Chicken Thighs with Orange Veggies

Chicken Thighs with Orange Veggies
prepped in my Slow Cooker (Crock Pot)

It probably comes as no surprise- I cook off my blog. The recipes are readily available with ingredients and complete instructions. There always are a few recipes that I need to add to my collection. As a matter of fact we enjoyed one of those recipes at dinner last night. Sometime last year I read an interesting recipe in the newspaper. No, I did not save it. I just remember the basic ingredients. The basic ingredients were Chicken Thighs, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Paprika, Black Pepper, Orange Juice and Honey. Everything was baked. 

After thinking about that recipe last week and considering the heat wave that we are now experiencing, it was an invitation for me to place these ingredients in my Slow Cooker and let dinner prepare itself. Who wants to cook on a hot humid day??? I sure do not!! Long story short-  dinner was delicious last night! There were 4 portions, so the extra 2 portions are now in our fridge and will be enjoyed tomorrow night. 

I used boneless skinless Chicken Thighs. Just a few shakes of Paprika for us. Paprika is always located in my spice rack.  

****Note: My Slow Cooker has a non- stick interior, so I place the cut Carrots on the bottom. If I place chicken or meat directly on the bottom it gets crusty. 

Chicken Thighs with Orange Veggies

Ingredients:
4 boneless skinless Chicken Thighs
1 pkg. Baby Carrots
2 Yams or 2 Sweet Potatoes
1/2 teaspoon Parsley
Paprika-  a few shakes from canister
Black Pepper- a few shakes from canister
1/4 Cup Honey
1/2 Cup Orange Juice

Method:

1. Rinse Baby Carrots under cold water, drain.
2. Cut Carrots in half and place in bottom of Slow Cooker/ Crock Pot.
3. Rinse Yams/ Sweet Potatoes under cold water. 
4. Cut into 1" slices.
5. Cut each slice in half.
6. Place in a bowl.
7. Remove fat from Chicken Thighs.
8. Place on top of Carrots in Slow Cooker/ Crock Pot.
9. Sprinkle Parsley on top. 
10. Sprinkle Paprika and Black Pepper on top of Chicken Thighs.
11. Place cut Yams/ Sweet Potatoes on Chicken Thighs.
12. Drizzle Honey over top. 
13. Then pour Orange Juice over all.
14. Place Slow Cooker/ Crock Pot lid on top.
15. Cook on High for 3 Hours. Reduce to Medium for 1/2 Hours.

This dinner cooks itself and is so delicious! It will be a dinner to enjoy any time of the year. A Slow Cooker/ Crock Pot comes in very handy! That small kitchen appliance is great to use on a hot summer day!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

  

Cheesy Veggie Chicken

Cheesy Veggie Chicken

A quick and easy dinner is always appreciated any day! Do you have a few pieces of cooked Chicken? Got cooked Rice? Do you have frozen Peas, a can of Cream of Mushroom Soup and shredded Taco Cheese? These are the ingredients. If I have sauteed Mushrooms in the freezer, I defrost them and add them in, too.

**Now, when I make a batch of Rice to serve during dinner I freeze the half that we do not eat. Then, when needed I defrost the Rice quickly in the microwave. It comes in very handy to use in this recipe.

If you do not already have cooked Rice, this is my easy recipe for preparing Rice. Freeze the other half to use in the future.  

This is a very tasty dinner during any season of the year.  

Cheesy Veggie Chicken

Ingredients:

(1) Cup of Cooked Rice
Cooked Chicken- cut into bite size pieces
(1) bag of frozen Peas- (12- 16 ounce bag)
(1) can Cream of Mushroom Soup- can be low salt
1/3 Cup of Cold Water
1 Cup shredded Taco Cheese

Method:

1. Microwave bag of frozen Peas.
2. Spray a microwave baking dish (about 5" x 10") with PAM.
3. Place cooked Rice in dish, spreading evenly.
4. Place cooked Peas and cooked Chicken on top.
5. Combine Cream of Mushroom Soup and Water.
6. Spoon mixture over Rice, Chicken and Peas.
7. Sprinkle (1) Cup of Taco Cheese over top.
8. Cover with plastic wrap, leaving an opening at one corner to vent.
9. Microwave on High for 9 Minutes and 30 seconds- until hot and bubbly.
10. Serve! 

It is amazing how quickly this dinner comes together.  

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Grilled Chicken- Part 2

Grilled Chicken- Part 2

To some people the word leftovers is not appreciated much.  However, to me leftovers can be the beginning of another entree to be enjoyed at dinner.  For example, a few days ago grilled chicken tasted great!  I had a box of Kraft Mac & Cheese in the pantry and it paired so well with the chicken.  We enjoyed a vegetable, too.  Needless to say we had leftovers.

That brought another easy to prepare entree 2 nights later.  Two Zucchinis were cut into slices, then cut in half and sauteed.  Mushrooms were also cut into slices and you guessed- sauteed. (***Yes, I did rinse them under/ in cold water/ drained before slicing.)  The chicken was cut into small chunks and added to the large sautee pan along with the Mac & Cheese- to heat everything.  Then, I added about 2 ounces of water and stirred everything together.  Without the water it may have been a bit dry.    A quick trip to my spice rack for the Oregano and Basil.  Two shakes of each went into my sautee pan.  Then, a little more stirring.  Before I knew it we were eating dinner! 

