Month: March 2024

Veggie Loaded Frittata

Veggie Loaded Frittata

This is a simple meal to prepare that is packed with veggies. You can serve this with a side of sausage, bacon, toast, or biscuits to make a complete meal if you are feeding a crowd. Ingredients: 2 bell peppers chopped 1/2 sweet onion diced 

Taco Meatballs

Taco Meatballs

I love tacos and these were an interesting twist on tacos. I prepared these two ways. The air fried were crispier than the baked and were my families favorites. If you want more spice you can add a poblano or jalapeño pepper to the mixture. 

Sundried Tomato and Chicken Parmesan Pasta

Sundried Tomato and Chicken Parmesan Pasta

I am not going to lie, I love sundried tomatoes so much I could eat them straight from the jar. This pasta dinner combines sauteed chicken tenders with fettucine (or a pasta of your choice) in a creamy parmesan sauce filled with sundried tomatoes.

Ingredients:

8 ounces fettucine (or other pasta)

2 tablespoons oil from sundried tomatoes

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning blend

1 pound chicken tenders

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup half and half

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 tablespoon fresh basil

1 shallot diced

4 garlic cloves diced

8 ounces julienned or chopped sundried tomatoes (drained)

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 chicken bouillon cube

Directions:

  1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions.
  2. Meanwhile add 2 tablespoons oil from the sundried tomatoes to a skillet and heat to medium. Cook the chicken tenders for at least 5 minutes per side. Sprinkle Italian seasoning over the chicken.
  3. While the chicken is cooking and water is boiling prepare the sauce.
  4. Spray a nonstick pan with olive oil spray.
  5. Cook the shallot and garlic on medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
  6. Add the chicken bouillon cube, chicken broth, half and half, and oregano. Allow the sauce to simmer stirring often for 5 minutes.
  7. Add the sundried tomatoes, parmesan, and mozzarella. Stir until the cheese dissolves into the sauce. Then remove from heat.
  8. Sprinkel the fresh basil over the sauce.
  9. To serve plate the fettucine and a chicken tender on each dish. Top the pasta with the sauce. Feel free to sprinkle additional parmesean cheese on top.
  10. Enjoy!
Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf

Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf

I love chicken parmesan! This meatloaf mimics the flavor profile of chicken parm and lightens it up in a quick and easy meat loaf. I served this with angel hair parmesan pasta, mozzarella sticks, and vegetables. Ingredients: 2 pounds ground chicken 1 cup Italian style 

Cake-a-dilla  aka Baked Quesadilla

Cake-a-dilla aka Baked Quesadilla

If you are preparing meals for a family this baked quesadilla is a wonder. You can prep this ahead of time and just throw it in the oven when you are ready to eat. You can use any meat (I used ground beef) and vegetables 

Carrot Cake French Toast Casserole

Carrot Cake French Toast Casserole

This dish combines breakfast and dessert! I won’t lie this casserole is filling, so don’t be surprised when you feel full for hours. Note: I toasted pecans separately and added them to individual servings due to a nut allergy in the family. You can substitute 1 cup chopped pecans for the cup old fashioned oats in the topping.

Note: Prep this 24 hours in advance of serving to allow time for the milk and egg mixture to soak into the bread.

Ingredients:

French Toast Casserole:

1 loaf white bread cut into small cubes

1 bag matchstick carrots

8 large eggs

1/2 cup half and half

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

4 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Topping:

1/2 all purpose flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

pinch of salt

1 stick cold butter cut into small pieces

1 cup chopped pecans (or 1 cup old fashioned oats)

Glaze:

4 ounces vanilla nonfat Greek yogurt

1cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional: Pancake syrup, whipped cream

Directions:

