Thursday, December 15, 2011

Some Yummy Electric Skillet Recipes

Busy cooks often turn to pasta for a quick, easy, family pleasing meal.  If your family loves pasta but you are tired of spaghetti over and over again, try these recipes for something different.  They are perfect for busy cooks and they are sure to please the family.  The Creamy Fettuccini Alfredo is a rich dish made with whipping cream.  The Irish-Italian Style Spaghetti is sure to be different than what your family is used to.  The Tomato Spaghetti Toss is ready in the time it takes to cook the pasta.  There is no sauce making this a low-fat, low-calorie choice.

IRISH-ITALIAN STYLE SPAGHETTI
1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
1 can (10 3/4-oz)condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 can (10 3/4-oz)condensed tomato soup
1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp hot sauce, optional
dash of ground red pepper
1 pkg (12-oz) spaghetti pasta
Parmesan cheese for topping

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and onion until the meat is no longer pink and onion is tender. Drain and wipe excess fat from skillet with a paper towel.

Return the meat and onion to the skillet; add the cream of mushroom soup, tomato soup, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, chili powder, pepper, and hot sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce heat to low. Cover skillet and simmer for 20 minutes.

While sauce simmers, cook the spaghetti according to the package directions; drain well.

To serve, spoon the sauce over the hot spahetti and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.
Yield: 6 servings

CREAMY FETTUCCINE ALFREDO
2 sticks butter
2 cups whipping cream
2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
1 lb fettuccine pasta
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp fresh ground black pepper
fresh basil leaves, chopped

In a large bowl that is heat-proof, place the butter. Using an electric mixer on low speed, beat the butter until smooth. Add the cream and the cheese. Stir mixture with a wooden spoon until well blended; set aside.

Cook the fettuccine pasta according to the package directions. Drain pasta well and promply add to the creamed mixture; toss well to coat pasta. Add the salt and pepper. Sprinkle the basil over the top of the pasta and serve immediately.

Yield: 4 servings

TOMATO SPAGHETTI TOSS
1 lb spaghetti, cooked according to package directions and drained
6 tbsp butter, soften
3 medium tomatoes, peeled & chopped
1/4 sliced green onion
2 tsp chopped basil leaves
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Toss the hot spaghetti with the other ingredients and serve immediately.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Enjoy!

You can find more of Linda's quick and easy recipes on her blog at http://grandmasquickfixrecipes.blogspot.com  She shares slowcooker and crockpot recipes at htttp://grandmasslowcookerrecipes.blogspot.com

Also See:
2 Delicious Pancake Recipes Your Family Will Love
Healthy Electric Skillet Recipes Kids Enjoy

2 Delicious Pancake Recipes Your Family Will Love

During the weekends, I really enjoy spending some time in my kitchen early in the morning preparing breakfast for my family. If you are like me, you find box mix pancakes boring and lacking flavor.

Several years ago, a friend of mine gave me several recipes for homemade pancakes. What I really like about these recipes is that they are easy to prepare and they are more flavorful than a box mix.

If you are a busy mom, you can make some of these up during a Sunday morning and freeze them for later use that week. Just remove from your freezer, defrost for 1 minute in your microwave and then reheat on 75% power for 3 minutes.

Chocolate Chip Pancakes

2 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk


3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 to 1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk chocolate chips
1 tablespoons butter

In a large bowl, beat the two eggs for 30 seconds using an electric mixer. Stir in the milk, vegetable oil, flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt until all ingredients are well combined. Gently fold in the milk chocolate chips. Using a large skillet over medium heat, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter. Pour batter by 1/4 cup sized portions into your skillet and cook pancake for 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Cinnamon Raisin Pancakes

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 cup molasses
2 cups milk
2 large eggs
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup raisins

Place all ingredients into a large mixing bowl, except for the raisins. Using a mixer, beat the batter until all ingredients are well blended. Using a silicone spatula, stir in the raisins. Using a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Pour 1/4 cup of batter into the skillet. Cook on each side for approximately 3 minutes or until golden brown.


Shelly Hill has been working from home since 1989 in Direct Sales and is a Manager with Tupperware. You can visit Shelly online at: http://www.workathomebusinessoptions.com or her recipe blog at: http://wahmshelly.blogspot.com

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Thursday, December 1, 2011

Grilled Chicken Recipe - Make a Perfect Grilled Chicken

Grilled Chicken Recipes
Grilling can be a fun, family activity during weekends. Spend your lazy afternoons in your backyard, and take out those grillers for a grilled chicken for your dinner.

Learning how to grill is not as hard as you would see on television. All you need is the proper temperature for your griller especially if you are using an electric grill. Nevertheless, if you have the conventional griller, try to find some dried wood or charcoal. Ignite the coals or wood by placing crumpled papers below each coal and then set the papers on fire. Do not pour gasoline on the coals or dried wood. The smoke coming from the coals will give a gasoline-like aroma to your grilled meat. These are your best weapons in grilling.

Choose the best part of the chicken. I usually use chicken thighs and legs since they are the fattiest parts of the chicken. These parts will yield a juicy, barbecued chicken. Although these may sound unhealthy, the taste is incredibly delicious. Some would still prefer grilling chicken breasts with the skins on.

