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Quesadillas, George Foreman Evolve Grill, & Oneida Tranquility Blue

By Tired Mom Tésa · Comments (2)

Sunday, September 5th, 2010

The other night Tired Dad Dave and I were in the mood to grill quesadillas. We decided it was a great opportunity to try out our new George Foreman Evolve Grill. The grill is an updated version of the old classic, with a few fancy new features including: a variety of removable dishwasher safe plates, an 84 square-inch cooking surface, an adjustable hinge, and more.

My favorite feature of the new Evolve Grill is the interchangeable plates. Our box arrived with a regular grill plate, a cross-hatch plate, a baking pan, and an insert for making sliders. Not only can you use the grill in the same manner as the original version, but you can also bake lasagna and brownies, get those restaurant style cross-hatch grill marks on your meat, or cook up some mini-sliders for the kids.

As if that wasn’t enough variety the George Foreman Healthy Cooking website will soon be offering additional plates for sale as well including:

a griddle plate
a waffle plate
omelet plates
panini plates
a cupcake/muffin plate.

We decided to try out our favorite quesadilla recipe:

Grilled Ground Turkey Quesadillas (serves 2)

2 (8 inch) flour tortillas
2 cups ground turkey with taco seasoning
1/4 cup of diced black olives
1/4 cup of sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup of sliced avocado
1 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup salsa
1/4 cup sour cream

Directions

Pre-heat George Foreman Evolve Grill to 325.
Top each tortilla with ground turkey, black olives, mushrooms, avocado, and cheese. Moisten edges of tortillas with water. Fold tortilla in half and place on the grill.
Grill quesadillas 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Remove quesadillas from grill and let stand 2 min.
Mix a small amount of the salsa and sour cream together and spoon on top of quesadillas or use as a dip.

The grill was very easy to use. After a simple pre-heat it was ready to go. We placed the quesadillas on the grill and closed it up.

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Categories : Food/Restaurants, Gadgets, Home & Garden, Recipes, Reviews

Tags : food, Kitchen, Recipe

4th of July Recipes

By Tired Mom Tésa · Comments (4)

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

The absolute best thing about the house we live in right now is the neighborhood park that is practically in our backyard. We love it and visit quite often (although if you ask Kora & Logan, we don’t visit enough!). Living near this park in the summertime is wonderfu,l not only for the jungle gyms and swings it offers, but also for it’s incredible fireworks display. It really is one of the best fireworks shows I’ve seen lasting nearly an hour with such variety.

I’ve always wanted to have a big 4th of July party and have relatives over to watch the fireworks without having to leave our backyard. I’m always late in putting the party together though and by the time I do everyone always has plans. But it doesn’t stop me from looking up recipes I would serve at our someday fabulous 4th of July party.

Here’s two recipes I’d love to serve:

SWEET CHILI GLAZED CHICKEN SANDWICHES

Prep Time: 5min. Cook Time: 10 mins Makes 4 Servings

4 (5 oz.) boneless skinless chicken breasts
¾ cup FRANK’S® REDHOT® Sweet Heat BBQ Wings Sauce or FRANK’S® REDHOT® Sweet Chili Sauce, divided
4 kaiser or hamburger rolls, split and toasted
4 leaves lettuce
¼ cup sliced red onion (optional) Read More→

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Categories : Recipes

Father’s Day Tips from Food Network’s Melissa d’Arabian

By Tired Mom Tésa · Comments (1)

Sunday, June 20th, 2010

Happy Father’s Day! I hope everyone has an incredible day and all you dad’s out there get a chance to relax and eat some great food.

Speaking of food, I had the opportunity to email interview the Food Network’s Melissa d’Arabian about her Father’s Day tips. I was so excited about this opportunity because I love The Next Food Network Star and was thrilled when Melissa won last year. I love her show Ten Dollar Dinners and have picked up a number of budget saving cooking tips from her. Read More→

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Categories : Family, Interview, Recipes

Tags : food, Recipes

Summer Salad Recipe

By Tired Mom Tésa · Comments (6)

Friday, June 4th, 2010

Since I’ve been Spring (and now Summer) cleaning me, I’ve been looking for healthy, tasty, and filling recipes.

I’ve tried a number of different salads in the past month or two and have discovered my favorite to be a variation of a typical salad – one with no lettuce! It sounds a little odd, but one day I was out of lettuce so I decided to do without and see how it tasted. To my surprise I loved it and found it much easier to eat and more filling.

While there is a lot of chopping involved in any salad, particularly this one, I’ve found that if I take a day to chop everything ahead of time and store it all in ziploc bags, I can simple dump the needed amount of each ingredient into a bowl and be eating in minutes. You can find the recipe for my favorite salad below.

