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Showing posts with label leftovers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label leftovers. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Toasty Turkey, Bacon, Ranch and Cheese Clubs on Pretzel Rolls



When I made these pretzel rolls I had this exact sandwich in mind. A club that is toasty and warm with melty cheese and a tangy ranch. These are perfect for weeknights to throw together!


Toasty Turkey, Bacon, Ranch and Cheese Clubs on Pretzel Rolls
Pretzel rolls, or any roll of your choice
Deli sliced turkey or sliced turkey breast (I used 4 slices of cracked pepper boars head turkey per sandwich)
4 Slices bacon, cooked and oil drained
1 oz Cheddar Cheese, sliced
1 oz Swiss Cheese, sliced (this amount is a guess. I just sliced 3 pieces of each from blocks)
2 thin slices Tomato
FF Ranch Dressing
Lettuce
Ranch
S&P

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.

Add cheese to both sides of rolls, cut sides up and place on a baking sheet. Add turkey and bacon to the bottom half. Place in oven for 10 minutes.

Add tomato slices to bottom halves and a touch of ranch to the top half. Place back in oven for 5 minutes.

Take out and add lettuce, S&P. Serve warm.

Friday, July 1, 2011

E-Z Chicken Pasta


Looking for a fast, simple, healthy, filling and yummy weeknight meal? Look no further! This isn't rocket science, but is also a good way to use leftovers.

Chicken
2 chicken breasts, pounded thin
EVOO
Kosher Salt
Ground Black Pepper
Red Pepper Flakes

Drizzle both sides of the chicken with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes on both sides as well.

Place on a grill on medium heat, or on a grill pan. Cook for 8 minutes on each side, or until juices run clear.

Vegetables
Broccoli
Baby Bella Mushrooms, sliced
1/2 tsp Butter (I'm gusseing, I just used a small sliver from a stick)
1 tsp Stir Fry Sauce
Kosher Salt
Ground Black Pepper

Add all ingredients together in a medium skillet. Cook on medium for 6 - 10 minutes, or until broccoli is firm but still crisp.

Pasta
1/2 box Pasta
EVOO
1/2 tbsp Butter
Kosher Salt
Ground Black Pepper
 

Cook according to package.

Strain pasta and add all other ingredients. Top with Veggies and Chicken.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Jerk Chicken (Pizza)


Thank goodness I started to feel better from this nasty ear infection yesterday(after a second round to urgent care and some new meds), because this pizza was quite a task. I made the marinade in the morning and had the chiocken sit in it for about 7 hours. I am jotting down the recipe for the jerk chicken as well as the pizza ingredients. Personally I thought that the jerk sauce was much too ketchupy, so I only used a small amount of it and would suggest lowering the amount of that you put into it. Also, I used 2 chicken breasts as opposed to 6 lbs of bone in chicken, so I halved the marinade recipe. Either way, this pizza came out awesome and I was really very happy with it - we will make it again! Its much easier if you chop everything ahead of time so when it comes to loading up your pie you just have to toss it on, and is fun for kids too!

Jerk Chicken Pizza
Pizza Dough (I used publix 5 multigrain but you could use homemade)
2 Chicken Breasts, marinaded in Jerk Seasoning for 4 hours up to overnight (see below)
1.5 tbsp Jerk Sauce (see below)
5 rings of Pineapple, cut into smaller pieces
1 Tomato, sliced and quartered
1/2 Green Pepper, Chopped
1/4 Red Onion, chopped
6 Baby Bella Mushrooms, sliced
6 Slices Gouda Cheese, chopped
8 oz Mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
1/2 tbsp butter
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Kosher Salt
Pepper
Onion Salt

Preheat Oven to 375 degrees. Heat grill to medium.

Roll out your pizza dough and stretch out. Drizzle with olive ouil and spread until lightly coated. Place on grill until cooked through, flipping half way through to make sure both sides are done.

You can either throw your chicken on the grill with the pizza, or cook ahead of time on a grill pan which is what I did. Sear both sides for 2 minutes each on high heat, then reduce to medium and cook, flipping occassionally until juices run clear, about 10 minutes. Brush with jerk sauce, on both sides. Let rest for about 8 minutes and then slice thinly.

Place mushrooms and butter in a pan on medium heat. Cook for 10 minutes, or until mushrooms are cooked through.

Once your pizza is done on the grill, drizzle with olive oil and spread garlic evenly. Add about 1 tsp salt and shake some onion powder on. Place half of the gouda and a handfull of mozzarella on as your first layer. Then add chicken, tomato, onion and bell pepper. Top with remaining cheese. Add pineapple and mushrooms. Drizzle with a bit more olive oil (make sure to get the crust), 1/5 tsp more salt and some freshly ground pepper.

