Chipotle Chicken Tacos

Chipotle Chicken Tacos
Printable Version
Printable Version with Picture

*Note: Reduce the chipotle chiles to one teaspoon if you want to eliminate some of the spiciness. In a pinch, you could sub 1-2 teaspoons chili powder for the chipotle chiles but the flavor won’t be quite the same.

*Serves 6

INGREDIENTS:
3 tablespoons butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons minced canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (you can find these in the Mexican Foods aisle at most grocery stores)
1/2 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
Salt and pepper
12 (6-inch) flour tortillas

DIRECTIONS:
Melt the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and chipotle and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the orange juice, Worcestershire sauce and 1/2 cup chopped cilantro and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the chicken and simmer, covered, over medium-low heat for 12-13 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through cooking. When the chicken is done cooking, transfer to a plate and tent with foil.

Increase the heat to medium-high and cook the mixture left in the skillet until the liquid is reduced to about 1/4 cup, about 5 minutes. Off the heat, whisk in the yellow mustard. Using 2 forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces and return to the skillet. Add the remaining cilantro to the skillet and toss until well combined. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm with tortillas topped with lettuce, cheese, tomato, sour cream and avocado.

Crispy Southwest Chicken Wraps

Crispy Southwest Chicken Wraps

*Note: This is one of the most adaptable recipes on here (reading through the comments will prove that – your variations sound amazing!). Feel free to up the cilantro, add in a different meat of your choice, eliminate the pepper, add green chilies – seriously, the options are endless.

*Makes 6 wraps

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup cooked rice, warm or at room temperature
1 cup cooked, shredded chicken (or other leftover meat, like shredded pork or beef)
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 green onion, finely sliced (white and green parts)
1/2 red or green pepper, diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
juice of 1 lime
1/2 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
2 cups shredded cheese (I use a combination of Monterey jack and sharp cheddar)
Sour cream (optional)

6 burrito-sized flour tortillas

DIRECTIONS:
Mix rice together with chili powder, cumin and garlic salt. Add remaining ingredients except for cheese and sour cream. Sprinkle cheese over tortillas, leaving 1/2-inch border around edges, then arrange chicken and rice mixture down the center of each tortilla. (Optional: I like to dollop little bits of sour cream over the cheese before arranging chicken and rice mixture down the center – it makes the wraps delightfully creamy.) Roll stuffed tortillas, leaving edges open and slightly flatten the wraps with the palm of your hand. Spray seam-side of the wrap lightly with cooking spray.

Heat a large non-stick skillet (or griddle) over medium heat for 1 minute. Arrange wraps, seam-side down, in pan or griddle and cook until golden brown and crisp, about 2-3 minutes per side. Cooking them seam-side down first helps seal the long edge so they don’t fall apart. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining wraps. Serve warm.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Sweet and Sour Chicken

*Note: if you like extra sauce, double the sauce ingredients – pour half over the chicken and follow the recipe instructions; pour the other half in a small saucepan and cook the sauce on the stovetop at a simmer for 8-10 minutes until it reduces and thickens. Serve it on the side of the chicken.

*Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS:
Chicken:
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
1 cup cornstarch
2 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup canola oil

Sauce:
3/4 cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons ketchup
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon garlic salt

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. While the oil is heating, cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Place the cornstarch in a gallon-sized ziploc bag. Put the chicken into the bag with the cornstarch and seal, tossing to coat the chicken. Whisk the eggs together in a shallow pie plate. Dip the cornstarch-coated chicken pieces in the egg and place them carefully in a single layer in the hot skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes and then flip each piece over to cook on the other side until nicely golden but not all the way cooked through. Place in a single layer in a baking dish and repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.

Mix the sauce ingredients together in a medium bowl and pour over the chicken in the baking dish. Bake for one hour, turning the chicken once or twice while cooking to coat evenly with sauce. Serve over hot, steamed rice.

French bread pizza

Ingredients:
1 loaf French bread (split in half horizontally)
1 ½ cups pizza sauce
4 ounces fresh mushrooms (sliced)
1 ounce pepperoni (sliced)
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon oregano
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese (grated)

Again, just so I don't forget about it!

guacamole

Ingredients:
3 avocados (halved, seeded, and peeled)
1 lime (juiced)
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ medium onion (diced)
2 Roma tomatoes (seeded and diced)
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro (chopped)
1 garlic clove (minced)

Just for my own info!

