Shepherd's Pie, Rice pudding for breakfast, Teddy Puffs

Recipes

Spicing up Shepherd’s Pie

I love shepherd’s pie. This is a dish that might take a little time to make but can be made ahead, baked right before eating, and frozen.

A favorite of mine growing up, shepherd’s pie can actually be REALLY bad for you. Load up those potatoes with butter/cream/milk, only use corn, and use a high fat beef and you are talking an extremely starchy dinner full of fat. Here are some alternatives you can use.

Meat:

• Ground turkey-this can get dry so make sure you put it on the bottom
• Vegetable protein “beef” style- This stuff is great IN dishes (not really by itself). Try this with traditional shepherd’s pie spices or a little catsup mixed in.
• Ground chicken
• Very low fat beef
• Ground lamb- a little more expensive and a tad gamey lamb is lean and healthy

Corn:

• Using a small layer of corn is ok, but Shepherd’s pie does not really offer much in the way of vegetables
• Mix in celery
• Put in a layer of peas, green beans, roasted peppers, broccoli, or just about any other vegetable.
• Mix in spinach with what ever you put in for a little more green to your pie

Potatoes:

• Mashed potatoes with no butter and skim milk, add garlic for a little more flavor
• Brown rice
• Mashed cauliflower/potatoes (see previous blog for recipe)
• Sweet potatoes
• Thinner layer of traditional mashed potatoes

I am taking some liberties on what shep. Pie really is in this next section :)

Mixin’ it up, different spice and food combos:

• Asian: Ground chicken with a little stir fry sauce, green beans, bean sprouts, pea pods topped with thin rice noodles also with a little stir fry sauce
• Tex Mex: Throw a taco seasoning packet in with your choice of meat, roasted red peppers, corn, onions, black beans, top with potatoes
• Indian: Lamb with curry spices, apple, onion, string beans, summer squash, any other veggies that are mixed with a little curry, brown rice, top with a little chutney
• The vegetarian: Vegetable protein mixed with a little catsup, green beans, ketchup, peas, mashed cauliflower
• Italian: Mix up your meat with a little pasta sauce, summer squash, zucchini, brown rice, parmesan cheese.

Ty’s Breakfast Rice Pudding

This is what Ty had for breakfast this morning, it was pretty good.

Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1/4 to 1/3c cooked brown rice (we had leftovers)
• dash of cinnamon
• Dash of sugar (ty’s did not have it)
• Diced fruit

1. Scramble egg with cinnamon (and sugar) and place into hot non stick pan
2. Let it cook for a few seconds and add in rice
3. Take off stove and add in favorite fruit
4. (Ty’s also had peas in it)
5. Cool and enjoy

This can also be made with quick oats. I have done this at work. Instead of scrambling the egg and then adding the oats, you do it all in the same bowl. You then cook it like a pancake!

Product of the day:

Healthy Times Teddy Puffs

http://www.healthytimes.com/htteddypuffs.htm

These are a totally whole grain (no wheat or soy) product. Although I would classify these as not super healthy, they are easier to grab and more fun than cheerios. All organic, iron enriched, and sugar is way down on the list of ingredients these are a fun and quick snack when you are on the go!

Picture from website above