Ham Fried Rice

2 C. cold, cooked rice

¾ C. finely diced ham, pork, chicken, or bacon

2 eggs

2 Tbsp. finely chopped celery

1 Tbsp. green onion thinly sliced

Soy sauce

Heat frying pan or wok over medium high heat.  Lightly oil.  Add rice, meat, onions, and celery to pan.  Stir to break up rice and coat with oil.  When heated through, add egg and stir until cooked.  Add soy sauce to taste.

Braised Pork Chops

1 teaspoon rubbed sage

1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

4 boneless pork loin chops (1/2 inch thick and 4 ounces each)

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

3/4 cup apple juice, divided

1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

Combine the sage, rosemary, garlic, salt and pepper; rub over both sides of pork chops. In a large nonstick skillet, brown chops on both sides in butter and oil. Remove.

Add 1/2 cup juice to the skillet; bring to a boil. Return chops to pan. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until meat juices run clear, basting occasionally. Remove chops to a serving platter and keep warm.

Add the remaining juice to the skillet. Bring to a boil, loosening any browned bits from the pan. Cook, uncovered, until liquid is reduced to 1/2 cup. Pour over pork chops; sprinkle with parsley. Yield: 4 servings.

From Taste of Home 

Strawberry Mousse

4 cups quartered fresh strawberries or frozen unsweetened strawberries

1/2 cup sugar

1 package (1 ounce) sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix

1 carton (8 ounces) frozen reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed

In a food processor, combine strawberries and sugar; cover and process until smooth. Strain and discard seeds. Return strawberry mixture to the food processor. Add pudding mix; cover and process until smooth.

Transfer to a large bowl; fold in whipped topping. Spoon into dessert dishes. Refrigerate until serving.

From Taste of Home

Strawberry Chiffon Pie

1 package (.3 ounces) sugar-free strawberry gelatin

3/4 cup boiling water

1-1/4 cps cold water

1 cup frozen reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed

2-1/4 cups sliced fresh strawberries, divided

1 reduced-fat graham cracker crust (8 inches)

In a large bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Stir in cold water. Refrigerate until slightly thickened. Fold in the whipped topping and 2 cups of strawberries. Pour into the crust. Refrigerate for 3 hours or until set. Garnish with the remaining strawberries.

From Taste of Home

Southwest Chicken Wraps

3 C.  chopped, cooked chicken

1 C.  Picante sauce

¾ tsp. chili powder

¼ tsp. garlic powder

1 C. shredded Cheddar cheese, divided

1 (14 ½ -ounce) can black beans, drained

Flour tortillas

1 medium tomato, chopped

1 C. shredded lettuce

2 Tbsp. chopped green onions

½ C. guacamole (optional)

½ C. sour cream (optional)

1 tsp.  chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

Combine chicken, picante sauce, chili powder, and garlic powder in a large skillet and mix well.  Cook over medium heat until heated through, about three minutes.  Remove from heat.  Add ¾ C. Cheddar and beans to chicken mixture and mix well.  Wrap tortillas in a kitchen towel.  Microwave on high for 1 minute.  Spoon chicken mixture onto warm tortillas.  Top with remaining cheese, lettuce, tomato, green onion, guacamole, sour cream, and cilantro. 

Chicken Noodle Casserole

2/3 cup chopped onion

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tablespoon olive oil

1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4-inch cubes

1 can (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth

1-1/2 cups chopped carrots

3 celery ribs, chopped

1/2 teaspoon dried savory

3 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon white pepper

1-1/2 cups 2% milk

1-1/4 cups shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese

8 ounces wide egg noodles, cooked and drained

In a large nonstick skillet, saute onion and garlic in oil until tender. Add chicken; cook and stir until no longer pink. Add the broth, carrots, celery and savory. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt butter. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in cheese until melted. Pour over chicken mixture. Add noodles; mix well.

From Taste of Home

Apple Thyme Chicken

6 Tbsp. apple juice

6 Tbsp. lemon juice

4 ½ tsp. cider vinegar

4 ½ tsp. canola oil

1 ½ tsp. dried thyme

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

2 medium Golden Delicious, (or other all-purpose apple) peeled and quartered

1 Tbsp. honey

Sauce

2 tsp. cornstarch

¼ tsp. dried thyme

¾ C. apple juice

In a bowl combine the first five ingredients; mix well.  Pour half of the marinade in a large resealable bag; add chicken.  Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for at least 2 hours.  Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade.

           

Coat grill rack with nonstick spray before starting the grill.  Drain and discard marinade from chicken.  Dip apples in reserved marinade; set aside.  Combine the honey with the remaining marinade.  Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat for 4-6 min.  on each side or until chicken juices run clear, basting frequently with honey marinade.  Grill apples, uncovered, for 3-5 min, basting and turning frequently or until lightly browned. 

