Basil Chicken in Coconut Curry Sauce

 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

2 t. curry powder

1 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

1/4 t. chili powder

1 T. olive oil

1/2 c, red onion, finely diced

1 T. dried basil

5 cloves of garlic minced

1 t. grated fresh ginger

1 14 oz. can of cocnut milk

1 T. cornstarch

Hot cooked rice for serving.

Cut chicken into 1" pieces and place in bowl. stir together curry, 1/2 t. salt, pepper and chili powder. sprinkle over chicken, tossing to coat evenly. Cover and chill for 1-2 hours.

In a large skillet, heat the oil over med. heat. add the onion, basil garlic, ginger and cook stirring often for 3-4 min. until onion is translucent and tender.

Add the chicken and remaining 1/2 t. salt and cook over med. heat for 5-6 min. until the chicken is cooked though.

Whisk together the coconut milk and cornstarch until well combined. Add the mixture to the skillet with the chicken and continue to whisk over med. heat, until the sauce simmers and thickens, 5-6 min. Serve hot , over cooked rice

Stir-Fried Pork Burritos

1 lb lean boneless pork loin

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 t. oregano crumbled

1 t. ground cumin

1 t. seasoned salt

2 T. orange juice

1/2 t. hot pepper sauce, or to taste

1 T. vegetable oil

1 medium onion peeled and sliced

1 sweet green bell pepper, seeded and sliced

4 flour tortillas

Slice pork across grain into 1/4" strips. Mix together garlic, oregano, cumin, salt, orange juice, Vinegar and hot pepper sauce. Marinate pork strips in mixture for 10 min. Heat oil in heavy skillet or on griddle until hot. Stir-fry pork strips, onion and bell peppers until pork is no longer pink, about 3-5 minutes. Serve with flour tortillas and accompany with sliced green onion, shredded lettuce and salsa if desired.

Prep time 20 min.

Mushu's MooShu

 3 T. oil

1t. ginger powder

5 c. broccoli slaw mix

1 lb. cooked, sliced pork loin

for the sauce you need:

2 T. soy sauce

1 T. peanut butter

1 t. hot sauce

1 t. sesame oil

1 t. white vinegar

1 1/2 t. brown sugar

1/8 t. black pepper

1/8 t. garlic powder

salt to taste and flour tortillas

Heat oil. Add ginger and stir for 1 minute. Add broccoli slaw to the pan and stir fry on medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes. while the broccoli slaw cooks, and between stirrings whisk together sauce ingredients. Turn heat down to medium and stir in the meat and sauce. Stir and cook 2 more minutes.

Serve in flour tortillas! it is delicious!!!

Broccoli and Bows

Bow tie pasta
1/4 c. olive oil
diced and cooked chicken
garlic
chopped broccoli
1 t. basil
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1/4 c. chicken broth
red pepper
salt and pepper
1 T. butter
Parmesan cheese

Fri chicken, add everything else but the cheese and cook until the broccoli is tender. Toss with cheese and serve.

This is a family favorite among our older children and younger. Maybe your family can enjoy it also!

Cucumber Salad

2 cucumbers thinly sliced
2 T. Vinegar
2 T. Sour cream
Salt
Pepper

Place cucumber slices in bowl. In separate bowl mix remaining ingredients. Pour over cucumbers, place in fridge, chill and enjoy.

Coxinas

This was a favorite recipe from Brazil. It brings back memories, these were sold on the streets, or from homeowners garages. They are divine, and I was lucky enough to have a Brazilian come show me how to make it!

4-6 chicken breasts, 

2 large onion chopped, separated

4 potatoes

4 T. minced garlic, halved

oil, 

2 chicken bouillon cubes 

salt to flavor

5 lbs of flour

bread crumbs, or crushed corn flakes 

cilantro, chopped

1 egg

Quarter chicken breasts, then place in pan with some water and cover. Cook until white and tender. While that is cooking slice and boil potatoes. When chicken has softened put broth aside. shred chicken and place in bowl. When Potatoes are soft enough, drain and mash, set aside. Saute onion and garlic in oil until golden. Add 8 cups of broth and bring to simmer along with bouillon cubes. Now slowly add flour to pan stirring constantly until you have a stiff dough. Remove dough from heat, knead on counter then flatten. Put mashed potatoes on top and fold into dough and knead until smooth. 

