Cheese Fondue

It is hard to go wrong with a good cheese fondue and this is surely a good one.
Cheese Fondue

From: The Sisters Cafe

2 cups swiss cheese, shredded
2 cups monterey jack, shredded
2 cups chicken broth, separated
1 clove garlic, minced
3 Tbs. cornstarch
dash of pepper
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup chicken broth
french bread, cubed
any other desired items for dipping

Melt swiss and monterey jack cheeses in 1 3/4 cups chicken broth with garlic added.  Keep broth barely under a boil, stirring until cheese in completely melted (it will be stringy).

Combine cornstarch, pepper, salt, nutmeg and worcestershire sauce in 1/4 cup chicken broth.  Add to cheese mixture, stirring until smooth.  Put fondue mixture into a preheated fondue pot and keep at temperature hot enough to maintain desired texture without scorching.

Cut french bread into bite-sized chunks.  Prepare any other desired items for dipping.  Dip into fondue!

Asparagus with Blue Cheese

Asparagus and Blue Cheese = Genius!
Asparagus with Blue Cheese

From: You Got Served

1 lb. asparagus
2 tsp. red wine vinegar
2 Tbs. olive oil
2 Tbs. chives, minced
4 Tbs. blue cheese, crumbled
freshly ground white pepper

Cut tough ends off of asparagus.  Fill a medium skillet with 1" of water and bring to a boil.  Add asparagus in a single layer and cook until tender.  Drain well and arrange on a serving plate.  Stir together vinegar and oil in a small bowl.  Add blue cheese and chives and mix well.  Pour over the hot asparagus.  Season to taste with white pepper.  Serve hot or at room temperature.

Zucchini Cakes

These were fantastic! Everything about them rocked!
Zucchini Cakes

From: The Pioneer Woman

1 large zucchini
1 Tbs. garlic, minced
1/2-3/4 cups breadcrumbs
1/2 cup 4-cheese Italian blend (or Parmesan or Romano cheese)
2 eggs
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
olive oil

Wash and cut the end off of one large zucchini.  Shred it using a large hole cheese grater.  Squeeze the shredded zucchini inside of a clean towel (I use cheesecloth) until you've removed as much liquid as possible.

Place shredded zucchini into a medium sized bowl.  Add minced garlic, breadcrumbs, cheese, eggs, kosher salt and pepper to taste.  Stir with a fork until well mixed.

Heat about 1/4" of olive oil in bottom of a deep skillet over medium heat.  When the oil is hot enough, drop a glob of zucchini batter into the skillet and flatten it a bit.  After about two minutes, turn the cakes over (they should be golden brown on bottom) and cook on the other side until done, about another 2-3 minutes.

Serve with the dipping sauc of your choice.

BBQ Shredded Chicken and Caramelized Red Onion Ranch Spaghetti

BBQ Chicken and Caramelized Red Onion Ranch Spaghetti

From: Picky Palate

1 lb. thin spaghetti noodles
4 Tbs. olive oil
1/2 lg. red onion, fined diced
2 Tbs. ranch dressing mix
3/4 cup cilantro, chopped

Shredded BBQ Chicken

1 1/2 cups ketchup

3 Tbs. Dijon Mustard

4 Tbs. worstershire sauce

2 Tbs. apple cider vinegar

1 1/2 Tbs. lemon juice

4 Tbs. brown sugar

1 tsp. fresh cracked black pepper

1 tsp. honey

Pinch of salt

2 lg. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded


For BBQ Chicken: Combine all ingredients into a medium saucepan over medium low heat. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring often. Reduce heat to low and stir in shredded chicken. Let simmer for a little while.

Cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.  Place olive oil into a large pot over medium heat.  Saute the red onions until softened and golden.  Add cooked spaghetti to onions; mix and add dry ranch dressing mix and cilantro leaves.  Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.  Place noodles onto serving plates and top with warm shredded BBQ chicken.  Garnish with cilantro leaves and serve. 

