Chicken Rice-a-Roni Casserole

Growing up, Chicken and rice seemed like such a fancy meal. I made this this week, it has a couple extra ingredients to keep the rice from drying out. It got a thumbs up. I made double for leftovers and it was just as good the second day. Enjoy!

1 box chicken flavor Rice-A-Roni
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream (can use low fat)
3-4 cups cooked, chopped chicken
1 (6 oz) can French fried onions

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Prepare Rice-A-Roni according to package directions. Add soup, sour cream and chicken. Stir to combine. Spread rice mixture in a lightly sprayed 9x13 pan. Top rice with fried onions. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.

Chicken Sausage Brown Rice Stuffing with Celery and Mushrooms

This recipe is so satisfing, in a soulful way. I wanted to eat more not because I was hungry, but because it warmed me from the inside. 1 cup is just over 100 calories and is so yummy!

1 1/2 cups brown rice
3 1/2 cups water
1 chicken bouillon
5 links raw sweet Italian chicken or turkey sausage
2 tbsp olive oil
6 celery stalks, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
16 oz sliced fresh mushrooms
salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste

Directions:

Cook brown rice in water and chicken bouillon according to package directions.

While the rice is cooking, in a large heavy saute pan cook chicken sausage on medium heat, breaking up the meat into small pieces as it cooks until the sausage is cooked through and is browned. Set aside on a dish.

Add olive oil to the pan and add the onion,
sauté one minute, add the celery, salt and pepper to taste;
cookabout 12 minutes, until celery is soft.

Add mushrooms, more salt and pepper if needed and cook, stirring 5 minutes, then cook covered for 2 minutes, or until the mushrooms have released their juice and are cooked through. Add the sausage and the cooked rice to the pan and mix well.

Makes 10 1/2 cups.

Servings: 14 • Size: about 3/4 cup • Old Points: 2 pt • Points+: 3 pts
Calories: 106.9 • Fat: 3.2 g • Carbs: 16.4 • Fiber: 1.3 • Protein: 3.6 g • Sugar: 1.0 • Sodium: 220 mg (without salt)

Honey-Glazed Chicken

This recipe comes from my sister, She's says it's really delicious...... and I believe her :)

Delicious Honey-Glazed Chicken

½ C Flour

1 tsp Salt

½ tsp Cayenne pepper

4 Chicken breasts (cut in bite sized pieces)

½ C Melted butter (set aside 4 TBS)

¼ C Packed brown sugar

¼ C Honey

¼ C Lemon juice

1 TBS Soy Sauce

In a bowl or bag, combine flour, salt, and cayenne pepper; add chicken pieces and dredge or shake to coat. Pour 4 TBS of butter into a 13x9” baking dish. Place chicken in dish, turning once to coat. Bake uncovered at 350 for 30 minutes. Combine brown sugar, honey, lemon juice, soy sauce and remaining butter; pour over chicken. Bake 45 minutes more or until chicken if tender, basting several times with pan drippings.

Not-Your-Mother's Tuna Caserole

This is a recipe is from my church's cookbook, from a guy who's wife is a REALLY good cook!

1 box white Cheddar macaroni and cheese
1 tbsp. butter
1 small onion, finely diced
1 can solid white albacore tuna, drained
1/2 c. sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 c. crushed saltines
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350

Prepare macaroni and cheese as per package directions. Meanwhile, saute onion in butter until translucent. Add tuna, breaking it up in the pan. Season with salt and pepper.

Add the tuna mixture to the macaroni and cheese. Put in casserole dish, top with cheese. Put in casserole dish; top with cheese and cracker crumbs. Bake until cheese is melted and topping crispy. Serves 4.

