One Pot Pasta

Ingredients

12 ounces pasta
1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes with liquid
1 large sweet onion, cut in julienne strips
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
2 large sprigs basil, chopped
4 1/2 cups vegetable broth (regular broth and NOT low sodium)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Parmesan cheese for garnish

Directions

1. Place pasta, tomatoes, onion, garlic, basil, in a large stock pot. 
2. Pour in vegetable broth. 
3. Sprinkle on top the pepper flakes and oregano.
4. Drizzle top with oil.
5. Cover pot and bring to a boil. 
6. Reduce to a low simmer and keep covered and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes or so. 
7. Cook until almost all liquid has evaporated.
8. Season to taste with salt and pepper, stirring pasta several times to distribute the liquid in the bottom of the pot. 
9. Serve garnished with Parmesan cheese.

Chicken and Dumplins

This recipe is very similar to Cracker Barrel's Chicken n' Dumplins.

Ingredients:

 

2 cups Flour

½ teaspoons Baking Powder

1 pinch Salt

2 Tablespoons Butter

1 Cup buttermilk, A Bit Less Than A Full Cup (you can use regular milk if needed)

2 quarts Chicken Broth

3 cups Cooked Chicken

Directions:

1. In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Cut the butter into the dry ingredients with a fork or pastry blender. Stir in the milk, mixing with a fork until the dough forms a ball.
2. Heavily flour a work surface. You’ll need a rolling pin and something to cut the dumplings with. I like to use a pizza cutter. I also like to use a small spatula to lift the dumplings off the cutting surface.
3. Roll the dough out thin with a heavily floured rolling pin. Dip your cutter in flour and cut the dumplings in squares about 1"x1". They do not have to be uniform or exact.
4. Use the floured spatula to put them on a heavily floured plate. Just keep flouring between the layers of dumplings.
5. To cook them, bring the broth to a boil. Drop the dumplings in one at a time, stirring while you add them. The extra flour on them will help thicken the broth. Cook them for about 15-20 minutes or until they are not doughy tasting. Add the cooked chicken to the pot, stir and you are done!

Crispy Cheddar Chicken

Ingredients:

2 lbs chicken tenders or 4 large chicken breasts
2 sleeves Ritz crackers
1/4 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup whole milk
3 cups cheddar cheese, grated
1 teaspoon dried parsley

Sauce:

1 - 10 ounce can cream of chicken soup
2 tablespoon sour cream
2 tablespoon butter

Directions:

1. Crush 1 1/2 sleeves of crackers.
2. If using chicken breasts and not tenders, cut each chicken breast into 3 large pieces.
3. Pour the milk, cheese and cracker crumbs into 3 separate small pans.
4. Toss the salt and pepper into the cracker crumbs and stir the mixture around to combine.
5. Dip each piece of chicken into the milk and then the cheese.
6. Press the cheese into the chicken with your fingers.
7. Then press the cheesy coated chicken into the cracker crumbs and press it in.
8. Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray and lay the chicken inside the pan.
9. Sprinkle the dried parsley over the chicken.
10. Cover the pan with tin foil and bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes.
11. Remove the tin foil, bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the edges of the chicken are golden brown and crispy.
12. In a medium sized sauce pan combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream and butter with a whisk.
13. Stir it over medium high heat until the sauce is nice and hot.
14. Serve over the chicken.

Cook Time:  45-50 minutes

Crockpot Chicken and Rice

Ingredients

1 lb of Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (can substitute Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs)
2 Tablespoons Butter
2 cans (10.5oz) Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
14 oz. water
1 medium Onion, diced
Hot Cooked Rice

Directions

1. Place thawed chicken in crock pot. 
2. Add butter, cream of chicken soup, water and onions.  Stir until soup is mixed well with water. 
3. Cook on high 4-6 hours or on low for 8 hours.
4. Serve over hot cooked rice.

Broccoli and Shrimp Chowder

Ingredients

1 medium uncooked Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced   
2 cups uncooked broccoli, florets   
1 medium uncooked shallot, minced   
2 cups fat free chicken broth   
1/4 tsp dried thyme   
1/2 pounds cooked shrimp, peeled (medium size)   
1/2 cup fat free sour cream   
1/2 cup fat free skim milk   
1/4 tsp table salt   
1/4 tsp black pepper

Directions

1. In a medium-size pot, combine potato, broccoli, shallot, broth and thyme; bring to a boil, partially cover pot and cook until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.
2. Pour soup into blender and purée in batches careful not to splatter hot liquid; return soup to pot. (Or puree soup in pot using an immersion blender.)
3. Add remaining ingredients to pot; reduce heat to low and simmer until hot, about 3 minutes. (Do not allow to boil.)