Summer Salad (recipe for 1 person)
2 celery stalks chopped
8 baby carrots chopped
10 cucumber slices cut in small wedges
1 slice of lunchmeat or 3 pieces of turkey pepperoni chopped
10 – 12 black olives sliced
1/2 of a small to medium tomato chopped
1 small handful of crumbled cheese or chop 2 slices of block cheese
dash of pepper

Mix all of the above ingredients together and enjoy!

I don’t use salad dressing on this salad because it’s flavorful enough for me, but feel free to add a few drops of your favorite dressing if you feel it needs it.

I’ve also made a vegetarian version of this and have replaced the meat and tomatoes with chopped oranges and strawberries. Delicious!

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Categories : Recipes

Tags : Dinner, food, lunch, Recipes

Easy Cooking with Kids

By Tired Mom Tésa · Comments (8)

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

When I’m exhausted and stressed from a long day the last thing I want to do is make dinner. Even lower on the list is letting my two preschoolers help with dinner. They have a blast helping and I know it is a wonderful learning experience for them, but sometimes it creates such a mess!

Fortunately, I have stumbled upon one of the best products around to help alleviate this problem and keep all involved. Banquet Homestyle Bakes. They are tasty all-in-the-box simple meals that cost a mere $4.

The Creamy Chicken and Biscuits box comes with flour for the biscuits and two cans of stew. All you have to do is get out a bowl, let the kids dump in the biscuit mix. Mom measures the water, the kids get to dump it and they both stir.

After the biscuits are well mixed you get out an 8 X 8 pan and set it before the kids. Open both cans of stew and give one to each child. They both dump the stew in the pan. Then show them how to drop spoonfuls of the biscuits onto the stew and let them have at it for a couple of minutes. Oversee just a bit to make sure they don’t dip the spoon into the stew and then into the biscuit bowl, but otherwise they are on their own.

Next, pop it in the oven and you’re done. The kids are happy because they helped with dinner, you’re happy because all you have to do is wash one mixing bowl and two spoons.

After 30 minutes, dinner is served.

Betty Crocker also has a version of this meal as well – Complete Meals Chicken and Buttermilk Biscuits. We haven’t tried it yet, but I am happy to know there is another quick semi-healthy dinner out there for the kids to help “cook.”

What’s your favorite easy meal that you’re kids enjoy cooking too?

Nothing was received for this post. My family enjoys these meals and Kora & Logan enjoy helping make them so much I wanted to share them with readers of 2 Wired 2 Tired.

Comments (8)

Categories : Family, Recipes

Tags : Cooking with Toddlers, Kids Recipes, Recipes

Almost No Sugar Banana-Applesauce Muffins

By Tired Mom Tésa · Comments (5)

Friday, May 14th, 2010

Since I’ve been spring cleaning me, I’ve been on the look out for healthy recipes. Especially for snacks. I found a recipe for Banana Muffins and played with it a bit and was able to make a really good muffin with almost no sugar.

Kora & Logan were happy to help me make and eat them!

Almost No Sugar Banana Applesauce Muffins

1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
3 bananas, mashed
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup applesauce
1 egg
1/3 cup of butter, melted

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease muffin tin (10 cups).
In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together the bananas, sugar, applesauce, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into muffin tin.
Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

Mashing the bananas:

Mixing the ingredients:

Batter:

Final product!

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Categories : Family, Recipes

Tags : Kids Recipes, Recipes

Cinco de Mayo Mexican Potato Recipe

By Tired Mom Tésa · Comments (5)

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

I stumbled across this really simple but flavorful recipe recently. It’s quickly become one of Tired Dad Dave’s favorite side dishes.

Mexican Potatoes
3 or 4 Red Potatoes cut into 1 inch pieces
1 tablespoon of canola oil
1 tablespoon of Taco Seasoning

In a large resealable plastic bag combine potatoes and oil. Shake to coat the potatoes. Place the potatoes in an 8 x 8 baking dish. Bake uncovered at 450 degrees for 40 minutes stirring potatoes every 10 minutes. With 10 minutes left, sprinkle the taco seasoning onto the potatoes.

The first time I made these I didn’t take a picture, so I have none to include at this time. However, we might make these tonight and if so I’ll come back and update with a photo.

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Are you doing or making anything special today to celebrate?

