Tuesday, September 16, 2008
BBQ Chicken Sandwhich with Sweet Potato French Fries
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Week 11
Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken
recipes used: Teriyaki Chicken
Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken
Teriyaki Sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar (or ¼ cup honey and 1 tablespoon molasses)
1/3 cup soy sauce (scant…a little bit less than 1/3 cup)
2 teaspoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves
2 teaspoons corn starch and 1 ½ teaspoon cold water
First mix sugar, soy, vinegar, ginger and garlic. Take half of the mixture and marinate 4 large chicken breasts for 30 minutes. Add cornstarch to remaining liquid and bring to a boil, until slightly thick.
Grill chicken until the juices run clear, or until it reached 170 degrees. Also grill pineapple.
Serve over rice with steamed veggies.
Grilled Chicken Cordon Bleu
This recipe is the LIGHT version of classic favorite.
Chicken Marinade
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 ½ tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh thyme (or 2 teaspoons dried)
Marinate chicken for 30 minutes in the fridge.
Grill chicken over medium heat until done. At the same time grill large pieces of Canadian bacon, place on top of the chicken, then top off with a piece of provolone cheese ( I only used a half piece on mine!) Close grill lid and allow it to melt the cheese.
This is a yummy alternative!
Steamed Halibut with Mango Salsa
4 Halibut pieces
1 ice cube (I used vegetable broth frozen cubes for flavor)
1 teaspoon chili powder
Salt and Pepper to season
Mango Salsa
1 small red onion diced (or ½ small onion)
1-2 large mangos, diced
1 large red pepper diced
Zest of 1 lime
Juice of one lime
½ cup chopped cilantro
Salt and Pepper to taste
Rinse 4 large Halibut pieces and pat dry. Season with sea salt, pepper, and chili powder. Place in a tinfoil package and place on the grill for 7-10 minute until fish is done. Can Also be done in the oven.
Serve over rice and top with mango salsa. Serve with your favorite steamed veggies.
Honey Mustard California Club Sammy's with Crispy Baked Zucchini
Sammy's
Good Whole Grain Bread
Deli Sliced Brown Sugar Ham
Honey Turkey
Crispy Bacon
Lettuce
Avocados
Tomatoes
Slices Swiss Cheese
Honey Mustard Sauce
¼ cup Miracle Whip
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
To Assemble Sammy's, smother both slices of bread in honey mustard sauce and build your Sammy.
Crispy Baked Zucchini
1/2 pint butter milk
2 cups bread crumbs ( I make my own out of left over wheat bread)
½ cup flour
Slice large 1/3 of an inch slices of zucchini on a diagonal. Salt on both sides. Pat both sides of the zucchini in the flour to coat. Then dip in buttermilk, then in to the bread crumbs. Place zucchini on a cooling rack inside a cookie sheet. This will create a surface for both sides to get crispy. When you have all your zucchini lined up take an olive oil spray and lightly spray the tops of the zucchini. (Pam will work if you don’t have olive oil spray) Bake for 10 -15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with honey mustard sauce or a creamy bbq sauce! Very yummy!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Weekly Menu 10
HONEY LIME SALMON
2 large Salmon Filets
Season with Salt and Pepper
Glaze:
1 tablespoon lime zest
1 Lime juiced
1 tablespoon honey
½ teaspoon chili powder
I grill my salmon, on foil on the BBQ grill, but this is easily done in a broiler or a toaster oven. Place prepared salmon on the grill for 5 minutes. When it starts to turn opaque brush on your glaze and allow to caramelize. Add more glaze right before service
Serve with rice and steamed vegetables.
Comfort Spaghetti
1 lb ground pork sausage or ground beef (Seasoned well!)
1 medium onion diced
2 stalks celery diced
2 carrots diced
1 green pepper diced
2 gloves fresh garlic minced
1 can diced tomatoes
1 small can tomato sauce
(1/2 cup water if needed)
2 teaspoon dried oregano (1 tablespoon fresh)
2 teaspoons dried basil (2 tablespoons fresh)
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Brown ground beef in a sauce pan. Remove and drain. Sauté onions, celery, carrots, garlic, and peppers. Add tomatoes and tomato sauce, if too thick add water. Place meat back into sauce and add all the seasonings. Allow to simmer for 15 minutes. Pour over your favorite pasta and top with Cheese~!
