West Texas Chili

Ingredients:

2 large onions, diced
1/4 cup vegetable oil
5 minced cloves of garlic
2 pounds ground beef
1 tablespoon salt
3 tablespoons ancho chile powder
2 tablespoons cumin
1 tablespoon paprika
2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 (12 oz) can amber ale beer
2 tablespoons masa harina (corn flour)

Sauté diced onions in hot oil in a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium-high 7 minutes or until translucent. Add minced garlic, and sauté 1 minute. Add beef, and cook, stirring often, 6 minutes or until meat crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings in Dutch oven; return beef to Dutch oven.

Stir in 1 tablespoon salt, 3 tablespoons ancho chile powder, 2 tablespoons ground cumin, and 1 tablespoon paprika; cook 2 minutes. Stir in diced tomatoes and tomato paste.

Add 3/4 cup beer and 1 cup water; simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add remaining 3/4 cup beer and 1/2 cup water; simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add masa; cook 10 minutes. Add additional water to reach desired consistency.

Burrito Bowls

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite sized pieces
• 3 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1/4 cup of diced yellow onion
• 1 cup of uncooked extra-long grain rice
• 1 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 15oz can of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• 2 1/2 cups of low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups of colby jack, monterey jack or cheddar cheese
• kosher salt and pepper
• freshly diced tomatoes
• diced green onions
• sour cream
• guacamole 

1. Start by sautéing onions in 2 tablespoon of olive oil until they start to soften.
2. Season diced chicken with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
3. Add chicken to pan and cook over medium high heat until chicken has started to brown.
4. Move chicken to one side of pan, in the other side of the pan add an additional tablespoon of olive oil and sauté uncooked rice for about 2 minutes or just until some grains start to turn golden brown.
5. Stir in black beans, canned tomatoes, chicken broth, garlic powder, chili powder and cumin.
6. Bring to a simmer, cover and reduce heat to low.
7. Cook about 20 minutes or until rice is tender.
8. Season with additional salt and pepper as needed.
9. Sprinkle with cheese, recover and let set for 2-3 off heat to melt cheese.
10. Garnish with fresh tomatoes, green onions, sour cream and guacamole.

Vegetable-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Ingredients:

1 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
4 large portobello mushrooms, washed and stems removed
2 T olive oil
1 small eggplant, peeled and diced
1 cup spinach
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
2 plum tomatoes, diced
1 6oz jar artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Stir the balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, and onion powder together in a small bowl until blended. Place the mushrooms into a large resealable plastic bag. Pour in the balsamic vinegar mixture, seal bag, and turn gently to coat mushrooms evenly with marinade. Place in refrigerator for 1 hour.
2. Place the olive oil into a skillet, and heat over medium-high heat. Stir in the eggplant and cook until eggplant turns golden brown, about 5 minutes.  Add the spinach and stir until wilted.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease 9x13 inch baking dish.
4. Remove mushrooms from marinade, shake off any excess, and discard marinade. Place mushrooms in prepared dish, top side down. Spoon the eggplant and spinach mixture evenly over the mushrooms. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Divide the tomatoes and artichoke hearts evenly between the mushrooms. Top each mushroom with Parmesan cheese.
5. Place in preheated oven, and bake until the cheese melts, about 12 minutes. Serve hot.

Chicken Ranch Enchiladas

Ingredients

• 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 package chicken taco seasoning
• 1 package ranch dry salad dressing
• 1 cup bottled ranch
• 1 cup salsa
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can chicken broth
• 1 package white flour tortillas

Instructions

1. Cook and shred the chicken. I cooked mine in the slow cooker with the ranch packet and taco seasoning packages in the chicken broth. I cooked it on low for about 3-4 hours.
2. Mix the ranch and salsa in a bowl. Spread a very thin layer of the mixture on the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish.
3. Start assembling the enchiladas by putting 2 Tbs of the ranch and salsa mixture on the bottom of tortilla. Then put the shredded chicken on top of that. Sprinkle with cheese and roll it up.
4. Line up the enchiladas in the 9 x 13 pan and spread the remaining ranch/salsa mixture on top of the tortillas before sprinkling heavily with cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and enchiladas are heated through.
5. Drizzle the top with ranch. 

