Taco Soup Chili

This is a fav of everyone who's tried it so far! Compliments all the way around to my lil sis who created this recipe by combining part if a taco soup recipe and part of a chili recipe. A 10 year old told me it's the best chili he's ever had. That says a lot considering its chuck full of veggies! :) pic coming shortly...

Ingredients:
~ 1 1/2 lbs ground turkey
~ chili powder (as much as you like, I use about 2T)
~ 1 onion, chopped
~ 2 cloves chopped garlic or garlic powder
~ 2-3 small chopped sweet peppers (or as much as you like. I always add extra)
~ 1/2 to 1 package low sodium taco seasoning
~ 1 can undrained corn
~ 1 can black or pinto beans
~ 1 can chopped tomatoes with green chillies

Optional toppings:
~ shredded cheese
~ sour cream
~ tortilla chips

Directions:
Season ground turkey with chili powder and brown in large pot. Add all other ingredients and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 30 min. Serve with addt'l toppings if desired.

My sister makes this exclusively in a crock pot. Cook for 4 hrs on high and add 1 1/2 cups of water if cooking in crock pot.

Recipe created by: my sister, Cammie Christian

Three Cheese Chicken Alfredo Bake

This is an amazing recipe from Pinterest that my sister-in-law made for her daughter's baptism brunch. It makes quite a bit and was so, so yummy! Now it's a regular meal in our home, hubby's request :)

Ingredients:
~ 1 (16 ounce) box Penne pasta noodles
~ 2 (10 ounce) containers Alfredo sauce
~ 1 cup sour cream
~ 1 (15 ounce) container Ricotta cheese
~ 2 cloves of garlic, minced (I just use garlic powder)
~ 2 cups cooked, diced chicken
~ 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
~ 2 teaspoons dried Parsley
~ 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
~ 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

Directions:
Boil Penne pasta in a large pot of water, according to package directions. Drain water, and then return pasta to pot. Add all the remaining ingredients, except for the mozzarella cheese. Stir together to combine and then pour mixture into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle the top evenly with the mozzarella cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees F. for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Enjoy ♥

Recipe From:  Sister-in-law Jessica Eaton (Pinterest recipe)

Chicken and Biscuits Pot Pie...Easy!

This recipe is really just a superb recipe for a hearty and homey chicken pot pie topped with flaky buttermilk biscuits instead of pie dough.  And to be honest, from here on out I’m nixing pie dough as my pot pie topper.  Why fuss with pie dough when you can make a bunch of biscuits and avoid all of that chilling and rolling?  Plus?  Come on – they’re biscuits.  They’re kind of like the most obvious food you’d want to dip into your pot pie anyway, aren’t they?

 

 

Ingredients

~ For the buttermilk biscuits

~ 1 cup all-purpose flour

~ 1 cup cake flour

~ 2 tsp baking powder

~ 1/2 tsp baking soda

~ 1 tsp granulated sugar

~ 1/2 tsp table salt

~ 4 tbsp (1/2 stick) unsalted butter chilled, cut into 1/4-inch cubes

~ 3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp buttermilk

 

For the chicken pot pie filling:

~ 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil

~ 1 large onion, chopped fine

~ 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut crosswise 1/4-inch thick

~ 2 small ribs celery, cut crosswise 1/4-inch thick

~ Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

~ 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

~ 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

~ 1 1/2 cups milk

~ 2 to 2 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

~ 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

~ 3 tablespoons dry sherry (optional)

~ 3 to 4 cups (about 1 1/4 lbs) shredded chicken

~ 3/4 cup frozen peas, thawed

~ 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves

 

Directions:

1. To make the biscuits: In a large bowl, stir the flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar together. With a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the butter resembles course meal with some larger butter lumps remaining. Stir in 3/4 cup of the buttermilk with a fork until the mixture forms a soft, slightly sticky ball. If the dough is too dry, add a little extra buttermilk - 1 tablespoon at a time up to 2 tablespoons.
2. Transfer the dough to a well-floured work surface and pull it together into a ball with your floured hands. Pat the dough out to 3/4" thickness and cut out 12 rounds with a 3-inch biscuit or cookie cutter. Transfer the biscuits to a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill until you're ready to use them. The biscuits can be made and kept covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days in advance.
3. To make the filling: Preheat the oven to 400° F. Heat a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add the oil. Once the oil is hot, sauté the onions, carrots, and celery until tender, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer cooked vegetables to a bowl with the chicken; set aside.
4. Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter to the same pot. When melted, stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Whisk in the milk, chicken broth, and thyme. Allow the sauce to come to a simmer and let it simmer for 1 minute to thicken. Season with salt and pepper and stir in the sherry (if using). Turn off the heat and transfer the vegetables and chicken to the pot, stirring until the filling is well-combined. Mix in the peas and parsley. If the filling is too thick (you'll know), stir in the extra chicken broth, about 1/4 cup at a time up to 3/4 cup until the filling loosens up a little.
5. Pour the filling into a 13x9-inch baking dish and bake for 18 minutes. Remove the dish from the oven (keeping the oven on and door closed) and top the filling with the biscuits. Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes, until the biscuits are golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Cool for 5 minutes before serving.

