This dish was a combo of a few recipes. It was Chicken Capri, Roasted Broccoli, and a quick rice/pea combo I threw together. This went over well!

Chicken:
4-Boneless/Skinless chicken breast
1 tub ricotta cheese
A few slices provolone cheese
Garlic Powder
Salt
Black Pepper
Oregano
EVOO

Preheat oven to 425. Heat EVOO in a pan. Season chicken with garlic powder, salt, and pepper then cook each side about 5 mins in the EVOO. While cooking chicken, mix together ricotta cheese with some garlic powder, salt, pepper, and oregano. Put chicken in baking dish (I spray mine with EVOO no stick spray) then top each breast with equal parts of the ricotta mixture. Put a slice of cheese on top of ricotta. Bake 20 minutes or until chicken is done.

Broccoli:
1 bunch broccoli (I ate whole bunch myself so do more if you think you'll need it)
Minced Garlic
EVOO
Salt
Black Pepper
Parm Cheese

I didn't rince my broccoli because if damp, it won't crisp up in oven. Cut or break broccoli into nice size pieces. Put in gallon freezer bag with EVOO, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Shake. Pour onto baking pan. Bake at 425 about 20 minutes. Top with parm cheese straight out oven. Serve right away.

Rice:
Ben's 10 minute brown rice
Frozen Peas
Chicken Broth
Garlic Powder
Oregano

Follow directions on box for rice but use chicken broth instead of water, put desired amout of peas in water as well as the garlic powder, oregano, salt (if desired) and black pepper. Cook per directions on rice.

Ravioli Primavera and Meatballs

I started with the Tortellini Primavera recipe on Eating Well but changed it up a bit.

Step 1:
Turkey Meatballs:
1/2 lb lean ground turkey
Italian Bread Crumbs
1 egg
1/2 cup parm cheese
Italian seasoning

Preheat oven to 400
Mix everything together and form little meatballs and place on baking pan. You don't want them to be too big, I think I got about 24. Bake for about 30 mins or until done.

Step 2:
14-ounce can reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 cup Parmesan cheese (I used the one that has the Asiago mixed in)
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
16-ounce bag frozen mixed vegetables
2 bags frozen Ravioli

While meatballs are baking, bring a large pot of water to a boil. When boiling, add Ravioli and veggies. Boil 10 minutes then drain.

Meanwhile, whisk broth and flour together in a bowl. Pour EVOO in pan and let garlic simmer about 2 minutes. Add broth/flour mix and bring to boil. Let simmer until it thickens up a bit, stirring occasionally. Mix in cheese and tarragon, stirring until cheese is melted.

Drain Ravioli and put back in pot, add cheese mixture and meatballs. Mix together and serve.

Cheesy Chicken Casserole

I had chicken, ricotta, and pasta and needed something to do with it so I came up with this.

3 chicken breast, boneless/skinless
EVOO
1 box pasta (I use the "Plus" one)
1 container ricotta cheese
1 cup milk
Parmesan Cheese
Mozzarella Cheese, Shredded
Salt, Black Pepper, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder

Preheat oven to 375

Boil a pot of water. Add pasta.

Heat up enough EVOO to cover the bottom of a pan.

Dice up chicken breast. Season with S, BP, P, GB, OP. Add to pan with EVOO. Cover and cook, stirring as needed.

Drain pasta and put back in pot. Add ricotta and milk. Mix until cheese is melted through. Add more salt and pepper if needed. Add chicken. Mix. Put in casserole dish. Top with parmesan and mozzeralla cheese.

Bake until cheese is browning and bubbly.

**You can also add a package of drained frozen spinach when mixing everything together before putting in casserole dish**

Creamy Basil Tomato Soup with Gorgonzola

The original recipe was from sparkrecipes.com and I am posting but this batch had way too much gorgonzola cheese for me. Might have been better without so much cheese.

56 oz diced tomatoes, no salt added, drained
1 tsp EVOO
2 tbsp tomato paste
6 cloves garlic - pressed
1 pint fat free half/half
2 tbsp fresh chopped basil leaves (I used 1/4 cup)
3/4 cup cumbled gorgonzola (I used 4 oz)

Pulse the drained tomatoes in a food processor until smooth.

Cook garlic, EVOO, and tomato paste in saucepan over medium heat about 2 minutes stirring constantly.

Stir in pureed tomatoes and cook about 5 minutes or until bubbly. Stir in cheese and mix until its all melted.

Add 1 pint of half and half and remove from heat before boiling.

Stir in basil and serve. I added some crouton and parm cheese on top of mine.

