Sunday, June 5, 2016

Chicken and Artichoke Parmesan Casserole


I always love trying out new recipes, I got my latest food network magazine and this recipe was in it and of course I had to try it. I tweaked it here and there for my tastes and with what I had on hand.  You can find the original recipe here I also am trying to eat healthier since losing 25 pounds so I served this on spaghetti squash. To do that preheat your oven to 350 and cut your spaghetti squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place cut side down on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for about 30 minutes or so until tender when poked with a fork. Turn over and cook a couple of minutes longer. Remove from oven and shred with a fork.  Yummy! 
Chicken and Artichoke Parmesan Casserole
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 10 -ounce package frozen artichoke hearts, thawed
1/4 to 1/2 cup sliced roasted red bell peppers (that you buy in the jar)
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 28 -ounce can crushed tomatoes, 
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
3 cups chopped rotisserie chicken (skin removed)
1/4 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped, (I used 1 heaping Tablespoon of the minced Basil in the tube you can find in the produce section at Walmart)
1 small container Ricotta cheese 
2 Tablespoons melted butter
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
1/2 cup Panko crumbs
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Cooked spaghetti or spaghetti squash for serving.

Directions:
Preheat the broiler.
 Heat the olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the artichokes and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and browned in spots, about 5 minutes. Add the roasted red bell pepper slices, garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is soft, about 30 seconds.
Add the tomatoes, 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper to the skillet. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes. Stir in the chicken and basil; season with salt.
Dollop the ricotta cheese over the chicken artichoke mixture in the skillet by teaspoons full. Use as much as you like. I used about 1/2 of a small container.
Combine the two breadcrumbs together with 2 tablespoons melted butter. Sprinkle the crumbs over the chicken mixture and top with the grated parmesan.
Transfer the skillet to the broiler and cook until the breadcrumbs are browned and the cheese is bubbling, 3 to 5 minutes. Let cool, 5 minutes. Served over Cooked Spaghetti or if you like cooked Spaghetti Squash. Enjoy!

Friday, June 3, 2016

Cravin' Craisin Cookies

One day while grocery shopping at a local market, they had some awesome oatmeal raisin, cranberry cookies... and of course me and my hubby had to get one. They were the best ever cookies I had eaten in a long time. So of course I had to try to make them at home.... came across a recipe that was close and I tweaked it just a bit. Yes!! these are my new favorite oatmeal raisin cranberry cookies. Delicious! These have become my new Scrabble treat to take to my parents. Enjoy!

Craving' Craisin Cookies
  1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon Maple Syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups quick-cooking oats, powderize 1 cup in blender or food processor-Leave the other         cup whole
1-1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup golden raisins and 1 cup craisins, chopped in food processor-not too fine, but not whole
Directions
1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, maple syrup and vanilla; beat well.
2. Combine the flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in the raisins and craisins. Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto parchment paper lined baking sheets.
3. Bake at 350° for 9-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on pans for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks. 

Yield: about 5 dozen.

New and Improved Chicken Enchilada Soup

I have a few different Chicken enchilada / chicken tortilla, and different chicken soups on here, but I did a few things different yesterday...