Fiesta Smothered Chicken

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (5 ounces each)
• 1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 4 teaspoons chopped seeded jalapeno pepper
• 6 teaspoons butter, divided
• 1/4 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

Combine the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder in a large resealable plastic bag.  Add the chicken. 

Seal bag and coat the chicken; set aside.

Saute the mushrooms, onion and jalapeno in 2 teaspoons butter until tender in a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray. Remove and keep warm.

Drain and discard marinade. 

Place drained chicken in remaining butter in the same skillet.  Cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer reads 170°. 

Spoon vegetable mixture over chicken breasts.  Sprinkle with cheeses. 

Cover and cook for 1-2 minutes or until cheese is melted. 

Yield: 2 servings.

Editor's Note: Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.

Originally published as Fiesta Smothered Chicken 

in Cooking for 2 Spring 2009, p28

Source

Pumpkin Praline Bars

Quick, easy, semi-homemade and delicious

Pumpkin Praline Bars from Pillsbury!

Ingredients

• Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
• 1 (17.5 oz.) package Pillsbury® Perfectly Pumpkin Cookie Mix
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup dark corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions

HEAT oven to 350°F. 

Prepare a 8 x 8-inch baking pan with foil.  Extend foil over edge of pan and coat with no-stick cooking spray.

Combine cookie mix and 1/2 cup melted butter in medium bowl with fork until evenly mixed.

Press cookie mix into prepared pan. 

Bake 10 minutes.

WHISK egg in medium bowl, then whisk in corn syrup, 2 tablespoons melted butter and vanilla until blended. Stir in pecans. 

Spread evenly over partially baked cookie mix layer.

BAKE 23 to 25 minutes, until topping is set and golden brown. 

Cool 15 minutes.  Using edges of foil, remove from pan.

Place on cutting board and pull foil away from sides of bars. 

Cool completely. 

Trim outer edge before cutting into bars.



Nutritional Information Per Serving

Serving Size (1 bar of 20), Calories 200 (Calories from Fat 100), Total Fat 11g (Saturated Fat 4g, Trans Fat 0g), Cholesterol 25mg, Sodium 170mg, Total Carbohydrate 25g (Dietary Fiber 0g, Sugars 13g), Protein 2g; Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 4%, Vitamin C 2%, Calcium 0%, Iron 4%.

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Source:  Pillsbury.com

Chicken Alfredo and Rice

Chicken and rice is a favorite meal for me . . . well, I love just about anything with rice!

Love the addition of Alfredo Sauce for added creaminess and roasted red peppers for the extra flavor.  Add some poblano peppers or cayenne pepper if you like hot spiciness!

Ingredients

• 1 10 ounce container refrigerated light Alfredo pasta sauce
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 1/2 cups cooked white rice or wild rice
• 2 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1/3 cup chopped bottled roasted red sweet peppers
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted (optional)
• 1 tablespoon snipped fresh basil or 1/2 tsp. dried basil, crushed
• 1 cup soft bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

In large bowl combine pasta sauce and milk. 

Stir in rice, chicken, peas, sweet peppers, nuts, and basil. 

Transfer to 1-1/2-quart baking dish.

Bake, covered, 30 minutes. 

Uncover and stir. 

Combine bread crumbs and melted butter; sprinkle atop. 

Bake, uncovered, 20 to 25 minutes more or until heated through and crumbs are golden brown. 

Let stand 5 minutes before serving. 

Serves 4


Nutrition Information

Per Serving: cal. (kcal) 456, Fat, total (g) 16, chol. (mg) 97, sat. fat (g) 8, carb. (g) 45, Monosaturated fat (g) 3, Polyunsaturated fat (g) 2, fiber (g) 3, sugar (g) 7, pro. (g) 32, vit. A (IU) 1068.98, vit. C (mg) 40.15, Thiamin (mg) 0.42, Riboflavin (mg) 0.28, Niacin (mg) 9.67, Pyridoxine (Vit. B6) (mg) 0.55, Folate (µg) 116.92, Cobalamin (Vit. B12) (µg) 0.37, sodium (mg) 672, Potassium (mg) 366, calcium (mg) 222.13, iron (mg) 3.78, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Source
Originally published by Better Homes and Gardens

Broccoli and Chicken Casserole

These type of casseroles have become a favorite for us . . . quick, easy, versatile . . . semi-homemade!

The original recipe is from Better Homes and Gardens.

