Confessions of a Foodie

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Showing posts with label Chicken Parmesan Pockets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicken Parmesan Pockets. Show all posts

Friday, February 7, 2025

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Sloppy Joes and Spicy Portuguese Beef Steak Kabobs. Enjoy!

CALIFORNIA TURKEY CHILI

This is from Giada De Laurentiis on the Food Network. Prep Time: 1 hour; Inactive Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Intermediate

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/california-turkey-chili-recipe-2014996.

Ingredients

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

4 large cloves garlic, smashed, peeled and chopped

2 large poblano chiles, stemmed, seeded and diced

1 celery stalk, chopped

1 large onion, chopped

1 1/2 pounds ground turkey (dark meat)

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

4 tablespoons tomato paste

3 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

2 teaspoons (packed) dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano, crushed

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

3 cups low-salt chicken broth (preferably organic)

One 15 to 16-ounce can cannellini (white kidney beans), rinsed and drained

Simplest Quinoa and Pine Nut Pilaf, recipe follows

Assorted garnishes, such as chopped onion, shredded white Cheddar, chopped tomatoes and/or sour cream

Simplest Quinoa and Pine Nut Pilaf:

1 1/4 cups whole grain quinoa (about 7 ounces)

1 3/4 cups low-salt chicken broth (preferably organic)

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro or Italian parsley

1/3 cup pine nuts

Directions

Heat the oil in a heavy, large pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, poblanos, celery and onions. Saute until the vegetables soften, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the turkey and saute until no longer pink, breaking up the turkey with the back of a spoon, about 7 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over and stir to blend. Add the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, sugar, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, cinnamon and cloves. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring to blend. Add the broth and beans. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the flavors blend and the chili thickens to desired consistency, stirring often, 20 to 30 minutes. Season with more salt and pepper.

To serve, spoon Simplest Quinoa and Pine Nut Pilaf into deep bowls. Ladle chili over. Serve with garnishes.

Cook's Note: Other garnishes that you could offer: chopped radishes, pickled jalapenos, crumbled cotija cheese, tortilla chips and/or pico de gallo.

Simplest Quinoa and Pine Nut Pilaf:

Place the quinoa in a fine sieve. Rinse under cold running water 1 full minute. Set aside to drain.

Bring the broth, salt and pepper to a boil in heavy, medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the quinoa. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the quinoa is tender and all the broth is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat. Let the quinoa stand, still covered, for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Scatter pine nuts on a small rimmed baking sheet. Toast the nuts until golden, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet.

Mix the cilantro and pine nuts into the quinoa.

SLOPPY JOES

This is from Ree Drummond on the Food Network.

Active Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Makes 8 servings; Level: East

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/sloppy-joes-2120434.

Ingredients

2 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 large green bell pepper, diced

1/2 large onion, diced

1 1/2 cups ketchup

5 cloves garlic, minced

Hot sauce, such as Tabasco

Worcestershire sauce

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

8 kaiser rolls

2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

2 teaspoons chili powder, or more as needed

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more as needed

2 tablespoons butter, softened

Chips or salad, for serving, if desired

Ingredients

Start by browning the ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat. Drain off the fat.

Add in the green peppers and onions. Stir, and then add 1 cup water, the ketchup and garlic. Stir it around to combine, and then add the brown sugar, chili powder, dry mustard, red pepper flakes, and hot sauce, Worcestershire, salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine, and then cover and simmer over medium-low heat, about 20 minutes.

To serve, spread the rolls with the butter and brown them on a griddle or in a skillet. Spoon a good amount of the meat mixture onto the bottom roll, and then top with the other half. Serve with chips, salad or just enjoy it by itself.

CHICKEN AND BLACK BEAN ENCHILADAS

This comes from MyRecipes, and begins, "Chipotles can be a touch spicy, but you can use only half of what's called for to decrease heat and still get great smoky flavor."

Hands-on Time: 23 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes; Makes 8 servings (serving size: 2 enchiladas, 2 tablespoons salsa, and 1 tablespoon sour cream)

To view this online, go to .

Ingredients

Cooking spray

1 tablespoon canola oil

1-1/2 cups chopped onion

1 cup chopped poblano chile

5 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1 cup unsalted chicken stock

1 tablespoon pureed canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce

2 (8-ounce) cans unsalted tomato sauce

3 cups shredded cooked skinless chicken breast

1 (15.5-ounce) can unsalted black beans, rinsed and drained

4 ounces shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese (about 1 cup)

4 ounces shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (about 1 cup)

16 (6-inch) corn tortillas

1 cup prepared salsa

1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream

Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Coat a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, poblano, and garlic; sauté 4 minutes or until onion and poblano are tender. Stir in chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Add stock, chipotles, and tomato sauce, and bring to a gentle simmer; cook 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.

Combine chicken and black beans in a medium bowl; add half of sauce mixture. Combine cheeses in a bowl; add 1/2 cup cheese mixture to chicken mixture. Toss to combine.

Place 8 tortillas on a microwave-safe plate; cover with a slightly damp paper towel. Microwave at HIGH for 45 seconds or until warm. Working with 1 tortilla at a time, place tortilla on a flat work surface; spoon 1/4 cup chicken mixture onto 1 end of tortilla. Roll up, jelly-roll style. Repeat procedure with remaining tortillas, heating up second batch of tortillas when first batch is used up. Arrange enchiladas, seam side down, in prepared dish. Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas; sprinkle with remaining cheese mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted and golden brown. Serve enchiladas with salsa, sour cream, and cilantro, if desired.

SPICY PORTUGUESE BEEF STEAK KABOBS

Recipe Yield: Yield: 6 servings

Source: The Beef Checkoff

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/spicy-portuguese-beef-steak-kabobs.

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds boneless beef top sirloin steak, cut 1-1/4 inches thick

1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

Seasoning:

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)

Directions

Cut beef steak into 1-1/4-inch pieces. Combine seasoning ingredients in medium bowl. Add beef; toss.

Alternately thread beef and bell pepper onto six 10-inch metal skewers

Place kabobs on grid over medium, ash-covered coals.

