Busy Mom Dinners

Gochujang Buttered Noodles

7/23/2023

Pasta is always an easy meal when the week is busy, but it needs some help to keep it interesting. This recipe from New York Times Cooking can be made with spaghetti or ramen (I used spaghetti for the first try in the Delaney test kitchen) and overall it was super easy. I was able to make it with ingredients we had on hand, which is always a bonus. I also found that it had quite a kick, which made it a hit with the spicy/hot food lovers in my family. So yes - this will make it into the dinner rotation for us.

Gochujang Buttered Noodles
INGREDIENTS:

1pound spaghetti or other long pasta
6tablespoons unsalted butter
12garlic cloves, finely chopped (about ⅓ cup)
Kosher salt and black pepper
¼cup gochujang paste (not sauce; see Tip)
¼cup honey
¼cup sherry vinegar or rice vinegar
Finely chopped cilantro or thinly sliced scallions (optional)

PREPARATION:

Step 1Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water. Drain the spaghetti and return to its pot.
Step 2While the pasta cooks, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a skillet over medium-low. Add the garlic and season generously with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic starts to soften but not brown, 1 to 3 minutes.
Step 3Stir in the gochujang, honey and vinegar, and bring to a simmer over medium-high. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture reduces significantly, 3 to 4 minutes; when you drag a spatula across the bottom of the pan, it should leave behind a trail that stays put for about 3 seconds. Remove from the heat.
Step 4Transfer the sauce to the pot with the spaghetti and add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Vigorously stir until the butter melts. Add splashes of the pasta cooking water, as needed, to thin out the sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Top with the cilantro or scallions (if using) and serve immediately.

TIPS

To make a single serving, follow the recipe using 4 to 5 ounces fresh or instant ramen noodles; 1½ tablespoons unsalted butter (1 tablespoon to fry the garlic and ½ tablespoon for the sauce at the end); 3 garlic cloves; 1 heaping tablespoon gochujang; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar or rice vinegar. Decrease the cook times throughout by 1 to 2 minutes.
Be sure to purchase plain gochujang paste, not gochujang sauce, which often includes additives like vinegar and sugar. To easily measure out gochujang, swipe the inside of a measuring cup with a little neutral oil, which will get it to slip right out.

Chicken & Noodles in Coconut Lime Broth

6/26/2023

I am always on the lookout for a dinner that is clean eating, easy to make, and appeals to the varied tastes of my crew. We tried this one from cookforyourlife.org in the Delaney Test Kitchen and we all loved it! Even those (the kids) who don’t normally like mushrooms. This one is worth adding into your weeknight rotation.

Chicken & Noodles in Coconut Lime Broth

INGREDIENTS:

2 teaspoons canola oil
½ onion, sliced thin
1 clove garlic, sliced thin
3-inch piece ginger, peeled and cut into slices
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups coconut milk
2 teaspoons lime zest
2 teaspoons fish sauce
½ pound shiitake mushrooms, sliced (about 2 cups)
6 ounces flat rice noodles
10 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breast, sliced into thin strips
½ cup loosely packed baby spinach or roughly chopped spinach
¼ cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
2 stalks scallions, white and light green parts only, sliced
½ jalapeño, sliced (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oil in a medium stockpot over medium-high heat. Cook onions, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes just until the onions turn translucent, about 4 minutes.
Add the chicken broth, coconut milk, lime zest, and fish sauce. Bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and add the sliced mushrooms, cook for 5 minutes. Season to taste.
Meanwhile, soak and drain the rice noodles according to package instructions.
Bring the soup back up to a boil, and add the sliced chicken. Cook until the chicken is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Stir in the spinach and cook for 2 minutes.
Turn off the heat and stir in the lime juice, cilantro leaves, and scallions.
Divide the rice noodles between 4 bowls. Pour the hot broth over the noodles. Serve with jalapeño slices, if using (and you definitely should!).

Chicken Ramen Bowl

5/17/2023

My whole family loves (!) ramen, so when I saw this recipe on allrecpies.com knew I needed to give this one a try. The only thing to know is that if you make this, it's not going to be a quick dinner. It'll take about an hour, which is fine but doesn't always work on nights with soccer practices. That being said, it was a huge hit in the Delaney Test Kitchen, even thought we ate a bit later than usual. I skipped the egg for us on the trial run, but I put out all of our hot sauces on the table so that everyone could customize their bowls. It was Yum!

Chicken Ramen Bowl

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
½ cup rice vinegar, or to taste
½ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
2 tablespoons mirin
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup water
¾ pound baby bok choy, quartered lengthwise
1 cooked chicken breast, shredded
3 (3 ounce) packages dried ramen noodles
4 eggs
1 jalapeño pepper, sliced, or to taste
2 green onions, chopped, or to taste
¼ cup chopped cilantro, or to taste

Directions:

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until starting to soften, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and ginger; cook about 30 seconds more. Add rice vinegar, soy sauce, oyster sauce, mirin, fish sauce, and Sriracha sauce; stir to combine. Add chicken broth and water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Stir in bok choy and chicken; simmer gently until bok choy is just tender, about 2 minutes. Cover and keep warm.
Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Add ramen noodles and return to a boil. Cook, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until noodles are tender yet firm to the bite, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain noodles and drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon oil to prevent sticking.
While the ramen is cooking, fill a pot with enough water to cover the eggs and bring to a boil. Gently lower eggs into the boiling water and cook until yolks are barely set, about 7 minutes.
Fill a large bowl with ice water. Transfer eggs to the ice bath to stop the cooking process; let sit about 3 minutes. Drain eggs, carefully peel away the shells, and slice in half.
Divide ramen between four bowls. Add broth, then top with jalapeño, green onions, cilantro, and soft boiled egg halves. Serve immediately.