This was one delicious dinner!! Two of the ingredients were leftovers!  Who would know??  

Now, this is a recipe that needs no specific written instructions.  It's a "use what you have", sautee some veggies, add water, Oregano and Basil.  Dinner was so good!!

Try it!
We enjoyed it!
Yummy!

Turkey a la King

Turkey a la King
(File Photo)

There are slices of roasted Turkey in our fridge. Yes!  Tonight, we will be enjoying Turkey a la King served over sliced toasted oatmeal bread.  We enjoy this dinner. Think small chunks of roasted Turkey that are surrounded by mixed veggies in a creamy white sauce- oh yum!  After Thanksgiving Day this is always a "go to" dinner for me.  The Turkey was cooked yesterday and the veggies are in our freezer.  A can of chicken broth is in our pantry.  What can be easier?

Why roll out or purchase/ use another pie crust to prepare a pot pie?  Using toasted bread is so much easier!  So much quicker too!  There is no need to bake anything in the oven.   

Take a short cut today or tomorrow.  Prepare Turkey a la King using this easy recipe! (Click here for recipe.)  Just remember the Cranberry Sauce!

Enjoy!
Yummy!             

Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken Enchiladas

These days living our daily lives dealing with COVID- 19, grocery shopping has become a planned activity.  There's no more making a short list and popping in to your favorite grocery store.  It's much easier to purchase ingredients that will be used in meals that we can enjoy for 8- 10 days.  The pound of Haddock that's purchased is prepared and enjoyed that night, like usual.  However, there are no longer 3 items on our grocery list.  It has become a larger list!  So, a slightly larger amount of chicken can be purchased, then grilled or baked.  There are easy meals to prepare and to enjoy with those extra slices of chicken the next night.  I talking Chicken Enchiladas!  Packaged Tortillas and Salsa need to be added to your grocery list if you are planning on enjoying this dinner one night, soon!

It's easy to prepare because the chicken has already been cooked!  The extra slices are cut into small pieces and mixed with sour cream, shredded cheese and a few other ingredients.  A small amount is placed on each tortilla before wrapping and placing into a baking dish.  About 30 minutes later Chicken Enchiladas will be ready for dinner.

Yes, I have written complete directions for this recipe before and it can be found here.

Last night we enjoyed them.  It sure was a quick and easy dinner to prepare!  Add tortillas and salsa to your grocery list whenever you will be baking/ grilling chicken.  A few slices of the chicken is key to another delicious dinner!  Leftovers?  Oh, no!  Those extra slices are the main ingredient to a very delicious dinner.  

Enjoy!
Yummy!

  
        

Summer Dinner Salad!

Summer Dinner Salad!

A colorful nutritious dinner in the summer does not get much easier to prepare- when you've enjoyed Grilled Chicken the day before!  The local fresh tomatoes and cucumbers are readily available to use.  Add them to a bed of greens of choice along with a few small chunks of cheese and craisins.  The salad dressing is your fave and dinner is oh, so good!

A slice of Basil Parmesan Toast is a great addition.  It is one of my fave ways to serve bread.

Summer is a great time to enjoy the seasonal views that come only once a year!  This past week a Monarch butterfly stopped in for a visit to our colorful Zinnias!  The plants we grew from saved seeds.  That was a great surprise!

Enjoy the Summer!

Chicken Florentine via Slow Cooker

~Chicken Florentine~
via Slow Cooker

One morning a little over a week ago a few snowflakes began floating down.  What??  No!!  Say it isn't so!!  Well, they did, but the melting process happened really quickly.  While watching them, suddenly it just felt like "Slow Cooker" time.  The kind of morning when there is much to do and you just know that dinnertime will come just too quickly- even though it is hours away.  You just have that feeling! 

It had been many months since I'd made this Chicken dinner in my Slow Cooker.  A quick glance and I had most of the ingredients.  So why not??  It seems whenever I prepare it, I make it a little differently.  This time there were no Potatoes or Yams to add to the Slow Cooker's pot.  Well, that was just no problem!  We enjoyed this flavorful dish served over pasta. 

It was so good!  It's always very tasty.  The Chicken is always so tender.  Carrots and Spinach are filled with flavor.  There's a sauce to drizzle over the pasta, too.  On a busy day this is tasty and hearty to enjoy at dinnertime.

Chicken Florentine
     via Slow Cooker  

Ingredients:

1 lb. Baby Carrots
1 teaspoon dried Parsley
1 teaspoon dried Chopped Onion
1- 1 and 1/2 lbs. Chicken Tenders
1/4 teaspoon dried Oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried Basil
1/8 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen Spinach, defrosted
1 can Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/3 Cup Water

Method:  

1. Rinse Baby Carrots under cool water.  Place in Slow Cooker's pot.
2. Sprinkle on 1 teaspoon dried Parsley and 1 teaspoon dried Chopped Onion.
3. Rinse Chicken Tenders under cold water and place on top of Carrots.
4. Sprinkle on Oregano, Basil and Garlic Powder.
5. Add defrosted Spinach on top, spreading evenly. 
6. In a small bowl mix well Cream of Mushroom Soup with 1/3 Cup Water.
7. Spread evenly over top of Spinach.
8. Place lid on Slow Cooker and set temperature.
9. Cook on #5- High for 1 Hour.  Then, reduce heat to #3 for 2 Hours. 
10. Serve over Pasta.
11. Enjoy!