Homemade Chicken Fingers
Great for kids and husbands!!!
1 lb chicken tenderloins (you can cut your own from chicken breasts)
1 pint buttermilk
2 cups bread crumbs ( I make my own out of left over wheat bread)
Marinate your chicken for at LEAST 30 minutes in the fridge with the buttermilk. Place a cooling rack inside your cookie sheet, this will allow your chicken to get crispy all around, and not soggy on the bottom. Dredge marinated chicken in breadcrumbs and place on the cooling rack. When all the chicken is breaded put into a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes, or until chicken is done or reaches the temperature of 165.
SPICY VERSION
Add 1 teaspoon paprika, and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper to your breadcrumbs.
¼ cup Miracle Whip (this makes the difference I promise!)
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Mix ingredients together. Be sure to taste and adjust.
Beef Tostadas
½ lb ground beef
1 teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 small onion
Toppings
1 can black beans (drained, and reheated)
1 small can corn (or I prefer FROZEN!)
1 small avocado diced
1 tomato diced
3 green onions diced
1 cup grated cheese
2 cups shredded lettuce
Sour cream for garnish
Sauté onions until translucent. Turn stove top to HIGH Heat and brown the ground beef. Season with salt, chili powder, cumin, and black pepper.
Cover Tostadas with ground beef then top with your favorite toppings.
Suggestions…add the Buttermilk Cilantro Ranch Dressing, buttermilk ranch, chopped cilantro, lime zest and lime juice. And if you like it spicy add on dash of tabasco sauce
***(you can purchase, or you can fry your own corn tortillas, or just use corn chips)
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Weekly Menu 9
APPLE-BACON STUFFED PORK CHOPS
NAVAHO TACOS
Also a family classic. Perfect for a Friday night!
Recipes Used: Navaho Tacos
Italian Stew
4 Small chicken breasts (any part of the chicken will work, I love thighs)
¼ cup flour
Salt and pepper to season
1 medium onion, medium diced
1 clove garlic, minced (I like 2 large ones!)
1 large zucchini, medium diced
1 large red pepper, medium diced
2 stalks celery, medium diced
1 can Italian diced tomatoes
1 small can tomatoes sauce
Chicken broth if needed.
1 can Italian white beans
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 teaspoon oregano
2 teaspoons basil
Salt and Pepper to taste
½ cup parmesan cheese
2 cups uncooked orzo pasta, small rice like pasta (you can use other pasta if you have it in your pantry!)
Season your chicken and cut them into medium bite-sized pieces. Coat flour, shaking any excess off. In a hot pan with olive oil, brown the chicken on all sides. Remove and allow to rest. Add more oil, ONLY IF NEEDED. Sauté onion, garlic, and celery. When translucent add peppers and zucchini, canned tomatoes and sauce. Add the white beans, I do not drain mine because I feel the starch liquid gives the stew a nice thick and smooth feel, but if you are inclined be my guest. Add all the spices and herbs. Mix together and bring to a simmer. Add chicken back on top of the stew, cover and allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes, until sauce thickens.
Pour over cooked pasta, and top with Parmesan Cheese
Navaho Tacos
***NOTE*** I just use the scone mix you buy at the store…it is much faster! You could also call the Grocery store and ask them to pull some bread dough out of the freezer and you would pick up later that evening. I do that ALL the time!
Fry small scones in hot oil. (it is best to follow the directions on the scone mix)
Top warm scones with your favorite chili recipe. Top the Chili with scones, lettuce, and tomatoes. I also like some avocados, but I am a lone woman when it comes to that!
Yummy suggestions:
I know many of you will freak out with this suggestion, but in my family we always put the honey on the scones, and then added our Chili. I know it sounds repulsive, but HONESTLY it is so good. The sweet from the honey, spice from the chili, and salt from the cheese is soo balanced and soo good together.
