This is nothing short of awesome! And oh, so easy!

3 cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded
1 12 oz. can chicken broth
1 10 3/4 ounce can cream of chicken soup
1 12 oz. can canned corn, (Mexicorn), drained
1 12 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 8 oz. bottle green taco sauce or Tomatillo Salsa
1/4 cup salsa
9 corn tortillas
3 cups cheddar cheese, shredded - may use the Mexican flavored cheese


In a large bowl, whisk together the soup and half of the broth. Stir in the green taco sauce, salsa, corn, black beans and one cup of the cheese.
Place one layer of corn tortillas over bottom of a 13x9" baking dish. Top with half of the chicken mixture. Repeat layers ending with a layer of corn tortillas. Top with remaining cheese and pour remaining chicken broth over the casserole.
Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or until bubbly.

8 Servings

1 pound penne rigati pasta
1/2 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup lite soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup hot water
1 pound cooked medium shrimp
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Toasted sesame seeds

Cook pasta according to package directions. During last minute of cooking time add asparagus. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water until pasta and asparagus are cool. Transfer to a large serving bowl and set aside. If preparing a day ahead, bring to room temperature before serving.
Meanwhile, combine peanut butter, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Add hot water and stir until sauce is smooth, breaking up any small clumps.
Add shrimp, red pepper, green onions, and 1/4 cup of the cilantro to the pasta. Add sauce and toss to combine. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro and sesame seeds. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Asian vegetables, fresh ginger, and soy sauce recall the taste of lo mein. Break the spaghetti before cooking to make it easier to prepare and serve.


8 ounces uncooked spaghetti or linguine, broken in half
1 tablespoon dark sesame oil
1 cup red bell pepper strips
8 ounces shiitake mushroom caps, sliced
2 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cream sherry
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 cups thinly sliced bok choy
3/4 cup sliced green onions
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, divided

Cooking spray

1 cup panko (coarse, dry) breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Preheat oven to 400°.

Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain well.
Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add red bell pepper strips and mushrooms; sauté 2 minutes. Add chicken, ginger, and garlic; sauté 3 minutes. Stir in soy sauce; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
Combine broth and cornstarch, stirring well with a whisk. Add broth mixture to pan, and cook 2 minutes or until mixture is slightly thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in sherry, vinegar, and crushed red pepper. Add pasta, bok choy, green onions, and 2 teaspoons sesame seeds to pan, tossing well to combine. Spoon pasta mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish lightly coated with cooking spray.
Combine breadcrumbs, butter, and remaining sesame seeds; sprinkle evenly over pasta mixture. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until breadcrumbs begin to brown.

Yield: 4 servings

1 package lasagna noodles
2 4 oz. cans shrimp, baby, or 1 cup fresh shrimp, cooked
2 6 1/2 oz. can crab meat, 1 1/2 cups fresh
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups half and half
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup feta cheese, with sun dried tomatoes and basil
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 slice bread, crumbled into crumbs

Cook lasagna noodles for 5 minutes, drain.
In medium sized saucepan, melt the butter or margarine. Add flour and salt and pepper, cook until bubbly. Add the half and half and stir until blended well. Add the cheeses and continue stirring until cheese is melted and mixture thickens. Add the garlic and seafood, stir well. Remove from heat.
In small baking pan, layer the noodles and seafood sauce. Top with cheese and breadcrumbs. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

8 Servings

Paula Deen's Recipe

1/2 lb cleaned and peeled cooked shrimp
1 (6 ounce) can crab meat
1 (6 ounce) can salmon, bones removed
1 (7 ounce) can corn kernels, drained
1 cup cooked white rice, leftover is fine
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1/2 cup prepared tartar sauce, plus more for serving
1 tablespoon grainy mustard
2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
salt & freshly ground black pepper
2 eggs, beaten, divided
1/4 cup dried breadcrumb
peanut oil, for frying
emon wedge, for serving

Directions

Pulse the shrimp in a food processor until finely chopped.
Transfer the shrimp into a large mixing bowl.
Add all the remaining ingredients except 1 of the beaten eggs and the bread crumbs, and fold together gently but thoroughly.
Roll the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls and dip into the beaten egg and then dredge in the bread crumbs.
Deep-fry in 350 degree F oil until golden brown.
Drain on paper towels.
Serve with lemon wedges and more tartar or remoulade sauce for dipping.

