Spicy Island Shrimp

Recipe Courtesy of Taste of Home

Prep Time  20 minutes
Total Time  20 minutes
Serves 6

If you like things spicy, you have to try this one.  Cut back or omit the cayenne pepper to make it kid friendly.

Ingredients:

• 1 large green pepper, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup butter cubed
• 2-1/4 pounds uncooked large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce
• 3 tablespoons chopped green onions
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Hot cooked rice

Directions:

In a large skillet, saute the green pepper and onion in butter until tender. Reduce heat; add shrimp. Cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato sauce, green onions, parsley and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until slightly thickened. Serve with rice.

Mango Chicken Salad with Spiced Pecans and Couscous

Original Recipe

Prep Time  10 minutes
Serves 4


I absolutely love the Mango Chicken Salad at Coastal Flats.  I decided to try to re-create the recipe and I was quite happy with the result!

Ingredients:

2 bags mixed salad greens
2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cooked and diced*
2 cups fresh mango, diced**
1 cup red grapes, halved
1 box Herbed Chicken couscous (I like the Near East brand)
2 cups spiced or honey roasted pecans
1 cup feta cheese
Blush Wine Vinaigrette (I used Open Nature brand)

* Perdue Shortcuts are easy alternative

* * Fresh mangoes are almost impossible to cut.  Save yourself the hassle and purchase the pre-cut mango in the produce section.

Directions:
Cook couscous according to package directions.

Place salad greens, mango, grapes, pecans and feta cheese in large bowl.  Toss to mix.

Place salad in individual salad bowls.  Top with vinaigrette.  Place a serving of couscous on top of salad. 

Banana Split Pie

Recipe Courtesy of Tastefully Simple

Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time
Serves 8

Ingredients:

1/2 package (15 ounces) refrigerated pie crust (1 crust)
1 cup milk chocolate morsels, melted and divided
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup cold milk
1 package (3.4 oz) white chocolate instant pudding mix
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, well drained
1 medium banana, sliced
1 cup sliced strawberries
1 1/2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/4 cup chopped nuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425°F. For crust, place pie crust in pie plate, gently rolling dough into bottom and up sides. Prick bottom of crust using toothpick. Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely.
Melt chocolate morsels in microwave safe dish uncovered, on HIGH 1 minute, stirring every 30 seconds until chocolate is melted and smooth. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the chocolate for garnish. Spread remaining chocolate over bottom and sides of crust.
For filling, place cream cheese in microwave safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH 30 seconds or until softened; whisk until smooth. Gradually whisk in milk. Add pudding mix and sugar; whisk until mixture begins to thicken. Fold in pineapple. Spread filling evenly into crust.
For toppings, arrange fruit over top of pie. Spread whipped topping over fruit. Drizzle reserved melted chocolate over top of pie. Sprinkle with nuts. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Colorful Corn Salad

Recipe Courtesy of Taste of Home

Prep/Total Time  15 minutes
Serves 16-18

A great addition to any picnic!

Ingredients

• 2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen corn, thawed
• 2 cups diced green pepper
• 2 cups diced sweet red pepper
• 2 cups diced celery
• 1 cup minced fresh parsley
• 1 cup chopped green onions
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 tablespoons lime juice

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the first 12 ingredients. In a microwave-safe dish, combine oil and garlic. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 30 seconds. Cool. Whisk in lime juice. Pour over corn mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving. 

White Cheddar Mac & Cheese

Recipe Courtesy of Parents Magazine

Prep Time  20 minutes
Total Time 60 minutes
Serves 12

This dish is tasty as is but you can easily substitute chicken instead of ham and add diced tomatoes for variation.