Pork Chops with Apple Bacon Stuffing
4 pork chops, seasoned with salt and pepper
1 small diced shallot (or tablespoon diced onion)
½ cup apple juice
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/4 cup chicken broth or water
1 teaspoon butter
STUFFING:
1 small onion
1 small apple
1 glove garlic minced
2 stalks celery diced
2 strips bacon chopped
4 slices left over bread, dry
1 small egg (maybe even half)
1 teaspoon milk
1 teaspoon dried sage
Salt and pepper to taste
For stuffing
In a small pan sauté bacon until fat renders out. Add onions, celery, garlic and apples. Add cooked items to a bowl and mix together with bread, apples, sage and seasonings. Mix egg and milk in a small bowl and pour over bread mixture, (you may not need to use all the liquid, use just half first then evaluate) When mixed together, transfer to a small baking dish and bake at 375 for 15 -20 minutes.
CHOPS
Spray frying pan with olive oil and get it supper hot! Add your chops in and get a nice sear on both sides. Only cook about 2-3 minutes on both sides. Remove chops and rest for a minute. On medium heat add small diced shallot and sauté until translucent. Deglaze the pan by adding the vinegar and apple juice, getting all the bits off the pan. Add chicken stock and bring to a low simmer, add in the chops and cover. Cook on a low simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until reaches 155 degrees on a kitchen temp.
Remove chops cover with foil and allow to rest. While resting turn your burner to high heat and allow the sauce to reduce and thicken, about 4 minutes. At the very end add 1 small teaspoon of butter to finish the sauce. Plate your chops and pour sauce over, then top with the Apple-Bacon stuffing.
Potato Soup
A CLASSIC FAMILY FAVORITE
Monday, March 24, 2008
Week 8 Menu
Recipes used: Lemon Caper Chicken
Steak Burritos
This was an easy fix, and totally fast! For a short cut you could use a pre-made box of spanish rice! Yummy!
Recipes used: Steak Burritos, Spanish Rice
Do you have menus you want to share?? Email them to me at recipeswapping@gmail.com!
Spanish Rice
SPANISH RICE
1 1/2 cups rice
2 cups chicken broth
1 can diced tomatoes, (chopped a little more!)
2 cloves finely chopped garlic
1/2 of a medium onion
1 small green pepper, diced
2 tablespoons oil
4 heaping tablespoons of finely chopped clilantro (optional)
In a medium sauce pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add in the fresh garlic, peppersand onion. Saute until softened. Add in dry rice. Stir for about 5 minutes until rice becomes a golden brown color. Add in broth and tomato's. Add in the cilantro if you're using it. Stir it up and bring to a boil. Once it starts boiling, turn the heat to low and cover. Let it simmer on low for 20 minutes and fluff with a fork.
Steak Burritos
2 favorite beef steaks
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon lime zest
1 teaspoon chili powder
Salt and Pepper to season
1 recipe Spanish rice (click here for mine)
1 can black beans (optional), drained and reheated
4 tortillas
Cut steaks into think long strips and marinade them over night or at least for 30 minutes, with the olive oil, lime zest, chili powder, salt and pepper. (Don't throw the lime away you will use it for the burritos later.)
Sear the strips in a really hot pan so they get brown and golden. This should take no more than 3 minutes.
To make burritos:
Heat tortilla up on stove or in the microwave. Layer about 3 tablespoons of rice on the bottom, followed by the beans and beef strips. Top with sour cream and roll into a burrito. Serve with salsa and guacamole.
Pork Wanton Soup
Pork Wanton Soup
20 small pork dumplings (see recipe below)
2 carrots, peeled and cut in thin strips
2 stalks celery, cut in thin strips
1 red pepper cut in thin strips
1 small bunch green onions cut thin diagonal
3 cans chicken broth
½ cup fresh bean sprouts
soy sauce
Bring chicken broth to a small boil. Add in your carrots, celery, and red pepper. Then gently drop in your fresh made dumplings into the pot. Cover and cook until dumplings are done. Serve with fresh bean sprouts, green onions and a teaspoon of soy sauce.
(If your dumplings are store bought and are frozen add them in before you add the vegetables and let cook about 2 minutes, then add the vegetables.)
small bowl of water
Line all the dumplings in a row on a cookie sheet waiting to be used.
You can fry the dumplings in a small shallow pan then add water and cover and steam thoroughly or use them to make Pork Wanton Soup
Lemon Caper Chicken
THIS IS MY NEW FAVORITE DINNER!!!
