Pork Chops with Carmalized Onions and Apples

As many of you know, I am not huge on pork. I don't know what it is about it, but I usually avoid recipes with them, on the other hand, David really likes pork so I have tried to be an adventurer with this one. It was really tasty and the fun part was it looks really fancy but was actually a piece of cake. Enjoy!
Ingredients
4 Bone in Pork Chops, the thicker the better
1-2 Medium yellow onions (thinly sliced)
3-4 Granny Smith Apples (peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick)
1/3 cup brown sugar
Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9X13 baking dish. Lay out onions on the bottom of dish in a thick layer, place apple slices on top of onions. Sprinkle onions and apples with brown sugar. Season pork chops heavily with salt and pepper, place those in a single layer on top of onions and apples. Cover TIGHTLY with foil and bake for about 3 hours. Serve pork chops with onions and apples as a layer on top.

Tip: It's tempting to open the oven and check on your chops, but don't. Opening the oven or lifting the foil will let out moisture, and your pork chops will dry out.

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Original Recipe: Mel's Cafe

Sweet and Hot Crock Pot Chicken

This was such a tasty dish... you know it's good when your husband says, "Hey is this Bajio." Better yet it is one of those throw it in the crock pot and run to church meals! The name is a little more exciting than the dish.... it really hasn't got much heat, but it has a nice sweet and sour taste! I served the chicken like tacos with black beans, mexican rice, salsa, ect. But it would be delicious as a salad or just over rice.

Ingredients
1 pound (about 2) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 (14z) can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Place the chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, brown sugar and red pepper flakes. Pour over the chicken. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4-6. When tender, shred your chicken and return to the slow cooker and mix the chicken with the juices from the tomato/brown sugar sauce, let heat about 15 more minutes. READY!!!

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Original Recipe: Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Creamy Chicken Alfredo

This is one of those unbelievable no work recipes. I make this a lot when I am feeling lazy and need something tasty. It makes a lot so if you are needing to feed a lot of people or have a lot of left overs, this is your dish.


Ingredients
3-4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
2 Cube Butter
1 Packet dry italian Dressing
8 Oz Cream Cheese
1 Lrg Can cream of Chicken Soup
1 Pnd Pasta (I like Angel Hair but spaghetti or Fettuccine is great to)

Put chicken in crockpot, throw in your butter and Italian dressing. Cook on high 3-4 hours or low for 6. Shred your chicken and add soup and cream cheese. Cook on high about 20 minutes until heated through and smooth and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve over noodles.

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Original Recipe: Michelle Kennedy

Tortilla Soup

Ok Brit this is for you.... but just so you know it is out the order I make up in my mind and it is really throwing me off. haha ok anyway. This is one of my favorite recipes. It is super simple and EVERYONE loves it, I get a lot of requests and compliments. I always make it in the hopes it will last a day or two, but everyone always eats it right up that night. Here you go.
Ingredients

2-3 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
2 (4oz) cans chopped mild green chilies (drained)
3 cloves minced garlic
1 lrg yellow onion diced
2 (15oz) cans petite diced tomatoes including juice
1 cup chicken broth
1 tsp cumin
2-3 limes
1 Can black beans rinsed and drained
1 can or freezer bag of corn
4-6 corn tortillas (corn or flour) cut into 1/4 inch strips
garnish: avocados, Monterey cheese, fresh cilantro.

Place chicken in crock pot. In a medium bowl mix chilies, garlic, onion, tomatoes, chicken broth, cumin, and juice of one lime. Pour over chicken. Cook on high 4 hours, or low 6 hours. (or in my case while you go to church) When meat is fully cooked shred chicken, add extra broth if needed. Add black beans and corn. Continue to cook 10-15 minutes until corn and beans are warm.
Next you can add all your tortihttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3390096373622891134lla strips to the soup BUT I prefer to add them to each individual bowl because they will get soggy and yucky if you have left overs. Then garnish each bowl, or allow those eating it to have a buffet of sliced avocado, cheese, fresh cilantro and extra limes.

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Original Recipe: Betty Crocker Slow Cooker

Easy BBQ Chicken

I like to do this dish when I need something in a hurry. It is a five minute meal with only 30 minutes to bake. It is pretty tasty.


