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Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Our Go-To Meals

So most people who know me, know I'm no whiz in the kitchen.


Let me preface this post with the fact that just the other night I burnt eggs. Eggs.

Ok, so I should probably tell you that the eggs I burnt? They were hard boiled. Have you ever burned hard boiled eggs? Me neither...well, until that night.  I actually didn't know it was possible.

We were sitting down to dinner so I threw in some eggs to hard boil for breakfast the rest of the week. Of course water was spattering all over (remember this, it isn't a first-time occurrence) and Nick was b*tching at me telling me sternly that I was going to ruin the stove top and I wasn't listening. Then we finished dinner and all went outside to work on Cruz's hitting (baseball, not actual hitting), then came back into the house, Cruz & I colored a page in his new coloring book, put on PJs/got ready for bed, went downstairs to get some books to read before bed, read three books in his teepee  AND THEN I heard a pop...and another. I had no idea what it was.

Then it clicked. I hadn't taken the eggs - that I started at dinner time roughly 1 1/2 hours ago - off the stove. I walk over, there was no water, eggs exploded everywhere, and they were completely burnt brown on the bottom.

See, I burnt eggs.

It's no wonder Nick always tells me I could "eff up a lettuce sandwich," because it's true. Obviously.

Anyway, if my utter and complete failure in the kitchen trying to boil eggs isn't something that attracts you to read a post about my fave recipes, then I don't know what will. Am I right?

The following are staples in our household for our weekly breakfasts, lunches and dinners. In that order...

And Cruz is the absolute best helper in the kitchen and always wants to be in there when I am - which isn't often - but if I have to be in there, it's nice to have the company.


Breakfast Smoothies
Ingredients:
  • Handful frozen Peaches
  • Handful frozen Blueberries
  • Handful frozen Pineapple
  • Handful spinach leaves
  • 1 or 2 fresh Bananas
  • Cup of Orange Juice - we use Simply Orange Pulp-Free
  • 1/2 cup Oikos Vanilla Greek Yogurt (or however many spoonfuls Cruz tosses in)
  • Scoop V-Core Vantage Orange Creamsicle Protein Powder (it's Nick's & it's delicious)
  • Ice
Throw all of the ingredients in the blender, blend until a smooth consistency, serve in your cutest smoothie jug.

We would generally include strawberries, except the Boss - aka Cruz - is allergic, so I only throw them in if I make separate batches.

John Deere Camo PJs (here)

Crock Pot Chicken
Ingredients:

  • Three large, boneless chicken breasts - we use Smart Chicken
  • One packet Ortega low sodium taco seasoning
  • One jar of salsa - we use World Classics Corn & Black Bean Salsa (delish!)

Throw the defrosted chicken breasts into your crock pot, cover with salsa and taco seasoning packet. Stir taco seasoning and salsa together, then make sure the chicken is covered with salsa/seasoning mixture. Cook on low heat for 6 hours - give or take. You can stir randomly throughout, but it's not necessary. After six hours, the chicken will start to shred. Put contents of crock pot into a strainer to get rid of the juice and voila. Chicken for daaaays.

We use this shredded chicken many ways.
  • On top of a bed of rice or quinoa
  • Over salads
  • Inside quesadillas, tacos, & burritos 
  • Or eat by itself (I generally just throw it into a tupperware container and take to work)
It's literally so easy and so delicious.


Sam Sam's Chicken, Red Onions & Rice
Ingredients:

  • Three large, boneless chicken breasts - we use Smart Chicken
  • Samurai Sam's Teriyaki Sauce - you could use a teriyaki of your choice
  • 1/2 of a medium red onion, sliced (we prefer bigger chunks, but you could dice it)
  • 3 cups rice of choice - we use Uncle Ben's Brown & Wild Rice

Defrost the chicken breasts and cut into chunks. Cut your onion. Heat the wok to medium and toss in the chicken and onions, top with the sauce (don't go crazy with it) and stir until chicken is fully cooked through. Cook the rice according to the directions, top the rice with your chicken & onions. Serve and enjoy!