Whole Wheat Garlic Knots

Whole Wheat Garlic Knots

makes about 10 garlic knots

1 package active dry yeast, about 2 1/2 teaspoons

1 cup warm water (just warmer than body temperature)

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon sea salt

2 teaspoons sugar

For the garlic mixture:

4 to 6 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

2 tablespoons melted butter

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 cup chopped parsley

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar with warm water.  Let sit for 5 minutes until yeast is frothy.  That means it’s alive and ready to go.

In a large bowl, whisk together flours and salt.  Create a small well in the center of the flour mixture.  Pour in the yeasty water and add oil.  With a fork, mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.  If the dough is too sticky, add more all-purpose flour.  Dough should be slightly sticky, but not stick to your hands too much.

Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes.  Place dough in a large greased bowl.  Flip the dough over to coat the dough.  Cover with plastic wrap and a clean kitchen towel, and leave to rest in a warm, draft-free place for 1 hour, or until the dough is doubled in size.  At this point, you can make the garlic knots, or let the dough rise in the refrigerator overnight.  Just bring the dough to room temperature before rolling it out.

When ready to prepare the garlic knots, roll out dough on a lightly floured surface.  Roll into a 10-inch by 10-inch square.  Roughly…. it doesn’t have to be perfect.  Use a pizza cutter to slice 10 1-inch stripes.  Tie a knot in the center of the dough, and wrap the ends under and around the knot.  This doesn’t have to be perfect either… just make sure that the dough is all tucked into itself.  Cover with clean kitchen towel and let rest for 30 minutes.

Place racks in the center and upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 400 degrees F.   Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.  Place dough knots on prepared baking sheets and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until golden brown.

While bread bakes, in a large bowl whisk together minced garlic, butter, olive oil, parsley and salt.  When rolls come out of the oven, immediately toss them in the garlic butter mixture.  Toss until coated and remove from the butter bowl.  Serve rolls warm.

Rolls are best served the day they’re made, but will last for 3 days if well wrapped.  Just reheat in a piece of foil in a 350 degree F oven for 10 minutes.

Chicken Lime Tacos

1 1/2 Lbs. chicken, cubed
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
juice of 1 lime
2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
4-5 green onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 Tbsp fresh cilantro (or to taste)
Flour tortillas

Optional toppings:
Pico de gallo
cheese
onions
tomatoes
jalapeno
guacamole
cilantro
sour cream

Sauté chicken in a medium skillet in a little oil for a few minutes until chicken becomes white all around. Combine vinegar, lime juice, sugar, salt, pepper, green onion, garlic and cilantro and add to chicken. Simmer for an extra 10-20 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Add chicken to tortillas and top with lettuce, tomato, cheese, avocado, cilantro, salsa, sour cream, or any other taco topping you like!

Chicken Cordon Bleu Pizza

Ingredients:
1 large chicken breast
1 egg
Butter (for frying)
½ cup dry breadcrumbs
½ cup shredded provolone cheese
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup alfredo sauce
½ cup ham steak (diced)
1 pre-made pizza crust (such as Pillsbury)

Step 1: Beat an egg small bowl. In a shallow pie dish add bread crumbs. Roll the chicken breast in the bread crumbs, then dip in the egg mixture and roll in the bread crumbs again. Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat and melt butter. Add chicken breast and fry in the butter on both sides until golden brown and fully cooked (when the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees). Remove from the pan, cool, and slice into strips.
Step 2: Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees. Roll out pizza crust onto a pizza pan. Place into the oven and bake for 7-8 minutes. Remove from the oven and spread the alfredo sauce over the partially baked pizza crust and top with provolone cheese, mozzarella cheese, chicken and ham.
Step 3: Return to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese has melted.

Creamy Chicken Lasagna

Creamy Chicken Lasagna
Cassie Craves

1 pound chicken breast, cubed into small pieces
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil

3 cloves minced garlic

2 cans cream chicken soup

1 8-ounce package cream cheese

2 cups sour cream

1 cup milk
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste

1 box no-boil lasagna noodles

4 cups shredded Colby-jack or cheddar-jack cheese blend

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large frying pan, cook chicken in olive oil and butter until the chicken is no longer pink. Remove chicken and keep warm.

3. Add garlic to pan; cook and stir for 30 seconds. Add cream soup, cream cheese, sour cream, milk, and chicken broth to the pan. Stir until ingredients melt and thicken slightly. Season with Italian seasoning and salt and pepper to taste. Add chicken and continue to stir. Turn heat down and simmer for 2 or 3 minutes.

