Tonight's dinner was supposed to be Chicken Marsala but alas, my distracted nature had me running all over the grocery store for items needed for a science experiment and I didn't realize until I got home that I forgot to get the mushrooms I needed. I didn't want to head back to the store so I decided to figure something out using what I had on hand: pasta, a jar of roasted red peppers, grilled and chopped chicken in the freezer, an onion, some bacon, a jar of Alfredo sauce, and a bag of baby spinach that I had planned to use in a salad. Everyone loved the easy 15 minute meal, and the name was voted to be Orecchiette Florentine. Doesn't it look yummy?
Chicken with Basil Cream Sauce
This rich and creamy chicken dish is one of the recipes first featured in our meal plans. The pimentos and fresh basil are the perfect seasoning in the delicious cream sauce served over breaded and sautéed chicken breasts.
Cheddary Chicken and Broccoli
This is my favorite go-to recipe when I have no time or inspiration but I do have all of the ingredients (which are all either shelf- or freezer- stable so I try to keep them on hand at all times). In addition to making you look like you spent lots of time in the kitchen, it tastes delicious. Unfortunately, everyone loves it so much that even if I double the recipe there are only enough leftovers for my husband to take for lunch the next day! It goes well with a salad or fresh fruit on the side.
Festive 4th of July Flag Cake
This festive 4th of July Flag Cake is deliciously light and creamy. Featuring Angel Food Cake and a whipped cream cheese filling, it is the perfect summer dessert for an Independence Day meal.
Tomato and Squash Casserole
With our squash harvest starting to come in, I wanted to try some new veggie dishes. This delicious tomato and squash dish with an Italian flavor is adapted from a recipe that I saw in the Costco Connection magazine. I'll be glad when our Roma tomatoes start producing - the Romas we bought to use in this recipe were over a dollar each! Later in the summer when we can get all of the vegetables and herbs from our garden, I will definitely be making this again.
Blueberry Banana Pie with Cream Cheese
This creamy chilled pie is my very favorite pie ever. It is the perfect summer pie - cool and refreshing and full of flavor. It makes 2 pies, which in my house is a good thing!
Broccoli Salad
Broccoli Salad is a nice alternative to a side salad. It's quick and easy when you use the bags of fresh broccoli florets available at the supermarket, but be sure to allow time for the salad to chill.
Bulk Meatballs
When ground beef is deeply discounted, we buy large quantities and prepare both browned ground beef for the freezer and bulk meatballs for the freezer. This recipe calls for baking the meatballs instead of frying them, creating less mess.
Apple Cheddar Melt
A restaurant in my town serves this wonderful open-face sandwich and every time I order it, I realize that I've forgotten how much I love it. It is delightful anytime, but it would be a perfect fall lunch with fresh-picked apples. Since I couldn't wait until fall, I'm enjoying it for lunch today.
Mediterranean Chicken and Pasta
If I had to choose the dish I would rather have than any other, it would probably be this one. It combines several of my favorites flavors: balsamic vinegar (which I believe to be The Ultimate Condiment), feta cheese, and grilled chicken. It is a quick and delicious meal that packs a lot of flavor.
