Egg Salad

With all these leftover Easter eggs, I knew salads would be in the future. So I located a low calorie egg salad recipe and tweaked it up a bit. It only came down to about 210 calories a serving.

Enlightened Egg Salad
Serves 4

Ingredients

• 6 large hard boiled eggs (pealed and cubed)
• 2 tablespoons nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon light mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1⁄4 teaspoon paprika
• 1⁄4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• freshly ground black pepper
• 8 slices pumpernickel bread

Instructions

1. Mix all the ingredients, except for the bread and egg in a bowl. 
2. Once the dressing is mixed, add in the chopped eggs and mix to coat.
3. Salt and pepper to taste.
4. Add salad to bread and serve.

Note: Add an additional tablespoon of mayonnaise if it tastes too yogurt, but just adjust the calories for it. 

Cheesy Tortellini and Chicken Bake

Cheesy Tortellini and Chicken Bake
Serves 8

Ingredients

• two 9-ounce packages refrigerated cheese tortellini
• 1 medium carrot, thinly sliced
• 1-1/2 cups sugar snap peas, halved crosswise
• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 2 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 small red or green sweet pepper, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Progresso Starters Cheese Sauce
• Laughing Cow Lite Swiss Cheese 5 Triangles
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 2 TBSP minced garlic (1 in the cheese sauce, one in the chicken)
• 1 TBSP McCormick Lemon Pepper seasoning

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook tortellini in boiling salted water according to package directions, adding the carrot during the last 5 minutes of cooking and the sugar snap peas during the last 1 minute of cooking; drain.
3. Meanwhile, 1 TBSP olive oil in a pan and add the diced onion, red pepper, and 1 TBSP garlic.
4. Once they are starting to soften, add chicken and mushrooms, and cook about 5 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Remove from skillet.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. In a small sauce pan, add 1 TBSP minced garlic, 1 TBSP lemon juice, lemon pepper seasoning, and the Pregresso Starters Cheese Sauce. Once it has warmed through (on medium), add in the laughing cow cheese triangles and whisk together.
6. In an ungreased 13x9x2-inch baking dish or shallow 3-quart casserole., add the drained pasta and carrots, the chicken and vegetable mixture, and the cheese sauce. Mix together until coated evenly.
7. Bake, covered, in a 350 degrees F oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until heated through.
8. Take out, stir mixture, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve!

Zesty Pork Chop and Cucumber Salad Wraps

Zesty Pork Chop and Cucumber Salad Wraps
Serves 5-6

We wanted a fresh and new recipe that was quick and easy to make for dinner. For some reason, we thought pork chop and cucumber salad in a wrap. Go figure! It was delicious! These might be great on the grill. Will definitely try it when it's not raining.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless pork chops
• 1 bottle zesty Italian Dressing
• 1 large cucumber
• 1 large red onion
• 1 bag of fresh spinach
• 3 large tomatoes
• preferred wrap or tortilla shell (Flat Out Healthy Grain Harvest Wheat)

Instructions

1. Heat a skillet. Marinate the Pork Chops in a bowl of ziploc bag for 30 minutes in the Italian Dressing, saving 1 cup for the salad.
2. Peal and slice the cucumbers in half and then slice them into thin strips. 
3. De-seed and slice the tomatoes into chunks.
4. Slice the red onion in half and then into 1mm strips.
5. Mix the cucumber, onion, and tomatoes in a large bowl. Add the Italian Dressing and pepper to taste. 
6. Now cook the marinated pork chops in the skillet until cooked through. Let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
7. Next, take a wrap and put down a layer of spinach. Make sure it has been rinsed and dried, first.
8. After putting down a layer of spinach leaves, put some pork chop strips in the middle and then a spoonful or two or cucumber salad. 
9. Wrap and enjoy!

