It’s been a long and busy day …

You’re short on time tonight, but still want to get a quick workout in AND make a healthy meal for your family.

Would 20 minutes do it?

With that amount of time you could easily get through one of Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred
home workouts. (Love them!!)

Well go ahead and put on your workout clothes, because this recipe not only has a super easy prep, but a hands-off cooking style, and hardly any clean-up at all.

If you’re not used to cooking with foil packets you’re in for a treat.  They’re so easy and everything comes out extra juicy.

And this apricot and curry chicken packet recipe is one of my absolute favorite things to make using foil packets.

Curried Apricot Chicken

So the next time you have a long, busy day, and want to grab a quick 20-minute workout before dinner, go ahead and grab your weights or pop in a DVD.  You have the perfect recipe for apricot and curry chicken that will be ready to eat when you’re ready to eat it!

Until our next meal,

Rebecca

You just couldn’t resist …

It’s so hot outside. And the watermelon looked soooo good.

Plus it was only $3.99 for an entire one!

But the weekend is over, and the novelty of eating watermelon on the patio has come and gone.

It breaks your heart to think of wasting over half of the thing. Even if it was cheap!

Well waste not my deal-loving friend! I have a few watermelon recipes for you today …

First up, beverages …

I found these watermelon cocktail ideas in the July/August 2010 issue of Food Network Magazine and found them quite refreshing! We’re talking watermelon cap cods, frozen watermlon margaritas, and watermelon mojitos.

Next up, a salad …

While this refreshing watermelon salad may sound odd at first, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much you enjoy it in the end.  It combines interesting flavors, and looks beautiful on the plate.  So along with using up leftover watermelon, it’s the perfect salad for dinner parties where you want something a little “different.”

And finally, a recipe a little “out there” for a change in case you’re feeling daring…

I haven’t tried it myself yet, so I’m hesitant to post it, but i just couldn’t resist.  The recipe is for a spicy watermelon soup with crabmeat that I’ve been meaning to try.  So if you beat me to it, let me know how it is!

I’ll post my own picture once I’ve made it – I only like to use my own so you know what to really expect from the recipes!

So the next time you have leftover watermelon and can’t bear to throw it away, decide which course you want to tackle, and start dicing it up.  You have the perfect recipes to turn that leftover watermelon into something exciting.

Until our next meal,

Rebecca

Gotta love those deals …

You head to the grocery store after work to pick-up something for dinner.

As you browse the seafood case, the beautiful orange salmon calls to you.

You approach to get a closer look, and find it’s your lucky day.

Wild Alaskan Salmon is on sale.

And that means you can save money AND feel good about your eco-sustainable purchase.

It also means that you get to check out this amazing baked honey and dijon salmon recipe!

Baked Honey and Dijon Salmon

The combination of honey and dijon mustard give this salmon a nice rich taste, and the baked breadcrumb topping serves as the perfect finish.  It’s a wonderful way to turn a regular weeknight dinner into something special.

If you’ve been to WhatToCookWhen.com before, you know I’m not a huge fan of salmon.  But I know that it’s good for you, and my hubby loves it, so I’m always searching for the best recipes to enhance (i.e. mask) the salmon.

I’m telling you, even if you or someone you love is a self-proclaimed salmon hater, this recipe will be one they ask for again and again.

So the next time you find salmon on sale, take advantage of that special deal. You have the perfect recipe for baked honey and dijon salmon that even salmon haters will enjoy.

Until our next meal,

Rebecca

PF Chang’s made chicken lettuce wraps popular back in 1993 when the restaurant first opened.

Ever since then, I crave them quite often, and find it hard to order any other appetizer when I eat at the restaurant.

And in all my cooking adventures, I’ve yet to find a recipe that even comes close.

Until now …

I found this chicken lettuce wrap recipe in a Food Network magazine that was given to me as a gift (thanks V!), and luckily I decided to give it a shot. Because it ROCKS.

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

The flavor is so good, and the combination of savory stir-fried chicken, and cool crisp lettuce cups, makes it a recipe you’ll want to make again and again.

So the next time you’re craving PF Chang’s lettuce wraps, don’t worry about running to the restaurant to order takeout. You have the perfect recipe for satisfying that craving from the comfort of your own home.

Until our next meal,
Rebecca

Yikes!

That wine is sweeeeeeeetttt!

The guy at the store said it was the perfect wine for a hot summer afternoon.

But oh my – this is not what you were expecting.

I mean really … did they add a cup of sugar before bottling it?!

There’s no way you can drink it. Even some ice and seltzer won’t help you get it down.

