Jeremy's Pork Roast

I am so blessed to have a talented son-in-law who loves to cook, he wanted me to share this recipe with you. He really likes to prepare this roast on the grill. I hope you enjoy making it as much as we enjoy eating it.

The recipe is as follows:

Jeremy's Pork Roast

Buy a pork roast that will meet your needs for dinner, lunch or brunch. In a glass bowl combine 2 c. orange juice, 2 T. lemon juice, 2 T. lime juice and 2 T. honey. Mix well. Place roast on the grill over medium heat, baste roast every 15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. If you prefer a pinker pork roast remove from heat around 150 degrees and allow to rest covered until ready to serve.

If you prefer to have a dipping sauce, combine extra ingredients in a saucepan and heat until thicker. I would add 4 T. honey and 1/2 can cranberry sauce for a little something extra. Serve with your sliced pork roast and enjoy.

* If you prefer a little spice add 1/2 can chopped jalapenos to sauce.

Enjoy experimenting with flavors and making this recipe your own.

The Lunch Lady :)

Tomato Florentine Soup

What a fabulous day today, the sun is gorgeous, breeze gentle, day perfect. I walked this afternoon with a friend, enjoyed some "girl" time, came home to a house filled with wonderful smells from my crock pot. Dinner is ready and all I had to do was put it together this morning and forget about it all day. Now I get to enjoy a relaxing dinner with my sweet husband. What more could I ask for? I will share my bean soup recipe some other time, today I made Tomato Florentine at work. You can call it whatever you like, that was the best I could come up with today.

Tomato Florentine Soup

Recipe for my soup today is as follows:

In a large stock pot add 2 qts water and 1 qt crushed tomatoes, bring to a simmer and add 2 c. shredded carrots, 5 potatoes (peeled and cubed), 2 c. corn, 2 T. chicken base, 1 T. honey, 2 t. cumin, 1 t. garlic powder, 1 t. Italian Seasonings, salt and pepper to taste, cook until potatoes are tender, add 6 pieces american cheese and 3 c. baby spinach leaves. Cook until spinach wilts. Serve in a beautiful bowl with your favorite bread or homemade croutons.

Homemade Crouton Recipe:

In a large bowl add 3 c. olive oil, 2 T. Italian Seasonings, 1 T. Garlic Powder, 1 T. Onion Powder, 2 T. Paprika, 2 t. Salt, 2 t. black pepper, mix together and add 1 loaf bread (cubed), mix well. Place on a baking sheet and put in a 350 degree oven and cook until bread is golden brown and crunchy feeling. Check every 5 minutes to ensure not over cooking. Should not take more than 15 minutes, depending on your oven.

You can use this same crouton recipe for French Onion Soup, Tomato Soup or any other soup that needs a little something extra.

Enjoy cooking,

The Lunch Lady :)

Chicken and Veggie Soup

1st day back to school, loved being back in my kitchen. Today's soup was inspired by the spaghetti sauce I was serving our students. Most of my soups are a work in progress throughout the morning. I start them with a few ingredients in mind and start adding from there. I hope you try this recipe. It was a big hit with our staff today.

The recipe for my soup is as follows:

Chicken and Veggie Soup

Fill 1/4 of the large stock pot with water, add 4 c. cooked chicken, 1 bag of mixed veggies, 2 T. chicken basse (can be found at GFS), 1 C. spaghetti sauce, 3 T. Italian Seasonings, 1 T. Garlic Powder, 2 t. kosher salt, 2 t. black pepper, simmer about 30 minutes. Serve with bread and a salad.

Variations:

Add 2 c. cooked pasta
Add 2. c. leftover rice, fried rice, wild rice or basmati rice (an Indian rice, my favorite)
Add 1 large can Cream of Chicken to make a thicker base
Add 3. c. spinach to make a florentine broth
Add  leftover turkey in place of chicken (great soup to make after Thanksgiving
Add 1 can of your favorite beans
Add 1 pkg of chili seasoning mix to spice things up
Add 2 C. salsa in place of spaghetti sauce

This soup has a delightful flavor, very comforting and refreshing. Allow your pantry to inspire your recipes, don't be afraid to try different combinations. Enjoy.

The Lunch Lady :)

Sunday Spinach Salad

As Sunday is a day of rest....I try to keep my meals simple and get in some rest. A Spinach Salad served as an entree or side dish is always a treat. I hope you enjoy trying this recipe.

Sunday Spinach Salad

In a large bowl mix together 1 bag of baby spinach leaves, 10 pieces of cooked bacon, 4 har boiled eggs (sliced), 1 cup crumbled Blue Cheese, 10 Strawberries (sliced), 1/4 c. toasted pecans, drizzle with your favorite vinaigrette.

