Healthy, Quick and Yummy - what more could you want?

Let me first apologize to the month of February.  I truly did not mean to deprive you of the daily bloggery.  I did not deprive February of cooking, and there were some photos taken, but scripting the bloggery just didn't get done.  Let's see if I can do better in the month of March.  So to make up for lost time, this will be an extra long bloggery post - 3 recipes!  I know! Try to control your enthusiasm - I know you are beside yourself with excitement.

So, here we go...There should be no surprise that two out of three of these recipes are for soup.  You know how I love my soup!

I downloaded this healthy recipe app on my phone - it has some really good recipes.  The three recipes that I'm posting tonight are from that app - Spark Recipes

5 Ingredient Soup

1 Can Fat Free Refried Beans
1 Can Chicken Broth
1 Can Corn
1 Can black beans
1 Can diced tomatoes

Rinse the black beans and put in a pot with the othe ingredients.  Cook until refried beans ae no longer thick and soup is hot

If you are craving a taco soup type soup, but don't have a lot of time - this is for you.  It is so quick and easy - and quite tasty.  Next....

Tortellini and Chicken Soup

I made a few adjustments on the recipe from the app.  This is my altered version

2 tsp Olive Oil
2 large cans chicken - drained
1 can diced tomatoes Italian style
1 32 oz can fat free chicken broth
1 15 oz can fat free chicken broth
1 package fat free baby spinach
1/4 cup chopped basil
2 cups water
1 package Buotoni tortellini

Add olive oil to soup pot or dutch oven.  Add chicken broth and chicken.  Bring to a boil and cook over medium heat 5 minutes.  Add tortellini and cook per package directions.  Add tomatoes, spinach and basil and cook ove medium heat until spinach is wilted.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this soup, but it was very easy to make and very good.  Next...

Cool Veggie Pizza (once again I made adjustments from the original recipe.  Imagine that.

2 packages crecent roll dough
1 cup low fat cream cheese
1/3 cup mayo (regular or fat free
1 clove garlic
3/4 cup cucumber sliced
1 yellow bell pepper chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh broccoli chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tsp dill seasoning

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Spread 2 packages of crescent roll dough onto a backing pan.  Pinch seams together and cook on 375 for about 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.  Mix together 1 8 oz bar of cream cheese and 1/3 cup mayo and one clove garlic and dill seasoning. Spread on cooled crust. Top with sliced cucumbers, chopped broccoli, chopped pepper, chopped tomato

Sooooo Soooo Good!!

Until next time...

Slow Cooked Oodles of Noodles

Yes, I realize that it's been a few days since I visited bloggery world, but we'll forget about that and move right along, right? Thought so.

Tonight's featue recipe at Table 4 Five:

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Chicken

1 (16 oz) package spaghetti
1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (10.75 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles
16 oz velveeta (I used 2% milk version) cut into small pieces
3 (10 oz) cans chicken

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.  Add spaghetti and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente.  Drain and set aside

Put soups, tomatoes and cheese in crockpot.  Cook on medium heat.  Stir together until cheese has melted.

Stir chicken and spaghetti into cheese mixture and heat through.  Reduce heat to medium low and cook for about 40 minutes.

Be Careful That Plate Is VERY Hot!

Am I the only person in the world who apparently thinks that her hand is immuned from heat?  Why is it that when a restaurant server tells me "Be careful, that plate is very hot" I seem to think that I can move the plate with my bare hands.  I mean I see the oven mitt the person is wearing, but it doesn't stop me.  I can hear the plate sizzling, but it doesn't stop me.  Am I the only one that this happens to?  I made my own version of the sizzly plate, chicken fajitas -  unfortunately mine didn't sizzle.  Oh well, they still tasted good.

Tonight's feature recipe at Table 4 Five:

Chicken Fajitas

2 pkgs Fajita Style Oven Roasted Chicken
1 pkg Pepper and Onion Mix (Frozen Vegetables)
1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
1 pkg fajita seasoning
1pkg fajita tortillas

Saute Pepper and Onion Mix in a small amount of oil until vegetables are tender.  Add fajita seasoning packet, chicken and mushrooms, stir occasionally until all ingredients are thoroughly  heated.

