Sweet and slighty spicy chicken kabobs

Approximately I lb. Chicken chunks ) I placed on 2 wooden skewers 

I make a sauce ( similar to a marinade)with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, sugar,soy sauce ,red pepper and a few tablespoons vegetable oil.  I didn’t have sesame oil but would have used it.

Placed chicken cubes in a large zip lock bag and added the sauce. Moved the chicken around to coat and refrigerated it until I decided either to bake, broil or use my grille pan.

I decided to bake at 350°for approximately 15 to

25 minutes. ***I then broiled them for a few minutes more to try to brown them some. Note: I turned them over at 15 minutes and baked 10 minutes more. I then broiled them. I hope that’s clear… there was no pink inside.

I sprinkled after with parsley before serving.

I’m a bit under the weather so excuse any confusion in directions.

Cranberry pork tenderloin

I figured today was a good day to make something new.

I had a small pork tenderloin, fresh and jelled cranberries so today it’ll be Cranberry garnished Pork tenderloin.

TOPPING;

1/2 cup fresh cranberries washed 

1/2 cup jellied cranberry sauce 

3 tsp. Brown sugar 

Place above in microwave bowl.  Covered slightly.  I use my microwave cover for my bowl.  It has vents.  Microwave for 30 seconds two times. Remove and stir well

And set aside.

I small Pork tenderloin ( there are only two of us and I didn’t want leftovers).

Preheat oven to 400°.  Season pork with generous amount of salt, pepper and olive oil. *Bake uncovered.

Place in baking dish and bake*(uncovered) approximately 40 to 45 (depending on size)minutes.  Could be less. Don't over bake.  Remove from oven.  Cover tenderloin with above mixture. Bake an additional 10 minutes.

Side dishes to be determined!

 

Taco Tuesday casserole

My recipe!

1 lb, ground beef

1/2 tsp. Onion powder

I pkg. dry taco seasoning mix 

2/3 cup water 

1/2 can diced tomatoes with chiles(drain juice)

1can red enchilada sauce

4 large soft tacos

1 package taco cheese with jalapeños

Cook on medium heat ground beef until browned. Drain.

Add onion powder , seasoning mix and water. Add 1/2 drained diced tomatoes and 1/2 red enchilada sauce. Cook for a few more minutes. It should thicken slightly.  Mix the other half of the enchilada sauced with diced tomatoes and mix. This will be for topping.

In a 9 x 9 baking dish place half of red sauce. 

Place large tablespoons of beef mixture in center of soft taco, add cheese. Roll and place taco filled side down. Cover with sauce and any leftover cooked beef mixture and cheese.

Bake 350° for 20 or 30 minutes.  Enjoy!

Tuscan bean soup, my version!

My version of a recipe I’ve been wanting to make for a very long time.

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1tablespoon butter

2 cloves minced garlic

1/4 cup chopped celery 

1/4 cup chopped carrot

1/4 cup minced or chopped onion 

1/4 cup chopped spinach

1-15 oz can chicken broth 

1- can butter beans drained

1- 4 oz. Tomato sauce

1/2 cup heavy cream or half and half

Sauté onion carrots , onions, celery and garlic in vegetable oil and butter.  When tender add tomato sauce, chicken broth beans and spinach.  Slowly Add heavy cream and Cook slowly until

Slightly thickened.  It’s delicious!

Note: next time I’d add another can of beans to make the consistency to my liking.

It is delicious !

Easy Macaroni Soup!

Todays macaroni soup I added a little extra elbows so it’s pretty thick. ****  If necessary when it’s reheated I may add a little extra chicken or beef broth. Updated photo. 4/1/2024

Any day is a good day for this soup! Kiddo's will love this back to school recipe and it's so easy!

I've caught a "cold" and a bit under the weather so this Macaroni Soup will hit the spot for me.  I'm re-posting my blog post from last winter if you haven't checked it out.  A great dish for anytime but it hits the spot when you have a cold.  I add a little red pepper to it to open up those sinuses. Enjoy!

 I'm back in the kitchen and I totally surprised myself.  I thought I wouldn't touch a pot or pan for a week..  Guess I overlooked the fact that there weren't any leftovers so today I heard the weather guy say rain changing to snow in our forecast so soup's on..Macaroni soup that is!!!!

This recipe is one I have made and it's very easy...It's a basic recipe which takes no time to put together to warm you up on a chilly day.  You can add extra black pepper to spice it up..

Happy Cooking!

