Shepherd's Pie(not tomato based)

Leftover roast cubed or shredded(maybe like a cup or a cup and a half's worth) or ground beef if roast is not available
4 Tbsp butter
1/2 medium onion
3-4 cloves garlic
1 can(2 cups) beef broth
1 large carrot(or two not so large), diced
1/4 tsp ground thyme
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 c. frozen corn
1/2 c. frozen peas
1/2 can green beans
2 Tbsp corn starch
2 Tbsp water
mashed potatoes made with sour cream, garlic and sharp cheddar

Chop onion. Add to butter and saute. Add garlic and saute for another 30 seconds. Add shredded roast beef and cook for a minute or so(it should start coating the bottom of the pan). Add the beef broth and de-glaze the pan. Meanwhile dice your carrots. Add to the pot and simmer until the carrots are softened(if the meat is tougher this will be a good time for it to soften too). Add the thyme and basil(and salt and pepper if it needs it). When the carrots reach the desired tenderness add the beans, peas and corn. Mix together starch and water making a slur, add to the pot and stir until hot and thickened. Place in a greased 9X9 pan. Cover with mashed potatoes and if the potatoes are warm stick under the broiler on high until the peaked of the potatoes become brown. If the potatoes have been in the fridge and are cooler cook on 350 until the dish starts bubbling then turn the broiler to high until the peaks are brown.

Broccoli Cheese Casserole

1 cup jasmine or brown rice

Cook with 2 1/2 cups of water(to package specifications)

Cream of chicken soup substitute:

6 Tbsp. butter
6 Tbsp. flour
1 c. chicken broth/stock
1 c. milk(whole is preferable)
salt(sea salt) and pepper to taste

You can use 2 cans of cream of chicken soup if you want but it isn't nearly as healthy and in my opinion not nearly as good. The best part is the simplicity of the ingredients.

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Boil until cooked through or pan fry in butter and oil until no longer pink(about 6-7 minutes per side using foil over top if necessary)

1 medium sized onion
1 head of broccoli
4 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
salt(sea salt) and pepper to taste
2-3 c. sharp cheddar
1/2 c. wheat germ(opt.)


Chop up the onion and broccoli. If you fried the chicken use the same pan to saute the onion adding a little more oil or butter if needed. Add garlic and seasonings. Add broccoli and saute for another couple minutes. Add 2/3-3/4 cup of water and place the lid on the pan. Steam for about 10 minutes while so the flavors and combine and enhance. While the broccoli is steaming shred the cheese. Dice the chicken into small bit size pieces. Combine everything in a bowl and mix well. Spread into a 9X13 pan. Sprinkle with the wheat germ if desired. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes until done.

Just one way to make a beef roast

1 beef roast
1/4 c. balsamic vinegar
1/4 c. grape or cranberry or pomegranite(or a mix of any of those) juice
1 c. beef broth
salt
pepper
garlic powder

Pull out the slow cooker. Give the meat a generous rub of salt pepper and garlic. Place meat in slow cooker and add the rest of the ingredients. Cook on high for 6 hours. Serve with yummy potatoes and veggies.

Amazingly delicious balsamic bbq sauce

3/4 c. balsamic vinegar
3/4 c. ketchup(preferably the stuff with no hfcs)
1 1/2 Tbsp. dijon mustard
1 1/2 Tbsp. Worchestershire sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 c. packed brown sugar
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
1-2 tsp. liquid smoke

Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil. Simmer until reduced by 1/3(about 15-20 minutes). It should be brown and thick. Enjoy this tangy, sweet and spicey deliciousness! Serve on chicken or steak, use as a marinate(add water to make it not so thick), or use as a dip for chicken nuggets. Cook the chicken in the oven or just Grill It Baby! For steak cook on the grill. The best method for the grill is to cover lightly with bbq sauce, stick the meat on the grill and periodically place more coats of bbq sauce on top. Enjoy!

Carrot cake waffles

1 reciple of bisquick waffles or favorite waffle recipe(be a little skimpy with the liquid)
1 carrot shredded
roughly a Tbsp of cinnamon
roughly 1/2 Tbsp of nutmeg

Mix all the above ingredients together. Really just do cinnamon and nutmeg to taste, those were just rough estimations. Serve with favorite topping like syrup, nutella or really make it like carrot cake and serve with cream cheese frosting.

Grilled Pork Tenderloins

2 pork tenderloins
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp butter or olive oil
2 loves garlic
salt and pepper

Marinate the tenderloins in the vinegar, butter and garlic for at least 2 hours. Grab your man to grill the meat, salt and pepper to taste before placing on the grill. Should be more cooked on the outside and still slightly pink on the inside.

Shredded Beef Enchilads

2(ish) cups of meat liked shredded beef/chicken
1 can of tomato based Enchilada sauce
1 can of refried beans
1 pack of medium sized soft tortillas
Cheese sauce, recipe follows

Lay a tortilla shell flat. Place refried beans, shredded meat and cheese sauce in the tortilla lining the middle of the shell. Roll up, fill a 9X13 pan. Pour Enchilada sauce over top and cook on 350 for 30+ minutes.

Cheese sauce:

1 tsp butter
1 tsp flour
3/4-1 cup of half and half(or milk or cream if that's what you have)
1-2 cups of mexican blend cheese(add cheese to taste)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp red pepper flakes

Melt butter, stir in flour til blended well. Let cook for 30 seconds to a minute. Add half and half. Stir til thick, remove from heat. Add cheese, stir well. Add in spices and salt and pepper to taste. If the consistency is too thick add more half and half or milk until it's the desired consistency.

Creamy tomato soup

1 small onion or 1/2 a medium onion, roughly chopped
1 carrot, shredded
4 cloves of garlic minced

In a pan saute these ingredients until the veggies are tender.

28 oz can of San Marzano tomatoes
14 oz can of chicken broth(reduced sodium is better)
1 tsp of salt
1 tsp of sugar
dash of pepper
1 palmful(roughly a tablespoon) of basil
1/2 palmful of oregano
1/2 tsp of crushed red pepper flakes
half and half

Add the rest of the ingredients to the pan and bring to a boil, all the while breaking up the tomatoes. Simmer covered for 30 minutes stirring occasionally. Pour into a blender and blend until smooth. When blended return to the pan, or put in a soup pan. Gradually add half and half until you reach your desired creaminess. Add more salt and pepper to taste if desired.