Name: LC Mac and Cheese with Ham and Broccoli
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 8 people
Ingredients: 1 lb whole wheat elbow macaroni; 2 TBS butter; 2 TBS all purpose flour; 3 C skim milk; 2 C shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided ); 4 oz cream cheese ((half a brick I use Neufchatel cheese as it has 1/3 of fat); 1/3 c shredded parmesan; 3-4 C broccoli florets; 1 lb cubed ham; 2 lg tomatoes - thickly sliced (drain slices on paper towels while mac and cheese bakes ); Salt and Pepper (to taste)

Spinach with Spunk

February 28, 2017 by Laura Kubicki Leave a Comment

Hi Guys!

One veg I often turn to in the winter months is Frozen Spinach. It’s quick, easy, good for you, and warm. Great side to throw next to just about anything and the amount of spinach you actually get in a freezer baggie is generous! I buy bags and bags of this stuff for sides as well as soup, stew, pasta, and egg additions!

And when I use it as a side – besides salt and pepper…we add a splash of…

Red Wine Vinegar.

Yep. I call it “Spinach with Spunk”! And that’s it. We just drip drops of “RWV” on top to taste. Nothing else. No fat. No cream. Just tons of spunky, tangy, flavor for about $1.49 a bag!

A friend of mine tried this idea the other day…ok folks – her youngest had TWO helpings.

Anyway, just a quick thought to share…in case you’re into the “tangy” type thing at dinner!

ps. Goes great with Mac and Cheese or Pot Roast…! Let me know what you think!

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Macaroni and Cheese with Ham and Broccoli

February 3, 2017 by Laura Kubicki

Hi Guys!

Holy cow – it’s FEBRUARY!! How in the world did that happen!

My dear readers and friends…I must confess. The truth is this hot, creamy, cheesy concoction was supposed to be posted in January for you, but low and behold – life happened. And so here we are the first of Feb and I’m finally getting this out…luckily it’s still cold outside and this meal is still drooling-ly delicious! Please forgive :o)!

So…let me ask. Is there anyone who doesn’t just love macaroni and cheese? My kids practically dive in and so, ahem…does Jason! However, being a stickler for veggies and lots of protein, I just feel a bit chintzy serving it plain as a main dish dinner – so I always use whole wheat pasta and add in ham, broc, and cheesy tomatoes…and just YUM! Plus you know with all those complex nutrients, dinner will last in their little tummies longer…hence no bedtime snack requests on this night!

Cream cheese creams this up beautifully and the parm adds a bit of a bite that just intensifies the flavor. This three cheese blend is warm, creamy, cheesy, and not too tangy for my kiddos tastebuds – but bursting with layers of flavor – and we all just gobble it up.

It’s a frequent meal in our home during the winter months and I always love getting the “YEA!!!” when I answer the “what’s for dinner” question!

Hope y’all enjoy it as much as we do! Thanks for visiting and please – if you like, SHARE!

XOXO

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LC Mac and Cheese with Ham and Broccoli

Macaroni and Cheese with Ham, Broccoli, and Tomato

Course

Main Dish

Prep Time

30 minutes

Cook Time

30 minutes

Passive Time

10 minutes

Servings

people

Ingredients

1 lb whole wheat elbow macaroni
2 TBS butter
2 TBS all purpose flour
3 C skim milk
2 C shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
4 oz cream cheese (half a brick I use Neufchatel cheese as it has 1/3 of fat
1/3 c shredded parmesan
3-4 C broccoli florets
1 lb cubed ham
2 lg tomatoes - thickly sliced drain slices on paper towels while mac and cheese bakes
Salt and Pepper to taste

Course

Main Dish

Prep Time

30 minutes

Cook Time

30 minutes

Passive Time

10 minutes

Servings

people

Ingredients

1 lb whole wheat elbow macaroni
2 TBS butter
2 TBS all purpose flour
3 C skim milk
2 C shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
4 oz cream cheese (half a brick I use Neufchatel cheese as it has 1/3 of fat
1/3 c shredded parmesan
3-4 C broccoli florets
1 lb cubed ham
2 lg tomatoes - thickly sliced drain slices on paper towels while mac and cheese bakes
Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook macaroni in salted water - whole wheat usually takes 7-9 minutes. Leave al dente as the mac will absorb cheese sauce as it cooks after prep in the oven. Add broccoli to boiling water in the last minute of cooking and drain well.
While pasta is boiling, melt butter in a separate pan and whisk in flour and S&P if desired. Once the butter and flour have been combined, add the milk all at once and mix well. Cook and whisk until slightly thickened and bubbly. Add 1.5 C of cheddar, Parmesan, and cream cheeses. Stir in until melted.
Add in cubed ham, broccoli and macaroni.
Transfer to casserole dish (or leave in same pan if it’s oven proof), and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes until hot and bubbly. Take out and place tomato slices on top. Sprinkle with S&P and remaining cheddar. Add a little more Parmesan if desired.
Return to oven for 5 minutes and let stand 10 min or so before serving. Serve with a side of cooked frozen spinach if desired. Enjoy!