 

 

 

Recipe From: Smells Like Home

Chicken Crescent Roll Casserole

Ingredients:
~ 2 (8 oz) cans Pillsbury Refrigerated Crescent Dinner Rolls
~ 1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream o' chicken soup, undiluted
~ 3/4 cups grated cheese
~ 1/2 cup whipping cream
 FILLING:
~ 4 oz cream cheese (room temp)
~ 4 T butter (room temp)
~ 1/2 to 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)
~ 1/3 c. diced onion (optional, can use green onions)
~ 2 cups cooked chicken or turkey, chopped
~ 1/2 to 3/4 c. grated cheddar cheese
~ 1/2 tsp seasoning salt
~ 1/2 tsp pepper
~ 2-4 Tbsp mayo or whipping cream
Topping:
~ 1 to 2 cups grated cheddar (for topping)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Butter casserole dish.  In a saucepan, mix cream, 3/4 cup cheese (or more :) and chicken soup.  Heat until cheese melts (don't boil).  

Filling:  In a bowl, mix cream cheese & butter until very smooth.  Add garlic powder, chopped chicken, onion and cheddar cheese.  Mix well.  Add 2 Tbsp cream or mayo; mix to combine.  Add a little more if too dry.  Season w/ seasoned salt & pepper. 

Unroll crescent rolls.  Place 1 heaping Tbsp mixture on top of each triangle and roll from thick end.  Drizzle a small amt of soup miuxture on bottom of dish.  Place crescent rolls seam-side down in dish.  Fill dish w/ stuffed crescent rolls and drizzle remaining sauce on toop. Sprinkle w/ 1 cup (or more :) grated cheese.  Bake for 30 min. 

Spring Vegetable Soup

This is a soup I got from Runner's World magazine. I've changed it a little so I could get more of a variety of veggies in my diet, but it's basically the same idea, and just as yummy! It's a nice change up from the traditional "veggie" soups.

Ingredients:
~ 2 quarts chicken broth (or water and chick base or bullion)
~ 14.5 oz canned petite diced tomatoes
~ 2 Tbsp EVOO
~ 1 large onion, diced
~ 1 leek, diced (optional) -throw away the greens and just use the white part)
~ 3 celery stalks (or as much as you like)
~ 3-4 peeled carrots (or as much as you like)
~ 2 tsp Italian seasoning
~ 1/4 tsp hot red pepper flakes, or to taste
~ 2 cans (15-16oz each) small white beans, undrained
~ 8 oz frozen green peas
~ 8 oz coarsely chopped escarole or Bok Choy (don't worry about the ounces, just add as much as you like)
~ you can add ditalini or any bite-size pasta if you'd like for a Minestrone
~ salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
In a large pot, add broth and diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Meanwhile, dice all veggies and sautee in EVOO until tender, about 5 min. Add italian seasonings and red pepper; sautee until fragrant (one minute). Add veggies and remaining ingredients to broth mixture; cover and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to med-low; continue to simmer, partially covered and stirring occasionally, until veggies are soft (15 min.) Serves 8

Pigs in a Blanket

Every kids favorite! I love this because it's easy, my kids love it because it's finger food, and my man loves it because it's totally a guy food...meat n' rolls! I bring these to school Thanksgiving Finger-Food Feasts and the "mummy" dogs are a hit @ halloween. I cut the crescent rolls and hot dogs in half so they were about 3-4" long when cooked and I served them on a platter w/ ketchup n' mustard dips. They were a HUGE hit...with the adults too!!