4 Servings

1/2 pound sausages, sliced and browned
1 cup chicken broth
2 14 oz. cans canned stewed tomatoes
1/2 cup onions, diced
1/2 cup red and yellow bell pepper, diced
1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
2 cups rice, 5 minute instant

Add all ingredients to a large pot. Simmer for 3 minutes. Add the rice, cover and cook for 5 minutes.

4 Servings

I love mixing up things that are on hand to make new tastes. This concoction was a winner!

4 salmon fillets
1/4 cup salad dressing, sesame and ginger
1/4 cup salad dressing, french


Preheat oven to 350. Place the fillets in baking dish. Top with the dressings. Bake until flaky - about 15 minutes.

4 Servings

My Sister's Recipe

1 14 oz. can salmon, bone and skin removed - may use crab meat for crab cakes
2 tablespoons red or green bell peppers, diced
2 tablespoons onions, diced
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup soft bread crumbs
1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed
1/4 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, (optional)
dash salt and pepper

Mix together all ingredients. Fry in skillet in just enough oil to cover bottom until browned on both sides. Can also be deep fried like hush puppies. Yummy with cocktail sauce or lemon juice.
4 Servings

1 pound turkey breast tenderloin slices, all visible fat removed
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetable oil spray
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon snipped fresh rosemary or 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
8 ounces chanterelle or button mushrooms, cleaned, trimmed and sliced
1/4 cup chopped shallots or onion
Fresh rosemary (optional)

Rinse turkey and pat dry. Set aside.
In a small bowl, stir together broth, cornstarch, salt and pepper. Set aside.
Spray a large skillet with vegetable oil. Place over medium-high heat.
Add half the turkey to hot skillet. Cook about 2 minutes on each side, or until turkey is tender and no longer pink. Repeat with remaining turkey.
Remove skillet from heat; remove turkey from skillet and keep warm.
Add vinegar and rosemary to skillet, stirring to scrape up brown bits from bottom of pan. Return skillet to heat and add mushrooms and shallots or onion.
Over medium heat, cook and stir until mushrooms are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir broth mixture and add to skillet. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly, about 3 minutes. Cook 2 minutes more, stirring constantly. Serve sauce with turkey. Serve on a bed of rosemary if desired.

4 Servings

4 pounds chicken , whole roasting
2 tablespoons oil
salt and pepper


Preheat oven to 350. Remove giblets from chicken, rinse inside and out. Pat dry with paper towel. Rub with oil and salt & pepper. Place on roasting pan breast side up. Bake uncovered for 23 minutes per pound of meat.


8 Servings

1/4 cup olive oil
1 eggplant, cubed
1 red pepper, deseeded and chopped
1 orange bell pepper, deseeded and chopped
12 ounces dry penne pasta
3 tablespoons red pesto sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
fresh ground black pepper
8 ounces feta cheese
basil leaves (to garnish)

Heat the olive oil in a large pan, add the eggplant and peppers, and sauté over a moderate heat for 10 minutes until the eggplant is golden and the peppers softened and browned at the edges.
While the vegetables are sautéing, cook the penne in a large pan of boiling water for 8 minutes or until al dente. Drain, return to the pan and add the red pesto, stirring until the penne is coated. Add the rice vinegar to the eggplant and pepper mix, and season with black pepper. Spoon the penne on to warm plates and pile the vegetables on top. Crumble over the feta cheese and serve garnished with basil leaves.

4 Servings

Eight 8-in. flour tortillas
1 cup preshredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
1 cup frozen chopped red bell peppers, thawed
1/4 cup sliced scallions
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional)
4 tsp vegetable oil

Note: Next time you make bean soup, serve these Mexican “grilled cheese” sandwiches on the side.

Sprinkle 4 tortillas with 1/2 cup of the cheese, the red peppers, scallions and cilantro. Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese and tortillas.
Heat 1 tsp oil in each of two nonstick skillets over medium heat. Cook a quesadilla in each about 2 minutes per side, turning once, until tortillas are crisp and cheese is melted; repeat with remaining quesadillas. Cut in wedges.