Prep Time:  10 Minutes
Cook Time:  18 Minutes
Serves 4 - Yields about 1 cup per serving.

Rick's Salsa

Ingredients:

2 bunches of green onions
1 bunch of fresh cilantro
2 large cans of diced cooked tomatoes (32 oz. cans, be sure not to pick up the stewed tomatoes)
1 large can of diced green chilies (or two small cans)
1/2 can El Pato hot tomato sauce (yellow can with a duck on it in the international foods aisle)
1 tsp. black pepper
garlic salt (to taste)

Directions:

1. Combine the following ingredients in a large mixing bowl:  diced tomatoes, green chilies, half a can of El Pato hot tomato sauce (add more if you like it hot), black pepper (more or less to taste), garlic salt also to taste.
2. Finely dice the green onion using mostly the light green & white part of the onions (not too much of the dark greens) finely chop two or three tablespoons of cilantro or more to taste).  Try to use only the leafy parts.
3. Combine this with the rest of the ingredients and put it in the fridge for a few hours (or overnight) to let the flavors blend.

Enjoy!

Chicken Quesadillas

Ingredients

2 boneless skinless boneless chicken breast, diced
1 (1.27 ounce) packet fajita seasoning
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
8 (10 inch) flour tortillas
1 (8 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (8 ounce) package shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Salsa (optional))
Guacamole (optional)
Sour cream (optional)

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink.
2. Add fajita seasoning, onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper.
3. Cook and stir until the vegetables have softened, about 10 minutes.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
5. Layer half of each tortilla with the chicken and vegetable mixture, then sprinkle with the Cheddar cheese, and Monterey Jack.  Use the as little or as much as you like. 
6. Fold the tortillas in half and place onto a baking sheet.
7. Bake quesadillas in the preheated oven until the cheeses have melted, about 10 minutes.
8. Cut each quesadilla into 3 triangles.
9. Serve with salsa, guacamole and/or sour cream.

Prep Time:  30 minutes
Cook Time:  25 minutes
Serves 5 (1 quesadilla per serving)

Note:  When I make this recipe, I do not end up using all of the tortillas.  I did not use all of the Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheeses either.

Stuffed Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients:

6 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 5 oz. each)
10 oz. frozen spinach, thawed and drained
2 oz. fat free cream cheese
1/4 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 t. dried basil leaves
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1/4 c. fat-free egg product
12 stone-ground wheat crackers, crushed (about 1/2 cup)
1 t. dried basil leaves
1/2 t. pepper
1 c. pasta sauce
1/4 c. shredded mozzarella cheese (1 oz.)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Spray 13x9-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
3. Place each chicken breast smooth side down in a zipper bag.
4. Gently pound with flat side of meat mallet or rolling pin until about 1/4 inch thick.
5. In medium bowl, mix spinach, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon basil and the garlic until blended. 
6. Spread about 1 tablespoon spinach mixture over each chicken breast; roll up tightly. 
7. If necessary, secure with toothpicks.
8. In small shallow bowl, place egg product. 
9. In another small shallow bowl, mix cracker crumbs, 1 teaspoon basil and the pepper. 
10. Dip each chicken breast into egg product; coat with crumb mixture. 
11. Place seam side down in baking dish.
12. Bake uncovered 20 minutes. 
13. Pour pasta sauce over chicken; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. 
14. Bake 10 to 15 minutes longer or until thermometer inserted in center of chicken reads 165°F. 
15. Remove toothpicks from chicken before eating.

Prep Time:  20 minutes
Total Time:  55 minutes
Serves 6

Vegetable Calzones

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
Pinch of crushed red pepper, optional
1 1/2 cups broccoli florets, cut into small pieces
1 packed cup baby spinach, chopped
1 cup ricotta
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella
2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan
Salt and pepper
1 lb. store-bought pizza dough, divided into 4 portions
1 large egg

Directions:

1. Place a rack on bottom shelf of oven; preheat to 450 degrees F.
2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment.
3. Warm oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
4. Add onion; saute until softened, about 10 minutes.
5. Add garlic and red pepper, if desired.
6. Saute for 30 seconds.
7. Reduce heat to low.
8. Add broccoli, saute for 2 minutes.
9. Cover and cook until broccoli is crisp-tender, about 3 minutes.
10. Remove skillet from heat and stir in spinach.
11. In a large bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan; season with salt and pepper.
12. Stir in broccoli mixture.
13. Working with 1 portion at a time, roll out dough on a lightly floured counter into 8-inch rounds.
14. Divide filling among dough circles (about 3/4 cup each).
15. Fold dough over to enclose filling; press to seal edges.
16. Beginning in one corner, stretch sealed edge outward, pinching and rolling dough up and over to form a decorative edge.
17. Transfer calzones to baking sheet.
18. Whisk egg and 1 tsp. water.
19. Brush top of each calzone with egg wash.
20. Cut 3 small vents in each calzone.
21. Bake until golden, 13 - 15 minutes.
22. Serve with tomato sauce if desired.