Ingredients:
~ 1 pkg. hot dogs (cheap $.88/8 pk. are great for these) - make mini piggies with lil' smokies and they're fantastic too and a fun appetizer!
~ 1 pkg. crescent rolls (the cheap ones are perfect), biscuits work as well, but we like the crescent rolls.
~ ketchup
~ mustard

Directions:
If making full-sized, just open the crescent rolls and roll your little piggie in its blanket, with seam down. For smaller ones, cut crescent rolls and hot dogs in half and roll. Bake according to crescent roll directions. (Growing up, my mom made these with packaged biscuits instead of crescent rolls. Good also!) Serve with dips of ketchup and mustard.

*You can also place a slice of American cheese in the crescent roll with the hot dog if you'd like.

For a fun, spooky treat, you can make "Mummy" pigs in a blanket for halloween. Always a fun, festive fav!

Press together 2 crescent roll triangles to make a rectangle and slice into 10 strips lengthwise. Wrap around hot dog w/ seams on bottom and a space for mummy's "face."

Garlic Panko Chicken Strips

This is an easy, delicious recipe and I love panko! It's crunchy and delicious and less expensive and healthier than other crunchy crumbs out there. Very good! I make this with homemade mashed potatoes (with lots of butter & sour cream whipped in with a little milk, salt & pepper), and chicken gravy.

Ingredients:
~ 5 tablespoons butter
~ 2 cloves garlic, minced
~ 3/4 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
~ 1/4 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
~ 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley (optional)
~ salt and pepper
~ 3 large boneless skinless chicken breasts

Directions:
1 In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat; as butter starts to melt, add minced garlic into the saucepan.

2 Once butter has melted, remove from heat and pour garlic butter mixture into a low flat dish, like a soup plate or pie pan.

3 In another low, flat dish, combine panko, Parmesan, and parsley if using (some kids don't like green bits in their food, so feel free to leave out); add salt and pepper to suit your tastes.

4 Preheat oven to 400F; have ready a 13x9 baking pan that's been lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

5 Cut breasts crosswise, and then into strips (You want them on the thinner side. This puts more yummy coating on each piece.)

6 Roll chicken pieces into garlic butter, then completely dredge in panko mixture; place on prepared baking pan.

7 Should you have any panko mixture left over when you are done, sprinkle over chicken strips; should you have any melted butter left over, pour over chicken.
(I sprinkle a little extra Parmesan cheese on top too)

8 Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until chicken is just cooked through.

Quick 'n' Delicious Stuffed Bread Buns

This is a surprisingly quick recipe because the dough only needs to rise for about 30 minutes. It was a hit with Shawn and the munchkins. It would make an excellent breakfast as well as a delicious dinner.

Ingredients:
Quick 'n' Easy One Bowl Dough:
~ 3 cups white flour
~ 3 teaspoons (or 1 packet) active-dry yeast
~ 1/3 cup sugar (can be reduced to 1/4 cup if desired but bread will be slightly bland)
~ 1 1/2 - 2 c. warm (not hot) water
~ pinch of salt
~ 1 Tablespoon oil

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 for 4 minutes and then turn off.
Place dry all ingredients in large bowl
Hand mix so yeast is mixed in well with other ingredients.
Create a well in the flour mixture by pushing flour up along the sides of the bowl
Add approx. 1 1/2 c. warm water and mix
As dough begin to form begin kneading. Add more water as needed, dough should be mostly dry and not sticky (add more flour if it's too wet)
Add oil and knead into dough
Place dough in a large, clean bowl and cover with a towel. Place on a towel in the oven with the door closed for at least 1/2 hour or until double in size.
Punch down dough
If you like a chewy but light dough, let rise again. This dough can rise and be punched as much as 4 times without ruining outcome. (Dough freezes well raw. Allow to thaw and rise @ room temp. before baking.)

When dough is removed from oven after rising, pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Sprinkle a little flour on your hands and take about 1/2 cup of dough. Roll out or use your hands to make a thin oval, as thin as you can without it tearing. Fill with:

Filling Ingredients:
~ Ground beef, cooked and seasoned (sausage for breakfast)
~ Cheddar Cheese (use a lot of cheese, this will add moistness)
~ Diced potato pieces, cooked in oil and seasoned

OR

~ Pizza Sauce
~ Cheese
~ Pepperoni, cooked sausage, etc.

I like them very, very full, as full as you can get them and still be able to seal. Otherwise, the bread is all you will taste. These may be shaped any way you like. Seal and bake on an oiled cookie sheet until golden brown. Brush lightly with butter and ENJOY! These can be dipped in ketchup or BBQ sauce.