Before you start grilling your chicken, do not forget to marinate them at least overnight. Yes, overnight. This is because the longer you marinade your meat, the better absorption of flavors happens. I prefer to use store-bought marinades as these save much preparation time in the kitchen. The downside of most ready-made marinades is their high sodium content. But if you have time, you can make your own marinade from scratch. In the recipe below, the marinade and the chicken were simmered together to speed up the process of grilling and also to let the flavors marry together. I like Asian-style marinades such as this:

For every kilo of chicken:

½ cup light soy sauce (available in the Asian section of grocery stores)

2-3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice

4 tablespoons brown sugar

1 medium stalk of lemon grass (pounded)

3 cloves crushed garlic

1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)

Combine all the above ingredients in a heavy skillet and let it boil for two minutes. Add in the chicken and simmer for another five minutes. Drain the chicken in a colander and reserve the marinade for basting during grilling. Basting is necessary so that the chicken won’t dry out. The marinade can also be made as a sauce by making a basic roux. This is simply done by placing a tablespoon of butter on a non-stick pan and let it cook for minutes. Pour over the marinade and whisk until the sauce thickens. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings accordingly.

You can also opt to make a dry, rub marinade. This dry rub is comprised of herbs and spices and a little oil. For chicken, dried or fresh tarragon and rosemary blends together very well. If you want a spicier, grilled chicken, add a pinch of chili powder and cayenne pepper. There are limitless marinades for grilled chicken. A little imagination and creativity are the keys. Make sure that when grilling the chicken, never let the flame flare up. This will result in burnt chicken. This does not appeal both to the eyes and to the palate. If this occurs, sprinkle a little water over the flame. Some also like their grillers to be covered during the grilling process.

Personally, I liked mine uncovered. There is just something about the smoke which is, for me, the essence of grilling. Grilled foods are best served warm, right off the grill with some salads or other vegetables of your choice.

Healthy Electric Skillet Recipes Kids Enjoy

Sweet Electric Skillet Recipes
If you have children in your life then you know it can sometimes be a challenge finding foods they like that are good for them too. After serving meatloaf and chicken fingers for the nine hundredth time, it sometimes feels like you'll never get out of the "What's for dinner?" rut. At Recipe4Living we know how hard it is to get your kids to eat a nutritious meal. That's why we've put together a collection of recipes for children that you'll like too.

Children Appetizer Recipes

Top Notch Nachos

This is a great recipe for kids or just as appetizers. Very simple to make, but always a favorite!

Ingredients

Round tortilla chips
1 can refried beans
1 large tomato
1 can chopped olives
1 yellow onion
Shredded cheese (optional)

Directions

First, preheat the oven to 315 degrees. Next pull out one or two baking sheets. Open the can of refried beans and chop the tomatoes and onions. Put the tortilla chips on the baking sheets and place a dollop of beans on each tortilla chip.

After completing, place the onions, tomatoes, and olives on too. Add cheese last if using. Put the baking sheets in the oven and bake for 35 minutes.

Children Main Dish Recipes

Easy Crockpot Stuffed Bell Peppers

This easy crockpot stuffed bell peppers recipe is great smelling, simple and made for even the fussiest of eaters!

Ingredients

6 green peppers washed, topped and seeded
1 Tbs. shortening (i.e. Crisco)
1 1/2 - 2 lb. ground beef
1 C. cooked rice
1 sm. onion, chopped
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
dash of basil
1/2 C. ketchup
1 8-oz. can tomato sauce w/ or w/o seasoning

Directions

Heat shortening in skillet and brown beef. Combine meat and next 6 ingredients. Stuff bell peppers. Arrange bell peppers in large crock pot. Can be stacked. Pour tomato sauce over peppers. Cooker on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Children Sandwich Recipes
Mozzarella Chicken Sandwich
This sandwich provides two grain servings from the ciabatta, a little more than two servings of meat from the chicken, and half a dairy serving from the cheese. Serve with orange wedges and baked chips.

Ingredients

1/4 C. (about 2 oz.) sun-dried tomato pesto (such as Classico)
2 Tbs. fat-free mayonnaise
3/4 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. olive oil
1 8 oz. loaf ciabatta bread
12 lg. basil leaves
3/4 C. (3 oz.) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 C. sliced bottled roasted red bell peppers
1 large tomato, thinly sliced

Directions

Combine pesto and mayonnaise in a small bowl, stirring to blend. Sprinkle chicken with pepper and salt. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, and cook for 3 minutes on each side or until done. Remove chicken to cutting board, and cool slightly. Cut chicken lengthwise into thin slices. Preheat broiler. Cut ciabatta in half horizontally. Place bread, cut sides up, on a baking sheet. Broil 3 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove bread from pan. Spread pesto mixture evenly over cut sides of bread. Arrange the chicken slices evenly over bottom half. Top chicken evenly with basil leaves, and sprinkle cheese over top. Place bottom half on baking sheet, and broil 2 minutes or until cheese melts. Arrange bell pepper and tomato over cheese, and cover with top half of bread. Cut into 4 equal pieces.


Children Dessert Recipes

Individual Cheesecakes

A very nice change. Small bite size pieces of cheesecake you can snack on anytime, no need to dirty any dishes.

Ingredients

2 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese
1/2 C. sugar
18 vanilla wafers
1 can cherry pie filling
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3 Tbs. lemon juice

Directions

Mix all ingredients (except pie filling). Beat 10 minutes with electric mixer. Line muffin tins with cupcake fillers and put a vanilla wafer in each cup (18 cups). Add cheese mixture. Bake in 350-degree oven for 17-20 minutes. Cool and top with cherry pie filling (or your favorite pie filling) and refrigerate.

Looking for fantastic childrens' recipes? Find a great collection at Recipe4Living!