Sunday, October 12, 2008

Creamy Potato Casserole

This is an excellent recipe if your a fan of Gruyere cheese and Dijon mustard, both of which I love. Follow the recipe closely as there are a few tricks to getting the potatos cooked through.

Ingredients

1 medium onion chopped
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tsbp Dijon style mustard
1 3/4 cups milk
4 oz of cream cheese
4 oz of Gruyere cheese
1 tbsp snipped fresh chives or green onions
6 red or Yukon gold potatoes cut into 1/8" wedges
8 oz sliced cooked ham or canadian bacon

Preparation

1) Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 2 quart rectangular baking dish with cover; set aside.

2) For sauce, in medium saucepan cook onion in hot butter over medium heat 5 minutes or until tender; stirring occationally.

3) Stir in flour and mustard.

4) Add milk all at once, cook and stir over medium heat until slightly thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low.

5) Whisk in cream cheese until smooth.

6) Gradually add 1/2 cup of the Gruyere cheese until cheese is melted. Sirt in Chives or Green onions.

7) In bowl combine potatoes, ham and sauce; toss gently to bombine. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.

8) Bake, covered, 1 hour or until potatoes are tender, stir carefully about every 20 minutes.

9) Uncover, and sprinkle with crushed chips and remaining cheese.

10) Bake uncovered for 15 minutes more or untli cheese is melted.

11) Let stand 10 minutes before serving,.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Chicken and Asparagus Skillet Supper

Sorry no picture on this one. The orginal recipe stated 320cal per serving, 8 points, but I have modified it slightly it was originally for chicken thighs. The cooking liquid is a surprisingly deep brown in color and very tasty. It makes a great sauce on this dish.

Ingredients
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
5 slices of bacon, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup chicken broth
1 lb asparagus spears, trimmed
2-3 zucchini, or crookneck squash cut into 1/2 strips
1/2 yellow onion cut in strips

Preparation

Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. In 12 inch skillet cook chicken and bacon over medium high heat until browned on both sides. Add the onion in the last 3-4 minutes. Carefully add the broth; cover and cook 3-5 minutes more or until chicken is tender and no longer pink.

Meanwhile in microwave safe 2 quart dish combine asparagus, squash, and 2 Tbsp of water. Sprinkle salt and pepper. cover with vented plastic wrap. Cook on 100% power 5-7 minutes, until vegetables are crisp-tender, stirring once. Transfer to plates, Drizzle cooking liquid; top with chicken, bacon and onions.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Need a good quick meal that goes well with rice or fried potatos.  We really like this one. 

Ingredients

Directions


  1. Combine the soy sauce, sugar, garlic, lime juice, ginger and red pepper flakes in a wide, shallow baking pan that will hold all of the fish in a single layer.
  2. Stir briefly to dissolve the sugar.
  3. Add the tilapia, then turn it over so that it's coated all over with the marinade.
  4. Set aside for 20 min or so.
  5. Heat the grill to 350.
  6. Place the fish on the grill between the burners.  Grill the fish for 5 minute
  7. Flip the fish on the Grill board, and grill for 5 more minute.
  8. The fish should be opaque and flaky.