White Bean Chicken Chili

This is a must try. It is really yummy and easy too. It is kind of like Taco Soup just a little more refined.

2 1/2 to 3 cups water
1tsp. lemon pepper
1 tsp. cumin seed - if you can't find it, just add more cumin
4 chicken breasts

Simmer above ingredients in soup pot for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked.

Saute together:

1 garlic clove
1 cup minced white onion


When chicken is done, take out and cut into bite size pieces. DO NOT THROW OUT WATER! Add the following to the pot of water including the juice of

2 cans white NOrthern beans (15 oz. cans)
2 cans white shoepeg corn
1 can diced green chilies (4 oz.) add more if you like it hot.
1 lime- juice it and put in pot- more if needed
1 tsp. ground cumin.

Heat, but don't boil. Serve over corn ships and grated jack cheese. Enjoy!

Marshmallow Popcorn Bars

I made these popcorn bars for our FHE treat tonight. It was a great choice because they were easy to make, I had all the ingredients on hand and everyone enjoyed them. Serve them up with some hot cocoa and you have yourself a fast and festive treat.

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for dish
1/2 cup popcorn kernels or one 3.5-ounce package plain microwave popcorn
1 10-ounce bag marshmallows

Butter a 9 by 13 inch baking dish. Pop the popcorn according to the package directions.

Melt the butter and marshmallows in a large saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring until smooth, 5 to 7 minutes.

Fold in the popcorn until coated. Press into the prepared dish and let sit for 10 minutes before cutting into 24 bars.

**The bars are best served within 6 hours but can be made and stored at room temperature, covered, up to 1 day in advance.

Enjoy!

Chocolate Banana Cream Pie

Made this today for Relief Society Meeting tonight. Just call me Suzy Homemaker.

Ingredients:

1 (9 inch) pie crust
2 (1 oz) squares smisweet chocolate
1 tbsp milk
1 tbsp butter
2 bananas, sliced
1 1/2 cups cold milk
1 (3.5 oz) package instant banana cream or vanilla pudding mix
1 1/2 c shredded coconut
1 1/2 c whipped topping

Directions:

1. Combine chocolate, 1 tbsp milk, and butter in medium, microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 - 1/2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Spread evenly in pie crust.

2. Arrange banana slices over chocolate.

3. Pour 1 1/2 cups milk inot large bowl. Add pudding mix; beat with wire whisk for 2 minutes. Stir in coconut. Spoon over banana slices in crust.

4. Spread whipped topping over pie. Refrigerate 4 hours or until set. Store in refrigerator.

Serves 8

Enjoy!

Famous French Bread

This recipe is from my friend Kathleen. I am not much of a baker so I was a bit hesitant. However, the bread turned out great and it was relatively easy (even without a mixer). So if I can do it, you can too! Enjoy!

2 1/2 cups very warm water
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons cooking oil
6 cups flour
2 packages of yeast (or approximately 5 teaspoons)

Measure out water and add yeast and set aside (also add part of the sugar). In mixing bowl add all other ingredients as well as the yeast mixture. Stir for 2-3 minutes and then turn off mixer and let dough stand for 10 minutes and then mix again/ Repeat this process 5 times. Turn dough onto floured board and divide into two parts. Roll each part of dough into rectangle about 9"x12" and roll up like a jello roll, rolling from the long side. Pinch edge of loaf to seal the dough. Arrange lengthwise on a cookie sheet. Cover lightly; rise 30 minutes. With sharp knife, cut three gashes at an angle on top and bursh entire surface with slightly beaten egg. May sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake immediately at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

Tacos with Chicken and Black Beans

This is one of our favorites. I got the recipe from my friend Mary and we have enjoyed it time and time again.

2 chicken breast, no skin, no bone, cut in 1/2-inch cubes
4 teaspoons fresh lime juice, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil (more if necessary), divided
4 green onions, thinly sliced
2 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
3/4 cup cooked black beans or 15 oz. can, darined
1 cup diced fresh tomatoes
1/2 cup red pepper
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 pinch cayenne pepper
10 fresh corn tortilla shells, best cooked in hot oil
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, or Monterey Jack
1/2 cup sour cream

Stir 2 teaspoons lime juice and 2 teaspoons olive oil to coat chicken. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a heavy skillet on medium-high heat. Stir-fry chicken for 1 minute until seared; remove with a slotted spoon, cover and keep warm.

Add 1 tablespoon oil to pan. Saute onions and garlic for 2 minutes until softened. Add beans, tomatoes, red pepper, and jalapeno. Saute 2 minutes to warm, shaking pan.

Gently stir in remaining 2 teaspoons lime juice, salt, cilantro and chicken. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until warm. Taste, add cayenne and adjust seasonings. Serve in warm, crisp taco shells with cheese and sour cream. Buen Provecho!