Ingredients

·                                 1  pound  farfalle pasta

·                                 2  tablespoons  unsalted butter

·                                 2  tablespoons  all-purpose flour

·                                 2  cups  milk

·                                 1/2  teaspoon  salt

·                                 1/4  teaspoon  black pepper

·                                 1/4  teaspoon  ground nutmeg

·                                 1  pound  white cheddar cheese, shredded (about 4 cups)

·                                 1  package (10 ounces)  frozen peas, thawed

·                                 1/2  pound  finely diced smoked ham 

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°. Coat 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Cook pasta in lightly salted water following package directions, about 12 minutes. Drain.

2. While pasta is cooking, melt butter in a medium-size, heavy-bottomed saucepan (not nonstick) over medium heat. Stir in flour until well blended; cook 1 minute. Whisk in 1 cup of milk and cook, whisking continuously, until smooth. Whisk in remaining 1 cup milk and continue to cook, whisking until thickened and smooth, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in salt, pepper and nutmeg. Whisk in 2 cups of the cheese until smooth.

3. In a large bowl, mix together the pasta, cheese sauce and 1 cup of the remaining cheese. Stir in the peas and ham. Pour into prepared baking dish. Scatter remaining 1 cup cheese evenly over the top.

4. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Remove from oven; allow to cool 10 minutes. May be served warm or at room temperature.

Chicken Piccata

Recipe Courtesy of a family friend

Prep Time  20 minutes
Total Time  45 minutes
Serves 6

This recipe rivals any Chicken Piccata dish that I've tried in restaurants.   Fancy enough for company, easy enough for a weeknight.

Ingredients:

¾ cup flour

½ tsp. oregano

¼ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. black pepper

1 pd. Chicken breasts, boned, skinned & halved (I recommend using the thinly sliced cutlets)

2 cloves garlic, minced

¼ cup white wine

¼ cup unsalted chicken broth

1/4 cup capers

¼ cup water

1 lemon, sliced

Directions:

Combine flour, oregano, salt/pepper. Dredge chicken through mixture. Grease large skillet. Saute garlic. Add chicken & brown. Add wine, broth, capers & water. Cook over medium heat until chicken is done (@ 15 minutes). Add lemon during last 5 minutes.

Serve with angel hair pasta.

Fruit Pizza

Recipe Courtesy of allrecipes.com

Prep Time  25 minutes
Total Time  1 hr 35 minutes
Serves 10

Quick, easy and delicious.  Perfect for a kids' birthday party.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1/2 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and 3/4 cup sugar until smooth. Mix in egg. combine the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt; stir into the creamed mixture until just blended. Press dough into an ungreased pizza pan.* *Shortcut:  Use store bought, prepared sugar cookie dough..

Bake in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla until light. Spread on cooled crust.

Arrange desired fruit on top of filling, and chill Suggested fruit toppings: Strawberries, blueberries, kiwi fruit, mandarin oranges, raspberries.

Black Bean Dip

Recipe Courtesy of Festive Finger Foods cookbook

Prep Time  10 minutes
Total Time  10 minutes + chill time
Serves 10-12

Once you start eating this, you won't be able to stop.  It's addictive!

Ingredients:

2 (11-oz) cans white corn, drained
2 (15-oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
1 cup ranch salad dressing
1 small onion, diced
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

In a medium bowl, thoroughly mix all ingredients.  Chill in refrigerator overnight before serving.  Serve cold with tortilla chips.

Cheesy Chicken & Artichoke Bites

Recipe Courtesy of Pillsbury

Prep Time  15 minutes
Total Time  45 minutes
Makes 48 appetizers

Ingredients:

2	cans (8 oz each) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls (8 rolls each)
6	slices fully cooked bacon (from 2.1-oz package)
1	package (6 oz) refrigerated cooked chicken breast strips, cubed
1	can (13.75 oz) quartered artichoke hearts, drained, coarsely chopped
2	medium cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2	cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
1/4	cup sour cream
1/2	cup shredded Asiago cheese (2 oz)
1/4	cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1.	Heat oven to 375°F. Separate dough from both cans into 8 rectangles; press perforations to seal. Cut each rectangle into 6 (2-inch) squares. Press 1 square in bottom and up side of each of 48 ungreased mini muffin cups.
2.	Heat bacon as directed on package; crumble. In large bowl, mix bacon and remaining ingredients. Place 1 tablespoon chicken filling in each cup.
3.	Bake 12 to 20 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Immediately remove from pans to serving platter. Serve warm.

