peppers. I like that I can make a super spicy batch for myself and a mild batch for my daughter.

I use my Magic Bullet so my salsa isn’t chunky. If you cut the veggies by hand you can make it as chunky as you want.

2 tomatoes
1/2 onion (I used white)
1-2 garlic cloves, pressed
3-4 Thai chili peppers (more if you like a lot of spice)
salt to taste
cilantro

Menu Plan Monday ~ September 19, 2011

simplykerri — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:58:37 +0000

Oh, how time changes everything! I haven’t menu planned for a couple of months… And I haven’t posted for even longer.

I decided to go back to school and, without thinking, took only night classes. Jaid asked me one day “Who’s going to make supper?!” Well, I guess YOU are kiddo! So for the past two months, we’ve been eating pasta, tv dinners and grilled cheese.

That’s all about to change This quarter of classes is over as of Thursday and in two weeks I’ll only have class two nights a week. I’m looking forward to eating some ‘real’ food for a change.

I made my first rack of ribs on Sunday. They were tasty, but a little dry. If you have tips or a no-fail recipe, please let me know.

On to the menu…

Monday
Supper: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, corn

Tuesday
Supper: Taco Tuesday!!! I have a late class tonight so I’m slacking on supper and stopping at Taco John’s for 69cent tacos

Wednesday
Supper: Mostaccioli and meatballs – Finals tonight so I’ll be home early which means I can cook something besides a tv dinner

Thursday
Supper: Last final tonight, yay!!! BBQ pork sandwiches, pork ‘n beans, corn on the cob

Friday
Supper: YOYO (you’re on your own)

Saturday
Supper: Fettuccine and chicken Alfredo, sauteed garlic green beans

Sunday
Supper: Roast with potatoes, celery, carrots and onions

*** As a tribute to autumn starting, I’m restarting my Food Resolutions. Check my ‘food resolutions‘ link for updates starting next Sunday.

Visit orgjunkie.com for more great menu ideas

Menu Plan Monday – December 13, 2010

simplykerri — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 23:01:18 +0000

Monday
Supper: Grilled cheese, mac ‘n cheese, baked beans

Tuesday
Supper: Eggs, bacon, hashbrowns

Wednesday
Supper: Hamburgers, homemade fries, corn on the cob

Thursday
Supper: Steak, baked potatoes, green beans

Friday
Supper: Out

Saturday
Supper: YOYO

Sunday
Supper: Roast, potatoes, carrots, celery

Menu Plan Monday – December 6, 2010

simplykerri — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 22:46:55 +0000

The Corn Dog Muffins were a hit last week. They were quick and easy to make. They definitely earned a spot on our ‘regular meals’ list. There was enough mix for 18+ muffins, so next time I think I’ll cut the recipe in half. I might also try baking it as a casserole instead of muffins just to make it one step easier.

I got mixed reviews on the Baked Ham Tetrazzini, everything from ‘Hate it!’ to ‘It’s alright.’ to ‘Can I have seconds?’ I thought it was excellent and was excited that there were plenty of leftovers for lunch.

I’m taking it easy this week and also trying to use up some of our freezer/fridge food that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. Besides dance on Monday (MC) and a choral concert on Thursday (MC), it should be a pretty laid back week.

Monday
Supper: Grilled cheese, mac ‘n cheese, green beans

Tuesday
Supper: Pink Pasta, meatballs, corn (we didn’t get to this last week)

Wednesday
Supper: Hamburgers, tater tots, cheesy broccoli

Thursday
Supper: BLTs, cottage cheese

Friday
Supper: YOYO

Saturday
Supper: Out

Sunday
Supper: Roast, potatoes, carrots, celery

Visit orgjunkie.com for more menu plans and ideas.

Menu Plan Monday – November 29, 2010

simplykerri — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 03:05:10 +0000

Thanksgiving was a bust. I attempted to make chicken fried steak and wasn’t impressed with the outcome. Although it was edible, it just wasn’t anything near what I expected. I’ll have to look for a different recipe as this is one of GW’s favorite dishes.

Hope everybody has a great week!

Monday
Supper: Corn Dog Muffins, mac ‘n cheese

Tuesday
Supper: Baked Ham Tetrazzini, raw veggie plate with green peppers, celery, carrots and cucumbers

Wednesday
Supper: Steak, baked potato, green beans

Thursday
Supper: Pink Pasta, meatballs, corn

Friday
Supper: Out

Saturday
Supper: YOYO (you’re on your own)

Sunday
Supper: Roast, potatoes, carrots, celery