Vegetable Tian

Would you just look at all of those yummy veggies and cheese!
Vegetable Tian

From: Home Cooking Montana

1 lg. yellow onion, cut in half and sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
unpeeled potatoes, slice in 1/4" thick rounds (I used red potatoes)
1 zucchini, slice in 1/4" thick rounds
1 yellow squash, slice in 1/4" thick rounds
2-3 roma tomatoes, slice in 1/4" thick rounds
kosher salt/pepper to taste
fresh thyme leaves, plus extra springs
gruyere cheese, grated (can use parmesan)
olive oil

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.Brush a baking dish with olive oil.  In a medium saute pan, heat about 1-2 Tbs. of olive oil and cook the onions over medium-low heat or until translucent.  It should take about 8-10 minutes.  Add the garlic and cook an additional minute.  Spread the onion mixture on the bottom of the oiled baking dish.

Layer them alternately on top of the onions.  Fit them tightly, making only 1 layer.  Sprinkle with some kosher salt and pepper.  Add some of the thyme leaves and a few thyme springs.  Drizzle with a bit of olive oil, about 1 Tbs. or so.  Cover the dish with foil.  Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.  Uncover the dish, remove the thyme sprigs.  Sprinkle with some grated cheese.  Bake the Vegetable Tian for another 30 minutes or until browned.  Serve warm.

Chicken Artichoke Pesto Calzone

Chicken Artichoke Pesto Calzone

From: Taste Every Season

2 1/2 lbs. pizza dough (use your favorite recipe)
1 cup pesto
1 cup frozen artichokes, defrosted and roughly chopped (I just used canned)
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
2 cups mozzarella or fontina, shredded
olive oil for brushing

Heat the oven according to your pizza dough recipe.  Divide dough into eight equal pieces.  Gently reshape each piece of dough into a ball.  Cover with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel and let the dough rest if needed.

Working with one piece of dough at a time and keeping the other pieces covered, stretch and pull the dough into a 7-8" round.  Set it aside while your roll/stretch out another 3 pieces of dough. (work in groups of 4).

Spread 2 Tbs. pesto onto each round of dough, leaving about a 1" border around the edge.  Divide the toppings evenly between the eight dough rounds, forming a pile in the center of the bottom half of each dough round and leaving a 1" border uncovered.

Fold the top half of the dough over the filling-covered bottom half and with your fingertips, lightly press around the silhouette of the filling and out to the edge to lightly seal the dough shut.  Roll the bottom edge up over the top if needed to fully seal.

With a pastry brush, brush the tops and sides of the calzones with olive oil.  Carefully transfer the calzones to parchment paper covered cookie sheets.  Bake until the calzones are golden brown, about 11 minutes.  Remove the calzones from the parchment, cool 5 minutes, and serve.

Lemon Asparagus with Pine Nuts

We all, especially the kids, love asparagus 'round these parts, so I have a ton of asparagus recipes. This one is by far our favorite.
Lemon Asparagus with Pine Nuts

From: You Got Served

1 lb. fresh asparagus
3 Tbs. pine nuts
1/4 cup olive oil
1 Tbs. lemon juice
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
freshly ground pepper, to taste

Cut off tough ends of asparagus.  Remove scales from stalks with a knife or vegetable peeler, if desired. (I don't bother).  Place spears in a steaming rack over boiling water; cover and steam 4-5 minutes or until spears are crisp-tender.  Transfer to a serving platter.  Saute pine nuts in a small skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, or until browned.  Set aside.

Combine olive oil and remaining ingredients in a medium saucepan, stirring with a wire whisk to blend.  Cook over medium heat 2-3 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring constantly.  Pour over asparagus.  Sprinkle with pine nuts.  Let stand until reaching room temperature before serving.  (I also like it hot.)

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

These were so so yummy. A Perfect fall side.
Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

From: You Got Served

1 1/2 to 2 lbs. sweet potatoes
4 oz. smoked bacon
2 Tbs. dark brown sugar
3 Tbs. unsalted butter, softened
2 shallots, minced
1 tsp. minced fresh rosemary, plus more for garnish
1 large egg
2 Tbs. heavy cream
2 oz. gruyere cheese, finely grated, plus more for garnish
coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Place the sweet potatoes on a parchment lined baking sheet; bake until tender when pierced with a paring knife, about 45 min.  Remove from oven; let cool slightly.

Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil; place a wire rack inside.  Arrange bacon strips on rack and sprinkle with brown sugar.  cook until well glazed and crisp, 12-15 minutes.  remove from oven; let cool slightly and roughly chop.  Set aside.

