Chicken Saltimbocca with Artichoke Sauce

What's not to love about chicken wrapped in prosciutto? This recipe is courtesy of Sara Moulton, but I simplified it a bit.

Makes 4 Servings
Hands-On Time: 35 Minutes
Total Preparation Time: 45 Minutes

Suggested Accompaniments
spinach sautéed with garlic chips and couscous

Ingredients
4 boneless, chicken cutlets
12 large fresh sage or basil leaves (optional)
2 to 3 oz thinly sliced prosciutto
1/3 c unbleached all-purpose flour
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
3 T extra virgin olive oil
1/3 c dry Marsala or sherry
One 14-oz can artichoke hearts
1 c Homemade Chicken Stock
T unsalted butter

Directions
Put 3 sage leaves on each chicken cutlet. Wrap a piece of prosciutto around each chicken cutlet; press until they adhere.

On a plate or in a pie dish, add the flour. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Coat the chicken in the flour, shaking off the excess.

Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over high heat until hot; reduce the heat to medium. Sauté the chicken for 2-4 minutes per side, or until the pieces are golden and just cooked through; remove them to a plate and cover them loosely with aluminum foil. Repeat with the remaining oil and chicken.

Add the Marsala to the skillet; bring it to a boil, scraping up the brown bits at the bottom of the pan, and simmer for about 1 minute, or until the pan is almost dry.

Drain and coarsely chop the artichoke hearts (about 1 1/3 cups). Add them to the skillet along with the chicken stock and simmer until reduced by half. Return the chicken to the skillet and simmer just until reheated. Add the butter to the pan and swirl until it has melted. Divide the chicken among 4 dinner plates; spoon the sauce over the chicken and serve.

My hubby and I found that there was a little too much artichoke in the sauce, so next time I think I'll add just half a can.

Jalepeno Popper Chicken Breasts

How did I not think of this one? If you love jalepeno poppers, you'll love this chicken dish. It is so simple and only calls for three ingredients. This recipe is also courtesy of the Rachael Ray magazine.

1/4 cup chopped pickled jalepeno chiles
6 oz. room temperature cream cheese
2 skin-on, bone-in split chicken breasts

Mix jalepenos into cream cheese. Spread mixture evenly underneath chicken skin; season with salt and pepper. Bake on parchment-lined baking sheet at 400 degrees until cooked through. 30-35 minutes; crisp skin under broiler. (I didn't need to that final step. The chicken skin was pretty crispy just baking in the 400 degree oven.)

Buttermilk Ranch Chicken

This recipe is courtesy of the Rachael Ray magazine. This chicken dish was very flavorful without having a sauce. I mean who isn't always looking for a new chicken recipe, right?

1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup mayonaise
1/2 tsp. dried mustard
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives
1/2 tsp. dried dill
salt and pepper
4 thin cut chicken breast cutlets
2 Tbsp. olive oil

Combine all ingredients up to oil; marinate for 45 minutes or overnight. (I placed the marinade and chicken in a plastic storage bag in the morning and let it marinade all day until I was ready for dinner.)

In large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat; brown cutlets on both sides until cooked through; about 7 minutes. Serves 4.

Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja

I have decided to make my life easier by making one Crock Pot recipe a week. I love this Cuban dish and I love it even more when I can just throw everything in my Crock Pot and forget about it. I love the olives that are added to this dish at the end. I have never had this in ropa vieja (translation = old clothes), but I like the brinyness it adds. Serve over white or yellow rice. Another Food Network Magazine recipe.

Ingredients
• 1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced (with seeds)
• Kosher salt
• 1 1/2 pounds skirt steak or flank steak (I prefer skirt)
• 2 bell peppers (1 red, 1 green), sliced 1/2 inch thick
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons chopped pimiento-stuffed green olives, plus 1 tablespoon brine from the jar
• Cooked white rice, for serving

Directions
Combine the tomatoes, ketchup, vinegar, garlic, cumin, jalapeno and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a 5-to-6-quart slow cooker. Add the steak, bell peppers and onion and toss to coat. Cover and cook on low, undisturbed, 8 hours.

Uncover and skim off any excess fat. (I accidentally forgot to do this step. Or did I? I didn't really notice a lot of fat hanging out on the surface anyway.) Coarsely shred the meat with 2 forks, then stir in the olives and olive brine. Serve over rice.

