Chicken Tortilla Soup

I know what you're thinking, "Soup?, but it's spring". Yes, I know it is spring, beautiful sunny days mixed with cold rainy days. And those rainy days, they call for soup. The following recipe is adapted from the culinary genius, Pioneer Woman. 

The Deets

1 Rotisserie Chicken or 2 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

1 TB Olive Oil             

1 tsp Chili Powder

1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

1 tsp Taco Seasoning

1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 Onion Diced

3 Cloves Garlic, Minced

1 Can Rotel Tomatoes And Green Chilies

4 Cups (32 ounces) Chicken Broth

1 small can of Tomato Paste

4 cups Hot Water

1 can of Black Beans, Rinsed and Drained

3 Tablespoons Cornmeal (mixed with 1/4 cup of water and made into a paste)

For the Toppings
1/2 Avocado for each person
Shredded Cheese
Sour Cream
Green Onion, Onion, and/or Cilantro 
5 whole Corn Tortillas, Cut Into Uniform Strips Around 2 To 3 Inches or 1 bag of Frito Corn Chips

The How To

Cook Chicken or Pick up a Rotisserie Chicken; 
Cool and Shred/Chop Chicken; Set aside
Add Olive Oil to Large Stock Pot
Add Onion and Garlic, Cook until clear
Add Seasoning, Rotel, and Tomato Paste, Stir until seasoning is well distributed
Add Water and Chicken Broth
Bring to a Boil and cook for 45 minutes

Add Black Beans and Cornmeal paste
Add Chicken
Simmer for 15 minutes to let reduce further

Turn off heat and let sit for another 10-15 minutes

Spoon up, Top, and Enjoy!

White Chicken Lasagna

Lasagna. When you hear the word Lasagna I bet you imagine red sauce, ground beef and lots of tomatoes. Am I right? Well time for a switch up in your normal {delicious but normal} Lasagna. This recipe is actually lighter than it sounds, you can forgo the heavy cream and use all milk to make it even lighter. Either way, it's delicious! 

The Deets

1/4 Cup Butter

1 Shallot {or 1/2 small onion [I'm a shallot fan]} finely chopped

1 Clove Garlic minced

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 Cups Chicken Broth

1 Cup Milk
1/2 Cup Heavy Cream

2 1/2 Cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

1/2 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

     1 TBS Chopped Fresh Basil

1 tsp Oregano

1 Cup Ricotta Cheese

2-3 Chicken Breasts, Cooked and Chopped/Cubed

1 Package Frozen Chopped Spinach {Thawed, Rinsed and Drained}

1 Jar Artichoke Hearts – Roughly Chopped

1 Box Lasagna Noodles

     1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese for Topping

The How To

Melt the Butter in a saucepan over medium heat

Cook the Shallot and Garlic in the butter until tender

Stir in Flour and Salt, and simmer until bubbly

Add Chicken Broth and Milk, 

Gently bring to a boil, stirring constantly

Once boiling add 1 1/2 Cups Mozzarella and 1/4 Cup Parmesan

Reduce heat and stir until smooth

Add Basil and Oregano mix until smooth and remove from heat.

Divide Sauce in half

Add Chicken, Spinach and Artichoke Hearts to 1/2 of Sauce Mixture

Cook Lasagna Noodles according to package directions

Time for Assembly! 

In 9x13 baking dish add 1/2 of the plain sauce mixture 

Add a layer of Lasagna Noodles 

Top with  1/2 Ricotta, and 1/2  Chicken/Spinach/Artichoke Sauce 

Add another layer of Lasagna Noodles 

Top with remaining  Ricotta and Chicken/Spinach/Artichoke Sauce  

Add 1/2 Cup of Mozzarella and 1/4 Cup Parmesan

Add another layer of Lasagna Noodles

Top with remaining plain sauce mixture and remaining Cheese

Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes

Plate Pray & Enjoy!

Bagel Sandwiches for a Quick Fix

Sometimes we all need an easy dinner.
Tonight was one of those nights.
So CarboLoading Bagel Sandwiches it is.

The Deets
(for 2)
2 Bagels (Einstein Brothers Whole Wheat)
Thick Cut Chicken (I used Carving Board Turkey)
Extra Sharp Cheddar
Spicy Sprouts (Alfalfa & Radish Sprouts)
Spinach
Tomatoes

The Assembly 
Toast Bagels
Add Cheese while Bagels are hot to melt it a bit
Add toppings

Serve with Salad, Kale Chips or another healthy side and dinner is served.

Plate, Pray & Enjoy!