Melt 1 Tbs. butter in a small skillet over medium heat.  Add shallots; saute until soft and fragrant, about 2 minutes.  Add rosemary and cook 1 minutes more.  Remove from heat, and set aside.  Slice each potato in half lengthwise.  Carefully scoop out flesh, leaving about a 1/4" border all around potato halves; place halves on a baking sheet, and set aside.

Place potato flesh in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.  Add remaining 2 Tbs. butter, reserved shallot mixture, egg, cream and Gruyere.  Mix well until combined.  Season with salt and pepper.  Place mixture into a baking dish.  Bake until golden, about 20 minutes.  Remove from oven; garnish with Gruyere, rosemary and reserved bacon.

Layered Mexican Rice Bake

This is one of those hurry up and be done with dinner already recipes. Love it.
Layered Mexican Rice Bake

From: Picky Palate

2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1 med. white onion, finely chopped
1 Anaheim chili pepper, finely diced
1 1/2 cups sweet peppers, chopped
1 1/2 Tbs. garlic, minced
4 cups cooked rice
1 Tbs. cumin
2 cups chicken breast, cooked and shredded
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. ranch dressing mix
1/2 cup salsa
1 can corn, drained
1 can red kidney bean (or other bean of choice), drained (I used black beans)
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place oil into a large skillet over medium heat.  Saute onion and peppers for about 5 minutes or until softened.  Stir in garlic and cook for an additional minute.  Stir in cooked rice, season with cumin and reduce heat to low.  Transfer mixed rice to a 9x13" baking dish

Place chicken breast into a medium skillet over medium heat.  Season with garlic salt, ranch seasoning and salsa; mix and reduce heat to low.  Pour corn over rice.  Next layer the beans, cilantro, chicken and top with cheese.  Bake for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Serve with hot sauce if desired.

Beef and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

Beef and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

From: The Duo Dishes

1 cup quinoa, cooked
1lb. ground beef
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 med. red onion, diced
1med eggplant, diced
1 1/2 cups small mixed heirloom tomatoes, diced
1 tsp. ground paprika
2 tsp. cumin
1tsp. chili powder
1 jalapeno pepper, diced
1 1/2 Tbs. kosher salt
8 med. mixed bell peppers, tops, seeds and ribs removed
Grape seed oil

Swirl a bit of the oil in a deep, large pan.  Once hot enough, add the garlic and onions.  Cook until the onions begin to become translucent, about 3-5 mins.

Add the eggplant and tomatoes, followed by paprika, cumin, chili powder and jalapeño.  Stir to mix well.

Add the ground beef and cook until just browned, about 6-8 mins.  Stir in quinoa and salt.

Spoon the filling into each pepper and stand in a baking dish just large enough to fit all of the peppers snugly. Bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 min.

Spaghetti with Artichoke Hearts and Tomatoes

Artichoke hearts...really, need I say more.
Spaghetti with Artichoke Hearts and Tomatoes

From: The Pioneer Woman

2 Tbs. olive oil
2 Tbs.  butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 med. onion, finely diced
1 (14.4 oz)can artichoke hearts, drained
1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth or more as needed
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
Salt and pepper to taste
1lb. thin spaghetti
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tbs. chives, chopped

Cook spaghetti till alienate.  Drain and set aside.

Melt olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add onions and garlic and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.

Add artichoke hearts and tomatoes.  Stir and cook for 8-10 minutes.  Reduce heat to low.  Stir in cream and chicken broth.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Make sure not to under salt.  Cook over low. Heat until heated through, turn off heat.

Place drained pasta in a large bowl.  Sprinkle with 1 cup Parmesan.  Pour sauce over the top.  Add chives.  Toss lightly to combine and coat; add a tiny bit of reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick

Creamy Orzo with Chicken, Mushroom and Red Peppers

Creamy Orzo with Chicken, Mushroom and Red Peppers

From: Mel's Kitchen Cafe

1 Tbs. olive oil
2 (about 1-1 1/2 lbs.) chicken breasts, cut into chunks
2 red bell peppers, cut into 1/2" pieces
8 oz. white button mushrooms, quartered
1 tsp. dried thyme
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 lb. orzo
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup reserved pasta water
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 Tbs. flat leaf parsley, chopped
juice of 1 lemon

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Add the orzo and cook until done.  When the orzo is done, set aside 1 cup of the pasta water, drain orzo and set aside.