Gyro-Inspired Chicken Wraps

Ingredients:
rotisserie chicken, torn in chunks
Italian dressing
tzatziki
tomatoes, diced
cucumber, diced
feta, crumbled
avocado, sliced
flat bread

Directions:
Place the rotisserie chicken in a large skillet, lightly coat with Italian dressing (I used approximately half a cup) and heat the chicken while stirring occasionally.

To assemble, grab a warmed piece of flat bread and spread a dollop of tzatziki all around it.  Add chicken and toppings.

Chicken Taco Soup

1 liter (4 cups) chicken stock
1 packet taco seasoning
1 packet ranch seasoning
rotisserie chicken, shredded
can of corn, drained
can of black or pinto beans, rinsed and drained
can of chick peas, rinsed and drained
can of diced tomatoes, undrained
cumin, to taste
chili powder, to taste
garlic salt or powder, to taste
cilantro, to taste
1/8 cup lime juice
tortilla chips
cheddar
sour cream
avocado slices

In a large saucepan bring the chicken stock to a boil.  Add taco and ranch seasonings and stir until dissolved.  Add the chicken, corn, beans, chick peas and tomatoes, reduce heat and simmer.  Add the spices and cilantro.  Stir in lime juice just before serving.  To serve, top with any or all of the following:  broken tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream and avocado slices.

Crock Pot Hawaiian Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 bottle of teriyaki marinade
1 large can of pineapple chunks packed in juice (not syrup)

Line the bottom of crock pot with chicken breasts before pouring the teriyaki marinade and juice from the can of pineapple on top of them.  Don't add the actual pineapple yet; that doesn't happen until the end.  Add any seasonings you want; I had minced garlic and minced ginger in the fridge so I put a spoonful of each in with mine.  Cook on low 3-4 hours or until the chicken is cooked through.  Add the pineapple chunks, shred the chicken and let it soak up the sauce before serving over rice.

Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas

Ingredients:
5 oz. reduced fat cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup light sour cream
10 oz. can of enchilada sauce
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese, divided
2 cups cooked shredded chicken
1 cup corn kernels
4 oz. can diced green chiles
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp cumin
salt and pepper
4 scallions, thinly sliced
8 (8-inch) whole wheat tortillas

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Spray a 9×13 dish with cooking spray.
2. In the bowl of your mixer cream together the cream cheese, sour cream, and 1/2 of the enchilada sauce. Stir in 1/2 cup of each type of cheese.
3. In a second bowl toss together the chicken, corn, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper, green chiles, and half of the scallions. Add the chicken mixture to the cheese mixture and combine well.
4. Spoon the filling into each tortilla, roll the tortilla up, and place in the baking dish with the seam side down. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the top of the filled tortillas and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Sprinkle with the remaining scallions and serve.

Spinach and Feta Quesadillas

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup packed spinach, steamed and squeezed to drain
• 1 tablespoon herbs (a combination of mint, dill and parsley), chopped
• 1 green onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons feta, crumbled
• 2 (8 inch) tortillas
• 1 cup (handful) kasseri or mozzarella, shredded
• Greek yogurt

Directions

1. Mix the spinach, herbs, green onions and feta in a bowl.
2. Melt a touch of butter in a pan.
3. Place a tortilla into the pan, swirl it around in the butter and repeat with the second tortilla.
4. Sprinkle half of the cheese on the tortilla followed by the filling, the remaining cheese and finally the other tortilla.
5. Cook until the quesadilla is golden brown on both sides and the cheese is melted, about 2-4 minutes per side. (Tip: To easily flip the quesadilla place a plate onto the quesadilla in the pan and flip it from the pan to the plate and then slide it back into the pan.)
6. Serve with Greek yogurt as a dipping sauce.

