LIGHT CHICKEN CORN CHOWDER

http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2016/11/14/slow-cooker-light-chicken-corn-chowder/

SLOW COOKER LIGHT CHICKEN CORN CHOWDER
I wanted this for after church (11-1) so in the morning I prepared (in big pan) then let it simmer until after church.  Then I added cornstarch & milk.  We liked it.  Makes lots!  Is thick...would be good in a soup bowl.  Tasted like fall.  Next time I might try cooking breast whole and then shredding towards the end.

Ingredients:

• 4 strips bacon
• 2 large carrots, peeled and thinly sliced (a little over 1 cup)
• 2-3 celery stalks, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced (about 3/4 cup)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (14 ounce) can cream-style corn
• 2 (14 ounce) cans corn, drained (or use about 3 cups frozen)
• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (or regular potatoes)
• 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
• 5 cups (1200ml) chicken broth (I use reduced sodium)
• 1 Tablespoon fresh thyme
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 and 1/2 cups (360ml) whole milk
• 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
• optional: fresh (or dried) parsley for garnish

Directions:

1. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until browned on both sides. (Keep grease in skillet!) Place strips on paper towels and allow to cool. Once cool, crumble the bacon.
2. Add the carrots, celery, onions, and garlic to the skillet. Stir and cook the vegetables in the bacon grease over medium heat until soft, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
3. Place the creamed corn, corn, sweet potatoes, chicken, chicken broth, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper into a 5 quart or larger slow cooker. (Here's one I own and love!) Add the celery/carrot/onions and the crumbled bacon (save some for garnish if desired!). Give it all a quick stir, cover with the lid, and cook on low heat for about 6-7 hours.
4. At the 6-7 hour mark, whisk the cornstarch and milk together. Pour in the soup. Give it a stir and cover. Cook 1 more hour. Serve warm with a sprinkle of parsley and/or any leftover bacon crumbles.
5. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for 1 week. To reheat, simply pour into a pot over medium heat and cook until warm. Soup freezes well, up to 3 months.

No slow cooker? No problem! Prepare recipe through step 2. Instead of placing ingredients into a slow cooker in step 3, place into a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Give it a nice stir, then allow to boil and cook until chicken is no longer pink, about 30 minutes. Turn the heat down to low, stir in the whole milk and cornstarch, and allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Serve.

Pumpkin Pancakes with Black Cinnamon Syrup

These were fun to make.  I took a little bowl of the batter before adding pumpkin (sweet potato/yam works too) and food coloring for the green stem.  Loved the black syrup.  Next time I definitely want to put in a squirt bottle for kids to decorate (see tip). (favorite pumpkin waffle recipe is in 2009 taste of home)

Ingredients

Syrup

1/2

cup granulated sugar

1/2

cup packed light brown sugar

2

tablespoons Gold Medal® unbleached all-purpose flour

2

teaspoons ground cinnamon

1

teaspoon vanilla

1

cup water

Black food color

Pancakes

2

cups Original Bisquick® mix

1

cup milk

2

eggs

1/2

cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

2

tablespoons granulated sugar

1/2

teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pinch of nutmeg

Red and yellow (or orange) food color

Save $$$ on your favorite brands

Directions

• 1In 1-quart saucepan, heat Syrup ingredients to boiling, stirring constantly, slowly adding enough black food color to completely color the mixture black. Stir constantly while boiling a few more minutes until mixture thickens. Remove from heat; set aside.
• 2In large bowl, stir together Pancake ingredients until well combined. Spoon batter onto hot greased griddle; cook until golden, 2 to 3 minutes each side.
• 3Transfer to serving plates; top with syrup, and serve warm.

Expert Tips

Pour syrup into a squeeze bottle so kids can “draw” spooky designs on their pancakes!

Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips to the batter for pumpkin-chocolate chip pancakes.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/pumpkin-pancakes-with-black-cinnamon-syrup/80c681e7-d409-43cf-85cb-b01d1338f72c?nicam2=BC12BQ_201441_BC_BQ_2013_10_23_Core_Newsletter

ROASTED SWEET POTATOES AND BACON

ROASTED SWEET POTATOES AND BACON
Had this with fried eggs - made a fun dinner.  Would be a good side dish for fish.


Preheat oven to 400.  On a rimmed baking sheet, combine 2# sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2" pieces, 4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2" pieces, and 5 sprigs thyme (I am sure I just used the spice); season with coarse salt and pepper.  Roast until sweet potatoes are browned in spots and tender when pierced with a knife and bacon is crisp, about 30 minutes, stirring halfway through. 