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Turkey Tetrazzini – Laura Style!

November 25, 2016 by Laura Kubicki Leave a Comment

Laura's Choice Roasted Turkey Tetrazzini — Laura’s Choice Roasted Turkey Tetrazzini

GOBBLE GOBBLE! What happened! Turkey, er I mean Thanksgiving, flew in and out and now we have….

LEFTOVERS!

In addition to fresh turkey sandwiches smothered with a little mayo and cranberry chutney, crunchy romaine, and baby swiss cheese, on earthy, seedless, rye bread with a side of pickle spears…

I love to make Turkey Tetrazzini! Laura’s Choice Turkey Tetrazzini that is!

It’s a delicious, savory, creamy, way to finish off the last of that great bird…I add a few refreshing ingredients to lighten it up a bit – like freshly squeezed lemon juice, skim milk, dill, garlic powder, parsley, and a little veggie action – to “BAM! Kick it up a notch” thank you Emeril… (this time I added some left over stir fried asparagus I had on hand, lots of times I add broccoli – totally optional friends).

To veggie or not to veggie, that may be your question, but either way give this dish a try! I bet your “fam” will love it as much as mine! Toodles!

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Turkey Tetrazzini

A creamy, savory, scrumptious, casserole made with fresh roasted turkey and whole wheat noodles, in a white cheesy sauce that everyone will love!

Course

Main Dish

Prep Time

30 minutes

Cook Time

15 minutes

Servings

people

Ingredients

8 ounces linguine whole wheat
2 TBS butter
1/4 C all purpose flour
1/8 tps black pepper coarsly ground
1/8 tps nutmeg
1/4 tps dill
1/4 tps garlic powder
1 C chicken broth can use lower sodium
1 C skim milk
2 C roasted turkey cubed or shredded
2 TBS dry sherry
1/4 C Parmesan cheese
2 TBS fresh snipped parsley
1 C fresh asparagus or brocolli can be fresh, steamed, stir fried, or frozen. Optional.

Course

Main Dish

Prep Time

30 minutes

Cook Time

15 minutes

Servings

people

Ingredients

8 ounces linguine whole wheat
2 TBS butter
1/4 C all purpose flour
1/8 tps black pepper coarsly ground
1/8 tps nutmeg
1/4 tps dill
1/4 tps garlic powder
1 C chicken broth can use lower sodium
1 C skim milk
2 C roasted turkey cubed or shredded
2 TBS dry sherry
1/4 C Parmesan cheese
2 TBS fresh snipped parsley
1 C fresh asparagus or brocolli can be fresh, steamed, stir fried, or frozen. Optional.

Instructions

Collect all your ingredients ahead of time - makes a lot easier to prepare!
Cook linguine according to package directions.
Melt butter in hot pan
Stir in flour, pepper, nutmeg, dill, garlic powder
Add chicken broth all at once and stir well with a whisk
Add skim milk immediately after. Whisk in.
Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly
Add roasted turkey
Next, the dry sherry
and 1/4 C Parmesan cheese
and then the lemon juice, fresh parsley, and veggie if using
Mix well
Fold in linguine until the noodles are just smothered in the sauce!
Place mixture in a 9X13 inch baking dish, sprayed with cooking spray. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese and place in oven.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Sprinkle with additional parsley.
Um um good! Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

I love to serve this dish with a side of frozen spinach, but if you have extra time and want to jazz it up a bit more, try sautéing in a little olive oil and fresh minced garlic a bag of baby spinach or a bunch of hearty kale! Also, because we're produce freaks around here, I always serve salad on the side as well! Cheers!

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Three Ingredient Slow Cooker Pot Roast – To Die For!

October 28, 2016 by Laura Kubicki Leave a Comment

https://youtu.be/Y9AZmsw8Kpc

Hello my busy, fabulous, friends!

Fall is in full swing. Cooler temps rule and Halloween is right around the corner, as we all gear up to head smack into the holidays.

So before it all hits my dear readers, I want to give you an early gift. The gift of more time – all wrapped in a saucy, tender, mouthwatering, 3 ingredient, pot roast meal.

I submit to you that this may in fact be the easiest and most delicious slow cooker pot roast of all time…(and I’ve tried a lot of them)! Three ingredients friends…just 3!!!!!!!!!!

Heaven!