4 Servings

12 oz ravioli or tortellini, cooked according to package directions
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Sauté mushrooms and walnuts until mushrooms are golden brown. Add heavy cream stir frequently for 5 minutes, until sauce has slightly thickened. When cream stops simmering, turn heat to warm. Add pepper and Parmesan cheese; stir until sauce is smooth. Do not boil.
Drain pasta and place on a serving plate. Pour sauce over pasta.
Garnish with parsley. Serve immediately.



4 Servings

Debbie's Mom's recipe

1 1/2 cups eggplants, peeled and diced
1/2 cup onions, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 1/2 cups zucchini, sliced
1 16 oz. can tomatoes, stewed
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 (7 3/4 oz.) can mushrooms
dash pepper

Place eggplant, onion, garlic and oil in a 2 quart casserole. Cook in microwave oven 5 minutes.
Cut peppers into 1/2 strips. Mix peppers and zucchini with eggplant mixture.
Add seasonings to tomatoes. Mix with vegetables. Cook in microwave oven 8-10 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes.

*You can use vegetable soup in place of tomatoes and cut corn off the cob and add to the casserole.

1 package au gratin potatoes
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 eggs, large
1 8 oz. can corn, creamed
1/2 pound Surimi seafood, chopped
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 scallion tops, chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper


Heat oven to 450. Prepare potatoes in 8x8x2" baking dish. follow package directions for milk and butter. Bake for only 15 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, in bowl, combine eggs, corn, surimi, flour, scallions, salt, nutmeg and cayenne. Pour over potatoes.
Reduce oven temperature to 350. Bake until set, 45 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes. Cut into 6 squares.

6 Servings

1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound sirloin or lean steak of choice, all visible fat removed, cut into serving-size pieces
2 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
2 Italian plum tomatoes, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
Black pepper to taste
Pinch of salt

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sear the steaks until desired doneness, about 10 minutes for rare. Transfer the meat to a serving platter and cover with foil or a lid to keep warm. Set aside.
Add the garlic to the skillet and sauti over low heat until golden, about 2 minutes, being careful not to burn it. Add the rest of the ingredients except the meat. Cook over medium heat until the tomatoes are tender but still have texture, about 5 minutes. Return the meat to the skillet, along with any juices, and cook gently for a few minutes to combine flavors.
Transfer meat and sauce to the platter and serve immediately.
Cook's Tip: Keep in mind that the meat will continue to cook slightly both when covered on the platter and when returned to the sauce. If you like your steak on the pink side, you might want to undercook it a bit to ensure desired doneness.

1-1/2 pounds pork shoulder, cut into 1/3-inch cubes
5-1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
8 small purple Peruvian or red potatoes (about 1 pound), quartered
1 large onion, chopped
6 large garlic cloves, minced
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 boxes (10 ounces each) frozen corn, thawed
1-1/2 tablespoons adobo sauce from canned chipotle in adobo
1/2 cup reduced-fat peanut butter
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro or flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

Rinse pork and pat dry; season with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a heavy 5-quart pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Add pork, in 3 batches, and cook, turning, until golden brown, about 6 minutes per batch (adding oil, 1 tablespoon at a time, as needed). Transfer, as cooked, with a slotted spoon to a bowl, leaving fat in pot.
Rinse chicken and pat dry; season with salt and pepper. Add 1-1/2 tablespoons oil to fat in pot and heat over moderately high heat. Add chicken and cook, turning, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to bowl with pork. Add potatoes, onion and garlic to pot; cook over moderately high heat until onion is softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in broth, corn, adobo sauce and peanut butter. Return pork and chicken to pot with any drippings and push into liquid. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, meat is cooked through and potatoes are fork-tender, 35 minutes; salt and pepper to taste.
To serve, ladle stew into bowls and garnish with cilantro, if desired.

6 Servings

2 cups pork tenderloin, cooked, diced
2 cups rice, cooked
1/2 cup carrots, shredded
1/4 cup scallion tops, sliced
1/4 cup frozen peas
2 eggs
dash soy sauce
dash sesame oil
dash ginger
1 teaspoon garlic, crushed
1/2 teaspoon white pepper


Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large skillet. add 2 cups each of diced pork and rice, carrots, peas and scallions. Stir fry until hot. Add 2 beaten eggs and remaining ingredients.