Tip: These are not as good as leftovers as they are fresh, so whatever dough I have leftover, I refrigerate and make fresh the next day.

Tin Foil Dinners

Tin foil dinners are easy to make and clean up, not to mention delicious. Try one for your next camping adventure or throw one in the oven for an easy meal. Shawn asks for this particular recipe anytime there's a campfire.

Ingredients:
~ Raw Chicken Breasts, cubed
~ Potatoes (Idaho or red), peeled and diced (the smaller they are, the faster they cook!)
~ Packaged Italian Dressing Mix (optional)
~ Butter Cubes
~ Salt & Pepper
~ Celery, Carrots, Onions; diced (all optional; I leave my onions fairly large)
~ Aluminum Foil
~ Shredded Cheese (optional)

Directions:
Layer 2 18" long sheets of aluminum foil per dinner. Place about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of potato pieces in the center of the foil and cover with chicken and veggies (as much as you'd like). Sprinkle with salt and pepper and generously with Italian dressing seasoning packets. Mix well with your hands and then spread out lengthwise in the middle of the foil to about 4" x 12". Cover with pats of butter, about 3-4T per dinner, depending upon how large they are. Bring together long sides of foil over meal and fold 2-3 times, ensuring there will be no leaks when dinner is flipped on the fire. Push meal flat and then roll the ends in tightly. Cook over hot coals for about 30 min. or until done. Flip for final 10 min. or so. We love to open them up and smother with cheddar cheese and Famous Dave's Rich & Sassy BBQ sauce (found at the grocery store).

Our friends who gave us this recipe have never used chicken or Italian dressing mix. They always use hamburger meat and other pantry seasonings. You could give that a try too!

Tip: This is much easier to throw together if made ahead of time. The trick is to place the potato pieces in a container covered with water until you drain and use them or they will turn yucky and brown.

Recipe from: Jon & Jessica Croxford

Creamy Chicken & Bow-ties

This is one of those yummy, simple meals that's a hit with kids and men...my kind of meal!

Ingredients:
~ 1/2 box bow-tie pasta, cooked according to pkg directions
~ 2 small cans cream of chicken soup
~ 4 chicken breasts, cubed
~ cheese (any, we use cheddar)
~ tortilla chips (any would work, we also used Doritos and Sunchips out of desperation, but tortilla is our fav.)

Directions: In a large skillet, cook and season chicken. I season with Mrs. Dash, garlic, and Organic No Salt Seasoning from Costco. Add cream of chicken soup and cooked noodles to skillet with chicken. Mix well. Top with shredded cheese. Just before serving, top with broken up tortilla chips. We serve the tortilla chips on the side so everyone can dish them up themselves. Enjoy!

White Chicken Green Chili Enchiladas (YUM!)

I have a "White Chicken Salsa Enchilada" recipe posted too and it's a toss up between the two. They're both very good.

Ingredients:
~ 2 c. cooked & cubed chicken
~ 2 cans cream o' chicken
~ 1 can green chilies
~ 1 c. sour cream
~ 2 c. Mexican shredded cheese (or cheddar)
~ garlic, salt & pepper
~ 1 dozen white corn tortillas

Directions:
Mix all ingredients. Spray 13x9 with cooking spray and cover with small amount of sauce so tortillas won't stick. Warm tortillas in microwave until pliable. Fill, roll and place in baking dish. Add a little milk to remaining filling and spread on top of filled tortillas. Top with additional cheese. Bake at 350 degrees, uncovered, for 30 minutes.

Option #2: I didn't have chicken one night and added about a cup of salsa instead. It turned out FANTASTIC and you couldn't even tell!!

Recipe from: my sister, Tricia

Easy Chicken Roll-ups (yummy! Guys love 'em!!)

I had these first when my mother-in-law made them for her fam. Her kids have all started making the recipe regularly, with minor variations. While they're not exactly diet friendly, they're very good! Here's the recipe as we like it. (The simple gravy is a MUST, but the pic. just shows the chicken roll-ups before serving w/ gravy). All the men in my life :) love 'em!! Definitely a guy pleaser!



