Olive Garden Zuppa Tuscana Soup

Got this recipe from Alissa, it is really yummy!

1 pound Italian Sausage-browned

6 strips Bacon-crumbled

4 cups water

2 cans chicken broth

1 onion-chopped

4 potatoes-peeled and sliced

2 garlic cloves-minced

2 cups Kale-chopped

1 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon Parsley flakes

Brown up the sausage and bacon, and set aside. In large pot put water, chicken broth, potatoes, onion, and garlic. Cook on medium heat for about 20 minutes (or until potatoes are done). Add bacon, sausage and kale. Let simmer on low for another 10 minutes. Then add heavy cream and parsley flakes. Turn up the heat to medium and stir until thick. Yum!

Alissa's French Onion Chicken & Rice

Melt 1 square butter in 9x13 cake pan I only use 1/2 stick

( I usually do it in the microwave and then put it in the pan)....(This is what makes mainly makes it unhealthy.  I should try one time not adding the butter).

Mix in well  -1 can celery soup
                 -1 can cream of mushroom soup
                 -1 envelope onion soup
                 -1 1/4 cup raw rice
                 -2 cups water
Lay chicken breasts on top (raw, but trimmed of fat/skin), cover with tin foil I use frozen chicken strips
Bake 350 degrees for 3 hours.

If you need any of the ingredients let me know.  I think I have them all.  Let me know if you have questions.  I sometimes let it cook for 3 1/2 with the last 1/2 an hour with the tin foil off to try to make the rice crispy, but it's up to you and your liking whether or not you do this. I only cook for 1 1/2 hours because I prefer the rice soft not crispy.  If you cook the rice first it only takes 45 minutes.

Spare Ribs

1 cup ketchup
1 c tomato sauce
4 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp vinegar
3 tbsp mustard (I used dry)
1/2 c barbeeque sauce
3 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp liquid smoke
1 onion (sliced thinly and then cut circles in half)
6 large or 12 small spare ribs

Get your crockpot good and hot, salt and pepper the ribs and brown them in the crock pot.  Mix the rest of the ingredients and pour over the ribs.  Cook a minimum of 2 hours or longer.  The longer your cook them the more tender the meat becomes.  Serve over rice.

PS:  I skip the browning process and just throw everything in on low all day and it still turns out amazing.

Chicken Curry Chili

This is a recipe that Jared's parents tried in Hawaii on their mission and loved.  I want to try it out now!

2 lbs. cooked and cubed chicken  
4 cloves garlic

1 tbs. curry powder                         
2 tsp. gound coriander

1 tsp. ground cumin                            
1 tbs. lemon juice

2 medium sweet peppers                    
3 cans diced tomatoes with chilies

1 15 oz. can chicken broth                 
1 15 oz. can coconut milk

1/4 cup catsup

In large stock pot, cook garlic and sweet peppers.  Stir in curry, coriander, cumin,

and lemon juice. Stir in tomatoes, broth, coconut milk and catsup. Bring to boil

and add chicken.  Garnish with fresh basil and chopped peanuts. Salt to taste.

Jeri said that Scott sometimes adds a bit of brown sugar.  If you want the taste 

sweeter, just add brown sugar to taste.

Sweet Potato Hash

I saw this recipe in a magazine and decided to try it out.  I thought it was really fresh and yummy, and pretty easy to whip up, too!  I decided I was going to make it again tonight and realized I threw out the magazine just days ago.  Luckily it was posted on the internet, so I decided I better post it before it's lost for good.

Ingredients

• 1  large or 2 small sweet potatoes, peeled and quartered (about 1 lb.)
• 1  Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1  11-oz. can Southwestern-style corn with black beans and peppers, rinsed and drained
• 1/2  cup dairy sour cream
• 2  Tbsp. chipotle salsa
• 3  medium avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced
•   Fresh cilantro leaves and chili powder (optional)

Directions

1. Place sweet potatoes in a microwave safe dish; cover and cook on 100 percent power (high) for 5 to 8 minutes or just until tender enough to chop. Cool slightly; cut into chunks. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
2. In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add potatoes; cook until browned and crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Add drained corn to skillet. Cook 3 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
3. Meanwhile, stir together sour cream and chipotle salsa.
4. To serve, divide sweet potato mixture among 4 plates. Top with avocado and serve with chipotle sour cream sauce. Add cilantro and sprinkle chili powder. Makes 4 servings.