Oriental Beef Salad

 

Ingredients

• 1 bag of coleslaw mix, shredded 
• 2 packages of Ramen noodles (chicken flavor)
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
•  2-3 TBSP sesame seeds
• 1 seasoning packet from Ramen Noodles
• 1 cup rice vinegar 
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 TBSP sesame oil
• 4 TBSP sugar
• 1 flank steak
• 2 cups soy sauce 
•  salt/pepper

Instructions

1. Marinade the flank steak in the soy sauce for 30 minutes or more in the fridge. 
2. Season the steak with salt and pepper. In a grill pan, sear the steak over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes per side for medium rare; transfer to a plate to rest.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, vegetable oil, sesame oil, sugar, and Ramen seasoning packet. 
4. In a large bowl, combine the slaw mix and dressing and toss. 
5. Crush the Ramen noodles into small pieces and spread out on a baking sheet with the almonds and sesame seeds. Broil until medium brown.
6. Add the dry Ramen noodles (right before serving) and toss again. Divide evenly among 4 shallow bowls.
7. Cut the steak into thin slices and distribute among the salads.

 

My Outback Classic Wedge Salad

My Outback Classic Wedge Salad
Serves 4

I live in a place where the closest Outback Steakhouse is, or at least feels, like farther away than I want to travel for a salad. I was really craving one, so I made a list of all the things that were familiar about the salad and this is what I came up with. This is the closest taste I have ever had to the salad I've been craving. Sans prime rib.

Ingredients

• 1 head of lettuce cut into 4 wedges.
• 1 cup real bacon bits
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 red onion sliced thin
• 4 TBSP balsamic vinegar
• 1 cup blue cheese crumbles
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 cups Ken's Steakhouse Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing
• 3/4 cup Ken's Steakhouse Sweet Vidalia Onion Dressing

Instructions

1. Mix the two dressings in a bowl together until they are thoroughly mixed together.
2. In 4 bowls, put the 1 lettuce wedge, 1/4 of the onions, and 1/4 of the cherry tomatoes.
3. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the walnuts, blue cheese crumble, and bacon bits on each wedge.
4. Drizzle 1/4 of the dressing onto each wedge. Then drizzle 1 TBSP of the balsamic vinegar on each.
5. Serve and enjoy!

Pierogi and Squash Soup

Pierogi and Squash Soup
Serves 4

I saw this recipe in my Food Network magazine and I was super excited to make it. I love pierogies. I love tomato-y soups. Perfect! But then I forgot a few of the ingredients and had to change some of the recipe. So this is an inspired-by recipe from the Food Network. It was so good and those Progresso Recipe Starters are seriously delicious and helpful!

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 8 ounces Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
• 1 cup diced onions
• 1 TBSP minced garlic
• 1 Knorr Vegetable
• 1 can Progresso Recipe Starters Fire Roasted Tomato
• 48 oz low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 cups shredded coleslaw mix or shredded cabbage
• Half of a fresh butternut squash cut up into cubes (about 2-3 cups)
• 8-12 frozen cheddar and potato pierogies
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large pot, cook the onions, garlic, and sausage with olive oil on high.
2. When the meat is cooked through, add the cabbage to soften it a bit.
3. Add in the squash, chicken broth, and the Progresso Recipe Starter. Cover, and cook on high until the squash is almost cooked through.
4. Add in the pierogies and cook uncovered until heated through. They will rise to the top of the pot.
5. Salt and Pepper to taste at any time through cooking. Serve and enjoy!

Slow Cooker Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Redux)

Slow Cooker Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Redux)
Serves 4-6

When I first started this blog, I was living in Scotland and I was just really stepping into cooking. I was looking for recipes to try to help build my background in food. I remember cooking this recipe back then and I thought it was actually quite delicious. Now, with a few years behind me and many, many recipes, I thought I would retry the recipe. It doesn't hurt that a week or so ago, the episode of Top Chef had a quickfire using lettuce (some as a wrap) and it made me think of these rolls. So I reworked certain parts of it and I'm hoping it turns out just as delicious!

This original recipe I got from Liz's cooking Blog. But now that I've made some changes, I have to say I'm claiming it as a little bit more of my own recipe.

Ingredients:

• 12 Large Cabbage leaves
• 1 lb Ground Turkey
• 1/2 cup egg whites
• 2 cups plain greek yogurt
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 TBSP Salt
• 2 TBSP pepper (1 for the turkey, 1 for the mixture)
• 1 TBSP paprika
• 1 TBSP cumin
• 1 C uncooked Brown Rice
• 1 29oz can of Tomato Sauce
• 1 cup Brown Sugar
• 1 cup Lemon Juice (1/2 cup for the turkey, 1/2 cup for the sauce)
• 1 cup Worcestershire

Instructions:

