Grilled chicken with gorgonzola, asparagus, & carmelized onions (Abbey from Woodbury, MN)

2 cups penne pasta, uncooked
2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 cup thin onion slices, separated into rings
1 tsp. sugar
1-1/2 cups chopped plum tomatoes
2 cups cut-up grilled chicken (1-inch pieces)
1-1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup diagonally cut asparagus spears (1-inch pieces)
1/4 cup whipping cream
4 tsp. minced fresh garlic
1 pkg. (4 oz.) Crumbled Gorgonzola Cheese
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

cook pasta as directed on package.
Heat oil in small skillet on medium heat. Add onions and sugar; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until onions are tender. Remove from heat; set aside.
Drain and rinse pasta. Place in large skillet. Add tomatoes; cook on medium heat 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Add chicken, broth, asparagus, cream and garlic; mix well. Cook and stir 5 minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened. Add onions, cheese and basil; mix well. Cook 2 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.
*tip-The recipe calls to add the tomatoes and cook for a few minutes-I usually hold them off or they get mushy and lose flavor. I would add them in at the last minute!

ENJOY WITH GOOD BREAD & WINE! :)

This is delicious, simple to make & doesn't take a ton of time. I've made it for guests and it's been a hit. I would recommend extra gorgonzola cheese & also sprinkling fresh parmesan on the top for extra flavor.

Home Made Guacamole (Katie from Texas)

5-6 Ripe Avocados (You know they are ripe when they are soft to touch….but not way mushy!!)
Cilantro (I just buy a jar of it in the seasoning section of the grocery store – but you could buy fresh!)
Tomatoes
Onions
Lime Juice

Cut and seed the Avocados in bowl. I use my electric mixer to mush them all up! You could use a spoon if you prefer a more “chunky” guacamole! Add about 2 tsp of cilantro, tomato and onions (to preferred taste). Add some lime juice it really helps it from turning brown too quickly. My sister in law has even said that keeping a seed stored with it helps slow the browning process as well!

Chicken Enchilada Casserole (Katie from Texas)

K – this one takes a little more time, but you could actually prepare it on a weekend and enjoy the left overs ALL week long!! Also… I never really measure anything when I make this…. So I apologize if this seems vague!! Believe me, it’s nearly impossible to mess up!!

*1 Chicken (or 4 -5 chicken breasts)
2 Cans Campbells Tomato Soup
1 16oz Sour Cream
1 Jar Salsa (I usually use Pace)
10-15 Flour Tortillas
Taco Seasoning
Cheese (I like a Colby Jack Blend)
Green Pepper
Onion

** If you are not a “chicken” person, substitute beef – tastes yummy too!
*I like to purchase a rotisserie chicken that is already cooked and simply pull all the meat off! Cuts out a complete step where you need to cook the chicken!

Cook chicken – in a small amount of olive oil. (do not season) In a pan, sauté (cook over medium heat in a little Olive Oil) green peppers and onions (set aside for later)
In a large bowl (LARGE!! You’ll need it!) Dump one can of Tomato Soup (save the second for later, I sometimes end up needing it); about 2/3’s of the Sour Cream; approximately 1 cup of salsa. MIX WELL! Add one package of Taco Seasoning and mix. Add cooked green peppers and onions; cooked chicken; and about 1 cup shredded cheese. Mix it all up J (There is nothing “pretty” about this… but it sure tastes good!!) Finally, shred flour tortillas into strips and mix in.

So by now you have a one large bowl with a mixture of everything listed above! In a 9x13 baking pan spread mixture in, pressing it down to get it all to fit! Top with some shredded cheese and bake and 350 degrees for approximately 40 min (or until warm all the way through!)

Simple Side Dishes to go with this meal:

I live to buy the packets of Spanish Rice or Mexican Rice to serve with this!

Chicken Alfredo (Katie from Texas)

Chicken Breasts (Boneless & Skinless)
1 Jar of your Favorite Alfredo Sauce (mine is Classico)
Pasta
Olive Oil
Garlic Seasoning

This meal is so quick and easy! Simply cut up chicken breasts and cook in a large sauce pan with a little bit of Olive Oil. Season with garlic as needed. Make sure to start boiling your water for your pasta right away – the chicken won’t take long to cook!

I like to warm up the Alfredo sauce on the side – I do not mix it in with the Chicken. This will allow others to take as much or as little as they like! And the extra won’t go to waste!

Do you pasta noodles always come out sticky??? Here’s the trick – don’t rinse them under cool water!!!!! In fact, don’t rinse them at all. Drain them and place them back into the warm pot they came from – then add a little butter or olive oil to them.

You can make your own garlic bread for an great side!

Enjoy =)

Let's do this!

I'm a married young inexperienced cook... actually I a very good baker. I have been married for 3 years and haven't really tackled the task of cooking. Cooking for me is plain chicken and broccoli. Nasty! My high school girlfriend suggested that ladies unite together and "exchange" recipes. I thought what a fab-boo idea!

Here is the scoop ladies... start digging in through your cupboards, pull out your recipes (simple or detailed, dessert, main course, whatever) and email them to me as often as you'd like. I will then start posting your recipes one by one (including your information with it). If you happen to try one of the recipes posted be kind enough to snap a photo of your delight + email it along with your thoughts (ie, did it taste good? was it difficult to make? would you recommend it?).


With that being said I must must must put my recipe for my famous chocolate chip cookies. This is how often I cook that I can't even think of a "main course" recipe to post first. sad

Chocolate Chip Cookies.



2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks, 1/2 pound) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated [white] sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups (12-ounce package) NESTLE TOLL HOUSE Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts


COMBINE 2 sticks butter(melted), granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in large mixer bowl.*mix *mix. Add eggs one at a time, beating well (this is beating until it becomes fluffy like) after each addition. Lick each beater. Take time to relax and enjoy the dough. Just a few pinches! Gradually beat in flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl.


Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
BAKE in preheated 375-degree [Fahrenheit] oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.



Enjoy!