Fresh Family Meals {A Gooseberry Patch Review & Giveaway]

It's that time again! Oh, so many things could be applied to that statement, but in EMM land right now, it refers to another awesome Gooseberry Patch cookbook; and the chance for one of you to walk away with a copy for yourself!

Fresh and Easy Family Meals is filled with over 200 yummy recipes your family is sure to love. Plus, like so many of their cookbooks, a ton of helpful kitchen tips!

Page after page has something else you will want to try. Take it from me, don't dog ear the pages with ones you want to make. Why? Because every single page will be marked!!

From main dishes, to sides to desserts, you could feed your family for months just from this cookbook! I had to really narrow it down to one I wanted to feature, and boy did I pick a winner!

This is a simple side dish for any meal that you can feel really good about serving! The bright, fresh lemon flavor takes it from simple to scrumptious. Plus, any chance I have to use fresh spinach, I'm happy. We love the stuff, and it's filled with so many vitamins and minerals! The person who submitted the recipe to Gooseberry suggested serving it with baked chicken, so that's exactly what I did; and it was fan-freakin-tastic!

I adapted this just a little bit to fit our tastes, but I've included the page number so you can see the original recipe. I can't wait to make this again during those looonngggg winter months when we crave something fresh and bright to remind us of summer time flavors. There are so many ways I can think to serve it, and maybe even add some sauteed shrimp for full meal deal!

If you're looking for something new, that's also pretty healthy you've come to the right place. Oh, and don't forget to enter to win a copy of Fresh and Easy Family Meals for yourself. Just scroll down under the recipe to see how!

Lemony Spinach Orzo

Original Recipe found on page 72

1 lb. orzo pasta

8 oz. fresh spinach, chopped

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. lemon zest

Juice of 1/2 lemon

4 TBS butter 

Salt and Pepper to taste

Cook orzo according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet melt butter over medium heat. Add spinach, in batches, until starting to wilt. Add garlic powder and stir. When pasta is cooked, drain very well. Add to skillet. Toss to combine. Add lemon zest, juice, salt and pepper. Stir well. 

 

******GIVEAWAY******

To Enter: Leave a comment telling me you want to win. That's it. Easy!! Just be sure to leave an email address so I can notify the winner.

Bonus Entry: Become a Fan of Gooseberry Patch on Facebook. Leave a comment telling me you have.

(1) Winner will win a copy of Fresh and Easy Family Meals.

Open to US Residents 18 and over only.

Contest Ends: Sept. 16, 2015

Disclaimer: I received a cookbook in exchange for this review. And one to give away. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Shared at Weekend Potluck

Meal Plan Aug. 30- Sept. 4

*New Recipes

Links to Recipes on Blog

Sunday

All in One Lasagna

Garlic Bread

Monday

Sausage Potato Pepper Bake

Sliced Pears

Tuesday

Crock Pot Chicken n Dumplings*

Fried Apples

Rolls

Wednesday

Ham

Fried Cabbage and Noodles

Applesauce

Thursday

 Taco Rice Skillet*

Chips n Cheese

Friday 

 Pancakes 

Sausage

Soup Weather

It's coming folks. In fact, with the cooler temps we've been having this week, I thought it was here earlier than expected, but according to the forecast, we should see 90 again next week, so not quite yet. What do I speak about? Soup season!

Now, we enjoy soup year round, but let's face it, when it is the middle of summer, and you've spent all day at the pool, or in the sun, it isn't going to show up on the weekly menu as much. But the minute the leaves begin to turn, and that autumn chill is in the air, that all changes.

We will eat more soup in the upcoming months than any other dish. I guarantee it. From slow cooker ones to the stove top variety, I will find as many as I can to warm us up and fill us up at the same time.

To get ready for this, I actually did make soup on a 90 degree day! Ha! I wanted to be prepared for a recipe for ya'll to go live right about now, so to test it, compromises had to be made!

If you love bean soup like we do, but aren't in the mood for a heavy one with ham or other meat, this is a great option for you! Beans, veggies, and seasonings. That's it! Cooked for hours, with a deep flavor you won't miss the meat at all! Serve a grilled cheese for dipping, and dinner is done!

Grab your slow cooker and put it to good use this soup season! I'll have many more ideas to share as we head into autumn and beyond!

