Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday, time to get ready for the weekend. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Cheese-Stuffed Shells in Marinara Sauce and Skillet Red Beans and Rice. Enjoy!

STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE BANANA BROWNIES

This is from a Weight Watcher's emailing list from y-e-a-r-s ago. At the time, it had a points value of 5 per serving. (Yield: 20 servings.)

Ingredients

12 med. strawberries

2 beaten eggs

1/3 c. water

1 (8 oz.) soft strawberry cream cheese

1 1/2 c. sifted powdered sugar

1 ripe med. banana

1 (20 1/2 oz.) walnut brownie mix

1/4 c. oil

Directions

Remove stems from clean berries. Mash with banana and set aside. In large bowl, mix eggs, brownie mix, water and oil until moistened. Add berries and banana mixture. Pour into lightly greased 9x13x2 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until brownies spring back when lightly touched. Cool. Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Frosting will be soft. Spread on brownies. Store covered in refrigerator.

TURKEY BURGER AND PEAR SLIDERS

This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “Indulge in your burger craving without feeling guilty! Grilled fresh sweet pear and creamy Chèvre goat cheese help satisfy the foodie in all of us. These mini gourmet turkey and pear burgers will soon become a grilling favorite.”

Source: USA Pears and Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association

Serves: 6; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 10-15 minutes

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For Turkey Burgers

1 pound ground turkey

1/2 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs

1 large egg, beaten

1 tablespoon minced dried onion

1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1-2 Bartlett or Anjou pears sliced (or planked)

3/4 cup Chèvre goat cheese (or creamy goat cheese of your choice)

arugula lettuce

Directions

To make turkey burgers:

Combine all ingredients in large bowl.

Shape into 12 patties (to fit the buns you selected). Pan-fry, broil, or grill until turkey burgers lightly browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.

To make pear slices:

Cut pears into 1/4-inch slices (or use a pear-planker)and spray lightly with nonstick spray.

Grill or broil pear slices until brown in spots, about 2 minutes per side.

To assemble:Separate 12 small slider rolls. Spread bottom half with 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite creamy goat cheese (we used Chèvre). Put cooked turkey burger and a pear slice on top of goat cheese. Top with fresh arugula leaves and serve.

BEEF OR CHICKEN FAJITAS

This yummy fajita recipe is from FamilyTime, and begins, “Fajitas were made popular in the 1970s by Texans and soon fajitas were sizzling on grills and frying pans across the country. Serve with warm black beans topped with shredded Monterey Jack cheese and Nestea.”

Serves: 4; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes

View this online here.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil

2 small green or red bell peppers, cut into strips

1 small onion, sliced

3 large cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 pound lean beef sirloin or boneless skinless chicken breast meat, cut into 2-inch strips

1 1/4 teaspoons cumin, ground

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 cup ORTEGA® Thick & Chunky Salsa

4 (6-inch) fajita-size tortillas, warmed

Toppings: sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro, guacamole, shredded cheddar cheese and olives.

Directions

Heat oil in large nonstick skillet. Add bell peppers, onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is slightly golden and peppers are tender.

Stir in beef or chicken, cumin and chili powder; cook, stirring occasionally, until meat is no longer pink. Stir in salsa; heat through.

Serve in tortillas; top with desired toppings.

SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN

This was posted in MyRecipes, and is originally from CookingLight. This begins, “Our take saves 446 calories, 22 grams of fat, and 1,260 milligrams of sodium over one serving of a leading chain's sweet and sour chicken.”

Yield: Serves 4 (serving size: 1 cup)

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 large egg whites

4 teaspoons cornstarch, divided

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces

6 tablespoons unsalted ketchup

1/4 cup water

3 tablespoons cider vinegar

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce

2 tablespoons canola oil, divided

1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple chunks

2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger

3 green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces

Directions

Combine egg whites and 1 tablespoon cornstarch in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add chicken to bowl; toss to coat.

Combine remaining 1 teaspoon cornstarch, ketchup, and next 4 ingredients (through soy sauce) in a bowl, stirring with a whisk.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add bell pepper to pan; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add pineapple, ginger, and onions to pan; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer bell pepper mixture to a plate.

Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pan. Add chicken mixture, allowing any excess egg white mixture to drip back into bowl. Stir-fry 6 minutes or until chicken is browned and done. Add ketchup mixture and bell pepper mixture to pan. Bring to a simmer; simmer 1 minute or until slightly thickened. Sprinkle with salt; serve immediately.

CHEESE-STUFFED SHELLS IN MARINARA SAUCE

This recipe is from FamilyTime, and begins, “A traditional Italian-style favorite is made easier for you! Combine Buitoni Marinara Sauce with stuffed shells, add a tossed salad and warm bread and sit down to a satisfying meal!”

Serves: 6; Prep. time: 15 minutes; Cooking time: 30 minutes.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

12 dried jumbo whole-wheat or regular pasta shells, prepared according to package directions

1 cup (4 ounces)shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese, divided

1 cup fat free or reduced-fat ricotta cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 large egg

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 container (15 oz.) BUITONI® refrigerated Marinara Sauce

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degree F.

Combine 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg and pepper in a medium bowl. Stuff each shell evenly with cheese mixture; place in ungreased 12 x 71/2-inch (2-quart rectangular) baking dish. Pour sauce over shells.

Bake for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

For Freeze Ahead:

Prepare as above; do not bake. Do not top with remaining mozarella cheese. Cover; freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator.

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

SKILLET RED BEANS AND RICE

This was posted in MyRecipes, and is originally from CookingLight. This begins, “Look for trinity blend (a mix of onion, bell pepper, and celery) with the prepared produce. Or make your own with 3/4 cup onion, 3/4 cup celery, and 1/2 cup bell pepper.”

Active Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Yield: Serves 4 (serving size: about 2 cups rice mixture)

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

4 ounces chopped andouille sausage

3 garlic cloves, chopped

1 (8-oz.) pkg. fresh trinity blend

1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

1 (15-oz.) can unsalted kidney beans, rinsed and drained

2/3 cup unsalted chicken stock

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper

2 (8.8-oz.) pkg. precooked brown rice (such as Uncle Ben's)

1/3 cup chopped green onions

Directions

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Add sausage; cook 4 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally. Add garlic, trinity blend, and red bell pepper; sauté 3 minutes or until tender. Stir in beans and next 4 ingredients (through ground red pepper). Cover, bring to a simmer, and cook 4 minutes. Mash half of bean mixture in pan. Stir in rice; cover, and cook 4 minutes. Sprinkle with green onions.