4. Spread a thin layer of sauce in a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Layer noodles (I used about 4 per layer), then cream sauce with chicken, then cheese (about 1 cup per layer). Continue to repeat until your pan is full, ending with cheese on top. Bake at 350 for 40 to 45 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Pizza Pasta Salad

Although, of course, we never use the olives!

Ingredients

• 1 bag colored spiral noodles
• ¾ c. pepperoni cut into wedges
• ¾ c. mozzarella cut into small cubes
• ¾ c. fresh tomatoes, diced
• ½ c. olives, sliced
• ¼ c. parmesan cheese (not the powdery kind)
• 1 bottle Bernstein's Restaurant Recipe Italian Dressing

Instructions

• Mix together all ingredients and chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours before serving. We like to put it in a tupperware container with a tight lid and flip it upside down, then right side up a few times while it is chilling to distribute the dressing into the

Peach and Raspberry Crumble

5-6 medium ripe peaches, sliced

1 cup fresh raspberries (if using frozen, just thaw and drain)

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup old fashioned oats

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground allspice

Pinch of salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small cubes

Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.  Place sliced peaches and raspberries in a square 8×8-inch baking dish and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, oats, spices, and salt.  Add the butter and toss the mixture together with your hands.  Break the butter up into the flour mixture until the butter is the size of small pebbles and oat flakes.  This took me about 4 minutes.

Toss a generous handful (about 1 cup) of crumble topping into the peach and raspberry mixture.  Toss loosely with your hands.  Spread fruit evenly in the pan and top with the remaining crumble mixture.  Bake until fruit is juicy and bubbling, and the top of the crumble is slightly browned and crisp, about 30 minutes.

Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, and serve with vanilla ice cream.  Crumble is delicious served warm and can be stored, covered, in the fridge and reheated in the oven or microwave for serving.

PW's Greek Salad

Ingredients

• 1 head Romaine Lettuce, Chopped
• 4 whole Ripe Tomatoes, Cut Into Six Wedges Each, Then Each Wedge Cut In Half
• 1 whole (large) Cucumber, Peeled, Cut Into Fourths Lengthwise, And Diced Into Large Chunks
• ½ whole Red Onion, Sliced Very Thin
• 30 whole Pitted Kalamata Olives, Cut In Half Lengthwise
• 6 ounces, weight Crumbled Feta Cheese
• Fresh Parsley, Roughly Chopped
• ¼ cups Olive Oil
• 2 Tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Sugar (more To Taste)
• 1 clove Garlic, Minced
• 6 whole Kalamata Olives (extra), Chopped Fine
• ¼ teaspoons Salt
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 1 whole Lemon, For Squeezing

Preparation Instructions

Add chopped lettuce, tomato wedges, cucumber chunks, onion slices, halved Kalamata olives, half the feta, and parsley to a large bowl.
Combine olive oil, vinegar, sugar, garlic, salt, pepper, and chopped olives in a bowl. Whisk together until combined. Taste and adjust seasonings (I almost always add a little sugar.)
Pour dressing over salad ingredients, then add salt and pepper. Toss with tongs or clean hands. Just before serving, top with additional feta and squeeze a little lemon juice over the top.

Paprika Chicken and Bowtie and Asparagus pasta

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 c. Italian bread crumbs (you can also use Panko bread crumbs and add Italian seasoning)
1 1/2 cubes (3/4 cup) melted butter
Paprika

Combine Parmesan cheese with breadcrumbs. Dip chicken breast in melted butter. Roll in crumb mixture until completely coated. Place in baking dish and sprinkle generously with paprika. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes @ 375 degrees - Do not overcook!

Pasta: (The pinenuts were a little over the top for me... too much extra work!)

Ingredients

• 1 pkg. bow tie pasta
• 1/2 c. (1 cube) butter (the real stuff)
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
• 1-2 chicken bouillon cubes
• 1 pint heavy cream
• salt & pepper to taste
• 10-15 spears asparagus, blanched
• 1/2 c. bacon, crumbled
• 1/2 c. toasted pinenuts (or to taste)
• Parsley, to taste
• Parmesan cheese, to taste

Instructions

• Boil bow tie pasta in salted water until al dente. Do NOT over cook.
• In wok or heavy skillet melt butter. Add minced garlic and saute a minute or so.
• Add Parmesan Cheese and bouillon cube(s). When the bouillon cube is dissolved, slowly stir in heavy cream and salt & pepper. Add cooked pasta to cream sauce and toss until pasta is well covered. Add blanched asparagus. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon, toasted pinenuts, parsley & Parmesan cheese and toss together. Serve immediately.

