For my parents

Here is a delicious new recipe I created recently. I hope my dad will especially enjoy this no-sodium dinner. The natural ingredients create a strong, delicious flavor that goes beautifully with pasta.

Tomato Pesto Chicken

Place the following items in a food processor:
1 small pkg. grape tomatoes
2 Tbsp pine nuts
1/4 c. parmesan
1 tsp. minced garlic
6 crushed Basil leaves
olive oil till moist

Blend ingredients in processor till all items are minced and well blended, creating a paste. Spread paste ontop of chicken breasts and sprinkle parmesan over all. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 45 min. Uncover and then bake an additional 10-15 min. until topping becomes crusty. Serve with pasta.

Yummy New Snack

Italian cheese ball

This is from my friend Diane Stubblefield. This delicious snack has a fancy name that I can't remember, but I just couldn't wait to post it. I am keeping this wonderful low-carb snack in my fridge from now on!

1 box cream cheese
6 chopped basil leaves
1/4 cup chopped pine nuts
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp minced garlic
4 sundried tomatoes, diced

Mix ingredients together and store in fridge. I serve this with bagel chips. Yummy!

Crustless Quiche Lorraine

I love this recipe. I adapted it from a recipe given to my by my friend Connie in Maine, but I'm sure it is a lot like other Quiche Lorraine recipes. This is a breakfast favorite, but it's great for dinner, too! You can make this with a crust, but I make it crustless for our low-carb diet.

Quiche Lorraine

4 eggs

1 cup half & half

diced green onions

crumbled bacon or sliced ham

swiss cheese slices

1/2 tsp. salt

dash of nutmeg

Beat eggs with half & half and add salt and nutmeg. In a buttered shallow baking dish, crumble bacon and add diced green onions. Place cheese slices over all. Pour egg mixture over the cheese layer. Bake at 350 till slightly brown and the quiche should not jiggle in the center. Should take about 45 minutes.

Cajun Chicken & Pasta Alfredo

Okay, this is my absolute favorite meal lately! I created it when I was craving a similar dish at a big, expensive chain restaurant and we were tight for cash. Now I can eat it at home whenever I want! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. It's a great dinner for those of you on low carb diets, too! Just make the chicken and pour the alfredo sauce all over your chicken and your favorite vegetable like steamed broccoli or peas. (By the way, I am not posting any more menus till someone comments on the one already here. Too much work if no one really cares, know what I mean? If you want more menus, please request it. Thanks!)

2 chicken breasts, diced

1 Tbsp olive oil

Cajun seasoning

green onions, diced

2 cups cooked pasta (we like bowtie)

1/2 tsp minced garlic

3/4 c butter

3/4 c grated parmesan

1 1/2 c cream

Saute the chicken and half the green onion in a pan with olive oil and sprinkle the Cajun seasoning generously over all. Remove chicken to another dish. Cover to keep warm. Melt butter in your pan. Add garlic and remaining green onion, saute. When onions turn soft, add cream and parmesan. Cook on medium heat, stirring until cheese is melted and all ingredients are well blended. Add a sprinkle or two of Cajun seasoning if desired. Pour over chicken and cooked pasta. (Caution: If your pan is too hot when you add the cream and cheese, you could end up with the ingredients separating into a gloppy mess. Do not boil!)

Tater Tot or Hash Brown Casseroles

What do you do when your husband brings home a 5 lb. bag of tater tots? You make casserole! Hope you like one of these two favorites!

Tater Tot Casserole

1 lb. bag of frozen tater tots

1 lb. hamburger meat

1/2 stick of butter/margarine, melted

2 c. shredded cheese or 1/2 box velveeta

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

1/2 onion, diced

salt & pepper

Brown the hamburger with onion in a skillet, drain. Mix meat with soups and salt, pepper. Pour melted butter into a casserole dish, place a layer of tater tots followed by a layer of the meat mixture, and then a layer of cheese. Top with remaining tater tots and more cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover and bake another 10-15 minutes. Yummy!

Hashbrown Casserole

I always make this the day after we have ham for dinner.

1 lb. bag of frozen hashbrowns (any style is fine)

1-2 cups ham chunks or canadian bacon

2 c. shredded cheese or velveeta

8 oz. sour cream

1 stick melted butter

1/2 onion, diced

salt & pepper

1 can cream of mushroom soup (optional)

Mix all the above ingredients together in a large bowl and then pour into a buttered casserole dish. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake another 10-15 minutes.

Favorite Chicken Dinners

These are staples in our home. I call this "grown-up" food at my table. The kids eat pasta while we enjoy a delicious chicken. Hope you enjoy.

Balsamic Chicken

Four chicken breasts

Greek seasoning (or try lemon pepper)

Balsamic Vinegar

Olive oil

Feta Cheese

Garlic

Butter

Chicken broth

Place the chicken in a baking dish and generously sprinkle Greek seasoning on top of each breast. Sprinkle with balsamic vinegar, cover with foil and place in the oven at 350. Cook covered for 30 minutes. Then uncover, sprinkle feta cheese over all and cook for 10 minutes.

In a saucepan, add 1 tsp butter to 1/2 tsp. minced garlic and saute. Then, add 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup olive oil, and 1/4 cup chicken broth. Sprinkle with greek seasoning, stir well, and cook uncovered on med. high heat until the sauce reduces to a very dark syrup. Add 1 Tbsp. butter and stir until melted. (This reduction takes at least 20 minutes, so I start it right after I put the meat in the oven.) Serve the chicken with the reduction sauce drizzled all over the top. I like to serve this with a creamy risotto or a greek salad. My husband likes me to make it with a pasta alfredo. Either way, you'll really enjoy this unique dish.

Parmesan Chicken

This is my aunt Darla's recipe. A family favorite.

4 chicken breasts

1 sleeve Ritz crackers (tho any will do)

4 Tbsp butter/margerine, melted

1/2 c grated parmesan

Crush the crackers into fine crumbs and mix in a bowl with the melted butter and parmesan. You can add Italian seasonings if you like. Coat the chicken with this mixture and place it in a baking dish, spoon whatever is left of the crumbs on top of the chicken. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake another 15 minutes or until crispy. Serve with your favorite pasta and marinara sauce. Your friends will think you are a closet Italian chef!

Fish

A friend has requested a fish recipe that hides some of the "fishy" taste. I developed this recipe when we lived in Maine for our summer guests. I usually served it with a large fresh salad and baked potato. It is a great way to start for those who aren't huge fans of seafood. Hope you like it!

Breadcrumb Fish

4 filets of fish (I prefer Haddock)

1/2 c Miracle Whip or Mayonnaise

2 c Seasoned bread crumbs (stouffer's dressing works well)

Butter a baking dish, coat fish with mayo and then dredge in bread crumbs. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake another 10-15 minutes till crispy. (If you have trouble with this recipe, please let me know. I am trying to write this from memory.)