#5 - Baked Stuffed Lobster

Lobster is amazing and if you can get it at the right place, it isn't too expensive.  I went to a local grocery store that is not known for cheap prices and I got a lobster tail for $5.

This recipe is another easy way to pull off a really delicious, fancy meal.

Here is the recipe:

1 raw lobster tail

2 slices of toasted bread crumbs

1/2 cup vegetable broth (or water)

1 T. minced onion

1 clove garlic, minced

1/8 t. garlic powder

1/8 t. onion powder

paprika, salt and pepper to taste

Cut the raw lobster tail "hotdog-style."  Be careful not to cut yourself; lobster shells are easy to slip on. Wash the two halves of lobster tails, mindfully cleaning away the sand vein and any other green or strange colored substances.  (Note: if you accidentally forgot to wash out that stuff, it wouldn't hurt you)

Mix toast crumbs with garlic, onions and spices.  Stuff the lobster halves with the toast mixture.  (Make sure to get the mixture into all the nooks and cranies.

Pour vegetable broth over stuffed lobsters.  Dust with paprika.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 20 minutes.  Broil for the last 1-2 minutes to brown. 

Add salt and pepper to taste.  Serve w/ lemon wedges, if you want.

#4 - Baked Stuffed Tomatoes

This easy dinner is perfect for the tomato-lover. Which I just became.  It is healthy, delicious, and looks much fancier than it is to make.  It is easy to adjust the recipe depending on hunger or number of people eating.  The recommended portion is 2-3 stuffed tomatoes per person.

Here is the recipe: (for one person - adjust for more people)

4 oz. ground beef

2-3 medium sized tomatoes

2 slices of toasted bread crumbs

1 T. finely minced onion

1 clove garlic crushed and minced

1/8 t. garlic powder

1/8 t. onion powder

cayenne pepper to taste

salt and pepper to taste

Hollow out the tomatoes, sprinkle with salt and turn upside down to drain for 10 minutes.

Brown ground beef in a small frying pan; add onion, garlic and spices.

Pack ground beef mixture into tomatoes, add small amount of water to bottom of dish, top with toast crumbs and salt.

Bake in 350 degrees oven for 20 minutes.  Garnish with parsley and serve.

#3 - Blueberry Pudding Cookies

 

These little soft cookies might have become my most favorite kind of quick/easy cookies.  Because of the pudding, these cookies are dense and soft and do not overwhelm you with a wave of sugar like some cookies do.

Here's the recipe:

2 1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. butter, softened
1/4 c. granulated sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 (3 1/2 oz.) pkg. vanilla flavored instant pudding
2 eggs
2 c. blueberries (easily substituted with chocolate chips)
1 c. chopped walnuts or pecans (optional, but recommended)

Combine flour and baking soda; set aside. 

Combine butter, sugars, vanilla and pudding, mix in large mixing bowl; beat until smooth and creamy.

Beat in eggs; gradually add flour mixture. Stir in blueberries and nuts (batter will be stiff). 

Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls, about 2 inches apart, onto un-greased cookie sheets. 

Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 10-12 minutes. 

Yield: 4 1/2 dozen cookies. 

(via Cooks.com)