Bulgogi-Style Skillet Chicken

5/3/2023

I found this recipe in the December/January issue of Allrecipes.com, and it looked liked it checked all the boxes for the Fam so I gave it a try in the Delaney Test Kitchen. And by that I mean it was only supposed to take 20 minutes total. What!? This one really was so easy, and the sauce was delish. The red pepper flakes at the end really give it the flavor it is missing otherwise, which is great because then everyone can regulate their desired level heat for themselves. We were still at the table when I was asked to add to to our regular rotation. For me, that is a win!

Bulgogi-Style Skillet Chicken
Ingredients

¼ cup chopped onion
5 tablespoons soy sauce
2 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
½ teaspoon cayenne
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips

Directions
1. For sauce: Whisk together white and light green parts of the green onion, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, sesame oil, sesame seeds, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper together in a bowl until marinade is smooth.

2. Cook and stir chicken and marinade together in a large skillet over medium-high heat until chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes.

3. Divide rice and chicken evenly among four bowls and drizzle with sauce from the skillet. Garnish with reserved dark green onion. Serve with crushed red pepper.

Meatballs with Lemon-Garlic Orzo

4/30/2023

When looking for meals that appeal to all of my kids, meatballs and orzo are always easy wins. This one from eatingwell.com looked like it needed a tryout in the Delaney Test Kitchen. It appealed to the adults as well as the kids thanks to the additional flavor of dill and the saltiness of the feta. I really liked this one for both ease and flavor. And then the kids have specifically asked for it again on numerous occasions. That qualifies as a win for me. Enjoy!

Meatballs with Lemon-Garlic Orzo

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound ground lamb or beef
1 large egg, lightly beaten
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, divided
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
3 teaspoons finely grated garlic, divided
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup whole-wheat orzo
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
½ cup whole-milk plain yogurt
1 cup crumbled feta cheese, divided
1 cup thinly sliced cucumbers

DIRECTIONS:
1.     Preheat oven to 425°F. Coat a large-rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.

2.     Mix lamb (or beef), egg, 2 tablespoons parsley, mint, 1 teaspoon garlic and salt in a medium bowl. Form into 12 balls and place on the prepared pan. Bake until browned and cooked through, about 20 minutes.

3.     Meanwhile, bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Cook orzo according to package directions. Drain and let cool for 5 minutes.

4.     Mix oil, dill, lemon zest and lemon juice along with the remaining 2 tablespoons parsley and 2 teaspoons garlic in a medium bowl. Transfer 1 tablespoon of the herb mixture to a small bowl and stir in yogurt and 1/4 cup feta.

5.     Add the orzo to the medium bowl and stir in the remaining 3/4 cup feta. Serve the meatballs with the orzo, yogurt sauce and cucumbers.

The Bahn Mi Burger

4/28/2023

It's Spring, and so it is officially burger season. But sometimes we want something with more flavor than a regular cheeseburger. This recipe for Bahn Mi Burgers is the perfect antidote and an interesting combination of Bahn Mi flavors and a traditional sandwich crossed with a. burger. The original recipe is from allrecipes.com, and it couldn't be easier. Our family gave it 5 stars! Enjoy!

The Bahn Mi Burger

Ingredients:
For the Burger:
1 pound ground beef chuck
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon fish sauce
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
⅛ teaspoon five-spice powder
For the Sandwich:
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons Sriracha
2 French sandwich rolls
½ cup julienned carrot
½ cup julienned daikon radish
1 tablespoon seasoned rice vinegar
8 thin slices English cucumber
2 tablespoons sliced jalapeno pepper, or to taste
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro leaves, or to taste
Directions:
Step 1:
Combine beef, fish sauce, soy sauce, freshly ground black pepper, and 5-spice powder in a bowl, and mix until evenly combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled.
Step 2:
Mix mayonnaise, hoisin, and Sriracha together in a small bowl for sauce. Keep chilled until needed.
Step 3:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with foil.
Step 4:
Cut open rolls, remove about 1/2 of the inside crumb, and place on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 5:
Bake rolls in the preheated oven until toasted, 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 6:
Meanwhile, using damp hands, shape beef mixture into two burger patties sized to match your rolls or buns. Keep in the refrigerator until needed.
Step 7:
Combine carrots and daikon radish in a bowl. Add rice vinegar and toss to coat. Refrigerate until needed.
Step 8:
Preheat a charcoal grill to high heat.
Step 9:
Cook burgers over the hot coals until desired doneness is reached and they spring back to the touch, turning as needed, about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the centers should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).
Step 10:
Slather toasted buns with mayo mixture. Place cucumbers and jalapeno slices on bottom of rolls, and top with cooked burgers. Top with carrot-radish mixture and cilantro.

Seared Scallops with Garlic Basil Butter

4/23/2023

I really love scallops for a quick, healthy dinner. They were OK when I made them in the air fryer, but I wanted more texture and richer flavors. This recipe from inspiredtaste.com fits the bill.
It is still easy to make, but it has more flavor and works really well over pasta.

Seared Scallops with Garlic Basil Butter

INGREDIENTS:
·               12 large sea scallops, 1 ¼ to 1 ½ pounds
·               2 teaspoons all-purpose flour, optional, see notes
·               Salt and fresh ground black pepper
·               2 tablespoons oil, such as olive oil, avocado oil or grape seed oil
·               1 ½ tablespoons butter
·               2 garlic cloves, minced
·               1 cup fresh basil leaves
·               3 to 4 lemon slices

DIRECTIONS:

1.           Use a paper towel to pat the scallops dry. Dust one side of the scallops with a small amount of flour, and then season with salt and pepper.

2.           Heat a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil to the pan. When the oil is hot and shimmery, carefully place the scallops, seasoned-side-down, into the pan. Cook, without moving them until browned, about 2 minutes.

3.           While the first side is browning, dust the unseasoned side of the scallops with a bit of flour and season them with salt and pepper.

4.           Flip the scallops — if any stick to the pan, wait a few more seconds then try again, gently wiggling them side to side to help release them.

5.           Add the butter and garlic to the pan, and then swirl the butter around the pan as it melts. Cook another minute or two then take the pan off of the heat. Stir in the basil leaves and lemon slices. Serve.

Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Orzo Skillet

3/20/2023

I love a good skillet dinner - one dish and easy cooking & clean up. I found this recipe on the Giadzy site from Giada De Laurentiis, and I had to give it a try in the Delaney Test Kitchen. It was a big success all around, and it sneakily served my picky eaters a lot of vegetables. I've made this numerous times already since we first tried it, and its always a hit. It only takes about 10 minutes to pull it together, and then it cooks for 30min. That's my kind of weeknight meal.

Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Orzo Skillet

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

6 boneless skinless chicken thighs, (about 1 1/2 pounds) (NOTE: I used 1 1/2 lbs of chicken breasts and it worked just fine)
1 teaspoon kosher salt, (plus 3/4 teaspoon, divided)
1 Large shallot, (chopped)
17 ounce jar of sun dried tomatoes, drained and roughly chopped.
1 Tablespoon fresh thyme (chopped)
1 cup orzo pasta
3 Cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 bunch Tuscan (Lacinato) kale, ribs discarded and chopped into 2” pieces

INSTRUCTIONS:
Set a large braiser or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Evenly season the chicken thighs with the teaspoon of salt, getting all sides. Place the chicken thighs in the pan, and cook until golden-brown, about 5 to 6 minutes. Flip on the other side and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes. Set the chicken aside on a plate.
To the same skillet, add the diced shallot. Cook for about 2 minutes until just slightly translucent and softened. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, fresh thyme, and orzo pasta. Stir until the orzo is lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, and 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and stir to combine. Stir in the kale until evenly distributed throughout the dish, coating it in the liquid so it wilts slightly. Nestle the par-cooked chicken thighs back into the pan, along with any juices.
Cover the pan and maintain simmer at medium heat for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165 and the orzo is cooked through. Serve hot.

Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken

2/4/2023

I like to use my slow cooker on the weekends, especially when we have so much other stuff going on. It's nice to know that with just a little bit of prep early in the day, that dinner is already taken care of. And I am always on the lookout for something different to make in the slow cooker. This recipe from allrecipes.com sounded like it could be a winner so I gave it a try in the Delaney Test Kitchen.

This recipe could not have been easier to make, and I loved the Mediterranean feel to it. I did substitute chicken breasts for the thighs just based on what my family likes, and I doubled the red pepper flakes to give it a little more pop. And as suggested, I served it with a fresh loaf of bread to soak up all the sauce.

Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken
Note: Prep time is 15 Minutes, Cook time is 4 Hours.

Ingredients:

cooking spray
2.2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 teaspoons dried Italian herb seasoning
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
½ cup pitted and halved Castelvetrano olives
¼ cup olive oil
1 cup sliced onion
8 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ cups heavy cream
2 cups torn fresh spinach
2 tablespoons cornstarch (Optional)
2 tablespoons water (Optional)

Directions:

Spray the interior of the slow cooker with cooking spray.
Place chicken thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
Evenly layer sun-dried tomatoes and sliced olives over the seasoned chicken.
Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion to the hot oil and cook until onions begin to get tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer onions to the slow cooker and spread evenly over the sun-dried tomatoes.
Return the skillet to medium heat and add cream, stirring until all the olive oil is incorporated and the sauce begins to bubble. Pour cream sauce evenly over the onions.
Cover slow cooker and cook on High for 3 to 4 hours or Low for 6 to 7 hours if you prefer a longer cook time.
Remove cooked chicken and vegetables to a serving platter. Add torn spinach to the sauce and cook until wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove spinach from sauce with a slotted spoon and place on top of the chicken and vegetables.
The sauce will be a bit thin. If you like a thicker sauce, pour into a small saucepan over medium heat. Combine 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl. Stir until all the lumps are gone, to create a slurry. Add slurry to the sauce and cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until bubbly and thickened, 5 to 7 minutes.
Spoon sauce and spinach over the dish and serve warm.

Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps

1/5/2023

My family loves Thai food, so a recipe that promises to be “Quick & Easy” and Thai-inspired had to have a go at the Delaney Test Kitchen. And this from Katerina at Diethood.com was a huge success that now gets regular requests. The Peanut Sauce was so easy that I’ve made it for other recipes, too.

Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
INGREDIENTS:
PEANUT SAUCE:
1/2- cup Hellmann's Carefully Crafted Dressing & Sandwich Spread
1/4- cup Natural Smooth Peanut Butter
1 tablespoon Sriracha

CHICKEN:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 red or orange bell pepper, diced
2 cups cubed or shredded cooked chicken breast (Hint: use rotisserie chicken!)
3 green onions , chopped
1 cup halved & thinly sliced red onions
4 to 5 basil leaves , cut into thin ribbons 8 butter lettuce leaves
sesame seeds, optional
peanuts, optional

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a small bowl, combine Hellmann's Dressing, peanut butter, sriracha and lime juice; mix and stir until thoroughly incorporated. Set aside.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat.
3. Add diced peppers and cook for 2 minutes, or until tender.
4. Add chicken and continue to cook for 1 minute.
5. Stir in green onions; cook for 2 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and stir in red onions, basil and HALF of the prepared peanut sauce.*
7. To serve, spoon several tablespoons of the chicken mixture into the center of a lettuce leaf. Add sesame seeds and peanuts. Drizzle some of the peanut sauce over each prepared wrap.
8. Serve.
*Store remaining peanut sauce in the refrigerator.

Beef Stroganoff

11/5/2022

There are some recipes that remind me of my childhood, and I know this one was a staple because it wasn't expensive. You could make it with lesser cuts of meat it didn't matter. But there's something about that gravy and the egg noddle that warm my heart and my bones on a chilly fall day. My husband asked me to make it, and it turns out the kids loved (!) it. I love that it's a virtual hug. Oh - and that it is so easy! Prep time was 15 minutes and cook time was 15 minutes. That's perfect for a weeknight meal.

