Mama Bird's Being Featured!!

 Mama Bird's flown the coup!Thanks to my new friend Kelly you can find me over at her place! I am being FEATURED on Foodie Friday!! sharing one of my favorite Greek themed appetizers! Al's {soon to be famous} Greek Dip. Please pop by and visit us! 

Whatcha Got Cooking Wednesday? Greek Shrimp Scampi Recipe Link-up

Shrimp is one of our favorites! It is so easy to prepare and as I have been craving a particular Shrimp Pasta dish that is a little time consuming and really high in calories. SO, I thought I would introduce you to it's younger & skinnier version!! This is a super quick and easy dish that would be perfect for the inaugural WGCW! It works wonderfully for a quick dinner or is elegant enough to do for a dinner party. It doubles great. I hope you all enjoy!!

1 tsp olive oil
2 Tb minced garlic
1/4 cup fresh parsley
1 small sweet onion, diced
28oz can whole tomatoes, chopped
1 cup white wine
1 cup salsa
1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 oz crumbled feta
1/2 cup black olives
fresh lemon juice from 1/2 lemon
pepper & salt to taste
1 small box angel hair pasta, cooked al'dente you can use whole wheat pasta or a combo of the two

Heat oil in skillet, sauté onion and garlic until onion softens then add juice from tomatoes, and wine bring to boil;


add tomatoes, salsa and half the parsley; reduce heat, simmer apx 10 mins, add shrimp cook until just cooked through 3-5 mins.


Pour into pan (or if using oven safe skillet) top with cheese & black olives. Bake at 425 for 10-12 mins until cheese begins to bubble.
 

Sprinkle with remaining parsley, pepper & lemon juice.
Serve over pasta with a big salad and crusty bread as the sauce is SO good for dipping!!!

Doesn’t it look wonderful?

Whatcha Got Cooking Wednesday is a NEW recipe link-up (my 1st ever!) SO pardon me if I make some mistakes! PLEASE share your creations with Mama Bird’s Nest!

This week: ANYTHING GOES

I ask that you please grab the WGCW button at the top left of my blog, link it to your post and leave me a comment, I will pop by for a taste! I am so excited to meet new friend and get some great recipes!! I can’t wait to see what you have cooking!!

Technorati Tags: shrimp,seafood,Greek,recipes,recipe exchange,WGCW,Mama Bird's Nest,tomatoes,feta cheese,pasta

Weekly Juggling Act

Yep, you read it correctly it says the weekly plan… not just a meal plan this week I am going to have a game plan! I have too. You know that saying “when it rains it pours”? Well, Mama Bird’s Nest Cupcakes & cakes business (side job)  is in turbo mode for next weekend!!! I have 4 parties to do! Here is my list.

1. Pony Party for Miss. O she will be 5!

2. Dinosaur Party for Mr. Q he will be 3

3. 40th Birthday Tiffany Box Cake

4. Ballerina Party for my niece Ava Grace who will also be 3!! Thank goodness her party is Sunday!

I am so excited!!

Now onto EATING!! What the heck are we going to have to eat this week? HT had lots of great sales and I stocked the fridge/freezer so here is my plan.

Monday~ Greek Salad with grilled chicken

Tuesday~ Mediterranean Chicken  (It didn’t make it to the crock-pot last week!!)

Wednesday~ Shrimp Surprise, the surprise is I am not sure what I plan to do with it! Check back Weds to see my new Recipe Link-up and what I created!

WHATCHA GOT COOKING WEDNESDAY?

Thursday~ Leftover Buffet for the Boys!

Friday~ Pizza Night (Mommy’s Baking!!)

Wish me luck with my randomness and let’s hope I can get the boys fed!

What are you cooking this week? Share your recipes on Wednesday!!

 

 

Technorati Tags: weekly plan,meal planning,menu Monday,baking,cupcake,Mama Bird's Nest,recipes

NEW!!! Recipe Link-up

WOW! I am taking the plunge! I am HOPING and PRAYING that all you foodies, moms, single ladies, men ANYONE and EVERYONE  that reads Mama Bird’s Nest will join me in my newest adventure.

Whatcha got Cooking Wednesday?

I thought it would be a great way for us all to share some yummy recipes, meet new friends and just have fun!! I love linking to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday and well, I am a girl that loves to host a party so…

Can I count you in?

Invite your friends to join us!

Be here! Wednesday

Please add the WGCW? Button to your post and link back!! I can’t wait to see what you have to share!! Do you like the idea of ANYTHING GOES or would you prefer us to have themes for each week? (ex. apps, pasta, etc…) YOUR opinion matters. PLEASE tell me what you think!!

