Meatless meals

Lent has begun. What are some of your favorite meatless meals to serve?

Moo Shu Beef Lettuce Cups

1 lb lean ground beef

1 c  yellow onion, thinly sliced

2 tbsp ginger root, fresh, minced

2 med garlic clove, minced

2 cup bok choy, thinly sliced

1 med sweet red pepper, thinly sliced

2 cup button mushrooms, thinly sliced

2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce

8 leaf bibb lettuce

Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and cook beef, onion, ginger and garlic over med-high heat for 5-7 minutes. Add bok choy, pepper, mushrooms and soy sauce; cook about 305 minutes. Spook about 1/2 c beef into each lettuce leaf. Yields 2 filled leaves per serving. Serve with extra soy sauce if desired.

George and I love it in the lettuce, but usually serve to the kids with tortillas.

This is a recipe from WeightWatchers.com.

I wanted to make Whoopie Pies today to take away with us skiing, and couldn't find our family recipe. I used this recipe from allrecipes.com: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Whoopie-Pies-VIII/Detail.aspx, it came highly recommended. But the cakes came out so flat, I can't possibly fill them. They looked more like chocolate pancakes or cookies. (Glad I hadn't already make the filling.)

Sisters, does anyone have our childhood recipe on hand ... or can anyone see what might be wrong with this one?

My bi-weekly client loves shrimp, but she keeps requesting the same 2 or 3 things (Baked Stuffed Scampi, Szechwan Shrimp (Eileen’s favorite), and Cajun Shrimp). I’d like to do something new. What are your favorite shrimp recipes?

Snow Pudding with Custard Sauce

Did anyone's mother make this? I would sit at the table watching my mother make this delicious dessert with much anticipation. I always had to add more of the custard sauce. I think of this recipe often and it brings me right back to that kitchen.

SNOW PUDDING WITH CUSTARD SAUCE

PUDDING:
1 envelope plain gelatin
1/4 c. cold water
1 c. hot water
3/4 c. sugar
1 egg
Juice of 1 lemon or 1/4 c. lemon juice

CUSTARD SAUCE:
1 egg yolk
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. cornstarch
1 c. scalded milk
Vanilla

Soak gelatin in water for 5 minutes. Add boiling water and sugar and stir until dissolved. Add strained lemon juice and chill until it begins to harden. Beat egg white until stiff and add to slightly thickened mixture. Beat whole mixture until spongy and chill until solid. Serve with Custard Sauce.

CUSTARD SAUCE: Beat together yolk, sugar and cornstarch. Add scalded milk to egg yolk mixture and heat until thickened, stirring all the time. Flavor with vanilla and let cool.

Car Bomb Cupcakes

This great recipe for cupcakes came across my e-mailbox on Saturday and I just had to make them for the Super Bowl. I love anything from the Smitten Kitten blog.

I shared the recipe with two friends at dinner on Saturday night and it got rave reviews.

Pam said: OK Ladies, I made these cupcakes and they are amazing. Pretty easy to make.....My sis is making them this weekend.

Thanks again for passing it on......

Another friend, who couldn't make the Super Bowl party due to a sick kid (pesky kids ;-) had one last night when she stopped at the host's house.

Lynne said: FORGET how was the weekend and Matt's health, do you have anymore of those cupcakes? OMG, Dawn gave me one after I dropped off the kids and I swallowed it whole. Wow, it was great!

Seriously, you have to try these cupcakes.

Healthy Meals

My husband and I are trying to lose a little weight and get in better shape, and be healthier, in general. I have been adding extra fruits and veggies to every meal I can. 

I'd love some of your favorite healthy meals. If they are kid-friendly, all the better!

Yesterday I made a big pot of vegetarian chili. Added lots of mushrooms, peppers, onions, carrots, tomatoes, beans, and cilantro. We'll be having tonight, I like to let it sit a day, if I can. I will be foregoing my favorite toppings of cheese and sour cream. I think I'll toast some tortillas to serve alongside rather than a nice crusty roll.

Look forward to seeing your great ideas.