While the orzo is cooking, in a large nonstick skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.  Season the chicken with salt and pepper.  Add the chicken to the hot oil and brown on all sides.  When browned, but cooked through, add the peppers, mushrooms and thyme.  Stir and let cook for 5 minutes, until the chicken in cooked through and the mushrooms and peppers have softened and browned and most of the liquid has evaporated.  Add the garlic and cook, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute.

In the skillet over medium heat, add the softened cream cheese in small chunks and stir so that the cheese melts and coats the chicken and vegetables.  Add the reserved pasta water and bring to a simmer.  Add 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper.  Stir.  Add the orzo, Parmesan, lemon juice and parsley. Stir to combine and heat through.  Garnish with additional Parmesan and parsley.

Haandi Chicken

A friend recently posted this recipe on Facebook and I was so smitten with the ingredients I just had to make it. Good thing I did because it was amazing and will be permanently added to my repertoire of quick, easy, delicious meals.


And pardon the HORRENDOUS picture. Some of the best tasting food is just plain ugly.
We double this recipe, because apparently my family is huge now. But I recommend doubling it anyway. You're going to want the leftovers (which were just as good).

Haandi Chicken
1lb chicken, cubed
2 onions, diced
1Tbs olive oil
6oz coconut milk
2tbs sour cream
1tsp Each: coriander, chili powder, garam masala, ginger, garlic salt
1/4 tsp cardamom 
1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
8 oz pineapple pieces 
1/2 c cashews
Red pepper flakes

Cook onions in olive oil over med heat until just tender. Add chicken and cook util browned. Don't over cook (about 2-3 min). Add all spices except cilantro and pepper flakes. Add coconut milk, sour cream and pineapple. Simmer on low about 4-5 min. But don't let it come to a full boil. 1 minute before serving, add cilantro and red pepper flakes (optional). Serve over rice. Garnish with cashews. 

Sausage and Potato Bake

Sausage and Potato Bake

From: Real Mom Kitchen

2 pkgs. brown and serve sausage patties or links, thawed
3 1/2 cups frozen hash browns (I used the cubed kind)
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1  cup of milk
6 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. dried mustard
1/4 tsp. salt

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.

Cut thawed sausage into slices or patties into quarters.  Stir all ingredients together in a large bowl.  Pour into prepared dish.  Bake 50-60 minutes or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean.  Let stand 10 minutes.

Chilled Fruit Cups

These were so fantastic. I kept a bunch covered in my freezer and would pull them out here and there (ok, so every night until they were gone) for a treat.
Chilled Fruit Cups

From: Real Mom Kitchen

1 (12 oz.) can frozen pineapple juice concentrate, thawed
1 (6 oz.) can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
2 Tbs. lemon juice
3 med. firm bananas, sliced
1 (16 oz.) pkg. frozen unsweetened strawberries
1 (15 oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained
1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple
18 clear plastic cups

In a large bowl, prepare pineapple juice concentrate according to package directions. Add orange juice concentrate, water, sugar, lemon juice and the fruit.

Spoon 3/4 cupful into each plastic cup. Place cups in a pan and freeze. Remove from the freezer at least 40-50 minutes before serving. Serve with spoons.  You break up the frozen fruit with your spoon and eat it like a slush.

New Potatoes in Creamy Dill Sauce

New Potatoes in Creamy Dill Sauce

From: Kraft Foods

1-1/2 lb. small new potatoes, quartered

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup chive and onion cream cheese spread

1/2 cup milk

1/2 tsp. dill

 

Microwave potatoes and water in covered 3-qt. microwaveable dish on HIGH 15 to 17 min. or until potatoes are tender, stirring after 10 min.; drain. (I boiled mine on the stove.) Return potatoes to dish; set aside. 
 
Microwave cream cheese and milk in microwave safe bowl 1 min.; stir until smooth. Pour over potatoes; sprinkle with dill.


Microwave 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through; stir gently.

Oreo and Fudge Ice Cream Cake

I made this for my friend's daughter's birthday! It was a huge hit and with good reason. It is yummy! In the picture below I doubled the recipe so as to feed a crowd.
Oreo and Fudge Ice Cream Cake

From: Kraft Foods

1/2 cup hot fudge ice cream topping, warmed

1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip, thawed, divided

1 (3.9 oz.) pkg. instant chocolate pudding

8 oreo cookies, chopped (about 1 cup)

12 vanilla ice cream sandwiches

 

Pour fudge topping into medium bowl. Whisk in 1 cup of cool whip. Add dry pudding mix; stir 2 min. Stir in chopped cookies. 
 




