I have been married to a wonderful Christian man since 1976. The Lord has blessed us with two daughters and two sons. I consider each day the Lord gives me on the earth yet another chance to serve Him.

Monday, February 16, 2015

Loaded Pasta Casserole

This pasta casserole is pretty amazing.   You can add or delete whatever meats you want.  This is a little like a cordon bleu casserole.  You can substitute the bleu cheese crumbles for swiss cheese or feta cheese if you prefer.



LOADED PASTA CASSSEROLE
(serves 4)

Ingredients
*1 (4 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
*6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
*4 slices deli ham, chopped (I use black forest ham)
*8 ounces rigatoni, cooked for about 10 minutes and drained
*1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
*4 tablespoon butter
*4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
*1 teaspoon chicken granules
*1 1/2 cups whole milk
*1/2 cup chicken stock
*1/4 teaspoon salt
*1/2 teaspoon black pepper
*1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions:
~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
~Spray an 8x8 casserole pan with a cooking spray.
~Place cooked rigatoni in prepared pan.
~Place chicken, ham & bacon over noodles.
~Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.
~Whisk in flour and chicken granules until roux is well blended.
~Continue cooking for about another 3-5 minutes or until it becomes a light brown, stirring often.
~Increase heat to medium and whisk in milk and chicken stock.
~Stir until smooth.
~Cook until thickened, stirring often.
~Remove from heat and stir in salt, pepper & nutmeg.
~Pour over noodle mixture.
~Bake covered  for 20-30 minutes.


Variation:

`Mix 1 1/2 tablespoons  butter,   1 1/2  tablespoon flour and 1/8 cup bread crumbs in a bowl.   Sprinkle over casserole.  Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
`add 1 cup chopped broccoli before pouring white sauce over casserole.

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Chicken Cordon Bleu Panini

I love chicken cordon bleu and I love most panini's.  Put the two together and I'm one happy momma.




CHICKEN CORDON BLEU PANINI
(serves 2)

Ingredients:
*1 chicken boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut in half,  to 1/4-1/2  inch thickness
*1/2 cup buttermilk
*1/8 cup flour
*1/8 cup Italian bread crumbs
*1/2 teaspoon paprika
*1/4 teaspoon salt
*1/4 teaspoon black pepper
*1 tablespoon vegetable oil
*2 slices ham (I use black forest), sliced cut thin
*2 slices swiss cheese
*1/4 cup chicken stock
*1/2 teaspoon chicken granules
*1 1/2 teaspoons corn starch
*3/4 cup heavy cream
*1 teaspoon dried basil
*4 slices of a sturdy bread
*1-2 teaspoon butter.

Directions:
~In a medium bowl, place chicken in buttermilk.
~Allow to marinate for 1/2 hour.
~In a small bowl, blend cornstarch with the heavy cream.
~Heat vegetable oil in a medium stillet.
~In a shallow pan, mix flour, bread crumbs, paprika, salt & pepper.
~Remove chicken from buttermilk, dripping off any excess milk.
~Coat chicken in breadcrumb mixture.
~Place chicken into skillet and cook for about 4-6 minutes.
~Flip chicken and cook another 4-6 minutes, or until chicken is done.
~Remove from pan.
~Pour chicken stock in the same skillet that the chicken was cooked in.
~Use a whisk to loosen up chicken drippings.
~Cook until it starts to boil.
~Slowly whisk in heavy cream mixture.
~Add basil and chicken granules.
~Whisk until thicken and set aside.
~Heat a small skillet, indoor grill or panini maker, medium heat.
~Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread.
~Place two slice of bread buttered side down on hot pan.
~Place chicken, ham & swiss cheese over top of bread.
~Place remaining bread over top of cheese, buttered side up.
~If using a skillet or indoor grill set a heavy pan over sandwich (or aluminum covered brick) for 2-3 minutes of until bread is a golden brown.
~Flip and cook for 2-3 minutes on the other side or until golden brown.
~Remove from heat and use the heavy cream-chicken stock mixture for dipping or pour over sandwich.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Cornbread Chili Casserole

A wonderful comfort meal.   Cornbread and chili together, how can you go wrong?



CORNBREAD CHILI CASSEROLE
(serves 8)

Ingredients:
*1 pound ground beef
*1 medium yellow onion, chopped
*2 garlic cloves, minced
*1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
*1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
*5-6 cups stewed tomatoes
*2 (15.5 ounce) cans dark red kidney beans, drained
*1 (1.25 ounce) package of chili seasoning mix (I make my own)
*1 cup cornmeal
*1 cup all-purpose flour
*1 tablespoon baking powder
*1/4 teaspoon salt
*1/4 teaspoon baking soda
*1 1/4 cups buttermilk
*1 large egg
*2 tablespoons granulated sugar
*1/4 cup vegetable oil
*hot sauce (optional)

Directions:
~In a large stock pot or dutch oven, mix in hamburger, onions, garlic, green bell peppers and red bell peppers, cook over medium-high heat.
~Cook until hamburger is brown.
~Drain any excess grease.
~Mix in stewed tomatoes, kidney beans and chili seasoning mix.
~Bring to a boil.
~Reduce to low and simmer for 2-4 hours (or until chili thickens up).
~Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
~Combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
~In a large mixing bowl, mix the buttermilk & baking soda.
~In a small bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until mixed.
~Add the oil into the egg mixture and beat until well combined.
~Pour the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture.
~Mix, but just enough to make the dough come together.
~Carefully pour chili into a 9x13 inch pan.
~Pour cornbread mixture over the top of the chili.
~Drizzle a small amount of hot sauce over corn bread mixture (optional).
~Bake for 25-30 minutes.
~Remove from oven and serve.