Tanya's Gyro Soup

2 lbs. of pork/chicken, cut into strips
3 tblsp. olive oil
1 cup heavy whipping cream
3-4 bell peppers (I prefer using different colored ones for better presentation), chopped
2 large onions, chopped
6 cups of water
8 tblsp. chili sauce
1 8 oz. pkg. shredded mozzarella cheese
5-6 tblsp. paprika
2 tsp. marjoram
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. thyme
1 tblsp. pepper
1 tblsp. salt
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. garlic salt
2 tsp. oregano
2 pkg. onion soup mix

In a pan, saute 1 tblsp. of olive oil with meat, garlic cloves, and all the seasonings except the salt and pepper. When the meat is cooked all the way, add the whipping cream to it and set aside.

In a big pot, add the rest of the olive oil, chopped onions and chopped bell peppers. Add salt and pepper to it and saute on medium heat until onions and bell peppers are almost done. Add the 6 cups of water and the onion soup mix packages. Let boil for about 5-10 minutes before adding the chili sauce. Add the chicken and whipping cream mixture to the soup. At the end, add 1/2 the package of mozzarella cheese and salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with some kind of bread (French bread of baguette bread) and salad and the rest of the mozzarella cheese.

Creamy pesto pasta

1 lb. uncooked noodles (I prefer Rotini noodles)
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup white cooking wine
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 8 oz. jar of pesto
2 tblsp. olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

In a saucepan, heat 2 tblsp. olive oil and then add chopped onions, minced garlic and cubed chicken breasts. Saute it until chicken is done. Add the jar of pesto and white cooking wine. Stir and let cook for five minutes to cook out the alcohol. Turn off heat and set aside. Cook pasta. Drain water from pasta and add pasta immediately to pesto sauce. Turn on the heat and stir. Add the parmesan cheese and whipping cream. Salt and pepper to taste. Stir until creamy. Serve immediately! This is a family staple in our house!

Wonton Chicken Salad

1 head of iceberg lettuce
1/2 lb. wonton wrappers (any brand is fine and you can buy these at a regular grocery store, often in the frozen section)
3 chicken breasts, cooked in water and shredded
4 green onions, chopped
2 tblsp. sesame seeds
1 tblsp. sugar
1 can chopped water chestnuts, cut into tiny pieces
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 cup canola oil
3 tblsp. white vinegar
2 tblsp. sesame oil

Wash and chop lettuce. Dry really well. Boil chicken breasts in water and shredded into small pieces. Fry wonton wrappers
in medium-heat oil on stove top until lightly browned. Set aside for later. I usually set them aside on a plate lined with a paper
towel to soak up excess oil. Don't get the oil too hot though or they will burn quickly. Mix all remaining ingredients and pour
over chicken and marinate at least 3 hours in fridge. When ready to serve, pour chicken mixture over lettuce and crumble
friend wonton wrappers and toss to coat. Serve immediately because it gets soggy fast! Yummy.....

This is a family favorite, and while it takes some time to prepare it, it is so worth it!

Honey Pecan Chicken

1 1/2 c. finely chopped pecans
6 tblsp. crushed corn flakes
2 tblsp. honey
1 tblsp. soy sauce
10 chicken tenderloins (I actually use 4 reg. sized chicken breasts and it works great!)

Preheat ovent o 425. Mix pecans with corn flakes in a shallow dish. Combine honey and soy
sauce in another shallow dish. Dip both sides of chicken in the honey mixture, then coat
with pecan mixture. Arrange in baking dish in a single layer. Bake for 15 minutes and then turn
over and bake another 10 roughly....or until golden brown.

Cashew Chicken

1- 1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken
1 bell pepper (any color is fine)
1 small onion
2 tblsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. fresh ginger, grated
3 tblsp. oyster flavored sauce (you can buy it at Walmart in the oriental section)
1 tblsp. cornstarch
1 tblsp. oil
1/2 -1 cup cashew nuts (unsalted)

Slice chicken into bite-sized pieces. Put chicken in a bowl. Add soy sauce and ginger. Set aside. Slice bell pepper and onion into bite-sized pieces. Heat skillet and add oil. Stir fry chicken. Add bell pepper and onion. Pour oyster flavored sauce in. Add cashew nuts. Thicken with 1 tblsp. cornstarch. Serve over rice!

Chicken-Zucchini Alfredo (with yummy low-fat sauce)

I got a lot of good recipes from magazines that were donated to me while I was in the hospital. I'll only post the ones that a good. This recipe came from food network. It was a good low-fat alfredo recipe. It was also quick and easy to make. It took about 30 minutes.

 Kosher Salt                                                 12 oz fettuccine (whole wheat)

3 Tbsp olive oil                                             1 Tbsp all-purpose flour

2 cloves garlic, minced                                  1 c cold low-fat milk

2 zucchini, thinly sliced and halved                1/2 c evaporated non-fat milk
4-4oz skineless boneless checken breasts      3/4 c grated parmesan cheese

ground pepper                                              1/4 c chopped fresh parsley

1. Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 1 clove garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add zucchini, cover and cook until tender, stirring, about 6 minutes. Transfer to bowl.

2. Heat another Tbsp of olive oil over med-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook through. Transfer to plate.

3. Cook pasta according to directions on box. Drain but reserve 1/2 c cooking water.

4. Meanwhile, whisk flour and low-fat milk in bowl. Place remaining clove of garlic and 1 tbsp oil in skillet and cook over medium-high heat, 30 seconds. Add the flour milk mixture and bring to boil, stirring. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add evaporate milk, 1/2 tsp salt, and cheese; sit to melt.

5. Cut the chicken into strips. Toss with pasta, sauce, zucchini, and parsley, adding reserved water to loosen.

Per serving: Calories 680; Fat 18g (Sat. 5g); Cholesterol 85 mg; Sodium 820 mg; Carbs 79g; Fiber 3g; Protein 49 g

Black Bean and Chicken Soup(or Why Cumin Is So Important)

So, I made this a week or so ago, and it was bland, tasteless, yuck, just plain not good. I made it again tonight and it was awesome! I can't wait to eat the leftovers tomorrow. :)

Why was last week's batch so bad? I followed another person's recipe exactly, and didn't realize that this person was into bland tasting food. =P (After trying a few of her recipes, I found them to be lacking any real flavor, so when I see one I would like to try, I add things!)

So here's my version of a black bean and chicken soup recipe for the crockpot. The original recipe has mushrooms and sour cream, and much less cumin and salsa.

16oz dry black beans
1 large frozen chicken breast(or a couple small ones)
1cup frozen corn
16oz jarred salsa(I used pace)
2tsp cumin
4cups chicken broth

The night before making this, put the beans in a bowl, cover with water plus two inches, and let soak. In the morning, drain the beans and throw them in a large crockpot(4-6quarts).

Lay your frozen chicken breast on top of the beans, add the corn, salsa, and cumin. Pour the chicken broth over the whole thing, and let cook on high for 6-8 hours.

SOOOOOOOOOO good! Enjoy!

Chicken Taquitos

Altered from this recipe on Allrecipes.com. Made a few adjustments which I noted at the bottom. :) Super-yummy!

2lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 can rotel
8oz salsa
1/2tsp cumin
2cups shredded Monterrey jack cheese
28 corn tortillas
vegetable oil

1. boil chicken in can of rotel and can of water(more or less, at least enough to cover chicken), shred it up and toss it in a big bowl with cumin and salsa

2. in a skillet, warm up thin layer of oil over LOW heat(recipe said med, but that was frying the tortillas instead of just softening them) and warm each tortilla in oil until softened *I did this in batches of 6-8*

3. in center of each softened tortilla, place about a tablespoon of chicken mixture and same of cheese, roll up and place seam side down on sheet pan

4. once all taquitos are assembled, bake in 375 degree oven for about 15 minutes until exterior is slightly golden and crispy, and filling is melty

I changed the name to taquitos, 'cause flautas are made with flour tortillas. I also used thigh meat for more chicken flavor, they are really not that much more fat, I swear. They get such a bad rap!

Also, we like jack in mexican dishes, so we just used more jack cheese, no cheddar ... and we could only fit 28 on a half sheet pan, whereas the recips says it makes 36.

You can tell if you warmed the tortillas enough in the oil, 'cause if you did they stay together nicely, but if not, they fall apart!

Enjoy! We all loved this recipe, including the kids.

Roast Turkey or Chicken

This is more of a preparation than a recipe. It was in Real Simple for using on a Turkey, but hubby loved it so much, I often roast chickens this way.

1 bird(turkey or chicken)

olive oil

House seasoning:
equal parts chili powder, kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees.

2. Rub prepped bird with olive oil

3. Sprinkle seasoning over entire bird.

4. Roast in oven for 20minutes per pound.

Pot Pie

package of cooked chicken, turkey, or ham
1 medium onion
4 boiled eggs

Place cooked chicken, turkey, or ham in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Pour sprinkle chopped inions over meat. Layer boiled eggs on top of onion and meat.

In a bowl, mix the follwoing then pour over meat:
1 can cream of chicken/celery soup
2 cans Veg-all, drained

In a small bowl, mix the following and pour on top:
1 c self-rising flour
1 c milk
2/3 c mayonnaise (or 1 stick butter)

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes, or until crust is light brown.

*I also used boiled chicken breasts and a package of frozen mized vegetables instead of packaged meat and canned veggies.

Crunchy Onion Chicken

Crunchy Onion Chicken

1 1/3 cups French's Original French Fried Onions (the stuff you use on green bean casserole)
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 egg, beaten

• Crush the french fried onions in a plastic bag.
• Dip chicken in to egg. Coat in onion crumbs. Press firmly to adhere.
• Place chicken on baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until no longer pink in center.

Chicken Stuffed with Bacon and Feta

Ingredients
4 boneless chicken breasts (Next time I will use the thin chicken breast)
4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
1 package bacon, cooked and crumbled
14.5 oz can of tomatoes ( I used the ones with basil, oregano, and garlic)
olive oil

The first thing I did was to cook the bacon, pour the grease into a container, and set it aside to use later. The recipe says to cut a slit in each chicken so you can stuff it. This is where I will use the thin chicken breast next time so I can just fold them over. Stuff or fold the chicken with the feta cheese and crumbled bacon.
Use a toothpick either way to secure the chicken closed. Brown the stuffed chicken in olive oil in a fry pan until golden brown. (I added some of the bacon grease in at this point for a little more flavor on the outside of the chicken) Once the chick is brown add the tomatoes and cover, cooking until chicken is thoroughly done.

Foil Packets by Chez Dishman

3-4 chicken breasts or chicken thighs (boneless, skinless)
1 jar of sundried tomato pesto (you won't use even half of it, but it keeps for a long time in the fridge, so you can make this dish again before it has gone bad!)
4 oz. of shredded mozzarella cheese
salt and pepper to taste
2 garlic cloves, minced
fresh green vegetables of your choice (I usually prefer squash and zucchini, but asparagus, broccoli and leeks are also great to use; I use 1 squash and 1 zucchini)
olive oil
aluminum foil

Tear off of piece of aluminum foil that is roughly 20 by 20 inches wide. Place one chicken breast or thigh in the center of it, drizzle a little bit of olive oil on top, salt and pepper to taste, and rub some of the fresh minced garlic on it. Then place the sliced or cut vegetables of your choice next to it and salt and pepper it as well. Put 2 tablespoons of the sundried tomato pesto on top of the chicken and then add mozzarella cheese on top (however much you like:)) and wrap it up. Make sure no wholes are present....that way the chicken and veggies will cook in more moisture and be tastier. Repeat this with every individual chicken breast or thigh you want to make. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake the foil packet for about 25 minutes or until done.

This dish goes well with some long grain rice, a salad and some bread.

Tip: You can use any meat you want and substitute it with a marinade instead of using sundried tomato pesto and then add the veggies as well with garlic, salt and pepper.

Chicken and Dumplings

I adapted this recipe from one I found on All Recipes.

3 boneless chicken breasts
1 box chicken stock
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (12 ounce) package refridgerated biscuit dough
3 stalks celery
3 carrots
1/2 medium onion
2 cloves garlic chopped
1 teaspoon dried sage
salt
pepper

In a large pot over high heat, combine the chicken with enough water and chicken stock to cover, and boil for 15 to 20 minutes. Drain some of the water from the pot, reserving 3 cups in the pot. Remove chicken and allow it to cool, then pull it apart into bite size pieces; return to pot.

Chop all veggies into bite size pieces. Reduce heat to medium, and add the cans of condensed soup, veggies and seasoning.

Season with salt and pepper. Pull the biscuit dough into pieces, and add to the soup. Simmer over medium heat for 7 to 8 minutes, or until the dough is cooked through.

Chicken Nuggets (Taste of Home)

Shea Amaro made this recipe for us one time, and I loved it immediately.

1 cup dry bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tsp. dried basil
2 tsp. dried thyme
2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
3/4 cup butter, melted
2 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes

In a shallow bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and seasonings. Place butter in another shallow bowl. Dip chicken in butter, then roll in bread crumb mixture. Place in a greased 15 inch x 10 inch baking pan. Bake, uncovered at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until juices run clear.

Yield: 8 servings

Snappy Smothered Chicken (from Southern Living)

I saw this recipe in a recent Southern Living magazine so I cut it out. One day after work, I was running a little late getting home, but still wanted to cook so I picked up a rotisserie chicken at HEB and made this. Both Kevin and I loved it, it was pretty easy, and it made enough for both of us to have leftovers for lunch the next day. Of course, you can cook your own chicken too.

1 (8 oz.) pkg. wide egg noodles
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. dried thyme leaves, crumbled
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp pepper
3 tbsp. butter
1 large onion, chopped
1 package mushrooms, sliced
2 tsp. jarred minced garlic
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup milk
1/3 dry white wine (can substitute with 1/3 additional milk)
1 rotisserie chicken, cut into serving pieces
2 tbsp. chopped parsley

1. Prepare noodles and keep warm.
2. Meanwhile, stir together paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper in small bowl.
3. Melt butter in large skillet over med-high heat; add onion and mushrooms, and saute 8-10 minutes or until onion is tender. Stir in garlic and paprika mixture; saute 2 minutes. Add soup, milk, and if desired, wine, and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Add chicken pieces. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, until chicken in thoroughly heated. Stir in parsley. Serve over hot noodles.