Chicken Spaghetti

1 rotisserie chicken torn into chunks
8-10 oz of thin spaghetti, cooked and drained
1 large onion, chopped
2 green bell peppers, chopped
sliced mushrooms
1 lb Velveeta, cubed
1 can cream of chicken soup
1-2 cups chicken broth, divided
salt and pepper
shredded cheese, if desired

Saute onion, bell pepper and mushrooms in a small amount of chicken broth in a large pan until fragrant.  Reduce the heat before adding Velveeta and cream of chicken soup; stir until smooth.  Add the chicken, stir to coat, then add the cooked noodles.  Add a cup or so of chicken broth to moisten spaghetti if needed, stir to incorporate, then pour into a 9x13 casserole dish.  Bake at 350 until hot and bubbly.  Stir the spaghetti 20-30 minutes into baking adding more chicken broth if needed before topping with cheese then continue baking until hot and bubbly.  

 

White Soup

1 liter (4 cups) chicken stock
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 medium white onion, diced
1 rotisserie chicken, shredded into thick chunks
2 cans cannellini (white) beans, rinsed and drained
salt and pepper, to taste
white cheddar or pepper jack cheese, shredded

Bring the chicken stock and cream of chicken soup to a boil, stirring periodically until smooth.  Add the diced onion and simmer until cooked through.  Add the chicken and beans; heat through.  Salt and pepper to taste before topping with cheese.

Lasagna

• 1/2 of a (1-pound) package lasagna, uncooked
• 1 lb bulk Italian sausage
• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 oz) can tomatoes, cut up (undrained)
• 2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
• 2 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp basil leaves
• 1/2 tsp fennel seed
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese
• 1 egg beaten
• 1 tbsp parsley flakes
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup sliced pitted ripe olives
• 4 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1. Fill a baking pan with hot water and place the uncooked noodles into the water. Set aside. Make sure the noodles are separated.
2. In large skillet, combine Italian sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook until meat is no longer pink and onion is tender; drain. Stir in next 7 ingredients. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer 20 minutes.
3. In medium bowl, blend ricotta, egg, parsley, and salt. Spoon 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce into 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Layer one-third each lasagna, remaining meat sauce, ricotta mixture, olives, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers. Cover. Bake in 375 degree F oven for 25 minutes. Uncover, bake until hot, about 20 minutes longer. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. 

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

1 pound ground beef
1 softball-sized onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons steak sauce, such as A-1
1 cup beef stock
salt and ground black pepper
4 dinner rolls
Swiss or provolone cheese, sliced

In large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the onion and green pepper and cook until the vegetables start to get tender.  Drain.  Stir in the steak sauce and beef stock; bring up to a bubble and cook about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve on dinner rolls with cheese.

Poppy Seed/Ritz Cracker Chicken

1 rotisserie chicken, cubed

1/2 cup sour cream

1 can condensed cream of chicken soup

2 cups crushed Ritz crackers (about 1 1/2 rolls of crackers)

1/2 cup melted butter

1 T poppy seeds

1 tsp Worchestire sauce

1 tsp celery salt

1 tsp minced garlic

1 T lemon juice

1/4 tsp pepper

Place cubed chicken in a 9X13 casserole dish. Stir together the condensed soup and sour cream. If you wish to add the additional flavorings stir in the Worcestershire, celery salt, garlic, lemon juice, and pepper to the soup and sour cream mixture. Pour over the chicken.

In a separate bowl, stir together the crushed crackers, poppy seeds and melted butter. Sprinkle over the chicken and sauce. Bake for 30 minutes in a 350 degree preheated oven, until the top of the casserole is browned and the sauce is bubbly.

