Chicken On a Stick

It always makes me chuckle when I try to feed the kids something that they "hate" but seem to "love" as long as its in a different form...For example Chicken Breasts seasoned and grilled on the bbq are not as appealing to them compared to seasoned and grilled chicken on a stick!

It can be frustrating, but now after years of disappointment I laugh...something as simple as a stick is all it takes to get them to eat what Ive been trying and fighting to get them to eat for months...its fascinating isn't it?

So, the jokes on them again...chicken on a stick it is...and they LOVE it!

My kids all have different palates, different likes and dislikes when it comes to seasoning their meat. So, in all honesty chicken skewers are actually a very fun and easy way to accommodate everyones tastes without having to make 2 or 3 different dinners!  

Ive included my families three favourite marinades! 

Each marinade recipe is fitting for 2 chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces.  Will make approx. 4 skewers for each marinade.  Recipe's can be doubled to make additional servings.

Classic Italian
2 Chicken Breast Cubed into 1 inch x 1 inch pieces
1/4 Cup vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon White Wine Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Chopped Parsely
2 Basil Leaves, chopped
1 Teaspoon of oregano
1 Teaspoon Pepper
2 Teaspoons of Salt



Honey and Ginger Beer
2 Chicken Breast Cubed into 1 inch x 1 inch pieces
1/4 Cup vegetable oil
1/4 Cup Ginger Beer (you can find it at any local grocery, it is non alcoholic)
2 Tablespoons Chopped Parsely
1 garlic clove chopped finely
1 Tablespoon of Honey
1 Teaspoon Pepper
2 Teaspoons of Salt


Turmeric and Smoked Paprika
2 Chicken Breast Cubed into 1 inch x 1 inch pieces1/4 Cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon mustard
2 teaspoons of Turmeric
2 Teaspoons of Smoked Paprika
1 Teaspoon of Pepper
2 Teaspoons of Salt


~Make each marinade and set aside in bowls
~Cut chicken breasts into 1 inch cubes and divide evenly between the marinades
~Let sit in the fridge at least 1-2 hrs or if possible overnight
~If you are using wooden skewers, soak a minimum of 20 minutes before use to avoid them burning during cooking
~Skewer the meat and preheat the bbq
~Grill and enjoy!

Chicken Skewers are a great left over for topping salads or chopping up for chicken wraps for lunches!


Natalie 


ENJOY

Chicken Pot Pie

Yay! The nice weather is here and the long weekend is coming!
I love this time of year...everyone is getting out the patio furniture, weeding their gardens and getting their veggies planted!  Its such a fresh time of year and it makes me want to rush the fruit and veggie season.  For me, its my favourite cross over season, I want the comfort food feeling but not the calories. I feel like everything I eat should look like spring...I don't feel like winter food...but Im not yet in the mood for summer salad days either!

This dish is a classic for a reason! Its the perfect go to dinner, its delicious and so so so easy to make. Its the perfect Spring dish for me and my family and it is one of my favourite 30 minute meals.  It pairs perfectly with a side salad and makes the best left overs!
My family loves it so much that I shared my 2 pie recipe with you! This way you get 2 pies done at once and you will have plenty for lunches or one for the freezer for a busy week day dinner!

2 Pie Shells (You can use home made pie crust or store bought *Tenderflake Pie Shells)
1 Box of Puff Pastry (2 portions are in one box)
1/2  Stick unsalted butter
1/2 Cup flour
3/4 Cup milk
2 Cups Chicken Stock
1/2 Cup Onion
2 1/2 Cups chopped/shredded Chicken
3 Cups of assorted chopped veggies of your choice (my favourites are pea's, carrots, broccoli, kale, spinach)
1 Egg
2 tablespoons water

~Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
~Remove your pie shells from the freezer and using a fork score the bottom of the shells
~Bake pie shells for 10 minutes just until lightly golden brown and set aside to cool
~In a large pot, melt the butter
~Add the chopped onion and stir until onions are translucent
~Stir in the flour and mix until combined
~Slowly pour in the milk and whisk until combined
~Gently pour in the Chicken Stock and stir frequently until it starts to boil
~Add in your veggies and stir to combine
~Season with Salt and Pepper
~Gently pour mix into both pie shells equally (this recipe is enough for 2 Pie Shells)
~On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry
~Gently top the pie with the puff pastry and using a sharp knife cut a slit or a 1inch hole in the centre of the pie
~In a small bowl make and egg wash: Whisk the egg and the 2 tablespoons of water
~Using a pastry brush, gently brush the top of the puff pastry, this will create a crisp, golden brown top on your pies
~Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown


This recipe is so versatile...using your own mix of favorite veggies makes it perfect for your family and try using left over turkey instead of chicken to cut down the calories!


Natalie

Cabbage and Potato Soup

With Spring around the corner we can't hide behind our winter coats and baggy sweaters for much longer!  Although we didn't have a very bad winter, I'm sure we could all feel a little bit better about getting into our Spring wardrobe...

I love a hearty soup....one that leaves me full, satisfied and feeling good about me!   Its hard without having to compromise flavour.   This soup is full of flavour, the leeks add heartiness and flavour and the barley makes it creamy and rich.

This is a perfect freezer meal, and reheats very well!  If your looking to feel better before all this March snow melts, this is the way to start!

