News Taffy

Ready to find out what the cardiologist’s family eats? I promised to post some simple recipes that I use all the time this week. While I do most of the shopping and cooking in our house, my husband does the grilling (that is a man’s job in my book) and my children prepare meals and help out sometimes. The point is, everyone in the family can and should help with meals whether they shop for food, cook it or clean up afterwards. Children that help shop for and prepare food are more likely to try different things plus they need to learn to cook before they leave home. Get them involved.

Since I cook at least six days a week and we have a busy life like most everybody, I love recipes that cook up fast or have little prep time. This recipe for chicken has only three ingredients and anyone can do this. The sugar snap peas cook up in a flash and are a little different. You can put the chicken in the oven and pick up the kids from practice, then finish dinner quickly when you get back.

Sun-dried Tomato Chicken

INGREDIENTS
*Several pieces of chicken, legs, thighs or breasts, skin and excess fat removed
*1 cup sun-dried tomato and roasted red pepper vinaigrette
*1/2 tsp. pepper

DIRECTIONS
Place chicken in a single layer in a lightly greased baking dish. Pour dressing evenly over chicken and sprinkle with pepper. Bake uncovered at 400 for 1 hour or until done. Baste chicken every 15 minutes if desired but I’ve skipped this step without problems.

Sugar Snap Peas

INGREDIENTS
*1 bag frozen sugar snap peas
*1 clove garlic minced (I use 1 tsp. or more of bottled minced garlic to save time)
*1 to 2 Tbsp. olive oil
*salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS
Microwave peas 2 to 3 minutes to thaw and drain if necessary. Heat oil in skillet over medium heat and add sugar snap peas. Saute till lightly browned, about 6 to 7 minutes, adding garlic the last couple of minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

I saute many green vegetables in olive oil like green beans and broccoli till lightly browned. I’ve found it gives them a wonderful taste that my family enjoys plus they are getting healthy olive oil instead of butter or a cheese sauce. Really, we don’t have to drown vegetables in cheese to get people to eat them.

Another of my favorite time saving sides is fruit, canned or fresh, simply cut up and served without a dressing. Pineapple, bananas, strawberries, mandarin oranges, blue berries, etc. go together fast and make a great addition to any meal. If you use canned, get fruit in its own juices without a heavy syrup.

Check back next week for more recipes like these and other get out of the kitchen quick strategies. I have not forgotten my fitness tests but have had some trouble arranging it. I hope to be able to post those results soon. Also, I appreciate your comments and will try to answer any questions you may have. I hope you find time to get out and enjoy the warmer weather coming our way.

-Lisa