Friday, September 28, 2012

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Adapted from Food Network
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 cup canola oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 packed cups grated zucchini (don’t peel it)
1 cup chocolate chips


Preheat oven at 350 F. Spray two 9×5 inch pans with nonstick spray.
In a large bowl, stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
In a medium bowl, beat the sugar and eggs until light and fluffy. Add the oil and vanilla. Add to the dry ingredients along with the zucchini and chocolate chips. Stir just until combined, and divide between the loaf pans.
Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the tops are cracked and springy to the touch. Makes 2 cakes.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Cajun grilled chicken and Pasta

http://www.plainchicken.com/2012/01/grilled-cajun-ranch-chicken-pasta.html?m=1

Wowsa!!! We loved this meal! I made up the Cajun mix that she links to, and left my chick to marinate for several hours.
I halved the recipe and it was plenty for our family.
I didn't have any garlic, so I left it out. I really don't think it needed it. I also added the parm after the sauce had simmered a bit. My one complaint was that the sauce didn't thicken as I wish it had.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Chicken cordon blue pasta

So delicious!!

10-12 oz. penne or ziti pasta
2 cups heavy cream
1 (8 oz) block cream cheese
1/2 tsp. onion powder more or less to taste
1/2 tsp. garlic salt more or less to taste
1 1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese separated
2 chicken breasts cooked and cut into strips
3/4 cup bacon cooked and chopped
3/4 cup diced ham
bread crumbs

Cook pasta according to its package's directions. Drain. I always add a little olive oil after I drain it and stir in around so the pasta noodles don't stick together or the pot.
Heat cream cheese on stove over medium low heat until melted. Stir in heavy cream. Stir until completely combined. Add onion powder and garlic salt until it tastes how you would like it to. Stir 1 cup of cheese until smooth consistency.
In a 9x13, layer noodles, chicken, bacon and ham. Pour sauce over top. Sprinkle top with 1/2 cup cheese and bread crumbs.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes or until heated through.