Amanda Kruse RD, CD
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Semi-homemade Recipes
to Enjoy and Share

Everything But The Bagel Baked Fish

3/26/2021

1 Comment

 
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A few years ago (and okay, let's be honest today still) TJ's Everything But The Bagel Seasoning was #AllTheRage. This recipe is deliciously simple and a great addition to a salad, as the fish becomes so flavorful! 

Today there are plenty of brands making this blend, but I'd just caution you when making this dish that while I'm usually a huge cheerleader for salting your food, the salt within the two seasonings used is plenty here.
Ingredients
  • Your choice of fish
  • Everything But The Bagel Seasoning
  • Lemon Pepper
  • Flour
  • Garlic Powder
  • Pepper

Instructions
  1. Thaw salmon or fish of choice. We used Swai, a whitefish.
  2. In a large bowl, make a 4:1 mixture of Everything But The Bagel Seasoning + Lemon Pepper. Stir in 4 Tbsp flour (enough to "coat" the seasonings), then garlic powder & pepper to your preference. Drizzle with olive oil and stir to combine until distributed evenly/ lumps removed. Set Aside.
  3. In a separate bowl, scramble 2-3 eggs. Set Aside.
  4. Remove fish from packaging & pat dry with paper towel. Coat with egg, then coat with seasoning mixture. Be sure to coat fish completely.
  5. Place fish on oiled baking sheet and bake at 400* for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until fish reaches internal temp of 145* & seasoning has browned.
1 Comment

BBQ Pork 'n Bean Stuffed Peppers

1/12/2021

2 Comments

 
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A few years ago my significant other got REALLY into smoking meats -- we even coined 2019 as "year of the smoker". Of course, it'd be a waste to smoke a <15lbs at once, so we quickly took advantage of the deep freezer and new recipes using these delicious smoked meats he'd lovingly get up to check on in the middle of the night.

​You can only eat so many BBQ pork sandwiches and salads, so we added to ramen, tacos, and these super easy stuffed peppers which can be enjoyed with meat you've smoked at home or purchased pre-cooked from the store.
Ingredients
  • About 10oz Pulled pork, cooked and shredded
  • 1 can Kidney beans, drained 
  • 3 bell peppers
  • Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ (or sauce of choice) - to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon Chili powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Garlic powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Onion powder
  • 1/2 cup Water
  • 3/4 cup Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)

Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 375*F.
  2. In a large bowl, combine pork and kidney beans. 
  3. Add BBQ sauce and seasonings; mix with hands thoroughly and set aside.
  4. Halve bell peppers and remove seeds.
  5. Grease baking dish, then lay peppers cut-side up into pan.
  6. Fill each pepper with seasoned pork and bean mixture.
  7. Pour water into bottom of pan, around peppers.
  8. Cover with foil and cook for about 30 minutes or until filling is hot and peppers are tender. 
  9. For crispy pork pieces, use last 5 minutes of cook time to broil peppers.
  10. Sprinkle with sharp cheddar (optional).
2 Comments

One-pan Pierogi

1/5/2021

1 Comment

 
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I grew up in Wyandotte, MI - a city filled with those of Polish heritage. My great grandparents were from Poland and built their home in Wyandotte, which we later called home after their passing. I was part of the Rogalin Dance Troupe which practiced at the local PRCUA - also home to BINGO, tumbling classes, an event space, and a bar as any good midwestern PRCUA hall would.

At the Holidays, pierogi, kielbasa, and chrusciki (Angel Wings) were always on the table. While my Mom's side made homemade kielbasa, we always purchased our pierogi from local markets. When I am back home it's a treat to be able to taste the handmade pierogi (my favorites are potato cheddar, loaded potato, and mushroom). While I wait for that next trip, the freezer section will have to suffice. We've found that Fresh Thyme brand and Mrs. T's are both quite delicious as a main course or side dish!
Ingredients
  • 1 pound Pierogi 
  • 2 cups Mixed peppers and onions, frozen -or- 2 bell peppers, sliced + 1/2 large yellow onion, sliced
  • 1-2 Tablespoons Olive oil

Instructions
  1. If your pierogi are frozen, follow directions on package to thaw. This usually asks you to boil them but you can definitely add water and pierogi to a microwave-safe dish and microwave for a couple of minutes to thaw.
  2. In a large pan, sauté peppers & onions in oil until onions become translucent.
  3. Add pierogi to pan with a little drizzle of oil.
  4. Cook on medium heat until pierogi start to become golden brown in color. 
  5. Enjoy topped with sour cream or plain Greek yogurt.
1 Comment

Crescent Roll Breakfast Bake

12/31/2020

1 Comment

 
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Eggs are a delicious and nutritious addition to this Crescent Roll Breakfast Bake. It's a great Sunday morning recipe since this dish stores well in the fridge and can be reheated for an easy weekday breakfast.

