Oatmeal

Next up in the exciting installment of breakfast choices: Instant Oatmeal! Whether you splurge and get Quaker instant oatmeal, or go for the generic no name brands, this is a quick, healthy option. See below for the recipe.

Instant Oatmeal
-1 packet instant oatmeal
-2/3 cup water

1. Open the packet of oatmeal, and empty into a microwave safe bowl. Be careful not to spill.
2. Add the water. There is no need to stir, but you overachievers can if you desire.
3. Place bowl (with the oatmeal and water mixture inside) in the microwave.
4. Cook for approximately 45 seconds on high power. The exact settings depend on your own microwave. Some might require a bit more, some a bit less. If it is still a little watery, you cook it for more. If it is burnt and smoking, you should have cooked it for less time. Remember that in the future.
4.5. Remove from the microwave.
5. Stir, as this will get the flavoring evenly distributed.
6. Eat with a spoon and enjoy! Do be careful as sometimes it is quite hot after removing from the microwave.

Number of points: 6.43

--Dustin

Roasted Thighs 'n' Peppers

8 chicken thigh (abut 1 1/2 lbs.)

4-6 garlic cloves, halved

3-4 new potatoes, quartered

1 red pepper, seeded, cut lengthwise into 1/2" strips

1 green pepper, seeded, cut lengthwise into 1/2" strips

1 onion, cut into wedges

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1-2 tbsp. olive oil

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  In a 9 X 13" baking dish, lightly coated with cooking spray, toss all ingredients with oil and spread in a single layer.  Roast, uncovered, until vegetables are tender-crisp, about 30 minutes.  Turn chicken and vegetables and cook until chicken is no longer pink in the center, 15-20 minutes longer.  Arrange on a heated platter and serve immediately. 

Sticky Garlic Chicken Skewers

Prepare the night before and cook when you want them.  Great as a meal or appetizer.

Garlic Honey Marinade

3 Garlic cloves, crushed

2 Tbsp. honey

1/4 cup ketchup

1/4 cup worcestershire sauce

2 tsp dijon mustard

2 tsp tabasco sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts cut in thin strips

Toss chicken in marinade and stir until well coated.  Transfer to a non-metallic dish; cover and marinate overnight.

Preheat broiler to high.  Thread chicken onto skewers.  Arrange on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil for 6-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until well browned and cooked through.  These can also be grilled on the barbecue for 5-6 minutes.

Bill's Noodles for Chinese Food

1 tsp Canola oil

3 cups steam fried-noodles--Farkay brand best (not egg noodles)

1/2 tsp. sesame oil

Using a strainer rinse noodles under hot water and let sit for about 10-15 minutes.  (It's best to rinse the noodles 2-3 times during the 15 minutes)  Heat oil in a wok (400 F) and stir fry until some of the noodles are browned and crispy.  Serve under Cantonese Chow Mein, Beef and Broccoli, etc.

Uncle Beelie's Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

1-2 cups thinly sliced leftover beef (BBQ steak or a lean roast) 

4 cups broccoli spears and stems - cut stems about 1/8" thin=ck, don't use too much stalk

1/4 cup sliced onion

2 cubes or envelopes beef bouillon

1 Tbsp. cornstarch

1/2 tsp. sesame oil

1 1/3 cups hot water

1 clove garlic minced

6-10 shakes Soya sauce

2 Tbsp canola oil

6-8 sliced mushrooms, optional

salt

Combine the beef bouillon with the hot water and dissolve.  Add 6-10 shakes of soya sauce until liquid has a good STRONG flavor.  Mix in the cornstarch and set aside.  If making noodles, make now. (Bill's Noodles for Chinese Food recipe)  Stir fry salted beef, mushrooms and garlic in oil (400F in a wok) until lightly browned--must be browned to give everything a good flavor.  Add broccoli and onions and stir fry until broccoli is brght green and moist.  Add liquid and stir until it thickens a bit.  Serve immediately-do not overcook.  Tastes great over noodles or rice. 

Toast

In order to continue offering more breakfast options, I am putting this in here. It's very easy and low cost!

Toast
-2 slices of bread
-topping (jelly, butter, cinnamon, etc...)

1. Put the bread into the toaster.
2. Select desired amount to toast the bread. This is usually on a scale of 1-5 or so. 1 will barely cook the bread, and 5 will turn it black. Somewhere around 3 is good.
3. Depress the lever to make the toast descend into the toaster.
4. Wait
5. CAUTION!!! When the toast pops up, it will be quite warm. Please do not burn yourself.
6. Apply the topping of your choice.
7. Put on a plate and enjoy!

Serves 1, (and for those of you who keep track, it is 29 points).

--Dustin