Per serving: Calories 464; Fat 16 g (Saturated 6 g); Cholesterol 83 mg; Sodium 837 mg; Carbohydrate 39 g; Fiber 4 g; Protein 38 g

Blackened Salmon with Blue Cheese Sauce

I am always looking for salmon recipes. I love the fish, but sometimes it can end up dried out. This recipe keeps salmon nice and moist while adding a little heat. I used my trusty cast-iron skillet because, well, it's perfect for blackening, but any oven-safe skillet will do here. The blue cheese sauce is equally good over roasted potatoes and roasted asparagus. I have offered two blue cheese sauces below. One is original to the recipe, while the other is a healthier one, which I used. Recipe courtesy of The Food Network.

Ingredients
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil, for frying
• 4 (6-ounce) portions skinless and boneless salmon fillets

Blue Cheese Sauce:
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup blue cheese crumbles

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a small bowl, combine the Italian seasoning, black pepper, paprika, salt, and cayenne. Season each piece of fish with the rub.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the butter and oil. Once the butter has melted, add the fish and cook about 2 minutes per side.

Transfer the whole pan to the oven and cook for another 4 to 6 minutes.

For the sauce:
Place the white wine into a medium saucepan and reduce by half. Add the heavy cream and allow to reduce. Add the blue cheese and whisk until smooth. Serve on top of the salmon.

Lighter blue cheese sauce:
Mix equal amounts of blue cheese crumbles and lowfat butter milk. Stir with a fork while breaking up the blue cheese, until smooth. Add a splash of worchestershire sauce and a spoonful or so of light sour cream, if it needs a little thickening.

Cheesy Hash Brown Bake

This might just be the most perfect dish for leftover chili. During the Fall/Winter, my husband makes chili about half a dozen times. He always makes a ton and we have leftovers for the entire week. Sometimes we top baked potatoes with leftovers or make chili dogs, but this might be our new fave. So the next time you have leftover chili, try this quick and easy dish. Recipe courtesy of Everyday Food.

4 cups leftover chili
1 bag (16 ounces) fresh or frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed if frozen
4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup)
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
Coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425, with rack set in upper third. Divide chili among four individual baking dishes (10 to 12 ounces each). Set aside.
2. Place potatoes in a double layer of paper towels; squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
3. In a large bowl, combine potatoes, cheese, and cilantro; season with salt and pepper. Scatter potato mixture over chili. Place baking dishes on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until potatoes are golden brown and chili is bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve.
Cook's Note
You can also make this in a 2-quart baking dish. Bake in an oven heated to 425 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes. Cover with aluminum foil if the top browns too quickly.

Super Bowl 2012 Snacks

Here are two items I am making for Super Bowl Sunday, in case you need a couple of ideas. First up is a Beer-Cheese Dip from Food Network Magazine.

Pulse 1/2 pound cubed extra-sharp white cheddar in a food processor until finely chopped. Add 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder, a pinch each of salt and sugar, and 1/2 cup pilsner beer. Process until smooth. It's as easy as that. Serve with pretzels, crackers, chunks of bread, and veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, celery, cooked potatoes, etc.

The second dish I am making is Bacon-Cheddar Crescent Pinwheels, utilizing Pillsburgy refrigerated Crescent rolls.

Ingredients:
1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls or 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® Crescent Recipe Creations® refrigerated seamless dough sheet
2 tablespoons ranch dressing
¼ cup cooked real bacon pieces or 4 slices bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled
½ cup finely shredded Cheddar cheese (2 oz)
¼ cup chopped green onions (4 medium)

Directions:
Heat oven to 350°F.
If using crescent rolls: Unroll dough; press each into 12x8-inch rectangle, firmly pressing perforations to seal. If using dough sheet: Unroll dough; press each into 12x8-inch rectangle.
Spread dressing over each rectangle to edges. Sprinkle each with bacon, Cheddar cheese and onions.
Starting with one short side, roll up each rectangle; press edge to seal. With serrated knife, cut each roll into 8 slices; place cut side down on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 12 to 17 minutes or until edges are deep golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Serve warm.

40 Cloves and a Chicken

My BFFs make this dish all the time and rave about it. I finally made it tonight and it's a winner for sure. No vampires will be bothering us tonight with the 40 cloves of garlic that make this dish so delicious. This recipe calls for a whole chicken, broken down into 8 pieces. I prefer to just use the breast, but suggest using bone-in chicken breast otherwise the chicken will dry out. The chicken is seared on the stove top first but then roasted in the oven with olive oil and garlic, which gets soft and spreadable. Serve with a yummy loaf of crusty bread to sop up the oil and spread the garlic on. This recipe is courtesy of Alton Brown.