Grill, covered, 8 to 10 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 9 to 11 minutes) for medium rare (145F) to medium (160F) doneness, turning once.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 214; Fat: 11 g; Sodium: 98 mg; Cholesterol: 76 mg; Protein: 26 g; Carbohydrates: 2 g

FRENCH ONION SOUP

This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

7 cups halved and thinly-sliced onions

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

6 cups low sodium vegetable broth

1/3 cup dry sherry

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 French bread loaf, cut 1/2" thick slices

10 ounces shredded Jarlsberg or Gruyere cheese

Directions

In large, heavy pot, melt 2 tablespoons butter with oil over medium heat. Stir in onions, sugar, & salt. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Reduce heat, cover & cook 10 minutes. Remove lid & cook 15 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Add remaining butter to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are caramelized & very soft, about 15 minutes. Stir in flour & cook 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in broth, sherry, thyme, salt to taste & pepper. Cover & simmer 15 minutes, adding more salt if needed. Preheat broiler. Lightly toast bread slices. Ladle soup into 6 ovenproof bowls or crocks & arrange on baking sheet. Put enough bread on top of each serving, cutting & fitting if necessary to cover soup. Sprinkle bread with shredded cheese. Broil until cheese is bubbly & golden. Serve hot. Serves 8.

CHICKEN PARMESAN POCKETS

Years ago, Fr. Dominic Garramone (AKA the Bread Monk had a show on PBS. I'm sure I'm not the only person who got hooked on his show. Unfortunately, it went off the air years ago. But his cook books are still in circulation, and you can always go to his website (above).

This was one of the recipes on his show.

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

Dough:

2 envelopes FLEISCHMANN’S Active Dry Yeast

1 cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened

1 large egg

3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Chicken Filling:

1 cup prepared spaghetti sauce

3/4 teaspoon garlic powder

2-1/4 cups shredded cooked chicken

1 cup chopped green pepper

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1-1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

Egg Glaze:

1 egg white, lightly beaten

2 teaspoons water

Directions

In large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, sugar, salt, butter, egg and 2 cups flour. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead 8 to 10 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turn to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1-1/2 hours.

Punch dough down; let rest 10 minutes. Divide dough into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece to 6 x 6-inch squares. Combine spaghetti sauce and garlic powder; spread on squares. Top with chicken, pepper, Parmesan cheese and Mozzarella cheese. Fold to form triangles; pinch sides to seal. Place on greased baking sheet. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

Slash tops of pockets. Brush with egg white combined with water. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes or until done. Serve warm.

Friday, January 26, 2024

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Sloppy Joes and Spicy Portuguese Beef Steak Kabobs. Enjoy!

CALIFORNIA TURKEY CHILI

This is from Giada De Laurentiis on the Food Network. Prep Time: 1 hour; Inactive Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Intermediate

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/california-turkey-chili-recipe-2014996.

Ingredients

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

4 large cloves garlic, smashed, peeled and chopped

2 large poblano chiles, stemmed, seeded and diced

1 celery stalk, chopped

1 large onion, chopped

1 1/2 pounds ground turkey (dark meat)

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

4 tablespoons tomato paste

3 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

2 teaspoons (packed) dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano, crushed

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

3 cups low-salt chicken broth (preferably organic)

One 15 to 16-ounce can cannellini (white kidney beans), rinsed and drained

Simplest Quinoa and Pine Nut Pilaf, recipe follows

Assorted garnishes, such as chopped onion, shredded white Cheddar, chopped tomatoes and/or sour cream

Simplest Quinoa and Pine Nut Pilaf:

1 1/4 cups whole grain quinoa (about 7 ounces)

1 3/4 cups low-salt chicken broth (preferably organic)

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro or Italian parsley

1/3 cup pine nuts

Directions

Heat the oil in a heavy, large pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, poblanos, celery and onions. Saute until the vegetables soften, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the turkey and saute until no longer pink, breaking up the turkey with the back of a spoon, about 7 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over and stir to blend. Add the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, sugar, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, cinnamon and cloves. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring to blend. Add the broth and beans. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the flavors blend and the chili thickens to desired consistency, stirring often, 20 to 30 minutes. Season with more salt and pepper.

To serve, spoon Simplest Quinoa and Pine Nut Pilaf into deep bowls. Ladle chili over. Serve with garnishes.

Cook's Note: Other garnishes that you could offer: chopped radishes, pickled jalapenos, crumbled cotija cheese, tortilla chips and/or pico de gallo.

Simplest Quinoa and Pine Nut Pilaf:

Place the quinoa in a fine sieve. Rinse under cold running water 1 full minute. Set aside to drain.

Bring the broth, salt and pepper to a boil in heavy, medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the quinoa. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the quinoa is tender and all the broth is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat. Let the quinoa stand, still covered, for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Scatter pine nuts on a small rimmed baking sheet. Toast the nuts until golden, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet.

Mix the cilantro and pine nuts into the quinoa.

SLOPPY JOES

This is from Ree Drummond on the Food Network.

Active Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Makes 8 servings; Level: East

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/sloppy-joes-2120434.

Ingredients

2 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 large green bell pepper, diced

1/2 large onion, diced

1 1/2 cups ketchup

5 cloves garlic, minced

Hot sauce, such as Tabasco

Worcestershire sauce

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

8 kaiser rolls

2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

2 teaspoons chili powder, or more as needed

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more as needed

2 tablespoons butter, softened

Chips or salad, for serving, if desired

Ingredients

Start by browning the ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat. Drain off the fat.

Add in the green peppers and onions. Stir, and then add 1 cup water, the ketchup and garlic. Stir it around to combine, and then add the brown sugar, chili powder, dry mustard, red pepper flakes, and hot sauce, Worcestershire, salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine, and then cover and simmer over medium-low heat, about 20 minutes.

To serve, spread the rolls with the butter and brown them on a griddle or in a skillet. Spoon a good amount of the meat mixture onto the bottom roll, and then top with the other half. Serve with chips, salad or just enjoy it by itself.

CHICKEN AND BLACK BEAN ENCHILADAS

This comes from MyRecipes, and begins, "Chipotles can be a touch spicy, but you can use only half of what's called for to decrease heat and still get great smoky flavor."

Hands-on Time: 23 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes; Makes 8 servings (serving size: 2 enchiladas, 2 tablespoons salsa, and 1 tablespoon sour cream)

To view this online, go to .

Ingredients

Cooking spray

1 tablespoon canola oil

1-1/2 cups chopped onion

1 cup chopped poblano chile

5 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1 cup unsalted chicken stock

1 tablespoon pureed canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce

2 (8-ounce) cans unsalted tomato sauce

3 cups shredded cooked skinless chicken breast

1 (15.5-ounce) can unsalted black beans, rinsed and drained

4 ounces shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese (about 1 cup)

4 ounces shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (about 1 cup)

16 (6-inch) corn tortillas

1 cup prepared salsa

1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream

Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Coat a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, poblano, and garlic; sauté 4 minutes or until onion and poblano are tender. Stir in chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Add stock, chipotles, and tomato sauce, and bring to a gentle simmer; cook 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.

