Nifty Notion #10: Tuna Stuffed Tomatoes

Today's Nifty Notion is brought to us by the lovely Rebekah at We Live Inspired. Thanks for coming over and helping me out today! If you haven't yet visited her pages of inspired living be sure to do so. You will find lots of great tips, money saving ideas, amazing poems, and stories that will warm your heart. 

Without further ado, here she is to teach us a new recipe...


I am happy to be here at my dear friend Lizzy's blog today! The way we met was one of those serendipitous things where we both happened to be in the same place at the same time in an online forum. We were both brand new bloggers at the time, and we have so much in common that we became fast friends! I am blessed beyond measure to have Lizzy as a friend, as she is one of those true blue people you can count on. You may already have gathered this from reading her wonderful blog posts that are filled with so much heart :).   

  Today I am sharing a garden fresh healthy recipe that is easy to throw together for those days where you just can't be bothered (as Lizzy often puts it). Our new neighbor has a vegetable garden and he was kind enough to give us some fresh ripe tomatoes right off the vine. We only had 2 large tomatoes, (a perfect dinner for 2) , so this was the perfect way to use them! My mom made these for us during the summers when I was growing up.    


Tuna Stuffed Tomatoes   

Ingredients:

1. 1-4 tomatoes (depending on size you will be able to stuff up to 4 tomatoes with this recipe) - 1 tomato per person you are feeding :)
2. 1 can of flaked tuna fish (I like the kind packed in water instead of oil)
3. 2-3 Tablespoons of salad dressing or mayonnaise. (I use a salad dressing called Miracle Whip-it's popular in the USA) If you are on a health conscious diet , use lowfat.
4. chopped onion-however much you like. I typically throw in a couple of Tablespoons. Any variety of onion works well (even green onion), but I used a regular onion for this recipe.
5. Chopped celery
6. coarsely ground black pepper- I like using a pepper mill with pepper corns in it, but any pepper will do.
7. Parmesan Cheese ( I used the pre grated powder like Parmesan cheese, but you can use any kind you like)- I add about 1 Tablespoon.
8. Shredded cheese of choice-I used colby jack
9. lettuce or fresh spinach leaves-optional

It is so simple! All we are essentially doing is stuffing fresh tomatoes with tuna salad. If you REALLY can't be bothered ;) , you can make your tuna salad very basic (no chopping needed) and just use the tuna, mayo/dressing, and salt and pepper to season if you like.   

Directions: With a knife, carve a circle off the top of each tomato and remove. (Think of when you carve a pumpkin to make a jack o' lantern and are carving the top off to take the filling out.) Scoop out the core and seeds. Set aside.

   

Making the tuna salad- Drain can of tuna. In a small bowl add the tuna, chopped onion and celery, mayo/salad dressing, pepper and parmesan cheese. Mix until well combined. Fill tomatoes to overflowing with the tuna mixture. While I didn't use lettuce today, it makes a nice presentation to serve the stuffed tomatoes on a bed of lettuce or baby spinach leaves! Top each tomato with shredded cheese. Now it's ready to eat! I find it to be pretty filling and will eat this dish by itself. Surprisingly, my meat and potatoes guy even liked it! You can't normally get him to eat tomatoes unless they are on a hamburger :D.  

            
What is your favorite way to use garden fresh tomatoes?

Click here for more nifty notions

Nifty Notion #8: Pumpkin Soup (dairy free)

Whether the weather is just warming up or cooling down, this recipe makes an ideal meal that’s quick and easy with minimal preparation required.

Dairy Free Pumpkin Soup, Lizzy Style

Serves 5-6

Before we begin I have to say that I rarely measure things exactly and often make it up as I go along – adding a splosh of this and a handful of that. This is one such meal. I will do my best to give quantities but they are really only an approximation.

You will need:

1/3 large pumpkin (I use Kent or Jap)

3-4 medium potatoes

1 medium to large onion

5-6 small garlic cloves

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 litre water

1 cup red lentils

1 tablespoon mixed dry herbs

1-2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (I’m not really sure of the quantity here – I give the bottle a hearty shake and then a bit more. I guess it’s up to individual taste)

½ desert spoon honey

Salt to taste

How to:

1. Roughly chop pumpkin and potatoes into chunks. Peel and quarter onions. Peel garlic and cut in half.
2. Put in large saucepan with oil. Cook (stirring occasionally) until onion softens and pumpkin and potato begin to brown.
3. Add water, lentils, herbs, sauce, honey and salt.
4. Cover and bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer (stirring occasionally) until everything is well cooked and quite soft.
5. Blend with a stick blender until smooth.
6. Serve and Enjoy!!