We eat this roughly three times a week. It's so good. We also add other veggies sometimes, just steam them in the wok in the same sauce we use on the chicken (not while you are cooking the chicken), but I really prefer just the onions.


Side Note: The other day I was at Cruz's school and his teachers must've asked the kids their favorite food - I saw a bunch of pizzas, chicken nuggets, and candy written next to the other kid's names - and then there was Cruz's response. "Chicken and Rice." Don't get me wrong, he loves all that other stuff but he really loves chicken and rice.


So this is a look into the Mango's weekly breakfast, lunch and dinner staples. What are some of your go-tos? And, just to clear things up, I only cook what's easy and quick, so no multiple step recipes please. =)


Fortunately this guy has always loved my cooking.  I mean, if that isn't a convincing face, I don't know what is...

Make My Day Bib (here) // Bumbo w/ tray (here)
Both are major faves of ours and guaranteed gifts to friends expecting babies

Linking up with Ashley and Jess.

13 comments:

  1. I'm going to have to try the chicken and rice! That sounds yummy AND easy! We do crockpot Mexican chicken too except I usually throw in two cans of black beans and some frozen corn. I make that at least twice a month and freeze tons of leftovers!

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  2. i'm a horrible cook and can take all the ideas that work that i can get!

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  3. Girl, don't worry. I've burnt things I never thought you could burn before so you aren't alone! And the crockpot chicken and rice sounds amazing!

    <3, Pamela
    sequinsandseabreezes.blogspot.com

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  4. I have never burned eggs, but I could totally see myself getting distracted and doing the same thing! I love making batches of crockpot chicken for the week, and freezing some of it too for future meals!

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  5. I am totally still snickering over the burning of the eggs. I mean I could totally see myself doing that too. So I guess I'm laughing with you and not at you. ;)

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  6. I love anything in a crock pot...as long as I remember to use the liner things...otherwise cleaning up the mess cancels out the ease of the whole crock pot method. Ha. Poor lil' guy is allergic to strawberries? That just breaks my heart!

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  7. BAHAHAHAHA! His face. SO FUNNY! I am going to have to try that salsa chicken one!! YUM!!

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  8. I'm with Cruz - love me some chicken and rice and even better when it's done in the crock pot!!

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  9. I am SO with you on the burnt eggs.....I've burnt tomato soup before...like, charred to the bottom of the pan burnt. I've also started microwave fires....so, yeah! haha

    I need to be better at using my crock pot. I know it's like the EASIEST thing...but, I am kinda scared of it...?? hahaha

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  10. that seriously has to be the cutest foodie face ever!! And I love my morning smmothies.... starts the day off right!!

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  11. Thanks for these simple kitchen ideas - like you, I am prone to cooking disasters, so I'm excited to check out that chicken since even I won't mess that up (at least, I hope I won't!).

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  12. A girl after my own heart! Girl, I can't cook anything either. I can bake amazingly but cooking is NOT my forte. Thankfully my husband can cook so I am good to go. I mean, I think I could probably figure it out but I am so deathly afraid of under cooking things like chicken or eggs that I cook the heck out of it and it tastes like crud. And nobody likes that.
    Cruz looks like a big helper though when it comes to smoothies!
    Oh! Does Cruz love that kitchen and BBQ? I've been wanting to get one for Mason and was eyeing those but would love real life reviews :)

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  13. crock pot chicken tacos TOTALLY a staple around here as well. I have a REALLY good ranch chicken one that i have made, might even make it this week!

    as for burning hard boiled eggs.... i have NO idea how that would even happen, expect for the fact that you are a mom. makes sense.... i used to get SO mad at my mom (who is a GREAT COOK) when she would burn the grilled cheese EVERYTIME... i didnt get it until now that i am a mom, i burn it almost ever time and i like to think that i am an OK cook. ;)

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Your comments make me smile! Thanks for taking the time to share some love =)