Carolina Salsa

This is my go to app for any gathering where I need to take something, not to fancy just great tasting!  We (my friends) call it Carolina Salsa and I have been making it for so many years I can’t even remember where it originally came from. My sister especially loves it because it is tomato free. You guys know I am in love with tomatoes but this is a great fresh app and IT IS EASY ON THE WAISTLINE!! It makes a ton and everywhere I have taken it everyone loves it! I hope YOU do too!!
2 cans black beans, drained & rinsed
2 cans mexicorn, drained & rinsed
1 large cucumber, seeded and chopped fine
1/2 red onion, chopped fine
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
Just mix everything together and as always I must say, it is BEST if you make it the night before or the morning of serving it. It just gets better as all the flavors meld.
Serve with tortilla chips.
DON’T FORGET TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FROM CORNER NATURAL FOODS! GO HERE

For more great recipes pop over to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

Earth Day! {Juice Pouch Brigade}

My good friend Erin over at The Mother Load has inspired me again!! She is a GREEN MAMA doing her part to keep the World a cleaner place! Please pop over and read about all the great things she is doing.
I honor of Earth Day I wanted to share with you that I am IN LOVE with TerraCycle. They are doing some amazing things with normally non-recyclable trash like juice pouches (see all the brigades HERE). They turn waste  into cool products like tote bags and coolers. See all the FUN stuff they make HERE.  Then they send a contribution for every pouch collected to the school or charity of your choice, they even pay the shipping!
I decided that the juice pouch brigade was PERFECT for Jack’s Pre-school and with Earth Day TODAY I thought this was a great time to introduce the kids (and parents) to the idea of upcycling.
Erin and myself challenge you to find a brigade that speaks to you and get it started! It is SUPER EASY, takes virtually no time to get it started and YOU will feel really good about being GREEN!!

Pretzel Crusted Pork Chops and Lemon Basil Beans

Jack helping in the kitchen!

This is a crazy creation that I came up with tonight and it was DELISH! I know it sounds funny but the combo is just perfect.

3 Pork Chops

1 egg

1 1/2  T mustard

1 T honey

10 pretzel rods, chopped fine in food processor

2 T parmasen cheese

Lightly beat egg, add mustard & honey, mix well. Pour over pork chops and marinate for 30 mins. Dip chops in pretzels & parm mix and place in hot pan. Sear for 3-5 mins until nice crust forms, flip and then slide pan in 350 oven and cook additional 30 mins* or until cooked. 

*cook’s note: My chops were thick and needed to cook a bit longer than normal.

Lemon Basil Green Beans

I found some beautiful French green beans, trimed the ends, blanched in water for 5 –10 mins drained the water and added 1 T butter, juice of 1/2 lemon & 3 fresh chopped basil leaves. I love beans this way! SO fresh, summery and crisp!! Contrary to what many believe green beans do not need to be cooked to death!! 

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway for the Corner Natural Foods Thyme Vinaigrette!! GO HERE!

For more great Recipes  visit

 

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A9QJV9AM4SST

Fresh Thyme Vinaigrette {Giveaway}

 

I want to introduce you to a friends NEW and exciting salad dressing & marinade!!

FRESH THYME VINAIGRETTE

from his AMAZING company, Corner Natural Foods. I am so excited to be trying this and LOVE the fact that it is ALL NATURAL. Word on the street is that Whole Foods is going to be carrying it in the Florida area. CONGRATS!!

This dressing is so fresh and delish and the possibilities of what you can do with it are endless! I have used it as a traditional dressing, tossed it with fresh veggies and roasted chicken! ALL DELISH!

GIVEAWAY!

Thanks to Chris ONE Lucky Reader is going to receive a complimentary bottle to try!! Simply visit Corner Natural Foods and leave a comment telling me something you LOVE or learned about his company!!

For extra entries you can:

1. Become one of MY PEEPS! (follow my blog)

2. Follow Corner Natural on Facebook

3. Follow Corner Natural on TWITTER

4. Follow MBN on Facebook

5. Follow me on Twitter

Just remember to leave a separate comment for each! This is open to US Residents ONLY!!

Technorati Tags: Corner Natural Foods,Thyme Vinaigrette,Salad Dressing,thyme,all natural,organic,Mama Bird's Nest,recipes

Meal Planning

This is an unusually slow week and I am excited about it! I am looking forward to cooking and using some of my fresh herbs.  If I planned correctly I should not have to go to the grocery all week! Wish me luck!

Monday~ Honey Mustard Pretzel Pork Chops &

Lemon Basil Green Beans

Tuesday~ Mediterranean Chicken {crock-pot}

Wednesday~ Spaghetti

Thursday~ Chicken Stew {my good friend just had a Baby Girl! I am making 2 one for her fam & 1 for us!}

Friday~ Pizza Night

Technorati Tags: Menu Monday,meal planning,Mama Bird's Nest

Caramelized Onion & Bacon Quiche

Technorati Tags: quiche,eggs,caramelized onions,Mama Bird's Nest,recipes

It has been WAY to long since I made quiche. I love it but typically do not think about it unless I am planning brunch. My inspiration came from the bacon leftover from breakfast. This recipe will fill 2 regular size pie shells.