Ingredients

• 4 ounces dried medium noodles
• 2 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken or turkey
• 1 10 ounce package frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
• 1/2 cup sliced green onions
• 1 10 3/4 ounce can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup skim milk
• 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese (2 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• Paprika

Directions

Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain well.

In a 2-quart casserole stir together noodles, chicken or turkey, broccoli, and green onions.

In a medium mixing bowl stir together soup, milk, cheese, basil, and pepper. Stir into noodle mixture.

Bake, covered, in a 350 degree F oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until heated through. 

Sprinkle with paprika. 

Makes 6 servings.


Make Ahead Tip
Prepare casserole; cover and chill up to 24 hours. Bake as above.


Nutrition Information
Per Serving: cal. (kcal) 290, Fat, total (g) 11, chol. (mg) 61, carb. (g) 22, pro. (g) 25, sodium (mg) 508, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Source

Bacon Cheeseburger Balls

Wouldn't these Bacon Cheeseburger Balls

be an awesome appetizer for 

your next party?

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 envelope onion soup mix
• 1 pound ground turkey or beef
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons 2% milk
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

Coating:

• 1 cup crushed saltines (about 30 crackers)
• 5 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 eggs

Directions

Combine egg and soup mix in a large bowl.

Crumble ground beef or ground turkey over mixture; mix well. 

Divide into 36 portions; set aside. 

Combine flour and milk until smooth in another large bowl. 

Add bacon and cheese; mix well. 

Shape cheese mixture into 36 balls. 

Shape one ground beef or ground turkey portion around each cheese ball. 

Beat eggs in shallow bowl. 

In another bowl, place cracker crumbs. 

Dip meatballs into egg and coat with crumbs. 

Cook meatballs in a large skillet over medium heat in oil for 10-12 minutes or coating is golden brown. 

Drain on paper towels before serving.


Yield: 3 dozen

Source:  Taste of Home

Bacon Cheeseburger Balls Recipe photo by Taste of Home 

Originally published as Bacon Cheeseburger Balls in Country Woman September/October 1999, p29

Lexington Style Grilled Chicken

This marinade is totally different than the usual cuban mojo we regularly use. I can't wait to try something different!  Grilled chicken is one of our favorite meals.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons dried crushed red pepper
• 4 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons pepper
• 2 (2 1/2- to 3-pound) cut-up whole chickens

Directions

Stir and blend first 6 ingredients.

In a large zip-top plastic freezer bag, place half of vinegar mixture and chicken. In another large zip-top plastic freezer bag, repeat procedure.

Refrigerate at least 2 hours, up to 8 hours. Turn occasionally.

Remove chicken from marinade, discarding marinade.

Grill chicken on a covered grill over medium-high heat (350° to 400°) 35 to 40 minutes or until done. Turn occasionally.

SOURCE

Larry Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina, Southern Living MARCH 2005

Coconut-Cherry Cream Squares

Awesome recipe . . . love the combinations!

The recipe is for a lower fat and sugar version, but you can substitute the low fat, low sugar items with the real thing.  My personal preference is using the real thing . . . if you are going to have dessert, enjoy it to the fullest!

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup flaked coconut
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons cold reduced-fat butter

FILLING:

• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• Sugar substitute equivalent to 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2-1/2 cups fat-free milk
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup flaked coconut
• 2 teaspoons coconut extract
• 1 can (20 ounces) reduced-sugar cherry pie filling

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°.

Coat a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray.

Combine the flour, coconut and brown sugar in a small bowl.

Cut in butter until crumbly. 

Press into prepared 9-in. square baking pan. 

Bake 7-10 minutes or until lightly browned. 

Cool on a wire rack.

For the filling:

Combine flour, sugar, sugar substitute and salt in a small saucepan. 

Stir in milk until smooth. Cook over medium-high heat, constantly stirring until thickened and bubbly. 

Reduce heat and continue cooking and stirring 2 minutes longer. 

Remove from heat.

In a small bowl, lightly beat eggs and stir a small amount of hot filling until well blended.

Add to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil, cooking and stirring 2 minutes longer. 

Remove from the heat.

Stir in coconut and extract gently and pour over crust. 

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting. 

Yield: 16 servings.

Editor's Note: 

This recipe was tested with Splenda No Calorie Sweetener and Land O'Lakes stick light butter. Look for Splenda in the baking aisle of your grocery store.

Source: Taste of Home

Originally published as Coconut-Cherry Cream Squares in Light & Tasty August/September 2005, p44

Nutritional Facts

1 piece equals 142 calories, 4 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 31 mg cholesterol, 95 mg sodium, 24 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 4 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat.