Creamy Chicken Pot Pie

                Hello friends, it's been a hot minute. I'm back with a quick weeknight meal.
                Are you ready for the most delicious pot pie, full of flavor and makes a ton.

                                                             Creamy Chicken Pot Pie

                                                             2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
                                                             4 carrots thinly, chopped
                                                             4 celery sticks, chopped
                                                             1 onion, diced
                                                             salt and pepper
                                                             1/4 cup flour
                                                             2 cups milk
                                                             1 cup heavy cream
                                                             1 packet knorr garlic and herb mix
                                                             a dash of garlic powder and thyme
                                                             1 cup of peas
                                                             1 rotisserie chicken, cut into chunks
                                                             2 deep dish pie crusts
                                                             1 box frozen puff pastry
                                                             egg wash for pastry

         1 ) Preheat oven to 400. In a dutch oven add olive oil, carrots, celery and onions.
         cook until tender. Add salt, pepper and flour. Cook for 3 minutes until flour is
         cooked through. Add milk, heavy cream, knorr garlic and herb mix, garlic powder
         and thyme. Stir and cook until thickened. Add peas and chicken. Mix well.

         2) Pour mixture into empty pie shells. Cut your puff pasty into long strips and
         weave. Add egg wash and bake for 30 minutes. Enjoy.                                   

Coconut Chicken with Apricot Sauce

One of my favorite local restaurants in town makes the best coconut chicken,

it's my kids favorite. So I figured I would try and recreate it for them and you.

I have to say it turned out pretty fantastic and flavorful.

Coconut Chicken

6 small chicken breasts cut in half - chicken tenders works as well

1 bag sweetened coconut

1 1/2 cups flour

3 large eggs

salt and pepper

garlic powder

onion powder

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper - optional

vegetable oil

Apricot sauce

1 jar apricot jam

1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes.

1) In a large skillet. Heat about a 1/2 inch of vegetable oil. While the oil

is heating. Season the flour with spices. Salt and Pepper your chicken.

Dredge the chicken in flour then dip in the eggs and coat with coconut.

2) Place chicken carefully in oil and cook in batches until golden brown

on each side. 

3) In a small saucepan heat the jam and soy until cooked down. 

Serve the sauce in a a bowl and top with red pepper flakes.

Mayo Free Potato Salad

Potato salad is a great Summer side dish. This one is Mayo free, so it travels

well and tastes great. The best part is that you can add all of your

favorite extras that you'd like. Very versatile.

Mayo Free Potato Salad

3 pounds red potatoes, cut

1/2 red onion, diced

3 sticks celery, diced

3 hard boiled eggs, diced

8 to 10 slices bacon, cooked

1/2 cup greek yogurt

2 tablespoons sour cream

1 teaspoon mustard

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

salt and pepper to taste

handful of parsley - optional 

3 to 4 green onions, for garnish

1) Cook potatoes until fork tender, Drain. Place in a large bowl.

Add onion, celery, greek yogurt, sour cream, mustard, red wine 

vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and parsley.

Mix well and top with boiled eggs, green onions and bacon. 

Barbecue Baked Beans

This is a perfect side dish for your Summer grilling.

Barbecue Baked Beans

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

1 red onion, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 ( 28 ounce ) can of baked beans - I used Bush's

1/2 cup barbecue sauce

1/2 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons spicy mustard

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon soy sauce

4 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 pound cooked bacon

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2) In a large skillet cook hamburg, bell peppers, onions and

garlic. Add beans, barbecue sauce, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce,

soy sauce, and brown sugar. Mix and simmer 5 minutes.

3) Transfer to a greased 9 by 13 pan. Sprinkle with bacon and cover with

aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 

additional minutes. Let casserole stand ten minutes before serving.

Corn Casserole

                      Corn Casserole, is a staple at every Holiday gathering. I'm sure my family
                      would feel disappointed if this yummy side dish wasn't on the buffet table.
                                                           Make this for your Easter dinner.

                                                                      Corn Casserole

                                                                       1/2 cup butter, melted
                                                                       2 eggs, beaten
                                                                       1 ( 8.5 ounce ) box jiffy corn bread mix
                                                                       1 ( 15 ounce ) can whole kernel corn, drained
                                                                       1 can creamed corn
                                                                       2 tablespoons sugar
                                                                       1 cup sour cream

                       1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 9 by 9 inch baking dish.

                       2) In a medium bowl, combine butter, eggs, corn bread mix, whole corn,
                       creamed corn, sugar, sour cream, pour into baking pan.

                       3) Bake for 45 minutes or until golden on top. I like to serve this with green
                       onions on top or chives. All recipes.
                   

Baked Ziti

                      This is my go to Italian meal when I have very little time. It's so simple to
                        make and it's packed full of flavor. Serve with a salad and garlic bread.

                                                                           Baked Ziti

                                                                           1 box ziti
                                                                           1 onion, chopped
                                                                           1 green bell pepper, chopped
                                                                           3 garlic cloves, minced
                                                                           1 pound hamburg
                                                                           2 ( 26 ounce ) marinara sauce - your favorite
                                                                           1 cup sour cream
                                                                           1/2 parmesan cheese
                                                                           8 ounces mozzarella shredded
                                                                           salt and pepper
                                                                           1/2 teaspoon each garlic and onion powder
                                                                           1 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
                                                                           1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

                         1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

                         2) Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta, drain when done.
                         While the water is boiling start your sauce.

                        3) Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a skillet. Add onion and green pepper,
                        cook for 5 minutes add ground beef, garlic and all the spices. Cook until
                        beef is browned and veggies are tender. Add the marinara sauce and cook
                        for 15 minutes.

                        4) Drain cooked pasta and put back in large pot. Add your meat sauce to the
                        noodles. Stir in your cheeses and sour cream, mix well.

                        5) Spray a 9 by 13 baking pan with spray and add your pasta. Top with more
                       cheese if you'd like and bake for 25 minutes. Enjoy.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

                          This is the time of year when you crave comfort food. I love easy and
                          flavorful slow cooker meals. The meat is so flavorful and very tender.
                            Give it a try and this just might be your go to beef stew recipe.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

1 large red onion, sliced

2 to 3 pounds stew meat

1/3 cup all purpose flour

salt and pepper to taste

1  ( 1.2 ounce )package dry beef gravy mix

1 ( 1 ounce ) package dry ranch dressing mix

1 ( .7 ounce ) package Italian style dressing mix

1 cup water

6 or 7 peeled carrots, diced

1) Spread onion slices at the bottom of your crock pot. Sprinkle salt

and pepper on the meat and dredge the meat in flour. Make sure to 

coat all sides. Place the meat on top of the onions. In a mixing cup 

add your water, gravy, ranch and Italian seasonings and mix well,

Pour over meat and all your carrots on top.

2) Cover and set on low for 8 hours. Mixing every once in a while.

Note - I don't add potatoes to the stew because I like to serve it over

a bed of rice or mashed potatoes. But, feel free to add potatoes if you'd like.

The Meat literally falls apart. 

Skillet Sausage, Peppers and Onions

                       I live for sausage, peppers and onion. It's something I crave, Must be the
                       Italian in me. This is a great weeknight meal. I love any meal that you can
                       serve two ways. I like to eat it on a grilled buttered roll and my kids like
                       to eat with with pasta and lots of parmesan cheese. Either way it's so good.

                                                      Skillet Sausage, Peppers and Onions

                                                      6 hot Italian sausage links or sweet
                                                      olive oil and butter
                                                      1 red onion, sliced
                                                      3 bell peppers - red, yellow and green
                                                      5 garlic cloves
                                                      1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
                                                      1/2 teaspoon oregano
                                                      salt and pepper to taste
                                                      1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
                                                      a dash of onion and garlic powder
                                                      1/3 cup white wine
                                                      1/3 cup chicken broth

           1) Heat a medium skillet add a tablespoon olive oil and brown sausages on all sides.
           Remove from skillet and slice in half or leave whole.
 
           2) In the same skillet heat 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add onions,
          pepper and garlic and cook for 4 minutes. Season with all of your spices, add wine and
          chicken broth. Cook until veggies are soft.