Combine chicken and black beans in a medium bowl; add half of sauce mixture. Combine cheeses in a bowl; add 1/2 cup cheese mixture to chicken mixture. Toss to combine.

Place 8 tortillas on a microwave-safe plate; cover with a slightly damp paper towel. Microwave at HIGH for 45 seconds or until warm. Working with 1 tortilla at a time, place tortilla on a flat work surface; spoon 1/4 cup chicken mixture onto 1 end of tortilla. Roll up, jelly-roll style. Repeat procedure with remaining tortillas, heating up second batch of tortillas when first batch is used up. Arrange enchiladas, seam side down, in prepared dish. Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas; sprinkle with remaining cheese mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted and golden brown. Serve enchiladas with salsa, sour cream, and cilantro, if desired.

SPICY PORTUGUESE BEEF STEAK KABOBS

Recipe Yield: Yield: 6 servings

Source: The Beef Checkoff

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/spicy-portuguese-beef-steak-kabobs.

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds boneless beef top sirloin steak, cut 1-1/4 inches thick

1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

Seasoning:

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)

Directions

Cut beef steak into 1-1/4-inch pieces. Combine seasoning ingredients in medium bowl. Add beef; toss.

Alternately thread beef and bell pepper onto six 10-inch metal skewers

Place kabobs on grid over medium, ash-covered coals.

Grill, covered, 8 to 10 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 9 to 11 minutes) for medium rare (145F) to medium (160F) doneness, turning once.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 214; Fat: 11 g; Sodium: 98 mg; Cholesterol: 76 mg; Protein: 26 g; Carbohydrates: 2 g

FRENCH ONION SOUP

This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

7 cups halved and thinly-sliced onions

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

6 cups low sodium vegetable broth

1/3 cup dry sherry

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 French bread loaf, cut 1/2" thick slices

10 ounces shredded Jarlsberg or Gruyere cheese

Directions

In large, heavy pot, melt 2 tablespoons butter with oil over medium heat. Stir in onions, sugar, & salt. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Reduce heat, cover & cook 10 minutes. Remove lid & cook 15 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Add remaining butter to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are caramelized & very soft, about 15 minutes. Stir in flour & cook 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in broth, sherry, thyme, salt to taste & pepper. Cover & simmer 15 minutes, adding more salt if needed. Preheat broiler. Lightly toast bread slices. Ladle soup into 6 ovenproof bowls or crocks & arrange on baking sheet. Put enough bread on top of each serving, cutting & fitting if necessary to cover soup. Sprinkle bread with shredded cheese. Broil until cheese is bubbly & golden. Serve hot. Serves 8.

CHICKEN PARMESAN POCKETS

Years ago, Fr. Dominic Garramone (AKA the Bread Monk had a show on PBS. I'm sure I'm not the only person who got hooked on his show. Unfortunately, it went off the air years ago. But his cook books are still in circulation, and you can always go to his website (above).

This was one of the recipes on his show.

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

Dough:

2 envelopes FLEISCHMANN’S Active Dry Yeast

1 cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened

1 large egg

3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Chicken Filling:

1 cup prepared spaghetti sauce

3/4 teaspoon garlic powder

2-1/4 cups shredded cooked chicken

1 cup chopped green pepper

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1-1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

Egg Glaze:

1 egg white, lightly beaten

2 teaspoons water

Directions

In large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, sugar, salt, butter, egg and 2 cups flour. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead 8 to 10 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turn to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1-1/2 hours.

Punch dough down; let rest 10 minutes. Divide dough into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece to 6 x 6-inch squares. Combine spaghetti sauce and garlic powder; spread on squares. Top with chicken, pepper, Parmesan cheese and Mozzarella cheese. Fold to form triangles; pinch sides to seal. Place on greased baking sheet. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

Slash tops of pockets. Brush with egg white combined with water. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes or until done. Serve warm.

Thursday, May 11, 2023

Chicken

There was a time when Chicken was reserved for the Sunday dinner table. (Think early- to mid-twentieth century.)

Now it's an anytime meal. Here are six chicken recipes to help you through the day, including One-Pan Crispy Chicken and Chickpeas and Chicken Pot Pie Crescent Bake. Enjoy!

CHICKEN WITH LIME AND AVOCADO SALSA

This is from Better Homes and Gardens, and begins, "Cool, refreshing lime combines with avocados to make a saucy salsa and chicken main-dish recipe that's ready in less than 30 minutes."

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 4 minutes; Total Time: 24 minutes; Servings: 4

To view this online, go to https://www.bhg.com/recipe/chicken/chicken-with-lime-and-avocado-salsa/.

Ingredients

4 chicken cutlets (see Making Chicken Cutlets, below)

3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

3 large avocados, halved, pitted, peeled and chopped

1 large tomato, chopped

1 medium red onion, cut in thin strips

1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and sliced

3 tablespoon lime juice

1/4 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves

Lime wedges

Directions

Preheat grill pan over high heat. Coat chicken with 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Add to grill pan; cook 2 to 3 minutes each side or until no pink remains.

Meanwhile, in large bowl combine avocados, tomato, onion, jalapeño, lime juice, and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with chicken. Garnish with cilantro and lime wedges. Makes 4 servings.

Making Chicken Cutlets:

If chicken cutlets are unavailable, make your own using boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Steady the meat by placing your hand on top of the thickest part of the chicken breast. Cut in half horizontally, being sure to hold your fingers up and away from the blade. Once you have cut through a few inches of the breast, pull the sliced part back to open and cut down the middle, forming two pieces. If needed, gently flatten the cutlet with the heel of your hand until it is about a half-inch thick.

CHICKEN ALFREDO AND RICE CASSEROLE

This is from Better Homes and Gardens, and begins, "Looking for a yummy casserole recipe? This old-fashioned chicken and rice main dish is truly comfort food at its best."

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Bake Time: 50 minutes; Total Time: 1 hr 15 minutes; Servings: 4

To view this online, go to https://www.bhg.com/recipe/chicken/chicken-alfredo-and-rice-casserole/.

