Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

Jennifer S.

This is very close to the one that Olive Garden serves.

1 cup chicken breasts, cooked and diced (you can use a rotisserie chicken)
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
1 quart half and half
1 14 ounces can of chicken broth
1/2 cup celery, finely diced
2 minced garlic cloves
1 cup carrots, finely shredded
1 cup onion, finely diced
1 cup fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoons extra virgin oil
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon parsley
Freshly grated Parmesan cheeses optional
1 pound potato gnocchi you can buy this in the gourmet section of many supermarkets, or in the frozen food section.


Saute the onion, celery, and garlic in the butter and olive oil over medium heat until the onion becomes translucent. Add the flour and make a roux. Let the butter and flour mixture cook for about a minute before adding 1 quart of half and half.
Cook gnocchi according to package directions.
Into the roux, add in the carrots and chicken. Once the mixture becomes thick, add the chicken broth. Once the mixture thickens again, add the cooked gnocchi, spinach, and seasoning;, simmer until soup is heated through.

You can add more chicken if you like. While you could use leftover cooked chicken breasts, I really think using the rotisserie chicken that are found in many grocery stores is the best way to get the optimal flavor of this soup. If you want to make the soup lower in calories, you can use milk instead of half and half. Half and Half does taste better though, and it also reheats better than milk does.

Red Mexican Rice

Jennifer S.

2 cups of your favorite white rice
1 onion
1 clove of garlic
3 cups and 1/2 chicken broth
1 Fresh Red Tomato
1 or 2 tablespoons of tomato paste.
1/2 cup cooked carrots.
Small bunch fresh cilantro; more if you like
1 Serrano chile (for spicy) or 1/2 bell pepper (for non-spicy)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt

1. Dice the tomato and the onion, prepare your chicken broth; boil and dice your carrots
2. Using a food processor, blend together the chicken broth, the onion, garlic, tomato paste, oil and tomato dice until evenly liquefied.
3. Pour the tomato liquid in your favorite rice cooking pot; add to this the uncooked rice
4. Add chili and cilantro to the rice. Bring this to a boil, uncovered over high heat setting,
5. Cover the pot and cook the rice over low heat for 25 minutes or until done. Do not open the pot until done!
6. If it looks like the liquid is all gone from the pot before the end, add 1/2 cup broth more.
7. Once the rice is cooked, mix in the diced carrots; serve with some cilantro leaves over the rice as garnish.

Fried Rice

Summer S.

Serves 6

Ingredients
1 T vegetable oil
½ frozen peas
1 large rib of celery, diced
1 large carrot (12 baby) coarsely shredded
I can sliced water chestnuts
1 t minced garlic
2 t grated fresh ginger
¼ t crushed red pepper flakes
1 egg

2 ½ c cold cooked rice
3 T soy sauce
1 T rice vinegar
1 t sugar
1/3 c green onions, sliced

Directions
1. Combine the soy sauce, vinegar and sugar in a small bowl. Set aside.
2. Heat a large nonstick skillet over high heat; swirl in the oil and add peas, celery, carrots, water chestnuts, garlic, ginger and red pepper. Stir-fry 2 minutes; make a well in the center and crack egg into pan. Scramble into the veggies (2 more minutes). Add rice, stirring well to remove any clumps, and stir-fry until hot, 3- 4 minutes.
3. Sprinkle sauce over the rice, along with the green onions, and stir-fry just to heat through, 2 minutes more. Serve immediately.

Chicken Ramen Soup

Jennifer S.

* 3 cups water
* 3 oz. pkg. chicken flavored ramen noodles
* 2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast
* 2 leaves bok choy (Chinese cabbage), sliced into thin strips
* 1 carrot, sliced thin
* 1 tsp. sesame oil

Place all into crock pot, except for oil and season packet from ramen noodles.
Stir, and set on low for 3 hours.
Before serving stir in oil and season packet.
Serves 1-2 can be doubled.

Zesty Minestrone

Jennifer S.

1/4 cup Zesty Italian Dressing
1 onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, peeled, chopped
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (19 oz.) red kidney beans, rinsed
2 cans (14 oz. each) vegetable broth
2 cups water
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1-1/2 cups small shell macaroni, uncooked
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

Heat dressing in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add onions, celery and carrots; cook 2 min. or until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally. Spoon into crock pot. Add tomatoes, beans, broth, water and seasoning; stir. Cover with lid.
Cook on LOW 6 hours (or on HIGH 3 hours).
Stir in macaroni; cook 10 to 15 min. or until macaroni is tender.
Sprinkle with cheese just before serving.

Slow-Cooker BBQ Beef Stew

Jennifer S.

1 Tbsp. oil
2 lb. beef stew meat (1-1/2-inch cubes)
5 carrots (3/4 lb.), peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large onion, cut into chunks
6 small red potatoes (2-1/2 lb.), quartered
3/4 cup Barbecue Sauce, divided
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen peas OR Substitute your favorite frozen vegetable, such as green beans, for the peas.

HEAT oil in nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add meat, in batches; cook until evenly browned, stirring occasionally. Layer carrots, onions and potatoes in bottom of 5-qt. slow cooker; top with meat. Pour 1/2 cup barbecue sauce over meat; sprinkle with Worcestershire sauce. Cover with lid.
COOK on LOW 7 to 8 hours (or on HIGH 5 hours).
STIR in peas and remaining barbecue sauce; cook, covered, 15 min. or until heated through.

