Steak, Mushroom, and Onion Pitas

This is a recipe I have been toying with this week...

What You Need

1 lb Ground Beef

1 small Onion

1 Package Mushrooms

1 T Worcestershire Sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

1 package sliced cheese ( I prefer Cheddar personally, but Swiss would be phenomenal with this recipe as well)

1 package Pitas (Go for the Whole Wheat!)

Directions

In large skillet brown the hamburger and season with the Worcestershire, salt, and pepper. Add the onions while the meat is half cooked to ensure they get nice and caramelized. Then add the mushrooms as the hamburger is looking about done, and cook through till mushrooms are soft, onions are caramelized, and hamburger is cooked through. Take a pita and cut in half, then open the pocket. Place a slice of cheese in the pocket and then fill with the hamburger mixture. Serve with fries and veggies.

Not Fried- Fried Rice

Yesterday I wasn't feeling well, but still got rather hungry since I am pregnant. In trying to come up with something I could eat that wouldn't upset my stomach, this recipe was invented...

What You Need

1 c mixed small veggies ( I used diced carrots, red pepper, onion, peas, and carrots)

1 egg (or egg white)

1 c rice

2 c chicken broth

Directions

In small skillet saute veggies until slightly tender, add egg, stirring constantly to separate, and cook till egg is cooked through. Place veggies, rice, and chicken broth in rice cooker, stir, and cook. Enjoy as your main dish, or as a side dish with stir fry.

Fried Plantains

My husband served a mission in the Dominican Republic where he found this food. Whenever I can find good plantains I like to try and make it for him since he loves them (as I do too!). Plantains are a more starchy kind of food like a potato. These are not fried bananas! They taste more like a potato chip and are a great addition to any grilled foods, or other Latin dishes.

What You Need

2-3 Green Plantains (the greener the better, when plantains turn yellow they start getting sweet and wont taste as good in this recipe)

Cooking oil

Salt

Directions

Place oil in a skillet about 1/2 in. deep and preheat over a medium high heat. Using a sharp knife slice off the end of each plantain, then slice through the peel from one end to another and pry it off. Slice the plantain into 1/2- 3/4 inch slices (like you would a banana for a fruit salad). Place slices in hot oil, and fry for 2-5 minutes each side (until plantain slices turn yellow and are slightly crisped), then remove from skillet onto flat surface covered with a paper towel. Using the bottom of a glass, squish each fried plantain flat (to about a 1/4 in thickness), then place squished plantains back in the oil and fry for another 2-5 minutes each side, until they are golden (don't let them brown like you would french fries as that will leave them overcooked). Remove from oil onto paper towels and sprinkle with salt. Eat warm with your favorite Latin dish.

Cajun Grilled Shrimp

I picked up some fresh shrimp at our local health food store. This is how I cooked it...

What You Need

1 lb Shrimp (feeds 4 people)

lemon juice

Cajun Seasoning mix

Directions

Rinse shrimp and marinate in lemon juice. (You don't need to marinate too long just 5-20 minutes). Sprinkle one side of shrimp with seasoning, place shrimp seasoned side down on the grill (or the George Foreman Grill like I did) then season the other side. If you like it spicy use a good coating of the seasoning, if you like it more mild then only sprinkle on a little bit. Cook for around 4 minutes each side, or until shrimp turns pink on the outside and white on the inside, and is firm to the touch. If cooking smaller shrimp on a large grill you might want to place the shrimp on a skewer so that they don't fall between the grill spaces. Enjoy with a side of veggies, and some rice. (We actually ate ours with fried plantains and roasted veggies).