FRIED CHICKEN COATING

1. This recipe is from a handwritten page I belong to. It is from a lady named Connie in Pennsylvania. She said this will make several batches and she sometimes adds garlic and/or onion powder. She also uses it on pork chops.

MOM'S CHICKEN TETRAZZINI

I got this recipe from Taste of Home, 2015. The lady who submitted it said it was her mom's way of using up leftover turkey (something many may want to do next month). She said her family enjoyed it year-round by using rotisserie chicken.

8-oz uncooked spaghetti

2 tsp + 3 tbsp butter, divided

8 strips bacon, chopped

2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

1 small onion, chopped

1 small green pepper, chopped

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

3 cups chicken broth

3 cups coarsely shredded rotisserie chicken

2 cups frozen peas

1 jar (4 oz) diced pimientos, drained

1/2 cup grated Romano or Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375-degrees. Cook spaghetti according to the package directions for al dente. Drain and transfer to a greased 13x9-inch baking dish. Add the 2 teaspoons of butter and toss to coat.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Discard drippings, reserving 1 tablespoon in the pan. Add mushrooms, onion and green pepper to drippings; cook, stirring over med-high heat until tender, 5-7 minutes. Remove from pan.

In the same pan, heat remaining butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually whisk in the broth. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Cook and stir 3-5 minutes or until slightly thickened. Add chicken, peas, pimientos and mushroom mixture; heat through, stirring occasionally. Spoon over spaghetti. Sprinkle with bacon and cheese.

Bake uncovered, 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Yield: 6 servings

the file photo

DAISY BRAND'S CRANBERRY ORANGE MUFFINS

• 2 cups white whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup Daisy Cottage Cheese
• 1/2 cup skim milk
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 2 teaspoons grated orange peel
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons orange juice
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 
• Line 12 muffin cups with paper baking cups or spray with nonstick spray; set aside.
• In a large bowl, stir together the flour, flaxseed, baking powder and salt. 
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese, milk, sugar, oil, orange peel and egg. Stir the  wet mixture into the flour mixture just until the flour is moistened (the batter will be thick). Fold in the cranberries. Divide the dough evenly among the muffin cups. 
• Bake for 17 to 21 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Remove from the oven and set on a wire rack to cool. 
• Glaze: in a small bowl, stir together the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the warm muffins.
• Yield: 12 muffins

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BEEFY WILD RICE SOUP

1/2 cup raw white rice

1 lb ground beef at least 85% lean
1 can (14-oz) low-fat chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cups milk
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1 pkt (.4-oz) dry Ranch salad dressing mix
2 chopped green onions, tops included

Cook the rice according to the package directions. You should have about 1 1/2 cups cooked rice.

In a soup pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef, drain, rinse with hot water, return to pan.  Stir in the cooked rice, broth, undiluted soup, milk, cheese, carrots, and Ranch dressing mix.  Combine well and bring to a simmer over low heat.  Stir approximately every 15 minutes.

To serve, ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle the green onions over the top.   Garnish with a fancy cut green onion, if desired.

Yield: Approximately 6 servings

the file photo

HEARTY BEEF RAVIOLI

1 pkg (25-oz) frozen beef ravioli

1/2 lb extra-lean ground beef

1 med green bell pepper, chopped

1 can (14.5-oz) no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can (8-oz) no-salt-added tomato sauce

2 tbsp taco seasoning

3/4 cups shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese

1 can (2 1/4-oz) sliced ripe olives, drained

Cook ravioli according to package directions, drain.

Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, cook beef and pepper over medium heat 4-6 minutes or until beef is no longer pink. As mixture cooks, break up beef into crumbles. Drain and stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 5 to 7 minutes or until slightly thickened. Serve with the ravioli. Top with the cheese and olives.

recipe idea and photo TOH 2015

WHITE QUESO

• 8-oz white American cheese
• 8-oz pepperjack cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 block (8-oz) cream cheese (low-fat not recommended)
• 1 can (10-oz) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, drained
• up to 3/4 cup milk, if needed
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp chili powder, optional

Combine white American cheese, pepperjack cheese, sour cream, crean cheese, and Rotel in a medium saucepan over low heat.  Cook over low heat, stirring often, until cheeses melt and mixture is smooth. Add milk, a little at a time, if needed. Stir in the spices.

file photo for reference only, not this exact photo

FAST PHILLY CHEESESTEAK PIZZA

1 tube (13.8 oz) refrigerated pizza crust

2 cups frozen pepper and onion stir-fry blend

2 tbsp Dijon-mayonnaise blend

1/2 lb thinly sliced deli roast beef cut into wide strips

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 425-degrees. Grease a 12-inch pizza pan. Unroll and press dough to fit the prepared pan. Pinch edge to form a rim. Bake 8-10 minutes or until edge is lightly browned.

Meanwhile, place a large nonstick skillet, coated with cooking spray, over medium-high heat. Add stir-fry blend and cook, stirring, 3-5 minutes or until heated through.

Spread mayonnaise blend over the crust and top with the roast beef and vegetables. Sprinkle with the cheese and bake 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

 Yield: 6 slices

TOH 2015 recipe and photo

CINNAMON-GINGER SPICED COFFEE

3/4 cup ground coffee

zest from half an orange (careful not to get the bitter white)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp chopped candied ginger
6 cups cold water

Place the coffee in coffee filter in basket of coffee maker. Add the orange zest, cinnamon, and ginger. Pour the water into the maker as directed by manufacturer and brew as always.

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CHICKEN AND WILD RICE STRUDELS

Use a rotisserie chicken from the deli to make this recipe quick and easy.

1 pkg (8,8-oz) ready-to-serve long grain and wild rice

1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped chicken

1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese 

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

12 sheets phyllo dough (14x9-inch size

6 tbsp melted butter

Preheat oven to 400-degrees.

Place the chicken, rice, cheese, and seasonings in a large bowl, toss gently to combine.

Place one sheet of phyllo dough on work surface and brush lightly with butter. Layer with 5 more sheets, repeating the same process. (Keep remaining dough covered with plastic wrap and a damp towel to keep moist. 

Spoon half the chicken/rice mixture down the center of the phyllo to within 1-inch of ends. Fold up short sides to enclose the filling. Roll up tightly, starting with long side.

Transfer to a parchment paper-lined 15x10x1-inch baking pan, seam side down. Brush with additional butter. Repeat the process using the remaining ingredients to make a second strudel. 

Bake strudels at 400-degrees 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and heated through.

Yield: 6 servings

recipe and photo TOH 2915

JALAPENO POPPER CHICKEN CASSEROLE

This recipe is a good way to use up leftover chicken (or turkey). Don't have any leftovers around? A rotisserie chicken from the deli works great.

1 pkg (32-oz) frozen Tater Tots

2 pkg (8-oz each) cream cheese, softened

1 cup sour cream

6 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped (It's a good idea to wear gloves when handling hot peppers)

1 1/2 tsp garlic salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend

6 green onions, chopped

1 lb bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

Preheat oven to 425-degrees. Arrange tater tots in an ungreased 13x9-inch baking dish. Bake, uncovered, for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, jalapeno peppers, garlic salt and pepper. Stir in half of chicken and half of the Mexican cheese blend, green onions and bacon. Arrange the remaining chicken over the tater tots. Top with the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle the remaining cheese blend, green onions and bacon overall. Cover and bake until heated through, 20 to 25 minutes. If desired, top with some additional sour cream and jalapeno slices.

Yield: 8 servings

recipe and photo TOH 2025