12.03.2011

Creamed Chicken & biscuits

1/2 large onion
1 1/2 tsp butter
4 c chopped, cooked chicken
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 c sour cream
1/2 c milk
1/2 c chopped pimento
1 c shredded, mild cheddar cheese. Divided.
6 frozen biscuits, thawed




Preheat oven to 350. grease bottom & sides of 11x7 baking dish.
Chop onion. Heat butter in skillet til melted. Saute onion until tender.
Combine onion, soup, chicken milk, sour cream and pimento in med bowl. Pour into baking pan, bake for 15 mins. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with 3/4 c cheese. Top with thawed biscuits, sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake until biscuits are golden brown and sauce is bubbly. (about 20 mins)
Serve immediately.

Old-World Manicotti












12 large manicotti shells
4 c shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
2 c ricotta cheese
6 tbsp chopped fresh basil (or 2 tbsp dried)
1 (26-oz) jar/can Spaghetti sauce, divided
1/2 c grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

Preheat oven to 350
Spray 13x9 baking dish w/ non-stick cooking spray
Cook pasta according to package instructions (do not over-cook) rinse, and dry pasta on paper towels.

Filling: In medium bowl combine 3 c Mozzarella with ricotta & basil.
Carefully stuff mixture into pasta w/ a small spoon.
pour a small amount of sauce into baking dish and arrange filled pastas in pan. Pour remaining sauce over top of pasta.
Sprinkle with remaining Mozzarella cheese.
Bake for 15 minutes, sprinkle w/ Parmesan bake 10 mins longer.
Serve immediately

Navajo Fry bread

2 c oil (for frying)
4 c all-purpose flour
3 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 c warm milk
1/4 c sugar

Mix, form balls & flatten.
Heat oil to 365
Fry in oil till batter bubbles then flip
Dry on paper towels.

Sneaky Petes

1 can frozen lemonade
1 can frozen Orange Juice
1 (1/5) bottle of vodka

Combine, freeze to a slush. Mix with Fresca. Enjoy! (Warning: these are stronger than they taste therefore try to maintain the same altitude at all times)
Garnish with orange wedge & Cherry on a nifty little Pirate sword.

8.27.2011

Olive Garden - Pasta Roma Soup

      2 (16-ounce) cans garbanzo beans, drained
  • slices bacon, cooked, drained, and chopped
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 3/4 cup onions, diced
  • 1 cup celery, diced
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • 1 cup carrots, julienned
  • 1/2 cups canned tomatoes, drained and diced
  • 1 quart chicken broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground rosemary
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 cup miniature pasta dry bowties, cooked
Add garbanzo beans to food processor and process using on/off pulse until beans are well mashed. Scrape down sides as necessary. Reserve.
 

Heat oil in a Dutch oven.
 

Add carrots, onions, celery and garlic and saute for 5 minutes on medium heat.Add bacon, tomatoes, chicken broth, pepper, and parsley and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook stirring occasionally for 20 minutes. Keep warm. Add pasta to finished soup and serve immediately.

St. Louis Bread Co. - Coffee Bread Pudding


St. Louis Bread Company -Coffee Bread Pudding

5 cups day-old bread
1/2 c espresso
1/3 c 1/2 & 1/2 cream
5 eggs
1/2 c sugar
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 c raisins
1/3 c pecans
--------------------------------------------------------------------
preheat oven to 325. Butter a 2-qt baking dish. fill with crumbled or cubed bread.
Mix espresso and half& half; pour over bread. Let soak for 1 hour.

Mix eggs and sugar; add nutmeg and vanilla mix well. Pour over bread mixture.
Mix in Raisins and pecans (opt)
Dot the top with 2 tblsp of Butter

Bake 45-60 mins

5.26.2011

Zesty Greek Pasta Salad











3 cups bow tie or rigatoni pasta
3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoon garlic (chopped)
1 cup Kalamata olives
1 roasted red pepper (diced large)
1 tablespoon fresh oregano (chopped) or 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon of fresh basil (chopped) or 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup feta cheese (cut into square chunks)
1 cup blanched broccoli (optional) 


Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse, drain and let pasta cool.
Add cooled pasta to large bowl.
Add and mix in balsamic, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and garlic.
Add fresh herbs (or dried) while stirring.
Add olives, red pepper and feta cheese, toss lightly.
Chill (ideally for at least one day.)
Serve cold.



