Chicken Ranch Pizza

Ingredients

1 pizza crust, homemade or store-bought
For the sauce:
2/3 cup Ranch dressing
2 cloves garlic, minced
For the toppings:
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 chicken breast, cooked and sliced thinly
2 Roma tomatoes, diced
¼ cup green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425F.
Butter or grease a 16-inch round pizza pan. Stretch pizza dough to fit pan.
In a small bowl, mix the ranch dressing and minced garlic. Spread the sauce mixture over the crust.

In a medium bowl, toss together the mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses. Spread about half of the cheese mixture over the sauce.
Evenly spread the chicken, tomatoes, and green onions over the pizza. Top with the remaining cheese.

Bake pizza for 12-15 minutes. Check pizza after 10 minutes, and continue to check every few minutes until top is browned and cheese is bubbly.

Remove pizza from oven, allow to cool slightly, and slice. Serve hot and enjoy!

Sour Cream Cheese Enchiladas

Ingredients

12 whole Corn Tortillas
Canola Oil, For Frying
1 can (20 Ounce) Enchilada Sauce
2 cups Sour Cream
3 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Grated
1 cup Sliced/chopped Green Onions
1/2 teaspoon Ground Cumin
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Mix together sour cream, green onions 1 1/2 cups grated cheddar, cumin, and cayenne pepper.

Heat canola oil in a skillet over medium heat. Heat enchilada sauce in a separate skillet or saucepan.

Using tongs, fry tortillas one at a time, for only about five to ten seconds per side (don't allow to crisp.) Remove from oil, then dunk tortilla in enchilada sauce. Lay tortilla on a plate, then spoon a good two or three tablespoons of the sour cream mixture in the middle. Roll tortilla, then place face down in a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Repeat with remaining tortillas and sour cream mixture.
(If there's any sour cream mixture left over, use it as a dip for tortilla chips!)
Cover the dish with the remaining cheese, then bake for 15 to 20 minutes until bubbly.
Serve immediately. Place a dollop of sour cream on each serving, then sprinkle on sliced green onions.

Twice Baked Potatoes

Ingredients:

4 large Russet potatoes
4 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled
4 Tbl. butter, softened
1/2 c. sour cream
1/4 c. milk, give or take
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt (I add way more)
freshly grated black pepper, to taste
1 c. grated Cheddar cheese
2 chopped green onions, for garnish, opt.

Directions:

Wash and pat dry the potatoes.  Poke a few holes in each potato, using a fork, and cover tightly with foil.  Bake at 375 degrees for 1 - 1 1/2 hours or until cooked through.  Remove from oven, carefully remove foil and cool slightly.  Cut each potato in half lengthwise and scrape out the insides, with a spoon, into a large bowl, being careful to keep the shells intact. 

Add the butter, sour cream, seasoned salt and pepper.  Mash together using a potato masher.  Add enough milk, as needed, to reach desired creamy consistency and stir in the majority of the cheese, reserving a little for topping.  Taste and adjust seasonings, if needed.  Place the potato shells onto a large baking sheet.  Fill each potato shell with the potato mixture and top with reserved cheese.  Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the potatoes are hot.  Garnish with crumbled bacon and chopped green onions.  

One Pot Burrito Bowl

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup red bell pepper
1/2 cup diced sweet onion
1 pound lean hamburger
1/3 cup Salsa
1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 15 oz can corn, drained
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
1 4 oz can diced green chiles
1 cup rice
1 Tablespoon taco seasoning
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 cup shredded cheddar/jack cheese
S & P to taste

Optional toppings:

Sour cream
Cilantro
Green Onions
Tomatoes
Avocado

Directions:

In a large pan heat the olive oil over medium heat. Saute the onions and red peppers. Add in hamburger and cook until browned. Stir in salsa, black beans, corn, tomatoes, green chiles, jasmine rice, taco seasoning and chili powder. Pour in chicken stock and then bring to a light boil. Cover the pan and reduce heat to low. Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is all the way cooked.

When rice is done, S&P to taste. Top with your favorite toppings. We like to serve over lettuce in a salad bowl and eat with tortilla chips.