BROCCOLI SOUP

CREAMY BROCCOLI SOUP

Takes about 40 minutes to cook. Found in realsimple magazine. We really liked this recipe and it was easier to make than I thought it would be. We had it with salad and brischetta on bread.

1T oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1/8 tsp crushed red pepper (optional), didn't add

---

2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

2 cups water

1 bunch broccoli, florets roughly chopped and stems peeled and sliced (about 7 cups)

1 (8 oz) large russet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2" pieces (I used red potatoes)

Kosher salt and black pepper

---

2 ounces (1/2 cup) sharp white cheddar, grated

Bagel chips, for serving

Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and red pepper, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft, 4-6 minutes.

Add the broth, broccoli, potato, 2 cups water, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until the vegetables are very tender, 18-20 minutes.

In a blender, working in batches, puree the soup until smooth, adjusting the consistency with water as necessary. (I used my Braun). Top with Cheddar and bagel chips, if desired, before serving.

per serving: 200 calories; 8g fat (3.5g saturated fat); 15mg cholesterol; 436mg sodium; 8g protein; 25g carbohydrates; 4g sugar; 4g fiber; 2mg iron; 164mg calcium.

BROCCOLI-CHEDDAR SOUP
Julia Britton posted this on facebook. We all really liked it.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/broccoli-cheddar-soup-recipe/index.html?soc=share
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups half-and-half
1 pound russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 bay leaf
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 cups chopped broccoli florets
1/3 pound sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 1/3 cups)
Croutons, for topping (optional)
Directions
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and celery and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth, half-and-half, both potatoes, bay leaf, 2 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, put the broccoli in a microwave-safe bowl; add 3 tablespoons water and season with salt. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes; drain.

When the potatoes are tender, remove the bay leaf from the soup and transfer the soup to a blender. Puree until smooth, leaving the filler cap slightly open to let steam escape (or puree the soup in the pot with an immersion blender). Return the soup to the pot and thin with water, if necessary. Return to a simmer over medium-low heat; stir in the broccoli and season with salt and pepper.

Add the cheese and stir until melted. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with croutons, if desired.

Per serving: Calories 589; Fat 34 g (Saturated 18 g); Cholesterol 97 mg; Sodium 931 mg; Carbohydrate 50 g; Fiber 8 g; Protein 22 g

LENTIL SOUP

GERMAN LENTIL SOUP

We all liked this. It was posted on the Allred Biggest Loser Blog by Melody. This is what she said about it:

I made this soup for my family, my parents, and my sister's family. Everybody gobbled it up and wanted more, even the kids. We realized that it is actually quite healthy! It's got lots of fiber and nutrients, as well as being relatively low-calorie. Yes, it has bacon in it, but is also makes about 8 servings, so you are only getting a half a slice of bacon, which isn't bad at all. Enjoy!

4 bacon slices, diced
1 onion, diced
3 carrots, sliced
3 or 4 celery stalks, sliced
1 ham steak, cut up
1 16 oz package brown lentils
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp thyme
2 bay leaves
8 cups hot water
2 tsp salt

---2 T lemon juice (the lemon juice makes it!)

In 5 quart pon over medium-high heat, fry bacon until lightly browned (next time I would cook it until almost crisp). Add onions, celery, and carrots and cook until onions are tender, about 5 minutes. Add ham, lentils, pepper, thyme, bay leaves, hot water, and salt. Cover and simmer over low heat 1 hour or until lentils are tender. Discard bay leaves.

Stir in lemon juice.

INSTANT POT LENTILS
https://www.pressurecookrecipes.com/instant-pot-lentils
I really liked this recipe.  Tasted like minestroni soup.  Really good with croutons or crackers.
I soaked and rinsed my lentils.  I also cooked them for about 2 minutes in the instant pot and then rinsed again.  I felt this helped a lot with the gassiness.

2 cups lentils
4 cups vegetable stock
2 bay leaves
2 carrots, roughly diced
2 ribs celery, roughly diced
2 T unsalted butter or olive oil (I didn't use this - just used vegetable stock)
1 # smoked kielbasa sausage (didn't add)
1 onion, roughly diced
1 shallot, roughly diced
6 cloves garlic, roughly diced
14 oz crushed tomatoes
1 tsp cumin seed, ground
1 T regular soy sauce
1 T fish sauce (can substitute with regular soy sauce)

Garnish: (didn't do this)
dash of balsamic vinegar
freshly grated parmesan cheese

Brown sausage in saute more function to heat up Instant Pot.  Wait until HOT appears on the screen (8 min)

Add to 2 T butter or oil or broth - add in sausage and saute 5 min

Add in diced onion, shallots and saute for 3 minutes.  Add in minced garlic, 1 tsp ground cumin and 2 bay leaves then saute another minute.