Saute more onion, and garlic in approx. 1/4 c. oil. When onion is golden brown, return chicken to pan. if necessary add broth or water to moisten the chicken. Add cilantro to chicken and stir until well blended. Remove from heat. 

Return to dough. Dip fingers in oil and take off approx. 1/4- 1/3 c. of dough in hand. knead and then flatten to a little less than 1/2" thick. pinch some chicken mixture into center and then bring side of dough up to surround chicken mix. Shape into tear drop. do until all dough and chicken is used.

In bowl mix 1 egg and about 2 c. of water in bowl(scramble?) In separate bowl pour box of crumbs. Dip coxinas in egg mix, then roll in crumbs. Once all are ready fry them in deep fryer approx. 4 min. Serve warm with katsup, mustard, hot sauce or what ever you may prefer. Maybe even ranch though I have yet to try it. Enjoy!

Vanessa's Chicken Chili

4 chicken breasts
2 cans corn (1 drained, 1 not drained)
2 cans black beans (1 drained, 1 not drained)
1 can rotel tomatoes
2 pkts  ranch powder
2 T. Chili powder
2 T. Cumin
1\2 onion chopped
1 blocks cream cheese on top

Cook on high 6-8 hours in crock pot. Stir 1-2 times and shreds chicken. Delish!

Grandma Grace's Chicken and Dumplings

This is a favorite recipe my grandma made for the kids and they have talked about it for ages. I am now blessed to have it.

Soup Base
1-2 lbs chicken thighs
2-3 cans chicken broth
1 qt. half and half
1 med. onion chopped
1-2 stalks of celery chopped
salt and pepper to flavor

Boil broth, celery, onions and chicken thighs until chicken is well cooked. Remove chicken and shred or dice meat. Before adding back to broth make your dumplings.

Dumplings
3 c. flour
3 t. baking powder
1/2 c. butter,
1/4 t. salt
Just enough milk to make it a little sticky

Mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter. then add just enough milk to make it sticky. Add by spoon +/- 1/2 T. to broth mixture until all of the dumplings are in the pan. Cook 5-10 min until Dumplings are well cooked. Return Chicken to soup, then over Med. heat add half and half. If it is too creamy youcan add 1/2 c.-1 c. of milk. Add salt and pepper to flavor and enjoy.

Mom's Mexican Casserole

My mom makes this for us, and my kiddos love it! We haven't had leftovers...ever.

1 lb ground and browned hamburger(drained and rinsed)
2 cans of black beans(drained partially)
2 cans of diced tomatoes
1/2 an onion chopped
1 pkg. Taco seasoning
2 c. Cheese grated and separated
*rice

Brown meat and onion together. Add beans and tomatoes and taco seasoning. Simmer. Stir in 1/2 c. Cheese. Add rice, mix well. Pour mixture into a casserole dish, top with remaining cheese. Place in oven @ 350° for twenty minutes or until cheese is melted.

*1 c. Of rice to 1 1/2 c. Water. It will cook some more while in the oven and it taste great!

Ziti Concoction

1 lb. hamburger
1 can favorite marinara sauce
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
3/4 c. sour cream
1 can sliced mushrooms, drained
12 oz. cooked pasta

combine, and maybe, just maybe your kids will enjoy it as much as mine do!

Olive Garden Chicken Carbonara

1 lg chicken breast
1/2 c. olive oil
1/2 c. hot water
1/2 T. italian seasoning
1/2 T. minced garlic
6 slices of bacon crumbled
1 1/2 T. flour
1/2 c. parmesean cheese
2 c. heavy cream
2 c. milk
1/4 t. pepper
1/4 t. salt
1 lb linguini
1 1/2 T. parmesan cheese
1 1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 T. minced garlic
1 T. fresh chopped parsley

1.   Whisk ingredients 2-5 together and place in bag with chicken.

2.   Refrigerate chicken 30 min.

3.   Cook the pasta while cooking the sauce.

4.   For the sauce:

5.   Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.

6.   Add garlic and bacon bits.

7.   Saute 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

8.   Add flour, parmesan cheese,  cream, milk, pepper, and salt. Whisk together.

9. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally.

10.  in a large bowl combine cheese, garlic and parsley. Set aside.

11.  In large skillet cook chicken and cut into pieces.

12.  Add chicken to sauce and simmer 3 min.

13.  Place the pasta in a serving bowl, and pour sauce over it.

14.  Add cheese mixture and mix together.

Poppy Seed Chicken

4-5 chicken breast
2 cans cream of ___________ soup
1 8 oz. package of cream cheese
1 8 oz. sour cream
2 T. poppy seeds

Grill chicken, throw in crock pot with  remaining ingredients. Cook on low 6-8 hours. Enjoy. Tastes great served over rice.