Loaded Potato & Buffalo Chicken Casserole

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
8-10 medium potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/3 cup olive oil
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 TBS. freshly ground pepper
1 TBS. paprika
2 TBS. garlic powder
6 TBS. hot sauce

Topping:

2 c. Fiesta Blend Cheese or a mix of Cheddar & Monterey Jack
1 c. crumbled bacon
1 c diced green onion

Directions:

Preheat oven to 500F (This is NOT a typo, 500F is correct!)  In a large bowl mix together theolive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder &hot sauce.  Add the cubed potatoes and stir to coat.  Carefully scoop the potatoes into acooking spray coated 9 x 13 inch baking dish, leaving behind as much of the olive oil/hot sauce mix as possible.  Bake the potatoes for 45-50 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes, until cooked through and crispy & browned on the outside.  While the potatoes are cooking, add the cubed chicken to the bowl with the leftover olive oil/hot sauce mix and stir to coat.  Once the potatoes are fully cooked, remove from the oven and lower the oven temperature to 400F.  Top the cooked potatoes with the raw marinated chicken.  In a bowl mix together the cheese, bacon & green onion and top the raw chicken with the cheese mix.  Return the casserole to the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the topping is bubbly delicious.  Serve with extra hot sauce and/or ranch dressing.

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Ingredients

6 oz penne pasta
2 cups cooked, chopped chicken
4 cups Romaine lettuce, chopped
1/2 (medium size) cucumber, chopped
1 carrot, shredded
1/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup croutons (optional)
Caesar salad dressing, to taste

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain water and set aside to cool.

Chop the grilled chicken breasts into small chunks. In a large bowl toss together chicken, cooked penne pasta, lettuce, cucumber, carrot, green onion, cherry tomatoes, Parmesan cheese and croutons.

Drizzle with desired amount of Caesar salad dressing and toss to coat.

Quick Gourmet Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

2 ( 12.5 oz) cans of chicken (or 3 cups diced cooked chicken)
3/4 cup light mayonnaise
1 cup red grapes, halved
1 green onion, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
1/2 cup diced apple
salt and pepper to taste
pecans or cashews, optional

Directions:

In a bowl, combine the chicken, mayo, grapes, green onion, celery, apple, salt, and pepper.  Combine until well blended.
Serve on rolls, bread, or croissants sprinkle with some cashews or pecans.  This can also be served on a lettuce leaf.

Baker Cream Cheese Wontons

INGREDIENTS:

8 oz cream cheese softened
1/8 tsp. minced garlic
1/8 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. chopped green onion
1 egg
24 wonton wrappers

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, garlic, salt and green onion until well mixed.

Whisk egg until well beaten in a small bowl.

Place one teaspoon of cream cheese mixture into the center of one wonton wrapper.

Dip your finger into the beaten egg and lightly coat the outer edges of the wonton wrapper..

Bring all the corners of the wonton together up to the center and pinch. Pinch all the sides together to to form an "X" or star appearance. Place on greased cookie sheet.

Repeat for remaining wontons.
Lightly spray the tops of the wontons with cooking spray.

Bake at 400 degrees F for 7-12 minutes or until tops are golden brown in color.

Cheesy Bacon Potato Bites

Ingredients:

Potatoes
Shredded cheese
Green onions
Bacon bits

Directions:

Slice potatoes into round circles and then boil for 5 minutes. Drain (I pulled out of water with a slotted spoon) and layer on baking sheet.

Top with cheese and bacon bits.

Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Once baked add green onions.

Sauteed Zucchini Coins

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups thinly sliced yellow zucchini
2 cups thinly sliced green zucchini
1 teaspoon dill weed
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
2 green onions, chopped
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions:

In a large, nonstick frying pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the zucchini slices and saute until their colors intensify, about 5 minutes. Add the dill, cilantro and scallions and stir until evenly mixed. Transfer to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with lemon juice and serve immediately.

P.F. Chang's Mongolia Beef Copycat Recipe

Ingredients:

1 pound of flank steak
1/4 cup cornstarch
vegetable oil, for serving and sauteeing
1/2 teaspoon minced ginger
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, not packed
vegetable oil, for frying
2 large green onions, sliced on the diagonal into one-inch lengths
cooked rice, for serving
steamed broccoli, for serving

Instructions:

Slice the flank steak against the grain into 1/4" thick 1-inch long slices. Add the cornstarch to a wide, shallow bowl and coat the steak with the cornstarch. Set aside and allow the cornstarch to soak into them meat while you make the sauce.

Heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium-low heat in a wok or large cast-iron or stainless steel frying pan. Add the ginger and garlic, saute until fragrant about 2 minute, stirring often.

Add the soy sauce and water then whisk in the brown sugar. Turn heat up to medium-high, bring to a boil and cook 2-3 minutes (not longer - the mixture will thicken up when you add it to the steak) whisking often. Remove to a bowl and set aside.

Add 1/2 to 3/4-inch oil to the same pan and heat over medium heat until the oil shimmers. You can test it by adding a piece of steak - it should sizzle and start cooking immediately.

Add the beef to the oil and cook for about two minutes turning the pieces over so they brown on both sides. Remove with a slotted spoon or spider to a paper towel lined plate.

Let oil cool down - then drain off.
Heat the same pan over medium heat and add the meat back in along with the sauce and green onions. Cook for 2 - 3 minutes, stirring to coat the meat all over with the sauce.

Remove the meat and leave the excess sauce behind. Serve over rice with broccoli, if desired.

One Pan Cheesy Smoked Sausage & Pasta Skillet

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb Hillshire Farm Smoked Turkey Sausage, sliced
1 cup diced onion
1 Tbsp minced garlic (about two fresh cloves)
2 cups Chicken Broth
1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup milk or heavy cream
8 oz dry pasta (any small pasta will do)
1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper, each
1 cup shredded Cheddar-Jack cheese
1/3 cup chopped scallions, for garnish

Instructions:

Add olive oil to a 4-5 quart saute pan over medium high heat. Add onions and sausage and cook until lightly browned. Add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.

Add chicken broth, tomatoes, milk, pasta, and seasonings. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until pasta is tender.

Turn off the heat and stir in 1/2 cup of cheese. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and cover for about five minutes to allow cheese to melt. Top with sliced scallions and serve.

Makes about 4 servings.

Mexican Pizza (like Taco Bell)

Ingredients:

1 cup refried beans
2 Roma tomatoes, diced finely
2/3 c. shredded cheese
2 green onions, sliced
1/3 c. enchilada sauce
4 flour tortillas
Cooking spray

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a hot skillet or griddle with cooking spray and 'fry' the tortillas, flipping frequently so they don’t burn. You want them to get nice and crispy. Remove fried tortillas to a plate.
2. Heat the refried beans so they are warm. Place 2 tortillas on a baking sheet. Spread 1/2 cup of refried beans onto each tortilla. Place remaining tortillas on top of beans.
3. Pour half of enchilada sauce on top of each tortilla and spread around.
4. Add half of the chopped tomato on top of the sauce. Add 1/3 cup of cheese on top of each tortilla. Add half of the green onions on top of the cheese.
5. Place in oven and cook about 8-10 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy!

Chicken Lo Mein - One Pot Wonder

Ingredients:

½lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into small chunks
12oz whole wheat linguini or fettuccini, broken in half
4 medium carrots, peeled and cut in thin 3 inch long strips
1 medium red bell pepper, cut in thin 3 inch long strips
1 bunch green onions, white part sliced and green part cut in 3 inch long strips
4 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon corn starch
1 tablespoon sugar
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
½ cup water
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

Instructions:

Add the chicken, then the pasta, then the remaining ingredients to a large stockpot and cover. Bring to a boil. Stir and reduce to a simmer. Cook covered for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cook until most of the liquid is gone and the chicken is cooked through.

Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese

Ingredients:

4 large Jalapeno Peppers
3-4 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
4-5 Green Onions, minced
Black Pepper, to taste
4 slices Colby Jack or Cheddar Cheese
4 slices Sourdough Bread
Butter

Directions:

On a hot grill {or in your oven cranked to 450}, char the jalapenos... about 10-15 minutes.

Place charred jalapenos in a bag to steam. After about 10 minutes, gently peel of the skin. Slice off the tops and discard. Slice down one side of the pepper and carefully remove the seed and ribs of the pepper.

Preheat griddle to 375 degrees.

Next combine the cream cheese, minced green onion and black pepper in a small bowl. Spread desired amount of cream cheese on one slice of bread then layer jalapeno's and cheese.

Butter outer slices and griddle until golden and crispy.