I promise friends, this recipe will quickly fill your house with a warm, savory, smell that will cause your family to gasp – Umm! What are we having for dinner??? That’s exactly what my brother and I used to say when we ran in on a chilly day after school and smelled this amazingly simple concoction!

Look at all that simmering flavor!

…And all you’ll need to do to plate this perfection is cook up some noodles or rice (I use whole wheat egg noodles most of the time – but have you seen the frozen, microwave in the bag rice that’s ready to go in 4 minutes with no clean up?) and a veggie side – usually frozen spinach in my house, and you’re all done…

Oh and while you’re at it, grab a quick glass of red to go with!

Enjoy everyone and thanks for visiting! And if you haven’t already…please don’t forget to subscribe to Laura’s Choice!

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Course

Main Dish

Servings

Ingredients

2-3 lbs Pot Roast bulky fat trimmed away
1 packet french onion soup mix Lipton’s has best flavor I think
8 ounce can of tomato sauce

Course

Main Dish

Servings

Ingredients

2-3 lbs Pot Roast bulky fat trimmed away
1 packet french onion soup mix Lipton’s has best flavor I think
8 ounce can of tomato sauce

Instructions

Coat slow cooker crock with cooking spray
Place trimmed pot roast inside cooker
Sprinkle with french onion soup seasoning mix
Cover with tomato sauce
Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours
Serve over egg noodles, rice, or potatoes.
I frequently have spinach on the side and horseradish for those who like it spicy!

Recipe Notes

**You can also add mushrooms, potatoes, and carrots to recipe if you want a little extra something in there! My family likes it best plain…:o)!

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So What Are YOU Having For Dinner?

September 23, 2016 by Laura Kubicki Leave a Comment

So friends! Here are some questions for you!

Do you ever stress out trying to come up with what’s for dinner every day? Sick of eating out?

Are there nights when extra curricular activities, work demands, or sudden out of town company derails your dinner designing?

Are you looking to eat “healthier”? Or maybe you’d like to get your kids to try something new, outside their world of chicken nuggets and pizza?

Maybe you’re a five o’clock “hmm, what are we going to do about dinner tonight” panic person? Or the opposite – a huge OCD Meal Planner (guilty)…who would just love to conveniently sprinkle in already prepped, healthy, and ready to make in a flash meals to turn to on your busiest of days…

Then…you SIMPLY MUST TRY THIS! Go to or host a Wildtree Freezer Meal Party (not an affiliate). So. Much. Fun!!!!!!

I’ve been to them, and I just hosted one last weekend (with my adorable friend Sarah), and it is just such a great experience every time!

Here’s what you do.

Step 1. Normal grocery shopping – convenient list provided by Wildtree!

Step 2. Prep your proteins the day before the party into ten freezer resealable bags.

Step 3. Attend/host party with your friends, sip refreshing drinks, chit chat, and nosh away on delicious Wildtree provided apps (thank you Sarah), while you finish adding the low sodium, organic, Wildtree Seasonings and Sauces to your prepped bags.

“Squish” or shake said ingredients together inside bags, add labels provided by Wildtree with simple cooking instructions, and take home to your freezer to be thawed and quickly cooked up later.

See for yourself…

Delivered to the host's door! — Delivered to the host’s door!

Party Apps and WT Display – thanks Sarah!

Final dinner packed complete with instructions for cooking!

Of course we had party favors... — Of course we had party favors…

And then I made one for dinner that night!

Wild Tree Mongolian Beef Stir Fry. I added lots of veggies, cause we're just like that here! — Wild Tree Mongolian Beef Stir Fry. I added lots of veggies, cause we’re just like that here!

And that’s it.

A fun social with friends where you come home with ten meals for your family ready to go. AMAZING and DELICIOUS meals. Right there. Done. Finished.

And the peace of mind…it feels so liberating…even for those of us who generally love to cook, the daily grind can always catch up. But with Wildtree dinners in your fridge – you’re ready to go!

10 ready made healthy meals in your freezer!

So click on this link if you want to check it out…and let me say again, this is NOT an affiliate link. It’s just a great idea I loved and had to share with you, in case it can help you too!

Of course this freezer meal concept can be just expanded to all sorts of things so…just go for it!

And remember…you can refrigerate or freeze any cooked leftovers for yet another lunch or dinner another day! Smiles…all smiles!

And the price? Only about $4-$5 per person (cheaper than going out)!

Each meal serves about six. And if there’s only two of you – yep – you guys get 20 dinners out of the 10…wow.

So think on it friends! This idea may just be the one you’re looking for! And lemme know if you try it! Bet it’ll help ya “live happy”! And you’re family – they’ll be happy too! Message me if you’d like more info…and PLEASE subscribe to Laura’s Choice and like me at Laura’s Choice on Facebook! Thank you!

XOXO!

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