Pour in 1/2 cup unsalted stock, then deglaze by scrubbing all the flavorful brown bits off the bottom of the pot.  Give it a quick mix.

Add in 2 cups green lentils, diced carrots,, diced celery, 1 T soy sauce 1 T fish sauce.  Pour in 3 1/2 cups stock then give it a quick mix.  Layer 14 oz crushed tomatoes on top of the other ingredients in Instant Pot - do not mix!

Make sure venting position is on sealing.  Pressure cook 10 minutes - natural release 10 minutes.

If you want it thicker, change to saute more function.  Take a little out and put in a bowl to see if you like the balsamic vinegar before adding to the whole pot.

Curried Sweet Potato, Lentil and Chicken Soup

1	large or 2 medium dark-orange sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (2 cups)
1/4	cup chopped onion
1/2	cup apple juice
1/2	cup water
2	cans (19 oz each) Progresso® Vegetable Classics lentil soup
1 1/2	cups Green Giant® frozen cut green beans
1	cup finely chopped cooked chicken
2	to 3 teaspoons curry powder

1.

In 3-quart saucepan heat sweet potatoes, onion, apple juice and water to boiling over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover; cook 5 minutes.

2.

Stir in soup, beans, chicken and curry powder. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover; simmer 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender. 1 Serving: Calories 220 (Calories from Fat 30); Total Fat 3 1/2g (Saturated Fat 1g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol20mg; Sodium 670mg; Total Carbohydrate 34g (Dietary Fiber 6g, Sugars 6g); Protein 14g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 150%; Vitamin C 6%; Calcium 6%; Iron 15% Exchanges: 2 Starch; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 1Vegetable; 1 Very Lean Meat Carbohydrate Choices: 2 *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

SWEET POTATOES

SWEET POTATOES

Tonight I peeled and cut up one sweet potato. Cooked it with a little bit of water in the microwave. After it was cooked I added a little bit of brown sugar, some cinnamon and nutmeg. Then I pureed. After pureeing I added some chopped pecans. Both kids when they saw it said gross, but after they tried it they really liked it.

PALATABLE SWEET POTATOES
Got this recipe from Head Start when Abagail was going there.  We all liked it.  Not too sweet.

1 1/2 c cooked sweet potatoes or yams (2-3 med peeled. sliced and steamed)
1/4 c sugar
1/4 c milk
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
2 T butter

Place above ingredients in mixer and blend until smooth.  Spoon into baking dish and set aside.

Mix:
Cut (or use food processor) 1/4 c butter in 8 tsp flour and 1/2 c brown sugar.  Add 1/2 c chopped nuts once butter is pea-sized bits.

Sprinkle topping over ingredients in pan.  Bake at 350 for 30 min.

SWEET POTATOES

These are so so yummy! Jackson really liked it. It almost taste like a dessert. Came from Pioneer Woman.

4 whole medium sweet potatoes

1 cup sugar

1 cup milk

2 whole eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp salt

---

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup pecans, chopped

1/2 cup flour

3/4 stick of butter, slightly softened

Wash potatoes and bake them in a 375 oven until fork tender (about 35 min). When they are finished cooking slice them open and scape out the flesh into a large bowl. Add 1 cup of white sugar, 1 cup milk, 2 eggs, vanilla and salt. With a potato masher - mash them up just enough. You don't want it to be perfectly smooth.

In a separate bowl, add brown sugar, pecans, flour and butter. With a fork (don't use the Braun) mash together until thoroughly combined. Spread the sweet potato mixture into a regular baking dish and sprinkle the crumb mixture all over the top.

Bake at 400 for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

TWICE BAKED SWEET POTATO

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/twice-baked-sweet-potatoes-111250.aspx

We really liked this recipe. Didn't have a sweet taste at all. You could really taste the sweet potato. I was able to prepare these fairly quick. Used the microwave.

what you need:

2 large sweet potatoes

2 oz. (1/4 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese, cubed

2 Tbsp. fat-free milk

1 Tbsp. brown sugar

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 cup chopped PLANTERS Pecans

make it:

HEAT oven to 425ºF.

