Burgers and a Smoothie!

This is what I cooked for lunch on Saturday. The burgers turned out soo yummy, better than traditional beef. Next time I make them, however, I will be putting them on the grill. I will also be using fresh ingredients, instead of canned. This was just something I came up with from things that I always have on hand. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

For Burgers (makes 3 medium sized):

Ground Pork - 1/2 lb
Ground Chicken - 1/2 lb
Various Seasonings
Bread Crumbs - Approx 4 tbsp, add more if needed

For Summer Salad:
Corn - 14 oz can
Diced Tomatoes - 14 oz can
Diced Pineapple - 20 oz can (half)
Diced Onion (optional)

For Smoothie (makes 3):
Banana
Strawberries
Orange Juice - half cup
Pineapples - 20 oz can (half)
Pineapple Juice
Plain Yogurt - 16 oz
Ice
Milk (optional)
Sugar (optional)

Heat oven to 350 degrees
Mix pork, chicken, seasonings, bread crumbs in a bowl.
Divide into 3 equal parts then cook on top of stove on medium-high heat for 5 minutes on each side. Finish in oven for 15 minutes, flip and cook for additional 5 minutes or until juices run clear.

Meanwhile, cook corn until all water is dissolved. Add salt and pepper to taste

In a bowl, combine pineapples (half 20 oz can), tomatoes, onions, and cooked corn. Set aside and serve at room temperature.

Now for the smoothie:
Combine ice, orange juice, pineapple juice, strawberries and rest of pineapples in a blender. BLEND until all ice is crushed. Add yogurt and banana, MIX. Add more yogurt, or milk, until your desired consistency is reached. Add sugar to taste.
I had my burger plain and it was great that way. I recommend trying it plain before adding any condiments.
Happy cooking!

all photos take by me

5 Things I Want In My Belly Right Now

5 things that make me go MMMMMMM!
If you haven't already, you must try them ALL.

Brown Organic Eggs

Cream Cheese Veggie Spread

Whole Wheat Deli Flats

Sweet Chili Rice Snacks

SNAPPLE APPLE!

Chicken Noodle Soup

Today, instead of traditional Easter Dinner, I'm having chicken noodle soup. I didn't do anything fancy, just used what I had on hand:

6 Chicken drumsticks
Barilla linguine

Frozen mixed veggies

Seasonings - onion powder, garlic powder, coarse ground garlic w/parsley, pepper, goya seasoning packet
Chicken broth (optional)
Water
Large stock pot

This is how I cooked it (I didn't measure anything):
Place chicken in pot and season, cover and put in refrigerator until ready to cook (a few hours)
Remove from refrigerator and cover with water (about 2 inches above chicken)
Bring to a rolling boil then simmer until chicken is done (for legs, 45 mins total. thighs will take longer)
Once chicken is done, add frozen veggies
(At the time pot starts to simmer, begin to boil water to cook pasta. Should take 5 minutes depending on your stove and pot. Add salt to water if you want, I did not)
Add linguine and cook for about 10 minutes
By this time your chicken and veggies should be slowly boiling
Add pasta to pot of chicken and veggies
Once you have it all mixed in, taste broth and decide whether or not you need to add anymore seasonings. I needed more so I added more garlic powder and onion powder. This is also when I decided to add the chicken broth and goya seasoning pack.
Let stand until dinner, or lunch.
I recommend preparing this at least an hour before you want to it
I haven't decided if I'll be having garlic bread or cornbread
Enjoy!
pic taken by me

Currently Craving....

Ok so it's now 8:00 at night and I'm watching the newest episode of L&O:SVU. I normally like to have snacks when watching my favorite shows but I'm fresh out until tomorrow. Anyway, I'm currently craving Chicago style deep dish pizza. I attempted my first one a few weeks back and I wish I had some now. My favorite Chicago deep dish pizza is Lou Malnati's and Beggars is a very close second for their awesome thin crust. What do you guys like?
(Below is a pic of my very messy but very tasty pizza)

Laduree Macaroons

I love macaroons. I love making them, I love eating them and I love looking at them. Today, while doing random google searches for beautiful food, I ran across pictures of the macaroons from LADUREE. Have you heard of them? I hadn't until today. Find out more about them here and find a location near you here. But for now here are a few of their macaroons. I can't wait to find recipes for these and make them. I will be posting my experience with making them, good or bad.
(Click picture for larger view)

5 LBS I DIDN'T NEED

It was tasty but it was also worth about 2/3 of my normal daily calories.