Refrigerate any leftovers! 

This is a great dinner any season of the year.  I always keep a can of the soup in the pantry, just in case I need it.  Much like there's always an extra bag of Flour sitting on the shelf, too.

Dinner tonight??  Oh, our temps were in the mid 60's°F, so Chicken on the grill was quick and easy.  We live in New England!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

   

Chicken Chowder

A Steaming Bowl of Chicken Chowder

It's been freezing cold outside!  A big bowl of steaming homemade soup for dinner sounds great.  On Thursday, that was my thought process in the afternoon.  So that's what we had for dinner- a hearty hot bowl of soup!  Most of the ingredients were, well, leftovers from another dinner. 

On Wednesday the family was in town.  It was a FuN time!  After Wednesday's dinner there were many slices of oven baked barbecued Chicken remaining on the serving dish.  There was also a small amount of mashed potatoes.  One other food we always have whenever they are in is Kraft Mac and Cheese.  I'm not sure how, but yes, there was a bit remaining, too.  Nothing else. 

As I was deciding what to prepare for dinner, the happy memories of Wednesday reminded me that we did have a few leftovers in the fridge.  This could be the start of a hearty soup on a cold winter night.  And it was!

It did not take long for me to combine Chicken Broth with about 1/2 Cup of Mashed Potatoes in a small soup pot.  About 1 Cup of frozen Mixed Veggies were add to the mixture along with dehydrated Onion, Parsley and also Basil.  After cooking the vegetables in the broth mixture for 11 minutes, about 1 Cup of cooked Chicken chunks were added and stirred in.  Then about 1/2 Cup of the prepared Kraft Mac and Cheese.  To make this soup a little creamier, I added in 1/2 Cup of Milk.  What a delicious soup!  The macaroni that was coated with cheese gave the soup a great taste.  I wanted it a little creamier, so I added in 1/2 Cup of Milk. 

WoW!  This very tasty hearty soup was prepared mostly from leftovers.  Who would have guessed that soup would be on the menu the following night?  Soup that was prepared with, well, foods that were just waiting in the fridge!  So good! 

Chicken Chowder 
     2- 3 Servings

Ingredients:
1 can Chicken Broth (I use 14.5 ounce can College Inn Light and Fat Free Chicken Broth)
1/2 Cup Mashed Potatoes
1 Cup frozen Mixed Vegetables
1 Tablespoon Parsley
1 Tablespoon dehydrated chopped Onion
1/2 teaspoon dried Basil
1 Cup cooked Chicken- cut into small chunks
1/2 Cup cooked (Kraft) Mac and Cheese
1/2 Cup Milk

Method:

1. In a small Dutch Oven/ Soup Pot combine Chicken Broth with Mashed Potatoes. 
2. Stir and bring to a simmer.
3. Add frozen Mixed Vegetables, Parsley, Onion & Basil.  Cook for 11 Minutes or until vegetables are done.
4.  Add cooked Chicken chunks and Kraft Mac & Cheese.  Stir.
5. Add 1/2 Cup Milk and stir.  Soup will be creamier.
6. Heat another 4- 5 Minutes.

A bowl of this hot soup tasted so good on that cold night! 

Enjoy!
Yummy!

          

Grilled Chicken Flatbread with Roasted Veggies

Grilled Chicken Flatbread
with Roasted Green Pepper & Zucchini

Sometimes, do you have a few slices of Grilled Chicken remaining after dinner?  Do you have a Green Pepper & a small Zucchini just waiting in the fridge?  If the answer is Yes, Flatbread Pizza might be in your future!  This summer whenever we have leftover Grilled Chicken I know we'll be having this for dinner in the next 2 days!  

In April I shared how yummy BBQ Pork Tenderloin Flatbreads with Roasted Asparagus are.  Roasted Asparagus & fresh Spinach were placed on top along with chunks of BBQed Pork Tenderloin.  What a quick, easy & yummy dinner!

The packages of Flatbread that I use have baking directions on the package.  I make 3 White Flatbreads.

***Roasting Veggies:  Rinse veggies under cold running water, pat dry & cut into slices or chunks.  After coating with baking & sauteing Olive Oil, Garlic Powder, Basil & Oregano, they are roasted in a 450°F oven for 15 minutes. 

Then it's time to start making the Flatbreads!

Ready for the oven!