But you hate the thought of wasting the bottle.

So you need a recipe that will use it up.

Well boy do I have the recipe for you …

It’s a recipe that will turn that bad wine recommendation into something you’ll really enjoy.

It’s so flavorful and tastes rich, yet at the same time it’s not heavy like you’d expect.

The recipe is for riesling chicken with mushrooms, and oh my, it’s worth pulling out that other bottle of wine you bought but planned to save for a worthy dinner.

Riesling Chicken

Yep, this one is definitely worthy.

So the next time someone talks you into buying a bottle of wine that is just too sweet for your taste, set it aside and open something else.  You have the perfect meal for a riesling chicken with mushrooms that will turn that sweet wine into a wonderful meal.

Until our next meal,

Rebecca

You’re having a Fourth of July picnic this year.

Your guests are asking what they can bring…

Perfect!

You now have the opportunity to throw a fun picnic, without a lot of hassle.

And with this handy July Fourth recipe guide, you can easily divide up the recipes among your guests, and ensure the entire picnic menu is a smashing success…

First up, homemade guacamole.  It’s an easy starter, and when paired with salsa and chips, is one that everyone enjoys.

And for those guests who want to snack on something a little more interesting, this lemony shrimp and scallop cocktail appetizer is sure to satisfy.  It’s light and tangy, and perfect for cooling down an otherwise hot afternoon.

Since it’s already hot enough outside, there’s no need to fire up the grill.  Instead serve up a delicious curry chicken salad, as well as some fresh crab salad, and pair with sliced pita, crackers and cut veggies for an easy and satisfying main course.

And finally, pull it all together with two amazing, interesting, and perfect-for-a-hot-summer-day salads.  First up the arugula and watermelon salad for the foodies in the group.  It may sound weird, but trust me, it’s good.  And then second, the chopped wedge salad, which if you love a traditional wedge, will make you one extremely happy picnicker.

Each of these recipes on their own are amazing, and they’ll be talked about for a long while … not to mention requested at picnics for years to come.

And since all of these recipes can be prepared in advance, don’t require a lot of additional prep before serving, and most importantly, don’t involve the grill, you can plan to kick back, relax, and enjoy the festivities with your guests.

Of course these recipes also have the potential to save the picnic in the event of a grilling mishap involving a slightly intoxicated grill master, too much lighter fluid, and some missing eyebrows.

(Yes, I speak from experience.)

So if you’re hosting the Fourth of July  picnic this year, go ahead and tell your guests you’d love for them to bring something.  You have the perfect recipes for a low-stress picnic, that both you and your guests will enjoy.

Until our next meal,

Rebecca

P.S. Have a fun and safe Fourth of July!

Turning the big 4-o.

It’s a milestone that demands a big celebration.

And whenever there’s a big celebration, there’s usually good food to go along with it.

You’ve been invited to help your friend ring in the new chapter of her life.

And since the party is at her house, you’ve decided to bring an appetizer to add to the celebratory menu.

You want to make something nice – I mean she only turns 40 once, right?!?

But you need to make something that transports easily, and requires little prep work once you’re there.

Crab Salad

Go with this elegant crab salad.

A cross between a seafood and Waldorf salad, this cool and crisp recipe is perfect for an elegant party, as well as a hot day when you feel like making something special.

You can serve it up in a bowl with crackers, or drop a teaspoonful on sliced cucumbers for an extra-special presentation.

Either way, your friend and her guests will enjoy it.

So the next time you’re going to a 40th birthday party, tell the birthday girl to plan for an extra appetizer.  You have the perfect crab salad recipe for making her special day even more special.

Until our next meal,

Rebecca

P.S. Happy 40th Heather!

Weatherman says it’s going to be another scorcher today …

A high of 98, and not a cloud in the sky.

And the forecast for the week is more of the same.

Hot, hot, hot.

And while you love the summer … relaxing with friends, enjoying the pool or the lake, taking vacations … some days you just need to beat the heat.

Today is one of those days …

You want something cool and refreshing this afternoon. Maybe something that will pair nicely with a crisp glass of sauvignon blanc, an ice cold Red Stripe, or an icy fresh lemonade.

Something that won’t require you to fire up the grill, heat up the oven, or require a lot of effort in the kitchen.

Caribbean Shrimp

Well go ahead and grab your ice cold beverage of choice, because this caribbean shrimp recipe is just what you need.

It not only makes for a beautiful and tasty appetizer, and can also be turned into a healthy dinner by adding a small salad.