1. Get out the slow cooker.
2. Start by browning your ground turkey. Season your ground turkey as it browns with garlic, salt, pepper and lemon. When this is done, set aside.
3. Start water boiling in a large pot for your cabbage. Cut the bottom of the cabbage off and slowly wiggle the leaves apart. Then boil as many as will submerge in the pot at a time until tender and flexible. If you still have trouble getting leaves off without ripping them, submerge the whole head of cabbage in the pot and then pull of leaves, re-submerging when needed. Do this until you have about 12 whole leaves.
4. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, egg, greek yogurt, onion, spices, and rice. Mix well. 
5. Take about 1/4 C of this mix and put into the center of a leaf. Fold in the sides, then fold up the bottom until it looks like a little burrito. Place them seam side down in the slow cooker until you have gone through your leaves or ran out of mix.
6. In another bowl, combine the tomato sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, and Worcestershire. Pour this over the cabbage.
7. Set to cook for 6 hours. 
8. Make sure the cabbage is tender.  Serve.

Cheesy Ham and Corn Chowder

Cheesy Ham and Corn Chowder
Serves 4 (as a meal)

Once again, Ray has found a recipe that has been quite delicious. This was a recipe he had saved from a long time ago when he wanted to start cooking meals and when he looked it up again, he realized it came from Hormel! The soup, though, was definitely a treat when I arrived home after struggling through snow just to get home. It wasn't completely what I thought, but it was delicious. Chowders are a creamy broth with whole food chunks. I had thought it was going to be a creamy corn soup with ham. I was pleasantly surprised when it wasn't what I expected. A must cook again treat! Leftovers were also very delicious!

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon light olive oil
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups water
• 2 Chicken Bouillon Cubes
• 4 yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups frozen whole kernel corn
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 cups shredded Colby cheese
• 2 cups Farmland diced ham
• 1 4oz jar of Dromedary Pimentos
• Sliced green onions (garnish)
• 1 TBSP poultry seasoning (sage)

Instructions

1. In large saucepan, cook onion in oil, stirring occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes or until tender.
2. Stir in flour until smooth. Keep stirring, making sure it does not burn.
3. Stir in water, bouillon, potatoes, seasoning and pepper.
4. Cover saucepan; cook, stirring occasionally, 15 to 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
5. Stir in milk, corn, cheese, ham and roasted peppers. Cook 8 to 10 minutes longer or until heated thoroughly.
6. Once broth is to a preferred consistency and potatoes are cooked, serve and garnish with sliced green onions.

Lemony Asparagus Gnocchi

Lemony Asparagus Gnocchi
Serves 4

Necessity is the mother of invention. I know that I have cod. I know that I have gnocchi. What can I do with cod and gnocchi? I found a recipe on Life Takes Lemons and I was excited to try it. In all honestly, my husband was dubious at best. Fish AND gnocchi are not a winning combination for him. But I went ahead with it anyways. I have split up the two recipes into two different entries, making my own adjustments to what we cooked based on the original recipes, but they link to each other. Paired, they are Spicy Panko Cod with Lemony Asparagus Gnocchi. This meal was so delicious and filling! Even my cod and gnocchi disliking husband demanded we cook it again.

Ingredients

• 1 pkg gnocchi
• 1 bunch asparagus
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• Bacon Bits (real bacon preferred)
• pepper to taste
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 TBSP Tarragon
• 6 TBSP butter

Instructions

1. Boil water and cook gnocchi for 2-3 minutes or as directed. 
2. Meanwhile, break off the asparagus by snapping it in the place where it gives the most. 
3. In a frying pan, add the asparagus, butter, bacon bits, garlic and tarragon. Cook asparagus to preferred doneness.  
4. In a bowl, toss lemon juice, pepper, and asparagus.
5. Add gnocchi and toss again. Serve.

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Serves 8 (makes 2 pizzas)

I like to try to make different kinds of pizzas at home with flavors that I really enjoy. After Ray, my husband, played around with taco pizzas, I couldn't pass up making a Buffalo Chicken Pizza using the Buffalo Sauce for the pizza sauce, especially on Super Bowl Sunday! We LOVED it more than any pizza I've made before. This is a must keep.