4 Chicken Breasts
2 teaspoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon capers
1 small minced shallot (or onion will work)
2 teaspoons thyme (1 tablespoon if fresh)
Juice of one lemon
1/3 cup cream
Season Chicken breast liberally no both sides. Heat frying pan on high and coat with olive oil. Sear chicken on each side for 3 minutes each. Don’t keep moving it or checking it, you need a really nice brown. Transfer breasts to an oven-safe cooking dish. Meanwhile, sauté shallots in left over oil until translucent. Ad thyme and capers and sauté until fragrant. Slowly deglaze the pan with your lemon juice. Using a wooden spoon gently get all of those yummy chicken bits and flavor up off the pan. Then add the cream and bring to a boil, remove immediately and pour over chicken. Foil the dish and place in 350˚ oven for 15 minutes, or until chicken is done through. Serve with your favorite potatoes and vegetables.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Steaks with Red Sauce and Gorgonzolas Cheese
4 medium sized Rib Eye Steaks
Salt & Pepper
1/3 cup grape juice (not white, it is too sweet)
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons diced shallots, (could use red onions)
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon soften buttered
1 tablespoon flour
¼ cup Gorgonzolas crumbles
Season steaks with salt and pepper on BOTH sides. Sear steaks for 3 minutes on both sides. Don’t move them around, don’t touch them…just sear and flip after 3 minutes. After both sides have been seared place in a casserole dish. Add oil to your pan and sauté your shallots and garlic on medium heat. When they are soft and translucent add your grape juice and vinegar, then add Thyme. Turn to high heat and reduce for 3 minutes, your liquid should reduce in volume almost by half. Meanwhile in a small bowl mix your soften butter and flour until you make a nice golden paste. Add this to your liquid mixture and whisk. When the liquid starts to thicken slightly remove from heat and pour over steaks. Cover dish with foil and place in a 350 degree oven for another 5 minutes, this will produce a medium rare steak. If you want something more done, leave in for an extra 3 minutes. When serving sprinkle with the gorgonzolas crumbles.
***serve with a green veggie and your favorite potato (try my crispy parmesan potatoes)
Crispy Parmesan Potatoes
Crispy Parmesan Potatoes
4 medium sized potatoes
2 tablespoons of melted butter
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon ground pepper
¼ cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
Clean and peal the potatoes. Chop in 1 inch squares or bite sized pieces. Cover with cold water in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Boil potatoes for about 4 minutes (you do not want them to be done…just close to done!) Drain potatoes and air dry for 1 minute, meanwhile mix cheese and dried herbs and spices in a small bowl. In a sauté pan coat potatoes with melted butter, and then mix in the cheese mixture. Place sauté pan over high heat. Make sure potatoes are evenly distributed and make only one layer in pan. DO NOT STIR the potatoes, let them cook and sizzle for a good 4 minutes before even looking at them, this insures at least one side to be nice and golden crispy. Then toss and brown the remaining sides.
* Can be stored in the oven to keep warm…do not cover as it will make the outsides crust go soft!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
WEEK 7 Menu
Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
2 boxes Uncle Ben's long grain wild rice quick method (6.2 oz.)
Prepare according to directions. Let this stand while preparing the rest of the soup.
1 cube butter or margarine
1 chopped onion
2 grated carrots
Brown above 3 ingredients until onions and carrots are soft.
Add:
1 c. flour
6 c. water
Mix flour and water together well so flour is dissolved completely. (Blender works well)
Add:
2 c half and half
3 chicken boullon cubes - I use more. Taste it to see.
5 c. cooked chicken cut into bite sized pieces.
Salt and pepper to taste. Serve with hot rolls or Sweet Corn Bread - recipe follows
NO FUSS Chicken Tacos
This is the easiest meal ever. It is a staple at our house if it is going to be busy night!
4 frozen chicken breasts
1 small can favorite salsa (any heat ok)
1 small container store bought fresh mango salsa (optional)
8 tortillas
Place chicken in crock pot cover with salsas and let cook on low for 5-7 hours. Serve with your favorite rice and black beans. SO YUMMY.
Try my cilantro rice recipe.
