one pot cooking – PPMeow!

It’s the LAST day of April. And you know what that means: a new recipe idea from PPMeow!

My main mission for 2015 is a simple one: Getting and Staying Happy. In order to achieve this lofty goal I applied a START-STOP-CONTINUE approach. And so I’ve decided to START cooking more – using recipes I’ve never tried before and sharing my culinary mis/adventures on the blog once a month.

I’ve even created a sub-menu on my homepage under REVIEWS on the homepage for you – my readers – to find them easily…and hopefully try a few yourself. 🙂

April’s recipe: Zucchini Medley

With the weather warming up, summer veggies start showing up in my grocery list! I’m trying to incorporate more GREEN veggies into my diet on the regular.

Zucchini is one of my favourites … super tasty, and provides a lot of nutrients for very few calories. Did you know its a type of summer squash?

Here’s an Irene One-Pan-Original…

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon olive oil
3 1/2 cups cubed zucchini (about 1 large one)
1 cup frozen whole-kernel corn
1 cup of diced onions
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro **optional**
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice **optional**
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

**STEP 1:** Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add zucchini, onions and corn. Let it cook, stirring occasionally, for 7 to 8 minutes or until zucchini is crisp-tender. .

I LOVE SPICE! So I added a few shakes of cayenne chilli to the pan’s veggies too. Remove from heat, and stir in cilantro and remaining ingredients.

And voila! A fresh, light zucchini medley!

NOW, If you wanted to make it more of a filling meal – you can totally add a protein and carb of your choice.

I had some leftover pork chops …. so I cut them up and threw it in the pan with the other veggies for a bit…

**STEP 2**: Add a protein of your choice. I went with these leftover pork chops – cut them up into strips and add to veggie pan.

**STEP 3:** Cook pasta as per package directions. And add it to your pan of veggies and meat.

And …TA-DAH!

Dinner’s ready with only one-pan to clean …. plus leftovers for lunch the next day 🙂

This veggie medley is a keeper! 🙂

What do you think of this recipe? Do you think you’d give it a try yourself?

How would you improve or change it for the better? Tell me your thoughts in the comments section below.

Have you LIKE’d the Petite Plus, Meow’s Facebook Page yet?

LIKE. Comment. Share.

Cooking is good for the mind, heart and soul. Especially when shared with others.

I’ve even created a sub-menu on my homepage under REVIEWS on the homepage for you – my readers – to find them easily…and hopefully try a few yourself. 🙂

March’s recipe: Easy Chilli

I’m all about one-pot cooking, if I can help it. What’s great about chilli is that you can make a batch and freeze it in the proper portions for those nights when you get home late aren’t in the mood to cook. Plus, a big pot of chilli is perfect for sharing with a bunch of friends on a cold March night in with games and Netflix! Just sayin’…

Ingredients (approx. 4-6 bowls worth):

1 lb extra lean ground beef
1⁄2 large chopped onion
2 peppers (red & green for colour)
1+ gloves of garlic, chopped (or garlic powder works too, as much as desired)
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 tablespoon chili powder (more if you like it spicy)
3 tablespoons of Tex-Mex seasoning
1⁄4teaspoon salt
1⁄4teaspoon pepper
1 can of mixed beans, rinsed and drained or 1 can black beans, if preferred to keep it fiber-full

**STEP 1:** Cook beef, onion and garlic in 3 qt saucepan until beef is brown.

**STEP 2**: Add diced tomatoes + water (the empty can’s worth). Let simmer on medium heat.

**STEP 4:** Chop up peppers into large chunks. Add to pot.

**STEP 5:** Add all your seasonings and stir well into the pot.

**STEP 6:** Add beans to the pot. Stir and allow to simmer on low-medium heat for 45-mins.

**STEP 7:** Eat!!! Delicious with multigrain toast or crush a handful of tortilla chips over top. Feel free to add cheese too, if you like. Mmmmmmm!

What do you think of this recipe? Do you think you’d give it a try yourself? How would you improve or change it for the better? Tell me your thoughts in the comments section below.

Have you LIKE’d the Petite Plus, Meow’s Facebook Page yet?

LIKE. Comment. Share.