tonight's meal: burgers on the barbie, sweet potatoe fries, fresh green beans

start to finish 30 minutes

jamie's perfect burgers

ingredients:
90/10 ground beef, fresh
salt, pepper

1. heat grill on high.
2. form patties, manipulating as little as possible. salt and pepper both sides.
3. sear on high 2-3 min each side. turn heat down to med-med/high until done. add cheese, if desired, just before burgers are ready to come off grill.

notes: after much trial-and-error, playing around with fancy burger recipes, etc., we've found this simple little "recipe" to be the tastiest by far. as good as any restaurant burger, even. the kids don't leave anything on their plates when we have these burgers!

tonight's meal: spaghetti (with marilyn's meat sauce)

appx 30 min from start to finish.

ingredients:

1lb ground turkey or beef (we usually use turkey)

1/2 clove garlic, minced

1/2 tbsp parsley

1/2 tbsp basil

3/4 tsp salt

1 can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 (6 oz) can tomato paste + 1 can filled with water

1/2 tbsp sugar

angel hair/thin spaghetti noodles (we usually use whole wheat)

1. brown meat slowly.

2. add remaining ingredients and allow to simmer.

3. boil noodles, drain and top with meat sauce.

notes: this is also the meat sauce for the lasagna we make (the very first casserole i would ever eat!). it's definitely one of our go-to meals. the kids gobble it up (like they both had three helpings kind of gobbleitup). it's so easy, healthy, and tasty... you'll never serve a sauce from a jar again!

*bonus: add jar or two of carrots stage 1 baby food for extra hidden nutrition. it'll be your little secret. i usually leave out the sugar (or at least reduce it) when i do this.

tonight's meal: white bean turkey chili

(this recipe from hunt's tomatoes)

about 35 min from start to finish

ingredients:

1 pkg (20oz) lean ground turkey

1 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped green bell pepper

1 can (14.5oz) diced tomatoes, undrained

2 cans (150z each) great northern beans, drained, rinsed

2 cans (11.5 oz each) tomato-vegetable (v8) juice

1 tbsp chili powder

1/2 tsp ground cumin

salt and pepper/tony's to taste

shredded cheddar cheese to top, optional

1 spray large saucepan with cooking spray. add turkey, onion and bell pepper. cook and stir over medium heat about 8 min or until turkey is crumbled and no longer pink.

2. stir in remaining ingredients. bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. reduce heat to low; cover. simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

tonight's meal: santa fe soup

(modified from cooking light superfast suppers)

start to finish appx 30 minutes

ingredients:

1lb ground turkey, ground meat, or 2 cups burger-style veggie crumbles

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (10-ounce) package frozen whole kernel corn

1 cup frozen chopped onion

1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 (1.25-ounce) package taco seasoning

1/2 (1-ounce) package ranch-style dip mix (such as hidden valley)

2-3 cups water

1 (2.25-ounce) can sliced olives, drained

reduced-fat sour creme to garnish

1. saute onions then combine everything else except olives and sour creme in a large saucepan. bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. stir in olives.

2. serve with a dollop of sour creme on top.

*notes: i like to serve this with a slice of cheese bread (ww sandwich bread topped with a slice of cheddar cheese then broiled). it's a big hit and there's plenty for leftovers or freezing.