Click here for more Nifty Notions

Nifty Notion #6: Breakfast Smoothie

Ever have days when you slept in and just don’t have time to eat breakfast? Ever wake up and just can’t be bothered? If you’re like me you’ll be nodding. But skipping brekkie leaves me feeling pretty ‘blah’ for the rest of the day. 

Here’s my solution to a quick meal-on-the-run come meal-you-have-when-you-know-you-must-but-can’t-be-bothered. It’s great for other times too!

Breakfast Smoothie

Serves 1

You will need:

1 large or 2 small banana/s.

1 egg (raw)

1 teaspoon of honey

A dash of Vanilla

Cinnamon

Milk (of your choice – I use rice milk)  

How to:

1. Peel and blend banana/s.
2. Add egg, honey, a dash of vanilla, (and a pinch of cinnamon if so desired) and blend until smooth
3. Top up with milk to required level (I use a 500ml cup – so top up the banana mix to about that) and blend again.
4. Pour into cup and top with a light sprinkle of cinnamon
5. Enjoy!

Tip:

For extra goodness, add a spoonful or two of fibre mix at step 2.

PS - Did you click on the link next to the milk (in the ingredients list)? A real Aussie TV ad, good for a giggle :)

For other nifty notions click here

Nifty Notion #5: Super Simple Guilt Free Ice Cream

This is so yummy. So simple. So (actually) good for you!

Banana, Mango, Coconut 'Ice Cream'.

Serves 3-4

You will need:

2-3 bananas

2 mangos

½ cup desiccated coconut (optional)

chopped fruit - ready to freeze

How to:

1. Slice and dice fruit into small pieces.
2. Spread evenly in a single layer in a container or on a tray.
3. Freeze.
4. Once frozen, place chopped fruit (with coconut) into a food processor and blend until smooth.
5. Scoop into bowls.
6. Devour!!! (In the most lady-like/gentlemanly manner of course!)

yes, it was as good as it looks!

Tips:

• The most basic ‘ice cream’ can be made with banana only. You can experiment with whatever fruits you so desire but it is important to use banana as the base - otherwise the consistency may be too thin and runny.

• Once made, it is best to consume the entire quantity straightaway. Only blend up as much as is needed at the time.

Experiment, have fun, and report back here with all successful (i.e. delicious) blends!

For more nifty notions click here



linked with 

Nifty Notion #2: Simple Meal Idea - Nachos

This one is a family favourite around here. Most of you are probably familiar with what’s involved. I am going to share how we like to make them. It’s quick, it’s simple, and makes minimum mess too (bonus points for that!).

You will need:

1-2 packets of plain corn chips (depending how many mouths you need to feed)

1 jar salsa (we like mild)

1 tin brown lentils

Grated cheese

Fresh herbs

1-2 Avocados

Salad greens of your choice

What to do:

1. Preheat oven to 180^oC/ 350F
2. Drain and rinse lentils. Place in a small mixing bowl and stir in salsa.
3. In a large baking dish (I’m feeding a family of boys here) place a layer of corn chips.
4. Top with a third of the lentil and salsa mix. Sprinkle on some cheese.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you have about 3 layers worth or have used up all the ingredients.
6. Cook until cheese has melted.
7. Top with fresh herbs. (We like to use parsley, shallots, and oregano from our garden).
8. Mash avocado.
9. Serve with a generous dollop of avocado on top and salad on the side.
10. Enjoy!

My dinner tonight. Yummo!

For more nifty notions click here.

Nifty Notions

A few folk have asked me recently, “How do you do it?” The ‘it’ referring to raising a family, keeping house, and dealing with CFS.

The simple answer is one day at a time and God!

In practical terms I have learned how to cheat (gasp!). I would love to live in an always organised, mostly tidy, feel-free-to-drop-by-at-any-time-and-I-will-not-be-embarrassed house. However this is just not reality. Over the years I have come up with a few simpler ways of doing the house work; or rather coping strategies for days when it is all too much.

Sometimes providing a meal for the family can also be a draining task. Take-out is not only expensive, but does not tend to be overly healthy either. As a family we have come up with a few favourites for such occasions.

A little light bulb came on (in my head) the other day. Why not share these things? Well…why not! I know I am not alone in this and have been grateful for friend’s suggestions over the years.

Consequently I am creating a new page to share my discoveries with you.  

Stay tuned for Nifty Notion #1…