Wednesday Recipes

Half-way through the work week...and six yummy recipes to try. Enjoy!

BBQ CHICKEN PINWHEEL BAKE

This comes from Tablespoon.com, and begins, “Crescent pinwheels packed with chicken and cheese are a hearty dinner riff on the classic sandwich.” Prep Time: 10 min; Total Time: 30 min; Servings: $

To view this online, along with a photo of the dish, click here.

Ingredients

2 cups shredded deli rotisserie chicken

1/2 cup barbecue sauce

1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury™ refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

3/4 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (3 oz)

2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

Heat oven to 400°F.

In medium bowl, stir together 2 cups shredded deli rotisserie chicken and 1/2 cup barbecue sauce.

On large cutting board, unroll dough from 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury™ refrigerated crescent dinner rolls into 2 long rectangles. Overlap long sides to form large rectangle; firmly press perforations and edges to seal.

Spread chicken mixture evenly over dough leaving about 1/2 inch on 1 side uncovered. Top chicken mixture evenly with 3/4 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese.

Starting with topped long side, roll up dough toward uncovered edge; pinch seam to seal tightly.

Using sharp knife, cut roll into 8 equal slices (pinwheels); place cut side down in ungreased 8- or 9-inch round pan.

Bake 18 to 22 minutes or until golden brown and center pinwheels are no longer doughy. Cool slightly, 5 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro over top. Serve warm.

CAPRESE CALZONES

This easy, quick recipe also comes from Tablespoon.com, and starts off, “With just 5 ingredients and less than 10 minutes of prep, you’ll be devouring these calzones in no time!” Prep Time: 10 min; Total Time: 20 min; Servings: 4

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 tube Pillsbury™ refrigerated pizza crust

2 Roma tomatoes, halved and sliced

4 ounces mozzarella cheese, cubed

1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped

Your favorite pizza/spaghetti sauce for dipping

Directions

Preheat oven to 425º F.

Roll out pizza dough onto a non-stick or lightly floured surface and cut it into 4 equal squares. Layer each square with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. Fold in the 2 long sides of each square, pinching at the seams and the edges to seal the calzones. Place the calzones seam-side down onto a cookie sheet and bake 9-11 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve hot with dipping sauce.

"LOW-RENT" TUNA POKE BOWL

This comes from TheKitchn.com, one of my all-time favorite email newsletters. If you haven't checked out this cool site – or its sibling site, Apartmenttherapy.com – I highly recommend checking them out. This recipe, which Serves 2, can be found online – along with photos and a description of the recipe, click here.

2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce (or 1 teaspoon tamari, if gluten-free)

1 teaspoon sesame oil

2 tablespoon orange juice

1-inch piece of ginger, peeled and grated or minced

2 5-ounce cans tuna in brine, drained

Small handful of cilantro, chopped

1 scallion, finely chopped

1 cup cooked rice or other grain, cooled

1/4 medium avocado, cubed

4 cherry tomatoes, quartered

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Place the soy sauce, sesame oil, orange juice and ginger in a jar. Secure the lid and shake well until the dressing is emulsified. (Or whisk together in a small bowl.)

Empty the drained tuna into a small bowl and pour the dressing over top. Add in the scallion and cilantro then toss to coat well. Divide the rice between two bowls and top with the dressed tuna, avocado, tomatoes and sesame seeds.

SWEET POTATO FRIES

This comes from Food.com, and starts off, “Great low-fat snack or side dish.” Makes 6 servings in 45 minutes (total).

To view this online, go to http://www.food.com/recipe/sweet-potato-fries-33993.

Ingredients

1 lb sweet potato

1 
egg white

2 teaspoons chili powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions

Peel and cut potatoes into 1/4 inch x 1/2 inch strips.

In a bowl, combine egg white and seasonings; beat well.

Add potatoes; toss to coat.

Spray two baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray.

Place potatoes in a single layer on the two baking sheets.

Bake, uncovered at 450 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

OLIVE GARDEN-STYLE SALAD WITH CREAMY ITALIAN DRESSING

Okay, this recipe, as well as the next (Olive Garden-Style Garlic Breadsticks ) were in a Today Show food segment and email newsletter. Prep Time: 15 minutes; Servings: 4

This can be viewed online, along with a video, at http://www.today.com/food/try-these-olive-gardens-salad-breadsticks-recipes-home-t37921.

Ingredients

For the Dressing

1 cup mayonnaise

2/3 cup white vinegar

5 tablespoons granulated sugar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon water

2/3 cup Parmesan-Romano cheese blend

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon parsley flakes

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

For the Salad

1 bag romaine lettuce

1/2 red onion, sliced

1/2 cup black olives

2 Roma tomatoes, sliced

3/4 cup croutons

8 pepperoncini

Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Preparation

To make dressing: Into a food processor or blender, blend all of the salad dressing ingredients until smooth. Chill before serving.

To make the salad: In a large bowl, assemble the salad and toss with the dressing right before serving. Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and serve on chilled plates.

OLIVE GARDEN-STYLE GARLIC BREADSTICKS

This, as well as the salad, can be found at http://www.today.com/food/try-these-olive-gardens-salad-breadsticks-recipes-home-t37921.

Ingredients

For the Breadsticks

3/4 teaspoon active dry yeast

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 cup plus 1 tablespoon warm water

3 cups bread flour, plus more for surface

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/4 cup butter, melted, plus more for greasing bread bowl

For the Topping

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

Preparation

Into a small bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water and let sit for 5 minutes until bubbles and foam form.

Into a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine flour and salt. Mix in the softened butter. Pour the yeast mixture into the flour and continue to mix until combined.

Turn out dough onto a floured surface and knead the dough for about 10 minutes. Place dough in a well-buttered bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let sit for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until it has doubled in size.

Take roughly 2-ounce portions of the dough and roll each portion out on a floured surface to form breadsticks that are 7 inches long. Place the breadsticks on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet. Cover, and set aside for another 1 1/2 hours or until dough has doubled in size again.

Preheat oven to 400º F. Bake breadsticks for 12 to 15 minutes or until they are golden brown. Remove from oven and brush each one with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic salt. Serve warm.