Grilled Chicken Flatbreads with Roasted Veggies

Ingredients: 
Flatbreads
***Roasted Green Pepper strips & Roasted Zucchini slices.
1/4 Cup Ricotta Cheese (can be Fat Free) for each Flatbread
Grilled Chicken cut into chunks
1 teaspoon Water
4 teaspoons BBQ Sauce
Shredded Cheese- desired amount to be sprinkled on top

Method:

1. Place (3) Flatbreads in a large cookie pan & bake in a 375°F Oven for 2 Minutes. Remove from oven.
2. Spread about 1/4 Cup Ricotta Cheese on each.  (I use Fat Free.)
3. Place Roasted Green Pepper strips & Roasted Zucchini slices on each Flatbread. 
4. Add Grilled Chicken, that's cut in chunks.
5. In a small cup combine 1 teaspoon cold water & 4 teaspoons BBQ Sauce.  Mix well.
6. Drizzle BBQ sauce mixture over the 3 Flatbreads.
7. Sprinkle desired amount of Shredded Cheese on top.
8. Bake for 5 Minutes at 375°F.
9. Remove from cookie pan & cut each Flatbread into 3- 4 pieces.

Any extra slices are refrigerated for the next day's lunch!

These are so good & not full of dough!  Just topped with chunks of Grilled Chicken & Roasted Veggies!  With all of the local fresh produce at our roadside stands, fresh veggies are now in season!  

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Chicken Salad Platter

Chicken Salad Platter

Chunks of Grilled Chicken, juicy Nectarines & creamy Avocado resting on a bed of shredded lettuce!  Add a few whole Pecans, some shredded Red Cabbage & Carrots with Feta Cheese resting on top.  Now that is colorful!  Now that is so nutritious & yummy, too!

Then Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette drizzled on top.  This is definitely my kind of Salad Platter for dinner.  It's been HHH lately, so after enjoying Grilled Chicken, Grilled Zucchini & a microwaved "Baked Potato" one night at dinner, a cold Chicken Salad Platter the next evening is oh so good!

The OXO salad dressing shaker is filled with:

Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

• 1/4 Cup Balsamic Vinegar

• 1/2 Cup Olive Oil for salads

• 2 teaspoons Raspberry Jam or Jelly

Then, shake, shake, shake & shake that container again!
Repeat & repeat again until the Jam/ Jelly is dissolved.

If I had cold Grilled Zucchini left, I'd add it to the Salad platter, too! This is a great refreshing nutritious dinner on an HHH night!

Yummy!
Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Yam Chicken Florentine

Slow Cooker Yam Chicken Florentine

Chicken Florentine in my Slow Cooker always tastes oh so good!  The colorful dinner with tender chicken pieces & chunks of vegetables.  Then, there's the great sauce!  Every forkful begs another!  It's the yummy dinner where the Baby Carrots & potato chunks are placed in my non-stick Slow Cooker's pot first & then the Chicken Tenders, topped with defrosted frozen spinach.  A quick visit to my Spice Rack for the dried ingredients & it does not take long to prepare this meal.  It's one of those quick & easy dinners that really cooks itself- first on High heat, then on Medium heat.  Yes, there's more to the story, but you get the idea.

With my non-stick pot that's sprayed with PAM, I've learned to place a hard veggie on the bottom.  Learning the hard way that meat can become too crispy & tasteless if placed on the bottom of the pot, first.  

Today, a large Yam was substituted for a white Potato that I usually use.  A couple of days ago we enjoyed Baked Potatoes at dinner, so white Potatoes were not going to be repeated.  Oh, what a great difference a Yam makes!  While enjoying this one pot meal, every bite contained a sweetness from the Yam!  Now, I'll always use this veggie when making this Slow Cooker/ Crock Pot dinner.

Slow Cooker Yam Chicken Florentine

Ingredients:

1 Lb. Baby Carrots
(1) large Yam/ Sweet Potato
1 teaspoon dried Parsley
1 teaspoon dried Chopped Onion
2 Bay Leaves
1- 1 and 1/2 Lbs. Chicken Tenders
1/4 teaspoon Oregano
1/4 teaspoon Basil
1/8 teaspoon Garlic Powder
(1) 10 oz. pkg. frozen Spinach, defrosted
1 Can Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/3 Cup Water


Method:

1. Rinse Baby Carrots under cool water. Place in Slow Cooker's pot.
2. Rinse Yam (using veggie brush) under cool water.  Cut into 1" chunks, quarter & place in pot.
3. Add 1 teaspoon dried Parsley & 1 teaspoon dried Chopped Onions.
4. Add 2 Bay Leaves.
5. Rinse Chicken Tenders under cool water.  Place on top of vegetables.
6. Sprinkle on about 1/4 teaspoon Oregano, 1/4 teaspoon Basil & 1/8 teaspoon Garlic Powder.
7. Add defrosted Spinach on top, spreading evenly.
8. In a bowl mix 1/3 Cup Water with 1 Can Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom Soup.  Spread evenly over top.
9. Place lid on Slow Cooker & set temperature.
10. Cook on #5 High- 1 Hour.  Then, reduce to #3 for 2 Hours. 
11. Enjoy!!!

Refrigerate any remaining portions.