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Categories : Family, Recipes

Lent Recipes for Kids – Seapak Popcorn Shrimp

By Tired Mom Tésa · Comments (3)

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

Kora and Logan have never had shrimp. So I thought Lent was the perfect opportunity to give SeaPak’s Popcorn Shrimpa try. I went on SeaPak’s website and found an incredibly impressive recipe collection. Some of their Kid Approved recipes include: Casino Popcorn Shrimp Pizza, Butterfly Shrimp Parmigiana, and Fiesta Shrimp Tacos. Even though these all sounded and looked delicious, I decided to start simply. I cooked the shrimp in our toaster oven for 10 minutes and served them with some veggies.

They were a hit! Kora and Logan loved that the popcorn shrimp was practically bite-sized and quickly cleaned their plates.

It always makes me happy to find a new food for the kids to try and since the popcorn shrimp went over so well, I may get adventurous and try one of the hundreds of easy recipes on their site next week.

Thanks to SeaPak for providing a coupon for this review. No compensation was provided for this review.

Comments (3)

Categories : Recipes, Reviews

Tags : Kids Recipes, Lent recipes, SeaPak

Fun with Fish Sticks

By Tired Mom Tésa · Comments (15)

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

The other day I wanted to make some fun food for the kids. They have a hard time eating tacos because they are so messy, so I made this variation:

FISH STICKS IN A BLANKET
Ingredients:
8 Van de Kamp’s® or Mrs. Paul’s® Fish Sticks, baked
4 Taco-sized Flour Tortillas
4 pieces, Cheddar Cheese (or use your favorite)
4 tablespoons ketchup
Directions: Bake the fish sticks according to package. Heat up the tortillas so they’re nice and toasty. Add 1 cheese slice in the center of each tortilla. Spread the ketchup around tortilla, add 2 fish sticks on top of the cheese, fold and roll the tortilla around the fish stick.

Kora loved it. Logan still had a hard time keeping the tortilla together, so he took it all apart and ate everything seperately. We had a nice, easy and fun family dinner using this recipe and will be making it again in the future.

For more Wordless/Wordful Wednesday fun visit: 5 Minutes for Mom, Seven Clown Circus, and Go Graham Go.

Thanks to Mrs. Paul’s and Van de Kamp’s for providing a coupon for the product used in this review. No compensation was provided for this review.

Comments (15)

Categories : Memes, Recipes

Tags : Kids Recipes, Lent recipes, Recipes, wordful wednesday, Wordless Wednesday

Recipes for St. Patrick’s Day

By Tired Mom Tésa · Comments (7)

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

St. Patrick’s Day is coming up and you know what that means…preschool class parties! Kora and Logan seem to have parties in their classrooms for every leaf that falls or flower that grows. I think it’s how the teachers get out of teaching for the day! Just kidding.

The kids love the parties though, it really gives them something to look forward too. They always wear cute hats they’ve made, sing a new song they’ve learned, and enjoy special treats at snack time.

I’ve been looking around for St. Patrick’s Day party recipes trying to find something fun but a little different. Duncan Hines has a couple of cute ideas that I think I’ll give a try.

I’ve never worked with fondant before and thought this one might be a good introduction:

CLOVER PATCH BROWNIES

Ingredients:
•       1 pkg Duncan Hines® Family Style Chewy Fudge Brownie Mix
•       1 pkg pre-made marzipan or fondant
•       green food coloring
•       green toothpicks
Baking Instructions:
1.      Bake brownies according to instructions on box. Remove from oven and let cool. Cut brownies into squares.
2.      Meanwhile, knead green food coloring into marzipan or fondant until desired shade of green is achieved.
3.      Form small (1-inch) 3-leaf and 4-leaf clover shapes out of fondant or marzipan. Be realistic and make a lot more 3-leaf clovers than 4-leaf clovers.
4.      Stick clover shapes on top of green toothpicks.
5.      Insert little bunches of clovers onto each brownie.

And my mom loves Key Lime Pie, so I thought I might give this one a try too:

LEPRECHAUN KEY LIME CAKE

What do you think? Do either of these look good enough to try or do you have your own St. Patrick’s Day treat that you like to make?

Thanks to Duncan Hines for providing these recipes. No compensation was provided for this post, I just thought they looked good enough to share.

Comments (7)

Categories : Recipes

Tags : Brownies, Cake, St. Patrick's Day

Lent Recipes for Kids

By Tired Mom Tésa · Comments (5)

Saturday, February 20th, 2010

Kora and Logan aren’t big fans of fish – they’ll eat it every now and then on a good day, but they love fish sticks. That’s why I was happy to hear that Van de Kamp’s and Mrs. Paul’s Seafood have concocted a few kid-friendly recipes for the Lenten season.

