Monday, February 27, 2012

Jam BBQ Chicken

This is quite tasty and easy!

2 lbs cooked chicken (I crockpotted 8 drumsticks for 6 hrs with salt,pepper and a little water in the bottom. Then took them out and the meat fell off the bone. chopped into bite-size)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup grape or apricot jam (I used half and half!)
1/2 cup sweet baby ray's bbq sauce (or your own choice, use a spicy one if you dont like it sweet)
1/2 cup water
1 envelope onion soup mix
hot cooked rice
Grease baking dish. Throw chopped chicken in bottom. Mix jam, bbq, water, garlic and onion soup mix. Pour over chicken and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serve over hot rice!! Totally takes the craving for BBQ away! The boys thought it tasted like Grammy's teriyaki chicken.

Italian Sausage Lasagna

This is good. Love the fresh spinach. Always looking for a new way to make lasagna, and this is worth it!

1 pkg (16oz) ground mild italian sausage
12 lasagna noodles
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup parmesan
2 packed cups fresh spinach, chopped
2 cups or more grated mozzarella
1 egg
4 cups ricotta cheese
24oz jar prego sauce (marinara or traditional) or homemade if you are so blessed
dried Oregano
In large pot of water boil noodles till al dente, about half the time on box. In skillet, cook sausage and onion till no longer pink. Add garlic, cook 1 minute. Add spaghetti sauce, and set aside. In bowl mix spinach, egg, ricotta and half the parmesan. Coat a 9x13 baking dish with oil spray. Spread bottom with 1 cup of meat sauce. layer on 3 noodles. Spread about 1/3 of the ricotta mixture on noddles, then 1/3 meat sauce. Sprinkle a handful of mozzarella over. Then 3 noodles. Repeat till 3 layers are made, ending with 3 noodles on top. Sprinkle top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan. Sprinkle generously with dried oregano. Bake uncovered at 350 for 45 minutes till browned and bubbly.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Skillet Mac and Cheese

I love anything made in one pot/skillet. This is comfort and quick! Isaac made almost the whole dish by himself so, good for little helpers in the kitchen!

3 1/2 cups water
1 can plus 1/2 cup evaporated milk
4 cups pasta of choice (great with sea shell pasta- medium size)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar
1 1/2 cups shredded monterey jack
2 T butter, cut up small
pepper to taste
peas
ham, chopped (see*note)
In large skillet bring water, 1 can milk, pasta, and the salt to boil. Stir often and cook till tender 10-12 minutes. In small bowl whish remaining 1/2 cup milk, cornstarch and mustard. Add to skillet. Simmer a minute or two till thickened slightly. Take off heat and add cheeses. Stir in butter and salt and pepper to taste.
*Add thawed peas and ham*(I sautee ham in a pan to get it golden first, tastes way better)* to top. Can serve it on side or mix in.

Chicken Enchilada Soup

This isnt the run-of-the-mill enchilada soup! Best I've tried yet! Packed with healthy goodness.

8 cups chicken broth
4 chicken breasts (raw, leave whole)
small can green chilis
1 large onion, chopped fine
4 medium size potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 red bell pepper, chopped (I like mine in chunks)
4 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed.
3 good cloves garlic, chopped
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1 cup sour cream
8 oz tomato sauce
2 cans white beans such as Great Northern, drained
2 T taco seasoning
In large stock pot add broth, breasts, chilis, onion, bell pepper, potatoes, squash, garlic, salt and cumin. Simmer covered till everything is tender and chicken is done.(15-20 mins). Can add water if not enough liquid to cover. When done, take out breasts and shred or chop. To the broth, whisk in sour cream and tomato ssauce. Add taco season, beans and chicken back to pot. Heat through and serve with chips and fresh pico de gallo. (recipe calls for blending all the veggies and broth in the blender to make a smooth soup, then add chicken back to it. I left it chunky and wouldnt want it any other way!) *even better next day*

Hawaiian Haystack Sauce (scratch)

This is way better than canned soup and sourcream. Doesnt have the "can" taste! Richer and way more flavorful....so worth it! Hawaiian haystacks are one of my favorite meals!! Double the recipe if you are serving more than 6.

2 chicken breasts, cut small pieces
2 T butter
1/2 onion chopped fine
2-3 cloves garlic, pressed
1 tsp salt
pepper to taste
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
1 cup chicken broth
Melt butter and add onion and raw chicken , cook on medium till just about done. Add garlic, cook 1 minute. Sprinkle in flour, cook 1 minute. Whisk in milk and broth, simmer, stirring till thickened a bit. Add salt and pepper. Serve over hot rice, and in case you have never made hawaiian haystacks before, top with any of the following:
cheese, chopped tomato, chop celery, pineapple tidbits or mandarins, shredded coconut, peanuts, chop cucumber, chop bell pepper, peas, crunchy chow mein noodles, green onion, WHATEVER!! The more toppings the better, and if you have picky eaters they can add as little as they like to theirs.