Lemon and Dill Chicken Pasta

Lemon and Dill Chicken Pasta

Lemon and Dill Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. onion powder
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • ¾ pound fusilli pasta
  • 1 bunch of asparagus tips
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest, plus juice of one lemon
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 ¼ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small bite size pieces
  • 1/2 c. half and half
  • 1/2 c. Asiago shaved cheese
  • ⅓ cup chopped fresh dill

Directions

  • Season chicken generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and onion powder
  • In large skillet, cook chicken in olive oil and spices until cooked thoroughly.
  • Add chicken broth,1/2 tsp lemon zest, lemon juice and pasta, cook uncovered until pasta is tender
  • Add asparagus and place lid on pan to steam the asparagus.
  • Once asparagus is cooked, add half and half and Asiago cheese. Stir until pasta is covered and cheese is melted
  • Add the remainder of lemon zest, additional salt and pepper to taste and top with fresh dill.

Enjoy!


Ginger Cookies

Ginger Cookies

Ginger Cookies

Ingredients

3/4 c. butter

1 c. sugar

1 egg beaten

1/4 c. molasses

extra sugar for rolling the dough

Sift together –

2 1/2 c. all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon cloves

1 teaspoon ginger

Blend the butter, sugar , egg and molasses until smooth.  Add the sifted ingredients.

Roll dough into small balls, then roll in sugar but DO NOT flatten.

Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

Enjoy!!

Turkey and Rice Soup

Turkey and Rice Soup

Turkey and Rice Soup

Ingredients

6 cups chicken stock

1 Tablespoon of Better Than Bouillon – turkey base

1 left over turkey carcass, cut into small pieces and two turkey wings

2 bay leaves

2 sprigs of fresh thyme

2  tsp. poultry seasoning

1/2 c. chopped fresh parsley

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 garlic clove, pressed

1 large white onion, chopped

4 medium carrots , chopped

3 celery stalks, chopped

1 pound of turkey meat, chopped into bite size pieces

1/2 c. uncooked rice

Juice of one lemon

Instructions

In a large stock pot place chicken stock, turkey bones and wings.  Bring to a boil  then simmer for 40 min, allowing the broth to absorb the flavor of the turkey.  Strain and remove turkey pieces so you are left with a clear broth.  Add the juice of one lemon.

While the broth is being settled, in a large pan heat olive oil and garlic.  Add your chopped vegetables to the pan and heat until they have absorbed the oil and garlic.

Place the vegetables, turkey meat, and all spices into the pot.  Add the uncooked rice and bouillon.

Simmer for 30 minutes until vegetables are soft and rice is cooked.

A delicious recipe to help with leftovers during the Thanksgiving holiday!

Enjoy!!

Butter Pecan Cookies

Butter Pecan Cookies

Butter Pecan Cookies

Ingredients

2 1/2 c. all purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 C. unsalted butter, softened

1 C. dark brown sugar

1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 box ( 3.4 oz )  Jello French Vanilla Pudding mix ( dry )

2 eggs

1 tsp. pure vanilla

2 C. toasted pecans, chopped

1/2 c. crushed Heath Bar bits or plain toffee bits

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Toast pecans by placing on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake uncovered for approximately 8 minutes or until light brown.  Stir occasionally.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt – set aside

In a large bowl, beat with electric mixer, softened butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar.  Mix until fluffy.  Add the dry pudding mix, then add eggs and vanilla.

Stir in the flour mixture, pecans, and candy bits.

Bake at 350 for approximately 8-10 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

Allow cookies to cool completely on a rack.

The smell and flavors of these cookies will remind you of fall.  You are going to love them!

Enjoy

* I found this recipe while scouring through an old church cookbook that my grandma had given me when I was a newly wed.  The recipe was submitted by a lady named Betsy Nelson. How fun that we are enjoying these delicious cookies all these years after she shared her recipe.

 

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients for Bars

1 15 oz. can of pumpkin puree

1 2/3 c. sugar

1 c. vegetable oil

4 large eggs

2 c. all purpose flour

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

Ingredients for Frosting

1/2 c. unsalted butter, ( 1 stick )  softened

1 8 oz package of cream cheese, softened

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. almond extract

4 c. powdered sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a large bowl, beat pumpkin, sugar, oil and eggs with an electric mixer until well combined.

In a smaller bowl, sift together, flour, spices, baking soda and salt

Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and stir until well combined.

Spread the batter evenly into a well greased 10×15 jelly roll pan

Bake for approximately 30 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Allow bars to completely cool before frosting

For the Frosting…

Beat together the butter and cream cheese until smooth.  Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts.  Add the powdered sugar a little at a time until the mixture is smooth.

Enjoy!!

Yummy Veggie Soup

Yummy Veggie Soup

Veggie Soup

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, pressed

3 medium carrots, chopped

4 medium potatoes, chopped

1 small sweet potato, chopped

1 small zucchini, chopped

1 14.5 oz can of diced fire roasted tomatoes

1 14.5 oz can of white kidney beans

1 c. chopped green beans

1 1/2 c. chopped kale

1/4 c. dry white wine ( I like to use Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc )

2 tsp. Italian seasoning

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

4 c. vegetable broth 

2 bay leaves

1 lemon

salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

In a large stock pot, heat oil over medium heat, add onion and pressed garlic.  Cook until onions are clear and garlic is fragrant.  Season with salt and pepper.

Add the wine and allow the liquid to reduce by half

Add the remaining vegetables ( minus-  green beans, kale and zucchini), canned tomatoes, beans, bay leaves and vegetable broth.  Simmer on low for 1 hour.

The last 15 minutes, add the green beans, kale, zucchini, and one big squeeze of fresh lemon juice.  Cook until green beans are tender.

This soup is delicious and best served with warm crusty bread and butter.

ENJOY