Ingredients

• 3 cups Sargento Shredded Provolone and Mozzarella
• 2 cans white chicken
• 1 cup Buffalo Sauce
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
• 3/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 2 thin premade pizza crusts (you can use a thicker crust per preference)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to the crust directions (425 usually).
2. Spread 1/2 cup of sauce on each pizza crust.
3. Spread out one can of white chicken on each pizza.
4. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of onion and 1 stalk of celery evenly over the pizza.
5. Crumble half of the 3/4 cup of blue cheese on each pizza. 
6. Spread 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese on each.
7. Bake until desired crispiness. 
8. SERVE AND ENJOY!!! Mmmmmmmm......

Chicken and Corn Enchiladas

Chicken and Corn Enchiladas
Serves 8

This was one of Ray's weekly recipes. He found the recipe using one of his fancy little phone apps. The recipe was for 16 people! So he halved the ingredients and we still had leftovers for two work lunches (it reheated really well). The cool thing about it was that he doubled the chicken, sour cream, corn, and spices so that we had leftover filling and we made an awesome Chicken Fajita Pizza. This is an absolute cook again meal. Our two-year-old daughter loved the filling (she hates tortilla shells).


Ingredients

• 1lb skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• 1.5 cup canned enchilada sauce (Old El Paso)
• 1/2 16oz. jar salsa (Chi-Chi's White Bean Salsa or Tostitos Black Bean and Corn)
• 8 8in. tortillas
• 8 oz. frozen corn
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 1/2 bunch green onions, chopped
• 1/2 cup non-fat sour cream
• 2 cup shredded cheese (Kraft Mexican Blend)
• 1TBSP ground cumin
• 1TBSP chili powder
• Salt and Pepper
• guacamole

   
Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Coat a large baking dish with cooking spray.
2. On the stove top, use a pan to cook your chicken breasts. Make sure you season them. Once they are cooked, use two forks to shred the meat.
3. In a large bowl, mix the chicken, red onions, corn, sour cream, cumin, chili powder, and half of the cheese. Add salt and pepper as preferred.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the salsa and enchilada sauce.
5. Soften tortillas for 10 seconds each in medium skillet coated with cooking spray.
6. Fill tortillas with the chicken mix and place seam down in baking dish. Spoon salsa/enchilada sauce mix over and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Add more if you prefer.
7. Bake, covered with foil for 30-40 minutes.  sprinkle with green onions and serve. Mexican or Tomato Rice are great additives for side dishes.

Oven-Roasted Pasta Primavera with Real Beef Hot Dogs

This popped up when I was looking through my Rachael Ray Magazine and it looks so fresh and delicious, so I tried out the recipe from Johnsonville.com. Sadly, the sausage didn't make it on the grocery list (a mystery yet to be solved), so we used our beef hot dogs to fill in the gaps. It turned out AWESOME! My husband says he probably wouldn't have liked it as much if it hadn't been for the accidental slip. He didn't even know they were hot dogs! We also couldn't find zucchini. Both stores were out or had not received a shipment. Make it hard to cook healthy when stores don't provide healthy foods.


Ingredients

• 8 oz. fresh mushrooms, quartered
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 medium orange (or red) bell pepper, chopped
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. pepper
• 1 pkg. (14 oz.) Kelement's Chicago Brand Beef Hot Dogs (cut at an angle)
• 12 oz. uncooked Cavatappi Pasta or pasta of your choice
• 1 cup grated pecorino cheese
• grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. In a large bowl, combine the mushrooms, tomatoes, onion and bell pepper. Add the oil, salt and pepper; toss to coat.
3. Transfer to a greased shallow baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender and lightly browned, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the sausage and pecorino over vegetables. Bake until sausage is heated through.
5. Meanwhile, cook linguine according to package directions; drain and place in a large bowl.
6. Add sausage mixture and toss. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Doritos Nacho Platter

Doritos Nacho Platter
Serves 4-6

This recipe grew out of a frustration to cook something that we didn't have the typical ingredients for. As I continued to stare into the abyss of our pantry, I started to have certain items jump out at me and I realized I could attempt to make these nontraditional nachos.