           

In a saucepan, combine the cornstarch, thyme and apple juice until blended.  Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 min. or until thickened.  Slice the grilled apples; stir into sauce.  Serve with chicken.

From Taste of Home

Honey-Nut Chicken Stir Fry

1 tablespoon cornstarch

3/4 cup orange juice

1/4 cup honey

3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

2 cups sliced celery

1-1/2 cups sliced carrots

4 teaspoons canola oil, divided

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch strips

1/4 cup coarsely chopped peanuts

Hot cooked rice

In a small bowl, combine the first six ingredients until smooth; set aside. In a nonstick skillet or wok, stir-fry celery and carrots in 2 teaspoons oil until crisp-tender. Remove and keep warm. In the same skillet, stir-fry chicken in remaining oil until no longer pink.

   

Return vegetables to the pan. Stir orange juice mixture and add to the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Sprinkle with nuts. Serve over rice.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

3 Tbs. vegetable oil

3 lbs. chicken pieces

1 large onion , chopped

6 Tbs. ketchup

1/4 C. lemon juice

1/4 C. soy sauce

1/4 C. sugar

1 tsp. black pepper

1 C. water

2 Tbsp. cornstarch dissolved in 1/2 C. water

Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.  Add chicken and cook until golden brown, about 10 min.  meanwhile in a small bowl, combine, onion, ketchup, lemon juice, soy sauce, sugar, pepper, and ½ C. water; blend well.  Pou mixture over chicken,  Cover reduce heat to low, and cook for 20 min. or until tender.  Remove chicken to serving platter. 

           

Add cornstarch mixture to sauce.  Raise heat, bring to a boil, and cook, stirring until sauce thickens, about 2 min.  Pour over chicken and eat with rice. 

Chicken Supreme

1/2 cup dry bread crumbs

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 teaspoon pepper

3 egg whites

6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)

1/4 cup sliced almonds

Refrigerated butter-flavored spray

In a shallow bowl, combine the first five ingredients. In another shallow bowl, beat the egg whites. Dip chicken in egg whites, then coat with crumb mixture. Place in a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray.

   

Sprinkle almonds over chicken. Spritz with butter-flavored spray. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.

From Taste of Home

Tasty Italian Chicken

½ C. chopped onion

1 ⅛ tsp. paprika, divided

3 tsp. olive oil, divided

1 ¼ C. water

½ C. tomato paste

1 bay leaf

½ tsp. chicken bouillon granules

½ tsp. Italian seasoning

½ C. flour

1 ½ tsp. grated Parmesan cheese

½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. garlic powder

¼ dried oregano

1 ½ lbs. chicken tenders

In a small saucepan, sauté onion and ⅛ teaspoon paprika in 1 tsp. oil until tender.  Stir in the water, tomato paste, bay leaf, bouillon and Italian seasoning.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 min.

           

Meanwhile, in a large resealable plastic bag, combine the flour, Parmesan, slat, garlic powder, oregano, and remaining paprika.  Add chicken; seal bag and shake to coat.  in a large nonstick skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, cook half the chicken in 1 tsp. oil for 2-3 min on each side or until juices run clear.  Remove and keep warm; repeat with remaining chicken and oil Discard bay leaf from sauce, serve over chicken.

From Taste of Home 

Chicken Breast Supreme

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

½ tsp. salt

¼ to ½ tsp. pepper

2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided

2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, divided

3 Tbsp. chopped green onions

Juice of half a lemon or lime

3 Tbsp. chopped parsley

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

¼ C. chicken broth

Flatten chicken breast to ¼ in. thickness.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 Tbsp. each oil and butter.  Cook chicken over high heat for 4 min. per side or until juices run clear.  Remove chicken top serving platter.  Add green onions, lemon juice, parsley, and mustard to skillet; cook and stir for 15 seconds.  Add chicken broth and remaining oil and butter; stir until smooth.  Pour sauce over chicken. 

Wheat Bread

3 C. wheat flour

½ C. honey

3 tsp. salt

5 tsp. yeast

½ C. melted shortening or oil

3 C. very warm water

2 C. wheat flour

3 C. white flour

Mix first 6 ingredients.  Knead in remaining flour by hand.  Place in a greased bowl.  Let raise one hour (or until doubled).  Separate into two loaves and place in greased pans.  Let rise 30 min.  Bake at 350º for 45 min.

Mormon Sangria

1 can Frozen 100% White Grape and Peach Juice

2 ½ cans cold water

2 C. Mixed Berries (Whatever is in season)

1- 2 liter bottle of sprite

Ice Cubes

Prepare Grape Juice with water and stir well.  Add Mixed berries and refrigerate (about 1-2 hours or until chilled).  Before serving, add Sprite and Ice.  Enjoy!