The recipe I liked the most is from Natasha's Kitchen, and she shares a little of the history of the dish as well, which I loved:

"Beef Stroganoff was invented in Russia in the early 1800’s. Count Stroganoff was a dignitary in the court of Alexander III. Count Stroganoff’s chef (who was likely French), created the dish and named it after Stroganoff. I found a picture of Count Pavel Stroganoff, but wish I could find the chef as well! The earliest known recorded recipe was published in this Russian cookbook published in 1871."

Beef Stroganoff
INGREDIENTS:

1 lb top sirloin steak, thinly sliced into strips*
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 lb brown mushrooms, thickly sliced
1 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp all purpose flour
1 cup beef broth
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup sour cream
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp dijon mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

To Serve:

1 Tbsp green onion, to garnish
8-12 oz egg noodles, to serve

DIRECTIONS:

Place a large deep pan or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 2 Tbsp oil and once oil is very hot, add thinly sliced beef strips in a single layer, cooking 1 minute per side without stirring. Cook until just browned and no longer red. Sear beef in 2 batches so you don't overcrowd the pan. Remove beef to a plate and cover to keep warm.
Add 2 Tbsp butter, chopped onion and sliced mushrooms. Sautee 6-8 minutes or until liquid has evaporated and onions and mushrooms are soft and lightly browned.
Add 1 minced garlic clove and sautee 1 minute until fragrant. Add 1 Tbsp flour and sautee another minute stirring constantly.
Pour in 1 cups beef broth, scraping any bits from the bottom of the pan then add 3/4 cup whipping cream and simmer another 1 to 2 minutes or until slightly thickened.
Stir a few Tablespoons of the sauce into 1/4 cup of sour cream to temper it so the sour cream doesn’t curdle then add it to the pan while stirring constantly.
Stir in 1 Tbsp Worcestershire, 1/2 tsp dijon mustard, and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper, or season to taste and continue simmering until sauce is creamy. Add beef with any accumulated juices back to the pan and bring just to a simmer or until beef is heated through.

Recipe Notes:For best results, be sure your meat is either: Top Sirloin, Boneless Ribeye steak, Beef Tenderloin (Filet Mignon), or Filet Mignon tips.

And - there are 2 critical factors for beef stroganoff: (1) quick searing of high quality beef and (2) the right proportions of sauce ingredients for a balanced sauce that makes the beef really shine.

Coconut-Gochujang Glazed Chicken with Broccoli

9/10/2022

This Coconut-Gochujang Glazed Chicken with Broccoli recipe from New York Times Cooking sounds really fancy, was a surprisingly quick weeknight meal (only 15 minutes or so), and a hit with everyone. We had one portion leftover, and it make a fantastic lunch the next day. I sliced it and put it on top of a salad and since it had so much flavor it didn't even need a dressing. This is a great recipe to try mid-week. To make it even easier, I got the rice going in the rice cooker before I even got started cooking. The timing worked out perfectly.

Coconut-Gochujang Glazed Chicken With Broccoli (serves 4)
INGREDIENTS:

2 Tablespoons canola oil
1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1½-inch pieces
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut into matchsticks (about ⅓ cup)
½ Cup unsweetened coconut milk
3 Tablespoons turbinado sugar or 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 Tablespoons gochujang paste
2 Tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 lb broccoli florets, cut into 2-inch pieces
Cooked rice, for serving
Sliced scallions or chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

PREPARATION:

Step 1: In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden all over, about 3 minutes. Add ginger and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2 minutes.
Step 2: Add coconut milk, sugar, gochujang and soy sauce and bring to a simmer, stirring until gochujang dissolves. Gently simmer over medium-low heat, stirring, until chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Meanwhile, in a saucepan of salted boiling water, blanch broccoli until crisp-tender, 2 minutes. Drain.
Step 4: Divide chicken and broccoli among plates; spoon with sauce. Serve with rice.

Air Fryer Scallops with Lemon-Herb Sauce

8/5/2022

I am so tired of the Air-Fryer taking up room in my kitchen that I am committed to finding other purposed for it other than wings, fries and tater tots, and Brussels sprouts. This is the first recipe I tried that was a good alternative. I love scallops, but since no one else in my house does, I try to keep the portions small. This was also super quick, so I could easily replicate it for just me one one of those rare nights that I have to myself, or even for a wfh lunch.

Air Fryer Scallops with Lemon-Herb Sauce

INGREDIENTS:

8 large (1-oz.) sea scallops, cleaned and patted very dry
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
⅛ teaspoon salt
cooking spray
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoon very finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 teaspoon capers, very finely chopped
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
½ teaspoon finely chopped garlic
lemon wedges, optional

PREPARATION:

1.  Sprinkle scallops with pepper and salt.2.  Coat the basket of an air fryer with cooking spray.
3.  Place scallops in the basket and coat them with cooking spray.
4.  Place the basket in the fryer and cook at 400°F until they reach an internal temperature of 120°F, (about 6 minutes.)
5. Combine oil, parsley, capers, lemon zest and garlic in a small bowl. Drizzle over the scallops.
6. Serve with lemon wedges, if desired.

Yakitori Meatballs and Soba Noodles

6/25/2022

I used to work for a Japanese company, and it was there that I developed a love of all things yakitori. We would go to little yakitori places for lunch, but in Japan it is a common street food. In both places the yakitori is cooked over a charcoal grill that is long and skinny - just wide enough to hold the little skewers.

Alternatively, this recipe is made with chicken meatballs that are baked in the oven. The soba noodles are so easy and are mixed with a sesame glaze and green beans. This is a complete meal that is easy, hits all the food groups, and it always a crowd pleaser. If you have big kids with big appetites, then be prepared to make extra.

