Martha's Cooking #11

These are my HelloFresh meals over weeks three and four of March. The meals come in on Tuesday but often I don't get to cook them until the weekend since I don't eat after 7pm (or 7:30 if I am running late).. The shipments come in with ingredients for two meals, but often I get at least three meals. 

HelloFresh Mexican Street Corn Pasta

with Bell Pepper, Jalapeno & Pepper Jack
This recipe gave me four meals. 
I had a Mexican Corn Casserole at a potluck and I loved it. This isn't quite the same and I still need to make the other recipe.

Chicken & Snap Pea Stir Fry

with Scallion Lime Rice & Creamy Chili Sauce.
I love crispy Snap Peas. This made enough for three meals although I had to add extra rice from a package I bought for Jasmine Rice.  

HelloFresh Street Cart-Style Chicken Bowls

with Chicken Thighs, Yellow Rice, White Sauce & Pita Wedges.
This will also make three meals with extra rice.

HelloFresh Caramelized Onion Meatloaf Sandwiches

with Potato Wedges & Horseradish Dijonnaise.

I love meatloaf and this was delicious. 
I don't eat much mayonnaise so I was glad it was flavored with horseradish and Dijon.

This made two good size sandwiches and extra meatloaf for lunch.

Martha Cooking #10

These are my HelloFresh meals over weeks two and three of March. When I show a plate or bowl it is for one meal, I am noting if it made two or more meals for me. 

Pasta Primavera

with Lemon Sauce, Bell Pepper, Zucchini & Peas;
This recipe gave me three meals. 

Peanut Butter & Cherry Belgian Waffles

with Jammy Honey Sauce & Apple
This comes with four waffles - four breakfasts and/or a lunch. 

Paprika Chicken in a Lemony Sauce with Pistachio Rice & Roasted Carrots.
I took a picture before the meat was cut but realized I hadn't added the sauce or pistachios.
This was two meals.

Za’atar-Crusted Grilling Cheese

with Sumac-Spiced Zucchini & Onion over Couscous.

I do love cheese even this when it squeaked as I ate it!

I followed the instructions to broil the veggies but my broiler was really hot.
They are crispier but taste good.
This made two meals.

Martha Cooking #9

These are my HelloFresh meals (made seven dinners and four breakfasts) for the first week of March. When I show a plate or bowl it is for one meal, I am noting if it made two or more meals for me. 

HelloFresh Zucchini Pomodoro Penne Bake

with Mozzarella & Herbed Ricotta. 
This is shown in the casserole dish. The recipe fed me four meals. 

HelloFresh Bagel which I topped with 
Avocado, Egg, Bean Sprouts, and Bacon.
Nice soft bagel and the rest is yummy.
Four bagels so four different breakfasts; one shared with my Granddaughter who just wanted cream cheese.

HelloFresh Sweet & Tangy Hoisin Pork Meatballs

over a Gingery Sweet Potato & Green Bean Jumble. 

These were delicious for two dinners.

This is my homemade Tortilla Cream Cheese with Green Onion Pinwheels.
I had a quarter of cream cheese left that I was afraid would go bad.
I made two tortillas with filling and sliced for snack. 

MarthaE Cooking #8

These are my HelloFresh meals (made seven dinners) from the end of February. 

HelloFresh Cranberry Thyme Chicken

with Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Carrots & Onion.

I am learning to enjoy the roasted vegetables!
The sauce for the chicken was good too.

HelloFresh Brown Sugar Bourbon Pork Chops,

with Apple Pan Sauce, Scallion Mashed Potatoes & Broccoli.
Mine doesn't look quite like the photo.
My apples were darker and I cut my meat in bite size pieces rather than the pretty slices.

And my broccoli was a bit too well done, although it was still tasty. 

HelloFresh Garden Spinach Ricotta Ravioli
with Zucchini Ribbons, Tomato & Creamy Lemon Sauce.
My servings never look quite like the photos but they are still good!
I only had one small tomato for this so it is lost in the picture. 
I enjoyed the zucchini but I didn't plate the ribbons as well. 
Still, this was a bit easier cooking and I sure liked the ravioli and sauce. 