CUT potatoes lengthwise in half; place, cut-sides down, in foil-lined 15x10x1-inch pan. Bake 30 to 35 min. or until tender. Or you can microwave on HIGH 7 to 8 min.(took me a lot longer) or until tender. Cut potatoes in half; scoop out centers and continue as directed.

SCOOP out centers of potatoes into bowl, leaving 1/4-inch-thick shells. Add Neufchatel, milk, sugar and cinnamon to potatoes; mash until blended.

FILL shells with potato mixture; top with nuts. Bake 8 min. or until potatoes are heated through and nuts are toasted.

To make ahead: Stuff potato shells as directed; refrigerate up to 1 hour. When ready to serve, bake as directed, increasing baking time as needed until filling is heated through.

HONEY-PINEAPPLE SWEET POTATOES

taste of home 2009 Quick Cooking pg. 145

This was so yummy! Easy to make.

SWEET & WHITE POTATO SPEARS

SWEET & WHITE POTATO SPEARS
We tried these and all of us really liked them. I liked that you didn't peel the potatoes. Was easy prep. Went perfect with our BBQ.  Update: if using food processor use biggest blade.

Update: Good without the cheese too.  Also good with popcorn seasonings added.  Kids like to choose their own.

1 1/2# (2-3) sweet potatoes
1 1/2# (2-3) white potatoes
1/2 cup Kraft light Zesty Italian dressing
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
Parsley (fresh or dried flakes)

Preheat oven to 375. Cut up potatoes into spears. Toss in Italian dressing. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet (I lined with tin foil too). Bake 30 minutes and then turn the spears. Bake another 30 minutes. Last 5 minutes sprinkle with cheese. Once out of the oven sprinkle with parsley.

SWEET POTATO FRIES
We really liked these.  Nice and crispy.
Cut sweet potatoes into sticks (did pretty thin).  Soak in water for 30+ minutes.  Toss in cornstarch.  Put on a cookie sheet that has been covered with tin foil and sprayed with oil (Pam).  Drizzle with olive oil.  Bake for 15 minutes at 425, flip and bake 5 more minutes.

CRUMB-COATED POTATO HALVES
We all really liked these. Would like to try with sweet potatoes next. Jackson had fun helping me make.
1/2 cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt (didn't add)
1/8 tsp pepper
4 large potatoes, peeled and halved (I didn't peel)
2 T butter, melted
Combine bread crumbs, paprika, salt and pepper. Brush potatoes with butter (or dip) roll in crumb mix until coated. Place in a greased 9x13. Cover and bake at 350 for 1 hour or until tender.

OVEN FRIES
We really liked these.  Only had white potatoes would like to try with sweet potatoes.
I didn't measure anything just kinda added.  They were a little spicy might have added too much pepper and paprika.  Could also try other spices - onion or garlic.  

potatoes - cut into spears about 1" 
1 tsp oil
1 T sugar (didn't add that much - but the sugar helps it get crunchy)
1 tsp salt (used kosher)
pinch paprika

cookie sheet with tinfoil that has been sprayed with Pam.  Bake 425 for 30 min.  Can turn 1/2 way through.

CHICKEN FINGERS

DORITOS CHICKEN FINGERS
http://sharefoodpics.com/?p=4008
We all really liked this.  Easy to make.  I thought next time it would be a good idea to use 1/2 cup less flour and use 1/2 cup wheat germ or flax seed meal.  Leftovers would be so yummy in a tortilla with lettuce, tomato, cheese and ranch.  Or just make that the meal.  Would also be good topped on a salad.

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut up (I used 10-12 chicken tenders)
1 large bag of Doritos - nacho flavor (or flavour of choice), crushed*
2 cups buttermilk
2 cups flour
4 eggs

Marinate sliced boneless chicken breasts in buttermilk for 2 hours. Dredge in flour. Dip in egg wash. Dredge in crushed Doritos. Line a baking sheet with tin foil and spray with Pam (optional).  Bake in a 400 for 15-20 minutes. 

*I crushed them in the bag and then put the chicken in the Doritos bag and shook it.

CHICKEN NUGGETS

This recipe comes from the Jessica Seinfeld cookbook - Deceptively Delicious. I didn't think Scott would eat them because they were so red, but he loved them and I had a hard time not eating too many. Jackson didn't eat very many, but Abagail liked them. Would make a great Valentine's meal. Or could do the spinach/broccoli for St. Patrick's Day or sweet potato for Halloween.