Tropical Chicken Salad Sandwiches

I think these are the kind of things that taste better than they look. I wasn't sure about them at first, but the mix is really yummy! The original recipe calls for a couple things I didn't add (shredded coconut and nuts), but I don't love either. It also says to put the mix on croissants, but I went for a healthier whole-wheat pita option. I think it was great that way! I was able to make 8 pita halves with some mix leftover (I probably could have done 10, but I ran out of pitas). This is easy, peasy, too!

Ingredients:

1 large can chicken (drained)

1 large can mandarin oranges (drained)

1/2 cup crushed pineapple

1/4 cup shredded coconut (optional)

1/2 cup nuts (optional)

1 T. milk

1/2 cup mayo (I used lite and it worked great)

1/2 tea. garlic salt

1/2 tea. sugar

Directions:

1. Put all ingredients in a bowl.

2. Mix well.

3. Serve on croissants (or in pita pockets!).

4. Or, save in the refrigerator until ready to put into sandwiches.

Crisp-and-Creamy Baked Chicken

So so yummy. Break out the Shake'N'Bake!

3-4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts

1/2-1 pouch Shake'N'Bake Extra Crispy

2 cups instant white rice, uncooked

1/2-1 can condensed cream of celery soup

1/4 cup milk

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

-

PREHEAT over to 400 degrees. Coat chicken with coating mix as directed on package; place in greased 9X9 baking dish.

BAKE 20 min or until chicken is cooked through. Meanwhile, cook rice as directed on package.

BEAT soup and milk with wire whisk until well blended. Pour evenly over chicken; sprinkle with cheese. Bake an additional 5 min. Serve with rice.

Makes 4 servings.

Calfornia Grilled Veggie Sandwich

I'm always on the lookout for good vegetarian recipes. This one is great. I've made it a couple of times now - including for my sister and my dinner co-op - and it has been thoroughly enjoyed every time!

I think the sauce really makes this sandwich what it is. The bread helps, too. This recipe is slightly adapted from a highly-rated one I got on All Recipes. The original calls for foccacia bread which I've tried and is good. I prefer (homemade) ciabatta because the flavor of the sauce and veggies really comes out that way. You can also swap veggies (add mushroom or eggplant) and cheeses (feta, provolone, Parmesan...) to suit your desires.

Ingredients:
Sauce -
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Sandwich -
1 T. olive oil
1 red bell peppers, sliced
2 small zucchini, sliced
1 red onion, sliced
1 small yellow squash, sliced
Good bread (foccacia, ciabatta, etc...)
Your choice of cheese (optional; I've used Parmesan and Provolone)

Directions:
1. In a bowl mix sauce ingredients (mayo, garlic, lemon juice); refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Preheat grill or broiler.
3. In a separate bowl, toss veggies with olive oil until all are coated.
4. Grill or broil, turning as necessary and watching carefully until veggies are done to your likely.
5. Assemble sandwich: put sauce on bread, top with veggies, add cheese (if desired).
6. Enjoy the vegetarian goodness!

Baked Oatmeal

Breakthrough! My 2-year-old ate oatmeal today! Granted, it wasn't the healthiest version of oatmeal, but he got eggs, heart-healthy oatmeal, and calories. It took some time to get him to try it, but he enjoyed it once he did! My husband also gave it rave reviews and he just took a little portion with him on the way to school. Give it a shot for a little variety in your morning breakfast! PS: I got the recipe from the My Kitchen Cafe website.

Ingredients:

6 cups oatmeal (you can use quick or rolled)

2 cups brown sugar

2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 cup oil

2 cups milk

4 beaten eggs

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix dry ingredients in large bowl.

3. Add wet ingredients and stir.

4. Pour mixture into a greased 9x13 pan.

5. Bake 20-25 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean.

6. Let sit 5 to 10 minutes to cool before cutting.

7. Serve with milk in a bowl, if desired.

Notes: I halved mine and put it in an 8x8. Mine also took about 15 minutes longer to get done in the middle, but my oven is crap. If you don't wait for it to cool a bit, it will come out in pieces, which is fine if you want to eat it like regular oatmeal in a bowl with milk. It's yummy either way!

Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

This is a super easy and quick recipe for those nights when you just don't have the energy to think about dinner. ;) All of my family enjoyed it.

Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

1/2 lb. spaghetti, uncooked

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 cup chopped onions

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 can Italian-style stewed tomatoes, undrained

3 Tbsp. tomato paste

4 Tbsp. Zesty Italian Dressing
3/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

COOK pasta as directed on package.Meanwhile, brown meat with onions and garlic in large nonstick skillet. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste and dressing. Bring to boil; cook on medium-low heat 5 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

DRAIN pasta; place in large bowl. Add meat sauce; mix lightly. Sprinkle with cheese.

*Found this on the Kraft website.