Plus, it can be customized based on the ingredients you have in your fridge -- the only 2 items you'll "need" are eggs and a package of crescent rolls! 
Ingredients
  • 1 package Crescent rolls
  • 6 eggs
  • 1 cup Sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup Marinara sauce (optional)
  • Basil, fresh or dried
  • Rosemary, fresh or dried
  • Thyme, fresh or fried
  • Additional toppings of your choice (optional)
    Ideas include: cooked bacon slices, thinly sliced mushrooms, peppers, or tomatoes
    ​
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400*F.
  2. Spay baking sheet with non-stick spray.
  3. Roll crescent roll dough out flat onto greased baking sheet. Press any perforations together. Roll edges up slightly for your “crust”.
  4. Optional: Add thin layer of marinara sauce across crust.
  5. Crack 6 eggs onto crust, evenly spaced
  6. Sprinkle sharp cheddar or other cheese of choice around the yolks, then top with herbs.
  7. Bake for about 20 minutes or until whites of egg are firm and yolks are semi-soft.​
1 Comment

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

12/31/2020

2 Comments

 
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Black Bean and Corn Salsa was a farmers market recipe demo staple when I worked for MSU Extension. The option to use canned or fresh ingredients makes this very accessible, plus it can be easily customized -- sometimes I’d add black eyed peas, bell peppers, or diced onion. This time I went with what I had on hand.

Enjoy with chips, as a summer side dish with burgers, as a topper on tacos, or as a tasty plant-protein filling for quesadillas! 
Ingredients
  • 1 can Black beans
  • 1 large Tomato, diced -or- 1 small can diced tomatoes, drained
  • Kernels from 1 cob of corn -or- 1/2 can, drained
  • 1 Serrano pepper (leave seeds for more spice!)
  • 1 Tablespoon Garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons Onion powder -or- 1/2 Red onion, diced
  • 2 teaspoons Cumin
  • 2 Tablespoons Olive oil
  • 1 Tablespoon Vinegar
  • Kosher salt, pinch
  • Cilantro, to taste

Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, combine all items above
  2. Enjoy immediately or, for more flavor, cover and refrigerate for an hour to allow ingredients to marinate.
2 Comments

Baked Cinnamon Apples

12/31/2020

0 Comments

 
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I love apples, but with just the two of us it seems like getting through a whole bag from the grocery is a feat we rarely win. Double this in the fall, when we're supporting our local orchard and have (what seems like) one of every variety piled into our fruit bowl.

These apples are absolutely delicious on Baked Oatmeal, Greek yogurt, ice cream, or just in a bowl by themselves. 
Ingredients
  • 5 medium Apples, cored and chopped 
  • Cinnamon
  • Trader Joe’s pumpkin pie spice
  • 4 packets Splenda original sweetener
  • 2 Tablespoons Butter, salted
  • 1/4 cup Water

Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 425*F.
  2. Spray glass baking dish with non-stick spray.
  3. Toss apples into greased baking dish.
  4. Sprinkle apples with cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and Splenda Original.
  5. Distribute butter on top of apples, then add water.
  6. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes or more, until apples are tender/ to your liking.
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Shrimp Fajita Rice Bowls

12/30/2020

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Tex-mex is a favorite in our household and it's even easier when you use your favorite canned and frozen vegetables! 

While you could use any taco seasoning (or your own blend of spices) we used a sample of a locally-made seasoning we received from our friends at Dash Dinners. 