MarthaE Cooking #7

These are my HelloFresh meals (six dinners with extra steak for a lunch too) plus a pastry for a valentine week. I am getting a little better at the timing so it isn't taking me twice as long, just a little longer.  The meals are still tasty and interesting. 

HelloFresh Everything Bagel Avocado Toasts

with Balsamic Mixed Greens & Grape Tomatoes.

I figure the avocado and greens balance out the Sourdough toast.
This was a breakfast pick but I ate it for dinner - it was quick to fix. 

This is my own creation based on You Tube versions.
 Boursin Black Truffle and Sea Salt Cheese Pastry - before cooking and when ready.
I made this for a lunch gathering at church. I used melted cheese as a dip which was good too.
Next time I might use a cream cheese and jam for more dessert flavors.

HelloFresh Prosciutto & Apple Arugula Salad,

with Feta, Pecans, Balsamic Glaze & Olive Toasts.
The toast is Ciabatta.
This is a lunch item again used for dinner as it only took 10 minute to fix. 

Sadly the Arugala didn't look fresh when I went to make this. I used some olives instead. 

HelloFresh Taverna Steak and Dilly Potato Wedges
with Zucchini-Onion Jumble & Tzatziki (salted yogurt and cucumber dip).
The dip adds a lovely flavor to the meal!

MarthaE Cooking #6

These are my HelloFresh meals for early February. It is still taking me longer than they say to do the prep and cooking but I am enjoying the cooking and the flavors. I listen to audio books while cooking which is a plus for me. 

Mexican-Style Beef & Bean "Lasagna".

This uses tortillas instead of noodles.

It was very good and provided six servings for me.

Sweet & Spicy Rainbow Edamame Rice Bowls,

with Cabbage, Carrots & Sesame Dressing.
I can't say "edamame" right but I do like it and this was an easy dish to make.

Creamy Cilantro Steak Bowls,

with Garlic Lime Rice & Charred Green Pepper...plus Jalapeño (to taste).

I like steak and cilantro. The sauce was wonderful and a couple of Jalapeño slices was enough to add just a bit more flavor.

This is HelloFresh Bacon which is nice and thick with two poached eggs I made for Saturday breakfast.

Creamy Dreamy Mushroom Cavatappi, with scallions & Parmesan.

This was easy to fix and another yummy dish for three meals for me.

MarthaE Cooking #5

Here are more of my HelloFresh dishes for weeks three and four of January. It does take me 30 to 45 minutes to cook but I get to listen to audio books while cooking so that is just fine.

Banh Mi-Style Meatball Bowl with Pickle Cuke Salad and Ginger Rice.
My fridge sort of froze the cucumber and my bowl doesn't show the rice. Still, it was a delicious dish.

One-Pan Cheesy Beef Tortilla Melts with Green Pepper  & Spicy Cream Sauce.

This was pretty easy to make and something I really like.

Spicy Maple Chicken with Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Roasted Green Beans.
This was enough food to provide three meals instead of just two. 

Vegan Thai Coconut Ginger Curry
with Bell Pepper, Green Beans, Peanuts & Lime Rice.
The nice thing about the portions of ingredients is I can use all or less of a seasoning, like the curry, to match my own tastes. This lets me experiment a little to discovery how I like the flavors. 
I'd be glad to eat this one again too.

The plan comes with a free breakfast choice. I like these Belgian waffles - I get four for the week.

I added a small serving of scrambled egg with potatoes left over from a prior meal. 

MarthaE Cooking #4

I am still enjoying cooking my HelloFresh dishes each week.
These were the first two weeks of January:

HelloFresh Sweet Thai Chili Burger and Sweet Potato Fries

HelloFresh Sweet and Spicy Avocado Toast with Feta - Yummy!

HelloFresh Monterey Jack Un-fried Chicken (panko coating with cheese)

Hello Fresh Jammy Bacon & Gouda Melt 
with caramelized onion & potato wedges.
This is another one I really liked since I am a bacon and cheese lover. 

I am enjoying the cooking and learning seasonings and add ons. 
I am also enjoying the fact that all the ingredients (other than oil and butter and basics like sugar, salt and pepper) are provided in the package. Also, I don't have to go shopping and I am not wasting food. 

