Thai Green Curry with Chicken and Shrimp

I don't know about you, but every once in a while I get a craving for thai food. I defrost some frozen boneless chicken breasts (it's the easiest), and also some pre-cooked frozen shrimp. (Reminder: Don't run water over your frozen cooked shrimp--it says so on the bag.) Also, a curry is a good way to get rid of the veggies in your fridge. Usually, I make a special trip out to the store to get some fresh red and/or green bell peppers, mushrooms, potatoes, and for the seasoning I usually put in some basil and green onions (if I have it) at the end.

Here's the gist of my thai curry recipe, but there are plenty of varieties. You don't have to stick strictly to the recipe.

Thai Green Curry with Chicken and Shrimp

one 14 oz. can coconut milk
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1/3 cup chicken broth
1/2 to 1 tbsp green curry paste
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
handful of frozen cooked shrimp (tails-on is ok)
1/2 red and/or green bell peppers, cubed
yellow or white potatoes cubed (it adds to the thickness of the curry, optional)
sliced mushrooms, about 1/4 inch thick
medium yellow onion, cubed
other veggies to consider: carrots, celery, snow peas
basil for garnish (optional)

Season the cubed chicken with salt and pepper. Heat a teaspoon of oil in a frying pan and brown the chicken. Then set to the side.

Put a little bit of oil in a stock pot and throw in the veggies--start with the onions, then bell peppers, carrots, and celery. Stir fry for a couple of minutes. Then return the chicken to the pot. Add the can of coconut milk and simmer over medium heat. Add the fish sauce and brown sugar and chicken broth. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. In the last couple minutes, add the pre-cooked, thawed shrimp, and cook until warmed.

Serve over rice with fresh basil.

Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs

It's winter again and how come all I can think about is comfort foods. If you don't know what "comfort foods" are, they're the kinds of stews, things drowned in gravy, and HOT foods you eat that give you that warm feeling inside. This might be one of those dinners that gave me that warm feeling inside.

Try this turkey meatball recipe from Giada from Food Network:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/mini-turkey-meatballs-recipe/index.html

Turkey Meatballs

1 small onion, grated
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 large egg
1/4 cup dried bread crumbs
3 tbsp ketchup
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 lb. ground dark turkey
3 tbsp. olive oil
26 oz marinara sauce

Boil the water for the spaghetti. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Add the onion, garlic, egg, bread crumbs, ketchup, parsley, Parmesan, Romano, salt and pepper to a large bowl and blend. Mix in the turkey. Shape the turkey mixture into 1 1/4 inch diameter meatballs and place on a large baking sheet. Drizzle or brush olive oil over all the meatballs.

[Hopefully, you have put your spaghetti in the pot.]

(My sister taught me this trick.) You can either cook them in a frying pan, or bake them in the oven for about 20-25 minutes. The baking time depends on the leanness of the turkey used in the meatballs. Variations: Sometimes I mix ground beef with lean ground turkey--the ground beef helps to keep the meatballs from falling apart.

Served with spaghetti or mashed potatoes.

This meal might easily become a once a week tradition;o)

Roasted Cauliflower

I'm just easing myself back in. I apologize again for my prolonged absence, but I am back and better than ever...well, we'll see. I've been inspired to try new things.

I'll be honest... In the vegetables department, I was never creative nor did I have a clue what to make for the side dish that would satisfy the vegetables food group requirement of your daily food intake. (Are you thinking what I'm thinking--food pyramid? whatever happened to the food pyramid--how do they teach children how to eat correctly?)

Roasted Cauliflower
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Roasted-Cauliflower-with-Garlic-105730

This recipe is so good and easy. Prepping it takes 5-10 minutes and then after you pop it in the oven, you can spend the rest of your time making the entree.

[Just some tidbits on the benefits of eating cauliflower...]
Cauliflower promotes a healthy heart and reduces the risk of strokes. It contains selenium and vitamin C, which work together to strengthen the immune system. Cauliflower is good for people with high cholesterol. The glucosinolates and thiocynates increase the ability of the liver to neutralize potentially toxic substances.