CHEESY CHICKEN BAKE and SLOW COOKER THAI CHICKEN and GARAM MASALA AND SOUR CREAM CHICKEN BAKE

Tuesday is our super busy, crazy, running from one activity to another night. My daughter has horse riding lessons right after school and we make it home in time with barely 30 minutes until my oldest son and husband walk out the door for Scouts.
I have been tempted to stop and pick dinner up on the way back into town from the stable, but so far  I have managed to make meals in advance. The slow cooker has been the quickest and easiest and my cooking method of choice for these hectic evenings, as it doesn't require any hurried re-heating, a big deal with so little time to enjoy our dinner and time together.

CHEESY CHICKEN BAKE

1 1/2 pounds of tomatoes, cut into large cubes
1 onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped parsley or basil
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 to 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup grated fontina

Heat oven to 350F.
In a 9 by 13 inch baking dish, toss tomatoes, onion, 1/4 cup parsley or basil, garlic and olive oil, season with salt and pepper.
Place chicken on top of tomatoes, season. Bake 30 minutes, turn chicken and bake again until sauce bubbles and chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes more.
Sprinkle with cheese, bake another 2 minutes, garnish with remaining parsley or basil
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Rachael Ray Magazine, September 2013
www.rachaelraymag.com/recipes/‎

SLOW COOKER THAI CHICKEN

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 red and 1 green bell pepper coarsely chopped
1 1/2 cups chicken broth, divided
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon ground cumin
3 tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup roasted peanuts chopped
rice, to serve

Place chicken, bell pepper, and onion in slow cooker. Pour soy sauce, chicken broth, cumin, garic, chili pepper flakes, salt and pepper over chicken. Stir well to combine. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours. After this time, whisk togeher cornstarch, peanut butter, 1 tablespoon soy sauce and lime juice together with 1 cup of chicken broth. Mix together until smooth, and then stir back into slow cooker to blend well. Cook an additional 20 to 30 minutes, until sauce is well thickened.
Garnish with cilantro - serve over rice if desired.

Enjoy! Please pass onto your friends!

Recipe adapted from The Holiday Cookbook, November 2008
www.arkansasonline.com/news/features/food

GARAM MASALA AND SOUR CREAM CHICKEN BAKE

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
8 pieces of chicken (I used chicken tenders)
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon garam masala
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
salt to taste

In a large skillet, heat oil on medium. Add onion and cook 10 minutes, or until golden.
Meanwhile, cut shallow slits in chicken to help infuse spices.
In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked onions, sour cream, yogurt, lemon juice, garam masala, turmeric and salt. Mix until smooth. Pour into a resealable plastic bag, add chicken and turn to coat, place bag in shallow pan and let marinate in refrigerator for 4 to 6 hours.
When ready to bake, heat oven to 350F. Transfer chicken and marinade into an 8 by 12 inch baking dish. Bake 45 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Serve chicken with sauce.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from The Arkansas Democrat Gazette, August 2013
www.arkansasonline.com/news/features/food/‎

PASTA SALAD

A friend gave me a large amount of tiny tomatoes from her garden. I indulged right out of the bag while they were still warm from the sun - a wonderful, fresh burst of the summer season.
I was glad to have enough left to make this light pasta salad, it looked so appealing I was eager to try it.

PASTA SALAD

salt and pepper
10 ounces penne pasta
1/2 cup lightly packed whole fresh basil leaves, plus 1/4 cup sliced basil leaves
1/3 cup fat-free plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 small clove of garlic
2 cups grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise
1 orange bell pepper, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
1/3 cup halved pimiento stuffed green olives

In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain, then rinse under cold water. Transfer the pasta to a serving bowl. While the pasta is cooking, in a food processor, puree the whole basil leaves, yogurt, mayonnaise, cheese, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Pour the mixture over the pasta and toss well to coat. Stir in the tomatoes, bell pepper, olives and sliced basil. Season with salt and pepper and toss gently.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Rachael Ray, July/August 2013
www.rachaelraymag.com/recipes/‎

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER SMOOTHIE

During one of my many visits to Crystal Bridges, I dined in their wonderful restaurant, Eleven, then, allowed my guest to leisurely enjoy the magnificent art collection, while I retired to a comfy chair to lose myself in my book.
However, through the din, I distinctly overheard several different people ask what a "smoothie" was, after they read the nearby coffee bar menu. I was rather surprised, and wondered if Smoothies were a relatively new development. Upon researching the history of this blended beverage, I learned that they were originally sold in Health Food stores in the 1930's, inspired by concoctions from Brazil, and, it would seem, increased in popularity throughout the decades in direct relation to an emphasis on healthy eating (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoothie).
My Daughter loved this Chocolate Peanut Butter version, and by adding skim milk and fat free Greek yogurt in combination with the fruits, it stays true to its healthy origins.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER SMOOTHIE

1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1 frozen sliced ripe banana (I would recommend peeling and slicing before freezing)
1/4 cup frozen raspberries
1/4 cup Greek yogurt

Place all of the ingredients in a blender, process until smooth.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Cooking Light, July 2003
www.cookinglight.com/static/pdfs/2003annualindex.pdf

POTATO AND VEGETABLE SALAD WITH MUSTARD RANCH DRESSING

I wanted something quick and healthy as a side for a week night meal, and found this great recipe. It was something I could make with what we had on hand, and paired well with the chicken dish we were having for dinner.

POTATO AND VEGETABLE SALAD WITH MUSTARD RANCH DRESSING

2 pounds of potatoes, unpeeled and cut into bite sized pieces
2 teaspoons salt, divided
1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon honey
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup finely chopped onion (I left this out)
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

Place potato pieces and 1 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan, and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender but still hold their shape. Drain and rinse with cold water.
Combine remaining 1 teaspoon salt, yogurt, buttermilk, mustard, lemon juice, black pepper, honey and garlic, in a large bowl, stirring well with a whisk.
Add the potatoes, bell pepper, celery, onion (if using) parsley, chives and dill, to the yogurt mixture, and toss gently to coat.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Cooking Light, August 2012
www.cookinglight.com/