Slow Cooker Sausage Pizza Sloppy Joes

Recipe Courtesy of Betty Crocker

Prep Time    25 minutes
Total Time    6 hrs 25 min
Servings   18 sandwiches

2 childhood favorites combined in one delicious sandwich!

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs bulk Italian sausage
2 cups frozen stir fry bell peppers and onions (from 1lb bag); thawed
1/2 cup chopped pepperoni
1 can (15 oz) pizza sauce
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
3 roma tomatoes, coarsely chopped (approximately 1 cup)
18 sandwich buns
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

Cook sausage in 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat 9 to 11 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink; drain.

Spray 3- to 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Mix sausage, stir-fry vegetables, pepperoni, pizza sauce and Italian seasoning in cooker.

Cover and cook on Low heat setting 4 to 6 hours.

Stir in tomatoes. To serve, fill buns with sausage mixture and sprinkle with cheese.

Best Spanish Rice

Recipe adapted from allrecipes.com

Prep Time  15 minutes
Total Time  25 minutes
Serves 6

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 cup salsa
1 cup whole kernel corn
1 1/2 cups uncooked white rice
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
2. Mix rice into skillet, stirring often. When rice begins to brown, stir in chicken broth, corn and salsa. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes.  Stir in cheddar cheese until melted.

Awesome Enchiladas

Recipe Courtesy of allrecipes.com

Prep Time  45 minutes
Total Time  1 hr 45 minutes
Serves 8

Ingredients:

2 lbs skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 1/4 cups sour cream
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1 tablespoon butter
1 small onion, chopped
1 (4 oz) can chopped green chiles, drained
1 (1.25 oz) package mild taco seasoning
1 bunch green onions, chopped and divided
1 cup water
1 teaspoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
10 (12-inch) flour tortillas
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 (10 oz) can enchilada sauce
1 (6 oz) can sliced black olives

Directions:

Place the chicken in a large pot and add water to cover.  Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low; cover, and simmer until the chicken pieces are no longer pink, about 10 minutes.  Shred the chicken by placing 2 forks back to back and pulling meat apart.  Set the shredded chicken aside.  Meanwhile, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream and chili powder in a saucepan.  Bring to a simmer over low heat; stirring occasionally, then turn off the heat and cover to keep warm.

Heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat.  Stir in the onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes.  Add the shredded chicken, chopped green chiles, taco seasoning, half of the green onions, and water.  Allow to simmer for 10 minutes.  Stir in lime juice, onion powder and garlic powder; simmer for an additional 10 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Stir 1 cup of the soup mixture into the skillet with the chicken mixture.  Spread the remaining soup mixture on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.

Fill each tortilla with chicken mixture.  Sprinkle cheddar cheese over the chicken filling before folding the tortilla, reserving half of the cheddar cheese for topping the enchiladas.  Fold tortillas over the filling and place seam-side down in the prepared pan.

Pour enchilada sauce evenly over enchiladas.  Cover with the remaining 1 1/2 cups of cheddar cheese.  Sprinkle the reserved green onions and the sliced olives on top of the cheese.  Bake 25 minutes or until filling is heated through and cheese is bubbly.

Pineapple Marguerita

Recipe Courtesy of allrecipes.com

Prep Time  10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Serves 2

Awesome drink for the summer!

Ingredients:

2 cups limeade prepared from concentrate
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup orange juice
2 oz tequila
1 ounce orange liquer

* As with any cocktail, juices and alcohol levels can be adjusted to suit your taste.  Drink and drive responsibly.

Directions:

Salt the rims of 2 large marguerita glasses.  In a pitcher, combine limeade, pineapple juice, orange juice, tequila and orange liquer.  Stir well and pour into salted glasses.