5.16.2011

Cobb Salad


  • 6 slices bacon
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
  • 3 cups chopped, cooked chicken meat
  • 2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
  • 3/4 cup blue cheese, crumbled
  • 1 avocado - peeled, pitted and diced
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • 1 (8 ounce) bottle Ranch-style salad dressing





Directions

  1. Place eggs in a saucepan and cover completely with cold water. Bring water to a boil. Cover, remove from heat, and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop.
  2. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
  3. Divide shredded lettuce among individual plates.
  4. Evenly divide and arrange chicken, eggs, tomatoes, blue cheese, bacon, avocado and green onions in a row on top of the lettuce.
  5. Drizzle with your favorite dressing and enjoy.

Chicken Tikka Masala













  • 1 cup yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
  • 4 teaspoons salt, or to taste
  • 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 4 long skewers
  •  
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 3 teaspoons salt, or to taste
  • 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, black pepper, ginger, and 4 teaspoons salt. Stir in chicken, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  2. Preheat a grill for high heat.
  3. Lightly oil the grill grate. Thread chicken onto skewers, and discard marinade. Grill until juices run clear, about 5 minutes on each side.
  4. Melt butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic and jalapeno for 1 minute. Season with 2 teaspoons cumin, paprika, and 3 teaspoons salt. Stir in tomato sauce and cream. Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Add grilled chicken, and simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter, and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Chicken Biryani













  • 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 4 small potatoes, peeled and halved
  • 2 large onions, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 medium tomatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 (2 inch) piece cinnamon stick
  • 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken pieces cut into chunks
  •  
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 pinch powdered saffron
  • 5 pods cardamom
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 1 (1 inch) piece cinnamon stick
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 pound basmati rice
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Directions

  1. In a large skillet, in 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or ghee) fry potatoes until brown, drain and reserve the potatoes. Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the skillet and fry onion, garlic and ginger until onion is soft and golden. Add chili, pepper, turmeric, cumin, salt and the tomatoes. Fry, stirring constantly for 5 minutes. Add yogurt, mint, cardamom and cinnamon stick. Cover and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until the tomatoes are cooked to a pulp. It may be necessary to add a little hot water if the mixture becomes too dry and starts to stick to the pan.
  2. When the mixture is thick and smooth, add the chicken pieces and stir well to coat them with the spice mixture. Cover and cook over very low heat until the chicken is tender, approximately 35 to 45 minutes. There should only be a little very thick gravy left when chicken is finished cooking. If necessary cook uncovered for a few minutes to reduce the gravy.
  3. Wash rice well and drain in colander for at least 30 minutes.
  4. In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil and fry the onions until they are golden. Add saffron, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon stick, ginger and rice. Stir continuously until the rice is coated with the spices.
  5. In a medium-size pot, heat the chicken stock and salt. When the mixture is hot pour it over the rice and stir well. Add the chicken mixture and the potatoes; gently mix them into the rice. Bring to boil. Cover the saucepan tightly, turn heat to very low and steam for 20 minutes. Do not lift lid or stir while cooking. Spoon biryani onto a warm serving dish.

Fish Fillets Italiano


  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup black olives, pitted and sliced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1 pound cod fillets




Directions
  1. In a large frying pan, heat oil over medium heat. Saute onions and garlic in olive oil until softened.
  2. Stir in tomatoes, olives, parsley, and wine. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  3. Place fillets in sauce. Simmer for about 5 more minutes, or until fish turns white.

Tracy's Cream cheese & potato soup






























  • cups chicken broth (or water)


  • cups peeled and cubed potatoes


  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper


  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, cut into chunks

  • 3 medium carrots, peeled & chopped
    2 stalks celery, chopped



  • 1 medium onion, chopped


  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed or minced


  • 1 cup fresh peas


  • Salt, to taste


  • Oregano


  • Basil


  • --------------------------------------------------------


  • Combine broth, potatoes, vegetables, and spices.




  • Boil on medium heat until potatoes are tender.


  • Smash a few of the potatoes to release their starch for thickening.


  • Reduce to low heat.


  • Add cream cheese.


  • Heat, stirring frequently, until cheese melts