Caesar Pasta Salad

1 lb pasta, any shape (I like Radiatore) cooked al dente
1 envelope Good Seasons Italian dressing, dry
2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, halve them if you like
2 large or 6 hearts of Romaine lettuce, washed, chopped
4 cups croutons, home made or store bought
2 cups grated Parmesan cheese*
1/2 to 3/4  (32 oz) bottle Cardinis Original Caesar Dressing*, refrigerated before using if possible

Make ahead- if possible, the night before serving:
Place cooked pasta in a bowl.  Sprinkle with dry Good Seasons Italian dressing and about 1/2 cup of the bottled Cardinis dressing.  Refrigerate overnight.
The next day, before serving:
Place the prepared pasta, grape tomatoes, chopped lettuce, croutons and Parmesan cheese in a large bowl.  Toss with about 1/2 of the bottle of dressing.  Let sit for a few minutes, add additional dressing to taste just before serving.

Corn and Black Bean Salad

Sauteed Corn and Black Bean Salad

Saute the kernels from three ears of corn in 2 T of butter until browned slightly

Combine with:

one can of black beans, drained and rinsed

one avocado, sliced

half of a bunch of green onions, chopped

juice from a lime or two

one bunch of cilantro, chopped

Serve chilled

Cobb Salad Sandwiches

4 slices of bread (toasted if preferred) 
4 slices deli turkey 
4 slices cooked bacon 
leafy green lettuce (or Romaine) 
1 tomato, sliced 
1 avocado, pitted, peeled & sliced 
1 hard boiled egg, sliced 
blue cheese crumbles, to taste 
Salt and pepper (to taste) 
mayonnaise 
Salad dressing (whatever you like best) 

Layer turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, egg, and blue cheese crumbles on bread. Add salt & pepper, mayonnaise and salad dressing to taste.

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

1 small, onion, peeled & diced (use a sweet onion if you can find it)
3 chicken breast halves
1/2 c. chicken broth
1 Tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. garlic, minced (2-3 cloves)
salt & pepper (to taste)
6 tablespoons honey
5 tablespoons lime juice (1 large lime)
8-10 flour tortillas
1 lb. Monterey jack cheese, shredded
16 ounces green enchilada sauce (we like Las Palmas brand, but any brand is great)
1/2 c. heavy cream

Saute onion in a little butter until it becomes transparent and soft. In a crock pot* add chicken, chicken broth, sauteed onion, chili powder, garlic, and salt & pepper. Cook on low for about 8 hours (or high for 3-4) adding more broth if needed (you don't want it to cook out completely). Remove chicken from crock pot and shred, then return to crock pot and simmer another 5 min. Drain out some of the juices (but not all of it... keep about 1/4 c.) and add honey and lime. Place seasoned, shredded chicken in a Ziploc bag and seal tightly, pressing out as much air as you can. Marinate at least 30-40 minutes.. longer if you can (I did about an hour). While chicken is marinating spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray, then pour about 1/2 c. of enchilada sauce over the bottom. Fill tortillas with chicken mixture and shredded cheese, saving about 1 c. of cheese to sprinkle on top of enchiladas. Mix the remaining enchilada sauce with heavy cream. Pour sauce on top of the enchiladas and sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until brown and crispy on top. Serve hot and top with your favorite enchilada toppings.

Slow Cooker Chicken Caesar Sandwiches

Slow Cooker Chicken Caesar Sandwiches

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
1/2 to 1 cup of your favorite Caesar dressing (I like Cardini's and Brianna's Asiago Caesar)
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley (if you don't have fresh use around 2 teaspoons of dried parsley)
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
12 slider buns or 4-6 regular sized hamburger buns

1. Place chicken in a 3-4 quart slow cooker with 1-2 cups of water, cover and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours.

2. Remove chicken from cooker using a slotted spoon and drain the water from the slow cooker. Place chicken on a cutting board and pull chicken into shreds, discarding any fat.

