Creamy Pesto Chicken with Bowtie Pasta

Now I'm a red sauce lover myself, but I'm always up to trying new and different kinds of pasta minus the marinara. And as an added bonus, if it's quick and easy for weeknight dinner that's makes it all the better! This yummy recipe is quick, easy to prepare and delicious!

Ingredients:

1lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces

2 garlic cloves smashed and minced

1 box of Farfalle pasta (Bowtie) cooked "al dente".

1 14oz can diced tomatoes (or fresh if you prefer try using cherry tomatoes whole)

1 14oz can Hearts of Palm artichokes

1 10oz container of Philadelphia cooking Creme - creamy pesto

Directions:

Preheat a deep large skillet over medium heat (I usually add one turn of EVOO to the pan). Cook chicken for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring, until done. Now add garlic, tomatoes, artichokes and simmer for 2 minutes.

Add cooking Creme and simmer an additional 2-4 minutes.

Tastes great with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh lemon juice drizzled on top just before serving.

Cook's Tip: if a thinner consistency is what you prefer, add 1 tbsp of broth or milk at a time, up to 4 tbsp until desired thickness is achieved.

Spaghetti with Baked Meatballs

Spaghetti and Meatballs. Dare I say anything else? This is the dish of my family. All of us enjoy it, we lick our plates clean using garlic toasted bread and fight over the last meatball. So let's get cooking! Spaghetti and meatballs IS EASY to make from scratch (well pasta is boxed) and taste better then that store bought processed stuff!


Baked Meatballs:
1 lb of lean ground beef
1/2 cup shredded Parm cheese
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
2 fresh garlic cloves, smashed and minced
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Coat small square pan with EVOO. Form into medium size balls and bake for 12 minutes,turning after 6. Set aside.


The Marinara:
2 tbsp EVOO
1/3 cup grated sweet onion
2 galic cloves, minced
1 1/2 (28oz) cans crushed tomatoes
1 (6oz) can tomato paste
2 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste



Directions:
Heat oil in large deep skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion and garlic and cook until soft. Pour in tomatoes, and tomato paste. Stir, simmer for 5 minutes. Add the remaining of ingredients, stir well and simmer for 15 mins uncovered.

Next I add the sauce and meatballs to cooked spaghetti noodles and stir well. Do you serve your pasta separate from sauce?? I don't! It's better mixed together especially the next day!

There you have it! Delicious easy recipe that will knock the socks off your family!

Strawberry Pancakes

After a suggestion from my sweetheart, I decided to give it a whirl and whip up some homemade strawberry pancakes for dinner last week. I came home, and just started mixing, measuring and chopping. These pancakes turned out delicious! Although I know I need to work on my "pancake flipping technique", the flavor, fluffiness and sweetness was worth ever inch of flour my kitchen was abused by that evening.

I used a base pancake recipe and simply added some vanilla and chopped fresh strawberries! Simple, easy to prep and puts smiles on your kids faces when they discover that dinner = pancakes! I always double this recipe!

Ingredients:
1 cup all purpose flour
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 egg
1 cup milk
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp vanilla extract
1 cup chopped fresh strawberries



Directions:
In a medium bowl, stir together the flower, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Next pour in the milk, oil, egg and vanilla and whisk until well blended. Gently stir in the strawberries.

Heat large skillet or griddle over medium heat and coat with butter. Pour batter in desired size pancakes. When bubbles appear in the center, flip pancake. Cook until golden brown on both sides.

Top with 3-4 sliced strawberries, maple syrup and a dusting of powder sugar! Yummy!

Forgive me!

Life's been a bit chaotic for the last month and blogging was put on hold due to it. But believe you me I am still cooking, clipping, saving and a worked obsessed Mommy enjoying life! I have some fantastic yummy recipes I plan to blog over the next few days and soon to come changes to my blog! I will be adding a coupon section, a parenting section and maybe a few more.... Got a suggestion? Stayed tuned! And happy cooking :)

Avocado B.L.T Sandwich

I have found just over the past couple years that my love for avocados has increased. I somehow squeeze this delicious green veggie in about anything I make. Then it occurred to me... Screw you mayo, hello avocado!

Avocado Spread
1-2 avocados, ripe - removed from rind and smashed
2 tbsp of Greek yogurt, plain (or mayo if you prefer)
Dash of S&P
Dash of garlic powder

Cook bacon using my bacon recipe - OVEN is the way to go.

Toast your favorite bread, spread both sides with spread and layer it up with bacon, sliced tomatoes and crisp iceberg lettuce. And it you like, throw some cheese on there too!

There you have it folks! It's easy, it's delicious and pairs well with a yummy soup, or your favorite potato chip.

Spicy Roasted Chicken

I'm a huge fan of roasting chicken. Here's my take on roasting chicken leg quarters in a Dutch oven with a kick! It's defined the term WINNER! WINNER! CHICKEN DINNER!

Ingredients:
4 chicken leg quarters (skinless) - about 2-3 lbs
2 tbsp of brown sugar
1 1/2 tbsp of smoked paprika
1/2 tbsp garlic pepper
1/2 tsp of garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup EVOO

remove skins from quarters. Make 3-4 deep scores on each leg. Place all in gradients in large zip tight bag, shake well and marinate for about 15 minutes.
Coat Dutch oven well with EVOO, place marinated chicken inside. Back at 275 degrees for 35 minutes, lid off.

Cooking tip: Prep night before for a fast weeknight dinner!