March / April Meals

It’s been a busy March + April. I’ve forgotten some of the meals I cooked or I can’t remember what I put in the dishes, so I’m combining together this post to include all of March and April’s meals. There were a few new dishes I’ve never cooked before that were fun to try out, but also some that have now become a favorite. If you’re looking for something new to try, definitely check out the Beef + Broccoli, as well as the Baked Feta Pasta.

Breakfast

Birthday Cake Pancakes

Serious cravings for iHop birthday cake pancakes were happening for a couple of weeks, but I didn’t want to go eat out so I attempted my own. It worked a charm, and the cravings were gone. They were by no means the exact same, but they satisfied a craving.

I made them using Aunt Jemima Pancake MIx, added in some sprinkles, and drizzled over some homemade birthday cake icing. The icing was made with a simple bit of icing sugar, milk, and rainbow sprinkles.

Dinner

Chicken Thighs with Broccoli + Salad

I don’t use my air-fryer as much as I know I should, but one thing I love cooking in it is chicken. I cooked chicken thighs in it, and paired them with some parmesan broccoli. The broccoli can either be roasted in the oven after it’s tossed a little olive oil, black pepper, salt, crushed garlic and parmesan cheese, or simply put the same ingredients in a pan and fry it up. I served these with a side of garden salad. I alternately made this dish again and used rice-a-roni as a side. Both delicious combinations.

Mini Pizzas with Salad 

I don’t make this often, and I think the first time I ever made it many years ago I thought it was the best invention ever. I’m trying to cut down on heavy bread/dough so this was a good alternative. 

I grabbed two mini tortilla’s, pizza sauce, grated cheese, some veg mix (peppers + onion) and popped some cooked chicken on top. I baked them in the oven for about 12-15 mins and out they came. Drizzled with some garlic aioli, and served with a side garden salad.

Beef + Broccoli with Rice

This has become somewhat of a staple in our lives these days. There are two main meals that I love to get from a Chinese Take Out, and beef and broccoli is definitely one of them. I usually think about it often, but since making this dish at home, I haven’t even thought about ordering one. For those of you looking to make it yourselves, I got the recipe from thehealthyspoon.ie over on Instagram, and I highly suggest you go check it out.

Chicken Wings, Celery + Carrot Sticks

If you know me, you’ll know how much I love chicken wings. I could, and would, eat them by the bucket. Even when I’m so full and think I can’t eat anymore, I can always eat chicken wings. It’s like I have an extra stomach pouch just for them.

I enjoy making my own homemade. I use the wingettes and drumettes from Costco. I usually split them up, and have three ways I’ll do them, for some variety. First up we have our Nando’s Peri-Peri sauce. I use the medium. Let the wings and drumettes marinate in them for a few hours. Second we have a classic of salt and pepper, just make sure not to over do it on the salt, otherwise you’ll be chugging down some water afterwards. Third, we have a spin on the classic salt and pepper, I add in some grated parmesan cheese. The third option is honestly probably my favorite. I’ll cook them either in the oven or the airfryer, favoriting the airfryer as my chosen method. Paired with some celery and carrot sticks, and a little bit of blue cheese or ranch dip on the side.

Chicken Teriyaki 

I don’t think I have ever made chicken teriyaki before. I have to say my verdict is that I need to try it again. I feel like I mixed up some measurements perhaps or overcooked the chicken, so this is on my do try again soon list. If you want to check out the recipe, I also got this from thehealthyspoon.ie over on Instagram.

Beef Veg Oriental Mix

This came needing to get rid of some items in my freezer,and I was pleasantly surprised it turned out nice. Beef cubes,seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic salt and onion powder. Cooked with some mixed veg and green beans. Served with some Uncle Ben’s Oriental Rice. I drizzled some sweet chili sauce over the beef and veg mix for a little extra taste.

Baked Feta Pasta

It’s been everywhere. Everyone was talking about it. I held off while it was a faze but I really needed something for dinner one night and scrolled through my saved recipes and decided to give it a try. It was a lot better than I was expecting. I don’t eat much pasta and I’m hesitant when it comes to a lot of cheese in something (especially with Feta being the main ingredient) but the combination went so well together. I’ve tried this two or three times now, always with some leftovers for the weekdays too. There’s so many variations out there but I used one posted by feelgoodfoodieie over on Instagram.

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast with Parmesan Broccoli

Chicken – I would probably have it in some form a few times a week. Bacon, you just can’t go wrong with it. The two combined? It’s like heaven in my mouth. 

Sliced chicken breast open in half, without cutting all the way through. Mozzarella slices and spinach to fill up the middle of the chicken breast, the top folded back over. Wrapped in slices of bacon and secured with wooden cocktail sticks/toothpicks. Cooked in the oven for about 35 mins. In the meantime, I made parmesan broccoli as mentioned previously. I made it in the pan, it gives for softer broccoli rather than baked crunchy broccoli. 

Have you tried any new recipes lately that were a pleasant surprise?

❤