To make this salad an entree, add any one or combination of the following:

1 C. Sliced Chicken Breast
12 Grilled Shrimp
1 Piece Grilled Salmon (cut into pieces)
1 Grilled Ribeye Steak (sliced)

Mix salad ingredients together and serve on a beautiful platter with your favorite bread.

The Lunch Lady :)

Grecian Chicken Saute

What a glorious week we are having...the breeze continues to gently blow through our house, everything outside is awakening from a long winter's nap. The birds are enjoying the warm sunshine too. I have so enjoyed my restful week off and have had an opportunity to be in my kitchen and create some new recipes. last night I threw together this chicken saute, it was quite yummy and refreshing.

The recipe for my Grecian Chicken Saute is as follows:

Grecian Chicken Saute

In a large saute pan add 3 T. canola or olive oil heat to medium heat; add sliced raw chicken, sprinkle with 1 T. Italian Seasoning, 2 t. Garlic Salt, 1 t. Paprika, and brown on one side; add 1 sliced red pepper, 1 jar green olives, squeeze 1/2 lemon and zest, salt and pepper to taste, and 1 pint cherry tomatoes, cook until chicken is browned and tomatoes are soft. Stir frequently, cooks about 15 minutes.

Serve with Wild Rice and your favorite sauteed veggie.

The Lunch Lady :)

Elegant Fruit Water

Spring is finally here!!!!!With that being said I am enjoying my break this week and soaking up some of the beautiful sunshine we have been blessed with this week. While outside enjoying a good book, the gentle breeze, and chirping birds, take some delicious water with you and indulge, be pampered and relax.


Elegant Fruit Water

In a beautiful crystal pitcher add 2 lemons (cut into pieces), 2 limes (cut into pieces), 1/3 c. sugar, 3 pieces fresh basil, 1 pint blackberries, 6 strawberries (cut into pieces), 1 c. blueberries, smash with the handle of a wooden spoon, fill pitcher half way with sparkling water (any type will work), add 2 c. ginger ale, and fill the remaining pitcher with plain water. Stir, serve over ice. If you would like to make it more adult friendly add some red wine in place of the plain water.

This is one of my favorite waters to make for those fun dinners with company. It is very versatile and you can add or delete any fruits you prefer. Enjoy!

The Lunch Lady :)

Jay's Spring Chicken

What a gorgeous day to grill outside, my husband, Jay has a marinade that is the perfect compliment to chicken. The longer you marinate the more tender the chicken.

The recipe for Jay's Spring Chicken is as follows:

Jay's Spring Chicken

In a 9x13 inch pan add 3 C. Olive Oil, 2 C. Lemon Juice, 3 T. Minced Garlic,  1 T. Crushed Red Pepper, 2 t. Kosher Salt, 2 t. Black Pepper, mix together well and add 4-6 pieces raw chicken, cover and marinate for 30 minutes - 2 hours.

Heat grill on medium heat, place chicken on grill and cook until internal temperature is 165 degrees. This grilled chicken is delicious served with Basmati Rice and grilled Vegetables or cut up and served over a bed of your favorite greens. You can use the leftovers and make some delicious chicken salad too.

Enjoy your cookouts, try this recipe, I am sure it will become one of your favorite dishes.

The Lunch Lady :)

Decadent Layered Dessert

The other night a dear friend came over for dinner and I wanted to make a simple, yet beautiful dessert. This Decadent Layered Dessert is one of my favorites, very versatile and super easy to make.

Recipe for my Decadent Layered Dessert is as follows:

Decadent Layered Dessert

You will need a 1 prepared cake, you can use white, yellow, chocolate, pound cake, angel food cake or any other kind of cake you prefer.
You will also need a prepared recipe of your favorite pudding, any flavor will work.
Fresh Berries of your choosing.
1 Large container of Cool Whip or real Whipped Cream
1 Pkg of any cookie or candy you like. I prefer using either Oreos or Crushed Heath Bars.

In a beautiful large glass bowl or large glasses prepare the following in layers. Crumbled Cake, spoonful of Pudding, Handful of fresh Berries, Crumbled Cake, spoonful of Pudding, Handful of fresh Berries, Crumbled Cake, top with Cool Whip or Fresh Whipped Cream.

You can substitute the Fresh Berries for Candy or Cookies. This dessert offers so many combinations of delicious decadence.

I hope you enjoy making this recipe for your loved ones. Have fun.