Cheesy Beef Enchiladas

I don't really like the Taco kits from the store so I decided to make my own. Very easy and really good.

1 pack lean ground beef (mine was 1.40 lb of ground round and then I drain and rinse in colander after cooked before adding seasonings)
1/2 medium onion diced
1 heaping tablespoon cream cheese
1 slice pepper jack cheese
1 16 oz can enchilada sauce
6 flat out whole grain wraps (or other low carb wrap)
1/2 cup cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 375

Cook beef and drain if needed.

Add onion, 1/4 can enchilada sauce, cream cheese, and pepper jack cheeese to beef. Let cook down about 10 minutes. Divide meat mixture into each wrap and roll up. Put in casserole dish, pour rest of enchilada sauce and top with cheddar cheese. Bake about 30 minutes.

Cheesy Turkey Meatloaf

Okay, so the picture don't make this look very good but it is real easy and yummy!

Preheat oven to 375

1 lb Ground Turkey (I get the 93/7 one)
1/2 cp Italian Bread Crumbs
1 tsp Dried Oregano
3 slices Provolone Cheese
1 egg

Break up one piece of cheese. Mix together ground turkey, bread crumbs, egg, oregano, cheese pieces. Divide the turkey into three sections (two about equal and one smaller). Take one of the larger sections and form a ball, flatten it out a big with an indent in the middle about the size of a slice of cheese and lay a piece of cheese in the indent. Cover with smaller section of turkey. Put the 3rd piece of cheese and cover with last section of turkey. Form into a nice round shape and make sure cheese is covered on sides with ground turkey.

Bake for approx 45 minutes.

Classic Lasagna

I decided to make a lasagna so I went to google. Of course, when I saw the 3rd recipe was a Giada recipe I had to make it. Took a little while to prepare (make the tomato sauce first!) but it was pretty good (and I am not a lasagna person). The recipe is C&P from Food Network. Their picture is pretty than mine but I didn't want to steal it too.

Ingredients

Bechamel Sauce:

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus 2 tablespoons for the lasagna
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups whole milk at room temperature
• Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce, recipe follows
• Salt and white pepper
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 pound ground chuck beef
• Salt and pepper
• 1 1/2 pounds ricotta cheese
• 3 large eggs
• 1 pound lasagna sheets, cooked al dente
• 2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Bechamel sauce:

In a 2-quart pot, melt 5 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. When butter has completely melted, add the flour and whisk until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to prevent any lumps from forming. Continue to simmer and whisk over medium heat until the sauce is thick, smooth and creamy, about 10 minutes. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of wooden spoon. Remove from heat and add the nutmeg and tomato sauce. Stir until well combined and check for seasoning. Set aside and allow to cool completely.

In a saute pan, heat extra-virgin olive oil. When almost smoking, add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Brown meat, breaking any large lumps, until it is no longer pink. Remove from heat and drain any excess fat. Set aside and allow to cool completely.

In a medium sized bowl, thoroughly mix the ricotta and eggs. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Into the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch baking dish, spread 1/3 of the bechamel sauce. Arrange the pasta sheets side by side, covering the bottom of the baking dish. Evenly spread a layer of all the ricotta mixture and then a layer of all the spinach. Arrange another layer of pasta sheets and spread all the ground beef on top. Sprinkle 1/2 the mozzarella cheese on top of the beef. Spread another 1/3 of the bechamel sauce. Arrange the final layer of pasta sheets and top with remaining bechamel, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Cut the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into 1/4-inch cubes and top lasagna.

Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place lasagna dish on top, cover and put on the middle rack of the oven and bake until top is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Remove cover and continue to bake for about 15 minutes.

Simple Tomato Sauce:

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 (32-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
• 2 dried bay leaves
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, optional

In a large casserole pot or Dutch over, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and bay leaves and simmer uncovered on low heat for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and check for seasoning. If sauce still tastes acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time to round out the flavors.

Add 1/2 the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.

If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and pour 1 to 2 cup portions into freezer plastic bags. This will freeze up to 6 months.

Grilled Chicken on Flatout Bread

So, I was doing my regular weekly grocery shopping and looking for wraps and noticed these new Flatout Wraps. I didn't know what I would do with them but I love what I made tonight!

1 flatout wrap per person
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast per person
EVOO
Herbs de Provence
Salt
Pepper
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Cheese (I used a mix of mozzarella, goat, and parm)'
Fresh spinach leaves

Preheat oven to 350. Preheat outside grill

Mix about 3/4 cup EVOO, herbs de Porvence, salt, pepper, onion, and garlic powders together. Put about a tablespoon to the side then put chicken breast in to marinade. Let soak about 10 minutes.