Ingredients

• 1 bag Doritos Taco Flavored Tortilla Chips
• 1 10oz can of Ro-Tel Original Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilis
• 1 15.25oz can of Whole Kernel Sweet Corn
• 1 15oz can of Goya Black Bean Soup
• 1 15oz can of Hormel Chili with Beans
• 3/4 cup Cheez Whiz
• Sour Cream
• Taco Sauce
• Black Olives
• Jalapeno slices

Directions

1. Over medium heat in a medium pot, mix the corn (strained) , Ro-Tel with liquid, and Black Beans with liquid.
2. In a bowl, mix the can of Hormel Chili with the the Cheez Whiz. Microwave for 1 minute. Stir. Heat again for another minute. Stir. Repeat until heated through.
3. On 4-6 plates, pile on the chips. Then spread the Cheez Whiz mixture. Use a slotted spoon to spread the tomato/corn/bean mixture. Drain the liquid before putting them on the chips.
4. Add sour cream, sliced black olives, taco sauce, and jalapenos on top. Serve!

Hearty Veggie, Bacon, Mac n' Cheese Bake

Hearty Veggie, Bacon, Mac n' Cheese Bake
Serves 4-6

Ingredients

• 1 lb large elbow macaroni
• 1 can Progresso Recipe Starters Cooking Sauce Creamy Three Cheese
  
• 7.5 oz Sargento 4 State Cheddar Blend
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 small orange bell pepper, diced
• 2 TBSP minced garlic
• 1 tsp Turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1 1/2 cups frozen peas and carrots
• 1 lb bacon
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 cheddar mozzarella & cheddar cheese sticks
• 3 TBSP butter
• 1 cup of  Panko Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs (with 2 TBSP butter)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook the macaroni. Cook until al dente. Drain, rinse, and set aside.
2. Preheat the oven and cook the bacon until crispy and brown. Drain, pat off, and set aside to chop up into medium chunks.
3. In a sauce pan, add the butter, onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Saute on Medium to Medium High until onions are translucent.
4. Add in the Progresso Cheese Sauce Starter, the Turmeric Powder, and the Paprika. Bring to a simmer.
5. Once it is simmering, add in the frozen vegetables, cheese blend, Parmesan cheese, and the two cheese sticks. Cook until the cheese is melted and combined. About 5 minutes.
6. While the sauce is simmering, get a 13x16 baking dish and butter bottom and sides of the dish. Sprinkle in the breadcrumbs so that they cover all sides of the pan.
7. In the pot that the pasta was cooked in, return the pasta to the pot and pour in the cheese sauce. Stir and combine.
8. Pour in 3/4s of the bacon and mix through. Then add the mixture to the baking dish. 
9. Sprinkle the remaining bacon on top.
10. Bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees F.

Easy Tomato, Basil, & Mozzarella Pasta

Easy Tomato, Basil, & Mozzarella Pasta
Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1lb Rigatoni 
• 1 packed pearl mozzarella balls
• 2 packages cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
• 3/4 cup Olive Oil
• Salt & Pepper

Instructions

1. Bring a pot of water with salt to a boil. Cook the Rigatoni to preferred texture, drain, rinse, and refrigerate.
2. Halve the cherry tomatoes, chop the fresh basil and combine in a large bowl with the mozzarella.
3. In the large bowl, add the Olive Oil, salt, and pepper and stir with the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
4. Finally, add the pasta and thoroughly mix all the ingredients. Shake if you have a top to the bowl.

Quick Ladybug Lunch Pizzas

Quick Ladybug Lunch Pizzas
Serves 6

These pizzas were inspired by Rachael Ray's kid-friendly ladybug pizzas, but I made them for the whole family using a whole wheat thin crust pizza. My 2-year-old daughter LOVED them! She felt like such a big girl!

Ingredients

• 1 package (3 crusts) Golden Homes Whole Grain Ultra Thin Pizza Crust
• 2 large Vine Ripe Tomatoes
• 1 package Sargento Reduced-Fat Provolone Slices
• 1 package Sargento Fat-Free Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• 2 small cans chopped black olives
• 2-3 TBSP Contadina pizza squeeze sauce

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400. 
2. On the crust, put a thin layer of sauce. 
3. Put 3 pieces of provolone on each pizza. Then sprinkle the sauced areas with the mozzarella, distributing evenly.
4. Thinly slice the tomatoes and layer them on the pizzas. Also spread out the chopped black olives across the pizzas.
5. Cook for 5-8 minutes, longer if you need the top cooked (move closer to the top of the oven). 
6. Salt and pepper to taste.

Zucchini Mini Margharita Pizzas

Zucchini Mini Margharita Pizzas
I had to use tiny zucchini based on availability at my grocery store, but it still works out just fine. You just get small pizzas.