Ingredients:
~1 8 oz cream cheese
~2 cups cooked and shredded/cubed chicken or turkey
~3 Tbsp butter, softened
~green or regular onions, diced (optional)
salt & pepper to taste
~2 packages refrigerated crescent rolls
~1 recipe quick chicken gravy (see recipe under label "sauces & gravies")

Directions:
Combine all ingredients except crescent rolls. Open and separate crescent rolls. Put about a tablespoon or a little more filling onto rolls and roll up, tucking and pinching all edges so filling doesn't ooze out while cooking. Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Ladle hot chicken gravy over the top. I HIGHLY recommend using my quick chicken gravy recipe!!!! 2 ingredients and about 30 seconds to make. VERY GOOD!

Recipe by: mom-in-law, Dot

Fantastic ( 3 ingredient!) Italian Grilled Steaks

Make skewers too!!







Skewer steak cubes with any of the following... Peppers, Onions, Pineapple, Zucchini, Squash, Red or White Onions, and Grape Tomatoes




Ingredients:
~ Steaks (Any, but the nicer the cut the better, of course!)
~ Italian Salad Dressing Mix Packets (on the Salad Dressing isle)
~ Seasoned Meat Tenderizer

Directions:Place steaks on a platter and sprinkle very generously with the powdered dressing mix. Sprinkle moderately with meat tenderizer and flip. Season opposite side equally. Cover and refrigerate for a few hours (I like to refrigerate overnight). Grill on your BBQ and serve immediately.

If skewering, cut raw meat into large cubes and toss with seasoned meat tenderizer. Skewer (with veggies, if preferred) and season entire skewer with Italian Salad Dressing Mix. Refrigerate for a couple of hours to overnight. Grill on BBQ.

Amazing (2 ingredient!) Italian Grilled Chicken

I know this sounds too simple to be delicious, but the chicken turns out amazing every time! You can bake in the oven or, our fav, BBQ on the grill! You can skewer the chicken, cube it, cook it in strips, or as whole chicken breasts. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
~ Chicken Breasts or Tenderloins, we like them cubed and then skewered. As a rule, I don't love whole breasts, I'd rather have strips or cubes because there's more seasoning per bite!
~ Italian salad dressing mix (in the packets)

Directions:
If baking in the oven, melt a little butter (about 2T for a 13x9) in a shallow dish in the oven, remove pan from oven with melted butter and tilt pan so the butter spreads as evenly as possible. Place chicken in the pan in a single layer and sprinkle well with Italian dressing mix. Bake for 15 min. Turn chicken and sprinkle top side. Bake an additional 10 minutes or so (depending on how you cut your chicken, smaller pieces will cook quicker) until internal temp is 165 degrees. (Don't overcook or it will be dry!)

If grilling (THE BEST!!!), place chicken (however you've cut it) on a platter and season both sides well with Italian dressing mix. Place on the grill and grill on both sides until internal temp reaches 165. (Don't overcook or it will be dry!) ENJOY!!

Comfort Chicken Soup with Rice and Spinach

Nourishing and nurturing, this is a delicious soup for lunch or dinner.


Ingredients:
~ 2 tsp. olive oil
~ 1/2 lb. boneless, skinless white-meat chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces
~ salt and pepper
~ 1 med. sized onion, finely chopped
~ 1/2 cup short-grain white rice
~ 5 cups chicken broth
~ 1/2 lb. fresh spinach leaves, tough stems removed, rinsed well, drained and roughly chopped to yield about 5 cups
~ 1/2 tsp ground cumin
~ 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Directions:
Heat the oil in a heavy 4-quart saucepan over med-high heat. Add chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring until the chicken pieces have turned white and are just beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.

Add the onion to the saucepan and cook, stirring, over med-high heat until it begins to soften, 2-3 minutes. Return the chicken to the saucepan, add the rice and broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to med-low, partially cover the saucepan, and simmer until the rice is tender, about 20 min. Stir in the spinach and continue cooking 5 min. longer. Add the cumin and nutmeg and stir well to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

NOTE: As this soup stands and cools, it thickens; add some broth or water (1/2 cup at a time) before reheating. Makes 6 servings. 151 calories, 2.4 grams of fat. A "Saved by Soup" recipe.

Artichoke Bowtie Pasta

This is a great side dish that is always a hit.


Ingredients:
~ 1 box bowtie pasta
~ 2 cans artichokes, smashed or cut into pieces (more if you'd like)
~ 1 can olives, halved
~ Caesar dressing (I recommend Cardini's...plastic bottle w/ green label)
~ Fresh Grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Cook noodles according to package directions. Toss all ingredients, coating well with plenty of dressing. (As this salad sits, the noodles will absorb the dressing so wait to pour on dressing until just before serving. If you have leftovers, just refrigerate and add a little more dressing before serving agian.)