           3) Return sausages to the skillet with the veggies. Reduce heat and cook for 20 min.

Greek Sloppy Joes

I have loved eating Sloppy Joes since I was a little girl.

Do you know how easy it is to make them from scratch? So easy.

Anyone that knows me, knows that I'm obsessed with Greek food

and even more obsessed with feta cheese. I literally will put it on everything.

You will be pleasantly surprised how scrumptious these are. They are -

now in my menu rotation. I hope you give them a try.

Greek Sloppy Joes

1 1/2 pound ground beef

1 red onion, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

1/2 can tomato paste

1 ( 15 ounce ) can tomato sauce

salt and pepper

1 1/2 teaspoons oregano

1/2 teaspoon each garlic and onion powder

lettuce

rolls

feta

1) In a large skillet cook ground beef, onion and pepper, until cooked through.

Drain, add tomato paste, tomato sauce and all of the seasonings. Bring to a

simmer and cook for 10 minutes or until thickened.

Note - I like to serve these on rolls. Sometimes I toast them. 

Red onions sprinkled on top are my favorite. 

Add lettuce and extra feta.

Homemade Rice Pilaf

                         Did you know how easy it is to make your own rice pilaf?  You will never
                         need to buy the box stuff again. Quick, simple and most of the ingredients
                         are pantry staples. Rice Pilaf is a great side dish that everyone will love.

                                                                   Homemade Rice Pilaf

                                                                   2 tablespoons butter
                                                                   1/2 cup orzo
                                                                   1/2 cup white rice
                                                                   1 large shallot, diced
                                                                   1/2 teaspoon onion powder
                                                                   1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
                                                                   salt and pepper
                                                                   2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
                                                                   2 cups chicken broth


                     1) Melt butter in skillet over medium low heat. Cook and stir orzo until
                     golden brown. Add onion and cook until soft, add garlic and spices, cook
                     for another minute. Mix in rice and broth. Increase heat and bring to a boil.
                     Reduce heat to medium/low, cover and cook until rice is tender. Cook for
                     about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff with fork.

                     Note - I like to double the recipe and add in extra things. Parmesan cheese,
                     green onion. You could use beef or vegetable broth. Add Cooked carrots or
                     peas. Whatever you like to mix it up. It's perfect the way it is but fun to add
                     in your favorites.

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

4 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed

1 onion, diced

1 bell pepper,  diced

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 pint sour cream

1 teaspoon oregano

1 tablespoon parsley

1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper

1 ( 15 ounce ) can tomato sauce, divided

1 ( 8 ounce ) jar taco sauce, divided

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon chili powder

9 flour tortillas

3/4 cups cheese - for top

green onions for garnish

1) Preheat oven at 350 degrees.

2) In a skillet cook onion and bell pepper until almost done, add garlic.

Place cooked chicken on pan. Add sour cream, cheese, heat until cheese

begins to melt. Add half of the tomato sauce and half of the taco sauce.

Stir in all the spices. and stir until combined.

3) Roll even amounts of mixture into tortillas. Arrange into a 9 by 13 pan.

Mix the remaining tomato sauce and remaining taco sauce together and

pour over the rolled tortillas. Top with 3/4 cups of cheese. Bake uncovered

for 20 minutes. Let cool for about 10 minutes.

Note - I like to serve these with sour cream, green onions, rice and a 

side salad. Enjoy!!!!!

Wahlberg's American Chop Suey

Chop Suey is a New England specialty - One night when I was watching the

popular TV show Wahlburger's... Their adorable mom was making her famous

American Chop Suey and I knew I had to try it...her version is great. I usually 

make my own mother's recipe but this one intrigued me because Alma Wahlberg

added bacon - I was sold. You won't believe how easy and delicious this meal is.

Wahlberg's American Chop Suey

1 pound bacon - diced

1 pound hamburg

1large onion, diced

1 bell pepper, diced

3 cans whole tomatoes

1 box elbow noodles

salt and pepper

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1) In a large pot cook bacon until halfway cooked. Then add onion,

bell pepper, hamburg, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cook until the

meat is cooked through. Next, add canned tomatoes and crush them

by hand over the pot. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. and

cook the elbow macaroni. Once cooked, drain and add to the meat.