CHICKEN YAKITORI MEATBALL SKEWERS
with sweet soy glaze, green beans & soba noodle salad

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb ground chicken
1/3 c panko
Yakitori Seasoning: 4 t sesame oil, 1 t ginger paste, 1 t garlic, 1/4 t white pepper
6 green onions
12 bamboo skewers
1 T dried chives
1T lemongrass powder
1T ground ginger
1T toasted sesame seeds

Glaze: 2 T tamari, 2 T mirin, 1 t sugar, 1 t rice vinegar

6 oz green beans
6 oz radishes
8 oz soba noodles
6 T sesame oil

Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper to taste

1. Preheat the Oven to 375°

2. Place skewers in water to soak

3. Prepare the vegetables:

Trim green beans and cut into 2” pieces
Remove very bottom root from green onions, then chop into about 2” pieces, large enough to thread onto skewers
Thinly slice radishes

4. In a med pot, heat sesame oil over med for 1 min
Place the dried chives, lemongrass powder, dried ginger and toasted sesame seeds in a bowl. Mix well, and then pour the the heated sesame oil over it, stirring well.

5. Cook the Soba Noodles

Wipe out pot and bring salted water to boil
Add noodles to boiling water and cook 3–4 min, then add green beans and cook another 2–3 min or until noodles are done, then drain and rinse under cold water
Add drained soba noodles & green beans to the bowl with the sesame oil mixture
Add radish & 2 Tbsp of the Glaze Starter to the noodles, then toss to combine, and refrigerate

6. Make the Yakitori

Line a baking sheet with foil & brush lightly with oil
Lightly pat ground chicken dry with a paper towel
In a bowl, combine ground chicken, panko, Yakitori seasoning & 1/2 tsp salt
Form chicken mixture into 24-28 meatballs
Thread 2–3 meatballs onto each skewer, alternating with green onion pieces
Brush skewers with the Glaze and bake 10–15 min, turning halfway and brushing with remaining glaze

4. Place soba noodle salad onto plates and top with yakitori skewers

Cheeky Peri Peri Chicken

3/5/2022

Peri Peri Chicken with Grits

There is a chain of chicken restaurants that we discovered in the UK (and have since learned there are some in the US while on a visit to Washington, DC) called Nando's. They are famous for their Peri-Peri chicken, which comes in a variety of levels of spiciness. Peri Peri means "strong pepper" in Swahili, so the heat is to be expected. And we learned from friends that after a night out at the bars, Londoners will often go out for some "cheeky Nando's" to soak it all up. Since we all love PeriPeri and Nando's in our house, I was excited when this was a big hit with my family. We added it into our regular rotation, minus the grits and adding a little bit more spice. Instead of the grits, I often serve it with roasted fingerling potatoes.

Peri Peri Chicken,
with creamy grits, chili peppers & wilted collard greens (serves 4)

INGREDIENTS:
4 chicken breasts
Peri Peri Spice: 2 T sumac, 2 T smoked paprika
6 T thyme, 4 Thai chilies, 2 garlic clove
6 T red wine vinegar
1 1/2 c grits
2 c milk
4 c collard greens
2/3 cup of Olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

PREPARATION:
1. Preheat oven to 400°
2. Cook Grits:

Melt 3 Tbsp butter (6 Tbsp for meals serving 4) in a pot over med-high
Add grits and stir to toast for about 1 min
Add 1 ½ cups water (3 cups), milk & ½ tsp salt (1 tsp), bring to a boil, then reduce heat to med-low and cook 18–22 min, until thickened, stirring often

3. Make the Peri Peri Sauce

Pick thyme leaves from stem
Remove stem & seeds from chili peppers—HOT! - and add to taste
In a small food processor, pulse to combine garlic clove(s), most of thyme leaves—reserve about 2 tsp for garnish—chilies, Peri Peri Spice, red wine vinegar & 2/3 cup olive oil

4. Cook the Chicken

Pat chicken dry and then arrange on a sheet pan and season with salt, pepper & HALF of the peri peri sauce, turning to coat
Transfer to the oven and roast for 15–20 min, until chicken is cooked through

5. Prepare the Collards, and Finish the Grits

Remove stems and finely chop collard greens
Chop remaining thyme
When grits are done, stir in collard greens and season with salt and pepper to taste

6. Divide the grits evenly amongst the plates, top with chicken, and then drizzle with the remaining peri peri sauce. Garnish with chopped thyme leaves.

Chicken Puttanesca

2/17/2022

For picky eaters I can usually serve chicken, or something with red sauce at least and have a modicum of success. But sometimes the grown-ups in the house need more flavor, and I'd like to think that I'm training the little palates to enjoy future recipes. This is a one pot dinner (always awesome!) from Eating Well that ended up being a winner. The olives and capers add a nice little briny depth to the sauce. Yum!

Chicken Puttanesca
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 4 chicken cutlets
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 anchovy, minced (I skip this one when I make it)
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1 14oz can of no salt added diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives, coarsely chopped
- 1 Tablespoon capers, rinsed and coarsely chopped
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

DIRECTIONS:
Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pat chicken dry and sprinkle with 1/8 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add to the pan and cook, flipping once, until browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 165°F, about 6 minutes total. Transfer to a plate.

Step 2:
Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, garlic and anchovy; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in wine, tomatoes and their juices and the remaining 1/8 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook, scraping up any browned bits, until reduced by half, about 10 minutes.

Step 3:
Stir in olives, capers and any accumulated juices from the chicken. Nestle the chicken into the sauce and garnish with parsley, if desired.

Vinegar Chicken With Crushed Olive Dressing

1/16/2022

I love olives and their briny flavors. So when I saw this recipe for a variation on sheet pan chicken with both turmeric and olives, I had to give it a try in the Delaney Test Kitchen. This was a simple recipe that my husband and I enjoyed very much. The kids, not so much. Next time I’ll just give them marinara sauce and keep the olive dressing for ourselves.

Vinegar Chicken With Crushed Olive Dressing

INGREDIENTS:

Note: The recipe calls for 3 ½ pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken parts.

However I used 2 pounds of skinless, boneless chicken breasts instead.