Stir until eggs are set.

4 Servings

4 pork chops, boneless, trimmed
2 cups stuffing cubes, or Stove Top Stuffing
1 3/4 cups water
1/2 stick margarine, or butter, cut up
1/4 cup honey mustard

Sprinkle dried stuffing into a casserole dish, add water and place cut up butter or margarine over top. Place pork chops over stuffing. Spread honey mustard over pork chops. Bake at 350 for approx 30 minutes.

4 Servings

1 tablespoon paprika, hot
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
4 pork chops, bone in- center cut (about 2 1/2 pounds total)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup apple juice


In a small bowl combine first 4 ingredients. Rub onto both sides of the chops. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a 12 inch skillet over med-high heat. Add pork chops and cook 3 minutes, turning once. Reduce heat to low and add juice. Cover and cook 10 to 15 minutes, depending on thickness. Serve with pan juices.

4 Servings

1 pound salmon fillets
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup dry white wine or water
2 green onions, sliced
1 bay leaf
1/2 of a 10-ounce package frozen no-salt-added chopped spinach
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Freshly ground black pepper
Lemon slices (optional)

Cut salmon into 4 pieces, rinse, and pat dry. Set aside. In a large skillet, combine water, wine, green onions and bay leaf. Over high heat, bring just to a boil. Carefully add salmon and return to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 8 to 10 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork.
Remove fish and pat it dry with paper towels. Cut each salmon steak in half, removing as much of the bone, cartilage and skin as possible.
Meanwhile, cook spinach according to package directions. Drain well, squeezing out moisture. Stir in nutmeg.
Preheat broiler. Place fish on a broiler-proof serving platter or on the rack of an unheated broiler pan. Top with spinach mixture, sprinkle with cheese and season with pepper. Broil 4 inches from the heat for 1 to 2 minutes, or until cheese melts. Garnish with lemon slices, if desired.

Serves 4

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons frozen (thawed) pineapple juice concentrate
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (5 oz each)
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 slices (1/2 inch thick) fresh pineapple, rind removed

Heat gas or charcoal grill. In small bowl, mix mustard and juice concentrate; reserve 2 tablespoons. Into remaining mixture, stir garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper; set aside.
When grill is heated, rub chicken breast halves with oil. Place chicken on gas grill over medium heat or on charcoal grill over medium coals; cover grill. Cook 5 minutes.
Add pineapple to grill; brush with rosemary mixture. Turn chicken; brush with rosemary mixture. Cover grill; cook 6 to 8 minutes longer, brushing chicken occasionally with rosemary mixture and turning chicken and pineapple once, until chicken is fork-tender and juices run clear. Discard any remaining rosemary mixture.
Place chicken on serving plates. Spoon reserved 2 tablespoons mustard mixture over chicken. Halve or quarter pineapple slices; serve with chicken.

2 Servings

1 pound large shrimp, cleaned
1 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup pineapple juice
1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained
2 cups white rice, uncooked
1 cup coconut milk
1/4 cup coconut, toasted
1 green onion, sliced

Cook and stir shrimp in hot oil in large skillet on medium-high heat for 4 minutes until almost cooked through. Add pineapple juice and pineapple chunks; bring to boil. Stir in rice and coconut milk; cover. Remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes. (If all liquid has not been absorbed, cook on low heat additional 2 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.) Fluff with fork. Spoon onto serving platter; sprinkle with coconut and green onion.


6 Servings

1/2 pound sausages, smoked - cut into 1/2" slices
1 16 oz. package pierogies
2 onions, sliced


Saute above ingredients in 1 tablespoon oil for at least 8 minutes - until onions are browned and pierogies are tender.

4 Servings

pizza crust
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup honey mustard
1 tablespoon horseradish
salt and pepper
1 cup sirloin tip steaks, thinly sliced, bite-sized pieces
1 onion, thinly sliced
1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 cup fresh mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded


Combine mayonnaise, mustard, horseradish, salt and pepper in small bowl, set aside. Saute onion in small amount of oil until almost browned. Add peppers and mushrooms, cook until soft. Stir in garlic and steak, heat through.
Top pizza crust with sauce, meat and vegetable mixture then cheeses. Bake in 400 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.

2 to 2 1/2 pounds chicken pieces (breasts, thighs and drumsticks), skinned, all visible fat removed
3 tablespoons purchased pesto or homemade pesto
1/4 cup cornflake crumbs
Fresh lemon or lime wedges (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Rinse chicken and pat dry. Place breasts and thighs bone side down in a shallow baking pan. Add drumsticks and brush top of chicken with pesto and sprinkle with cornflake crumbs.
Bake, uncovered, 45 to 55 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink. Serve with lemon or lime wedges if desired.
Cook's Tip: Skinning chicken, especially drumsticks and wings, can be tricky since they are so slippery. An easy way around this problem is to grasp the skin with a dry paper towel as you pull it away from the meat.

5 pounds beef round roast, all visible fat removed
2 tablespoons acceptable vegetable oil
1 teaspoon fresh, coarsely ground black pepper
1 medium onion, sliced
1 medium carrot, sliced
1 large stalk celery, sliced
1/2 cup dry red table wine

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Rub meat with oil and pepper, and place in an open roasting pan. Insert meat thermometer so tip reaches center of thickest part. Arrange onion, carrot and celery slices around meat. Pour wine over meat and vegetables.
Place in oven and cook uncovered 1 1/2 hours, or until meat thermometer registers desired degree of doneness.
If more liquid is needed, baste with additional wine during the roasting period. Do not use drippings from the roast for basting.
Skim fat from pan juices or remove juices with bulb baster and discard fat. Remove meat from pan and slice thin. Spoon pan juices over meat and serve immediately.

1-pound flank steak, all visible fat removed
2 teaspoons coarsely cracked black pepper
Vegetable oil spray
1 cup (about 3 ounces) sliced fresh mushrooms
2 green onions, sliced
1/2 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup evaporated skim milk or skim milk
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Preheat broiler.
To prevent meat from curling as it cooks, make 6 shallow slashes on each side of the meat in a crisscross fashion (three slashes in each direction).
Rub cracked pepper onto each side of the steak. Place steak on the unheated rack of a broiler pan. Broil 3 to 5 inches from the heat for 3 to 5 minutes. Turn and broil meat about 5 minutes more, or until desired doneness.
Meanwhile, spray a medium saucepan with vegetable oil. Place over medium heat. Cook mushrooms, green onions and garlic in skillet until mushrooms are just tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour. Add milk and mustard all at once. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly, about 3 minutes. Cook 2 minutes more, stirring constantly.
To serve, thinly slice steak diagonally across the grain. Serve with mustard sauce.

12 oz fettucine pasta

Sauce:

4 strips bacon, cut in 2-in. pieces
1 medium onion, cut in thin wedges
1 pkg (8 oz) presliced mushrooms
1 large clove garlic, cut in slivers
1 bag (10 oz) prewashed fresh baby spinach

Nice to add:

Diced tomato and grated Parmesan cheese
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook as package directs.
Meanwhile cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Place on a paper towel to drain. Remove all but 1 Tbsp fat from skillet.
Add onion and mushrooms to skillet. Sauté 4 minutes or until onion has browned. Reduce heat to medium, add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Add spinach; cook until wilted.
Scoop 1/2 cup cooking water from pasta pot; stir into spinach mixture. Drain pasta; return to pot. Add Sauce and bacon; toss to mix. Sprinkle with tomato and cheese.

4 Servings

1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
12 oz sliced mushrooms
1 1/2 cups frozen peas
3 cloves garlic
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 oz ham (Black Forest if possible), julienned
1/4 cup chopped parsley
8 oz pasta (your favorite shape), cooked according to package directions
Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped

Heat extra virgin olive oil and garlic in a sauté pan over medium-low heat. Once garlic starts to sizzle, add mushrooms. Sauté 2-3 minutes. Add heavy cream and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Allow to slightly reduce, for about 10 minutes. Add ham, peas and parsley and cook 4 minutes.
Return cooked, drained pasta to pot and add sauce. Cook until sauce simmers and coats the pasta.
Remove pot from heat and stir in grated Parmesan. Toss gently to combine.
Transfer to large serving platter. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve.