Ingredients
1 whole chicken (broiler/fryer) cut into 8 pieces (or 4 bone-in chicken breasts)
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 sprigs fresh thyme
40 peeled cloves garlic (you can find already peeled garlic in the produce section)
Salt and pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Toss with a 2 tablespoons olive oil and brown on both sides in a wide fry pan or skillet over high heat. (I used my cast-iron skillet, but just make sure your skillet or pan is oven safe.) Remove from heat, add oil, thyme, and garlic cloves. Cover and bake for 1 1/2 hours.

Remove chicken from the oven, let rest for 5 to 10 minutes, carve, and serve.

Cider-Glazed Pork Chops

Pork chops are a very economical and versatile option for dinner. Apples and pork just go together and I love how when the cider thickens and forms a glaze, it really concentrates the flavor. The only thing I would change about this is next time I am going to double the glaze so I have more to drizzle over the finished chops and potatoes. Oh yeah, this dish is great with roasted potatoes or mashed potatoes doused with the cider glaze. This recipe is courtesy of iVillage.

1 cup apple cider    
2 cloves garlic, minced    
Leaves from one 2-inch rosemary sprig (I used fresh thyme leaves because that is what I had)
2 center-cut bone-in pork chops
Olive oil
Kosher or sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 400˚.

Bring the apple cider to a boil and add the garlic and rosemary. Cook until reduced by half, about 15 minutes.

Brush the pork chops with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Heat a heavy ovenproof cast iron or stainless steel skillet over medium high heat for 3 minutes. Add the pork chops to the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes per side to brown the meat.

Brush the pork chops with the cider glaze and transfer the skillet to the oven. Cook for 10-12 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the pork chop reads 145˚.

Drizzle the chops with additional glaze before serving.

Lighter General Tso's Chicken

My husband loves Chinese food, especially General Tso's Chicken. Here is a lighter version from Everyday Food. I am not going to pretend that this is anything like what you get from the neighborhood Chinese takeout restaurant, but it was good and approved by my taste tester, my husband.

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups long-grain brown rice (or any rice that you like)
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 pound snow peas, trimmed and halved crosswise
4 garlic cloves, sliced
2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated and peeled (I despise ginger, so I left this ingredient out)
3 tablespoons light-brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce (please use a low sodium variety)
1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
2 large egg whites
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, such as safflower

Directions
Cook rice according to package instructions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir together 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1/2 cup cold water until smooth. Add snow peas, garlic, ginger, sugar, soy sauce, and red-pepper flakes; toss to combine, and set aside.

In another bowl, whisk together egg whites, remaining 3 tablespoons cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add chicken, and toss to coat.

In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Lift half the chicken from egg-white mixture (shaking off excess), and add to skillet. Cook, turning occasionally, until golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate; repeat with remaining oil and chicken, and set aside (reserve skillet).

Add snow-pea mixture to skillet. Cover; cook until snow peas are tender and sauce has thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Return chicken to skillet (with any juices); toss to coat. Serve with rice.

Balsamic Skirt Steak with Creamy Polenta

This recipe has been adapted from an Everyday Food recipe.

Skirt steak might be my new favorite. Last night was my first night cooking it and it was so easy. It literally only takes 2-3 minutes per side for medium rare. This is not a steak that works cooked well done, but what steak really does work at well done? Anyway, I wasn't expecting it to be so tender and flavorful, but it was. And another positive is that skirt steak is very economical. I definitely like it better than a flank steak. This cut of meat would be great for fajitas.

Reducing balsamic vinegar down, thickens it and turns it into a great sauce. Place the steak on a bed of creamy polenta and drizzled with the vinegar glaze is an absolute pefect combination of flavors. I completed the meal with sauteed mushrooms and a side salad. (The mushrooms complemented the steak and polenta wonderfully.)

If you're making this for two people, consider cutting the polenta serving in half because it does make quite a bit.

Ingredients
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 cup yellow cornmeal
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups milk
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds skirt steak (cut into 2 or more pieces, if necessary, to fit in skillet)
1 cup balsamic vinegar

Directions
Bring milk and chicken broth to a boil over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon salt; reduce heat to low and gradually whisk in cornmeal. Simmer very gently over low heat, whisking occasionally, until polenta is thickened and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Whisk in butter and Parmesan, and keep warm over very low heat (whisk in some more broth or milk just before serving if polenta becomes too thick).

Meanwhile heat oil in a large skillet over high. (I used my cast-iron skillet.) Season steak with salt and pepper; add to skillet. Cook, turning once, 6 to 8 minutes total for medium-rare. Transfer to a plate, cover loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest, 5 to 10 minutes (reserve skillet).

While steak is resting, add vinegar to skillet, and boil over high until reduced to 1/2 cup, 5 to 7 minutes; stir in any juices from resting steak. Slice steak, and serve with vinegar sauce and polenta.

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

This soup is adapted from a Food Network Magazine recipe.  

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 
• 2 cups half-and-half 
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth 
• 2 bay leaves 
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 
• 4 cups broccoli florets (about 1 head) 
• 1 large carrot, diced 
• 2 1/2 cups (about 8 ounces) grated sharp white and yellow cheddar cheese, plus more for garnish  

Directions

Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the flour and cook until golden, 3 to 4 minutes, then gradually whisk in the half-and-half until smooth. Add the chicken broth, bay leaves and nutmeg, then season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, until thickened, about 20 minutes.

Add the broccoli and carrot to the broth mixture and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. Puree the soup in batches in a blender until smooth; you'll still have flecks of carrot and broccoli. Return to the pot. (Or puree the soup in the pot with an immersion blender.)

Add the cheese to the soup and whisk over medium heat until melted. Add up to 3/4 cup water if the soup is too thick. Ladle into bowls and garnish with cheese.

Paleo Diet: Sundried Tomato Chicken Bake

This recipe is so easy. You just dump chicken in a dish and top with sliced garlic and a jar of sundried tomatoes, bake and you're done! I absolutely love sundried tomatoes, so this dish is right up my alley.

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cut in half
8.5 oz jar of julliane cut sun dried tomatoes
8 garlic cloves, sliced thin
2 tablespoons dried basil
Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375. Place the chicken breasts in a large glass baking dish. Sprinkle with the dry spices and mix well. Sprinkle the sliced garlic on top and spread the sun dried tomatoes and the olive oil that it’s in the jar over the entire dish. Seal tightly with tin foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the tin foil and bake for another 15 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink in the middle.

Paleo Diet: Cilantro-Pork Stir Fry

I used to hate cilantro, and now I am obsessed with this herb. So naturally I loved this dish. I do, however, hate ginger, so I left this ingredient out, but if you like it, go for it! I am always looking for new ways to cook pork and this recipe is a great solution to that dilemma. A squeeze of lime juice at the end adds a great freshness and acidity to this dish.

Ingredients
Fat for cooking;
1 lb tender pork, thinly sliced;
4 finally chopped garlic cloves;
1 tbsp finely chopped ginger;
1 cup coriander (cilantro) leaves, chopped;
1/4 cup olive oil;
2 onions, thinly sliced;
1 red or green bell pepper, thinly sliced;
1 tbsp lime juice;

Technique
Mix the garlic, ginger, half the cilantro and olive oil in a bowl, add the pork and put in the refrigerator to marinate for an hour or two. Heat your wok and stir-fry the pork. Remove the pork, add more cooking fat and stir-fry the onions for about 3 minutes. Add the bell pepper and stir-fry for another 3 minutes, until soft. Return the pork to the wok with the lime juice and the other half cilantro leaves and cook for another minute while tossing to blend the flavors.

Paleo Diet: Hungarian Beef Goulash

This is one of the best goulash recipes I have ever made and it follows the Paleo Diet. I suggest making extra of the dish and freezing for leftovers. Grass-fed beef is suggested, but the dish will still be delicious if you use regular beef. Also, don't allow "bone stock" scare you. Just use beef stock, and the kind in a box is fine. Goulash is all about the paprika, so if you can find a good smoked or Hungarian paprika - even better!

Serves 2-3
Ingredients
Cooking oil (lard, tallow, or butter are three good choices)
1/2 Lb stewing beef, cut in cubes (choose grass-fed beef);
2 medium onions, sliced;
1 large garlic clove, crushed and minced;
1 bell pepper, sliced;
2 tbsp paprika (this can be adjusted to taste, don’t be scared to use a lot of it);
2 tsp caraway seeds;
1 can chopped tomatoes (fresh tomatoes is even better);
1 1/2 cups of bone stock (beef stock is best, but anything will do);
Chopped parsley for garnishing.

Technique
Preheat your oven to 350 F. You can also use a crock-pot, on low temperature.

Brown the beef cubes in a pot with the cooking oil.

Put the beef aside and now brown and soften the onions. Add the garlic and bell pepper and cook to soften about 5 minutes on medium heat.

Put back the beef to the pot and add the spices, tomatoes and stock.

Put a lit on the pot and transfer to the hot oven or put the preparation in your crok-pot.

Let it cook for about 2 hours to 2 1/2 hours, until the beef is fork tender.