3. Place chicken back in the cooker and pour dressing, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and pepper over the top. I really make sure that I discard any fat pieces so by the time I was done I only used about 1/2 cup of dressing but you make need more if you have more chicken. Stir until mixed evenly. Cover and cook on high heat for 30 minutes or until mixture is hot. 

4. Spoon 1/4 cup mixture onto each slider bun if you are making sliders or more for regular sized buns. Top with extra shredded Parmesan cheese and lettuce to serve.

Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu

Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu 
Source: Mel's Kitchen Cafe

For the Cordon Bleu:
3 large, thick boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half length-wise (to make two thinner chicken breast cutlets; you will have 6 total thin chicken breasts)
12 slices good quality deli ham
1 cup bread crumbs (preferably fresh)
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 pound (8 ounces) thinly sliced Swiss cheese

For the Parmesan-Dijon Cream Sauce:
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules (or 1 bouillon cube, crushed)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

*Note: Mel saves the heels of her bread and stores them in the freezer until she needs them then grinds them up quickly in a blender or food processor.

Directions:
Lightly grease a 9X13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, combine the bread crumbs and melted butter. Set aside.

Lay the cut chicken breasts in a single layer in the 9X13-inch dish. Layer each chicken breast with two slices of ham and top with slices of Swiss cheese, layering across the chicken breast to make sure the entire chicken breast is covered with ham and cheese. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the top of the chicken. 

Bake the chicken for 30-35 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through completely, the cheese is bubbling and the bread crumbs are golden.

When the chicken is almost done, in a medium saucepan, melt the 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in the flour, whisking constantly. Cook the flour/butter mixture for 1-2 minutes. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking quickly. Stir in the chicken bouillon granules and salt. Whisk mixture constantly over medium heat until the mixture begins to simmer and thicken, about 3-5 minutes. 

Once the sauce has bubbled and thickened, remove from heat and stir in the mustard, Worcestershire sauce and Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted. Keep the sauce warm until the chicken is finished baking. If your sauce is too thick, whisk in some more milk. If it's too thin, simmer longer.

Serve each chicken cordon bleu portion with warm sauce. Makes 6 servings.

Creamy Sausage and Tomato Pasta

Creamy Sausage and Tomato Pasta
Source: Wylie Tidwell
Makes 4-6 servings

4-5 Italian sausages (about 1 pound) found in the fresh meat department (I used spicy turkey Italian sausage; I really think a spicy sausage adds a lot of flavor)
1 cup chopped onion 
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (16 ounce) can Italian style diced tomatoes 
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 cup heavy cream
5-6 big leaves of fresh basil, chopped
12 ounces penne pasta (get a 16 ounce box and use 3/4 of it)
grated Parmesan for topping

Directions: 
1) Cook the pasta in salted water al dente, according to package directions.
2) While pasta is cooking, brown the sausages and cut them into slices - little circles (I actually removed the casings and then browned and crumbled the sausages like you would ground beef).
3) Add the onions and garlic to the sausage and saute for a couple of minutes.
4) Pour in the entire can of diced tomatoes and the tomato sauce and heat through.
5) Pour in the cream and heat through. The longer you cook the sauce the thicker it will get so simmer it until it is the consistency you want.
6) Add the fresh basil and let it simmer for a few minutes.
7) Finally, mix the sausage sauce with the pasta and serve. Top each serving with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve with crusty garlic bread.

Greek Style Pita Sandwiches

So good!

Pitas:

12 oz boneless pork loin chops, or boneless skinless chicken, sliced into 1/4″ slices
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 1/2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2  teaspoons minced fresh oregano
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper 

1/4 C diced tomato
1/4 C diced cucumber
2 Tablespoons diced red onion

4 Lettuce leaves
4 pita bread halves
2-3 Tbs crumbled Athenos Feta cheese

Combine pork, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a shallow dish and set aside.  Heat a medium skillet to medium high heat.  While pan is heating, combine tzatziki sauce and set in fridge to chill.  Add pork mixture to pan and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until pork is cooked through and then remove from heat.   Combine tomato, cucumber, and red onion.  Too assemble, place one lettuce leaf in each pita.  Divide pork mixture between pitas, add cucumber and tomato mixture and then top with tzatziki sauce and a sprinkle of feta.

