Gnocchi Bolognese

Ingredients:

• 1 t. olive oil
• 3/4 lb. ground beef
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 t. dried basil
• 1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (16 oz.)  bag frozen potato gnocchi
• 1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until lightly browned, 4-5 minutes.
3. Stir in the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, and basil; cook stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in the tomatoes; bring to a boil.
5. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 12-14 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, cook the gnocchi according to package directions, omitting the salt if desired, drain.
7. Add the gnocchi and cheese to the skillet and cook, tossing, until hot, 1-2 minutes.

Prep Time = 15 minutes

Cook Time = 25 minutes

Serves 6

Chicken and Spinach Casserole

Ingredients:

1/2 C. mayonnaise
1/2 C. sour cream
1/2 t. garlic powder
pinch of black pepper
1/3 C. grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 C. shredded mozzarella
2 C. diced, cooked chicken breast
10 oz. frozen spinach, thawed and drained well
Cooking spray

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Spray a 9" x 9" baking dish with cooking spray.
3. Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic powder, pepper, Parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese in a medium bowl.
4. In another bowl, toss 1/3 of the sauce with the chicken and spinach.
5. Spread in the casserole dish.
6. Pour the rest of the sauce mixture over the chicken and spinach.
7. Bake, uncovered 40 minutes, or until top is golden brown.

Serves 6

TIP: Shred Chicken Quickly

My aunt was visiting a few months ago and I pulled out my Kitchen Aid mixer to make some dinner rolls.  She asked me if I knew the mixer was great for shredding cooked chicken.  To be honest, I had never thought of this.  The next time I needed to shred a couple of chicken breasts I gave it a try.

I have to agree, it works great.  I've tried both the mixing paddle and the dough hook and both do the job.

Chicken Pizza Crist

Ingredients:
2 C. cooked, shredded chicken breast
2 C. mozzarella, shredded
1 T. parsley, dried
1 t. basil
1/2 t. onion powder
1/2 t. garlic powder

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Process chicken and cheese together. Mixture will resemble a meal/thick, dense crumb consistency. (I use my Ninja blender to accomplish this)
3. Press chicken/cheese mixture on parchment paper on a cookie sheet.
4. Top with parsley, basil, onion and garlic powder.
5. Bake for 12 minutes.
6. Let cool for five minutes.
7. Top with sauce, cheese, and then toppings.
8. Bake for 6-8 minutes more, or until toppings are melted.
9. Let cool for five minutes.
10. Slice and serve.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Ingredients:
4 chicken breast fillets
4 thick or 8 thin slices of ham
4 thick or 8 thin slices of Swiss cheese (provolone can be substituted)
2 eggs, beaten
4 T. butter, melted
2 C. Panko bread crumbs
Dijon mustard
Toothpicks
Salt
Pepper

 

Directions:

1. Use a meat hammer to pound chicken breasts to approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.
2. Sprinkle with salt/pepper.
3. Top each breast with ham and cheese.
4. Roll tightly, secure with toothpick.
5. Combine eggs and butter.
6. Dredge chicken roll well then roll in Panko bread crumbs until completely coated.
7. Bake at 375 degrees F. for 30 to 35 minutes, with seam side down.
8. Remove toothpicks.
9. Serve with Dijon mustard.

Albondigas

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 C. uncooked rice
1 t. salt
1 t. cumin
3 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed
3 qt. chicken broth
4 stalks of celery, chopped
3 white onions, cut into quarters
1 bunch cilantro, leaves only
4 large carrots, peeled and chopped or sliced
2 C. greens (mustard, spinach or other)
2 t. oregano
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 t. cumin

 

Directions:

1. Mix ground beef with rice, 1 teaspoon of cumin, 1 teaspoon of salt and the crushed garlic.
2. Form 1 1/2 tablespoons into meatballs, do this until all meat/rice is formed into meatballs.
3. Bring broth to a boil in a large pot.
4. Turn down to a slow simmer (where there are hardly any bubbles) and add in meatballs.
5. Simmer gently for 20 minutes
6. Add in the carrots, onion, cilantro, remaining spices, garlic and celery.
7. Simmer for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until rice in the meatballs is cooked trough.
8. Add in the greens and simmer for an additional 15 minutes.
9. Serve hot with fresh flour tortillas

 