Prosciutto and Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breast

     The Weather is Lovely, it's warm and sunny, but not so hot that you don't dare cook.  I love this time of year, I love that things are growing, the bugs aren't too thick and it's just the right temperature to leave the door and windows open for a nice spring breeze. 
     This is a great recipe for a day like today, it's also great on too hot to cook days since you can toss it on the grill.  In case you haven't noticed I have a soft spot for Italy, I studied abroad in Rome one summer and fell even further in love than on my previous Euro-Tour. I love the lightness and freshness to Italian cooking, of course there are some great "stick-to-your-ribs" Italian meals, but I prefer the lighter side of Italian cooking most days. I'm sure you're thinking Prosciutto & Mozzarella are light? Yes, Yes they are if done properly. Now Let's get cooking.
The Deets
4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
4 Slices Prosciutto
4 Slices Fresh Mozzarella
4 Fresh Basil Leaves
1 TBS of Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper to Taste
The How To
Slice a "Pocket" into each Chicken Breast at the thickest spot - be careful not to cut all the way through

Wrap a slice of Prosciutto around a slice of Mozzarella & top with a Basil Leaf (what a lovely gift!)

Stick the Mozzarella "Gift" into the Chicken Pocket

Drizzle Each Chicken Breast with Olive Oil and Sprinkle with Salt and Pepper
Heat a Grill Pan (or your Grill) to Medium Heat
Cook Chicken for 6 minutes on each side, only turning once

Once Chicken is cooked through Remove from Heat, fix your sides and Plate. Today I served it with Whole Wheat Penne Pasta, a nice green Salad and Grilled Garlic Bread as sides.

Plate, Pray & Enjoy!

It's Not Easy Being Green - The Greenest Pasta You'll Ever Eat

Warning! This may not be the prettiest meal I've ever created! But it's healthy and delicious so go with the flow of the green and enjoy this veggie overloaded pasta dish. I love pasta! Normally I eat whole wheat, but occasionally, I'll buy something different - like spinach spaghetti.  Today's dish is chock full of healthy veggies, lean protein and flavor - that makes up for it not being pretty right?

The Deets
(for 4)
2 Chicken Breasts
One Package Spinach Pasta (Whole Foods 365 brand)
1 Cup Chopped Kale
1 Cup Grape or Cherry Tomatoes cut in half
1 Cup Mushrooms, roughly chopped
1/2 Shallot
4 Cloves Garlic
2 TBS Olive Oil
1/8 Cup White Cooking Wine
1/8 Cup Chicken Broth
Fresh Parmesan to Top

The How To
Cut Chicken Breasts in Half
Add 1 TBS Olive Oil to Skillet and Heat over Medium High
Add Garlic and Chicken
Cook until Brown

Remove Chicken from Skillet

Add Shallots and Mushrooms to Skillet
Once Mushrooms and Shallots are well sauteed Remove Garlic

Add Chicken Broth, Cooking Wine, Shallots and Mushrooms

Add Remaining Vegetables and cook until wilted
Cook Pasta According to package directions

Add Cooked Pasta to Vegetables and mix well

Top with Fresh Parmesan
Add Chicken

Plate, Pray & Enjoy!

Chicken Parmesan

A Lighter Version of the Classic Chicken Parmesan. It's made with fresh ingredients, Pan Seared Chicken (Not Fried) & Whole Wheat Pasta.
The Deets For the Chicken
4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts Butterflied
1/8 Cup Flour
1/4 Cup Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs
1 Egg
1 TBS Olive Oil
The How To
Dredge Chicken in Flour
Dredge Chicken in Egg wash
Dredge Chicken in Bread Crumbs
Heat Oil over medium high in Medium Skillet
Add Chicken & cook for 2 minutes on each side
Remove from Heat and Cover

The Deets For the Sauce
3 Cups Tomatoes Diced (or 2 Cans) Today I used Yellow Sunshine Baby Tomatoes - hence the yellow sauce instead of traditional red
5 Leaves of Basil Roughly Chopped
1 Clove Garlic Minced
1 Shallot Chopped
1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 pinch Sugar
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Pepper

The How To

In Medium Sauce Pan Heat Oil, add Garlic and Shallot until clear
Add Tomatoes,  Basil, Salt, Pepper and Sugar
Cook over Medium Heat for 10 minutes

The Deets for Assembly 
Tomato Sauce prepared above
1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese
8 Slices Fresh Mozzarella
4 Large Basil Leaves

The Assembly 

Place Chicken Breasts on Baking Sheet
Top each with 2 TBS Tomato Sauce
Sprinkle with Parmesan
Top with Basil & Mozzarella
Bake at 450 for 10 Minutes

Add Cooked Whole Wheat Spaghetti to left over Tomato Sauce Top with Parmesan. Add your favorite Salad or Vegetable

Plate, Pray & Enjoy