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