Ingredients

1 10 ounce container refrigerated light Alfredo pasta sauce

1/2 cup milk

2-1/2 cup cooked white rice or wild rice

2 cup cubed cooked chicken

1 cup frozen peas

1/3 cup chopped bottled roasted red sweet peppers

1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted (optional)

1 tablespoon snipped fresh basil or 1/2 tsp. dried basil, crushed

1 cup soft bread crumbs

1 tablespoon butter, melted

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In large bowl combine pasta sauce and milk. Stir in rice, chicken, peas, sweet peppers, nuts, and basil. Transfer to 1-1/2-quart baking dish.

Bake, covered, 30 minutes. Uncover and stir. Combine bread crumbs and melted butter; sprinkle atop. Bake, uncovered, 20 to 25 minutes more or until heated through and crumbs are golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serves 4.

CHICKEN POT PIE CRESCENT BAKE

This is from Pillsbury Kitchens, and begins, "Cozy up busy weeknights with a quick and easy homestyle chicken pot pie bake. This hearty bake is comfort food at its finest, and prep is a breeze. Make your chicken pot pie casserole with a super-simple made-from-scratch sauce, frozen veggies, chopped chicken and a flaky crust made from Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Rolls. You can have this easy chicken pot pie bake ready to serve in under an hour. Just scoop right from the baking dish, and enjoy."

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Makes 6 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1/3 cup butter

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1 3/4 cups Progresso™ Chicken Broth (from 32-oz carton)

2/3 cup milk

1 bag (10 oz) frozen mixed vegetables

3 cups chopped cooked chicken

1 can (8 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Rolls (8 Count)

Directions

Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 12x8-inch or 11x7-inch (2-quart) rectangular glass baking dish with cooking spray.

In 2 1/2- to 3-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Stir in flour, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, stirring constantly, until mixture is bubbly. Gradually stir in broth and milk.

Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir about 1 minute or until thickened. Stir in vegetables and chicken. Cook over medium heat about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until mixture is heated through; pour mixture into baking dish.

Unroll crescent dough; separate into triangles. Place on top of hot chicken mixture, overlapping slightly, to look like braided appearance.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until deep golden brown and dough is baked through. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Tips from the Pillsbury Kitchens

tip 1

If desired, brush crescent dough with 1 tablespoon melted butter, and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme. Or, try garnishing with fresh thyme or chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley before serving.

tip 2

Instead of using mixed vegetables in your chicken pot pie bake, switch it up with your favorite frozen vegetable, like corn, peas or carrots.

tip 3

Serve this easy chicken pot pie bake with a fresh garden salad for a complete dinner.

Tip 4

Bring more comforting meals to the dinner table with tasty meals like our Classic Chicken Pot Pie and Chicken Pot Pie Crescent Cups.

CHICKEN PARMESAN POCKETS

Years ago, Fr. Dominic Garramone (AKA the Bread Monk had a show on PBS. I'm sure I'm not the only person who got hooked on his show. Unfortunately, it went off the air years ago. But his cook books are still in circulation, and you can always go to his website (above).

This was one of the recipes on his show.

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

Dough:

2 envelopes FLEISCHMANN’S Active Dry Yeast

1 cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened

1 large egg

3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Chicken Filling:

1 cup prepared spaghetti sauce

3/4 teaspoon garlic powder

2-1/4 cups shredded cooked chicken

1 cup chopped green pepper

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1-1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

Egg Glaze:

1 egg white, lightly beaten

2 teaspoons water

Directions

In large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, sugar, salt, butter, egg and 2 cups flour. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead 8 to 10 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turn to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1-1/2 hours.

Punch dough down; let rest 10 minutes. Divide dough into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece to 6 x 6-inch squares. Combine spaghetti sauce and garlic powder; spread on squares. Top with chicken, pepper, Parmesan cheese and Mozzarella cheese. Fold to form triangles; pinch sides to seal. Place on greased baking sheet. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

Slash tops of pockets. Brush with egg white combined with water. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes or until done. Serve warm.

MISO CHICKEN

This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Making a compound of unsalted butter and the salty, fungal deliciousness of Japanese miso paste is a surefire way of adding immense flavor to a simple weeknight meal. Here the mixture is spread over chicken thighs, which are then roasted to golden perfection. But you could easily use it on salmon or flounder, on corn or potatoes. The recipe calls for white miso, which is more mild than the aged version known as red miso. But you could certainly use red for a more intense result.” Yield: 4 servings; Time: 45 minutes.

This was featured in Asian Pantry Essentials and can also be found online by clicking here.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup white miso

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon rice vinegar (do not use seasoned rice vinegar)

Black pepper, to taste

8 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs, approximately 2 1/2 to 3 pounds

Preparation

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Combine butter, miso, honey, rice vinegar and black pepper in a large bowl and mix with a spatula or spoon until it is well combined.

Add chicken to the bowl and massage the miso-butter mixture all over it. Place the chicken in a single layer in a roasting pan and slide it into the oven. Roast for 30 to 40 minutes, turning the chicken pieces over once or twice, until the skin is golden brown and crisp, and the internal temperature of the meat is 160 to 165 degrees.

ONE-PAN CRISPY CHICKEN AND CHICKPEAS

This is from Yossy Arefi in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Yossy wrote, "This speedy, no-fuss meal comes together in one pan with a minimal ingredient list — and barely requires any chopping. The chicken skin crisps as it roasts and the chickpeas, garlic and spinach soak up any juices at the bottom of the pan. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens up the whole dish. Make sure to stir the chickpeas and spinach together gently at the end to avoid breaking up the chickpeas too much. For added flavor, you could dust the chicken with smoked paprika, ground turmeric or your favorite spice blend before cooking. Serve this dish with yogurt and hot sauce on the side, and flatbread, if you like."

Time: 45 minutes; Yield: 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023862-one-pan-crispy-chicken-and-chickpeas.

Ingredients

4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1-3/4 pounds)

Kosher salt and pepper

2 teaspoons olive oil, plus more as needed

2 (15-ounce) cans of chickpeas, rinsed

4 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced

4 (packed) cups or 1 (5-ounce) package baby spinach

1 large lemon, halved

Yogurt and hot sauce (both optional), for serving

Preparation

Heat oven to 400 degrees with a rack in the center.

Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Put the chicken thighs in the skillet, skin-side down, and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until light golden brown. Flip and cook for 2 more minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate.

Add the chickpeas and garlic to the skillet and stir to coat in the oil and juices. If the pan seems at all dry, drizzle in a bit of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

Place the chicken on top of the chickpeas, skin side up, in an even layer and transfer the pan to the oven. Bake for 30 minutes or until the chicken is deeply golden and cooked through.