Beef Enchilada Stack

Ingredients:

1lb hamburger meat

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 medium green bell pepper (chopped 1/2 cup)

1/2 cup frozen corn

1 package taco seasoning or 1 tablespoon taco seasoning

1 can (14.5oz) diced tomatoes ins sauce, undrained

9 corn tortillas (6 inch)

1 can (10oz) enchilada sauce

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (8oz)

1/2 cup sour cream

3 medium green onions, sliced

Directions:

Heat oven to 350. Spray 9 inch glass pie plate or with cooking spray. In skillet cook beef and onion over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in bell pepper, corn, taco seasoning mix, tomatoes and enchilada sauce. Heat to boiling; remove from heat.

Spread about 1/4 of beef mixture in thin layer in pie plate. Top with 3 tortillas (tortillas will overlap), 1/4 of beef mixture and 1/3 of cheese. Repeat layers 2 more times, starting with tortillas and ending with cheese on top. Pie plate will be very full but should not overflow.

Bake about 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and lightly browned. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Top each serving with sour cream and green onions.

Monterrey Chicken

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup BBQ sauce
1/4 cup real bacon bits
1 cup shredded cheese
1 (14oz) can rotel tomatoes, drained
Sliced green onions
Pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pound out chicken breasts to flatten. Season with pepper. Grill chicken until no longer pink and place on foil lined baking sheet. Top each chicken breast with one tablespoon BBQ sauce, 1/4 cup cheese, 1/4 cup tomatoes, green onions and one tablespoon bacon bits. Place in oven and bake until cheese is melted (about 5 minutes).

Breakfast Ham Cups

**Based on a 12 cup cupcake pan**

Ingredients:

6 eggs
1/4 cup milk
Shredded cheese
1/4 of a bell pepper, chopped
1/4 of a small onion, chopped
1 tbsp butter
1 green onion, chopped
Ham slices
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Saute the onion and bell peppers in the butter. Beat the eggs together and add in the milk, mix. Spray the muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray. Line each with a slice of ham. Add the cooked onions and bell peppers (divide evenly) into the ham. Sprinkle in some shredded cheese and then pour in the egg mixture (basically allowing a 1/2 egg per cup). Sprinkle the green onion on top and salt and pepper to taste.

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. The eggs get fluffy and the ham gets crunchy on the edges.

Taco Pizza

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 (10oz) can refrigerated pizza crust
1 (16oz) can refried beans
2-3 cups shredded cheese
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup sliced black olives
4 green onions, chopped

Directions:

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Brown ground beef in a large skillet, over medium-high heat. Drain grease. Add taco seasoning to the ground beef and follow package directions.

Unroll pizza crust on a 10x15 cookie sheet. Let dough set at room temperature for 5 minutes. Press the dough over the bottom and up along all 4 sides of the cookie sheet. Bake pizza dough for 8-10 minutes, or until light golden. Remove from oven.

Place refried beans in microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute. Stir well and then spread beans evenly over the top of the warm pizza crust. Top with the ground beef mixture, sprinkle with cheese and then add the tomatoes, black olives, and green onion.

Return to oven and bake another 5-7 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Store any leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Oven Baked Chimichangas

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb ground beef
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons oregano
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
1 (7-8oz) can chopped green chilies
1/2 cup diced fresh tomatoes
2 chopped green onions
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 tablespoons melted butter
6 four tortillas (burrito size / large)
Cheddar cheese to top

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 F. Sauté hamburger until cooked thoroughly. Add taco seasoning and stir. Add water and stir. Over medium-low heat cook until liquid has reduced 2/3.

Add cumin, oregano, cilantro, chilies, tomatoes, and green onions. Simmer until the rest if the liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat and let cool 5 minutes. Stir in sour cream and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese.

On sheet pan lay flour tortillas and brush both sides with butter. Spoon 1/6th of the filling into center of tortilla and fold like an envelope (all 4 sides folded to center).

Put tortillas, seam side down on a nonstick sheet pan. Spaced so they do NOT touch.

Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Sprinkle with cheese and return to oven to melt.

Top with garnishes.

GARNISHES:
(I used)
Tomatoes, green onions, lettuce, and homemade salsa

You could also use sour cream, guacamole, peppers, etc