Ingredients
4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
16 oz bottle BBQ Sauce
1/4 Cup Honey
1 Tbs Dijon Mustard
1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar cheese.

Mix up BBQ Sauce, honey, and mustard. Pour about half into glass baking dish. Lay in raw chicken and cover with remaining sauce. Cook on 350 for about 30 minutes. Remove and sprinkle with cheese, allow to cook 5 more minutes or until cheese is melted.

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Chicken Salad Sandwich

This is one of my favorite summer recipes. It is fun and easy, and perfect for a light lunch. The croissants make it absolutely delicious but it works fine on regular bread too. Enjoy!!
Ingredients
2-3 cups cooked chicken
1/2 cup celery
1 cup grapes cut in half
1 can pineapple tidbits
1/4 cup sunflower seeds or almonds
1/2 cup green onions
1/2 cup craisons
1 cup mayo or miracle whip (i like to use 1/2 cup each)
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 tbs. minced garlic
8 butter croissants

Mix all together, and serve on croissants.

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Original Recipe: Michelle Kennedy

Cheddar Potato and Ham Chowder

This is a total cheater recipe... in fact it can't really be called a recipe, but it is delicious, appears like it was a lot of work and only took about 15 minutes!!!
Ingredients
1 pack Bear Creek Cheddar Potato Dry Mix Soup
1 pack diced ham
1 cup sour cream
2 Tbs dry Parsley
1 Tbs Garlic Salt
Salt and Pepper to taste
Garnish with shredded cheddar cheese

Prepare Dry Soup according to package. Add all other ingredients and allow to simmer 10-15 minutes, serve!

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Chili Pork

I was really hesitant to make this recipe... pork scares me. I dont know why. Any how it turned out really good. The original recipe requires you to cook it in the oven at 200 degrees for 2 hours, instead i cooked mine in the Crock Pot for 4 hours on low. Either way works well I imagine.

Ingredients
2 Tbs chili Powder
1 tsp Salt
2 tsp cumin
2 Tbs cilantro chopped
Black Pepper to taste
2 lbs pork tenderloin, cubed

Combine all ingredients and marinade over night, or at least a few hours. Place in slow cooker, cook on low 3-4 hours. Serve immediately.

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Tips:
I served this with my guacamole and cilantro lime rice.... and it was SOO good check out the links!!!

Original Recipe: Sara Burgess

BBQ Pasta

This is a really different dish. It is not one of my favorite, but it was fun to make. If you love BBQ sauce you will likely love, and my two year old went NUTS over it. It is fast to make, from start to finish was about 25 minutes.Ingredients

1 Tbs olive oil
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size chunks
1 red onion, diced
3 cups water
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
salt to tase
12 ounces penne pasta
2/3 cup BBQ sauce
1/3 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheese

In a LARGE skillet (or pot if you don't have a really big skillet.) heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken and onions and saute until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken and onions to a plate and set aside.

In the same skillet, add the water, chicken broth, penne and salt. Bring to a boil and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until the pasta is tender and most of the moisture absorbed. Stir in the barbecue sauce and sour cream. Once mixed, add in the reserved chicken, onions and shredded cheese. Stir to combine and cook until everything is heated through. Garnish with additional tomato, green onions and shredded cheese.

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Original Recipe: Kitchen Cafe

Black Bean Enchiladas

We tried these for Sunday Dinner. It was a nice change up from my chicken enchiladas and all three boys enjoyed them. In fact i think they are already all gone!!!

Ingredients
1 Tbs Oil
1 Lrg Onion
1 (7oz) can green chilies
1 Tbs minced Garlic
1 (20 oz) can Black beans Drained and Rinsed
12- 6 inch corn or flour tortillas
5 cups shredded Monterrey or cheddar cheese
1 (16 oz) Can enchilada sauce (I prefer green, but any works well)
Your favorite chunky salsa (but click on this link and use my homemade salsa because it is THE BEST!!!!)

In a large skillet saute onion, chilies, and garlic in oil until onion is translucent. Remove from heat and add black beans. Pour half the can of enchilada sauce in a 13X9 inch baking pan. Spoon bean mixture into toritillas, sprinkle with 2-3 Tbs. of cheese, roll and place seam down in baking pan. Pour Enchilada Sauce over the top and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cook at 350 degrees for 30 Min. top with salsa.

