#weeknightcooking

Good morning, afternoon, or evening to anyone reading my post! Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read my blog.

This evening, I made dinner for my family, and tried a new recipe: Breakup Taco Pasta(TLC)!

First, what is Breakup Taco Pasta(TLC)? First and foremost, it is "a tasty meal" that had "the opposite effect of 'Marry Me Chicken'", according to TLC. It is not Big Ed's original creation, but it is a popular weeknight dinner, as it is easy to make, tasty, filling, and relatively inexpensive. Many chefs, food bloggers, and home cooks have created and written recipes for their versions of it, as has Big Ed.

Next, why did TLC call it "Breakup Taco Pasta"(TLC)? According to Food Network, "In episode six[of 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After?] (“The Itsy Bitsy Liar”), Ed reveals that at a dinner with his family, Liz and her daughter Ryleigh, Liz “blew up” because Ed had made Ryleigh’s taco pasta “too spicy.” Days after the fight, Ed tells his sister that he has decided to cancel the wedding, but has not yet told Liz, days before their would-be ceremony. Liz learns of this news from a text message from their officiant, saying “how sorry he was that the wedding was called off.”(Wong).

Third, why was it so spicy? To start off, the formula for Taco Pasta: Big Ed's Version is 1.5 pounds of ground beef, seasoned with taco seasoning, 1 onion, 1 bell pepper of any color, 3 Roma tomatoes, 1 clove of minced garlic, a pinch of salt, a dash of pepper, 1 packet of spicy ranch seasoning, 2 cartons of beef broth, an unspecified amount of cheese, and an unspecified amount of any pasta(though there are rumors that Big Ed used Top Ramen noodles). (TLC)

Lastly, how do you make it? According to TLC, you first heat up a large skillet, then add the beef, vegetables, and seasonings, and cook until browned. Once you have browned the beef and vegetables, add the beef broth, pasta, and cheese, and let everything simmer, stirring regularly, until the pasta is fully cooked. Once everything is fully cooked, serve.(TLC)

Would you try Taco Pasta: Big Ed's Version? Please let me know in your reply or reblog of my post.

This Instant Pot recipe for chicken and broccoli is quick and tasty, and it's great for a busy weeknight. The tender chicken and flavorful sauce make for a tasty and filling meal.

Ingredients: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces. 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth. 1/3 cup soy sauce. 1/4 cup hoisin sauce. 1 tablespoon sesame oil. 1 tablespoon ginger, minced. 3 cloves garlic, minced. 1.5 lbs broccoli florets. 2 tablespoons cornstarch. 2 tablespoons water. Sesame seeds and green onions for garnish.

Instructions: Soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic should all be mixed together in the Instant Pot. Put the chicken pieces in the Instant Pot and make sure they are covered in sauce. On top of the chicken mix, put broccoli florets. Put the lid on the Instant Pot and set the timer for 5 minutes of high pressure. After the cooking time is up, quickly release the pressure. To make a slurry, mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Add the slurry to the Instant Pot and stir it in to make the sauce thicker. Add sesame seeds and green onions on top of the chicken and broccoli when you serve it over rice or noodles.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

This dish is a mix of traditional Sloppy Joes and Korean flavors. It is savory, sweet, and filling. It's great for a quick dinner during the week or a casual get-together with friends.

Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef. 1/2 cup Korean BBQ sauce. 2 tbsp soy sauce. 1 tbsp sesame oil. 1 tbsp rice vinegar. 1 tsp minced garlic. 1 tsp minced ginger. 1/4 cup chopped green onions. 4 hamburger buns.

Instructions: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Once the beef is cooked, drain excess fat if necessary. Add minced garlic and ginger to the skillet, saut for 1-2 minutes. Stir in Korean BBQ sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through. Add chopped green onions and stir to combine. Toast hamburger buns in a toaster or oven. Spoon the beef mixture onto the toasted buns. Serve hot and enjoy!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

This Lemon Garlic Shrimp Linguine is a quick and flavorful seafood pasta dish perfect for busy weeknights. The combination of zesty lemon, aromatic garlic, and tender shrimp creates a delicious meal that will satisfy your taste buds.

Ingredients: 8 oz linguine pasta. 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined. 4 cloves garlic, minced. 2 tablespoons olive oil. 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice. 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Salt and pepper to taste. Grated Parmesan cheese for serving.

Instructions: Follow the directions on the package to cook the linguine until it is al dente. Remove the water and set it aside. Warm up the olive oil in a big pan over medium-low heat. For about one minute, until the garlic smells good, add the minced garlic. It will take about two to three minutes on each side for the shrimp to turn pink after you add them to the pan. Add the cooked linguine and lemon juice and mix them together. Mix and toss until everything is well mixed and hot. Add pepper and salt to taste. Add some chopped parsley on top. Grate some Parmesan cheese on top and serve hot. Have fun!

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

This recipe for one-pot tofu curry noodles combines the robust flavors of red curry paste with the creamy texture of coconut milk to create a tasty and speedy meal. It's ideal for a hearty weekend supper or a fulfilling weeknight supper.

Ingredients: 200g tofu, cubed. 200g noodles. 1 onion, sliced. 2 cloves garlic, minced. 1 bell pepper, sliced. 2 cups coconut milk. 2 tablespoons red curry paste. 2 tablespoons soy sauce. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Salt and pepper to taste. Fresh cilantro for garnish.

Instructions: Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sliced onion, saut until fragrant and onions are translucent. Add cubed tofu and bell pepper slices, cook until tofu is lightly browned. Stir in red curry paste and soy sauce, mix well with the tofu and vegetables. Pour in coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Add noodles to the pot, stir to combine with the curry mixture. Cover and let simmer for about 10-12 minutes or until noodles are cooked and tender, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

A simple yet flavorful Italian twist on classic BBQ chicken, perfect for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner.

Ingredients: 3 chicken breasts. 1/2 cup Italian dressing. 1/4 cup BBQ sauce.

Instructions: Warm the grill up to a medium-high level. Put Italian dressing and BBQ sauce in a bowl and mix them together. For at least 30 minutes, let the chicken breasts sit in the mixture. Brush the chicken with the rest of the marinade every six to eight minutes while it's cooking on the grill until it's done. Enjoy while hot!

Prep Time: 35 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes