January 31, 2009

Baked cheese fondue

1 8-ounce wedge or round Cambozola, Camembert, or Brie cheese
Coarsely ground mixed pepper
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or pecans
Sliced coarse-grain or crusty bread, toasted, or crackers
Directions
1. If using a cheese round, peel rind from top of cheese. Place cheese round or wedge in a quiche dish or shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with pepper and walnuts or pecans.

2. Bake in a 450 degree F oven for 5 to 8 minutes or until cheese is softened and just begins to melt. Serve with bread slices or crackers. Makes 8 servings.

Nutrition Facts
Calories 175, Total Fat (g) 9, Saturated Fat (g) 5, Cholesterol (mg) 20, Sodium (mg) 411, Carbohydrate (g) 15, Fiber (g) 1, Protein (g) 8, Vitamin A (DV%) 5, Vitamin C (DV%) 0, Calcium (DV%) 13, Iron (DV%) 5, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

January 28, 2009

Chicken wild rice soup

1 cup uncooked quick-cooking wild rice
Cooking spray
1 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cups cubed peeled baking potato
3 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
10 ounce light processed cheese, cubed (such as Velveeta Light)
2 cups chopped roasted skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 2 breasts)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Preparation

Cook rice according to package directions, omitting salt and fat.

Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion and garlic; sauté 3 minutes. Add broth and potato; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes or until potato is tender.

Combine milk and flour, stirring well with a whisk. Add the milk mixture to potato mixture; cook 5 minutes or until slightly thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add cheese, stirring until cheese melts. Stir in rice, chicken, pepper, and salt. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

January 21, 2009

Crock pot lasagna

1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
3 cans (15 ounces each) Italian-style tomato sauce
2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 ounces)
1 container (15 ounces) part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
15 uncooked lasagna noodles

Cook sausage and onion in 10-inch skillet over medium heat 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sausage is no longer pink; drain. Stir in tomato sauce, basil and salt.
Mix 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese and the ricotta and Parmesan cheeses. (Refrigerate remaining mozzarella cheese while lasagna cooks.)
Spoon one-fourth of the sausage mixture into 6-quart slow cooker; top with 5 noodles, broken into pieces to fit. Spread with half of the cheese mixture and one-fourth of the sausage mixture. Top with 5 noodles, remaining cheese mixture and one-fourth of the sausage mixture. Top with remaining 5 noodles and remaining sausage mixture.
Cover and cook on Low heat setting 4 to 6 hours or until noodles are tender.
Sprinkle top of lasagna with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Cover and let stand about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Cut into pieces

January 19, 2009

Mexican chicken casserole

3/4 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 green pepper, chopped
1-1/2 cups Salsa
2 oz. (1/4 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese, cubed
1 can (15 oz.) no-salt-added black beans, drained, rinsed
1 tomato, chopped
2 whole wheat tortillas (6 inch)
1/2 cup KRAFT Mexican Style 2% Milk Finely Shredded Four Cheese, divided


HEAT oven to 375ºF.
Cook and stir chicken and cumin in nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium heat 2 min.
Add peppers; cook 2 min., stirring occasionally.
Stir in salsa; cook 2 min.
Add Neufchatel cheese; cook 2 min. or until melted.
Stir in beans and tomatoes.

SPOON 1/3 of chicken mixture into 8-inch square baking dish; top with 1 tortilla and 1/2 each of remaining chicken mixture and shredded cheese. Top with remaining tortilla and chicken mixture; cover with foil.

BAKE 20 min. or until heated through. Sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese; bake, uncovered, 5 min. or until melted.

January 18, 2009

Chris's breakfast crossiant

2 cans of crescent rolls (Pillsbury/Kroger ok, Walmart not great (too skimpy)
1 package of cream cheese, softened
1/2 - 3/4 cup of powdered sugar
favorite fruit spread (mine is Polaner's seedless raspberry)/preserves or jelly


In a lightly greased 9x12 pan spread out one can of crescent rolls, pinching seams together.
Combine cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth, spread over crescent roll layer. Open second can of crescent rolls and spread it out over top of the cream cheese mixture. Bake at 375 (I believe that is the correct temperature, I usually set it for the same temp as suggested on the can) for about 20 minutes (or until a light golden brown. Let cool slightly and "frost" with favorite fruit spread.

This is great warm or cold. Enjoy!

January 17, 2009

Campbell's slow cooker chicken & dumplings

1 1/2 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 medium Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
2 cups whole baby carrots
2 stalks celery, sliced (about 1 cup)
2 cans (10 3/4 ounces each) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)
1 cup water
1 tsp. dried thyme leaves, crushed
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2 cups all-purpose baking mix
2/3 cup milk


Directions:
Place the chicken, potatoes, carrots and celery into a 6-quart slow cooker.

Stir the soup, water, thyme and black pepper in a small bowl. Pour the soup mixture over the chicken and vegetables.

Cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours* or until the chicken is cooked through.

Stir the baking mix and milk in a medium bowl. Spoon the batter over the chicken mixture. Turn the heat to HIGH. Tilt the lid to vent and cook for 30 minutes or until the dumplings are cooked in the center.

*Or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.

Serving Suggestion: Serve with spinach salad; baby spinach leaves topped with orange sections, dried cranberries and raspberry-pecan vinaigrette. For dessert serve wedges of mixed berry pie with whipped topping.

Serves 8.