1 teaspoon ground turmeric
6 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt and black pepper
½ cup white wine vinegar
1 ½ cups green pitted Castelvetrano olives, crushed
2 garlic cloves, finely grated
1 cup parsley, tender leaves and stems, chopped

PREPARATION:

1.    Heat oven to 450 degrees. Place chicken on a rimmed baking sheet and toss with turmeric and 2 tablespoons olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Make sure chicken is skin-side up, then pour vinegar over and around chicken and place in the oven.

2.    Bake chicken, without flipping, until cooked through and deeply browned all over, 25 to 30 minutes.

3.    Meanwhile, combine olives, garlic, parsley, the remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper.

4.    Once chicken is cooked, remove baking sheet from the oven and transfer chicken to a large serving platter, leaving behind any of the juices and bits stuck to the pan.

5.    Make sure the baking sheet is on a sturdy surface (the stovetop, a counter), then pour the olive mixture onto the sheet. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, gently scrape up all the bits the chicken left behind, letting the olive mixture mingle with the rendered fat and get increasingly saucy. Pour olive mixture over the chicken, then serve.

Sesame Chicken in the Slow Cooker

12/17/2021

My kids love eating out, and sesame chicken is always a favorite. But it gets expensive, and this is an easy alternative that makes enough for everyone. Even if you have a teenager in the house. I gave this recipe from Allrecipes a try in the Delaney Test Kitchen a while ago, and it was an instant favorite. I make it with 2 pounds of chicken just to make sure there’s some left for me. I serve it with sticky rice and roasted broccoli. It’s yummy every time. Enjoy!

Sesame Chicken in the Slow Cooker

INGREDIENTS:
·       1 ½ pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast
·       ½ cup honey
·       ¼ cup soy sauce
·       2 tablespoons ketchup
·       2 tablespoons dried minced onion
·       1 tablespoon vegetable oil
·       ½ teaspoon garlic powder
·       2 teaspoons cornstarch
·       3 tablespoons water
·       sesame seeds

PREPARATION:
·       Step 1
Spray the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray.
Spread chicken into the crock of a slow cooker.
·       Step 2
Stir honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced onion, vegetable oil, and garlic powder together in a bowl; pour over the chicken.
·       Step 3
Cook on Low until the chicken is tender, about 3 to 4 hours.
·       Step 4
Remove chicken from the sauce in the slow cooker to a cutting board.
Stir water and cornstarch together to dissolve cornstarch completely; then pour into the sauce in the slow cooker until smooth.
·       Step 5
Cook on High until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
·       Step 6
Cut chicken into bite-size pieces and stir into the sauce. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the chicken and sauce mixture.

Cooking Note:
You can also cook the chicken in sauce on High for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours, if you want it finished sooner.

Easy Ham and Cheese Sliders

12/12/2021

I thought this recipe sounded like a good, quick solution for a busy weeknight. But after making it and seeing how quickly it was devoured, I also think this is a great solution for lunch or nibbles when you have a house full of guests at the holidays.

This was a huge hit in the Delaney Test Kitchen, and while the recipe says that leftovers will keep in the fridge for three days, I’ll just be honest and tell you there won’t be any leftovers. Enjoy!

Ham and Cheese Sliders
INGREDIENTS:
·       4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
·       1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
·       1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
·       1/2 teaspoon onion powder
·       1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
·       1 (12-ounce) package Hawaiian sweet rolls, such as King's
·       12 slices Swiss cheese (about 7 ounces), divided
·       12 thin slices deli ham (about 10 ounces)
·       1 teaspoon poppy seeds

PREPARATION:
1.    Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F.

2.    Place 4 tablespoons unsalted butter in a small, microwave-safe bowl and microwave until melted, 20 to 30 seconds. (Alternatively, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.) Add 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and whisk to combine.

3.    Without separating the rolls, cut 1 package Hawaiian sweet dinner rolls in half horizontally with a serrated knife. Place the bottom half of the rolls in a 9x13-inch or 7x11-inch baking dish.

4.    Arrange 6 slices of the Swiss cheese on the rolls, overlapping the slices as needed to completely cover. Fold and arrange 12 thin slices ham over the cheese, arranging a slice on each roll. Layer the remaining 6 slices Swiss cheese over the ham. Place the top half of the rolls over the cheese.
5.    Brush the butter onto the top of the rolls, then sprinkle with 1 teaspoon poppy seeds. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.

6.     Bake until the sandwich is heated through and the cheese melts, about 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until the rolls are lightly browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer the slab to a cutting board, then cut into individual sliders with a serrated knife before serving.

NOTES:
Make ahead: The sandwiches can be assembled and the butter mixture prepared up to 1 day in advance and refrigerated separately. Melt the butter again before using, 30 to 35 seconds in the microwave.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Pasta With Andouille Sausage, Beans & Greens

12/10/2021

As a busy working mom, I am always on the lookout for yummy one-pot dinners. This one is actually two posts - one for boiling the pasta and one for everything else - but it was still easy. And this one was a bonus for the Delaney Test Kitchen since it has pasta in it – which is beige, and thus very popular in my house.

This was a HUGE hit! And I even caught the boys actually eating the greens instead of picking them out. That is a solid win in my book. I’ve been asked to add this into our regular dinner rotation. And if you are worried about it being too spicy, it wasn't. It had just a light little kick that amped up the flavor.

Pasta With Andouille Sausage, Beans and Greens

INGREDIENTS:

·       Salt and black pepper
·       1 pound rigatoni or any pasta with ridges
·       2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
·       12 ounces Andouille sausage, diced
·       1 shallot, minced
·       2 garlic cloves, minced
·       1 bunch collard greens, stems discarded, leaves coarsely chopped (4 1/2 cups)
·       1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
·       1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
·       1 cup diced fresh tomato (from 1 large)
·       ¼ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
·       ¼ cup thinly sliced chives
·       1 lemon, zested and cut into wedges, for serving
·       ¼ cup grated Parmesan, for serving

PREPARATION:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to the package’s instructions.

2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high. Add sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Add shallot and garlic and cook, stirring often, until translucent, about 2 minutes.