Note - I added garlic powder and 4 cloves of fresh garlic to the meat

mixture when it was cooking. 

Here is my moms version here

Summer Spaghetti with Zucchini and Corn

            Hello everyone. I hope y'all are having a wonderful Summer and enjoying all the
            beautiful food that is in season right now. Food tastes so fresh and wonderful -
            during the Summer. Shop at your local farmer's market, the fruits and vegetables
            are so perfect and bountiful. What are you enjoying this Summer?

                                                   Summer Spaghetti with Zucchini and Corn

                                                   1 box of spaghetti
                                                   3 zucchinis
                                                   2 cups corn
                                                   3 garlic cloves
                                                   2 to 3 tablespoons butter
                                                   2 tablespoons olive oil
                                                   salt and pepper
                                                   1 teaspoon oregano
                                                   1/2 teaspoon each of onion and garlic powder
                                                   1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes ( optional )
                                                   1/2 cup feta

         1) Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

         2) In the meantime in a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter until melted.
         Add zucchini and cook for a few minutes, add garlic and cook for 2 more
         minutes. Add corn and all spices. Cook until corn is done. Turn heat off
         and add feta.

         3) Drain pasta. I like to add pasta to the plate and spoon on the vegetables and
         top with extra feta.

           Note - this meal is great served with grilled lemon chicken and garlic bread.

           I like to add a little butter to the warm pasta and save a little 1/2 cup pasta water.
           

Easy Fried Rice

I love fried rice and I especially love making it at home. It's super easy

and a perfect weeknight meal when you have very little time. 

Easy Fried Rice

2 cups basmati rice - cooked according to directions. Let cool.

2 chicken breasts, cubed

1 tablespoon butter

2 eggs

1 cup peas

1 cup corn

2 scallions ( optional )

2 to 3 tablespoons soy sauce or to taste

1 teaspoon garlic powder

salt and pepper

1) Cook rice and let cool. I find when you do this the rice browns better.

2) In a large skillet add butter and brown chicken add salt, pepper and

garlic powder. Set chicken aside.

3) Add rice to the same skillet and stir until brown. Move rice to the side

of the pan and scramble the eggs and mix together.

4) To the rice add the chicken, corn, peas, scallions and as much soy as

desired.

Note - You can add in or take our whatever you'd like. You can make

this vegetarian. You can put in any veggies that you prefer. 

My kids happen to love the corn and peas combo.

Stracciatella ( Italian Egg Drop Soup )

             I have had a cold for a little while and was in need of some major comfort food.
           
             Southern California is having record heat for this time of year and even when it's
             100 degrees....I love to eat soup. I guess when you're inside with the air conditioner
             on it makes a difference. Soup to me is total comfort food and makes me instantly
             feel better. This is my favorite way to eat this and I know you're going to love it.

                                                            Stracciatella ( Italian egg drop soup )

                                                            3 tablespoon olive oil
                                                            1 cup chopped carrots
                                                            1 cup onion, chopped
                                                            1 cup celery, chopped
                                                            3 garlic cloves, minced
                                                            1 teaspoon each salt and pepper
                                                            1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
                                                            1 dash red pepper flakes
                                                            1/2 teaspoon each garlic and onion powder
                                                            3 ( 32 ounce ) containers chicken stock
                                                            1 cup water
                                                            1 cup ditalini pasta
                                                            2 cups chicken, cooked. I bought a rotisserie chicken
                                                            1 ( 9 ounce bag ) baby spinach
                                                            1 lemon
                                                            3 eggs
                                                            1/3 cup parmesan cheese

        1) In a large pot heat olive oil and add carrots, onion, celery and cook until almost
        tender, add garlic and spices.

        2) Add the chicken stock and water bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente.
        add chicken, spinach and lemon.

        3) In a small bowl beat eggs and mix in cheese. Slowly pour in eggs and cook for
        1 minute and take off heat.

         I like to serve mine with a lemon wedge and extra parmesan cheese.

