Tuna Pie w/ Spinach

As I've grown up to be technically an adult, I have come to like many more vegetables than I did as a child. Part of that was just the growing up process, and part of it was learning that there are other ways to prepare them besides battered & fried.

But one vegetable that I have never learned to like, and never will, is broccoli. I just can't stand the trees. My kids like it, my husband likes it, but not me.

The only way I've ever been able to eat broccoli is in my Tuna Pie. I guess the other ingredients were just so yummy that it disguised the ick of broccoli. But I always wondered if it would taste good with spinach, which I LOVE. So tonight, I finally tried that for the first time.

And it was FANTASTIC!!

Here's the recipe again in case you want to try it. It's good stuff and perfect for Meatless Monday!

Tuna Pie
2 cans tuna in water, drained
1 cup shredded cheese
1 small onion, chopped
3 eggs
1 cup mayo
½ cup sour cream
1 box chopped broccoli *OR Spinach!!*, cooked per directions
2 pie shells, cooked per directions

Mix all ingredient except pie shells.
Pour half of the mixture into each pie shell. Bake at 375 degrees for 50 minutes.

WFD? Meatless Monday

*blowing away the dust*

I am totally neglecting this place lately!

I just have so much going on.
I thought I'd have so much more free time since I wasn't working....yeah, I was wrong!

Yesterday was Meatless Monday. Here's our menu:

In case you can't read it due to the glare, it says:

*Meatless Monday*
cheese tortellinis

green beans

garlic bread

-or-

yeast rolls

(also, the corner says "i love y'all", written by one of my teenager's BFFs)

I don't usually make two different types of bread, but Shelbie does not like garlic bread. How do you not like garlic bread?! I have to have garlic bread with Italian food, it just BEGS for it.

I just boiled the tortellinis and tossed them with olive oil & seasonings. Then I put a bowl of tomato sauce out for those who wanted it.

It was delish!

Do you ever participate in Meatless Monday?

Black Bean Lasagna ~ Go Meatless Tonight!

While reading this month's issue of Reader's Digest, I learned that eating black beans is heart-healthy. (so I guess that song is really true! Beans, beans, good for your heart.....)
Anyway, I knew they were healthy but according to that article, one 3 oz. serving per day could increase your risk of heart disease by 40%!
Along with the article there were several recipes using black beans. This Black Bean lasagna recipe from Taste of Home sounded good to me, so I tried it this weekend.


(photo from Taste of Home)

Black Bean Lasagna
Ingredients

* 9 lasagna noodles
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 1 teaspoon canola oil
* 3 garlic cloves, minced
* 2 cans (16 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained
* 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
* 2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
* 1 cup water
* 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
* 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
* 4 egg whites, lightly beaten
* 1 carton (15 ounces) reduced-fat ricotta cheese
* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
* 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend

Directions

* Cook noodles according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, cook onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add the beans, tomatoes, tomato paste, water, cilantro and pepper flakes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until slightly thickened.
* In a small bowl, combine the egg whites, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese and parsley.
* Drain noodles. Spread 1/2 cup bean mixture into a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Layer with three noodles, a third of the ricotta mixture, a third of the remaining bean mixture and 2/3 cup cheese blend. Repeat layers twice.
* Cover and bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes. Uncover; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting. Yield: 12 servings.

This dish was very good, but it did not quite earn the rating of "Off the Chain". It was close, but hanging onto the chain by one arm. So we've decided the next rating down from "Off the Chain" will be "Slap Ya Mama". Also, it was better after it sat for a while and then we reheated it; I think the spices needed to soak in a little.

*ETA* I forgot to add, this dish is perfect for Meatless/Meatfree Mondays!!

One day a week - cut out meat!

Meatless Monday

I was all by myself this Meatless Monday, so I kept it very simple & went Mediterranean. I picked up an edamame salad and some roasted garlic hummus from Publix. I bought sesame blue chips for my hummus. It was all sooooo delicious!

One day a week - give up meat!

Meatless Monday??

I haven't done a Meatless Monday post in a while. We've still been doing Meatless Monday at home, but my recipes have been pretty boring stuff.
And then yesterday, we skipped Meatless Monday because we were fundraising at a local restaurant for Elayna's All-Star softball team!
For everyone who told their server they were there for the All-Stars, 10% of their bill went to the team.
We handed out tickets at the door so that not only the people we invited participated, but anyone eating that night could help out too! We also got a few straight donations from people who weren't eating at that restaurant, but just walking by.
So we, of course, ate there also. The little kids got the traditional kids meals of mini corn dogs and a cheeseburger, and Shelbie and I shared a Cheeseburger Wrap (which is SOOOO yummy!).
We are so wrapped up in softball right now! I never realized what a serious business this can become.

Ain't that the truth!

Meatless Monday & Stuff

Another Meatless Monday rolled around. We went with an old standby this Monday; bean burritos with sour cream, cheese and salsa; corn, and the Margaritaville tortilla chips that I picked up at Publix (BOGO!!) this weekend. They are super-good chips. I especially like the extra thick variety. I saw that they also sell salsa, so I want to try that as soon as I can find it.
In other news, I started my window herb garden this weekend. I planted parsley, basil, and chives. I can't wait until they start sprouting! I should see sprouts in 7-10 days.
I also planted a bell pepper plant. I haven't planted veggies since I lived at home with my parents (we're not going to discuss how many years ago that was, mmmkay?). I can't wait to watch them grow and then eat my own produce! I'm also going to plant tomatoes and cucumbers.
We have a blueberry stand that is supposed to be producing soon. There are little tiny blueberries EVERYWHERE. I am going to be needing blueberry recipes....LOTS of them!
We picked up some fresh vegetables at a craft festival this weekend. I'm always thrilled to get fresh veggies from local growers and the price is fantastic, then I forget and go right back to buying at the grocery store! DUH! This town has a Farmer's Market every Thursday and I am determined to start going!
Hope y'all have a great week!

Meatless Monday

Another Meatless Monday/ Meatfree Monday has rolled around. I wasn't feeling very creative tonight, so I decided to cheat a bit and make fish.

We're having pan-fried tilapia (not breaded), Fordhook lima beans, and King's Hawaiian rolls.
I can't wait! I love seafood.

How about you?

One day a week - give up meat!

*ETA* The cheezy potatoes dish was THE BOMB!! Huge hit!

Meatless/MeatFree Monday

I really feel good about reducing the amount of meat that we consume by participating in Meatless/MeatFree Monday. It's just one of the little ways of making a difference!

Tonight for Meatless/MeatFree Monday, we had fettucini alfredo, a green salad, and garlic bread. Like most of our meatless meals, it's so simple, but very good!

Link up if you also cut out meat one day a week!

Easy Cheesy Meatless Monday

So, I'm posting my Meatless Monday/ Meatfree Monday on....TUESDAY! Because that? Is how I roll.
Last night's meat-free meal was SUPER easy and very good.
It consisted of cheese quesadillas, sesame blue chips (OMG I looove those things!), fresh salsa (not HOMEMADE, just fresh from the produce section - this is EASY, remember?), and mexi-corn.
It could not have been much quicker & easier! The quesadillas consisted of flour tortillas and shredded colby jack cheese. You just toss some cheese on the tortilla, fold it in half, and cook it like a grilled cheese sandwich.
For the mexi-corn, I just added a couple of tablespoons of salsa to the corn.
The kids devoured it!

See? You too can try to go Meatless!

One day a week - give up meat!

Meatless/MeatFree Monday - Tuna Pie

On most Mondays, I try to keep our dinners completely meat free. But today I decided to make a dish that does include fish, because I haven't had this dish in forever and it is just SO good.
It's one of those things that sounds weird, but when you read the ingredients it doesn't sound quite as strange, and once you eat it...you're hooked. I don't even like broccoli but I LOVE this dish!! I mean, it contains sour cream, mayo, and cheese. How can you go wrong?
So do me a favor and try it - you might like it!


Tuna Pie
2 cans tuna in water, drained
1 cup shredded cheese
1 small onion, chopped
3 eggs
1 cup mayo
½ cup sour cream
1 box chopped broccoli, cooked per directions
2 pie shells, cooked per directions

Mix all ingredient except pie shells.
Pour half of the mixture into each pie shell. Bake at 375 degrees for 50 minutes.

ALL of my kids love this, even the little ones who don't like onions, even Andrew who doesn't like broccoli....and the clean-up is so easy!

Click one of these links for more information, ideas, &/or recipes for Meatless/MeatFree Mondays.

Meatless/Meat-Free Monday

I'm late posting my Meatless/MeatFree Monday dinner, but I wanted to do it anyway. I've gotten much more consistent with having no meat nearly every Monday. I've realized that it's actually easy with just a little thought or planning.
This Monday, my sleep was interrupted for several hours due to appointments and errands, so I went back to sleep at dinner time and John did Meatless Monday. He did noodles and a green salad. Simple, healthy, and meat-free!
Click the links for more Meatless/MeatFree ideas, and check out this poster displayed at the UC San Diego campus - this cracked me up!!