Bacon & Caramelized-Onion Asparagus

From: Kraft Foods

3 slices OSCAR MAYER Center Cut Bacon

1-1/2 lb. fresh asparagus spears, trimmed

1 Tbsp. water

1/2 cup chopped onions

1/2 cup KRAFT Light Ranch Dressing

COOK bacon in nonstick skillet 3 to 5 min. or until crisp, turning frequently. Drain bacon on paper towels. Discard drippings from skillet. (Do not wash skillet.)

PLACE asparagus in microwaveable casserole or 10x4-inch dish. Add water. Microwave on HIGH 4 to 5 min. or until asparagus is crisp-tender. Meanwhile, add onions to skillet; cook and stir 5 min. or until tender. Stir in dressing.

DRAIN asparagus; top with sauce and crumbled bacon.

MY NOTES: Instead of using 3 measly pieces of bacon, I used a whole package. Since using a whole package of bacon produced that much bacon grease to cook the onions, I drained the onions after they were cooked. Why drain the bacon grease before cooking the onions and deprive yourself of all the bacony flavor? I also used a whole onion - albeit a small onion but it certainly yielded more than a half cup.

Angel Chicken

Angel Chicken: from Kraft Foods

4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1 can (10-3/4 oz.) reduced-sodium condensed cream of mushroom soup

1/4 cup KRAFT Tuscan House Italian Dressing and Marinade

1/4 cup dry white wine

1-1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces(substitute 3 chicken breasts)

1/2 lb. angel hair pasta, uncooked

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

MY NOTE: I made this totally different than the original Kraft Foods recipe, so if you are looking for authenticity, try clicking on the above link. You will be redirected to the Kraft Foods site where you can use or abuse the original recipe.

Combine cream cheese, soup, dressing, and white wine in a sauce pan on the stove. Stir frequently over medium heat.

Meanwhile prepare noodles according to package directions.

Also meanwhile, (is that grammatically correct? hello? is anyone out there?) throw chicken boobs on to the gas grill, straight from the freezer.

Sauce will thicken on the stove and wine will reduce while the water is boiling and the boobs are cooking.

When chicken is cooked all the way through, remove from grill and let sit for a few minutes to let the juices redistribute. Then cut chicken into cubes. For those of us with small children, cubes should be approximately small enough to be chewed by a two year old.

Toss noodles with a little olive oil so they don't stick together.

TO serve: Put noodles in large, shallow bowl. Then top with chicken, then top with sauce, finally garnish with parsley and perhaps, if you feeling it, some quartered cherry tomatoes.

Bon Appetit!

Citrus Rice Salad

From: Giada de Laurentiis

Ingredients

Rice Salad:

• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken stock
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cups brown basmati rice, rinsed
• 3/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 medium orange, zested
• 1 lemon, zested
• 1 cup thinly sliced green onions

Vinaigrette:

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

For the Rice Salad:
Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Arrange the almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely, about 15 minutes
In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken stock, salt and oil to a boil over medium-high heat Stir in the rice. Cover the saucepan, reduce the heat, and simmer until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender, about 40 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Using a fork, fluff the rice and place in a large serving bowl. Add the parsley, orange zest, half of the lemon zest, green onions, and 1/4 cup of the almonds. Toss well.
For the Vinaigrette:
In a blender, combine the olive oil, orange juice, lemon juice, soy sauce, honey, and cumin. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Pour the vinaigrette over the rice mixture and stir well. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Garnish with the remaining lemon zest and almonds.

Trinidadian Chicken Stew

from: Giada De Laurentiis

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts, halved
• 4 small skinless, bone-in chicken thighs
• 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
• 4 whole peeled canned tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 3 carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 3 medium Yukon gold potatoes (about 1 pound), peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 1/2 cups water

Directions

In a heavy bottomed 4-quart saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the sugar and cook, stirring occasionally, until very dark, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the chicken pieces, ginger, 1 teaspoon of salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently until the chicken is brown, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and break up with a wooden spoon. Add the thyme, 2 tablespoons of parsley, carrots, potatoes, and hot water. Cover the pan and simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender, about 40 to 45 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with the remaining parsley.

Basic Dijon Salad Dressing

from my mom

2 T vinegar (red wine or balsamic*)
4 T oil (EVOO or vegetable or canola*)
1/2 t salt
1/2 t sugar
1/4 t pepper
1 t dijon

Combine all in an air tight container and shake shake shake your booty until its all thoroughly mixed.

*whichever you have hanging around your cupboard and/ or you prefer

Baking Powder Biscuits

from Food Network Test Kitchens

Ingredients

Dough:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
  
• 1 teaspoon sugar
  
• 1 teaspoon fine salt
• 7 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, sliced
• 3/4 cup milk

Glaze:

• 1 tablespoon heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon melted unsalted butter

Directions

Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with two layers of parchment paper. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt until evenly combined. Rub 2 tablespoons of the butter into the flour with your fingertips, until it is completely absorbed. Work the remaining butter into the flour until it is in even pieces about the size of a pea. Gently stir the milk into the flour mixture with a fork to make a loose dough.

Turn the dough out onto a well-floured work surface. Pat the dough by hand into a 1/2-inch-thick rectangle. Fold the dough in thirds like a business letter. (For a flakier biscuit repeat this folding a second time.) Pat the dough into a 5 by 8-inch rectangle about 3/4-inch thick. Use a 2- to 3-inch round cutter to make 6 biscuits, and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Press together the scraps of dough, cut 2 more biscuits, and place them on the baking sheet.

Make a glaze by mixing the cream and melted butter together in a small bowl. Lightly brush the tops of the biscuits with the glaze. Bake until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Cool on a rack for 5 minutes before serving.

MY NOTES: I didn't make the glaze and they turned out awesome! My hubs even said, upon his first bite, "Wow! These tastes exactly like the ones my mom makes!" Success!

Parmesan Pizza Crust

from Beth Boyd via Frank Sorelle

makes 2 pizza crusts

2 pkg dry active yeast
2 c warm water
6-7 c flour (i used whole wheat but you can also use all purpose)
2 t salt
2 t sugar
1/2 c parmesan cheese
1/2 c vegetable oil
cooking spray
olive oil

COMBINE yeast and water - let stand 5 minutes

COMBINE yeast mixture with 3 cups flour, salt, sugar, cheese and vegetable oil in a large bowl. Then BEAT at low speed until blended

STIR in enough remaining flour to make medium stiff dough

Let RISE 45 minutes or until double in size (don't rush) in an oiled bowl

PUSH it out with fingers and prick with a fork

BAKE, 425 degrees, 8-10 minutes (with olive oil and garlic)

ADD toppings and BAKE 10-15 minutes

ADD cheese and BAKE 5 minutes

NOTES: I am still new at baking so leave questions in your comments and I will try my best to answer them.