Lemon & Garlic Chicken

INGREDIENTS
1 head garlic
3 cup chicken broth
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup chopped fresh chives or green onion

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Wrap the garlic head in foil, and bake 30 minutes, until cloves are soft. Remove from heat, and cool enough to handle.
Slice off the top of the garlic head, and squeeze the softened cloves into a medium bowl. Mix in the chicken broth, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Lightly coat the chicken breast halves with flour, and cook in the skillet about 10 minutes on each side, until lightly browned. Set chicken aside, retaining skillet juices. Stir in the garlic mixture, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and return chicken to the skillet. Continue cooking the chicken until no longer pink and juices run clear. Remove chicken, and arrange on plates over the egg noodles or rice.
Mix the butter into the garlic sauce mixture in the skillet until melted, and stir in the chives/green onion. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and egg noodles/rice to serve.

Comments:

This was a great meal! If you only want a slight lemon taste I would recommend only using half the lemon juice. Otherwise this was very flavorful and definitely something we'll make again in the future.

Sante Fe Stew

Gound beef (about a lb or so)
Onion (chopped)
1 packet taco seasoning
1lb Velveeta Cheese cut into large chunks
2 cans Rotel drained
2 cans Pinto Beans drained
1 can Chili Beans drained (can also use 1 chili starter can but do not drain)
1 can kernal corn drained
2 cans tomato sauce (15oz cans)

Brown meat and onions in skillet. While meat is browning put all other ingredients (except taco seasoning) in large pot. Cook on medium heat allowing to heat through and cheese to melt. Once meat is browned add taco seasoning and mix well. Add meat, onion mixture to pot and mix well. Allow to finish heating through. Great served with tortilla chips!

Comments:
This was loved by my family. I only used 1 can of Rotel so it wouldn't be too spicy and it still had a ton of flavor. My medium pot almost wasn't big enough.

Po Man's Steaks

Ingredients:

1lb ground beef
6 red potatos
4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
1 small onion, sliced
1 package onion dip mix
6 pieces aluminum foil
Any additional spices you think sound good!

Directions:
Wash red potato's to clean, do not peel. Slice each individually and place 1 sliced potato on each piece of aluminum foil. Mix ground beef and half of onion mix in a bowl. Once mixed make 6 even sized patties and place 1 pattie on top of potato's. Place a couple onion slices on top of each pattie. Evenly distribute carrot slices on top of onions. Sprinkle remaining onion dip mix on top of each. Close aluminum foil creating a pocket. Easiest is to pull 2 sides up and fold over top creating seam in middle. then fold ends toward center. Bake in oven at 350 for 30-45 minutes, until juices run clear and vegetables are tender.

Comments:
This was a big hit in our house. The only additional seasoning I added was a little bit of creole but it wasn't much. i couldn't even tell it was there. The meat had a great flavor and it was really moist.

Smothered Bacon Chicken

Ingredients:
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
8 slices bacon
8oz sour cream
1 can condensed cream of mushroom or cream of chicken

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Precook bacon until cooked through but not crispy. Allow to cool. Rub once side with brown sugar and lightly pepper.
Wrap each chicken breast with 2 slices of bacon each and place in glass baking dish
In small bowl mix the sour cream and soup. Cover the chicken with the soup mixture and bake uncovered for 40-50 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
Serve on top of rice or egg noodles.

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

INGREDIENTS
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup sherry, or chicken broth
1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 (6 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

DIRECTIONS
In a small saucepan, combine the first five ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook for 1 minute. Cool for 10 minutes. Pour into a resealable plastic bag; add chicken. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Drain and discard marinade. Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat for 7-8 minutes on each side or until juices run clear.