Parchment Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 zucchini, sliced in very fine slices- as thin as possible
1 jar of sundried tomato pesto
4 oz. feta cheese (any kind is great)

Cut yourself a 1 by 1 foot square of parchment paper and lay one individual chicken breast right int he middle. Use 5-6 slices of zucchini and place them on top of the chicken. Then add approximately 2-3 tablespoons of the sundried tomato pesto on top. (you can determine how much sundried tomato pesto you would like on your chicken; the amount is not that important, but it's important that it is in this dish!) Sprinkle at least 2 tsp. of feta cheese on top of that. Wrap the chicken up in the parchment paper so that it is sealed tight and bake it in the oven on 350 degrees for 45 minutes (or until the chicken is fully cooked)! Repeat this process with the rest of the three chicken breasts. This is very yummy. The parchment does not allow moisture to evaporate from the chicken, so this dish is very moist!

FYI- this is a meal you can order at the Studio Kitchen; Kim had assembled it herself in the past, which is why we know rough estimates on the amounts of the ingredients. You can't go wrong though. Just add of each ingredient whatever you prefer and you will find that it's yummy!

Southwestern White Chicken Chili

I lost the recipe about 5 or 6 times back, so I have been making it by memory lately. :) Here is the way I made it tonite:

1.5 lbs boneless/skinless chicken breast
4c chicken broth
1 medium onion, diced
8oz chilis, diced
3(15oz) cans of white northern beans(yes, I see the irony too)
1tbsp oregano, crushed(between your palms, and you smell good all day!)
1tbsp cumin
salt and pepper to taste
2c monterrey jack cheese, shredded

*brown chicken in a little evoo, then using two forks, shred it. I have tried dicing it, and it's just the wrong texture for this dish.

*drain and rinse the beans, you don't have to rinse, but I have found that it's a little heavy on the salt if you don't.

*combine all ingredients except cheese in Crockpot and cook on low for 7-8 hours. I have found that this is one CP recipe that does not taste as good when shortened in time and cooked on high, so I wouldn't suggest it.

*The original recipe called for you to stir the cheese in at the last minute and serve that way, but I have found most people like to regulate the amount of cheese that's in it, so I serve it on the side. If you want it "mixed in" just put it in the bottom of the bowl before ladling in the chili.

*Enjoy with tortilla chips, sour cream, or even some more chilis to garnish.

*Either everyone loves this stuff, or I have a lot of friends with some sins to confess!

Spinach Chicken Parmesan

1/2c Parmesan Cheese
1/2c bread crumbs(italian seasoned, or add seasoning)
1 large egg
4 bnlss/sknlss chicken breasts
1/4c diced onions
4tsp flour
4tsp butter
2/3c milk
2(10oz)pkg frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
6 slices mozzarella cheese
pasta and sauce of choice

*Preheat oven to 350F
*Rinse and pat dry the chicken breasts, place them between plastic wrap on a cutting board or counter and pound them to about 1/4 inch. They will look like they doubled in size, it was cool.
*Dip breasts in beaten egg, then in a mixture of the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, and place in large casserole dish. I used my round baker from PC. Whitney's right, the bottom gets just as crisp as the tops in those things, no soggy chicken.
*In skillet, melt butter, add onions and brown, then stir in flour. Add milk all at once and continue to simmer and stir until bubbly. Stir in spinach and then spoon mixture onto each chicken breast. Place slices of mozzarella over chicken to cover(doesn't have to completely cover) the spinach mixture.
*Bake at 350F for 30-35 minutes until chicken is cooked through. I found I only needed the 30mins.
*Cook your pasta and warm sauce while chicken is in oven. Place a small mound of pasta on one side and slightly overlap with chicken breast, then spoon sauce across both. Pretty and pretty tasty!

This was a combo of several different Chicken Parm recipes from Allrecipes.com. I couldn't find one I really loved, so I mixed ingredients and techniques from about four of them. I served this with a mixed green salad and even Bubba was loving this chicken.

FYI: The Italian seasoning is to taste. I used the seasoned breadcrumbs and I thought it was perfect, but Matthew said he would like a little more kick. :)

Creamy Chicken (Crockpot Recipe)

6 chicken thighs, skin and bone still in
1/2 pkg. of Hidden Valley Dressing Mix
4 oz. sour cream
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 tsp. basil
2 tsp. marjoram
4 tblsp. white cooking wine
Salt and pepper to taste

Place the chicken thighs in the crockpot. Mix the rest of the ingredients together and pour on top of chicken. Turn crockpot on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Voila.

* Since there is so much sauce, we ate this recipe with potatoes, but Wilson thinks that rice might even be better.