As I mentioned last week, football is just kind of big around here during football season. Each week, we rotate going to friends’ houses to watch the game or head to the games (if we are lucky enough). I have such a great time coming up with creative ways to make tailgating (and game watching) a little healthier, so everyone  doesn’t feel so stuffed (and guilty) when the games are over. These Panko Roasted Drumsticks are definitely one of my new popular crowd pleasers. They appeal to adults as well as kids, and they are so simple to make. Your guests won’t believe that this recipe is a “lightened up” version of one of their favorite party foods.

Passover, one of the most widely celebrated Jewish holidays, is only a few weeks away, beginning on April 18th. I have had so many email and tweets for recipe ideas, so I thought I would share this Mediterranean Chicken recipe which is a family favorite. This recipe and a Passover menu will be featured in the spring issue of “Yum Food” Magazine. This chicken is simple, yet elegant, and it’s perfect for Easter as well as all holidays.

Friends have been asking me what they can make for dinner since they often get in a rut and need new ideas. I know they want recipes that are simple, light and tasty. I love using thinly sliced pork loin chops often because they cook so quickly and are so versatile. This simple version of Chipotle-Spiced Pork has only 5 ingredients, and they are super flavorful (and pretty too)! If you’re making some for the kids, omit the chipotle, and add additional lemon pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice (unless they like spicy foods).

I love Veal Piccata and realized that it can be lightened up tremendously, and it is oh so easy -only 20 minutes to prepare. This recipe also works great with chicken cutlets and sliced pork loin, both easily found in the grocery store. Both of these options come thinly sliced which eliminates having to pound the meat. I used egg whites for the liquid and a simple whole wheat flour mixture for the breading. Then, I lightly fried in olive oil. Serve these with a salad and a vegetable, and dinner is on the table in less than 30 minutes.

I have been so fortunate to have made so many new friends lately that have been so helpful with my upcoming cookbook. A few weeks ago, I met Nancy Bynon, through a publisher friend of mine (thank you Sheila), and it was truly my lucky day. Nancy was one of the Editors of the “Tables of Content” cookbook for the Junior League of Birmingham. It’s an amazing cookbook-one of my all-time favorites, and many talented women of Birmingham worked hard to develop such a fabulous book. Nancy has been so wonderful to me by helping me test recipes and offering great suggestions. The night I met her, she was making a version of this recipe. It was delicious, and I told her my kids would love it. When I made it the other night, everyone was fighting over it. It is truly great and a perfect weeknight or weekend main-dish pasta salad. Thanks to all of you (you know who you are) who are have helped me out. One more month to go.

We have been eating a lot of cold dishes lately since it is beyond hot here in Alabama. I love trying new versions of chicken salad, and this Greek Chicken Salad is so easy and so flavorful. I used rotisserie chicken to make this recipe even easier. Serve on lettuce leaves or in a pita for a really simple main-dish.

T-Shirt Giveaway:

Enter for a chance to win an Ingredients, Inc. T-shirt by leaving a comment below telling me what’s your favorite cold-main dish and/or your favorite grilled cheese sandwich. I will select a random winner on Wednesday August 4th.

I have some big news. Very big news!!! For those of you who have not heard, I am working on a cookbook, and the manuscript is due September 15th. It is more work than I ever imagined, and I can’t thank my kids, family and friends enough for their understanding during this busy time.

It is a very “big” book. When I say “big”, I mean it. 400 recipes. The book will be out spring 2011.  It is a very exciting time, and I couldn’t have done any of this everyone’s awesome support. I cannot thank you enough.

I will blog more about it in the coming months.  Stay tuned . . .

Since summer began, things seem (and are) busier than ever. Trying to work at home with 3 kids is always a challenge. Some days, dinnertime becomes a last minute thought. This recipe for Steak Fajita Salad is one of my “in a pinch” recipes. My kids love these, and they wrap the steak and vegetables in flour tortillas. I serve mine over lettuce (trying to skip the carbs). I dollop mine with nonfat Greek yogurt for some extra protein and a great substitute for sour cream.

Note: for the Fajitas seasoning, I used McCormick.

I spent the past few days in Park City, Utah at EVO, a social media conference for women, and it was an amazing thing. I will tell you more about it this week with photos, etc. I realized I’m not alone being a social media junkie, addicted to twitter. Twitter is a wonderful thing (for too many reasons to mention at the moment), but every day I meet new and interesting people and find great blogs and websites. I was fortunate enough to meet Christine from http://quickmealhelp.com on twitter, and she asked me to do a guest post on my tips on how I get dinner on the table when I’m an extremely busy entrepreneur and mom with 3 children. Here are some of my favorite tips I shared with her. Check out her site (above) for 20 minute recipes and wonderful information. Here’s the link to my guest post http://www.quickmealhelp.com/blog/10062113-quick-dinner-ideas-alison-lewis-ingredients-inc http://www.quickmealhelp.com/blog/10062113-quick-dinner-ideas-alison-lewis-ingredients-inc

TOP  DINNERTIME TIPS:

1. I like to purchase chicken cutlets or thinly slices boneless pork loin chops because they cook much quicker.

2. I get my kids involved in making dinner and helping out. (See my Fresh Basil and Red Pepper Tuna Salad)

3. I like to purchase already peeled and deveined shrimp or frozen shrimp that has been peeled and deveined. (See my Shrimp-Dill Salad)

4. I love to cook with shelled edamame beans. (See my Edamame Corn Salad)

5. I use rotisserie chicken a ton when recipes call for chopped, cooked chicken. (See my Tortellini Chicken Salad)

6. I love to grill a lot. It’s quick and easy. If I can’t get outside, I love my grill pan over the stove.

7.  I used ready-made pizza crusts alot and purchase lots of fresh vegetables, good tomato sauce, pesto and fresh herbs for toppings.

8. Panini makers and slow cookers are a life saver.

9. I like to prep while my kids are at school so my nights aren’t so crazy (of course, in summer, that’s not so easy).

10. I use precut carrots and bagged, washed greens.

11. I make very organized grocery lists.

12. When I grill salmon, steak or chicken, I grill extra for a main-dish salad the next night.

13. When I purchase hamburger (beef or turkey meat), I buy extra to also make a meatloaf for another night.