The ol' Recipe Rut

Don't you just love it when you realize you have been serving the hubby and children the same 3 dinners over and over and over again? I get in recipe ruts quite often and when I see that particular blank look on David's face that says "really? Turkey meatballs and spaghetti, salad and a roll again? Exciting." I know it's time to start rifling through the recipe drawer.

David and I try to eat organic (more on that later) and healthy as a general rule, so I try to pick things that will fall within our guidelines of a nutritious meal for the most part. My friend Julie was over today and I talked of a few yummy dinner ideas that I have made and have been a huge hit and she said "throw it up on your blog girl!" So throwin' it up I shall (on the blog that is. Not barfing. Just typing a recipe.) hee hee

Easy, wonderful appetizer suggestion:

Homemade pesto on baguettes

1 large package of fresh basil (like 2.5 oz. package)
1/2 cup nice grated parmesan (don't get the cheap stuff)
1/2 cup Walnuts
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 cup olive oil

Blend first 4 ingredients in food processor or a blender if you have a powerful one. Then slowly add the olive oil in and blend.

Buy a whole wheat or white baguette and slice 1/2 inch pieces on the bias. Throw a bunch on a cookie sheet and broil them for about 2-3 minutes until brown and toasty. Schmear a little pesto on each baguette and "wa-la!" Super easy and tasty appetizer. You can just cut up the whole baguette and put it in a ziploc bag until you want to throw a few more in under the broiler.

Next, for the main course stuff. Are any of you "Real Simple" magazine readers. If you are not - you will want to check it out. Here is a link to their website. In the upper right hand corner you can click to receive a free trial issue. Woo hoo!!! They have some of the best recipes in that magazine and I cut out 2 or 3 great ones every month. This first recipe you girls must try is called "Not-So-Sloppy-Joes". Now these aren't the traditional kind that your mom used to make. This one has veggies and cinnamon snuck in and is served on a toasted bun topped with cheese and sour cream. HELLO!!! And if you are really feeling adventurous - try this Balsamic Poached Chicken served with a little asparagus and new red potatoes. Your family will be thinking you were kidnapped and a "fancy pancy" mom has come to take your place. Let me know if you give any of these a try and what you think. One of these days we will have to figure out how to do a true-blue recipe swap on my blog. Until then - over-indulge enjoy!