Meat Loaf

1 can chopped mushrooms
1 slightly beaten egg
1 t. salt
dash of pepper
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
milk
1 1/2 t. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 t. dry mustard
1 1/2 c. soft bread crumbs  or  1 pkg crushed saltines

topping;
3 T. ketchup
1 1/2 T. light corn syrup

Drain mushrooms, reserving liquid. Add milk to the liquid, enough to make 1/2 c. Pour in mixing bowl and egg, Worcestershire sauce, seasonings and crumbs. Set 5 min. Stir in beef and chopped mushrooms.

Shape into loaf in 9x13" pan. Bake @ 350 for 1 hour.

Combine the ketchup and corn syrup, brush over meat loaf and bake 15 more min.

Hawiian Hay Stack Sauce

2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 c. chicken broth or water
2 c. cooked and cubed chicken
Curry powder to taste

Cube and cook chicken. Instead of draining water or broth add soup and stir. Add curry and stir well.

This is great served over rice topped with things like pineapple chunks, chopped olives, onions, diced peppers, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, just about anything you can imagine up.

Santa Fe Casserole

1 lb. hamburger
1 pkg taco seasoning
2 c. chicken broth
1/4 c. flour
1 c. sour cream
1 7oz. can diced green chillis
1 11oz. pkg tortilla chips
2 c. grated cheese

In medium skillet, brown and break up hamburger. Drain and rinse. Add taco seasoning and stir well.

In small bowl combine broth and flour. Add to meat. Bring to boil to slightly thicken. Stir in sour cream and chillis. Blend well.

In 9"x13" pan place a layer of 1/2 chips. Top with 1/2 meat mixture, then 1/2 cheese, then repeat these layers.

Bake uncovered @ 375 for 20 min.

Let stand 5 minutes, then enjoy.

***

Potato and Corn Chowder

4-5 medium potatoes cubed
3-6 strips of bacon chopped
1 medium onion chopped
2 stalks of celery diced
2 shredded carrots
2 cans corn, drained
3 cans cream of chicken soup
3 cans milk
1-2 t. salt
chopped parsley

Brown onions and bacon together.

Add potatoes, carrots and celery with 1 c. water, cover and bring to boil. Cook on low until potatoes are tender.

Add corn, soup, milk, salt and parsley. Simmer for flavors to blend. M!

Beef Burrito Skillet

1 lb hamburger
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 an beans drained
1 c, chunky salsa
4 tortillas cut into squares
1 c. shredded cheese
sour cream

Brown meat in large skillet on medium high. Drain and rinse.

Add taco seasoning, beans , salsa; stir bring to boil. simmer on medium low 5 min.

Stir in tortillas; top with cheese and cover. Let stand 5 min. or until cheese is melted.

Top with:   lettuce, sour cream, green onions, olives, diced tomatoes, etc. whatever floats your boat.

Cheddar Chicken Spaghetti

7 oz. spaghetti, cooked
2 c. cubed and cooked chicken
2 c. shredded cheese
1 can cream of chicken
1 c. milk
1 pinch of salt
1 pinch of pepper

After grilling the chicken and cooking the noodles, add the remaining ingredients. Cook until the cheese is melted. Serve. M-m good!

Zucchini and Basil Bake

1 T. olive oil
2 cloves garlic
1/2 onion, chopped
1-2 zucchini(s) chopped
1/2 c. shredded muenster cheese
4 fresh basil leaves
2-3 16 oz. cans stewed tomatoes
1-2 eggs

Put oil in pan, saute onion and garlic until translucent. Add zucchini. Stir and cook for a few min. Chop basil and add to pan.

Stir in tomatoes and shredded cheese.

After cooking for 5 min. Add 1-2 eggs, one at a time stirring. Place in casserole dish and bake at 350 for 45 min.

To make a crusty top crush corn flakes(1/4 c.) and stir in +/- 1/4 c. Parmesan  and sprinkle over the top.

Roast Beef

2-3 lb roast
1 can cream of mushroom
1 envelope onion soup mix
3 T A1 stake sauce
1 T Worcestershire sauce

Place all ingredients on crock pot cook high for 4 hours, or high 8 hrs.