My Favorite Recipes and Restaurants » General

Artichoke Casserole

slmetcal — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 01:16:23 +0000

I found this recipe in an old Justin Wilson cookbook my dad gave me. So tonight I thought that I would try it out. You can buy the canned Artichokes already quartered.
4 cans artichoke hearts, drained
½ c. dry white wine
¼ c. olive oil
1 c. parmesan cheese
2 c. seasoned bread crumbs
1 t. onion powder
½ t. garlic powder
Cayenne pepper, to taste

Grease casserole dish
Quarter artichoke hearts
Combine everything but bread crumbs
Put in dish and top with bread crumbs
Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

slmetcal — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:55:00 +0000

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Ready In: 35 Minutes
Servings: 8
"Chicken breast cubes, feta cheese, and kalamata olives combine with quinoa in this salad that
is equally good warm or cold."
Ingredients:
2 cups water
2 cubes chicken bouillon
1 clove garlic, smashed
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 large cooked chicken breasts – cut into bite
size pieces
1 large red onion, diced
1 large green bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
Directions:
1. Bring the water, bouillon cubes, and garlic to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in the quinoa, reduce heat to
medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender and the water has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes.
Discard the garlic clove and scrape the quinoa into a large bowl.
2. Gently stir the chicken, onion, bell pepper, olives, feta cheese, parsley, chives, and salt into the quinoa.
Drizzle with the lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. Stir until evenly mixed.
Serve warm or refrigerate and serve cold.

Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Treats

slmetcal — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:49:37 +0000

A few years ago at a family gathering over at my cousins house we were asked to bring a dish. I brought a dessert that is so good. Everyone asked for the recipe so here it is.

1 16 oz package of chocolate almond bark

1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter

3 cups rice krispies

8 oz lightly salted or unsalted peanuts

2 large handfuls of small marshmallows

Melt almond bark in microwave for approximately 2 minutes. If not

completely melted, stir and microwave again at 15 to 30 sec intervals

until melted. Stir in peanut butter. Allow mixture to cool enough so

that the marshmallows won’t melt when added. Stir in rice krispies,

peanuts and marshmallows. Drop by tablespoons onto wax paper.

Quinoa Pilaf

slmetcal — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:48:02 +0000

A few months ago I posted a recipe for stuffed peppers using orzo. I had a friend ask if you could substitute Quinoa for the orzo and I said that I did not see why you could not if you can’t eat anything with wheat or gluten in it. Quinoa is a good alternative. A few weeks ago I made some Quinoa following the basic cooking directions on the box. I used chicken stock instead of water for flavor. I not dislike it I still thought that it lacked something in the flavor department. While my husband and I were trying to come up with ways to add flavor to the Quinoa he came across this recipe.

I was thinking that this might make a good side dish for Feta Chicken Bake.

Tuscan Chicken Simmer

slmetcal — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 11:00:42 +0000

Found this recipe over at Kraft.com
4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 lb.)
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, cubed
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup pesto
2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes
1 cup KRAFT Finely Shredded Italian* Five Cheese Blend

HEAT large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cover skillet with lid.
Cook 5 to 7 min. on each side or until chicken is cooked through (165ºF). Remove chicken from skillet; keep warm.

REDUCE heat to medium. Add cream cheese, water, pesto and tomatoes to skillet. Cook, uncovered, 2 min. or until
heated through, stirring occasionally.

RETURN chicken to skillet. Cook and stir 1 min. or until chicken is coated and heated through.
Sprinkle with shredded cheese.

Volcano Salmon Salad

slmetcal — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:00:08 +0000

I am not sure where I originally found this recipe but it makes for a nice summertime dinner dish.

1 lb skinned salmon fillet
1 tbl olive oil plus
1 tsp olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp kosher salt
2 tsp Asian chile sauce (sambal oelek) or more to taste
(or 1 tspn dried hot red pepper flakes)
4 cup cooked couscous or rice
1/2 bn watercress rinsed, separated
(or 2 tightly-packed cups washed, torn fresh spinach)
18 cherry tomatoes halved
1 cup minced fresh cilantro or Italian parsley

Instructions: Seafood Alternatives: catfish, snapper, halibut, mahi mahi, swordfish Rub each side of the salmon with 1/2 teaspoon of the olive oil. Grill the salmon over a medium-hot fire for 2 minutes per side to sear the outside. Continue grilling over moderate fire toward the edge of the grill until opaque through but still moist, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Alternatively, broil the salmon in the oven.

Stir together the lemon juice, salt, chile sauce and remaining 1 tablespoon oil for the dressing. In a large bowl, toss the couscous, watercress, tomatoes, cilantro and green onions.

Pour the dressing over the couscous mixture and toss well to coat. Break the salmon into large chunks, discarding any bone, and add it to the salad. Gently toss and serve.

This recipe yields 4 servings.

Comments: Spiked with chile sauce and citrusy cilantro, quick cooking couscous and salmon are the perfect foils for these fiery flavors of the East. Serve with warm, crusty bread.

Taco Casserole

slmetcal — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:01:00 +0000

When Making this I would put the olives on the side so those that do not like Olives like me could have the dish without the olives.

Taco Casserole

Ingredients

1 large package corn tortillas
1 can refried beans
1 can enchilada sauce
1 can black olives (optional)
1 pound ground beef
1 package taco season
1 can green chilies
1 jar taco sauce (liquid)
4 cups shredded cheese
Salsa

Preparation

In a large saucepan, brown the ground beef. Combine olives, taco season, green chilies,
and half jar of taco sauce with ground beef. Simmer for 5 minutes. In 9 by 13 pan layer bottom
with corn tortillas, add with meat mixture on top followed by salsa, and cheese.
Next layer the tortillas, beans, salsa and cheese. Top with tortillas, cheese and salsa (or taco sauce).
Cook for 35 minutes at 350 degrees.

Stir Fry Mongolian Grill

slmetcal — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:03:42 +0000

My husband and I decided last night that we wanted to try the new Stir Fry Mongolian Grill. I must say it did not disappoint us at all. It is reasonably priced and good variety on the menu. The waiter and staff were friendly and prompt. I would expect nothing less in the south. I will absolutely be going back and recommending to my friends.
We have been to other Mongolian BBQ Restaurants in the various states that we have lived in over the last 16 1/2 years. If you are in the Huntsville area you should really try this place for something different.