While chicken is grilling, you can slowly pour a little left over marinade on each breast to keep it moist. When it is cooked, remove from grill and slice into thin slices.

Use a nonstick baking pan and place the flatbreads on it. Heat in oven about 2 minutes. Remove from oven, coat is marinade you put to the side. Cover in fresh spinach leaves, chicken, and cheeses (if using goat cheese, it is strong so don't use much). Put in oven on low broil until cheese is melted. Eat right away!

Potato and Beef Bake

No picture, well I took a picture but it really didn't look appetizing so I am not posting it LOL I made this up a few months ago but have only made it twice. It is really good though!

4 medium potatoes
1 cup Olive Oil
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
Balsamic Vinegar
1.25 lbs. lean ground beef
1 bag cheddar cheese
1/3 cup Diced Onion
Salt
Pepper

Preheat oven to 400
Peel and dice potatoes
Mix about 1 cup olive oil, drop of balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning in cup
Pour above mix into ziplock bag and add potatoes, shake well
Spread on baking pan and bake for about 20 minutes (until potatoes are soft)

While potatoes are baking brown ground beef with onion, salt, pepper

Once potatoes are done, mix everything together and put into casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese and bake until cheese is melted and slightly brown.

*to make creamier, you can add a cheese sauce when mixing together before baking

Mini Penne with Parm Chicken

Another Giada recipe from Everyday Pasta. This picture sucks but my Canon battery was dead so I had to use my old Kodak.

3 tbsp EVOO plus 1/2 cup
1 cup buttermilk
1.5 lbs chicken tenders (about 18)
1 lb penne pasta
1 1/4 grated parm cheese
3/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
Salt and BP
3 tbsp minced garlic
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar (I only use 1/4 tsp)
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 500. Spray a baking pan with olive oil baking spray. Place buttermilk in a large bowl. Add chicken tenders, stir to coat, and let stand for 15-30 minutes.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until tender but still firm to bite.

Stir the parm. cheese and bread crumbs together. Season with S&P. Remove chicken from buttermilk and dredge in mixture. Please on pan. Coat chicken with olive oil and cook until golden brown (about 12 minutes). Transfer to cutting board and cut into 1" pieces (I cut mine up in the beginning before soaking.

Mash garlic with 1 tsp of salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in the vinegar and 1/2 cup of EVOO. Season with 1/4 tsp pepper.

Place drained pasta in a large serving bowl. Drizzle with the vinaigrette, sprinkle with parsley, and top with chicken. Toss and serve.

Italian Turkey Meatballs

(Please excuse the messy table, I have been super busy between Oasis Homes and Cleaning Wizards)

I decided to do meatball subs tonight and I never made meatballs before so here is my little recipe that I made up. I love Italian food so I figured I would do an Italian Meatball.

EVOO
1.3 lbs lean ground turkey
1 egg
1/2 cp Italian Bread Crumbs
1/4 cp grated parm cheese
1 tsp. each of S&P
1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
2 cups of your favorite sauce (I use the mariana from below)

Drizzle a little EVOO in the bottom of a pan (just enough to coat) or spray with EVOO NonStick spray. Combine ingredients 2-6 in a bowl. Once combined, form balls and put into pan with EVOO. Let cook about 15 minutes (turning as needed). Add sauce, making sure to coat all meatballs. Cover and cook an additional 10 minutes or until meatballs are done.

Serve on top of spaghetti or on sub rolls. When serving on sub rolls, I add slices of provolone cheese.

The steamed broccoli is super easy. I literally only steam the broccoli for about 6 minutes. I love my fresh veggies when they are hot but still have a crunch to them. I just put a tad bit of butter with a little S&P to season.

Forget to take a picture!

We made homemade pizza last night (and it was yummy) but I was starving and forget to take the picture (I can see this happening often). But I will post the recipe anyway.

Premade 5 Grain Pizza Crust (I got it from Organic Planet)
Homemade marinara Sauce (don't know how much, I have the thin rubbermaid container that fits a sandwich filled)
Lots of cheese (I mix the Italian Blend and Goat Cheese)
Turkey pep.

Thats it, simple and yummy. Only needed to bake for 10 minutes then I broiled on high for about 2 minutes.

Tonight, I am just doing grilled chicken sandwiches on wheat with fries so there won't be a picture (or recipe) of that either. I have the girls coming to sleep over tonight and Saturday night and I have alot to do tomorrow.