Bake for 8-16 minutes.

Jamaican Jerk Chicken (From The Way the Cookie Crumbles, originally Epicurious)
Note: I used 2 chicken breasts, pounded thin. I halved the Jerk Marinade but kept the sauce the same. I stored that in the freezer for future use. I would suggest halving the katechup, or at least reducing by 1/4th. Below is the original recipe. See above for cooking the 2 chicken breasts. You could always make double the chicken and use leftover for the pizza, sandwiches, etc.
3 tablespoons dark rum
2 tablespoons water
½ cup malt vinegar
10 green onions, chopped
4 garlic cloves, peeled, chopped
2 tablespoons dried thyme
2 Scotch bonnet chiles or habanero chiles with seeds, chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 teaspoons ground allspice
4 teaspoons ground ginger
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
1 cup ketchup
3 tablespoons soy sauce
about 6 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken parts
½ cup fresh lime juice

1. Boil rum and 2 tablespoons water in a small saucepan for 3 minutes.

2. Transfer the rum mixture to a blender; add the vinegar, green onions, garlic, thyme, chiles, oil, spices, salt, pepper, and sugar; blend until almost smooth. Transfer 2 tablespoons of the jerk seasoning to a small bowl; mix in the ketchup and soy sauce to make the sauce. (Jerk seasoning and sauce can be made 1 day ahead; cover separately and refrigerate.)

3. Arrange the chicken in a large roasting pan or baking dish. Pour the lime juice over the chicken; turn to coat. Spoon the jerk seasoning over the chicken and rub it into the chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, turning occasionally. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.)

4. Prepare a two-level grill (more coals on one side than the other). Remove the chicken from the jerk seasoning marinade; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the chicken, skin side down, on the hot side of the grill; grill for about 2 minutes, until seared. Move the chicken to the cooler side of the grill and continue to cook, turning occasionally, for about 15 minutes, until the breasts measure 160 degrees on an instant read thermometer and the legs and thighs read 165 degrees. Serve with the jerk sauce.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Easy Peasy Fried Rice

When I decided to cook some Mongolian Beef last night, I wanted to do something other than regular brown rice as the side dish. The logical solution is obviously Fried Rice! This is extremely easy and quick and also a great way to use up some leftover plain rice that you have sitting in your fridge. Also, I always think that it's fun to use the wok, the way everything smoothly slips and slides around the sides. I do have to say that the sauce of the beef went really well with this dish, better than adding more soy before eating.

Easy Peasy Fried Rice
2 cups Brown Rice
1/2 package Frozen Carrots and Peas
2 Large Eggs
1/2 White Onion
3 Green Onions, chopped
4-5 tbsp Soy Sauce (add according to taste, I didn't measure)
1.5 tbsp Sesame Oil
1 tsp Olive Oil
1.5 tsp Rice Vinegar

Cook rice according to package and set in the fridge until cold, about 30 minutes or overnight.

Place your wok on high heat and add olive oil followed by peas, carrots and white onion. Toss and cook until tender. Move vegetables to one side of the wok and crack eggs on the other side. Let sit for about 30 seconds, then scramble.

Add rice, Sesame Oil, Rice Vinegar and Soy Sauce. Toss to coat and combine and cook until heated through. Add green onions and serve immediately.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Roasted Vegetable Pasta

My love of roasted veggies has come out full force recently. Often times I will just randomly get a craving for bowls upon bowls of them, and that is exactly what happened to me yesterday. I went out and bought some asparagus and baby bella mushrooms to add to my baby carrots at home. This recipe is easy and can even help you get rid of some leftover veggies you may have in your fridge.


Roasted Vegetable Pasta
1.25 cups Smart Taste Rotini Pasta
8 spears Asparagus, cut into thirds
12 small Baby Carrots, cut into halves
4 Baby Bella Mushrooms, cut into thirds
1 tbsp + 1/2 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tsp Soy Sauce
1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
1/4 tsp Italian Seasoning/Oregano
Pinch Black Pepper

Preheat your oven to 420 degrees.

Cut vegetables and toss with 1 tbsp olive oil. Place on  baking sheet and sprinkle with kosher salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. Toss again and spread out evenly on the pan.Bake for 25 minutes, turning half way through.

While the vegetables are in the oven, boil water and cook pasta until tender. Drain and add the remaining olive oil, red pepper flakes and soy sauce. Mix to combine. Add vegetables and mix together.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Spicy Chicken Fried Rice

One of my favorite things to make is this kung pao chicken. This week I made a huge batch and divided it up into 5 different meals for lunches and dinners. I think that it tastes even better the next day, and since I had bagged the rice and chicken mix together, I thought it would be perfect fried up with an egg. It is definitely hitting the spot and incorporates all of the food that I need for the evening.