Italian Meatballs

If you have spent your entire life searching for the perfect meatball recipe -

Search no further. I have been on a mission to make a soft, flavorful and

utterly delicious meatball recipe that everyone is sure to love.

The best part is that you make a batch and the first night serve it with pasta,

and the second night you can make meatball subs. 

Italian Meatballs

2 pounds ground beef

4 to 5 garlic cloves, minced

5 tablespoons fresh parsley

1/2 cup fresh parmesan cheese, grated

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon each garlic powder and onion powder

1 cup Italian bread crumbs

For the sauce -

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 onion, diced small

1 to 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper

2 ( 28 ounce ) can crushed tomatoes

1 ( 28 ounce ) can tomato sauce

salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

5 tablespoons fresh parsley

1) Mix meatballs in a large bowl and form into balls and place on a rimmed

cookie sheet and bake at in a 350 preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes.

2) Meanwhile, heat oil in a saucepan and sauté onion until tender and cook

garlic for 3 minutes once the onions are cooked. Add all the spices and

add the tomatoes and cook for 20 to 30 minutes. 

3) Take the meatballs out of the oven and carefully add the meatballs

to the sauce and cook for an additional 30 minutes. 

Chicken Parmesan

You can always tell a good Italian restaurant by their chicken parm.

For years, It's all I would order. I was rather obsessed with this dish.

Now, that I make my own for years. I never order it when I go out -

because mine is rather tasty. Pour a glass of pinot and slice some

bread and serve it with a side salad and dinner is served.

Chicken Parmesan

4 boneless chicken breasts, cut in half lengthwise and pounded

2 large eggs

1/3 cup milk

2 cups Italian bread crumbs

1 cup vegetable oil

2 to 3 cups marinara sauce

1/3 cup parmesan cheese

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella

salt and pepper

garlic powder

Fresh parsley for garnish

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl mix milk and eggs together.

Put the bread crumbs in a large plate. Season chicken with salt, pepper

and garlic powder. Dip the chicken in egg mixture and then in bread

crumbs and set aside in a plate. 

2) Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Once oil is heated.

Add chicken and cook for about 7 to 8 minutes or until golden brown

on each side. Drain on paper towels.

3) Add half the sauce in the bottom of a pan and then add the chicken

add the rest of the sauce and top with parmesan cheese. Cover with

foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and top with mozzarella

and bake uncovered for 7 to 10 minutes.

4) Now dinner is served. Sprinkle with parsley and your favorite pasta.

Citrus Roasted Chicken

                 This meal is definitely - winner, winner, chicken dinner. I adore roasted chicken
                 and when you add lemons, limes and oranges mixed in with a bunch of fresh
                 herbs something magical happens. Serve with potatoes or rice and a nice green
                              vegetable and your weeknight meals is complete. Enjoy.

                                                               Citrus Roasted Chicken

                               8 to 10 pieces of chicken with skin on ( legs, thighs or chicken breast )
                                                               2 lemons, one sliced and one juiced
                                                               2 limes, one sliced and one juiced
                                                               2 oranges, one sliced and one juiced
                                                               2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
                                                               1/2 teaspoon oregano
                                                               2 tablespoons sugar
                                                               1 tablespoon each fresh thyme and rosemary
                                                               1 teaspoon paprika
                                                               1 teaspoon garlic powder
                                                               1 teaspoon onion powder
                                                               1 onion, sliced
                                                               6 garlic cloves, chopped
                                                               4 to 5 tablespoons olive oil
                                                               1 teaspoon salt and pepper ( don't skimp on the salt )

               1) In a small bowl mix together lemon, lime, orange, olive oil, sugar, garlic and
               a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Place chicken in a 9 by 13 pan and pour the dressing
               all over the chicken. Turn chicken to coat evenly.

               2) Place chicken skin side up. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, oregano, thyme, paprika,
               onion powder, garlic powder on chicken. Scatter your sliced, orange, lemon, lime
               and onion all around the chicken. I like to tuck fresh rosemary around as well.

               3) At this point I like to add a little more salt and pepper to my liking.

               4) Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees for about 1 hour.

                Note - if you have time. You can marinate the chicken over night in the olive
               oil mixture.