  

 1 lb. beef ground (I use 85 % ) so It'll give your soup good flavor..If you are worried about fat content use 90 %+.
1/4 +tsp. onion powder
1/4 +tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. parsley

1/2 tsp. Basil
1- 15 oz. can Hunts Sauce
1- large 32 oz. Beef Broth

1- large 32 oz. Chicken broth 
****1/2 lb. + elbow macaroni cooked rinsed and drained 
****salt and pepper to taste
grated Italian cheese


In a medium to large pot place about 3 tablespoon canola oil , add  ground beef, onion powder, garlic powder,  parsley, basil ,salt and pepper.  Saute until slightly browned....After browning, add sauce and beef and chicken broth. Cook over medium heat for approximately 30 minutes..Add cooked elbow macaroni and grated cheese....(for a thicker soup add extra pasta)  Note:  Do not overcook elbow pasta.

Note:  cook pasta separately (drain, rinse and cover in a bowl)if you like a more broth like soup and add the desired amount to broth. 

From my kitchen to yours,

9/16/12

1/19/16
8/21/16

10/4/2017

Cheese tortellini with chicken and broccoli in a red and white sauce

Our Sunday meal today!

Playing with food I had in my freezer.

I’m love using what I have in my freezer to make an easy casserole type meal.

1 quart red sauce

1- 16 to 20oz. Refrigerated cheese tortellini 

1/2 package frozen broccoli florets cooked 

11/2 to 2 cups rotisserie chicken shredded or sliced 

1 cup ***Béchamel sauce

Shredded mozzarella or Italian grated for garnish 

Recipe link below for

Bechamel sauce

https://iliketobakeandcook.blogspot.com/2023/11/homemade-bechamel-sauce.html

Bring tortellini to a boil in slightly salted water. Drain saving some water and boil broccoli in same water for a few minutes. Drain.

In a 13” x 9” baking dish place a few spoons of red sauce (about 1/4 cup) or more depending on how much sauce you enjoy.

Place drained tortellini in casserole evenly. Layer chicken and broccoli and top with more sauce and drizzle with Bechamel and some grated cheese or some shredded mozzarella.

Bake 350° uncovered for approximately 30minutes or until cheese has melted.

Serve with a basic salad with Italian dressing 

Delicious !

Cannoli ricotta cake

I decided to be a bit adventurous and topped it with freshly whipped cream.  

****Note:  for the 9” x 13” pan recipe for a thicker layer of ricotta filling DOUBLE the amount of ricotta FILLING.

Home made butter cake topped with fresh ricotta that  I added vanilla, powdered sugar and mini semi sweet morsels.

Note:  I had this last week at a restaurant and we both really enjoyed it so I used my moms butter cake recipe and my cannoli filling recipe to put on top.  I taste tested yumm!

Recipe link below:

Moms Butter cake

I had been to a local restaurant where they served a cake similar to this so I decided to use my moms recipe for butter cake and my ricotta filling to top it.

Note:  you can top with finely chopped colored nuts for the holidays.

I’ll link the recipes below.

Ricotta filling

https://iliketobakeandcook.blogspot.com/2018/12/cannoli-ricotta-or-custard-filled-you.html

 

New recipe Chili w vegetables recipe

Today was a day to play with food.

I added my touch to a recipe I had never used before.

My mother in law when she made chili she would add a can of mixed vegetables to hers.  I never cared for it so when I made chili I would make my version of a recipe I used from the first time I made chili and it involved beef, onion salt and pepper, chili powder and tomato juice.  My original recipe:

https://iliketobakeandcook.blogspot.com/2019/02/basic-chili-con-carne.html

New recipe:
I lb. Ground beef

1 medium onion chopped 

2 carrots chopped or sliced

I tsp. Cumin

1tsp. Chili powder

1tsp. Better than bullion beef seasoning****

1/2 cup water***disolve bouillon in hot water 

I stalk celery chopped 

1tsp. Salt

1large can crushed tomatoes 

1 small red or green or yellow pepper ****

1 can dark kidney beans rinsed and drained 

NOTE;  you can replace fresh vegetables with frozen vegetables or canned veggies.

In a Dutch oven pot place a small amount of vegetable oil.

Place carrot,celery,onion and beef, yellow pepper ,salt and sauté until onion is translucent and beef is browned.

Add tomatoes, Better than bouillon, cumin , chili powder, drained beans and chopped pepper.

Cook on low to medium until it starts to boil.  Cook on low slightly covered for approximately 1hour or more.

Because of the vegetables this recipe will need to be cooked on low until vegetables are tender.

Some fresh bread or crackers to sop up the juice.

Tbis chili is meant to be soupy!

Usually chili is topped with shredded cheese but today I put a dollop of sour cream on mine.  Delicious!!

Enjoy!