3. Add collard greens and toss to wilt, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the thyme, cannellini beans and tomatoes and toss to warm through. Season again with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain pasta. Return pasta to the empty pot and set over medium-low. Add the sausage mixture and toss to combine, gradually adding the reserved pasta water as needed to create a sauce.

5. Remove from the heat and sprinkle with parsley, chives, lemon zest and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Divide among bowls, drizzle with olive oil and serve with lemon wedges.

Butternut Squash Pasta with Bacon and Parmesan

10/29/2021

I am not a PSL fangirl, but I do love Fall cooking, especially with all the yummy autumn squashes. And the thought of combining squash flavors with pasta so that my boys might actually eat it was a challenge I was willing to take. This recipe did not take long, was not difficult, and was a huge hit. I added some extra red pepper flakes to give it a kick so that the guys would like it and it worked - my older son loved it! I’ve been asked to add it to our regular rotation of dinners. In our house, that is high praise. So this one was a definite win for the Delaney Test Kitchen. Enjoy!

Butternut Squash Pasta with Bacon and Parmesan

INGREDIENTS:

2 pounds butternut squash, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch pieces (about 4 cups)
3 tablespoons olive oil
Pinch of red-pepper flakes
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 medium red onion, cut into 1-inch dice
5 slices thick-cut bacon (about 5 ounces)
12 ounces short, twisty pasta, like campanelle or cavatappi
¾ cup finely grated Parmesan (about 1 1/2 ounces)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

PREPARATION:

Set a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 375 degrees.
Add the butternut squash to a large baking sheet. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over the top and season with red-pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Toss to combine, then spread the squash into an even layer and bake for 15 minutes.
While the butternut squash bakes, in a small bowl, toss the red onion with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
After the squash has cooked for 15 minutes, give it a stir and push it to one side of the baking sheet to make room for the onion and bacon, trying to keep the squash in one layer. Add the red onion to the pan, then lay the strips of bacon in a single layer next to the onion.
Return the baking sheet to the oven for another 30 minutes and cook, stirring the squash and onion after about 15 minute. The bacon should be crisp and the vegetables cooked through and beginning to caramelize at the edges. (They don’t have to be super golden brown, but a little color is nice.)
Just before the vegetables and bacon are done, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta and return it to the pot to keep warm if necessary.
When the vegetables are tender and the bacon crispy, take the baking sheet out of the oven and carefully transfer the bacon to a cutting board. Coarsely chop the bacon.
Add the butternut squash, onions and any bacon fat to the pot with the pasta. Add about 1/2 cup Parmesan and 1/2 cup pasta water to the pot and stir everything until well combined. You want the squash to break down a bit and coat the pasta; add more pasta water as necessary to coat the pasta with the squash and cheese.
Stir in half the chopped bacon, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Divide the pasta among bowls or plates. Top with chives, parsley, black pepper and the remaining Parmesan and bacon. Serve immediately.

Gigi Hadid’s Spicy Vodka Pasta Sauce

10/25/2021

So there are a few recipes circulating around on Tiki Tok and social, and I've tried a few of them with mixed results. But this one looked easy and the reviews were all solid so I tried it in the Delaney Test Kitchen. And my family LOVED it. They even asked that it be added into the regular rotation. Its definitely worth a try - I hope you love it, too. And thanks for sharing, Gigi!

Gigi Hadid's Spicy Vodka Pasta Sauce

INGREDIENTS:
¼ c olive oil
1 clove garlic
1 shallot
1T fresh Basil
1 small can of tomato paste
1T vodka
½ c heavy cream
½ c grated parmesan separated (1/4 for recipe and ¼ for topping)
1 t Chili flakes (I recommend closer to 1 T)
1T butter
16 oz pasta (I recommend Rotini)
Salt & pepper to taste

PREPARATION:

1. Dice the garlic and shallot.

2. Heat ¼ c of olive oil in a large saucepan, add the shallot and garlic, and cook until soft (2-3 mi nutes).

3. Add the tomato paste and cook until the sauce is a bit darker and carmelized

4.  Add 1 tablespoon vodka and cook until it almost evaporates. (You can also skip the vodka altogether if you prefer.)

5.  Add 1/2 cup heavy cream and chili flakes (1t, or more if you like it hotter). Keep stirring until the sauce is combined. Season with salt & pepper to taste. Remove the sauce form the heat.

6.  Cook the pasta according to directions on the box. Before draining it, save 1/4 cup or more of the pasta water.

7.  Add the cooked (& drained) pasta, the 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, and 1 tablespoon butter to the red sauce in the large saucepan. Stir over medium heat till the butter has melted and the sauce looks done. (note: if your sauce is too thick or simply not saucy enough, slowly add the additional pasta water you put aside earlier until it reaches your desired consistency.)

8. Add ¼ c Parmesan Cheese and stir.

9: Serve Topped with Parmesan Cheese and Chopped Basil.

Midnight Pasta with Roasted Garlic, Olive Oil and Chile

10/22/2021

I love that the story behind this recipe is that its pasta you can easily make in the middle of the night with just a few pantry staples. With a teenaged boy in the house, he makes a fifth meal every night at 11:30pm or 12am. This is another option for him, and for the family.

This recipe from New York Times Cooking does seem a little bit more complicated since it requires roasting the garlic ahead of time. For me, I put the garlic in the oven while I worked out, and then made dinner an hour later and it was perfect. You can always make a lot of roasted garlic at once and save it for up to 2 weeks in the fridge or 2 months in the freezer. Then it truly can be a Midnight Pasta.

For the record – this was also a hit. I served some non-chile pasta to my 11 year old, but the rest of us enjoyed the spicy recipe as is. Yum!