This is so good any season of the year!  Now, whenever I have plans to make this Slow Cooker meal, I'll always include the Yam!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Festive Chicken Salad Platter

Festive Chicken Salad Platter

Cold Salad Platters are the best!  They taste especially good when it's the beginning of December in New England & you've enjoyed grilled Chicken the day before.  December could bring any surprising weather for us, but Saturday brought temps in the low 50°'s F & we enjoyed grilled chicken for dinner.  There were a few slices remaining- Yum!

At this time of year when the produce purchased in grocery stores is not as fresh or tasty as our local summer produce, a ripened Pear tastes so good!  One was in our fridge!     

It was perfect timing for a cold salad platter the next day!  It was just e-a-s-y!  Salad Greens served with chunks of grilled Chicken & also fresh Pear chunks.  A few unseasoned cooked Green Beans were added in.  Colorful Craisins,  yummy Pecans & a little Feta Cheese was sprinkled on top.  Balsamic Vinaigrette drizzled over it.  This dressing has become our fave. 

What a yummy dinner salad!  It was made from "leftovers" & staples in my pantry & fridge!    
  
We may be enjoying these two entrees again this month.  If it's comfy outdoors to grill during the dinner hour, we surely will.

Balsamic Vinaigrette  

Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Olive Oil for salads & marinades
1/4 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
Dash Black Pepper

Optional:  1 Tablespoon Raspberry Jam or Jelly

***Salad Dressing Mixing/ Shaking Container

Method:  

1.   Place Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar in shaker container.
2.   Add dash of Black Pepper.
3.   Optional:  Add 1 Tablespoon Raspberry Jam or Jelly.
4.   Place cover on container.
5.   Shake, shake, shake & shake again. 
6.   Drizzle over salad.
7.   Enjoy!

Note:  If adding optional Jam or Jelly, shake container until Jam or Jelly is dissolved.

I store my Balsamic Vinaigrette in my fridge.  About 1/2 hour before using again, I place on my counter,  so it comes to room temperature.  Shake, shake, shake until blended together & enjoy again. 

Enjoy!
Yummy!

   

~Minestrone Soup~

1st Day of Spring- 2015

Looking at the snowflakes falling on Friday reminded me of Minestrone Soup!  It was the 1st day of Spring & I've been waiting for the piles of snow in our front yard to melt.  My Snow Crocuses are deep in the ground- waiting to pop up!  Just sayin'!  Snow meant chilly temps.  Chilly temps called for a bowl of hot nutritious soup!  What can be easier than locating the ingredients at hand & combining them?  Usually, I add 1 Potato cut into chunks into the pot, but it was not to be found.  Sometimes, you gotta' go with the flow & use what's on hand!  This Minestrone Soup tasted so good!      Yum!       

Minestrone Soup

Ingredients:
1 can Red or White Kidney Beans (15.5 ounce)
1 can Tomatoes, drained (16 - 28 ounces)
1 lb. Carrots - peeled & cut into slices or "baby carrots" 
1 box frozen Spinach - defrosted
1 Cup Elbow macaroni
4 cans Light & Fat Free Chicken Broth (14.5 ounce each)
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon Oregano
1/4 teaspoon Basil
1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder (optional)

*1 washed/ cut into slices Zucchini- was in my fridge, so I added it into the pot.

Method:

1.  Drain Kidney Beans.  Rinse in cold water & drain.  Repeat again.
2.  Place Kidney Beans in large pot.
3.  Drain Tomatoes & cut into quarters.
4.  Add to pot.
5.  Rinse Carrots in cold water & drain.
6.  Add to pot.
7.  Add the remaining ingredients into the large pot.
8.  Stir.
9.  Bring to a boil.
10.  Reduce heat & simmer for 1 hour. Carrots should be tender.
11.  Place in bowls & enjoy along with a slice of Rye Bread.

Yes, there were extra portions!  After this yummy soup cooled the portions were placed in Ziploc Freezer container(s) & then in our freezer.  There will be other chilly days & a bowl of hot hearty soup will be defrosted for dinner! 

 **When reheating, add 1 can (14.5 ounce) Light & Fat Free Chicken Broth.

Enjoy!
Yummy!

   

Super Bowl Food

Created with Tagul.com

Super Bowl Sunday is 2 days away! The Patriots are in it, yes! I'm looking forward to a great game & great commercials! This is a Sunday afternoon/ evening when a yummy easy to make dinner works well.  Yes, there's the option of ordering "take- out", but that is not really necessary.

Take a look at my snowflake "Word Cloud"!  You know those interesting designs that are filled with words.  You see them in magazines & advertising.  I filled my Word Cloud with easy to make recipes.  If you move your cursor over the name of any recipe,  it gets larger.  Click on the recipe & you'll see my blog post containing the recipe. There are many choices of very tasty dinners! Some are for Slow Cookers/ Crock Pots!  Choose your fave to make on Sunday.  Put the ingredients on your grocery list!  Cooking with no fuss before the Super Bowl!  What will you be cooking???

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Go Patriots!!!

~Effortless Entrees~

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At this time of year we've all been preparing for the holidays!  Every day is filled with hustle & bustle.  Grocery shopping and shopping for gifts, visiting friends, baking & rechecking travel plans, in addition to working is only a part of a busy week.  Nutritious, tasty dinners that are easy to prepare are welcomed at the end of a busy day.