Prep Time:  30 minutes
Cook Time:  13-15 minutes
Serves 4

Lemon Chicken Primavera

Ingredients:

1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1 large shallot or small onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups water
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 tub Knorr Homestyle Stock - Chicken
6 oz. asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1/2 -inch-thick diagonal slices (about 1 cup)

Directions:

1. Combine flour with pepper in shallow dish.
2. Dip chicken in egg, then flour mixture; set aside.
3. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and brown chicken, turning once, about 5 minutes.
4. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
5. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in same skillet over medium heat and cook shallot, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 2 minutes.
6. Stir in water, lemon juice and Knorr Homestyle Stock - Chicken until stock is melted.
7. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring frequently.
8. Add asparagus and return chicken to skillet.
9. Reduce heat to low and simmer until chicken is thoroughly cooked and asparagus is tender, about 3 minutes.
10. Serve, if desired, with hot cooked rice.

Note:  Try substituting green beans, broccoli florets, green peas or sliced mushrooms for the asparagus

Chicken and Rice Burritos

Ingredients:

8 Mission® 10 inch Large Flour Tortillas warmed
Mission® Chunky Salsa, Medium
2 1/2 cups cooked Chicken shredded
3/4 cups Long Grain White Rice (uncooked)
1 1 ounce package Taco Spices and Seasonings
1 3/4 cups Water
1 8 ounce can Tomato Sauce
1 large Tomato chopped
1/3 cup Green Onion chopped
Guacamole
Cheddar Cheese shredded

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, place chicken, rice, seasonings, water and tomato sauce.
2. Bring mixture to boil, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until chicken is fully cooked.
3. Add chopped tomato and green onion to combine evenly.
4. Place 1/2 cup of filling in each tortilla, roll burrito style and serve with optional garnishes. 

Serves 8
Cooking Time:  20 Minutes

Sausage, Mushroom & Spinach Lasagna

Ingredients

8 ounces whole-wheat lasagna noodles
1 pound lean spicy Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
4 cups sliced mushrooms, (10 ounces)
1/4 cup water
1 pound frozen spinach, thawed
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes, preferably chunky
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 pound part-skim ricotta cheese, (2 cups)
8 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 2 cups), divided

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add noodles and cook until not quite tender, about 2 minutes less than the package directions.
4. Drain; return the noodles to the pot, cover with cool water and set aside.
5. Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat.
6. Add sausage; cook, crumbling with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 4 minutes.
7. Add mushrooms and water; cook, stirring occasionally and crumbling the sausage more, until it is cooked through, the water has evaporated and the mushrooms are tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
8. Squeeze spinach to remove excess water, then stir into the pan; remove from heat.
9. Mix tomatoes with basil, salt and pepper in a medium bowl.
10. To assemble lasagna: Spread 1/2 cup of the tomatoes in the prepared baking dish.
11. Arrange a layer of noodles on top, trimming to fit if necessary.
12. Evenly dollop half the ricotta over the noodles.
13. Top with half the sausage mixture, one-third of the remaining tomatoes and one-third of the mozzarella.
14. Continue with another layer of noodles, the remaining ricotta, the remaining sausage, half the remaining tomatoes and half the remaining mozzarella.
15. Top with a third layer of noodles and the remaining tomatoes.
16. Cover the lasagna with foil and bake until bubbling and heated through, 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes.
17. Remove the foil; sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top.
18. Return to the oven and bake until the cheese is just melted but not browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
19. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Broccoli, Rice, and Ham Casserole

Ingredients:

2 cups chopped, cooked ham
1 (10 oz) pkg. frozen broccoli
1 cup cooked rice
1 can cream of celery or mushroom soup
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 small onion, chopped (optional)
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup buttered bread crumbs
salt and pepper to taste

 Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients except breadcrumbs.
2. In a 2- to 2 1/2-quart casserole or baking dish, combine ham, broccoli, cooked rice, soup, cheese, onion, and sour cream.
3. Spread bread crumbs over top.
4. Bake 55 to 65 minutes at 325°, or until browned and bubbly.

 

Serves 4.