Beef Stroganoff

This is my take on this famous dish. My husband told me this is officially one of his top 5 favorite foods I make now. LOL! So you ought to try it. I have to admit, it really is awesome. Serves 4.

8 oz wide egg noodles
1/2 pound lean sirloin beef, sliced
1 onion, chopped
1.5 tbsp minced garlic
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
2 cans mushrooms, drained
2 tbsp parsley
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Prepare noodles according to package instructions. Set aside.

Spray a pot with nonstick spray and proceed to saute onion and garlic over high heat. Add the beef and brown well. Stir in the mushrooms and saute for about 3 minutes. Pour in the cream of mushroom and sour cream, blending well. Add the parsley, paprika, lemon juice and parmesan cheese, mix well. Finally, add the prepared noodles and blend everything together well. Cover and let simmer on medium for about 5 minutes.

Then it is ready to serve! About 13 points a serving! You will love it!

Tip: For a variation, instead of serving it with noodles, just serve with rice.

Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed Peppers are soooo gooood! Definitely one of my husband's favorite meals. Low in points and high in nutrition. This is my version. Serves 6.

6 bell peppers, your choice color
1 pound ground beef
1.5 cups rice, cooked
1 onion, chopped
1 can mushrooms, drained
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tbsp parsley
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup shredded mozarella cheese

Rinse peppers and cut the tops off. Clean and seed the insides, pat dry and set aside.

Spray a pan with nonstick spray and saute onions and garlic on medium-high heat. Add meat and brown. Throw in the mushrooms and let heat for about 5 minutes. Then you can add the cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, parsley and sugar. Make sure to mix everything well. Lastly, add the rice and incorporate everything very well.

Fill the peppers well with the meat and rice mixture and top with the cheese.

Before sprinkling cheese on top

Replace caps on the peppers.

Set in a baking pan sprayed with nonstick spray and bake at 375F for about 30 minutes. Check after that time and if it's not to your liking, let bake for about 5-10 more minutes.

Right out of the oven

I tell you, yum! Only 5 points per stuffed pepper! Now grab one and enjoy!

Happy Birthday Acorn!

Has it been a year? Boy, time does fly. I can't believe it has been a year since I gave birth to my daughter Acorn! She has always been a sweet, easy, lovable baby. And her big sisters adore her! She sat up at four months, crawled at five months, cruised at 6 months and walked at nine months. She hit her milestones early. She's a smart little girl.

Happy birthday Acorn! We love you so much!

Acorn, 1 day old

Acorn at 1 year!

Crockpot Paprika Chicken and Potatoes

I whipped this up on a day that I was wanting a home-cooked meal, but had no time to cook. We were going out for the day but wanted to come home and have a fast, healthy dinner. This is the answer. Serves 4.

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
12 red potatoes, cut in half

Mix together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper. Rub all over the chicken breasts, making sure to coat well.

Spray a frying pan with nonstick spray and set on high heat. When pan is hot enough, put all four breasts in it to sear for about 3 minutes. To check if pan is hot enough, I put a drop of water in, and if it dances and fizzes out, it's hot enough. Flip the chicken and sear the other side. You want it just slightly blackened.

Spray the crock with nonstick spray. Set in the seared chicken breasts. Put the potatoes on top and sprinkle the paprika mix on top. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, high for 4 hours.

Just done!

Dinner is ready! About 9 points per serving. A serving size would be a chicken breast and 3 potatoes. Yummy!

Served with steamed Green Beans

Quick Creamy Salmon Pasta

Quick and yummy, ready in 15 minutes. For those days that you want a home cooked meal but don't have much time. This should fit the bill. Serves 6.

1 pound pasta of your choice (I used Penne)
1 tbsp minced garlic
3 cans flaked salmon, drained
1 can cream of celery soup
1. 5 cups milk
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 cups broccoli crowns

Prepare pasta according to box directions. Drain and set aside.

Spray a pot with nonstick spray and saute the garlic for a couple of minutes. Add the flaked salmon and Saute for about 3 minutes. Add the cream of celery soup, milk, parmesan cheese and cayenne pepper. Let simmer for a 2 minutes and add the broccoli crowns. If sauce is too thin for you, mix 3 tbsp flour in 1/2 cup water and add into the pot, stirring well. Then add the prepared pasta, mixing everything together.

Fast, easy and flavorful! About 10 points a serving! It's all good!