Bowtie Teriyaki Chicken Spinach Salad

This recipe makes 4 portions. Joe and I ate it for dinner last night and lunch today. It's even better the next day. I used bagged lettuce in place of the spinach and bow tie pasta, skipping the marinade step. I know my audience and what they like :)

8 oz. Bowtie pasta, cooked and cooled
1 bag of fresh baby Spinach
1 small can Mandarin Oranges
1 Red Pepper, chopped
1/2 can sliced Water Chestnuts
1/2 bunch Green Onions, chopped
1/2 cup Honey Roasted Peanuts or Cashews
1/2 cup fresh Flat Leaf Parsley
2 TBSP Sesame Seeds, toasted
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded I cooked the chicken in this sauce for extra flavor.

Dressing:
1/2 cup Canola Oil
1/3 cup White, Red, or Rice Wine Vinegar
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Black Pepper
1/3 C. Teriyaki Sauce
2 1/2 TBSP Sugar

Directions:
Cook bowtie pasta according to package directions. Drain and cool while whisking the dressing together in a large bowl. Marinate cooked bowtie pasta and chicken in the dressing for 1 hour or longer in the fridge. Combine salad ingredients in a large bowl and pour the teriyaki sauce, pasta, and chicken over the salad. Toss together and serve. Enjoy!

Crescent Roll Casserole

Here's the first yummy recipe of the year-it makes alot. We ate the extra chicken on cracker and I may even like that better than the cooked version.


2 (8 ounce) cans Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup whipping cream
Filling-
4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
4 tablespoons butter (softened)
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1/3 cup onions (finely chopped)
2 large cooked chicken breasts (chopped)
¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ teaspoon seasoning salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
2-4 tablespoons mayonnaise (or whipping cream)
1-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a casserole dish. In a saucepan mix whipping cream, ¾ cup of cheese, and chicken soup. Heat just until the cheese melts. Remove from heat and set aside.

To make the filling- in a bowl mix cream cheese and butter until smooth, add garlic powder. Add in the chopped chicken, onion and cheddar cheese. Mix until well combined. Add 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise (or whipping cream) mix to combine. You can add a little more if the mixture seems too dry. Season with seasoning salt and black pepper to taste.

Drizzle a small amount of the chicken soup mixture on the bottom of the casserole dish. Unroll the crescent rolls, and place 1 heaping tablespoon of the chicken mixture on top of each crescent triangle, then roll up starting at the thicker end. Place into the dish seam-side down. Repeat until all of the crescent rolls have been used up. Drizzle the remaining soup mixture on top and sprinkle 1-2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese on top. Place into the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
(Makes 6 Servings)

Ground Beef Stroganoff

I'm rollin' the dice and making this for lunch!

1 lb. hamburger
1 (10 3/4 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 packet brown gravy mix
1/2 cup sour cream
2 Tbsp. chopped onion
salt & pepper (to taste)
1 small can sliced mushrooms (I used fresh mushrooms)
Egg noodles, rice or mashed potatoes (I love it over noodles)

Brown & cook hamburger with chopped onion, salt and pepper. While the meat is browning, Start the noodles, rice or mashed potatoes to cook. Drain off any grease from the hamburger. (I then cooked the fresh mushrooms in the beef fat until tender)
Add cream of mushroom soup, gravy mix (plus water according to packet directions) mix together and simmer over low heat about 10-15 minutes.
Add mushrooms and the sour cream mix until thoroughly blended. Serve over cooked noodles, mashed potatoes or rice.

Chicken Scallopine

This makes really great chicken- I might add artichokes and leave out the whipping cream next time and just have a butter/wine/caper sauce.

1/2 pound Linguine
2 whole Boneless, Skinless, Trimmed Chicken Breasts
Salt And Pepper, to taste
Flour
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons Butter
8 ounces, weight White Mushrooms, Sliced Thin
1/4 cup Dry White Wine
1/4 cup Chicken Broth
1/2 lemon
4 cup Heavy Cream- I used 3 cups and it was plenty
1/2 teaspoon Capers
Chopped Fresh Italian Parsley
Parmesan Cheese, For Topping


Cook pasta according to package directions.