Beef or Pork 2 for 1 Dinner

Anytime I find a 2 for 1 dinner I am posting it on here so that in a few months when I forget what I've tried, I can find it on here.

I don't know if any body has ever tried the "spoon roast" from Harmons, but it is to die for. I can never crock pot a roast again, this is the ultimate. They call it a spoon roast because you can scoop the meat or cut the meat with a spoon... it is that tender. The butcher at Harmons does all the work for me, but he has told me how to make it on my own. All you need is a good cut roast, beef or pork. Season it to your liking. Then layer 3 to 4 sheet of butcher paper, and wrap the roast tightly, securing it with twine. Bake at 250 degrees for one hour per pound. Or... if you have a Harmons near you just ask your meat guy for a spoon roast!

Day 1: Roast with your liking of side dishes.

Day 2: Shredded beef enchiladas: Really easy! All you do, is shred the leftovers of your roast, and heat in a skillet. Pour 1/4 of a can of red enchilada sauce to the meat. After heated through roll the meat in tortillas, adding a little cheese to the inside of each. Pour rest of enchilada sauce over the top, and top with shredded cheese. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes until heated through. Serve with a green salad, and/or spanish rice.

Another 2 for 1 Dinner Recipe(s)

As you can see, have become a big fan of what I call 2 for 1 recipes. I am not a fan of leftovers... I do not like having the same thing twice in one week. So normally a lot of food gets wasted at our house, unless Jared mans up and eats all the leftovers for us. But now that I have been trying these 2 for 1 recipes, I am making the most out of my groceries! Love it!

Turkey Dinner

I love dinner that comes from Costco because it means it was easy on me! They sell this pre-cooked turkey at Costco that is so incredibly moist and yummy, Jared has actually requested that we substitute Thanksgiving turkey for this. Since it is pre-cooked it just takes about an hour to heat up in the oven. We serve it with mashed potatoes and a vegetable and it is a delicious dinner that is so easy! Tip: If you serve with rice instead, make double and your next dish will be SUPER easy!

Leftover Turkey Casseroles-
With the leftovers from the turkey dinner, I dice up the remaining turkey and use it in a casserole the following night. I have two casseroles that I like. Here they are:

Turkey & Rice Spanish Casserole

2 cups cooked rice
1-2 cups diced turkey (chicken works just as good!)
1 can green enchilada sauce
1 can green chiles
1 cup sour cream
1 can corn, drained
1/2 cup jack cheese, for top

Mix all ingredients in a bowl until combined, and place into a greased 9x13 casserole dish. Top with cheese, and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Turkey & Potato Casserole

1 pkg southern hashbrowns, frozen
2 cups diced turkey (or whatever is left)
2 cans cream of chicken
1 16oz sour cream
8 oz colby/jack cheese
salt and pepper

Combine all ingredients and put in a greased 9x13 casserole dish. Bake at 375 for 1 hour until potatoes are soft.

Baked BBQ Chicken + BBQ Chicken Pizza

I thought it was appropriate to put these two recipes together in the same post, because I use the leftovers from the 1st recipe to make the 2nd recipe the following night. This is one of my favorite meal(s) because I get 2 for one!

Baked BBQ Chicken Pizza

Don't let the simplicity of the ingredients scare you off. This was one of the top rated BBQ Chicken recipes I could find online, and it falls off the bone... it is so tender and so yummy!

