Homemade Rice Pilaf

We are adding fish to out diet once a week.  I'm going to try and come up with some delicious and creative sides to go with it!  Although I must say, there is nothing quite like some fresh Rice Pilaf to go with fish.  Instead of buying that pre-packaged stuff full of god-knows-what, I made my own.  It was fantastic.

Ingredients

• 10-15 Spaghetti Noodles (angel or regular)
• 1 cup Rice of choice (We like Jasmine, but brown rice is healthier)
• 1 TB Butter
• 2 cups Water
• Parsley (Fresh is best but dried is good too!)
• Lemon, if desired
• Garlic salt (or sea salt)

Directions

• Take about 10-15 spaghetti noodles (or more or less to taste) and break into small pieces
• Place in pan and heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until noodles turn brown
• Add 1 TB butter and 1 cup of rice, stirring occasionally for 2-3 minutes
• Add 2 cups of water, juice of 1/2 lemon (if desired), parsley (1-2 TB dried, more if fresh) and salt
• Bring to a boil, cover, lower heat to low to medium-low and cook until rice is done

Healthy Homemade Hummus

Hummus is such a great dish to serve up at a party, on movie night or even as a healthy snack at work!  Try this great recipe that you can make yourself with just a few ingredients.  I purchased 3lbs of dried garbanzo beans for $0.48 at Target (on clearance), so this really didn't cost much at all to make!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup garbanzo beans, cooked
• 1 tsp garlic minced
• dash of salt
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• pinch of cayenne pepper
• 3 TB fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup water
• 6 TB tahini
• 2 TB olive oil

Directions

• Put garbanzo beans, garlic, salt, cumin and cayenne in food processor and process.
• Add lemon juice, water and process.
• Add tahini and olive oil and process until smooth and creamy.
• Serve right away or store in refrigerator for up to 2 days, or store in freezer (freeze in Ice Cube trays for small portion freezing)

Homemade Spinach Hummus

Hummus is a fantastic healthy snack, especially if you make it yourself!  This Spinach Hummus is amazingly delicious, super easy to make and it can be stored in the fridge up to 2 days or store in the freezer.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups garbanzo beans, cooked
• 1/2 cup fresh spinach
• 3oz crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 TB fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 TB tahini 
• Red pepper flakes to taste (optional, I did not use)
• 2 tsp minced garlic

Directions

• Combined all ingredients in a food processor and blend well.
• Enjoy!

Homemade Potato Salad

Inspired by The Pioneer Woman's Potato Salad recipe, I made up this potato salad with some frozen homemade hash brown patties I had in the freezer and Homemade Refrigerator Pickles instead of sweet pickles.

Ingredients

• 5lbs Potatoes
• 1-1/2 cup mayonnaise (You could also try plain Greek Yogurt)
• 4 TB prepared mustard
• 5 whole green onions, sliced
• 8 whole small sweet pickles (may use dill, I used my Homemade Refrigerated Pickles)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 - 1 tsp dill weed (optional)
• 4 hard boiled eggs

Directions

• Cut potatoes in halves or thirds, then boil until fork tender. Drain. Mash potatoes or beat with a handheld mixer.
• Fold potatoes together with mayonnaise, mustard, green onions, salt, pepper and dill. 
• Fold in pickles and eggs, then taste for seasonings, adding more salt, mustard, or mayo as needed. 

Homemade French Fries - Freezing Homemade French Fries

I picked up 20lbs of Potatoes for less than $3 and cooked them all up into hash browns, french fries and mashed potatoes.  This is how to make great Freezer French Fries.

Cut potatoes into desired size for french fries.  Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Bake in 425 degree oven for 20-25 minutes, turning once.

To reheat after being frozen, cook in 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes.

 Why make and freeze your own french fries?  Besides the taste and health reason... The choice is clear to me...

Simple Pico de Gallo

We absolutely love this simple Pico de Gallo.  It's super quick to make and tastes amazing.

Ingredients

• 3-4 cups tomatoes diced tomatoes (Roma are my favorite!)
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
• 1-2 tsp minced garlic
• 2 limes, juiced

Directions

• Mix all ingredients together and enjoy!