Remove the chicken to a clean plate, put the pan back on the stovetop over medium heat and add the spinach to the chickpeas in the pan, one handful at a time, stirring it until just wilted. Add the chicken back to the pan and squeeze a lemon half over the top; cut the remaining lemon half into 4 wedges. Serve the chicken, chickpeas and spinach with the lemon wedges on the side, and yogurt and hot sauce for serving, if you like.

Monday, April 24, 2023

Chicken - Double-Post Monday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's double post deals with chicken, and includes Baked Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic and Crockpot Maple BBQ Chicken Sandwiches. Yum! Enjoy!

CHICKEN PARMESAN POCKETS

Years ago, Fr. Dominic Garramone (AKA the Bread Monk had a show on PBS. I'm sure I'm not the only person who got hooked on his show. Unfortunately, it went off the air years ago. But his cook books are still in circulation, and you can always go to his website (above).

This was one of the recipes on his show.

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

Dough:

2 envelopes FLEISCHMANN’S Active Dry Yeast

1 cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened

1 large egg

3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Chicken Filling:

1 cup prepared spaghetti sauce

3/4 teaspoon garlic powder

2-1/4 cups shredded cooked chicken

1 cup chopped green pepper

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1-1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

Egg Glaze:

1 egg white, lightly beaten

2 teaspoons water

Directions

In large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, sugar, salt, butter, egg and 2 cups flour. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead 8 to 10 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turn to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1-1/2 hours.

Punch dough down; let rest 10 minutes. Divide dough into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece to 6 x 6-inch squares. Combine spaghetti sauce and garlic powder; spread on squares. Top with chicken, pepper, Parmesan cheese and Mozzarella cheese. Fold to form triangles; pinch sides to seal. Place on greased baking sheet. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

Slash tops of pockets. Brush with egg white combined with water. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes or until done. Serve warm.

MISO CHICKEN

This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Making a compound of unsalted butter and the salty, fungal deliciousness of Japanese miso paste is a surefire way of adding immense flavor to a simple weeknight meal. Here the mixture is spread over chicken thighs, which are then roasted to golden perfection. But you could easily use it on salmon or flounder, on corn or potatoes. The recipe calls for white miso, which is more mild than the aged version known as red miso. But you could certainly use red for a more intense result.” Yield: 4 servings; Time: 45 minutes.

This was featured in Asian Pantry Essentials and can also be found online by clicking here.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup white miso

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon rice vinegar (do not use seasoned rice vinegar)

Black pepper, to taste

8 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs, approximately 2 1/2 to 3 pounds

Preparation

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Combine butter, miso, honey, rice vinegar and black pepper in a large bowl and mix with a spatula or spoon until it is well combined.

Add chicken to the bowl and massage the miso-butter mixture all over it. Place the chicken in a single layer in a roasting pan and slide it into the oven. Roast for 30 to 40 minutes, turning the chicken pieces over once or twice, until the skin is golden brown and crisp, and the internal temperature of the meat is 160 to 165 degrees.

CHICKEN AND BLACK BEAN ENCHILADAS

This comes from MyRecipes, and begins, "Chipotles can be a touch spicy, but you can use only half of what's called for to decrease heat and still get great smoky flavor."

Hands-on Time: 23 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes; Makes 8 servings (serving size: 2 enchiladas, 2 tablespoons salsa, and 1 tablespoon sour cream)

To view this online, go to .

Ingredients

Cooking spray

1 tablespoon canola oil

1-1/2 cups chopped onion

1 cup chopped poblano chile

5 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1 cup unsalted chicken stock

1 tablespoon pureed canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce

2 (8-ounce) cans unsalted tomato sauce

3 cups shredded cooked skinless chicken breast

1 (15.5-ounce) can unsalted black beans, rinsed and drained

4 ounces shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese (about 1 cup)

4 ounces shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (about 1 cup)

16 (6-inch) corn tortillas

1 cup prepared salsa

1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream

Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Coat a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, poblano, and garlic; sauté 4 minutes or until onion and poblano are tender. Stir in chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Add stock, chipotles, and tomato sauce, and bring to a gentle simmer; cook 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.

Combine chicken and black beans in a medium bowl; add half of sauce mixture. Combine cheeses in a bowl; add 1/2 cup cheese mixture to chicken mixture. Toss to combine.

Place 8 tortillas on a microwave-safe plate; cover with a slightly damp paper towel. Microwave at HIGH for 45 seconds or until warm. Working with 1 tortilla at a time, place tortilla on a flat work surface; spoon 1/4 cup chicken mixture onto 1 end of tortilla. Roll up, jelly-roll style. Repeat procedure with remaining tortillas, heating up second batch of tortillas when first batch is used up. Arrange enchiladas, seam side down, in prepared dish. Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas; sprinkle with remaining cheese mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted and golden brown. Serve enchiladas with salsa, sour cream, and cilantro, if desired.

CROCKPOT MAPLE BBQ CHICKEN SANDWICHES

This came from a Weight Watchers crockpot email list maybe a decade or more ago. The points value is from then.

4 servings = 225 calories, 4g fat, 1g fiber; 5 points per serving

Ingredients

1/2 C. maple flavored syrup

2 T. prepared mustard

2 T. Worcestershire sauce

2 t. lemon juice

1/2 t. chili powder

1/4 t. garlic powder

4 boneless, skinned chicken breasts

Directions

Place all ingredients in crockpot & cook on LOW for about 7 to 8 hours or until chicken is done.

You can either eat the breasts whole or shred them on buns or rice for more points.

BAKED CHICKEN WITH 40 CLOVES OF GARLIC

See author's note after directions.

Serves: 4

Source: Mediterranean Light

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/304.shtml

Ingredients

1 (3-or-4 pound) chicken, cut into pieces

2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and freshly ground pepper

40 large, meaty garlic cloves, unpeeled

1-3/4 cups dry white wine

4 thyme sprigs or 1/4 teaspoon dried

8 garlic croutons

2 tablespoons Cognac

Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove the skin from the chicken pieces.

Heat the oil over medium heat in a heavy-bottomed flameproof casserole wide enough to accommodate the chicken in a single layer. Add the chicken, and salt and pepper lightly. Saute for 5 minutes, then turn over and saute another 5 minutes. If the bottom of the pan scorches a little, don't worry, it won't affect the flavor of the dish. Remove the chicken pieces from the pot.