Crock Pot Bourbon Street Chicken

2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1-2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/4 tsp ginger
3/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup apple juice
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup water
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp cider vinegar
1 tbsp cornstarch, if thicker sauce is desired

Put all ingredients into the crock pot and cook until chicken is done.  Serve over rice.

Chicken Gyros

For the chicken:
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon minced garlic
juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon dried oregano
salt and pepper
2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Whisk together the above ingredients before adding the chicken and marinate for 6-24 hours.  Grill chicken (or bake) and cut into strips.

For the gyros:
pita bread
grilled Greek chicken (from above)
feta, crumbled
tzatziki
fresh tomatoes, seeded and diced
cucumber, diced
red onion, sliced thinly

  
  
  
   

Filet Mignon

Ingredients:

• filet mignon
• kosher salt, 4 teaspoons
• freshly cracked pepper, 4 teaspoons
• butter, 1 stick
• olive oil, 1 tablespoon
• garlic, 2 cloves, chopped
• parsley, 1 tablespoon, chopped
• thyme - 1 tablespoon, chopped
• lemon zest, 1 teaspoon

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Take 1/2 stick of butter, softened, and mix well with the peeled, chopped garlic, the chopped herbs, and the lemon zest.  Form into a log and refrigerate.  Generously season the filet's with salt and pepper, approximately 1 teaspoon of seasoning per side. Heat the remainder of the butter (1/2 stick) and the olive oil in a cast iron skillet to a screaming hot temperature.     Sear the filets in a screaming hot pan for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until a nice brown crust has formed. While the steak is searing, continue to spoon the residual butter in the pan on top of the meat while it's cooking.  Once both sides are seared, place in the center of the oven for about 6-8 minutes, depending upon how thick your steak is.  In the last minute of cooking, take the log of compound butter and slice a nice thick piece to place on top. Your steak will be ready when it is approximately 135 degrees in the center, or when you push lightly on the top center of the steak and it gently and slowly bounces back.

Note:  We didn't make the garlic/herb butter.  We seared our steaks and continually coated them in butter but decided to top ours with fresh blue cheese instead.

Spinach Artichoke Pasta

1 12-oz box pasta
1 tsp butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 8 oz package reduced fat cream cheese
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 14 oz can artichoke hearts (packed in water), drained and chopped
10 oz chopped, frozen spinach, thawed, with as much excess water squeezed out as possible
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
additional Parmesan for serving

Cook pasta according to package directions. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and add garlic. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add cream cheese and stir until melted. Slowly stir in milk, then add sour cream, lemon juice, salt and red pepper flakes. Stir in artichoke hearts, spinach, and parmesan cheese. Drain pasta and add to artichoke mix. Toss and season to taste with salt and additional lemon juice as needed. Serve with additional shredded Parmesan.

Southwestern Chopped Chicken Salad

Salad:
2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken taco meat
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 can sweet yellow corn (or 1 cup frozen corn, thawed)
2 roma tomatoes, diced
4 green onions, sliced
1 head ice berg lettuce, washed and chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
2 ripe avocados, diced
1 cup crushed tortilla chips

Dressing:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2/3 cup Greek yogurt
1 tbsp ranch seasoning
1 tbsp taco seasoning

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine all salad ingredients together, excluding the tortilla chips.  

In a small bowl stir all dressing ingredients together.  Pour dressing over salad, starting with about half of the dressing.   Toss to combine, then gradually add more dressing until it is dressed to your liking.  Top with tortilla chips.

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground chicken
soy sauce, enough to coat the chicken and make sauce
honey
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (in a jar)
1/4 teaspoon crushed or ground red pepper flakes
garlic powder
cheddar cheese, shredded
large lettuce leaves

Directions:

Cook the ground chicken until no longer pink and drain the fat.  Add the soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, ginger, red pepper flakes and garlic powder and stir together making sure the chicken is evenly coated.  Heat through and add more soy sauce if needed.