Flatten chicken breasts to uniform thickness. Salt and pepper both sides, then dredge in flour. Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry chicken breasts until golden brown. Remove to a plate and set aside.
Throw mushrooms into the pan and stir. Immediately pour in wine and chicken broth, and then squeeze juice of 1/2 lemon. Stir to de-glaze the pan, and then cook vigorously for 3-4 minutes, until sauce reduces.

Pour in cream and stir, then add capers and parsley and stir. Turn off heat. Stir and add salt and pepper to taste. Generously sprinkle Parmesan Cheese over the top. Enjoy!


Serves 2.

Margarita Pork Tenderloin

I made this last night and served it with Tex-Mex Summer Squash Casserole. The pork was great, the side dish just OK. I don't know if I would make it again- but my family did like it. They were fooled into eating squash by all the great tex-mex flavors.

3 garlic cloves, minced
1 green onion, minced
1/2 jalapeno pepper, minced
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 1/2 tablespoons tequila
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
2 (1-pound) pork tenderloins

Combine first 10 ingredients in a shallow dish or large zip-top plastic freezer bag. Cut pork diagonally into 1-inch-thick slices, and add to tequila mixture. Cover or seal, and chill 1 hour, turning occasionally. Remove pork from marinade, discarding marinade. Grill, covered with grill lid, over high heat (400° to 500°) 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until done.

Slow Cooker Taco Meat Loaf

I had every intention of using the slow cooker for this recipe, but the day got away from me and I never had time. The oven variation was just as good. The meat loaf was soooooo satisfying, like a giant hug from the comfort food fairy.

3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 28-oz. fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
3/4 cup crushed tortilla chips
1 medium onion , finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. smoked paprika or chili powder
1 lb ground beef
1 lb. ground pork
1 cup frozen whole kernel corn- I used canned
1/2 cup Monterey jack cheese with jalapeno peppers, shredded
Corn tortillas
1 recipe Smokey Tomato Salsa

Combine eggs, 1/1 crushed tomatoes (reserve remaining tomatoes for Smokey Tomato Salsa), and crushed tortilla chips. Stir in onion, garlic, cumin, paprika, and 1/2 tsp. each salt and black pepper. Add beef, pork and corn; mix well. Shape into a round or oblong loaf to fit slow cooker. Put in foil sling- see direction below.

Cover; cook on low 5 to 6 hours or on high 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Remove from slow cooker and let stand 10 minutes. Serve with corn tortillas and Smokey Tomato Salsa, avocado, green onions, cilantro and lime wedges optional.

Smokey Tomato Salsa-Combine reserved tomatoes; I green pepper, chopped; 1/3 cup chopped green onion; 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro; 2 minced, seeded jalapeno peppers; 1 TB. lime juice; and 1/4 tsp. salt

Oven Variation Preheat oven to 350. Bake covered meat loaf for 1 1/4 hours. Uncover sprinkle with cheese, return to oven for 10 minutes. Serve as directed in main recipe.

Foil sling- To place meat loaf in and lift out of slow cooker while keeping it in tact, make a foil sling. Tear off three 18-inch strips of foil folded to double thickness. Crisscross the strips in a spoke-like fashion. Place the loaf in the center of the spokes. Lift he ends of the foils strips to transfer the loaf to the cooker, leaving the foil in place during cooking. Use the foil again to lift the loaf from the cooker to a serving platter. Pull foil strips away and discard.

Tropical Teriyaki Fish Fillets

This was a quick recipe with alot of flavor. The Southwest Sear and Crust can be replaced with a southwest seasoning and same goes for the Teriyaki glaze.

