Book Reviews I've Done Before

Everyone here at my house is sick. Just last week I congratulated myself on our lack of sickness this winter.

"Oh, we must be practicing good handwashing skills. We must be eating healthy and getting enough sleep. We are so good."

Pride goeth before the fall, as they say. We are all sick. A really bad winter cold - snuffles, coughing, sore throats, sneezing, the works. That'll teach me to get all self-righteous!

Needless to say, I'm not very motivated to do blog posts. But since recently someone told me they get mad when I don't update (you know who you are!), I'm posting something.

I've done several book reviews in the past so I thought I would gather them together and update them.

I did More With Less this week.

Another book I have reviewed is Saving Dinner by Leanne Ely. I don't actually own this book but I've checked it out of the library enough that I really should just buy my own copy. We really like the Garlic Lime Chicken and the Polenta Casserole. I need to check it out again (or just buy, sigh), and get some new ideas. Especially new ideas for bean recipes. They are so healthy and cheap and high in protein that I'm really trying to add more to our diet. This book had tons of bean centered recipes. I'm doing it this weekend, I promise.

One of my all time favorite books is Cheap Fast Good by Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross. This book is such a great book for a beginner cook or someone who just really wants to branch out but doesn't have a lot of time. Tons of recipes from soups to pastas to sides - all ready in no time. One of the recipes we use a lot is Mindless Meatball Minestrone. So good and if you have frozen meatballs in your freezer, goes together in under 25 minutes.

Mindless Meatball Minestrone

Heat in a large sauce pan:

1 can (or 2 cups) chicken broth
1 can (or 2 cups) beef broth

While it is heating, add:

2 c. frozen mixed vegetables
1 can stewed or dices tomatoes
20 or so already cooked meatballs
1/3 c. pasta (spaghetti broken in 1 to 2 inches lengths, macaroni, shells, etc)

Cover the pot and bring it to a boil. When it boils, uncover and stir well. Add:

1 can light red kidney beans (or other kind of beans)
1 tsp dried italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Continue to boil until the pasta is tender and the meatballs are heated through. Serve with grated parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.

You can of course, soak your own beans and make this for a lot less, but I usually use the cans because they are so fast and the point of this recipe is for it to be "Mindless" right?

Yum!

So now I come to the end of my "I'm really sick but Ilene gets mad if I don't post" post. And I'm off. Maybe I should make some soup tonight. Soup is good for a cold, right?

Enjoy!

Jill