Arrange 4 ice cream sandwiches, side-by-side, on 24-inch-long sheet of foil; top with half of the cool whip mixture. Repeat layers.  Top with remaining sandwiches.  Frost top and sides with remaining cool whip.  Bring up foil sides; double fold top and ends to loosely seal packet. 
 

Freeze 4 hours or until firm. 

Black Bean Tostados with Mango Avocado Salsa

 Avocado and Mango...really can you go wrong with this?

Black Bean Tostados with Mango Avocado Salsa

From: The Sisters Cafe

1-2 ripe avocados, peeled and cut into 1/2″ cubes
3 Tbs. lime juice
1 ripe mango, peeled and cut into 1/2″ cubes
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
1 tsp. lime zest
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. sugar
2 Tbs. cilantro, chopped + more for garnish
4 Tbs. olive oil
1 (15.5 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
black pepper, to taste
Spring greens (I just use whatever salad greens I happen to have) 
4 whole wheat tortillas
olive oil flavored Pam
kosher salt
Cotija cheese for garnish (I substitute in Feta)
 
In a medium bowl, toss mango and jalapeno with 1 Tbs. lime juice and salt. Add avocado and gently toss to combine. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining lime juice, zest, sugar, cilantro and oil. Toss the black beans with the vinaigrette.

Meanwhile, spray both sides of the whole wheat tortillas with olive oil flavored Pam and sprinkle with kosher salt. Broil 3-4 minutes, flip and broil reverse side until lightly browned.
 
To assemble, sprinkle tostados with spring mix greens. Then spoon the black beans with vinaigrette into the center of the greens and top with the mango-avocado mixture. Garnish with chopped cilantro, crumbled cotija cheese and black pepper.

Chicken Enchiladas with Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

So So So delish!
Chicken Enchiladas with Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

From: The Sisters Cafe

Roasted Tomatillo Chile Salsa:
1 lb. tomatillos, husked
1 white onion, peeled, quartered
4 cloves garlic
2 jalapenos
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
1/2 lime, juiced

Enchiladas:
olive oil
1/2 med. onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 cup flour
2 cups chicken stock
cilantro leaves, chopped
3 lbs. chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
10 lg. flour tortillas
1/2 pound Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1 cup sour cream + extra for serving
Chopped tomatoes and cilantro leaves, optional- for garnish
Guacamole, optional
 
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  On a baking tray, roast tomatillos, onion, garlic and jalapenos for 12 to 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.  Transfer the roasted vegetables and any juices on the bottom of the tray to a food processor.  Add the cumin, salt and cilantro and pulse the mixture until well combined but still chunky.
 
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft and caramelized, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cumin then cook for another minute.  Sprinkle on the flour and stir to ensure the flour doesn’t burn then gradually add the chicken stock. Continue stirring over a low simmer until the flour cooks and the liquid thickens. Turn off the heat, add half of the roasted tomatillo chile salsa, some additional fresh chopped cilantro and fold in the shredded chicken meat and 1 cup of sour cream. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Begin assembling the dish. Take a large baking dish and smear the bottom with some of the reserved tomatillo salsa.  Microwave your tortillas for a few second to make them soft and pliable.  Using a shallow bowl, coat each tortilla lightly with the reserved salsa mix. Put a scoop of the shredded chicken-enchilada mix on top of the tortilla followed by a sprinkle of the shredded cheese. Fold the tortilla over the filling and roll up. Place the tortillas in the baking dish and continue to do the same with all the tortillas.

Finally pour over some more of the salsa and top with the remaining shredded cheese. Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes until bubbly and cracked on top. Garnish with cilantro and tomato.

Serve hot with the remaining tomatillo salsa, sour cream, and fresh guacamole.

Roasted Garlic Cauliflower

Roasted Garlic Cauliflower

From: The Sisters Cafe

2 Tbs. garlic, minced
3 Tbs. olive oil
1 lg. head cauliflower, washed and separated into small florets
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, not the powdered stuff
salt and pepper to taste
1 Tbs. fresh parsley, chopped

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Grease a large casserole dish.  Place olive oiland garlic in a large resealable bag. Add cauliflower, and shake to mix. Pour into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through. Top with parmesan cheese and parsley and return to oven for 3 minutes.