Cheesy Garlic Scallop Potatoes

Ingredients:


1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons butter, divided
1 cup sour cream

1 cup milk

2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or minced
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese


Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 1 1/2 quart or larger casserole dish with butter or nonstick spray.
Layer half of the potato slices in the bottom of the casserole dish. Dot with half of the butter cut or pinched into small pieces. Arrange half of the garlic over the potatoes. In a seperate bowl mix the sour cream and milk until smooth. Pour half over potatoes. Sprinkle one cup of Cheddar cheese over the layer, and season with salt and pepper. Repeat layering of potatoes, garlic, sour cream/milk and Cheddar cheese. Season again with salt and pepper if desired.
Bake for 1/2 hour in the preheated oven, then sprinkle the Parmesan or Romano cheese over the top. This will create a semi-hard cheese crust. Continue baking uncovered for another 30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender when tested with a fork.

Comments:

I was pretty surprised by these potatoes. Every scalloped recipe I've tried in the past called for flour in some way. I think when I do the next one I might try a different cheese like Mozarella or pepperjack even just to give it a bit of kick. Also adding in things like bacon would taste good too.

Coffee Cup Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (Microwave Safe)

Directions?
Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

Comments:
This has a good flavor but the texture is a bit different than a normal cake. We topped with whipped cream and a bit of chocolate syrup. Good if you just want a little something for that sweet tooth.

Easter Nests

Ingredients:
8 ounces (227 grams) semi-sweet or milk chocolate, chopped
2 - 2 1/2 cups chow mein noodles
Garnish:
small jelly beans, speckled malted milk eggs, or other egg shaped candy

Directions:

Chocolate Easter Nests:
Line a baking pan with a piece of aluminum foil, smooth the foil, and then butter or spray the foil with a non stick vegetable spray.Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Gently fold in the chow mein noodles, being careful not to break them.Spoon six mounds of the mixture onto the prepared pan and, using your fingers, form each mound into a 4 inch (10 cm) nest shape. Make a small indentation in the center of each nest.Place the pan, with the chocolate nests, in the refrigerator to set (about 30 minutes). Just before serving, remove the nests from the refrigerator and place some small jelly beans or other egg shaped candy in the center of each nest. Makes about six - 4 inch nests.

Easy Caramel Popcorn

Ingredients:
8 cups popped popcorn (1 regular sized bag)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup margarine
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt (I omit this if I use already salted popcorn)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Directions:
Pop the microwave popcorn per instructions on package. Once popped, remove the "duds." I do this by pouring the popcorn into a large bowl, shaking it, so all the duds fall to the bottom, then scooping the popcorn back into the bag in handfuls. Dump out the duds and return the popcorn to the large bowl.In a 2 quart casserole dish, or other heat-proof glass dish, combine the brown sugar, margarine, corn syrup, salt and vanilla. Heat for 1 minute 30 seconds in the microwave, then take out and stir until well blended. Return to the microwave, and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from microwave, and stir in the baking soda. Pour syrup over the popcorn in the bowl. Stir to coat the popcorn as best as you can. Put the bowl of popcorn into the microwave for an additional 30 seconds. Remove, stir well, and return it back to the microwave for another 30 seconds. Remove, stir well. Dump the popcorn out onto waxed paper, and let cool until coating is set. Store in an airtight container.

Crescent Casserole

Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
2 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup pasta sauce
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups mashed potatoes
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 (8 ounce) package refrigerated crescent rolls

Directions:
1. In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain and set aside. In the same skillet, saute the onion, garlic and green pepper in oil until crisp-tender. Stir in the beef, pasta sauce, oregano, salt and pepper; heat through.
2. Spread mashed potatoes in an 11-in. x 7-in. x 2-in. baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Top with beef mixture; sprinkle shredded cheese.
3.Unroll crescent dough. Separate into four rectangles; arrange rectangles over the casserole. Bake at 375 degrees F for 12-15 minutes or until top is browned.

Comments:
This was super yummy! Was sort of like a goolosh or shepards pie. Very filling and perfect for a cool rainy day.