4-6 fillets, your choice (recommended tilapia) I used Mahi Mahi
1/3 jar Cookwell & Co. Teriyaki Glaze found at HEB
3 tbsp Adam's Reserve Southwest Ancho Sear N' Crust found at HEB
1 package HEB mango pico de gallo
4 tbsp olive oil
*salt and pepper to taste

1. Rub 1 tbsp grapeseed oil on fish fillets then season with SW Ancho and salt and pepper.
2. Heat skillet on high heat about 2 minutes or until hot but not smoking, add grapeseed oil and after 30 seconds add your fish.
3. Pan sear on each side until done, for tilapia, 2 - 2.5 minutes each side.
4. Once fish is done cooking add teriyaki glaze to pan and top with mango pico. Fish should be served immediately. Enjoy!

Crock Pot Meatloaf

I tried the recipe from Southern Plate and OMG , it is sooooo good. Maybe it's because Joe made it, doesn't everything taste better when prepared by someone else? I swear it tasted like pot roast. I left out the flax seed and cooked it for 4 hours. Enjoy!

2 pounds ground beef or turkey
1 large egg
1 packet onion soup mix
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup-regular size
1 can condensed tomato soup- regular size
*1/4 cup ground flax seed (optional)
In a large bowl, mix beef, egg and onion soup mix. Roll into “loaf form” and place in slow-cooker. Cover with condensed cream of mushroom soup. Pour one can condensed tomato soup over the top. Set slow-cooker on low and cook for eight hours or high for four.

Lemon Cream Pasta with Chicken

Seriously-I could eat the sauce with a soup spoon. The noodles never totally absorbed in the chicken broth. So, I drained the noodles, saved the both and ladle 2-3 scoops back in with the heavy cream.

3 cups shredded or cubed Lemon Garlic Chicken
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 (16 ounce) package tube pasta (I used rigatoni)
2 cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

DIRECTIONS
In a large saucepan, season the chicken broth with the garlic powder and pepper. Bring to a boil and add lemon juice and pasta. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until all liquid is absorbed, about 25 minutes.

Stir chicken into cooked pasta, along with the cream, Parmesan cheese and lemon zest. Cook, stirring, over low heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Stir thoroughly before serving. Serves 4-6

Lena's Swedish Meatballs with Lingonberry Sauce

My Mom says these are tooooo die for and make a ton!

Ingredients
4 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, minced
1 pound each ground beef, pork, and veal (or all beef if you prefer)
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons salt
Few grinds black pepper
2 teaspoons ground allspice
3 pieces white bread, crust removed, torn and soaked in whole milk
Sauce:
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups chicken stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 to 2 tablespoons black currant jam
1/4 cup chopped parsley leaves
Lingonberry jam, for serving


Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent. Remove the onion to a plate and cool. Wipe out the pan with a paper towel.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meats, egg yolks, heavy cream and onion. Add salt, pepper and allspice. Squeeze excess milk from the bread and add it to the bowl. Mix gently with your hands or wooden spoon.

With a bowl of cold water standing by, form meatballs about 1-inch across. Dip your fingers in cold water, from time to time, to keep the meat from sticking to your hands.

Melt the remaining butter in the saute pan and once the foam has subsided add a layer of meatballs. Do not overcrowd the pan. Shake the pan once in awhile, to keep the meatballs round. Brown all of the meatballs, in batches, removing them to a large oven safe dish when cooked. Put the dish in the oven for about 20 minutes, being careful not to overcook them.

Cook's Note: you may need to wipe out the pan between batches as it can get kind of gnarly.

To make the sauce: Pour off most of the fat from the skillet and return it to the heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and swirl it around to coat the pan. Sprinkle in the flour, and stir with a wooden spoon or whisk to dissolve the flour into the fat. Pour in the chicken stock, and stir to loosen the bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer, stirring, until the liquid is reduced and the mixture starts to thicken to a sauce. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Lower the heat and stir in the cream and the black currant jam. Add the meatballs to the sauce. Simmer until the sauce thickens slightly and the meatballs are heated through, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.

To serve, spoon a couple of meatballs onto each plate along with a spoonful of sauce, and serve with the lingonberry jam on the side. Cook Time:50 min Level: --Yield: about 60 meatballs

Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

If you like peanut-Asian flavors than you'll LOVE this!.. It's from The Pampered Chef and couldn't be tastier!

