Focaccia Bread

2 2/3 cups flour
1 large egg
1 tsp salt
1 tsp white sugar
1 tbsp active dry yeast
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil (I didn't use this in my recipe this time)
1 pinch of black ground pepper
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup water
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp parmesan cheese (I used more, I sprinkled on top of bread before baking)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese


1. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, salt, sugar, yeast, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, basil and black pepper. Mix in the vegetable oil, egg and water.
2. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. 3. Cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes.
4. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Punch dough down; place on greased baking sheet. Pat into a 1/2 inch thick rectangle. Brush top with olive oil. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese (I also before adding the cheese's I added more of the garlic powder and other spices to the top of the bread.)
5. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Spaghetti Pie Casserole

1 pound of ground beef (I always buy the lean meat)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 cans (8oz) tomato sauce w/garlic
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
4 cups (1 box) cooked spaghetti
1 1/3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
*cooking spray*


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Cook meat in skillet until browned, drain if not using lean meat. Stir in salt, pepper & tomato sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, combine sour cream, green onions & cream cheese in a bowl; set aside.
4. Place spaghetti in a casserole dish coated w/ cooking spray. Spread sour cream mixture over spaghetti. Next pour the meat mixture over and then last the shredded cheddar cheese.
5. Cover and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 5 minutes longer until the cheese is bubbly.

Crunchy Tilapia & Tarter Sauce

Lemon tarter sauce:
1/4 cup mayo
1/3 sour cream
2 tbsp relish
1tsp lemon zest (I didn't use this)
salt & pepper

Fish:
3/4 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup parsley chopped
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 tbsp milk
1 pound tilapia fillets (halved lengthwise)
3/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp canola oil (for this I didn't have canola I used extra virgin olive oil)


1. Stir together all the ingredients for the tarter sauce; set aside.
2. Combine bread crumbs and parsley on a plate.
3. Mix egg and milk in bowl. One at a time, dip the fish in egg mixture & lightly coat with bread crumb mixture.
4. Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add fillets & cook until golden brown on one side (about 4 minutes.) Turn & cook until fish is cooked through (about another 4 minutes.) I cooked a lot longer until the fish was flaky and fell apart.

Creamed Spinach

I never knew making food from scratch tasted this good. I hate to brag, but I am an awesome cook! This was fantastic...

1-2 tbsp flour
1-2 tbsp milk
2/3 cup milk
pinch of nutmeg (I didn't use this)
salt & pepper
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (I used a little more for)
6-7 oz bag fresh spinach leaves (chopped)


1. In medium pot stir 1tbsp flour and 1tbsp milk until smooth. Place over medium heat & immediately add 2/3 cup milk, nutmeg, salt & pepper.
2. Cook, whisking until thickened (add more flour if needed to make it a little thicker) 2-3 minutes.
3. Stir in parmesan cheese and then the spinach. Heat through.

Brilliant Beginning's Playdate!

Caleb had a playdate through his Brilliant Beginning's sessions yesterday. Someone comes to the house once a week to teach him since he was delayed in talking. The playdate was to get kids to interact with each other...the playdate was held at Greenville Gymnastics. Caleb had fun for the most part...except he kept trying to run off in which he started throwing temper tantrums when he didn't get his way. Here are some pictures!

Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Burgers

I know everyone probably likes the traditional beef burger, but I encourage you to give this recipe a try. Turkey is healthier and it gives me something different to make for my little man. You can make this recipe with beef too if your not fond of ground turkey.

1 pound of ground turkey or beef
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/2 garlic powder
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1tbsp olive oil
Hamburger rolls

1. In a bowl; combine meat, worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt & pepper. Mix thoroughly.
2. Divide mixture into 4 parts and then roll each into a ball.
3. Use thumb to depress a large hole in center of each & fill with 2 tbsp cheese and form into a patty. (I rolled the meat back into a ball after adding cheese and when I added the meat into the pan I press the meat softly with the spatula to form a patty.)
4. Cook burgers in a pan on the stove or on the grill.

Menu April 16-April 22

Friday:

Cheddar stuffed turkey burgers

Corn on the cob

Sun chips

Saturday:

Crunchy tilapia

Creamed spinach

Baked sweet potato

Sunday:

Spaghetti pie casserole

Salad

Focaccia bread

Monday:

English muffin pizzas

Green beans

Pineapple

Tuesday:

Chicken fingers w/ honey mustard

Oven baked fries

Carrots

Wednesday:

Habanero & monterrey jack cheese sausage dogs

Baked beans

Sun chips

Chocolate passion cake

Thursday:

Penne w/ zucchini & ricotta

Green beans

Baquette bread

I am making most of the dishes, sides and condiments fresh from scratch. I will be posting recipes day to day just in case anyone is interested in making these meals for their families. I am trying to eat organic and less proccessed already made foods as much as I can.