Saturday, July 30, 2011

Lime Ranch Chicken

This was great. I love me a good quick fixer.
Lime Ranch Chicken

From: Cooking with Anne

1 lb. chicken, cut into strips
1 packet ranch salad dressing mix
1/4 cup lime juice
cooked rice

Combine ranch dressing mix and lime juice. Toss mixture with chicken strips and let chill in fridge for at least 30 minutes. Grill, bake or cook in a skillet and serve over cooked rice.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Festive Rice Medley


Festive Rice Medley

From: Taste of Home Simple and Delicious Cookbook

1 1/2 cups uncooked instant rice (I use regular rice unless I'm in a super big hurry)
1/4 cup sweet red pepper, chopped
1/4 cup sweet yellow pepper chopped
2 tsp. canola oil
2 Tbs. fresh cilantro, minced
2 Tbs. green onions, chopped
1/2 tsp. garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. paprika, optional

Cook rice according to package directions. In a large skillet, saute the peppers in oil for 2-3 minutes or until tender. Add the cilantro, onion, garlic and salt. Stir in the rice and paprika if desired. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until heated through.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Deli Monte Cristos

These were absolutely outstanding. Love, love, lots of love.
Deli Monte Cristos

From: Taste of Home Simple & Delicious Cookbook

4 slices rye bread
4 thin slices deli ham
2 thin slices deli turkey
2 Tbs. deli coleslaw
2 Tbs. Thousand Island dressing
2 slices swiss cheese
2 eggs

On two slices of bread, layer a slice of ham and turkey, coleslaw, salad dressing and cheese. Top with remaining ham and bread. In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs. Dip both sides of the sandwiches in eggs.

In a nonstick skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, cook sandwiches over medium heat for 2-3 minutes on each side or until bread is toasted and cheese is melted.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Pesto Pepper Tortellini

Using the frozen tortellini puts this easily into the yummy quick fix category. My kind of meal, these days.
Pesto Pepper Tortellini

From: Taste of Home Simple and Delicious Cookbook

1 pkg. (19 oz.) frozen cheese tortellini
1/2 cup sweet red pepper, julienned
1 1/2 tsp. garlic, minced
2 Tbs. butter
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup walnuts, ground (I used pecans because I highly prefer them)
2 Tbs. fresh basil, minced
1 Tbs. green onion, chopped

Cook tortellini according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute red pepper and garlic in butter until pepper is crisp tender. Stir in cream; cook for 8-10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Add the walnuts, basil and onion; heat through. Drain tortellini; add to sauce and toss to coat.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Falafel

I love me some good Falafel so I was quite happy to find this recipe and quite pleased with it.
Falafel
From: The Noshery1 cup dried chickpeas

1 cup dried chickpeas
1/2 large onion, roughly chopped (about 1 cup)
2 Tbs. fresh parsley, finely chopped
2 Tbs. fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 tsp. salt
1/2-1 tsp. dried hot red pepper, chopped
4 cloves garlic
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. baking powder
4-6 Tbs. flour
vegetable oil for frying
Chopped tomato for garnish
Diced onion for garnish
Diced green bell pepper for garnish
Tahini sauce
Pita bread

Put the chickpeas in a large bowl and add enough cold water to cover them by at least 2 inches. Let soak overnight, then drain. Or use canned chickpeas, drained.(I used canned because I'm too lazy for that, or more like, I don't remember)

Place the drained, uncooked chickpeas and the onions in the bowl of a food processor. Add the parsley, cilantro, salt, hot pepper, garlic, and cumin. Process until blended but not pureed.

Sprinkle in the baking powder and 4 tablespoons of the flour, and pulse. Add enough flour so that the dough forms a small ball and no longer sticks to your hands. Turn into a bowl and refrigerate, covered, for several hours.

Form the chickpea mixture into balls about the size of walnuts.

Heat 3 inches of oil to 375 degrees in a deep pot or wok and fry 1 ball to test. If it falls apart, add a little flour. Then fry about 6 balls at once for a few minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Stuff half a pita with falafel balls, chopped tomatoes, onion and green pepper. Drizzle with tahini thinned with water.