Add the garlic and saute, stirring, for 3 to 5 minutes, until beginning to brown. Again, don't worry about scorching. Spread the cloves in a single layer and return the chicken pieces to the pot. Add the wine, thyme, and rosemary and cover tightly.

Place the casserole in the oven and bake 45 minutes. Meanwhile, make the garlic croutons.

After 45 minutes, check the chicken. It should be tender and fragrant. If it isn't quite cooked through or very tender, bake another 15 minutes.

Remove the casserole from the oven. Heat the Cognac in a small saucepan and light with a match. Pour over the chicken and shake the casserole until the flames die down. Taste the sauce in the pot, adjust seasonings, and sprinkle with parsley.

To serve, place a couple of croutons on each plate, a piece of chicken or two, topped with some of the sauce in the pan, and several garlic cloves, which your guests should squeeze out onto the croutons.

Note: This is a lusty, beautiful dish. The chicken becomes succulent and ever so fragrant as it bakes slowly in white wine with 40 unpeeled cloves of garlic. The garlic becomes mild, sweet, and soft as it cooks, and you eat it like butter on croutons. Most authentic French versions of this dish include more olive oil than mine, as well as some butter, but the results here are heavenly. I've tried various methods for this dish. Sometimes the chicken is cooked in an uncovered pan on top of the stove, but because we remove the skin here and use very little fat, the dish comes out best when the chicken is simmered in the oven in a closed pot.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 555; Protein: 49 g; Fat: 18 g; Sodium: 455 mg; Cholesterol: 133 mg ; Carbohydrates: 49 g

ORANGE CHICKEN STIR-FRY

This comes from Linda Larsen on The Spruce Eats. Linda wrote, “This easy five ingredient recipe for Orange Chicken Stir-Fry is packed full of flavor and color. And because you use frozen peas and cashews, there's no chopping. Dinner will be on the table in 20 minutes.

“You can prep the ingredients for this wonderful recipe ahead of time. In the morning before you go to work, or the night before, cut the chicken into thin strips. Measure out the cashews and put the baby peas in the fridge so they can thaw. Then when you get home, measure the sauce ingredients, put the sauce together, heat the wok, and make the recipe. Easy!

“When you stir fry, it's important that every ingredient is ready and waiting to go into the skillet or wok. You can't stop in the middle of stir-frying to measure something or prep an ingredient. Once all of the ingredients are prepped, this cooking style is very quick.

“You can certainly add more ingredients to this recipe. Think about adding some sliced bell peppers (prep them the night before too), some sliced zucchini or yellow summer squash, or some green beans or asparagus. Something green would be a nice contrast to the orange sauce and pale chicken.

“Because the chicken is cut into thin strips, it should cook through to a safe temperature during the cooking process. If you're unsure, use a food thermometer to check the chicken. It should be at least 160°F.

“Serve this dish over hot cooked rice or noodles or over a rice pilaf. It's also great served over mashed plain or sweet potatoes for a change of pace. Add some nice white wine, a green salad tossed with grape tomatoes and sliced mushrooms, and dinner is ready.”

Prep Time: 12 minutes; Cook Time: 8 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons peanut or safflower oil

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or 6 thighs, cut into thin strips

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

3/4 cup orange juice

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 cups frozen baby peas, thawed

1/2 cup cashew pieces

Directions

Heat the oil in a heavy skillet or wok over medium high heat. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper on all sides.

Add the chicken to the wok.

Stir fry until the chicken is cooked through, about 3-4 minutes.

Combine the orange juice, soy sauce, and cornstarch in a small bowl. Add this mixture to the chicken in the skillet or wok along with the thawed peas.

Stir fry for 2-4 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Then stir in the cashew pieces and serve immediately over hot cooked rice or noodles.

Thursday, April 20, 2023

Thursday Recipes

It's almost the end of the week...just one more day. To help you through the day, here are six yummy recipes, including Chicken Parmesan Pockets and Potato and Onion Soup. Enjoy!

WATERMELON SORBET

This came from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Makes 8 servings.

The recipe began, “This fresh sorbet is the perfect dessert for a tropical meal.”

Ingredients

1/2 cup plus 4 cups seeded and pureed watermelon

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 teaspoon lime zest

Directions

In a small saucepan, bring 1/2 cup watermelon puree and sugar to simmer and remove it from heat. Add lime juice and zest and allow mixture to cool for 20 minutes. Add the 4 cups fresh watermelon puree to melon-lime mixture, then freeze in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions.

CARROT TART WITH RICOTTA AND FETA

This comes from Sue Li on The New York Times cooking email. Sue wrote, “Carrots work beautifully in this simple tart, but onions, parsnips, beets, zucchini or pumpkin work just as well. The key is to cook the vegetables before putting them on the tart, since the moisture released by baking raw vegetables would make the puff pastry soggy and prevent it from rising. Once you remove the tart from the oven, let it cool for 10 minutes before cutting to allow the cheese to firm up slightly. The tart can be served warm, or cooled to room temperature, and would make a great addition to a picnic.”

Yield: 8 servings; Time: 1 hour.

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020174-carrot-tart-with-ricotta-and-feta.

Ingredients

Flour, for rolling out dough

1 (14-ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed

1 pound multicolored carrots, scrubbed and sliced lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick pieces

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving

Kosher salt and black pepper

8 ounces ricotta

4 ounces feta, crumbled

1 garlic clove, grated

Chopped fresh parsley, chervil or chives, for garnish

Preparation

Heat oven to 425 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll puff pastry into a 10-by-14-inch rectangle. Using a paring knife, lightly score a border around the perimeter of the puff pastry about a 1/4-inch away from the edges. Place puff pastry on a parchment-lined baking sheet and prick the pastry inside the border using a fork to prevent puffing in the center. Bake on top rack until puff pastry is lightly golden, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.

Meanwhile, toss carrots with 1 tablespoon oil, season generously with salt and pepper and spread into a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast carrots on the bottom rack (underneath the puff pastry) until the edges are golden brown and carrots are still crisp-tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

While puff pastry and carrots are in the oven, blend ricotta, feta and garlic in a food processor until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

Spread the cheese mixture onto the puff pastry up to the border and arrange the carrots in a single layer on top. Bake until the carrots are tender and the edges of the cheese mixture are golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with herbs before serving.

CHEESY TACO MEATLOAF

This comes from Campbell's Soup, and begins, “It takes just 10 minutes and a few ingredients to put together this scrumptious meatloaf...and when it comes out of the oven you've got two family favorites, tacos and meatloaf, combined into one tasty dish!”