  1. Butter or spray an 9×13 dish with nonstick spray.
  2. Arrange half the bread in a single layer in the pan.
  3. Spread out the carrots on top of the bread.
  4. Arrange another layer of bread on top of the carrots.
  5. Sprinkle the cinnamon and nutmeg over the bread.
  6. Whisk the milk, half and half, eggs, and vanilla in a medium bowl.
  7. Pour the egg mixture over the bread.
  8. Tightly cover the dish with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 8-24 hours to allow the bread to soak up the milk.
  9. When ready to bake pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
  10. Mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and pecans or oats in a medium bowl.
  11. Uncover the dish and sprinkle the mixture over the bread and carrots.
  12. Arrange the cubes of butter around the top layer.
  13. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
  14. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until it is warmed throughout.
  15. While the casserole cools/rests make the glaze.
  16. Mix the yogurt, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk in a medium bowl.
  17. Drizzle the glaze over the dish.
  18. Serve. Feel free to add syrup or whipped cream
Gourmet Grilled Cheese

Gourmet Grilled Cheese

Grilled cheese sandwiches are typically simple. While not complex, this recipe takes grilled cheese to the next level. These delectable sandwiches feature 4 kinds of cheese, spices, and utilize butter, olive oil, and mayo to create a sandwich you will never forget. Ingredients: Loaf of 

French Onion Frittata

French Onion Frittata

This is meal is perfect for breakfast or dinner. The caramelized onions, roasted potatoes, eggs, cheese, and fresh chives make for tasty meal. I roasted tomatoes and topped them with balsamic glaze for an added burst of flavor. Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil (I used 

Tex Mex Chicken Pot Pie

Tex Mex Chicken Pot Pie

If you like pot pie, I highly suggest you try this variation. The poblano pepper, pepper jack cheese, and spices add just enough to make this dish stand out. If you want to intensify the spice feel free to add jalapeno or chipotle peppers.

Ingredients:

2 small or 1 large boneless skinless chicken breast diced

2 bell peppers diced

1 onion diced

1 poblano pepper diced

1 can corn with poblano and bell peppers drained

1 cup half and half or plain nonfat Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons spicy ranch or chili lime seasoning

6 slices pepper jack cheese

1/2 cup shredded cheese (pepper jack or Mexican blend)

2 refrigerated pie crusts

1 egg beaten

1-2 tablespoons fresh cilantro

salt and pepper

1 tablespoon olive oil (I used a Mesquite habanero infused olive oil)

1/4 cup all purpose flour

Directions:

  1. Take pie crusts out of the refrigerator so they can warm to room temperature before you un-roll it.
  2. If baking immediately pre-heat the oven to 400.
  3. Heat a nonstick pan to medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil. I used a mesquite habanero infused olive oil.
  4. Add the chicken to the pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and 1 tablespoon spicy ranch seasoning. Cook for 5 minutes stirring frequently.
  5. Add the peppers, onion, and corn mixture to the pan. Add remaining tablespoon of spicy ranch seasoning. Continue to cook for 5 minutes.
  6. Sprinkle the flour over the filling and mix it in.
  7. Add the half and half (or yogurt) and reduce heat to low. Stir to combine.
  8. Roll out the pie crust in the base of a pie plate.
  9. Place 3 slices of pepper jack cheese over the crust.
  10. Pour the filling over the crust.
  11. Sprinkle cilantro over the filling.
  12. Place remaining 3 slices of pepper jack cheese over the filling.
  13. Roll out the top crust and crinkle the seams together.
  14. Use a knife to slice a few vents.
  15. Use a pastry brush to coat the top pie crust with the egg wash.
  16. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the pie crust.
  17. Cover with aluminum foil.
  18. If baking immediately bake for 30 minutes with aluminum foil
  19. Remove foil and bake for 5 more minutes.
  20. If refrigerating and then baking then bake the pie for 45-50 minutes before removing the aluminum foil.
  21. Let the pie rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
  22. Enjoy!
Maple Glazed Chicken and Apples

Maple Glazed Chicken and Apples

Even I was a little unsure of how this was taste; however, thankfully this was a simple and tasty meal. My kids raved over how well the apples paired with the chicken. I served this with baked potatoes topped with shredded cheese, plain nonfat Greek