Mix in a bowl with fingers until well mixed:

The recipe says to put on paper or foil after mixing. Which I didn't understand why until I was done. It was messy keeping it in the bowl I had it in. Or could do a ziploc bag.

1 cup whole-wheat panko (Japanese) breadcrumbs

1/2 cup flaxseed meal

1T grated Parmesan

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

---

Mix in a shallow bowl:

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 cup broccoli or spinach or sweet potato or beet puree

---

1# boneless, skinless chicken breast or chicken tenders, rinsed, dried and cut into small chunks (I did strips)

1/2 tsp salt (didn't do)

---

1 T oil

Sprinkle the chicken chunks with the salt (didn't do this part). Dip the chunks into the egg mixture (worked best if I didn't put on too much) and then toss them in the breadcrumbs until completely coated.

Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set over medium-high heat. When the skillet is hot, add the oil (I didn't do the cooking spray - just oil). Place the nuggets in the skillet in a single layer, being careful not to crowd the pan, and cook until crisp and golden on one side, 3-4 minutes. Then turn and cook until the chicken is cooked through, golden brown and crisp all over 4-5 minutes longer. Make sure and cut into a piece to make sure they are done. I thought it took longer to cook. Serve warm. I thought it went really well with honey mustard. Yum!

CHICKEN FINGERS
These are so good and healthy too! Everyone liked them. Extra bonus: can get everything from the bulk section.

1/2 c wheat germ
1/2 c wheat bran
1/4 c plain dried breadcrumbs
2 T ground flax seeds
2 T parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper
1 T oil
2 large eggs (or use 1 egg white and 1 whole egg)
1 1/2# chicken cut into tenders (I just bought frozen tenders)
BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard or ranch for dipping.

Preheat oven to 450. Prepare cookie sheet by lining with tin foil. Put a wire rack on top of cookie sheet (next time I might try lining this somehow with tinfoil too).

Combine germ, bran, breadcrumbs, flax seed, parmesan, powders, salt and pepper. Add oil and combine.

Beat eggs in a shallow bowl. Dip chicken in eggs and then in crumbs - patting to adhere. Place on rack and bake for 12-14 minutes or until opaque throughout. Serve w/sauce.

CHICKEN FINGERS

We really liked these. I doubled the recipe. Next time I would add 1/2 cup flaxseed to the cornflake mixture. See posting about dipping sauces.

Combine in a shallow bowl:

1/4 cup flour

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. salt & pepper

Combine in a shallow bowl:

1 egg, beaten

1/4 cup milk

Combine in a bigger bowl:

1 1/2 cups cornflakes, crushed

3/4 cup (3 oz) Parmesan Cheese, grated (I didn't use fresh)

1# boneless, skinless chicken tenders (I cut breast into 1 1/2" wide strips)

Preheat oven to 400.

Dip in flour mixture, then egg mixture then cornflake mixture. Coat well. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cook about 20 minutes, until crispy golden and no longer pink.

CELEBRATION CHICKEN
This came from the Martha Stewart FOOD magazine.  We all really liked it.

1/2 cup Newman's Italian Dressing
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1# chicken tenders
1T oil

Preheat oven to 375.  In a shallow glass dish, whisk together salad dressing and egg.  In another dish, combine panko, parmesan, salt and pepper.

Dip chicken tenders in salad dressing mixture, and then coat in panko mixture.  Place on baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.  Bake for 15-18 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.

Ultimate Chicken Fingers (Gluten Free)
adapted from Bisquick

We had these Christmas Eve 2016.

http://mommyimhungry.blogspot.com/2010/10/ultimate-chicken-fingers-gluten-free.html

3/4 cup Bisquick® Gluten Free mix 
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 
1 teaspoon paprika 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
1/2 tsp garlic powder
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (1 lb), cut crosswise into 1/2-inch strips (or 8 tenders)
2 eggs, slightly beaten 
Cooking spray

1. Heat oven to 450°F. Line cookie sheet with foil or parchment paper; spray with cooking spray.
2. Stir Bisquick mix, cheese, paprika and salt in shallow baking dish. Dip chicken strips into eggs, then coat with Bisquick mixture; repeat with other pieces, dipping in eggs and Bisquick mixture two times each. Place chicken on cookie sheet. Spray chicken with cooking spray.

3. Bake 12 to14 minutes, turning after 6 minutes, until no longer pink in center.