Thursday, December 11, 2008

Philly Beef Sandwiches

I ordered a cookbook from my son's pre-school fundraiser because it was right up my alley! It's called Fix, Freeze, Take & Bake. Make ahead meals! Perfect! I made this one when I was home one night, so I didn't have to make it ahead.

Ingredients:

2 Tbs butter
1 1/2 lbs beef sirloin steak sliced into thin strips
1 medium onion thinly sliced
1 green bell pepper thinly sliced
2 beef bouillon cubes
Hoagie Buns
Mozzarella cheese slices

In a large skillet, heat butter. Saute beef until fully cooked. Add onions and green peppers, cook until tender. Add 1/4 cup water and beef bouillon cubes, stirring to dissolve cubes. Cover and let simmer 10-15 minutes. Top buns with meat and cheese and pop under broiler for a few minutes to melt and toast.

If freezing:
Allow to cool and then transfer to freezer bags. Thaw in refrigerator or microwave. Then heat over stovetop. Freeze up to 6 months.


Feedback:
Fabulous! We all loved it. The babies wouldn't eat the bell pepper. I was in shock.

Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken

Another one from my BFF Rachael Ray!

Ingredients:

4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breast
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup blue cheese crumbles
1/4 cup toasted pecans, chopped
2 scallions, sliced on bias
4 slices good-quality center cut bacon
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup half-and-half or cream
2 tablespoons grainy mustard


Heat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Butterfly the chicken breast pieces by cutting across the breast but not all the way through. Open the breasts up and pound lightly between parchment paper. Peel paper away and season the meat with salt and pepper.

Cover the seasoned chicken cutlets with blue cheese crumbles, pecans and scallions in equal amounts. Roll the chicken, wrap each roll with bacon and secure with toothpicks. Season the outside of the rolls with salt and pepper.

Heat the olive oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken evenly all over, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a small baking sheet, place in the oven and cook 10 minutes more.

Melt the butter in the same skillet pan the chicken was seared in over medium heat. Whisk in flour, cook 1 minute then whisk in stock. Let thicken a minute then whisk in the half-and-half and grain mustard, season with salt and pepper, reduce heat to warm.

Halve the chicken and stack to show off the center. Set chicken in gravy or pour over top.


Feedback:

Super good! The gravy was excellent. Hubby didn't dig the pecans, but I thought they were great and loved the texture they added. Kids inhaled it - surprise, surprise!

So Yummy Spinach Artichoke Dip

I have taken this to two get-to-gethers and it is a huge hit!

Ingredients:

1 14oz can artichoke hearts, drained and finely chopped
1 10oz pkg frozen spinach, thawed and drained
3/4 cup grated paremsan cheese
3/4 cup mayo
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 onion finely chopped (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir to combine. Pour into a baking dish. Bake 20 minutes.

**Can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Add 5-10 additional minutes too cook time.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Hello??

Where have I been??!! I can't believe it's been almost a month since I have posted. I promise I have been cooking, I just changed jobs and adjusting to the new schedule has been a bit time consuming. I have some really good recipes to post. I have made a few yummy appetizers for all the parties we seem to be going to lately, as well as my yearly Christmas goodie basket I give to all the neighbors. Don't think I have forgotten about you all, keep checking back, recipes to come!!