Chicken Parm Baked Ziti

A combination of chicken parmesan and baked ziti that is sure to thrill any Italian food lover!


Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts

1 cup plain bread crumbs

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

2 cloves of garlic

1/2 tsp garlic powder 

1/4 tsp ground black pepper 

1 egg 1/4 cup milk 

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 

1 jar spaghetti sauce 

2/3 lb ziti 

1/2 grated parmesan cheese 

1 cup mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Mix bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and pepper. In a small bowl, mix egg and milk. Cut chicken tenders into 1.5 inch cubes. Dip chicken cubes in egg/milk mixture, and then roll in bread crumb mixture.
Saute garlic cloves in olive oil over medium heat. Pan fry chicken pieces until browned, approx. 4 minutes on both side.
While chicken is cooking, prepare ziti per package directions until al dente.
When chicken is done, remove from heat and let sit on a paper towel.
When ziti is done cooking, drain and pour into greased (Pam) 9x14 pan. Pour spagetti sauce over pasta, and sprinkle with 1/2 cup parmesan cheese.
Arrange chicken in single layer over pasta. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over chicken, and bake in oven for 25 minutes at 350 degrees or until heated through and cheese melted.

White Chicken Chili

This white chicken chili has an amazing south western, fiesta feel. My husband has altered it three times now and we have come to love this final result.  If you want to be really healthy you can skip the flour, milk, and sour cream for a healthier and less thick chili. The original recipe also included green pepper and did not have corn, so you can always add the pepper if you are a fan or omit the corn if you do not like it!  My family does not like green pepper, so we chose to remove it from the recipe and add corn.

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts cooked and diced up
2-3 cups cooked Great Northern white beans
1 (14.5 oz) muir glen fire roasted diced tomatoes (w/ chiles if desired)
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 small or medium onion, chopped
1 medium red pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon red cayenne pepper
1/2 a can of corn, drained
1/2 cup flour
1 cup milk
1 cup sour cream


Directions:

Add cooked chicken, beans, tomatoes, and chicken broth to large pot. Cover and simmer over medium heat.
Meanwhile, spray cooking spray into a nonstick frying pan and add onion, pepper, and garlic. Saute 3-5 minutes until vegetables are soft.  Then add mixture to the soup pot.  Stir in the chili powder, oregano, cumin, and cayenne pepper.  Simmer 10 minutes.  Mix 1/2 cup flour and 1 cup milk together and then add to chili.  Add 1 cup sour cream.  Uncover to let chili thicken.

If Desired: Garnish with shredded monterey jack cheese and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro and serve with 6 ounces of baked tortilla chips.

Hormel Chili Dip

This is a great hot dip that takes little effort and everyone comes back for more!  In fact, I decided to post this recipe because I have had several requests for me to make this dip for our annual tree hopping event this coming weekend.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef
1 can hormel chili NO beans
1 pack of dry taco mix
1 15 oz jar of cheese whiz
1 8oz cream cheese

You will also want tortilla chips to eat with this dip.  I think Tostitos scoops make eating this dip easy!

Brown the hamburger and drain off grease.  Place all of the ingredients in slow cooker on low or warm.  Stir occassionally as cheese melts.  Once dip is warm just place slow cooker on warm.

Peanut Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies

I am just going to warn you right away....these cookies are so yummy!  My cousin gave me this recipe and my family can't get enough of these cookies. ( I think she may have gotten it from a Kraft Magazine)

Ingredients:

1 cup flour
1 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt (iodized)
1/2 cup butter or 1 stick
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 egg
6 squares chocolate, coarsely chopped (chocolate chips work in a pinch if you don't have the squares)

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix.  Bake at 325 to 350 degrees to your liking.  Place on cooling rack when done.

Slow Cooker Chili

This chili has so much flavor your family will never guess you slipped in some healthier ingredients!  I use ground turkey and whole wheat noodles and no one noticed the change!  I prefer to make my chili in the slow cooker; however, you can make this on your stove top as well.  Instructions for both ways of cooking are listed below.

Ingredients:

20 oz. ground turkey (If you use ground beef, you will need 1 1/2 lbs)
1 med. onion
1 (28 oz) can whole tomatoes
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 cup water
1 beef bouillon cube
1 (16 oz) can red kidney beans in medium sauce
2 cloves garlic minced or 1 1/2 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp salt
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (I tend to fill my measuring spoon overflowing so it may be more like 3/4 a tsp)
1 bay leaf
3/4 cup cooked, cooled whole wheat/whole grain elbow noodles
2 T. diced green onion if desired

Slow cooker prep:
Brown meat and drain off any fat.  Dice up about 3/4 of the onion.  Add onion, the meat, and the rest of ingredients (except pasta) to slow cooker.  Cook about 4 hours on low.  Remove bay leaf.  Add cooked pasta and cook 30 more minutes on low, then serve.

Stove top prep:
Brown meat and onion, drain off fat.  Add rest of ingredients (except pasta) to pot.  Cover and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.  Stir occasionally.  Remove bay leaf and add cooked pasta.  Let stand covered for 15 minutes. Sprinkle shredded cheese over each serving if desired.

Grape Salad

This grape salad is an amazing side dish for any party or holiday.  It is also very easy to throw together!  I first had this dish when someone brought it to my bridal shower over 4 years ago.  My mom quickly got the recipe, because we adored this dish!

Ingredients:

8oz cream cheese
8oz sour cream
1tsp vanilla
1/4 cup sugar
3 or 4 lbs grapes (dry)
1/2 to 3/4 cups brown sugar
1/2 to 3/4 chopped pecans

Blend the cream cheese, sour cream, vanilla, and sugar together in bowl.  Mix in the grapes.  (I usually use half green and half red grapes.)  You can use whatever type of grapes you want as long as they are seedless.  Mix at least 3/4 of the brown sugar and pecans to the salad, and sprinkle the remaining brown sugar and pecans over top.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

Here is a recipe that is great for fall and the upcoming holiday season.  This recipe was passed on to me by my mother.  This is a delicious bread recipe that probably tastes more like a dessert.  This recipe won't help your diet but it will please your guests!

Mix the following ingredients in a large mixing bowl:

3 cups flour
2 Tsp cinnamon
1 Tsp salt
1 Tsp baking soda
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 cups pumpkin (15oz can)
1 1/4 cup oil
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

This recipe yields 2 loaves of bread.  Grease 2 bread pans and pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.  I usually place both bread pans on top of a cookie sheet.  Bake for 1 hour.