3 tablespoons canola oil
2 cups finely chopped cabbage
1 cup chopped potatoes
1/2 cup chopped leeks
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped zucchini
1/4 cup chopped celery
3/4 cups of pearl barley
6 cups of chicken or vegetable stock


~Place the oil in a medium sized pot
~Turn the heat to medium/high
~Toss the leeks, celery, cabbage and carrots in the oil and sauté for 2 minutes and season with a pinch of salt and pepper
~Add the zucchini and the potatoes and stir to combine
~Gently pour the stock over the vegetables
~Add the barley
~Bring the soup up to a boil for 5 minutes then lower to heat to medium and let simmer for 20 minutes until vegetables and barley are tender


This soup stores well in the fridge for 3 days and also is a great soup to freeze.  Its hearty and filling and will reheat well!  My kids enjoy a sprinkle of Romano Cheese on their servings!


Natalie

Save Money and Earn Cash

There is just about an app for everything these days and although most of them are built to make our lives convenient there aren't many out there that make you money!

A few months ago I came across a new App that has made its way to my home screen I am that in love with it!  If you are one of my frequent blog readers you will know that one of my main goals is to help families eat a well balanced, delicious meal without breaking the bank.  

Checkout 51 is an earn money by buying groceries kind of app! Not just your average coupon clipping app, this one actually gives you money back!  With just 5 easy steps you can be earning cash to buy your families favourites grocery items! 

First, you download the App- Checkout51
https://www.checkout51.com
Browse this weeks deals
Head to the grocery store and buy
Upload your receipt (just take a quick pic of your receipt)
Select the offers you want to claim
Earn your cash

Its that easy!  After a few months of using the app I wanted to learn the successes and failures of the app before sharing it with everyone. Im glad I took the time to find the best ways to help everyone save.

 First off, to save the most you can and still earn cash try to purchase the items that are on sale at your local grocery store that are also items you can claim.  For example, when Dempster's Bread is in the flyer for $1.00 off, and its also an item on Checkout 51 for a $1.00 off claim, you can save and earn cash back.  Making a regular priced $2.99 loaf of bread only actually costing you .99 cents.

Checkout51 allows you to cash your cheques once you've reached a minimum of $20.00.  I just allow mine to accumulate so its a bigger cheque when it comes in the mail!  I feel like I've saved more when I receive a $50.00 cheque versus $20.00.

There are limits on the claims, thats the one part that gets me...You can only claim one item per offer. So, for example if the offer you are claiming is banana's, and you purchased 2 bunches of bananas you will only get the cash back on one.  Which in the end is no big deal, the fact is your still getting cash back to buy the items you would normally purchase anyway.

Also, the offers are not valid at every grocery store. However, there are several big name stores like Zehrs, Sobeys, Dollarama, LCBO, Walmart, Food Basics, Shoppers Drug Mart, Canadian Tire and many many more!  

This app is not just for grocery items! You can save on anything from toiletries, home cleaning supplies and pet food! There are over 15 categories...everything from Pantry items, Pets, Babies and Kids and even Beer, Wine and Spirits! I get the best pricing on Diapers on checkout 51.  I wait for them to go up as a claim then find where they are on sale at any of the participating stores.  Last week, I saved $9.00 off one case of diapers!

Every Thursday morning, Checkout51 releases the offers for the week.  Make a note to check out what they are offering you to save money on this week and see how much you can save!

I love it, it works for me and who doesn't like getting a cheque in the mail with no strings attached?!


Natalie

I feel like Chicken Tonight

Chicken Quesadilla's

Let's all be honest...we all have that one night a week that is our busiest.  For me, as the kids all get older I find myself running them from one activity to the next.  Getting them on time isn't always the issue...its getting them a healthy lunch, dinner or snack.  

One of the most challenging facts about a quick dinner is always nutrition.  Although we would all love it to somehow be convenient to feed the kids a chicken dinner in the car that obviously is out of the question.  So finding healthy, nutritional and quick meals is the best way.  Finding those recipes is the first place to start so I'm helping us all out!

Chicken Quesadilla's are a staple weekly at our house.  Not only is it quick, cost friendly and fun for the kids who get to eat with their hands... its delicious! Who doesn't love melted cheese over chicken?

This recipe yields 12 portions.  (2 large tortilla's cut into 6 individual servings)

1 Ready to serve Rotisserie Chicken from your local grocery store (your only using the breasts for this recipe. The remaining chicken can be used for a second meal like stir fry, wraps or soups)

4 Large Tortilla's

2 cooked chicken breasts chopped or shredded

1/3 cup chopped red onion

1/4 cup chopped red pepper

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese  (Mozzarella, Monterey Jack or White Cheddar can also be used)

2 tablespoons chopped Parsley

Salt and Pepper

*For the children I don't use the onion on theirs...it can be overpowering for the little ones but it adds a sharp crisp flavour for the adults. I highly recommend using it on yours!

~Preheat the oven to 400 degrees

~Chop (or shred the chicken)

~Chop the onion

~Chop the red pepper

~Chop the Parsley

~Shred the cheese 

~In a large bowl, combine the chicken, pepper, parsley and onion (IF YOU ARE leaving the onion out for the kids then divide the chicken into two bowls-one with just chicken, cheese, parsley and peppers)

~Season with a pinch of Salt and Pepper

~Place one large tortilla on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper

~Place half the mixture evenly onto the tortilla

~Top with half the cheese evenly

~Place another tortilla on top

~Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes until the cheese has melted and edges of the tortilla are crispy

~Cool then cut into 6 pieces and serve with a side of salsa and sour cream

~Repeat for the remaining Tortilla

You can keep this recipe vegetarian also by simply adding 1 cup of spinach to replace the chicken if you wish.

Natalie Mascia