Garlic Mozzarella Margherita Pasta

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb spaghetti or pasta of choice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 onion, chopped
• 6 Roma tomatoes, chopped divided
• 4-6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 tsp EACH dried oregano, dried basil, salt
• 1/4 tsp EACH pepper, red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 oz. cream cheese, softetned (I use 1/3 less fat)
• 1/4 cup loosely packed basil, chopped

Garnish

• freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• fresh basil, chiffonade

1. Cook pasta al dente according to package directions in generously salted water. Remove 1 cup pasta water before draining.
2. Melt butter in olive oil over medium-low heat in a large skillet. Increase heat to medium and add onions and HALF of the tomatoes and sauté for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds. Sprinkle in flour and cook while stirring for 2 minutes (it will be thick).
3. Turn heat to low then slowly whisk in chicken broth, then milk, stirring constantly until smooth. Turn heat to medium high and bring the sauce to a simmer. Stir in chicken bouillon, spices and continue to simmer until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
4. Reduce heat to low and stir in Parmesan cheese until melted, followed by mozzarella cheese until melted, followed by cream cheese until melted.
5. Stir in remaining tomatoes and fresh basil. Stir in pasta until well coated, adding additional reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to reach desired consistency. Taste and season with additional salt, pepper and/or red pepper flakes to taste.
6. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan Cheese and additional basil if desired.

Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken

INGREDIENTS

CHICKEN:

•  3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)
•  Salt and pepper
•  1 cup cornstarch
•  2 large eggs, beaten
•  1/4 cup canola, vegetable or coconut oil

SAUCE:

•  1/2 to 3/4 cup granulated sugar (depending on how sweet you want the sauce)
•  4 tablespoons ketchup
•  1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (see note for substitutions)
•  1 tablespoon soy sauce
•  1 teaspoon garlic salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch or slightly larger pieces. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Place the cornstarch in a gallon-sized ziploc bag. Put the chicken into the bag with the cornstarch and seal, tossing to coat the chicken.
3. Whisk the eggs together in a shallow pie plate. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat until very hot and rippling. Dip the cornstarch-coated chicken pieces in the egg and place them carefully in a single layer in the hot skillet.
4. Cook for 20-30 seconds on each side until the crust is golden but the chicken is not all the way cooked through (this is where it's really important to have a hot skillet/oil). Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in a 9X13-inch baking dish and repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.
5. Mix the sauce ingredients together in a medium bowl and pour over the chicken. Bake for one hour, turning the chicken once or twice while cooking to coat evenly with sauce. Serve over hot, steamed rice.

NOTES

See the recipe post for a ton of FAQ's about this recipe (substitutions, etc).

If you like extra sauce, double the sauce ingredients – pour half over the chicken and follow the recipe instructions; pour the other half in a small saucepan and cook the sauce on the stovetop at a simmer for 8-10 minutes until it reduces and thickens. Serve it on the side of the chicken.

Often I'll sub in rice vinegar for the apple cider vinegar for a milder/slightly sweeter flavor.

Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• 1 lb elbow macaroni
• salt salt water for cooking pasta
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp all purpose flour
• 2 cups 2% milk
• 10 oz extra sharp cheddar cheese block, it melts smoother
• 8 oz Monterrey Jack cheese block, it melts smoother
• 3 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• salt
• fresh cracked black pepper

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil and season with salt. Cook pasta according to the box instructions. Drain completely once pasta is cooked.
2. While pasta is cooking, grate cheese and prepare the cheese sauce. 
3. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. 
4. Whisk in flour and once it's combined, start pouring in milk while constantly stirring. Keep whisking until all incorporated. 
5. Cut cream cheese into small pieces and add it to the pot. Stir and let cream cheese mix into the sauce.
6. Add cheeses a handful at a time while slowly stirring. 
7. Season with paprika, salt, and pepper. 
8. Once all cheese is melted and smooth, add pasta. Stir until all completely combined. Let it cook on medium-low for a few minutes and serve.

Rigatoni Pasta

Ingredients

1 lb rigatoni pasta

1 lb Italian sausage

1 onion, minced

2 Tablespoons garlic

1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning

1 teaspoon red chili flakes, optional

15 oz tomato sauce

6 oz tomato paste

15 oz Italian diced tomatoes

1 Tablespoon sugar

3/4 cup heavy cream

instructions

Bring a pot of water to boil and cook the rigatoni pasta according to the directions on the back.