On this blog I've posted some yummy entrees that are found in the snowflake above.  Many of the recipes are prepared in a Slow Cooker/ Crock Pot.  Click on any entree in the snowflake & the post & recipe is at your fingertips.

Enjoy!
Yummy!

     

Turkey a la King

Turkey a la King
served over Toasted Oatmeal Bread
(File Photo)

The aroma of Turkey roasting on Thanksgiving Day is just the best!  With cranberry sauce chilling in the fridge & the garlic mashed potatoes & other side dishes on the move, dinner is on its way.  My fam has never had a problem having leftover slices/ pieces of the delicious moisty Turkey.  Opening the fridge door & grazing seems to be a custom of the weekend.  At least opening the door to see if anything has changed position on a shelf, certainly is a habit.  :)

Hot Turkey Sandwiches on Friday is set in stone, here.  On Saturday there usually are a few pieces remaining.  That's when I see Turkey a la King in our future.  Mixed vegetables along with chunks of Turkey combined in a creamy white sauce.  This is served over toasted Oatmeal Bread.  Oh yes, along with Cranberry Sauce.  Yum, yum, yum!

When preparing dinner why take the extra step of making or using commercial pie crusts for Turkey Pot Pies???  Toasted bread serves the role so well!  Prep Turkey a la King.  When it's ready, toast the bread.  Easy & no fuss all while tasting absolutely delicious!  Try it, you'll like it!

Turkey a la King
 Serves 2 - 3 Adults

Ingredients:
1/4 Cup Margarine/ Butter (I use unsalted.)
1/3 Cup Flour
1 Cup Chicken/Turkey Broth
      (I use College Inn Light & Fat Free Chicken Broth.)
1 Cup Milk
1 Cup Turkey chunks (cooked), cut up, more if desired
2 Cups cooked Carrots & Peas (or Mixed Vegetables)
*******
Sliced Bread, Toasted

Method:

1. Melt Margarine/ Butter in skillet.
2. Remove skillet from Medium heat and slowly stir in Flour.  
3. Return to heat and slowly add in Chicken Broth & Milk while slowly stirring constantly.
4. Continue stirring over heat until sauce is thick and bubbly. 
5. Add cooked Turkey chunks.
6. Add in cooked vegetables.
7. Stir and heat mixture for 1 - 2 Minutes.
8. Serve over toasted Bread.

If I have enough Turkey I make a double batch & freeze the extra portions.  It's an easy dinner to defrost/ reheat on a cold winter night.

***Chicken can be substituted for Turkey at other times during the year.

***A half portion is also so yummy when served over a baked potato!

Currently, it looks like winter outside!  The snowflakes are falling heavily on the day before Thanksgiving!  It'll be a different sight looking out my kitchen window as I bake the Thanksgiving pies!  Today I have 2 sous chefs!  :)  

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Wishing you, your family & friends a wonderful holiday!

"Peruvian Grilled Chicken"

"Peruvian Grilled Chicken"

Was it the Cumin?  The Paprika? Or the Lime Juice that smelled so good when the cover to our outdoor grill was opened?  This combo along with Garlic & Oregano resulted in a wonderful aroma floating through our Family Room screen!  I knew I was hungry, but suddenly I was famished!  Then, my DH turned the chicken that was grilling over to grill the other side.  We totally loved the flavor while enjoying dinner that evening.  No need to purchase any bottled marinade for this recipe.  You have the marinade ingredients in your fridge & pantry!

Two weekends ago we had a "Family Get-Together".  So FuN & a family tradition!  This entree was definitely on our menu- very tasty, very tender slices of marinaded chicken.  Oh, it's outdoor grilling time!

This recipe, "Peruvian Grilled Chicken", was one that I had literally ripped out of our local Springfield Republican back in 2007. The recipe had been reprinted from the Sept. 2007 issue of Gourmet Magazine.  So glad I saved it!

The chicken breasts are marinated 4- 8 hours or overnight in a great combo of ingredients!  A gallon sized Ziploc Freezer bag works so well, here.  If you enjoy the taste of tangy Lime Juice, Cumin & Paprika, you'll definitely like this marinated grilled chicken.  Try it, you'll like it!

"Peruvian Grilled Chicken"
     adapted from Gourmet Magazine  
            via Springfield Republican

Ingredients:
3 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast halves

*****
Marinade:
 In a Gallon sized Ziploc Freezer bag combine & mix the following:

1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
2 teaspoons Cumin
1 teaspoon Paprika
1/2 teaspoon Oregano
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper - or less according to taste
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil for sauteing & baking
1/3 Cup Lite Soy Sauce
3 Tablespoons Lime Juice

Method:

1. Prepare marinade by combining ingredients in Gallon sized Ziploc Freezer Bag.
2. Add 3 boneless skinless Chicken Breast halves to Ziploc Gallon sized Freezer bag. (I still rinse the chicken under cool running water & then carefully clean my work surface later.)
3. Place closed Ziploc Bag in/ on a dish & refrigerate for 4 - 8 hours, or overnight.
4. Turn once.
5. Heat grill.
6. Remove Chicken from bag to drain.  Do not save marinade. 
7. Grill Chicken.  Our grill requires 12 Minutes each side of chicken.  Grilling time depends on size/ thickness of Chicken & your grill.
8. After grilling, place on clean platter.  Let stand 5 minutes before cutting into slices.