Monday, July 25, 2011

BLT Salad

Always good for a nice side salad!
BLT Salad

From: Taste of Home Simple and Delicious Cookbook

1 lb. sliced bacon, cut into 1" pieces
1/4 cup butter, cubed
4 slices white bread, crusts removed and cut into 1" cubes
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3-5 Tbs. fresh basil, minced
2 Tbs. red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic minced
6 cups romaine, torn
1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes

In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings. Set bacon and drippings aside. In another large skillet, melt the butter. Add bread cubes; cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes or until golden brown, stirring frequently. Remove to paper towels, coo.

For dressing, whisk the mayo, basil, vinegar, pepper, garlic and reserved drippings. In a large bowl, combine romaine, tomatoes and bacon. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat. Top with the croutons.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Garlic Chicken and Gravy


Garlic Chicken and Gravy
From: Taste of Home Simple and Delicious Cookbook

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
5 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
2 Tbs. butter
1/2 cup + 2 Tbs. chicken broth, divided
1/2 cup white wine or additional chicken broth
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1 Tbs. flour

Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, cook chicken and garlic in butter over medium-high heat for 5 minutes or until browned. Add 1/2 cup broth, wine, basil and oregano. bring to a boil. reduce heat; cover and simmer for 7-9 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink.

Remove chicken with a slotted spoon and keep warm. In a small bowl, combine flour and remaining broth until smooth; stir into pan juices. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Serve over chicken.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Classic Cobb Salad

Oh so yummy and fresh. Gotta love it.
Classic Cobb Salad

From: Smitten Kitchen

Dressing: (This could easily be halved and still have more than enough.)
3/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 Tbs. lemon juice
3/4 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp. sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Salad:
1/2 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
1/2 head romaine lettuce, chopped
1/2 bunch watercress, some of the stems trimmed, chopped (I left this out)
2 oz. blue cheese, crumbled
6 strips cooked bacon, chopped or crumbled
3 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
2 med. tomatoes, seeded, and chopped
1 boneless skinless chicken breast, cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
1 avocado, chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons chives, minced

Combine the canola oil, olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and garlic in a blender. Puree the ingredients to make a smooth dressing and season with salt and pepper. Set the dressing aside.

On a large platter, combine the iceberg, romaine lettuce and watercress. Arrange the blue cheese, bacon, eggs, tomatoes, chicken, and avocado on top of the greens. To serve, drizzle salad with dressing, season with salt and pepper, and top with chives or just throw everything together in a bowl.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Crushed New Potatoes


Crushed New Potatoes

From: Home Cooking Montana

4 new potatoes
1 Tbs. olive oil
1 clove garlic
1 Tbs. chives, sliced
salt
pepper
2 Tbs cheese, grated(any kind you like...I just used cheddar)
1 Tbs. Parmesan
herbs of choice (optional)

Preheat Broiler. Wash potatoes well and place in salted water. Bring water to a boil and cook till fork tender.

Mix oil with the crushed garlic. Set aside.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the potatoes on the parchment paper. Using a potato crusher, crush the potatoes carefully but not until they are flat. You could also use the back of a large spoon. Pour some garlic oil over each potato. Sprinkle each with some salt and pepper. Add some Parmesan/Pepper Jack/cheddar or whatever cheese, chives and desired herbs. Broil for 7-10 minutes or until nice and crispy.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Roasted Pepper Tortellini

I loved this as did the hubs and the kids. It was a definite winner for our family.
Roasted Red Pepper Tortellini

From: Taste of Home Simple and Delicious Cookbook

1 pkg. (20 oz.) refrigerated cheese tortellini
5 Italian sausage links
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 jar (15 1/2 oz.) roasted sweet red pepper, drained
1 can (15 oz.) pizza sauce
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Cook the tortellini according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook sausage in oil over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Cut it into 1/4 in" slices. (I like to peel the the casing off and break it into chunks before cooking it.)

Place the peppers in a blender or food processor; cover and process until smooth, drain tortellini. Add the tortellini, pureed peppers and pizza sauce to the skillet; stir to combine. Cook for 5 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses; cover and heat until cheese is melted.