1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoon lime zest
1/4 cup lime juice
3 garlic gloves, pressed
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon snipped fresh cilantro

In Classic 2-quart Batter Bowl; combine soy sauce, brown sugar, lime zest and juice. Using Garlic Press, press garlic into soy sauce mixture; mix well. Reserve 1/3 cup soy sauce mixture for Peanut Dipping Sauce; place in 1-quart Batter Bowl. Set aside.

Add chicken to remaining soy sauce mixture in 2-quart Batter Bowl. Cover; marinate in refrigerator 30 minutes.

Heat oven to 400 degrees F.

Place chicken with marinade in 9-inch Square Baker. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center.

Meanwhile, prepare Peanut Dipping Sauce by adding peanut butter and cilantro to reserved 1/3 cup soy sauce mixture in 1-quart Batter Bowl; whisk until smooth. Serve with chicken. Yields 12 servings.

Artichoke Chicken Casserole

A YUM-O casserole!

1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup chopped green onions
2 tbsp. melted butter
1 clove garlic
2 (81/2 oz.) cans artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
3 large whole chicken breasts, cooked, boned, and diced
1/2 cup dry white or sherry.
salt and pepper to taste
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Saute mushrooms and green onions in butter and garlic. Combine chicken and artichoke hearts in a 2 quarts casserole. Add mushrooms and green onions. Combine wine, salt, pepper, mayonnaise, sour cream, and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Fold into chicken mixture and mix well. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serve over rice or pasta. Serves 6. Enjoy!

"Sloppy Joes"

Super easy and ingredients everyone has on hand.

1 lb Hamburger
1/4 onion, Chopped
1/4 Bell Pepper, Chopped
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp White Vinegar
2 Tbsp Mustard
2 Tbsp Sugar
3/4 Cup Ketchup

Brown hamburger in skillet, set aside. Saute onions and peppers. Add hamburger and remaining ingredients. Serve on buns. It's yummy and fast. Enjoy!

Turkey Chilaquiles

Here's something I've been waiting for extra turkey to make. It's Sandra Lee's recipe from food network- I'll update on how it turns out. Enjoy!

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups red onion, chopped
1 (4-ounce) can diced green chilies
1 (10-ounce) Rotel
3 cups leftover cooked turkey, shredded
1 (16-ounce) jar chunky salsa
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
5 cups tortilla chips, crushed
1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican 4-cheese blend
1/4 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
1/4 cup sour cream
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Heat vegetable oil in a large oven-safe skillet, over medium-high heat. Add onions and saute until soft. Add green chilies, diced tomatoes, leftover turkey and salsa. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, to taste. Top with tortilla chips and then cheese. Place skillet in oven and bake for about 20 minutes.

Remove from oven. Garnish with cilantro and serve immediately with side of sour cream.

Pizza Rolls

OMG- I ate the best thing ever last night. The simple name "Pizza Rolls" does not do it justice. Better yet, cheesy pepperoni goodness, my-diet-can-start-tomorrow-gimme-some-a-that-lovin'-from-your-oven, heaven all wrapped up in doughy goodness....the list goes on. It was divine. Let the pictures speak for themselves. No New Years resolutions yet-get to the store and make these bundles of goodness! Let the pictures be your visual guide to deliciousness!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Chicken Noodle Casserole

Comfort food at it's finest. I made this alot when my kids were little. I leave out the peppers and onion, but I'm sure it would be de-lish with them in the mix.

1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup chopped red pepper
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
12 ounces medium egg noodles, cooked and drained

In a large bowl, combine soup, mayonnaise and lemon juice. Add the chicken, onion, peppers, 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, mix well. Add noodles and toss to coat. Transfer to a greased 2-quart baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 30-35 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Bake 10 minutes longer or until the cheese is melted. Yield: 6 servings. Enjoy!