Son of a Gun, We're Gonna Have Big Fun....

How many of you grew up watching Justin Wilson's cooking show?  I couldn't understand a word he said, but I liked to watch his show. Maybe watching his show is what made me like Cajun/Creole cooking so much - maybe it's Bourbon street - who knows?  I do know that Cajun food is some of my favorite.

Tonight's Feature Recipe at Table 4 Five:

Quick & Easy Jambalaya

1 box Spanish Rice Rice a Roni
2 cups chicken broth
1 pound cooked shrimp tails off
1 pound cooked chicken cubed
1 pound cooked andouille sausage, sliced into 1 inch pieces
1/2 cup celery
1/2 cup bell pepper
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
Creole Seasoning (to taste)
Red Pepper Flakes (to taste) (optional)


In a large skillet, brown Rice a Roni rice in olive oil - according to package directions. Add Rice a Roni seasoning packet, 2 cups chicken broth and the remaining ingredients to the rice mix.  Bring to a boil. Turn down heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.  Yum Yum!

Easy Elegant

Don't you just love meals that you can throw everything in the same dish?  Perfect for potluck.  Perfect to bring to a sick friend - what am I talking about? Casseroles! You gotta love 'em.  Everything you need in one dish - throw it in the oven - there's your entire meal! How easy and convenient is that. 

Today's feature recipe at Table 4 Five:

Elegant Seafood Casserole

1 pkg lobster select (imitation lobster)
1 pkg crab select (imitation crab)
2 (10 oz) pkgs frozen broccoli spears
1 1/2 cups skim milk
2 tablespoons each all purpose flour
1/2 cup Swiss cheese, shredded
Paprika
Seasoned Salt

Spoon lobster and crab over broccoli in shallow baking dish.  Mix together skim milk, flour, butter and 1/2 teaspoon salt.  Cook, stirring, until thickened and bubbly.  Turn on low heat and add Swissh cheese.  Pour over seafood; sprinkle with paprika and seasoned salt..  Bake at 400 degrees, 20-25 minutes.

What to Take to the "Big Game"

The "Big Game" is next Sunday.  There are parties to go to and party food to make and take.  Are you one of those people who stops by the store and brings something that is already pre-made?  Way to take the easy way out!  Don't you feel guilty -even just a little.  I know we are all busy and it's very easy to grab a bag of chips and some French Onion dip while you're in the store getting a six pack of whatever barley included beverage you will partaking in during the "Big Game"

I found this wonderful no cook salsa that is very easy to make.  You should bring this to the Big Game party.  Won't you feel so much better?

Easy No Cook Salsa

2 cans 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes

1/4 cup thinly diced onion

1/4 cup parsley or cilantro

2 tablespoons lime juice

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 clove garlic minced

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tsp Green Pepper jelly

hot sauce to taste

Drain tomatoes reserving 1/4 cups liquid. Combine tomatoes and juice with remaining ingredients; cover and chill at least 4 hours.   Serve with tortilla chips

So quick and easy - good Super Bowl Party food.  Add to the recipe to make it as hot as you want.  This is so quick, easy, simple, yummy - last minute party food!!

And now I have provided you with some party food you can take to watch the football game on tv?

Light & Fruity

We went out to eat tonight, and I ate waaaaaay toooo much.  Oh well, it was worth it, but now I am sooooooooooo tired.  So, bloggery buddies, let me apologize again for the short bloggery.  Forgive me, but the sandman has found me.

Tonight's Feature Recipe at Table 4 Five:

Quick Fruit Dessert

2 small packages instant pudding - any flavor
1 20 oz can crushed pineapple in juice
1 can fruit cocktail
1 container whipped cream cheee.

Combine pudding and fruit.  Mix in cream cheese.  Chill.