Saturday, October 29, 2011

No Rise Pizza Dough

  • 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 2 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 Tbs. Olive Oil
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. sugar
  • Dissolve yeast in warm water in a medium bowl and add rest of ingredients. Beat vigorously 20 strokes and let rest 10 minutes


Monday, October 3, 2011

Lemon and Rosemary Chicken Bake

Follow this link to recipe. My picture turned out horrible! Supper easy and super yummy! I used yukon gold potatoes so I wouldn't have to peel them. Followed the recipe exactly how it's printed.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Meatballs a la Pizzaiola

(From Giada at Home)

Ingredients

  • Vegetable oil cooking spray
  • 2 large shallots, peeled and chopped
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained (5 or 6)
  • 1/3 cup packed fresh basil leaves
  • 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 pounds 20-percent fat ground beef
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 6 ounces smoked mozzarella, cut into 36 (1/2-inch) cubes (I used regular mozzarella)
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 3 cups marinara sauce, warmed

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with vegetable oil cooking spray. Set aside.

In a food processor, pulse together the shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, and salt. Process until blended. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the beef and pork and, using a wooden spoon or clean hands, stir until well combined. Form the mixture into 36 equal-size meatballs (about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter).

Insert 1 cube smoked mozzarella cheese into the center of each meatball and form the meat around it, completely enclosing the cheese.

In a large nonstick skillet, heat half the oil over medium heat. Add half of the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until well browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining oil and meatballs.

Place the browned meatballs onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes for medium doneness. Set aside to cool slightly, and serve with warm marinara sauce

Red Chile Sauce Chicken Enchiladas


(From Mel's Kitchen Cafe)

INGREDIENTS:
1 medium onion, chopped fine
1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped fine
1 teaspoon canola oil
3 medium cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
3 teaspoons sugar
2 (8-oz) cans tomato sauce
1 cup water
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3 large chicken breasts)
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro
12 (6-inch) soft corn or flour tortillas (fajita-size for flour tortillas)
cooking spray
salt and ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS:
In a large saucepan, combine the onion, jalapeno, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and oil. Cover and cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until the onions and peppers have softened, 8-10 minutes. Stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin, and sugar, and cook until fragrant, less than 30 seconds. Stir in the tomato sauce and water. Bring to a simmer.

Nestle the chicken into the sauce. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until chicken is cooked through, about 12-20 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts you are using. Transfer the chicken to a plate, and set aside to cool. Continue to simmer the sauce over medium heat until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.

Strain the sauce through a strainer into a medium bowl, pressing the onion mixture to extract as much liquid as possible. Season sauce with additional salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the leftover onion mixture from the strainer to a large bowl and set aside.

Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Add to the onion mixture in the large bowl. Also stir in 1/4 cup of the enchilada sauce, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese and the cilantro. Toss to combine.

Stack the tortillas on a plate and cover with plastic wrap; Microwave on high until warm and pliable, 40-60 seconds. Spread the tortillas on a clean work surface, and spoon 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture evenly down the center of each. Tightly roll each tortilla and lay seam-side down in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.

Heat oven to 400 F. Pour the enchilada sauce evenly over the top of the enchiladas. Top with the remaining cheese. Cover dish with foil and bake 20 minutes, or until heated through.

Remove foil and bake another 5 minutes, until cheese browns. Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Capellini al Forno


Ingredients

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced, at room temperature, plus extra for greasing pan
1 pound capellini (angel hair) pasta
1 cup plus 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
3 eggs, at room temperature, beaten
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup plain breadcrumbs
3 oz pancetta coarsely chopped and fried till crispy (just like you would fry bacon)
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded smoked or regular mozzarella
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 (25-ounce) jar marinara or tomato-basil sauce, warmed
Directions


Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch diameter nonstick spring form pan. Set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain well and place in a large bowl. Add 4 tablespoons butter, 1 cup Parmesan, eggs, parsley, basil, salt and pepper to taste. Toss well until coated.

Sprinkle 1/4 cup breadcrumbs in the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread 1/3 of the seasoned pasta on top. Arrange half of the pancetta in a single layer on top. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella on top. Add 1/3 of the pasta and push down lightly to form an even layer. Repeat the layers with 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, the remaining pasta, prosciutto, and mozzarella. In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1/2 cup breadcrumbs and Parmesan together. Sprinkle over the layers and dot with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Drizzle with olive oil and bake until light golden on top, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes.

Remove the sides of the pan and cut the pasta into wedges. Serve with warm marinara sauce

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Chicken Enchilada Pasta

*Plan Ahead: the recipe calls for cooked chicken so use leftovers or plan enough time to cook the chicken beforehand.

2-3 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed or shredded
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 medium onion, diced
1 red pepper, diced
4-ounce can diced green chilies
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
2 (10-oz) cans green chili enchilada sauce (I used mild)
2/3 cup red enchilada sauce (I used mild)
1 can large black olives, cut in half
1 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (I used sharp cheddar)
16-20 oz. penne pasta (Depending on how “saucy” you want the pasta)

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta until tender. While the pasta is cooking, heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet and add the onion and a little salt. Cook for 2-3 minutes until onion is translucent. Add the garlic and red pepper(a little more salt and pepper) and cook for another 2 minutes, until pepper is barely tender. Add the cooked chicken, green chilies, spices, enchilada sauces and olives. Let the sauce simmer for about 8-10 minutes. Add the sour cream and cheese and heat through, until the cheese is melted (but don’t boil!). Pour the sauce over the hot pasta. Garnish with extra sour cream, cheese, diced tomatoes, green onions or crushed tortilla chips.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Mexican Chicken Wrap

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, grilled, chopped
1 1/2 cups coleslaw blend (cabbage slaw mix)
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/4 cup Ranch Dressing
1/2 cup Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese
1/2 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
4 (10 inch) whole wheat tortillas
1/2 cup salsa
1/4 cup Sour Cream
Directions

Heat grill to medium heat
Combine first 7 ingredients.
Spoon chicken mixture down centers of tortillas. Fold in sides of tortillas, then roll up burrito-style. Secure with toothpicks, if desired.
Grill, seam-sides down, 8 to 9 min. or until golden brown on all sides, turning occasionally. Serve with salsa and sour cream.