Ingredients

•     2 small zucchini
•     1 medium tomato diced tiny
•     1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
•     1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
•     1 1/2 TBSP minced garlic
•     Tomato pizza sauce

Instructions

1.     Slice the zucchini into 1/4 in pieces.
2.     Grill or broil the zucchini on a rack for 15 minutes on Hi (if broiling).
3.     Preheat oven to 400F.
4.     Dice the tomato.
5.     When the zucchini is finished cooking, transfer to a cookie sheet or baking tray.Make sure there is space between the zucchini slices.
6.     I recommend using a tomato sauce in a squirt bottle and put one drop on each zucchini.
7.     Follow up with a little bit of garlic on each.
8.     Then take the mozzarella and sprinkle a bit on each, pushing down to spread the garlic and sauce.
9.     Now put a pinch of grated Parmesan on each.
10.     Top off each of the zucchini pieces with a tiny piece of tomato.
11.     Put in the oven until the cheese is melted. About 10-15 minutes.
12.     Season with salt and pepper as desired and serve.

Indian Chicken Wraps

Indian Chicken Wraps
Inspired by the Food Network recipe "Indian Chicken Wraps."

 Ingredients

• 1 1-inch piece ginger, peeled
• 2 Serrano chile pepper, halved, seeded and roughly chopped
• 1 small onion, roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoon ground cumin
• Kosher salt
• 1 cup low-fat plain yogurt
• 4 teaspoons fresh lime juice
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, skin removed
• 4 tablespoons curry powder
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 3 medium carrots, shredded
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 4 pieces naan bread, warmed

Instructions

1. The night before, pick apart the rotisserie chicken and seal in 1 cup of chicken stock with 2 tablespoons curry powder.
2. The next day, combine the ginger, chile, onion, cumin and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a mini food processor and pulse to make a thick paste.
3. Mix the yogurt, lime juice, cilantro and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Cover and chill until ready to use.
4. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. 
5. Add the ginger-chile paste and cook, stirring, until most of the liquid has evaporated and the mixture is slightly toasted, about 5 minutes. 
6. Stir in the chicken, carrots, 2 tablespoons curry powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 2 cups chicken stock and continue to cook, stirring, until the sauce is thick and the chicken is heated through, about 2 more minutes. Season with salt.
7. Heat the naan bread according to the directions.
8. Spoon the chicken filling down the middle of each piece of bread. Drizzle with some of the yogurt sauce and roll up.

Pulled BBQ Beef Sandwich

Pulled BBQ Beef Sandwich
Inspired by Rachael Ray's Pulled BBQ Beef Sandwich.

Ingredients

• 2 large onion, sliced thin
•  3 cups ketchup
• 1 cup cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons cumin
• 2 pounds boneless beef chuck roast, cut into two large pieces
• 3 tablespoons minced garlic
• Salt and pepper
• 1 1 pound container  prepared coleslaw (we used Sendiks')
• 6 hamburger buns or favorite roles

Instructions

1. In a large slow cooker, combine the onion, ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, cider vinegar, and paprika. Whisk together.
2. Add the chuck roast and coat with the sauce. Cover and cook on low heat until tender, 7 to 8 hours. Start the night before and let cook for longer.
3. Using tongs, remove the beef from the sauce; shred. 
4. Skim off and discard the fat from the sauce, stir in the shredded beef and season with salt and pepper. 
5. Sandwich the meat, topped with some coleslaw, on the buns.

Turkey Bacon and Cheese Crescents

Turkey Bacon and Cheese Crescents

Ingredients

• 1 package of Crescent Rolls
• 9 slices of Jennie-O Turkey Bacon
• 2 Cups Reduced-Fat Sargento Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese
• Oregano
• Montreal Steak Seasoning

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400.
2. Unroll the crescent rolls and peal apart the first triangle.
3. Lay one slice of turkey bacon on the triangle.
4. Then sprinkle a good helping of cheese from the larger part to the smaller part. 
5. Sprinkle a little Oregano in the middle, if you want a little seasoning.
6. Roll the crescent from the larger to the smaller.
7. Repeat for the rest of the rolls. Once slice of turkey bacon per crescent. 
8. Sprinkle a little Montreal Steak Seasoning on top before baking.
9. Cook until golden brown.