These recipes will add some variety to our dinners and a little fun too:

FISH STICK TACOS WITH AN AVOCADO CREAM

Ingredients:
8 Van de Kamp’s® or Mrs. Paul’s® Fish Sticks, baked
1 avocado, peeled and mashed until creamy
4 teaspoons sour cream
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 corn tortillas
1 cup shredded cheese blend, use your favorite
1 cup cabbage, shredded
Directions: Bake fish sticks at 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes until heated through and crispy. In a bowl, mix avocado, sour cream and lemon juice until creamy. Heat up tortillas, spread the avocado cream in the center, then add cheese, 2 fish sticks and then top with cabbage. Yields 4 tacos.

CRUNCHY FISH STICKS OVER MAC & CHEESE

Ingredients:
4 Van de Kamp’s® or Mrs. Paul’s® Fish Sticks, baked & chopped
1 box, Macaroni & Cheese (use your favorite)
1 tablespoon, milk
1 tablespoon, butter
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 small tomato, diced
Directions: Bake the fish sticks according to package. Boil the macaroni until desired doneness. Strain and move to large mixing bowl. Mix cheese sauce, milk, butter, ketchup and tomatoes with the macaroni. Chop up Fish Sticks. In 2 bowls, evenly divide the macaroni and cheese, then top with the chopped fish sticks. Serves 2.

Thanks to Van de Kamp’s and Mrs. Paul’s Seafood for providing the recipes for this post. No compensation was provided. I thought they sounded tasty and fun and wanted to share.

***Want to win a $25 Gift Card to Target? Enter my Wanchai Ferry Prize Pack Giveaway. Giveaway ends Wednesday, February 24th at 11:59 pm EST.

Comments (5)

Categories : Recipes

Tags : fish sticks, Lent recipes, Mrs. Paul's, Van de Kamp

Red Velvet Cupcakes and Conversation Heart Brownies

By Tired Mom Tésa · Comments (4)

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

Here are two cute Valentine’s Day treat ideas from Duncan Hines. Enjoy!

CLASSIC RED VELVET CUPCAKES

Originally from Down South, and once the signature dessert at the Waldorf-Asotria in the 1920s, the Red Velvet Cake has become an American favorite. It’s hip, fun, and easy to make. Red Velvet — in cake or cupcake form — is a hit at every party.

Ingredients:
• 1 pkg Duncan Hines® Red Velvet Cake Mix
• 1 1/4 cup water
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tub Duncan Hines® Classic Vanilla Frosting or Duncan Hines® Creamy Home-Style Cream Cheese Frosting
• Sprinkles or additional garnishes

1. Preheat oven to 350°F for metal or glass pans, 325°F for dark or coated pans. Grease sides and bottom of each pan with shortening. Flour lightly. (Use baking cups for cupcakes).
2. Blend dry mix, water, oil and eggs in large bowl at low speed until moistened (about 30 seconds). Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour batter in pans and bake

Baking Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F for metal or glass pans, 325°F for dark or coated pans. Grease sides and bottom of each pan with shortening. Flour lightly. (Use baking cups for cupcakes).
2. Blend dry mix, water, oil and eggs in large bowl at low speed until moistened (about 30 seconds). Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour batter in pans and bake immediately.
3. Bake following in a 13 x 9-inch pan for 35-38 minutes, or bake cupcakes for 19-22 minutes. Add 3-5 minutes to bake time for dark or coated pans. Cake is done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
4. Cool in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes. Cool completely before frosting.
5. Garnish, and enjoy!

CONVERSATION HEART BROWNIES
Spread the love with Conversation Heart Brownies, a delicious romantic treat. Heart-shaped Duncan Hines Double Fudge Brownies with luscious chocolate and vanilla frosting are sure to create some passion.

Ingredients:
• 1 pkg Duncan Hines® Chocolate Lover’s® Double Fudge Brownie Mix
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tub Duncan Hines® Creamy Home-Style Classic Vanilla Frosting
• 1 tub Duncan Hines® Creamy Home-Style Classic Chocolate Frosting

Baking Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom of 8×8-inch pan.
2. Prepare and bake brownies according to package directions. Cool completely.
3. Cut into hearts using a heart-shaped cookie cutter; carefully remove from pan.
4. Frost with Duncan Hines Creamy Home-Style Vanilla and Creamy Home-Style Classic Chocolate Frosting and decorate

For more great recipes visit Duncan Hines.

Thanks to Duncan Hines for providing the information and recipes. The images were borrowed from the Duncan Hines site. No compensation was received for this review, I just thought the recipes sounded delicious!