Easy Chicken Rav-Soup

I'm unable to be standing up doing anything for very long so I've been finding the easiest things to make...Last night was cold so it was a chicken noodle soup night with grilled cheese!  This variation of the delicious soup is SUPER easy and fast and it tastes just like the "real thing".

8 Cups Chicken stock/broth
3/4 C chopped carrots
3/4 C chopped celery
1 or 2 C frozen raviolis (I used the beef ones and it was AWESOME)
1 C diced pre-cooked chicken (I now always keep a bag of frozen cooked chicken strips for simple recipes)
salt and pepper to taste

Boil the stock or broth and add the veggies.  Let veggies simmer in broth for 20 minutes and then add the ravs and chicken continuing to simmer for 5 or 10 more minutes. Serve!

TOLD YOU IT WAS EASY!

Pepper-Honey Cedar Plank Salmon

I just love salmon but I could never make it taste as good as in a restaurant, until now!  Perfect recipe for salmon-lovers!!  FYI: I get my cedar planks online through Amazon and its way cheaper then in the store ;)

Time: 1 hour 45 mins  (includes time for soaking the planks)
Ingredients:

• 2 cedar planks
• 1/4C pineapple juice
• 1/3C soy sauce
• 2 Tbs wite vinegar
• 2 Tbs lemon juice
• 1 Tbs olive oil
• 3/4C honey
• 1/4C packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• up to 6 fillets of Salmon

1. Soak the cedar planks in warm water for 1 to 2 hours.  Add a splash of bourbon to water if desired. *Note: I put apple cider vinegar in the water and it worked as well.
2. Bring the pineapple juice, soy sauce, vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil and hone to a simmer in saucepan over medium-high heat.  Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the sugar, pepper, cayenne, paprika and garlic powder.  Simmer stirring occasionally, until the sauce has reduced to a syrupy consistency (about 15 minutes).
3. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat.  Place the planks on the grate.  They are ready to cook on when they start to smoke and crackle just a little.
4. Season the salmon with a light sprinkling of salt and pepper.  Place the fillets onto the smoking cedar planks, close the lid of the grill and cook for 10 minutes.  Spoon small amounts of the sauce over the salmon fillets and continue cooking until the fish turns opaque in the center.  Serve with remaining sauce. *I spooned the sauce every 2 minutes until it was done...delish!!

*Serve with baked potatoes and veggies!

Mexican Lasagna

Definitely one of my faves!!  Quick and easy does it!

Time: 30 mins
Ingredients:

• 3 Tbs EVOO
• 2lbs chicken breast, either cubed or ground
• 2 Tbs chili powder
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 red onion, chopped
• 15oz can black beans, drained
• 1C taco sauce or 14oz can fire roasted tomatoes
• 1C frozen corn kernels
• salt
• 8 spinach flour tortillas
• 2 1/2C shredded Cheddar or shredded pepper jack
• 2 scallions, finely chopped

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
2. Preheat a large skillet over medium high heat.  Add 2 Tbs EVOO.  Add chicken and season with chili powder, cumin and red onion.  Brown the meat, 5 minutes.  Add taco sauce or tomatoes.  Add black beans and corn.  Heat the mixture through, 2 to 3 minutes then season with salt.
3. Coat a shallow baking dish with remaining EVOO.  Cut the tortillas in half or quarters to make them easy to layer with.  Build lasagna in layers of meat and beans, then tortillas, then cheese.  Repeat: meat, tortilla, cheese.  Bake lasagna 12 to 15 minutes until chees is brown an bubbly.  Top with the scallions and serve. *Note: I also served with sour cream and salsa!!

Chicken Cordon Bleu

I was very nervous about making this since it requires a bit of creativity but it turned out absolutely fantastic and James went back for thirds!!  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this meal!!

Time: 1 hour
Ingredients:

• 6 boneless/skinless chicken breasts
• 6 slices Swiss cheese
• 6 slices ham
• 3 Tbs flour
• 1 tsp paprika (I used a little more...)
• 6 Tbs butter
• 1/2 C dry white wine (I used Sherry cooking wine since I didn't have white wine)
• 1 tsp chicken bouillon granules
• 1 Tbs cornstarch
• 1C heavy whipping cream

1. Pound chicken breasts if they are too thick. *This is where your creativity comes in handy* Place a cheese and ham slice on each breast and fold the edges of the chicken over the filling; secure with toothpicks.  Mix the flour and paprika in a small bowl and coat the chicken pieces.
2. Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until browned on all sides.  Add the wine and bouillon.  Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Remove the toothpicks and transfer the breast to a warm platter.  Blend the cornstarch with the cream in a small bowl and whisk slowly into the skillet.  Cook, stirring until thickened and pour over the chicken.

*Mashed potatoes and mixed veggies make for good sides!!

Meatball Nirvana

Very delicious!  Word to the wise, to make it easier to eat make sure the meatballs are smaller...I looked like a 2 year old who just ate spaghetti after all was said and done!!

Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:

• 1lb ground beef
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 onion, diced
• 1/2 tsp garlic salt
• 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 3/4 tsp oregano
• 3/4 tsp red pepper flakes (I used more to give it more spicy-ness)
• hot pepper sauce, to taste
• 1 1/2 Tbs Worcestershire
• 1/3C milk
• 1/4C Parmesan cheese
• 1/2C bread crumbs

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Place beef in a mixing brown and season with salt, onion, garlic salt, Italian seasoning, oregano, red pepper flakes, hot pepper sauce and Worcestershire; mix well.
3. Add the milk, Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs; mix until evenly blended, then form into meatballs and place on baking sheet.
4. Bake in preheated oven for about 20 to 25 minutes.  Hint: Turn meatballs halfway through so they don't stick to the pan.
5. Serve in hoagie rolls; add warm pasta sauce if you would like.

*Mixed veggies make an excellent side!

Italian Sausage Soup with Tortellini

Perfect for our Poker night!  Fed 7 people and there was still some leftovers...

Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Ingredients:

• 1lb Italian sausage (ground works the best so you don't have to bother with the casings)
• 1C chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 5C beef broth
• 1/2C Water
• 1/2C red wine
• 4 large tomatoes - chopped
• 1C sliced carrots
• 1/2 Tbs basil leaves
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 8oz can of tomato sauce
• 1 sliced zucchini
• 8oz tortellini pasta
• 3 Tbs chopped parsley

1. In a 5 quart Dutch oven, brown sausage.  drain but reserve the drippings.
2. Saute onions and garlic in drippings.  Stir in beef broth, water, wine, tomatoes, carrots, basil, oregano, tomato sauce and sausage.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
3. Stir in zucchini and parsley.  Simmer covered for 30 minutes.  Add tortellini during the last 10 minutes.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese on top of each serving.

Spaghetti Casserole

I didn't think that this would be good, but it turned out to be great!!  So easy...

Spaghetti Casserole
Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

• 1-8oz cheese whiz
• 1/2 C milk
• 7oz spaghetti, break into thirds, cook and drain
• 2 Tbs butter
• 10oz cooked broccoli
• 1 C chopped chicken or turkey (I used chicken and I actually used about 3 chicken breasts chopped up)
• 1-4oz can mushrooms, drained
• 2 Tbs chopped pimento (didn't use this...)
• salt and sage to taste

1. Combine cheese and milk, mix.  Toss spaghetti with butter.  Combine all ingredients and mix well.  Spoon into a 2qt casserole.  Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 mins.  Stir well before serving.

*Sides: Mashed potatoes and peas.