MarthaE Cooking #3

I have continued to cook through the holidays so here's what's been cookin' in my kitchen.
Before Christmas:

HelloFresh Tex-Mex Enchiladas.

Puff pastry Mini Cheesecakes, some plain and some with cherry topping.

I made package sugar cookies for Christmas too but forgot to take a picture. 
I gave them to the family in baggies as a stocking treat and they liked them enough to take the rest home!

Egg salad with avocado and cheese on the side.

I was surprised that I went to six cookbooks and could not find a recipe for simple egg salad. I ended up getting a recipe on line.

HelloFresh Chicken Sausage Spaghetti Bolognese
I made this Christmas Eve as a nod to my mother who always made a sausage dinner on Christmas Eve which could keep if my father was late doing his last minute Christmas shopping.

The Week after Christmas:

HelloFresh Sesame Soy Beef Bowl
and

HelloFresh Italian Chicken & Pepper Sandos

The cooking times are a bit longer for me since cooking is still new to me. But I am enjoying the time, creativity and good flavors. I am also learning cooking techniques and ingredients and seasonings. AND - I have lost eight pounds in the past month!

MarthaE Cooking #2

I had more cooking to do this week. First my two dinners (at least four meals for me).
Spicy Peruvian Chicken (includes Jalapeno) with fluffy rice. I didn't use as much Jalepeno as was available. Behind my bowl is the picture from the HelloFresh instructions. I need a wider bowl that will allow the rice bedding to be seen. 

And
Pub-Style Shepherd's Pie which made four portions for me instead of just two meals. This took a bit longer to cook for me but it is very tasty. 

I spent 5-6 hours on Saturday cooking. After making the Sheperd's Pie I did baking for a Woman's Club Cookies and Sweets Exchange on Sunday. This year I made Applesauce Oat Cookies...

and Ricotta and Jam Pastries.

I'm actually wondering if I should just make some regular sugar cookies. But I wouldn't have time to decorate them for tomorrow before the event.

Bon appétit!!

New to Me - Cooking (Instead of Reviews)

I have been spending some time cooking instead of writing reviews. I decided to share this new journey.

Those who have been around my blog for a while know that my husband was our cook. I have had to feed myself since his death on May 1, 2022. The easy and favorite recipes are pigs in a blanket, cheesy quesadilla, bacon and eggs, creamed dried beef, and packaged mix salads. I gathered recipes last year for sloppy joes, parmesan chicken, and keto broccoli cauliflower rice casserole. Then I made snacks and Christmas cookies last year: Pesto parmesan chips, almond bark drops, and Snowball Christmas cookies.

Over this past year I have tended to buy salads and single microwavable meals. I had to help cook while in Illinois in October and November. In addition to several of the favorites noted above, I made pancakes and spaghetti pie, which I hadn't made in years but is a fun dish and a hit with the kids (and my son).

As I returned home, I decided to try Hello Fresh for cooking better meals for myself. Over the past two weeks I have had four meals for eight dinners.  They provide all the ingredients and they are easy to make with full instructions. I get free breakfast items too.  (If anyone might be interested, email me at mesreads@gmail.com. I can send a link that has discounts to try, and also gets a credit for me inviting.)
Here are pictures of my meals so far:

Zucchini & Tomato Flatbreads with yummy lemon ricotta cheese!

Moo Shu Pork Bowls (red cabbage and scallions) with fluffy rice.

Onion Crunch Chicken with honey dijon dressing (plus cheese), mashed potatoes and roasted green beans.

Sweet Chili Beef and green bean bowls, again with fluffy rice and fried onion topping.

I was in the cooking mood last weekend and decided to experiment with some puff pastry recipes.
I made ham and cheese with herb and garlic cheese spread pinwheels which I took to a Christmas event on Tuesday night. They were a hit.

Then I made a cherry with cream cheese puff pastry which I shared for dessert and snack treat at work.

I plan to continue the Hello Fresh plan for a time and I will be doing some Christmas cooking over the next few weeks. I will share the photos with you!