Ham

My family loves ham. I usually make one at Thanksgiving along with the turkey. The thing to remember about ham is to pick the right one. When picking out a ham always pick the "butt" cut. It makes the best tasting ham. This is easy to make recipe. Remember a little ham goes a long way.

Ingredients

Ham - butt cut
Spicy mustard
Brown sugar

Video

Helpful Hints

Be generous with the coating and make sure you cover the entire ham. Follow the package time for cooking the ham, which usually is 20-25 minutes per pound at 325 degrees. You can freeze the leftover ham in freezer bags for future use. 

Ham is delicious with eggs for breakfast or cut up in a salad for lunch. Enjoy exploring the different ways you can use your ham.

Always remember to have fun in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2012

Easy Oven Bacon

I love bacon. I used to make bacon by frying it in the pan. Now I bake it in the oven. It's quick and easy.  

Ingredients

Bacon
Parchment Paper

Video

Helpful Hints

I make a couple of pounds of bacon ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for use during the week. Bacon is a great addition to many recipes - it's not just for breakfast anymore. Try adding it to salads and casseroles.

If you are on Atkins then just take a few slices, wrap it in a paper towel and microwave it for 30 seconds. It tastes perfect. You might want to cook it just slightly less done so it doesn't dry out.

Until next time - have fun in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2012

Easy Hard Boil Eggs

Sometimes the simplest of things seems difficult. Take for instance hard boil eggs. How long do you cook them? I hope this video helps makes hard boil eggs less difficult.

Ingredients:

Eggs
Water

Video: 


Make sure you set your timer for 11 or 12 minutes after your water comes to a full boil. Have your bowl ready with ice water when your timer goes off so that the cooking process will stop.

Cut your egg in half, slice a piece of cheese and top each half and microwave for about minute. It’s very yummy for breakfast.

You can use your hard boil eggs for so many things; egg salad, salads, and deviled eggs to mention a few.

Always remember to be creative and have fun in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2012

Cream Cheese Chicken

My husband went to a super bowl party one year and the hostess made these appetizers of chicken, cream cheese & bacon. He loved it so much he asked me to make them. I decided I would try it as a meal and make it bigger. The first time I made this dish, I realized it needed a sauce. The rest we say is history. My family loves this dish.

Ingredients:

Chicken breasts
Cream cheese
Salt, pepper, parsley
Cream of chicken soup
Water
Butter
Onion – 4 slices, minced

Video:

Helpful Hints:

When your chicken is in the boiler, turn the pan around for even cooking as well as flipping the chicken pieces so that all sides are crisp. This dish can be made ahead of time. Just don’t cook it after you added the sauce.

To make this dish Atkins friendly, just don’t cover it in the cream of chicken soup.

Enjoy, experiment and add your spin to this dish. Always remember to have fun in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2011

Root Beer Float - Atkins Friendly

I want to thank my friend Ginny for introducing me to this drink. It's easy, simple and yummy. The best part of this drink is if you are on Atkins it is something you can have with no guilt.

Ingredients:

Diet Root Beer
Heavy Cream


Video:


Helpful Hints:


Make sure your root beer is cold. You can use some ice either way but I found when your drink is cold it's better. If you like you can substitute diet cream soda for diet root beer - also very yummy. You can add whipped (which is also Atkins friendly) to top it off.

Just remember to enjoy whatever you make in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2011

Antipasto Platter

Arranging an antipasto platter can be very creative and fun. It’s a great way to start off an Italian meal and can take place of a salad.

Ingredients:

Fresh mozzarella balls
Cherry tomatoes
Green olives
Ham/Prosciutto
Bread sticks
Peperoncini
Artichoke hearts
Italian dressing

Video:


Helpful Hints:

Remember to do the bread sticks & prosciutto right before your guests arrive. You can add other meats like pepperoni and other cured meats to your tray. You can add other types of olives, provolone cheese. It can be as complex or simple as you like.

If you’re on an Atkins diet you can eat everything but the breadsticks.

I love how some of you have taken what you’ve seen here and made it your own. Being creative in the kitchen doesn’t have to be scary, it just has to be fun.