• 1 (2 to 3 pound) whole chicken, cut into pieces (It's cheaper to find the package where the butcher has already cut up the pieces for you, it's about $5)
  
• salt and pepper
  
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 1/2 cups prepared barbecue sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

1. Place chicken in a shallow baking dish and sprinkle with garlic powder. Cover and bake 1 hour at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Remove baking dish from oven and drain any fat from dish. Pour the barbecue sauce evenly over the chicken and bake uncovered for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Remove and serve.

BBQ Chicken Pizza

The next day I use the leftovers from the BBQ Baked Chicken to make homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza. It is simple and yummy.

• 2 Pouches Betty Crocker Pizza Mix (just add water) (Use 1 pouch for thin crust)
• Your Favorite BBQ Sauce
• 8 oz low fat mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Diced BBQ Chicken (After I dice it, I toss it in a bowl with a little more sauce)
• Sliced Tomatoes
• Sliced Red Onion
• Freshly Chopped Basil

Preheat oven to 450

1. Press pizza dough into pan.
2. Spread thin layer of BBQ Sauce across dough. Too much will make dough soggy.
3. Sprinkle cheese.
4. Spread all your toppings.
5. Bake at 450 for 15 minutes or until crust is golden. (Bake at bottom rack.)

apricot mustartd chicken glaze

i made this last night and it was so delish, i had to make sure to document it before i forgot it. it is really simple, but very tasty.

equal parts mustard and apricot preserves
splash of lemon juice
salt, pepper, and thyme seasonings

pour over chicken breasts and bake at 350 until juices run clear. loved it.

White Chili With Chicken

I tore this recipe out of a magazine and made it over conference weekend. It only takes about 30 minutes to make it, and it was scrumptious! Even Jared who hates soups and especially onions, loved it. I will use this for the next chili cook off!


Ingredients
3 T olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 t chili powder
1 1/2 t cumin
1 t oregano
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 (15 ounce) cans white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
3-4 cups diced cooked chicken
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1 (7 ounce) can green chilies (mild)
2 cups chicken broth, plus more for thinning if desired
1/4 t salt
2 T butter, softened
1.5 T flour pepper
3-4 T Half and Half grated Monterey cheese (optional)
crushed tortilla chips (optional)

1. Warm the oil in large sauce pan over medium heat. Add onion and saute, stirring often, about 7 minutes. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, oregano, and garlic and saute for another minute. Stir in the white beans, chicken, corn, and green chilies, chicken broth, and salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, and allow it to continue to simmer partially covered for about 10 minutes. 2. In small bowl, blend the butter and flour. Add the mixture to the chili and stir until it thickens, about a minute. Add more salt and pepper to taste. To thin, add more broth. To thicken, add Half and Half. Serve chili hot, topped with cheese and crushed tortilla chips. Serves 6.

South African Potato & Ground Beef Curry

{UPDATE: I finally got around to making this, and it was divine! Loved it.}
This is a recipe I would have never found and tried on my own. I am not a curry fan, or at least I thought I wasn't since I basically dry heave when I walk past an Indian Restaurant. But recently we had a Primary Activity where we explored missions around the globe. Sister Laurel Nicolaysen from our ward was one of our missionaries, representing South Africa. She had brought this dish for the children to try. It not only smelled wonderful, unlike Indian food, it tasted wonderful also. I don't have a couple of the ingredients on hand, but I can't wait to get them and try this out on my own.

1 lb ground beef
2 medium sized onions, chopped
2 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon salt
black pepper, to taste
1-2 tablespoons curry powder
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 tablespoon apricot jam
1/3 cup vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
1 8oz can tomatoes, peeled and diced
1 cup water
3 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
1.5 cups carrots
1 cup peas

Directions:
1. Brown meat and onions in oil.
2. Stir in salt, pepper, curry powder, and turmeric and cook for about 3 minutes
3. Add jam, vinegar, sugar, tomato and water and simmer for 1 hour
4. Add potatoes and carrots and cook 30 minutes
5. Add frozen peas and warm through.
6. Adjust seasoning and serve with rice and Mrs. Balls Peach Chutney.

NOTE: She didn't serve according to #6 - she served over an open roll that was called something but I can't remember? It was basically a roll.