Chef’s Tip: Use a small amount of salt. The parmesan cheese naturally contains salt.

loaf pesto focaccia bread
8 ounces freshly sliced turkey
4 ounces spinach artichoke spread
2 ounces asiago cheese (asiago parmesan blend)
1 small red onion, diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1-2 tomato, sliced (6-8 slices)
1 pinch salt and pepper

Preheat panini grill to medium temperature. In a medium sauce pan, sauté diced red onion in olive oil until transparent. Add balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper to taste.
Slice the loaf of pesto focaccia into two semi-circles, and halve each semi-circle. Layer the turkey onto the bottom halves of the focaccia bread, and spread spinach artichoke mix over turkey. Layer sautéed onions, asiago/parmesan blend and tomato slices. Close face of panini with the top halves of focaccia bread.
Add panini to preheated grill and press lightly. Grill 5 minutes on medium or until the cheese begins to melt and there are grill marks on the focaccia bread.
Serve hot with chips or your favorite soup!

Sweet scallops are given a Cajun-flavored crust, then tossed with balsamic vinegar-dressed spinach and crisp-cooked bacon. Serve with corn bread and cold beer and you have a meal that's both homey and elegant in no time flat. This recipe is featured in the book Better Homes and Gardens Fresh & Simple 20-Minute Super Suppers.

1 pound fresh sea scallops
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 to 2 teaspoons blackened steak seasoning or Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 10-ounce package prewashed spinach
1 tablespoon water
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup cooked bacon pieces

Rinse scallops; pat dry. In a plastic bag combine flour and seasoning. Add scallops; toss to coat. In a large skillet cook scallops in hot oil over medium heat about 6 minutes or until browned and opaque, turning once. Remove scallops.
Add spinach to skillet; sprinkle with water. Cook, covered, over medium-high heat 2 minutes or until spinach is wilted. Add vinegar; toss to coat evenly. Return scallops to skillet; heat through. Sprinkle with bacon.

Four 10-12 oz. pork tenderloins
8 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons garlic, minced
4 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Sprinkle tenderloin with salt and pepper on all sides. Brush with olive oil, rosemary, garlic and parsley. Let marinate approximately 2 hours. Cook on a hot grill until internal temperature reaches 165 F.

4 Servings

Nonstick spray coating
6 6-inch corn tortillas, each cut into 6 wedges
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 cup loose-pack frozen whole kernel corn
1 16-ounce jar salsa verde
3 tablespoons light dairy sour cream
3 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup crumbled Mexican chihuahua or farmer cheese (4 ounces)
Light dairy sour cream (optional)
Snipped fresh cilantro (optional)
Chopped tomato (optional)
Jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced (optional)

Spray four 10- to 12-ounce baking dishes with nonstick coating. Place 5 tortilla wedges in the bottom of each dish. Place remaining tortilla pieces on a baking sheet; bake in a 350 degree F oven about 10 minutes or until crisp and golden. Meanwhile, combine chicken, corn, salsa, the 3 tablespoons sour cream, cilantro, and flour. Divide mixture among dishes.
Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F oven for 20 minutes. Arrange baked tortilla pieces atop casseroles. Top with cheese; bake for 5 to 10 minutes more or until heated through. If desired, garnish with additional sour cream, jalapeno slices, cilantro, and tomato. Makes 4 servings.
To bake frozen casseroles: Bake, covered, in a 350 degree F oven for 25 minutes. Uncover; bake about 20 minutes more or until heated through. Top with tortilla pieces and cheese; bake for 5 to 10 minutes more or until heated through. Garnish as above.
To micro-cook frozen casseroles: Cover microwave-safe casseroles with waxed paper; micro-cook on 30% power, allowing 4 minutes for 1 casserole and 5 minutes for 2 casseroles. Continue cooking, covered, on 100% power until heated through, allowing 2 to 4 minutes for 1 casserole or 3 to 6 minutes for 2 casseroles, rotating the dishes once. Top with baked tortilla pieces and cheese; micro-cook, uncovered, about 30 seconds more or until cheese is melted. Garnish as above.
Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble casseroles as directed above, except do not top with baked tortilla pieces; place baked pieces in a moisture- and vapor-proof plastic bag. Freeze casseroles and tortilla pieces up to 1 month.