I like to grill 3 chicken Breasts & use the leftover slices in a cold salad platter for dinner the next evening.

Cold Salad Platter

This is a "try it, you'll like it" recipe.  For our "Family Get-Together", I prepared a triple batch - each marinading separately.  There were no extra slices for any cold Salad Platters the next evening!  The Lime Juice gives it an extra kick!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Green Bean Chicken Chili

Ready to be placed in the bowls!

Last Friday afternoon my Slow Cooker was doing the cooking for me!  Dinner needed to be hearty, delicious & also have another 2 servings for another quick dinner during the weekend.  I've been working on Long Meddowe Days for the past few months and the 35th celebration took place this past weekend.  Long Meddowe Days is my town's (Longmeadow, MA) celebration in May of our long colonial history.  Our celebration includes a craft/ artist fair, 5K road race/ walk, history tours, food & entertainment.  Yes, I've been cooking, but with all of our other wonderful family celebrations I have not been blogging.

Friday at dinner time it was time to locate the soup bowls & the fat free sour cream.  When the chicken was purchased earlier that day I knew that Chicken Chili would be bubbling in my slow cooker.  We needed a green veggie.  There were no peppers in my freezer nor in my fridge, so I added a package of defrosted Green Beans to my recipe.  How yummy & spicy!  

It took little time to place the ingredients in my Slow Cooker's pot.  We do eat many dinners containing chicken and this chicken recipe is so tasty any time during the year!

Green Bean Chicken Chili

Ingredients:

(1) 10 ounce package defrosted Green Beans
1- 1 and 1/2 lbs. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
1 Tablespoon Dehydrated Onion     
1 Tablespoon Dehydrated Parsley
(2) cans 14 oz. Red Kidney Beans, drained, rinsed & drained again
(1) can Plum Tomatoes - 15- 22 oz. - drained & cut into chunks
2- 3 teaspoons Chili Powder
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Cumin
1 teaspoon Oregano
(1) can 14.5 oz. Chicken Broth (Low Sodium, Low Fat)
 3 Tablespoons Flour
*****
Optional:   (1) 8 oz. can Tomato Sauce is added. 

Method:

1. Spray PAM on bottom of Slow Cooker pot.
2.  Place defrosted Green Beans in Slow Cooker Pot.
3.  Add Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts on top.
4.  Sprinkle on Onion & Parsley.
5. Add Red Kidney Beans.
6.  Top with Tomato Chunks.
7. Sprinkle on Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, Cumin & Oregano.
8.  In small bowl blend 3 Tablespoons Flour with about 1 Cup Chicken Broth until smooth.
9.  Add remaining Broth to bowl & blend together.
10. Pour liquid over ingredients in Slow Cooker.
11. Add Cover.
12.  Cook on High for 3 and 1/2 hours.  Reduce to Medium for 1/2 hour.
13.  Before serving, stir Chili.  The tender Chicken breaks into smaller pieces.
14.  Ladle into soup bowls.  
15. Enjoy with a dollop of low fat sour cream & rye bread.

This Slow Cooker meal was a very hearty dinner after a busy day!  There were leftover portions, also!  Quite often they are placed in my freezer, but last weekend we devoured them at another dinner!

The sun was shining & the weather was warm, so we had a very successful Long Meddowe Days! Woohoo!    

***Note:  When reheating, about 6 ounces of water may need to be added to the Chili.

Enjoy!
Yummy!

   

Chicken Curry

Chicken Curry

My Slow Cooker is used so often!  I enjoy the quick prep time and also the great aroma that floats from my kitchen for a few hours while my slow Cooker is working.  Last week a Slow Cooker/ Crock Pot recipe caught my eye when I scrolled on McCormick's site.  A Slow Cooker Chicken Rice Curry recipe!  Chicken is a staple here, so I kept reading.  An apple - nice!  Raisins - I was definitely hooked.  The next day we totally enjoyed Chicken Curry served over Rice.  "Rice is Nice" and this is my fave method to cook Rice.

There were changes going on when I prepared this yummy entree:

• I really don't like instant rice, unless I'm using my MIL's Rice Pudding recipe, that uses instant rice.  For that reason, I did not follow the McCormick recipe exactly.

• My Slow Cooker has a teflon coating, so I usually place washed baby carrots in the bottom of the pot in many slow Cooker recipes.  The carrots prevent the meat (chicken here) from drying out on the bottom.  Can you tell that I once had a bad experience?  An added plus:  Those nutritious very tender carrots tasted so good here.
  

Extra portions to be placed in my fridge

In my photos the fluffy Rice is not plated with this yummy steaming flavorful Chicken Curry on top.  The aroma was so enticing - we could not wait for me to take out my camera and focus.  The extra portions shown above were covered with foil and refrigerated.  The Rice & Chicken Curry were reheated 2 nights later for another yummy dinner!  Sooo goood!