Meat Loaf

I found this recipe on All Recipes. It had 4.5/5 stars with over 4,000 votes. This was my first time making meat loaf, and although I have to admit it has to be something I am in the mood for, it turned out good. Even Jared who was swearing that he wouldn't even try it came around when it had the house smelling so good. And yes, he did try it and actually liked it.

1.5 lbs ground beef
1/2 c milk
2 eggs
1/2 packet onion soup mix
1.5 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1/4 t ginger
3/4 c crushed saltine cracker crumbs
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup ketchup

Combine all ingredients (except last two) until well combined and shape into loaf. Bake in loaf pan at 350 for 1 hour or until juices run clear. Combine last two ingredients and put on top and bake for additional 15 minutes.

Cafe Rio's Pork

Jamie told me how to make the Cafe Rio sweet pork that everyone loves! Take your shredded pork and put in a sauce pan with 1 cup of salsa and 1 cup of brown sugar and simmer. OR you can put in crock pot if your pork isn't cooked. We tried it and it was DELISH! I happened to have chunky salsa on hand, I think it would have been better with a more blended salsa though.

Crock Pot Chicken Enchiladas

One of my favorites!

1 lb chicken breasts (thawed or frozen)
1 can cream of chicken
1 small can mild green chiles
1 large can green enchilada sauce
-Add these ingredients to your crock pot and cook at High for 4-5 hours, or on Low for 8+ hours.
1 8 oz container sour cream
1 lb. Jack Cheese, grated

After your crock pot cooking time is complete, remove chicken breasts from crock pot and place in large mixing bowl. Use 2 forks to shred the chicken (it should just fall apart). Add ½ of the sauce from the crock pot to the shredded chicken, along with the sour cream, and ½ of the grated cheese. Spoon the chicken enchilada mixture into flour tortillas, roll up with the ends closed, and add to casserole dish. Top the enchiladas with remaining crock pot sauce, and the reserved grated cheese. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes.

Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo

½ cup (1 stick) butter
2 cloves garlic (I used the already minced garlic from a jar and add two tsp.)
2 cups heavy cream
Pinch salt & pepper- (I also add parsley at the end)
½ cup grated parmesan cheese

Strips of chicken
1 12oz. box pasta- I use bowtie.

1. Melt butter in medium sauce pan over medium/low heat.
2. Add garlic, cream, salt and pepper, and bring to simmer. Turn heat down if it reaches a boil as it could boil over. You just want a simmer. Add the cheese and continue to simmer sauce for 8 minutes or until thick.
3. While sauce cooks, boil water and add pasta. Cook for 12 minutes or until tender, and drain.
4. Combine pasta, cubed chicken, and sauce into a bowl and stir. Top with additional grated parmesan.

Lasagna Casserolle

This is the easiest recipe, and it is SOOO good. From start to finish it is only 30 minutes!

1 pkg rotini pasta, cooked
1 jar Ragu spaghetti sauce (w/ super chunky mushrooms)
1 lb ground beef, cooked
8 oz. shredded mozarella cheese
8 oz sliced provolone cheese
8 oz sour cream

Brown beef, and add jar of spaghetti sauce. In casserolle dish, layer as followed:

1/2 pasta
1/2 slice provolone
1/2 sour cream (dollops 1 inch apart)
1/2 sauce/meat mixture
1/2 shredded mozarella cheese
Repeat, and then bake at 400 for 15 minutes.

Mom's Rice & Chicken Casserolle

My mom always made this growing up, and everyone loved it. It is super easy to make, and all the ingredients are things you will always have on hand.

3 cups cooked rice (1.5 uncooked rice makes 3 cups cooked)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1-2 cups salsa
1 lb. chicken, cooked and cubed
8 oz. grated cheese
Optional: Occassionally I like to throw in a can of corn.

Add all ingredients, except cheese, to casserole dish and mix well. Bake in oven at 350 for 30 minutes. Top with grated cheese and put back in oven for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.