Friday, April 25, 2008

Lettuce celebrate...

...a birthday dinner choice! Asian Lettuce Rolls
This recipe is a variation of a Pampered Chef one...and while I make a very simplified version of it, which is still good, there are several ways it could be altered that would make it GREAT!

The Yahoos LOVE this meal - it is requested frequently, and you can tell it's level of popularity because it was chosen as a "Birthday Dinner" entree - the one they pick above all else to enjoy on their birthday!

So here it is: SO SIMPLE -

Ingredients :
Leaf Lettuce

Chicken (I've made this now with chicken chunks or tenderloins, or cut up breasts, or rotisserie chicken from the store...whatever you have handy)

Onion - usually I used green onions

Ramen Noodles (recipe calls for the "Oriental" flavoring, I usually use Chicken because that's what I buy by the millions at Sams Club)

The original recipe also calls for the addition of other vegetables, cut in small enough slices or strips to add to the rolls - carrots, cucumbers, etc.

You can cook the chicken plain, or which some soy sauce or teriyaki, or do some sort of Asian-inspired marinade (we have a great orange-ginger one that I think would be fabulous!).

Cook up the noodles and drain and then add your seasoning. I usually add some soy sauce to the 'included' ramen seasoning. Throw in the onions and mix it up.

If your chicken is 'chunked' you can mix it with the noodles, too. We most often do that. Last night, since we were using tenderloin strips, we just layered our rolls instead of having all the ingredients mixed together.

Then throw it on the table - Lettuce, Chicken and Noodles.


And then layer your rolls that same way! The Yahoos and Druggy sprinkle theirs with Frank's Red Hot and then roll and enjoy. I pour a little Sweet and Sour sauce on mine. Delicious!!

Monday, April 7, 2008

Creamy Spinach & Mushroom Ravioli

This is an easy, peasy recipe with some level of health to it! Can you believe I can get my kids to eat spinach?? Here's how I do it:

It starts with a package of refrigerated ravioli (I usually buy the four cheese), a can of Cream of Mushroom Soup and some fresh spinach and onion.

Boil the ravioli per the instructions on the package.


In a skillet, warm the onions, spinach (which I chopped slightly, but was still fresh) and the soup. Heat this on medium or so. The soup will start to thin and the spinach will start to cook.

When the ravioli is done boiling, drain and add to the skillet (this requires a BIG skillet, obviously). Stir it up carefully so as to not damage the ravioli and then serve. SO easy and SO good!