© Nadine Zawacki 2011

Swiss Chicken

Trying to balance my diet on Atkins has been challenging. The challenging part is coming up with recipes that are tasty and different. I love to experiment in the kitchen which is a good thing. Don’t be afraid to be adventurous.

Ingredients:

Chicken cutlets (chicken breast cut thin)
Italian salad dressing
Swiss cheese
Bacon crumbled

Video:


Helpful hints:
This can be served with fresh vegetables and a salad to keep it Atkins friendly. If you like add your favorite potato or rice dish.

Let me know if you tried this recipe and what you thought.

Always remember to have fun in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2011

Jalapeno Poppers

On doctor’s orders, I started the Atkins diet. It’s been good and encouraging. I’ve lost about 25 lbs. It’s a start but there is a long road ahead. One day at a time.

I love cooking but modifying dishes haven’t been easy. This appetizer is very tasty and I’ve made it before Atkins and it’s what I call, Atkins friendly.

Don’t worry. I’ll be making all types of recipes, but if it’s “Atkins friendly” I’ll let you all know.

Ingredients:

Jalapeno peppers
Cream cheese
Bacon

Video:


Helpful hints: Remember you can use small sweet peppers if you don’t like hot peppers. If you remove “all” of the seeds it won’t be very at all.

I hope you enjoy this recipe. No matter what you’re cooking, remember to have fun in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2011

Griot (Haitian Pork Shoulder) - Part I

This classic Haitian dish was a part of my childhood. My mom would make it this way. It quickly became one of Tom’s favorites. This video is the first step to a complete meal. To finish this meal I’ll be posting videos on how to cook: rice & beans, plantains & avocado salad.

Ingredients:

Pork Shoulder
Oranges
Lemons
Water

Video:


Helpful hints: Remember to check on the meat every half hour to 45 minutes. If the juices have dried up add more liquid to keep the meat moist. Turn the pork pieces a few times. Complete process can take about 2 to 3 hours.

© Nadine Zawacki 2011

Antipasto Salad

Antipasto means “before the meal” and is a traditional first course of formal Italian meals. I’ve included some of the components of traditional antipasto into salad form.

Ingredients:

Romaine lettuce
Black Olives
Green Olives
Artichoke hearts
Peperoncini
Hard Salami
Mozzarella/ Mozzarella wrapped in prosciutto
Roasted red pepper
Fennel

Video:


Helpful hints: You can substitute pepperoni instead of hard salami. You can add provolone cheese.

© Nadine Zawacki 2011

Juicy Lucy (Pork) – Part II

I want to encourage all of you to be creative with recipes. Change it up a bit. When I made the Juicy Lucy with beef it got me to thinking about using different types of meat. Tom and I were talking one night and we came up with this version.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground pork
4 slices onion (minced)
Pepper
Oil
Feta cheese
Rolls

Heat your pan, cook for 6-7 minutes on each side and make sure you don’t press the top of the burger while it’s cooking.

Video:


If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to let me.

To make this Atkins friendly eat it without bread. Instead add your favorite vegetable and a side salad.

© Nadine Zawacki 2011

Juicy Lucy – Part I

I watched a cooking show that featured this unique burger called the Juicy Lucy. Who invented it is in dispute, but the taste is not. It originated in South Minneapolis at either the 5-8 Club or Matt’s Bar. While watching the show it didn’t matter to me who invited it, it looked delicious. She I attempted to cook it.

The ingredients are:

1 lb ground beef (makes 3 burgers)
Cheddar & Provolone cheese
Rolls

Cook on each side for 6-7 minutes. Don't press down on the burger (it will plump) and flip it once.

Enjoy the following video presentation:


What’s great about a burger is making it your way. Add the type of cheese you like. I like mixing two different types of cheese but you may only like one. The same goes for the toppings. You can add tomatoes, lettuce, avocado, mushrooms, etc. I find that with the juiciness of this burger – less is better.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment.

*To make this Atkins friendly just lose the bun add your favorite vegetable and a side salad.

Up next is Juicy Lucy Part II - my variation made with pork.

© Nadine Zawacki 2011

Video shot by Candice Fowler