Sombrero Pie

Filling

1 lb. ground beef

1 lg. onion, chopped

2 cans (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

1 can (15 oz.) whole kernel corn, drained

1-2 Tbsp. chili powder

1 tsp. salt

¼ tsp. pepper

Cornmeal Pastry

1 ¼ C. flour

½ C. cornmeal

1 tsp. salt

½ C. salad oil

3 Tbsp. cold water

Cook and stir meat and onion in large skillet until onion is tender and meat is browned, stir in tomato juice, corn and seasonings.  Simmer 10 min. Pour mixture into greased 9x13 baking dish.  Cover with pastry.  Bake on 400 º for 30-35 min.

Pastry

Mix flour, cornmeal, and salt.  Mix in oil until mixture looks like fine crumbs.  Sprinkle with water and mix with fork.  Press firmly into a ball.  (If too dry to form into a ball, work in 1-2 Tbsp. more oil.)  Roll pastry between two sheets of wax paper into a 9 ½ x 13 ½ in rectangle.  Peel off top paper and invert onto meat mixture.  Peel off second piece, cut 3-4 slits near center of pastry.

From Mom

Cheesy Shell Lasagna

1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef

2 medium onions, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes

1 jar (14 ounces) meatless spaghetti sauce

1 can (4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, undrained

8 ounces uncooked small shell pasta

2 cups (16 ounces) reduced-fat sour cream

11 slices (8 ounces) reduced-fat provolone cheese

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

 In a nonstick skillet, cook the beef, onions and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomatoes, spaghetti sauce and mushrooms. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain.

Place half of the pasta in an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Top with half of the meat sauce, sour cream and provolone cheese. Repeat layers. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

Cover and bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 minutes longer or until the cheese begins to brown. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

From Taste of Home

Hawaiian Meatballs

1 ½ lbs. lean ground beef

2 Tbsp. minced green onion

2 Tbsp. minced green pepper

½ tsp. salt

1 (10 ¾ oz.) can tomato soup

⅓ C. water

½ C. crushed pineapple, drained

1 tsp. soy sauce

Dash ground ginger

Cooked rice

Turn on oven to 350º.  Combine beef, onion, pepper, and salt, mix well.  Shape into meatballs.  (This can also be done ahead of time.  Freeze meatballs on cookie sheet, then place in bag.  Bake for 45 min)  Bake for 30 min. or until done.  Combine soup, water, pineapple, soy sauce, and ginger.  Place meatballs and sauce in large fry pan.  Cover and cook over low heat for 20 min.  Stirring occasionally.  Serve over rice.

Beef Chow Mein

1 lb. ground beef

2 Tbsp. cornstarch

¼ tsp. salt

Dash pepper

2 Tbsp. soy sauce

3-4 Tbsp. salad oil

1 ½ C. thinly sliced strips of green pepper

½ tsp. garlic salt

3 tomatoes, peeled and cut into wedges

½ C. beef bouillon

Chinese noodles and/or cooked rice

Brown ground beef.  Mix together cornstarch salt, pepper, and soy sauce.  Stir in ground beef until well coated; set aside.  Cook green peppers lightly in oil, remove.  Add garlic salt and beef, cook 2-3 min.  Add peppers, tomato and bouillon.  Cook until sauce is thickened, about 5 min.  Serve over noodles or rice.

From Mom

Mexican Variation From Natalie

Use the same as above except instead of soy sauce add 2 Tbsp. salsa ½ tsp. chili power, 1 tsp. cumin, ¼ tsp dried cilantro, & ¼ tsp dried oregano. Add a can of corn with the tomato and peppers.  Serve with Rice and crushed corn chips



Creamy Fruit Dip

1 package (8 ounces) fat-free cream cheese

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup (8 ounces) reduced-fat sour cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon lemon extract

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup cold 2% milk

1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix

Assorted Fresh fruit

In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the sour cream, extracts and cinnamon until smooth. Add milk; mix well. Add pudding mix; beat on low speed for 2 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Serve with fruit. Yield: about 3-1/2 cups.

From Taste of Home

Black Bean Salsa

2 cans black beans, drained

1 can corn, drained

1 med. red onion, chopped

2 lg. tomatoes, chopped

¼ C. fresh cilantro, or 4 tsp. dried

3-4 Tbsp. lime juice

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 Tbsp. white vinegar

1 tsp. salt

½ tsp. pepper

Mix vegetables together.  Mix dressing ingredients together and pour over vegetables.  Refrigerate.  Eat with tortilla chips.

From Natalie