We thoroughly enjoyed this dish and hope you will too!
Ingredients
  • 2 cups Bell peppers, sliced and frozen
  • 1/2 large Onion, sliced
  • 1 Serrano pepper, sliced
  • 1 can Corn
  • 1 can Tomatoes diced with green chiles
  • Garlic
  • 2-4 cups of Rice, cooked (cook per directions on package)
  • 1 packet Taco seasoning
  • 1 pound Shrimp, precooked and frozen
  • Cilantro (for topping)

Instructions
  1. Sauté peppers and onions in a hot pan with olive oil and garlic, then push to one side of pan. Add corn to "empty" side of pan and heat through. Set aside to use as toppers.
  2. Cook rice according to directions on package.
  3. Thaw shrimp by soaking in water for 5-10 minutes, changing water as needed.
  4. In a large saute pan, combine canned tomatoes with taco seasoning. Simmer for 2-5 minute, then add thawed pre-cooked shrimp.
  5. Once shrimp is heated thoroughly, assemble rice bowls and enjoy!
0 Comments

Baked Oatmeal with Mixed Berry Topping

12/30/2020

3 Comments

 
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I’ve been making this baked oatmeal to keep in the fridge for breakfast for YEARS! Oatmeal is not only filling, it's a nice comfort food for cold mornings in the Midwest. The best part is that this recipe reheats really well in the microwave, so you can cook once and enjoy this for breakfast (or a late-night snack) all week long! I particularly love pouring a little cold milk over the warm oats in my bowl before adding the topping - just like my grandma used to do!

 I'll admit that I make it a little different each time, varying my spices and using whatever fruits I find in the fridge or freezer. Blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries work extremely well fresh or frozen.
 Ingredients
  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 4 cups milk
  • Cinnamon
  • Trader Joe's pumpkin pie seasoning
  • 1 cup Frozen berries
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 packet Splenda Stevia (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon Cornstarch (optional)

Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 350*F.
  2. Spray 8"x8" pan with non-stick spray.
  3. Prepare oats.
    1. Check the directions on your package, but this is a 2:1 of milk-to-oats using Bob's Red Mill Old Fashioned Rolled Oats.  
    2. Combine oats and milk in a mixing bowl, then season with cinnamon and pumpkin pie seasoning.
  4. ​Pour seasoned oat mixture into greased pan. 
  5. Bake uncovered until oats are soft and top is a firm (around 15 minutes).
  6. Prepare mixed berry topping.
    1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine frozen berries and water.
    2. Sweeten with Splenda Stevia for a less-tart topping.
    3. Simmer berry mixture until softened and berries start to break apart.
    4. For a thicker topping, add 1 tsp cornstarch and allow to simmer a couple of minutes longer.
    5. Set aside.
  7. ​Remove cooked oatmeal from oven and allow to cool.
  8. Cut and serve, top individual portions with mixed berry topping.
​
3 Comments

Baked Tostadas

12/30/2020

1 Comment

 
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Traditional Mexican tostadas consist of a fried corn shell, topped with beans, seasoned meat & other toppings. While these are a delicious option, this recipe uses a corn tortilla, seasoned with olive oil, sea salt, and chili powder and broiled to get a nice crunch!

There are so many ways to enjoy -- simple and topped with canned refried beans, lettuce, cilantro, and tomato; Piled high with black beans, seasoned pork, green onion, and cheese; Or just topped with seasoned ground beef and cheese. 
Bean Tostadas
Ingredients
  • 10 Corn tortillas
  • 2 cans Fat-free Refried Beans
  • Olive oil
  • Sea salt
  • Chili powder
  • Assorted vegetables, including chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, onion
  • Optional toppers: avocado, salsa, cheese, sour cream

Instructions
  1. Set oven to broil.
  2. Arrange tortillas on a baking sheet, then drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt and chili powder.
  3. Broil seasoned tortillas for 2-3 minutes or until edges start to brown (this happens pretty quick, so keep an eye on them!)
  4. Heat refried beans in microwave-safe dish.
  5. Assemble by spreading ~1/3 cup beans on tortilla then topping with veggies

Beef & Bean Tostadas
In addition to the ingredients above, you'll need 1 packet Taco seasoning, 1 pound 80/20 Ground Beef, and 1 Tablespoon of chopped garlic. Cook ground beef in skillet, seasoning with taco seasoning and garlic. Set aside. Follow instructions above and add ground beef during the assembly step!
1 Comment
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    Hello!

    I'm glad to be able to share some of my favorite semi-homemade recipes with you here. I hope that they provide you with some inspiration to get into the kitchen (and are simple enough that you won't have to be in there too long)!

    One day more recipes may be on the way, but until then I hope you find some new faves here (or from the vault). 

    ~ Amanda 

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Amanda Kruse MS, RD, LD, FAND

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