Perfect Winter Beef Stew

Jennifer S.

3/4 cup Zesty Italian Dressing
2 lb. beef stew meat, such as beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch chunks
6 slices Bacon, chopped
1/2 lb. sliced fresh mushrooms
1 large onion, chopped
6 carrots (about 1 lb.), sliced
1-1/2 lb. potatoes (about 3), peeled, cut into large chunks
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) beef broth

POUR dressing over beef in resealable plastic bag. Seal bag; turn to evenly coat beef with dressing. Refrigerate 30 min. to marinate.
COOK bacon in large saucepan on medium heat 5 min. or until crisp, stirring occasionally. Use slotted spoon to remove bacon from saucepan; drain on paper towels.
ADD mushrooms and onions to saucepan; cook on medium-high heat 10 min. or until tender, stirring occasionally.
REMOVE beef from marinade; discard marinade. Add beef, onions, mushrooms and remaining ingredients to slow cooker. Cook 6 to 8 hours on LOW (or 3 to 4 hours on HIGH). Stir in 2 Tbsp. flour mixed with 2 Tbsp. water. Cook, covered, 15 min. or until sauce is thickened.
If cooking on low setting, turn up to high for last 15 min when adding the flour mixture.

Chicken, Potato and Vegetable Bake

Jennifer S.

6 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1-1/2 lb.)
1-1/2 lb. Yukon gold potatoes (about 3), peeled, cubed. OR try red baby potatoes, OR sweet potatoes, OR combine any of the above.
3 carrots (1/2 lb.), coarsely chopped
1 onion, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup Light Zesty Italian Dressing
2 Tbsp. Grated Parmesan Cheese

HEAT oven to 400°F.
PLACE vegetables in large baking dish, top with chicken; drizzle with dressing.
BAKE 1 hour or until chicken is done.
SPRINKLE with cheese.

Two-Bean Vegetarian Chili

Jennifer S.

2 cups long-grain brown rice, uncooked
2 Tbsp. Light Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
2 carrots, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1 onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans (14.5 oz. each) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (15.5 oz.) red kidney beans, rinsed
1 can (15.5 oz.) cannellini beans, rinsed
1/2 cup Barbecue Sauce
1/4 cup chili powder
1 cup frozen corn
1-1/2 cups Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese

COOK rice as directed on package. Meanwhile, heat dressing in large saucepan on medium-high heat. Add vegetables and garlic; cook and stir 6 to 8 min. or until vegetables are crisp-tender.

ADD next 5 ingredients; stir. Bring to boil; simmer on medium-low heat 30 min., stirring frequently. Stir in corn; cook 5 min.

SERVE over rice; top with cheese.

Sausage & Four Cheese Rigatoni

Jennifer S.

1 lb. rigatoni pasta
1 lb. Italian sausage, casing removed
1/4 cup panchetta, thinly sliced (or bacon)
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1/4 lb. fresh sliced mushrooms
3 tbsp. fresh chopped basil
3 tbsp. fresh chopped parsley
1 (16-oz.) container ricotta cheese
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup grated provolone cheese
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 (28-oz.) can Italian plum tomatoes, drained and chopped
1 1/2 cups of freshly grated Parmesan
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water until only halfway cooked, according to package directions. Drain, and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Toss with a minimal amount of olive oil to prevent sticking. Cook panchetta (or bacon) in large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on a paper towel. Add sausage to drippings in skillet and cook, breaking up large pieces, until well browned. Transfer to paper towel. Pour off all but 2 tbsp. drippings from skillet. Add onion, carrot, mushrooms, basil and parsley. Cook until onion is tender. Season with salt and pepper; set aside. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan; set aside. Place ricotta in a large mixing bowl and gradually stir in cream and then broth. Add the partially cooked rigatoni, panchetta, sausage, onion mixture, provolone, feta, tomatoes, and 1 cup Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper and mix well. Turn out into prepared baking pan. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan. Cover pan tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove foil cover and bake an additional 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup

Jennifer S.

1 lb Hot Italian Sausage w/casing removed
1 lb Mild Italian Sausage w/casing removed
1 lb Cheese Tortellini (from refrigerated or frozen section)
2 Medium Onions chopped
2 Cloves minced garlic
4 Carrots diced
2 Peppers diced (green, yellow or red)
12 cups chicken broth
2 - 28 oz cans crushed tomatoes in tomato puree
2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano crumbled
1 cup cooked small pasta shells

Brown and drain sausage. Add onion and garlic and cook until soft but not brown. Add all remaining ingredients except the pastas. Cook until veggies are done, add pastas and cook until tortellini are done. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with cheese if desired.

This soup is much better the next day.

This recipe 1/2’s well and freezes well.

Ravioli Stew

Michelle H.

1 tbsp. Olive oil
3 medium carrots, chopped (or 15 or so baby carrots)
2 medium ribs celery, chopped
1 onion, chopped
28 oz. Jar spaghetti sauce
1 can (14 ½ oz.) chicken broth
1 c. water
1 pkg. (12-20 oz.) fresh or frozen ravioli, cooked and drained (I used the 20 oz. size)

In 6 qt. Sauce pot, heat oil over medium-high heat and cook carrots, celery and onion, stirring occasionally, 8 minutes or until golden. Stir in spaghetti sauce, broth, and water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer covered 15 minutes. Just before serving stir in hot ravioli and season if desired with salt and pepper. Garnish, if desired, with fresh basil. Make 6 generous servings.