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hr 15 minutes; Serves: 8

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef

1 jar (16 ounces) Pace® Chunky Salsa or Pace® Picante Sauce - Medium

1 1/2 ounces tortilla chips, crushed (about 1/2 cup)

1 egg

1 teaspoon chili powder

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

Set the oven to 350°F. Thoroughly mix the beef, 1 cup salsa, tortilla chips, egg, chili powder, salt and black pepper in a large bowl. Place the beef mixture into a 3-quart shallow baking pan and shape into an 9x4-inch loaf.

Bake for 1 hour or until the meatloaf is cooked through.

Spread the remaining salsa over the meatloaf and sprinkle with the cheese. Bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

POTATO AND ONION SOUP

This is from Roadfood.com. The send out emails periodically which are almost always interesting. This recipe, from Harry Caray's, starts off, “Cooking potatoes in beef stock gives the starchy vegetable a savor that all carnivores will appreciate. A sprinkle of Parmesan on each serving adds just the right zip.”

Preparation Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes Servings: 6

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 cups peeled and sliced Spanish onions

3-1/2 cups homemade beef stock or equivalent amount of canned, low salt beef broth

3 cups peeled and cubed potatoes

Salt and pepper to taste

3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Melt the butter in a large sauté pan and add the olive oil.

Add the onions and sauté until they become clear and turn a light brown. Set aside.

In a large stock pot, bring the beef stock to a boil. Reduce the heat and add the diced potatoes. Simmer over medium heat until the potatoes are soft.

Add the onions to the stock pot and simmer for an additional 15 minutes.

Salt and pepper the soup to taste. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese on top and serve.

CHICKEN PARMESAN POCKETS

Years ago, Fr. Dominic Garramone (AKA the Bread Monk had a show on PBS. I'm sure I'm not the only person who got hooked on his show. Unfortunately, it went off the air years ago. But his cook books are still in circulation, and you can always go to his website (above).

This was one of the recipes on his show.

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

Dough:

2 envelopes FLEISCHMANN’S Active Dry Yeast

1 cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened

1 large egg

3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Chicken Filling:

1 cup prepared spaghetti sauce

3/4 teaspoon garlic powder

2-1/4 cups shredded cooked chicken

1 cup chopped green pepper

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1-1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

Egg Glaze:

1 egg white, lightly beaten

2 teaspoons water

Directions

In large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, sugar, salt, butter, egg and 2 cups flour. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead 8 to 10 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turn to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1-1/2 hours.

Punch dough down; let rest 10 minutes. Divide dough into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece to 6 x 6-inch squares. Combine spaghetti sauce and garlic powder; spread on squares. Top with chicken, pepper, Parmesan cheese and Mozzarella cheese. Fold to form triangles; pinch sides to seal. Place on greased baking sheet. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

Slash tops of pockets. Brush with egg white combined with water. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes or until done. Serve warm.

COLORFUL TURKEY STUFFED PEPPERS

Yield: 4 servings

Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=1321

View recipe with photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1321.shtml

Source: Jennie-O

Ingredients

2 bell peppers, preferably a mix of yellow, green or red

1/2 (16-ounce) package Jennie-O Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast

1/4 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves

1/4 teaspoon salt, if desired

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 (14-1/2-ounce) can low-sodium diced tomatoes or seasoned diced tomatoes, drained

1/2 cup cooked white or brown rice

3/4 cup shredded low-fat Cheddar cheese, divided

paprika, if desired

fresh parsley, if desired

Directions

Heat oven to 375F.

Cut bell peppers lengthwise through stems keeping stem halves intact to hold stuffing. Discard seeds and veins.

Cook peppers in boiling salted water 5 to 6 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and immediately place peppers in ice water to stop cooking process. Drain peppers well and place cut side up in 8 x 8-inch baking dish.

Cook ground turkey as specified on the package. Always cook to well-done, 165F as measured by a meat thermometer.

Add onion, garlic, basil, salt, if desired, ground pepper, tomatoes, and rice; continue to cook 5 to 6 minutes or until heated through and most of the juices have reduced.

Remove meat mixture from heat and stir in 1/2 cup cheese.

Mound heaping 1/2 cup of mixture into each pepper half.

Bake 20 minutes or until filling is hot and peppers are tender.

Remove peppers from oven and sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup cheese on top of peppers. Sprinkle with paprika and parsley, if desired.

Always cook to an internal temperature of 165F. Learn how to safely handle turkey.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 160; Protein: 20 g; Fat: 2.5 g; Sodium: 210 mg; Cholesterol: 30 mg; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Sugars: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 14 g

Friday, February 17, 2023

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Sloppy Joes and Spicy Portuguese Beef Steak Kabobs. Enjoy!

CALIFORNIA TURKEY CHILI

This is from Giada De Laurentiis on the Food Network. Prep Time: 1 hour; Inactive Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Intermediate

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/california-turkey-chili-recipe-2014996.

Ingredients

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

4 large cloves garlic, smashed, peeled and chopped

2 large poblano chiles, stemmed, seeded and diced

1 celery stalk, chopped

1 large onion, chopped

1 1/2 pounds ground turkey (dark meat)

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

4 tablespoons tomato paste

3 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

2 teaspoons (packed) dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano, crushed

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

3 cups low-salt chicken broth (preferably organic)

One 15 to 16-ounce can cannellini (white kidney beans), rinsed and drained

Simplest Quinoa and Pine Nut Pilaf, recipe follows

Assorted garnishes, such as chopped onion, shredded white Cheddar, chopped tomatoes and/or sour cream

Simplest Quinoa and Pine Nut Pilaf:

1 1/4 cups whole grain quinoa (about 7 ounces)

1 3/4 cups low-salt chicken broth (preferably organic)

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro or Italian parsley

1/3 cup pine nuts

Directions

Heat the oil in a heavy, large pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, poblanos, celery and onions. Saute until the vegetables soften, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the turkey and saute until no longer pink, breaking up the turkey with the back of a spoon, about 7 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over and stir to blend. Add the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, sugar, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, cinnamon and cloves. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring to blend. Add the broth and beans. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the flavors blend and the chili thickens to desired consistency, stirring often, 20 to 30 minutes. Season with more salt and pepper.

To serve, spoon Simplest Quinoa and Pine Nut Pilaf into deep bowls. Ladle chili over. Serve with garnishes.

Cook's Note: Other garnishes that you could offer: chopped radishes, pickled jalapenos, crumbled cotija cheese, tortilla chips and/or pico de gallo.