Recipe from: my sister-in-law, Liz

1 hour Soft and Delicious Brown Rice

When I make this my mom always asks how I got my rice to taste so good. This is softer and deliciously flavored compared with cooking brown rice by ordinary package directions.


Ingredients:
~ Brown Rice
~ 1/2 c. more water than required
~ Chicken base, chicken bullion, chicken stock or chicken broth

Directions:
Add water to pan according to package directions, adding an additional 1/2 cup for first 1 1/2 cups water, 3/4 cup total if doubling. Add chicken base or bullion with recommended amount of rice when water boils. If using chicken stock or broth, swap all water with this. If using chicken base or bullion, add 1tsp per cup of water. Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for about an hour. Then, tilt pan with lid on and see if there is any water that dribbles from the side of the rice (you'll need a glass lid to see this). If so, cook a little longer. When all water is absorbed, remove from heat and let set 10 min. Wa Lah!

Steamed New Potatoes with Chicken 'n' Asparagus

This is delicious for lunch or dinner and is great as leftovers. Also, it is super quick and easy if you make the "Simple Steamed Potatoes" ahead of time!


Ingredients:
~ Simple Steamed New Potatoes (see recipe posted under "side dishes" label...easy!)
~ Grilled Chicken/Turkey Breasts or Pork, cooked and cubed
~ EVOO
~ Asparagus, chopped into bite-sized pieces
~ Onions, sliced (optional)
~ Salt & Pepper

Directions:
Cut steamed potatoes into bite-sized pieces and place in a serving bowl. Add meat. Fry asparagus for 2 minutes in EVOO, then add onions and fry until tender and caramelized. Season with salt and pepper. Add to potatoes and meat and toss. Serve hot.

Quick Maple-Glazed Pork Chops (10 minutes)

This is a 5 star Paula Dean Food Network recipe. I've never liked pork chops...until this! They are really good and my babes loved them too.


Ingredients:
~ 4 tsp chili powder
~ 1 tsp salt
~ 6 (10 oz) pork chops, bone-in (I use boneless and it's great), about 1" thick
~ 1 T olive oil
~ 3 T balsamic vinegar
~ 1/2 cup butter maple syrup (I use original maple syrup flavor)
~ 1/2 cup chicken stock or broth
Pecans, toasted and chopped, optional garnish

Directions:
In a small bowl, combine the chili powder and salt and sprinkle evenly over both sides of the pork chops. Heat olive oil over med-high heat. Add the pork chops and cook until browned, about 2 min. per side. Reduce heat to med., and cook until desired doneness, about 4-6 minutes.

In a small skillet, over med-high heat, add balsamic vinegar & cook untill reduced by half. Stir in maple syrup and chicken stock. Cook over medium heat until thick and syrupy, about 5 minutes.

Transfer to a platter and serve with the maple syrup. Garnish with toasted pecans.

Delicious Whole Wheat Chicken Noodle Soup

I was at my friend's home when she was making this. It looked and smelled delicious. It turned out to be the most delicious homemade chicken noodle soup I've ever had/made!! I made it today and it makes a huge pot full so you'll have plenty for neighbors :). It isn't a super quick meal, but totally worth the time. Healthy too.


Ingredients:
~ 1 whole chicken, thawed
~ salt & pepper
~ 3 eggs
~ whole wheat flour
~ whatever veggies you like...I use onions, carrots, peas, celery & potatoes

Directions:
Place entire chicken straight out of the packaging into a large pot, cover with water and season with plenty of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until meat is falling off of the bone.

Meanwhile, prepare veggies by rinsing and chopping into pieces (any size you like). Set aside.

In a small bowl, crack and beat eggs. Add flour until doughy. Separate dough into 3 balls and roll each out, very thin, on a floured surface, adding plenty of flour so they aren't sticky at all. (You want them very floury and dry). Cut into 1/4" strips.

When chicken is cooked, remove from pot and shred. (With a slotted spoon, remove any floating pieces of fat left in the broth in the pot). Place shredded chicken, veggies and homemade noodles in the broth. Add as much water as you like. Season VERY well with salt & pepper, sprinkle in a few Tbsp of whole wheat flour to thicken, and boil until veggies are tender and your home smells delicious!

Recipe from: Jessica Lambson