Sweet & Sour Meatballs

Ingredients:
1 20oz can unsweetened pineapple chunks
1 egg
1 cup soft bread crumbs
1 teaspoon salt
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 teaspoon canola oil
2 large green peppers
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup cider vinegar
3 tablespoon soy sauce

Directions:

Drain pineapple, reserving 1/2 cup juice. Set the juice and pineapple aside. In a bowl, combine the egg, bread crumbs, garlic, salt and pepper. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into meatballs.
In nonstick skillet, brown meatballs in oil; drain. Cut green peppers into chunks. Add broth, peppers and reserved pineapple to meatballs. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 5-7 minutes.
Combine sugar and cornstarch in a bowl. Stir in the vinegar, soy sauce and reserved pineapple juice until smooth. Add to meatball mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve over rice.

Comments:

Beef Taco Bake

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 can condensed tomato soup
1 cup Salsa
1/2 cup milk
6 flour tortillas or 8 corn tortillas, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 cup shredded cheese


Directions:
Cook beef in skillet over medium heat until beef is browned stirring to separate meat. Pour off fat. Add soup, salsa, milk, tortillas and half the cheese. Spoon into 2 quart shallow baking dish. Cover and bake at 400 for 30 minutes or until hot. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Sausage-Stuffed Green Peppers

Ingredients:

1 pound Italian Sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, crushed
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
4 medium green peppers, seeded and cut in half leangth wise
2 cups Pasta Sauce



Directions:

Cook sausage until browned, stirring to separate meat. Add onion and oregano and cook until tender. Pour off fat. Stir in Cheese.

Arrange peppers in 3 quart shallow baking dish or roasting pan. Spoon sausage mixture into peppers. Pour pasta sauce over peppers. Cover and bake at 400 for 40 minutes or until peppers are tender.

Crispy Fish Tacos

Ingredients:
Peanut or Canola oil for frying
2 cups panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup Flour
3 eggs Salt & Pepper
2 lbs Cod, Snapper, Halibut or other firm, flaky white fish
8 flour tortillas
1/2 head napa cabbage or lettuce (we have done both)
Pink Chili Mayo, recipe follows
Lime wedges, for garnish

Directions:
To fry the fish: Fill a large heavy bottomed pot about 1/3 full of peanut oil. Heat to 375 degrees F. While the oil is heating, put the breadcrumbs & flour together into a shallow dish. Break the eggs into another shallow dish, season with salt and pepper, and beat them with 2 tablespoons of water. Cut the fish into 1-inch wide strips. Dip them into the egg, then coat them well with the breadcrumb mix. Set aside and let them rest for 10 minutes. While waiting, wrap tortillas in tin foil and warm in oven. Cook the fish a few pieces at a time until golden brown and cooked through, about 2-3 min minutes. Drain on paper towels.

To make the tacos: Place crispy fish strips onto warmed tortilla, top with some of the shredded cabbage/lettuce & any other toppings of choice, and add Pink Chili Mayo.

Some other toppings to add are: chopped tomato, diced avocado, mexican cheese, salsa, chopped cilantro. Squeeze on some lime juice, roll up, and eat!

Pink Chili Mayo:
1 1/2 cups Light mayonnaise
1 1/2 cups Light sour cream
2 canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
Juice 1/2 lime
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Put the mayonnaise, sour cream, peppers, and lime juice in a blender and process to a puree. Refrigerate the mayo for 1/2 hour to let the flavors to blend; taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Waffles

Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons baking powder
3 Tbsp Sugar
3 tsp Vanilla
2-1/4 cups milk
1/2 cup and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 eggs, separated

Directions:
Preheat waffle iron. In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and sugar. Stir in milk, oil, vanilla and egg yolks until mixture is smooth. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gently fold egg whites into batter.
Spray preheated waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray. Pour mix onto hot waffle iron. Cook until golden; serve hot.

Comments:
This made 18 waffles which was more than enough for the three of us. I'm putting the left overs in a zip lock bag in the freezer to be used later and just popped in the toaster. These are good though and pretty simple to make.

