Suzee's Chicken Pepperoni Bites

Oh my Patriots, you are missing Mr. Welker so much. You aren't supposed to show him that you miss him by how bad you are without him. You are supposed to play hard and do your best! What are you thinking???

After being entirely disgusted in the first quarter, I decided it was time to make some snacks. I wanted to make some buffalo chicken fingers, or buffalo chicken dip, but I was totally out of ranch dressing and bleu cheese dressing.

I had wanted to buy some pepperoni from fresh direct, ad all they had was sandwich pepperoni. I can't imagine making a sandwich with pepperoni - way too sharp for me. So, I ordered it so I could make pizza And actually is it milder than the small circles I usually use. Today I thought, hmmmm I could use those extra large slices to wrap some cheese around chicken! Better than watching the Pats embarass Wes. And I can still hear the game. Here's what I did:

1 lb boneless breast of chicken, cut in bite sized pieces
1/4 lb sandwich pepperoni (about)
1/4 lb provalone slices
14 oz can of pizza sauce (btw - I find pizza sauce to be lower in carbs than regular sauce sometimes)
1/2t McCormick's pizza seasonings from their grinder
1/4t garlic powder
tooth picks

Sautee the chicken breast to cook through
Warm the pizza sauce and add spices.
Wrap each piece of chicken in a 1/2 slice of provalone, and then a piece of pepperoni.
Secure with a tooth pick and place in a baking dish. Snuggle them all up next to each other.
Cover in warm pizza sauce.
Add a couple slices of provalone on top.
Bake at 350 for 10 or 15 minutes to make sure it's all nice and hot.

Enjoy, and be mindful of the toothpicks :) Maybe my Pats will find a way to win yet. Keep the faith!

Suzee's Parsley Veggie Dip

I am falling in love with parsley lately! I know! How could that be? I am totally a cilantro queen! But this fresh, herby, almost spicy sweet flavor has made me feel like spring isn't quite so far away.

I was going to make this Tangy Lemon Caper Dip today, but I was out of capers! It turned out fine as it turned on the creativity. I had cut quite a few crudite for the weekend, and a dip was a non-negotiable.




Here is what I used to make it:

16 oz Low Fat Sourcream (I really like Breakstone's)
3/4C minced fresh parsley
zest of 1 lemon (I use a microplane so the pieces are teeny tiny)
1/2C minced raw sweet onion
1/2t sea salt
1/4t fresh ground pepper

That's it! Now, if I read this recipe, the raw onion would scare me away, but the key is that this is *sweet* onion, and it really adds a nice dimention. Pro bowl is on Sunday - you could serve something remotely healthy with those buffalo wings :)

Suzee's Chipotle Pumpkin Soup with Beef

I made a pot roast last night - one like my mom used to make. Put the meat and cold water in a dutch oven, bring to a simmer, pop into a 350 oven and leave it there for 2.5 hours or so, then add green beans (she used whole fresh beans and I used frozen french cut beans, and cook until the beans are done. The beef fat coats the beans in a way unlike anything else. Sprinkle them with salt and they are devine. Do try it :)

I wanted to do something different with the left overs. Good beef broth is tough to find and impossible to buy in my opinion. I thought about it a lot of the day today (oh the joys of unemployment), and came up with this absolutely delicious soup! I can't wait for Rick to come home and try it too ;)

About 6 cups of beef broth
a 28 oz can of pumpkin puree
2 or 3 cups of shredded beef (not long shreds - short enough to fit on your spoon)
a cup of green beans in bite sized pieces
1t ground smoked chipotle pepper
1/2t fresh ground black pepper
1/4t ground cayenne pepper
1t cumin
1/2t sea salt
1/2t cinnamon
4 packets of splenda (you know, what you use in your coffee)

Heat the broth, and add in the pumkin puree (you know better than to use pumkin pie filling - I trust you!), and mix/melt it together. Once the consistency is smooth, add all other ingredients, and heat everything through. Taste and enjoy the smokey, sweet, spicy goodness! Good amount of fiber too!

New Dishes New Year

I just finished watching the Martha Stewart show, which I feel bad about because she trash talked Rachael Ray, but anyway Martha was talking about her trip to Thailand. She had Tadashi Ono as a guest who did Japanese Hot Pots. He was excellent at "handling" Martha - he make me chuckle :) Anyway, the Japanese Soups he made were very low in carbs. Or, leaving out the noodles would still leave a substantial and flavorful dish. So, I'm interested in trying some of these new soups. If you are too, his book is Japanese Hot Pots: Comforting One Pot Meals. Check it out :)

2009 In Review

This blog has really turned into a great way to capture thoughts and feelings throughout the year. I often walk down memory lane to enjoy and remember. Here are links to my top 10 for 2009.

1. Deanna found peace.

2. Patti Lupone performed like the triple threat she is!

3. Potatoes au Gratin a la Suzee

4. A New Home.

5. Tom and Aggie came to the city!

6. New New York Friends

7. Danielle's visit and the Natural History Museum

8. My birthday

9. Rick's birthday present.

10. NYC Happy Hours

Like Greek Yogurt?

Enter a give away at Andrea's blog - Looks tasty!

Welcome 2010 Happy New Year

Happy New Year to my friends and family! Thanks for following the chronicals of the LaFleurs! I'm looking forward to more blogging in 2010! May the new year bring you all health and prosperity!