I enjoy cooking things that are somewhat healthy and quick. My inspiration comes from a variety of sources, including my favorite Food Network chefs, Bobby, Giada, Anne, and Ina, as well as cookbooks from some of the stars of my favorite guilty pleasure show: Real Housewives. I tweak the recipes to fit what I have on hand and what I like; overtime they become all my own.
Basic Ingredients
Before I start sharing any recipes, here is a list of ingredients that I almost always have in my refrigerator or pantry.
- Skim, organic milk
- Organic half and half
- Orange juice
- Lemons and/or lemon juice
- Yogurt
- 1/3 fat cream cheese
- Butter (I usually have regular stick butter as well as a tub of I can't believe it's not butter light)
- Parmesan cheese (already grated and a block of it)
- Mozzarella cheese
- Other sandwich cheeses and shredded cheeses
- Lettuce (romaine, spring mix, whatever)
- Vegetables (zucchini and squash are my favorite, mushrooms, etc.)
- Fruit (bananas, strawberries, apples, etc.)
- Chicken (breasts, whole)
- Frozen shrimp
- Frozen berries
- Fresh herbs (I never use them all when I buy them, so I chop them up and freeze them in separate bags)
- Bacon (after I open it I put it in a ziplock bag in the freezer; I can defrost it quickly when I need to use it)
- Eggs
- Onions, shallots (if you haven't cooked with these I suggest you try), LOTS of garlic
- Pasta (short and long)
- Rice (whatever kind you like)
- Chicken, vegetable, or beef stock
- Breadcrumbs (panko and regular; I never buy anything flavored though because it is so easy to flavor yourself!)
- Canned tomatoes (whole, diced, etc.)
- Spices: garlic powder, paprika, oregano, basil, etc.
- Flour (white and whole wheat)
- 'Fake' sugar: I like splenda
- Natural sweeteners like honey and agave nectar
Stay tuned for recipes!