Bacon Breadstick Focaccia

Ingredients:
1 can Pillsbury refrigerated breadsticks
10 slices packaged precooked bacon
1 egg, beaten
1 slice packaged precooked bacon, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley if desired

Directions:
Heat oven to 375. Unroll dough; separate into 12 strips. starting at center of ungreased cookie sheet coil bacon with dough strips into a loose spiral. Pinching ends together securely as strips are added.
Drizzle or brush egg over dough, using all of egg to fill crevices. Sprinkle with chopped bacon and parsley.
Bake 20-25 minutes or until edges are deep golden brown. Cut into wedges; serve warm

Comments:
We had this for breakfast and it was really good. We were fighting over the last piece. Just a warning this one recipe will serve about 2 adults. Your going to want to increase the ingredients if you need to serve more than that.

Pretzel Turtles

Ingredients

20 small mini pretzels
20 chocolate covered caramel candies - like Rolo's
20 pecan halves



Directions:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
Arrange the pretzels in a single layer on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Place one chocolate covered caramel candy on each pretzel.
Bake for 4 minutes. While the candy is warm, press a pecan half onto each candy covered pretzel. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.



Comments:

Very simple and tasty. It's also very easy to make more or less!

Pretzel Turltes

Ingredients
20 small mini pretzels
20 chocolate covered caramel candies - like Rolo's
20 pecan halves

Directions:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
Arrange the pretzels in a single layer on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Place one chocolate covered caramel candy on each pretzel.
Bake for 4 minutes. While the candy is warm, press a pecan half onto each candy covered pretzel. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Comments:
Very simple and tasty. It's also very easy to make more or less!

Bacon Cheese Puffs

Ingredients:
1 pound sliced bacon
2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
1 cup mayonnaise
1 pound sliced pumpernickel party bread

Directions:
Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
Preheat oven to broil.
In a medium bowl combine the bacon, cheese, mustard and mayonnaise. Stir well. Arrange party bread on a cookie sheet. Spoon mixture onto each slice of bread.
Broil for 5 minutes, or until bubbly.

Comments:
This is good as an appetizer! To make it even simpler use the Oscar Meyer bacon bits or cook the bacon the day before to cut out prep time.

Spicy Roasted Potato's

Ingredients:
5 medium red potatoes, diced with peel
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (220 degrees C).
Arrange the potatoes and onions in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish so that they are evenly distributed. Season with garlic powder, salt and chili powder. Drizzle with olive oil. Stir to coat potatoes and onions with oil and spices.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven, until potatoes are fork tender and slightly crispy. Stir every 10 minutes. When done, sprinkle with cheese. Wait about 5 minutes for the cheese to melt before serving.

Comments:
Try mixing ingredients in mixing bowl first to get a good even coating, then spreading into baking dish. Also you may not want a 1/4 cup of oil. Just drizzle until you get a good coating. Also if you like a good crunch to it once you top with cheese pop it back in the oven under the broiler for a minute or two. This is great in the evening for dinner. You can add some cubed chicken to make it a one dish meal. Or have it in the morning with a breakfast scramble.

Garlic Broiled Chicken

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
3 tablespoons minced garlic
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon dried parsley
6 boneless chicken thighs, with skin
dried parsley, to taste

Directions:
Preheat the oven broiler. Lightly grease a baking pan.
In a microwave safe bowl, mix the butter, garlic, soy sauce, pepper, and parsley. Cook 2 minutes on High in the microwave, or until butter is melted.
Arrange chicken on the baking pan, and coat with the butter mixture, reserving some of the mixture for basting.
Broil chicken 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until juices run clear, turning occasionally and basting with remaining butter mixture. Sprinkle with parsley to serve.

Comments:
Alternative to broiling is baking at 375 for about 45minutes, stir about every 15 minutes and turn chicken over about half way through. Broiling will cause smoke due to the juices. To get the broiled look just broil at the end for about 5 minutes.