in the kitchen Archives | Page 2 of 2

seasoned oven fries

February 5, 2015 by Abby

I mentioned in a recent what i’m loving wednesday post that I am so in love with my new French fry cutter.

We don’t have fries too often, but I do make them occasionally because they’re a great crowd-pleasing side. And now, with this new French fry cutter, they’re also super easy. It perfectly cuts a potato into fries in a matter of seconds, so you can get these babies in the oven and move on to the main dish.

This seasoned oven fries recipe bakes up in about as long as it takes to throw a few turkey burgers on the grill. With minimal effort, you have a side dish that’s hands down better than anything you’d pull out of the freezer section at the grocery store.

I used several of our favorite spices and seasonings in this recipe, but it’s completely adaptable to what you prefer and what you have on hand. And if you’re feeling naughty, go ahead and take the baked fries, sprinkle them with cheese and jalapenos and bacon, and toss them back in the oven for a few more minutes.

seasoned oven fries

3 large baking potatoes, scrubbed and patted dry
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
dash of red pepper flakes (optional)

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garlic parmesan pasta

February 2, 2015 by Abby

Pasta gets a bad rep. Sure, most people agree that it’s delicious.But then there’s talk of the carbs and the glycemic index and suddenly pasta doesn’t seem like a great option.

Though I am by no means a nutritionist, I’m here to tell you that pasta can be healthy. If you choose a whole grain version and eat just one serving, you don’t have anything to worry about.

The best way to ensure your pasta is good for you is to add good stuff to it. Chicken, broccoli, milk, peas. Of course you’ll likely want to add cheese, too, but with moderation, it’s all good.

This pasta is delightful on its own. It’s coated in the creamy cheese sauce and sprinkled with herbs. The sauce is garlicky and flavorful without being heavy. In the batch pictured here I added just chicken, but I’ve also made it with onions and peppers and it was brilliant.

Garlic Parmesan Pasta
adapted from Lil’ Luna

1/2 box whole grain pasta
2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup milk (I use skim)
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
additional add-ins, such as chicken or vegetables (optional)

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what i’m loving wednesday

January 28, 2015 by Abby

Happy Hump Day! Here are the five things I’m most in love with this week:

serial podcast

I knew this podcast was a big deal because of the number of articles I’ve seen about it on news and magazine websites. I never listened, though, because I wasn’t sure I could get behind the whole podcast thing. I imagined it would be like talk radio, which was my favorite thing to fall asleep to in the car when I was little. Finally, it was the subject of the podcast that intrigued me enough to listen to the first episode.

The whole thing is told by a reporter who is looking into a 1999 murder. A guy, Adnan, is in jail for killing his ex-girlfriend, Hai, when they were both seniors in high school, but the reporter isn’t so sure Adnan is guilty. If you’re at all into true crime as a genre- I so am- you have to listen to Serial. Be warned, though: you won’t want to read, watch, or listen to anything else until you’ve finished.

thinking out loud

I know this song has been out for a while, but I’m just now discovering it. The video, the lyrics, his voice- I love everything about it. If you’ve not yet watched the video, you should. Ed Sheeran is quickly becoming one of my top five favorite gingers.

caesar vinaigrette

Caesar dressing is one of my favorites. When I’m trying to make smarter food choices, though, cutting out creamy dressings is a no-brainer. That’s okay, because I also love balsamic vinaigrette. Sometimes you have to mix things up, though, which is why I’m so glad I recently found a Caesar vinaigrette dressing. I haven’t yet found it at a grocery store, but Amazon keeps me stocked up.

trivia crack

You’ve heard of this, right? It’s a trivia app. You answer questions in different categories and play against opponents, either friends or random people. There’s a little more to it, but basically the player who answers the most questions correctly wins. As someone who relishes the chance to put my wealth of trivial knowledge to the test, I can’t get enough of this app.

potato cutter

I know, I know. In one paragraph I’m discussing making healthy food choices and in the next I’m introducing you to my new favorite French fry-making kitchen product. But potatoes aren’t bad, especially when eaten in moderation. And with this potato cutter, you can have a batch of crispy oven-baked fries whipped up in less time than it takes to cook a turkey burger. If you’re looking for an indulgent French fry recipe that doesn’t bankrupt your calorie allotment, I highly recommend these skinny Texas cheese fries from skinnytaste. And did I mention the fry cutter costs under $5?

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