Tztatziki sauce:

1 1/2 c. plain Greek yogurt (that’s 2 6-oz. containers)

1 clove garlic, minced

1-2 tsp. lemon juice

3 green onions, firm ends finely chopped

1 tsp. dry dill weed

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1/2 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and thinly sliced

Combine ingredients in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Store covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Black Bean Sloppy Joes

ingredients

1 (16 oz) can black beans, drained

1 (15 oz) jar of chunky salsa

1 tbsp brown sugar

1 tbsp Worcestershire

1 tbsp Dijon mustard 

1 tbsp cumin

1 tsp salt

pepper to taste

Cheddar, provolone or Mozzarella cheese (sliced or shredded)

4 sandwich rolls, sliced in half

instructions

Combine black beans, salsa, brown sugar, Worcestershire, Dijon mustard, cumin, salt and pepper in a medium pot and heat to a simmer.  

Assemble sandwiches filling rolls with 1/3 cup black bean mix.  Top with a slice of cheese or sprinkle of shredded cheese.  

**Optional:  Place sandwiches on a baking sheet, open faced with tops of buns facing up as well and broil for a few minutes to toast the rolls and melt cheese.

Chicken in Pepperoni Marinara Sauce

ingredients

1/2 tsp minced garlic

16-20 slices of pepperoni, chopped

1/4 tsp dried oregano

1 1/2 c. of your favorite Marinara Sauce

2 tbsp chopped fresh basil

2 tsp olive oil

1 1/2 pound chicken cutlets (I used chicken tenders--and I've used frozen and thawed, both work)

Salt and Pepper for seasoning

1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

instructions

Preheat broiler to high.

Heat a saucepan over medium-high heat and coat the pan with cooking spray.  Add garlic and pepperoni chunks; stirring frequently cook for 2 minutes or until garlic begins to brown.

Stir in oregano and stir for 30 seconds.  Add marinara sauce and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in chopped basil.  Set sauce aside.

Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat and coat with olive oil.  Season chicken with salt and pepper.  Place chicken in the skillet and cook for about 5-10 minutes (depending on if you're using frozen or thawed) or until lightly browned turning chicken half-way through.

Spoon sauce over the chicken and sprinkle mozzarella cheese.  Place in broiler until cheese melts.  Remove and garnish with additional basil leaves (optional)

Bruschetta Chicken

I love summer foods MOSTLY BECAUSE of bruschetta. I can't wait for it to be in season. I really liked this PW bruschetta recipe... we made it over the summer.

Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 5 cloves Garlic, Finely Minced
• 1 pint Red Grape Tomatoes, Halved Lengthwise
• 1 pint Yellow Grape Tomatoes, Halved Lengthwise
• 1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
• 16 whole Basil Leaves (chiffonade)
• Salt And Black Pepper To Taste (don't Oversalt)
• 8 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, Cut In Half To Create Two Thin Breasts
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• Freshly Grated Or Shaved Parmesan

Preparation Instructions

In a small skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and stir, lightly frying for about a minute, removing before the garlic gets too brown (it can be golden.) Pour into a mixing bowl and allow to cool slightly.
Add tomatoes, balsamic, basil, and salt and pepper to the bowl. Toss to combine, then taste and add more basil if needed, and more salt if needed (don’t oversalt, though!) Cover and refrigerate for an hour or two if you have the time.
Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then grill or saute them until done in the middle.
To serve, give the tomato mixture a final stir. Arrange chicken breasts on a plate (2 at a time) then spoon a generous amount of bruschetta topping over the top.
Use extra topping on slices of grilled baguette!

Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce

Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup dried Italian bread crumbs

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

3 tablespoons butter

1 clove garlic (1/2 teaspoon minced)

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Ingredients:

Place milk and bread crumbs in separate, shallow bowls. Make sure your chicken breasts are thin. I usually buy chicken from Costco and the breasts are really thick so I fillet each breast in half lengthwise so they are thinner. You can also pound your breasts with a meat mallet to make them thinner.

In skillet, heat butter to medium heat. Dip chicken in milk, then coat with crumbs. Cook chicken in butter, on both sides, until juices run clear (about 10 minutes). Remove and keep warm.

Add the garlic to the pan and cook for 30 seconds over medium heat. Add the chicken broth to the skillet. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and stir to loosen browned bits from pan. Stir in cream and sun-dried tomatoes; boil and stir for 1 minute. Reduce heat.        

Add Parmesan cheese, basil and pepper. Stir sauce and cook until heated through. Remember that for a thicker sauce all you have to do is cook it longer. I like my sauce on the thick side so I cooked it for a while (3-5 minutes). 

Serve chicken with sauce poured over the top.