Prep Time:  30 minutes
Cook Time:  2 hours

Oven Baked Chicken

Ingredients:
3 lbs. chicken parts
1 T. oil
1 T. onion powder
1 1/2 t. Italian Seasoning
1 t. salt
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/2 t. paprika

 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Brush chicken with oil. 
3. Mix seasoning in a small bowl.
4. Coat chicken evenly with seasoning mixture.
5. Place chicken in shallow baking dish.
6. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

 

Makes 8 servings
Prep Time:  10 minutes
Cook Time:  45 - 50  minutes

Jell-o Popsicles

Ingredients:

1 small box Jell-o gelatin (any flavor) 
1 C. boiling water 
1/3 C. sugar
1 1/3 C. cold water 

Directions:

1. Add gelatin and sugar to boiling water.
2. Stir until powder dissolves
3. Add cold water and stir.
4. Pour into popsicle molds
5. Freeze 6-8 hours

Detangling Conditioner

Ingredients:
1 T. apple cider vinegar
1 cup water
spray bottle

Directions:

1. Add apple cider vinegar a clean spray bottle with water.
2. Spry damp hair and massage in thoroughly with hands.

Pickled Jalapeno Peppers

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs. Jalapeno Peppers
2 C. white vinegar
2 C. water
1/2 t. salt per pint

Also needed:

3 pint jars w/rings and lids
gloves (optional)

Directions:
Sterilize Jars:

1. Wash 1-pint Mason jars in hot suds and rinse in scalding water.
2. Put jars in a pot and cover with hot water.
3. Bring water to a boil, covered, and boil jars 15 minutes from the time that steam emerges.
4. Turn off heat and let jars stand in hot water.
5. Just before they are filled, invert jars onto a kitchen towel to dry (Jars should be filled while they are still hot).
6. Sterilize jar lids 5 minutes, or according to manufacturer's instructions.

Prepare Jalapeno Peppers:

1. Combine the white vinegar and water in a medium saucepan.
2. Bring it to a boil, lower heat and simmer while preparing the jalapeno peppers.
3. If using gloves, put them on now.
4. Wash peppers, drain and slice into 1/4 inch rounds, discarding stems.
5. For milder flavor, remove the seeds.
6. Pack the peppers in glass jars to within 1/2 inch of the top and cover with the boiling vinegar-water, leaving 1/2-inch headspace.
7. Add salt to jars.
8. After filling the glass jars, work the blade of a knife down the side of the jar to remove air bubbles, and add more liquid if needed to cover the peppers.
9. Wipe the ring and the jar rim clean and screw on the cap.
10. Place jars in boiling pot of water for 10 minutes.
11. After 10 minutes remove the jars from the boiling water.
12. Listen for the pop, indicating that the jars are sealed.
13. Allow the jalapeno peppers to cure for a minimum of 6 weeks.

3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Ingredients:

• 6 frozen chicken breasts
• 1 packet low-sodium taco seasoning mix
• 1 jar (16 oz.) prepared salsa

Directions:

1. Place the frozen chicken breasts in a slow cooker.  
2. Sprinkle with taco seasoning mix.
3. Pour in jar of salsa.
4. Cook in the slow cooker on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165 F.
5. Shred the chicken with two forks.  
6. If serving with corn tortillas, heat a bit of oil in a skillet on the stove top.  
7. Brown each tortilla for about 1 minute on each side and fold into a taco shape.
8. Serve with the toppings of your choice.
9. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Makes 12 to 18 tacos.

Homemade Bubble Solution

Ingredients:
1 c. water
2 T. light Karo syrup or 2 T. glycerin
4 T. dishwashing liquid

Directions:
Mix ingredients together.

Note:  The glycerin is the key to better bubbles!

Lawn Tonic

I found this recipe years ago while watching 12 News.  This is a formula for green lawns in high heat. 

 

Ingredients:
1 can regular soda (do not use diet)
1 can beer (no light beer)
1/2 c. liquid dishwashing (do not use anti-bacterial dishwashing liquid)
1/2 c. household ammonia
1/2 c. mouthwash

 

Directions:
Pour into 10-gallon hose-end sprayer.

 

Notes:

• In high-heat, apply every 3 weeks.
• The liquid soap is a wetting agent, helping the formula penetrate to the roots.
• The ammonia promotes growth and turns your lawn green.
• The mouthwash kills the bugs and grubs.
• Do not use anti-bacterial dishwashing liquid in the mixture as it will kill off important microbes in the lawn and soil that help digest thatch.