And while this recipe calls for fresh mango and papaya, it’s also good with pineapple and other tropical fruits – really whatever you have on hand!

So the next time you’re hot as h$ll in Texas, and want something to cool you down, put the drinks on ice and maybe throw on some island wear.  You have the perfect recipe for caribbean shrimp that will leave you feeling cool and refreshed on this hot summer day.

Until our next meal,

Rebecca

P.S. This request came from a WhatToCookWhen.com fan via Facebook.

Do you need some ideas on what to cook?  Simply email, tweet me or post on the WhatToCookWhen.com Facebook Fan Page and I’ll help you out!

It was a really fun weekend …

You had a group of great friends visiting from out of town.

Partying out on the town, relaxing on the lake, taking in the sites …

But tomorrow they’re leaving bright and early to start their long drive home. And you want to send them off after a good breakfast.

Something that will hold them over until lunch.

But with them leaving so early, you know you’re not going to be able to do much cooking in the morning.

Plus with so many people getting ready in the morning, you’ll hardly be able to all sit down at the same time to eat.

You’re going to need something that they can help themselves to.

Enter the infamous mid-west approved, egg bake casserole!

Sausage Egg Bake Casserole

I love these things! They’re great for feeding big groups, and can easily be prepared the morning of if you have time, or the night before…

Simply bake it the night before, and store it in the fridge. Then as people wake up and get ready, they can cut themselves a piece, heat it up in the microwave, and enjoy a hearty breakfast with little fuss. (And without going through a drive thru!)

So the next time your house guests are leaving bright and early, tell them to still expect a full breakfast before they leave. You have the perfect recipe for an egg bake casserole that will send them off satisfied and ready to face the long drive home.

Until our next meal,
Rebecca

You’re planning to have people over for dinner … AFTER going to a winery for a tasting.

That’s right – you’ll be required to cook AFTER already having drank a couple glasses of wine (since you’ll probably have a full glass of your favorite from the tasting while you take in the view of the vines!).

And you’ll be cooking for people who have already had two glasses of wine, and ready for dinner!

You want to serve a nice meal, to follow-up the lovely day you’ve enjoyed so far.

But it needs to be something that a. you can pre-prep earlier in the day, and b. you can pull together quickly once you all get to the house.

And while this is based on a true story, this recipe  line-up I came up with would be perfect for any dinner party where you don’t want to be in the kitchen cooking for too long. I’m talking about dinner situations like a small group, your boss is coming over for dinner, your in laws, the man (or woman!) of your dreams … you get the idea.

So back to the lineup …

This should go without staying, but make sure you set the table and set out all of your cooking utensils, dishes, and glasses before you leave. It will make for a MUCH easier time when you get back.

Chopped Wedge Salad

Start off with this chopped wedge salad, and prep all of the ingredients except for chopping the lettuce, earlier in the day. Cook the bacon and store it in a ziploc bag after it’s cooled, and make the salad dressing. Once you arrive at the house, plate the salads and serve them up to your guests.  That will take the edge off while you continue on with the main course …

Chili-Maple Glazed Pork

Next up, plan to serve pork medallions with chili-maple sauce. Prep all of the medallions earlier in the day by slicing up the tenderloin, seasoning, and storing in the fridge.  Set out the sauce ingredients (there’s only a few!) and as many pans as you need – the amount will vary by the number of guests.  (Tip: When I’m making this in bulk, I use my largest skillet to make the sauce afterwards, and just increase the sauce ingredients as much as I need.  Don’t worry about making the sauce in all of the skillets.)  This meal goes from cooking to serving in under 15 minutes.

And with that, you’re on to the final course …

Lemon Custard with Raspberries

For dessert, you’ll round out the meal with a refreshing lemon custard with raspberries.  Not only is this dessert tasty and pretty to serve, you can make it entirely in advance – including assembling in the dishes – so that when you get to this point of the meal, you can simply pull them out of the fridge and serve.

I like to store the glasses on a tray in the kitchen.  It makes for a pretty presentation

So the next time you plan to hit a winery BEFORE dinner, block an hour earlier in the day to prep the dinner.  You have the perfect recipes for a 3-course meal that will leave you feeling stress free, and able to focus on the wine.

Until our next meal,

Rebecca

P.S. Now if you don’t live in Texas, this may sound shocking …

But there are actually some really good wineries here!

For you Austin peeps, my personal faves so far include Mandola’s, Perissos, and the most recent addition to the list, Stonehouse Winery.

All three have beautiful grounds, great tastings, and above all else, amazing wine. I highly recommend you check them out for yourself.