Simplest Quinoa and Pine Nut Pilaf:

Place the quinoa in a fine sieve. Rinse under cold running water 1 full minute. Set aside to drain.

Bring the broth, salt and pepper to a boil in heavy, medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the quinoa. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the quinoa is tender and all the broth is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat. Let the quinoa stand, still covered, for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Scatter pine nuts on a small rimmed baking sheet. Toast the nuts until golden, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet.

Mix the cilantro and pine nuts into the quinoa.

SLOPPY JOES

This is from Ree Drummond on the Food Network.

Active Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Makes 8 servings; Level: East

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/sloppy-joes-2120434.

Ingredients

2 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 large green bell pepper, diced

1/2 large onion, diced

1 1/2 cups ketchup

5 cloves garlic, minced

Hot sauce, such as Tabasco

Worcestershire sauce

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

8 kaiser rolls

2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

2 teaspoons chili powder, or more as needed

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more as needed

2 tablespoons butter, softened

Chips or salad, for serving, if desired

Ingredients

Start by browning the ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat. Drain off the fat.

Add in the green peppers and onions. Stir, and then add 1 cup water, the ketchup and garlic. Stir it around to combine, and then add the brown sugar, chili powder, dry mustard, red pepper flakes, and hot sauce, Worcestershire, salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine, and then cover and simmer over medium-low heat, about 20 minutes.

To serve, spread the rolls with the butter and brown them on a griddle or in a skillet. Spoon a good amount of the meat mixture onto the bottom roll, and then top with the other half. Serve with chips, salad or just enjoy it by itself.

CHICKEN AND BLACK BEAN ENCHILADAS

This comes from MyRecipes, and begins, "Chipotles can be a touch spicy, but you can use only half of what's called for to decrease heat and still get great smoky flavor."

Hands-on Time: 23 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes; Makes 8 servings (serving size: 2 enchiladas, 2 tablespoons salsa, and 1 tablespoon sour cream)

To view this online, go to .

Ingredients

Cooking spray

1 tablespoon canola oil

1-1/2 cups chopped onion

1 cup chopped poblano chile

5 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1 cup unsalted chicken stock

1 tablespoon pureed canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce

2 (8-ounce) cans unsalted tomato sauce

3 cups shredded cooked skinless chicken breast

1 (15.5-ounce) can unsalted black beans, rinsed and drained

4 ounces shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese (about 1 cup)

4 ounces shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (about 1 cup)

16 (6-inch) corn tortillas

1 cup prepared salsa

1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream

Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Coat a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, poblano, and garlic; sauté 4 minutes or until onion and poblano are tender. Stir in chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Add stock, chipotles, and tomato sauce, and bring to a gentle simmer; cook 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.

Combine chicken and black beans in a medium bowl; add half of sauce mixture. Combine cheeses in a bowl; add 1/2 cup cheese mixture to chicken mixture. Toss to combine.

Place 8 tortillas on a microwave-safe plate; cover with a slightly damp paper towel. Microwave at HIGH for 45 seconds or until warm. Working with 1 tortilla at a time, place tortilla on a flat work surface; spoon 1/4 cup chicken mixture onto 1 end of tortilla. Roll up, jelly-roll style. Repeat procedure with remaining tortillas, heating up second batch of tortillas when first batch is used up. Arrange enchiladas, seam side down, in prepared dish. Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas; sprinkle with remaining cheese mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted and golden brown. Serve enchiladas with salsa, sour cream, and cilantro, if desired.

SPICY PORTUGUESE BEEF STEAK KABOBS

Recipe Yield: Yield: 6 servings

Source: The Beef Checkoff

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/spicy-portuguese-beef-steak-kabobs.

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds boneless beef top sirloin steak, cut 1-1/4 inches thick

1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

Seasoning:

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)

Directions

Cut beef steak into 1-1/4-inch pieces. Combine seasoning ingredients in medium bowl. Add beef; toss.

Alternately thread beef and bell pepper onto six 10-inch metal skewers

Place kabobs on grid over medium, ash-covered coals.

Grill, covered, 8 to 10 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 9 to 11 minutes) for medium rare (145F) to medium (160F) doneness, turning once.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 214; Fat: 11 g; Sodium: 98 mg; Cholesterol: 76 mg; Protein: 26 g; Carbohydrates: 2 g

FRENCH ONION SOUP

This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

7 cups halved and thinly-sliced onions

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

6 cups low sodium vegetable broth

1/3 cup dry sherry

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 French bread loaf, cut 1/2" thick slices

10 ounces shredded Jarlsberg or Gruyere cheese

Directions

In large, heavy pot, melt 2 tablespoons butter with oil over medium heat. Stir in onions, sugar, & salt. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Reduce heat, cover & cook 10 minutes. Remove lid & cook 15 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Add remaining butter to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are caramelized & very soft, about 15 minutes. Stir in flour & cook 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in broth, sherry, thyme, salt to taste & pepper. Cover & simmer 15 minutes, adding more salt if needed. Preheat broiler. Lightly toast bread slices. Ladle soup into 6 ovenproof bowls or crocks & arrange on baking sheet. Put enough bread on top of each serving, cutting & fitting if necessary to cover soup. Sprinkle bread with shredded cheese. Broil until cheese is bubbly & golden. Serve hot. Serves 8.

CHICKEN PARMESAN POCKETS

Years ago, Fr. Dominic Garramone (AKA the Bread Monk had a show on PBS. I'm sure I'm not the only person who got hooked on his show. Unfortunately, it went off the air years ago. But his cook books are still in circulation, and you can always go to his website (above).

This was one of the recipes on his show.

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

Dough:

2 envelopes FLEISCHMANN’S Active Dry Yeast

1 cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened

1 large egg

3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Chicken Filling:

1 cup prepared spaghetti sauce

3/4 teaspoon garlic powder

2-1/4 cups shredded cooked chicken

1 cup chopped green pepper

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1-1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

Egg Glaze:

1 egg white, lightly beaten

2 teaspoons water

Directions

In large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, sugar, salt, butter, egg and 2 cups flour. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead 8 to 10 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turn to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1-1/2 hours.

Punch dough down; let rest 10 minutes. Divide dough into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece to 6 x 6-inch squares. Combine spaghetti sauce and garlic powder; spread on squares. Top with chicken, pepper, Parmesan cheese and Mozzarella cheese. Fold to form triangles; pinch sides to seal. Place on greased baking sheet. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

Slash tops of pockets. Brush with egg white combined with water. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes or until done. Serve warm.