The Raisins & the unpeeled Apple cut into chunks added with the Curry Powder taste so good!  The carrots pick up a little sweetness, too.

Chicken Curry with Rice
                                            inspired by McCormick 

Ingredients:
1 (16 ounce) pkg. rinsed Baby Carrots
2 lbs. boneless skinless Chicken Breasts
2 Bay Leaves
1 large Apple cored & cut into chunks - Cortland or Empire
1/4 Cup Raisins

1 Tablespoon Curry Powder
1 teaspoon Paprika
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 Tablespoon dehydrated Onions

*  *  *
2 ounces Water
3 Tablespoons Flour
1 can (14.5 ounces) Chicken Broth
         (I use Fat Free/Lower Sodium Broth.)

Method:

1. Spray Slow Cooker pot with PAM.
2. Wash Baby Carrots & place on bottom of Slow Cooker pot.
3. Rinse Chicken Breasts under cool running water & place on Carrots.
4. Add 2 Bay leaves.
5. Wash Apple.  Core & cut into chunks.  Add on top of Chicken.
6. Sprinkle on Raisins.
7. Add Curry Powder, Paprika & Garlic Powder.
8. Sprinkle on Dehydrated Onions.
9. In a bowl, combine Water, Flour & 1/4 Cup Chicken Broth.  Stir until smooth.
10. Add remaining Broth to bowl, stir.
11. Add Water, Flour, Broth combo to Slow Cooker pot.
12. Place lid on top.
13. Set temperature to High.  Cook for 4 hours.
14. Start preparing the Rice about 40 Minutes before turning off the Slow Cooker.  Click for Recipe. 

This is absolutely delicious!  Take your Slow Cooker/ Crock Pot out and make this entree.  Full of flavor and very tender!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

     

Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

Chicken Chili

During the frigid winter, mentioning the food Chili always brings visions of hot steaming bowls of a thick red comfort food served in a bowl.  Two days ago in my pantry I located red kidney beans.  I had plum tomatoes. Chicken was in the fridge.  It was the great opportunity to take out my Chicken Chili recipe!

This is a great meal to prepare in a Slow Cooker or in a Crock Pot.  I remember finding a variation of it originally in "some" magazine a few years ago when I was writing (typing) a cookbook with easy recipes for my son.  It was the summer after he graduated from college.  That summer a crash course in food & food safety took place in our kitchen.  After coming home from his summer job in the evening, he & I whipped up dinners.  As a mom I needed to know that he had some kitchen experience - before he started the next phase of his education that September.  After all, he could not eat out all the time.  It worked well!  Now, I smile when he & his family are visiting "back home" and he asks if he can help in the kitchen.  :) The answer is always "Yes"!

My younger son learned his basic cooking skills using the same method.  I had compiled 2 cookbooks 3 years earlier.  Whenever he is "back home" he is our "Garlic Mashed Potatoes" guy.  :)  Nice!

Slow Cooker Chicken Chili 

Ingredients:
1 Green Pepper, cut into strips
1- 1 and 1/2 lbs. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
1 Cup sliced Okra - Optional (I use frozen & defrosted.)
1 Tablespoon Dehydrated Onion
1 Tablespoon Dehydrated Parsley
2 cans 14 oz. Red Kidney Beans, drained, rinsed & drained again
1 can Plum Tomatoes - 15- 22 oz. - drained & cut into chunks
2- 3 teaspoons Chili Powder
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Cumin
1 teaspoon Oregano
1 can 14.5 oz. Chicken Broth (Low Sodium, Low Fat)
3 Tablespoons Flour

Sometimes 8 oz. Tomato Sauce is added to the pot before placing the lid on top.

Method:

1. Place Pepper Strips in Slow Cooker Pot.
2. Add Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts on top.
3. Top with sliced Okra.
4. Sprinkle on Onion & Parsley.
5. Add Red Kidney Beans.
6. Top with Tomato Chunks.
7. Sprinkle on Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, Cumin & Oregano.
8. In small bowl blend 3 Tablespoons Flour with about 1 Cup Chicken Broth until smooth.
9. Add remaining Broth to bowl & blend together.
10. Pour liquid over ingredients in Slow Cooker.
11. Add Cover.
12. Cook on High for 3 and 1/2 hours.  Reduce to Medium for 1/2 hour.
13. Before serving, stir Chili.  The tender Chicken breaks into smaller pieces.
14. Ladle into soup bowls. 
15. Enjoy with a dollop of low fat sour cream & rye bread.

After enjoying a delicious dinner containing Okra at the Okra Grill in Mount Pleasant, SC a few years ago, I use Okra in some recipes.  It's a great addition to my Slow Cooker Chicken Chili, so a package of sliced Okra is always on hand in my freezer.

A steaming bowl of Chicken Chili at dinner tastes great during our long lasting "cold snap"!  The remaining portions are in our fridge.  The seasonings in the Chili are absorbed by the other ingredients.  Yes, sometimes Ziploc Freezer Containers of this yummy "comfort food" is placed in the freezer.   
  
We will Enjoy again!
Yummy!