Spicy Jack & Mac Cheese
SPICY JACK MAC & CHEESE
2 cups (8oz) dry macaroni
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded pepper Jack Cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 can 12 fl oz Evaporated milk
½ teaspoon white pepper
2 tablespoons bread crumbs
Preheat oven 350˚. Lightly butter your 2 quart casserole dish, or individual dishes.
Cook macaroni as directed on package.
Mix your cooked pasta, cheeses, ½ of your parmesan cheese, milk and pepper in a bowl and pour into your casserole dish. Combine remaining parmesan cheese and bread crumbs and sprinkle on top of macaroni. Cover with foil and back for 20 minutes. Bake uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes until golden brown.
* This recipe is also great with-out the spicy cheese, just add an additional cup of Monterey jack cheese.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Week 6 Menu
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I found this recipe, and inproved upon it! It is my new favorite!
Recipes used: Sesame Orange Chicken
Chicken Nachos
This is another recipe that is fantasitc for left-over chicken. And supper easy. It is a 5 minute dinner!
Recipes used: Chicken Nachos
Sorry I am late this week!!!
Sesame Orange Chicken
2 large chicken breasts
1 small onion, diced on angle
2 carrots, pealed and diced on angle
1 large bunch broccoli
¼ cup orange juice
1 small garlic glove, minced
2 teaspoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons corn starch
1 teaspoons sesame oil (optional)
1 teaspoon sesame seeds (garnish)
Sauté and brown chicken in olive oil. Add in onion, carrots, and broccoli and continue to sauté. In a small bowl mix orange juice, soy sauce, garlic and corn starch. Add liquid to your frying pan and bring to a boil to thicken. Cover with lid and allow the vegetables to steam. Watch carefully not to burn. Remove and Serve with rice. Dress with a small amount of sesame oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Baked Chicken Pasta
1 lb favorite small pasta, (I had shells left over)
1 ½ cooked chicken diced
2 cups shredded mozzarella
1 small green pepper, diced
1 small onion, diced
1 small zucchini, diced
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can tomatoes sauce
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon pepper
Salt to taste
Boil water and cook pasta to ALMOST done! Drain and set aside. Sauté onions, pepper and zucchini, until tender. In the blender combine your stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, garlic powder and pepper, and salt if needed. Blend to a smooth consistency. Combine sauce, noodles, cooked chicken, and veggies in frying pan and coat evenly. Add in 1 cup grated cheese and put in a cooking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, and bake at 350˚ for 15- 20 minutes. ENJOY!
Chicken Nachos
Chicken Nachos
1 can black beans
½ red onion diced
1 cup diced cooked chicken
3 cups shredded cheese
1 green pepper chopped
1 tomato chopped
1 small avocado cubed
Sour cream, if desired
Favorite corn tortilla chip
Drain the beans and heat in a microwave safe bowl for 1 minute. Spread out chips on a cooling rack set inside a cookie sheet, this will keep them crisp. Layer with Chicken, onions, peppers, and beans. Then top layer of cheese. (Sometimes I put a small layer on the bottom so everything sticks together.) Place them in your broiler for 30 seconds to a minute. DO NOT WALK AWAY TO ANSWER THE PHONE, you must sit and watch them to know when they are done! You could do them in the microwave, but you run the risk of them going soggy. When they come out top them with tomatoes, or salsa, avocado and sour cream!
Beef Stew
3 c. carrots (chunks)
2 lg. potatoes (chunks)
3 lg. stalks celery (chunks)
1 lg. onions (chopped)
1 can favorite bean, I like pinto
2 T. parsley
1 lb. stewing beef (bite size pieces, uncooked)
1 teaspoons Salt
½ teaspoon pepper flakes
1 teaspoons pepper
1 can beef stew
1 can tomato soup + half can water
Sauté with a nice brown crust. Add to crock pot. Simmer potatoes in water for 3 minutes (this will prevent them from going brown.) Add the rest of the ingredients and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 3.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Week 5 Menu
A yummy refreshing dinner! Great for left-over chicken use.
Recipes Used: Raspberry Chicken Salad
*pic borrowed from Google Images, I forgot to take a pic!
Chicken Soup Pot Pie
This is the best of both worlds! Creamy Chicken soup meets Chicken Pot Pie!
Recipes Used: Chicken Soup Pot Pie, Homemade Biscuits