Spicy Chicken Fried Rice
Kung Pao Chicken
Brown Rice, chilled
1 Egg
1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Red Pepper Flakes
Kosher salt

Place oil in a wok or skillet and place over high heat until warmed. Add the rice/chicken mix and cook for 3 minutes.

Move all of the food to one side of the wok/skillet and add a little cooking spray to the open space. Crack the egg and scramble, incorporating with the other food once it begins to form.

Add red pepper flakes and salt. Toss for a minute. Remove from heat.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Mexican Tortilla

Tortillas can come in so handy when you don't want to take much time or effort to throw a snack/dinner together. When I'm eating alone, mostly I just want to fix something very simple so I will go through the fridge/pantry to see what I have to work with. The other week I came up with this Mexican Tortilla. It was quick, easy and delicious!

Mexican Tortilla
1 Tortilla
Slice of Onion, chopped
1/5 Green Pepper, chopped
3 tbsp nonfat Sour Cream
1/2 small Roma tomato, chopped
3 Slices off a block of Cheddar, each sliced into 3 pieces
Lettuce, chopped
Corn, defrosted or from a can
2 tsp Fajita seasoning
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Add cooking spray to a skillet and place on high heat. Put tortilla in until crisp on one side and then flip until crisp on the other.
Place on baking sheet and add 1 tbsp sourcream to tortilla, spread evenly with a spoon. Add cheese, onion and green pepper. Sprinkle 1 tsp of Fajita seasoning on top. Add tomato and corn, then add remaining 1 tsp of Fajita seasoning.
Bake for about 6 minutes, or until cheese has melted. Remove from oven and place remaining sour cream on top, followed by lettuce.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

BBQ Turkey Salad - Using Leftovers


The other week, I found a really good recipe for BBQ Turkey Burgers that I made, and I had some leftover meat from it that I froze. Tonight I was driving home in a bad mood thinking of how I was having a veggie burger patty and a salad for dinner and how I wanted SO many other things! All of the sudden I remembered that I had this bbq turkey meat in the freezer and my night turned around! I put it on the stove for 15 minutes to cook, and added it to a bed of romaine, green bell pepper and tomato, topped with ff ranch and some bbq sauce. It is delicious and Im so happy I remembered it. This meat mixture is definitely one of my favorites, and Im thinking that it would be good in a BBQ quesadilla also..... mmmmmmm

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Egg and Ground Beef Breakfast Bagel

Yesterday we made mini strombolis and took out some ground beef we had in the freezer to make them. We just cooked up the whole package and so today we had a lot left over. We also had leftover bell pepper, mushroom and jalapenos to put to use. Since we both love a good breakfast we put them all together and Adam made us breakfast sandwiches. I dont like having leftover items for too long so this was a good way to start getting rid of them!

Egg and Ground Beef Breakfast Bagel
2 large Bagels
5 Egg Whites
1/4 cup chopped Bell Pepper
1/4 cup chopped Mushroom
1 tbs chopped Jalapeno Pepper
1/4 cup shredded Cheese of choice
1/2 cup ground beef, cooked and seasoned with garlic powder

Place skillet over medium heat. Add veggies and cook for a minute. Add egg on top and heat untl cooked through, molding into a circle shape.
Meanwhile, mold precooked beef with cheese and form into circle patties. Heat on another skillet over medium heat until warm.
Season with S&P and put on your bagel. Easy and delicious!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Chicken Salad

I've been sick this week so I haven't been in too much of a cooking mood. Last night I stopped by Publix and picked up a precooked whole chicken, box of mac n cheese and some veggies. The most I did was cut the veggies and stick them in the oven to roast, pour macaroini into boiling water and add cheese. The chicken was good, but of course too much for just 2 people to eat. I think that I am becoming pretty resourceful these days with food. Instead of sticking it in the fridge, where it would probably just sit until it went bad, I decided to make Chicken Salad, which I knew at least I would eat. I added Durkee's this time, which I haven't done before. If you haven't had it, it's basically a mayo/mustardy mix that they sell by Mayo at the store. We discovered it through a family friend who used it in his pasta salads. It adds a nice flavor to any kind of salad and I just sub it for part of the mayo needed.

Chicken Salad
Chicken, either leftover or boiled and forked apart
Light Mayo, to taste
Durkees, to taste - make sure to use less Durkees than mayo
Celery
S&P

Mix until Combined and Fridge until Cool. I usually would add halved grapes, but I couldn't find any at the store.