Crock Pot Confetti Bean Soup

1 lb. 15 bean soup mix*

3 (32 oz.) boxes chicken broth

4 medium carrots, diced

1 large white onion, diced

2 TBS tomato paste

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes, with juice

Salt and Pepper to taste

Shredded Parmesan Cheese

Rinse and sort beans. Add all ingredients, except tomatoes and cheese to Crock Pot. Stir well. Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours. Add tomatoes with juice. Cook on HIGH for 15 minutes. Garnish with cheese. *NOTE* If your soup mix comes with a flavor packet, add it with the rest of the ingredients.

Shared at Weekend Potluck

Not Too Much Spice

By now most of you know while Mr. E loves his spicy food, the hotter the better, I am the wimp in the family and can't take the heat. And to top it off, Little E. has inherited his father's love of all things spicy, so I am out numbered 2:1.

So, in that spirit, I am trying to find more dishes that do indeed have some spice to them. But not too much. Just enough the boys can taste it and I'm not in misery while eating, for while my husband might not care to sweat and/or cry while he chews, it really isn't my cup of tea.

So far I've found that Asian dishes seem to be where I can add some heat, and not burn my tongue off. I'm guessing it's because the slightly sweet tones of other flavors included in the dishes help to subdue the heat.

For me, Asian noodles are some of the best ones around. But then again, I just like noodles. I just think there are so many things you can do with them, so many veggies you can add and so many flavors you can use.

Take a little help from the store with some egg rolls, serve these on the side and you have a simple dinner! Plus, the leftovers make a fantastic lunch the next day. The flavors only intensify with sitting. And if you have a spice lover in your house, you can easily add more sriracha, or serve it on the side so they can.

I will never be the heat connoisseur my husband is, but I am trying to ease my palate into more dangerous territory...one spicy bite at a time.

Spicy Thai Noodles

1 lb. linguine

1 1/2 TBS olive oil

8 oz. white button mushrooms, sliced

1 medium zucchini, sliced into half circles

1/3 c. soy sauce

2 TBS brown sugar

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1-2 TBS sriracha*

4 green onions, chopped

1/4 c. peanuts, chopped

Salt and Pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet over medium high heat. Saute' mushrooms and zucchini until browned, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. When pasta is cooked, drain well. Add to skillet. Toss well. In a medium bowl combine soy sauce, garlic powder, sriracha and brown sugar. Whisk well. Pour over noodles. Stir to combine until pasta is coated. Garnish with green onions and peanuts. *NOTE* I used 1 TBS of sriracha because I can't handle heat. If you like it spicy, add the 2 TBS or more!

 


Shared at Weekend Potluck

Breakfast For Dinner Done Differently with Grainful™ {A Feature}

We are huge breakfast for dinner fans (or "brinner") around here. Any long time reader of EMM knows that. And I know so many of you out there are the same way! Not only is it a fun way to enjoy traditionally morning dishes after a long day, but it can also give us more nutrition too! In that spirit, my friends at Grainful™ have introduced a line of savory sides made with steel cut oatmeal! 

^{The Steel Cut Sides provide more fiber and heart healthy nutrients than quinoa and take a traditional breakfast food from morning to the dinner table with some sass!} 

 ^{“These sides mix up your dinnertime routine beyond the same old rice or potato and give oatmeal a facelift,” said Chef Jeannine Sacco, Grainful co-founder and chief recipe developer. “Steel cut oats, mixed with a colorful palette of spices and fresh ingredients, bring a hearty and nutty flavor to any meal.”}

 ^{Steel Cut Sides are also certified gluten-free and non-GMO, plus packed with protein as well! Each package contains steel cut oats, vegetables, a seasoning packet and preparation suggestions, as well as detailed cooking instructions that stress convenience. Steel Cut Sides are 100% all natural with no preservatives, artificial colors or flavors, and are packaged in 8 oz. pouches that serve four. Available in four mouth-watering varieties, the sides retail for a suggested $4.99 – $5.99; and will be on grocery store shelves by this fall!}

Cheesy Oats: A comfort food classic, made with creamy cheddar cheese and buttermilk
Tomato Risotto: Authentic Mediterranean flavor meets Italian-style flare
Madras Curry: A sweet and spicy companion to any meal, made with Indian spices, raisins and veggies
Jambalaya: A Creole classic for a Louisiana-inspired meal

 

Why not take a morning time tradition and give it a little dinner time flare? To learn more, and stay up on everything new from Grainful™, be sure to like them on Facebook and follow on Twitter. 

Disclaimer: I was given free samples in exchange for this feature. All thoughts and opinions are my own.