Tip
OK this is an IMPORTANT one. If you go with the corn toritillas you are going to want to cook them in hot oil for a couple seconds on each side. If you don't they are going to break in half and crumble when you roll them, also they will be hard and chewy after you bake them. If you use flour it dont worry about this little memo.

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Italian Chicken and Fruit Salad

My friend introduced me to this delicious salad that is not really a recipe, but just a plain brilliant idea. I love it, and that is saying a lot for a person who NEVER eats salad. Thanks Brittany!

Ingredients

Chicken
2-3 Chicken Breasts
Non-fat Italian Dressing

Marinate raw chicken in Italian dressing for at least a couple hours. Cut into bite sized pieces, grill in skillet.

Salad
1 package or your Fave leafy greens
1/2 cup sliced strawberries
1 pear peeled and sliced
1/2 cup grapes cut in half
1/4 chopped almonds
1/4 cup shredded swiss cheese
1/4 cup raspberry vinaigrette dressing

Toss salad and chicken! Enjoy!!

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Original Recipe: Brittany Jones

Cheese Baked Manicotti

This was such an awesome recipe. I have been putting it off because, well it looks and sounds difficult. This sauce is homemade, i am naturally an all ragu girl, but this sauce was easy and well worth it. I also was nervous about the no boil noodles, i have never used them but they were delicious. Honestly if you are craving a quick trip to Olive Garden, just make this dish, its delicious.


Ingredients

Tomato Sauce
1 (28oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (28oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 Tbs olive oil
4 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp dried basil

Cheese Filling and Pasta
3 cups part-skim ricotta cheese
2 cups Parmesan cheese (I used shredded because thats what i had but grated is great too)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 eggs , lightly beaten
1/2 tsp salt and pepper each
2 Tbs chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp dried basil
16 no-boil lasagna noodles (I had never heard of these, but my recipe suggested Barrilla Brand they were awesome and so easy. Find them with the rest of the noodles in the pasta aisle)

Heat oil, garlic, and pepper flakes in large saucepan over medium heat until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, basil and 1/2 teaspoon salt and simmer, about 15 minutes.

In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, eggs, salt, pepper, and herbs; set aside.

While sauce is simmering pour 1 inch boiling water into 13 by 9-inch baking dish, then add noodles one at a time. Let noodles soak about 5 minutes, you want them to be soft, but not squishy. Remove noodles from water and place in single layer on kitchen towels or paper towels (they will stick like mad to your countertops) I didnt have any problems with mine sticking to each other, when they were a little stubborn i would slide a sharp knife between them and they would separate easily. Discard water in baking dish and dry baking dish.

Spread bottom of baking dish evenly with 1 1/2 cups sauce. Using a large spoon, spread about 1/3 cup cheese mixture evenly onto bottom three-quarters of each noodle. Roll into tube shape short end to short end, gently push the seam together and arrange in baking dish seam side down. (You should be able to fit 8 manicotti in each row, allowing all 16 to fit in the dish). Top evenly with remaining sauce, making certain that pasta is completely covered.

Cover manicotti with aluminum foil. Bake at 375, about 40 minutes, then remove foil. Sprinkle manicotti evenly with remaining 1 cup Parmesan. Bake and additional 6-7 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit for 15 minutes before serving.

Tips:
Like with a lot of my dishes this freezes like a dream. It also is good to sit in the fridge for a day or two before you bake it. I made this saturday night then popped it in the oven after church. Just follow the steps up to baking cover with foil, refridgerate, and leave baking for tomorrow.

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Original Recipe: My Kitchen Cafe

Basil Chicken in Coconut Curry Sauce

Dont let the ingredients intimidate you. This is really an easy easy recipe. I was kind of nervous about it since it is not something i would normally make, but it was so delicious and whips right up in 15 minutes. Keep in mind you will need the chicken to marinate for a couple hours.