Then in a skillet brown the Italian sausage. Then add the diced onion and garlic and sauté for a few more minutes. Then add the remaining ingredients (except the heavy cream) and let simmer for 15 minutes.

Then add the heavy cream and simmer for 5 more minutes. Then serve on top of the rigatoni pasta.

Slow Cooker Fajitas

Ingredients

2 pound flank steak

2 large bell peppers, or 3 small/med (use red, yellow, or orange)

1 large onion (red, white or yellow)

1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 3 large limes), plus extra for serving

1 tablespoon soy sauce

2 teaspoons liquid smoke

1 tablespoon white vinegar

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon cumin

4–5 cloves minced garlic (pre-minced garlic works great!)

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Optional: extra lime and a handful of chopped cilantro

SAUCE

1 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons lime juice (zest a little lime in the sour cream before juicing!)

1 teaspoon chili powder

kosher salt to taste

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Instructions

Cut flank steak against the grain into about 1/2-inch slices. Then slice the opposite direction so you have 2-3-inch strips of meat. Place in slow cooker. Cut peppers and onions into large 1-inch strips and place on top of meat (see note below).

In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup lime juice, soy sauce, liquid smoke, vinegar, chili powder, cumin, garlic, salt, and pepper. Whisk to combine and then pour over meat and veggies and toss to coat. Place lid on cooker and cook 4-6 hours on high, or 7-8 hours on low.

While meat is cooking, whisk together sauce ingredients and store in fridge till serving.

When meat is done, optionally squeeze a little more lime on top and toss in a handful of chopped cilantro.

Serve on tortillas of choice, with any additional toppings (ie: avocado, pico de gallo, etc.)

Caramel Apple Crisp

INGREDIENTS

• Filling:
• 8 cups sliced apples (5-6 large apples, we like Granny Smith or Honey Crisp)
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 Tbsp flour
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 14oz caramels (2 1/4 cups)
• 6 Tbsp milk
• Topping:
• 1 1/4 cup flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup oats
• 3/4 cup butter, soft
• 1 tsp cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS

Peel and thinly slice the apples. Toss with the sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Pour into a greased 9x13" pan; set aside.

Mix caramels and milk in a glass bowl. Microwave until melted, stirring occasionally. Drizzle about half of the caramel sauce over the apples.

Combine topping ingredients in a small bowl till crumbly and spread evenly over apples and caramel.

Bake at 350° for about 45 minutes, or till topping is golden brown and apples are tender. Serve with vanilla ice cream and the remaining caramel sauce.

NOTES

-If I have homemade caramel sauce on hand, I use it in place of the caramels and 6 Tbsp of milk.

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

YIELD: SERVES 6-8

EASY BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP

PREP TIME 30 MINUTES

 

COOK TIME 15 MINUTES

 

TOTAL TIME 45 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS

•  3 1/2 cups chicken broth
•  1/2 cup finely diced onion (white or yellow)
•  1 teaspoon salt
•  1/2 teaspoon pepper
•  5-6 cups (about 30-36 ounces) chopped broccoli (see note)
•  4 cups milk (I use 2%)
•  1/2 cup all-purpose flour (use 2/3 cup if you want it extra thick)
•  3 cups (12 ounces) freshly grated cheddar cheese (see note)
•  1 cup (4 ounces) freshly grated Swiss cheese (see note)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large saucepan (6-quarts or so), add the chicken broth, onion, salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and add the broccoli (it won't be completely covered with liquid). Cover the pot and cook for 8-9 minutes until the broccoli and onions are tender.
2. In a blender, combine the milk and flour and process until smooth. Slowly add the milk mixture to the soup, stirring quickly. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly, and cook until thickened, 3-4 minutes.
3. Turn the heat to low and stir in the cheese, one handful at a time, letting each addition melt before adding more. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
4. Serve immediately (the soup will thicken as it cools).

NOTES

I like the broccoli chopped pretty small for this soup - but you can chop it as small or as large as you prefer.

Also, remember that pre-shredded cheese won't melt as well in this soup thanks to the powdery substance that's added to it to prevent clumping (the powder prevents it from melting as smooth and creamy as block cheese you grate yourself). I prefer sharp cheddar cheese (extra sharp makes the soup a little gritty and mild cheddar cheese doesn't have as much flavor). 

For Instant Pot fanatics, I think this stands a good chance of working in the IP (taking notes from this IP creamy potato soup recipe). Maybe combining the broth, salt, pepper, onions, and broccoli and cooking at HP for 1-2 minutes. Quick release the pressure and then use the saute function when adding the milk and cheese? Just a starting place.