Some flavor combinations you could try are:
Melted Nutella with Yellow Cake and Butterscotch Pudding topped with crushed peanuts.
Melted Peanut Butter with Chocolate Cake, Vanilla Pudding, Peanut Butter Cups and Cool Whip.
Crumbled Rum Cake, with Vanilla Pudding, Fresh Berries and Cool Whip.
Angel Food Cake, with Vanilla Pudding, Fresh Strawberries and Fresh Whipped Cream
Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Pudding, Crushed Oreos, Whipped Cream.

The Lunch Lady :)

Meatball Veggie Soup

The soup I made today was inspired by what was in my freezer, it was easy and flavorful. It would be a great soup to serve with a salad and bread. I hope you try it for dinner.

The recipe for Meatball Veggie Soup is as follows:

Meatball Veggie Soup 

In a large stock pot add 4 qts water, 1 large can crushed tomatoes, 20 precooked meatballs, 1 bag mixed vegetables, 2 T. Italian Seasonings, 1 T. Garlic Powder, Salt and Pepper to taste, 1 t. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, 3 T. Beef Base, 1 small can garbanzo beans (or any bean of your choosing), cook on medium heat until soup boils, reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook for 25 minutes, stir occasionally.

Serve soup in a beautiful bowl and enjoy sharing it with your special someone on a cold, rainy day.

This soup is similar to my meatball minestrone. If you want to add pasta, rice or orzo you can.

The Lunch Lady :)

Potato Salsa Corn Chowder

Today was my first day back cooking in my kitchen since I lost my cousin...Cooking for me is the best therapy. I made a simple yet yummy soup today and our staff loved it.

The recipe for my chowder is as follows:

Potato Salsa Corn Chowder

In a large stock pot add 5 qts water, 3 T. chicken base, 12 potatoes (peeled and diced), 2 c. shredded carrots, 3 c. corn, bring to a boil, cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, add 3 c. salsa, 12 pieces of american cheese, salt and pepper to taste, continue to cook until cheese is melted.

Serve this chowder with a delicious salad and tortilla chips. It is very filling and flavorful

Variation:

Add 2 C. Diced Ham
Add 1 can Diced Jalapenos
Add Sweet Potatoes for a little something different
Add 2 C. Shredded Chicken

I hope you enjoy this chowder. On a cold, rainy day like today it is the perfect thing to warm those cold, damp bones.

The Lunch Lady :)

Roasted Veggies

One of my favorite things to make as a side dish are Roasted Veggies, they are easy, versatile and full of flavor.

The recipe is as follows:

Roasted Veggies

In a large bowl add 1 1/2 c. olive oil, 3 T. Italian Seasonings, 2 T. Paprika, 2 T. Garlic Powder, 1 T. Black Pepper, 1 T. Salt, 1 T. Onion Powder, mix together well and add any combination of the following vegetables:

 Zucchini (diced)
 Sweet Onion or Purple Onion (diced)
 1 Pint Cherry or Grape Tomatoes
 Potatoes (any kind will work)
 Yellow Squash (diced)
 Red, Yellow, Orange or Green Peppers (diced)

Add enough vegetables to the olive oil mixture and coat well. Place on large jelly roll pan covered with parchment paper, bake in a 350 degree oven until vegetables are fork tender, about 35 minutes.

Uses for Roasted Veggies:

Add to your favorite pasta and sauce
Add to any salad for a fresh new flavor
Puree in food processor and enjoy on top of fresh grilled bread slices topped with Feta
Place leftover veggies in tomato soup for an extra something
Use with grilled beef or chicken and serve as fajitas
Add to Orzo and vinaigrette

As you can see your options are limitless. Enjoy trying this recipe.

The Lunch Lady :)

Demie's Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

It has been so long since my last post. So much has happened, I lost a cousin this past week with whom I was very close. In honor of her and "our" Greek heritage I wanted to share with you a recipe from her sister, Demie. It is a comforting chicken soup, easy to make and filled with warm memories.

Recipe for soup is as follows:

Demie's Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

In a large stock pot place either a whole raw chicken or chicken breasts, cover with water and cook until chicken is tender, remove chicken from pot and remove meat from the bones, add meat back to broth and add 1 c. of raw rice, cook in broth until rice is cooked. In 2 bowls seperate 3 eggs, whites in one bowl and yolks in the other bowl, beat egg whites until fluffy, beat egg yolks until fluffy, fold egg mixtures together and add 1/2 c. fresh lemon juice, mix together and slowly add 1 cup hot soup liquid to eggs to temper before pouring mixture into the chicken soup, stir well and serve.

Great new chicken dish to try if you have never had it before. It is delicious, refreshing and always comforting.

Remember to tell those you love how you feel, kiss them a little longer, hold them a little tighter. You never know what tomorrow holds.

The Lunch Lady :)