4 eggs

1 1/4 cup half & half

1 onion, sliced & caramelized

5-6 slices of crumbled crisp bacon

1 cup chopped broccoli

1 cup shredded cheese

Caramelize onions in 1 T butter & 1 T olive oil, saute on high for a few mins to get a golden color then add dash of salt and turn to low. After the are softened and looking yummy add 1 tsp balsamic vinegar. I know you are thinking a whole onion is alot but this:

cooks down and turns into this: Whisk eggs & half & half with salt & pepper to taste. Stir in broccoli, cheese, onions and bacon. Pour into pie shells add a little sprinkle of grated cheese to top and bake on 375 for 30 mins or until golden brown.

We enjoyed it! I hope you will!!

Broccoli Salad

Broccoli is one of my favorite veggies and broccoli salad rates in the TOP 10 favorite salads! I posted my recipe during Easter and I had several comments and questions, SO I thought I would do a more detailed post as I am making it tonight for dinner. It is fresh & yummy!

The trick (or big difference)  to MY salad is that you blanch the broccoli for 2 mins to bring out the bright green color and to lightly cook. It is still crisp just more tender.  Isn’t the color amazing?

The broccoli on the left has been blanched and the right is raw.

2 heads broccoli
6 slices bacon, crisp & crumbled
1/2 c golden raisins
1/2 c toasted almonds
1 small red onion, chopped fine
1 c mayo
1/4 c honey
2 Tb vinegar
Blanch broccoli for 2-3 mins remove submerge in cold water. Once cool add red onion and raisins to broccoli. Mix dressing and pour 1/4 to 1/2 onto broccoli mix and chill. Just before serving add almonds & crumbled bacon and additional dressing (if needed). Makes a great addition to any spring or summer meal. Enjoy!

 

Garden Planning!!!

SPRING IS HERE!! I have been obsessing about the garden and the layout has kept me up at night! You see last year (our 1st garden) Hubs just tossed it all in, no rhyme or reason. No method to his madness,  just a big clump of veggies! Not that it didn’t produce, it was like playing a game of Twister to get to the veggies!


 
This year that all changed! I researched lots of garden designs and styles and made a game plan PRIOR to planting! I think it is going to work out great! 
I planted 6 different kinds of tomato plants, 3 types of cucumbers, 4 kinds of peppers, lots of herbs, sugar snap peas, garden peas, cantaloupe, squash, strawberries, radishes, eggplant, beets, carrots and some mixed greens! Wooo-weeee!! I can’t wait till they start producing!!!  Everything is in the ground and I am praying that the nice weather stays with us and NO MORE FROST!

We have RED strawberries!!!

and GREEN tomatoes!! I counted 4.

And speaking of gardening and being GREEN. My blog is Carbon Neutral and there has been a TREE PLANTED for Mama Bird’s Nest!  Take a moment and JOIN NOW!!

1 blog = 1 tree

Do YOU have a garden, what’s growing?

xoxo, Mama Bird

Chicken Burritos {Crock-pot}

This is not your average chicken! It is so moist and yummy and so easy I am almost no, not really, embarrassed to share, it is THAT EASY!!

Boneless/skinless Chicken breast (I put mine in straight from the freezer)

1 cup salsa (like Pace or your fav thicker style salsa)

1 cup brown sugar

THAT IS IT!! Set it on low and let it go! I have had several questions “Is it sweet?” No, not really at all it has a wonderful seasoned taste that is just delish!

Finish with your fav tortillas, sour cream, cheese, veggies, whatever you like. AND the leftover chicken makes an awesome Fiesta Chili or replace the ground turkey in Taco Bake!

Pop over to visit my friends for more great RECIPES!!

 

ENJOY!!

What’s Baking? Eggless Chocolate Cake

Baby Bray is turning 1 and he is allergic to all sorts of food especially eggs. So, I looked at a ton of different recipes to come up with what I hope to be a DELISH Chocolate Cake without eggs, butter or milk.

1 1/2 c flour
3/4 c sugar
1/2 c cocoa powder
3/4 tsp baking  soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c vegetable oil
1 c warm water
2 tsp of white vinegar
1 T vanilla

Mix everything together and bake at 350. I had an odd shaped dish and so it took apx 50 mins to cook. I then made Chocolate Frosting  that you find on the back of the cocoa powder box. As he can’t have the milk chocolate chips I would normally use.

Here are the cupcakes his Big Sister and Cousins enjoyed!