Ingredients
2-3 Chicken Breasts
2 tsps curry powder
1/2 tsp salt and pepper (each)
1/4 tsp chili powder
1 red onion
2 jalapenos finely chopped and seeded
6 cloves garlic
1 Tbs dried Basil
1 Tbs olive oil
1 (14oz) can coconut milk
1 Tbs Cornstarch
1/2 Tsp powdered ginger
3-4 cups cooked minute rice

Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. In a bowl mix curry, salt and pepper, and chili powder. Toss with chicken, cover and chill for 2 hours.
In a large skillet stir onion, basil, garlic, and jalapenos, in hot oil. Cook over medium heat 3-4 minutes until onions are translucent. Add chicken mixture and cook until no longer pink.
In a seperate bowl add coconut milk and cornstarch. Whisk until well combined and slowly add to chicken, whisking constantly. Cook until slightly thickened and bubbly. Stir in ginger. Serve over rice!!!!

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Original Recipe: Katherine Posts

Garlic Chicken and Spinach Pasta

Sorry to all those I promised this too and it has taken so long to get it up. This is so delicious it is one of my favorite new recipes. It is really nutritious and light, but plenty filling and my kidos love it too.
Ingredients
6 cloves minced garlic (about 3 tsps)
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
6 Tbs oil
2-3 chicken breasts
1 pound penne pasta
1 (5 oz) bag baby spinach
1 Tbs dried basil (or 1/4 cup fresh)
6 Tbs lemon juice, or juice of 2 lemons
1 1/2 cup parmesan (i use shredded because it is delicious but grated works fine too)

Combine garlic, pepper, and oil in small bowl and microwave until garlic turns brown. It usually only takes 1 minute, if it isnt brown stick it in for another 30 seconds.
Cut chicken into bite size pieces, using 1 tbs of your garlic oil, put chicken and oil in a skillett and brown. While you are cooking up the chicken boil the pasta according to package.
Next combine chicken, drained pasta, reserved oil, lemon juice, basil, and cheese. Toss in spinach, serve immediately.

Tips:
If you arent a lemon love like me, you can half the amount
I really never use the whole bag of spinach, i usually use about half because i am not spinach lover, but put in a little at a time until its the amount you like

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Original Recipe: My Kitchen Cafe

World's Greatest Lasagna

This recipe comes from my mom. It is the meal we beg for for our birthday dinners, our Sunday dinners, our Everyday Dinners. She passed it on to me and guess what its EASY!!!

Ingredients:
16 oz pack wide egg noodles
1 small sour cream
1 pound ground beef (or if you have it I love it with 1 pound sausage too)
1 Jar your fave Ragu sauce
24 oz cottage cheese
1 1/2 shredded cheese
Tbs garlic salt

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cook pasta according to directions, drain and stir in sour cream. Pour into large casserole dish. Next brown beef, strain and pour in Ragu, simmer over low heat for 2-3 minutes. Pour beef mixture on top of noodles. Next mix cottage cheese, cheese, and garlic salt in bowl. Smooth over beef. Cook for 30 minutes. EASY!!!

Tips:
This makes a HUGE Lasagna, sometimes i will split it into two smaller casserole dishes and freeze one for later. Then all you have to do is pull it out of the freezer and cook for 45 minutes or so.

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Original recipe: Mama Jill

Chicken Enchilada Pasta

This was really delicious and if you have already prepared chicken it takes all of 15 minutes to prepare! Enjoy!!

2-3 Chicken Breasts (cooked and shredded)
2 Tbs Oil
2 cloves garlic (I used minced its easier)
1 medium onion diced
4 oz can mild green chilis
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
2 (10 oz) can green enchilada sauce
1 can large olives sliced
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheese
1 (16oz) box small noodle pasta (i used rotini, but penne or macaroni work well too)

Cook pasta to package direction. While pasta is cooking add oil to large skillett, add onion and garlic. Cook 2-3 minutes. Add chicken, green chilis, olives, enchilada sauce, and spices. Let simmer about 10 minutes. Add sour cream and cheese, heat until melted but DON'T BOIL. Combine sauce and pasta.

Tip:
Garnish with sour cream, tomatos, green onions, and/or cheese.
I really like cilantro flavor so I throw a little dried or fresh cilantro in the sauce

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Original recipe: My Kitchen Cafe