Midnight Pasta with Roasted Garlic, Olive Oil and Chile

INGREDIENTS:

·                1 large head of garlic
·                Kosher salt
·                ½ cup plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
·                1 cup firmly packed parsley leaves
·                1 pound spaghetti or other long pasta
·                ½ teaspoon red-pepper flakes, plus more for garnish
·                Black pepper
·                Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving

PREPARATION:

Step 1:

Heat the oven to 400 degrees.
Cut off the top 1/4 inch of the head of garlic to expose the top of the cloves, then place on a piece of foil, cut-side up.
Sprinkle exposed cloves with salt, then drizzle with 1 teaspoon oil.
Wrap the garlic in the foil and roast until soft and golden brown, 40 to 50 minutes.

Step 2:

When you’re ready to make the pasta, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Finely chop the parsley leaves.
Add pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.

Step 3:

While the pasta cooks, in a large Dutch oven or skillet, heat the remaining 1/2 cup oil over medium heat.
Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into the oil and cook, breaking them up with your spoon, until very fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the red-pepper flakes and a few generous grinds of pepper.
Remove the pan from the heat to infuse the oil while the pasta finishes cooking.

Step 4:

When the pasta’s done, heat the garlic oil over medium, then add the cooked pasta, 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and the parsley, and simmer, tossing constantly and adding more pasta water as needed, until the pasta is glossed with sauce.

Step 5:

Serve with more red-pepper flakes, black pepper and Parmesan.

Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas

10/2/2021

This is a recipe that my son has told me is the closest thing to authentic Mexican food he's tasted that I have ever made. I also made this over the summer when we had 7 17y-olds to feed, and they ate.it.all. Then the moms started asking me for the recipe. So this is for them :-).

This recipe is easy to double for when the whole family is home or friends are over. For those of you feeding teenage boys - just go ahead and double it.

Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas

INGREDIENTS:
8 oz pulled chicken (cooked) (I get some at our local BBQ place and freeze it for this, or you can use a rotisserie chicken)

Filling:
3 T cream cheese
6oz tomato paste (small can)
2 tsp garlic / 4 tsp if
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder

3 T cilantro
4 ea 10” flour tortillas
1 ½ c shredded mozzarella
¼ c red onion
⅓ c sour cream

1. Prepare the Chicken: Defrost the chicken if necessary, and then roughly chop the pulled chicken.

Here you have two choices – you can get a rotisserie chicken and pull off the meat, get some pulled chicken from your favorite BBQ place, or I keep packages of it in the freezer to defrost as needed.

2. Start the Filling: Mix together all of the Filling ingredients into a medium sized bowl.
Chop the cilantro and add half to the mixture.
Then add in the roughly chopped chicken, and mix well.

3. Cook the quesadillas: Heat one Tbsp of oil over medium heat.
Place one tortilla in the pan, cover with filling and mozzarella cheese to taste.
Then top with another tortilla.

You’ll want to cook them for 3-4 minutes per side, until the tortilla is golden & the cheese is melted.

Repeat the process to make additional quesadillas, adding more oil to the pan as necessary.
Place the quesadilla on a plate and cut into 4-6 wedges, using a pizza cutter.

Serve with a dollop of sour cream an a sprinkle of some of the remaining cilantro, and some salsa.
Our favorite salsa is from Zocalo here in Atlanta

Enjoy!

Eggplant and Zucchini Pasta with Feta and Dill

8/15/2021

So.many.eggplants. And zucchinis. And my dill plant is seriously out of control. Oh my! This is an issue every summer, right? This recipe is awesome because it uses all of that, plus feta. This was easy and all in one pot (bonus). To be honest, the boys had no interest in these things mixed in with the pasta so we had a fabulous dinner with plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day for both of us. ) The boys just had plain pasta – their loss.)

The recipe says you can use parsley or basil instead of the dill, but I loved the fragrance of the dill combined with the saltiness of the feta.

And this makes an enormous amount of food, so it needs a seriously big big non-stick skillet. I got to use the pretty blue enamelware nonstick skillet from Bruntmore that I got for Mother’s Day last year.

I will definitely be making this one again.

Eggplant and Zucchini Pasta with Feta and Dill

INGREDIENTS

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound eggplant (about 2 small eggplants), cut into 1-inch cubes (about 7 cups)
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 pound green zucchini or yellow squash, halved lengthwise and sliced into 1/4-inch-thick half-moons (about 5 cups)
1 pound mezze rigatoni or any short pasta
8 ounces crumbled feta (about 1 1/2 cups)
¼ cup chopped fresh dill

PREPARATION

1. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
Add eggplant, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and tender, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

2. Add 2 tablespoons oil and zucchini to skillet and season with salt and pepper.
Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but not mushy, about 5 minutes.

3. While the vegetables cook, boil the pasta in a pot of salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups cooking water and drain pasta. Return pasta and reserved cooking water to pot over medium heat. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil and 1 cup of cheese and cook, stirring, until the cheese melts and forms a sauce, about 2 minutes. Stir in zucchini, eggplant and dill; season with salt and pepper.

4. Serve pasta in bowls and top with remaining cheese.

Busy MOM DINNERS

Gochujang Buttered Noodles

Chicken & Noodles in Coconut Lime Broth

Chicken Ramen Bowl

Bulgogi-Style Skillet Chicken

Meatballs with Lemon-Garlic Orzo

The Bahn Mi Burger

Seared Scallops with Garlic Basil Butter

Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Orzo Skillet

Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken

Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Beef Stroganoff

Coconut-Gochujang Glazed Chicken with Broccoli

Air Fryer Scallops with Lemon-Herb Sauce

Yakitori Meatballs and Soba Noodles

Cheeky Peri Peri Chicken

Chicken Puttanesca

Vinegar Chicken With Crushed Olive Dressing

Sesame Chicken in the Slow Cooker

Easy Ham and Cheese Sliders

Pasta With Andouille Sausage, Beans & Greens

Butternut Squash Pasta with Bacon and Parmesan

Gigi Hadid’s Spicy Vodka Pasta Sauce

Midnight Pasta with Roasted Garlic, Olive Oil and Chile

Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas

Eggplant and Zucchini Pasta with Feta and Dill

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