nomnom Archives - fiftytwothursdays

Thanksgiving: Trimming The Fat But Not The Fun

Michelle Martin — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 13:30:46 +0000

Thanksgiving is a special day of the year when we gather together with family and close friends to celebrate each other and all that we are thankful for. It’s our family traditions that make this time of year so nostalgic and memorable. Grandma making her entrance with pecan pie in hand, Mom in the kitchen putting together her infamous creamy and buttery mashed potatoes, the nephews and nieces gathered around the table decorating Aunt Peggy’s sugar cookies. These are just a few of the family traditions that I look forward to each year that bring joy to my heart. The unfortunate part is that most of these also make my belly too full to enjoy the rest of the evening. I feel like a stuffed turkey myself! So for this Thanksgiving, we were looking to trim the fat but not the fun. Hoping to skip the unpleasant evening of indigestion, we thought we would try adding a healthy twist to our favorite recipes. Our goal was to look for dishes that opt for healthier ingredients and go lighter on the bad stuff, BUT most importantly, will still please a crowd and keep alive the traditions that make this day one we look forward to each year. For an appetizer we thought […]

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Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Skewers

Michelle Martin — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 11:30:26 +0000

Easy Southern cooking at its best! My husband received a new grill for his birthday and every night since we have been grilling out for every meal possible. I can’t complain because every dish has been amazing and flavorful, while learning new favorites to save to the recipe binder for years to come. These cajun shrimp and sausage skewers are definitely a keeper. It’s so easy to make and even easier to clean up. The perfect attraction to any BBQ or party this Summer. What you will need 6-12 wooden or metal skewers 2 ears of corn 6 small potatoes, halved 24 large shrimp in the shell (about 1 lb) 1 lb sausage 2 tablespoons of Cajun Seasoning To make your own Cajun Seasoning … 3 tablespoons granulated garlic 3 tablespoons granulated onion 3 tablespoons of sweet paprika 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika 4 teaspoons of dried thyme 4 teaspoons of dried oregano Kosher salt and ground black pepper Start by boiling waiter in a large sauce pan and cook corn and potatoes for 5 min. Drain and immerse in cold water to halt the cooking. Next snip open the shell along each shrimp with kitchen scissors. Cut a shallow groove along the length of the […]

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Fun & Easy 4th of July Recipes

Michelle Martin — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 11:00:01 +0000

When you think of the 4th of July…fireworks, parades, barbecues, picnics, concerts and baseball games come to mind first…right? Of course, but we can’t forget the real reason why we are all here and what we are celebrating. We are so proud and thankful to be here in the heart of America to celebrate the Declaration of Independence and the many reasons why we love the red, white and blue! To get in the spirit we wanted to share our favorite 4th of July inspired recipes which include a Sangria, appetizer and dessert. For those of you lacking on time or dare we say creativity…these easy recipes will delight any party or crowd! The Star of the Show…The Star Spangled Sangria!!! All you need is Half a pineapple- cut in to star shapes Handful of strawberries, sliced Handful of blueberries 2 squeezed lemons 2 bottles of dry, white wine 1 cup of Triple Sec 1/2 cup Blueberry Vodka Mix and Enjoy! Red, White & Blue Kebab Appetizers This appetizer is so easy to make – add a little fig sauce or balsamic vinaigrette and oil sprinkled with salt and pepper for taste Sweet Ending – Festive Chocolate Dipped Strawberries This one is always a […]

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Chicken and Kale for Dinner

Michelle Martin — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 12:00:32 +0000

After a long day of work the last thing I really want to do is make dinner and coming up with the dish is half the battle. We eat pretty healthy in this household and always try to make everything from scratch so we know what we are putting in to our bodies. The effort can be a little overwhelming and at times a lot of work having to plan and gather all the ingredients. Because of this we are always trying to come up with new easy dishes to make. I think I may have found my favorite effortless entree that I wanted to share! You can add and edit as you please but the two must have ingredients are chicken drumsticks and kale. For this recipe I added sliced carrots and onions but usually combine baby potatoes as well. What makes this plate so delicious is the chicken juice that is soaked up by the carrots, onions and potatoes and then baked creating a very flavorful and mouth watering dish. It’s so easy to whip up and throw in the oven for an hour while you do a quick work out video or enjoy a glass of wine or two. To each their […]

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